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Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
Introduced Jun 10, 2026 · Last action Jul 16, 2026 — POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 9237 is postponed.
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Summary
This legislation is called the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 9237 is postponed.
Full bill text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9237 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9237
To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws,
to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 10, 2026
Mr. Bost (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Van
Orden, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mr. Murphy, Mr. McGuire, Mr. Barrett, Mr.
Bergman, Mr. Baird, Mr. Meuser, Ms. King-Hinds, Mrs. Kiggans of
Virginia, Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona, Mr. Hill of Arkansas, Mr. Obernolte,
Mr. Edwards, Mr. Moolenaar, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws,
to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Take Care of
America's Veterans Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--COMPENSATION
Sec. 101. Major Richard Star Act.
Sec. 102. Love Lives On Act.
Sec. 103. Extension of increased dependency and indemnity compensation
to surviving spouses of veterans who die
from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Sec. 104. Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion
Act of 2026.
Sec. 105. Claims: prohibition on denial solely for certain reason;
improved efficiency of adjudications and
appeals.
Sec. 106. Annual report on causes of death among veterans.
Sec. 107. Plan for use of automation tools to process claims under laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 108. Reforms relating to Department of Veterans Affairs disability
ratings.
Sec. 109. Improvements to temporary licensure requirements for contract
health care professionals who perform
medical disability examinations for the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 110. Disability examinations: study on access in rural areas;
review of training; review of inadequate or
unnecessary examinations.
Sec. 111. Improvements to processing and outreach regarding claims
involving military sexual trauma.
Sec. 112. Independent assessment of notices that the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs sends to claimants.
Sec. 113. Independent assessment of forms that the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs sends to claimants.
TITLE II--EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Sec. 201. Vets Opportunity Act.
Sec. 202. Improvements to process for making payments to automobile
sellers for automobiles purchased for
certain disabled veterans.
Sec. 203. Monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance Program for individuals who
pursue summer programs of education solely
through distance learning.
Sec. 204. Clarification regarding inclusion of medically necessary
automobile adaptations in Department of
Veterans Affairs definition of ``medical
services''.
Sec. 205. Digital communications: Solid Start program; educational
assistance.
Sec. 206. Improvements to Transition Assistance Program and
Skillbridge.
Sec. 207. Transition Assistance Program: presentation in preseparation
counseling to promote benefits available to
veterans.
Sec. 208. Elimination of requirement that on-campus educational and
vocational counseling is provided by
certain Department of Veterans Affairs
employees.
Sec. 209. Expansion of entitlement for payment for licensing or
certification tests for veterans entitled
to educational assistance.
Sec. 210. Increase of amount of educational assistance paid by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for first
year of a full-time program of
apprenticeship or other on-job training.
Sec. 211. Improving emerging technology opportunities for veterans.
TITLE III--HEALTH CARE
Sec. 301. Extension and modification of transportation grant program of
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 302. Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement
Act.
Sec. 303. Veterans TBI Breakthrough Exploration of Adaptive Care
Opportunities Nationwide Act.
Sec. 304. Department of Veterans Affairs assignment of traveling
physicians to serve territories and
possessions.
Sec. 305. Inclusion of adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for
sports and other recreational activities in
medical services furnished to eligible
veterans by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 306. Modifications to and reauthorization of Staff Sergeant Parker
Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program
of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 307. Reports on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Sec. 308. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program to provide
grants to mental health care providers for
the provision of mental health care for
veterans.
Sec. 309. Furnishing of certain health services to veterans in the
Freely Associated States.
Sec. 310. Modification of Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative;
reporting on suicide by veterans and
members of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 311. Establishment of the Blast Overpressure Task Force of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 312. Extension of sharing of Department of Veterans Affairs and
Department of Defense Health Care
Resources; resource sharing oversight and
implementation plan.
Sec. 313. Timely reporting of the death of a veteran.
Sec. 314. Expansion of access by veterans to critical access hospitals
and affiliated clinics under the Veterans
Community Care Program.
Sec. 315. Pilot platform for services for veterans; collection from
veterans of information related to social
determinants of health.
Sec. 316. Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs prosthetic and
rehabilitative items and service.
Sec. 317. Improvement of submission of medical documentation to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs by community
care providers.
Sec. 318. Implementation of and report on efforts of Department of
Veterans Affairs to improve health care
appointment scheduling.
Sec. 319. Pilot program on coordination of care between Department of
Veterans Affairs and Medicare program.
Sec. 320. Fisher House availability.
Sec. 321. Agreements between medical facilities of Department of
Veterans Affairs and rural medical
facilities.
Sec. 322. Study on quality of care difference between mental health and
addiction therapy care provided by health
care providers of Department of Veterans
Affairs compared to non-Department
providers.
Sec. 323. Lactation spaces in medical centers of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 324. Research related to menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life
women's health: report; plan.
Sec. 325. Pilot program on provision of opioid rescue medications to
veterans.
Sec. 326. Establishment of Veterans Health Administration Policy
Advisory Commission.
Sec. 327. Access to health care.
Sec. 328. Research on health conditions of descendants of toxic-exposed
veterans.
Sec. 329. Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act.
Sec. 330. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program to award grants
for the provision of service dogs to
veterans.
Sec. 331. Authorization of major medical facility project of Department
of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2027 in
Manchester, New Hampshire.
Sec. 332. Bowel and bladder care program of Department of Veterans
Affairs.
TITLE IV--ORGANIZATION
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations to the Office of Information
and Technology of the Department of
Veterans Affairs for certain purposes.
Sec. 402. Establishment of Under Secretary for Management and Chief
Financial Officer.
Sec. 403. Department of Veterans Affairs acquisition reform and cost
assessment.
Sec. 404. Improvement of telephone communication by Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 405. Advancing Department of Veterans Affairs emergency response
to crisis.
Sec. 406. Membership of Department of Veterans Affairs Geriatrics and
Gerontology Advisory Committee.
Sec. 407. Scheduling of appointments under the Veterans Community Care
Program.
TITLE V--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS
Sec. 501. Expansion of eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs
memorial headstone or marker for certain
individuals.
Sec. 502. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of additional burial
benefits when an urn or commemorative
plaque is furnished.
Sec. 503. Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program.
TITLE VI--VETERANS' ASSURING CRITICAL CARE EXPANSIONS TO SUPPORT
SERVICEMEMBERS
Subtitle A--Improvement of Veterans Community Care Program
Sec. 601. Codification of requirements for eligibility standards for
access to community care from Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 602. Requirement that Secretary notify veterans of eligibility for
care or denial of request for care under
Veterans Community Care Program.
Sec. 603. Consideration under Veterans Community Care Program of
continuity of care and need for caregiver
or attendant.
Sec. 604. Discussion of telehealth options under Veterans Community
Care Program.
Sec. 605. Extension of deadline for submittal of claims by health care
entities and providers under prompt payment
standard.
Sec. 606. Audit of representative sample of veterans receiving care and
services under Veterans Community Care
Program.
Sec. 607. Information on wait time and drive time options for receipt
of care by veterans.
Sec. 608. Establishment of period during which a referral under
Veterans Community Care Program remains
valid.
Sec. 609. Updates to contracting requirements under Veterans Community
Care Program.
Sec. 610. Publication of community care network sufficiency and payment
waiver requests and approvals.
Sec. 611. Requirements relating to quality of community care providers.
Sec. 612. Provider training.
Sec. 613. Oversight authority over community care.
Subtitle B--Mental Health Treatment Programs
Sec. 621. Veteran participation in certain mental health programs.
Sec. 622. Access to mental health residential rehabilitation treatment
programs for veterans with spinal cord
injury or disorder.
Subtitle C--Staffing Matters
Sec. 631. Treatment of psychologists.
Sec. 632. Mentorship program for executive leadership teams at medical
centers of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 633. Requirement for equivalent role postings for vacant positions
at Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 634. Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs hiring
processes.
Sec. 635. Department of Veterans Affairs telework policy.
Sec. 636. Expansion of reimbursement of continuing professional
education expenses.
Sec. 637. Department of Veterans Affairs personnel transparency.
Sec. 638. Modification of authority of licensure of health care
professionals providing treatment via
telemedicine.
Sec. 639. Provision of data on educational assistance programs of
Veterans Health Administration.
Subtitle D--Optimization of Workforce
Sec. 641. Department of Veterans Affairs strategic human capital plan.
Sec. 642. Department of Veterans Affairs reduction in force notice
requirement.
Sec. 643. Detailed plans and justifications for reorganization of
offices.
Sec. 644. Rule of construction.
Subtitle E--Veterans Infrastructure and Transformation
Sec. 651. Short title.
Sec. 652. Modification of authority for sharing of health-care
resources of Department of Veterans Affairs
to include flexible space utilization and
streamlined service agreements.
Sec. 653. Use of commercial construction and facilities code and
standards.
Sec. 654. Feasibility study for full-service hospital of Department of
Veterans Affairs in certain States.
Sec. 655. Report on strategic plan for infrastructure and capital
assets of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 656. Permanent extension of pilot program on acceptance by the
Department of Veterans affairs of donated
facilities and related improvements.
Sec. 657. Authority to accept donations of construction services, minor
construction or nonrecurring maintenance
projects, and targeted contributions.
Sec. 658. Report on use of additional authorities relating to
recruitment and retention of personnel.
Sec. 659. Reports on key capital asset investments, activities, and
performance of Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 660. Development of streamlined procurement model; report.
Sec. 661. Submission and notification of cost estimates for medical
facility leases.
Sec. 662. Report on capital asset and information technology needs of
the research and development program of
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 663. Improving prevention, detection, and reporting of waste,
fraud, and abuse in Department of Veterans
Affairs capital asset projects and
activities.
Sec. 664. Report on long-term care physical infrastructure needs of
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subtitle F--Other Health Care Matters
Sec. 671. Prescription, delivery, distribution, and dispensation of
controlled substance medications by covered
health care professionals of Department of
Veterans Affairs via telemedicine.
Sec. 672. Copayments for limited supplies of medications.
Sec. 673. Plan on establishment of interactive, online self-service
module for care.
Sec. 674. Modification of requirements for Center for Innovation for
Care and Payment of the Department of
Veterans Affairs and transfer of authority.
Sec. 675. Report on improvements to clinical appeals process.
Sec. 676. Plan on increasing accessibility of care for veterans with
spinal cord injury or disorder.
TITLE I--COMPENSATION
SEC. 101. MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACT.
(a) Concurrent Receipt Generally.--Section 1414(b) of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting
the following new paragraphs:
``(2) Combat-related disability retirees.--
``(A) In general.--A member retired under chapter
61 of this title with a combat-related disability who
is entitled for any month to retired pay under chapter
61 of this title and is also entitled for that month to
veterans' disability compensation under title 38, is
entitled to be paid both without regard to sections
5304 and 5305 of title 38, as provided by subparagraphs
(B) and (C).
``(B) Career retirees.--In the case of a member
retired under chapter 61 of this title who has a
combat-related disability that is not a qualifying
service-connected disability (as defined in subsection
(a)(2)) and who, at the time of the member's
retirement, had 20 years or more of service otherwise
creditable under section 1405 of this title or at least
20 years of service computed under section 12732 of
this title, the member may receive, without regard to
sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, both--
``(i) the amount of retired pay to which
the member would have been entitled under any
other provision of law based on the member's
service in the uniformed services if the member
had not been retired under chapter 61 of this
title; and
``(ii) veterans' disability compensation
under title 38.
``(C) Disability retirees with less than 20 years
of service.--In the case of a member retired under
chapter 61 of this title with a combat-related
disability and who, at the time of the member's
retirement, had less than 20 years of service otherwise
creditable under section 1405 of this title or less
than 20 years of service computed under section 12732
of this title, the member may receive, without regard
to sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, the lesser of--
``(i) both--
``(I) the retired pay for which the
member is eligible under chapter 61 of
this title; and
``(II) veterans' disability
compensation under title 38; or
``(ii) both--
``(I) an amount equal to the
product of the retired pay base
computed under section 1406(b) or 1407
of this title and the retired pay
multiplier determined under section
1409 of this title, as such base pay
and multiplier would be computed if the
member had 20 years of service
creditable under section 1405 of this
title; and
``(II) veterans' disability
compensation under title 38.
``(D) Combat-related disability defined.--In this
paragraph, the term `combat-related disability' has the
meaning given that term in subsection (e) of section
1413a of this title and as determined under the
criteria and procedures used for purposes of such
section.
``(3) Exclusion of other retirees.--Subsection (a) does not
apply to a member retired under chapter 61 of this title if the
member is not covered by paragraph (1) or (2).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Coordination with combat-related special compensation
program.--Section 1414(d) of title 10, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``qualified retiree under this section''
and inserting ``qualified retiree under subsection (a) or is
entitled to a payment under subsection (b)(2)''.
(2) Amendments reflecting end of concurrent receipt phase-
in period.--Section 1414 of title 10, United States Code, is
further amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1)--
(i) by striking the second sentence; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(B) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating
subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d),
respectively; and
(C) in subsection (d), as redesignated, by striking
paragraphs (3) and (4).
(3) Section heading.--The heading of section 1414 of such
title is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1414. Members eligible for retired pay who are also eligible for
veterans' disability compensation: concurrent receipt''.
(4) Conforming amendment.--Section 1413a(f) of such title
is amended by striking ``Subsection (d)'' and inserting
``Subsection (c)''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on January 1, 2027, and shall apply to payments for months
beginning on or after that date.
SEC. 102. LOVE LIVES ON ACT.
(a) Modification of Entitlement to Veterans Dependency and
Indemnity Compensation for Surviving Spouses Who Remarry.--Section
103(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(A) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``The remarriage'';
(B) in clause (i), as designated by subparagraph
(A), by striking ``Notwithstanding the previous
sentence'' and inserting the following:
``(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) Notwithstanding clause (ii), the remarriage of a surviving
spouse shall not bar the furnishing of benefits under section 1311 or
1562 of this title to the surviving spouse of a veteran.''; and
(2) in paragraph (5)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (A); and
(B) by renumbering subparagraphs (B) through (E) as
subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively.
(b) Continued Eligibility for Survivor Benefit Plan for Certain
Surviving Spouses Who Remarry.--Section 1450(b)(2) of title 10, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``An annuity'' and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--(A) Subject to subparagraph (B),
an annuity''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) Treatment of survivors of members who die on
active duty.--The Secretary may not terminate payment
of an annuity for a surviving spouse described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 1448(d)(1) solely
because that surviving spouse remarries. In the case of
a surviving spouse who remarried before reaching age 55
and before the date of the enactment of Take Care of
America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall resume
payment of the annuity to that surviving spouse--
``(i) except as provided by clause (ii),
for each month that begins on or after the date
that is one year after such date of enactment;
or
``(ii) on the first day of the first month
beginning after such date of enactment, in the
case of a surviving spouse who elected to
transfer payment of that annuity to a surviving
child or children under the provisions of
section 1448(d)(2)(B) of title 10, United
States Code, as in effect on December 31,
2019.''.
(c) Expansion of Definition of Dependent Under TRICARE Program to
Include a Remarried Widow or Widower Whose Subsequent Marriage Has
Ended.--Section 1072(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (I)(v), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(J) a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent
marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or
annulment.''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF INCREASED DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION
TO SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WHO DIE FROM AMYOTROPHIC
LATERAL SCLEROSIS.
(a) Extension.--Section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``The rate''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) A veteran whom the Secretary determines died from amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis shall be treated as a veteran described in
subparagraph (A) without regard for how long the veteran had such
disease prior to death.''.
(b) Applicability.--Subparagraph (B) of section 1311(a)(2) of title
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a
veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on or after October
1, 2022.
SEC. 104. SHARRI BRILEY AND ERIC EDMUNDSON VETERANS BENEFITS EXPANSION
ACT OF 2026.
(a) Increase in Rates of Certain Disability Compensation and
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Under Laws Administered by
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--
(1) Increase to rates of wartime disability compensation.--
(A) In general.--Section 1114 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(u) In the case of a veteran eligible for a monthly aid and
attendance allowance under subsection (r) or subsection (t) of this
section, the Secretary shall, in addition to the total amount of
compensation for which the veteran is eligible under this section, pay
the veteran a supplemental monthly allowance at the rate of $833.33.''.
(B) Effective date; applicability.--Subsection (u)
of such section (as added by subparagraph (A)) shall
take effect on December 1, 2026, and shall apply to
months beginning on or after such date.
(2) Increase to rates of dependency and indemnity
compensation.--Section 5312 of such title is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(d)(1) Whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable
under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) as a
result of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 415(i)), the Secretary shall, except as provided in paragraph
(2), effective on the date of such increase in benefit amounts,
increase the dollar amounts in effect for the payment of dependency and
indemnity compensation by the Secretary under paragraph (1) and
paragraph (3) of section 1311(a) of this title, as such amounts were in
effect immediately before the date of such increase in benefit amounts
payable under title II of the Social Security Act, by a percentage
equal to the sum of--
``(A) the percentage by which such benefit amounts are
increased; and
``(B) one percent.
``(2) Whenever there is an increase under paragraph (1) in amounts
in effect for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation, the
Secretary shall publish such amounts, as increased pursuant to such
paragraph, in the Federal Register at the same time as the material
required by section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)(2)(D)) is published by reason of a determination under section
215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
``(3) The requirement to increase, pursuant to paragraph (1), the
amounts in effect for the payment of dependency and indemnity
compensation under paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) of section 1311 (a)
of this title by the Secretary shall--
``(A) take effect on December 1, 2026, and shall apply with
respect to months beginning on or after such date; and
``(B) terminate after the date on which the third increase
to such amounts pursuant to such paragraph occurs.''.
(b) Modification of Waivers of Fees Collected for Housing Loans
Guaranteed, Insured, or Made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--
Section 3729(b)(2) of such title is amended, in the loan fee table--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``0.50'' both places
it appears and inserting ``1.42''; and
(2) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``0.50'' each place it
appears and inserting ``1.0''.
(c) Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve.--
(1) Eligibility of certain members of the reserve
components and the national guard for guaranteed housing
loans.--
(A) Expanded definition of ``active duty'' for
purposes of housing loans.--Section 3701(b) of title
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
``(9) The term `active duty' has the meanings as follows:
``(A) In the case of members of the regular
components of the Armed Forces, the meaning given such
term in section 101(21)(A).
``(B) In the case of members of the reserve
components of the Armed Forces--
``(i) service on active duty (as defined in
section 101(d) of title 10), inactive-duty
training (as defined in section 101(d) of title
10), or annual training duty; or
``(ii) service on active duty under a call
or order to active duty under section 688,
12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12301(h), 12302,
12304, 12304a, or 12304b of title 10 or section
713 of title 14, but not including inactive
duty training (as defined in section 101(d) of
title 10) or annual training duty.
``(C) In the case of a member of the Army National
Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the
United States, in addition to service described in
subparagraph (B), full-time service--
``(i) in the National Guard of a State for
the purpose of organizing, administering,
recruiting, instructing, or training the
National Guard;
``(ii) in the National Guard when
performing full-time National Guard duty (as
defined in section 101 of title 32); or
``(iii) in the National Guard when
performing active duty (as defined in section
101 of title 32).''.
(B) Retroactive applicability to service
performed.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall apply with respect to any service performed on or
after September 11, 2001.
(2) Expansion of eligibility for guaranteed housing loans
to certain additional personnel upon payment of additional loan
fee.--
(A) Expansion to individuals with at least 14 days
of service.--Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (7) the
following new paragraph:
``(8) The term `veteran' also includes, for purposes of
home loans (subject to the additional loan fee in section
3729(b)(4)(J) of this title), an individual who--
``(A) is not otherwise eligible for the benefits of
this chapter;
``(B) has completed a total service of at least 14
days on active duty under paragraph (B) or (C) of
paragraph (9); and
``(C) following completion of such service,
continued to serve until the completion of entry level
and skill training (as defined in section 3301(3) of
this title).''.
(B) Basic entitlement.--Section 3702(a)(2) of title
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(H) Each individual described in section 3701(b)(8) of
this title.''.
(C) Additional loan fee for such individuals.--
Section 3729(b)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(J) In the case of a housing loan in which the veteran
has eligibility under section 3701(b)(8) of this title and does
not otherwise have eligibility, the loan fee table in paragraph
(2) shall be applied to the veteran or other obligor (as
applicable) by adding 1.00 to the percentage in the table.''.
(D) Notification to personnel.--The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall provide information about this
benefit to the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each
member of a reserve component or a member of the Army
National Guard of the United States or Air National
Guard of the United States who completes entry level
and skill training (as defined in section 3301(3) of
title 38, United States Code) after the date of the
enactment of this Act is notified of their eligibility
for housing loan benefits under chapter 37 of such
title, including eligibility (subject to the additional
loan fee) under section 3701(b)(8) of such title.
SEC. 105. CLAIMS: PROHIBITION ON DENIAL SOLELY FOR CERTAIN REASON;
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY OF ADJUDICATIONS AND APPEALS.
(a) Prohibition on Denial of Claims for Benefits Under Laws
Administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Sole Basis That
Veteran Failed to Appear for Certain Medical Examination.--Subsection
(d) of section 5103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``Compensation Claims'' and
inserting ``Claims for Benefits'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``treat an examination or
opinion as being necessary to make a decision on a claim for
purposes of'' and inserting ``provide for a medical examination
or obtain a medical opinion under''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) If a veteran fails to appear for a medical examination
provided by the Secretary in conjunction with a claim for a benefit
under a law administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may not deny
such claim on the sole basis that such veteran failed to appear for
such medical examination.''.
(b) Improvements to Efficiency of Adjudications and Appeals of
Claims for Benefits Under Laws Administered by Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.--
(1) Annual report on length of adjudications.--
(A) In general.--Section 5109B of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting ``(a) In General.--The Secretary'';
and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(b) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committees
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
annual report that includes, with respect to the period covered by the
report--
``(1) the average length of time a claim (or an issue
within a claim) that was remanded by the Board of Veterans'
Appeals was or has been pending before the Secretary after such
remand;
``(2) the number of cases that advanced on the docket by
reason of a motion that was filed under section 7107(b) of this
title and on which the Board ruled, disaggregated by--
``(A) whether a motion was granted or denied; and
``(B) the reason provided for the motion; and
``(3) the number of appeals dismissed by the Board,
disaggregated by--
``(A) whether or not the dismissal was by reason of
the death of the appellant; and
``(B) in the case of a dismissal by reason of the
death of the appellant, whether or not such death was a
result of suicide.''.
(B) Deadline.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit the first report required by subsection
(b) of section 5109B of such title (as added by
subparagraph (A)) by not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Guidelines for advancement of cases on docket of
board.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation
with the Board of Veterans' Appeals and the General Counsel of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, shall prescribe guidelines
for the advancement of a case on the docket of the Board on a
motion for earlier consideration and determination under
section 7107(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code. Such
guidelines shall include the type of evidence that may be
submitted with the motion for the advancement of the case to
show grounds for such a motion.
(3) Requirement to track certain claims for benefits.--
(A) In general.--Chapter 51 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section
5109B the following new section:
``Sec. 5109C. Requirement to track and maintain information on certain
claims for benefits; notice of certain assignments
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall use technology to track and
maintain information (including information with respect to timeliness)
on--
``(1) claims for benefits under the laws administered by
the Secretary (including issues within such claims) that are--
``(A) continuously pursued in accordance with--
``(i) sections 5104C(a) and 5110(a)(2) of
this title; or
``(ii) any other policy established by the
Secretary;
``(B) filed in the National Work Queue (or any
successor system) but have not been assigned to an
office of the Veterans Benefits Administration for
adjudication;
``(C) afforded expeditious treatment by the
Veterans Benefits Administration pursuant to section
5109B of this title or any other policy established by
the Secretary;
``(D) remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals to
the Secretary pursuant to section 7104 of this title;
or
``(E) pending a hearing by the Board of Veterans'
Appeals under section 7107 of this title;
``(2) instances in which an adjudicator of the Veterans
Benefits Administration does not comply with a relevant
decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to remand a claim
for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary (or
an issue within such a claim), including any such instance in
which the relevant decision concerned a failure on the part of
the agency of original jurisdiction to satisfy the duty of the
Secretary to assist under section 5103A of this title;
``(3) supplemental claims under section 5108 of this title
that are filed--
``(A) in accordance with section 5104C(a) and
section 5110(a)(2) of this title; and
``(B) after the date of the applicable final
decision of the Secretary with respect to a claim for
benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary
(or an issue within such a claim); and
``(4) first notices submitted to the Secretary of the death
of individuals in receipt of benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary, disaggregated by such
individuals who were--
``(A) assigned a fiduciary; and
``(B) not assigned a fiduciary.
``(b) Annual Report.--(1) The Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate an annual report that includes all information maintained and
tracked pursuant to subsection (a).
``(2) The first report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted
by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take
Care of America's Veterans Act.''.
(B) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 5109B the following
new item:
``5109C. Requirement to track and maintain information on certain
claims for benefits; notice of certain
assignments.''.
(4) Improvements to board of veterans' appeals.--
(A) Authority to aggregate certain claims.--
(i) In general.--Section 7104(a) of such
title is amended by inserting after the second
sentence the following new sentence: ``If the
Chairman of the Board determines that more than
one appeal involves common questions of law or
fact, the Chairman may aggregate such appeals
to decide such questions of law or fact.''.
(ii) Effective date.--The amendment made by
clause (i) shall take effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act and apply beginning on
the date 90 days after the date on which the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate
and House of Representatives a copy of the
policies and procedures required under
paragraph (7)(D)(i)(II).
(iii) Sunset.--The authority to aggregate
appeals pursuant to clause (i) shall expire on
the date that is three years after the date on
which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
completes the development of the policies and
procedures required under paragraph
(7)(D)(i)(II).
(B) Requirement to ensure substantial compliance
with certain decisions.--Such section is further
amended--
(i) by redesignating subsection (f) as
subsection (g); and
(ii) by inserting after subsection (e) the
following new subsection (f):
``(f)(1) The Secretary, acting through a member of the Board, shall
ensure substantial compliance with any decision of the Board to remand
a claim.
``(2) The agency of original adjudication may waive the requirement
under paragraph (1) with respect to a decision of the Board to remand a
claim to the Secretary, if a member of the Board determines--
``(A) evidence added to the evidentiary record after the
date of such decision is sufficient to resolve the issues
underlying such decision; or
``(B) such decision was unnecessary.
``(3) If the Secretary waives such requirement, the applicable
member of the Board shall include, pursuant to subsection (d), a
determination of such waiver in the decision of the Board.''.
(C) Definition of aggregate; report.--Such section
is further amended by adding at the end the following
new subsections:
``(h) Not later than three years after the date on which the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs completes the development of the policies
and procedures required under paragraph (7)(D)(i)(II), and every five
years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
on the aggregation of claims by the Board under subsection (a). Each
such report shall include--
``(1) an identification of each instance in which the Board
aggregated appeals during the period covered by the report,
including, for each such instance, the number of appeals that
were aggregated;
``(2) an assessment of whether the aggregation of appeals
has contributed to improved efficiency at the Board with
issuing decisions on appeals; and
``(3) such other matters as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(i) In this section, the term `aggregate'--
``(1) means any practice or procedure to collect common
issues, claims, or appeals by multiple parties for the purposes
of resolving such issues, claims, or appeals; and
``(2) includes the use of joinder, consolidation,
intervention, class actions, and any other multiparty
proceedings.''.
(5) Expansion of jurisdiction of court of appeals for
veterans claims.--Section 7252 of title 38, United States Code,
is amended--
(A) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as
subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following
new subsections:
``(b)(1) In an appeal over which the Court has jurisdiction
pursuant to section 7266 of this title, if the appellant files a
request for class certification pursuant to the rules prescribed by the
Court pursuant to section 7264 of this title, the Court shall have
supplemental jurisdiction over any claim for benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary--
``(A) filed by a claimant who satisfies the definition of
the class contained in such request (including a claimant who
has filed a claim for benefits under such laws that are
specified in such request); and
``(B) regarding which--
``(i) the agency of original jurisdiction has
issued a nonfinal decision; and
``(ii) the claimant has filed a notice of
disagreement under section 5104C(a) or section 7105 of
this title, including any case in which a claimant has
filed a supplemental claim within one year of a Board
decision under section 5110(a)(2)(D) and 5108 of this
title following a notice of disagreement and decision
of the Board.
``(2) A claimant may submit a request for administrative review of
such a claim under section 5104C(a) of this title during the period
beginning on the date on which the named claimant of the motion for
class action review submits to the Court a motion for class action
review and ending on the date that is 60 days after the later of the
following dates:
``(A) The date on which the Court issues a final decision
with respect to such claim.
``(B) The date on which the Court issues a final decision
with respect to such motion for class action review.
``(3) In the case of a claimant whose claim is decided by the Board
during the period when the Court is reviewing the motion for class
action review the deadline for such claimant to file an appeal to the
Court with respect to the decision of the Board shall be tolled if the
Court denies the motion for class action review.
``(c)(1) In the case of a claim for benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary, the Court may remand a matter to the
Board of Veterans' Appeals for the limited purpose of ordering the
Board to address a question of law or fact if the Court determines the
Board failed to--
``(A) address, in the relevant decision of the Board, an
issue that--
``(i) the claimant or the representative of the
claimant raised; or
``(ii) was reasonably raised by the evidentiary
record of the claim; or
``(B) provide adequate reasons or bases for the decision of
the Board with respect to such question.
``(2) The Court shall issue Rules that provide for each of the
following:
``(A) When and how a party to an appeal (either the
appellant or the Secretary) may request that the Court issue a
limited remand.
``(B) The period of time within which the Board is required
to issue a decision on the relevant question identified in a
limited remand.
``(C) Guidelines for when the Court may grant a request for
a limited remand.
``(D) Guidelines for when the Court may decide sua sponte
to issue a limited remand without a request from any party.
``(E) A requirement that the parties to an appeal for which
a limited remand is issued provide notice to the Court when the
Board issues its decision on the relevant question identified
in the limited remand.
``(3) With respect to any matter remanded to the Board pursuant to
paragraph (1), the Court shall--
``(A) retain jurisdiction over such matter; and
``(B) stay the proceedings of the Court on such matter
until the date on which the Board issues the decision required
by such remand.''.
(6) Study and report on common questions of law or fact
before board of veterans' appeals.--
(A) Study.--The Chairman of the Board of Veterans'
Appeals shall carry out a study to identify questions
of law or fact the Board commonly considers when
reviewing appeals pursuant to section 7104 of title 38,
United States Code, for which precedential guidance
would assist the Board in issuing final decisions on
such appeals. The Chairman may use artificial
intelligence and other technology in carrying out such
study.
(B) Report.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Board
of Veterans Appeals shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and
the Senate a report that includes the findings of the
study required by subparagraph (A).
(7) Independent assessment of potential modifications to
authority of board of veterans' appeals.--
(A) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement
with an FFRDC under which the FFRDC shall conduct an
assessment of the feasibility of modifying the
authority of the Board of Veterans' Appeals established
under chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code, to
permit the Board to issue precedential decisions with
respect to questions of law or fact arising in matters
before the Board.
(B) Report; briefings.--If the Secretary fails to
finalize an agreement with an FFRDC under subparagraph
(A) before the date that is 180 days after the date on
which the Secretary enters negotiations with respect to
such agreement, the Secretary shall--
(i) submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate a report that includes--
(I) an explanation of the reasons
the Secretary failed to satisfy such
requirement; and
(II) an estimate of the date on
which the Secretary will finalize the
agreement under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) not less frequently than once every 60
days after the date on which the Secretary
failed to satisfy such requirement, provide to
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives and the Senate a
briefing on the progress of the Secretary
toward finalizing such agreement.
(C) Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters into an
agreement under subparagraph (A) shall, in consultation
with veterans service organizations, veterans' and
survivors' advocate groups, relevant legal experts, and
the Chair of the Administrative Conference of the
United States (or the designee or designees of such
Chair) submit to the Secretary a written assessment
that includes the following:
(i) The determination of the FFRDC of
whether modifying the authority of the Board to
permit the Board to issue precedential
decisions with respect to questions of law or
fact arising in matters before the Board is
feasible.
(ii) An assessment of the authority of the
Board of Veterans' Appeals to aggregate, for
review, more than one appeal under chapter 71
of such title that involves common questions of
law or fact pursuant to section 7104 of such
title, as amended by paragraph (4)(A).
(iii)(I) The recommendations of the FFRDC
with respect to rules or principles to which
the Board should adhere when aggregating
appeals for review pursuant to section 7104(a)
of title 38, United States Code, as so amended,
including--
(aa) whether the use of an opt-out
system is appropriate in a class
certification described in section
7104(a) of title 38, United States
Code, as amended;
(bb) whether aggregation described
in clause (ii) is better carried out by
one member, or a panel of members, of
the Board;
(cc) whether such aggregation may
be accomplished in accordance with
section 7107 of title 38, United States
Code; and
(dd) how an accredited
representative, attorney, or authorized
agent may be selected to represent a
class before the Board.
(II) The recommendations shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
(aa) How the Board should provide
notice to claimants of the Board's
intent to aggregate their claim.
(bb) This shall include standards
for ensuring that information provided
to claimants regarding aggregation is
written in plain language and clearly
explains the potential effects of
aggregation on adjudication timelines,
appeal rights, and participation
options.
(cc) The options the Board should
provide to claimants to opt out of
participation in aggregation of their
claim.
(dd) The rights of the claimants to
appeal decisions that arise out of
aggregation of claims, and whether or
not such rights may be limited by
existing statute, regulation, or
judicial decisions.
(ee) Safeguards to ensure that
aggregation of appeals does not
diminish the requirement that each
appeal be decided based on the
individual facts, evidence, and
circumstances specific to the claimant.
(ff) Recommendations regarding
quality review procedures and oversight
mechanisms to monitor the impact of
aggregation on claim accuracy,
consistency, timeliness, and claimant
outcomes.
(D) Report; implementation.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 90 days
after the Secretary receives the assessment
under subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall--
(I) submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
House of Representatives a copy of such
assessment; and
(II) begin developing policies and
procedures to implement the
recommendations in the assessment with
respect to the authority of the Board
of Veterans' Appeals referred to in
subparagraph (C).
(ii) Deadline.--The Secretary shall
complete the development of the policies and
procedures required under clause (i)(II) and
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives a
copy of such policies and procedures not later
than six months after the date on which the
Secretary begins developing such policies and
procedures.
(E) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
(i) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally
funded research and development center.
(ii) The term ``veterans service
organization'' means an organization recognized
by the Secretary for the representation of
veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United
States Code.
(c) Improvements to System for Adjudication of Claims for Benefits
Under Laws Administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--
(1) Program for quality assurance in decisions of board of
veterans' appeals; performance reviews.--
(A) In general.--Section 7101 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(f)(1) The Chairman shall carry out a program to ensure quality
in the decisions of the Board. Under such program, the Chairman shall--
``(A) develop policies and procedures for--
``(i) measuring quality in such decisions;
``(ii) maintaining data and identifying trends with
respect to--
``(I) errors in such decisions;
``(II) errors in decisions remanded or
returned to the Board by the Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims; and
``(III) specific members of the Board that
issued decisions that were subsequently vacated
by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims;
and
``(iii) ensuring any such decision of the Board to
remand a claim for a benefit under a law administered
by the Secretary is necessary under any applicable law
or regulation;
``(B) with respect to a claim for such a benefit that is
remanded to the Board by the Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims--
``(i) inform any employee of the Board responsible
for drafting the decision of the Board with respect to
such claim that such decision was remanded;
``(ii) provide any such employee with a copy of the
relevant order of the Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims (including a copy of any accompanying joint
motion for remand); and
``(iii) provide incentives to such employees to
review such relevant orders and joint motions for
remand; and
``(C) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that any
error identified by the Board under such program is corrected
before the date on which the Board issues the final decision
associated with such error.
``(2) In developing policies and procedures to measure quality in
decisions of the Board pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1), the Chairman shall consider the data and trends
maintained and identified pursuant to clause (ii) of such subparagraph.
``(3) The Chairman may use technology, including artificial
intelligence, to maintain such data and identify such trends.
``(4) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an annual report
on the program required by this subsection that includes, with respect
to the period covered by the report, an identification of--
``(A) elements, if any of the process of the Board for
reviewing an appeal under this chapter that lead to errors in
decisions of the Board; and
``(B) the most common reasons that a claim for a benefit
under a law administered by the Secretary was remanded to such
Board by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.''.
(B) Deadline.--The Secretary shall submit the first
report required by paragraph (2) of such section (as
added by subparagraph (A)) by not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Training program for certain employees of board of
veterans' appeals; performance reviews.--
(A) Training program.--
(i) In general.--Chapter 71 of such title
(as amended by paragraph (1)) is further
amended by inserting after section 7101A the
following new section:
``Sec. 7101B. Training program for members of Board on timely and
correct adjudication of appeals
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in conjunction with the Chairman
of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, shall develop and carry out a
program to provide Members of the Board training on timely and correct
adjudication of appeals under this chapter.
``(b) Required Considerations.--In carrying out the program
required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the following:
``(1) Feedback, if any, from members of the Board and
covered employees with respect to such program.
``(2) Data on errors in decisions of the Board maintained
pursuant to the program for quality assurance required by
subsection (f) of section 7101 of this title.
``(3) Any decision of the Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims to remand a claim for benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary to the Board for further action,
including a joint motion to remand such claim.
``(c) Assessments of Effectiveness.--The Secretary, in conjunction
with the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, shall develop a
method to assess, on an annual basis, the effectiveness of the training
program under this section. In developing such method, the Secretary
shall consider best practices for assessing the effectiveness of
training programs, including the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.
``(d) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
annual report on the program required by subsection (a) that includes,
with respect to the period covered by the report--
``(1) a statement of the topics of the training provided
pursuant to this section, disaggregated by--
``(A) mandatory training; and
``(B) non-mandatory training; and
``(2) the results of the assessment of the effectiveness of
such program required under subsection (c).
``(e) Covered Employee Defined.--In this section, the term `covered
employee' means an employee of the Board who is--
``(1) not a member of the Board; and
``(2) responsible for drafting decisions of the Board.''.
(ii) Clerical amendment.--The table of
sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 7101A the following new item:
``7101B. Training program for Members of Board on timely and
correct adjudication of appeals.''.
(B) Performance reviews of members of the board.--
Section 7101A of such title is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (B) of subsection
(c)(1) by striking ``not less often than once
every three years'' and inserting ``not less
often than annually''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(h)(1) With respect to any performance review of a covered
employee, the Secretary may not consider the timeliness or quality of
work of any Member of the Board.
``(2) In this subsection, the term `covered employee' has the
meaning given such term in section 7101B of this title.''.
(3) Decisions of board to remand.--
(A) Information relating to decisions to remand.--
Section 7104 of such title is amended in subsection
(d)--
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through
(3) as paragraphs (2) through (4),
respectively; and
(ii) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as
so redesignated), the following new paragraph:
``(1) with respect to a claim that the Board remands for
further action, a statement of the specific reasons such claim
was remanded, including any failure on the part of the
Secretary to comply with--
``(A) the Secretary's duty to assist under section
5103A of this title; and
``(B) the Secretary's duty to notify under section
5103 of this title;''.
(B) Notice of remanded decision for certain
employees.--Such section is further amended in--
(i) subsection (e)--
(I) by redesignating paragraphs (1)
through (3) as subparagraphs (A)
through (C), respectively;
(II) by striking ``After'' and
inserting ``(1) After''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(2) If, pursuant to a decision on an appeal, the Board remands a
claim for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary for
further action, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
issue a copy of such decision to each employee of the Veterans Benefits
Administration who committed the error resulting in the decision of the
Board to remand, when applicable.''; and
(ii) in subsection (g), as redesignated by
section 3(d)(2)(A), by striking ``under
subsection (e)'' and inserting ``under
paragraph (1) of subsection (e)''.
(4) Annual reports for board of veterans' appeals.--
(A) In general.--Chapter 71 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 7114
the following new section:
``Sec. 7115. Annual report on Board of Veterans' Appeals
``The Chairman of the Board shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
annual report that includes, for each decision of the Board to remand a
claim for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary to the
Secretary for further adjudication during the period covered by the
report, a statement of the reasons for such decision of the Board,
disaggregated by decisions on--
``(1) claims with a rating decision dated on or after
February 19, 2019; and
``(2) claims with a rating decision dated before such
date.''.
(B) Deadlines.--The Secretary shall submit the
first reports required by subsections (a) and (b) of
section 7115 of such title (as added by paragraph (1))
by not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(C) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 7114 the following
new item:
``7115. Annual report on Board of Veterans' Appeals''.
(5) Plan for improvements to quality in decisions of
board.--
(A) In general.--Not later than six months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Chairman of
the Board of Veterans' Appeals and the head of the
Office of Administrative Review of the Veterans
Benefits Administration, shall develop a plan to--
(i) improve the quality of decisions of the
Board to remand, pursuant to section 7104 of
title 38, United States Code, claims for a
benefit under a law administered by the
Secretary to the Secretary for further action;
and
(ii) mitigate the number of such decisions
that are unnecessary under any applicable law
or regulation.
(B) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on such plan by
not later than six months after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(d) Notice of Avoidable Deferrals of Claims for Benefits Under Laws
Administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Study and Report on
Certain Opinions of Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General
Counsel.--
(1) Notice of avoidable deferrals.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall develop policies, procedures, and
technological capabilities to ensure that each employee of the
Veterans Benefits Administration that commits an avoidable
deferral with respect to a claim for benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the
National Work Queue is notified of any avoidable deferrals that
such employee commits with respect to the same claim.
(2) Study and report on certain ogc opinions.--
(A) Study.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, in consultation with the Office of the General
Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the
Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, shall
complete a study to identify--
(i) issues about which an opinion from the
Office of the General Counsel of the Department
would foster consistency in the decisions of
the Secretary with respect to claims for
benefits under the laws administered by the
Secretary; and
(ii) issues raised in appeals of such
decisions to the United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims before the date of the
enactment of this Act about which the Office of
the General Counsel has had inconsistent
opinions in matters involving substantially
similar questions of law or fact.
(B) Report.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a
report that includes--
(i) the findings of the study required by
subparagraph (A);
(ii) a statement of which issues identified
pursuant to such study about which the Office
of the General Counsel of the Department
intends to publish an opinion; and
(iii) a timeline for the publication of any
such opinion.
SEC. 106. ANNUAL REPORT ON CAUSES OF DEATH AMONG VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
annual report that contains data and information on causes of death
among veterans.
``(b) Elements.--Such report shall include--
``(1) for each veteran that died during the period covered
by the report an identification of--
``(A) whether such veteran had a service-connected
disability rated as total;
``(B) the primary cause of death;
``(C) the secondary cause of death, if applicable;
and
``(D) the manner of death;
``(2) for each primary cause of death identified pursuant
to paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans
that died from such primary cause of death during the period
covered by the report; and
``(3) for each manner of death identified pursuant to
paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans that
died in such manner during the period covered by the report.
``(c) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on the date that is
five years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of
America's Veterans Act.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 5 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 533 the following new item:
``534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans''.
SEC. 107. PLAN FOR USE OF AUTOMATION TOOLS TO PROCESS CLAIMS UNDER LAWS
ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives the plan of the Secretary to make available, to the
maximum extent practicable, an automation tool described in subsection
(b) to elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose
of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary.
(b) Automation Tool Described.--An automation tool described in
this subsection is a technology developed for the Compensation Service
of the Veterans Benefits Administration that--
(1) automates the retrieval of the service record or health
records of a veteran;
(2) compiles evidence relevant to the determination of a
claim for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary;
(3) provides automated decision support relevant to such a
determination;
(4) automates information sharing between Federal agencies;
and
(5) assists in generating correspondence regarding such a
claim.
(c) Analysis.--In developing the plan required under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall conduct an analysis of each of the following:
(1) The feasibility and benefits of the use of an
automation tool described in subsection (b) by elements of the
Department for the purpose of processing claims under laws
administered by the Secretary.
(2) Any modification to an existing automation tool that
could render such tool usable for such purpose by such an
element.
(3) Any requirement of any such element pertaining to such
purpose that cannot be addressed by using an automation tool.
(4) The extent to which the technology offices of such
elements may need to collaborate with the technology office
responsible for developing an automation tool in the course of
the development and use of the tool by the element for such
purpose.
(5) A timeline for modifying and implementing any
automation tool for use by such elements for such purpose.
(d) Priority.--In providing or expanding an automation tool
described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department pursuant to
the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give
priority to the following elements:
(1) The Compensation Service.
(2) The Pension and Fiduciary Service of the Veterans
Benefits Administration.
(3) The Education Service of the Veterans Benefits
Administration.
(4) Program offices of the Veterans Benefits
Administration, as determined by the Secretary.
(5) The Debt Management Center.
(6) The Board of Veterans' Appeals.
(e) Other Requirements Relating to Technology at Department of
Veterans Affairs.--
(1) Automatic notices regarding benefits for certain
children of veterans.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall implement policies, processes,
and technological capabilities, including in the
National Work Queue (or successor system), to ensure
that, in the case of any covered situation, a claims
processors is made aware of, and assigned to address,
such covered situation.
(B) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(i) The term ``covered situation'' means--
(I) any increase in the amount of
dependency compensation paid to a
beneficiary for a child under the laws
administered by the Secretary; and
(II) any educational assistance
paid to the child of a veteran under
the laws administered by the Secretary.
(ii) The term ``child'' has the meaning
given such term in section 101(4)(A)(iii) of
title 38, United States Code.
(2) Correct labeling of documents.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a plan to ensure that
documents in the Veterans Benefits Management System (or any
successor system) are correctly labeled when such documents are
uploaded, including when such documents are labeled using
automation tools.
SEC. 108. REFORMS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DISABILITY
RATINGS.
(a) Ratings for Sleep Apnea.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
revise the schedule for rating disabilities adopted and applied
under section 1155 of title 38, United States Code, as follows:
(A) A grade of disability of 0 percent shall be
assigned for sleep apnea syndrome when the syndrome is
asymptomatic, with or without treatment.
(B) A grade of disability of 10 percent shall be
assigned for sleep apnea syndrome when treatment yields
incomplete relief.
(C) A grade of disability of 50 percent shall be
assigned for sleep apnea syndrome only if--
(i) treatment is either ineffective or the
veteran is unable to use the prescribed
treatment due to comorbid conditions; and
(ii) there is no end-organ damage.
(D) A grade of disability of 100 percent shall be
assigned for sleep apnea syndrome only if there is also
end-organ damage.
(2) Qualifying comorbid conditions.--For purposes of
paragraph (1)(C)(i), a comorbid condition is a condition that,
in the opinion of a qualified medical provider, directly
impedes or prevents the use of, or implementation of, a
recognized form of treatment intervention normally shown to be
effective.
(b) Ratings for Tinnitus.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
revise the schedule for rating disabilities adopted and applied under
section 1155 of title 38, United States Code, as follows:
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), tinnitus may not
be assigned a separate compensable disability rating.
(2) A grade of disability of 10 percent shall be assigned
for tinnitus only when tinnitus is diagnosed as associated with
service-connected (as defined in section 101(16) of title 38,
United States Code) hearing loss that is otherwise
noncompensable under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(c) Applicability.--
(1) In general.--The revisions to the schedule for rating
disabilities adopted and applied under section 1155 of title
38, United States Code, made pursuant to this section shall
apply with respect to claims filed after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) Protection of existing ratings.--The revisions to the
schedule for rating disabilities made pursuant to this section
may not serve as the basis for reducing, discontinuing, or
otherwise adversely affecting compensation that was in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 109. IMPROVEMENTS TO TEMPORARY LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACT
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO PERFORM MEDICAL DISABILITY
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Expansion.--Section 504 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements
Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note), as amended by
paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson
and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement
Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note), is further
amended, subject to the sunset in paragraph (4) of such subsection, by
striking paragraph (2) of subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(2) Health care professional described.--A health care
professional described in this paragraph is a person who is
eligible for appointment to a position in the Veterans Health
Administration covered by section 7402(b) of title 38, United
States Code, who--
``(A) has a current and unrestricted license to
practice the health care profession for which they are
licensed;
``(B) is not barred from practicing such health
care profession in any State, the District of Columbia,
or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the
United States; and
``(C) is performing authorized duties for the
Department pursuant to a contract entered into under
subsection (a).
``(3) Source of funds.--Expenses of carrying out this
section, including payments for examination travel and
incidental expenses under the terms and conditions set forth by
section 111 of this title, shall be reimbursed to the accounts
available for the general operating expenses of the Veterans
Benefits Administration and information technology systems from
amounts available to the Secretary for payment of compensation
and pensions.
``(4) Mechanism for transmittal of evidence introduced by
applicants during examinations.--The Secretary shall establish
a mechanism whereby a health care professional who conducts
medical examinations or opinions under section 5103A(d) of this
title may transmit to a veteran's claims file, evidence
introduced by the applicant during a medical examination or in
conjunction with a medical opinion that examiner used to inform
such medical examination or opinion.''.
(b) Delayed Sunset of Amendment.--Paragraph (4) of subsection (a)
of section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315;
38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``On the date that is five
years after the date of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``On
September 30, 2033''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (2) of such subsection is
amended by striking ``physicians assistants, nurse practitioners,
audiologists, and psychologists'' and inserting ``health care
professionals''.
(d) Report.--Not later than 15 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a report regarding the use of the authority under
section 504 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note), as temporarily amended by section
2002(a)(1) of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health
Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315; 38
U.S.C. 5101 note) and this section. Such report shall include, with
respect to the one-year period after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the following elements:
(1) The number of examinations conducted pursuant to a
contract under such authority.
(2) The cost, timeliness, and legal adequacy of such
examinations, disaggregated by--
(A) health care professional; and
(B) contract.
(3) The number of such examinations conducted in each
State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory,
or possession of the United States.
(4) The numbers of each kind of health care professionals
who conducted such examinations.
(5) The number of examinations that were erroneously
conducted by a health care professional--
(A) without such a contract; or
(B) unauthorized to enter into such a contract.
(6) The plan of the Secretary to correct errors in the use
of such authority.
SEC. 110. DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS: STUDY ON ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS;
REVIEW OF TRAINING; REVIEW OF INADEQUATE OR UNNECESSARY
EXAMINATIONS.
(a) Study on Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs Covered
Medical Disability Examinations in Rural Areas.--
(1) Study required.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall complete a study on access by veterans who reside in
rural and highly rural areas to covered medical disability
examinations.
(2) Elements.--
(A) In general.--The study conducted under
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(i) A comparison of the average number of
days to complete covered medical disability
examinations, disaggregated by type of
examination, for veterans who reside in rural
and highly rural areas compared to an average
time for veterans who reside in other areas to
complete a covered medical disability
examination, by either contractors or employees
of the Department.
(ii) A root cause analysis of differences
identified pursuant to clause (i).
(iii) The plan of the Secretary for the
following year to improve access described in
paragraph (1), which shall include a plan for
the pursuit of a commercial or industry-
standard solution or technology that could
enable housebound veterans or veterans who live
in rural areas to receive examinations without
traveling long distances.
(B) Number of days to complete defined.--For
purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), the term ``number of
days to complete'' means the number of days in the
period--
(i) beginning on the date on which a
contractor or employee of the Department
received a request from the Secretary to
conduct a covered medical disability
examination; and
(ii) ending on the date on which the
examination was completed.
(3) Report on study.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the
study completed under paragraph (1).
(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) The term ``covered medical disability
examination'' means a medical nexus examination or
medical opinion for the purposes of adjudicating a
claim for a benefit under chapter 11 or 15 of title 38,
United States Code, regardless of whether conducted by
an employee or a contractor of the Department.
(B) The terms ``rural'' and ``highly rural'' have
the meanings given those terms under the rural-urban
commuting areas coding system of the Department of
Agriculture.
(b) Review of Training for Veterans Service Representatives and
Rating Veterans Service Representatives.--
(1) Review required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall conduct a comprehensive review of the training provided
to Veterans Service Representatives (VSRs) and Rating Veterans
Service Representatives (RVSRs) regarding covered medical
disability examinations for the purpose of claims adjudication.
(2) Scope of review.--The review shall include, at minimum,
an evaluation of training and policies relating to--
(A) assessing the adequacy of covered medical
disability examinations for claims adjudication;
(B) determining the necessity of medical disability
examinations where claims can be adjudicated based on
existing evidence without ordering additional
examinations;
(C) relevant statutes, judicial decisions,
regulations, and Department policies, including--
(i) the duty to assist claimants;
(ii) evidentiary standards regarding
causation;
(iii) required elements and standards for
covered medical disability examinations,
including the need for reasoned medical
opinions; and
(iv) the absence of statutory or regulatory
presumptions of service connection in covered
medical disability examinations; and
(D) input from impacted Department employees,
including duly appointed labor representatives.
(3) Second-level review for new employees.--The Secretary
shall evaluate the effectiveness of current policies requiring
a second level of review of claims decisions made by new
Veterans Service Representatives and Rating Veterans Service
Representatives before such employees are authorized to order
covered medical disability examinations, including any
applicable accuracy thresholds.
(4) Report to congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
a report detailing the findings of the Secretary with respect
to the review conducted under paragraph (1), the data used by
the Secretary to support such findings, and such
recommendations as the Secretary may have for improvements to
training or policies.
(5) Comptroller general of the united states review of
findings.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the
Secretary submits the report under paragraph (4), the
Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review
of the findings and recommendations contained in the report.
(6) Modification of reports by the board of veterans'
appeals and united states court of appeals for veterans
claims.--
(A) Board of veterans' appeals.--Section 7101(d)(2)
of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (G), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
``(H) a summary of recurring issues that result in
the Board remanding appeals back to the agency of
original jurisdiction.''.
(B) United states court of appeals for veterans
claims.--Section 7288(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(16) A summary of recurring issues that result in
remands.''.
(7) Definition of covered medical disability examination.--
In this subsection, the term ``covered medical disability
examination'' means a medical examination or medical opinion
that the Secretary determines necessary for the purposes of
adjudicating a claim for a benefit under chapter 11 or 15 of
title 38, United States Code, regardless of whether conducted
by an employee or a contractor of the Department.
(c) Review and Priority Processing of Claims With Inadequate or
Unnecessary Examinations.--
(1) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once every
three months thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall review a random and representative sample of all covered
medical disability examinations completed during the previous
three-month period.
(2) Further sample requirements.--Under each review
required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure the
review includes--
(A) a statistically significant sample of covered
medical disability examinations completed by employees
of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(B) a statistically significant sample of covered
medical disability examinations completed by each
contractor that provides such examinations for the
Department.
(3) Analysis.--Under each review required by paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall--
(A) analyze the samples specified in paragraph (2);
and
(B) pursuant to such analysis, identify--
(i) the percentage of examinations that
were adequate for purposes of adjudicating the
particular claim for a benefit under chapter 11
or 15 of title 38, United States Code, for
which the examination was ordered by the
Department; and
(ii) the percentage of examinations
considered overdeveloped for purposes of
adjudicating claims for a benefit under chapter
11 or 15 of title 38, United States Code, for
which the examination was ordered by the
Department.
(4) Priority processing.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided for in
subparagraph (B), if during a review under paragraph
(1) the Secretary finds any covered medical disability
examination to be not adequate for adjudicating a
claim, the Secretary shall ensure the claimant examined
by that examination--
(i) receives another examination, if
necessary, on a priority basis; and
(ii) receives priority processing for the
entirety of impacted claim.
(B) Exception.--The Secretary is not required to
furnish an additional examination under subparagraph
(A) if the Secretary determines such an examination to
be unnecessary for purposes of adjudicating the claim.
(5) Comptroller general of the united states study.--The
Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review
of the methodology and effectiveness of the Departments review
required in paragraph (1).
(6) Covered medical disability examination defined.--In
this subsection, the term ``covered medical disability
examination'' means a medical examination or opinion for the
purposes of adjudicating a claim for a benefit under chapter 11
or 15 of title 38, United States Code, regardless of whether
conducted by an employee or a contractor of the Department.
(d) Review and Plan Regarding Department of Veterans Affairs
Scheduling of Medical Examinations.--
(1) Review required.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall complete a review of scheduling request tools,
contracts, and systems used by employees and contractors of the
Department of Veterans Affairs to order and conduct medical
disability examinations.
(2) Plan required.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan to
ensure the following:
(A) Systems and processes used by the Department
enable seamless and clear communication of requirements
between the claims processors who request medical
disability examinations and the persons who conduct
such examinations, including through a contract.
(B) Medical disability examiners, including through
a contract, have access to the medical records and
claims information they need to conduct exams that are
adequate for purposes of rating claims for benefits
under laws administered by the Secretary.
(C) Claimants or appellants for whom a medical
disability examination is requested of the Department
have agency in determining when and where the
examination is conducted.
(D) Claimants or appellants for whom a medical
disability examination is requested of the Department
have a seamless experience when scheduling their
examinations without regard to who conducts the
examinations.
(E) The Department conducts customer satisfaction
and experience surveys of claimants or appellants who
attend medical disability examinations provided under
laws administered by the Secretary.
SEC. 111. IMPROVEMENTS TO PROCESSING AND OUTREACH REGARDING CLAIMS
INVOLVING MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.
(a) Evaluation of Claims Involving Military Sexual Trauma.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter VI of chapter 11 of such title
is amended by inserting after section 1166 the following new
section:
``Sec. 1166A. Evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma
``(a) Notice and Opportunity to Supply Evidence.--The Secretary may
not deny a claim of a veteran for compensation under this chapter for
military sexual trauma without first--
``(1) advising the veteran of the evidence that would
constitute credible corroborating evidence of the military
sexual trauma; and
``(2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish such
corroborating evidence.
``(b) Point of Contact.--The Secretary shall ensure that each
document provided to a veteran relating to a claim for compensation
under this chapter for a military sexual trauma includes contact
information for an appropriate point of contact with the Department.
``(c) Specialized Teams.--The Secretary shall ensure that all
claims for compensation under this chapter for a military sexual trauma
are reviewed and processed by a specialized team established under
section 1166 of this title.
``(1) The Secretary shall ensure that not less than
annually, the policies and procedures employed by the
specialized team established under section 1166 of this title
are reviewed by medical or mental health professionals as the
Secretary considers appropriate to determine whether the
current standard of evidentiary review for acceptable
documentation adequately evaluates the likelihood a military
sexual trauma occurred.
``(2) The Secretary shall also conduct periodic quality
reviews of claims processed by the specialized teams
established under section 1166 to identify inconsistencies,
training deficiencies, or procedural shortcomings and implement
corrective actions as appropriate.''.
(2) Outreach.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall implement, with input from the
veteran community, an informative outreach program for
veterans regarding the standard of proof for evaluation
of claims relating to military sexual trauma, including
requirements for a medical examination and opinion.
(B) Targeted outreach.--In implementing the program
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, to the
extent practicable, target outreach to veterans who
submitted a claim relating to military sexual trauma
that was denied.
(3) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 1166 the following new item:
``1166A. Evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma.''.
(b) Communications From the Department of Veterans Affairs to
Individuals Who Have Experienced Military Sexual Trauma.--
(1) Review working group.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish a working group to review
correspondence relating to military sexual trauma.
(B) Membership.--The working group established
under subparagraph (A) shall be composed of members who
shall be appointed by the Secretary from among
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are
experts in military sexual trauma and mental health, of
whom--
(i) one or more shall be appointed from
among mental health providers of the Veterans
Health Administration;
(ii) one or more shall be appointed from
among experts on sexual assault and sexual
harassment of the Veterans Benefits
Administration; and
(iii) one or more shall be appointed from
among experts on sexual assault and sexual
harassment of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
(C) Duties.--The working group established under
subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) review standard correspondence, which
may include templates for notices under
sections 5103, 5104, 5104B, and 7104 of title
38, United States Code, from the Department to
individuals who have experienced military
sexual trauma for sensitivity; and
(ii) ensure that the correspondence--
(I) treats such individuals with
dignity and respect; and
(II) does not re-traumatize such
individuals.
(D) Individual who has experienced military sexual
trauma defined.--In this subsection, the term
``individual who has experienced military sexual
trauma'' means--
(i) an individual who has filed a claim for
compensation under chapter of title 38, United
States Code, relating to military sexual
trauma;
(ii) a veteran who has been awarded
compensation under such chapter relating to
military sexual trauma; or
(iii) a member of the Armed Forces
(including a member of the National Guard or
Reserves), a former member of the Armed Forces,
or a veteran who is receiving care from the
Department relating to military sexual trauma.
(2) Contents of certain written communications to
individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma.--
(A) Notice to claimants of required information and
evidence.--Section 5103 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(c) Written Communications to Individuals Who Have Experienced
Military Sexual Trauma.--
``(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written
communication under this section from the Department to an
individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes
each of the following:
``(A) Contact information for each of the
following:
``(i) The military sexual trauma
coordinator of the Veterans Benefits
Administration.
``(ii) The military sexual trauma
coordinator of the Veterans Health
Administration.
``(iii) The Veterans Crisis Line.
``(iv) The facility of the Veterans Health
Administration closest to where the individual
resides.
``(v) The Readjustment Counseling Service
location closest to where the individual
resides.
``(B) Information on the eligibility of the
individual for services provided through the
Readjustment Counseling Service location described in
subparagraph (A)(v).
``(2) In this subsection:
``(A) The term `individual who has experienced
military sexual trauma' means--
``(i) an individual who has filed a claim
for compensation under chapter 11 of this title
relating to military sexual trauma;
``(ii) a veteran who has been awarded
compensation under such chapter relating to
military sexual trauma; or
``(iii) a member of the Armed Forces
(including a member of the National Guard or
Reserves), a former member of the Armed Forces,
or a veteran who is receiving care from the
Department relating to military sexual trauma.
``(B) The term `military sexual trauma' has the
meaning given that term in section 1166(d)(2) of this
title.
``(C) The term `Veterans Crisis Line' means the
toll-free hotline for veterans established under
section 1720F(h) of this title.''.
(B) Decisions and notices of decisions.--Section
5104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e)(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written communication
under this section from the Department to an individual who has
experienced military sexual trauma includes each of the following:
``(A) Contact information for each of the following:
``(i) The military sexual trauma coordinator of the
Veterans Health Administration.
``(ii) The Veterans Crisis Line.
``(iii) The facility of the Veterans Health
Administration closest to where the individual resides.
``(iv) The Readjustment Counseling Service location
closest to where the individual resides.
``(B) Information on the eligibility of the individual for
services provided through the Readjustment Counseling Service
location described in subparagraph (A)(iv).
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any written communication
under this section from the Department to an individual who has
experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an
award of compensation under chapter 11 of this title relating to
military sexual trauma includes--
``(A) the contact information described in paragraph (1);
and
``(B) the contact information for the military sexual
trauma coordinator of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
``(3) In this subsection:
``(A) The term `individual who has experienced military
sexual trauma' means--
``(i) an individual who has filed a claim for
compensation under chapter 11 of this title relating to
military sexual trauma;
``(ii) a veteran who has been awarded compensation
under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma;
or
``(iii) a member of the Armed Forces (including a
member of the National Guard or Reserves), a former
member of the Armed Forces, or a veteran who is
receiving care from the Department relating to military
sexual trauma.
``(B) The term `military sexual trauma' has the meaning
given that term in section 1166(d)(2) of this title.
``(C) The term `Veterans Crisis Line' means the toll-free
hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of this
title.''.
(C) Higher-level review by the agency of original
jurisdiction.--Section 5104B of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f) Written Communications to Individuals Who Have Experienced
Military Sexual Trauma.--
``(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written
communication under this section from the Department to an
individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes
each of the following:
``(A) Contact information for each of the
following:
``(i) The military sexual trauma
coordinator of the Veterans Health
Administration.
``(ii) The Veterans Crisis Line.
``(iii) The facility of the Veterans Health
Administration closest to where the individual
resides.
``(iv) The Readjustment Counseling Service
location closest to where the individual
resides.
``(B) Information on the eligibility of the
individual for services provided through the
Readjustment Counseling Service location described in
subparagraph (A)(iv).
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any written
communication under this section from the Department to an
individual who has experienced military sexual trauma that
includes notification of an award of compensation under chapter
11 of this title relating to military sexual trauma includes--
``(A) the contact information described in
paragraph (1); and
``(B) the contact information for the military
sexual trauma coordinator of the Veterans Benefits
Administration.
``(3) In this subsection:
``(A) The term `individual who has experienced
military sexual trauma' means--
``(i) an individual who has filed a claim
for compensation under chapter 11 of this title
relating to military sexual trauma;
``(ii) a veteran who has been awarded
compensation under such chapter relating to
military sexual trauma; or
``(iii) a member of the Armed Forces
(including a member of the National Guard or
Reserves), a former member of the Armed Forces,
or a veteran who is receiving care from the
Department relating to military sexual trauma.
``(B) The term `military sexual trauma' has the
meaning given that term in section 1166(d)(2) of this
title.
``(C) The term `Veterans Crisis Line' means the
toll-free hotline for veterans established under
section 1720F(h) of this title.''.
(D) Board of veterans' appeals.--Section 7104 of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(g)(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written communication
under this section from the Department to an individual who has
experienced military sexual trauma include each of the following:
``(A) Contact information for each of the following:
``(i) The military sexual trauma coordinator of the
Veterans Health Administration.
``(ii) The Veterans Crisis Line.
``(iii) The facility of the Veterans Health
Administration closest to where the individual resides.
``(iv) The Readjustment Counseling Service location
closest to where the individual resides.
``(B) Information on the eligibility of the individual for
services provided through the Readjustment Counseling Service
location described in subparagraph (A)(iv).
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any written communication
under this section from the Department to an individual who has
experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an
award of compensation under chapter 11 of this title relating to
military sexual trauma includes--
``(A) the contact information described in paragraph (1);
and
``(B) the contact information for the military sexual
trauma coordinator of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
``(3) In this subsection:
``(A) The term `individual who has experienced military
sexual trauma' means--
``(i) an individual who has filed a claim for
compensation under chapter 11 of this title relating to
military sexual trauma;
``(ii) a veteran who has been awarded compensation
under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma;
or
``(iii) a member of the Armed Forces (including a
member of the National Guard or Reserves), a former
member of the Armed Forces, or a veteran who is
receiving care from the Department relating to military
sexual trauma.
``(B) The term `military sexual trauma' has the meaning
given that term in section 1166(d)(2) of this title.
``(C) The term `Veterans Crisis Line' means the toll-free
hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of this
title.''.
(c) Study on Training and Processing Relating to Claims for
Disability Compensation Relating to Military Sexual Trauma.--
(1) Study required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall conduct a study on--
(A) the quality of training provided to personnel
of the Department of Veterans Affairs who review claims
for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title
38, United States Code, for disabilities relating to
military sexual trauma; and
(B) the quality of the procedures of the Department
for reviewing the accuracy of the processing of such
claims.
(2) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(A) With respect to the quality of training
described in paragraph (1) of such subsection:
(i) Whether the Department ensures
personnel complete such training on time.
(ii) Whether the training has resulted in
improvements to the processing of claims
described in such subsection and issue-based
accuracy.
(iii) Such recommendations as the Secretary
may have for improving the training.
(B) With respect to the quality of procedures
described in paragraph (2) of such subsection:
(i) Whether the procedures of the
Department for reviewing the accuracy of the
processing of claims described in such
subsection comport with generally accepted
statistical methodologies to ensure reasonable
accuracy of such reviews.
(ii) Whether such procedures adequately
include mechanisms to correct errors found in
such reviews.
(iii) A summary of quality assurance
reviews and reports conducted as part of such
procedures.
(iv) Such recommendations as the Secretary
may have for improving such procedures.
(3) Report required.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives
a report detailing the findings of the Secretary with respect
to the study conducted under paragraph (1).
(d) Annual Special Focus Review of Claims for Disability
Compensation for Disabilities Relating to Military Sexual Trauma.--
(1) Annual special focus review.--
(A) In general.--Each year, the Under Secretary for
Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall
conduct a special focus review on the accuracy of the
processing of claims for disability compensation under
chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for
disabilities relating to military sexual trauma.
(B) Elements.--Each review conducted under
subparagraph (A) shall include a review of the
following:
(i) A statistically significant, nationally
representative sample of all claims for
benefits under the laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to
military sexual trauma filed during the fiscal
year preceding the fiscal year in which the
report is submitted.
(ii) The accuracy of each decision made
with respect to each claim described in clause
(i).
(iii) The types of benefit entitlement
errors found, disaggregated by category.
(iv) Trends from year to year.
(v) Training completion rates for personnel
of the Department who process claims described
in subparagraph (A).
(2) Reprocessing of claims.--If the Under Secretary finds,
pursuant to a special focus review conducted under paragraph
(1)(A), that an error was made with respect to the entitlement
of a veteran to a benefit under the laws administered by the
Secretary, the Secretary shall return the relevant claim of the
veteran to the appropriate office of the Department for
reprocessing to ensure that the veteran receives an accurate
decision with respect to the claim.
(3) Report.--Section 5501(b) of the Johnny Isakson and
David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits
Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315; 134 Stat. 5048) is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``through 2027''
and inserting ``until the date described in section
109(d)(4) of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act'';
and
(B) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(I) The findings of the most recent special focus
review conducted under subsection (d)(1)(A) of section
109 of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act,
including--
``(i) the elements under subsection
(d)(1)(B) of such section;
``(ii) the number of claims returned for
reprocessing under subsection (d)(2) of such
section; and
``(iii) the number of claims described in
clause (ii) for which the decision relating to
service-connection or entitlement to
compensation changed as a result of
reprocessing the claim.''.
(4) Sunset.--On the date that is 5 years after the
enactment of this Act, paragraph (1)(A) shall cease to be in
effect.
(e) Working Group on Medical Examinations for Claims for Disability
Compensation for Disabilities Relating to Military Sexual Trauma.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish a working group on medical examinations for
claims for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title
38, United States Code, for disabilities relating to military
sexual trauma (in this section referred to as the ``working
group'').
(2) Membership.--The working group shall be composed of the
following:
(A) Staff of the operations center for military
sexual trauma of the Department of Veterans Affairs who
have experience reviewing the quality of medical
examinations in support of claims for disability
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United
States Code.
(B) Staff of the Medical Disability Examination
Office of the Department.
(C) Veterans service officers who have experience
with claims described in paragraph (1).
(D) Medical examiners who have experience with such
claims.
(E) Staff of the Veterans Experience Office of the
Department.
(F) Such other individuals as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(3) Duties.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the working group shall--
(A) review the quality of medical examinations
described in paragraph (1);
(B) review the feasibility of minimizing re-
examinations for conditions relating to military sexual
trauma; and
(C) submit to the Under Secretary for Benefits of
the Department and the Secretary recommendations on how
to--
(i) eliminate re-traumatization of
individuals who file claims described in
paragraph (1); and
(ii) reduce the overdevelopment of such
claims.
(4) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report that includes the following:
(A) The views of the working group on efforts by
the Department to eliminate re-traumatization of
individuals who file claims described in subsection
(a).
(B) Legislative proposals to improve the experience
of such individuals in pursuing such claims.
(C) The recommendations submitted under paragraph
(3)(C).
(D) The plan of the Under Secretary for Benefits of
the Department and the Secretary to implement such
recommendations.
(5) Review and implementation.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under
Secretary for Benefits of the Department and the Secretary
shall--
(A) review the recommendations submitted under
paragraph (3)(C); and
(B) implement the recommendations that, as
determined by the Under Secretary and the Secretary,
would improve the claims process for individuals who
file claims described in paragraph (1).
(f) Military Sexual Trauma Claims Performance Dashboard.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish an interactive performance dashboard displaying
information about claims relating to military sexual trauma
submitted to the Secretary for benefits under laws administered
by the Secretary.
(2) Elements.--The dashboard established pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall cover the following:
(A) Claims relating to military sexual trauma
submitted to the Secretary for benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary that have been submitted,
completed, or appealed, including appeals pending at
the agency of jurisdiction and at the Board of
Veterans' Appeals.
(B) For comparison purposes with subparagraph (A),
claims not relating to military sexual trauma submitted
to the Secretary for benefits under laws administered
by the Secretary that have been submitted, completed,
or appealed.
(C) Overall, cumulative information relating to
claims relating to military sexual trauma submitted to
the Secretary for benefits under laws administered by
the Secretary, including the following:
(i) Average number of days a claim is
pending review.
(ii) Average number of days for completed
adjudication.
(iii) Total number of pending claims,
disaggregated by whether the claims have been
partially adjudicated or not adjudicated at
all.
(iv) Total number of claims completely
adjudicated.
(v) Of the number specified in clause (iv),
the percentage that were approved, denied, or
appealed.
(D) The total number of claims relating to military
sexual trauma submitted to the Secretary for benefits
under laws administered by the Secretary.
(E) The methods used for submittal of claims
relating to military sexual trauma to the Secretary for
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.
(F) The most frequent reasons the Secretary denies
a claim relating to military sexual trauma submitted to
the Secretary for a benefit under a law administered by
the Secretary.
(G) The most frequent conditions or disabilities
for which a claim relating to military sexual trauma is
denied.
(H) The most frequent conditions or disabilities
for which a claim relating to military sexual trauma is
submitted to the Secretary for disability compensation
under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code,
including the grant rate for such contentions.
(3) Additional resource information.--The Secretary shall
make available via the performance dashboard established
pursuant to subsection (a) the following information:
(A) Veterans Crisis Line contact information.
(B) Information regarding the availability of
services from military sexual trauma coordinators of
the Veterans Health Administration.
(C) Information regarding the availability of
services from military sexual trauma coordinators of
the Veterans Benefits Administration.
(D) Information on availability of specialized
care, services, and benefits from the Department for
individuals who have experienced military sexual
trauma.
(E) Such additional information as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(4) Availability.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
dashboard established pursuant to paragraph (1) is available to
the public from the website of the Department of Veterans
Affairs and is updated not less frequently than once every 30
days.
(5) Reporting requirements.--(A) Not later than 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report detailing--
(i) the annual cost to implement the dashboard
required by paragraph (2);
(ii) areas for improvement of the dashboard; and
(iii) such additional information as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(B) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall commence providing, on a
quarterly basis, to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a quarterly briefing on the Department's
processing of military sexual trauma-related claims.
(6) Definition.--In this section, the term ``military
sexual trauma'' has the meaning given such term in section
1166(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 112. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF NOTICES THAT THE SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS SENDS TO CLAIMANTS.
(a) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to
enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of notices that
the Secretary sends to claimants.
(b) Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters into an agreement under
subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment of
such notices. The assessment shall include the following:
(1) The determination of the FFRDC, made in consultation
with covered entities, whether each such notice may be feasibly
altered to reduce paper consumption by, and costs to, the
Federal Government.
(2) The recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the
Secretary may make such notices clearer to claimants, better
organized, and more concise.
(c) Report; Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the
Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary
shall--
(1) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment;
and
(2) implement the recommendations in the assessment that
are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.
(d) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary shall complete the
implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by
not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary commences
such implementation.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally funded research
and development center.
(2) The term ``covered entities'' includes--
(A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(B) an expert in laws administered by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs;
(C) a veterans service organization recognized
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code;
(D) an entity that advocates for veterans; and
(E) an entity that advocates for the survivors of
veterans.
(3) The terms ``claimant'' and ``notice'' have the meanings
given such terms in section 5100 of title 38, United States
Code.
SEC. 113. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF FORMS THAT THE SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS SENDS TO CLAIMANTS.
(a) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to
enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that
the Secretary sends to claimants.
(b) Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters into an agreement under
subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made
in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment
shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the
Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better
organized.
(c) Report; Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the
Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary
shall--
(1) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment;
and
(2) implement the recommendations in the assessment that
are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.
(d) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary shall complete the
implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by
not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary
commences such implementation.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally funded research
and development center.
(2) The term ``covered entities'' includes--
(A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(B) an expert in laws administered by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs;
(C) a veterans service organization recognized
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code;
(D) an entity that advocates for veterans; and
(E) an entity that advocates for survivors of
veterans.
(3) The term ``claimant'' has the meaning given such term
in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code.
TITLE II--EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
SEC. 201. VETS OPPORTUNITY ACT.
(a) Repayment of Members of the Armed Forces for Contributions
Towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance: Timing; Mechanism for
Individuals Not Eligible for a Monthly Housing Stipend.--
(1) In general.--Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title
38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``together'' and
all that follows through ``before'' and inserting ``not
later than 60 days after''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Additional assistance for an individual not eligible
for a monthly housing stipend.--In the case of an individual
making an election under subsection (a) who is described by
subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that
subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend
payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational
assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall
be paid--
``(A) in a lump sum calculated by multiplying--
``(i) the total amount of contributions
described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to
such individual; and
``(ii) the sum of the number of months
described in subclauses (I) and (II) of
paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such
individual; and
``(B) to the individual not later than 60 days
after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to
educational assistance under this chapter.''.
(2) Technical corrections and conforming amendment.--Such
subsection is further amended--
(A) by striking ``paragraphs (2) through (7)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (2) through (6)''; and
(B) in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting
``for an individual eligible for a monthly housing
stipend'' after ``Additional assistance''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on August 1, 2027.
(b) Treatment of Certain Independent Study Programs Under
Educational Assistance Programs of Department of Veterans Affairs.--
(1) In general.--Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such
title is amended--
(A) by inserting ``that requires regular and
substantive interaction between students and
instructors'' after ``course of study'';
(B) in item (aa), by striking ``; or'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(C) in item (bb), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting ``; or''; and
(D) by adding at the end by following new item:
``(cc) an institution of
higher education, as such term
is defined in section 102 of
the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is
approved to participate or is
participating in the student
financial assistance programs
authorized by title IV of that
Act; and''.
(2) Applicability.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as
applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2027.
(3) Oversight.--During the first six years beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination
with State approving agencies, shall, every two years, conduct
risk-based surveys or reviews of institutions approved pursuant
to section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of title 38, United
States Code, as added by paragraph (1).
(4) GAO report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the
oversight and implementation of the amendments made by
paragraph (1), including--
(A) the effectiveness of oversight activities
conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and
State approving agencies;
(B) institutional compliance with applicable
requirements under chapter 36 of title 38, United
States Code;
(C) participation and outcomes of veterans enrolled
in programs approved pursuant to section
3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of such title, as added by
paragraph (1); and
(D) any recommendations to improve oversight,
program integrity, or educational outcomes for
veterans.
(5) Applicability.--To the extent practicable for any
program requiring practical, laboratory, clinical, shop, or
hands on competencies, the online portion of instruction may
not substitute for the supervised in person training necessary
to demonstrate such competencies.
(c) Absence From Certain Education Due to Certain Service.--
(1) Options.--Section 3691A of such title is amended by
striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``(1) A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a
period of covered service--
``(A) withdraw from covered education;
``(B) take a leave of absence from covered education; or
``(C) subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement
with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered
education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Such subsection is further
amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``or takes a leave of
absence'' and inserting ``, takes a leave of absence, or enters
into an agreement''.
(3) Agreement.--Such section is further amended--
(A) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection
(e); and
(B) by inserting, after subsection (c), the
following new subsection (d):
``(d) Agreement With Institution Concerned.--A covered member may
enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member
has completed at least half of a course of covered education.''.
(4) Section heading.--Such section is further amended by
striking the heading and inserting ``Absence from certain
education due to certain service''.
(5) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the following
new item:
``3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service.''.
(d) Department of Veterans Affairs Compliance Surveys.--Section
3693 of such title is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``not more than 10 business days of
notice'';
(B) by striking ``this section.'' and inserting
``this section--''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
``(1) in the case of an educational institution or training
establishment with a time stamp database collection feature,
not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of
notice; and
``(2) in the case of any other educational institution or
training establishment, not more than 10 business days of
notice.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following
new subsection (d):
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The terms `educational institution' and `training
establishment' have the meanings given such terms in section
3452 of this title.
``(2) The term `school certifying official' means an
employee of an educational institution with primary
responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the
educational institution.''.
(e) Notification of School Certifying Officials of Handbook
Updates.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 14 business days after
updating the school certifying official handbook of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying officials
of such update.
(2) School certifying official defined.--The term ``school
certifying official'' means an employee of an educational
institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran
enrollment at the educational institution.
SEC. 202. IMPROVEMENTS TO PROCESS FOR MAKING PAYMENTS TO AUTOMOBILE
SELLERS FOR AUTOMOBILES PURCHASED FOR CERTAIN DISABLED
VETERANS.
(a) Timeliness of Payments.--Section 3902 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) The Secretary shall--
``(A) make payments under this section in compliance with
regulations prescribed under section 3903(a) of title 31,
except that no interest penalties shall be required to be paid
under this section; and
``(B) in the case of any payment under this section that is
not processed during the period of 30 days following receipt by
the Secretary of the final invoice for such payment, the
Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the number of
days required to process the payment.''.
(b) Centralization of Process for Making Payments.--Such section is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f)(1) The Secretary shall process payments under this section
through one office of the Department that the Secretary determines has
the capacity and expertise to make such payments in compliance with
regulations described in subsection (a)(2).
``(2) The Secretary shall accurately track and resolve payments due
to sellers under this section that are more than 90 days overdue.''.
(c) Reporting.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives, and publish on a publicly accessible website of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, four semiannual reports after the date
of the enactment of this Act, regarding the administration of section
3902 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this section. Each
such report shall include, with respect to the period of six months
preceding the date of the report, the following elements:
(1) The average and median number of days between receipt
of a invoice for payment under such section by the Claims
Intake Center of the Department and the day when the Secretary
makes such payment, disaggregated by whether the claim was
under review or being processed by--
(A) the Veterans Health Administration;
(B) the Veterans Benefits Administration; or
(C) the seller.
(2) Improvements to information technology of the
Department that the Secretary determines would reduce the time
required for such review or processing.
(d) GAO Report; Briefing.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the day the
Secretary completes centralization under subsection (f) of
section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, as added by this
section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
review such centralization and publish a report containing the
results of such review. Such report shall include the
determinations of the Comptroller General regarding the
following:
(A) The capacity of the office determined by the
Secretary under such subsection, to carry out
processing described in such subsection, including--
(i) a comprehensive assessment of employees
of the Department who carry out chapter 39 of
such title;
(ii) a comprehensive skills assessment
indicating what resources the Secretary
requires to otherwise improve such
centralization, including additional funds,
employees, or contractors; and
(iii) a review of systems of information
technology, including systems in use or to be
acquired, to carry out such centralization.
(B) Recommendations to improve such processing.
(C) Estimated costs to the United States to
implement such recommendations.
(2) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after publishing the
report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall
provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and Senate a briefing on such report. Such
briefing shall include any response from the Secretary to the
Comptroller General regarding the recommendations in the
report.
SEC. 203. MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND UNDER THE POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO PURSUE SUMMER
PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION SOLELY THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING.
(a) In General.--Section 3313(c)(1)(B) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``and (iii)'' and inserting
``, (iii), and (iv)'';
(2) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); and
(3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following new
clause (iv):
``(iv) In the case of an individual
pursuing, solely through distance learning, a
program of education that is shorter than 12
weeks during the summer, for each month the
individual pursues the program of education, a
monthly housing stipend equal to the product
of--
``(I) the national average of the
monthly amount of the basic allowance
for housing payable under section 403
of title 37 for a member with
dependents in pay grade E-5, multiplied
by
``(II) the lesser of--
``(aa) 1.0 and
``(bb) the number of course
hours borne by the individual
in pursuit of the program of
education, divided by the
minimum number of course hours
required for full-time pursuit
of the program of education,
rounded to the nearest multiple
of 10.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to a program of education beginning on or after August 1, 2027.
SEC. 204. CLARIFICATION REGARDING INCLUSION OF MEDICALLY NECESSARY
AUTOMOBILE ADAPTATIONS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
DEFINITION OF ``MEDICAL SERVICES''.
Section 1701(6)(I) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(I) The provision of any medically necessary automobile
adaptations for driver or passenger use, including--
``(i) ramp and kneeling systems;
``(ii) raised doors or lowered floors;
``(iii) raised roofs;
``(iv) air conditioning;
``(v) occupied and unoccupied mobility lifts;
``(vi) ingress or egress accessibility
modifications;
``(vii) wheelchair tiedowns; and
``(viii) adapted seating.''.
SEC. 205. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS: SOLID START PROGRAM; EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE.
(a) Improvement to Certain Outreach Under Solid Start Program of
Department of Veterans Affairs.--Section 6320(b) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
(A) by striking ``calling'' and inserting
``communicating with''; and
(B) by inserting ``through the use of tailored
lines of communication, including mailings, text
messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms
of messaging'' after ``Armed Forces''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``tailored mailings'' and
inserting ``tailored lines of communication, including
mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging,''.
(b) Department of Veterans Affairs Use of Tailored Lines of
Communication for Correspondence Relating to Educational Assistance
Benefits.--Section 3680 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i)(1) The Secretary shall provide a mechanism by which an
eligible veteran or eligible person may use tailored lines of
communication to send and receive correspondence with the Department of
Veterans related to entitlement to and use of educational assistance
benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary. The Secretary
shall ensure that an eligible veteran or eligible person is provided
with an opportunity to opt into sending and receiving such
correspondence using such lines of communication rather than by mail.
``(2) The Secretary shall provide to eligible veterans and eligible
persons who are enrolled in a course or program of education or
training notice of the opportunity to opt in to sending and receiving
correspondence using tailored lines of communication pursuant to
paragraph (1).
``(3) In this subsection, the term `tailored lines of
communication' includes mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and
other electronic forms of messaging.''.
SEC. 206. IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND
SKILLBRIDGE.
(a) Transition Assistance Program: Amendments; Pilot Program;
Reports.--
(1) Special operations forces.--Subsection (a) of section
1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in paragraph
(1), by inserting ``(including each member of the special
operations forces)'' after ``armed forces''.
(2) Requirement of preseparation counseling: number of
days.--Such subsection is further amended, in paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``Within''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(B) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that a member
described in subparagraph (A) receives preseparation counseling
in the following amounts:
``(i) In the case of a member who has accepted an
offer of full-time employment, or has enrolled in a
program of education or vocational training, that shall
commence after the member separates, retires, or is
discharged, not fewer than three days.
``(ii) In the case of a member other than a member
described in clause (i), not fewer than five days.''.
(3) Repeat attendance.--Such subsection is further amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(6) A member who received preseparation counseling under
this section may, before separation, retirement, or discharge,
request to receive, on a space-available basis, such
preseparation counseling a second time.''.
(4) Pathways: standardization; establishment of pathway for
members of the reserve components.--Such section is further
amended, in paragraph (1) of subsection (c), in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A)(1)--
(A) by striking ``Each Secretary concerned'' and
inserting ``The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland
Security''; and
(B) by striking ``pathways for members of the
military department concerned'' and inserting
``pathways, standardized across the armed forces''.
(5) Pathways: record of pathway assignment.--Such
subsection is further amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(4) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that the pathway
in which a member is placed, and the reasons for such
placement, are noted in the service record of such member.''.
(6) Coordination between departments of defense, veterans
affairs, and labor.--Such section is further amended, in
subsection (d)--
(A) by striking the heading and inserting
``Transmission of Certain Information to Other
Departments'';
(B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``In the case'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
``(2) Before a member described in subsection (a)
separates, retires, or is discharged, the Secretary concerned
shall transmit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the
Department of Defense Form DD-2648 regarding such member.
``(3)(A) In the case of a member described in subsection
(a) whom the Secretary determined as tier 3 status the
Secretary concerned shall, before the member separates,
retires, or is discharged, provide such member with the contact
information of an employee of the Department of Veterans
Affairs and an employee of the Department of Labor; and
``(B) Each employee described in subparagraph (A) shall
contact the member described in such subparagraph not later
than 60 days after such member separates, retires, or is
discharged.
``(C) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary
of Labor shall each submit to the Committees on Armed Services
and on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives an annual report that identifies the number of
times, and reasons why, an employee of the department under the
jurisdiction of such Secretary failed to carry out subparagraph
(B) in the year preceding the date of the report.
``(D) The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland
Security shall prescribe regulations to ensure that, for
purposes of this paragraph, each Secretary concerned uses the
same definition of the term `at risk for a difficult transition
to civilian life'.''.
(7) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for four years,
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on
Armed Services, and the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, of the
Senate and House of Representatives, a report on data recorded
with such tracking system during the year preceding the date of
such report. Such a report shall include a list of the seven
military installations located inside the continental United
States, and three military installations located outside the
continental United States, where members are least likely to
receive preseparation counseling in accordance with such time
periods.
(A) The number of members who, in the course of
such preseparation counseling, were referred to another
Federal agency or department.
(B) The Federal agencies or departments to which
members were so referred.
(C) The number of members who should have been, but
were not, so referred, and reasons why such referrals
did not occur.
(D) The number of members who receive such
preseparation counseling and apply for unemployment
compensation under subchapter II of chapter 85 of title
5, United States Code.
(E) The total amount of such unemployment
compensation paid to members separating from the Armed
Forces.
(F) The frequency with which the commander of the
military installation received a briefing regarding
attendance of members in accordance with statutory
requirements of the Transition Assistance Program.
(8) Contracting: standardization.--Such section is further
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Contracting.--A Secretary concerned may enter into an
agreement with an entity under which such entity shall provide
preseparation counseling under this section. If more than one Secretary
seeks to enter into such an agreement, such Secretaries concerned
shall, to the extent practicable, seek to enter into such agreements
with the same entity.''.
(9) Annual report on tap participation.--The frequency with
which the commander of the military installation received a
briefing regarding attendance of members in accordance with
statutory requirements of the Transition Assistance Program.
(b) Skillbridge: GAO Study.--
(1) Study required.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a study of the Skillbridge programs under
section 1143(e) of title 10, United States Code.
(2) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to
the Committees on Armed Services, and the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs, of the Senate and House of Representatives,
a report regarding such study. Such report shall include
observations and recommendations of the Comptroller regarding,
with respect to members and employers who participate in
Skillbridge--
(A) differences in criteria for participation
between the Armed Forces;
(B) other differences in Skillbridge programs
between the Armed Forces;
(C) best practices in Skillbridge programs across
the Armed Forces, including--
(i) the selection of employers; and
(ii) the development of contracts; and
(D) the feasibility of making Skillbridge programs
uniform across the Armed Forces.
SEC. 207. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: PRESENTATION IN PRESEPARATION
COUNSELING TO PROMOTE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(20) A presentation that promotes the benefits available
to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs. Such presentation--
``(A) shall be standardized;
``(B) shall, before implementation, be reviewed and
approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and
Secretary of Defense in collaboration with veterans
service organizations that provide claims assistance
under the benefits delivery at discharge program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs;
``(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
and Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives for review at least 90 days before
implementation;
``(D) where available, shall be presented with the
participation of--
``(i) an employee or representative of the
Department of Veterans Affairs assisted by a
representative of a veterans service
organization recognized under section 5902 of
title 38; or
``(ii) an employee or representative of the
Department of Veterans Affairs assisted by an
individual recognized under section 5903 of
such title and authorized by the Secretary
concerned to so participate;
``(E) shall include information on how a veterans
service organization may assist the member in filing a
claim described in paragraph (19);
``(F) may not encourage the member to join a
particular veterans service organization; and
``(G) may not be longer than one hour.''.
(b) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate
and House of Representatives, and to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report that--
(1) identifies each veterans service organization that
participated in a presentation under paragraph (20) of section
1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a);
(2) contains the number of members of the Armed Forces who
attended such presentations; and
(3) includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding
changes to such presentation or to such paragraph.
SEC. 208. ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT THAT ON-CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL AND
VOCATIONAL COUNSELING IS PROVIDED BY CERTAIN DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES.
(a) In General.--Section 3697B(a) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by striking the second sentence;
(2) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Any individual providing services under paragraph (1) on
behalf of the Department who is not an employee of the Department shall
be subject to the same oversight, training, and accountability
standards applicable to Department employees providing such
services.''.
(b) Expansion of VetSuccess on Campus Program to at Least One
Location in Each State.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
ensure that the VetSuccess on Campus program of the Department
of Veterans Affairs is located in every State.
(2) Counselors.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall ensure that at least one counselor of the
VetSuccess on Campus program is located in each State,
notwithstanding the number of individuals in a State or at an
educational institution who may qualify to participate in the
program.
(3) Preference.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary shall give preference to educational institutions
that have the largest populations of students who are pursuing
programs of education at such institutions with educational
assistance provided under laws administered by the Secretary.
(4) State defined.--In this section, the term ``State'' has
the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United
States Code.
SEC. 209. EXPANSION OF ENTITLEMENT FOR PAYMENT FOR LICENSING OR
CERTIFICATION TESTS FOR VETERANS ENTITLED TO EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE.
Section 3315 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``educational assistance
under this chapter'' and inserting ``covered assistance'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``under this
chapter'' and inserting ``with respect to covered assistance'';
(3) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``under this chapter'' and inserting ``with
respect to covered assistance''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Warnings.--Before providing any payment to or on behalf of an
individual described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide
notice to the individual a warning that use of entitlement under this
section for a licensing or certification test may not lead to a license
or certification.
``(e) Covered Assistance Defined.--In this section, the term
`covered assistance' means educational assistance available under--
``(1) this chapter, chapter 30 of this title, chapter 35 of
this title, or chapter 1606 of title 10; or
``(2) any other provision of law providing educational
assistance to a veteran, or to another individual in connection
with the service of a veteran in the Armed Forces.''.
SEC. 210. INCREASE OF AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PAID BY THE
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR FIRST YEAR OF A FULL-
TIME PROGRAM OF APPRENTICESHIP OR OTHER ON-JOB TRAINING.
Section 3313(g)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting
``using educational assistance under this chapter''; and
(2) in clause (i)(II), by striking ``80 percent'' and
inserting ``100 percent''.
SEC. 211. IMPROVING EMERGING TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS.
(a) Inclusion of Emerging Technologies in High Technology
Program.--
(1) In general.--Section 3699C of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading by striking ``High
technology'' and inserting ``High technology and
emerging technology'';
(B) by striking ``high technology'' and inserting
``high technology or emerging technology'' each place
such term appears; and
(C) in subsection (c)(4) by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(E) Such criteria shall also identify which technologies of
critical importance, such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor
manufacturing, shall be treated as emerging technologies for purposes
of this section.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 3699C and inserting the following
new item:
``3699C. High technology and emerging technology program.''.
(3) Conforming amendments.--Section 3680A of title 38,
United States Code, is amended in subsections (a)(4)(B) and
(d)(8) by striking ``high technology'' each place such term
appears and inserting ``high technology or emerging
technology''.
(b) Employment Rate Calculation for VET-TEC High Technology and
Emerging Technology Program.--Section 3699C of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by
inserting after ``House of Representatives'' the
following: ``, and make available to the public,''; and
(B) in paragraph (3) by adding at the end the
following: ``Such rate shall be calculated as a
fraction, the denominator of which is the number of
covered individuals who completed such a program during
such year and the numerator of which is the number of
individuals counted in the denominator who are employed
on the date that is 180 days after the date on which
the individual completed the program, and expressed as
a percentage. Notwithstanding the previous sentence,
the numerator shall not count a case in which the
individual is employed by the same organization that
was the provider of the individual's program of
education or a case in which the individual is
employed, by a parent or affiliate of such
organization, as an instructor for a substantially
similar program of education. To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary shall also report the rates
of full-time employment, part-time employment, and
self-employment.''; and
(2) in subsection (g) by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(3) The Secretary on an ongoing basis shall solicit, collect, and
analyze feedback about the program from covered individuals who
participate in the program and from the GI Bill School Feedback Tool.
The Secretary shall use such feedback to evaluate and improve the
implementation of the program.''.
TITLE III--HEALTH CARE
SEC. 301. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROGRAM OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 307 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services
Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraphs:
``(C) Indian tribes.
``(D) Tribal organizations.
``(E) Native Hawaiian organizations.
``(F) County veterans service organizations.'';
(B) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``State veterans service
agency or veterans service organization awarded'' and
inserting ``recipient of''; and
(C) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
``(4) Maximum amount.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraphs (B) and (C), the amount of a grant under
this section may not exceed $50,000.
``(B) Off-road communities.--In the case of a
county that has more than five communities that are off
the road system, the amount of a grant awarded with
respect to that county under this section may be
increased by an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the
amount specified in subparagraph (A).
``(C) Purchasing a vehicle.--
``(i) Amount.--The amount of a grant
awarded under this section to a recipient may
be increased by not more than $80,000 if the
recipient is purchasing a vehicle to comply
with requirements under the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et
seq.) in carrying out this section.
``(ii) Limitations.--The Secretary may
prescribe limitations on the number of vehicles
purchased by each recipient under this
section.'';
(2) by striking subsection (d);
(3) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections
(d) and (e), respectively;
(4) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
subsections:
``(b) Additional Services.--
``(1) Nearby rural areas.--In addition to providing
innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural
areas, a recipient of a grant under this section may use
amounts provided under the grant to provide innovative
transportation options to veterans in nearby rural areas.
``(2) Priority.--A recipient of a grant under this section
shall prioritize the provision of innovative transportation
options to veterans in highly rural areas, and shall
demonstrate to the Secretary such priority, and may only
provide services under paragraph (1) to veterans in nearby
rural areas if--
``(A) it does not impede the services provided to
veterans in highly rural areas; and
``(B) the grantee has excess capacity and resources
available to provide such services to veterans in
nearby rural areas.
``(c) Eligibility of Previous Areas.--Areas eligible for assistance
under the grant program under this section on the day before the date
of the enactment of the Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare
Services Act shall remain eligible for such assistance on and after
such date of enactment.''; and
(5) in subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph
(5); and
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms `Indian
tribe' and `Tribal organization' have the meanings given those
terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
``(2) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native
Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given that term in
section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
``(3) Nearby.--The term `nearby', with respect to a rural
area, includes rural areas adjacent to a highly rural area and
rural areas geographically between the highly rural area and
the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.
``(4) Rural; highly rural.--The terms `rural' and `highly
rural' have the meanings given those terms under the Rural-
Urban Commuting Areas (RUCA) coding system of the Department of
Agriculture.''.
SEC. 302. VETERAN CAREGIVER REEDUCATION, REEMPLOYMENT, AND RETIREMENT
ACT.
(a) Extension of Period of Medical Care Coverage for Caregivers
Designated as Primary Providers of Personal Care Services for
Veterans.--Section 1781(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting before the comma at the end the following: ``,
including during the 180-day period following discharge from the
program under section 1720G(a) of this title unless the designation of
the individual was revoked due to fraud, abuse, mistreatment, or other
misconduct''.
(b) Employment and Other Benefits for Caregivers Designated as
Primary Providers of Personal Care Services for Veterans.--
(1) Employment assistance.--Section 1720G of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(e) Employment Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall, subject to
paragraph (2), provide to an individual designated as a primary
provider of personal care services under subsection (a)(7)(A)
employment assistance as follows:
``(A) Reimbursement of fees associated with certifications
or relicensure necessary for such employment.
``(B) For purposes of gaining credit for continuing
professional education requirements, access to training modules
of the Department at no cost.
``(C) In consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of Labor, access to existing employment assistance
resources and programs as considered appropriate.
``(2) An individual described in paragraph (1) shall have access to
assistance described in such paragraph--
``(A) while participating in the program established under
subsection (a)(1); and
``(B) during the 180-day period following the date on which
the individual is no longer participating in such program
unless the designation of such individual under subsection
(a)(7)(A) was revoked for fraud, abuse, mistreatment, or other
misconduct.
``(3) The maximum lifetime amount that may be reimbursed for an
individual under paragraph (1)(A) is $1,000.''.
(2) Expansion of available services.--Subsection
(a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended--
(A) in subclause (V), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in subclause (VI)--
(i) in the matter preceding item (aa), by
inserting ``or agreements'' after
``contracts'';
(ii) in item (aa), by inserting ``,
including retirement planning services,'' after
``services''; and
(iii) in item (bb), by striking the period
at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subclause:
``(VII) such instruction, preparation, training,
and support as the Secretary considers appropriate to
assist in transitioning away from caregiving during the
180-day period following the date on which the family
caregiver is no longer participating in the program
required by paragraph (1), unless such designation was
revoked for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment, or other
misconduct.''.
(3) Assistance returning to workforce.--Subclause (VI) of
such subsection is further amended--
(A) in item (aa), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new item:
``(cc) assistance returning to the
workforce upon discharge or dismissal from the
program required by paragraph (1) unless such
designation was revoked for fraud, abuse,
mistreatment, or other misconduct; and''.
(4) Bereavement counseling and support.--Subsection
(a)(3)(A)(i)(III) of such section is amended by inserting
before the semicolon the following: ``, including bereavement
counseling and support following the death of the eligible
veteran''.
(5) Study on provision of returnship program.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Secretary of
Labor, shall complete a study on the feasibility and
advisability of conducting a returnship program to
assist individuals who are designated as a primary
provider of personal care services under section
1720G(a)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code, or who
were discharged from such program, in returning to the
workforce.
(B) Report.--Not later than 180 days after
completion of the study under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the
study.
(6) Study on incorporating former caregivers into workforce
of department of veterans affairs.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall complete a study on barriers and
incentives to hiring individuals who were designated as
a primary provider of personal care services under
section 1720G(a)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code,
at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to
address staffing needs.
(B) Report.--Not later than 180 days after
completion of the study under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the
study, which shall include--
(i) a plan for increasing employment
opportunities at facilities of the Department
for individuals who were designated as a
primary provider of personal care services
under section 1720G(a)(7)(A) of title 38,
United States Code; and
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Sponsors
- Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]RHouseIL
Cosponsors
- Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
- Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
- Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
- Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
- Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
- Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
- Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]
- Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]
- Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]
- Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
- Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
- Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]
- Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]
- Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
- Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
- Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]
- Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
- Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]
- Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]
- Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
- Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
- Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
- Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
- Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
- Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]
- Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]
- Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]
- Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
- Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
Votes
HouseRoll Call 249Jul 16, 2026
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 211 (Roll no. 249).
Vote totals recorded, but member positions were not captured.