I
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4683
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 3, 2016
Mr. Coffman (for himself, Mr. Walz, Mr. Zeldin, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Jones, Mr. Russell, Mr. Zinke, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Murphy of Florida, and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for a review of the characterization or terms of discharge from the Armed Forces of individuals with mental health disorders alleged to affect terms of discharge.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Fairness for Veterans Act of 2016
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Review of characterization or terms of discharge from the Armed Forces of individuals with mental health disorders alleged to affect terms of discharge
Section 1553(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2), in the case of a former member described in subparagraph (B), the board shall—
review medical evidence of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or a civilian health care provider that is presented by the former member; and
review the case with a rebuttable presumption in favor of the former member that post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury materially contributed to the circumstances resulting in the discharge of a lesser characterization.
A former member described in this subparagraph is a former member described in paragraph (1) or a former member whose application for relief is based in whole or in part on matters relating to post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury as supporting rationale or as justification for priority consideration whose post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury is related to combat or military sexual trauma, as determined by the Secretary concerned.
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