In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ''Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

Sec. 101. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency
and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 102. Publication of adjusted rates.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

Sec. 201. Extending temporary expansion of United States Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 202. Recall of retired judges of United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 203. Life insurance program relating to judges of United States
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 204. Voluntary contributions to enlarge survivors' annuity.
Sec. 205. Salaries of judges of United States Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims.
Sec. 206. Selection of chief judge of United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims.
TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS PROCESSING

Sec. 301. Interim payments of compensation benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 302. Claims processors training.
Sec. 303. Notice of average times for processing claims and percentage
of claims approved.
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 401. Clarification of eligible recipients of certain accrued
benefits upon death of beneficiary.
Sec. 402. Observance of Veterans Day.

TITLE I--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

SEC. 101. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY
AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2015, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c),
the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2015, for the payment of
disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under
the provisions specified in subsection (b).
(b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be increased
pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
(1) Wartime disability compensation.--Each of the dollar
amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the
dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title.
(3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount under section
1162 of such title.
(4) Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving
spouse.--Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a)
through (d) of section 1311 of such title.
(5) Dependency and indemnity compensation to children.--
Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of
such title.
(c) Determination of Increase.--
(1) Percentage.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), each
dollar amount described in subsection (b) shall be increased by
the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts
payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1, 2015, as a
result of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 415(i)).
(2) Rounding.--Each dollar amount increased under paragraph
(1), if not a whole dollar amount, shall be rounded to the next
lower whole dollar amount.
(d) Special Rule.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may adjust
administratively, consistent with the increases made under subsection
(a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under
section 10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who have not received
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 102. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal
Register the amounts specified in section 101(b), as increased under
that section, not later than the date on which the matters specified in
section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a determination
made under section 215(i) of such Act during fiscal year 2016.

TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

SEC. 201. EXTENDING TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF UNITED STATES COURT OF
APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

Section 7253(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ''January 1, 2013'' and inserting ''January 1, 2020''.

SEC. 202. RECALL OF RETIRED JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

Paragraph (1) of section 7257(b) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
''(1)(A) The chief judge may recall for further service on the
Court a recall-eligible retired judge in accordance with this section.
Such a recall shall be made upon written certification by the chief
judge that substantial service is expected to be performed by the
retired judge for such period, not to exceed 90 days (or the
equivalent), as determined by the chief judge to be necessary to meet
the needs of the Court.
''(B)(i) A recall-eligible judge may request that the chief judge
recall the recall-eligible judge for a period of service of not less
than 90 days (or the equivalent).
''(ii) The chief judge shall approve a request made by a recall-
eligible judge pursuant to clause (i) unless the chief judge certifies,
in writing, that the Court does not have--
''(I) sufficient work to assign such recall-eligible judge
during the period of recalled service; or
''(II) sufficient resources to provide to such recall-
eligible judge appropriate administrative and office support.
''(iii) At any time during the period of recalled service of a
judge who is recalled pursuant to clause (i), the chief judge may
terminate such recalled service if the chief judge makes a written
certification described in clause (ii).''.

SEC. 203. LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM RELATING TO JUDGES OF UNITED STATES
COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

(a) In General.--Section 7281 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
''(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge who is in
regular active service and a judge who is retired under section 7296 of
this title or under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 shall be treated as an
employee described in section 8701(a)(5) of title 5.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to any payment made on or after the first day of the
first applicable pay period beginning on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 204. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SURVIVORS' ANNUITY.

Section 7297 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
''(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under subsection (b)
may purchase, in 3-month increments, up to an additional year of
service credit for each year of Federal judicial service completed,
under the terms set forth in this section.
''(2) In this subsection, the term 'covered judge' means any of the
following:
''(A) A judge in regular active service.
''(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible retired
judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 of this title.
''(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eligible
retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 but
for--
''(i) meeting the aggregate recall service
requirements under subsection (b)(3) of such section;
or
''(ii) being permanently disabled as described by
subsection (b)(4) of such section.''.

SEC. 205. SALARIES OF JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR
VETERANS CLAIMS.

Section 7253(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ''district courts'' and inserting ''courts of appeals''.

SEC. 206. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

Section 7253(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ''and'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following new subparagraph (B):
''(B) are 64 years of age or under and have at least 3
years remaining in term of office; and''; and
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
''(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the Court in
regular active service who meets the requirements under paragraph (1),
the judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in
commission and meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of
paragraph (1) shall act as the chief judge.
''(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph in which
there is no judge of the Court in regular active service who meets
subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), the
judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in
commission and meets subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.''.

TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS PROCESSING

SEC. 301. INTERIM PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION BENEFITS UNDER LAWS
ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 51 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
''Sec. 5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits
''(a) In General.--In the case of a claim described in subsection
(b), prior to adjudicating the claim, the Secretary shall make interim
payments of monetary benefits to the claimant based on any disability
for which the Secretary has made a decision or, with respect to such a
disability that is not compensable, notify the claimant of the rating
relating to such disability. Upon the adjudication of the claim, the
Secretary shall pay to the claimant any monetary benefits awarded to
the claimant for the period of payment under section 5111 of this title
less the amount of such benefits paid to the claimant under this
section.
''(b) Claim Described.--A claim described in this subsection is a
claim for disability compensation under chapter 11 of this title
(including a claim regarding an increased rating)--
''(1) the adjudication of which requires the Secretary to
make decisions with respect to two or more disabilities; and
''(2) for which, before completing the adjudication of the
claim, the Secretary makes a decision with respect to a
disability that would result in the payment of monetary
benefits to the claimant upon the adjudication of the claim.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to
such subchapter the following new item:

''5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits.''.

SEC. 302. CLAIMS PROCESSORS TRAINING.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish a training program to provide newly hired claims processors
of the Department of Veterans Affairs with training for a period of not
less than 2 years. In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall
identify successful claims processors of the Department who can assist
in the training of newly hired claims processors.
(b) Ability To Process Claims.--The Secretary shall carry out the
training program established under subsection (a) without increasing
the amount of time in which claims are processed by the Department.
(c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date
that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 303. NOTICE OF AVERAGE TIMES FOR PROCESSING CLAIMS AND PERCENTAGE
OF CLAIMS APPROVED.

(a) Public Notice.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall post
the information described in subsection (c)--
(1) in a conspicuous place in each regional office and
claims intake facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
and
(2) on the Internet Web site of the Department.
(b) Notice to Applicants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to each person
who submits a claim for benefits under the laws administered by
the Secretary before the person submits such claim--
(A) notice of the information described in
subsection (c); and
(B) notice that the person is eligible to receive
up to an extra year of benefits payments if the person
files a claim that is fully developed.
(2) Acknowledgment of receipt of notice.--Each person who
submits a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the
Secretary shall include in such application a signed form
acknowledging that the person received the information
described in subsection (c).
(c) Information Described.--
(1) In general.--The information described in this
subsection is the following:
(A) The average processing time of the claims
described in paragraph (2) and the percentage of such
submitted claims for which benefits are awarded.
(B) The percentage of each of the following types
of submitted claims for benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
which benefits are awarded:
(i) Claims filed by veterans who authorized
a veterans service organization to act on the
veterans' behalf under a durable power of
attorney.
(ii) Claims filed by veterans who
authorized a person other than a veterans
service organization to act on the veterans'
behalf under a durable power of attorney.
(iii) Claims filed by veterans who did not
authorize a person to act on the veterans'
behalf under a durable power of attorney.
(2) Claims described.--The claims described in this
paragraph are each of the following types of claims for
benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs:
(A) A fully developed claim that is submitted in
standard electronic form.
(B) A fully developed claim that is submitted in
standard paper form.
(C) A claim that is not fully developed that is
submitted in standard electronic form.
(D) A claim that is not fully developed that is
submitted in standard paper form.
(E) A claim that is not fully developed that is
submitted in non-standard paper form.
(3) Update of information.--The information described in
this subsection shall be updated not less frequently than once
each fiscal quarter.

TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS OF CERTAIN ACCRUED
BENEFITS UPON DEATH OF BENEFICIARY.

(a) Eligibility of Estate.--Section 5121(a)(2) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
'', or estate,'' after ''person''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
''(D) The estate of the veteran (unless the estate
will escheat).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to the death of an individual on or after the date
that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 402. OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY.

(a) Two Minutes of Silence.--Chapter 1 of title 36, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
''Sec. 145. Veterans Day
''The President shall issue each year a proclamation calling on the
people of the United States to observe 2 minutes of silence on Veterans
Day in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the
history of the Nation, beginning at--
''(1) 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time;
''(2) 2:11 p.m. eastern standard time;
''(3) 1:11 p.m. central standard time;
''(4) 12:11 p.m. mountain standard time;
''(5) 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time;
''(6) 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time; and
''(7) 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 1 of
title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:

''145. Veterans Day.''.

Passed the House of Representatives July 28, 2015.

Attest:

KAREN L. HAAS,

Clerk.
A:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 16, 2015. Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015 TITLE I--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT (Sec. 101) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of November 30, 2015, the rates of: veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, wartime disability compensation, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Each such increase shall be the same percentage as the benefits increase provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act, as of December 1, 2015. (Sec. 102) The VA shall publish such adjusted rates in the Federal Register. TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS (Sec. 201) The temporary expansion of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is extended till January 1, 2020. (Sec. 202) Specified recall requirements for retired judges are amended. A recall-eligible judge may request a recall for a period of service of at least 90 days (or the equivalent). (Sec. 203) A regular active service judge or a retired judge shall be treated as an employee for government life insurance purposes. (Sec. 204) Regular service judges, retired recall-eligible judges, and certain retired but not recall-eligible judges may purchase in three-month increments up to an additional year of service credit for each year of federal judicial service completed. (Sec. 205) The salary of Court judges is set at the rate applicable to federal appellate court judges. (Their salary is currently set at the rate applicable to federal district court judges.) (Sec. 206) The chief judge of the Court, in addition to existing qualifications, must not be older than 64 and have at least 3 years remaining in term of office as a judge of the Court in regular active service. TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS PROCESSING (Sec. 301) In the case of a disability compensation claim for two or more disabilities for which the VA, before completing the full adjudication, makes a decision with respect to a disability that would result in the payment of monetary benefits to the claimant, the VA shall make interim payments to the claimant based on such disability. Upon completion of the adjudication of all the disability claims the VA will pay the full amount of accrued benefits, less the amount of the interim payments that the claimant has already received. (Sec. 302) The VA shall: (1) establish a minimum two-year training program for newly hired claims processors, and (2) identify successful claims processors to assist in such training. (Sec. 303) The VA shall: (1) inform each person who submits a claim for benefits that he or she is eligible to receive up to an extra year of benefits payments upon the filing of a fully developed claim; and (2) post at each VA Regional Office, claims-intake facility, and on its website information regarding the average processing time of claims and the percentage of submitted claims for which benefits are awarded. TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS (Sec. 401) The VA shall pay any accrued benefits due and unpaid, as of a veteran's date of death, to the veteran's estate unless the estate will escheat. (Sec. 402) The President shall issue an annual proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the nation.