S. 749Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025

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Updated November 24, 2025 at 2:25 AM UTC

The Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025 changes the law so that surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receive the higher level of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) that is normally given to spouses of veterans who were totally disabled before death. The new rule applies no matter how long the veteran had ALS before dying, and it covers deaths that occurred on or after October 1, 2022. This amendment primarily helps the widows and widowers of ALS‑affected veterans.

Key Provisions

Amends 38 U.S.C. §1311(a)(2) to add a new subparagraph (B) that treats any veteran who dies from ALS as if they met the existing criteria for increased DIC, regardless of disease duration.
Specifies that the new eligibility rule applies to veterans who die from ALS on or after October 1, 2022.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 29, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 26, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

February 26, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 29, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 26, 2025

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 749

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 26, 2025

Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Coons, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Slotkin, and Mr. Cassidy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend increased dependency and indemnity compensation paid to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, regardless of how long the veterans had such disease prior to death, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025.

Extension of increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(a)

Extension

Section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by inserting (A) before The rate; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B)

A veteran whom the Secretary determines died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis shall be treated as a veteran described in subparagraph (A) without regard for how long the veteran had such disease prior to death.

(b)

Applicability

Subparagraph (B) of section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on or after October 1, 2022.