TREATMENT BY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARDS OF CLAIMS ASSERTING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN CONNECTION WITH COMBAT OR SEXUAL TRAUMA AS A BASIS FOR REVIEW OF DISCHARGE.

SEC. 535. TREATMENT BY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARDS OF CLAIMS ASSERTING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN CONNECTION WITH COMBAT OR SEXUAL TRAUMA AS A BASIS FOR REVIEW OF DISCHARGE. Section 1553(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:“(3)(A) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2), in the case of a former member described in subparagraph (B), the Board shall—“(i) review medical evidence of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or a civilian health care provider that is presented by the former member; and“(ii) review the case with liberal consideration to the former member that post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury potentially contributed to the circumstances resulting in the discharge of a lesser characterization.“(B) 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 130 STAT. 2124 related to combat or military sexual trauma, as determined by the Secretary concerned.”.