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[House Report 115-386]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

115th Congress   }                                            {    Report
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session     }                                            {   115-386

======================================================================

 
 AMENDING TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE, TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS TO FURNISH ASSISTANCE FOR ADAPTATIONS OF RESIDENCES OF 
VETERANS IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS UNDER CHAPTER 31 OF SUCH TITLE, AND 
                           FOR OTHER PURPOSES

                                _______
                                

November 6, 2017.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Roe of Tennessee, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 3562]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 3562) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish 
assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in 
rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably 
thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     2
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Hearings.........................................................     3
Subcommittee Consideration.......................................     3
Committee Consideration..........................................     4
Committee Votes..................................................     4
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     4
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................     4
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     4
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Estimate........     4
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     6
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     6
Constitutional Authority Statement...............................     6
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     6
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs.....................     6
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................     6
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported.............     7

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 3562, would authorize the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) to furnish assistance for adaptations of 
residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 
31 title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). H.R. 3562 was 
introduced by Representative Jodey Arrington of Texas on July 
28, 2017.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    VA provides vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) 
services to veterans with a service connected disability and an 
employment handicap or serious employment handicap. Under this 
program, an eligible veteran works with their VR&E counselor to 
create and implement a customized rehabilitation plan that 
assists the veteran reach their rehabilitation and employment 
goals. When a veteran enrolls in VR&E they can choose, with the 
help of their counselor, from one of five tracks in which to 
begin their training and rehabilitation. These tracks include: 
(1) reemployment--services with the goal of getting veteran 
reemployed with a previous employer; (2) rapid access to 
reemployment--services with the goal of getting the veteran 
suitable employment as quickly as possible; (3) self-
employment--provides services to help the veteran start and 
operate their own business; (4) employment through long term 
services--provides veterans with long term training or 
education with the goal of employment; and (5) independent 
living services--provides services to the most severely 
disabled veterans that are not employable but can benefit from 
services to help them lead a more independent life. While the 
independent living is the smallest of VR&E's tracks, the time 
and attention spent by VA's masters degree-level VR&E 
counselors with veterans can be more than the time and 
attention for veterans in other tracks.
    The Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH) program, which 
provides up to $81,080 in funding to severely disabled veterans 
for adaptive housing assistance. Once a veteran is determined 
to be eligible for the program, they work with a VA SAH agent 
and contractor or builder of their choice to develop a plan for 
adapting their home to meet their specific needs. These funds 
can be used for wheelchair ramps, widening of doorways, grab 
bars, and many other adaptations and improvements that would 
help a disabled veteran to live and stay in their own home. 
There are very specific eligibility requirements for this 
program that generally involve the loss or loss of use of a 
limb, therefore some severely disabled veterans that need home 
adaptations are still ineligible. Some veterans that do not 
qualify for the SAH program, however, are able to receive 
funding to adapt their residence to ensure safety and the goal 
of maximum independent living through VR&E's independent living 
track.
    The Committee has learned from VA and other stakeholders 
that while the flexibility of having home adaptations completed 
through the independent living track is helpful, there is a 
concern that VR&E counselors are not qualified to provide 
oversight of such construction and expenditures. At the 
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity's legislative hearing on 
this legislative text on June 29, 2017, Mr. Curtis Coy, VA's 
Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity, stated ``VA 
determined the home adaptation program portion of an 
Independent Living rehabilitation plan would be best 
administered through the SAH program due to staff expertise in 
home renovations and consistent oversight of the construction 
process by VA.''
    The Committee agrees with Mr. Coy's assertion that VR&E's 
master's degree-level counselors are trained in how to put 
veterans back to work and do not have the appropriate level of 
expertise on how to adapt a house. Therefore, this section 
would authorize the SAH program to provide assistance to home 
adaptations to eligible veterans using the VR&E program. The 
amount of assistance would be capped at the same level of 
funding that is provided to SAH-eligible veterans under Chapter 
21, U.S.C. However, the Secretary would be authorized to waive 
this cap if the Secretary determines a higher amount is 
necessary to complete the veteran's rehabilitation program. The 
Committee believes that this legislation puts the right VA 
employee, an SAH agent trained in home construction, at the 
center of helping adapt a disabled veteran's home. The 
Committee also believes that making such a change could reduce 
workload for VR&E counselors, which would result in them being 
able to help more disabled veterans reach maximum 
rehabilitation.

                                Hearings

    On June 29, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a legislative hearing on several bills pending before the 
Subcommittee including draft legislation that became the text 
of H.R. 3562. The following witnesses testified:
          The Honorable Elise Stefanik, U.S. House of 
        Representatives, 21st district of New York; The 
        Honorable Robert Wittman, U.S. House of 
        Representatives, 1st district of Virginia; The 
        Honorable Claudia Tenney, U.S. House of 
        Representatives, 22nd district of New York; The 
        Honorable David Cicilline, U.S. House of 
        Representatives, 1st district of Rhode Island; The 
        Honorable Scott Taylor, U.S. House of Representatives, 
        2nd district of Virginia; Mr. Curtis L. Coy, Deputy 
        Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity, Veterans 
        Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, who was accompanied by Ms. Tia Butler, 
        Executive Director, Corporate Senior Executive 
        Management Office, Human Resources and Administration, 
        U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Mr. Jeffrey 
        London, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans 
        Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 
        Affairs; Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, USAR (Ret.), 
        Executive Director, Reserve Officers Association; and 
        Mr. Gabriel Stultz, Legislative Counsel, Paralyzed 
        Veterans of America.
          The following organizations submitted statements for 
        the record: U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Chamber 
        of Commerce

                       Subcommittee Consideration

    There was no subcommittee consideration of H.R. 3562.

                        Committee Consideration

    On October 12, 2017 the full Committee met in open markup 
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 3562 be 
reported favorably to the House of Representatives by voice 
vote.

                            Committee Votes

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, no recorded votes were taken on 
amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 3562 reported to 
the House.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of 
this report.

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance 
goals and objectives of H.R. 3562 are to improve the delivery 
of VA funding for home adaptations to disabled veterans.

                  Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits

    H.R. 3562 does not contain any Congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the 
Committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out 
this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that Rule provides 
that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has 
included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the 
bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974. The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R. 
3562 prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974.

     Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect 
to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following is the cost 
estimate for H.R. 3562 is provided by the Congressional Budget 
Office.

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                  Washington, DC, October 27, 2017.
Hon. Phil Roe, M.D.,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 3562, a bill to 
amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of 
residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 
31 of such title, and for other purposes.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is David Newman.
            Sincerely,
                                               Keith Hall, 
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

H.R. 3562--A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for 
        adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation 
        programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes

    Through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 
program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides 
assistance to veterans whose disabilities prevent them from 
working. That assistance can include the cost of modifying 
veterans' homes to enable them to live independently. The cost 
of those benefits are paid from mandatory appropriations.
    H.R. 3562 would cap payments for housing modifications at 
$79,874 per beneficiary in 2018; that amount would be adjusted 
annually for inflation. However, the bill would allow VA to 
waive the cap if higher amounts are necessary. The bill also 
would transfer the management of those benefits to a related 
program that pays for housing adaptions for severely disabled 
veterans.
    On the basis of information from VA regarding how it would 
implement the bill, CBO expects that very few veterans would be 
affected. Over the last four years, an average of eight 
veterans a year have received housing adaptations under the 
vocational rehabilitation program in amounts that would exceed 
the limit in H.R 3562. In addition, the department indicates 
that it would likely waive enforcement of the cap in most 
cases.
    Pay-as-you-go procedures apply to H.R. 3562 because 
enacting the bill would decrease direct spending. However, 
those decreases in direct spending would be insignificant, CBO 
estimates. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3562 would not increase 
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
    H.R. 3562 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Newman. 
The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    With respect to the requirements of Section 423 of the 
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (as amended by 
Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act, P.L. 104-
4), the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates regarding H.R. 3562 prepared by the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 
3562.

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States 
Constitution, H.R. 3562 is authorized by Congress' power to 
``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the 
United States.''

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 3562 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act.

              Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 3562 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 
Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal 
program, a program that was included in any report from the 
Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to 
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a 
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance.

                   Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking

    Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 115th Cong. (2017), 
H.R. 3562 would require the Secretary to publish new 
regulations for carrying out this bill.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation

Section 1. Improvements to authorities for provision of assistance for 
        adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation 
        programs

    Section 1(a) would create a new section 2102B of title 38, 
U.S.C., ``Adaptations to residences of veterans in 
rehabilitation programs.'' This section would authorize the 
Secretary to provide adaptations to a veteran's residence who 
is entitled to services and assistance under chapter 31 of 
title 38, U.S.C. The Secretary would be able to provide up to 
$77,307 in assistance but the Secretary could waive this 
limitation if the Secretary determines a waiver is necessary 
for the rehabilitation program of the veteran. The new section 
2102(A) would also require the Secretary to increase the amount 
of assistance each year on October 1st by the percentage 
calculated under section 2102(e)(2) of title 38, U.S.C. The 
Secretary would also be required to prescribe regulations to 
carry out this new section.
    Section 1(b) would allow the Secretary to provide 
assistance under the new section 2102B in advance of 
regulations by issuing notice specifying the criteria for the 
application, approval, and oversight processes relating to the 
provision of assistance under such section.
    Section 1(c) would make conforming amendments to title 38, 
U.S.C.
    Section 1(d) would make a clerical amendment to the table 
of section at the beginning of chapter 21 of title 38, U.S.C. 
by inserting a new section 2102B.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

    Pursuant clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 
as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be 
omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in 
italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 
roman):

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

      CHAPTER 21--SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS

Sec.
2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible veterans.
     * * * * * * *
2102A. Assistance for individuals residing temporarily in housing owned 
          by a family member.
2102B. Adaptations to residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: members of the 
                    Armed Forces with service-connected disabilities; 
                    individuals residing outside the United States

  (a) Members With Service-Connected Disabilities.--(1) The 
Secretary may provide assistance under this chapter to a member 
of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who is suffering 
from a disability that meets applicable criteria for benefits 
under this chapter if the disability is incurred or aggravated 
in line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service. 
Such assistance shall be provided to the same extent as 
assistance is provided under this chapter to veterans eligible 
for assistance under this chapter and subject to the same 
requirements as veterans under this chapter.
  (2) For purposes of this chapter, any reference to a veteran 
or eligible individual shall be treated as a reference to a 
member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a) who is 
similarly situated to the veteran or other eligible individual 
so referred to.
  (b) Benefits and Assistance for Individuals Residing Outside 
the United States.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
may, at the Secretary's discretion, provide benefits and 
assistance under this chapter (other than benefits under 
section 2106 of this title) to any individual otherwise 
eligible for such benefits and assistance who resides outside 
the United States.
  (2) The Secretary may provide benefits and assistance to an 
individual under paragraph (1) only if--
          (A) the country or political subdivision in which the 
        housing or residence involved is or will be located 
        permits the individual to have or acquire a beneficial 
        property interest (as determined by the Secretary) in 
        such housing or residence; and
          (B) the individual has or will acquire a beneficial 
        property interest (as so determined) in such housing or 
        residence.
  (c) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), 
this section shall not apply to the provision of assistance 
under section 2102B of this title.
  [(c)] (d) Regulations.--Benefits and assistance under this 
chapter by reason of this section shall be provided in 
accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may 
prescribe.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 2102B. Adaptations to residences of veterans in rehabilitation 
                    programs

  (a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the 
Secretary may assist a veteran who is entitled to services and 
assistance under chapter 31 of this title and is pursuing a 
rehabilitation program under such chapter in acquiring such 
adaptations to such veteran's residence as are determined 
necessary by the Secretary to accomplish the purposes of such 
rehabilitation program.
  (b) Amount.--(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available 
to a veteran under subsection (a) may not exceed $77,307. The 
Secretary may waive this limitation for a veteran if the 
Secretary determines a waiver is necessary for the 
rehabilitation program of the veteran.
  (2) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2017), 
the Secretary shall increase the amount described in paragraph 
(1) by the percentage calculated under section 2102(e)(2) of 
this title.
  (3) Beginning on October 1, 2019, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a biennial report on the use of the waiver 
authority under paragraph (1).
  (c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
  (d) Rehabilitation Program Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``rehabilitation program'' has the meaning given such term 
in section 3101 of this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 2104. Benefits additional to benefits under other laws

  (a) Any individual who accepts the benefits of this chapter 
shall not by reason thereof be denied the benefits of chapter 
37 of this title[; however, except as provided in subsection 
(b) of this section, the assistance authorized by section 2101 
of this title shall not be available to any individual more 
than once].
  (b) An individual eligible for assistance under section 
2101(b) of this title shall not by reason of such eligibility 
be denied benefits for which such individual becomes eligible 
under section 2101(a) of this title or benefits relating to 
home health services under section 1717(a)(2) of this title. 
[However, no particular type of adaptation, improvement, or 
structural alteration provided to an individual under section 
1717(a)(2) of this title may be provided to such individual 
under section 2101(b) of this title.]
  (c) The Secretary may not provide assistance to a veteran 
under this chapter if the Secretary determines such assistance 
would result in a duplication of benefits under this title to 
the veteran.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 2106. Veterans' mortgage life insurance

  [(a) The United States shall automatically insure any 
eligible individual age 69 or younger who is or has been 
granted assistance in securing a suitable housing unit under 
this chapter against the death of the individual unless the 
individual (1) submits to the Secretary in writing the 
individual's election not to be insured under this section, or 
(2) fails to respond in a timely manner to a request from the 
Secretary for information on which the premium for such 
insurance can be based.]
  (a) The Secretary shall insure any individual under 70 years 
of age who has received assistance under this chapter against 
the death of the individual except for an individual who--
          (1) elects in writing to not receive insurance under 
        this section;
          (2) fails to respond in a timely manner to a request 
        from the Secretary for information on which the premium 
        for such insurance can be based; or
          (3) receives such assistance under section 2102B of 
        this title.
  (b) The amount of insurance provided an individual under this 
section may not exceed the lesser of $150,000, or after January 
1, 2012, $200,000, or the amount of the loan outstanding on the 
housing unit. The amount of such insurance shall be reduced 
according to the amortization schedule of the loan and may not 
at any time exceed the amount of the outstanding loan with 
interest. If there is no outstanding loan on the housing unit, 
insurance is not payable under this section. If an eligible 
individual elects not to be insured under this section, the 
individual may thereafter be insured under this section, but 
only upon submission of an application, payment of required 
premiums, and compliance with such health requirements and 
other terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the 
Secretary.
  (c) The premiums charged an individual for insurance under 
this section shall be paid at such time and in such manner as 
the Secretary prescribes. The rates for such premiums shall be 
based on such mortality data as the Secretary considers 
appropriate to cover only the mortality cost of insuring 
standard lives. In the case of an individual receiving 
compensation or other cash benefits paid to the individual by 
the Secretary, the Secretary shall deduct from such 
compensation or other benefits the premiums charged the 
individual under this section.
  (d)(1) The United States shall bear the costs of insurance 
under this section to the extent that such costs exceed 
premiums established by the Secretary. Premiums collected on 
insurance under this section shall be credited to the 
``Veterans Insurance and Indemnities''' appropriation account, 
and all disbursements of insurance proceeds under this section 
shall be made from that account.
  (2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
for such account such amounts as may be necessary to carry out 
this section.
  (e) Any amount of insurance in force under this section on 
the date of the death of an individual insured under this 
section shall be paid to the holder of the mortgage loan, for 
payment of which the insurance was granted, for credit on the 
loan indebtedness. Any liability of the United States under 
such insurance shall be satisfied when such payment is made. If 
the Secretary is the holder of the mortgage loan, the insurance 
proceeds shall be credited to the loan indebtedness and, 
deposited in the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund 
established by section 3722 of this title.
  (f) The Secretary may prescribe such regulations relating to 
eligibility for insurance under this section, the maximum 
amount of insurance, the effective date of insurance, the 
maximum duration of insurance, and other pertinent matters not 
specifically provided for in this section as the Secretary 
determines are in the best interest of veterans or the United 
States.
  (g) The amount of the insurance in force at any time shall be 
the amount necessary to pay the mortgage indebtedness in full, 
except as otherwise limited by subsection (b) of this section 
or regulations prescribed by the Secretary under this section.
  (h) The Secretary shall issue to each individual insured 
under this section a certificate setting forth the benefits to 
which the individual is entitled under the insurance.
  (i) Insurance under this section shall terminate upon 
whichever of the following events first occurs:
          (1) Satisfaction of the individual's indebtedness 
        under the loan upon which the insurance is based.
          (2) Termination of the individual's ownership of the 
        property securing the loan.
          (3) Discontinuance of payment of premiums by the 
        individual.
  (j) Termination of life insurance under this section shall 
not affect the guaranty or insurance of the loan by the 
Secretary.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

   CHAPTER 31--TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISABILITIES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 3104. Scope of services and assistance

  (a) Services and assistance which the Secretary may provide 
under this chapter, pursuant to regulations which the Secretary 
shall prescribe, include the following:
          (1) Evaluation, including periodic reevaluations as 
        appropriate with respect to a veteran participating in 
        a rehabilitation program, of the potential for 
        rehabilitation of a veteran, including diagnostic and 
        related services (A) to determine whether the veteran 
        has an employment handicap or a serious employment 
        handicap and whether a vocational goal is reasonably 
        feasible for such veteran, and (B) to provide a basis 
        for planning a suitable vocational rehabilitation 
        program or a program of services and assistance to 
        improve the vocational rehabilitation potential or 
        independent living status of such veteran, as 
        appropriate.
          (2) Educational, vocational, psychological, 
        employment, and personal adjustment counseling.
          (3) An allowance and other appropriate assistance, as 
        authorized by section 3108 of this title.
          (4) A work-study allowance as authorized by section 
        3485 of this title.
          (5) Placement services to effect suitable placement 
        in employment, and postplacement services to attempt to 
        insure satisfactory adjustment in employment.
          (6) Personal adjustment and work adjustment training.
          (7)(A) Vocational and other training services and 
        assistance, including individualized tutorial 
        assistance, tuition, fees, books, supplies, handling 
        charges, licensing fees, and equipment and other 
        training materials determined by the Secretary to be 
        necessary to accomplish the purposes of the 
        rehabilitation program in the individual case.
          (B) Payment for the services and assistance provided 
        under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be made 
        from funds available for the payment of readjustment 
        benefits.
          (8) Loans as authorized by section 3112 of this 
        title.
          (9) Treatment, care, and services described in 
        chapter 17 of this title.
          (10) Prosthetic appliances, eyeglasses, and other 
        corrective and assistive devices.
          (11) Services to a veteran's family as necessary for 
        the effective rehabilitation of such veteran.
          (12) For veterans with the most severe service-
        connected disabilities who require homebound training 
        or self-employment, or both homebound training and 
        self-employment, such license fees and essential 
        equipment, supplies, and minimum stocks of materials as 
        the Secretary determines to be necessary for such a 
        veteran to begin employment and are within the criteria 
        and cost limitations that the Secretary shall prescribe 
        in regulations for the furnishing of such fees, 
        equipment, supplies, and stocks.
          (13) Travel and incidental expenses under the terms 
        and conditions set forth in section 111 of this title, 
        plus, in the case of a veteran who because of such 
        veteran's disability has transportation expenses in 
        addition to those incurred by persons not so disabled, 
        a special transportation allowance to defray such 
        additional expenses during rehabilitation, job seeking, 
        and the initial employment stage.
          (14) Special services (including services related to 
        blindness and deafness) including--
                  (A) language training, speech and voice 
                correction, training in ambulation, and one-
                hand typewriting;
                  (B) orientation, adjustment, mobility, 
                reader, interpreter, and related services; and
                  (C) telecommunications, sensory, and other 
                technical aids and devices.
          (15) Services necessary to enable a veteran to 
        achieve maximum independence in daily living.
          (16) Other incidental goods and services determined 
        by the Secretary to be necessary to accomplish the 
        purposes of a rehabilitation program in an individual 
        case.
  (b) A rehabilitation program (including individual courses) 
to be pursued by a veteran shall be subject to the approval of 
the Secretary. To the maximum extent practicable, a course of 
education or training may be pursued by a veteran as part of a 
rehabilitation program under this chapter only if the course is 
approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title. The 
Secretary may waive the requirement under the preceding 
sentence to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate.
  (c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to administer 
this chapter by prioritizing the provision of services under 
this chapter based on need, as determined by the Secretary. In 
evaluating need for purposes of this subsection, the Secretary 
shall consider disability ratings, the severity of employment 
handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, 
income, and any other factor the Secretary determines 
appropriate.
  (2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to the 
prioritization of the provision of services under this chapter 
as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a plan describing such changes.
  (d) The Secretary may not assist a veteran in acquiring 
adaptations to the residence of the veteran under this chapter. 
Any such assistance may be furnished only under section 2102B 
of this title.

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