Veteran Engagement Teams Act

Bill: 114-hr-3936
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Costello, Ryan A. [R-PA-6]
Introduced: 2015-11-05
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs

Disability assistance

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-11-05
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Veteran Engagement Teams Act or the VET Act</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program under which the VA shall carry out Veteran Engagement Team events in which veterans will be assisted in completing VA disability and pension claims.</p>

action_date: 2016-06-21
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p><strong>Veteran Engagement Teams Act or the VET Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), beginning not later than October 1, 2016, to carry out a three-year pilot program under which the VA shall carry out Veteran Engagement Team events to assist veterans in completing VA disability and pension claims.</p> <p>Such events shall be carried out: </p> <ul> <li>during the first year, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 10 VA regional offices, including at least 2 regional offices in each of the 5 districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration; </li> <li>during each of the second and third years, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 15 VA regional offices, including at least 3 regional offices in each district; </li> <li>at different locations within each regional office's jurisdiction and at least 50 miles from any regional office;</li> <li>during the sponsoring regional office's normal business hours; and </li> <li>with a sufficient number of physicians (to be available for opinions only), veteran service and rating representatives, and other appropriate claims personnel to initiate, update, and finalize the completion and adjudication of claims. </li> </ul> <p>Amounts shall be paid to a VA employee for event work only from amounts otherwise available for the employee's salary. No additional appropriations are authorized for such payments. </p> <p>The VA shall: (1) collect and analyze event-satisfaction information from attending veterans, and (2) report annually to Congress on event implementation. </p> <p>The VA may not permanently transfer any Veterans Health Administration physician to staff an event. </p> <p>(Sec. 3) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses that may be paid by the VA in FY2017.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3936 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 5, 2015 Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary carries out Veteran Engagement Team events where veterans can complete claims for disability compensation and pension under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Engagement Teams Act or VET Act . 2. Pilot program on Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Engagement Team events (a) In general (1) Pilot program Beginning not later than October 1, 2016, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a three-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall carry out events, to be known as Veteran Engagement Team events . The Secretary shall ensure that such events are carried out— (A) during the first year during which the Secretary carries out the pilot program, at least once a month in a location within the jurisdiction of each of 10 regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including at least two regional offices in each of the five districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration under the organization of such Administration in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) during each of the second and third years during which the Secretary carries out the pilot program, at least once a month in a location within the jurisdiction of each of 15 regional offices of the Department, including at least three regional offices in each such district. (2) Veteran Engagement Team events During each Veteran Engagement Team event, the Secretary shall provide assistance to veterans in completing and adjudicating claims for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, and for pension under chapter 15 of such title. The Secretary shall ensure that— (A) all Veteran Engagement Team events occur during the normal business hours of the sponsoring regional office; (B) the events are carried out at different locations within the jurisdiction of each regional office and at least 50 miles from any regional office; (C) a sufficient number of physicians (to be available for opinions only), veteran service representatives and rating veteran service representatives, and other personnel are available at the events to initiate, update, and finalize the completion and adjudication of claims; (D) veterans service organizations have access to the events for purposes of providing assistance to veterans; and (E) a veteran who is unable to complete and adjudicate a claim at an event is informed of what additional information or actions are needed to finalize the claim. (b) Location In selecting locations for Veteran Engagement Team events under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) coordinate with veteran service organizations and State and local veterans agencies; and (2) seek to select locations that are community-based and easily accessible. (c) Transfer of personnel (1) Physicians The Secretary may not permanently transfer any physician employed by the Veterans Health Administration for the purpose of staffing a Veteran Engagement Team event. (2) Payment of salaries Any amount payable to an employee of the Department for work performed at a Veteran Engagement Team event is payable only from amounts otherwise available for the payment of the salary of the employee. No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated under this section for the payment of salaries for Department employee. (d) Other authorities In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary may— (1) coordinate with States, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities to use facilities to host Veteran Engagement Team events for no or minimal costs; and (2) accept, on a without compensation basis, services provided by non-Department physicians in rendering medical opinions relating to claims for compensation and pension. (e) Customer satisfaction surveys In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall collect and analyze information about the customer satisfaction of veterans who have received assistance at an Veteran Engagement Team event. (f) Reports Not later than April 30, 2017, and annually thereafter beginning on October 1, 2017, for the duration of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation and effectiveness of the events. Such report shall include— (1) the number and types of claims completed and adjudicated at the events; (2) the number and types of claims for which assistance was sought at the events that were not completed or adjudicated at the events and the reasons such claims were not completed or adjudicated; and (3) an analysis of the customer satisfaction of veterans who have received assistance at an event based on the information collected under subsection (e).

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3936 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary carries out Veteran Engagement Team events where veterans can complete claims for disability compensation and pension under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Engagement Teams Act or VET Act . 2. Pilot program on Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Engagement Team events (a) In general (1) Pilot program Beginning not later than October 1, 2016, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a 3-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall carry out events, to be known as Veteran Engagement Team events . The Secretary shall ensure that such events are carried out— (A) during the first year during which the Secretary carries out the pilot program, at least once a month in a location within the jurisdiction of each of 10 regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including at least 2 regional offices in each of the 5 districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration under the organization of such Administration in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) during each of the second and third years during which the Secretary carries out the pilot program, at least once a month in a location within the jurisdiction of each of 15 regional offices of the Department, including at least 3 regional offices in each such district. (2) Veteran Engagement Team events During each Veteran Engagement Team event, the Secretary shall provide assistance to veterans in completing and adjudicating claims for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, and for pension under chapter 15 of such title. The Secretary shall ensure that— (A) all Veteran Engagement Team events occur during the normal business hours of the sponsoring regional office; (B) the events are carried out at different locations within the jurisdiction of each regional office and at least 50 miles from any regional office; (C) a sufficient number of physicians (to be available for opinions only), veteran service representatives and rating veteran service representatives, and other personnel are available at the events to initiate, update, and finalize the completion and adjudication of claims; (D) veterans service organizations have access to the events for purposes of providing assistance to veterans; and (E) a veteran who is unable to complete and adjudicate a claim at an event is informed of what additional information or actions are needed to finalize the claim. (b) Location In selecting locations for Veteran Engagement Team events under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) coordinate with veteran service organizations and State and local veterans agencies; and (2) seek to select locations that are community-based and easily accessible. (c) Transfer of personnel (1) Physicians The Secretary may not permanently transfer any physician employed by the Veterans Health Administration for the purpose of staffing a Veteran Engagement Team event. (2) Payment of salaries Any amount payable to an employee of the Department for work performed at a Veteran Engagement Team event is payable only from amounts otherwise available for the payment of the salary of the employee. No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated under this section for the payment of salaries for Department employee. (d) Other authorities In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary may— (1) coordinate with States, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities to use facilities to host Veteran Engagement Team events for no or minimal costs; and (2) accept, on a without compensation basis, services provided by non-Department physicians in rendering medical opinions relating to claims for compensation and pension. (e) Customer satisfaction surveys In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall collect and analyze information about the customer satisfaction of veterans who have received assistance at an Veteran Engagement Team event. (f) Reports Not later than April 30, 2017, and annually thereafter beginning on October 1, 2017, for the duration of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation and effectiveness of the events. Such report shall include— (1) the number and types of claims completed and adjudicated at the events; (2) the number and types of claims for which assistance was sought at the events that were not completed or adjudicated at the events and the reasons such claims were not completed or adjudicated; and (3) an analysis of the customer satisfaction of veterans who have received assistance at an event based on the information collected under subsection (e). 3. Modification to limitation on awards and bonuses Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended to read as follows: 705. Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to employees of Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses paid by the Secretary in a fiscal year under chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, United States Code, or any other awards or bonuses authorized under such title or title 38, United States Code, does not exceed the following amounts: (1) With respect to fiscal year 2017, $250,000,000. (2) With respect to each of fiscal years 2018 through 2024, $360,000,000. .

Passed the House of Representatives June 21, 2016. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3936 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 22, 2016 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary carries out Veteran Engagement Team events where veterans can complete claims for disability compensation and pension under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Engagement Teams Act or VET Act . 2. Pilot program on Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Engagement Team events (a) In general (1) Pilot program Beginning not later than October 1, 2016, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a 3-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall carry out events, to be known as Veteran Engagement Team events . The Secretary shall ensure that such events are carried out— (A) during the first year during which the Secretary carries out the pilot program, at least once a month in a location within the jurisdiction of each of 10 regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including at least 2 regional offices in each of the 5 districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration under the organization of such Administration in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) during each of the second and third years during which the Secretary carries out the pilot program, at least once a month in a location within the jurisdiction of each of 15 regional offices of the Department, including at least 3 regional offices in each such district. (2) Veteran Engagement Team events During each Veteran Engagement Team event, the Secretary shall provide assistance to veterans in completing and adjudicating claims for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, and for pension under chapter 15 of such title. The Secretary shall ensure that— (A) all Veteran Engagement Team events occur during the normal business hours of the sponsoring regional office; (B) the events are carried out at different locations within the jurisdiction of each regional office and at least 50 miles from any regional office; (C) a sufficient number of physicians (to be available for opinions only), veteran service representatives and rating veteran service representatives, and other personnel are available at the events to initiate, update, and finalize the completion and adjudication of claims; (D) veterans service organizations have access to the events for purposes of providing assistance to veterans; and (E) a veteran who is unable to complete and adjudicate a claim at an event is informed of what additional information or actions are needed to finalize the claim. (b) Location In selecting locations for Veteran Engagement Team events under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) coordinate with veteran service organizations and State and local veterans agencies; and (2) seek to select locations that are community-based and easily accessible. (c) Transfer of personnel (1) Physicians The Secretary may not permanently transfer any physician employed by the Veterans Health Administration for the purpose of staffing a Veteran Engagement Team event. (2) Payment of salaries Any amount payable to an employee of the Department for work performed at a Veteran Engagement Team event is payable only from amounts otherwise available for the payment of the salary of the employee. No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated under this section for the payment of salaries for Department employee. (d) Other authorities In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary may— (1) coordinate with States, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities to use facilities to host Veteran Engagement Team events for no or minimal costs; and (2) accept, on a without compensation basis, services provided by non-Department physicians in rendering medical opinions relating to claims for compensation and pension. (e) Customer satisfaction surveys In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall collect and analyze information about the customer satisfaction of veterans who have received assistance at an Veteran Engagement Team event. (f) Reports Not later than April 30, 2017, and annually thereafter beginning on October 1, 2017, for the duration of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation and effectiveness of the events. Such report shall include— (1) the number and types of claims completed and adjudicated at the events; (2) the number and types of claims for which assistance was sought at the events that were not completed or adjudicated at the events and the reasons such claims were not completed or adjudicated; and (3) an analysis of the customer satisfaction of veterans who have received assistance at an event based on the information collected under subsection (e). 3. Modification to limitation on awards and bonuses Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended to read as follows: 705. Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to employees of Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses paid by the Secretary in a fiscal year under chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, United States Code, or any other awards or bonuses authorized under such title or title 38, United States Code, does not exceed the following amounts: (1) With respect to fiscal year 2017, $250,000,000. (2) With respect to each of fiscal years 2018 through 2024, $360,000,000. .

Passed the House of Representatives June 21, 2016. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.