US HB6033

Requires the Comptroller General to report within 180 days on discharge characterizations and VA disability benefits receipt over the prior 15 years, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender, including data on discharge review requests and outcomes

Cites GAO findings that Black, non-Hispanic veterans have the lowest disability benefits approval rates—14% less likely to be approved than White, non-Hispanic applicants, with Black male approval rates 3-22% lower than other groups

Mandates the VA Secretary submit a report within 365 days identifying causes of racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in disability benefits and providing a three-year plan to address them

Requires the VA to implement the disparity reduction plan immediately after submission and publish annual progress reports on a publicly accessible website

Addresses documented racial disparities in military discipline, noting Black service members face higher rates of administrative actions, nonjudicial punishments, and courts-martial, which can affect VA benefits eligibility