Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors

Bill: 119-hr-3854
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
Introduced: 2025-06-09
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computers and information technology

Congressional oversight

Government information and archives

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2025-09-16
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-06-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to plan and implement certain technological improvements to its systems, particularly in relation to the processing of claims and benefits.</p><p>First, the bill requires the VA to submit to Congress its plan to make available an automation tool for processing claims. Such tool must automate the retrieval of the records of the veteran, compile evidence relevant to the determination of the claim, provide automated decision support relevant to the determination, automate information sharing between federal agencies, and assist in generating correspondence regarding the claim.</p><p>Within one year of submitting this plan, the VA must ensure that each VA program office responsible for processing claims for pension or survivor benefits has an automation tool that at least assists in generating correspondence regarding the claim.</p><p>The VA must also implement policies, processes, and technological capabilities to ensure that a claims processor is made aware of and assigned to address situations when (1) there is an increase in the amount of dependency compensation paid to a beneficiary for a child, and (2) any educational assistance is paid to the child of a veteran.</p><p>Finally, the VA must submit a plan to Congress to ensure documents in the Veterans Benefits Management System are correctly labeled when uploaded.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3854 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 16, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a plan to expand the use of certain automation tools in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs annual report on causes of death among veterans (a) In general Subchaper II of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans (a) In general The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an annual report that contains data and information on causes of death among veterans. (b) Elements Such report shall include— (1) for each veteran that died during the period covered by the report an identification of— (A) whether such veteran had a service-connected disability rated as total; (B) the primary cause of death; (C) the secondary cause of death, if applicable; and (D) the manner of death; (2) for each primary cause of death identified pursuant to paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans that died from such primary cause of death during the period covered by the report; and (3) for each manner of death identified pursuant to paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans that died in such manner during the period covered by the report. (c) Sunset This section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 533 the following new item: 534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans . 3. Plan for use of automation tools to process claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives the plan of the Secretary to make available, to the maximum extent practicable, an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (b) Automation tool described An automation tool described in this subsection is a technology developed for the Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration that— (1) automates the retrieval of the service record or health records of a veteran; (2) compiles evidence relevant to the determination of a claim for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; (3) provides automated decision support relevant to such a determination; (4) automates information sharing between Federal agencies; and (5) assists in generating correspondence regarding such a claim. (c) Analysis In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct an analysis of each of the following: (1) The feasibility and benefits of the use of an automation tool described in subsection (b) by elements of the Department for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Any modification to an existing automation tool that could render such tool usable for such purpose by such an element. (3) Any requirement of any such element pertaining to such purpose that cannot be addressed by using an automation tool. (4) The extent to which the technology offices of such elements may need to collaborate with the technology office responsible for developing an automation tool in the course of the development and use of the tool by the element for such purpose. (5) A timeline for modifying and implementing any automation tool for use by such elements for such purpose. (d) Priority In providing an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department pursuant to the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to the following elements: (1) The Pension and Fiduciary Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (2) The Education Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (3) Program offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration, as determined by the Secretary. (4) The Debt Management Center. (5) The Board of Veterans’ Appeals. 4. Other requirements relating to technology at Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Automatic notices regarding benefits for certain children of veterans (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement policies, processes, and technological capabilities, including in the National Work Queue (or successor system), to ensure that, in the case of any covered situation, a claims processors is made aware of, and assigned to address, such covered situation. (2) Definitions In this subsection: (A) The term covered situation means— (i) any increase in the amount of dependency compensation paid to a beneficiary for a child under the laws administered by the Secretary; and (ii) any educational assistance paid to the child of a veteran under the laws administered by the Secretary. (B) The term child has the meaning given such term in section 101(4)(A)(iii) of title 38, United States Code. (b) Correct labeling of documents Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan to ensure that documents in the Veterans Benefits Management System (or any successor system) are correctly labeled when such documents are uploaded, including when such documents are labeled using automation tools.

Passed the House of Representatives September 15, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3854 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a plan to expand the use of certain automation tools in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs annual report on causes of death among veterans (a) In general Subchaper II of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans (a) In general The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an annual report that contains data and information on causes of death among veterans. (b) Elements Such report shall include— (1) for each veteran that died during the period covered by the report an identification of— (A) whether such veteran had a service-connected disability rated as total; (B) the primary cause of death; (C) the secondary cause of death, if applicable; and (D) the manner of death; (2) for each primary cause of death identified pursuant to paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans that died from such primary cause of death during the period covered by the report; and (3) for each manner of death identified pursuant to paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans that died in such manner during the period covered by the report. (c) Sunset This section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 533 the following new item: 534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans . 3. Plan for use of automation tools to process claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives the plan of the Secretary to make available, to the maximum extent practicable, an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (b) Automation tool described An automation tool described in this subsection is a technology developed for the Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration that— (1) automates the retrieval of the service record or health records of a veteran; (2) compiles evidence relevant to the determination of a claim for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; (3) provides automated decision support relevant to such a determination; (4) automates information sharing between Federal agencies; and (5) assists in generating correspondence regarding such a claim. (c) Analysis In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct an analysis of each of the following: (1) The feasibility and benefits of the use of an automation tool described in subsection (b) by elements of the Department for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Any modification to an existing automation tool that could render such tool usable for such purpose by such an element. (3) Any requirement of any such element pertaining to such purpose that cannot be addressed by using an automation tool. (4) The extent to which the technology offices of such elements may need to collaborate with the technology office responsible for developing an automation tool in the course of the development and use of the tool by the element for such purpose. (5) A timeline for modifying and implementing any automation tool for use by such elements for such purpose. (d) Priority In providing an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department pursuant to the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to the following elements: (1) The Pension and Fiduciary Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (2) The Education Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (3) Program offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration, as determined by the Secretary. (4) The Debt Management Center. (5) The Board of Veterans’ Appeals. 4. Other requirements relating to technology at Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Automatic notices regarding benefits for certain children of veterans (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement policies, processes, and technological capabilities, including in the National Work Queue (or successor system), to ensure that, in the case of any covered situation, a claims processors is made aware of, and assigned to address, such covered situation. (2) Definitions In this subsection: (A) The term covered situation means— (i) any increase in the amount of dependency compensation paid to a beneficiary for a child under the laws administered by the Secretary; and (ii) any educational assistance paid to the child of a veteran under the laws administered by the Secretary. (B) The term child has the meaning given such term in section 101(4)(A)(iii) of title 38, United States Code. (b) Correct labeling of documents Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan to ensure that documents in the Veterans Benefits Management System (or any successor system) are correctly labeled when such documents are uploaded, including when such documents are labeled using automation tools.

Passed the House of Representatives September 15, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 216 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3854 [Report No. 119–260] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 9, 2025 Mr. Valadao introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs September 9, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June 9, 2025 A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a plan to expand the use of certain automation tools in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs annual report on causes of death among veterans (a) In general Subchaper II of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans (a) In general The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an annual report that contains data and information on causes of death among veterans. (b) Elements Such report shall include— (1) for each veteran that died during the period covered by the report an identification of— (A) whether such veteran had a service-connected disability rated as total; (B) the primary cause of death; (C) the secondary cause of death, if applicable; and (D) the manner of death; (2) for each primary cause of death identified pursuant to paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans that died from such primary cause of death during the period covered by the report; and (3) for each manner of death identified pursuant to paragraph (1), a statement of the total number of veterans that died in such manner during the period covered by the report. (c) Sunset This section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 533 the following new item: 534. Annual report on causes of death among veterans . 3. Plan for use of automation tools to process claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives the plan of the Secretary to make available, to the maximum extent practicable, an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (b) Automation tool described An automation tool described in this subsection is a technology developed for the Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration that— (1) automates the retrieval of the service record or health records of a veteran; (2) compiles evidence relevant to the determination of a claim for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; (3) provides automated decision support relevant to such a determination; (4) automates information sharing between Federal agencies; and (5) assists in generating correspondence regarding such a claim. (c) Analysis In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct an analysis of each of the following: (1) The feasibility and benefits of the use of an automation tool described in subsection (b) by elements of the Department for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Any modification to an existing automation tool that could render such tool usable for such purpose by such an element. (3) Any requirement of any such element pertaining to such purpose that cannot be addressed by using an automation tool. (4) The extent to which the technology offices of such elements may need to collaborate with the technology office responsible for developing an automation tool in the course of the development and use of the tool by the element for such purpose. (5) A timeline for modifying and implementing any automation tool for use by such elements for such purpose. (d) Priority In providing an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department pursuant to the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to the following elements: (1) The Pension and Fiduciary Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (2) The Education Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (3) Program offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration, as determined by the Secretary. (4) The Debt Management Center. (5) The Board of Veterans’ Appeals. 4. Other requirements relating to technology at Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Automatic notices regarding benefits for certain children of veterans (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement policies, processes, and technological capabilities, including in the National Work Queue (or successor system), to ensure that, in the case of any covered situation, a claims processors is made aware of, and assigned to address, such covered situation. (2) Definitions In this subsection: (A) The term covered situation means— (i) any increase in the amount of dependency compensation paid to a beneficiary for a child under the laws administered by the Secretary; and (ii) any educational assistance paid to the child of a veteran under the laws administered by the Secretary. (B) The term child has the meaning given such term in section 101(4)(A)(iii) of title 38, United States Code. (b) Correct labeling of documents Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan to ensure that documents in the Veterans Benefits Management System (or any successor system) are correctly labeled when such documents are uploaded, including when such documents are labeled using automation tools. 5. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting January 31, 2032 .

September 9, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3854 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 9, 2025 Mr. Valadao introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a plan to expand the use of certain automation tools in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act . 2. Plan for use of automation tools to process claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives the plan of the Secretary to make available, to the maximum extent practicable, an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (b) Automation tool described An automation tool described in this subsection is a technology developed for the Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration that— (1) automates the retrieval of the service record or health records of a veteran; (2) compiles evidence relevant to the determination of a claim for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; (3) provides automated decision support relevant to such a determination; (4) automates information sharing between Federal agencies; and (5) assists in generating correspondence regarding such a claim. (c) Analysis In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct an analysis of each of the following: (1) The feasibility and benefits of the use of an automation tool described in subsection (b) by elements of the Department for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Any modification to an existing automation tool that could render such tool usable for such purpose by such an element. (3) Any requirement of any such element pertaining to such purpose that cannot be addressed by using an automation tool. (4) The extent to which the technology offices of such elements may need to collaborate with the technology office responsible for developing an automation tool in the course of the development and use of the tool by the element for such purpose. (5) A timeline for modifying and implementing any automation tool for use by such elements for such purpose. (d) Priority In providing an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department pursuant to the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to the following elements: (1) The Pension and Fiduciary Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (2) The Education Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (3) Program offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration, as determined by the Secretary. (4) The Debt Management Center. (5) The Board of Veterans’ Appeals. (e) Deadline for provision of automation tool to certain program offices Not later than one year after the date of the submission of the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that an automation tool with the capability described in subsection (b)(5) is made available to each program office of the Department responsible for processing claims for pension or survivor benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary. 3. Other requirements relating to technology at Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Automatic notices regarding benefits for certain children of veterans (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement policies, processes, and technological capabilities, including in the National Work Queue (or successor system), to ensure that, in the case of any covered situation, a claims processors is made aware of, and assigned to address, such covered situation. (2) Definitions In this subsection: (A) The term covered situation means— (i) any increase in the amount of dependency compensation paid to a beneficiary for a child under the laws administered by the Secretary; and (ii) any educational assistance paid to the child of a veteran under the laws administered by the Secretary. (B) The term child has the meaning given such term in section 101(4)(A)(iii) of title 38, United States Code. (b) Correct labeling of documents Not later than 180 days the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan to ensure that documents in the Veterans Benefits Management System (or any successor system) are correctly labeled when such documents are uploaded, including when such documents are labeled using automation tools.