Credit for certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following:(1)In 2010, the Commander of United States Special Operations Command established the Cultural Support Team Program to overcome significant intelligence gaps during the Global War on Terror.(2)From 2010 through 2021, approximately 310 female members, from every Armed Force, passed and were selected as members of female cultural support teams, and deployed with special operations forces.(3)Members of female cultural support teams served honorably, demonstrated commendable courage, overcame such intelligence gaps, engaged in direct action, and suffered casualties during the Global War on Terror.(4)The Federal Government has a duty to recognize members and veterans of female cultural support teams who volunteered to join the Armed Forces, to undergo arduous training for covered service, and to execute dangerous and classified missions in the course of such covered service.(5)Members who performed covered service have sought treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs for traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, and disabling physical trauma incurred in the course of such covered service, but have been denied such care.(b)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that individuals who performed covered service performed exceptional service to the United States. (c)

Military service: records; calculation of retired pay

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned shall—(1)ensure that the performance of covered service is included in—(A)the military service record of each individual who performed covered service; and(B)the computation of retired pay for each individual who performed covered service; and(2)transmit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a list of each veteran who performed covered service whose military service record was modified pursuant to paragraph (1).(d)

Claims for veterans benefits arising from covered service

(1)

Determination of service connection

Upon the filing of a claim by an individual described in paragraph (3)(C) for service-connected disability or death incurred or aggravated in the course of covered service, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—(A)determine whether such disability or death was service-connected; and(B)adjust the computation of any disability compensation awarded accordingly.(2)

Treatment of covered service

In the consideration of a claim under this subsection, the Secretary shall treat covered service as engagement in combat with the enemy in the course of active military, naval, air, or space service.(3)

Effective date of award

(A)

In general

Except as provided by subparagraph (B), the effective date of an award under this subsection shall be determined in accordance with section 5110 of title 38, United States Code.(B)

Exception

Notwithstanding subsection (g) of such section, the Secretary shall determine the effective date of an award based on a claim under this subsection for an individual described in subparagraph (C) by treating the date on which the individual filed the initial claim specified in clause (i) of such subparagraph as the date on which the individual filed the claim so awarded under this section.(C)

Eligible individuals

An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual who performed covered service, or a survivor of such an individual—(i)who, before the date of the enactment of this Act, submitted a claim for service-connected disability or death of such individual;(ii)whose such claim was denied by reason of the claim not establishing that the disability or death was service-connected; (iii)who submits a claim during the period of three years beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, for the same condition covered by the prior claim under clause; and(iv)whose such claim is approved pursuant to this subsection.(4)

Processing of claims

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall improve training and guidance for employees who may process a claim under this subsection.(5)

Outreach

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform individuals who performed covered service (and survivors of such individuals) that they may submit supplemental claims for service-connected disability or death incurred or aggravated in the course of covered service.(B)

Elements

Outreach conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include the following:(i)Contact individuals described in subparagraph (A), especially individuals who are veterans included in the list transmitted pursuant to subsection (c)(2) and survivors of such veterans, directly to inform them of the treatment of covered service described in subsection (d)(2) and that they may submit supplemental claims as described in such subparagraph.(ii)Publishing on the internet website of the Department a notice that such individuals may elect to file a supplemental claim.(iii)Notifying, in writing or by electronic means, veterans service organizations of the ability of such individuals to file a supplemental claim.(e)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Active military, naval, air, or space service

The term active military, naval, air, or space service has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2)

Covered service

The term covered service means service—(A)as a member of the Armed Forces;(B)in a female cultural support team; (C)with the personnel development skill identifier of R2J or 5DK, or any other validation methods, such as valid sworn statements, officer and enlisted performance evaluations, training certificates, or records of an award from completion of tour with a cultural support team; and(D)during the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on August 31, 2021.(3)

Secretary concerned

The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.(4)

Service-connected

The term service-connected has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (5)

Veteran

The term veteran has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.