Improving Access to VA Care Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assign temporary disability ratings to certain veterans for purposes of compensation and health care, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to VA Care Act 2. Temporary disability rating (a) In general Section 1156 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (E) To a veteran who— (i) is not described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D); and (ii) files a claim for disability compensation under this chapter. ; (2) by adding after paragraph (3) of subsection (a) the following new paragraph: (4) With respect to a veteran described in paragraph (1)(E), the Secretary shall schedule a medical examination for such veteran concerning the disability of the veteran as soon as is practicable after the veteran files a claim for disability compensation under this chapter. ; and (3) in subsection (b)(1), by adding after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph: (E) For a veteran who is assigned a temporary disability rating under subsection (a)(1)(E), until the date on which a rating decision is issued to such veteran following the medical examination scheduled under subsection (a)(4). . (b) Health care Section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(3)— (A) by striking and veterans described veterans described (B) by inserting , and veterans assigned a temporary disability rating under section 1156(a)(1)(E) of this title of this title (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection (d): (d) (1) The Secretary shall assist a veteran described in paragraph (3) in finding hospital care and medical services to be provided to the veteran by non-Department facilities or providers after the Secretary ceases to furnish such care and services under this chapter to the veteran. (2) A veteran described in paragraph (3) shall not owe the United States for any costs of hospital care or medical services described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph. (3) A veteran described in this paragraph is a veteran who— (A) received hospital care and medical services under this chapter pursuant to a temporary disability rating assigned under section 1156(a)(1)(E) of this title; and (B) the Secretary determines does not have a service-connected disability. .

Summary: Improving Access to VA Care Act This bill makes additional veterans eligible for a temporary disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and access to health care services. The VA shall assign a temporary disability rating to certain veterans who file a disability compensation claim and schedule a related medical examination as soon as practicable. Such temporary disability rating shall remain in effect until a formal rating decision is issued. The VA shall provide hospital care and medical services to such veterans while they are waiting for a formal disability rating. If the VA determines that a veteran does not have a service-connected disability and does not qualify for VA medical services the veteran shall not owe the VA for such services and the VA shall assist the veteran in finding non-VA medical services.