time of settlement, and in the order named: The surviving 
spouse, the children (without regard to age or marital sta-
tus) in equal parts, and the dependent parents of such 
veteran, in equal parts. If any balance remains, such bal-
ance shall be deposited to the credit of the applicable cur-
rent appropriation; except that there may be paid only so 
much of such balance as may be necessary to reimburse 
a person (other than a political subdivision of the United 
States) who bore the expenses of last sickness or burial 
of the veteran for such expenses. No payment shall be 
made under the two preceding sentences of this subsection 
unless claim therefor is filed with the Secretary within five 
years after the death of the veteran, except that, if any 
person so entitled under said two sentences is under legal 
disability at the time of death of the veteran, such five- 
year period of limitation shall run from the termination 
or removal of the legal disability. 
‘‘(e) ESCHEATMENT.—Any funds in the hands of a 
fiduciary appointed by a State court or the Secretary de-
rived from benefits payable under laws administered by 
the Secretary, which under the law of the State wherein 
the beneficiary had last legal residence would escheat to 
the State, shall escheat to the United States and shall be 
returned by such fiduciary, or by the personal representa-
tive of the deceased beneficiary, less legal expenses of any
administration necessary to determine that an escheat is 
in order, to the Department, and shall be deposited to the 
credit of the applicable revolving fund, trust fund, or ap-
propriation. 
‘‘(f) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall provide to a 
fiduciary appointed under section 5502 of this title mate-
rials and tools to assist the fiduciary in carrying out the 
responsibilities of the fiduciary under this chapter, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(1) handbooks, brochures, or other written 
material that explain the responsibilities of a fidu-
ciary under this chapter; 
‘‘(2) tools located on an Internet website, in-
cluding forms to submit to the Secretary required 
information; and 
‘‘(3) assistance provided by telephone.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 55 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 5502 the following new 
item: 
‘‘5502A. Supervision of fiduciaries.’’. 
(c) DEFINITION OF FIDUCIARY.—Section 5506 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘For purposes’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a) For purposes’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b)(1) For purposes of subsection (a), the term ‘per-
son’ includes any— 
‘‘(A) State or local government agency whose 
mission is to carry out income maintenance, social 
service, or health care-related activities; 
‘‘(B) any State or local government agency with 
fiduciary responsibilities; or 
‘‘(C) any nonprofit social service agency that 
the Secretary determines— 
‘‘(i) regularly provides services as a fidu-
ciary concurrently to five or more individuals; 
and 
‘‘(ii) is not a creditor of any such indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall maintain a list of State or 
local agencies and nonprofit social service agencies under 
paragraph (1) that are qualified to act as a fiduciary 
under this chapter. In maintaining such list, the Secretary 
may consult the lists maintained under section 807(h) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1007(h)).’’. 
(d) QUALIFICATIONS.—Section 5507 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 5507. Inquiry, investigations, and qualification of 
fiduciaries 
‘‘(a) INVESTIGATION.—Any certification of a person 
for payment of benefits of a beneficiary to that person as 
such beneficiary’s fiduciary under section 5502 of this title 
shall be made on the basis of— 
‘‘(1) an inquiry or investigation by the Sec-
retary of the fitness of that person to serve as fidu-
ciary for that beneficiary to be conducted in advance 
of such certification and in accordance with sub-
section (b); 
‘‘(2) adequate evidence that certification of that 
person as fiduciary for that beneficiary is in the in-
terest of such beneficiary (as determined by the Sec-
retary under regulations); 
‘‘(3) adequate evidence that the person to serve 
as fiduciary protects the private information of a 
beneficiary in accordance with subsection (d)(1); and 
‘‘(4) the furnishing of any bond that may be re-
quired by the Secretary in accordance with sub-
section (f). 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS OF INVESTIGATION.—(1) In con-
ducting an inquiry or investigation of a proposed fiduciary 
under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall conduct—
‘‘(A) a face-to-face interview with the proposed 
fiduciary by not later than 30 days after the date on 
which such inquiry or investigation begins; and 
‘‘(B) a background check of the proposed fidu-
ciary to— 
‘‘(i) in accordance with paragraph (2), de-
termine whether the proposed fiduciary has 
been convicted of a crime; and 
‘‘(ii) determine whether the proposed fidu-
ciary will serve the best interest of the bene-
ficiary, including by conducting a credit check 
of the proposed fiduciary and checking the 
records under paragraph (5). 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall request information con-
cerning whether that person has been convicted of any of-
fense under Federal or State law. If that person has been 
convicted of such an offense, the Secretary may certify the 
person as a fiduciary only if the Secretary finds that the 
person is an appropriate person to act as fiduciary for the 
beneficiary concerned under the circumstances. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall conduct the background 
check described in paragraph (1)(B)— 
‘‘(A) each time a person is proposed to be a fi-
duciary, regardless of whether the person is serving 
or has served as a fiduciary; and
‘‘(B) at no expense to the beneficiary. 
‘‘(4) Each proposed fiduciary shall disclose to the 
Secretary the number of beneficiaries that the fiduciary 
acts on behalf of. 
‘‘(5) The Secretary shall maintain records of any per-
son who has— 
‘‘(A) previously served as a fiduciary; and 
‘‘(B) had such fiduciary status revoked by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(6)(A) If a fiduciary appointed by the Secretary is 
convicted of a crime described in subparagraph (B), the 
Secretary shall notify the beneficiary of such conviction 
by not later than 14 days after the date on which the Sec-
retary learns of such conviction. 
‘‘(B) A crime described in this subparagraph is a 
crime— 
‘‘(i) for which the fiduciary is convicted while 
serving as a fiduciary for any person; 
‘‘(ii) that is not included in a report submitted 
by the fiduciary under section 5509(a) of this title; 
and 
‘‘(iii) that the Secretary determines could affect 
the ability of the fiduciary to act on behalf of the 
beneficiary.
‘‘(c) INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS.—(1) In 
the case of a proposed fiduciary described in paragraph 
(2), the Secretary, in conducting an inquiry or investiga-
tion under subsection (a)(1), may carry out such inquiry 
or investigation on an expedited basis that may include 
giving priority to conducting such inquiry or investigation. 
Any such inquiry or investigation carried out on such an 
expedited basis shall be carried out under regulations pre-
scribed for purposes of this section. 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) applies with respect to a proposed 
fiduciary who is— 
‘‘(A) the parent (natural, adopted, or step-
parent) of a beneficiary who is a minor; 
‘‘(B) the spouse or parent of an incompetent 
beneficiary; 
‘‘(C) a person who has been appointed a fidu-
ciary of the beneficiary by a court of competent ju-
risdiction; 
‘‘(D) being appointed to manage an estate 
where the annual amount of veterans benefits to be 
managed by the proposed fiduciary does not exceed 
$3,600, as adjusted pursuant to section 5312 of this 
title; or
‘‘(E) a person who is authorized to act on be-
half of the beneficiary under a durable power of at-
torney. 
‘‘(d) PROTECTION OF PRIVATE INFORMATION.—(1) 
A fiduciary shall take all reasonable precautions to— 
‘‘(A) protect the private information of a bene-
ficiary, including personally identifiable information; 
and 
‘‘(B) securely conducts financial transactions. 
‘‘(2) A fiduciary shall notify the Secretary of any ac-
tion of the fiduciary that compromises or potentially com-
promises the private information of a beneficiary. 
‘‘(e) POTENTIAL MISUSE OF FUNDS.—(1) If the Sec-
retary has reason to believe that a fiduciary may be mis-
using all or part of the benefit of a beneficiary, the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(A) conduct a thorough investigation to deter-
mine the veracity of such belief; and 
‘‘(B) if such veracity is established, transmit to 
the officials described in paragraph (2) a report of 
such investigation. 
‘‘(2) The officials described in this paragraph are the 
following: 
‘‘(A) The Attorney General.
‘‘(B) Each head of a Federal department or 
agency that pays to a fiduciary or other person ben-
efits under any law administered by such depart-
ment of agency for the use and benefit of a minor, 
incompetent, or other beneficiary. 
‘‘(f) BOND.—In determining whether a proposed fi-
duciary is required to furnish a bond under subsection 
(a)(4), the Secretary shall consider— 
‘‘(1) the existence of any familial or other per-
sonal relationship between the proposed fiduciary 
and the beneficiary; and 
‘‘(2) the care the proposed fiduciary has taken 
to protect the interests of the beneficiary. 
‘‘(g) LIST OF FIDUCIARIES.—Each regional office of 
the Veterans Benefits Administration shall maintain a list 
of the following: 
‘‘(1) The name and contact information of each 
fiduciary, including address, telephone number, and 
email address. 
‘‘(2) With respect to each fiduciary described in 
paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) the date of the most recent back-
ground check and credit check performed by the 
Secretary under this section;
‘‘(B) the date that any bond was paid 
under this section; 
‘‘(C) the name, address, and telephone 
number of each beneficiary the fiduciary acts on 
behalf of; and 
‘‘(D) the amount that the fiduciary con-
trols with respect to each beneficiary described 
in subparagraph (C).’’. 
(e) ANNUAL RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 5509 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘may require a fidu-
ciary to file a’’ and inserting ‘‘shall require 
a fiduciary to file an annual’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following 
new sentence: ‘‘The Secretary shall trans-
mit such annual report or accounting to 
the beneficiary and any legal guardian of 
such beneficiary.’’; 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsections: 
‘‘(c) MATTERS INCLUDED.—Except as provided by 
subsection (f), an annual report or accounting under sub-
section (a) shall include the following:
‘‘(1) For each beneficiary that a fiduciary acts 
on behalf of— 
‘‘(A) the amount of the benefits of the ben-
eficiary provided under any law administered by 
the Secretary accrued during the year, the 
amount spent, and the amount remaining; and 
‘‘(B) if the fiduciary serves the beneficiary 
with respect to benefits not administered by the 
Secretary, an accounting of all sources of bene-
fits or other income the fiduciary oversees for 
the beneficiary. 
‘‘(2) A list of events that occurred during the 
year covered by the report that could affect the abil-
ity of the fiduciary to act on behalf of the bene-
ficiary, including— 
‘‘(A) the fiduciary being convicted of any 
crime; 
‘‘(B) the fiduciary declaring bankruptcy; 
and 
‘‘(C) any judgments entered against the fi-
duciary. 
‘‘(d) RANDOM AUDITS.—The Secretary shall annu-
ally conduct random audits of fiduciaries who receive a 
commission pursuant to subsection 5502A(a)(1) of this 
title.
‘‘(e) STATUS OF FIDUCIARY.—If a fiduciary includes 
in the annual report events described in subsection (c)(2), 
the Secretary may take appropriate action to adjust the 
status of the fiduciary as the Secretary determines appro-
priate, including by revoking the fiduciary status of the 
fiduciary. 
‘‘(f) CAREGIVERS
AND
CERTAIN
OTHER
FIDU-
CIARIES.—(1)(A) In carrying out this section, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that a caregiver fiduciary is required 
only to file an annual report or accounting under sub-
section (a) with respect to the amount of the benefits of 
the beneficiary provided under any law administered by 
the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) spent on— 
‘‘(I) food and housing for the beneficiary; 
and 
‘‘(II) clothing, health-related expenses, 
recreation, and other personal items for the 
beneficiary; and 
‘‘(ii) saved for the beneficiary. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall coordinate with the Under 
Secretary for Benefits and the Under Secretary for Health 
to—
‘‘(i) minimize the frequency with which employ-
ees of the Department visit the home of a caregiver 
fiduciary and beneficiary; and 
‘‘(ii) limit the extent of supervision by such 
Under Secretaries with respect to such a fiduciary 
and beneficiary. 
‘‘(C) In this paragraph, the term ‘caregiver fiduciary’ 
means a fiduciary who— 
‘‘(i) in addition to acting as a fiduciary for a 
beneficiary, is approved by the Secretary to be a 
provider of personal care services for the beneficiary 
under paragraph (3)(A)(i) of section 1720G(a) of 
this title; 
‘‘(ii) in carrying out such care services to such 
beneficiary, has undergone not less than four home 
visits under paragraph (9)(A) of such section; and 
‘‘(iii) has not been required by the Secretary to 
take corrective action pursuant to paragraph (9)(C) 
of such section. 
‘‘(2) In carrying out this section, the Secretary may 
adjust the matters required under an annual report or ac-
counting under subsection (a) with respect to a fiduciary 
whom the Secretary determines to have effectively pro-
tected the interests of the beneficiary over a sustained pe-
riod.’’; and
(C) by striking the section heading and in-
serting the following: ‘‘Annual reports and 
accountings of fiduciaries’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 55 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 5509 and inserting the following 
new item: 
‘‘5509. Annual reports and accountings of fiduciaries.’’. 
(f) REPAYMENT OF MISUSED BENEFITS.—Section 
6107(a)(2)(C) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting before the period the following: ‘‘, including 
by the Secretary not acting in accordance with section 
5507 of this title’’. 
(g) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Section 5510 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary shall include in the Annual Benefits Report of the 
Veterans Benefits Administration or the Secretary’s An-
nual Performance and Accountability Report’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Not later than July 1 of each year, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate a separate 
report containing’’. 
(h) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives a comprehensive report on 
the implementation of the amendments made by this Act, 
including— 
(1) detailed information on the establishment of 
new policies and procedures pursuant to such 
amendments and training provided on such policies 
and procedures; and 
(2) a discussion of whether the Secretary 
should provide fiduciaries with standardized finan-
cial software to simplify reporting requirements. 
(i) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on the date that is one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 10. BOARD OF VETERANS’ APPEALS VIDEO HEARINGS. 
Section 7107 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph 
(1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1)(A) Upon request for a hearing, the Board shall 
determine, for purposes of scheduling the hearing for the 
earliest possible date, whether a hearing before the Board 
will be held at its principal location or at a facility of the 
Department or other appropriate Federal facility located 
within the area served by a regional office of the Depart-
ment. The Board shall also determine whether to provide 
a hearing through the use of the facilities and equipment 
described in subsection (e)(1) or by the appellant person-
ally appearing before a Board member or panel. 
‘‘(B) The Board shall notify the appellant of the de-
terminations of the location and type of hearing made 
under subparagraph (A). Upon notification, the appellant 
may request a different location or type of hearing as de-
scribed in such subparagraph. If so requested, the Board 
shall grant such request and ensure that the hearing is 
scheduled at the earliest possible date without any undue 
delay or other prejudice to the appellant.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by amending paragraph 
(2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) Any hearing provided through the use of the fa-
cilities and equipment described in paragraph (1) shall be 
conducted in the same manner as, and shall be considered 
the equivalent of, a personal hearing.’’. 
SEC. 11. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITY FOR PERFORM-
ANCE OF MEDICAL DISABILITIES EXAMINA-
TIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS. 
(a) EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY AUTHORITY.—Sub-
section (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act 
of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking
‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 
2017’’. 
(b) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
(1) TEMPORARY
AUTHORITY.—Such section 
704 is further amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsection (d) as sub-
section (e); and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
following new subsection (d): 
‘‘(d) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law 
regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician de-
scribed in paragraph (2) may conduct an examina-
tion pursuant to a contract entered into under sub-
section (b) at any location in any State, the District 
of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or pos-
session of the United States, so long as the examina-
tion is within the scope of the authorized duties 
under such contract. 
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician de-
scribed in this paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
practice the health care profession of the physi-
cian;
‘‘(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 of Veterans Affairs pursuant to 
a contract entered into under subsection (b).’’. 
(2) PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 504 of the Vet-
erans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 (38 
U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsections (c) and 
(d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the 
following new subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law 
regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician de-
scribed in paragraph (2) may conduct an examina-
tion pursuant to a contract entered into under sub-
section (a) at any location in any State, the District 
of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or pos-
session of the United States, so long as the examina-
tion is within the scope of the authorized duties 
under such contract.
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician de-
scribed in this paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
practice the health care profession of the physi-
cian; 
‘‘(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 of Veterans Affairs pursuant to 
a contract entered into under subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 12. PILOT PROGRAM ON FULLY DEVELOPED APPEALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall carry out a pilot program to provide the option of 
an alternative appeals process that shall more quickly de-
termine such appeals in accordance with this section. 
(b) ELECTION.— 
(1) FILING.—In accordance with paragraph 
(2), a claimant may elect to file a fully developed ap-
peal under the pilot program under subsection (a) by 
filing with the Secretary the following: 
(A) The notice of disagreement under 
chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code, 
along with the written election of the claimant
to have the appeal determined under the pilot 
program. 
(B) All evidence that the claimant believes 
is needed for the appeal as of the date of the 
filing. 
(C) A statement of the argument in sup-
port of the claim, if any. 
(2) TIMING.—A claimant shall make an election 
under paragraph (1) as part of the notice of dis-
agreement filed by the claimant in accordance with 
paragraph (1)(A). 
(3) REVERSION.— 
(A) At any time, a claimant who makes an 
election under paragraph (1) may elect to revert 
to the standard appeals process. Such a rever-
sion shall be final. 
(B) A claimant described in subparagraph 
(A), or a claimant who makes an election under 
paragraph (1) but is later determined to be in-
eligible for the pilot program under subsection 
(a), shall revert to the standard appeals process 
without any penalty to the claimant other than 
the loss of the docket number associated with 
the fully developed appeal.
(4) OUTREACH.—In providing claimants with 
notices of the determination of a claim during the 
period in which the pilot program under subsection 
(a) is carried out, the Secretary shall conduct out-
reach as follows: 
(A) The Secretary shall provide to the 
claimant (and to the representative of record of 
the claimant, if any) information regarding— 
(i) the pilot program, including the 
advantages and disadvantages of the pro-
gram; 
(ii) how to make an election under 
paragraph (1); 
(iii) the limitation on the use of new 
evidence described in paragraph (3) of sub-
section (c) and the development of infor-
mation under paragraph (4) of such sub-
section; and 
(iv) the ability of the claimant to seek 
advice and education regarding such proc-
ess from veterans service organizations, at-
torneys, and claims agents recognized 
under chapter 59 of title 38, United States 
Code.
(B) The Secretary shall collaborate, part-
ner with, and give weight to the advice of the 
three veterans service organizations with the 
most members to publish on the Internet 
website of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
an online tutorial explaining the advantages and 
disadvantages of the pilot program. 
(c) TREATMENT BY DEPARTMENT AND BOARD.— 
(1) PROCESS.—Upon the election of a claimant 
to file a fully developed appeal pursuant to sub-
section (b)(1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) not provide the claimant with a state-
ment of the case nor require the claimant to file 
a substantive appeal; and 
(B) transfer jurisdiction over the fully de-
veloped appeal directly to the Board of Vet-
erans’ Appeals. 
(2) DOCKET.— 
(A) The Board of Veterans’ Appeals 
shall— 
(i) maintain fully developed appeals 
on a separate docket than standard ap-
peals; 
(ii) decide fully developed appeals in 
the order that the fully developed appeals
are received on the fully developed appeal 
docket; 
(iii) except as provided by subpara-
graph (B), decide not more than one fully 
developed appeal for each four standard 
appeals decided; and 
(iv) to the extent practicable, decide 
each fully developed appeal by the date 
that is one year following the date on 
which the claimant files the notice of dis-
agreement. 
(B) Beginning one year after the date on 
which the pilot program under subsection (a) 
commences, the Board may adjust the number 
of standard appeals decided for each fully devel-
oped appeal under subparagraph (A)(iii) if the 
Board determines that such adjustment is fair 
for both standard appeals and fully developed 
appeals. 
(3) LIMITATION ON USE OF NEW EVIDENCE.— 
(A) Except as provided by subparagraphs 
(B) and (C)— 
(i) a claimant may not submit or iden-
tify to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals any 
new evidence relating to a fully developed
Federal records, independent medical opinions, or 
new medical examinations, the Board shall— 
(A) in accordance with paragraph (5), take 
such actions as may be necessary to develop 
such records, opinions, or examinations in ac-
cordance with section 5103A of title 38, United 
States Code; 
(B) retain jurisdiction of the fully devel-
oped appeal without requiring a determination 
by the Veterans Benefits Administration based 
on such records, opinions, or examinations; 
(C) ensure the claimant, and the represent-
ative of record of a claimant, if any, receives a 
copy of such records, opinions, or examinations; 
and 
(D) provide the claimant a period of 90 
days after the date of mailing such records, 
opinions, or examinations during which the 
claimant may provide the Board any additional 
evidence without requiring the claimant to make 
a reversion pursuant to subsection (b)(3). 
(5) DEVELOPMENT UNIT.— 
(A) The Board of Veterans’ Appeals shall 
establish an office to develop Federal records, 
independent medical opinions, and new medical
examinations pursuant to paragraph (4)(A) 
that the Board determines necessary to decide 
a fully developed appeal. 
(B) The Secretary shall— 
(i) ensure that the Veterans Benefits 
Administration cooperates with the Board 
of Veterans’ Appeals in carrying out sub-
paragraph (A); and 
(ii) transfer employees of the Veterans 
Benefits Administration who, prior to the 
enactment of this Act, were responsible for 
processing claims remanded by the Board 
of Veterans’ Appeals to positions within 
the office of the Board established under 
subparagraph (A) in a number the Sec-
retary determines sufficient to carry out 
such subparagraph. 
(6) HEARINGS.—Notwithstanding section 7107 
of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary may 
not provide hearings with respect to fully developed 
appeals. If a claimant requests to hold a hearing 
pursuant to such section 7107, such request shall be 
deemed to be an election to revert to the standard 
appeals process pursuant to subsection (b)(3).
(d) DURATION; APPLICATION.—The Secretary shall 
carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a five- 
year period beginning one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. This section shall apply only to fully 
developed appeals that are filed during such period. 
(e) REPORTS.—During each year in which the pilot 
program under subsection (a) is carried out, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on 
the pilot program. The first such report shall be submitted 
by not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
pilot program commences. Each report shall include the 
following: 
(1) For the period covered by the report— 
(A) the number of claimants who filed a 
fully developed appeal under the pilot program; 
(B) the average processing time for each 
such appeal, measured by each phase of the ap-
peal, and, if the processing time for appeals ex-
ceed one year, the reasons for such processing 
time; 
(C) a summary of reasons for which the 
development of evidence was required under 
subsection (c)(5);
(D) the number of issues decided, listed by 
the disposition of the issue; 
(E) of the number identified in subpara-
graph (D), the number of issues for which evi-
dence was not so developed, listed by the dis-
position of the issue; 
(F) of the number of fully developed ap-
peals decided by the Board of Veterans’ Ap-
peals, the number of cases from each agency of 
original jurisdiction, listed by the disposition of 
the issue; 
(G) the number of fully developed appeals 
appealed to the Court of Appeals for Veterans 
Claims, listed by the disposition of the case; 
(H) the number of reversions made under 
subsection (b)(3); and 
(I) any reasons for why a claimant was de-
termined to be ineligible to participate in the 
pilot program. 
(2) A review, made in conjunction with veterans 
service organizations, of the efforts of the Secretary 
to provide clear rating decisions and improve dis-
ability rating notification letters, including with re-
spect to—
(A) the opinions of veterans service organi-
zations regarding such efforts; and 
(B) how the pilot program improves such 
efforts. 
(3) A recommendation for any changes to im-
prove the pilot program. 
(4) An assessment of the feasibility and advis-
ability of expanding the pilot program. 
(f) REGULATIONS.—Not later than one day after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall pub-
lish interim guidance on the pilot program under sub-
section (a). Not later than 90 days after such date of en-
actment, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry 
out such pilot program. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘claimant’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 5100 of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘compensation’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘fully developed appeal’’ means 
an appeal of a claim for disability compensation that 
is—
(A) filed by a claimant in accordance with 
subsection (b)(1); and 
(B) considered in accordance with this sec-
tion. 
(4) The term ‘‘standard appeal’’ means an ap-
peal of a claim for disability compensation that is 
not a fully developed appeal. 
SEC. 13. DEADLINE FOR CERTIFICATION OF APPEALS 
FORMS BY REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take such 
steps as may be necessary to ensure that when a regional 
office of the Department of Veterans Affairs receives a 
form known as ‘‘VA Form 9, Appeal to Board of Veterans’ 
Appeals’’, or any successor form, submitted by a veteran 
to appeal a decision relating to a claim, the regional office 
certifies such form by not later than one year after the 
date of the receipt of the form. 
SEC. 14. EVALUATION OF BACKLOG OF DISABILITY CLAIMS 
AND APPEALS OF CLAIMS OF DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a commission 
or task force to evaluate the backlog of claims within the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the appeals process 
of claims.
(b) STUDIES.— 
(1) BACKLOG STUDY.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission or 
Task Force, acting through the subcommittee 
described in subsection (d)(2)(A), shall carry 
out a study on the backlog of claims, including 
the current process the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs uses to evaluate claims and appeals and 
the laws and regulations applicable to such 
claims and appeals. Such study shall be a com-
prehensive evaluation and assessment of the 
backlog of claims, an analysis of possible im-
provements to the procedures used to process 
such claims, and any related issues that the 
Commission or Task Force considers relevant. 
(B) MATTERS INCLUDED.—In carrying out 
the study under subparagraph (A), the Com-
mission or Task Force shall examine the fol-
lowing: 
(i) The backlog of claims, including 
an analysis of— 
(I) the most effective means to 
quickly and accurately resolve all 
claims pending as of the date of the 
study; and