H.R. 7976

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7976 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7976

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the retroactive 
payment of benefits for veterans with covered mental health conditions 
based on military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 18, 2026

Mr. Carbajal (for himself and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the retroactive 
payment of benefits for veterans with covered mental health conditions 
based on military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Moral Injury Recognition and 
Restitution Act''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RETROACTIVE BENEFITS PAYMENTS 
FOR VETERANS WITH COVERED HEALTH CONDITIONS BASED ON 
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 51 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 5114. Claims involving military sexual trauma: retroactive 
benefits payments
``(a) In General.--If the Secretary approves a claim for 
compensation for a covered health condition based on military sexual 
trauma experienced by a veteran during active military, naval, or air 
service, notwithstanding sections 5110 and 5111 of this title--
``(1) the effective date of the award of the claim shall be 
the date of the day after the date on which the veteran is 
discharged from such service; and
``(2) payment of monetary benefits based on such award 
shall be made beginning on such date and shall be payable 
retroactively.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `military sexual trauma' has the meaning 
given such term in section 1166(c)(2) of this title.
``(2) The term `covered health condition' means--
``(A) a covered mental health condition, as such 
term is defined in section 1166(c)(1) of this title; or
``(B) any physical injury or disease resulting in 
disability that was incurred as a result of, or 
aggravated by, military sexual trauma.''.
(b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 51 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 5113 the following new item:

``5114. Claims involving military sexual trauma: retroactive benefits 
payments.''.
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