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119-s-4140119th CongressWALLET

Carlton H. Ingram Veterans’ Benefits Protection Act

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

In Committee

Summary

Would require VA disability ratings to be based on how a veteran's condition appears without the beneficial effects of medication or treatment when evidence allows. The bill would add a new subsection to 38 U.S.C. 1155 directing that rating schedules discount those beneficial effects and preserving a veteran's right to seek compensation for additional disabilities or aggravation tied to medication or treatment.

Show full summary
  • Veterans: Ratings would be established using a baseline that discounts treatment benefits when evidence can show a no-treatment baseline. Veterans could still pursue compensation for new disabilities or for aggravation caused by medication or treatment.
  • VA adjudicators and rating schedules: The Department of Veterans Affairs would need to construct and apply rating schedules that account for the absence of medication or treatment benefits when evidence permits. This changes how examiners evaluate impairment levels.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher disability ratings for veterans

If enacted, the VA would set disability ratings by discounting the helpful effects of medicines or treatment when evidence shows the untreated baseline. Veterans would be able to get higher ratings and larger VA checks when treatment masks how bad their condition is. This would apply only if medical evidence can show the baseline without medication or treatment. Veterans would still be allowed to seek compensation for new problems caused by medicine or for worsening of service-connected conditions.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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