H.R. 1685 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Feb 27, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands veteran ALS death benefits for spouses
This bill changes how the government helps surviving spouses when a veteran dies from ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease). Right now, a surviving spouse can get increased compensation only if the veteran had the disease rated as totally disabling for at least eight years before death. This bill removes that eight-year requirement for ALS specifically, so surviving spouses qualify for the benefit no matter how long the veteran had the disease. The bill also asks the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify other service-connected diseases that should get the same treatment.
How it affects you
If you're a surviving spouse of a veteran who died from ALS, this change could help you receive increased compensation from the VA sooner and more easily, since you won't have to prove the eight-year timeline. To qualify, you do need to have been married to the veteran for at least eight continuous years before their death.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 27, 2025)
Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025
This bill extends increased dependency and indemnity compensation to the surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) regardless of how long the veteran had such disease prior to death. Under current law, such compensation is paid for a service-connected disability that was rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least eight years immediately preceding death.
For purposes of compensation for a surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from ALS, the spouse must have been married to the veteran for a continuous period of eight years or longer prior to the death of the veteran.
Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must report on service-connected disabilities the VA determines should be treated in the same manner as ALS for purposes of dependency and indemnity compensation.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1685
A BILL
Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) · Introduced Feb 27, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 3, 2026: “Subcommittee Hearings Held”