I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2257 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits 
claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representa-
tives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling 
and related mental health services established under section 1712A of 
title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a ‘‘vet center’’), 
to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 9, 2007 
Mr. WELCH of Vermont introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the 
number of benefits claims representatives employed by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that 
there are not fewer than two such claims representatives 
located at each center for the provision of readjustment 
counseling and related mental health services established 
under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code 
(commonly referred to as a ‘‘vet center’’), to help reduce 
the backlog of claims pending with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVES TO BE LOCATED AT 
VET CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall increase the number of benefits claims representa-
tives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs by 
a number that is not fewer than two such representatives 
for each center for the provision of readjustment coun-
seling and related mental health services established under 
section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (in this Act 
referred to as a ‘‘vet center’’). The Secretary shall ensure 
that there are not fewer than two benefits claims rep-
resentatives located at each vet center. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that benefits claims representatives employed by the De-
partment shall, at a minimum, have adequate knowledge 
of the benefits claims process in order to— 
(1) receive applications for benefits from vet-
erans; 
(2) assist veterans in preparing and submitting 
such applications; 
(3) assess the need for and inform veterans of 
additional documents or information required to be 
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provided by the veterans with respect to such appli-
cations; and 
(4) inform veterans of the status of such sub-
mitted applications. 
(c) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.—Subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary 
shall direct additional resources to more hours of social 
worker and mental health time, more staff to keep vet cen-
ters open longer hours, and the provision of links to job 
centers and training. 
(d) DEADLINE.—The Secretary shall implement the 
requirements of subsection (a) as soon as practicable and 
not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(e) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 
year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report containing the following information: 
(1) The effect of the additional claims rep-
resentatives located at vet centers on the claims 
backlog. 
(2) The caseloads of such additional claims rep-
resentatives. 
(3) The estimated claims backlog at the time of 
the report. 
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(4) Recommendations to further reduce the 
claims backlog and otherwise facilitate the claims 
process. 
Æ 
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