To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from paying bonuses to certain employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs until the backlog of disability claims is resolved, to establish a commission to evaluate such backlog, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-hr-4766
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Gardner, Cory [R-CO-4]
Introduced: 2014-05-29
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Administrative remedies

Advisory bodies

Congressional oversight

Department of Veterans Affairs

Disability assistance

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Health information and medical records

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2014-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Summaries:
action_date: 2014-05-29
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from paying any Senior Executive Service employee an award or bonus until the Secretary certifies to Congress that the backlog of disability claims within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been resolved. <p>Establishes a commission or task force within the VA to: (1) study the backlog of veterans' disability compensation claims, including possible improvements to the claims process, and the anticipated increase in appeals of those claims, including possible improvements to the appeals process; (2) submit to the Secretary, the Chairman of the Board of Veteran's Appeals, and the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Veterans Claims remedies and solutions to the backlog of such claims and appeals; and (3) submit initial, interim, and final reports to the President and Congress regarding its findings and recommendations. Requires the Secretary, Chairman, or Chief Judge to implement the remedies and solutions he or she deem appropriate. </p> <p> Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress, within 60 days after this Act's enactment and every 120 days thereafter until May 25, 2015, a supplemental report on the VA's implementation of the Strategic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims Backlog, including verification that during the period covered by the report each claim was approved or denied within 125 days with a 98% accuracy rate.</p> <p>Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements to ensure that the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) transfer to the VA, within 30 days of the Secretary's request, disability or medical records that the VA Secretary will use to evaluate a disability compensation claim. Requires the VA and Defense Secretaries to submit to Congress and implement a plan to reduce to 30 days the time needed to provide members of the National Guard and the Secretary with the medical records of Guard members.</p> <p> Requires the VA Secretary to establish a two-year training program for newly-hired VA claims processors.</p> <p> Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on the Secretary's progress in improving the timeliness of claims processing and eliminating the claims backlog. Requires the report to include any recommendations the Comptroller General has to improve the Secretary's progress.</p> <p> Directs the Secretary, in processing veterans' disability compensation claims, to provide priority to veterans: </p> <ul> <li> who have attained age 70; </li> <li> who are terminally ill; </li> <li> with life-threatening illnesses; </li> <li> who are homeless; </li> <li> who were awarded the Medal of Honor; </li> <li> who are former prisoners of war; </li> <li> whose claims are being re-reviewed in relation to a previously denied claim relating to military sexual trauma; and </li> <li> whom the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, either are seriously or very seriously injured or should be given priority based on an application for good cause established by the Secretary.</li> </ul> <p> Directs the Secretary to maintain on the VA's website publicly accessible information concerning pending and completed claims of compensation for a veteran's service-connected disability or death, including the number of claims pending and completed, and the average number of days between submission and completion, for certain periods. Requires the information provided to be updated at least every seven days.</p> <p> Directs the Secretary to include in the VA's annual report to Congress on its activities and costs information on: </p> <ul> <li> the automatic processing of veterans disability compensation claims, </li> <li> the performance of any regional office that fails to meet its administrative goals regarding timeliness and accuracy in the processing of such claims, and </li> <li> the timeliness with which the Secretary receives information requested from other federal agencies that the Secretary requires in adjudicating claims for compensation regarding a veteran's service-connected disability or death. </li> </ul> <p> Directs the Secretary to post notices of average times for the processing of veterans' disability compensation claims, as well as the percentage of claims approved, in a conspicuous place in each VA regional office and claims intake facility and on the VA's website. Requires the Secretary to notify each person submitting a claim of such information and of the person's eligibility to receive up to an extra year of benefit payments upon filing an original claim that is fully developed. Requires the notice information to be updated at least quarterly. </p>

tv_txt: I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4766 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 29, 2014 Mr. Gardner (for himself, Mr. Tipton , Mr. Lamborn , and Mrs. Lummis ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs , and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from paying bonuses to certain employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs until the backlog of disability claims is resolved, to establish a commission to evaluate such backlog, and for other purposes.

1. Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Table of contents. Sec. 2. Limitation on payment of bonuses until the resolution of the backlog of disability claims. Sec. 3. Evaluation of backlog of disability claims and appeals of claims of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 4. Supplemental reports to the Strategic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims Backlog. Sec. 5. Expedition of transfer of certain records. Sec. 6. Claims processors training. Sec. 7. Report by Comptroller General of the United States. Sec. 8. Priority for processing claims of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 9. Public availability of certain information about pending and completed claims for compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 10. Annual report on processing of claims. Sec. 11. Department of Veterans Affairs notice of average times for processing claims and percentage of claims approved. Sec. 12. Claim defined. 2. Limitation on payment of bonuses until the resolution of the backlog of disability claims The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not pay to an individual who is employed in the Senior Executive Service an award or bonus under chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, United States Code, or any other award or bonus authorized under such title, until the date on which the Secretary certifies to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate that the backlog of disability claims has been resolved. 3. 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. (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 comprehensive evaluation and assessment of the backlog of claims, an analysis of possible improvements 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 Commission or Task Force shall examine the following: (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 (II) with respect to the Department, the annual funding, number of full-time employees, workload management practices, and the progress, as of the date of the study, of the strategic 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 out a study on the anticipated increase of appeals of claims, including the current appeals process and the laws and regulations applicable to such appeals. Such study shall be a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of such anticipated increase of appeals claims, an analysis of possible improvements to the procedures used to process such appeals, and any related issues that the Commission or Task Force considers relevant. (B) Matters included In carrying out the study under subparagraph (A), the Commission or Task Force shall examine the following: (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, workload management practices, and the 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 identification of key changes that may need to be implemented to such system. (ii) Possible improvements to the appeals 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; (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 substantive appeal (VA Form 9); (V) the role of the Board and the Appeals Management Center, including— (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 structure in the District of Columbia; (cc) whether Board members should be required to pass the administrative law judges certification examination; and (dd) whether the Board should continue to require de novo review of appeals; and (VI) the role of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, including— (aa) the continued effectiveness and necessity of a multi-tiered structure of judicial review; (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 expanding judicial review of claims to all Federal circuit courts of appeals or allowing judicial review beyond the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims only by the Supreme Court. (3) Consideration In carrying out the studies under paragraph (1)(A) and (2)(A) and making any recommendations under this section, the Commission or Task Force shall consider the following: (A) The interests of veterans, including with respect to accuracy, fairness, and transparency in the claims process of the Department. (B) The values and requirements of the Constitution, including with respect to compliance with procedural and substantive due process. (C) The public interest, including with respect to the responsible use of available resources. (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 understandable by a claimant. (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 determines 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 Veterans 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 solutions submitted to the Secretary, the Chairman, or the Chief Judge, as the case may be, under subparagraph (A); (ii) implement such remedies and solutions as the Secretary, the Chairman, or the Chief Judge, respectively, determines appropriate; and (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 Chairman of the Board, and the Chief Judge a feasible, 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 information submitted under subparagraph (A). (c) Comprehensive reports (1) Initial comprehensive report Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Commission 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 backlog of claims; (B) a proposed plan to handle the anticipated surge in appeals of claims; and (C) the level of cooperation the Commission or Task Force has received from the Secretary 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 Commission 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 comprehensive report under paragraph (3), the Commission or Task Force shall submit to the President and Congress a comprehensive report on— (A) 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); (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 timely manner pursuant to such subsection; and (C) the level of cooperation the Commission or Task Force has received from the Secretary and the heads of other departments or agencies of the Federal Government. (3) Final comprehensive report Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Commission or Task Force first meets, the Commission or Task Force shall submit to the President and Congress a comprehensive report on the following: (A) With respect to the study conducted under subsection (b)(1)(A)— (i) The findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission or Task Force with respect to the matters referred to in such subsection. (ii) The recommendations of the Commission or Task Force for revising and improving the backlog of claims and the procedures 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 recommendations with respect to claims as the Commission or Task Force considers appropriate. (B) With respect to the study conducted under subsection (b)(2)(A)— (i) The findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission or Task Force with respect to the matters referred to in such subsection. (ii) The recommendations of the Commission or Task Force for revising and improving the appeals process; (iii) The information described in subsection (b)(4)(A). (iv) The feasible, timely, and cost effective 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 Veterans Claims with respect to implementing solutions to provide timely appeals of claims. (vi) Other information and recommendations with respect to the appeals process as the Commission or Task Force considers appropriate. (d) Membership (1) Number and appointment The Commission or Task Force shall be composed of 15 members, appointed as follows: (A) Two members appointed by the Speaker 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 minority 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 majority 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 minority 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. (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 Secretary of Defense, whom shall be designated to serve upon the Subcommittee on the Backlog of Claims. (G) Two members appointed by the Secretary 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: (A) A Subcommittee on the Backlog of Claims consisting of the eight members designated 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 industry, and the insurance industry. (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 vacancy 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 appointment of members of the Commission or Task Force established in this section shall be made not later 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 considers 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 Government such information as the Commission or Task Force considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Upon request of the chairman, 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 Government. (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 member 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 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 appointment of an executive director shall be subject 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 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive 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 nonreimbursable 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 Intermittent Services The chairman of the Commission 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 Force submits the final comprehensive report under subsection (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 available, without fiscal year limitation, until the termination 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 decision by the Supreme Court pursuant to section 7292(c) of such title. (2) The term Board means the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. (3) The term strategic plan means the Strategic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims Backlog, published by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 25, 2013. 4. Supplemental reports to the Strategic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims Backlog Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 120 days thereafter until Memorial Day (May 25), 2015, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a supplemental report on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the Strategic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims Backlog. Each such report shall include— (1) verification that during the period covered by the report, each claim was approved or denied by not later than 125 days after the date on which the claim is submitted with an accuracy rate of 98 percent, as specified in the Strategic Plan; (2) a description of the specific measures, procedures, and metrics used to assess the implementation of the Strategic Plan for purposes of the supplemental report; and (3) a detailed timeline for the implementation of each initiative contained in the Strategic Plan. 5. Expedition of transfer of certain records (a) SSA records Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to ensure that the Commissioner transfers to the Secretary disability or medical records of the Commissioner that the Secretary will use to evaluate a claim by not later than 30 days after the Secretary requests such records. (b) DOD records Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the Secretary of Defense transfers to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs medical records of members or former members of the Armed Forces that the Secretary will use to evaluate a claim by not later than 30 days after the Secretary requests such records. (c) National Guard records Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly— (1) submit to Congress a plan to reduce to 30 days the amount of time needed to provide members of the National Guard and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with the medical records of such members, including by partnering with appropriate officials of Federal or State departments or agencies; and (2) implement such plan. (d) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 6. 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 Affairs with training for a period of not less than two 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. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 7. Report by Comptroller General of the United States Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in improving the timeliness of claims processing and eliminating the backlog of claims. The report shall include any recommendations of the Comptroller General with respect to improving the ability of the Secretary to make such progress. 8. Priority for processing claims of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 5109C. Priority for processing claims (a) Priority In processing claims for compensation under this chapter, the Secretary shall provide the following claimants with priority over other claimants: (1) Veterans who have attained the age of 70. (2) Veterans who are terminally ill. (3) Veterans with life-threatening illnesses. (4) Homeless veterans (as defined in section 2002 of this title). (5) Veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor. (6) Veterans who are former prisoners of war. (7) Veterans whose claims are being reviewed again in relation to a previously denied claim relating to military sexual trauma. (8) Veterans whom the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, are seriously or very seriously injured. (9) Veterans whom the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, should be given priority under this section based on an application for good cause established by the Secretary. (b) Regulations The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out subsection (a). . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5109B the following new item: 5109C. Priority for processing claims. . 9. Public availability of certain information about pending and completed claims for compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 5109C, as added by section 106, the following new section: 5109D. Information about pending and completed claims (a) Availability of information The Secretary shall maintain on the Internet website of the Department publicly accessible information about pending and completed claims for compensation under chapter 11 of this title. Such information shall include each of the following: (1) For each regional office and for the Department as a whole— (A) the average number of days between the date of the submittal of a claim and the date of the decision with respect to the claim for each of the preceding three-month and one-year period; (B) the average number of days such a claim is pending during the preceding three-month and one-year periods; (C) the quality and accuracy rating of the claims adjudication process during the preceding three-month and one-year periods; (D) the number of claims pending; (E) the number of pending claims that have been pending for more than 125 days; and (F) the number of claims completed during— (i) the current month, to date; (ii) the month preceding the current month; (iii) the current calendar year, to date; and (iv) the calendar year preceding the current calendar year. (2) For each medical condition for which a claim for compensation is submitted, for each regional office and for the Department as a whole— (A) the average number of days between the date of the submittal of a claim relating to such medical condition and the date of the decision with respect to the claim for each of the preceding three-month and one-year period; (B) the average number of days such a claim is pending during the preceding three-month and one-year periods; (C) the quality and accuracy rating of the claims adjudication process as applied to claims relating to such medical condition during the preceding three-month and one-year periods; (D) the number of pending claims relating to such condition; (E) the number of such pending claims that have been pending for more than 125 days; and (F) the number of claims relating to such medical condition completed during— (i) the current month, to date; (ii) the month preceding current month; (iii) the current calendar year, to date; and (iv) the calendar year preceding the current calendar year. (b) Updates The Secretary shall update the information on the website under subsection (a) not less frequently than once every seven days. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 5109C, as added by section 8, the following new item: 5109D. Information about pending and completed claims. . 10. Annual report on processing of claims (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 5109D, as added by section 9, the following new section: 5109E. Annual report on processing of claims (a) Annual report The Secretary shall include in the annual report to Congress required under section 529 of this title information on the following: (1) The automatic processing of claims for compensation. (2) The performance of any regional office that fails to meet the administrative goals of the regional office with respect to timeliness and accuracy in processing claims for compensation. (3) The timeliness of receiving information pursuant to a request by the Secretary to the head of another department or agency of the United States for information required by the Secretary in adjudicating a claim for compensation under chapter 11 of this title. (b) Matters included In carrying out subsection (a) to include information in the report required under section 529 of this title, the Secretary shall include the following: (1) With respect to the information required by subsection (a)(1)— (A) each medical condition for which claims relating to such condition were processed in an electronic automated fashion during the fiscal year covered by the report; (B) the feasibility of processing any additional medical conditions in an electronic automated fashion and any barriers to such processing, including any such barriers relating to the schedule for rating disabilities under section 1155 of this title; (C) the number of claims for compensation relating to each medical condition submitted during such fiscal year; and (D) for each medical condition, the percentage of claims denied and the percentage of claims approved during such fiscal year. (2) With respect to the information required by subsection (a)(2), in the case of any regional office that, for the fiscal year covered by the report, did not meet the administrative goal of having no claim pending for more than 125 days and achieving an accuracy rating of 98 percent— (A) a signed statement prepared by the individual serving as director of the regional office as of the date of the submittal of the report containing— (i) an explanation for why the regional office did not meet the goal; (ii) a description of the additional resources needed to enable the regional office to reach the goal; and (iii) a description of any additional actions planned for the subsequent fiscal year that are proposed to enable the regional office to meet the goal; and (B) a statement prepared by the Under Secretary for Benefits explaining how the failure of the regional office to meet the goal affected the performance evaluation of the director of the regional office. (3) With respect to the information required by subsection (a)(3)— (A) the number of requests described in such paragraph made during the fiscal year covered by the report; and (B) the average response time for such requests made during each month of such fiscal year, as determined based on the period beginning on the date on which the Secretary made the request and ending on the date on which the Secretary determines that the request is completed. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 5109D, as added by section 9, the following new item: 5109E. Annual report on processing of claims. . (c) Effective date Section 5109E of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 11. Department of Veterans Affairs notice of average times for processing claims and percentage of claims approved (a) Public notice The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall post the information described in subsection (c)— (1) in a conspicuous place in each regional office and claims intake facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) on the Internet website 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, during the period ending on August 6, 2015, the person is eligible to receive up to an extra year of benefits payments if the person files an original claim that is fully developed. (2) Acknowledgment of receipt of notice Each person who submits a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary shall include in such application a signed form acknowledging that the person received the information 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 percentage of such submitted claims for which benefits are awarded. (B) The percentage of each of the following types of submitted claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which benefits are awarded: (i) Claims filed by veterans who authorized a veterans service organization to act on the veterans’ behalf under a durable power of attorney. (ii) Claims filed by veterans who authorized a person other than a veterans 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 veterans’ behalf under a durable power of attorney. (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 submitted in standard electronic form. (B) A fully developed claim that is submitted 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 nonstandard paper form. (3) Update of information The information described in this subsection shall be updated not less frequently than once each fiscal quarter. (d) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 12. Claim defined Except as otherwise provided, in this Act, the term claim means a claim for disability compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.