Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1039
117th Congress(2021-2022)
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation for disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf War veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Mar 25, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 25, 2021
Latest Action
Apr 28, 2021
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1039
Congress
117
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
Michigan
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

This bill addresses disability compensation and care issues for Persian Gulf War veterans.

First, the bill expands eligibility for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Persian Gulf War veterans who have a qualifying chronic disability that became manifest to any degree at any time.

Next, the VA must develop a Disability Benefits Questionnaire to be used by health care personnel to identify Gulf War illness if a Persian Gulf veteran presents with any one symptom associated with such illness.

The bill also expands who qualifies as a Persian Gulf veteran by including those who served in Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan during the Persian Gulf War. Under current law, Persian Gulf veteran refers only to individuals who served on active duty during the Persian Gulf War in particular areas of the Arabian Peninsula.

Finally, the VA must ensure its health care personnel are appropriately trained to provide care to Persian Gulf veterans.

Text (1)
March 25, 2021
Actions (3)
04/28/2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
03/25/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
03/25/2021
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:47:53 PM