Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-1530
Sponsor: Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]
Introduced: 2023-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-10
text: 

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act

 
This bill addresses certain requirements related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical disability examinations for purposes of benefit claims. 
 
First, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA.
 
The bill also requires the VA to report on its efforts to provide reimbursement for a veteran's travel to a facility, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside of the United States, when such travel is incident to a scheduled compensation and pension examination.
 
Additionally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for contractors providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such contractors to verify their identity.
 
The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with contractors to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, every communication from a contractor to a claimant regarding the scheduling of such an examination must be contemporaneously transmitted to the appropriate representative for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims.
 
Finally, the VA must report on improving its support of governmental veterans service officers.

action_date: 2023-09-14
text: 

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill addresses certain requirements related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical disability examinations for purposes of benefit claims and other administrative matters related to the benefit claims processes and personnel. 
 
First, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA.
 
The bill also requires the VA to report on its efforts to provide reimbursement for a veteran's travel to a facility, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside of the United States, when such travel is incident to a medical disability examination for purposes of VA benefits.
 
The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with non-VA providers to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, the contracts must require that every communication from the provider to the applicant regarding the scheduling of a medical disability examination must be transmitted to any person or organization that is legally designated by the applicant and is recognized for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims.
 
Additionally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for non-VA providers that are providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such providers to verify their identity.
 
The VA must report on improving its support of governmental veterans service officers.
 
The VA must establish a Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program for individuals enrolled in the first or second year of law school.
 
The VA must also implement a program to furnish student loan repayment benefits or reimbursements for courses, bar exams, or bar membership dues to certain attorneys who agree to work for the VA for at least 3 years.
 
The bill increases the maximum possible number of judges presiding over the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to nine judges.
 
Finally, the VA must report on improving access to telehearings for Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings.

action_date: 2023-09-20
text: 

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill addresses certain requirements related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical disability examinations for purposes of benefit claims and other administrative matters related to the benefit claims processes and personnel. 
 
First, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA.
 
The bill also requires the VA to report on its efforts to provide reimbursement for a veteran's travel to a facility, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside of the United States, when such travel is incident to a medical disability examination for purposes of VA benefits.
 
The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with non-VA providers to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, the contracts must require that every communication from the provider to the applicant regarding the scheduling of a medical disability examination must be transmitted to any person or organization that is legally designated by the applicant and is recognized for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims.
 
Additionally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for non-VA providers that are providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such providers to verify their identity.
 
The VA must report on improving its support of governmental veterans service officers.
 
The VA must establish a Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program for individuals enrolled in the first or second year of law school.
 
The VA must also implement a program to furnish student loan repayment benefits or reimbursements for courses, bar exams, or bar membership dues to certain attorneys who agree to work for the VA for at least 3 years.
 
The bill increases the maximum possible number of judges presiding over the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to nine judges.
 
Finally, the VA must report on improving access to telehearings for Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-09-21
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2023-09-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2023-09-20
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 401). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4358-4359)
action_date: 2023-09-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 401). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4358-4359)
action_date: 2023-09-20
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4426-4427)
action_date: 2023-09-18
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
action_date: 2023-09-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1530.
action_date: 2023-09-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4358-4361)
action_date: 2023-09-18
text: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-09-14
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 162.
action_date: 2023-09-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-199.
action_date: 2023-09-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-199.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-03-29
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2023-03-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-03-10
text: Introduced in House