Veterans

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We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave members of the military who sacrifice so much to serve our country. While we will never be able to fully repay them for their service, it is imperative we do all we can to care for them. As the son and brother of veterans, Rep. Larson remains dedicated to providing our veterans with access to the highest level of service and care. 

Rep. Larson was proud to vote for the biggest expansion of veterans’ benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than three decades.

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Access Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act): 

• Healthcare for Post-9/11 Combat Veterans – Extends VA enrollment window from 5 to 10 years and creates a special one-year open enrollment period. 

• Support for Burn Pit and Toxic Chemical Exposure Conditions – Adds 23 specific conditions that will make veterans and their survivors automatically eligible for benefits, speeding up the process to receive the financial and health care support they are due. 

• Relief for Vietnam Veterans – Expands coverage for illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure including expanding eligible exposure sites.     

• Support for Survivors – Makes it possible for eligible survivors to gain benefits they may have been previously denied from, including monthly compensation, health care, and education benefits. 

• Improves the VA – Invests in resources to more effectively deliver for veterans, including workforce and infrastructure needs as well as improved training for toxic-exposure care. 

Congressman Larson is also proud to support the following bills: 

• Major Richard Star Act – Would allow veterans who were medically retired as a result of combat or training injuries to receive both retired pay and disability compensation, regardless of time served.  

• Not Just a Number Act – This bill would require to VA to prepare and annual report on Suicide Prevention measures.  

• Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act – This bill would allow female veterans to access contraceptive care without co-pays.  

• Veterans Infertility Treatment – This bill requires the VA to furnish infertility treatments for veterans and partners of veterans  

• The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act of 2023 (EACH Act) – This bill requires federal healthcare programs to provide coverage for abortion services and requires federal facilities to provide access to those services.  

• Veterans Families Health Services Act – Would ensure that fertility treatments for servicemembers and veterans are included in their benefits and expands adoption options.  

• Caring for Survivors Act – Would increase the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses.  

• SERVE Act – Would guarantee and protect VA benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans who were discharged due to sexual orientation or gender identity.  

• Love Lives on Act – This bill allows surviving spouses to remarry at any age and maintain their financial benefits  

• Find it Early Act – This bill provides health coverage for additional breast screenings for veterans who have a greater risk for breast cancer.  

• VA Employee Fairness Act – This bill allows Veterans Health Administration employees to have the same collective bargaining rights as other federal employees  

Rep. Larson has a history of advocating for veterans and service members. After hearing from a mother of a National Guard member, he wrote legislation to reimburse troops for body armor purchased in Iraq and Afghanistan between September 11, 2001 and December 31, 2003. This legislation was signed into law as part of the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act. Furthermore, he helped fight for and pass critical veteran provisions in the American Rescue Plan signed into law in March 2021. This includes funding to reduce COVID-19 related backlogs at the VA, bolstering the VA's supply chain modernization efforts, funding for upgrading State Veterans Homes, funding for 12 months of retraining assistance for unemployed veterans, and prohibiting veteran's copayments during the pandemic.  

Rep. Larson understands that mental health is a crucial issue for veterans and will continue to work to help veterans receive the care they deserve. Last Congress, he was proud to support the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act, which was later signed into law to expand access to mental health care for veterans living in rural areas.   He also supported the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act that was signed into law to implement a pilot program to provide therapy dogs for veterans with PTSD.  

Rep. Larson co-sponsored and voted for the passage of the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022.  President Biden signed the AUTO Act into law in January 2023. This legislation helps reduce the financial burden for disabled veterans by allowing the VA to help pay for a new adaptive vehicle once every ten years.    

In Connecticut, Rep. Larson maintains an active Veteran and Military Advisory Council with whom he regularly meets to gain feedback on issues and questions from our veteran community. Please reach out to his district office at 860-278-8888 with any questions or concerns related to VA benefits and healthcare.  

Rep. Larson also began the Veterans History Project in Connecticut, documenting the experiences of military personnel from all ranks and all branches of service as well as the contributions of civilian volunteers, support staff, and war industry workers. This project interviewed Vietnam Veteran and Hartford leader Steve Harris in partnership with the History Project at CCSU, recording Mr. Harris' oral history of his experience before, during and after the Vietnam War in his Hartford Office.  

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Click here for information on the
Veterans History Project

Military families have also sacrificed so much and deserve nothing less than our full commitment to them. That's why Rep. Larson has worked to provide greater access to behavioral health treatment for military children with Autism. His bill, the Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act requires TRICARE – the military healthcare program – to provide greater access to treatment for military kids with Autism. This bill was signed into law and was subsequently extended through 2023. If you have a question regarding veterans benefits, please call 860-278-8888. Our office can assist you with any specific inquiries to the Veterans Administration. 

Military Medals 

In the First District, Rep. Larson also works to ensure our veterans have received the medals they earned defending our freedom. From WWII veterans to those who have returned from the Operation Iraqi Freedom, Larson and his staff are available to help service members and their families find and receive military medals. If you have a question regarding military medals please call 860-278-8888.