I 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2257 

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits 

claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representatives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling 

and related mental health services established under section 1712A of 

title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a ‘‘vet center’’), 

to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of 

Veterans Affairs. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 9, 2007 

Mr. WELCH of Vermont introduced the following bill; which was referred to 

the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the 

number of benefits claims representatives employed by 

the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that 

there are not fewer than two such claims representatives 

located at each center for the provision of readjustment 

counseling and related mental health services established 

under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code 

(commonly referred to as a ‘‘vet center’’), to help reduce 

the backlog of claims pending with the Department of 

Veterans Affairs. 

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1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVES TO BE LOCATED AT 

4 VET CENTERS. 

5 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

6 shall increase the number of benefits claims representa7 tives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs by 

8 a number that is not fewer than two such representatives 

9 for each center for the provision of readjustment coun10 seling and related mental health services established under 

11 section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (in this Act 

12 referred to as a ‘‘vet center’’). The Secretary shall ensure 

13 that there are not fewer than two benefits claims rep14 resentatives located at each vet center. 

15 (b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Secretary shall ensure 

16 that benefits claims representatives employed by the De17 partment shall, at a minimum, have adequate knowledge 

18 of the benefits claims process in order to— 

19 (1) receive applications for benefits from vet20 erans; 

21 (2) assist veterans in preparing and submitting 

22 such applications; 

23 (3) assess the need for and inform veterans of 

24 additional documents or information required to be 

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1 provided by the veterans with respect to such appli2 cations; and 

3 (4) inform veterans of the status of such sub4 mitted applications. 

5 (c) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.—Subject to the avail6 ability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary 

7 shall direct additional resources to more hours of social 

8 worker and mental health time, more staff to keep vet cen9 ters open longer hours, and the provision of links to job 

10 centers and training. 

11 (d) DEADLINE.—The Secretary shall implement the 

12 requirements of subsection (a) as soon as practicable and 

13 not later than one year after the date of the enactment 

14 of this Act. 

15 (e) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than one 

16 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 

17 year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 

18 report containing the following information: 

19 (1) The effect of the additional claims rep20 resentatives located at vet centers on the claims 

21 backlog. 

22 (2) The caseloads of such additional claims rep23 resentatives. 

24 (3) The estimated claims backlog at the time of 

25 the report. 

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1 (4) Recommendations to further reduce the 

2 claims backlog and otherwise facilitate the claims 

3 process. 

Æ 

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