H.R. 2947House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Veterans' Record Reconstruction Act of 2019

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 5:39 AM UTC

The Veterans' Record Reconstruction Act of 2019 directs the Secretary of Defense, working with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to create guidelines for using unofficial information—such as eyewitness statements—to decide if service members or veterans qualify for benefits and decorations when their official service records are missing or damaged, like in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire. The rule‑making aims to help veterans whose records were lost and ensures consistent eligibility decisions across the military departments and the VA.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Defense must develop guidelines on how military department secretaries and the VA can use unofficial sources to determine benefit and decoration eligibility when official records are incomplete.
The guidelines must be prepared in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, focusing on benefits under Title 38 of the U.S. Code.
The guidelines must be completed within one year after the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

June 13, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 23, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Armed Services Committee

May 23, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Military Personnel Subcommittee

May 24, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

June 13, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 23, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2947

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 23, 2019

Mr. Carbajal (for himself and Mr. LaMalfa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to develop guidelines regarding the use by the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of unofficial sources of information to determine the eligibility of a member or former member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the member’s service records are incomplete because of damage to the records, including records damaged by a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans' Record Reconstruction Act of 2019.

Development of guidelines for use of unofficial sources of information to determine eligibility of members and former members of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the service records are incomplete because of damage to the official record

(a)

Guidelines required

The Secretary of Defense shall develop guidelines regarding the use by the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of unofficial sources of information, including eyewitness statements, to determine the eligibility of a member or former member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the service records of the member are incomplete because of damage to the records as a result of the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or any subsequent incident while the records were in the possession of the Department of Defense.

(b)

Consultation

The Secretary of Defense shall prepare the guidelines in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to veterans benefits under title 38, United States Code, whose eligibility determinations depend on the use of service records maintained by the Department of Defense.

(c)

Time for completion

The Secretary of Defense shall complete development of the guidelines not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.