Bill > S749

This bill, known as the Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025, amends existing veterans' benefits law to expand dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Currently, there may be restrictions on compensation based on the duration of a veteran's ALS diagnosis, but this bill removes those time-based limitations. Specifically, the legislation ensures that a veteran's surviving spouse will receive increased DIC benefits regardless of how long the veteran had ALS prior to their death, effectively removing any previous waiting periods or duration requirements. The changes will apply to veterans who die from ALS on or after October 1, 2022, which means the bill has retroactive application. By eliminating these potential barriers, the bill aims to provide more comprehensive support to the families of veterans who have been impacted by this devastating disease, recognizing the significant sacrifice and challenges faced by ALS-affected veterans and their loved ones.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/749/all-info