The Veterans STAND Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer annual preventative health evaluations to all veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who request them. These evaluations must assess health risks, chronic pain, weight management, prosthetic equipment needs, and assistive technologies that could improve mobility and independence—including newer spinal cord neuromodulation devices like non-invasive stimulation therapy. The VA must consult with spinal cord specialists, clinicians, technology experts, and veteran organizations when developing rules for these evaluations, and veterans should receive annual information about the availability of this benefit. The bill requires the VA to report to Congress every two years on how many veterans received these evaluations, what assistive technologies were prescribed, and whether participation rates are increasing. While the legislation does not specify new funding levels, it becomes effective one year after passage and will be factored into VA network performance reviews going forward.
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