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‘‘(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; 
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‘‘(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: 
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‘‘(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. 
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‘‘(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— 
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‘‘(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 
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(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 
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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-
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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 
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‘‘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; 
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‘‘(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. 
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‘‘(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 
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(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 
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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 
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appeal after filing such appeal unless the 
claimant reverts to the standard appeals 
process pursuant to subsection (b)(3); and 
(ii) if a claimant submits or identifies 
any such new evidence, such submission or 
identification shall be deemed to be an 
election to make such a reversion pursuant 
to subsection (b)(3). 
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to 
evidence developed pursuant to paragraphs (4) 
and (5). The Board shall consider such evidence 
in the first instance without consideration by 
the Veterans Benefits Administration. 
(C) The representative of record of a 
claimant for appeals purposes, if any, shall be 
provided an opportunity to review the fully de-
veloped appeal of the claimant and submit any 
additional arguments or evidence that the rep-
resentative determines necessary during a pe-
riod specified by the Board for purposes of this 
subparagraph. 
(4) PROHIBITION ON REMAND FOR ADDITIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT.—If the Board of Veterans’ Appeals 
determines that a fully developed appeal requires 
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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 
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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). 
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(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); 
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(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— 
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(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— 
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(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. 
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(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 
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(II) with respect to the Depart-
ment, the annual funding, number of 
full-time employees, workload manage-
ment practices, and the progress, as 
of the date of the study, of the stra-
tegic plan. 
(ii) Possible improvements to the 
claims process, including an evaluation and 
recommendations with respect to whether 
substantive and structural changes to the 
overall claims process are required. 
(iii) In carrying out the evaluation 
and recommendations under subparagraph 
(B), an examination of— 
(I) options that make no major 
substantive changes to the claims 
process; 
(II) options that maintain the 
process but make minor changes; and 
(III) options that make broad 
changes to the process. 
(2) APPEALS PROCESS STUDY.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission or 
Task Force, acting through the subcommittee 
described in subsection (d)(2)(B), shall carry 
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out a study on the anticipated increase of ap-
peals of claims, including the current appeals 
process and the laws and regulations applicable 
to such appeals. Such study shall be a com-
prehensive evaluation and assessment of such 
anticipated increase of appeals claims, an anal-
ysis of possible improvements to the procedures 
used to process such appeals, and any related 
issues that the Commission or Task Force con-
siders 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 anticipated surge in appeals of 
claims, including an analysis of— 
(I) the most effective means to 
quickly and accurately resolve pending 
appeals and future appeals; 
(II) with respect to both the 
Board and the Court of Appeals for 
Veterans Claims, the annual funding, 
number of full-time employees, work-
load management practices, and the 
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progress, as of the date of the study, 
of the strategic plan; and 
(III) the efficiency, effectiveness, 
and utility of the Veterans Benefits 
Management System with respect to 
appeals operations, including an iden-
tification of key changes that may 
need to be implemented to such sys-
tem. 
(ii) Possible improvements to the ap-
peals process, including an evaluation and 
recommendations with respect to whether 
substantive and structural changes to the 
overall appeals process are required. 
(iii) In carrying out the evaluation 
and recommendations under clause (ii), an 
examination of— 
(I) options that make no major 
substantive changes to the appeals 
process; 
(II) options that maintain the 
process but make minor changes; 
(III) options that make broad 
changes to the process; 
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(IV) the necessity of the multi- 
tiered levels of appeals at the regional 
office level, including filing a notice of 
disagreement, receipt of a statement 
of the case, supplemental statement of 
the case (if applicable), and sub-
stantive appeal (VA Form 9); 
(V) the role of the Board and the 
Appeals Management Center, includ-
ing— 
(aa) the effectiveness of the 
workload management of the 
Board and the Center; 
(bb) whether the Board and 
Center should be regionalized or 
maintain the centralized struc-
ture in the District of Columbia; 
(cc) whether Board members 
should be required to pass the 
administrative law judges certifi-
cation examination; and 
(dd) 
whether 
the 
Board 
should continue to require de 
novo review of appeals; and 
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(VI) the role of the Court of Ap-
peals for Veterans Claims and the 
United States Court of Appeals for 
the Federal Circuit, including— 
(aa) the continued effective-
ness and necessity of a multi- 
tiered structure of judicial re-
view; 
(bb) whether the Court of 
Appeals 
for 
Veterans 
Claims 
should have Article I or Article 
III status; 
(cc) expansion of either the 
Court of Appeals for Veterans 
Claims or the United States 
Court of Appeals for the Federal 
Circuit jurisdiction, including by 
allowing such courts to hear class 
action lawsuits with respect to 
claims; and 
(dd) the possibility of ex-
panding judicial review of claims 
to all Federal circuit courts of 
appeals or allowing judicial re-
view beyond the Court of Appeals 
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for Veterans Claims only by the 
Supreme Court. 
(3) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out the stud-
ies under paragraph (1)(A) and (2)(A) and making 
any recommendations under this section, the Com-
mission or Task Force shall consider the following: 
(A) The interests of veterans, including 
with respect to accuracy, fairness, and trans-
parency in the claims process of the Depart-
ment. 
(B) The values and requirements of the 
Constitution, including with respect to compli-
ance with procedural and substantive due proc-
ess. 
(C) The public interest, including with re-
spect to the responsible use of available re-
sources. 
(D) With respect to the study conducted 
under paragraph (1)(A), the importance of the 
claimant friendly, nonadversarial nature of the 
claims process. 
(E) With respect to the study conducted 
under paragraph (2)(A), the importance of an 
appeals process that is efficient and easily un-
derstandable by a claimant. 
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(4) ROLE OF SECRETARY, CHAIRMAN OF THE 
BOARD, AND CHIEF JUDGE.— 
(A) INFORMATION.—In carrying out each 
study under paragraph (1)(A) and (2)(A), at 
times that the Commission or Task Force de-
termines appropriate, the Commission or Task 
Force shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, the Chairman of the Board, and the 
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for Vet-
erans Claims, as the case may be, information 
with respect to remedies and solutions that the 
Commission or Task Force identifies pursuant 
to such a study. 
(B) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary, 
the Chairman of the Board, and the Chief 
Judge shall each— 
(i) fully consider the remedies and so-
lutions submitted to the Secretary, the 
Chairman, or the Chief Judge, as the case 
may be, under subparagraph (A); 
(ii) implement such remedies and so-
lutions as the Secretary, the Chairman, or 
the Chief Judge, respectively, determines 
appropriate; and 
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(iii) submit to Congress justification 
for failing to implement any such remedy 
or solution. 
(C) PLAN.—The Commission or Task 
Force shall submit to the Secretary, the Chair-
man of the Board, and the Chief Judge a fea-
sible, timely, and cost-effective plan to eliminate 
the backlog of appeals of claims based on the 
remedies and solutions identified pursuant to 
the study under paragraph (2)(A) and the in-
formation submitted under subparagraph (A). 
(c) COMPREHENSIVE REPORTS.— 
(1) INITIAL
COMPREHENSIVE
REPORT.—Not 
later than 60 days after the date on which the Com-
mission or Task Force first meets, the Commission 
or Task Force shall submit to the President and 
Congress an initial comprehensive report on the 
studies conducted under paragraphs (1)(A) and 
(2)(A) of subsection (b), including— 
(A) the findings of the causes of the back-
log of claims; 
(B) a proposed plan to handle the antici-
pated surge in appeals of claims; and 
(C) the level of cooperation the Commis-
sion or Task Force has received from the Sec-
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retary and the heads of other departments or 
agencies of the Federal Government. 
(2) INTERIM COMPREHENSIVE REPORTS.—Not 
later than 90 days after the date on which the Com-
mission or Task Force first meets, and each 30-day 
period thereafter ending on the date on which the 
Commission or Task Force submits the final com-
prehensive report under paragraph (3), the Commis-
sion or Task Force shall submit to the President 
and Congress a comprehensive report on— 
(A) the progress of the Secretary with re-
spect to implementing solutions to expedite the 
elimination of the backlog of claims pursuant to 
subsection (b)(4)(B)(ii); 
(B) the progress of the Secretary, the 
Chairman of the Board, and the Chief Judge of 
the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims with 
respect to implementing solutions to complete 
appeals of claims in a timely manner in a time-
ly manner pursuant to such subsection; and 
(C) the level of cooperation the Commis-
sion or Task Force has received from the Sec-
retary and the heads of other departments or 
agencies of the Federal Government. 
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(3) FINAL
COMPREHENSIVE
REPORT.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date on which the 
Commission or Task Force first meets, the Commis-
sion or Task Force shall submit to the President 
and Congress a comprehensive report on the fol-
lowing: 
(A) With respect to the study conducted 
under subsection (b)(1)(A)— 
(i) The findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations of the Commission or Task 
Force with respect to the matters referred 
to in such subsection. 
(ii) The recommendations of the Com-
mission or Task Force for revising and im-
proving the backlog of claims and the pro-
cedures used to process claims. 
(iii) The progress of the Secretary 
with respect to implementing solutions to 
expedite the elimination of the backlog of 
claims pursuant to subsection (b)(4)(B)(ii). 
(iv) 
Other 
information 
and 
rec-
ommendations with respect to claims as 
the Commission or Task Force considers 
appropriate. 
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(B) With respect to the study conducted 
under subsection (b)(2)(A)— 
(i) The findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations of the Commission or Task 
Force with respect to the matters referred 
to in such subsection. 
(ii) The recommendations of the Com-
mission or Task Force for revising and im-
proving the appeals process; 
(iii) The information described in sub-
section (b)(4)(A). 
(iv) The feasible, timely, and cost ef-
fective 
plan 
described 
in 
subsection 
(b)(4)(C). 
(v) The progress of the Secretary, the 
Chairman of the Board, and the Chief 
Judge of the Court of Appeals for Vet-
erans Claims with respect to implementing 
solutions to provide timely appeals of 
claims. 
(vi) 
Other 
information 
and 
rec-
ommendations with respect to the appeals 
process as the Commission or Task Force 
considers appropriate. 
(d) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Com-
mission or Task Force shall be composed of 15 
members, appointed as follows: 
(A) Two members appointed by the Speak-
er of the House of Representatives, one of 
whom shall be designated to serve upon the 
Subcommittee on the Backlog of Claims and 
one of whom shall be designated to serve upon 
the Subcommittee on Appeals. 
(B) Two members appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the House of Representatives, one 
of whom shall be designated to serve upon the 
Subcommittee on the Backlog of Claims and 
one of whom shall be designated to serve upon 
the Subcommittee on Appeals. 
(C) Two members appointed by the major-
ity leader of the Senate, one of whom shall be 
designated to serve upon the Subcommittee on 
the Backlog of Claims and one of whom shall 
be designated to serve upon the Subcommittee 
on Appeals. 
(D) Two members appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the Senate, one of whom shall be 
designated to serve upon the Subcommittee on 
the Backlog of Claims and one of whom shall 
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be designated to serve upon the Subcommittee 
on Appeals. 
(E) Three members appointed by the 
President, two of whom shall be designated to 
serve upon the Subcommittee on the Backlog of 
Claims and one of whom shall be designated to 
serve upon the Subcommittee on Appeals. 
(F) One member appointed by the Sec-
retary of Defense, whom shall be designated to 
serve upon the Subcommittee on the Backlog of 
Claims. 
(G) Two members appointed by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, one of whom shall be 
designated to serve upon the Subcommittee on 
the Backlog of Claims and one of whom shall 
be designated to serve upon the Subcommittee 
on Appeals. 
(H) One member appointed by the Chief 
Judge of the Court of Appeals for Veterans 
Claims, whom shall be designated to serve upon 
the Subcommittee on Appeals. 
(2) SUBCOMMITTEES.—The Commission or 
Task Force shall have two subcommittees as follows: 
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(A) A Subcommittee on the Backlog of 
Claims consisting of the eight members des-
ignated in accordance with paragraph (1). 
(B) A Subcommittee on Appeals consisting 
of the seven members designated in accordance 
with paragraph (1). 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—Each member appointed 
under paragraph (1) shall be appointed based on the 
experience of the member as a veteran or on the 
subject matter expertise or other relevant experience 
of the member. 
(4) ADVISORS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the 15 
members appointed under paragraph (1), the 
Commission or Task Force shall— 
(i) have five nonvoting, nonmember 
advisors, appointed by a majority of the 
Commission or Task Force, each from a 
different organization that represents the 
interests of veterans; and 
(ii) seek advice from experts from 
nongovernmental organizations (including 
veterans service organizations and military 
organizations), the Internet technology in-
dustry, and the insurance industry. 
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(B) ADVICE.—Individuals described in 
clause (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall 
provide advice to both subcommittees described 
in paragraph (2). 
(5) CHAIRMAN.—The President shall designate 
a member of the Commission or Task Force who is 
appointed by the President and designated to serve 
upon the Subcommittee on the Backlog of Claims to 
serve as the chairman of the Commission or Task 
Force. The chairman may designate a member to 
serve as the chairman of the Subcommittee on the 
Backlog of Claims and a member to serve as the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Appeals to chair 
such subcommittees as the designee of the chairman 
of the Commission or Task Force. 
(6) PERIOD
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Members of 
the Commission or Task Force shall be appointed 
for the life of the Commission or Task Force. A va-
cancy shall not affect its powers. 
(7) VACANCY.—A vacancy on the Commission 
or Task Force shall be filled in the manner in which 
the original appointment was made. 
(8) APPOINTMENT
DEADLINE.—The appoint-
ment of members of the Commission or Task Force 
established in this section shall be made not later 
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than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(e) MEETINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL
MEETING.—The Commission or 
Task Force shall hold its first meeting not later 
than 15 days after the date on which a majority of 
the members are appointed. 
(2) MEETINGS.—The Commission or Task 
Force shall meet at the call of the chairman. 
(3) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of 
the Commission or Task Force shall constitute a 
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. 
(f) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION OR TASK FORCE.— 
(1) HEARINGS.—The Commission or Task 
Force may hold such hearings, sit and act at such 
times and places, take such testimony, and receive 
such evidence as the Commission or Task Force con-
siders advisable to carry out the purposes of this 
section. 
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
The Commission or Task Force may secure directly 
from any department or agency of the Federal Gov-
ernment such information as the Commission or 
Task Force considers necessary to carry out the pro-
visions of this section. Upon request of the chair-
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man, the head of such department or agency shall 
furnish such information to the Commission or Task 
Force. 
(3) POSTAL
SERVICES.—The Commission or 
Task Force may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as 
other departments and agencies of the Federal Gov-
ernment. 
(4) GIFTS.—The Commission or Task Force 
may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of 
service or property. 
(g) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Each mem-
ber of the Commission or Task Force who is not an 
officer or employee of the United States shall be 
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent 
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level 
IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of 
title 5, United States Code, for each day (including 
travel time) during which the member is engaged in 
the performance of the duties of the Commission or 
Task Force. All members of the Commission or 
Task Force who are officers or employees of the 
United States shall serve without compensation in 
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addition to that received for their services as officers 
or employees of the United States. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the 
Commission or Task Force shall be allowed travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
at rates authorized for employees of agencies under 
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code, while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of service of the 
Commission or Task Force. 
(3) STAFF.— 
(A) APPOINTMENT.—The chairman of the 
Commission or Task Force may, without regard 
to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint 
an executive director and such other personnel 
as may be necessary to enable the Commission 
or Task Force to perform its duties. The ap-
pointment of an executive director shall be sub-
ject to the approval of the Commission or Task 
Force. 
(B) COMPENSATION.—The chairman of 
the Commission or Task Force may fix the 
compensation of the executive director and 
other personnel without regard to the provisions 
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
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of title 5, United States Code, relating to classi-
fication of positions and General Schedule pay 
rates, except that the rate of pay for the execu-
tive director and other personnel may not ex-
ceed the rate payable for level V of the Execu-
tive Schedule under section 5316 of such title. 
(4) DETAIL
OF
GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES.— 
Upon request of the chairman of the Commission or 
Task Force, the head of any department or agency 
of the Federal Government may detail, on a nonre-
imbursable basis, any personnel of that department 
or agency to the Commission or Task Force to assist 
it in carrying out its duties. 
(5) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTER-
MITTENT SERVICES.—The chairman of the Commis-
sion or Task Force may procure temporary and 
intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 
5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which 
do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5316 of such title. 
(h) TERMINATION
OF
COMMISSION
OR
TASK 
FORCE.—The Commission or Task Force shall terminate 
60 days after the date on which the Commission or Task 
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Force submits the final comprehensive report under sub-
section (c)(3). 
(i) FUNDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, upon 
the request of the chairman of the Commission or 
Task Force, make available to the Commission or 
Task Force such amounts as the Commission or 
Task Force may require to carry out the duties of 
the Commission or Task Force under this section. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Any sums made available 
to the Commission or Task Force shall remain avail-
able, without fiscal year limitation, until the termi-
nation of the Commission or Task Force. 
(j) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘appeals process’’ means the 
process to appeal the determination by the Secretary 
of a claim beginning with the notice of disagreement 
filed pursuant to section 7105 of title 38, United 
States Code, and ending with the review of a deci-
sion by the Supreme Court pursuant to section 
7292(c) of such title. 
(2) The term ‘‘Board’’ means the Board of Vet-
erans’ Appeals. 
(3) The term ‘‘strategic plan’’ means the Stra-
tegic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims 
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Backlog, published by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs on January 25, 2013. 
(k) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on the date that is one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 15. METHODS FOR VALIDATING CERTAIN WORLD WAR 
II MERCHANT MARINER SERVICE CONSID-
ERED TO BE ACTIVE SERVICE BY THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of verifying that 
an individual performed service under honorable condi-
tions that satisfies the requirements of a coastwise mer-
chant seaman who is recognized pursuant to section 401 
of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (Public Law 95– 
202; 38 U.S.C. 106 note) as having performed active duty 
service for the purposes described in subsection (c)(1), the 
Secretary of Defense shall accept the following: 
(1) In the case of an individual who served on 
a coastwise merchant vessel seeking such recognition 
for whom no applicable Coast Guard shipping or dis-
charge form, ship logbook, merchant mariner’s docu-
ment or Z-card, or other official employment record 
is available, the Secretary shall provide such recogni-
tion on the basis of applicable Social Security Ad-
ministration records submitted for or by the indi-
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vidual, together with validated testimony given by 
the individual or the primary next of kin of the indi-
vidual that the individual performed such service 
during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, 
and ending on December 31, 1946. 
(2) In the case of an individual who served on 
a coastwise merchant vessel seeking such recognition 
for whom the applicable Coast Guard shipping or 
discharge form, ship logbook, merchant mariner’s 
document or Z-card, or other official employment 
record has been destroyed or otherwise become un-
available by reason of any action committed by a 
person responsible for the control and maintenance 
of such form, logbook, or record, the Secretary shall 
accept other official documentation demonstrating 
that the individual performed such service during pe-
riod beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on 
December 31, 1946. 
(3) For the purpose of determining whether to 
recognize service allegedly performed during the pe-
riod beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on 
December 31, 1946, the Secretary shall recognize 
masters of seagoing vessels or other officers in com-
mand of similarly organized groups as agents of the 
United States who were authorized to document any 
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individual for purposes of hiring the individual to 
perform service in the merchant marine or dis-
charging an individual from such service. 
(b) TREATMENT
OF OTHER DOCUMENTATION.— 
Other documentation accepted by the Secretary of Defense 
pursuant to subsection (a)(2) shall satisfy all requirements 
for eligibility of service during the period beginning on De-
cember 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946. 
(c) BENEFITS ALLOWED.— 
(1) BURIAL BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY.—Service of 
an individual that is considered active duty pursuant 
to subsection (a) shall be considered as active duty 
service with respect to providing burial benefits 
under chapters 23 and 24 of title 38, United States 
Code, to the individual. 
(2) MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND DECORATIONS.— 
An individual whose service is recognized as active 
duty pursuant to subsection (a) may be awarded an 
appropriate medal, ribbon, or other military decora-
tion based on such service. 
(3) STATUS OF VETERAN.—An individual whose 
service is recognized as active duty pursuant to sub-
section (a) shall be honored as a veteran but shall 
not be entitled by reason of such recognized service 
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to any benefit that is not described in this sub-
section. 
(d) DETERMINATION
OF COASTWISE MERCHANT 
SEAMAN.—The Secretary of Defense shall verify that an 
individual performed service under honorable conditions 
that satisfies the requirements of a coastwise merchant 
seaman pursuant to this section without regard to the sex, 
age, or disability of the individual during the period in 
which the individual served as such a coastwise merchant 
seaman. 
(e) DEFINITION OF PRIMARY NEXT OF KIN.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘primary next of kin’’ with respect to 
an individual seeking recognition for service under this 
section means the closest living relative of the individual 
who was alive during the period of such service. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 16. DESIGNATION OF AMERICAN WORLD WAR II CIT-
IES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall designate at least one city in the United States each 
year as an ‘‘American World War II City’’. 
(b) CRITERIA
FOR DESIGNATION.—After the des-
ignation made under subsection (c), the Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall make each 
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designation under subsection (a) based on the following 
criteria: 
(1) Contributions by a city to the war effort 
during World War II, including those related to de-
fense manufacturing, bond drives, service in the 
Armed Forces, and the presence of military facilities 
within the city. 
(2) Efforts by a city to preserve the history of 
the city’s contributions during World War II, includ-
ing through the establishment of preservation orga-
nizations or museums, restoration of World War II 
facilities, and recognition of World War II veterans. 
(c) FIRST AMERICAN WORLD WAR II CITY.—The 
city of Wilmington, North Carolina, is designated as an 
‘‘American World War II City’’. 
SEC. 17. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AMERICAN VET-
ERANS DISABLED FOR LIFE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) There are at least 3,600,000 veterans cur-
rently living with service-connected disabilities. 
(2) As a result of their service, many veterans 
are permanently disabled throughout their lives and 
in many cases must rely on the support of their fam-
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