38 U.S.C. § 1167 — Mental health consultations

(a) In General.— within 30 days after the date on which a veteran submits to the Secretary a claim for compensation under this chapter for a service-connected disability relating to a mental health diagnosis, the Secretary must offer the veteran a mental health consultation to assess the mental health needs of, and care options for, the veteran. (b) Availability.— The Secretary must— (1) offer a veteran a consultation under subsection (a) without regard to any previous denial or approval of a claim of that veteran for a service-connected disability relating to a mental health diagnosis; and (2) ensure that a veteran offered a mental health consultation under subsection (a) may elect to receive such consultation during the one-year period beginning on the date on which the consultation is offered or during such longer period beginning on such date as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Rule of Construction.— A consultation provided to a veteran under this section must not be construed as a determination that any disability of such veteran is service-connected for the purposes of any benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary.