Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights Act of 2025
The Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights Act of 2025 would shift and codify accountability for service members undergoing medical separation through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). It assigns clear authority to the Secretary of the relevant military department and the military chain of command over the medical evaluation process, reinforcing due process protections and ensuring that Wounded Warriors have a full internal appeal within the military chain of command. The bill requires updated DoD policies within a short period and a formal briefing to Congress on implementation status. In short, it strengthens the role of the military chain of command in IDES decisions, while preserving rights to due process and adding an internal appeal mechanism. Key aspects include clarifying that fitness determinations for Wounded Warriors remain under the jurisdiction of the military department, not solely the Defense Health Agency, and granting commanders the authority to pause or withdraw a member from IDES if procedures were not followed. It also creates a separate, time-bound internal appeal process (90-day adjudication) within the chain of command, in addition to any existing IDES appeals, and requires ongoing reporting to Congress.
Key Points
- 1Authority and accountability shift to the military department: The Secretary of each military department retains authority over members under their jurisdiction during all stages of IDES, with complete operational and administrative control and the ability to pause or withdraw a member if procedures were not followed.
- 2Morale, welfare, and fitness determinations stay with the military department: The bill maintains responsibility for morale and welfare and determinations of fitness for active duty within the relevant service, even if medical opinions from outside the department are considered.
- 3Due process protections in the chain of command: The bill ensures Wounded Warriors cannot be denied rights to due process and provides a full and fair hearing on determinations conducted within the military chain of command.
- 4Separate internal appeal process with strict timelines: By 90 days after enactment, the DoD must update policies to allow a Wounded Warrior to demand a full and fair hearing under the Secretary concerned, with adjudication completed within 90 days at each level of command, up to the general court-martial convening authority if denied.
- 5Implementation and reporting requirements: The Secretary of Defense must brief Congress by February 1, 2026 on the status of implementing these changes and the amendments made.