I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7436 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the quality assurance 
program of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 7, 2022 
Mr. CLOUD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
quality assurance program of the Veterans Benefits Ad-
ministration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. IMPROVEMENTS TO QUALITY ASSURANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) PLAN FOR OVERSIGHT.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Section 7731 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary shall— 
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‘‘(A) develop and carry out a plan to strengthen 
oversight of the quality assurance program carried 
out under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(B) monitor the implementation of the plan to 
address any deficiencies that the Secretary identi-
fies. 
‘‘(2) On an annual basis during the five-year period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
a report on the implementation of the plan under para-
graph (1).’’. 
(2) SUBMISSION OF PLAN.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate the plan developed 
under subsection (d) of section 7731 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), and 
a description of the progress the Secretary has made 
to implement such plan. 
(b) RECURRING DEFICIENCIES.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION
AND
CORRECTIVE
AC-
TIONS.—Section 7732 of such title is amended— 
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(A) by striking ‘‘The Under’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a) The Under’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(b)(1) In carrying out subsection (a) with respect 
to quality reviews (including site visits) relating to dis-
ability compensation, on an annual basis, the Under Sec-
retary shall compile a list of common recurring deficiencies 
and action items identified each year. 
‘‘(2) The Under Secretary shall develop and carry out 
a plan to address the recurring deficiencies and action 
items identified under paragraph (1).’’. 
(2) INCLUSION IN ANNUAL REPORTS.—Section 
7734 of such title is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (4); and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) the list of common recurring deficiencies 
and action items identified under section 7732(b)(1) 
of this title; and’’. 
(c) GAO STUDY.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—The Comptroller General 
of the United States shall conduct a feasibility study 
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of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs entering into a 
contract with a nongovernmental entity to carry out 
the quality assurance program under section 7731 of 
title 38, United States Code. The study shall include 
the following: 
(A) A review of common deficiencies of the 
program as of the date of the study. 
(B) Identification of both the costs and 
cost savings regarding a nongovernmental enti-
ty carrying out the program. 
(C) A discussion regarding how having a 
nongovernmental entity carry out the program 
may— 
(i) address the deficiencies identified 
under subparagraph (A); and 
(ii) improve the overall accuracy and 
timeliness of claims submitted to the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate the study under paragraph (1). 
Æ 
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