IIB 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 675 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JULY 29, 2015 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
AN ACT 
To increase, effective as of December 1, 2015, the rates 
of compensation for veterans with service-connected dis-
abilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity com-
pensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, 
to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 
to improve the processing of claims by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
period, not to exceed 90 days (or the equivalent), as deter-
mined by the chief judge to be necessary to meet the needs 
of the Court. 
‘‘(B)(i) A recall-eligible judge may request that the 
chief judge recall the recall-eligible judge for a period of 
service of not less than 90 days (or the equivalent). 
‘‘(ii) The chief judge shall approve a request made 
by a recall-eligible judge pursuant to clause (i) unless the 
chief judge certifies, in writing, that the Court does not 
have— 
‘‘(I) sufficient work to assign such recall-eligible 
judge during the period of recalled service; or 
‘‘(II) sufficient resources to provide to such re-
call-eligible judge appropriate administrative and of-
fice support. 
‘‘(iii) At any time during the period of recalled service 
of a judge who is recalled pursuant to clause (i), the chief 
judge may terminate such recalled service if the chief 
judge makes a written certification described in clause 
(ii).’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
SEC. 
203. 
LIFE 
INSURANCE 
PROGRAM 
RELATING 
TO 
JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF AP-
PEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7281 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge 
who is in regular active service and a judge who is retired 
under section 7296 of this title or under chapter 83 or 
84 of title 5 shall be treated as an employee described 
in section 8701(a)(5) of title 5.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any payment 
made on or after the first day of the first applicable pay 
period beginning on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 204. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SUR-
VIVORS’ ANNUITY. 
Section 7297 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under 
subsection (b) may purchase, in 3-month increments, up 
to an additional year of service credit for each year of Fed-
eral judicial service completed, under the terms set forth 
in this section. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘covered judge’ 
means any of the following: 
‘‘(A) A judge in regular active service. 
‘‘(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible re-
tired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 
7257 of this title. 
‘‘(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eli-
gible retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of sec-
tion 7257 but for— 
‘‘(i) meeting the aggregate recall service 
requirements under subsection (b)(3) of such 
section; or 
‘‘(ii) being permanently disabled as de-
scribed by subsection (b)(4) of such section.’’. 
SEC. 205. SALARIES OF JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT 
OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
Section 7253(e) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘district courts’’ and inserting 
‘‘courts of appeals’’. 
SEC. 206. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES 
COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
Section 7253(d) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘and’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
the following new subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B) are 64 years of age or under and have at 
least 3 years remaining in term of office; and’’; and 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of 
the Court in regular active service who meets the require-
ments under paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in reg-
ular active service who is senior in commission and meets 
subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of para-
graph (1) shall act as the chief judge. 
‘‘(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this 
paragraph in which there is no judge of the Court in reg-
ular active service who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and 
subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), the judge of the Court 
in regular active service who is senior in commission and 
meets subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
TITLE III—IMPROVEMENT OF 
CLAIMS PROCESSING 
SEC. 301. INTERIM PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION BENE-
FITS UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE 
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 51 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a claim described 
in subsection (b), prior to adjudicating the claim, the Sec-
retary shall make interim payments of monetary benefits 
to the claimant based on any disability for which the Sec-
retary has made a decision or, with respect to such a dis-
ability that is not compensable, notify the claimant of the 
rating relating to such disability. Upon the adjudication 
of the claim, the Secretary shall pay to the claimant any 
monetary benefits awarded to the claimant for the period 
of payment under section 5111 of this title less the 
amount of such benefits paid to the claimant under this 
section. 
‘‘(b) CLAIM DESCRIBED.—A claim described in this 
subsection is a claim for disability compensation under 
chapter 11 of this title (including a claim regarding an 
increased rating)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
‘‘(1) the adjudication of which requires the Sec-
retary to make decisions with respect to two or more 
disabilities; and 
‘‘(2) for which, before completing the adjudica-
tion of the claim, the Secretary makes a decision 
with respect to a disability that would result in the 
payment of monetary benefits to the claimant upon 
the adjudication of the claim.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end of the items relating to such subchapter the 
following new item: 
‘‘5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits.’’. 
SEC. 302. CLAIMS PROCESSORS TRAINING. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall establish a training program to provide newly 
hired claims processors of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs with training for a period of not less than 2 years. 
In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall identify 
successful claims processors of the Department who can 
assist in the training of newly hired claims processors. 
(b) ABILITY TO PROCESS CLAIMS.—The Secretary 
shall carry out the training program established under 
subsection (a) without increasing the amount of time in 
which claims are processed by the Department. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 303. NOTICE OF AVERAGE TIMES FOR PROCESSING 
CLAIMS AND PERCENTAGE OF CLAIMS AP-
PROVED. 
(a) PUBLIC NOTICE.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall post the information described in subsection 
(c)— 
(1) in a conspicuous place in each regional of-
fice and claims intake facilities of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs; and 
(2) on the Internet Web site of the Department. 
(b) NOTICE TO APPLICANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
to each person who submits a claim for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary before 
the person submits such claim— 
(A) notice of the information described in 
subsection (c); and 
(B) notice that the person is eligible to re-
ceive up to an extra year of benefits payments 
if the person files a claim that is fully devel-
oped. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
(2) ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF
RECEIPT
OF
NO-
TICE.—Each person who submits a claim for bene-
fits under the laws administered by the Secretary 
shall include in such application a signed form ac-
knowledging that the person received the informa-
tion described in subsection (c). 
(c) INFORMATION DESCRIBED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The information described in 
this subsection is the following: 
(A) The average processing time of the 
claims described in paragraph (2) and the per-
centage of such submitted claims for which ben-
efits are awarded. 
(B) The percentage of each of the fol-
lowing types of submitted claims for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs for which benefits are award-
ed: 
(i) Claims filed by veterans who au-
thorized a veterans service organization to 
act on the veterans’ behalf under a durable 
power of attorney. 
(ii) Claims filed by veterans who au-
thorized a person other than a veterans 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
service organization to act on the veterans’ 
behalf under a durable power of attorney. 
(iii) Claims filed by veterans who did 
not authorize a person to act on the vet-
erans’ behalf under a durable power of at-
torney. 
(2) CLAIMS DESCRIBED.—The claims described 
in this paragraph are each of the following types of 
claims for benefits under the laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: 
(A) A fully developed claim that is sub-
mitted in standard electronic form. 
(B) A fully developed claim that is sub-
mitted in standard paper form. 
(C) A claim that is not fully developed that 
is submitted in standard electronic form. 
(D) A claim that is not fully developed 
that is submitted in standard paper form. 
(E) A claim that is not fully developed that 
is submitted in non-standard paper form. 
(3) UPDATE OF INFORMATION.—The informa-
tion described in this subsection shall be updated not 
less frequently than once each fiscal quarter. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS OF 
CERTAIN ACCRUED BENEFITS UPON DEATH 
OF BENEFICIARY. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY OF ESTATE.—Section 5121(a)(2) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
by inserting ‘‘, or estate,’’ after ‘‘person’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(D) The estate of the veteran (unless the 
estate will escheat).’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the death of an 
individual on or after the date that is 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 402. OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY. 
(a) TWO MINUTES OF SILENCE.—Chapter 1 of title 
36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 145. Veterans Day 
‘‘The President shall issue each year a proclamation 
calling on the people of the United States to observe 2 
minutes of silence on Veterans Day in honor of the service 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 675 RFS
and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the Na-
tion, beginning at— 
‘‘(1) 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time; 
‘‘(2) 2:11 p.m. eastern standard time; 
‘‘(3) 1:11 p.m. central standard time; 
‘‘(4) 12:11 p.m. mountain standard time; 
‘‘(5) 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time; 
‘‘(6) 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time; and 
‘‘(7) 
9:11 
a.m. 
Hawaii-Aleutian 
standard 
time.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘145. Veterans Day.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives July 28, 2015. 
Attest: 
KAREN L. HAAS, 
Clerk. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:51 Jul 29, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H675.RFS
H675
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS