[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2640 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2640

     To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance and improve 
    insurance, housing, labor and education, and other benefits for 
                   veterans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 14, 2008

   Mr. Burr (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, and Mr. Craig) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                           Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance and improve 
    insurance, housing, labor and education, and other benefits for 
                   veterans, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Benefits 
Enhancement Act of 2008''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Reference to title 38, United States Code.
                       TITLE I--INSURANCE MATTERS

Sec. 101. Level-premium term life insurance for veterans with service-
                            connected disabilities.
Sec. 102. Administrative costs of service disabled veterans' insurance.
Sec. 103. Modification of servicemembers' group life insurance 
                            coverage.
Sec. 104. Supplemental insurance for totally disabled veterans.
Sec. 105. Expansion of individuals qualifying for retroactive benefits 
                            from traumatic injury protection coverage 
                            under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 106. Consideration of loss dominant hand in prescription of 
                            schedule of severity of traumatic injury 
                            under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 107. Designation of fiduciary for traumatic injury protection 
                            coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life 
                            Insurance in case of lost mental capacity 
                            or extended loss of consciousness.
Sec. 108. Enhancement of veterans' mortgage life insurance.
                       TITLE II--HOUSING MATTERS

Sec. 201. Home improvements and structural alterations for totally 
                            disabled members of the Armed Forces before 
                            discharge or release from the Armed Forces.
Sec. 202. Eligibility for specially adapted housing benefits and 
                            assistance for members of the Armed Forces 
                            with service-connected disabilities and 
                            individuals residing outside the United 
                            States.
Sec. 203. Specially adapted housing assistance for individuals with 
                            severe burn injuries.
Sec. 204. Extension of assistance for individuals residing temporarily 
                            in housing owned by a family member.
Sec. 205. Increase in specially adapted housing benefits for disabled 
                            veterans.
Sec. 206. Report on specially adapted housing for disabled individuals.
Sec. 207. Report on specially adapted housing assistance for 
                            individuals who reside in housing owned by 
                            a family member on permanent basis.
                 TITLE III--LABOR AND EDUCATION MATTERS

Sec. 301. Coordination of approval activities in the administration of 
                            education benefits.
Sec. 302. Enhanced authority for reimbursement of State approving 
                            agencies for expenses.
Sec. 303. Waiver of residency requirement for Directors for Veterans' 
                            Employment and Training.
Sec. 304. Modification of special unemployment study to cover veterans 
                            of Post 9/11 Global Operations.
Sec. 305. Extension of increase in benefit for individuals pursuing 
                            apprenticeship or on-job training.
Sec. 306. Increase in supplemental educational assistance for members 
                            of the Selected Reserve with certain skills 
                            or specialties.
Sec. 307. Modification of educational assistance for Reserve component 
                            members supporting contingency operations 
                            and other operations.
            TITLE IV--FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS MATTERS

Sec. 401. Expansion of eligibility for benefits provided by Department 
                            of Veterans Affairs for certain service in 
                            the organized military forces of the 
                            Commonwealth of the Philippines and the 
                            Philippine Scouts.
Sec. 402. Eligibility of children of certain Philippine veterans for 
                            educational assistance.
                         TITLE V--COURT MATTERS

Sec. 501. Recall of retired judges of the United States Court of 
                            Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 502. Additional discretion in imposition of practice and 
                            registration fees.
Sec. 503. Annual reports on workload of United States Court of Appeals 
                            for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 504. Report on expansion of facilities for United States Court of 
                            Appeals for Veterans Claims.
               TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSION MATTERS

Sec. 601. Addition of osteoporosis to disabilities presumed to be 
                            service-connected in former prisoners of 
                            war with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sec. 602. Cost-of-living increase for temporary dependency and 
                            indemnity compensation payable for 
                            surviving spouses with dependent children 
                            under the age of 18.
Sec. 603. Clarification of eligibility of veterans 65 years of age or 
                            older for service pension for a period of 
                            war.
                 TITLE VII--BURIAL AND MEMORIAL MATTERS

Sec. 701. Annual adjustment of amounts for burial benefits.
                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 801. Eligibility of disabled veterans and members of the Armed 
                            Forces with severe burn injuries for 
                            automobiles and adaptive equipment.
Sec. 802. Increase in assistance for providing automobiles or other 
                            conveyances to certain disabled veterans.
Sec. 803. Clarification of purpose of the outreach services program of 
                            the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 804. Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular telephone 
                            service for servicemembers undergoing 
                            deployment outside the United States.
Sec. 805. Maintenance, management, and availability for research of 
                            assets of Air Force Health Study.
Sec. 806. National Academies study on risk of developing multiple 
                            sclerosis as a result of certain service in 
                            the Persian Gulf War and Post 9/11 Global 
                            Operations theaters.
Sec. 807. Comptroller General report on adequacy of dependency and 
                            indemnity compensation to maintain 
                            survivors of veterans who die from service-
                            connected disabilities.

SEC. 2. REFERENCE TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States 
Code.

                       TITLE I--INSURANCE MATTERS

SEC. 101. LEVEL-PREMIUM TERM LIFE INSURANCE FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
              CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 19 is amended by inserting after section 
1922A the following new section:
``Sec. 1922B. Level-premium term life insurance for veterans with 
              service-connected disabilities
    ``(a) In General.--In accordance with the provisions of this 
section, the Secretary shall grant insurance to each eligible veteran 
who seeks such insurance against the death of such veteran occurring 
while such insurance is in force.
    ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--For purposes of this section, an eligible 
veteran is any veteran less than 65 years of age who has a service-
connected disability.
    ``(c) Amount of Insurance.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the 
amount of insurance granted an eligible veteran under this section 
shall be $50,000 or such lesser amount as the veteran shall elect. The 
amount of insurance so elected shall be evenly divisible by $10,000.
    ``(2) The aggregate amount of insurance of an eligible veteran 
under this section, section 1922 of this title, and section 1922A of 
this title may not exceed $50,000.
    ``(d) Reduced Amount for Veterans Age 70 or Older.--In the case of 
a veteran insured under this section who turns age 70, the amount of 
insurance of such veteran under this section after the date such 
veteran turns age 70 shall be the amount equal to 20 percent of the 
amount of insurance of the veteran under this section as of the day 
before such date.
    ``(e) Premiums.--(1) Premium rates for insurance under this section 
shall be based on the 2001 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Basic Table 
of Mortality and interest at the rate of 4.5 per centum per annum.
    ``(2) The amount of the premium charged a veteran for insurance 
under this section may not increase while such insurance is in force 
for such veteran.
    ``(3) The Secretary may not charge a premium for insurance under 
this section for a veteran as follows:
            ``(A) A veteran who has a service-connected disability 
        rated as total and is eligible for a waiver of premiums under 
        section 1912 of this title.
            ``(B) A veteran who is 70 years of age or older.
    ``(4) Insurance granted under this section shall be on a 
nonparticipating basis and all premiums and other collections therefor 
shall be credited directly to a revolving fund in the Treasury of the 
United States, and any payments on such insurance shall be made 
directly from such fund. Appropriations to such fund are hereby 
authorized.
    ``(5) Administrative costs to the Government for the costs of the 
program of insurance under this section shall be paid from premiums 
credited to the fund under paragraph (4), and payments for claims 
against the fund under paragraph (4) for amounts in excess of amounts 
credited to such fund under that paragraph (after such administrative 
costs have been paid) shall be paid from appropriations to the fund.
    ``(f) Application Required.--An eligible veteran seeking insurance 
under this section shall file with the Secretary an application 
therefor. Such application shall be filed not later than the earlier 
of--
            ``(1) the end of the two-year period beginning on the date 
        on which the Secretary notifies the veteran that the veteran 
        has a service-connected disability; and
            ``(2) the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date 
        of the separation of the veteran from the Armed Forces, 
        whichever is earlier.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 19 is amended by inserting after the item related to section 
1922A the following new item:

``1922B. Level-premium term life insurance for veterans with service-
                            connected disabilities.''.
    (c) Exchange of Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance.--During the 
one-year period beginning on the effective date of this section under 
subsection (d), any veteran insured under section 1922 of title 38, 
United States Code, who is eligible for insurance under section 1922B 
of such title (as added by subsection (a)), may exchange insurance 
coverage under such section 1922 for insurance coverage under such 
section 1922B.
    (d) Effective Date.--This section, and the amendments made by this 
section, shall take effect on June 1, 2008.

SEC. 102. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF SERVICE DISABLED VETERANS' INSURANCE.

    Section 1922(a) is amended by striking ``directly from such fund'' 
and inserting ``directly from such fund; and (5) administrative costs 
to the Government for the costs of the program of insurance under this 
section shall be paid from premiums credited to the fund under 
paragraph (4), and payments for claims against the fund under paragraph 
(4) for amounts in excess of amounts credited to such fund under that 
paragraph (after such administrative costs have been paid) shall be 
paid from appropriations to the fund''.

SEC. 103. MODIFICATION OF SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE 
              COVERAGE.

    (a) Expansion of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance To Include 
Certain Members of Individual Ready Reserve.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1)(C) of section 1967(a) is 
        amended by striking ``section 1965(5)(B) of this title'' and 
        inserting ``subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1965(5) of this 
        title''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (5)(C) of such section 
        1967(a) is amended by striking ``section 1965(5)(B) of this 
        title'' and inserting ``subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 
        1965(5) of this title''.
    (b) Reduction in Period of Coverage for Dependents After Member 
Separates.--Section 1968(a)(5)(B)(ii) is amended by striking ``120 days 
after''.

SEC. 104. SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE FOR TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1922A(a) is amended by striking 
``$20,000'' and inserting ``$30,000''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on January 1, 2008.

SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF INDIVIDUALS QUALIFYING FOR RETROACTIVE BENEFITS 
              FROM TRAUMATIC INJURY PROTECTION COVERAGE UNDER 
              SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 501(b) of the Veterans' 
Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 (Public Law 
109-233; 120 Stat. 414; 38 U.S.C. 1980A note) is amended by striking 
``, if, as determined by the Secretary concerned, that loss was a 
direct result of a traumatic injury incurred in the theater of 
operations for Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The heading of such section is amended 
by striking ``in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi 
Freedom''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on January 1, 2008.

SEC. 106. CONSIDERATION OF LOSS OF DOMINANT HAND IN PRESCRIPTION OF 
              SCHEDULE OF SEVERITY OF TRAUMATIC INJURY UNDER 
              SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 1980A(d) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Payments under'' and inserting ``(1) 
        Payments under''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) As the Secretary considers appropriate, the schedule required 
by paragraph (1) may distinguish in specifying payments for qualifying 
losses between the severity of a qualifying loss of a dominant hand and 
a qualifying loss of a non-dominant hand.''.
    (b) Payments for Qualifying Losses Incurred Before Date of 
Enactment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        prescribe in regulations mechanisms for payments under section 
        1980A of title 38, United States Code, for qualifying losses 
        incurred before the date of the enactment of this Act by reason 
        of the requirements of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of such 
        section (as amended by subsection (a)(2) of this section).
            (2) Qualifying loss defined.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``qualifying loss'' means--
                    (A) a loss specified in the second sentence of 
                subsection (b)(1) of section 1980A of title 38, United 
                States Code; and
                    (B) any other loss specified by the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs pursuant to the first sentence of that 
                subsection.

SEC. 107. DESIGNATION OF FIDUCIARY FOR TRAUMATIC INJURY PROTECTION 
              COVERAGE UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE IN 
              CASE OF LOST MENTAL CAPACITY OR EXTENDED LOSS OF 
              CONSCIOUSNESS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, develop a form for the 
designation of a recipient for the funds distributed under section 
1980A of title 38, United States Code, as the fiduciary of a member of 
the Armed Forces in cases where the member is mentally incapacitated 
(as determined by the Secretary of Defense in consultation with the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs) or experiencing an extended loss of 
consciousness.
    (b) Elements.--The form under subsection (a) shall require that a 
member may elect that--
            (1) an individual designated by the member be the recipient 
        as the fiduciary of the member; or
            (2) a court of proper jurisdiction determine the recipient 
        as the fiduciary of the member for purposes of this subsection.
    (c) Completion and Update.--The form under subsection (a) shall be 
completed by an individual at the time of entry into the Armed Forces 
and updated periodically thereafter.

SEC. 108. ENHANCEMENT OF VETERANS' MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE.

    Section 2106(b) is amended by striking ``$90,000'' and inserting 
``$150,000, or $200,000 after January 1, 2012,''.

                       TITLE II--HOUSING MATTERS

SEC. 201. HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS FOR TOTALLY 
              DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES BEFORE DISCHARGE OR 
              RELEASE FROM THE ARMED FORCES.

    Section 1717 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(d)(1) In the case of a member of the Armed Forces who, as 
determined by the Secretary, has a disability permanent in nature 
incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, 
naval, or air service, the Secretary may furnish improvements and 
structural alterations for such member for such disability or as 
otherwise described in subsection (a)(2) while such member is 
hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or 
treatment for such disability if the Secretary determines that such 
member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for 
such disability.
    ``(2) The furnishing of improvements and alterations under 
paragraph (1) in connection with the furnishing of medical services 
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(2) shall be 
subject to the limitation specified in the applicable subparagraph.''.

SEC. 202. ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING BENEFITS AND 
              ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH SERVICE-
              CONNECTED DISABILITIES AND INDIVIDUALS RESIDING OUTSIDE 
              THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Eligibility.--Chapter 21 is amended by inserting after section 
2101 the following new section:
``Sec. 2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: members of the 
              Armed Forces with service-connected disabilities; 
              individuals residing outside the United States
    ``(a) Members With Service-Connected Disabilities.--(1) The 
Secretary may provide assistance under this chapter to a member of the 
Armed Forces serving on active duty who is suffering from a disability 
that meets applicable criteria for benefits under this chapter if the 
disability is incurred or aggravated in line of duty in the active 
military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall be provided to 
the same extent as assistance is provided under this chapter to 
veterans eligible for assistance under this chapter and subject to the 
same requirements as veterans under this chapter.
    ``(2) For purposes of this chapter, any reference to a veteran or 
eligible individual shall be treated as a reference to a member of the 
Armed Forces described in subsection (a) who is similarly situated to 
the veteran or other eligible individual so referred to.
    ``(b) Benefits and Assistance for Individuals Residing Outside the 
United States.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may, at the 
Secretary's discretion, provide benefits and assistance under this 
chapter (other than benefits under section 2106 of this title) to any 
individual otherwise eligible for such benefits and assistance who 
resides outside the United States.
    ``(2) The Secretary may provide benefits and assistance to an 
individual under paragraph (1) only if--
            ``(A) the country or political subdivision in which the 
        housing or residence involved is or will be located permits the 
        individual to have or acquire a beneficial property interest 
        (as determined by the Secretary) in such housing or residence; 
        and
            ``(B) the individual has or will acquire a beneficial 
        property interest (as so determined) in such housing or 
        residence.
    ``(c) Regulations.--Benefits and assistance under this chapter by 
reason of this section shall be provided in accordance with such 
regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Repeal of superseded authority.--Section 2101 is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (c); and
                    (B) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
                (c).
            (2) Limitations on assistance.--Section 2102 is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking ``veteran'' each place it 
                        appears and inserting ``individual''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking 
                        ``veteran's'' and inserting ``individual's'';
                    (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``a veteran'' 
                and inserting ``an individual'';
                    (C) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) by striking ``a veteran'' and inserting 
                        ``an individual''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``the veteran'' each place 
                        it appears and inserting ``the individual''; 
                        and
                    (D) in subsection (d), by striking ``a veteran'' 
                each place it appears and inserting ``an individual''.
            (3) Assistance for individuals temporarily residing in 
        housing of family member.--Section 2102A is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears 
                (other than in subsection (b)) and inserting 
                ``individual'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``veteran's'' 
                each place it appears and inserting ``individual's''; 
                and
                    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``a veteran'' 
                each place it appears and inserting ``an individual''.
            (4) Furnishing of plans and specifications.--Section 2103 
        is amended by striking ``veterans'' both places it appears and 
        inserting ``individuals''.
            (5) Construction of benefits.--Section 2104 is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``veteran'' each 
                place it appears and inserting ``individual''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in the first sentence, by striking ``A 
                        veteran'' and inserting ``An individual'';
                            (ii) in the second sentence, by striking 
                        ``a veteran'' and inserting ``an individual''; 
                        and
                            (iii) by striking ``such veteran'' each 
                        place it appears and inserting ``such 
                        individual''.
            (6) Veterans' mortgage life insurance.--Section 2106 is 
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking ``any eligible veteran'' 
                        and inserting ``any eligible individual''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``the veterans''' and 
                        inserting ``the individual's'';
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``an eligible 
                veteran'' and inserting ``an eligible individual'';
                    (C) in subsection (e), by striking ``an eligible 
                veteran'' and inserting ``an individual'';
                    (D) in subsection (h), by striking ``each veteran'' 
                and inserting ``each individual'';
                    (E) in subsection (i), by striking ``the 
                veteran's'' each place it appears and inserting ``the 
                individual's'';
                    (F) by striking ``the veteran'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``the individual''; and
                    (G) by striking ``a veteran'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``an individual''.
            (7) Heading amendments.--(A) The heading of section 2101 is 
        amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible 
              veterans''.
            (B) The heading of section 2102A is amended to read as 
        follows:
``Sec. 2102A. Assistance for individuals residing temporarily in 
              housing owned by a family member''.
            (8) Clerical amendments.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 21 is amended--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to section 2101 
                and inserting the following new item:

``2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible veterans.'';
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                2101, as so amended, the following new item:

``2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: members of the Armed 
                            Forces with service-connected disabilities; 
                            individuals residing outside the United 
                            States.'';
                and
                    (C) by striking the item relating to section 2102A 
                and inserting the following new item:

``2102A. Assistance for individuals residing temporarily in housing 
                            owned by a family member.''.

SEC. 203. SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              SEVERE BURN INJURIES.

    Section 2101 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the 
        following new subparagraph:
            ``(E) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as 
        determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the 
        Secretary).''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``either'' and inserting ``any''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
            ``(C) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as so 
        determined).''.

SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS RESIDING TEMPORARILY 
              IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER.

    Section 2102A(e) is amended by striking ``after the end of the 
five-year period that begins on the date of the enactment of the 
Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006'' 
and inserting ``after December 31, 2011''.

SEC. 205. INCREASE IN SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING BENEFITS FOR DISABLED 
              VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 2102 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``$10,000'' and 
        inserting ``$11,000'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$50,000'' and 
                inserting ``$55,000''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$10,000'' and 
                inserting ``$11,000''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2009), 
the Secretary shall increase the amounts described in subsection (b)(2) 
and paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) in accordance with this 
subsection.
    ``(2) The increase in amounts under paragraph (1) to take effect on 
October 1 of a year shall be by an amount of such amounts equal to 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 the year described in subparagraph (A).
    ``(3) 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 change 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.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on July 1, 2008, and shall apply with respect to payments made 
in accordance with section 2102 of title 38, United States Code, on or 
after that date.

SEC. 206. REPORT ON SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than December 31, 2008, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report that contains an assessment of the adequacy of 
the authorities available to the Secretary under law to assist eligible 
disabled individuals in acquiring--
            (1) suitable housing units with special fixtures or movable 
        facilities required for their disabilities, and necessary land 
        therefor;
            (2) such adaptations to their residences as are reasonably 
        necessary because of their disabilities; and
            (3) residences already adapted with special features 
        determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary as a 
        result of their disabilities.
    (b) Focus on Particular Disabilities.--The report required by 
subsection (a) shall set forth a specific assessment of the needs of--
            (1) veterans who have disabilities that are not described 
        in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) of section 2101 of title 38, 
        United States Code; and
            (2) other disabled individuals eligible for specially 
        adapted housing under chapter 21 of such title by reason of 
        section 2101A of such title (as added by section 202(a) of this 
        Act) who have disabilities that are not described in such 
        subsections.

SEC. 207. REPORT ON SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR 
              INDIVIDUALS WHO RESIDE IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY 
              MEMBER ON PERMANENT BASIS.

    Not later than December 31, 2008, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
report on the advisability of providing assistance under section 2102A 
of title 38, United States Code, to veterans described in subsection 
(a) of such section, and to members of the Armed Forces covered by such 
section 2102A by reason of section 2101A of title 38, United States 
Code (as added by section 202(a) of this Act), who reside with family 
members on a permanent basis.

                 TITLE III--LABOR AND EDUCATION MATTERS

SEC. 301. COORDINATION OF APPROVAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF 
              EDUCATION BENEFITS.

    (a) Coordination.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3673 is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection 
                (c); and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following 
                new subsection (b):
    ``(b) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall take 
appropriate actions to ensure the coordination of approval activities 
performed by State approving agencies under this chapter and chapters 
34 and 35 of this title and approval activities performed by the 
Department of Labor, the Department of Education, and other entities in 
order to reduce overlap and improve efficiency in the performance of 
such activities.''.
            (2) Conforming and clerical amendments.--(A) The heading of 
        such section is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3673. Approval activities: cooperation and coordination of 
              activities''.
            (B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 is 
        amended by striking the item relating to section 3673 and 
        inserting the following new item:

``3673. Approval activities: cooperation and coordination of 
                            activities.''.
            (3) Stylistic amendments.--Such section is further 
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by inserting ``Cooperation 
                in Activities.--'' after ``(a)''; and
                    (B) in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph 
                (1)(A) of this subsection, by inserting ``Availability 
                of Information Material.--'' after ``(c)''.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report setting 
forth the following:
            (1) The actions taken to establish outcome-oriented 
        performance standards for State approving agencies created or 
        designated under section 3671 of title 38, United States Code, 
        including a description of any plans for, and the status of the 
        implementation of, such standards as part of the evaluations of 
        State approving agencies required by section 3674A of title 38, 
        United States Code.
            (2) The actions taken to implement a tracking and reporting 
        system for resources expended for approval and outreach 
        activities by such agencies.
            (3) Any recommendations for legislative action that the 
        Secretary considers appropriate to achieve the complete 
        implementation of the standards described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 302. ENHANCED AUTHORITY FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF STATE APPROVING 
              AGENCIES FOR EXPENSES.

    Section 3674(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``, out of amounts available for 
                the payment of readjustment benefits,''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                sentence: ``Subject to paragraph (4), such payments 
                shall be made first out of amounts available for the 
                payment of readjustment benefits and then from other 
                amounts made available to make such payments.''; and
            (2) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
    ``(4)(A) The total amount authorized and available under this 
section for any fiscal year may not exceed $19,000,000, except that--
            ``(i) the total amount made available for purposes of this 
        section from amounts available for the payment of readjustment 
        benefits may not exceed $13,000,000 in each of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2012; and
            ``(ii) no amount may be made available for such purposes 
        from amounts available for the payment of readjustment benefits 
        after fiscal year 2012.
    ``(B) For any fiscal year in which the total amount that would be 
made available under this section would exceed the amount applicable to 
that fiscal year under subparagraph (A) except for the provisions of 
this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide that each agency shall 
receive the same percentage of the amount applicable to that fiscal 
year under subparagraph (A) as the agency would have received of the 
total amount that would have been made available without the limitation 
of this paragraph.''.

SEC. 303. WAIVER OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR DIRECTORS FOR VETERANS' 
              EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING.

    Section 4103(a)(2) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) The Secretary may waive the requirement in subparagraph (A) 
with respect to a Director for Veterans' Employment and Training if the 
Secretary determines that the waiver is in the public interest. Any 
such waiver shall be made on a case-by-case basis.''.

SEC. 304. MODIFICATION OF SPECIAL UNEMPLOYMENT STUDY TO COVER VETERANS 
              OF POST 9/11 GLOBAL OPERATIONS.

    (a) Modification of Study.--Subsection (a)(1) of section 4110A is 
amended--
            (1) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking ``a 
        study every two years'' and inserting ``an annual study'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (A) as subparagraph (F);
            (3) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
        following new subparagraphs:
            ``(A) Veterans who were called to active duty while members 
        of the National Guard or a Reserve Component.
            ``(B) Veterans who served in combat or in a war zone in the 
        Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters.''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (C)--
                    (A) by striking ``Vietnam era'' and inserting 
                ``Post 9/11 Global Operations period''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the Vietnam theater of 
                operations'' and inserting ``the Post 9/11 Global 
                Operations theaters''.
    (b) Definitions.--Such section is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) In this section:
            ``(1) The term `Post 9/11 Global Operations period' means 
        the period of the Persian Gulf War beginning on September 11, 
        2001, and ending on the date thereafter prescribed by 
        Presidential proclamation or law.
            ``(2) The term `Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters' means 
        Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other theater in which the Global War 
        on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is awarded for service.''.

SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF INCREASE IN BENEFIT FOR INDIVIDUALS PURSUING 
              APPRENTICESHIP OR ON-JOB TRAINING.

    Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 
(Public Law 108-454; 118 Stat. 3600) is amended by striking ``2008'' 
each place it appears and inserting ``2010''.

SEC. 306. INCREASE IN SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS 
              OF THE SELECTED RESERVE WITH CERTAIN SKILLS OR 
              SPECIALTIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 16131(i) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$350'' and inserting 
        ``$425''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$350'' and inserting 
        ``$425''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on July 1, 2008, and shall apply with respect to payments made 
in accordance with section 16131(i) of title 10, United States Code, on 
or after that date.

SEC. 307. MODIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR RESERVE COMPONENT 
              MEMBERS SUPPORTING CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS AND OTHER 
              OPERATIONS.

    Section 16162(c)(4)(C) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ``for--'' and all that follows through ``or more.'' and 
inserting ``for two aggregate years or more.''.

            TITLE IV--FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS MATTERS

SEC. 401. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT 
              OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR CERTAIN SERVICE IN THE ORGANIZED 
              MILITARY FORCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES 
              AND THE PHILIPPINE SCOUTS.

    (a) Modification of Status of Certain Service.--
            (1) In general.--Section 107 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 107. Certain service with Philippine forces deemed to be active 
              service
    ``(a) In General.--Service described in subsection (b) shall be 
deemed to have been active military, naval, or air service for purposes 
of any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges, or 
benefits upon any individual by reason of the service of such 
individual or the service of any other individual in the Armed Forces.
    ``(b) Service Described.--Service described in this subsection is 
service--
            ``(1) before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces 
        of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while 
        such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the 
        United States pursuant to the military order of the President 
        dated July 26, 1941, including among such military forces 
        organized guerrilla forces under commanders appointed, 
        designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in 
        Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in 
        the Army of the United States; or
            ``(2) in the Philippine Scouts under section 14 of the 
        Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 (59 Stat. 538).
    ``(c) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Certain Recipients 
Residing Outside the United States.--(1) Dependency and indemnity 
compensation provided under chapter 13 of this title to an individual 
described in paragraph (2) shall be made at a rate of $0.50 for each 
dollar authorized.
    ``(2) An individual described in this paragraph is an individual 
who resides outside the United States and is entitled to dependency and 
indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of this title based on service 
described in subsection (b).
    ``(d) Exception on Pension and Death Pension for Individuals 
Residing Outside the United States.--An individual who resides outside 
the United States shall not, while so residing, be entitled to a 
pension under subchapter II or III of chapter 15 of this title based on 
service described in subsection (b).
    ``(e) United States Defined.--In this section, the term `United 
States' means the States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, 
American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, and any other possession or territory of the United 
States.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 1 is amended by striking the item related 
        to section 107 and inserting the following new item:

``107. Certain service with Philippine forces deemed to be active 
                            service.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply with respect to the payment or provision of 
        benefits on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. No 
        benefits are payable or are required to be provided by reason 
        of such amendment for any period before such date.
    (b) Pension and Death Pension Benefit Protection.--Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, a veteran with service described in section 
107(b) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), 
who is receiving benefits under a Federal or federally assisted program 
as of the date of the enactment of this Act, or a survivor of such 
veteran who is receiving such benefits as of the date of the enactment 
of this Act, may not be required to apply for or receive benefits under 
chapter 15 of such title if the receipt of such benefits would--
            (1) make such veteran or survivor ineligible for any 
        Federal or federally assisted program for which such veteran or 
        survivor qualifies; or
            (2) reduce the amount of benefit such veteran or survivor 
        would receive from any Federal or federally assisted program 
        for which such veteran or survivor qualifies.

SEC. 402. ELIGIBILITY OF CHILDREN OF CERTAIN PHILIPPINE VETERANS FOR 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 3565 is amended by 
striking ``except that--'' and all that follows and inserting ``except 
that a reference to a State approving agency shall be deemed to refer 
to the Secretary.''.
    (b) Repeal of Obsolete Provision.--Such section is further amended 
by striking subsection (c).

                         TITLE V--COURT MATTERS

SEC. 501. RECALL OF RETIRED JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF 
              APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

    (a) Repeal of Limit on Service of Recalled Retired Judges Who 
Voluntarily Serve More Than 90 Days.--Section 7257(b)(2) is amended by 
striking ``or for more than a total of 180 days (or the equivalent) 
during any calendar year''.
    (b) New Judges Recalled After Retirement Receive Pay of Current 
Judges Only During Period of Recall.--
            (1) In general.--Section 7296(c) is amended by striking 
        paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph:
    ``(1)(A) A judge who is appointed on or after the date of the 
enactment of the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 and who 
retires under subsection (b) and elects under subsection (d) to receive 
retired pay under this subsection shall (except as provided in 
paragraph (2)) receive retired pay as follows:
            ``(i) In the case of a judge who is a recall-eligible 
        retired judge under section 7257 of this title, the retired pay 
        of the judge shall (subject to section 7257(d)(2) of this 
        title) be the rate of pay applicable to that judge at the time 
        of retirement, as adjusted from time to time under subsection 
        (f)(3).
            ``(ii) In the case of a judge other than a recall-eligible 
        retired judge, the retired pay of the judge shall be the rate 
        of pay applicable to that judge at the time of retirement.
    ``(B) A judge who retired before the date of the enactment of the 
Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 and elected under subsection 
(d) to receive retired pay under this subsection, or a judge who 
retires under subsection (b) and elects under subsection (d) to receive 
retired pay under this subsection, shall (except as provided in 
paragraph (2)) receive retired pay as follows:
            ``(i) In the case of a judge who is a recall-eligible 
        retired judge under section 7257 of this title or who was a 
        recall-eligible retired judge under that section and was 
        removed from recall status under subsection (b)(4) of that 
        section by reason of disability, the retired pay of the judge 
        shall be the pay of a judge of the court.
            ``(ii) In the case of a judge who at the time of retirement 
        did not provide notice under section 7257 of this title of 
        availability for service in a recalled status, the retired pay 
        of the judge shall be the rate of pay applicable to that judge 
        at the time of retirement.
            ``(iii) In the case of a judge who was a recall-eligible 
        retired judge under section 7257 of this title and was removed 
        from recall status under subsection (b)(3) of that section, the 
        retired pay of the judge shall be the pay of the judge at the 
        time of the removal from recall status.''.
            (2) Cost-of-living adjustment for retired pay of new judges 
        who are recall-eligible.--Section 7296(f)(3)(A) is amended by 
        striking ``paragraph (2) of subsection (c)'' and inserting 
        ``paragraph (1)(A)(i) or (2) of subsection (c)''.
            (3) Pay during period of recall.--Subsection (d) of section 
        7257 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d)(1) The pay of a recall-eligible retired judge to whom section 
7296(c)(1)(B) of this title applies is the pay specified in that 
section.
    ``(2) A judge who is recalled under this section who retired under 
chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 or to whom section 7296(c)(1)(A) of this 
title applies shall be paid, during the period for which the judge 
serves in recall status, pay at the rate of pay in effect under section 
7253(e) of this title for a judge performing active service, less the 
amount of the judge's annuity under the applicable provisions of 
chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 or the judge's annuity under section 
7296(c)(1)(A) of this title, whichever is applicable.''.
            (4) Notice.--The last sentence of section 7257(a)(1) is 
        amended to read as follows: ``Such a notice provided by a 
        retired judge to whom section 7296(c)(1)(B) of this title 
        applies is irrevocable.''.
    (c) Limitation on Involuntary Recalls.--Section 7257(b)(3) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``This 
paragraph shall not apply to a judge to whom section 7296(c)(1)(A) or 
7296(c)(1)(B) of this title applies and who has, in the aggregate, 
served at least five years of recalled service on the Court under this 
section.''.

SEC. 502. ADDITIONAL DISCRETION IN IMPOSITION OF PRACTICE AND 
              REGISTRATION FEES.

    Section 7285(a) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by inserting ``reasonable'' 
        after ``impose a'';
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``, except that 
        such amount may not exceed $30 per year''; and
            (3) in the third sentence, by inserting ``reasonable'' 
        after ``impose a''.

SEC. 503. ANNUAL REPORTS ON WORKLOAD OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS 
              FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 72 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7288. Annual report
    ``(a) In General.--The chief judge of the Court shall submit 
annually to the appropriate committees of Congress a report summarizing 
the workload of the Court for the last fiscal year that ended before 
the submission of such report. Such report shall include, with respect 
to such fiscal year, the following information:
            ``(1) The number of appeals filed.
            ``(2) The number of petitions filed.
            ``(3) The number of applications filed under section 2412 
        of title 28.
            ``(4) The number and type of dispositions.
            ``(5) The median time from filing to disposition.
            ``(6) The number of oral arguments.
            ``(7) The number and status of pending appeals and 
        petitions and of applications described in paragraph (3).
            ``(8) A summary of any service performed by recalled 
        retired judges during the fiscal year.
    ``(b) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, 
the term `appropriate committees of Congress' means the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 72 is amended by inserting after the item related to section 
7287 the following new item:

``7288. Annual report.''.

SEC. 504. REPORT ON EXPANSION OF FACILITIES FOR UNITED STATES COURT OF 
              APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 
        is currently located in the District of Columbia in a 
        commercial office building that is also occupied by other 
        Federal tenants.
            (2) In February 2006, the General Services Administration 
        provided Congress with a preliminary feasibility analysis of a 
        dedicated Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center that would 
        house the Court and other entities that work with the Court.
            (3) In February 2007, the Court notified Congress that the 
        ``most cost-effective alternative appears to be leasing 
        substantial additional space in the current location'', which 
        would ``require relocating other current government tenants'' 
        from that building.
            (4) The February 2006 feasibility report of the General 
        Services Administration does not include an analysis of whether 
        it would be feasible or desirable to locate a Veterans 
        Courthouse and Justice Center at the current location of the 
        Court.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 
        should be provided with appropriate office space to meet its 
        needs, as well as to provide the image, security, and stature 
        befitting a court that provides justice to the veterans of the 
        United States; and
            (2) in providing that space, Congress should avoid undue 
        disruption, inconvenience, or cost to other Federal entities.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General 
        Services shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
        of Representatives a report on the feasibility of--
                    (A) leasing additional space for the United States 
                Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims within the 
                building where the Court was located on the date of the 
                enactment of this Act; and
                    (B) using the entirety of such building as a 
                Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center.
            (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include a detailed analysis of the following:
                    (A) The impact that the matter analyzed in 
                accordance with paragraph (1) would have on Federal 
                tenants of the building used by the Court.
                    (B) Whether it would be feasible to relocate such 
                Federal tenants into office space that offers similar 
                or preferable cost, convenience, and usable square 
                footage.
                    (C) If relocation of such Federal tenants is found 
                to be feasible and desirable, an analysis of what steps 
                should be taken to convert the building into a Veterans 
                Courthouse and Justice Center and a timeline for such 
                conversion.
            (3) Comment period.--The Administrator shall provide an 
        opportunity to such Federal tenants--
                    (A) before the completion of the report required by 
                paragraph (1), to comment on the subject of the report 
                required by such paragraph; and
                    (B) before the Administrator submits the report 
                required by paragraph (1) to the congressional 
                committees specified in such paragraph, to comment on a 
                draft of such report.

               TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSION MATTERS

SEC. 601. ADDITION OF OSTEOPOROSIS TO DISABILITIES PRESUMED TO BE 
              SERVICE-CONNECTED IN FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR WITH POST-
              TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

    Section 1112(b)(2) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph:
            ``(F) Osteoporosis, if the Secretary determines that the 
        veteran was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder 
        (PTSD).''.

SEC. 602. COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR TEMPORARY DEPENDENCY AND 
              INDEMNITY COMPENSATION PAYABLE FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES WITH 
              DEPENDENT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

    Section 1311(f) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
    ``(5) Whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable 
under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) as a 
result of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 415(i)), the Secretary shall, effective on the date of such 
increase in benefit amounts, increase the amount payable under 
paragraph (1), as such amount was in effect immediately prior to the 
date of such increase in benefit amounts, by the same percentage as the 
percentage by which such benefit amounts are increased. Any increase in 
a dollar amount under this paragraph shall be rounded down to the next 
lower whole dollar amount.''.

SEC. 603. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS 65 YEARS OF AGE OR 
              OLDER FOR SERVICE PENSION FOR A PERIOD OF WAR.

    Section 1513 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``by section 1521'' and 
        all that follows and inserting ``by subsection (b), (c), 
        (f)(1), (f)(5), or (g) of that section, as the case may be and 
        as increased from time to time under section 5312 of this 
        title.'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
        subsection (b):
    ``(b) The conditions in subsections (h) and (i) of section 1521 of 
this title shall apply to determinations of income and maximum payments 
of pension for purposes of this section.''.

                 TITLE VII--BURIAL AND MEMORIAL MATTERS

SEC. 701. ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT OF AMOUNTS FOR BURIAL BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 23 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 2309. Annual adjustment of amounts of burial benefits
    ``With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a 
percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the burial and 
funeral expenses under sections 2302(a), 2303(a), and 2307 of this 
title, and in the plot allowance under section 2303(b) of this title, 
equal to the percentage by which--
            ``(1) 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
            ``(2) the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
        preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 23 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item:

``2309. Annual adjustment of amounts of burial benefits.''.

                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 801. ELIGIBILITY OF DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
              FORCES WITH SEVERE BURN INJURIES FOR AUTOMOBILES AND 
              ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT.

    (a) Eligibility.--Paragraph (1) of section 3901 is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
                ``or (iii) below'' and inserting ``(iii), or (iv)''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                    ``(iv) A severe burn injury (as determined pursuant 
                to regulations prescribed by the Secretary).''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or (iii)'' and 
        inserting ``(iii), or (iv)''.
    (b) Stylistic Amendments.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``chapter--'' and inserting ``chapter:'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``means--'' and inserting ``means the 
                following:'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        striking ``any veteran'' and inserting ``Any 
                        veteran'';
                            (ii) in clauses (i) and (ii), by striking 
                        the semicolon at the end and inserting a 
                        period; and
                            (iii) in clause (iii), by striking ``or'' 
                        and inserting a period; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``any member'' 
                and inserting ``Any member''.

SEC. 802. INCREASE IN ASSISTANCE FOR PROVIDING AUTOMOBILES OR OTHER 
              CONVEYANCES TO CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3902 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$11,000'' and 
        inserting ``$16,000''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2009), 
the Secretary shall increase the amount described in subsection (a) to 
an amount equal to 80 percent of the average retail cost of new 
automobiles for the preceding calendar year.
    ``(2) 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.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on July 1, 2008, and shall apply with respect to payments made 
in accordance with section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, on or 
after that date.

SEC. 803. CLARIFICATION OF PURPOSE OF THE OUTREACH SERVICES PROGRAM OF 
              THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Clarification of Inclusion of Members of the National Guard and 
Reserve in Program.--Subsection (a)(1) of section 6301 is amended by 
inserting ``, or from the National Guard or Reserve,'' after ``active 
military, naval, or air service''.
    (b) Definition of Outreach.--Subsection (b) of such section is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs 
        (2) and (3), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) the following new 
        paragraph (1):
            ``(1) the term `outreach' means the act or process of 
        reaching out in a systematic manner to proactively provide 
        information, services, and benefits counseling to veterans, and 
        to the spouses, children, and parents of veterans who may be 
        eligible to receive benefits under the laws administered by the 
        Secretary, to ensure that such individuals are fully informed 
        about, and assisted in applying for, any benefits and programs 
        under such laws;''.

SEC. 804. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONE 
              SERVICE FOR SERVICEMEMBERS UNDERGOING DEPLOYMENT OUTSIDE 
              THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 
(50 U.S.C. App. 531 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 305 
the following new section:

``SEC. 305A. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS FOR CELLULAR 
              TELEPHONE SERVICE.

    ``(a) In General.--A servicemember who receives orders to deploy 
outside of the continental United States for not less than 90 days may 
request the termination or suspension of any contract for cellular 
telephone service entered into by the servicemember before that date if 
the servicemember's ability to satisfy the contract or to utilize the 
service will be materially affected by that period of deployment. The 
request shall include a copy of the servicemember's military orders.
    ``(b) Relief.--Upon receiving the request of a servicemember under 
subsection (a), the cellular telephone service contractor concerned 
shall, at the election of the contractor--
            ``(1) grant the requested relief without imposition of an 
        early termination fee for termination of the contract or a 
        reactivation fee for suspension of the contract; or
            ``(2) permit the servicemember to suspend the contract at 
        no charge until the end of the deployment without requiring, 
        whether as a condition of suspension or otherwise, that the 
        contract be extended.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for that Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the 
following new item:

``Sec. 305A. Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular 
                            telephone service.''.

SEC. 805. MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND AVAILABILITY FOR RESEARCH OF 
              ASSETS OF AIR FORCE HEALTH STUDY.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure that the 
assets transferred to the Medical Follow-Up Agency from the Air Force 
Health Study are maintained, managed, and made available as a resource 
for future research for the benefit of veterans and their families, and 
for other humanitarian purposes.
    (b) Assets From Air Force Health Study.--For purposes of this 
section, the assets transferred to the Medical Follow-Up Agency from 
the Air Force Health Study are the assets of the Air Force Health Study 
transferred to the Medical Follow-Up Agency under section 714 of the 
John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 
(Public Law 109-364; 120 Stat. 2290), including electronic data files 
and biological specimens on all participants in the study (including 
control subjects).
    (c) Maintenance and Management of Transferred Assets.--The Medical 
Follow-Up Agency shall maintain and manage the assets transferred to 
the Agency from the Air Force Health Study.
    (d) Additional Near-Term Research.--
            (1) In general.--The Medical Follow-Up Agency may, during 
        the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on 
        September 30, 2011, conduct such additional research on the 
        assets transferred to the Agency from the Air Force Health 
        Study as the Agency considers appropriate toward the goal of 
        understanding the determinants of health, and promoting 
        wellness, in veterans.
            (2) Research.--In carrying out research authorized by this 
        subsection, the Medical Follow-Up Agency may, utilizing amounts 
        available under subsection (f)(1)(B), make grants for such 
        pilot studies for or in connection with such research as the 
        Agency considers appropriate.
    (e) Additional Medium-Term Research.--
            (1) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2011, the Medical 
        Follow-Up Agency shall submit to Congress a report assessing 
        the feasability and advisability of conducting additional 
        research on the assets transferred to the Agency from the Air 
        Force Health Study after September 30, 2011.
            (2) Disposition of assets.--If the report required by 
        paragraph (1) includes an assessment that the research 
        described in that paragraph would be feasible and advisable, 
        the Agency shall, utilizing amounts available under subsection 
        (f)(2), make any disposition of the assets transferred to the 
        Agency from the Air Force Health Study as the Agency considers 
        appropriate in preparation for such research.
    (f) Funding.--
            (1) In general.--From amounts available for each of fiscal 
        years 2008 through 2011 for the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        for Medical and Prosthetic Research, amounts shall be available 
        as follows:
                    (A) $1,200,000 shall be available in each such 
                fiscal year for maintenance, management, and operation 
                (including maintenance of biological specimens) of the 
                assets transferred to the Medical Follow-Up Agency from 
                the Air Force Health Study.
                    (B) $250,000 shall be available in each such fiscal 
                year for the conduct of additional research authorized 
                by subsection (d), including the funding of pilot 
                studies authorized by paragraph (2) of that subsection.
            (2) Medium-term research.--From amounts available for 
        fiscal year 2011 for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
        Medical and Prosthetic Research, $200,000 shall be available 
        for the preparation of the report required by subsection (e)(1) 
        and for the disposition, if any, of assets authorized by 
        subsection (e)(2).

SEC. 806. NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY ON RISK OF DEVELOPING MULTIPLE 
              SCLEROSIS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN SERVICE IN THE PERSIAN 
              GULF WAR AND POST 9/11 GLOBAL OPERATIONS THEATERS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into 
a contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to 
conduct a comprehensive epidemiological study for purposes of 
identifying any increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis as a 
result of service in the Armed Forces during the Persian Gulf War in 
the Southwest Asia theater of operations or in the Post 9/11 Global 
Operations theaters.
    (b) Elements.--In conducting the study required under subsection 
(a), the Institute of Medicine shall do the following:
            (1) Determine whether service in the Armed Forces during 
        the Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia theater of 
        operations, or in the Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters, 
        increased the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
            (2) Identify the incidence and prevalence of diagnosed 
        neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, 
        Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and brain 
        cancers, as well as central nervous system abnormalities that 
        are difficult to precisely diagnose, in each group as follows:
                    (A) Members of the Armed Forces who served during 
                the Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia theater of 
                operations.
                    (B) Members of the Armed Forces who served in the 
                Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters.
                    (C) A non-deployed comparison group for those who 
                served in the Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia 
                theater of operations and the Post 9/11 Global 
                Operations theaters.
            (3) Compare the incidence and prevalence of the named 
        diagnosed neurological diseases and undiagnosed central nervous 
        system abnormalities among veterans who served during the 
        Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, 
        or in the Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters, in various 
        locations during such periods, as determined by the Institute 
        of Medicine.
            (4) Collect information on risk factors, such as pesticide 
        and other toxic exposures, to which veterans were exposed while 
        serving during the Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia 
        theater of operations or the Post 9/11 Global Operations 
        theaters, or thereafter.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Interim report.--The contract required by subsection 
        (a) shall require the Institute of Medicine to submit to the 
        Secretary, and to appropriate committees of Congress, interim 
        progress reports on the study required under subsection (a). 
        Such reports shall not be required to include a description of 
        interim results on the work under the study.
            (2) Final report.--The contract shall require the Institute 
        of Medicine to submit to the Secretary, and to appropriate 
        committees of Congress, a final report on the study by not 
        later than December 31, 2010. The final report shall include 
        such recommendations for legislative or administrative action 
        as the Institute considers appropriate in light of the results 
        of the study.
    (d) Funding.--The Secretary shall provide the Institute of Medicine 
with such funds as are necessary to ensure the timely completion of the 
study required under subsection (a).
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
                Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
                of Representatives.
            (2) The term ``Persian Gulf War'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 101(33) of title 38, United States Code.
            (3) The term ``Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters'' means 
        Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other theater in which the Global War 
        on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is awarded for service.

SEC. 807. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON ADEQUACY OF DEPENDENCY AND 
              INDEMNITY COMPENSATION TO MAINTAIN SURVIVORS OF VETERANS 
              WHO DIE FROM SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    (a) Report Required.--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 Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations 
of the Senate and the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives 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 
replacing the deceased veteran's income.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) a description of the current system for the payment of 
        dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses and 
        dependents described in subsection (a), including a statement 
        of the rates of such compensation so payable;
            (2) an assessment of the adequacy of such payments in 
        replacing the deceased veteran's income; and
            (3) such recommendations as the Comptroller General 
        considers appropriate in order to improve or enhance the 
        effects of such payments in replacing the deceased veteran's 
        income.
                                 <all>