Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act

Salud O. Carbajal

Democrat · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Don Bacon (R-NE-2)Original· 2026-03-18
• Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1)· 2026-03-26
• Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6)· 2026-05-14
• Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)· 2026-05-14
• Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-2)· 2026-05-14
• Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-3)· 2026-05-14

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

2026-04-09

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would recognize and address "moral injury"—the psychological harm that military members experience when forced to act against their personal values during combat or military service—and would likely establish support programs or compensation for affected veterans. The legislation aims to help service members and veterans who suffer from guilt, shame, or trauma related to their military experiences get better mental health treatment and potentially financial assistance. It focuses on a specific type of psychological damage that differs from conditions like PTSD and affects how the military and Veterans Affairs system treats and supports those who experience it.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

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

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