Bill · S. 4140· Senate(119-S-4140)
Carlton H. Ingram Veterans’ Benefits Protection Act
- Introduced
- 3/19/2026
- Last activity
- 4/29/2026 — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the ``Carlton H. Ingram Veterans' Benefits Protection Act'', seeks to amend title 38 of the United States Code. The primary goal is to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities. It specifically targets how the Secretary applies the schedule of ratings. The amendment focuses on how the beneficial effects of medication or treatment are accounted for. This ensures that a veteran's baseline condition is considered when determining disability ratings.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+6
The bill ensures veterans' disability ratings reflect their true baseline condition rather than being artificially lowered by the effects of medication.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+6
The bill protects veterans' ability to receive compensation for disabilities caused by or aggravated by their prescribed medication or treatment.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+5
The bill improves how disability ratings are calculated by establishing a baseline condition regardless of the temporary benefits of medication or treatment.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Establishing a baseline for disability ratings: The bill requires the schedule of ratings to be constructed to discount the beneficial effects of medication or treatment if evidence can establish a baseline without those effects (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)). This could benefit veterans by ensuring their disability rating reflects their true condition rather than a condition improved temporarily by medication.
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Protection for additional disabilities or aggravations: The bill ensures that veterans can still seek compensation for additional disabilities resulting from medication or treatment for an underlying injury or disease suffered in the line of duty (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)). It also protects their ability to seek compensation for the aggravation of a preexisting injury or disease suffered in the line of duty (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5
- 4/29/2026
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
- 4/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont