```

[House Report 114-207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

114th Congress    }                                       {     Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                       {    114-207

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

 
                         RUTH MOORE ACT OF 2015

                                _______
                                

 July 16, 2015.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Miller of Florida, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1607]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 1607) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with mental health 
conditions related to military sexual trauma, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do 
pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Amendment........................................................     2
Purpose and Summary..............................................     3
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     4
Hearings.........................................................     6
Subcommittee Consideration.......................................     6
Committee Consideration..........................................     6
Committee Votes..................................................     6
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     7
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     7
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................     7
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     7
Congressional Budget Office Estimate.............................     7
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     9
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     9
Constitutional Authority Statement...............................     9
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     9
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs.....................     9
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................     9
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     9
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported.............    10

                               Amendment

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Ruth Moore Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. REPORTS ON CLAIMS FOR DISABILITIES INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED BY 
                    MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

  (a) Annual Reports.--
          (1) In general.--Subchapter VI of chapter 11 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new section:

``Sec. 1164. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated 
                    by military sexual trauma

  ``(a) Reports.--Not later than December 1, 2015, and each year 
thereafter through 2019, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on covered claims submitted during the previous fiscal year.
  ``(b) Elements.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include the 
following:
          ``(1) The number of covered claims submitted to or considered 
        by the Secretary during the fiscal year covered by the report.
          ``(2) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1), the 
        number and percentage of such claims--
                  ``(A) submitted by each sex;
                  ``(B) that were approved, including the number and 
                percentage of such approved claims submitted by each 
                sex; and
                  ``(C) that were denied, including the number and 
                percentage of such denied claims submitted by each sex.
          ``(3) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1) that 
        were approved, the number and percentage, listed by each sex, 
        of claims assigned to each rating percentage.
          ``(4) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1) that 
        were denied--
                  ``(A) the three most common reasons given by the 
                Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of this title for 
                such denials; and
                  ``(B) the number of denials that were based on the 
                failure of a veteran to report for a medical 
                examination.
          ``(5) The number of covered claims that, as of the end of the 
        fiscal year covered by the report, are pending and, separately, 
        the number of such claims on appeal.
          ``(6) For the fiscal year covered by the report, the average 
        number of days that covered claims take to complete beginning 
        on the date on which the claim is submitted.
          ``(7) A description of the training that the Secretary 
        provides to employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration 
        specifically with respect to covered claims, including the 
        frequency, length, and content of such training.
  ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
          ``(1) The term `covered claims' means claims for disability 
        compensation submitted to the Secretary based on a covered 
        mental health condition alleged to have been incurred or 
        aggravated by military sexual trauma.
          ``(2) The term `covered mental health condition' means post-
        traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or other mental 
        health diagnosis described in the current version of the 
        Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published 
        by the American Psychiatric Association that the Secretary 
        determines to be related to military sexual trauma.
          ``(3) The term `military sexual trauma' means, with respect 
        to a veteran, psychological trauma, which in the judgment of a 
        mental health professional, resulted from a physical assault of 
        a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual 
        harassment which occurred during active military, naval, or air 
        service.''.
          (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new item:

``1164. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by 
military sexual trauma.''.

          (3) Initial report.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        submit to Congress an initial report described in section 1164 
        of title 38, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), by 
        not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act. Such initial report shall be in addition to the annual 
        reports required under such section beginning in December 2015.
  (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs should update and improve the regulations 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to military sexual 
trauma by--
          (1) ensuring that military sexual trauma is specified as an 
        in-service stressor in determining the service-connection of 
        post-traumatic stress disorder by including military sexual 
        trauma as a stressor described in section 3.304(f)(3) of title 
        38, Code of Federal Regulations; and
          (2) recognizing the full range of physical and mental 
        disabilities (including depression, anxiety, and other 
        disabilities as indicated in the Diagnostic and Statistical 
        Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American 
        Psychiatric Association) that can result from military sexual 
        trauma.
  (c) Provision of Information.--During the period beginning on the 
date that is 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
ending on the date on which the Secretary updates and improves 
regulations as described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall--
          (1) provide to each veteran who has submitted a covered claim 
        or been treated for military sexual trauma at a medical 
        facility of the Department with a copy of the report under 
        subsection (a)(3) or section 1164 of title 38, United States 
        Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), that has most recently 
        been submitted to Congress;
          (2) provide on a monthly basis to each veteran who has 
        submitted any claim for disability compensation or been treated 
        at a medical facility of the Department information that 
        includes--
                  (A) the date that the Secretary plans to complete 
                such updates and improvements to such regulations;
                  (B) the number of covered claims that have been 
                granted or denied during the month covered by such 
                information;
                  (C) a comparison to such rate of grants and denials 
                with the rate for other claims regarding post-traumatic 
                stress disorder;
                  (D) the three most common reasons for such denials;
                  (E) the average time for completion of covered 
                claims;
                  (F) the average time for processing covered claims at 
                each regional office; and
                  (G) any information the Secretary determines relevant 
                with respect to submitting a covered claim;
          (3) in addition to providing to veterans the information 
        described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall make available 
        on a monthly basis such information on a conspicuous location 
        of the Internet website of the Department; and
          (4) submit to Congress on a monthly basis a report that 
        includes--
                  (A) a list of all adjudicated covered claims, 
                including ancillary claims, during the month covered by 
                the report;
                  (B) the outcome with respect to each medical 
                condition included in the claim; and
                  (C) the reason given for any denial of such a claim.
  (d) Military Sexual Trauma Defined.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``covered claim'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 1164(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as 
        added by subsection (a)(1).
          (2) The term ``military sexual trauma'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 1164(c)(3) of title 38, United States 
        Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON AWARDS AND BONUSES PAID TO SENIOR EXECUTIVE 
                    EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

  Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 
2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended by striking 
the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, of which, during 
fiscal years 2016 through 2018, not more than an aggregate amount of 
$2,000,000 in each such fiscal year may be paid to employees of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs who are members of the Senior Executive 
Service.''.

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 1607, the ``Ruth Moore Act of 2015,'' was introduced 
on March 25, 2015, by Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine. 
H.R. 1607, as amended, would require the Secretary of the 
Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to, not later than 
December 1, 2015, and each year thereafter through 2019, submit 
to Congress a report regarding covered claims submitted during 
the previous fiscal year. Such a report would include the total 
number of covered claims submitted to or considered by VA 
during the fiscal year covered by the report; the number of 
covered claims approved, denied, and pending; and the number of 
claims on appeal. Additionally, VA would be required to report 
the number of approved claims and percentage, listed by each 
sex, of claims assigned to each rating percentage. Of the 
claims denied, VA would be required to report the three most 
common reasons for such denial and the number of claims denied 
because the veteran failed to report for a medical examination.
    The bill would also require VA to report the average number 
of days it takes to complete claims, beginning on the date on 
which the claim was submitted. VA would also be required to 
describe the training that it provides to employees of the 
Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to covered 
claims.
    The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that VA 
should update and improve its regulations with respect to 
military sexual trauma (MST) by ensuring that MST is specified 
as an in-service stressor in determining the service-connection 
of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and, by recognizing 
the full range of physical and mental disabilities that can 
result from MST. Finally, until VA updates and improves its MST 
regulations, VA would be required to provide to each veteran 
who has submitted a covered claim or has been treated for MST 
at a medical facility with a copy of the report most recently 
submitted to Congress. In addition, VA would be required to 
provide monthly updates on the status of regulatory amendments 
regarding MST, the number of covered claims granted or denied 
during the month, and a comparison to such rates of grants and 
denials for other claims regarding PTSD.
    The bill would define ``covered claims'' as those based on 
a covered mental health condition alleged to have been incurred 
or aggravated by MST and would provide definitions for a 
``covered mental health condition'' as well as ``military 
sexual trauma''.
    Finally, H.R. 1607, as amended, would limit awards and 
bonuses paid to employees of the VA who are members of the 
Senior Executive Service during fiscal years 2016 through 2018 
to not more than an aggregate of $2,000,000 for each fiscal 
year.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    VA's current regulation on claims for PTSD arising as a 
result of in-service MST should be updated. The regulation, 
found at 38 C.F.R. 3.304(f)(5), was last revised in 2002\1\ and 
purports to reduce the burden for veterans to prove these 
claims. In practice, VA claims processors have not consistently 
used the broader standard of evidence when adjudicating PTSD 
claims related to MST.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\67 Fed. Reg. 10,330, 10,330-31 (Mar. 7, 2002).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Furthermore, VA has not adequately trained claims 
processors regarding the full range of physical and mental 
disabilities that may result from MST, including depression, 
anxiety, and other conditions as indicated in the Diagnostic 
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the 
American Psychiatric Association. Additionally, although 38 
C.F.R. 3.304(f)(5) specifically addresses PTSD claims, current 
VA regulations do not address other mental health conditions 
that may arise as a result of MST.
    Several factors have complicated the process for veterans 
seeking disability compensation for mental health conditions 
that may arise as the result of MST. First, the vast majority 
of sexual assaults in the military are not reported, and even 
those that are reported are often not prosecuted. Consequently, 
many veterans have found it hard to prove that the stressor 
(the assault) occurred, and therefore service connection is 
often difficult to establish. The precipitating events of MST 
are often unrecorded in a servicemember's medical records or 
in-service department records, which is particularly the case 
for incidents of sexual assault while on active duty. 
Additionally, some conditions, such as PTSD, that may arise as 
a result of MST have posed significant problems in establishing 
service-connection because these disabilities, by their nature, 
often have a delayed onset.
    In addition to the complicated nature of MST reporting and 
the onset of resulting medical conditions, current VA policy 
allows so-called ``secondary markers'' to be considered as 
evidence of an assault; however, VA has been inconsistent in 
applying that policy.
    While victims of in-service personal assaults are often 
fearful to report the crime, this fear is especially likely 
when the assailant is a superior within the military chain of 
command. Additionally, even when the assailant is not the 
servicemember's superior, active duty reporting of assault 
remains a problem because the nature of military service and 
peer pressure implicitly discourages reporting. Even when the 
servicemember does make a report of the assault, these reports 
are rarely documented or associated with the veteran's service 
records.
    In Ruth Moore's case, the individual for whom this bill is 
named, is the epitome of how these specialized claims may drag 
on and slow down the system. Ms. Moore had to continually fight 
VA for twenty-three years in order to obtain her rightful 
benefits. Throughout her struggles, she was suffering from 
depression and a sexually transmitted disease that she 
contracted from her attacker. Although the relaxed evidentiary 
standard for establishing in-service stressors for PTSD went 
into effect in 2002,\2\ VA did not award Ms. Moore's claim 
until 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    A Defense Department study emphasized that MST is a problem 
in the military.\3\ Therefore, it is important that VA act 
expeditiously to update and improve its regulations, including 
recognizing the full range of disorders implicated within 
claims for a disability related to MST. VA must take steps to 
ensure fair and thorough review of claims submitted based on 
MST. Furthermore, VA must ensure that it succeeds in consistent 
and integrated application of its regulations to the disability 
benefits claims related to MST. While this measure cannot put 
an end to MST, as it is the responsibility of the Department of 
Defense to aggressively combat this heinous and disgraceful 
crime in military service, H.R. 1607, as amended, would provide 
relief to those veterans who are suffering from a mental health 
disability as a result of MST.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report on Sexual 
Assault in the Military.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                Hearings

    On April 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted a legislative hearing 
on various bills introduced during the 114th Congress, 
including H.R. 675, H.R. 677, H.R. 732, H.R. 800, H.R. 1067, 
H.R. 1331, H.R. 1379, H.R. 1414, H.R. 1569, and H.R. 1607.
    The following witnesses testified:
    The Honorable Chellie Pingree, U.S. House of 
Representatives; Mr. David R. McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under 
Secretary for Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. 
Zachary Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and 
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Blake C. 
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed 
Veterans of America; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant National 
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Ronald B. 
Abrams, Joint Executive Director, National Veterans Legal 
Services Program; and Mr. Kenneth M. Carpenter, Founding 
Member, National Organization of Veterans' Advocates.
    Statements for the Record were submitted by the following:
    The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the U.S. Court of Appeals 
for Veterans Claims.

                       Subcommittee Consideration

    On May 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs met in an open markup session, a quorum 
being present, and favorably forwarded H.R. 1607, as amended, 
to the full Committee.
    During consideration of the bill, the following amendment 
was considered and agreed to by voice vote:
    An amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1607 
offered by Ms. Titus of Nevada amended the text to remove 
provisions setting a legal standard of proof for claims based 
on MST. Instead, the amendment requires, beginning fifteen 
months from the date of enactment, additional VA reporting on a 
monthly basis to veteran claimants and Congress, until such 
time as VA's updated regulations are implemented.

                        Committee Consideration

    On May 21, 2015, the full Committee met in an open markup 
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 1607, as 
amended, reported favorably to the House of Representatives.
    During consideration of the bill, the following amendment 
was offered and agreed to by voice vote:
    An amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1607 
offered by Mr. Bost of Illinois, which included the contents of 
H.R. 1607, as amended, and inserted a provision that would 
limit awards and bonuses paid to VA Senior Executive Service 
employees during fiscal years 2016 through 2018, by not more 
than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 in each such fiscal 
year.

                            Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded 
votes on the motion to report the legislation and amendments 
thereto. There were no recorded votes taken on amendments or in 
connection with ordering H.R. 1607, as amended, reported to the 
House. A motion by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of Florida to 
report H.R. 1607, as amended, favorably to the House of 
Representatives was agreed to by voice vote.

                      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 are reflected in the descriptive portions 
of this report.

   New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its 
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement 
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the 
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974.

                  Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits

    H.R. 1607, as amended, 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

    The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R. 
1607, as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate 
for H.R. 1607, as amended, provided by the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                      Washington, DC, June 9, 2015.
Hon. Jeff Miller,
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. 1607, the Ruth 
Moore Act of 2015.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Dwayne M. 
Wright, who can be reached at 226-2840.
            Sincerely,
                                                        Keith Hall.
    Enclosure.

H.R. 1607--Ruth Moore Act of 2015

    H.R. 1607 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) to submit annual reports on certain claims for disability 
compensation and would limit the amounts VA could pay in awards 
and bonuses to employees of the department. Section 2 would 
require VA to submit annual reports through 2020 to the 
Congress detailing the number of claims for disability benefits 
based on military sexual trauma that are approved and denied, 
the number of such claims pending and on appeal, and the 
average number of days it takes to process those claims. The 
required reports also would include information on any training 
VA provides to its employees for handling such claims. Based on 
information from VA regarding costs for reports, CBO estimates 
that implementing section 2 would cost $5 million over the 
2016-2020 period, subject to the availability of appropriated 
funds.
    Section 3 would limit to $2 million per year the amounts VA 
could pay in awards and bonuses to senior executive service 
(SES) employees over the 2016-2018 period. From 2008 to 2012, 
VA paid an average of about $3.5 million each year in awards 
and bonus payments to SES employees. Assuming such payments 
will continue at about that level under current law, adjusted 
for inflation, CBO estimates that implementing section 3 would 
reduce discretionary spending for personnel by about $5 million 
over the 2016-2020 period, assuming appropriation levels are 
reduced by that amount.
    CBO estimates that, on net, implementing H.R. 1607 would 
have an insignificant effect on spending subject to 
appropriation over the 2016-2020 period. Enacting H.R. 1607 
would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-
as-you-go procedures do not apply.
    H.R. 1607 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Dwayne M. 
Wright. The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, 
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates regarding H.R. 1607, as amended, prepared by the 
Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 
423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

                      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. 
1607, as amended.

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States 
Constitution, the reported bill 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 the legislation 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 section 3(g) of H. Res. 5, 114th Cong. (2015), 
the Committee finds that no provision of H.R.1607, as amended, 
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, 114th Cong. (2015), 
the Committee estimates that H.R. 1607 as amended, does not 
require directed rule making.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation

Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 of this bill would provide that the short title 
of H.R. 1607, as amended, would be the ``Ruth Moore Act of 
2015.''

Section 2. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by 
        military sexual trauma

    Section 2(a) of this bill would require the Secretary to 
annually report to Congress from 2015 through 2019 on 
disability claims submitted during the previous fiscal year 
that were based on a covered mental health condition alleged to 
have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma. 
Section 2(a) would define ``covered claims,'' ``covered mental 
health condition,'' and ``military sexual trauma'' and would 
enumerate the specific contents required of the report.
    Section 2(b) of this bill would express the sense of 
Congress that the Secretary should update and improve VA's 
regulations with respect to military sexual trauma by ensuring 
that military sexual trauma is specified as an in-service 
stressor, and by recognizing the full range of resulting 
physical and mental disabilities per the American Psychiatric 
Association's publications.
    Section 2(c) of this bill would provide that, for the 
period starting fifteen months after passage of the Act and 
lasting until the Secretary publishes updated and improved 
regulations, the Secretary must provide the report to Congress 
to each veteran who has submitted a covered claim or been 
treated for military sexual trauma at a medical facility of the 
Department. Also during this time, Section 2(c) would require 
VA to provide, on a monthly basis: (1) information, including 
an update on VA's progress on regulation amendment and 
enumerated information on related claims processing, to 
veterans who have submitted claims or have been treated related 
to military sexual trauma; (2) information to all veterans who 
have utilized VA for benefits or healthcare; (3) all of the 
requested reporting requirements in a prominent location and on 
the home page of VA's primary website; (4) and a report to 
Congress with enumerated information on the disposition of each 
month's covered claims.
    Section 2(d) of the bill would define ``covered claim,'' 
``covered mental health condition,'' and ``military sexual 
trauma,'' as stated in Section 2(a).

Section 3. Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to senior executive 
        employees of Department of Veterans Affairs

    Section 3 of this bill would limit the awards and bonuses 
paid to VA employees who are members of the Senior Executive 
Service to not more than the aggregate amount of $2,000,000 
during fiscal years 2016 through 2018.

         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 11--COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH

                          SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL

Sec.
1101. Definitions.
     * * * * * * *

             SUBCHAPTER VI--GENERAL COMPENSATION PROVISIONS

     * * * * * * *
1164. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by 
          military sexual trauma.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SUBCHAPTER VI--GENERAL COMPENSATION PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 1164. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by 
                    military sexual trauma

  (a) Reports.--Not later than December 1, 2015, and each year 
thereafter through 2019, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
a report on covered claims submitted during the previous fiscal 
year.
  (b) Elements.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
          (1) The number of covered claims submitted to or 
        considered by the Secretary during the fiscal year 
        covered by the report.
          (2) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1), 
        the number and percentage of such claims--
                  (A) submitted by each sex;
                  (B) that were approved, including the number 
                and percentage of such approved claims 
                submitted by each sex; and
                  (C) that were denied, including the number 
                and percentage of such denied claims submitted 
                by each sex.
          (3) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1) 
        that were approved, the number and percentage, listed 
        by each sex, of claims assigned to each rating 
        percentage.
          (4) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1) 
        that were denied--
                  (A) the three most common reasons given by 
                the Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of this 
                title for such denials; and
                  (B) the number of denials that were based on 
                the failure of a veteran to report for a 
                medical examination.
          (5) The number of covered claims that, as of the end 
        of the fiscal year covered by the report, are pending 
        and, separately, the number of such claims on appeal.
          (6) For the fiscal year covered by the report, the 
        average number of days that covered claims take to 
        complete beginning on the date on which the claim is 
        submitted.
          (7) A description of the training that the Secretary 
        provides to employees of the Veterans Benefits 
        Administration specifically with respect to covered 
        claims, including the frequency, length, and content of 
        such training.
  (c) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``covered claims'' means claims for 
        disability compensation submitted to the Secretary 
        based on a covered mental health condition alleged to 
        have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual 
        trauma.
          (2) The term ``covered mental health condition'' 
        means post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, 
        depression, or other mental health diagnosis described 
        in the current version of the Diagnostic and 
        Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the 
        American Psychiatric Association that the Secretary 
        determines to be related to military sexual trauma.
          (3) The term ``military sexual trauma'' means, with 
        respect to a veteran, psychological trauma, which in 
        the judgment of a mental health professional, resulted 
        from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of 
        a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred 
        during active military, naval, or air service.
                              ----------                              

        VETERANS ACCESS, CHOICE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2014

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TITLE VII--OTHER VETERANS MATTERS

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SEC. 705. LIMITATION ON AWARDS AND BONUSES PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF 
                    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

  In each of fiscal years 2015 through 2024, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the aggregate amount of 
awards and bonuses paid by the Secretary in a fiscal year under 
chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, United States Code, or any other 
awards or bonuses authorized under such title does not exceed 
$360,000,000[.], of which, during fiscal years 2016 through 
2018, not more than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 in each 
such fiscal year may be paid to employees of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs who are members of the Senior Executive 
Service.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                                  [all]
```