This bill makes it easier for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) to receive a higher level of survivor compensation from the VA. Today, the higher amount usually requires the veteran’s disability to have been rated totally disabling for at least eight years before death. The bill removes that eight‑year rule for ALS deaths, so the length of time the veteran had ALS no longer matters if the VA determines ALS caused the death .

The change also applies to veterans who died from ALS on or after October 1, 2022 .

• Who is affected: Surviving spouses of veterans who died from ALS.
• What changes: They can qualify for the increased compensation even if the veteran did not have ALS for eight years before passing .
• When it applies: For deaths on or after October 1, 2022 .