H. R. 4986—448 
SEC. 1618. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, MITI-
GATION, TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION OF, AND 
RESEARCH ON, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, POST-TRAU-
MATIC STRESS DISORDER, AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH 
CONDITIONS IN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OF POLICY.—The Secretary of 
Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall direct joint 
planning among the Department of Defense, the military depart-
ments, and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the prevention, 
diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of, and research 
on, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other 
mental health conditions in members of the Armed Forces, including 
planning for the seamless transition of such members from care 
through the Department of Defense to care through the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, submit 
to the congressional defense committees a comprehensive plan for 
programs and activities of the Department of Defense to prevent, 
diagnose, mitigate, treat, research, and otherwise respond to trau-
matic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental 
health conditions in members of the Armed Forces, including— 
(1) an assessment of the current capabilities of the Depart-
ment for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and 
rehabilitation of, and research on, traumatic brain injury, post- 
traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions 
in members of the Armed Forces; 
(2) the identification of gaps in current capabilities of the 
Department for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treat-
ment, and rehabilitation of, and research on, traumatic brain 
injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health 
conditions in members of the Armed Forces; and 
(3) the identification of the resources required for the 
Department in fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to address the 
gaps in capabilities identified under paragraph (2). 
(c) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—One of the programs contained in 
the comprehensive plan submitted under subsection (b) shall be 
a Department of Defense program, developed in collaboration with 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, under which each member 
of the Armed Forces who incurs a traumatic brain injury or post- 
traumatic stress disorder during service in the Armed Forces— 
(1) is enrolled in the program; and 
(2) receives treatment and rehabilitation meeting a 
standard of care such that each individual who qualifies for 
care under the program shall— 
(A) be provided the highest quality, evidence-based 
care in facilities that most appropriately meet the specific 
needs of the individual; and 
(B) be rehabilitated to the fullest extent possible using 
up-to-date evidence-based medical technology, and physical 
and medical rehabilitation practices and expertise. 
(d) PROVISION OF INFORMATION REQUIRED.—The comprehensive 
plan submitted under subsection (b) shall require the provision 
of information by the Secretary of Defense to members of the 
Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress
H. R. 4986—449 
disorder, or other mental health conditions and their families about 
their options with respect to the following: 
(1) The receipt of medical and mental health care from 
the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
(2) Additional options available to such members for treat-
ment and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury, post-trau-
matic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions. 
(3) The options available, including obtaining a second 
opinion, to such members for a referral to an authorized pro-
vider under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, as 
determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of 
Defense. 
(e) ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF PLAN.—The comprehensive plan 
submitted under subsection (b) shall include comprehensive pro-
posals of the Department on the following: 
(1) LEAD
AGENT.—The designation by the Secretary of 
Defense of a lead agent or executive agent for the Department 
to coordinate development and implementation of the plan. 
(2) DETECTION
AND
TREATMENT.—The improvement of 
methods and mechanisms for the detection and treatment of 
traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and 
other mental health conditions in members of the Armed Forces 
in the field. 
(3) REDUCTION OF PTSD.—The development of a plan for 
reducing post traumatic-stress disorder, incorporating evidence- 
based preventive and early-intervention measures, practices, 
or procedures that reduce the likelihood that personnel in com-
bat will develop post-traumatic stress disorder or other stress- 
related conditions (including substance abuse conditions) into— 
(A) basic and pre-deployment training for enlisted 
members of the Armed Forces, noncommissioned officers, 
and officers; 
(B) combat theater operations; and 
(C) post-deployment service. 
(4) RESEARCH.—Requirements for research on traumatic 
brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental 
health conditions including (in particular) research on pharma-
cological and other approaches to treatment for traumatic brain 
injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health 
conditions, as applicable, and the allocation of priorities among 
such research. 
(5) DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA.—The development, adoption, and 
deployment of joint Department of Defense-Department of Vet-
erans Affairs evidence-based diagnostic criteria for the detection 
and evaluation of the range of traumatic brain injury, post- 
traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions 
in members of the Armed Forces, which criteria shall be 
employed uniformly across the military departments in all 
applicable circumstances, including provision of clinical care 
and assessment of future deployability of members of the Armed 
Forces. 
(6) ASSESSMENT.—The development and deployment of evi-
dence-based means of assessing traumatic brain injury, post- 
traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions 
in members of the Armed Forces, including a system of pre-
H. R. 4986—450 
deployment and post-deployment screenings of cognitive ability 
in members for the detection of cognitive impairment. 
(7) MANAGING
AND
MONITORING.—The development and 
deployment of effective means of managing and monitoring 
members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury, 
post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health condi-
tions in the receipt of care for traumatic brain injury, post- 
traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health conditions, 
as applicable, including the monitoring and assessment of treat-
ment and outcomes. 
(8) EDUCATION
AND
AWARENESS.—The development and 
deployment of an education and awareness training initiative 
designed to reduce the negative stigma associated with trau-
matic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other 
mental health conditions, and mental health treatment. 
(9) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.—The provision of education 
and outreach to families of members of the Armed Forces 
with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, 
or other mental health conditions on a range of matters relating 
to traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or 
other mental health conditions, as applicable, including detec-
tion, mitigation, and treatment. 
(10) RECORDING OF BLASTS.—A requirement that exposure 
to a blast or blasts be recorded in the records of members 
of the Armed Forces. 
(11) GUIDELINES FOR BLAST INJURIES.—The development 
of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment 
of blast injuries in members of the Armed Forces, including, 
but not limited to, traumatic brain injury. 
(12) GENDER- AND ETHNIC GROUP-SPECIFIC SERVICES AND 
TREATMENT.—The development of requirements, as appropriate, 
for gender- and ethnic group-specific medical care services and 
treatment for members of the Armed Forces who experience 
mental health problems and conditions, including post-trau-
matic stress disorder, with specific regard to the availability 
of, access to, and research and development requirements of 
such needs. 
(f) COORDINATION IN DEVELOPMENT.—The comprehensive plan 
submitted under subsection (b) shall be developed in coordination 
with the Secretary of the Army (who was designated by the Sec-
retary of Defense as executive agent for the prevention, mitigation, 
and treatment of blast injuries under section 256 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109– 
163; 119 Stat. 3181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note)).
H. R. 4986—451 
Subtitle B—Centers of Excellence in the 
Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treat-
ment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic 
Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Dis-
order, and Eye Injuries 
SEC. 1621. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN THE PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, 
MITIGATION, TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION OF 
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the 
prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of 
traumatic brain injury, including mild, moderate, and severe trau-
matic brain injury, to carry out the responsibilities specified in 
subsection (c). 
(b) PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the Center 
collaborates to the maximum extent practicable with the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and 
other appropriate public and private entities (including inter-
national entities) to carry out the responsibilities specified in sub-
section (c). 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Center shall have responsibilities 
as follows: 
(1) To implement the comprehensive plan and strategy 
for the Department of Defense, required by section 1618 of 
this Act, for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, 
and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury, including research 
on gender and ethnic group-specific health needs related to 
traumatic brain injury. 
(2) To provide for the development, testing, and dissemina-
tion within the Department of best practices for the treatment 
of traumatic brain injury. 
(3) To provide guidance for the mental health system of 
the Department in determining the mental health and neuro-
logical health personnel required to provide quality mental 
health care for members of the Armed Forces with traumatic 
brain injury. 
(4) To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive 
program to train mental health and neurological health profes-
sionals of the Department in the treatment of traumatic brain 
injury. 
(5) To facilitate advancements in the study of the short- 
term and long-term psychological effects of traumatic brain 
injury. 
(6) To disseminate within the military medical treatment 
facilities of the Department best practices for training mental 
health professionals, including neurological health profes-
sionals, with respect to traumatic brain injury. 
(7) To conduct basic science and translational research 
on traumatic brain injury for the purposes of understanding 
the etiology of traumatic brain injury and developing preventive 
interventions and new treatments. 
(8) To develop programs and outreach strategies for families 
of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury
H. R. 4986—452 
in order to mitigate the negative impacts of traumatic brain 
injury on such family members and to support the recovery 
of such members from traumatic brain injury. 
(9) To conduct research on the mental health needs of 
families of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain 
injury and develop protocols to address any needs identified 
through such research. 
(10) To conduct longitudinal studies (using imaging tech-
nology and other proven research methods) on members of 
the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury to identify early 
signs of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or other mani-
festations of neurodegeneration, as well as epilepsy, in such 
members, in coordination with the studies authorized by section 
721 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 120 Stat. 2294) 
and other studies of the Department of Defense and the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs that address the connection between 
exposure to combat and the development of Alzheimer’s disease, 
Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders, as 
well as epilepsy. 
(11) To develop and oversee a long-term plan to increase 
the number of mental health and neurological health profes-
sionals within the Department in order to facilitate the meeting 
by the Department of the needs of members of the Armed 
Forces with traumatic brain injury until their transition to 
care and treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(12) To develop a program on comprehensive pain manage-
ment, including management of acute and chronic pain, to 
utilize current and develop new treatments for pain, and to 
identify and disseminate best practices on pain management 
related to traumatic brain injury. 
(13) Such other responsibilities as the Secretary shall 
specify. 
SEC. 1622. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, MITI-
GATION, TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION OF POST- 
TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND OTHER MENTAL 
HEALTH CONDITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the 
prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of 
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health 
conditions, including mild, moderate, and severe post-traumatic 
stress disorder and other mental health conditions, to carry out 
the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). 
(b) PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the center 
collaborates to the maximum extent practicable with the National 
Center on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appro-
priate public and private entities (including international entities) 
to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The center shall have responsibilities 
as follows: 
(1) To implement the comprehensive plan and strategy 
for the Department of Defense, required by section 1618 of 
this Act, for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, 
and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder and other
H. R. 4986—453 
mental health conditions, including research on gender- and 
ethnic group-specific health needs related to post-traumatic 
stress disorder and other mental health conditions. 
(2) To provide for the development, testing, and dissemina-
tion within the Department of best practices for the treatment 
of post-traumatic stress disorder. 
(3) To provide guidance for the mental health system of 
the Department in determining the mental health and neuro-
logical health personnel required to provide quality mental 
health care for members of the Armed Forces with post-trau-
matic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. 
(4) To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive 
program to train mental health and neurological health profes-
sionals of the Department in the treatment of post-traumatic 
stress disorder and other mental health conditions. 
(5) To facilitate advancements in the study of the short- 
term and long-term psychological effects of post-traumatic 
stress disorder and other mental health conditions. 
(6) To disseminate within the military medical treatment 
facilities of the Department best practices for training mental 
health professionals, including neurological health profes-
sionals, with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder and other 
mental health conditions. 
(7) To conduct basic science and translational research 
on post-traumatic stress disorder for the purposes of under-
standing the etiology of post-traumatic stress disorder and 
developing preventive interventions and new treatments. 
(8) To develop programs and outreach strategies for families 
of members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress 
disorder and other mental health conditions in order to mitigate 
the negative impacts of post-traumatic stress disorder and other 
mental health conditions on such family members and to sup-
port the recovery of such members from post-traumatic stress 
disorder and other mental health conditions. 
(9) To conduct research on the mental health needs of 
families of members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic 
stress disorder and other mental health conditions and develop 
protocols to address any needs identified through such research. 
(10) To develop and oversee a long-term plan to increase 
the number of mental health and neurological health profes-
sionals within the Department in order to facilitate the meeting 
by the Department of the needs of members of the Armed 
Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental 
health conditions until their transition to care and treatment 
from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 1623. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, MITI-
GATION, TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION OF MILI-
TARY EYE INJURIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the 
prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of 
military eye injuries to carry out the responsibilities specified in 
subsection (c). 
(b) PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the center 
collaborates to the maximum extent practicable with the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other
H. R. 4986—454 
appropriate public and private entities (including international enti-
ties) to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The center shall— 
(A) implement a comprehensive plan and strategy for 
the Department of Defense, as developed by the Secretary 
of Defense, for a registry of information for the tracking 
of the diagnosis, surgical intervention or other operative 
procedure, other treatment, and follow up for each case 
of significant eye injury incurred by a member of the Armed 
Forces while serving on active duty; 
(B) ensure the electronic exchange with the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs of information obtained through 
tracking under subparagraph (A); and 
(C) enable the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to access 
the registry and add information pertaining to additional 
treatments or surgical procedures and eventual visual out-
comes for veterans who were entered into the registry 
and subsequently received treatment through the Veterans 
Health Administration. 
(2) DESIGNATION
OF
REGISTRY.—The registry under this 
subsection shall be known as the ‘‘Military Eye Injury Registry’’ 
(hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Registry’’). 
(3) CONSULTATION
IN
DEVELOPMENT.—The center shall 
develop the Registry in consultation with the ophthalmological 
specialist personnel and optometric specialist personnel of the 
Department of Defense and the ophthalmological specialist per-
sonnel and optometric specialist personnel of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. The mechanisms and procedures of the 
Registry shall reflect applicable expert research on military 
and other eye injuries. 
(4) MECHANISMS.—The mechanisms of the Registry for 
tracking under paragraph (1)(A) shall ensure that each military 
medical treatment facility or other medical facility shall submit 
to the center for inclusion in the Registry information on the 
diagnosis, surgical intervention or other operative procedure, 
other treatment, and follow up for each case of eye injury 
described in that paragraph as follows (to the extent applicable): 
(A) Not later than 30 days after surgery or other opera-
tive intervention, including a surgery or other operative 
intervention carried out as a result of a follow-up examina-
tion. 
(B) Not later than 180 days after the significant eye 
injury is reported or recorded in the medical record. 
(5) COORDINATION OF CARE AND BENEFITS.—(A) The center 
shall provide notice to the Blind Rehabilitation Service of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and to the eye care services 
of the Veterans Health Administration on each member of 
the Armed Forces described in subparagraph (B) for purposes 
of ensuring the coordination of the provision of ongoing eye 
care and visual rehabilitation benefits and services by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs after the separation or release 
of such member from the Armed Forces. 
(B) A member of the Armed Forces described in this 
subparagraph is a member of the Armed Forces as follows:
H. R. 4986—455 
(i) A member with a significant eye injury incurred 
while serving on active duty, including a member with 
visual dysfunction related to traumatic brain injury. 
(ii) A member with an eye injury incurred while serving 
on active duty who has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less 
in the injured eye. 
(iii) A member with an eye injury incurred while 
serving on active duty who has a loss of peripheral vision 
resulting in 20 degrees or less of visual field in the injured 
eye. 
(d) UTILIZATION OF REGISTRY INFORMATION.—The Secretary of 
Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly ensure 
that information in the Registry is available to appropriate ophthal-
mological and optometric personnel of the Department of Defense 
and the Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of encouraging 
and facilitating the conduct of research, and the development of 
best practices and clinical education, on eye injuries incurred by 
members of the Armed Forces in combat. 
(e) INCLUSION OF RECORDS OF OIF/OEF VETERANS.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall take appropriate actions to include in the 
Registry such records of members of the Armed Forces who incurred 
an eye injury while serving on active duty on or after September 
11, 2001, but before the establishment of the Registry, as the 
Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the Registry. 
(f) TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY POST TRAUMATIC VISUAL SYN-
DROME.—In carrying out the program at Walter Reed Army Medical 
Center, District of Columbia, on traumatic brain injury post trau-
matic visual syndrome, the Secretary of Defense and the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs shall jointly provide for the conduct of 
a cooperative program for members of the Armed Forces and vet-
erans with traumatic brain injury by military medical treatment 
facilities of the Department of Defense and medical centers of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs selected for purposes of this 
subsection for purposes of vision screening, diagnosis, rehabilitative 
management, and vision research, including research on prevention, 
on visual dysfunction related to traumatic brain injury. 
SEC. 1624. REPORT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to Congress a report on— 
(1) the establishment of the center of excellence in preven-
tion, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of 
traumatic brain injury under section 1621; 
(2) the establishment of the center of excellence in preven-
tion, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of 
post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health condi-
tions under section 1622; and 
(3) the establishment of the center of excellence in preven-
tion, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of mili-
tary eye injuries under section 1623. 
(b) MATTERS COVERED.—The report shall, for each such center— 
(1) describe in detail the activities and proposed activities 
of such center; and 
(2) assess the progress of such center in discharging the 
responsibilities of such center.
H. R. 4986—456 
Subtitle C—Health Care Matters 
SEC. 1631. MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS AND 
FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH 
SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES. 
(a) MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE FOR FORMER MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Effective as of the date of the enactment 
of this Act and subject to regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary of Defense, the Secretary may authorize that any former 
member of the Armed Forces with a serious injury or illness 
may receive the same medical and dental care as a member 
of the Armed Forces on active duty for medical and dental 
care not reasonably available to such former member in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) SUNSET.—The Secretary of Defense may not provide 
medical or dental care to a former member of the Armed 
Forces under this subsection after December 31, 2012, if the 
Secretary has not provided medical or dental care to the former 
member under this subsection before that date. 
(b) REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Effective as of the date of the enactment 
of this Act, a member of the Armed Forces with a severe 
injury or illness is entitled to such benefits (including 
rehabilitation and vocational benefits, but not including com-
pensation) from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to facilitate 
the recovery and rehabilitation of such member as the Secretary 
otherwise provides to veterans of the Armed Forces receiving 
medical care in medical facilities of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs facilities in order to facilitate the recovery and 
rehabilitation of such members. 
(2) SUNSET.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not 
provide benefits to a member of the Armed Forces under this 
subsection after December 31, 2012, if the Secretary has not 
provided benefits to the member under this subsection before 
that date. 
SEC. 1632. REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL EXPENSES OF RETIRED MEM-
BERS WITH COMBAT-RELATED DISABILITIES FOR FOL-
LOW-ON SPECIALTY CARE, SERVICES, AND SUPPLIES. 
(a) TRAVEL.—Section 1074i of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
section (b): 
‘‘(b) OUTREACH PROGRAM
AND TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
FOR 
FOLLOW-ON SPECIALTY CARE
AND RELATED SERVICES.—The Sec-
retary concerned shall ensure that an outreach program is imple-
mented for each member of the uniformed services who incurred 
a combat-related disability and is entitled to retired or retainer 
pay, or equivalent pay, so that— 
‘‘(1) the progress of the member is closely monitored; and 
‘‘(2) the member receives the travel reimbursement author-
ized by subsection (a) whenever the member requires follow- 
on specialty care, services, or supplies.’’.
H. R. 4986—457 
(b) COMBAT-RELATED DISABILITY DEFINED.—Subsection (c) of 
such section, as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The term ‘combat-related disability’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1413a of this title.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (b) of section 1074i of title 
10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(2), shall apply 
with respect to travel described in subsection (a) of such section 
that occurs on or after January 1, 2008, for follow-on specialty 
care, services, or supplies. 
SEC. 1633. RESPITE CARE AND OTHER EXTENDED CARE BENEFITS 
FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES WHO 
INCUR A SERIOUS INJURY OR ILLNESS ON ACTIVE DUTY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1074(c) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4)(A) Subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
of Defense considers appropriate, coverage comparable to that pro-
vided by the Secretary under subsections (d) and (e) of section 
1079 of this title shall be provided under this subsection to members 
of the uniformed services who incur a serious injury or illness 
on active duty as defined by regulations prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations— 
‘‘(i) the individuals who shall be treated as the primary 
caregivers of a member of the uniformed services for purposes 
of this paragraph; and 
‘‘(ii) the definition of serious injury or illness for the pur-
poses of this paragraph.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on January 1, 2008. 
SEC. 1634. REPORTS. 
(a) REPORTS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.— 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a report describing the progress in imple-
menting the requirements as follows: 
(1) The requirements of section 721 of the John Warner 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public 
Law 109–364; 120 Stat. 2294), relating to a longitudinal study 
on traumatic brain injury incurred by members of the Armed 
Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
Freedom. 
(2) The requirements of section 741 of the John Warner 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (120 
Stat. 2304), relating to pilot projects on early diagnosis and 
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental 
health conditions. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORTS
ON EXPENDITURES
FOR ACTIVITIES
ON 
TBI AND PTSD.— 
(1) REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than March 1, 2008, 
and each year thereafter through 2013, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
setting forth the amounts expended by the Department of 
Defense during the preceding calendar year on activities 
described in paragraph (2), including the amount allocated 
during such calendar year to the Defense and Veterans Brain 
Injury Center of the Department.
H. R. 4986—459 
electronic health record systems or capabilities that allow 
for full interoperability of personal health care information 
between the Department of Defense and the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(B) To accelerate the exchange of health care informa-
tion between the Department of Defense and the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs in order to support the delivery 
of health care by both Departments. 
(c) LEADERSHIP.— 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The Director of the Office shall be the head 
of the Office. 
(2) DEPUTY DIRECTOR.—The Deputy Director of the Office 
shall be the deputy head of the Office and shall assist the 
Director in carrying out the duties of the Director. 
(3) APPOINTMENTS.—(A) The Director shall be appointed 
by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, from among persons who are quali-
fied to direct the development, acquisition, and integration 
of major information technology capabilities. 
(B) The Deputy Director shall be appointed by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, with the concurrence of the Secretary of 
Defense, from among employees of the Department of Defense 
and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Senior Executive 
Service who are qualified to direct the development, acquisition, 
and integration of major information technology capabilities. 
(4) ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.—In addition to the direction, 
supervision, and control provided by the Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Office shall also 
receive guidance from the Department of Veterans Affairs- 
Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee under sec-
tion 320 of title 38, United States Code, in the discharge of 
the functions of the Office under this section. 
(5) TESTIMONY.—Upon request by any of the appropriate 
committees of Congress, the Director and the Deputy Director 
shall testify before such committee regarding the discharge 
of the functions of the Office under this section. 
(d) FUNCTION.—The function of the Office shall be to implement, 
by not later than September 30, 2009, electronic health record 
systems or capabilities that allow for full interoperability of personal 
health care information between the Department of Defense and 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, which health records shall 
comply with applicable interoperability standards, implementation 
specifications, and certification criteria (including for the reporting 
of quality measures) of the Federal Government. 
(e) SCHEDULES
AND BENCHMARKS.—Not later than 30 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish a 
schedule and benchmarks for the discharge by the Office of its 
function under this section, including each of the following: 
(1) A schedule for the establishment of the Office. 
(2) A schedule and deadline for the establishment of the 
requirements for electronic health record systems or capabilities 
described in subsection (d), including coordination with the 
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Tech-
nology in the development of a nationwide interoperable health 
information technology infrastructure.
H. R. 4986—460 
(3) A schedule and associated deadlines for any acquisition 
and testing required in the implementation of electronic health 
record systems or capabilities that allow for full interoperability 
of personal health care information between the Department 
of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(4) A schedule and associated deadlines and requirements 
for the implementation of electronic health record systems or 
capabilities that allow for full interoperability of personal health 
care information between the Department of Defense and the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(f) PILOT PROJECTS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY.—In order to assist the Office in the dis-
charge of its function under this section, the Secretary of 
Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, acting 
jointly, carry out one or more pilot projects to assess the feasi-
bility and advisability of various technological approaches to 
the achievement of the electronic health record systems or 
capabilities described in subsection (d). 
(2) SHARING
OF
PROTECTED
HEALTH
INFORMATION.—For 
purposes of each pilot project carried out under this subsection, 
the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall, for purposes of the regulations promulgated under section 
264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability 
Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note), ensure the effective 
sharing of protected health information between the health 
care system of the Department of Defense and the health 
care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs as needed 
to provide all health care services and other benefits allowed 
by law. 
(g) STAFF AND OTHER RESOURCES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense and the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall assign to the Office such per-
sonnel and other resources of the Department of Defense and 
the Department of Veterans Affairs as are required for the 
discharge of its function under this section. 
(2) ADDITIONAL SERVICES.—Subject to the approval of the 
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
the Director may utilize the services of private individuals 
and entities as consultants to the Office in the discharge of 
its function under this section. Amounts available to the Office 
shall be available for payment for such services. 
(h) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2009, and 
each year thereafter through 2014, the Director shall submit 
to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, and to the appropriate committees of Congress, a report 
on the activities of the Office during the preceding calendar 
year. Each report shall include, for the year covered by such 
report, the following: 
(A) A detailed description of the activities of the Office, 
including a detailed description of the amounts expended 
and the purposes for which expended. 
(B) An assessment of the progress made by the Depart-
ment of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs 
in the full implementation of electronic health record sys-
tems or capabilities described in subsection (d).
H. R. 4986—461 
(2) AVAILABILITY TO PUBLIC.—The Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to the 
public each report submitted under paragraph (1), including 
by posting such report on the Internet website of the Depart-
ment of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
respectively, that is available to the public. 
(i) COMPTROLLER GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION.— 
Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and every six months thereafter until the completion of 
the implementation of electronic health record systems or capabili-
ties described in subsection (d), the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report setting forth the assessment of the Comptroller 
General of the progress of the Department of Defense and the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in implementing electronic health 
record systems or capabilities described in subsection (d). 
SEC. 1636. ENHANCED PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES FOR THE DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS 
FOR CARE AND TREATMENT OF WOUNDED AND INJURED 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1599c of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1599c. Health care professionals: enhanced appointment 
and compensation authority for personnel for 
care and treatment of wounded and injured mem-
bers of the armed forces 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense may, at the discre-
tion of the Secretary, exercise any authority for the appointment 
and pay of health care personnel under chapter 74 of title 38 
for purposes of the recruitment, employment, and retention of 
civilian health care professionals for the Department of Defense 
if the Secretary determines that the exercise of such authority 
is necessary in order to provide or enhance the capacity of the 
Department to provide care and treatment for members of the 
armed forces who are wounded or injured on active duty in the 
armed forces and to support the ongoing patient care and medical 
readiness, education, and training requirements of the Department 
of Defense. 
‘‘(b) RECRUITMENT OF PERSONNEL.—(1) The Secretaries of the 
military departments shall each develop and implement a strategy 
to disseminate among appropriate personnel of the military depart-
ments authorities and best practices for the recruitment of medical 
and health professionals, including the authorities under subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(2) Each strategy under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) assess current recruitment policies, procedures, and 
practices of the military department concerned to assure that 
such strategy facilitates the implementation of efficiencies 
which reduce the time required to fill vacant positions for 
medical and health professionals; and 
‘‘(B) clearly identify processes and actions that will be 
used to inform and educate military and civilian personnel 
responsible for the recruitment of medical and health profes-
sionals.
H. R. 4986—462 
‘‘(c) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority of the Sec-
retary of Defense to exercise authorities available under chapter 
74 of title 38 for purposes of the recruitment, employment, and 
retention of civilian health care professionals for the Department 
of Defense expires September 30, 2010.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 81 of such title is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 1599c and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘1599c. Health care professionals: enhanced appointment and compensation author-
ity for personnel for care and treatment of wounded and injured mem-
bers of the armed forces.’’. 
(c) REPORTS ON STRATEGIES ON RECRUITMENT OF MEDICAL AND 
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.—Not later than six months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary of a military depart-
ment shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
setting forth the strategy developed by such Secretary under section 
1599c(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 1637. CONTINUATION OF TRANSITIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS FOR 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES PENDING RESOLU-
TION OF SERVICE-RELATED MEDICAL CONDITIONS. 
Section 1145(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘Transitional health care’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (6), transitional 
health care’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(6)(A) A member who has a medical condition relating to 
service on active duty that warrants further medical care that 
has been identified during the member’s 180-day transition period, 
which condition can be resolved within 180 days as determined 
by a Department of Defense physician, shall be entitled to receive 
medical and dental care for that medical condition, and that medical 
condition only, as if the member were a member of the armed 
forces on active duty for 180 days following the diagnosis of the 
condition. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that the Defense 
Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is contin-
ually updated in order to reflect the continuing entitlement of 
members covered by subparagraph (A) to the medical and dental 
care referred to in that subparagraph.’’. 
Subtitle D—Disability Matters 
SEC. 1641. UTILIZATION OF VETERANS’ PRESUMPTION OF SOUND 
CONDITION IN ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR RETIREMENT FOR DIS-
ABILITY. 
(a) RETIREMENT OF REGULARS AND MEMBERS ON ACTIVE DUTY 
FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS.—Clause (i) of section 1201(b)(3)(B) of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) the member has six months or more of active 
military service and the disability was not noted at 
the time of the member’s entrance on active duty 
(unless compelling evidence or medical judgment is