Current status is Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1685

1. Short title
2. Extension of increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
3. Report on additional medical conditions

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025".

2. Extension of increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(a) Extension - Section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1) - by inserting "(A)" before "The rate"; and

(2) - by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B) - A veteran who died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis shall be treated as a veteran described in subparagraph (A) without regard for how long the veteran had such disease prior to death.

(C) - For purposes of the payment of compensation under this subsection by reason of the death of veteran described in subparagraph (B), the term surviving spouse means a person who was married to the veteran for a continuous period of eight years or longer prior to the death of the veteran.

(b) Applicability - Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on or after October 1, 2025.

3. Report on additional medical conditions

(a) Report required - Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report that includes an identification of any service-connected disability, other than amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, that the Secretary determines should be treated in the same manner as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is treated under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2.

(b) Contents - The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) - A comprehensive list of service-connected disabilities with high mortality rates.

(2) - Detailed information on the average life expectancy for persons with each such disability.