1.Short
title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Comprehensive Veterans Benefits
Improvements Act of 2007
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
TITLE I—Health Care Matters
Sec. 101. Enrollment of category 8 veterans in patient
enrollment system.
Sec. 102. Health care for veterans who are catastrophically
disabled.
Sec. 103. Repeal prior care requirement for eligibility for
reimbursement for emergency treatment.
Sec. 104. Pilot program on lung cancer screening for
veterans.
TITLE II—Compensation and Pension Matters
Sec. 201. Repeal of prohibition on concurrent receipt of
compensation or pension and retired or retirement pay.
Sec. 202. Increase in certain rates of disability
compensation.
Sec. 203. Provisions relating to service-connected hearing
loss.
Sec. 204. Repeal of requirement of reduction of SBP survivor
annuities by dependency and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 205. Increase in rate of dependency and indemnity
compensation for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die on
active duty.
Sec. 206. Reestablishment of age 55 as age of remarrying for
retention of certain veterans survivor benefits for surviving
spouses.
Sec. 207. Commencement of period of payment of compensation for
temporary total service-connected disability attributable to hospitalization or
treatment.
Sec. 208. Comptroller General report on adequacy of dependency
and indemnity compensation to maintain survivors of veterans who die from
service-connected disabilities.
TITLE III—Insurance Matters
Sec. 301. Reduction in premiums under Service-Disabled Veterans
Insurance program.
TITLE IV—Burial and Memorial Matters
Sec. 401. Plot allowances.
Sec. 402. Funeral and burial expenses.
Sec. 403. Authorization of appropriations for State cemetery
grants program for fiscal year 2008.
TITLE V—Housing Matters
Sec. 501. Grants for specially adapted housing for
veterans.
Sec. 502. Veterans' mortgage life insurance.
Sec. 503. Selected Reserves serving at least 1 year eligible
for housing loans.
Sec. 504. Housing loan fees adjusted to rates in effect before
passage of Veterans Benefits Act of 2003.
TITLE VI—Benefits Administration
Sec. 601. Judicial review.
Sec. 602. Elimination of rounding down of certain
cost-of-living adjustments.
Sec. 603. Clinical Information Data Exchange
Bureau.
Sec. 604. Study and report on reforms to strengthen and
accelerate the evaluation and processing of disability claims by the
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense.
TITLE VII—Other Benefits Matters
Sec. 701. Automobile assistance allowance.
Sec. 702. Refund of individual contributions for educational
assistance made by individuals prevented from pursuing educational programs due
to nature of discharge.
Sec. 703. Comptroller General report on provision of assisted
living benefits for veterans.
<enum>I</enum><header>Health Care
Matters</header>
<section id="idD32376A3770C4A789D7C902D4CB3A066"><enum>101.</enum><header>Enrollment of
category 8 veterans in patient enrollment system</header>
<subsection id="id5D1CA42E2DAA4EBBA2735F1F683F140B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Enrollment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit each veteran described in
paragraph (8) of section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, who presents
for enrollment in the system of annual patient enrollment required by such
section to enroll in such system for purposes of the receipt of care and
services as specified in such section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id1EEDB36998C342BF834A94DFE82684DB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>This section shall take effect on October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id19A6807184E24ECEBAF6418199EBA7CE"><enum>102.</enum><header>Health care
for veterans who are catastrophically disabled</header>
<subsection id="idC9D53AE7733844D398073169394D3D6D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report on
number of veterans wrongfully misclassified</header><text>Not later than 120
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report setting forth the number of veterans
who were catastrophically disabled who were wrongfully misclassified as not
being catastrophically disabled by reason and for the purposes of the
administration of the amendments made by title I of the Veterans' Health Care
Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–262).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id7DBDE0FD978849EABB5DDC02CCCB11AD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reclassification
of veterans wrongfully misclassified</header><text>The Secretary shall
reclassify as catastrophically disabled each veteran who was catastrophically
disabled but was misclassified as not being catastrophically disabled by reason
and for the purposes of the administration of the amendments made by title I of
the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996. Each veteran shall,
upon such reclassification, be entitled to such benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary as any other veteran who is catastrophically
disabled, including priority of eligibility of enrollment as a so-called
<quote>category 4 veteran</quote> under the patient enrollment system of the
Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States
Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idF70F4360352C4C60BF959559AC03A1A9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibition on
collection of copayments and other fees for hospital or nursing home
care</header><text>Section 1710 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id9E8618A45F2940FFB54B5EB63054E89A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (h) as subsection (i); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7F5FDF418BEB4451A30BBFB9EBF80CA2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
after subsection (g) the following new subsection (h):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7E1BA63A14E04CF38F57D200487E366D" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id3845D8DCAA7A40858F624A460DCFC98F"><enum>(h)</enum><text>Notwithstanding
any other provision of this section, a veteran who is catastrophically disabled
shall not be required to make any payment otherwise required under subsection
(f) or (g) for the receipt of hospital care or nursing home care under this
section.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id46F31A7A82854327B73D1A17564BB054"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>Subsection (b) and the amendments made by subsection (c)
shall take effect on October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id679B2E3C75E2459B96EC4741D9377A68"><enum>103.</enum><header>Repeal prior
care requirement for eligibility for reimbursement for emergency
treatment</header>
<subsection id="idA30442E0EA5D47299747A5F14686958F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repeal</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1725(b)(2) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking <quote>if—</quote> and all that follows and
inserting <quote>if the veteran is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment
established under section 1705(a) of this title.</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id259EE2F13A5F44ABA5789498CB9FA7B2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on
October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id539DD61857724362A5A0850160AA7C8C"><enum>104.</enum><header>Pilot program
on lung cancer screening for veterans</header>
<subsection id="id928366D72C734DC382947C437E0E0054"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot
program</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot
program that provides for screening for lung cancer of veterans with a high
risk of lung cancer.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id3324ED32689F46DFAF39B29AFAA649E2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header>
<paragraph id="idD97CC4C418FE4C308C76A9DCD27FCFA4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The pilot program under subsection (a) shall include such
programs and activities as the Secretary considers appropriate to permit the
Secretary to make a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility and
advisability of various approaches for expanding the program within the
Department of Veterans Affairs in order to conduct screenings of veterans for
lung cancer on a wider scale.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC952B793AF7D4C188C7A8E022E503A20"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in consultation with the
International Early Lung Cancer Action Program and such other public and
private entities as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the
pilot program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2CF1B82AD3C948348C7753B869F8449D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 2 years after the commencement of the pilot program under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. The
report shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="id9A5A036967574728866436940E06A042"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a description of
the programs and activities under the pilot program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0545B0F893E04E70B5A1889F5B40E0AD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the comprehensive
assessment of the Secretary described in subsection (b)(1);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCC7998AFC99F4AD58249FA41B025ABDB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>recommendations,
if any, for legislation necessary to implement on a wider basis a screening
program for lung cancer of veterans; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD5605F87294345448307E0D09688D6AE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>such other
matters as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the pilot
program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id0F359F869DE44FDDBC982188A2824CB5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header>
<paragraph id="id911B96D68D494723994492DB2D35AF8A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the
Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2008, $3,000,000 to carry out
this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF6D73C5149E745DF8B5EEACB62619305"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>The
amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) shall remain available
until expended.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Compensation and
Pension Matters</header>
<section id="id15892A6342D8466EA39F8F5EFCBC2654"><enum>201.</enum><header>Repeal of
prohibition on concurrent receipt of compensation or pension and retired or
retirement pay</header>
<subsection id="idF3DB256B60DD4E718671BC8BF68D7BAF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repeal</header>
<paragraph id="idE86391B1510C480B93A5E2C05886DAED"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 5304(a) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB97FD18C909D4796A4BAE81A2162F849" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id165716837CFE498FA6C833F285C842CD"><enum>(a)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3FE1D785F7F3475AA6750A5B73BCE1FE"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2A23827A19744BBC9C37D8817D2F1638"><enum>(A)</enum><text>If an election is in
effect under section 1413a of title 10, United States Code, with respect to any
person, no pension or compensation under this title shall be made concurrently
to the person based on the person's own service or concurrently to the person
based on the service of any other person. This subparagraph shall not apply to
the extent the person waives any applicable retired or retirement pay under
subparagraph (B).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id455F80C435EE4EC6A0FD4AB07DF15FE4" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A person to whom subparagraph (A)
applies who is receiving any applicable retired or retirement pay may file with
the department paying such pay a waiver of so much of such pay as is equal to
the amount of the pension or compensation to which subparagraph (A) otherwise
applies. To prevent duplication of payment, the department with which any such
waiver is filed shall notify the Secretary of the receipt of such waiver, the
amount waived, and the effective date of the reduction in pay.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD1F2A5BD7AC44140AB3D30EF072885D3" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The annual amount of any applicable
retired or retirement pay shall be counted as annual income for purposes of
chapter 15 of this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB8664132FF004EC6B64E384E08AD1B37" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In this subsection, the term
<term>applicable retired or retirement pay</term> means retired or retirement
pay paid under a provision of law providing retired or retirement pay to
persons in the Armed Forces or to commissioned officers of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration or of the Public Health
Service.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id46B795938A7D4798879347FE29D89F8D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendments</header>
<subparagraph id="idDBFA9DF1CE5D48E2B7D89CB0B124F5CF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The heading for
section 5304 of such title is amended by striking <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Prohibition against</header-in-text></quote> and
inserting <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Provisions
relating to</header-in-text></quote>.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id005F345903E74DFC91780FCD61DC50D4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The item relating
to section 5304 in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 53 of such
title is amended by striking <quote>Prohibition against</quote> and inserting
<quote>Provisions relating to</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id61CAB049EC384B04B64EF8DFC2CCC383"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming
repeals</header>
<paragraph id="id7B493F0F6DDB4CAAA8F7DD0E5662040F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 5305 of title 38, United States Code, and section
1414 of title 10, United States Code, are each repealed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF596896EE86D4FCA8593D575457D276D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendments</header>
<subparagraph id="id7E9B88B7BDEC48CC85565016A8B5229B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking the item relating to section 5305.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC94D1AE0B9534ACDAFD01C9C842EE800"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 71 of title 10, United States Code, is
amended by striking the item relating to section 1414.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id20C1592F8D114B86AFB626690C4486EF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conforming
amendments to combat-related special compensation</header>
<paragraph id="id8BC72D16FA04478AA1CA4229DDBE8380"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation
only available to existing claimants</header><text>Section 1413a of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB02F8528FEC94847B5960C5B9DEFDFE2" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id9FEEC1668D4B43BFA01DD010D3AF1C05"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Section only To
apply to retirees in payment status on October 1, 2007</header><text>No payment
under this section shall be made to an eligible combat-related disabled uniform
services retiree for any month beginning after September 30, 2007, unless the
retiree has an election in effect under this section for all months during the
period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on the last day of the month to
which the payment
relates.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id55F57A749B6D40B195C234992A1977E8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendments</header>
<subparagraph id="id511DE9BDFCEA4FC3A5C0EA95B5CBAFE0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Subsection (f) of
such section is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE7331BB5386742C5996D8B8BC25BE6CC" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id2BFCCA9B2915434484AD87190CB13C0C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Revocation of
election</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall provide for an annual
period (referred to as an <quote>open season</quote>) during which a person
with an election in effect under subsection (a) shall have the right to revoke
such election. Any such election shall be made under regulations prescribed by
the Secretary concerned and, once made, shall be irrevocable. Such regulations
shall provide for the form and manner for making such an election and shall
provide for the date as of when such an election shall become effective. In the
case of the Secretary of a military department, such regulations shall be
subject to approval by the Secretary of
Defense.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF8CB558EC5C642819060DC051CE4E193"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Subsection (b)(2)
of such section is amended by striking <quote>sections 5304 and 5305 of title
38</quote> and inserting <quote>section 5304(a)(1) of title 38</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA83BFDF79D584BCAA86C525C14F3E9A8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Other
conforming amendments</header>
<paragraph id="id8C7E3B8E188142F5B7FC7DB45BF9BE58"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Section 5111(b)
of title 38, United States Code is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34475CCFD65A485C8E19BAEC3ECE8E08" style="OLC">
<subsection id="idBE6A8466628743A682DF75EECCBDDEDD"><enum>(b)</enum><text>During the period
between the effective date of an award or increased award as provided under
section 5110 of this title or other provision of law and the commencement of
the period of payment based on such award as provided under subsection (a) of
this section, an individual entitled to receive monetary benefits shall be
deemed to be in receipt of such benefits for the purpose of all laws
administered by the
Secretary.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6E64624A9D26444CA309C4BC045AE304"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Sections
1463(a)(1), 1465(c)(1)(A), 1465(c)(1)(B), and 1466(b)(1)(D) of title 10, United
States Code, are each amended by striking <quote>or 1414</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBA9C01D996FC4D83808C9BAD806FA725"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Subparagraphs (A)
and (B) of section 1465(c)(4) of title 10, United States Code, are each amended
by striking <quote>sections 1413a and 1414</quote> and inserting <quote>section
1413a</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD2FB7E158F67491183D66933DC88E7C8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007, and shall apply with respect to payments of compensation or
pension and retired or retirement pay made on or after that date. No benefits
are payable by reason of the amendments made by this section for any period
before October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idFDFD3CEBAB594CFA95C769132D8AA393"><enum>202.</enum><header>Increase in
certain rates of disability compensation</header>
<subsection id="idB6032761C5164377A74DE5587541380B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Fifty percent
increase in certain rates</header><text>Subsection (k) of section 1114 of title
38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idB943C6305A3C406D863DD8F153C50702"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>$3,075</quote> and inserting <quote>$4,613</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idADEF975335A141439EDBA137D2175136"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>$89</quote> both places it appears and inserting <quote>$134</quote>;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB986962A43E247E0B72D0F8C026F31D2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>$4,313</quote> and inserting <quote>$6,470</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9519E10BD79247748BB1C6A674F06B10"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Twenty percent
increase in certain other rates</header><text>Such section is further
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idDCCF7F0056E9434F909349AA3562D5F6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection
(l), by striking <quote>$3,075</quote> and inserting
<quote>$3,690</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFDBEE9195267497FBA2ECDA547EAE9C8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection
(m), by striking <quote>$3,392</quote> and inserting
<quote>$4,070</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC0D8A0454DBC49D2925343E8129004C5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subsection
(n), by striking <quote>$3,860</quote> and inserting
<quote>$4,632</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBE8EEFB311EE49FA9D1EEBE06D80230C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in subsection
(o), by striking <quote>$4,313</quote> and inserting
<quote>$5,176</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7A29CE410D1549B5B7EFD4374A6671A0"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in subsection
(p), by striking <quote>$4,313</quote> each place it appears and inserting
<quote>$5,176</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE9737E9CE8334B24A275767AE603A888"><enum>(6)</enum><text>in subsection
(r)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id36426E28DF43454C9F57912061DD3632"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1),
by striking <quote>$1,851</quote> and inserting <quote>$2,221</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id99FA462055194C7B8612DB900E2BF417"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)
by striking <quote>$2,757</quote> and inserting <quote>$3,308</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2E5226A6CC5E48A188675B0AD29C7F96"><enum>(7)</enum><text>in subsection
(s), by striking <quote>$2,766</quote> and inserting
<quote>$3,319</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8C32FA6B77A2451B8F7789804E9B36C6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the
first day of the first month that begins on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and shall apply with respect to monthly amounts of disability
compensation payable on or after that day.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idDA23042BF6AE400B9377D3D57BE3630D"><enum>203.</enum><header>Provisions
relating to service-connected hearing loss</header>
<subsection id="id8F54060181B74A2B810A2620F47B6A6E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Minimum rating
of disability for hearing loss requiring a hearing aid</header><text>Section
1155 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new sentence: <quote>The minimum rating of disability under the
schedule adopted under this section for a veteran for a disability consisting
of hearing loss for which the wearing of a hearing aid or hearing aids is
medically indicated shall be a rating of 10 percent.</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5BA8C316D64C4FAC887C5750FD55817B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Presumption
that hearing loss is service connected</header><text>Section 1112 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD5904019399C4C9C812ACFEE343CCFC9" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id0BFBF929F5CC467E99CBC5968DCDECE9"><enum>(d)</enum><text>For purposes of
section 1110 of this title, and subject to section 1113 of this title, if
tinnitus or hearing loss typically related to noise exposure or acoustic trauma
becomes manifest in a veteran who, during military service, performed duties
typically involving high levels of noise exposure, the tinnitus or hearing loss
shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service,
notwithstanding that there is no record of the disease during the period of
service.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id971AB468287C4F9B806E92CD716948FB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007. No benefit is payable by reason of the amendments made by this
section for any period before October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idFEC944EC7BF44D6A96C12BF612AD5B03"><enum>204.</enum><header>Repeal of
requirement of reduction of SBP survivor annuities by dependency and indemnity
compensation</header>
<subsection id="id2C7C997FB4C04E46942D6204222A3C89"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repeal</header>
<paragraph id="IDA9289A2C19B244ECB0D76418658B18F2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States
Code, is amended as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID671C4562046E436A8D07C519DB803262"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In section 1450,
by striking subsection (c).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6C95AC50398B40DD80CB51383D683254"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In section
1451(c)—</text>
<clause id="ID777214BAFFA44486AD1B6945986E1C90"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by
striking paragraph (2); and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDECCEF03ADC384E72905237DCDDD76512"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by
redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3),
respectively.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID887ED75323634DD880F61D249EFDAFAF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming
amendments</header><text>Such subchapter is further amended as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID5422518533034B16976B276D9E44C2F4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In section
1450—</text>
<clause id="ID9165FC64B9624DEDA7E6BF7BF00FEBE1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by
striking subsection (e); and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID26995B243AAE474290A3D51AD0B00A4A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by
striking subsection (k).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1D2C437729184F74A169475DA7688F75"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In section
1451(g)(1), by striking subparagraph (C).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDDCC389EA195647DBA834A245173AEC90"><enum>(C)</enum><text>In section
1452—</text>
<clause id="ID6661E85937EE4DCEB2B2E25153EBA224"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in
subsection (f)(2), by striking <quote>does not apply—</quote> and all that
follows and inserting <quote>does not apply in the case of a deduction made
through administrative error.</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDE932CDB39C9F462290EBE5E731A03533"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by
striking subsection (g).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID425DA883F709463A8DE52BB34694C8FC"><enum>(D)</enum><text>In section
1455(c), by striking <quote>, 1450(k)(2),</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDDA696DB37061485894642569531C6ADB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prohibition on
Retroactive Benefits</header><text>No benefits may be paid to any person for
any period before the effective date provided under subsection (f) by reason of
the amendments made by subsection (a).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5C7C1DEAA3124E158AC2D69EDA97B132"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibition on
recoupment of certain amounts previously refunded to SBP
recipients</header><text>A surviving spouse who is or has been in receipt of an
annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan under subchapter II of chapter 73 of
title 10, United States Code, that is in effect before the effective date
provided under subsection (f) and that is adjusted by reason of the amendments
made by subsection (a) and who has received a refund of retired pay under
section 1450(e) of title 10, United States Code, shall not be required to repay
such refund to the United States.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id7DB9803E23EF4B24A35653CC8C4582A1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Repeal of
authority for optional annuity for dependent children</header><text>Section
1448(d)(2) of such title is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idC29FBCA37D5549F59D5FA0DB0157CB1C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote><header-in-text level="paragraph" style="OLC">Dependent
children</header-in-text>.—</quote> and all that follows through <quote>In the
case of a member described in paragraph (1),</quote> and inserting
<quote><header-in-text level="paragraph" style="OLC">Dependent
children</header-in-text>.—In the case of a member described in paragraph
(1),</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC1B560E2807D41EABF1F26B06EDCCAB9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking
subparagraph (B).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD4F79C45FE7D483DACF553462A0108AE"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Restoration of
eligibility for previously eligible spouses</header><text>The Secretary of the
military department concerned shall restore annuity eligibility to any eligible
surviving spouse who, in consultation with the Secretary, previously elected to
transfer payment of such annuity to a surviving child or children under the
provisions of section 1448(d)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, as in
effect on the day before the effective date provided under subsection (f). Such
eligibility shall be restored whether or not payment to such child or children
subsequently was terminated due to loss of dependent status or death. For the
purposes of this subsection, an eligible spouse includes a spouse who was
previously eligible for payment of such annuity and is not remarried, or
remarried after having attained age 55, or whose second or subsequent marriage
has been terminated by death, divorce or annulment.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID36433E040F874CCBB336467649DA82E0"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Effective
Date</header><text>The sections and the amendments made by this section shall
take effect on the later of—</text>
<paragraph id="IDEBC8AA526C324FCD80C40DBBD3F84B7A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the first day of
the first month that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act;
or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDFECF5B2E4BD149719C479F7D3408CE62"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the first day of
the fiscal year that begins in the calendar year in which this Act is
enacted.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idB5F8E5CD78464749802555E5033A14A0"><enum>205.</enum><header>Increase in
rate of dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of members
of the Armed Forces who die on active duty</header>
<subsection id="id69A9C6E43F4C452C8A8669FFD7131816"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Increase in
rate</header><text>Section 1311(a) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id2BB621027EFC4D2CB723B17A77D028BA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6AED447A40694F4A9C89ACBF2697B4E5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15AB3ACDC5284237A129C4706D31E3B8" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="idDB3813059637434BBF0A1CECB72FC609" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The rate under paragraph (1) shall be
increased by $228 in the case of the death of a member of the Armed Forces on
active duty.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id823C5FC582BE424B943446D010E35AA9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraph (4),
as redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by striking <quote>(1) and
(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>(1), (2), and (3)</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id12768D30127A46F19F3DBE4B3A5C17DB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007, and shall apply with respect to dependency and indemnity
compensation payable for months beginning on or after that date.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idEB05B23890224209BE0A66F7B2AD0B2E"><enum>206.</enum><header>Reestablishment
of age 55 as age of remarrying for retention of certain veterans survivor
benefits for surviving spouses</header>
<subsection id="idE66DB1C9C45A4C3F80F9CA736AF87027"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reestablishment</header><text>Section
103(d)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id9ED4238FC7C047859C96827FF5DBC5C0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the first
sentence, by striking <quote>age 57</quote> and inserting <quote>age
55</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE3DEF67E3ABF494CA88BA7FE954B7C34"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the
second sentence.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4706DD351B9043C5956803A537A8FF37"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007. No benefit is payable by reason of the amendments made by this
section for any period before October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idCB11AD249AF14113AF60C151E57FCAA6"><enum>207.</enum><header>Commencement
of period of payment of compensation for temporary total service-connected
disability attributable to hospitalization or treatment</header>
<subsection id="id7D540AAC435945689C4CD907528005FE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Commencement of
period of payment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section
5111(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD729DB58B8C84DC29FB7DD71D9E3BB8F" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id112DC162CF2243BDAFCF4798EB962F55" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In the case of a temporary increase
in compensation for hospitalization or treatment for a service-connected
disability rated as total by reason of such hospitalization or treatment, the
period of payment shall commence on the date of admission for such
hospitalization or date of treatment, surgery, or other activity necessitating
such treatment, as
applicable.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id4C1B22BF75CD449A8609B9AB69976F37"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on
October 1, 2007. No benefit is payable by reason of the amendment made by
subsection (a) for any period before October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id489088AEE32140EC992F005C8DAE5AF1"><enum>208.</enum><header>Comptroller
General report on adequacy of dependency and indemnity compensation to maintain
survivors of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities</header>
<subsection id="id5E3B01CC1BD646BBA5A10386FA0AC166"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report
required</header>
<paragraph id="id6127A70D4BA041AD8E9D9D2B90E03B1E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 10
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall submit to the congressional veterans affairs committees
a report on the adequacy of dependency and indemnity compensation payable under
chapter 13 of title 38, United States Code, to surviving spouses and dependents
of veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability in
maintaining such surviving spouses and dependents at a standard of living above
the poverty level.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAE734DAB12A04067AD194246291D8BF5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
report required by paragraph (1) shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="id67A9524A75EB4BD1B200A0F8066851E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of
the current system for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to
surviving spouses and dependents described in paragraph (1), including a
statement of the rates of such compensation so payable;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id79D945C6F7C6415188FA37BFB9F4CFD1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an assessment of
the adequacy of such payments in maintaining such surviving spouses and
dependents at a standard of living above the poverty level; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4468ADC00142467AAD480BFFE1E18D85"><enum>(C)</enum><text>such
recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate in order to
improve or enhance the effects of such payments in maintaining such surviving
spouses and dependents at a standard of living above the poverty level.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id711F1DCA7E864803A695D0CCE927B9C2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Congressional
veterans affairs committees defined</header><text>In this section, the term
<term>congressional veterans affairs committees</term> means—</text>
<paragraph id="id013B7245C6C741D899B83FA66219FA37"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id226C1E03D9354B0B9A63D1D8D1BA41E1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Insurance
Matters</header>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9D53EE13329C43C3B75D703ECD1B0CD" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>301.</enum><header>Reduction in
premiums under Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance program</header>
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA1D2325932B041C6B262195B2123D6EA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1922(a) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H6B5CEE29752D4F2F8E172D55615D1232"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>(1)</quote> after <quote>(a)</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H35102B2F68934C0E8D9C7362C836C15"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by
striking the fourth sentence and all that follows and inserting the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H48FB1BC4A545430AB8B327131300ECEC" style="USC">
<paragraph id="HD2286CA721F44B6DB5963657A619F984" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Insurance granted under this section
shall be issued upon the same terms and conditions as are contained in the
standard policies of National Service Life Insurance, except that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7E012557B6B14BF086BFC10000EAE850"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of such insurance shall be
$50,000, or such lesser amount, evenly divisible by $10,000, as the insured may
specify;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H035B496ADBAC436CB4B86133132E2B6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the premium rates for such
insurance—</text>
<clause id="H68CE9D529F4A469894A9B2EC3F95C56F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for premiums for months beginning
before the effective date of this paragraph under section 301(c) of date of the
enactment of the <short-title>Comprehensive Veterans
Benefits Improvements Act of 2007</short-title> shall be based on the
Commissioners 1941 Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and interest at the
rate of 2<fraction>1/4</fraction> percent per year; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H9F26AD805CCD49D7B065DB64A9CCCCF0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for premiums for months beginning
on or after that effective date shall be based upon the 2001 Commissioners
Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and interest at the rate of
4<fraction>1/2</fraction> percent per year;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7C84E38A49C9404DBC2600C000DC96D1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>all cash, loan, paid-up, and extended
values—</text>
<clause id="H739EE64910B043EAA489BB5BDD5600F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for a policy issued under this
section before the effective date described in subparagraph (B)(i) shall be
based upon the Commissioners 1941 Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and
interest at the rate of 2<fraction>1/4</fraction> percent per year; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H6BF19C5D5F48476786C5D60063ABF9FE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for a policy issued under this section on
or after that effective date shall be based upon the 2001 Commissioners
Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and interest at the rate of
4<fraction>1/2</fraction> percent per year;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFF67A3DFA2D04581BD5DBFD2C36A604"><enum>(D)</enum><text>all settlements on policies involving
annuities shall be calculated on the basis of the Annuity Table for 1949, and
interest at the rate of 2<fraction>1/4</fraction> percent per year;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H07A6A0EA029F428FA005A206AFEE2DC"><enum>(E)</enum><text>insurance granted under this section
shall be on a nonparticipating basis;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7953B66C2DCF48568502B8198DC616AB"><enum>(F)</enum><text>all premiums and other collections for
insurance under this section shall be credited directly to a revolving fund in
the Treasury of the United States; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H42E4CA584A1B4B1BB5AAE99CD02E1907"><enum>(G)</enum><text>any payments on such insurance shall
be made directly from such fund.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF803A2F9A1594855BD0059E10381BE38" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Appropriations to the fund referred
to in subparagraphs (F) and (G) of paragraph (2) are hereby authorized.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8A44A684E58046FAB9E6C96CCDC7ABE3" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>As to insurance issued under this
section, waiver of premiums pursuant to section 602(n) of the National Service
Life Insurance Act of 1940 and section 1912 of this title shall not be denied
on the ground that the service-connected disability became total before the
effective date of such
insurance.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCF2F1B44B44B456994F11BB7E19542CA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coordination
with overall limit</header><text>Section 1903 of such title is amended by
adding at the end the following new sentence: <quote>The limitations of this
section shall not apply to insurance granted under section 1922 of this title,
except that other insurance to which this section applies shall be taken into
account in determining whether the limitations of subsections (a)(2)(A) and (b)
of section 1922 of this title are met with respect to insurance granted under
section 1922 of this title.</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idB1710E5C598F4A8E8133FA6CBFE815D5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the
later of—</text>
<paragraph id="id8CF1E15CFA574C28BE4DF60D4266E98C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>October 1, 2007;
or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id24D4FB44911E4675BCD159DCA071C642"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the first day of
the first month that begins more than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Burial and
Memorial Matters</header>
<section id="id312272A4A07844D1A2A9320932528D37"><enum>401.</enum><header>Plot
allowances</header>
<subsection id="id6AEBEE4BAFDC41A4B5FEEAB9EA5CDB49"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Increase in
plot allowance</header><text>Section 2303 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking <quote>$300</quote> each place it appears and inserting
<quote>$745 (as adjusted from time to time under subsection
(c))</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idBCAC51766A3B4FF690A0F434F87A002A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Expansion of
eligibility</header><text>Subsection (b)(2) of such section is amended by
striking <quote>such veteran is eligible</quote> and all that follows through
<quote>, and</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id835468CB65784E4FA1FACA96AECE1501"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Annual
cost-of-living adjustment</header><text>Such section is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8D600168E863449FB976BA1774D5EA28" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id5A09DDF0789F4382B48507E12AE7B18F"><enum>(c)</enum><text>With respect to
any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to
the nearest dollar) in each maximum amount of the plot allowance payable under
this section equal to the percentage by which—</text>
<paragraph id="id42A2B699D9A040898E222AF6773D4A0D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Consumer
Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period
ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the
increase is made, exceeds</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id12144962F4034E85A181E29D3A870FFA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such Consumer
Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in
paragraph
(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idA2A75EACD7A2440CA175628875E8C902"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective
date</header>
<paragraph id="id5FA9DA4381B14F38801B0D42A5C3DF84"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007, and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after
that date.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id19440A92043143F9A9125BADFA84038B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>No cola
adjustment for fiscal year 2008</header><text>The percentage increase required
by subsection (c) of section 2303 of title 38, United States Code (as added by
subsection (c) of this section), for fiscal year 2008 shall not be made.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idFC740F13FEF74FC48D667624E7D28A36"><enum>402.</enum><header>Funeral and
burial expenses</header>
<subsection id="id068567AA41BF46B7886B76EA777B5536"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 2302 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id7E66E1C1005148A286B14BC1313BFAC6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), by striking <quote>$300</quote> in the matter following paragraph (2) and
inserting <quote>$1,270 (as adjusted from time to time under subsection
(c))</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1AFAAD8503F148EA82A6C23599849DA6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB0A94EE5E8ED4024B7D66639E74A26EE" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id3754FF1302394EA1BFF3AB4AC1113F17"><enum>(c)</enum><text>With respect to
any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to
the nearest dollar) in the maximum amount of benefits payable under subsection
(a) equal to the percentage by which—</text>
<paragraph id="id7794B09B7FBA4E10A73762C1225E5501"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Consumer
Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period
ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the
increase is made, exceeds</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id90778EA15B4B478EAE5AA9364745D01F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such Consumer
Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in
paragraph
(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8FC9EF657F0E47BC811948ED3E8B0ABA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deaths from
service-connected disability</header><text>Section 2307 of such title is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idEFFC07460BDD46F4B6D783527320DE77"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>(a) <header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">Funeral and burial
expenses</header-in-text>.—</quote> before <quote>In any case</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3C029874DDD446FC902A1569667397CC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)
of subsection (a), as designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by
striking <quote>$2,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$4,100 (as adjusted from
time to time under subsection (b))</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7EA90F0311994F11B985ECC5292D63F5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEAC9304E245C4C5DAE9FF6CB1050170B" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id10CDC7ED907A491DBF6DD7EB83E80465"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Cost-of-living
adjustment</header><text>With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall
provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the amount of
benefits payable under subsection (a)(1) equal to the percentage by
which—</text>
<paragraph id="idC57241D2867A421FA744191D8EBBCCA2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Consumer
Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period
ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the
increase is made, exceeds</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id505FF5CBF9044DC88EA309D8020E4A1C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such Consumer
Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in
paragraph
(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id00ACE246F9F74D31A571635CB57DB7DF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header>
<paragraph id="id6024D99EE7D64C50BC38F6C278624E06"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to deaths
occurring on or after that date.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAA4D4F902E45486CBF949E362447121C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>No cola
adjustment for fiscal year 2008</header><text>The percentage increase required
by subsection (c) of section 2302 of title 38, United States Code (as added by
subsection (a) of this section), and the percentage increase required by
subsection (b) of section 2307 of title 38, United States Code (as added by
subsection (b) of this section), for fiscal year 2008 shall not be made.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD16A9D227B43478692CD713B5578EF41"><enum>403.</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations for State cemetery grants program for fiscal year
2008</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is hereby
authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal
year 2008, $37,000,000 for aid to States for the establishment, expansion, and
improvement of veterans' cemeteries under section 2408 of title 38, United
States Code.</text>
</section><enum>V</enum><header>Housing
Matters</header>
<section id="idD1B01746DAAA43DBB99B906C283DC716"><enum>501.</enum><header>Grants for
specially adapted housing for veterans</header>
<subsection id="id65BE3B671C7849A2995066F13E0647EB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Increase in
grant amounts</header>
<paragraph id="id2DB72337D6174C10B75B9E87B319AF20"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Acquisition of
housing</header><text>Subsection (d)(1) of section 2102 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking <quote>$50,000</quote> and inserting
<quote>$60,000 (as adjusted from time to time under subsection
(f))</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6108FD4E5F62481196462E19F8192DC2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Adaptations to
housing</header><text>Subsections (b)(2) and (d)(2) of such section are each
amended by striking <quote>$10,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$12,000 (as
adjusted from time to time under subsection (f))</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2FF2689D5CF541368C770C25C45B73C9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional
grant for acquisition of subsequent housing unit</header><text>Such section is
further amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id38CB8F6E6AB846A2839EF5F834BAEBCC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection
(c), by inserting <quote>or (e)</quote> after <quote>subsection (a)</quote>;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBFFD4930BA0042CB9EE05DD698C4A3E0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD072F55FA0914ED49EDE246DCF4D8113" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id0C26FE4A12804A959C606DEBEB8517A0"><enum>(e)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id7350C43E49C04AC3B555A56E1436DDFA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In addition to the
assistance otherwise provided under subsection (d)(1), the assistance
authorized by section 2101(a) of this title shall also include assistance for a
veteran for the acquisition by the veteran of a housing unit to replace the
housing unit for which assistance was provided under subsection (d)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBDDB371E88A54AFFA9663822F0C05597" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The amount of assistance under this
subsection may not exceed the maximum amount of assistance available under
subsection (d)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7FE269FC6F2E4998B3DD8FAA19A6A4A7" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Assistance shall be afforded under
this subsection through a plan set forth in subsection (a), at the option of
the veteran
concerned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA18BC8FBD2704FEA923F99E6DE5B42CE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Annual
cost-of-living adjustment</header><text>Such section is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block id="HFF4CE0CFC4CB4EBE8F86F6EEE00207B" style="OLC">
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4D0DCECA4CD9420494A1F0012723F1F"><enum>(f)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H699B2647FC604C5FB622C300E64BAE1F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Effective on October 1
of each year (beginning in 2008), the Secretary shall increase the amounts in
effect under subsections (b)(2), (d)(1), and (d)(2) in accordance with this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H35CFD9DC99B744A6B607BFBA40DFA2BF" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The increase in amounts under
paragraph (1) to take effect on October 1 of any year shall be the percentage
by which (A) the residential home cost-of-construction index for the preceding
calendar year exceeds (B) the residential home cost-of-construction index for
the year preceding that year.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAEC3641F8503462C978B9572167BA302" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Secretary shall establish a
residential home cost-of-construction index for the purposes of this
subsection. The index shall reflect a uniform, national average increase in the
cost of residential home construction, determined on a calendar year basis. The
Secretary may use an index developed in the private sector that the Secretary
determines is appropriate for purposes of this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idFF734960E2BF4791B6A6BBAF4003FD23"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idC70F4AFC28564E7FA9E965E95B2781E8"><enum>502.</enum><header>Veterans'
mortgage life insurance</header>
<subsection id="id8D0AC71D81B14C1E849BFD3F475B164B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Increase in
amount of insurance</header><text>Section 2106(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking <quote>$90,000</quote> and inserting
<quote>$150,000</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id6364EA3C4CAD470A85BEB8C69A56607D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on
the later of—</text>
<paragraph id="id832F00E0144B4638922170B46DBAFB8B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>October 1, 2007;
or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCA1264735B9747EBB2DA1C1C67A09F47"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the first day of
the first month that begins more than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id94D3CE7EC31945D4ABEFB747EF1C9BC0"><enum>503.</enum><header>Selected
Reserves serving at least 1 year eligible for housing loans</header>
<subsection id="idFF7A2FB6AD4A4C97926DD22F46297C2F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reduction in
period of service requirement for Selected Reserves</header><text>Section
3701(b)(5)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>6
years</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>1 year</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id78A66829B8314B56800F00B7FCE0BCA5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendment made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id15553497091642EEB3D5BCD5DEA4426A"><enum>504.</enum><header>Housing loan
fees adjusted to rates in effect before passage of Veterans Benefits Act of
2003</header>
<subsection id="id1DA58808448340C1954DBD7CFAC733D7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Paragraph (2) of section 3729(b) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF747BFFC2A5A4EDF85F3F37C4966F054" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id16AEDA8A667C4EB1930B4DEB9E0F7DB4" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The loan fee table referred to in
paragraph (1) is as follows:</text>
<table align-to-level="section" blank-lines-before="1" frame="topbot" line-rules="hor-ver" rule-weights="4.4.4.4.0.0" subformat="S6211" table-type="4-Generic:-1-text,-3-num">
<ttitle>LOAN FEE TABLE</ttitle>
<tgroup cols="4" grid-typeface="1.1" thead-tbody-ldg-size="10.10.12" ttitle-size="10"><colspec align="left" coldef="txt" colname="col1" colsep="1" colwidth="194" min-data-value="125" rowsep="0"></colspec><colspec align="right" coldef="fig" colname="col2" colsep="1" colwidth="93" min-data-value="10"></colspec><colspec align="right" coldef="fig" colname="col3" colsep="1" colwidth="93" min-data-value="10"></colspec><colspec align="right" coldef="fig" colname="col4" colsep="1" colwidth="93" min-data-value="10"></colspec>
<thead>
<row><entry align="center" colname="col1" rowsep="1">Type of
loan</entry><entry align="center" colname="col2" rowsep="1">Active duty
veteran</entry><entry align="center" colname="col3" rowsep="1">Reservist</entry><entry align="center" colname="col4" rowsep="1">Other<linebreak></linebreak> obligor</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(A)(i) Initial loan
described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down,
or any other initial loan described in section 3710(a) other than with 5-down
or 10-down (closed on or after October 1, 2007, and before October 1,
2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">2.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">2.75</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(A)(ii) Initial loan
described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down,
or any other initial loan described in section 3710(a) other than with 5-down
or 10-down (closed on or after October 1, 2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">1.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">2.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(B)(i) Subsequent loan
described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down,
or any other subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after
October 1, 2007 and before October 1, 2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">3.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">3.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(B)(ii) Subsequent loan
described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down,
or any other subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after
October 1, 2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">1.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">2.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(C)(i) Loan described
in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down (closed on
or after October 1, 2007, and before October 1, 2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">1.50</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">2.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(C)(ii) Loan described
in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down (closed on
or after October 1, 2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">0.75</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">1.50</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(D)(i) Initial loan
described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
(closed on or after October 1, 2007, and before October 1, 2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">1.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">2.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(D)(ii) Initial loan
described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
(closed on or after October 1, 2011)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">0.50</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">1.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(E) Interest rate
reduction refinancing loan</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">0.50</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">0.50</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(F) Direct loan under
section 3711</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">1.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">1.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(G) Manufactured home
loan under section 3712 (other than an interest rate reduction refinancing
loan)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">1.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">1.00</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(H) Loan to Native
American veteran under section 3762 (other than an interest rate reduction
refinancing loan)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">1.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">1.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">NA</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(I) Loan assumption
under section 3714</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">0.50</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">0.50</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">0.50</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="col1" leader-modify="force-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">(J) Loan under section
3733(a)</entry><entry align="right" colname="col2" rowsep="0">2.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col3" rowsep="0">2.25</entry><entry align="right" colname="col4" rowsep="0">2.25.</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup></table>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idE2C3195458C646FF8F134EF6652C41C8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendment made by this section shall apply to loans
closed after September 30, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>VI</enum><header>Benefits
Administration</header>
<section id="idC752291CBB6F4A2F9EDA5721E7F1408C"><enum>601.</enum><header>Judicial
review</header>
<subsection id="id69DE4648FD294E7B9F01BDD1AFEFF44B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review by
United States Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit of adoption or revision of
schedule of disability ratings</header><text>Section 502 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id47805D53E6604E3B8D06F6239D08C37A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>(a) <header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">Judicial
review</header-in-text>.—</quote> before <quote>An action</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAB10554B669A4C5BBB9F6663A2341CB6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), as designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by striking
<quote>(other than an action relating to the adoption or revision of the
schedule of ratings for disabilities adopted under section 1155 of this
title)</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id904F46829EC44F3B8B52C07B5651DF5F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id869D76A7D36643C4B2769736D01BC249" style="OLC">
<subsection id="idB175CE847DFB46C69DADD6C725CB98CE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Standard of
review of actions relating to schedule of ratings for
disabilities</header><text>In reviewing pursuant to this section an action of
the Secretary relating to the adoption or revision of the schedule of ratings
for disabilities under section 1155 of this title, the Court may set aside such
action only if the Court finds such action to be arbitrary, capricious, or
otherwise not in accordance with
law.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8A2FF01A62FD4FB09377919B7377C45A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review by Court
of Appeals for Veterans Claims of adverse findings of material
facts</header><text>Section 7261(a)(4) of such title is amended by striking
<quote>is clearly erroneous</quote> and inserting <quote>is not reasonably
supported by a preponderance of the evidence</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id59BA3589064D4D6F8A29FBA5227FD8DB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the
date of the enactment of this Act. The amendment made by subsection (b) shall
apply with respect to all cases pending for decision before the United States
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims other than a case in which a final
decision has been entered before the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idEAA0B58500CB430EB0ACC5CAD13CFC1B"><enum>602.</enum><header>Elimination of
rounding down of certain cost-of-living adjustments</header>
<subsection id="id3CC698D949F94AE199C529889483207B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Disability
compensation</header><text>Section 1104(a) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking <quote>,with all</quote> and all that follows up to the
period at the end.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id60A24FCD0BC4485E87CAE18936F8F1EC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Dependency
compensation</header><text>Section 1303(a) of such title is amended by striking
<quote>,with all</quote> and all that follows up to the period at the
end.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id27071FA107F141589797216430BEF39A"><enum>603.</enum><header>Clinical
Information Data Exchange Bureau</header>
<subsection id="id4134C207C34B46308544DB9C561E11B5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment
of Bureau</header><text>The Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Department of
Defense shall jointly establish the DoD/VA Clinical Information Data Exchange
Bureau (in this section referred to as <quote>the Bureau</quote>).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id1A6148681D154F2A8F0828C1643ACC89"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Information
system</header>
<paragraph id="id15459FFD28824B77ADBE2F98ED8C73DF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Bureau shall establish and maintain an information
system that facilitates the clinical exchange of computable data within and
between the health systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the
Department of Defense.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9AF5A4F4EA81469B816FB6E6B04A0639"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>In
establishing the information system described in paragraph (1), the Bureau
shall meet the following requirements:</text>
<subparagraph id="idE08418B6CFFD44A0A866C5EF41FB31AC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Software
requirements</header><text>The system shall utilize computer software—</text>
<clause id="id28DDE04AA96E46F389426C6506FDB6A7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
source code of which is open source and available in the public domain,</text>
</clause><clause id="idD8F36071F6E34B76B982BCBB18810D5C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>that is
nonproprietary, and</text>
</clause><clause id="idEA9910BDAA0441FFA7F1145C14FE18A3"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>that ensures
that the electronic medical records in the health systems of the Department of
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are able to understand all major
clinical vocabularies.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id400B9AE0B0484982B9743C411488327B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Patient
privacy</header><text>The system shall comply with all appropriate rules,
regulations, and procedures to safeguard patient privacy and to ensure data
security.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9B2307C5C5B64114B680BF7A42AF1771"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Mapping of
health information</header><text>The Bureau shall ensure that personal health
information available in electronic form outside of the system will be able to
be electronically mapped into the system.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id389C0B2E0D4E477AA10F42F7D8638B70"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Maintenance</header><text>The
Bureau shall permanently maintain the system, including ensuring that any
changes in any major clinical vocabulary are reflected in a timely manner in
the electronic medical records in the health systems of the Department of
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCB4CFA16C317401E89EC8B6CBE214745"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Cost of
system</header>
<paragraph id="id2621C815C24943DCA73A2C18A8641CF7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The cost of the information system established under this
section, and the annual costs of maintaining the system, shall be borne equally
by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD236A6ED170B4495AC422114BC05EB65"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Fees</header><text>The
Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense may charge vendor user fees in
order to facilitate the use of discrete clinical vocabularies within the
system.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idB8054B574B534091979FEE1D098F15D4"><enum>604.</enum><header>Study and
report on reforms to strengthen and accelerate the evaluation and processing of
disability claims by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense</header>
<subsection id="idE954ECD3A2C34407BD9B87001A33BA69"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly
conduct a study of the disability ratings systems of the Departments of
Veterans Affairs and Defense, including an analysis of—</text>
<paragraph id="id1A76F4EB6B41403A97C5105455F610F2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the
interoperability of both systems, and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD1A2B56292F7445AB42AB8C2074C093D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the feasibility
and advisability of automating the Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating
Disabilities (VASRD) to improve the time for processing, and the accuracy of,
disability ratings.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3057C666DA5A453AB3ED8AA0DB0B6E4D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header>
<paragraph id="id5D4D89DE9C06493A8E30B534D99C3328"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a
joint report on the study conducted under subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id412338892B104038AC1E961781419C6E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Such
report shall include specific legislative proposals, including the amount of
funding, which the Secretaries find necessary to—</text>
<subparagraph id="id59EA16F63AA647F5A89989BF967178F5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>ensure that the
disability ratings systems of both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the
Department of Defense are interoperable and that information contained in both
systems can readily be transmitted to and from each of the departments,
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE70EF1FB0C5D4BC6BBF3FABD42D1CEC7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>automate the
Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD),
including—</text>
<clause id="idCDC57A91CC8847D5A65FAA256A5EA02B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an
analysis of the necessary computer software and other technology, and</text>
</clause><clause id="id63135BD8B83C4BB29DACF0BC2F58367C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a
schedule for the completion of the automation.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id68D41F0A1D8F4616A46738F128DF0D76"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Relevant
committees of Congress</header><text>In this section, the term <term>relevant
committees of Congress</term> means—</text>
<paragraph id="id5ABFBE82C2484EC7BFC6A283A1A997B1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD86400057D274A91A75105563ADA776B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>VII</enum><header>Other Benefits
Matters</header>
<section id="idDF04DBDC0852477FB8C41810AD374D9B"><enum>701.</enum><header>Automobile
assistance allowance</header>
<subsection id="id5A87420A089F410588942D21A5EFCF0A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Increase in
amount of allowance</header><text>Subsection (a) of section 3902 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>$11,000</quote> and inserting
<quote>$22,484 (as adjusted from time to time under subsection
(e))</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id1E87E636881B47BC9F1026E70BDF92DA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Annual
adjustment</header><text>Such section is further amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block id="id13B38149C6E04F8EA4F45B9AAED01049" style="OLC">
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD07544EAF9594E7FBA614BE5A99B47EB"><enum>(e)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8EC1D9E1A2A74A92804F890BCE06A457"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Effective on October 1
of each year (beginning in 2008), the Secretary shall increase the dollar
amount in effect under subsection (a) to an amount equal to 80 percent of the
average retail cost of new automobiles for the preceding calendar year.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id64D97018ABB9473A97639D7EA52C25AF" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary shall establish the
method for determining the average retail cost of new automobiles for purposes
of this subsection. The Secretary may use data developed in the private sector
if the Secretary determines the data is appropriate for purposes of this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id4D8C6EC36F98415F8AAC9C0671A375F1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on
October 1, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id704C192EFFEE455F9C67ACD49F046BC5"><enum>702.</enum><header>Refund of
individual contributions for educational assistance made by individuals
prevented from pursuing educational programs due to nature of
discharge</header>
<subsection id="id8994930804BD4B2EA686CD31B9A6A68D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 3034 of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF53A5E4D46FC4F34972E9542D0BBAAB8" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id481D4FBE80FE48DE96C7F5CD525AE195"><enum>(e)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id90847660736147BE80A9279A424EE97F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In the case of any
eligible individual who has been prevented from pursuing a program of education
under this chapter because the individual has not met the nature of discharge
requirement of this chapter, the Secretary of Defense shall, upon application
of the individual, refund to the individual the amount determined under
paragraph (3) if the Secretary of Defense determines that the nature of the
discharge was due to minor infractions or deficiencies.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD93C58CC280644D98C4C690F05B84FD5" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an
individual if the discharge was a dishonorable discharge.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9CCF5AC2991241C7833AA9B4501BDF68" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The amount determined under this
paragraph with respect to any individual is the excess (if any) of—</text>
<subparagraph id="id3D007248B7D840B29C004BABC48C1834"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the sum of the amounts described in
section 3017(b)(1) of this title with respect to the individual, over</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCF7E78E33C324FF1BDF40D5771B33FAD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the sum of the amounts described in
section 3017(b)(2) of this title with respect to the individual.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2300C62B29D047CD9BAC4CA644AC7C8D" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense shall make
the payments under this subsection from the funds into which the amounts
described in section 3017(b)(1) of this title were
deposited.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id5DEE2583A0E14568B6247EAA3548A5FC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to
discharges after September 30, 2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id147807BCB45848D3ABAD00F0C2EE0956" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>703.</enum><header>Comptroller General
report on provision of assisted living benefits for veterans</header>
<subsection id="idA22C228BE44747F6B0805FF3462D11EB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report
required</header>
<paragraph id="id24236774418545BB9ED3153B9173D680"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the congressional veterans affairs committees a
report on the feasability and advisability of the provision through the
Department of Veterans Affairs of assisted living benefits for veterans who
otherwise qualify for nursing home care through the Department in lieu of the
provision through the Department of nursing home care for such veterans.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id176104ABD3D04785946FEE6C39FD0CC5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
report required by paragraph (1) shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="idBB47033B3DCD4BE5B7206DA747CC8AFB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of
various current proposals for the provision through the Department of assisted
living benefits for veterans as described in paragraph (1);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDE09084C9E324AE1A557EF6B9A5906D0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an estimate of
the costs of the various proposals described under subparagraph (A), and an
estimate of any cost savings anticipated to be achieved through the carrying
out of such proposals;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC220B3FDAEBC408EB6A757B9B0705946"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an assessment of
feasability and advisability of the provision through the Department of
assisted living benefits for veterans as described in paragraph (1), including
an identification of the proposal, if any, described in that paragraph, that
would result in the most cost-effective provision through the Department of
assisted living benefits for veterans; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6FC6DEFE61F641ACB57FB93720DD7994"><enum>(D)</enum><text>such
recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate regarding the
provision through the Department of assisted living benefits for
veterans.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id007E24BEC119432BB3BE3204752AF881"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Congressional
veterans affairs committees defined</header><text>In this section, the term
<term>congressional veterans affairs committees</term> means—</text>
<paragraph id="id8F6BD9C98EDC4B4AA8B6094FA4B41EEB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57EEF03331204B15A81055CB932EC8C4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section>