Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title38-chapter5&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUzOC1zZWN0aW9uNTI1%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2020-07-10 17:04:04
Document Index: 540220664

Matched Legal Cases: ['§601', '§5', '§2', '§707', '§214', '§702', '§809', '§906', '§1001', '§101', '§333', '§510', '§105', '§501', '§2', '§2', '§502', '§2', '§102', '§2', '§503', '§2', '§403', '§403', '§808', '§403', '§404', '§404', '§404', '§164', '§2', '§505', '§2', '§2', '§2', '§304', '§101', '§12', '§511', '§2', '§2', '§512', '§2', '§2', '§513', '§2', '§515', '§2', '§516', '§101', '§403', '§405', '§101', '§101', '§103', '§517', '§707', '§707', '§521', '§2', '§2', '§521', '§702', '§2', '§5', '§405', '§405', '§405', '§165', '§5', '§2', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§2', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§2', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§2', '§5', '§2', '§5', '§702', '§703', '§522', '§2', '§523', '§2', '§506', '§108', '§525', '§2', '§2', '§527', '§2', '§705', '§1050', '§738', '§728', '§201', '§108', '§104', '§502', '§107', '§1002', '§202', '§529', '§2', '§105', '§101', '§530', '§906', '§531', '§1001', '§1001', '§532', '§809', '§709']

[USC02] 38 USC Ch. 5: AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
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38 USC Ch. 5: AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
CHAPTER 5—AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL AUTHORITIES
Judicial review of rules and regulations.
Administrative error; equitable relief.
Opinions of Attorney General.
Authority to reorganize offices.
Decisions of the Secretary; finality.
Delegation of authority; assignment of functions and duties.
Contracts and personal services.
Administrative settlement of tort claims.
Equal employment responsibilities.
Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Department.
SUBCHAPTER II—SPECIFIED FUNCTIONS
Assistance to certain rehabilitation activities.
Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces.
Studies of rehabilitation of disabled persons.
Coordination and promotion of other programs affecting veterans and their dependents.
Publication of laws relating to veterans.
Evaluation and data collection.
Annual report on program and expenditures for domestic response to weapons of mass destruction.
Requirement relating to naming of Department property.
Authority to advertise in national media; VetStar Award Program.
Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War.
Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.
Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs.
Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans.
Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation.
2015—Pub. L. 114–58, title VI, §601(2), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 538, which directed amendment of this analysis by striking item "521A" and adding item 521A, was executed by striking item 512A "Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces" and adding item 521A, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
2013—Pub. L. 113–59, §5(h)(2), Dec. 20, 2013, 127 Stat. 662, which directed amendment of this analysis by striking item 521A and adding item "512A", was executed by striking item 521A "Assistance for United States Olympic Committee" and adding item 512A in the position for item 521A, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 113–37, §2(b)(3), Sept. 30, 2013, 127 Stat. 524, added item 521A and struck out former item 521A "Assistance for United States Paralympics, Inc."
2012—Pub. L. 112–154, title VII, §§707(b), 709(b)(2), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 1207, 1208, added item 517 and substituted "Authority to advertise in national media; VetStar Award Program" for "Authority to advertise in national media" in item 532.
2008—Pub. L. 110–389, title II, §214(b), title VII, §702(b), title VIII, §809(b), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4154, 4183, 4190, added items 521A, 532, and 546.
1998—Pub. L. 105–368, title IX, §906(b), title X, §1001(a)(2), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3362, 3363, added items 530 and 531.
1997—Pub. L. 105–114, title I, §101(a)(2), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2279, added item 516.
1996—Pub. L. 104–262, title III, §333(a)(2), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3200, added item 545.
1994—Pub. L. 103–446, title V, §510(b), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4670, added item 544.
1992—Pub. L. 102–405, title I, §105(b)(2), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1976, added item 543.
§501. Rules and regulations
(a) The Secretary has authority to prescribe all rules and regulations which are necessary or appropriate to carry out the laws administered by the Department and are consistent with those laws, including—
(c) In applying section 552(a)(1) of title 5 to the Department, the Secretary shall ensure that subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) of that section are complied with, particularly with respect to opinions and interpretations of the General Counsel.
(d) The provisions of section 553 of title 5 shall apply, without regard to subsection (a)(2) of that section, to matters relating to loans, grants, or benefits under a law administered by the Secretary.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 386.)
Prior section 501 was renumbered section 1501 of this title.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 210(c)(1) and 223(a), (b) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§502. Judicial review of rules and regulations
An action of the Secretary to which section 552(a)(1) or 553 of title 5 (or both) refers is subject to judicial review. Such review shall be in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5 and may be sought only in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. However, if such review is sought in connection with an appeal brought under the provisions of chapter 72 of this title, the provisions of that chapter shall apply rather than the provisions of chapter 7 of title 5.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 386; amended Pub. L. 110–389, title I, §102, Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4148.)
Prior section 502 was renumbered section 1502 of this title.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 223(c) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
2008—Pub. L. 110–389 struck out "(other than an action relating to the adoption or revision of the schedule of ratings for disabilities adopted under section 1155 of this title)" after "refers".
§503. Administrative error; equitable relief
(c) Not later than April 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing a statement as to the disposition of each case recommended to the Secretary for equitable relief under this section during the preceding calendar year. No report shall be required under this subsection after December 31, 2020.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 386; amended Pub. L. 106–419, title IV, §403(c)(1), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 109–233, title IV, §403, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 411; Pub. L. 111–275, title VIII, §808, Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2893; Pub. L. 113–175, title IV, §403, Sept. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 1905; Pub. L. 114–58, title IV, §404, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 535; Pub. L. 114–228, title IV, §404, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 940; Pub. L. 115–62, title IV, §404, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1164; Pub. L. 115–251, title I, §164, Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3171.)
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 210(c)(2), (3) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–251 substituted "December 31, 2020" for "December 31, 2018".
2017—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted "December 31, 2018" for "December 31, 2017".
2016—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted "December 31, 2017" for "December 31, 2016".
2015—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted "December 31, 2016" for "December 31, 2015".
2014—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–175 substituted "December 31, 2015" for "December 31, 2014".
2010—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–275 substituted "December 31, 2014" for "December 31, 2009".
2006—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–233 substituted "December 31, 2009" for "December 31, 2004".
2000—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–419 inserted at end "No report shall be required under this subsection after December 31, 2004."
§505. Opinions of Attorney General
The Secretary may require the opinion of the Attorney General on any question of law arising in the administration of the Department.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 387.)
Prior sections 505 to 508 were renumbered sections 1505 to 1508 of this title, respectively.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 211(b) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
(a) Except to the extent inconsistent with law, the Secretary may—
(c) An administrative reorganization described in this subsection is an administrative reorganization of a covered field office or facility that involves a reduction during any fiscal year in the number of full-time equivalent employees with permanent duty stations at such office or facility—
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 387; amended Pub. L. 104–262, title III, §304, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3194.)
Prior section 510, Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1135, provided monthly pension for persons who served in military or naval forces of Confederate States of America, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94–169, title I, §101(2)(F), Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1014, effective Jan. 1, 1976.
1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–262 substituted "a 45-day period following the date of the submission of the report, not less than 30 days of which shall be days during which Congress shall have been in continuous session" for "a 90-day period of continuous session of Congress following the date of the submission of the report" in second sentence and "any period of continuity of session" for "such 90-day period" in third sentence.
Pub. L. 102–54, §12, June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 273, provided that:
"(a) Authority for Administrative Reorganization.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the administrative reorganization described in subsection (b) without regard to section 210(b)(2) of title 38 [38 U.S.C. 510(b)–(f)], United States Code.
"(b) Specified Reorganization.—Subsection (a) applies to the organizational realignment of management responsibility for the Department of Veterans Affairs Data Processing Centers, together with the corresponding organizational realignment of associated Information Resources Management operational components and functions within the Department of Veterans Affairs central office, as such realignment was described in the detailed plan and justification submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in [sic] January 4, 1991, letters to the Chairmen of the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives."
Pub. L. 101–312, June 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 271, provided: "That (a) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may proceed with the administrative reorganization described in subsection (b) of this Act without regard to section 210(b) [see 303, 510, 711] of title 38, United States Code.
Section 15(b) of Pub. L. 100–527 provided that: "Section 210(b) [see 303, 510, 711] of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), shall not apply to a reorganization of a unit of the Central Office of the Department of Veterans' Affairs if the reorganization—
§511. Decisions of the Secretary; finality
(b) The second sentence of subsection (a) does not apply to—
(1) matters subject to section 502 of this title;
(2) matters covered by sections 1975 and 1984 of this title;
(3) matters arising under chapter 37 of this title; and
(4) matters covered by chapter 72 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 388.)
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 211(a) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§512. Delegation of authority; assignment of functions and duties
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary may assign functions and duties, and delegate, or authorize successive redelegation of, authority to act and to render decisions, with respect to all laws administered by the Department, to such officers and employees as the Secretary may find necessary. Within the limitations of such delegations, redelegations, or assignments, all official acts and decisions of such officers and employees shall have the same force and effect as though performed or rendered by the Secretary.
(b) There shall be included on the technical and administrative staff of the Secretary such staff officers, experts, inspectors, and assistants (including legal assistants) as the Secretary may prescribe.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 389.)
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 212 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§513. Contracts and personal services
The Secretary may, for purposes of all laws administered by the Department, accept uncompensated services, and enter into contracts or agreements with private or public agencies or persons (including contracts for services of translators without regard to any other law), for such necessary services (including personal services) as the Secretary may consider practicable. The Secretary may also enter into contracts or agreements with private concerns or public agencies for the hiring of passenger motor vehicles or aircraft for official travel whenever, in the Secretary's judgment, such arrangements are in the interest of efficiency or economy.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 213 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§515. Administrative settlement of tort claims
(a)(1) Notwithstanding the limitations contained in section 2672 of title 28, the Secretary may settle a claim for money damages against the United States cognizable under section 1346(b) or 2672 of title 28 or section 7316 of this title to the extent the authority to do so is delegated to the Secretary by the Attorney General. Such delegation may not exceed the authority delegated by the Attorney General to United States attorneys to settle claims for money damages against the United States.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 224 and 236 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§516. Equal employment responsibilities
(a) The Secretary shall provide that the employment discrimination complaint resolution system within the Department be established and administered so as to encourage timely and fair resolution of concerns and complaints. The Secretary shall take steps to ensure that the system is administered in an objective, fair, and effective manner and in a manner that is perceived by employees and other interested parties as being objective, fair, and effective.
(b) The Secretary shall provide—
(1) that employees responsible for counseling functions associated with employment discrimination and for receiving, investigating, and processing complaints of employment discrimination shall be supervised in those functions by, and report to, an Assistant Secretary or a Deputy Assistant Secretary for complaint resolution management; and
(2) that employees performing employment discrimination complaint resolution functions at a facility of the Department shall not be subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Director of the facility with respect to those functions.
(c) The Secretary shall ensure that all employees of the Department receive adequate education and training for the purposes of this section and section 319 of this title.
(d) The Secretary shall, when appropriate, impose disciplinary measures, as authorized by law, in the case of employees of the Department who engage in unlawful employment discrimination, including retaliation against an employee asserting rights under an equal employment opportunity law.
(e)(1)(A) Not later than 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter, the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report summarizing the employment discrimination complaints filed against the individuals referred to in paragraph (2) during such quarter.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall apply in the case of complaints filed against individuals on the basis of such individuals' personal conduct and shall not apply in the case of complaints filed solely on the basis of such individuals' positions as officials of the Department.
(2) Paragraph (1) applies to the following officers and employees of the Department:
(C) The Under Secretary for Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits.
(D) Each Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs and each Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(E) The Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs.
(H) The Chairman of the Board of Contract Appeals of the Department.
(I) The director and the chief of staff of each medical center of the Department.
(J) The director of each Veterans Integrated Services Network.
(K) The director of each regional office of the Department.
(L) Each program director of the Central Office of the Department.
(3) Each report under this subsection—
(A) may not disclose information which identifies the individuals filing, or the individuals who are the subject of, the complaints concerned or the facilities at which the discrimination identified in such complaints is alleged to have occurred;
(B) shall summarize such complaints by type and by equal employment opportunity field office area in which filed; and
(C) shall include copies of such complaints, with the information described in subparagraph (A) redacted.
(4) Not later than April 1 each year, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the committees referred to in paragraph (1)(A) a report on the complaints covered by paragraph (1) during the preceding year, including the number of such complaints filed during that year and the status and resolution of the investigation of such complaints.
(f) The Secretary shall ensure that an employee of the Department who seeks counseling relating to employment discrimination may elect to receive such counseling from an employee of the Department who carries out equal employment opportunity counseling functions on a full-time basis rather than from an employee of the Department who carries out such functions on a part-time basis.
(g) The number of employees of the Department whose duties include equal employment opportunity counseling functions as well as other, unrelated functions may not exceed 40 full-time equivalent employees. Any such employee may be assigned equal employment opportunity counseling functions only at Department facilities in remote geographic locations (as determined by the Secretary). The Secretary may waive the limitation in the preceding sentence in specific cases.
(h) The provisions of this section shall be implemented in a manner consistent with procedures applicable under regulations prescribed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
(Added Pub. L. 105–114, title I, §101(a)(1), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2278; amended Pub. L. 105–368, title IV, §403(d)(2), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3339; Pub. L. 108–170, title IV, §405(a), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2063.)
2003—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–170 substituted "45 days" for "30 days".
1998—Subsec. (e)(2)(E). Pub. L. 105–368 substituted "Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs" for "Director of the National Cemetery System".
Pub. L. 105–114, title I, §101(c), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2280, provided that: "Section 516 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 21, 1997]. Subsection (e) of that section shall take effect with respect to the first quarter of calendar year 1998."
Reports on Implementation and Operation of Equal Employment Opportunity System
Pub. L. 105–114, title I, §101(b), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2279, required the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress reports on the implementation and operation of the equal employment opportunity system within the Department of Veterans Affairs setting forth detailed information for each equal employment opportunity field office of the Department, with the first report due not later than Apr. 1, 1998, and subsequent reports due not later than Jan. 1, 1999, and Jan. 1, 2000.
Assessment and Review of Employment Discrimination Complaint Resolution System
Pub. L. 105–114, title I, §103, Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2281, provided that:
"(a) Agreement for Assessment and Review.—(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with a qualified private entity under which agreement the entity shall carry out the assessment described in subsection (b) and the review described in subsection (c).
"(2) The Secretary shall include in the agreement provisions necessary to ensure that the entity carries out its responsibilities under the agreement (including the exercise of its judgments concerning the assessment and review) in a manner free of influence from any source, including the officials and employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"(3) The Secretary may not enter into the agreement until 15 days after the date on which the Secretary notifies the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives of the entity with which the Secretary proposes to enter into the agreement.
"(b) Initial Assessment of System.—(1) Under the agreement under subsection (a), the entity shall conduct an assessment of the employment discrimination complaint resolution system administered within the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the extent to which the system meets the objectives set forth in section 516(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 101. The assessment shall include a comprehensive description of the system as of the time of the assessment.
"(2) Under the agreement, the entity shall submit the assessment to the committees referred to in subsection (a)(3) and to the Secretary not later than June 1, 1998.
"(c) Review of Administration of System.—(1) Under the agreement under subsection (a), the entity shall monitor and review the administration by the Secretary of the employment discrimination complaint resolution system administered within the Department.
"(2) Under the agreement, the entity shall submit to the committees referred to in subsection (a)(3) and to the Secretary a report on the results of the review under paragraph (1) not later than June 1, 1999. The report shall include an assessment of the administration of the system, including the extent to which the system meets the objectives referred to in subsection (b)(1), and the effectiveness of the following:
"(A) Programs to train and maintain a cadre of individuals who are competent to investigate claims relating to employment discrimination.
"(B) Programs to train and maintain a cadre of individuals who are competent to provide counseling to individuals who submit such claims.
"(C) Programs to provide education and training to Department employees regarding their rights and obligations under the equal employment opportunity laws.
"(D) Programs to oversee the administration of the system.
"(E) Programs to evaluate the effectiveness of the system in meeting its objectives.
"(F) Other programs, procedures, or activities of the Department relating to the equal employment opportunity laws, including any alternative dispute resolution procedures and informal dispute resolution and settlement procedures.
"(G) Any disciplinary measures imposed by the Secretary on employees determined to have violated the equal employment opportunity laws in preventing or deterring violations of such laws by other employees of the Department."
§517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Department
(a) Quarterly Reports Required.—Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on covered conferences.
(b) Matters Included.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An accounting of the final costs to the Department of each covered conference occurring during the fiscal quarter preceding the date on which the report is submitted, including the costs related to—
(A) transportation and parking;
(B) per diem payments;
(C) lodging;
(D) rental of halls, auditoriums, or other spaces;
(E) rental of equipment;
(F) refreshments;
(I) brochures or other printed media.
(2) The total estimated costs to the Department for covered conferences occurring during the fiscal quarter in which the report is submitted.
(c) Covered Conference Defined.—In this section, the term "covered conference" means a conference, meeting, or other similar forum that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the Department and is—
(1) attended by 50 or more individuals, including one or more employees of the Department; or
(2) estimated to cost the Department at least $20,000.
(Added Pub. L. 112–154, title VII, §707(a), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat.1206.)
Pub. L. 112–154, title VII, §707(c), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 1207, provided that: "Section 517 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 and each quarter thereafter."
§521. Assistance to certain rehabilitation activities
(a) The Secretary may assist any organization named in or approved under section 5902 of this title in providing recreational activities which would further the rehabilitation of disabled veterans. Such assistance may be provided only if—
(1) the activities are available to disabled veterans on a national basis; and
(2) a significant percentage of the individuals participating in the activities are eligible for rehabilitative services under chapter 17 of this title.
(b) The Secretary may accept from any appropriate source contributions of funds and of other assistance to support the Secretary's provision of assistance for such activities.
(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may authorize the use, for purposes approved by the Secretary in connection with the activity involved, of the seal and other official symbols of the Department and the name "Department of Veterans Affairs" by—
(A) any organization which provides an activity described in subsection (a) with assistance from the Secretary; and
(B) any individual or entity from which the Secretary accepts a significant contribution under subsection (b) or an offer of such a contribution.
(2) The use of such seal or name of any official symbol of the Department in an advertisement may be authorized by the Secretary under this subsection only if—
(A) the Secretary has approved the advertisement; and
(B) the advertisement contains a clear statement that no product, project, or commercial line of endeavor referred to in the advertisement is endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 390.)
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 216 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces
(a) Adaptive Sports Program.—(1) The Secretary may carry out a program under which the Secretary may make grants to eligible entities for planning, developing, managing, and implementing programs to provide adaptive sports opportunities for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
(2) For purposes of this section, an eligible entity is an entity with significant experience in managing a large-scale adaptive sports program.
(b) Oversight by Secretary.—As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall permit the Secretary to conduct such oversight of the use of grant funds as the Secretary determines is appropriate. An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall be responsible for the use of grant funds provided under this section.
(c) Application Requirement.—(1) Before the Secretary may award a grant to an eligible entity under this section, the eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application that describes the activities to be carried out with the grant, including information on specific measurable goals and objectives to be achieved using grant funds.
(2) The application shall include—
(A) a detailed description of—
(i) all partnerships referred to in paragraph (3) at the national and local levels that will be participating in such activities and the amount of grant funds that the eligible entity proposes to make available for each of such partnerships;
(ii) the anticipated personnel, travel, and administrative costs that will be paid for by the eligible entity using grant funds;
(iii) the financial controls implemented by the eligible entity, including methods to track expenditures of grant funds;
(iv) the performance metrics to be used by the eligible entity to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities to be carried out using grant funds; and
(v) the anticipated personnel, travel, and administrative costs that will be paid for by grantees under this subsection using grant funds; and
(B) for any fiscal year for which a grant is sought, the amount of private donations received by the eligible entity expected to be expended to support operations during that fiscal year.
(3) Partnerships referred to in this paragraph are agreements between the eligible entity and organizations with significant experience in the training and support of disabled athletes and the promotion of disabled sports at the local and national levels. Such organizations may include Disabled Sports USA, Blaze Sports, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans. The agreements shall detail the scope of activities and funding to be provided by the eligible entity to the partner.
(d) Use of Funds.—(1) An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section, with the assistance and cooperation of the Secretary and the heads of other appropriate Federal and State departments and agencies and partnerships referred to in subsection (c)(3), shall use the grant to reimburse grantees with which the eligible entity has entered into a partnership under subsection (c) for the direct costs of recruiting, supporting, equipping, encouraging, scheduling, facilitating, supervising, and implementing the participation of disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces in the activities described in paragraph (3) by supporting a program described in paragraph (2).
(2) A program described in this paragraph is a sports program that—
(A) promotes basic physical activity, games, recreation, training, and competition;
(B) is approved by the Secretary; and
(C)(i) provides services and activities described in paragraph (3) for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces; and
(ii) may also provide services and activities described in paragraph (3) for individuals with disabilities who are not veterans or members of the Armed Forces, or both; except that funds made available to carry out this section may not be used to support those individuals with disabilities who are not veterans or members of the Armed Forces.
(3) Activities described in this paragraph are—
(A) instruction, participation, and competition in Paralympic sports;
(B) training and technical assistance to program administrators, coaches, recreational therapists, instructors, Department employees, and other appropriate individuals; and
(C) coordination, Paralympic classification of athletes, athlete assessment, sport-specific training techniques, program development (including programs at the local level), sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation, and other activities related to the implementation and operation of the program.
(4)(A) At the discretion of the Secretary, an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may use a portion of the grant for the administrative expenses and personnel expenses of the eligible entity. The amount that may be used for such expenses may not exceed—
(i) in the case of a grant made for adaptive sports opportunities taking place during fiscal year 2014, 10 percent of the total amount of the grant;
(ii) in the case of a grant made for adaptive sports opportunities taking place during fiscal year 2015, 7.5 percent of the total amount of the grant; and
(iii) in the case of a grant made for adaptive sports opportunities taking place during any subsequent fiscal year, 5 percent of the total amount of the grant.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, personnel expenses include any costs associated with an employee of the eligible entity other than reimbursement for time spent by such an employee directly providing coaching or training for disabled veterans or members of the Armed Forces.
(5) Funds made available by an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section to a grantee under subsection (c) may include an amount for administrative expenses, but not to exceed ten percent of the amount of such funds.
(e) Outreach Requirement.—As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall agree to conduct a joint outreach campaign with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inform all eligible veterans and separating members of the Armed Forces with physical disabilities about the existence of the adapted sports opportunities funded by the grant, as appropriate, and shall provide for, facilitate, and encourage participation of such veterans and separating members of the Armed Forces in programs under this section to the extent possible.
(f) Coordination.—The Secretary shall ensure access to and use of appropriate Department sports, recreation, and fitness facilities by disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces participating in adapted sports opportunities funded under this section to the maximum extent possible. The Secretary shall ensure that such access does not adversely affect any other assistance provided to veterans.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.—(1) There is authorized to be appropriated $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2020.
(2) Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation.
(h) Separate Accounting.—The Department shall have a separate line item in budget proposals of the Department for funds to be appropriated to carry out this section. Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall not be commingled with any other funds appropriated to the Department.
(i) Limitation on Use of Funds.—Except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (d), funds appropriated to carry out this section may not be used to support or provide services to individuals who are not disabled veterans or disabled members of the Armed Forces.
(j) Annual Report to Secretary.—(1) As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall agree that by not later than 60 days after the last day of a fiscal year for which a grant is provided under this section, the eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a report setting forth in detail the use of the grant funds during that fiscal year, including the number of veterans who participated in the adapted sports opportunities funded by the grant, including any programs carried out through a partnership under subsection (c)(3), and the administrative expenses of such opportunities and programs.
(2) A report under this subsection may be audited by the Secretary.
(3) If an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section for any fiscal year does not submit the report required by paragraph (1) for such fiscal year, the entity shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this section for the subsequent fiscal year.
(k) Annual Report to Congress.—For any fiscal year during which the Secretary provides assistance under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the use of funds provided under this section.
(l) Termination.—The Secretary may only provide assistance under this section for adaptive sports opportunities occurring during fiscal years 2010 through 2020.
(Added Pub. L. 110–389, title VII, §702(a), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4181; amended Pub. L. 113–37, §2(b)(1), (2), Sept. 30, 2013, 127 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 113–59, §5(a)–(e), (g), (h)(1), Dec. 20, 2013, 127 Stat. 659–662; Pub. L. 114–58, title IV, §405, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 535; Pub. L. 114–228, title IV, §405, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 940; Pub. L. 115–62, title IV, §405, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1164; Pub. L. 115–251, title I, §165, Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3171.)
2018—Subsecs. (g)(1), (l). Pub. L. 115–251 substituted "2020" for "2019".
2017—Subsecs. (g)(1), (l). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted "2019" for "2017".
2016—Subsecs. (g)(1), (l). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted "2017" for "2016".
2015—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted "2016" for "2015".
2013—Pub. L. 113–59, §5(h)(1), substituted "Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces" for "Assistance for United States Paralympics, Inc." in section catchline.
Pub. L. 113–37, §2(b)(2)(A), substituted "United States Olympic Committee" for "United States Paralympics, Inc.," wherever appearing except in subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary may award grants to the United States Olympic Committee to plan, develop, manage, and implement an integrated adaptive sports program for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(1), substituted "an eligible entity" for "the United States Olympic Committee" and "An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section" for "The United States Olympic Committee".
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(2)(A), substituted "to an eligible entity" for "to the United States Olympic Committee" and "the eligible entity shall submit" for "the United States Olympic Committee shall submit".
Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(b), substituted "of—" for "of all partnerships referred to in paragraph (3) at the national and local levels that will be participating in such activities and the amount of grant funds that the United States Olympic Committee proposes to make available for each of such partnerships; and" and added cls. (i) to (v).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B), (3). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(2)(B), substituted "the eligible entity" for "the United States Olympic Committee" wherever appearing.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(3)(A), substituted "An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section," for "The United States Olympic Committee", "shall use the grant" for "shall use a grant under this section", and "the eligible entity" for "the United States Olympic Committee".
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(c), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: "A grant made under this section may include, at the discretion of the Secretary, an amount for the administrative expenses of the United States Olympic Committee, but not to exceed five percent of the amount of the grant."
Pub. L. 113–37, §2(b)(2)(B), substituted "United States Olympic Committee" for "United States Paralympics, Inc."
Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(3)(B), substituted "an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section" for "the United States Olympic Committee".
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(4), substituted "an eligible entity" for "the United States Olympic Committee" and "the adapted sports opportunities funded by the grant" for "the integrated adaptive sports program".
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(5), substituted "adapted sports opportunities funded under this section" for "the integrated adaptive sports program".
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(d), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "through 2015." for "through 2013 and $2,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2013, and ending December 31, 2013 to carry out this section. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation.", and added par. (2).
Pub. L. 113–37, §2(b)(1)(A), inserted "and $2,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 2013, and ending December 31, 2013" after "2010 through 2013".
Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(6)(A), substituted "an eligible entity shall agree" for "the United States Olympic Committee shall agree", "the eligible entity shall submit" for "the United States Olympic Committee shall submit", "in the adapted sports opportunities funded by the grant," for "in the integrated adaptive sports program,", and "of such opportunities and programs." for "of the integrated adaptive sports program."
Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(6)(B), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: "For any fiscal year after fiscal year 2010, the eligibility of the United States Olympic Committee to receive a grant under this section shall be contingent upon the submission of the report under paragraph (1) for the preceding fiscal year."
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(e), substituted "may only provide assistance under this section for adaptive sports opportunities occurring during fiscal years 2010 through 2016" for "may not provide assistance under this section after December 31, 2013".
Pub. L. 113–37, §2(b)(1)(B), substituted "The Secretary may not provide assistance under this section after December 31, 2013." for "The Secretary may only provide assistance under this section during fiscal years 2010 through 2013."
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 113–59, §5(g)(7), struck out subsec. (m) which provided for applicability of this section and section 322 of this title to commonwealths and territories of the United States.
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 113–37, §2(b)(2)(C), added subsec. (m).
Pub. L. 113–59, §5(i), Dec. 20, 2013, 127 Stat. 662, provided that: "To ensure the uninterrupted provision of adaptive sports for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces, any regulations that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines are necessary to implement the amendments made by this section [amending this section] may be promulgated by interim final rules to ensure the award of grants under section 521A of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this section, before the end of fiscal year 2014."
Pub. L. 110–389, title VII, §702(c), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4183, provided that: "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not award a grant under section 521A of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), until the United States Paralympics, Inc., and the Secretary have entered into a memorandum of understanding or cooperative agreement regarding implementation of the integrated adaptive sports program under that section. To the extent feasible, such memorandum or agreement shall be concluded not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 10, 2008]."
Pub. L. 110–389, title VII, §703(c), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4185, provided that: "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall direct the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs—
"(1) to make available, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, recreational therapists, physical therapists, and other medical staff to facilitate participation of veterans in sporting events conducted under the auspices of the United States Paralympics, Inc.; and
"(2) to allow such personnel to provide support to the programs of the United States Paralympics, Inc., without requiring the use of personal leave."
§522. Studies of rehabilitation of disabled persons
(a) The Secretary may conduct studies and investigations, and prepare reports, relative to the rehabilitation of disabled persons, the relative abilities, aptitudes, and capacities of the several groups of the variously handicapped, and how their potentialities can best be developed and their services best used in gainful and suitable employment including the rehabilitation programs of foreign nations.
(b) In carrying out this section, the Secretary (1) may cooperate with such public and private agencies as the Secretary considers advisable; and (2) may employ consultants who shall receive a reasonable per diem, as prescribed by the Secretary, for each day actually employed, plus necessary travel and other expenses.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 217 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§523. Coordination and promotion of other programs affecting veterans and their dependents
(a) The Secretary shall seek to achieve (1) the maximum feasible effectiveness, coordination, and interrelationship of services among all programs and activities affecting veterans and their dependents carried out by and under all other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the executive branch, and (2) the maximum feasible coordination of such programs with programs carried out under this title. The Secretary shall actively promote the effective implementation, enforcement, and application of all provisions of law and regulations providing for special consideration, emphasis, or preference for veterans.
(b) The Secretary shall seek to achieve the effective coordination of the provision, under laws administered by the Department, of benefits and services (and information about such benefits and services) with appropriate programs (and information about such programs) conducted by State and local governmental agencies and by private entities at the State and local level. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall place special emphasis on veterans who are 65 years of age or older.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 220 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
Pub. L. 111–163, title V, §506, May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1160, as amended by Pub. L. 114–228, title I, §108, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 938, provided that:
"(a) Pilot Program Required.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using community-based organizations and local and State government entities—
"(1) to increase the coordination of community, local, State, and Federal providers of health care and benefits for veterans to assist veterans who are transitioning from military service to civilian life in such transition;
"(2) to increase the availability of high quality medical and mental health services to veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life;
"(3) to provide assistance to families of veterans who are transitioning from military service to civilian life to help such families adjust to such transition; and
"(4) to provide outreach to veterans and their families to inform them about the availability of benefits and connect them with appropriate care and benefit programs.
"(b) Duration of Program.—The pilot program shall be carried out during the 2-year period beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 5, 2010].
"(c) Program Locations.—
"(1) In general.—The pilot program shall be carried out at five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.
"(2) Considerations.—In selecting locations for the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider the advisability of selecting locations in—
"(A) rural areas;
"(B) areas with populations that have a high proportion of minority group representation;
"(C) areas with populations that have a high proportion of individuals who have limited access to health care; and
"(D) areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation.
"(d) Grants.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program through the award of grants to community-based organizations and local and State government entities.
"(e) Selection of Grant Recipients.—
"(1) In general.—A community-based organization or local or State government entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor in such form and in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate.
"(2) Elements.—Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
"(A) A description of the consultations, if any, with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the development of the proposal under the application.
"(B) A plan to coordinate activities under the pilot program, to the greatest extent possible, with the local, State, and Federal providers of services for veterans to reduce duplication of services and to enhance the effect of such services.
"(f) Use of Grant Funds.—The Secretary shall prescribe appropriate uses of grant funds received under the pilot program.
"(g) Report on Program.—
"(1) In general.—Not later than September 30, 2017, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program.
"(A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program.
"(B) An assessment of the benefits to veterans of the pilot program.
"(C) The recommendations of the Secretary as to the advisability of continuing the pilot program."
§525. Publication of laws relating to veterans
(a) The Secretary may compile and publish all Federal laws relating to veterans' relief, including laws administered by the Department as well as by other agencies of the Government. Such compilation and publication shall be in such form as the Secretary considers advisable for the purpose of making currently available in convenient form for the use of the Department and full-time representatives of the several service organizations an annotated, indexed, and cross-referenced statement of the laws providing veterans' relief.
(b) The Secretary may maintain such compilation on a current basis either by the publication, from time to time, of supplementary documents or by complete revision of the compilation.
(c) The distribution of the compilation to the representatives of the several service organizations shall be as determined by the Secretary.
(Added Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 391.)
Prior section 525 was renumbered section 1525 of this title.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 215 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
§527. Evaluation and data collection
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 219 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
Access to Information in Burn Pit Registry
Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VII, §705(c), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1440, provided that:
"(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that all medical personnel of the Department of Defense have access to the information contained in the burn pit registry.
"(2) Burn pit registry defined.—In this subsection, the term 'burn pit registry' means the registry established under section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note)."
Education Campaign for Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title X, §1050, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1962, provided that:
"(a) Education Campaign.—Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Secretary of Defense shall carry out an annual education campaign to inform individuals who may be eligible to enroll in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry of such eligibility. Each such campaign shall include at least one electronic method and one physical mailing method to provide such information.
"(b) Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Defined.—In this section, the term 'Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry' means the registry established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note) [set out below]."
Coordination by Veterans Health Administration of Efforts To Understand Effects of Burn Pits
Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VII, §738, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1446, provided that: "The Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Office of Public Health of the Veterans Health Administration, shall coordinate efforts related to furthering understanding of burn pits, the effect of burn pits on veterans, and effective treatments relating to such effects, including with respect to research efforts and training of clinical staff on related matters."
Submittal of Information to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Relating to Exposure to Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits
Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VII, §728, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 873, provided that:
"(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 25, 2015], and periodically thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such information in the possession of the Secretary of Defense as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers necessary to supplement and support—
"(1) the development of information to be included in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry established by the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note); and
"(2) research and development activities conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to explore the potential health risks of exposure by members of the Armed Forces to environmental factors in Iraq and Afghanistan, in particular the connection of such exposure to respiratory illnesses such as chronic cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, constrictive bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
"(b) Inclusion of Certain Information.—The Secretary of Defense shall include in the information submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (a) information on any research and surveillance efforts conducted by the Department of Defense to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of respiratory illnesses among members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to open burn pits while deployed overseas."
Pub. L. 112–260, title II, §201, Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2422, provided that:
"(a) Establishment of Registry.—
"(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 10, 2013], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—
"(A) establish and maintain an open burn pit registry for eligible individuals who may have been exposed to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits;
"(B) include any information in such registry that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines necessary to ascertain and monitor the health effects of the exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits;
"(C) develop a public information campaign to inform eligible individuals about the open burn pit registry, including how to register and the benefits of registering; and
"(D) periodically notify eligible individuals of significant developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits.
"(2) Coordination.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall coordinate with the Secretary of Defense in carrying out paragraph (1).
"(b) Report to Congress.—
"(1) Reports by independent scientific organization.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with an independent scientific organization to prepare reports as follows:
"(A) Not later than two years after the date on which the registry under subsection (a) is established, an initial report containing the following:
"(i) An assessment of the effectiveness of actions taken by the Secretaries to collect and maintain information on the health effects of exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits.
"(ii) Recommendations to improve the collection and maintenance of such information.
"(iii) Using established and previously published epidemiological studies, recommendations regarding the most effective and prudent means of addressing the medical needs of eligible individuals with respect to conditions that are likely to result from exposure to open burn pits.
"(B) Not later than five years after completing the initial report described in subparagraph (A), a follow-up report containing the following:
"(i) An update to the initial report described in subparagraph (A).
"(ii) An assessment of whether and to what degree the content of the registry established under subsection (a) is current and scientifically up-to-date.
"(2) Submittal to congress.—
"(A) Initial report.—Not later than two years after the date on which the registry under subsection (a) is established, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress the initial report prepared under paragraph (1)(A).
"(B) Follow-up report.—Not later than five years after submitting the report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress the follow-up report prepared under paragraph (1)(B).
"(1) Eligible individual.—The term 'eligible individual' means any individual who, on or after September 11, 2001—
"(A) was deployed in support of a contingency operation while serving in the Armed Forces; and
"(B) during such deployment, was based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used.
"(2) Open burn pit.—The term 'open burn pit' means an area of land located in Afghanistan or Iraq that—
"(A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense to be used for disposing solid waste by burning in the outdoor air; and
"(B) does not contain a commercially manufactured incinerator or other equipment specifically designed and manufactured for the burning of solid waste."
Persian Gulf War Veterans' Health Status
Pub. L. 102–585, title VII, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 4975, as amended by Pub. L. 103–446, title I, §108, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4653; Pub. L. 105–368, title I, §§104, 106, Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3323, 3325; Pub. L. 111–163, title V, §502, May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1157, provided that:
"This title may be cited as the 'Persian Gulf War Veterans' Health Status Act'.
"SEC. 702. PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS HEALTH REGISTRY.
"(a) Establishment of Registry.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain a special record to be known as the 'Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry' (in this section referred to as the 'Registry').
"(b) Contents of Registry.—Except as provided in subsection (c), the Registry shall include the following information:
"(1) A list containing the name of each individual who served as a member of the Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War and who—
"(A) applies for care or services from the Department of Veterans Affairs under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code;
"(B) files a claim for compensation under chapter 11 of such title on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service;
"(C) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of such title on the basis of such service;
"(D) requests from the Department a health examination under section 703; or
"(E) receives from the Department of Defense a health examination similar to the health examination referred to in subparagraph (D) and requests inclusion in the Registry.
"(2) Relevant medical data relating to the health status of, and other information that the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate with respect to, each individual described in paragraph (1) who—
"(A) grants to the Secretary permission to include such information in the Registry; or
"(B) at the time the individual is listed in the Registry, is deceased.
"(c) Individuals Submitting Claims or Making Requests Before Date of Enactment.—If in the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1) the application, claim, or request referred to in such subsection was submitted, filed, or made, before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 4, 1992], the Secretary shall, to the extent feasible, include in the Registry such individual's name and the data and information, if any, described in subsection (b)(2) relating to the individual.
"(d) Department of Defense Information.—The Secretary of Defense shall furnish to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such information maintained by the Department of Defense as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers necessary to establish and maintain the Registry.
"(e) Relation to Department of Defense Registry.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall ensure that information is collected and maintained in the Registry in a manner that permits effective and efficient cross-reference between the Registry and the registry established under section 734 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (Public Law 102–190; 105 Stat. 1411; 10 U.S.C. 1074 note), as amended by section 704.
"(f) Ongoing Outreach to Individuals Listed in Registry.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, from time to time, notify individuals listed in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.
"SEC. 703. HEALTH EXAMINATIONS AND COUNSELING FOR VETERANS ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION IN CERTAIN HEALTH-RELATED REGISTRIES.
"(a) In General.—(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs—
"(A) shall, upon the request of a veteran described in subsection (b)(1), provide the veteran with a health examination (including any appropriate diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling with respect to the results of the examination and the tests; and
"(B) may, upon the request of a veteran described in subsection (b)(2), provide the veteran with such an examination (including diagnostic tests) and such consultation and counseling.
"(2) The Secretary shall carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to the provision of any health examinations (including any diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling services under paragraph (1).
"(b) Covered Veterans.—(1) In accordance with subsection (a)(1)(A), the Secretary shall provide an examination (including diagnostic tests), consultation, and counseling under that subsection to any veteran who is eligible for listing or inclusion in the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry established by section 702.
"(2) In accordance with subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary may provide an examination (including diagnostic tests), consultation, and counseling under that subsection to any veteran who is eligible for listing or inclusion in any other similar health-related registry administered by the Secretary.
"SEC. 704. EXPANSION OF COVERAGE OF PERSIAN GULF REGISTRY.
"[Amended section 734 of Pub. L. 102–190, set out as a note under section 1074 of Title 10, Armed Forces.]
"SEC. 705. STUDY BY OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF PERSIAN GULF REGISTRY AND PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS HEALTH REGISTRY.
"(a) Study.—The Director of the Office of Technology Assessment shall, in a manner consistent with the Technology Assessment Act of 1972 (2 U.S.C. 472(d) [2 U.S.C. 471 et seq.]), assess—
"(1) the potential utility of each of the Persian Gulf Registry and the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry for scientific study and assessment of the intermediate and long-term health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War;
"(2) the extent to which each registry meets the requirements of the provisions of law under which the registry is established;
"(3) the extent to which data contained in each registry—
"(A) are maintained in a manner that ensures permanent preservation and facilitates the effective, efficient retrieval of information that is potentially relevant to the scientific study of the intermediate and long-term health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and
"(B) would be useful for scientific study regarding such health consequences;
"(4) the adequacy of any plans to update each of the registries;
"(5) the extent to which the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs, as the case may be, is assembling and maintaining information on the Persian Gulf theater of operations (including information on troop locations and atmospheric and weather conditions) in a manner that facilitates the usefulness of, maintenance of, and retrieval of information from, the applicable registry; and
"(6) the adequacy and compatibility of protocols for the health examinations and counseling provided under section 703 and health examinations provided by the Department of Defense to members of the Armed Forces for the purpose of assessing the health status of members of the Armed Forces who served in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.
"(b) Access to Information.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall provide the Director with access to such records and information under the jurisdiction of each such secretary as the Director determines necessary to permit the Director to carry out the study required under this section.
"(c) Reports.—The Director shall—
"(1) not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 4, 1992], submit to Congress a report on the results of the assessment carried out under this section of the Persian Gulf Registry and health-examination protocols; and
"(2) not later than 15 months after such date, submit to Congress a report on the results of the assessment carried out under this section of the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry.
"(d) Definitions.—For the purposes of this section:
"(1) The term 'Persian Gulf Registry' means the registry established under section 734 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (Public Law 102–190; 105 Stat. 1411; 10 U.S.C. 1074 note), as amended by section 704.
"(2) The term 'Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry' means the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry established under section 702.
"SEC. 706. AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES FOR REVIEW OF HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF SERVICE DURING THE PERSIAN GULF WAR.
"(a) Agreement.—(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Defense jointly shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for the Medical Follow-Up Agency (MFUA) of the Institute of Medicine of the Academy to review existing scientific, medical, and other information on the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.
"(2) The agreement shall require MFUA to provide members of veterans organizations and members of the scientific community (including the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment) with the opportunity to comment on the method or methods MFUA proposes to use in conducting the review.
"(3) The agreement shall permit MFUA, in conducting the review, to examine and evaluate medical records of individuals who are included in the registries referred to in section 705(d) for purposes that MFUA considers appropriate, including the purpose of identifying illnesses of those individuals.
"(4) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into the agreement under this section not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 4, 1992].
"(b) Report.—(1) The agreement under this section shall require the National Academy of Sciences to submit to the committees and secretaries referred to in paragraph (2) a report on the results of the review carried out under the agreement. Such report shall contain the following:
"(A) An assessment of the effectiveness of actions taken by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to collect and maintain information that is potentially useful for assessing the health consequences of the military service referred to in subsection (a).
"(B) Recommendations on means of improving the collection and maintenance of such information.
"(C) Recommendations on whether there is sound scientific basis for an epidemiological study or studies on the health consequences of such service, and if the recommendation is that there is sound scientific basis for such a study or studies, the nature of the study or studies.
"(2) The committees and secretaries referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:
"(A) The Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives.
"(B) The Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.
"(C) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
"(c) Funding.—(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall make available up to a total of $500,000 in fiscal year 1993, from funds available to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense in that fiscal year, to carry out the review. Any amounts provided by the two departments shall be provided in equal amounts.
"(2) If the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense enter into an agreement under subsection (a) with the National Academy of Sciences—
"(A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available $250,000 in each of fiscal years 1994 through 2003, from amounts available to the Department of Veterans Affairs in each such fiscal year, to the National Academy of Sciences for the general purposes of conducting epidemiological research with respect to military and veterans populations; and
"(B) the Secretary of Defense shall make available $250,000 in each of fiscal years 1994 through 2003, from amounts available to the Department of Defense in each such fiscal year, to the National Academy of Sciences for the purposes of carrying out the research referred to in subparagraph (A).
"(d) Research Review and Development of Medical Education Curriculum.—(1) In order to further understand the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War and of new research findings with implications for improving the provision of care for veterans of such service, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Institute of Medicine of the Academy would—
"(3) Not later than 9 months after the Institute of Medicine provides the Secretaries the curriculum developed under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretaries shall provide for the conduct of continuing education programs using that curriculum. Those programs shall include instruction which seeks to emphasize use of appropriate protocols of diagnosis, referral, and treatment of such veterans.
"SEC. 707. COORDINATION OF HEALTH-RELATED GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES ON THE PERSIAN GULF WAR.
"(a) Designation of Coordinating Organization.—The President shall designate, and may redesignate from time to time, the head of an appropriate department or agency of the Federal Government to coordinate all activities undertaken or funded by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government on the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.
"(b) Public Advisory Committee.—Not later than January 1, 1999, the head of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall establish an advisory committee consisting of members of the general public, including Persian Gulf War veterans and representatives of such veterans, to provide advice to the head of that department or agency on proposed research studies, research plans, or research strategies relating to the health consequences of military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The department or agency head shall consult with such advisory committee on a regular basis.
"(c) Reports.—(1) Not later than July 1, 2010, and July 1 of each of the five following years, the head of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on—
"(A) the status and results of all such research activities undertaken by the executive branch during the previous year; and
"(B) research priorities identified during that year.
"(2)(A) Not later than 120 days after submission of the epidemiological research study conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs entitled 'VA National Survey of Persian Gulf Veterans—Phase III', the head of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall submit to the congressional committees specified in paragraph (1) a report on the findings under that study and any other pertinent medical literature.
"(B) With respect to any findings of that study and any other pertinent medical literature which identify scientific evidence of a greater relative risk of illness or illnesses in family members of veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War theater of operations than in family members of veterans who did not so serve, the head of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall seek to ensure that appropriate research studies are designed to follow up on such findings.
"(d) Public Availability of Research Findings.—The head of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall ensure that the findings of all research conducted by or for the executive branch relating to the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War (including information pertinent to improving provision of care for veterans of such service) are made available to the public through peer-reviewed medical journals, the World Wide Web, and other appropriate media.
"(e) Outreach.—The head of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall ensure that the appropriate departments consult and coordinate in carrying out an ongoing program to provide information to those who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War relating to: (1) the health risks, if any, resulting from any risk factors associated with such service; and (2) any services or benefits available with respect to such health risks.
"SEC. 708. DEFINITION.
"For the purposes of this title, the term 'Persian Gulf War' has the meaning given such term in section 101(33) of title 38, United States Code."
Pub. L. 102–405, title I, §107, Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1976, as amended by Pub. L. 103–446, title X, §1002, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4679, required Secretary of Veterans' Affairs and directors of each medical center or benefits office to assess needs of homeless veterans and programs which have been developed to assist homeless veterans, and to replicate programs which have successfully rehabilitated homeless veterans, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–114, title II, §202(c)(2), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2287.
§529. Annual report to Congress
The Secretary shall submit annually, at the close of each fiscal year, a report in writing to Congress. Each such report shall—
(1) give an account of all moneys received and disbursed by the Department for such fiscal year;
(2) describe the work done during such fiscal year; and
(3) state the activities of the Department for such fiscal year.
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 214 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, §2(a).
Prior section 531, Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1137; Pub. L. 90–77, title I, §105, Aug. 31, 1967, 81 Stat. 179, provided for a monthly pension to widows of Mexican War veterans, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94–169, title I, §101(2)(F), Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1014, effective Jan. 1, 1976.
Prior sections 532 to 537 were renumbered sections 1532 to 1537 of this title, respectively.
§530. Annual report on program and expenditures for domestic response to weapons of mass destruction
(a) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an annual report, to be submitted each year at the time that the President submits the budget for the next fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31, on the activities of the Department relating to preparation for, and participation in, a domestic medical response to an attack involving weapons of mass destruction.
(b) Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) A statement of the amounts of funds and the level of personnel resources (stated in terms of full-time equivalent employees) expected to be used by the Department during the next fiscal year in preparation for a domestic medical response to an attack involving weapons of mass destruction, including the anticipated source of those funds and any anticipated shortfalls in funds or personnel resources to achieve the tasks assigned the Department by the President in connection with preparation for such a response.
(2) A detailed statement of the funds expended and personnel resources (stated in terms of full-time equivalent employees) used during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year during which the report is submitted in preparation for a domestic medical response to an attack involving weapons of mass destruction or in response to such an attack, including identification of the source of those funds and a description of how those funds were expended.
(3) A detailed statement of the funds expended and expected to be expended, and the personnel resources (stated in terms of full-time equivalent employees) used and expected to be used, during the fiscal year during which the report is submitted in preparation for a domestic medical response to an attack involving weapons of mass destruction or in response to such an attack, including identification of the source of funds expended and a description of how those funds were expended.
(c) This section shall expire on January 1, 2009.
(Added Pub. L. 105–368, title IX, §906(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3361.)
§531. Requirement relating to naming of Department property
Except as expressly provided by law, a facility, structure, or real property of the Department, and a major portion (such as a wing or floor) of any such facility, structure, or real property, may be named only for the geographic area in which the facility, structure, or real property is located.
(Added Pub. L. 105–368, title X, §1001(a)(1), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3363.)
Pub. L. 105–368, title X, §1001(b), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3363, provided that: "Section 531 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to the assignment or designation of the name of a facility, structure, or real property of the Department of Veterans Affairs (or of a major portion thereof) after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 11, 1998]."
§532. Authority to advertise in national media; VetStar Award Program
(a) Advertising in National Media.—The Secretary may purchase advertising in national media outlets for the purpose of promoting awareness of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, including promoting awareness of assistance provided by the Secretary, including assistance for programs to assist homeless veterans, to promote veteran-owned small businesses, and to provide opportunities for employment in the Department of Veterans Affairs and for education, training, compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation, and healthcare benefits, and mental healthcare (including the prevention of suicide among veterans).
(b) VetStar Award Program.—(1) The Secretary shall establish an award program, to be known as the "VetStar Award Program", to recognize annually businesses for their contributions to veterans' employment.
(2) The Secretary shall establish a process for the administration of the award program, including criteria for—
(A) categories and sectors of businesses eligible for recognition each year; and
(B) objective measures to be used in selecting businesses to receive the award.
(Added Pub. L. 110–389, title VIII, §809(a), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4189; amended Pub. L. 112–154, title VII, §709(a), (b)(1), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 1207.)
2012—Pub. L. 112–154 inserted "; VetStar Award Program" after "national media" in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).