110th CONGRESS2d Session
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,
September 24, 2008
AMENDMENT:
That the bill from the Senate (S. 3023) entitled An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and enhance compensation and pension, housing, labor and education, and insurance benefits for veterans, and for other purposes
, do pass with the following
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008
.
(b)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—Compensation and Pension Matters
Sec. 101. Regulations on contents of notice to be provided claimants by the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the substantiation of claims.
Sec. 102. Judicial review of adoption and revision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the schedule of ratings for disabilities of veterans.
Sec. 103. Conforming amendment relating to non-deductibility from veterans' disability compensation of disability severance pay for disabilities incurred by members of the Armed Forces in combat zones.
Sec. 104. Report on progress of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in addressing causes for variances in compensation payments for veterans for service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 105. Extension of temporary authority for the performance of medical disability examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 106. Addition of osteoporosis to disabilities presumed to be service-connected in former prisoners of war with post-traumatic stress disorder.
TITLE II—Modernization of Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation System
Subtitle A—Benefits Matters
Sec. 211. Authority for temporary disability ratings.
Sec. 212. Substitution upon death of claimant.
Sec. 213. Report on compensation of veterans for loss of earning capacity and quality of life and on long-term transition payments to veterans undergoing rehabilitation for service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 214. Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation.
Subtitle B—Assistance and Processing Matters
Sec. 221. Pilot programs on expedited treatment of fully developed claims and provision of checklists to individuals submitting claims.
Sec. 222. Office of Survivors Assistance.
Sec. 223. Comptroller General report on adequacy of dependency and indemnity compensation to maintain survivors of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 224. Independent assessment of quality assurance program.
Sec. 225. Certification and training of employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration responsible for processing claims.
Sec. 226. Study of performance measures for claims adjudications of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Sec. 227. Review and enhancement of use of information technology in Veterans Benefits Administration.
Sec. 228. Study and report on improving access to medical advice.
TITLE III—Labor and Education Matters
Subtitle A—Labor and Employment Matters
Sec. 311. Reform of USERRA complaint process.
Sec. 312. Modification and expansion of reporting requirements with respect to enforcement of USERRA.
Sec. 313. Training for executive branch human resources personnel on employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services.
Sec. 314. Report on the employment needs of Native American veterans living on tribal lands.
Sec. 315. Equity powers.
Sec. 316. Waiver of residency requirement for Directors for Veterans' Employment and Training.
Sec. 317. Modification of special unemployment study to cover veterans of Post 9/11 Global Operations.
Subtitle B—Education Matters
Sec. 321. Modification of period of eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance of certain spouses of individuals with service-connected disabilities total and permanent in nature.
Sec. 322. Repeal of requirement for report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on prior training.
Sec. 323. Modification of waiting period before affirmation of enrollment in a correspondence course.
Sec. 324. Change of programs of education at the same educational institution.
Sec. 325. Repeal of certification requirement with respect to applications for approval of self-employment on-job training.
Sec. 326. Coordination of approval activities in the administration of education benefits.
Subtitle C—Vocational Rehabilitation Matters
Sec. 331. Waiver of 24-month limitation on program of independent living services and assistance for veterans with a severe disability incurred in the Post-9/11 Global Operations period.
Sec. 332. Increase in cap of number of veterans participating in independent living program.
Sec. 333. Report on measures to assist and encourage veterans in completing vocational rehabilitation.
Sec. 334. Longitudinal study of Department of Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation programs.
TITLE IV—Insurance Matters
Sec. 401. Report on inclusion of severe and acute post-traumatic stress disorder among conditions covered by traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 402. Treatment of stillborn children as insurable dependents under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 403. Other enhancements of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage.
Sec. 404. Administrative costs of service disabled veterans' insurance.
TITLE V—Housing Matters
Sec. 501. Temporary increase in maximum loan guaranty amount for certain housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 502. Report on impact of mortgage foreclosures on veterans.
Sec. 503. Requirement for regular updates to handbook for design furnished to veterans eligible for specially adapted housing assistance by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 504. Enhancement of refinancing of home loans by veterans.
Sec. 505. Extension of certain veterans home loan guaranty programs.
TITLE VI—Court Matters
Sec. 601. Temporary increase in number of authorized judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 602. Protection of privacy and security concerns in court records.
Sec. 603. Recall of retired judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 604. Annual reports on workload of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 605. Additional discretion in imposition of practice and registration fees.
TITLE VII—Assistance to United States Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports Program
Sec. 701. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 702. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of assistance to United States Paralympics, Inc.
Sec. 703. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events.
Sec. 704. Comptroller General report.
TITLE VIII—Other Matters
Sec. 801. Authority for suspension or termination of claims of the United States against individuals who died while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces.
Sec. 802. Three-year extension of authority to carry out income verification.
Sec. 803. Maintenance, management, and availability for research of assets of Air Force Health Study.
Sec. 804. 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. 805. Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular telephone service for certain servicemembers.
Sec. 806. Contracting goals and preferences for veteran-owned small business concerns.
Sec. 807. Penalties for violation of interest rate limitation under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Sec. 808. Five-year extension of sunset provision for Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
Sec. 809. Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to advertise to promote awareness of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.
Sec. 810. Memorial headstones and markers for deceased remarried surviving spouses of veterans.
2.Reference to title 38, United States CodeExcept 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.
<enum>I</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Compensation and Pension Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB3CF125673C542B9B5B27C8914E1FDDA" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Regulations on contents of notice to be provided claimants by the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the substantiation of claims</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDDF9096A857649F1889DC3E033638400"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5103">Section 5103(a)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H17D57CAF9CC840F2828C5609C2374E98"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>(1)</quote> before <quote>Upon receipt</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB8D249B4CDCA4F0089A572A05CBD25D2"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE8A1F6D1F5B248F3BF96FB41A52E45A1" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0EFF88FC793845D38CD1CE42BEC48400" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HDF9AD9613ED94E65A9008909E52875D0"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall prescribe in regulations requirements relating to the contents of notice to be provided under this subsection.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6A61DF95FB0041A4964FC800C8E8F083" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The regulations required by this paragraph—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H47336C8DCA5F43E99F19E0FB8C00F6B2"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall specify different contents for notice based on whether the claim concerned is an original claim, a claim for reopening a prior decision on a claim, or a claim for an increase in benefits;</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDD07184D2166438F98555C82636EA157"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall provide that the contents for such notice be appropriate to the type of benefits or services sought under the claim;</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H35CB34AA3C3C463EBB68438B9DC33500"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall specify for each type of claim for benefits the general information and evidence required to substantiate the basic elements of such type of claim; and</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2EA1B6ACC39541D29BDD2376E6057572"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall specify the time period limitations required pursuant to subsection (b).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H900EA84D50184423ABC97C77A9AD4C00"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Applicability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The regulations required by paragraph (2) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5103">section 5103(a)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a) of this section), shall apply with respect to notices provided to claimants on or after the effective date of such regulations.</text></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H40F3C87EE0AD49BF865CD61755566BAA" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Judicial review of adoption and revision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the schedule of ratings for disabilities of veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/502">Section 502</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>(other than an action relating to the adoption or revision of the schedule of ratings for disabilities adopted under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1155">section 1155</external-xref> of this title)</quote>.</text></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFDAA736B2DAF47E59CAF00882648493D" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendment relating to non-deductibility from veterans' disability compensation of disability severance pay for disabilities incurred by members of the Armed Forces in combat zones</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6EDD9FCC0DA84CE2B6B129826E1CFD93"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1646 of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/110/181">Public Law 110–181</external-xref>; 122 Stat. 472) is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4DB1E321F553474992D63CCDD7801978"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9D6492136AE54CB68451DEA2E523F1EC"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF40C7A3876D34BD494CCAD004C3DC03F" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3C44FFDF71F147C0B6311E718FD1E013"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1161">Section 1161</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>as required by <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/10/1212">section 1212(c)</external-xref> of title 10</quote> and inserting <quote>to the extent required by <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/10/1212">section 1212(d)</external-xref> of title 10</quote>.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H01AEA1280D9048B188BAB4D3B989BDBD"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on January 28, 2008 (the date of the enactment of the Wounded Warrior Act), as if included in that Act, to which they relate.</text></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA50AAFE9E039491CBB27BE629F4DFC6" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>104.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on progress of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in addressing causes for variances in compensation payments for veterans for service-connected disabilities</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA9CB74B8FC194634A5E3AC15B8A085C"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year 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 describing the progress of the Secretary in addressing the causes of unacceptable variances in compensation payments for veterans for service-connected disabilities.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1723580463CC4AAA928D5E6018955E07"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Elements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6E81946EAB494A5CA3B110E4874D025"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A description of the efforts of the Veterans Benefits Administration to coordinate with the Veterans Health Administration to improve the quality of examinations of veterans with service-connected disabilities that are performed by the Veterans Health Administration and contract clinicians, including efforts relating to the use of approved templates for such examinations and of reports on such examinations that are based on such templates prepared in an easily-readable format.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3B055C5C824C4772AAA1D1333588A0B6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assessment of the current personnel requirements of the Veterans Benefits Administration, including an assessment of the adequacy of the number of personnel assigned to each regional office of the Administration for each type of claim adjudication position.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD3100C13BCCB4717AC4694E8F43C893B"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A description of the differences, if any, in current patterns of claims submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding ratings for service-connected disabilities among various populations of veterans, including veterans living in rural and highly rural areas, minority veterans, veterans who served in the National Guard or Reserve, and veterans who are retired from the Armed Forces, and a description and assessment of efforts undertaken to reduce such differences.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9F9B466A0E9C450D80FBD0671D3E9E01" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>105.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Extension of temporary authority for the performance of medical disability examinations by contract physicians</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 704(c) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/108/183">Public Law 108–183</external-xref>; 117 Stat. 2651; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5101">38 U.S.C. 5101</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2009</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2010</quote>.</text></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3E866D5034C94CB4B31D88F58372E55C" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>106.</enum><header>Addition of osteoporosis to disabilities presumed to be service-connected in former prisoners of war with post-traumatic stress disorder</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1112">Section 1112(b)(2)</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9AD3C28234C542A4BD3DA925D843A8D1" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE59256F8540F4E438074A53044CF26" indent="up1"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Osteoporosis, if the Secretary determines that the veteran has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Modernization of Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation System</header>
<subtitle id="HB3B17C3D5D3240E2002EAE4F2033A2AE"><enum>A</enum><header>Benefits Matters</header>
<section id="HE6D966BA33C243F498B87705C76F10C7"><enum>211.</enum><header>Authority for temporary disability ratings</header>
<subsection id="H7FDDA64DE27B47F5AAFCCF4B8D72C7B0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/11">Chapter 11</external-xref> is amended by inserting after section 1155 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1841644701DB4E68B584464D74057FA0" style="USC">
<section id="H4317513CEB5744D2A9F2EBBDA3086CC"><enum>1156.</enum><header>Temporary disability ratings</header>
<subsection id="H296784EDE2744244946456EB7EB877B1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assignment of temporary ratings</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HA392D5B05B9F437AAFC2CBF80044493C"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For the purpose of providing disability compensation under this chapter to veterans, the Secretary shall assign a temporary disability rating to a veteran as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="H565947317CE94226B9F651DE12B0422" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>To a veteran who—</text>
<clause id="HCD7D34AC0B7E4F14871D841FF135EB00"><enum>(i)</enum><text>was discharged or released from active duty not more than 365 days before the date such veteran submits a claim for disability compensation under this chapter;</text></clause>
<clause id="HFFB69074FCC24069858333AA4035C5A8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has one or more disabilities for which a rating of total is not immediately assignable—</text>
<subclause id="HC6F838DE878A4340A69BC148DF012758"><enum>(I)</enum><text>under the regular provisions of the schedule of ratings; or</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HC27911D420EA438C9B6E6D5DAFA87757"><enum>(II)</enum><text>on the basis of individual unemployability; and</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HC8CCF366200C461882002DDED5A8D5AD"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>has one or more—</text>
<subclause id="HF9EFFB4E7027459E8CCA77007027D94F"><enum>(I)</enum><text>severe disabilities that result in substantially gainful employment not being feasible or advisable; or</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H6B1E9A65BE4946A8B97300DD7F5BCE2F"><enum>(II)</enum><text>healed, unhealed, or incompletely healed wounds or injuries that make material impairment of employability likely.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H15E9120523D5438E83C41DC528750CE" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>To a veteran who, as a result of a highly stressful in-service event, has a mental disorder that is severe enough to bring about the veteran’s discharge or release from active duty.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6AB685C18933468B8108A6F942C06E48" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>To a veteran who has a service-connected disability that requires hospital treatment or observation in a Department of Veterans Affairs or approved hospital for a period in excess of 21 days.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD31FBAC858824668B4742BCD42241317" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>To a veteran who has a service-connected disability that has required convalescent care or treatment at hospital discharge (regular discharge or release to non-bed care) or outpatient release that meets the requirements of regulations prescribed by the Secretary.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC2D0B43C7A274E6FAEDCFEC6DC411876" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>With respect to a veteran described in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may assign a temporary disability rating to such veteran regardless of whether such veteran has obtained a medical examination or a medical opinion concerning such veteran’s disability.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6474205217BC453BB45F2EC5132681B4" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>With respect to a veteran described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall schedule a medical examination for such veteran not later than six months after the separation or discharge of such veteran from active duty.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA2B4CA3160C24532B42BBD00272C2EC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Termination of temporary disability ratings</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H1FA31754BA3841E183008F7D1CF61E63"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), a temporary disability rating assigned to a veteran under this section shall remain in effect as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="HDBEAF353ECFF487E96A7F32E1F7FFAE8" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>For a veteran who is assigned a temporary disability rating under subsection (a)(1)(A), until the later of the date that is—</text>
<clause id="H13A24F7BC43B454499D032A3614E4DB2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>12 months after the date of discharge or release from active duty; or</text></clause>
<clause id="HD4E83CC981E942E6BBD2D3E30792419B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCAC6224720D24DE596D3E5EC83F58447" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For a veteran who is assigned a temporary disability rating under subsection (a)(1)(B), until the date on which a rating decision is issued to such veteran following the medical examination scheduled under subsection (a)(3).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF6F961DBCBC944B68B9500972456F552" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>For a veteran who is assigned a temporary disability rating under subsection (a)(1)(C), until the later of the date that is—</text>
<clause id="H5F13559832AE4EB399B8F99895D8B738"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the last day of the month in which the veteran is discharged from the hospital as described in such subsection (a)(1)(C); or</text></clause>
<clause id="H12856E997B9D426BB7B657188500602F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H92B328BDD7E04D06A1E538B198A7FC39" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>For a veteran who is assigned a temporary disability rating under subsection (a)(1)(D), until the date that is provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8CFE3C380A7E42238EF04578947F51AA" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may extend a temporary disability rating assigned to a veteran under subsection (a) beyond the applicable termination date under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that such an extension is appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9DFCA79331F04DCAB4DD98A094502D2B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0813D23C2CEA4B1283893999E373A8D6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the Secretary from providing a temporary disability rating under an authority other than this section.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H8FE8C28D27934B31A1633C783100806D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1156">Section 1156(a)(1)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to a veteran who is discharged or released from active duty (as defined in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/101">section 101</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code) on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H74DB1C40BCAF4FE9884D5B84750298A9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/11">chapter 11</external-xref> is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1155 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0BE5C6AAA22B40ACB34870D8E5413334" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1156. Temporary disability ratings.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="H1FDC08CCDBEF43C1A801C63B462E9168"><enum>212.</enum><header>Substitution upon death of claimant</header>
<subsection id="H483FCA3D44A7400A9FD382EFA4DA1186"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/51">Chapter 51</external-xref> is amended by inserting after section 5121 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1D0D1118B0FC4745A9AB5CBBE9F2EF22" style="USC">
<section id="HA3FB6CA9BF7341C7AFBA521FF3FB8205"><enum>5121A.</enum><header>Substitution in case of death of claimant</header>
<subsection id="H027712D6DE1844958CF75E7158E51EF9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Substitution</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H6A26D435120A4F439E27F9E3E4B20081"><enum>(1)</enum><text>If a claimant dies while a claim for any benefit under a law administered by the Secretary, or an appeal of a decision with respect to such a claim, is pending, a living person who would be eligible to receive accrued benefits due to the claimant under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5121">section 5121(a)</external-xref> of this title may, not later than one year after the date of the death of such claimant, file a request to be substituted as the claimant for the purposes of processing the claim to completion.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE2260BD2567D42A093D293F6A5134B5D" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Any person seeking to be substituted for the claimant shall present evidence of the right to claim such status within such time as prescribed by the Secretary in regulations.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1412C98B443240AE9CDE552937E179D2" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Substitution under this subsection shall be in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA9D6A22074CF4E1FB1009626B481FFB9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Those who are eligible to make a claim under this section shall be determined in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5121">section 5121</external-xref> of this title.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H1846F4156C5C423FA0EDB34FA4B95534"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical Amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/51">chapter 51</external-xref> is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5121 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="HE803A604112F453E83181890E5283282" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="HA3FB6CA9BF7341C7AFBA521FF3FB8205" level="section">5121A. Substitution in case of death of claimant.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HFE1CA425A0CA4B378FB845F7376716EE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective Date</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5121A">Section 5121A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to the claim of any claimant who dies on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HB0D252F3AE904114BC743365C2D6846E"><enum>213.</enum><header>Report on compensation of veterans for loss of earning capacity and quality of life and on long-term transition payments to veterans undergoing rehabilitation for service-connected disabilities</header>
<subsection id="HA3E0FD2B58E74F868618EF243F000039"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report required</header><text>Not later than 210 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary as a result of the following studies:</text>
<paragraph id="H3165F4E4B7AC4825881CFC6900820769"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The most recent study of the Secretary on the appropriate levels of disability compensation to be paid to veterans to compensate for loss of earning capacity and quality of life as a result of service-related disabilities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB92B7263D90C488D9F35BCA266003042"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The most recent study of the Secretary on the feasability and appropriate level of long-term transition payments to veterans who are separated from the Armed Forces due to disability while such veterans are undergoing rehabilitation for such disability.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7560A3B8914F4158BBD7F9FB049765C8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H8F5B1B403D1E4BE09E1576AE2C2451AA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A comprehensive description of the findings and recommendations of the Secretary as a result of the studies described in subsection (a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7BF8A360C4464B1C84F4E47FC859A5AD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A description of the actions proposed to be taken by the Secretary in light of such findings and recommendations, including a description of any modification of the schedule for rating disabilities of veterans under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1155">section 1155</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, proposed to be undertaken by the Secretary and of any other modification of policy or regulations proposed to be undertaken by the Secretary.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H89C35E716F454812A3D8878EA75525D9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>For each action proposed to be taken as described in paragraph (2), a proposed schedule for the taking of such action, including a schedule for the commencement and completion of such action.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAD99940B1EEE4248842DD40393B33672"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A description of any legislative action required in order to authorize, facilitate, or enhance the taking of any action proposed to be taken as described in paragraph (2).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HA8FAC144442F4743A892A59CDE0047C2"><enum>214.</enum><header>Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation</header>
<subsection id="H55F1D03DA6CF483B988B5BBED6B55451"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/5">chapter 5</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7F95988D971340AC9F4EAA40FF084089" style="USC">
<section id="H4482797B9F9A436786DD51BB2555AD89"><enum>546.</enum><header>Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation</header>
<subsection id="HB1412E59EBC243A3883C2600D03917FE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H793829F489F74F4398B100576E7276F6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>There is in the Department the Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation (in this section referred to as the <quote>Committee</quote>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBDF61CEB22BC46B7B407B85E2200C854" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Committee shall consist of not more than 18 members appointed by the Secretary from among individuals who—</text>
<subparagraph id="H554D4773AF8F46AEAF400912AB3323BC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>have experience with the provision of disability compensation by the Department; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0A3512D150744C1EAEA81DD1E0C37BEF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>are leading medical or scientific experts in relevant fields.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA96E3E36E1114294A01C99C5F7D73BC1" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H1DB6BD45A2B54D88A2FD2949354384E4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall determine the terms of service and pay and allowances of the members of the Committee.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6E1820ED92F54DD69242DBE8EA18304D" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A term of service may not exceed four years and shall be staggered to ensure that the dates for the termination of the members' terms are not all the same.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7B0FA47D75504C14A6A34F8C8800B2AE" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Secretary may reappoint any member for one or more additional terms of service.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6CA3A1983305486FADE1B36E99CDDDE3" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Secretary shall select a Chair from among the members of the Committee.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD6DBBD63184B457797F36BEB715F57DF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities of committee</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H571936D296D74CBABED9009CF7D4F4C2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the maintenance and periodic readjustment of the schedule for rating disabilities under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1155">section 1155</external-xref> of this title.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H15F4B1B5483E475E9CB707F36742ED83" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HFC684FC640D44A6EA9F78F1346CAE522"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In providing advice to the Secretary under this subsection, the Committee shall—</text>
<clause id="H335F56C72DD64BA58928B3B9F9D91C85" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>assemble and review relevant information relating to the needs of veterans with disabilities;</text></clause>
<clause id="H4F4A0D2F3D3F4A6D883743C086D55154" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provide information relating to the nature and character of disabilities arising from service in the Armed Forces;</text></clause>
<clause id="H75E5E49E487547E5936E41CF00D630B4" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness of the schedule for rating disabilities; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H9E363FD2B1D74575AEDF47DE2E873862" indent="up1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>provide on-going advice on the most appropriate means of responding to the needs of veterans relating to disability compensation in the future.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H51C2F7A8ABC34ECAB822F6EF4590FC54" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In carrying out its duties under subparagraph (A), the Committee shall take into special account the needs of veterans who have served in a theater of combat operations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8E0AF848A5D94F829B812DFEBE67B57F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Resources</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall ensure that appropriate personnel, funding, and other resources are provided to the Committee to carry out its responsibilities.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H759906E6D93E4C2B890797AB70592B15"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Biennial reports to the Secretary</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H305E6211DB104DE9992294D85466A983"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than October 31, 2010, and not less frequently than every two years thereafter, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the Department that relate to the payment of disability compensation. Each such report shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H099A8ADDE7AF400492A56FDB44D2ABDE" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of the needs of veterans with respect to disability compensation; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD2AB1ADFBF8B4B1DAE93059F3B10462B" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative or legislative action) as the Committee considers appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HABCC4F6CD5C047F480615B9D062CFD00" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Committee may submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8FABDE373DEF4ADBA238E2C7B498B1F"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Biennial reports to Congress</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HAAD8ED699B3941C2AB5141A5FA2C7C84"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Not later than 90 days after the receipt of a report required under subsection (d)(1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a copy of such report, together with such comments and recommendations concerning such report as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1567D456C4CD434EB157F103F95007DF" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary shall submit with each report required under paragraph (1) a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary under subsection (d)(2) since the previous report transmitted by the Secretary under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H61F2FD6611CD4F4AA247AE56F165004"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H515E9C376A0045DC90D768DE1F94722"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the activities of the Committee under this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H582A712E0A4B495FA4A8D715A93D1EC" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Section 14 of such Act shall not apply to the Committee.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HE66B58B0649441B586445B363F473416"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subchapter III the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="HF4FD8D6C32BE4530BBAEFA29BBEA58B" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="H4482797B9F9A436786DD51BB2555AD89" level="section">546. Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section></subtitle>
<subtitle id="H6A759D85BB724F34A106016E55E29E00"><enum>B</enum><header>Assistance and Processing Matters</header>
<section id="H929A8ECC18744DC2AEF8DC92A24C3F2B"><enum>221.</enum><header>Pilot programs on expedited treatment of fully developed claims and provision of checklists to individuals submitting claims</header>
<subsection id="H5952096242BB4440B25EB175A6079469"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program on expedited treatment of fully developed claims</header>
<paragraph id="HED0F31B939444EFFBAA343D8B99DC1F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing expeditious treatment of fully developed compensation or pension claims to ensure that such claims are adjudicated not later than 90 days after the date on which such claim is submitted as fully developed.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2BA63F7A12434CE69D00D98E1642A257"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duration of pilot program</header><text>The pilot program under this subsection shall be carried out during the one-year period beginning on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H90E8B4C804F04C1A9CF49F99312DDD56"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Program locations</header><text>The pilot program under this subsection shall be carried out at 10 regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs selected by the Secretary for purposes of such pilot program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE9AC962B79DB40718F5B9279B5B436C6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Fully developed claim defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this subsection, the term <term>fully developed claim</term> means a claim for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary—</text>
<subparagraph id="H686AA852753C4313A07EAA37BFFF5325"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for which the claimant—</text>
<clause id="H2CD04944B112498291DDECE04CE5082"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">received assistance from a veterans service officer, a State or country veterans service officer, an agent, or an attorney; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H19A5B534E35B4675B63631005BA3829"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submits along with the claim an appropriate indication that the claimant does not intend to submit any additional information or evidence in support of the claim and does not require additional assistance with respect to the claim; and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H004780422D8B44468FA64EA31DE4D2CA"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for which the claimant—</text>
<clause id="HA86EF360CE094BC4A8A722EE1F44C664"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submits a certification in writing that is signed and dated by the claimant stating that, as of such date, no additional information or evidence is available or needs to be submitted in order for the claim to be adjudicated; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H43477AF71FBF4C52968089490041B7E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for which the claimant's representative, if any, submits a certification in writing that is signed and dated by the representative stating that, as of such date, no additional information or evidence is available or needs to be submitted in order for the claim to be adjudicated.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="HB931811FEBA845648358AE75B247482F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Pilot program on provision of checklists to individuals submitting claims</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H1F3A12D1BC804A50A1057E062B6FE7E8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing to a claimant for whom the Secretary is required under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5103">section 5103(a)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, to provide notice of required information and evidence to such claimant and such claimant's representative, if any, a checklist that includes information or evidence required to be submitted by the claimant to substantiate the claim.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HCF27F3AC1B85447600668BC5CB518433"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duration of pilot program</header><text>The pilot program under this subsection shall be carried out—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HBAE1C403FBB74201B0777CD352A8EF04"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for original claims filed after the date of the enactment of this Act, during the one-year period beginning on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HCA6AE335F9614D9B9787BFB170DAB33C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for claims to reopen and for claims for increased ratings that were filed after the date of the enactment of this Act, during the three-year period beginning on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H9ABAEE9E770B4480ADB7C8EAE1601637"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Program locations</header><text>The pilot program under this subsection shall be carried out at four regional offices of the Department selected by the Secretary for purposes of such pilot program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HD1B7AC4A24EF4EFCA01E537316904D55"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>A checklist provided under the pilot program under this subsection—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HBCE18048625847CC0091FCD86F89D7C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be construed to be an addendum to a notice provided under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5103">section 5103(a)</external-xref> of title 38, United Sates Code; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H97813A678494496AA54178EE91DB48AF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall not be considered as part of such notice for purposes of reversal or remand of a decision of the Secretary.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="H2E15351D2F704F45BD294804A8E1EF78"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HB142423C4ABC45EC87C8ACBC5F00DBC0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>First initial report</header><text>Not later than 335 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program under subsection (a) and the pilot program under subsection (b) with respect to claims described in subsection (b)(2)(A).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HC81D5865C42F4940BEA2100C9942261"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Second interim report</header><text>Not later than 1,065 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program under subsection (b) with respect to claims described in subsection (b)(2)(B).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HB40C9343BD76487D9FDEBC50C9681151"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Elements of interim reports</header><text>The reports required by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HD195648FD8F8482C89EB45BA5CDDC63"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Data concerning the number and type of claims covered by the respective pilot program.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HFC3D413537D047119BA713A102E36248"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The findings of the Secretary with respect to the respective pilot program.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H3293F3EA57104047AF2BA09DB281400"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The recommendations of the Secretary on the feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding the respective pilot program and any necessary modifications to such pilot program for continuation or expansion.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H9D86D420E98B4865B3476FD54CA0C51C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HE7FA582BDC5244D09CE857432FF2215F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Final report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the completion of each pilot program carried out under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report on the feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding the respective pilot program.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H15DD314D05F445E9A552CF4269A54EFD"><enum>222.</enum><header>Office of Survivors Assistance</header>
<subsection id="HA22DE0963CDC44D188030542265EC52C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/3">Chapter 3</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDFD365B8907145F4AE1C8B99A2BACEE4" style="USC">
<section id="HE5F29F9803A44A448C477BAE65CCC167"><enum>321.</enum><header>Office of Survivors Assistance</header>
<subsection id="H976BB16FA7EC4096BA843C3367922B9D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary shall establish in the Department an Office of Survivors Assistance (in this section referred to as the <quote>Office</quote>) to serve as a resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the Department—</text>
<paragraph id="H9749FE69BA544A6982C8E945EC03B750"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to survivors and dependents of deceased veterans; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H945D42C970684320A616E7EA74B5BE87"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to survivors and dependents of deceased members of the Armed Forces.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8DA5B0DA116D41B6B5EF757BFF7ECD51"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Advisory duties</header><text>The Office shall serve as a primary advisor to the Secretary on all matters related to the policies, programs, legislative issues, and other initiatives affecting the survivors and dependents described in subsection (a).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H5A0486963F70435D90575DEC00AA86CA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Guidance from stakeholders</header><text>In establishing the Office, the Secretary shall seek guidance from interested stakeholders.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HBE534BC4D7F34D7581FF6D7921C0C7B6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Resources</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall ensure that appropriate personnel, funding, and other resources are provided to the Office to carry out its responsibilities.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4A19E8BE44F24A37BA6490F96173E960"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Inclusion of information on Office in annual report on Department activities</header><text>The Secretary shall include in each annual Performance and Accountability report submitted by the Secretary to Congress a description of the activities of the Office during the fiscal year covered by such report.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H9CA69A31CC044F619DC7A464E2C5BD93"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="H6E6E1DFF38CE4F6F9539A75B1211A6B6" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="HE5F29F9803A44A448C477BAE65CCC167" level="section">321. Office of Survivors Assistance.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE4A5E348973D414B9BD8B48AC47E0A7" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>223.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Comptroller General report on adequacy of dependency and indemnity compensation to maintain survivors of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC8D4AACCDDDA496D90006F15B3508C56"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report required</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 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 <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/13">chapter 13</external-xref> 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.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAFA920482E1D4755B4C40012E4269F00"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Elements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report required by subsection (a) shall include—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H627F703CA03B405FB04BD4ABBAA30A9"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBB917EC14FDA482FAE5B309D3246DEE0"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an assessment of the adequacy of such payments in replacing the deceased veteran's income; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H735BC288BA9443A881B6B8278FB0645C"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H1DC652A6ADEF4A42965E9F5EBDFFCBF3"><enum>224.</enum><header>Independent assessment of quality assurance program</header>
<subsection id="HB3ED0BA7F1554CF28F6995324F00FBD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7731">Section 7731</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBDCD58CE933B422B8CB30081C67633B" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HDCA67306E1A043E6B042785E302CC82"><enum>(c)</enum>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H67F36877C3C9463E858F6204D900DFFF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall enter into a contract with an independent third-party entity to conduct, during the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008</short-title>, an assessment of the quality assurance program carried out under subsection (a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6B1188713FD9431B88CEFA93423447EF" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The assessment conducted under paragraph (1) shall evaluate the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H6D7732FCF9204E35B6BF62EF2B3DCBD7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The quality and accuracy of the work of employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration, using a statistically valid sample of such employees and a statistically valid sample of such work.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA3C4AFB8F8BF45628D4F63815190B23B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The performance of each regional office of the Veterans Benefits Administration.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H96C1B80B3AC2421CADCF38E574556929"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The accuracy of the disability ratings assigned under the schedule for rating disabilities under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1155">section 1155</external-xref> of this title.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2E61001D02CE47E6ABF67029377EB2C9"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The consistency of disability ratings among regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration, based on a sample of specific disabilities.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBDAAF98B7E254762BFD5132783D993BC"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The performance of employees and managers of the Veterans Benefits Administration.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD15C4DB80784CDA8576CE11E4BACEA5" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Secretary shall develop a mechanism for the automated gathering and producing of data that can be used to monitor and assess trends relating to the items described in paragraph (2).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDBE9946746174A74848293E3EA400013" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HF3DD995BD3FA41A895C0D609A8F43423"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Beginning on the date that is six months after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008</short-title>, the Secretary shall—</text>
<clause id="HF2FD47B85E63427382AF695196EDF0DC" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for each claim for disability compensation under laws administered by the Secretary submitted to the Secretary on or after such date, retain, monitor, and store in an accessible format the data described in subparagraph (B); and</text></clause>
<clause id="HF15DEA54F571488B8012D32C6401E14" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>develop a demographic baseline for the data retained, monitored, and stored under subparagraph (A).</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9C8BE6DD43C54B698D59A9D16CCD2B" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The data described in this subparagraph includes the following:</text>
<clause id="HA086005691474E8CA700122FA91A047"><enum>(i)</enum><text>For each claim for disability compensation under laws administered by the Secretary submitted by a claimant—</text>
<subclause id="H9117C78D06964B70BB0000AB9F3502D2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the State in which the claimant resided when the claim was submitted;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HAD1242647CE848B3BDF0A25E5EF1843D"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the decision of the Secretary with respect to the claim and each issue claimed; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H7480964FDE774513B2A10046D8BD5708"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the regional office and individual employee of the Department responsible for rating the claim.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H4C65F3FF01E5444FA76247563CBAD913"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>The State in which the claimant currently resides.</text></clause>
<clause id="HE7F685024DD44137B303D9588EFBF448"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Such other data as the Secretary determines is appropriate for monitoring the accuracy and consistency of decisions with respect to such claims.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA4A586F342D4142B06BAA2498EFDAA3" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the Secretary to replace the quality assurance program under subsection (a) that was in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this subsection.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H133F715E6FD541589B28E55900203F99"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than the end of the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report containing the results and findings of the independent third-party entity described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7731">section 7731(c)(1)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), with respect to the assessment conducted under such section 7731(c)(1).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HB22D6BAE5B8548BFA6224B679CC19846"><enum>225.</enum><header>Certification and training of employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration responsible for processing claims</header>
<subsection id="H29B4EB039D244BA6AA7ECCB0D1755DD5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Employee certification required</header>
<paragraph id="HB81660E361324F7B86CFA06EE6C37EB8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/77">chapter 77</external-xref> is amended by inserting after section 7732 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1E13118E085240B4980073B5ED58C015" style="USC">
<section id="HA72A253AA8CE4956ACF7A2B1CA00841D"><enum>7732A.</enum><header>Employee certification</header>
<subsection id="HF8A35A8C79604349BCDC7BD31BD3FE00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Development of certification examination</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HE5C747921B8F4992BE1B8741A37E38A9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall provide for an examination of appropriate employees and managers of the Veterans Benefits Administration who are responsible for processing claims for compensation and pension benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFEF74E96AF6F4931B3AAFC5B2EAA14D1" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In developing the examination required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H216C5EFCF76E4E53A1B2D0E1DE35D146"><enum>(A)</enum><text>consult with appropriate individuals or entities, including examination development experts, interested stakeholders, and employee representatives; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB6B8EC7A98614D5D85D9864035E4714E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>consider the data gathered and produced under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7731">section 7731(c)(3)</external-xref> of this title.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD4A5CA1196C445E79B91949CF761D6A0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Employee and manager requirement</header><text>The Secretary shall require appropriate employees and managers of the Veterans Benefits Administration who are responsible for processing claims for compensation and pension benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary to take the examination provided under subsection (a).</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6A4ACD62F837407C8D00C0E4AFC5B392"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/77">chapter 77</external-xref> is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7732 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="H852DC1057F444FEC9FA6C6A5FCA32C94" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="HA72A253AA8CE4956ACF7A2B1CA00841D" level="section">7732A. Employee certification.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H03C843FCEF3C41499CAFAF584CD8B51D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Deadlines for implementation</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H346591AD53C245C1B886D745008C3874"><enum>(A)</enum><text>develop an updated certification examination required under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7732A">section 7732A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H98E5DA7E080E42368CE0586585BD096D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>begin administering such certification examination required under such section not later than 90 days after the date on which the development of such certification examination is complete.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC5CB92C35F444D51853B9E0832ACEFE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Evaluation of training</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H0ED167A9D00B4D00A05238C9D2B48CE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>evaluate the training programs administered for employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H07C579F9830246D896E046E313150926"><enum>(2)</enum><text>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 findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the evaluation described in paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H68C263CFDD6E4BE3BC4BF247B5BB6646"><enum>226.</enum><header>Study of performance measures for claims adjudications of the Veterans Benefits Administration</header>
<subsection id="H5759931E20CA4563AAAD881F0448780"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study of work credit system and work management system required</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of the current employee work credit system and work management system of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is used—</text>
<paragraph id="H2E4D3D733ED04659B276A0F22DD386F9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to measure and manage the work production of employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration who handle claims for compensation and pension benefits; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H17D88639EA4F444A8CE4D0B677B3DDA5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to evaluate more effective means of improving performance.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB77B5EED5663448CB5362228743388CB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents of study</header><text>In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—</text>
<paragraph id="HC12C55666C28453DB1B86D0E27E9DE0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>measures to improve the accountability, quality, and accuracy for processing claims for compensation and pension benefits under laws administered by the Secretary that are adjudicated by the Veterans Benefits Administration;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H80604875814C44C1AEC99886005774F0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>accountability for claims adjudication outcomes;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB56582C3B90B4D21B3AA4B8FC496D0FC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the quality of claims adjudicated;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF1A35CCE9CD34863BD617CA483C80358"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a simplified process to adjudicate claims;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFC519B0793DD411ABBE70490084C75D6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the maximum use of information technology applications;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H19F3DD94A37A471F97A9EB3DC5047A3"><enum>(6)</enum><text>rules-based applications and tools for processing and adjudicating claims efficiently and effectively;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H022E74AC64774289BC8D4C48A6DB4E4D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>methods of reducing the time required to obtain information from outside sources; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H326E79D5FA984064B8AD7100EBB87268"><enum>(8)</enum><text>the elements needed to implement—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFA571E79E80B4760A7CD8BA00EFD935"><enum>(A)</enum><text>performance standards and accountability measures, intended to ensure that—</text>
<clause id="H49051EFA98B948E794F2458138948C00"><enum>(i)</enum><text>claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary are processed in an objective, accurate, consistent, and efficient manner; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HA3A1D131F45C460894E0D835F058FDF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>final decisions with respect to such claims are consistent and issued within the target identified in the most recent annual Performance and Accountability report submitted by the Secretary to Congress for the most recent fiscal year;</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H4A430D79D1F94A5E8BC37BA6FE79F07D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>guidelines and procedures for the identification and prompt processing of such claims that are ready to rate upon submittal;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H4CB99B892AD34818BEEFAEC041EE791"><enum>(C)</enum><text>guidelines and procedures for the identification and prompt processing of such claims submitted by severely injured and very severely injured veterans, as determined by the Secretary; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H1D0448E1BE8D4D018094AE17FBC1CEE7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>requirements for assessments of claims processing at each regional office for the purpose of producing lessons learned and best practices.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H26C37FA840594239BA530000E374A3D4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than October 31, 2009, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on—</text>
<paragraph id="HE5724DB009D64EFC9F3D85D1BA3CE720"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the study conducted under subsection (a); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H42645CDA18C74CFD00C03CC87001956"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the components required to implement the updated system for evaluating employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration required under subsection (d).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HBC8026CE89A34762B523A400298FEED8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Evaluation of certain veterans benefits administration employees responsible for processing claims for compensation and pension benefits</header><text>Not later than 210 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress the report required under subsection (c), the Secretary shall establish an updated system for evaluating the performance and accountability of employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration who are responsible for processing claims for compensation or pension benefits. Such system shall be based on the findings of the study conducted by the Secretary under subsection (a).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H65E43C21CBED4404AF7D9230C06D46D"><enum>227.</enum><header>Review and enhancement of use of information technology in Veterans Benefits Administration</header>
<subsection id="H36A1F51C013E41D7AB05F65F4B87D331"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review and comprehensive plan</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H0D1711E44E034FFF99D2F423C87BB5B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct a review of the use of information technology in the Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to the processing of claims for compensation and pension benefits; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC39F7B2194CA43C1BE17E1E891A732BF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop a comprehensive plan for the use of such technology in processing such claims so as to reduce subjectivity, avoidable remands, and regional office variances in disability ratings for specific disabilities.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HEE219493FD444338BBD11F520090D1DB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Information technology</header><text>The plan developed under subsection (a)(2) shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H51E771584C554F6FBAC30D4E73A38D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The use of rules-based processing or information technology systems utilizing automated decision support software at all levels of processing such claims.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCD32CDCEB72E49CC80CFDEB25D3D5E31"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The enhancement of the use of information technology for all aspects of the claims process.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC8191290B838402F915E71B843A165B1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Development of a technological platform that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4E640C421A764B7CB71D206D9C8BB0A1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>allows for the use of information that members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and dependents have submitted electronically, including uploaded military records, medical evidence, and other appropriate documentation; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H42194185A65B41B0B1BC112F26C7F0CF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to the extent practicable—</text>
<clause id="H9229BFC24AF84EB8A3174BE4F3761CF3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provides the capability to such members, veterans, and dependents to view applications for benefits submitted online; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H11D932912DFC45A1B337B35D2388F31C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>complies with the provisions of subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/44/35">chapter 35</external-xref> of title 44, United States Code, <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/552a">section 552a</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, and other relevant security policies and guidelines.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HECD06D2C27FC4A9D8C301100A410969F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The use of electronic examination templates in conjunction with the schedule for rating disabilities under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1155">section 1155</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H279BE6463B6B4E5BA5C8B909AD7BD6A4"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Such changes as may be required to the electronic health record system of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to ensure that Veterans Benefits Administration claims examiners can access the available electronic medical information of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H77AB4F8F2A204B9181BC4BCFEA09E4E2"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The provision of bi-directional access to medical records and service records between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD14899F416F144C3B883EA53063152CF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The availability, on a secure Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs, of a portal that can be used by a claimant to check on the status of any claim submitted by that claimant and that provides information, if applicable, on—</text>
<subparagraph id="H46E301DF04334DF495BC34D892006B00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>whether a decision has been reached with respect to such a claim and notice of the decision; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8FBA0E0A5FFA48A9A0D7E54C00D6E1F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if no such decision has been reached, notice of—</text>
<clause id="H40E6E677477847C198D2FBC14F7BB61C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>whether the application submitted by the claimant is complete;</text></clause>
<clause id="HAD73BCC5AC2D4CD3AA29954984DEFE00"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>whether the Secretary requires additional information or evidence to substantiate the claim;</text></clause>
<clause id="H3AB1FBADFB764456A6F4188372136B60"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the estimated date on which a decision with respect to the claim is expected to be made; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HA21918C40AEE4CFCAAD32C64CCF6279"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the stage at which the claim is being processed as of the date on which such status is checked.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H71F81FC8AC074AD38095E4CF105CDE3B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review of best practices and lessons learned</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall review—</text>
<paragraph id="HD9E6BA0D9E894CA99E29A3D9C31718A9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>best practices and lessons learned within the Department of Veterans Affairs; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H59CCADC21D594DFA9B6DFD49688DD5D6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the use of the technology known as <quote>VistA</quote> by other Government entities and private sector organizations who employ information technology and automated decision support software.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H1666CFF6C9C54E73AD06F3518BC95FA4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reduction of claims processing time</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that a plan is developed that, not later than three years after implementation, includes information technology to the extent possible to reduce the processing time for each compensation and pension claim processed by the Veterans Benefits Administration. The performance for claims processing under this plan shall be adjusted for changes to the numbers of claims filed in a given period, the complexity of those claims, and any changes to the basic claims processing rules which occur during the assessment period.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H83E66688CB70421BABCB174E6D6FB522"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with information technology designers at the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health Administration, VistA managers, the Secretary of Defense, appropriate officials of other Government agencies, appropriate individuals in the private and public sectors, veterans service organizations, and other relevant service organizations.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H1AF3BDBD45B944C3A5D895CF4B74685"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than April 1, 2010, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the review and comprehensive plan required under this section.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H0205A7F330DB4029B8BCAC0658FE4BE"><enum>228.</enum><header>Study and report on improving access to medical advice</header>
<subsection id="H21CC3321A18846809DA9746CEF92458"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study—</text>
<paragraph id="H5A6CA1BC788D4030BDD575DC0084004D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to assess the feasibility and advisability of various mechanisms to improve communication between the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration to provide Veterans Benefits Administration employees with access to medical advice from the Veterans Health Administration when needed by such employees to carry out their duties; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H545BB85070954E2C9EDCD86BBA880017"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to evaluate whether additional medical professionals are necessary to provide the access described in paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6D5D7D9BF515462EB4A65EBDC5CAE559"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).</text></subsection></section></subtitle>
<enum>III</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Labor and Education Matters</header>
<subtitle commented="no" id="H3743F4D760424176B0B550A29C4EE172" level-type="subsequent"><enum>A</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Labor and Employment Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFDE4A1C3FE6E42F1B11FD664CDDD72" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>311.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reform of USERRA complaint process</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H58BF9EA55DB84993B622EC993C0136B8"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notification of rights with respect to complaints</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (c) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4322">section 4322</external-xref> is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H411F9B43D2D94B988836C6AC220657E2" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9A61E3DDA6FF416991E4E0720000BE8E"><enum>(c)</enum>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HCE8E3340E294439D95F63DBBC93EA29D"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than five days after the Secretary receives a complaint submitted by a person under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify such person in writing of his or her rights with respect to such complaint under this section and section 4323 or 4324, as the case may be.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1C67BDAC059E49C0B7CC6F9C6CC607BE" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall, upon request, provide technical assistance to a potential claimant with respect to a complaint under this subsection, and when appropriate, to such claimant's employer.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2B062E245C7A48429E2068740400BD7C"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notification of results of investigation in writing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (e) of such section is amended by inserting <quote>in writing</quote> after <quote>submitted the complaint</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5D892ED8A202465391DB2638D57FA342"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Expedition of attempts To investigate and resolve complaints</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 4322 is further amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBD2654A86C3949CB87CFD6F3CD00C5E2"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H95C4D370C93048FC99FC2CD462AC80A7"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection (f):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H79EB01501A5B440BADA000F7E48F7ECA" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6DE6A60D40884AB79000F051CC4417E"><enum>(f)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any action required by subsections (d) and (e) with respect to a complaint submitted by a person to the Secretary under subsection (a) shall be completed by the Secretary not later than 90 days after receipt of such complaint.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HECE10CE66DC142158E71182C7C8E4517"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Expedition of referrals</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4F3F98ED58EB48EE91FC14B946DE689"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Expedition of referrals to Attorney General</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">Section 4323(a)(1)</external-xref> is amended by inserting <quote>Not later than 60 days after the Secretary receives such a request with respect to a complaint, the Secretary shall refer the complaint to the Attorney General.</quote> after <quote>to the Attorney General.</quote>.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0A80082FED124F4490D30057F551F386"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Expedition of referrals to Special Counsel</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">Section 4324(a)(1)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>The Secretary shall refer</quote> and inserting <quote>Not later than 60 days after the date the Secretary receives such a request, the Secretary shall refer</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE985CBF28F864CFEA5FA93B757F0F09C"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notification of representation</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB75A9F7142894E54BCBCA39579AFB2D2"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notification by Attorney General</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 4323(a) is further amended—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2924C35596F74B2B90DE63E2A824F15D"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC96E18FAE43E4DC3A828C1B3C67B1D00"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H90372458A2CB49D8AF2562ADF15F97D7" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H34B0242DCE2B4A829363C9FF88B0F533" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after the date the Attorney General receives a referral under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8316FC14F03B46CB80532F71432CDF4E"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make a decision whether to appear on behalf of, and act as attorney for, the person on whose behalf the complaint is submitted; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBB74BE78447548A790677027002BA591"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notify such person in writing of such decision.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H51CD50B4947746139DA19FDE9D54A315"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notification by Special Counsel</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subparagraph (B) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">section 4324(a)(2)</external-xref> is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H60A62A1E0B8449248571B04B87138950" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD50D2F7D14C54B45B6813E6BD78956B" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after the date the Special Counsel receives a referral under paragraph (1), the Special Counsel shall—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H08A86D2848C14453B7432DF590E5C56C"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make a decision whether to represent a person before the Merit Systems Protection Board under subparagraph (A); and</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA83232909FD6475E80048577D502DBD8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notify such person in writing of such decision.</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAB45145FC8834C48917D9F9368B780D0"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deadlines, statutes of limitations, and related matters</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H30D11629AD124540A374FE9EB2957502"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/43">chapter 43</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H690BCEBDB5214F55B309E5FB10DF5C2E" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7297F711FD374B5CAD78DCB5BBCB5BF" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>4327.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Noncompliance of Federal officials with deadlines; inapplicability of statutes of limitations</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5A388DF9D740414BA6378FF66CB921DD"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effect of noncompliance of Federal officials with deadlines</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HFD7D34A3C7624A6AA6C753DF2B632300"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The inability of the Secretary, the Attorney General, or the Special Counsel to comply with a deadline applicable to such official under section 4322, 4323, or 4324 of this title—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA3D25C37165545F0BCADF7F7752384D6" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall not affect the authority of the Attorney General or the Special Counsel to represent and file an action or submit a complaint on behalf of a person under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323</external-xref> or <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">4324</external-xref> of this title;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA18A7CA62F4A4DBB92125CA7BCC8546" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall not affect the right of a person—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA4A5218C005149C98CE5425383F269C3"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to commence an action under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323</external-xref> of this title;</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5B86D921779F41090040754CDFE2B262"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to submit a complaint under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">section 4324</external-xref> of this title; or</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1FE8821807EC4A008990A8CBBD505E51"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to obtain any type of assistance or relief authorized by this chapter;</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEE4AB1807AA140708632F670C43D9800" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall not deprive a Federal court, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or a State court of jurisdiction over an action or complaint filed by the Attorney General, the Special Counsel, or a person under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323</external-xref> or <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">4324</external-xref> of this title; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H03816F4BD057485D90D642897B731537" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall not constitute a defense, including a statute of limitations period, that any employer (including a State, a private employer, or a Federal executive agency) or the Office of Personnel Management may raise in an action filed by the Attorney General, the Special Counsel, or a person under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323</external-xref> or <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">4324</external-xref> of this title.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H17B2598B50C044F496DE0039441F2084" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary, the Attorney General, or the Special Counsel is unable to meet a deadline applicable to such official in section 4322(f), 4323(a)(1), 4323(a)(2), 4324(a)(1), or 4324(a)(2)(B) of this title, and the person agrees to an extension of time, the Secretary, the Attorney General, or the Special Counsel, as the case may be, shall complete the required action within the additional period of time agreed to by the person.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4D2BFF36D9DA427A9E58E3A5ACE72CCE"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Inapplicability of statutes of limitations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If any person seeks to file a complaint or claim with the Secretary, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or a Federal or State court under this chapter alleging a violation of this chapter, there shall be no limit on the period for filing the complaint or claim.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H44C6AF446F4940519B72D35C004CE86E"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/43">chapter 43</external-xref> is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4326 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H22A11EE403604A549FABBC928FE546F1" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="H7297F711FD374B5CAD78DCB5BBCB5BF" level="section">4327. Noncompliance of Federal officials with deadlines; inapplicability of statutes of limitations.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5ABE634953BA43CC8F52B949014E08D7"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 4323 is further amended—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5A60883637BB4316A679DDFA1F4855ED"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking subsection (i); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEE0C749777E9458EA636ECBDA9B59CCB"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (i).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8C3EE41B07D4428186813F3D82222B00" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>312.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification and expansion of reporting requirements with respect to enforcement of USERRA</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4C2036BC80AC43C6B29FF724D1CCB925"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Date of annual reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4332">Section 4332</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>and no later than February 1, 2005</quote> and all that follows through the <quote>such February 1:</quote> and inserting <quote>, transmit to Congress not later than July 1 each year a report on matters for the fiscal year ending in the year before the year in which such report is transmitted as follows:</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC8C72FA2E5A84026AA32DCF000C0EB1F"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification of annual reports by Secretary</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such section is further amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H10C3585D7B654D9B9FBDA7EF09C400F2"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>The Secretary shall</quote> and inserting <quote>(a) <header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">Annual report by Secretary.—</header-in-text>The Secretary shall</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H085CF94A6A0744BDA57219C427871385"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (3), by inserting before the period at the end the following: <quote>and the number of actions initiated by the Office of Special Counsel before the Merit Systems Protection Board pursuant to section 4324 during such fiscal year</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEC42FB70A64146278B3BFCACDFE4989"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3F9877263FEB4185AEF2695C5C599348"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph (8):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDAFFB7A4AC3E4B83804D5B2648B49CF" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3666498302F840B4A904BBE080021F4"><enum>(8)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With respect to the cases reported on pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) the number of such cases that involve persons with different occupations or persons seeking different occupations, as designated by the Standard Occupational Classification System.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2A924E361F8343F7A5C1A4548EB5685F"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (7);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAEDF2E1461934CC4A735B0DCE2D46900"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraphs (5) and (6):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H302E3BECE8904E99003C37B0DDE85081" style="USC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA0B005213563442A99AE59B1803351C6"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of cases reviewed by the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense through the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve of the Department of Defense that involve the same person.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9C0C740DB40549DCAD463BB43F7F001B"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With respect to the cases reported on pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4EE4A7C5A11D4A199F00B2F5E726658"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of such cases that involve a disability-related issue; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB3EA66CB20D745FCB5E651669F55161D"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of such cases that involve a person who has a service-connected disability.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H718B22FB3E5545EBB6FB7173411C80E4"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (5) of this subsection, by striking <quote>or (4)</quote> and inserting <quote>(4), or (5)</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3C0E385A27044134A905F305055D5360"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF3A09137593649C0AE8EFF8D659BA9F" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1F5EC7E06D42482DACB9D813F233CB6C"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Quarterly reports</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8742F6E1F2E9437B80B431A297E570BD"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Quarterly report by Secretary</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, and the Special Counsel a report setting forth, for the previous full quarter, the following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6B42819037C34B489328FDE527CED17D"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of cases for which the Secretary did not meet the requirements of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4322">section 4322(f)</external-xref> of this title.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9168757BD2574AFAA57FCB413EBFB4FD"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of cases for which the Secretary received a request for a referral under paragraph (1) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323(a)</external-xref> of this title but did not make such referral within the time period required by such paragraph.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD20D75C58209401B96ECF75B262937BA"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Quarterly report by Attorney General</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress, the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the Special Counsel a report setting forth, for the previous full quarter, the number of cases for which the Attorney General received a referral under paragraph (1) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323(a)</external-xref> of this title but did not meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323(a)</external-xref> of this title for such referral.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0FF0BBBCA7894574A1C5503282F148B"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Quarterly report by Special Counsel</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Special Counsel shall submit to Congress, the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the Attorney General a report setting forth, for the previous full quarter, the number of cases for which the Special Counsel received a referral under paragraph (1) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">section 4324(a)</external-xref> of this title but did not meet the requirements of paragraph (2)(B) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">section 4324(a)</external-xref> of this title for such referral.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF041416B5357414298E24099B5CA61FF"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Uniform categorization of data</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE3E233E14C9846DFB87B352B29F85E64" style="USC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7CF3A6B08CB24F7A00C0DC9F2765007B"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Uniform categorization of data</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, and the Special Counsel to ensure that—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2C72C8E9463A4BA3BFD07832DC837900"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the information in the reports required by this section is categorized in a uniform way; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9423714DAAEE4CEAA513ECF7591C5FD6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, and the Special Counsel each have electronic access to the case files reviewed under this chapter by the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, and the Special Counsel with due regard for the provisions of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/552a">section 552a</external-xref> of title 5.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA2D8A875EAC34BDC83447461249EB366"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Comptroller General report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that contains the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H507563BC654D494A85912565FA3C28D4"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assessment of the reliability of the data contained in the reports submitted under subsection (b) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4332">section 4332</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (c) of this section), as of the date of such report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H265C6D7635FC43A792FD6B37AC563ED1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assessment of the timeliness of the reports submitted under subsection (b) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4332">section 4332</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as so amended), as of such date.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9DFC611044324EAF8E22FB3E41243479"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The extent to which the Secretary of Labor is meeting the timeliness requirements of subsections (c)(1) and (f) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4322">section 4322</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as amended by section 311 of this Act), and <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323(a)(1)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as so amended), as of the date of such report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC3215ECF6DC2434B00677C330006DB25"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The extent to which the Attorney General is meeting the timeliness requirements of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">section 4323(a)(2)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as amended by section 311 of this Act), as of the date of such report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H18456970EDEA459D89D3C5DD94376D74"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The extent to which the Special Counsel is meeting the timeliness requirements of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4324">section 4324(a)(2)(B)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as amended by section 311 of this Act), as of the date of such report.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE477A09E285841D284F43E2621B067E7"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to each report required under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4332">section 4332</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as amended by this section), after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H27B4555712F04C639E3CD037005E6FC" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>313.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Training for executive branch human resources personnel on employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H45B92F4F22E347108695923B52F8B397"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Training required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter IV of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/43">chapter 43</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9E61F586AADA4226984F5E6580B2E7B8" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H39DF5DB48DB04F4285CE2E5798B6A07F" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>4335.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Training for Federal executive agency human resources personnel on employment and reemployment rights and limitations</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H05D2AEFD5CAE42ADAFA900BFD5141BC"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Training required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The head of each Federal executive agency shall provide training for the human resources personnel of such agency on the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2B2499C85A584100800027A850B03818"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The rights, benefits, and obligations of members of the uniformed services under this chapter.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0E41149461084903AAE751AE66C91EC"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The application and administration of the requirements of this chapter by such agency with respect to such members.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB5FDFAD5706746D7BEA5691695CF4E5"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Consultation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The training provided under subsection (a) shall be developed and provided in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H25A14F338D4548F1BB24AF3C2215CF41"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Frequency</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The training under subsection (a) shall be provided with such frequency as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall specify in order to ensure that the human resources personnel of Federal executive agencies are kept fully and currently informed of the matters covered by the training.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5834CA41E12046D3A17C70F3A4A1665C"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Human resources personnel defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>human resources personnel</term>, in the case of a Federal executive agency, means any personnel of the agency who are authorized to recommend, take, or approve any personnel action that is subject to the requirements of this chapter with respect to employees of the agency.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2D3B8A299B274B24A8C4BAD934E05098"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/43">chapter 43</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4344EC84EE424D90B86D0028AC54EA32" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="H39DF5DB48DB04F4285CE2E5798B6A07F" level="section">4335. Training for Federal executive agency human resources personnel on employment and reemployment rights and limitations.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBD4C8D5843B8427991EEED9F2C4D33C6" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>314.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on the employment needs of Native American veterans living on tribal lands</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBF9B802873DF4D5BB44399C0BC54ADBE"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than December 1, 2009, the Secretary of Labor shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the Interior, submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report assessing the employment needs of Native American (American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) veterans living on tribal lands, including Indian reservations, Alaska Native villages, and Hawaiian Home Lands. The report shall include—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB7B86C66CACD4BDFB619C665E1878FB9"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a review of current and prior government-to-government relationships between tribal organizations and the Veterans' Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H509D549C7F3548E593FCA5E200E94F00"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">recommendations for improving employment and job training opportunities for Native American veterans on tribal land, especially through the utilization of resources for veterans.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H71F4F8B8F2064F56A94210843FB31DBB"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Tribal organization defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>tribal organization</term> has the meaning given such term in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3765">section 3765(4)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H1FE405EF8CDB4B53AF8647F175E65F49"><enum>315.</enum><header>Equity powers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4323">Section 4323(e)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>may use</quote> and inserting <quote>shall use, in any case in which the court determines it is appropriate,</quote>.</text></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0DE04F636D8947FBAE2650CD4805A178" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>316.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Waiver of residency requirement for Directors for Veterans' Employment and Training</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4103">Section 4103(a)(2)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD6A41EAB432A4E1EAA3F2EAC95983898"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>(A)</quote> after <quote>(2)</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0899504E68E844669780071554EC3288"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9122C1B6D0494D308400709983E442BD" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2A0E2A2E44574987B454B60472DB77C2" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4F65BE6FF2464D97A8BA316B642D2069" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>317.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification of special unemployment study to cover veterans of Post 9/11 Global Operations</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB4FB6E33866045BC9396552252A28D67"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification of study</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (a)(1) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4110A">section 4110A</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H351C5B93F76A46A194F1321603F200F9"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>a study every two years</quote> and inserting <quote>an annual study</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1013724A25D746510086B36F19327589"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H680248B53E3644A1B1211E2F02E731C9" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H80E8BD45D8DF46959000A884EBE7F1DA" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Veterans who were called to active duty while members of the National Guard or a Reserve Component.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEF88563D88674D94BD9D1F4B9230A29" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Veterans who served in combat or in a war zone in the Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H42DA473D6CE64F97B5A9CE5261DD2A4" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Veterans who served on active duty during the Post 9/11 Global Operations period who did not serve in the Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9EF63F15867D4B9887EC49E9DEBC10D2" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Veterans of the Vietnam era who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD4D418059A3C4C73A622AB27BB64820" indent="up1"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Veterans who served on active duty during the Vietnam era who did not serve in the Vietnam theater of operations.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF18DE0439EE2435B9C44E64413D503B1" indent="up1"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Veterans discharged or released from active duty within four years of the applicable study.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9FB0D3E042B64F6CACA2F5F45342679" indent="up1"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Special disabled veterans.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE5FFEC70086B414B98733DDC47AFBABE"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0079A814AE4C4ED095CB676460D549F" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6B2C84E1447E42EE82E330C23E621796"><enum>(c)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9E0238FD85584E57ADEC74B5426B79D6"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Post 9/11 Global Operations period</term> 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.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6AE4BD696D5144CFB732A24765D6793D"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters</term> means Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other theater in which the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is awarded for service.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section></subtitle>
<subtitle commented="no" id="HFB1A5C02478C4A89B73C786DDA2683DF" level-type="subsequent"><enum>B</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Education Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC6493FF9BEAB4A45BD938D7C5DAB9FC1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>321.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification of period of eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance of certain spouses of individuals with service-connected disabilities total and permanent in nature</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3512">Section 3512(b)(1)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBE1F28E7A8F24AE88365FA005C631E3E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>subparagraph (B) or (C)</quote> and inserting <quote>subparagraph (B), (C), or (D)</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H016D551F188640178F3246009E430972"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD9A22C0FB618436A934BBFF087DC20B9" style="USC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF49C15B6E1E84D1FBB18A863CD58D9A2" indent="up2"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an eligible person referred to in that subparagraph who is made eligible under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3501">section 3501(a)(1)(D)(i)</external-xref> of this title by reason of a service-connected disability that was determined to be a total disability permanent in nature not later than three years after discharge from service may be afforded educational assistance under this chapter during the 20-year period beginning on the date the disability was so determined to be a total disability permanent in nature, but only if the eligible person remains the spouse of the disabled person throughout the period.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1B9C79F79DAA4BAA8898279E82D829E5" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>322.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Repeal of requirement for report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on prior training</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3676">Section 3676(c)(4)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>and the Secretary</quote>.</text></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE3168523450F4DDCBFB7023CE394C9BD" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>323.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification of waiting period before affirmation of enrollment in a correspondence course</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3686">Section 3686(b)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>ten</quote> and inserting <quote>five</quote>.</text></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H435F8EB4BF254F5CA5F35931FAC2C371" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>324.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Change of programs of education at the same educational institution</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3691">Section 3691(d)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8F21AEAAE5A04E5EA6065C77F25E3EF9"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), respectively;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC8B8C9991A674F87ACBFF25E2987B600"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>(1)</quote> after <quote>(d)</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA024A114A9D54A3CBBEEDD1B53F8DF5F"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), as redesignated by paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section, by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB415226D2EEE4466B334084B8B1DBBD6"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE06A25B3284E427EA1DD77C1D713D2B"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCD924C984BC443579BC628F4D33F7495" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H62513E034EBD4DC2A000DEB6427C957C" indent="up1"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the change from the program to another program is at the same educational institution and such educational institution determines that the new program is suitable to the aptitudes, interests, and abilities of the veteran or eligible person and certifies to the Secretary the enrollment of the veteran or eligible person in the new program.</text></subparagraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE7400E4B04EA4415B38238EAE58DF4F6" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A veteran or eligible person undergoing a change from one program of education to another program of education as described in paragraph (1)(E) shall not be required to apply to the Secretary for approval of such change.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF067FA7B99E34D3FBCC0C9CAD668056" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>325.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Repeal of certification requirement with respect to applications for approval of self-employment on-job training</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3677">Section 3677(b)</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H931EE6B63D364F3982679E14F13100FD" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD25B822D70DA4D3BA8A0BDB2F13B4245" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirement for certification under paragraph (1) shall not apply to training described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3452">section 3452(e)(2)</external-xref> of this title.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2D585486DE1D435C963B1C7CFB76A772" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>326.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Coordination of approval activities in the administration of education benefits</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H41BC8B76A86243568473915400A8672E"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Coordination</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC32DFB5FBAA44FA796372DF76DEABC"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3673">Section 3673</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H74221A760C5E4E00B275FA0051D82252"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF4B1D6089C3048089E184000C89F5C7D"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8C29EFE8017F445C96566B05672900D" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3419FB160F74499FAA5C16EC1B851800"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Coordination of activities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB47EA1A93ABC4B2D9989D34650BC3270"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming and clerical amendments</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H2294074D7B384230B0C77D79D4E7FCF"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The heading of such section is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1E3BC984F6A2468793759FE022777212" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB41B401C864445C38C8BF5CB50CAAE56" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>3673.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Approval activities: cooperation and coordination of activities</header></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB9AA15C1CBDD4545B24B129DE53C95CE" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/36">chapter 36</external-xref> is amended by striking the item relating to section 3673 and inserting the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7A6D148B959348CD80B952916BD78FAE" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="HB41B401C864445C38C8BF5CB50CAAE56" level="section">3673. Approval activities: cooperation and coordination of activities.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC9CD99E5BDD64957BA00D9547CD2081E"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Stylistic amendments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such section is further amended—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H77C2FD6BA7DB46FCA796F951AFB69316"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a), by inserting <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">Cooperation in activities</header-in-text>.—</quote> after <quote>(a)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFBFC24C56CFD4F0382AB1E43CA23EFFB"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, by inserting <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">Availability of information material</header-in-text>.—</quote> after <quote>(c)</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H333D4C098A914669A9D85B94E8A0C183"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 240 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:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFF70A11224EE45870085E6E28EBD6B8E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The actions taken to establish outcome-oriented performance standards for State approving agencies created or designated under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3671">section 3671</external-xref> 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 <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3674A">section 3674A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8C3D18F5F5944A29A600B04341B71525"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The actions taken to implement a tracking and reporting system for resources expended for approval and outreach activities by such agencies.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6AD26642D7C641868900B332F226E2FA"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any recommendations for legislative action that the Secretary considers appropriate to achieve the complete implementation of the standards described in paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle>
<subtitle id="H278AC90064A2492B8DA78E0058AC61BB"><enum>C</enum><header>Vocational Rehabilitation Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H039C2BA0342E4E2E9CE6149DCC22334" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>331.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Waiver of 24-month limitation on program of independent living services and assistance for veterans with a severe disability incurred in the Post-9/11 Global Operations period</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3105">Section 3105(d)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE1E03DB1189047FC80F68859BA01F85C"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>Unless the Secretary</quote> and all that follows through <quote>the period of a program</quote> and inserting <quote>(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the period of a program</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H78C25D0DA8604E10A899D7A1D9DBD973"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H45712D282E1047368E364865EF47009D" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD2E02B0357AD4C3F888F542DC1000605" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H4237002B94AE4915A823625E04BFCA80"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The period of a program of independent living services and assistance for a veteran under this chapter may exceed twenty-four months as follows:</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H02D92FCBFFC04FE9962CBB0814DA6C1" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary determines that a longer period is necessary and likely to result in a substantial increase in the veteran's level of independence in daily living.</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7E883D0A064F4DA4BC1FFA67A6F5F5BE" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the veteran served on active duty during the Post-9/11 Global Operations period and has a severe disability (as determined by the Secretary for purposes of this clause) incurred or aggravated in such service.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H28DA1E1551374ACAA4669023D7BE05BC" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this paragraph, the term <term>Post-9/11 Global Operations period</term> means the period of the Persian Gulf War beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on the date thereafter prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="H3A546B19BE9A48C2B12DCA5B4D52F6D9"><enum>332.</enum><header>Increase in cap of number of veterans participating in independent living program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3120">Section 3120(e)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>2500 veterans</quote> and inserting <quote>2600 veterans</quote>.</text></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H51A2D9FEBBA245DCBF007600A9682462" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>333.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on measures to assist and encourage veterans in completing vocational rehabilitation</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6BE4C25E77E94B04931736641E072B00"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Study required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on measures to assist and encourage veterans in completing their vocational rehabilitation plans. The study shall include an identification of the following elements, to the extent that such elements do not duplicate studies conducted or reports released by the Secretary during the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H87B9B9436EFB4043A74CAF00C5C5B6AD"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The various factors that may prevent or preclude veterans from completing their vocational rehabilitation plans through the Department of Veterans Affairs or otherwise achieving the vocational rehabilitation objectives of such plans.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9CDBF8C2D371481BADE47662003BA9D3"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The actions to be taken by the Secretary to assist and encourage veterans in overcoming the factors identified in paragraph (1) and in otherwise completing their vocational rehabilitation plans or achieving the vocational rehabilitation objectives of such plans.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H52073C4CD1F64F5F94A6CF6FA5C9008B"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Matters To Be examined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall examine the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFBC3BE64AEB24825B000B8AF2E2DC78D"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Measures utilized by public and private vocational rehabilitation service providers for individuals with disabilities in the United States, and in other countries, that promote successful outcomes by the program participants.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8869F132E49945F5A61FA1BB5CAB2092"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any studies or survey data available to the Secretary that relates to the matters covered by the study.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9A726544BB2249009E56005C66AAF534"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The extent to which disability compensation may be used as an incentive to encourage veterans to participate in and complete a vocational rehabilitation plan.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H869D9AB1DD1B4193B8982868E186F6F"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report of the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission established pursuant to section 1501 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1101">38 U.S.C. 1101</external-xref> note).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD92EBA5D20D24A53A6C996008BE35186"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCF6B0EF2682F4912A122081E9E229040"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any other matters that the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the study.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H92BE75600FDA480C81AA5EDFAAADC873"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCEC9E4D9CBEB4003A02F009ED79BA554"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the extent to which bonus payments or other incentives may be used to encourage veterans to complete their vocational rehabilitation plans or otherwise achieve the vocational rehabilitation objectives of such plans; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE011C0731ABF4A739DD930B121E10FA"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H62A5A956C7954154925C79995752FAD"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Consultation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H088E2D59DBD24A8896D0525DFD60518B"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall consult with such veterans and military service organizations, and with such other public and private organizations and individuals, as the Secretary considers appropriate; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H86069F86FDEB4058A2EAAEDA35AAE527"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may employ consultants.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC95248BAFA8B4792A51336C5412A1F6"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 270 days after the commencement of the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the study. The report shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9F1643A1FA45428CBA02ACC28CFCD1"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The findings of the Secretary under the study.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFFD255BEAF734BCEAFAAE17638E6B1F5"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any recommendations that the Secretary considers appropriate for actions to be taken by the Secretary in light of the study, including a proposal for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to implement the recommendations.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H8F9D4CD6778A4D688FE9652492E0EFA" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>334.</enum><header>Longitudinal study of Department of Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation programs</header>
<subsection id="H605D7FCCAB6B439AAB85E10093199BA6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/31">Chapter 31</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC0BAAAB40BBC491E8B55F6BA1FA6EED9" style="USC">
<section id="H44C9DDB0FBA447A6A924FD02C2B120AA"><enum>3122.</enum><header>Longitudinal study of vocational rehabilitation programs</header>
<subsection id="HFFE24EA6BD5542A7A8AF1900D1196B69"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study required</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HC8927B377BC74AF3B500654572F804A3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the Secretary shall conduct a longitudinal study of a statistically valid sample of each of the groups of individuals described in paragraph (2). The Secretary shall study each such group over a period of at least 20 years.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H78E13BB7E05B4FCC00998F7879AA479E" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The groups of individuals described in this paragraph are the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="HF03377FE450047F2A7098F008100A42"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Individuals who begin participating in a vocational rehabilitation program under this chapter during fiscal year 2010.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H008D438E8A8B4806BE22AF98FFDB13E0"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Individuals who begin participating in such a program during fiscal year 2012.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB5D3A07CB93A4C00B0D63EC733E251EB"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Individuals who begin participating in such a program during fiscal year 2014.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7BD700AC54F5438DA9AADD146390213B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">By not later than July 1 of each year covered by the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the study during the preceding year.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE285048D29D24275AE34592CB60020AF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contents of report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall include in the report required under subsection (b) any data the Secretary determines is necessary to determine the long-term outcomes of the individuals participating in the vocational rehabilitation programs under this chapter. The Secretary may add data elements from time to time as necessary. In addition, each such report shall contain the following information:</text>
<paragraph id="H711152AB08BA49F899B4D3FB14EFD8D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of individuals participating in vocational rehabilitation programs under this chapter who suspended participation in such a program during the year covered by the report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H03FB4E91D18F46EF8C2278CFA897D6E6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The average number of months such individuals served on active duty.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H52A80C80CA4F4425B1D0FEBDDF7B4F88"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The distribution of disability ratings of such individuals.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC6A4AC8BB15E45A1BD1564C8DA3FB422"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The types of other benefits administered by the Secretary received by such individuals.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H52E17311B3ED4FFEA5CFAD223FDCF5E5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The types of social security benefits received by such individuals.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H238CF7D4D85D42BCA29004DC4187C821"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Any unemployment benefits received by such individuals.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCA1782A38C2341658DF4D2EDF3FF5900"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The average number of months such individuals were employed during the year covered by the report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFB4CB28282BA42F79854117BA2C77BA"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The average annual starting and ending salaries of such individuals who were employed during the year covered by the report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H50A8F7D9D41E4607B36FEE4156E503DE"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The number of such individuals enrolled in an institution of higher learning, as that term is defined in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3452">section 3452(f)</external-xref> of this title.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA38FF02F90EC4CF7A8085E8974663E6D"><enum>(10)</enum><text>The average number of academic credit hours, degrees, and certificates obtained by such individuals during the year covered by the report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H761FEE18DE22473187CA92464B55BB1C"><enum>(11)</enum><text>The average number of visits such individuals made to Department medical facilities during the year covered by the report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H78C33B87E01C49B2BA00C137B93EB4A7"><enum>(12)</enum><text>The average number of visits such individuals made to non-Department medical facilities during the year covered by the report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF68EA38228C54B00AC8751899361B912"><enum>(13)</enum><text>The average annual income of such individuals.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H11C185F651CE4DFD00315D59104B276B"><enum>(14)</enum><text>The average total household income of such individuals for the year covered by the report.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCCAE1F47A8F844F7B75FABC944DD11E3"><enum>(15)</enum><text>The percentage of such individuals who own their principal residences.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H61F5435372814D3DAB70AF54A419E50"><enum>(16)</enum><text>The average number of dependents of each such veteran.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H86057FF125C246E8A81715C068739FAF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8E78004C6351442EABFDAF3866EF2E6" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">3122. Longitudinal study of vocational rehabilitation programs.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section></subtitle>
<enum>IV</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Insurance Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA1BBACE09C6945748F01826B622600B7" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>401.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on inclusion of severe and acute post-traumatic stress disorder among conditions covered by traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H312979CACDEB4CD0973620919FB18020"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth the assessment of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as to the feasability and advisability of including severe and acute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the conditions covered by traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1980A">section 1980A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2FF7306D2AF8403AAAB29FA923153603"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In preparing the assessment required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7D66C056D7B44F438604A52E85D16961"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The advisability of providing traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1980A">section 1980A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, for post-traumatic stress disorder incurred by a member of the Armed Forces as a direct result of military service in a combat zone that renders the member unable to carry out the daily activities of living after the member is discharged or released from military service.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H85B0017A47A84749BF4DAF55D2C40072"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The unique circumstances of military service, and the unique experiences of members of the Armed Forces who are deployed to a combat zone.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H51E26887A251441D8082FBACB58B0042"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any financial strain incurred by family members of members of the Armed Forces who have severe and acute post-traumatic stress disorder.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE54ED28A3B0D4E0B9DFF78277E695018"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The recovery time, and any particular difficulty of the recovery process, for recovery from severe and acute post-traumatic stress disorder.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA299FC89BD1E453AB43580BD8D5B0947"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCA60680E23B7426FB252B9CC91AC3807"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Appropriate committees of Congress defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>appropriate committees of Congress</term> means—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA96DD7C2AD32401EB1005C58B719453B"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC38E8DF3BCFF4427ABFBD5ED79E378E4"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0FE972436084479E83B611F9C2FA734B" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>402.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Treatment of stillborn children as insurable dependents under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H014D97FB603C4360B44509B600F1118C"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Treatment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1965">Section 1965(10)</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H05958E6E676C492BB2774F10BE0862DE" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC586F115EAAE4BB98FFBDB008B447566"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The member's stillborn child.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF1B0F65F7FA04A50A85D050074E9BC"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/101">Section 101(4)(A)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>section 1965(10)(B)</quote> in the matter preceding clause (i) and inserting <quote>subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1965(10)</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC6ED72B4E6194656883F41E4803466F1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>403.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other enhancements of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE330C23334C84241B47C46482B91A48E"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Expansion of servicemembers' group life insurance To include certain members of individual ready reserve</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA70502AF81BC49CE9061E0CBF9A8C179"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1967">Section 1967(a)(1)(C)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>section 1965(5)(B) of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>subparagraph (B) or (C) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1965">section 1965(5)</external-xref> of this title</quote>.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H243EDE42C322430F9B09B4873D2807B7"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendments</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC38E1A77DB154B3DA5A0F6C9E8C09633"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1967">Section 1967(a)(5)(C)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>section 1965(5)(B) of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>subparagraph (B) or (C) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1965">section 1965(5)</external-xref> of this title</quote>; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H392A19640866432EBE3392A4C95BE000"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1969">Section 1969(g)(1)(B)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>section 1965(5)(B) of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>subparagraph (B) or (C) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1965">section 1965(5)</external-xref> of this title</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6DB44B1C354A44C3BAE7408761166653"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reduction in period of dependents' coverage after member separates</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1968">Section 1968(a)(5)(B)(ii)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>120 days after</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H39A6311B467941E0A71498B3D56EA567"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authority To set premiums for ready reservists' spouses</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1969">Section 1969(g)(1)(B)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>(which shall be the same for all such members)</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF076D8D151E9482CBFC4FE60D12642BF"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Forfeiture of veterans' group life insurance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1973">Section 1973</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>under this subchapter</quote> and inserting <quote>and Veterans' Group Life Insurance under this subchapter</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7EEDDB00D76F49388CE2525127448FF0"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective and applicability dates</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0140D4C421DE41D1A3837DB3B9471399"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2D743AA8C6B0474BABAA7FEF44269D2"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply with respect to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage for an insurable dependent of a member, as defined in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1965">section 1965(10)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code (as amended by section 402 of this Act), that begins on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H655B467BB56E4D0C8829F1B6B9045BFA"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by subsection (c) shall take effect as if enacted on June 5, 2001, immediately after the enactment of the Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/107/14">Public Law 107–14</external-xref>; 115 Stat. 25).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC807F80224EB453A802E374BEAB36F00"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by subsection (d) shall apply with respect to any act of mutiny, treason, spying, or desertion committed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act for which a person is found guilty, or with respect to refusal because of conscientious objections to perform service in, or to wear the uniform of, the Armed Forces on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2DD31E7F5C91431A9E7B76E0BC35159C" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>404.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Administrative costs of service disabled veterans' insurance</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1922">Section 1922(a)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>directly from such fund</quote> and inserting <quote>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</quote>.</text></section>
<enum>V</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Housing Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA428862DAE7C443998F2000600DB7CA8" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>501.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Temporary increase in maximum loan guaranty amount for certain housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Notwithstanding subparagraph (C) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3703">section 3703(a)(1)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, for purposes of any loan described in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV) of such section that is originated during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2011, the term <term>maximum guaranty amount</term> shall mean an amount equal to 25 percent of the higher of—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H891630C358A54E4788C6B987468264C5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the limitation determined under section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/12/1454">12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)</external-xref>) for the calendar year in which the loan is originated for a single-family residence; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDCF337DF53EE41B2BDCFCBDA88ADE397"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">125 percent of the area median price for a single-family residence, but in no case to exceed 175 percent of the limitation determined under such section 305(a)(2) for the calendar year in which the loan is originated for a single-family residence.</text></paragraph></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HED0E062709274F9F98C2F953AED5C3F4" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>502.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on impact of mortgage foreclosures on veterans</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9A5AABE83282464992F328305C722EC0"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than December 31, 2009, 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 effects of mortgage foreclosures on veterans.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE9C6F6A63F314A3C9BEE26669106F1BF"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Elements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H347C7834E6374984A36511CBD9C714F3"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A general assessment of the income of veterans who have recently separated from the Armed Forces.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H48A546DACD4F49F0999FE24CDDEFAE9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assessment of the effects of any lag or delay in the adjudication by the Secretary of claims of veterans for disability compensation on the capacity of veterans to maintain adequate or suitable housing.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF9C94548D7DA4A2B94A4D2AF008771FB"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A description of the extent to which the provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 501 et seq.) protect veterans from mortgage foreclosure, and an assessment of the adequacy of such protections.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF2B44256953F48478B3EC3D8C5157978"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A description and assessment of the adequacy of the home loan guaranty programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the authorities of such programs and the assistance provided individuals in the utilization of such programs, in preventing foreclosure for veterans recently separated from the Armed Forces, and for members of the Armed Forces, who have home loans guaranteed by the Secretary.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HE52E6F96570C43B087E7054C56707B34" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>503.</enum><header>Requirement for regular updates to handbook for design furnished to veterans eligible for specially adapted housing assistance by Secretary of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2103">Section 2103</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HA6226B32BC94477CB6AACEFB69871534"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The Secretary</quote> and inserting <quote>(a)<header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC"> Plans and specifications.—</header-in-text>The Secretary</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCAA0D5FF8BEA426F8D0068AC71BEB806"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H64A11067EFB140559F52C4C8D401F157" style="USC">
<subsection id="HF53623A5C33F4C6BA6B41CD47F00F215"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Handbook for design</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall make available to veterans eligible for assistance under this chapter, without cost to the veterans, a handbook containing appropriate designs for specially adapted housing. The Secretary shall update such handbook at least once every six years to take into account any new or unique disabilities, including vision impairments, impairments specific to the upper limbs, and burn injuries.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC31304C5F008449DB34970B9B65E6811" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>504.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Enhancement of refinancing of home loans by veterans</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9CA64C45FC6C4DC3A17DBDFC71520984"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Inclusion of refinancing loans among loans subject to guaranty maximum</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3703">Section 3703(a)(1)(A)(i)(IV)</external-xref> is amended by inserting <quote>(5),</quote> after <quote>(3),</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H15960F090300476ABE3C84000347BD26"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Increase in maximum percentage of loan-to-value of refinancing loans subject to guaranty</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3710">Section 3710(b)(8)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>90 percent</quote> and inserting <quote>100 percent</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H06D36E5210A34A23B95D624BDBCFFD4F"><enum>505.</enum><header>Extension of certain veterans home loan guaranty programs</header>
<subsection id="H2F0C4497F21240249D4200A685A00004"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension of demonstration project on adjustable rate mortgages</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3707">Section 3707(a)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>2008</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0D0F3FDDC30F4E1CBD763BB0F780CE00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Extension of demonstration project on hybrid adjustable rate mortgages</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3707A">Section 3707A(a)</external-xref> of such title is amended by striking <quote>2008</quote> and inserting <quote>2012</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>VI</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Court Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC4ABD30C409D4CBCAEF86D40746600E1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>601.</enum><header>Temporary increase in number of authorized judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7253">Section 7253</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD3B7250D20B2487D8036A6F5E9CA3649" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB2C0AE96095A4A0DBF449C61CB797F5F"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Additional temporary expansion of Court</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H23D283F80FD5422EB9A783D99B73D9E7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to paragraph (2), effective as of December 31, 2009, the authorized number of judges of the Court specified in subsection (a) is increased by two.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5427044927464A64B7F893686EAF1F6" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Effective as of January 1, 2013, an appointment may not be made to the Court if the appointment would result in there being more judges of the Court than the authorized number of judges of the Court specified in subsection (a).</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2A53D49E2F72481C91B489E4B790404" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>602.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Protection of privacy and security concerns in court records</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7268">Section 7268</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCDA7332D54FA42379BAF5258C4BEB1B2" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5281B47430DE4E94918DB8EEB172456B"><enum>(c)</enum>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H18D3DEDE57B945BBA21F3FC286D28422"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Court shall prescribe rules, in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7264">section 7264(a)</external-xref> of this title, to protect privacy and security concerns relating to all filing of documents and the public availability under this subsection of documents retained by the Court or filed electronically with the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC884461DCAA8477F99400686205533FF" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The rules prescribed under paragraph (1) shall be consistent to the extent practicable with rules addressing privacy and security issues throughout the Federal courts.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAF8E14189AAE40A987D7A1BF813E1DF8" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The rules prescribed under paragraph (1) shall take into consideration best practices in Federal and State courts to protect private information or otherwise maintain necessary information security.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE2E32CDD253441A395B3ECDE76220002" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>603.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recall of retired judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2A5C5B3698F145C0A66E53DB1847FE67"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Repeal of limit on service of recalled retired judges who voluntarily serve more than 90 days</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">Section 7257(b)(2)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>or for more than a total of 180 days (or the equivalent) during any calendar year</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE5B4A88420284899A21F03E85B150014"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">New judges recalled after retirement receive pay of current judges only during period of recall</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7C4D440E8DA4451CAA5E6500EFBEB218"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">Section 7296(c)</external-xref> is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDE81C3B830C04DECA14435BF5E4D8C04" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H499A2555CE434368BC98E9C8625125CA" indent="up1"><enum>(1)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HB9B7FEF8396D4D07A68880E02E50DAA2"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A judge who is appointed on or after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008</short-title> 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:</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF5D9329C8FF7473FA915C63E1BDE79C" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a judge who is a recall-eligible retired judge under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">section 7257</external-xref> of this title, the retired pay of the judge shall (subject to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">section 7257(d)(2)</external-xref> 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).</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF0366FC8A603454498AAAD5E7C093CE2" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBA46F656EE594744B8546C451C133E7C" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A judge who retired before the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008</short-title> 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:</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H54DE7D686012424884F29507F2FEE7A5"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a judge who is a recall-eligible retired judge under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">section 7257</external-xref> 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.</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA71B4961C3574AF1AC53095704EF729F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a judge who at the time of retirement did not provide notice under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">section 7257</external-xref> 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.</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6F3D283AA05C4F1DB0E8135B3BAC1E9D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a judge who was a recall-eligible retired judge under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">section 7257</external-xref> 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.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9C2786C474104EB9885631E038BBF92C"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cost-of-living adjustment for retired pay of new judges who are recall-eligible</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">Section 7296(f)(3)(A)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>paragraph (2) of subsection (c)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraph (1)(A)(i) or (2) of subsection (c)</quote>.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H006E31636AC24017AF612C51E9F5F3F4"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Pay during period of recall</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (d) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">section 7257</external-xref> is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD957261213BB4DC5AACD81DF37E61FAE" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H42C4F17F568F40C88D3CBC2CDE7B7BF4"><enum>(d)</enum>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HBF6B4F9250164006844EB58F92056FE5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The pay of a recall-eligible retired judge to whom <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">section 7296(c)(1)(B)</external-xref> of this title applies is the pay specified in that section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H67E831B909FC42FA8C0929FF00EDD5D5" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A judge who is recalled under this section who retired under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 or to whom <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">section 7296(c)(1)(A)</external-xref> 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 <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7253">section 7253(e)</external-xref> 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 <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">section 7296(c)(1)(A)</external-xref> of this title, whichever is applicable.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD93896BA87E344CB85C8985BEFA731F"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notice</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The last sentence of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">section 7257(a)(1)</external-xref> is amended to read as follows: <quote>Such a notice provided by a retired judge to whom <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">section 7296(c)(1)(B)</external-xref> of this title applies is irrevocable.</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8D8973D2F2DD4C1EB643F1B570D2DEF9"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Limitation on involuntary recalls</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7257">Section 7257(b)(3)</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: <quote>This paragraph shall not apply to a judge to whom <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">section 7296(c)(1)(A)</external-xref> or <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7296">7296(c)(1)(B)</external-xref> of this title applies and who has, in the aggregate, served at least five years of recalled service on the Court under this section.</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H97038AD5B083432D8240676C9E22615F" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>604.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual reports on workload of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB80DBAE0B86E41F89B27C640293FF773"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/72">chapter 72</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4E96649DEBF14C88B48B6DEFA2849D6D" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE1498C7E8F66466D009CC818FA37C211" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>7288.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual report</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H90B46FFCB6424C34B4383E410008505D"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The chief judge of the Court shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress each year a report summarizing the workload of the Court for the fiscal year ending during the preceding year.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF9E7E3ACEDA94A6CA24D8447B4E56931"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Elements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each report under subsection (a) shall include, with respect to the fiscal year covered by such report, the following information:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6593C23726154E219EAF718B2865083"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of appeals filed with the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H105B4CDD9DF448C4B7AD27E2D0F5CDED"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of petitions filed with the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD79E6CCAB280472F96A66B34EB9B635"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of applications filed with the Court under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/28/2412">section 2412</external-xref> of title 28.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H062433AD54B0454782A4E9002041D569"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The total number of dispositions by each of the following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDE43F2D242B94BF6A2F2FA46EC3C40EA"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Court as a whole.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD5C7C84AD7354D69BC0315BF59FF0958"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Clerk of the Court.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H85FB70B8FF904DB3008599DACA00FA01"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A single judge of the Court.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0E692F78D26D409E99CF3B4C6D80CE39"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A multi-judge panel of the Court.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3ED376A6CE7B45FFA76C83BBDD1886CA"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The full Court.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC10FB2E43A754688B64E06811689C936"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of each type of disposition by the Court, including settlement, affirmation, remand, vacation, dismissal, reversal, grant, and denial.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAC0541AA4CFB403AA1F4C6F215028903"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The median time from filing an appeal to disposition by each of the following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5028E7E7167944ECBDF9373ECB5EFA94"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Court as a whole.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4ED752D5255F4BC48EF5751C58DF1900"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Clerk of the Court.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H13984B59C31A4E7EA4D2DE5B7DE16D07"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A single judge of the Court.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE14007024B4A42FB00E6F14B24384B28"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Multiple judges of the Court (including a multi-judge panel of the Court or the full Court).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8E255EA9F05E4A61AC9E57D0E286A6DB"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The median time from filing a petition to disposition by the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H24008A63603F4ABF9B3D7D62692D00CF"><enum>(8)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The median time from filing an application under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/28/2412">section 2412</external-xref> of title 28 to disposition by the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H858BBF0B44724214A09EA1E2EED341D"><enum>(9)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The median time from the completion of briefing requirements by the parties to disposition by the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H29FEBCC644EC461CB6FA78E94316534"><enum>(10)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of oral arguments before the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H47A4AE26C9704D38ABE0104399FFD9EC"><enum>(11)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of cases appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7C92260381294B23006D11F5A55BD8D6"><enum>(12)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number and status of appeals and petitions pending with the Court and of applications described in paragraph (3) as of the end of such fiscal year.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8864FF025C444555AABAD8FFB256E1A5"><enum>(13)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of cases pending with the Court more than 18 months as of the end of such fiscal year.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC09AA254B61247BB97E96839BB00B7AA"><enum>(14)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A summary of any service performed for the Court by a recalled retired judge of the Court.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF1D0D2E2F37442B4908265F7F1F5B4E0"><enum>(15)</enum><text>An assessment of the workload of each judge of the Court, including consideration of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="HC516E261A07B4A298639D5A477A8E57"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The time required of each judge for disposition of each type of case.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0C988471F8194626B4BCD051CACB3D61"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The number of cases reviewed by the Court.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB10957424FEA4EF78982C2D940451309"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The average workload of other Federal judges.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3D6BD3E03C344CF7BE6FE1714FE00028"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Appropriate committees of Congress defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <quote>appropriate committees of Congress</quote> means—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1AB66102160E4146A3F73EDE2D0C0A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA4760ECC81E64777B3D9DEC05062CB00"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9D6A5F9BA1B44F2D00F9005B81289F6B"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/72">chapter 72</external-xref> is amended by inserting after the item related to section 7287 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H00F7B52AB6594DAFA34D8F4676DF1BC4" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="HE1498C7E8F66466D009CC818FA37C211" level="section">7288. Annual report.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0103483A46E14075AA749CA18779923C" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>605.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional discretion in imposition of practice and registration fees</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/7285">Section 7285(a)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5788F00559424F969C3B6C8DBC290057"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the first sentence, by inserting <quote>reasonable</quote> after <quote>impose a</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8E71ADE18AC54DBAA42539F6653DB4E9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the second sentence, by striking <quote>, except that such amount may not exceed $30 per year</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0EC397DADC3E4B4C804419C1284C3756"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the third sentence, by inserting <quote>reasonable</quote> after <quote>impose a</quote>.</text></paragraph></section>
<enum>VII</enum><header>Assistance to United States Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports Program</header>
<section id="H59B63009C4244316A4C400B73161FFBB" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>701.</enum><header>Findings and purpose</header>
<subsection id="HE3AB72B6B5B14FEEAECAE2F7956342A9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress makes the following findings:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HEE6AAE00CA254F8F9F69355E6B655F2E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In 1998, Congress enacted the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act Amendments of 1998 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/101">33 U.S.C. 101</external-xref> note), which amended <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/36/2205">chapter 2205</external-xref> of title 36, United States Code, and included a statement that the purpose of the Act was <quote>to encourage and provide assistance to amateur athletic programs and competition for amateur athletes with disabilities, including, where feasible, the expansion of opportunities for meaningful participation by such amateur athletes in programs of athletic competition for able-bodied amateur athletes</quote>.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H500B2EA941174FF1BCCA1451C95C5EF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The United States Olympic Committee manages and administers the Paralympic Program for physically disabled athletes.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4AAE614A5DD04C27A1B6BCAE9F2ECED2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Department of Veterans Affairs provides health care to veterans and administers recreational activities for patients including the Golden Age Games, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and the Winter Sports Clinic.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1244A1A13E214C37B9267EC9944957E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>In 2005, the United States Olympic Committee entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase interest in and access to Paralympic sports programs for veterans with physical disabilities by coordinating the activities of the United States Olympic Committee with the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFDFE27793ABB4176BC2822B981D94CBA"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Paralympic Program has a significant positive effect on the quality of life of disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces who participate in the program, including helping to improve the mobility, vitality, and physical, psychological, and social well-being of such participants and reducing the incidence of secondary medical conditions in those participants.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H15B2ACF923EA4F7400EAF9E1506D62C9"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Because of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the number of disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces has increased substantially and it is therefore desirable to supplement the rehabilitation and recreation programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs through sports for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HED55FD19DC60460F817D0520A4DB78D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purposes of this title are as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="HE9B2BC4FB7704D239D5DE0F91558E165"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To promote the lifelong health of disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces through regular participation in physical activity and sports.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA0FC4BA2A0BF468C9E37B02EEA1D07C3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To enhance the recreation activities provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs by promoting disabled sports from the local level through elite levels and by creating partnerships among organizations specializing in supporting, training, and promoting programs for disabled veterans.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEA04A59A76264C99BBC87DEDAD030315"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To provide training and support to national and local organizations to provide Paralympic sports training to disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces in their own communities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H787363359BB841989462A633C2E085CC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To provide support to the United States Paralympics, Inc., to increase the participation of disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces in sports.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HBC9DB001B3504AFA9B3325E12394EA50"><enum>702.</enum><header>Department of Veterans Affairs provision of assistance to United States Paralympics, Inc</header>
<subsection id="H24E8969F7B6C470E8BF98BA0C587FD7C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Provision of assistance authorized</header><text>Subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/5">chapter 5</external-xref> is amended by inserting after section 521 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block id="H1EEDFEF358034AE1BDB73435FA4FBF52" style="USC">
<section id="H8EF20B848481443A91BD1708D815C82D"><enum>521A.</enum><header>Assistance for United States Paralympics, Inc.</header>
<subsection id="H0E25C698A46846DA8B5B577C9C1F32EE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization to provide assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may award grants to the United States Paralympics, Inc., to plan, develop, manage, and implement an integrated adaptive sports program for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8333FC19284E44D08BB821AE575700D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Oversight by Secretary</header><text>As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, the United States Paralympics, Inc., shall permit the Secretary to conduct such oversight of the use of grant funds as the Secretary determines is appropriate. The United States Paralympics, Inc., shall be responsible for the use of grant funds provided under this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC1513D374BFE425EB0865D9E7C1E1E7E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Application requirement</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HF94E7730005D403D8DD475BA00E939D2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Before the Secretary may award a grant to the United States Paralympics, Inc., under this section, the United States Paralympics, Inc., shall submit to the Secretary an application that describes the activities to be carried out with the grant, including information on specific measurable goals and objectives to be achieved using grant funds.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H31AC2BEA1F064E5FA785B72DFEBA61DF" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The application shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5D85440218DC45E8A7A849A0AE43C4E2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a detailed description of all partnerships referred to in paragraph (3) at the national and local levels that will be participating in such activities and the amount of grant funds that the United States Paralympics, Inc., proposes to make available for each of such partnerships; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HABFB0911BCD743B5BA4E51A7CD000037"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for any fiscal year for which a grant is sought, the amount of private donations received by the United States Paralympics, Inc., expected to be expended to support operations during that fiscal year.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA1EFAFAAFA9444919E8010F4D3244132" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Partnerships referred to in this paragraph are agreements between the United States Paralympics, Inc., and organizations with significant experience in the training and support of disabled athletes and the promotion of disabled sports at the local and national levels. Such organizations may include Disabled Sports USA, Blaze Sports, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans. The agreements shall detail the scope of activities and funding to be provided by the United States Paralympics, Inc., to the partner.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB7C23125D49C479A93AEBEFB69DF6632"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of funds</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HA3EF4004F3974A93B02B80D0DD6FCA00"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The United States Paralympics, Inc., with the assistance and cooperation of the Secretary and the heads of other appropriate Federal and State departments and agencies and partnerships referred to in subsection (c)(3), shall use a grant under this section to reimburse grantees with which the United States Paralympics, Inc., has entered into a partnership under subsection (c) for the direct costs of recruiting, supporting, equipping, encouraging, scheduling, facilitating, supervising, and implementing the participation of disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces in the activities described in paragraph (3) by supporting a program described in paragraph (2).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H38CA361F81114473007605A35432B19E" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A program described in this paragraph is a sports program that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H52BD9800DA174E3296783565D6A39F6E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>promotes basic physical activity, games, recreation, training, and competition;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H64F31FB2540B45BA9FD8C1BE4DB823FA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is approved by the Secretary; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5362C4AFB8A2437D9268F000E97DF784"><enum>(C)</enum>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HD34536F683C2458A91E53634E16EC27E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provides services and activities described in paragraph (3) for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HBC097694D37249BA8EC934963C62D917" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may also provide services and activities described in paragraph (3) for individuals with disabilities who are not veterans or members of the Armed Forces, or both; except that funds made available to carry out this section may not be used to support those individuals with disabilities who are not veterans or members of the Armed Forces.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAA6DFEC39B4E4D7C996354D4D9C89DD3" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Activities described in this paragraph are—</text>
<subparagraph id="H86DC85295906453CB1A2F8FC2B2B55C9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>instruction, participation, and competition in Paralympic sports;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2753EB24AD1F4565A6D2DC24C70390EF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>training and technical assistance to program administrators, coaches, recreational therapists, instructors, Department employees, and other appropriate individuals; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB162090840A74A99BA00859E264CFE4F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>coordination, Paralympic classification of athletes, athlete assessment, sport-specific training techniques, program development (including programs at the local level), sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation, and other activities related to the implementation and operation of the program.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H16947C63D4DA4F72BAAB18D324E7F84D" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A grant made under this section may include, at the discretion of the Secretary, an amount for the administrative expenses of the United States Paralympics, Inc., but not to exceed five percent of the amount of the grant.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0B6E70F903F449ECBCCA7F5D4FA73DFE" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funds made available by the United States Paralympics, Inc., to a grantee under subsection (c) may include an amount for administrative expenses, but not to exceed ten percent of the amount of such funds.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H1AD95EB92C5749EFBCC8ED4E017F04EB"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Outreach requirement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, the United States Paralympics, Inc., shall agree to conduct a joint outreach campaign with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inform all eligible veterans and separating members of the Armed Forces with physical disabilities about the existence of the integrated adaptive sports program, as appropriate, and shall provide for, facilitate, and encourage participation of such veterans and separating members of the Armed Forces in programs under this section to the extent possible.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H15D295D6CA1F440B996BF3A6FE95E26"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall ensure access to and use of appropriate Department sports, recreation, and fitness facilities by disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces participating in the integrated adaptive sports program to the maximum extent possible. The Secretary shall ensure that such access does not adversely affect any other assistance provided to veterans.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD2A8886A12944096BD1580C99C5B1884"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013 to carry out this section. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HFF5701E04CB24C5C88C627079BE26826"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Separate accounting</header><text>The Department shall have a separate line item in budget proposals of the Department for funds to be appropriated to carry out this section. Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall not be commingled with any other funds appropriated to the Department.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD774C0E45E6A4B8CAE633350B776A2DB"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Limitation on use of funds</header><text>Except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (d), funds appropriated to carry out this section may not be used to support or provide services to individuals who are not disabled veterans or disabled members of the Armed Forces.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCAA2C0553BBA459C90E0DC8834E66B45"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Annual report to Secretary</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H118BB701E939420EB18C516928DF0682"><enum>(1)</enum><text>As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, the United States Paralympics, Inc., shall agree that by not later than 60 days after the last day of a fiscal year for which a grant is provided under this section, the United States Paralympics, Inc., shall submit to the Secretary a report setting forth in detail the use of the grant funds during that fiscal year, including the number of veterans who participated in the integrated adaptive sports program, including any programs carried out through a partnership under subsection (c)(3), and the administrative expenses of the integrated adaptive sports program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB449BD4325E84696933D31EB3D7799C8" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A report under this subsection may be audited by the Secretary.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE54FDFDEAE37451D90E92C2C8EF5EBEA" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>For any fiscal year after fiscal year 2010, the eligibility of the United States Paralympics, Inc., to receive a grant under this section shall be contingent upon the submission of the report under paragraph (1) for the preceding fiscal year.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA0FD14A1B1EE4063A2F637C843CA5471"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Annual report to Congress</header><text>For any fiscal year during which the Secretary provides assistance under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the use of funds provided under this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H30E605583280417EA565FF34E88E48D0"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>The Secretary may only provide assistance under this section during fiscal years 2010 through 2013.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H80BB90411DD7441493083132BD48E7EC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 521 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA54ECD81B6084551B73646F9773B2CEB" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">521A. Assistance for United States Paralympics, Inc.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H76FA470A88D64B6D96ECCF57A62BFB17"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Deadline for memorandum of understanding</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not award a grant under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/521A">section 521A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), until the United States Paralympics, Inc., and the Secretary have entered into a memorandum of understanding or cooperative agreement regarding implementation of the integrated adaptive sports program under that section. To the extent feasible, such memorandum or agreement shall be concluded not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H10F3063E19544055B18D1C4BFEB7D431" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>703.</enum><header>Department of Veterans Affairs Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events</header>
<subsection id="H55CDDA8DB2DD480D88D8860098DA3BAE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events</header><text>Chapter 3, as amended by <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/222">section 222,</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0971A7770B3C492EB5B11FC22015A98" style="USC">
<section id="HB0245BA2FD19400400AED85BC087C6C3"><enum>322.</enum><header>Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events</header>
<subsection id="HEE3590271E8D461D83C2E0DEFFF065C9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is in the Department an Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. There is at the head of the Office a Director, who shall report to an appropriate official of the Veterans Benefits Administration, as determined by the Secretary, or to the Deputy Secretary or Secretary.</text></subsection>
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H37A50FE22884447A00B5B88C9BFBB857"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities of Director</header><text>Subject to the direction of the Secretary, the Director—</text>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF72917CA56E444DABB88B4064A0D179"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall establish and carry out qualifying programs and events;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAD889635BEDF448DB78FEAEEA6C8800"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may provide for sponsorship by the Department of qualifying programs and events;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H32DECB6D3A244A6CB597989CECF0E633"><enum>(3)</enum><text>may provide for, facilitate, and encourage participation by disabled veterans in qualifying programs and events;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H739CDBB9291C44FA9928C249FFDF3331"><enum>(4)</enum><text>shall, to the extent feasible, cooperate with the United States Paralympics, Inc., and its partners to promote the participation of disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces in sporting events sponsored by the United States Paralympics, Inc., and its partners;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC8221256130B4D2197A9B3F58FE30059"><enum>(5)</enum><text>shall seek sponsorships and donations from the private sector to defray costs of carrying out the responsibilities of the Director to the maximum extent feasible; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA4E1E3AF946041578000D9A1B0BE45CA"><enum>(6)</enum><text>may carry out such other responsibilities as the Secretary determines are appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H922B6B32426C421C88ED35C338D6242"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Qualifying program or event</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this section, a qualifying program or event is a sports program or other event in which disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces participate and that is approved by the Secretary as being consistent with the goals and missions of the Department.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD95267219C054C96BDB3A197ED801D3B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Monthly assistance allowance</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H8632CE0072D14DF7A733F67001C17FE4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary may provide a monthly assistance allowance to a veteran with a disability invited by the United States Paralympics, Inc., to compete for a slot on, or selected for, the Paralympic Team for any month in which the veteran is training or competing in any event sanctioned by the United States Paralympics, Inc., or who is residing at a United States Paralympics, Inc., training center.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6E597B9F701D4EA5B78E619878CA2B6F" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The amount of the monthly assistance payable to a veteran under paragraph (1) shall be equal to the monthly amount of subsistence allowance that would be payable to the veteran under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/31">chapter 31</external-xref> of this title if the veteran were eligible for and entitled to rehabilitation under such chapter.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H87FB70702B12433488508E76D4A93552" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In providing assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to veterans with service-connected disabilities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9AF3B8AE0E034F80B7B25E970071BD04" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H260245F4D4A04722AB6220A61B283637"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Limitation on Statutory Construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation on disabled sports and special events supported by the Department as of the date of the enactment of this section.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HCEA11FD7048249F58BDDDF654774EF6C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H34A1E1FE3B5541F58C73BDF7BAA45734" style="OLC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">322. Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="H16E1552F021A446F9EBB829CEC931143"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Assistance at sporting events</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall direct the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HA232995E4BAC43BAA86329449BF24C7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to make available, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, recreational therapists, physical therapists, and other medical staff to facilitate participation of veterans in sporting events conducted under the auspices of the United States Paralympics, Inc.; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HF0CEA2A757FA4540AC62399E00EBC40"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to allow such personnel to provide support to the programs of the United States Paralympics, Inc., without requiring the use of personal leave.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA36C22894D71484783E9CE75F1000091" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>704.</enum><header>Comptroller General report</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than the last day of fiscal year 2012, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the assistance provided to the United States Paralympics, Inc., under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/521A">section 521A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 702, and the activities of the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/322">section 322</external-xref> of such title, as added by section 703. Such report shall include a description of how the United States Paralympics, Inc., used grants provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of disabled veterans who benefitted from such grants, and how such veterans benefitted.</text></section>
<enum>VIII</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other Matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1AA3DB408EA34B5DBE5907C2FA7E5DE9" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>801.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authority for suspension or termination of claims of the United States against individuals who died while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB9622E3963384D1A9FA88DF71BAFF3E0"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/3711">Section 3711(f)</external-xref> of title 31, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8CB53B359660456EAF0311114EBFA746"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H06E94D2560894A3BAAA87326F0025F89"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9D76E7126D094D6DAEADAF11B637617E" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC776FAB4D7444B81956E8237DC523460" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may suspend or terminate an action by the Secretary under subsection (a) to collect a claim against the estate of a person who died while serving on active duty as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard during a period when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy if the Secretary determines that, under the circumstances applicable with respect to the deceased person, it is appropriate to do so.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H252D1204A5D64D8396FFBB6D8D746DD3"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Equitable refund of amounts collected</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may refund to the estate of such person any amount collected by the Secretary (whether before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) from a person who died while serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces if the Secretary determines that, under the circumstances applicable with respect to the deceased person, it is appropriate to do so.</text></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6AFA399A488548A9B1A92F376855338F" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>802.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Three-year extension of authority to carry out income verification</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5317">Section 5317(g)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>September 30, 2008</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2011</quote>.</text></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9CF4C01CD4D6491D86BE06162FD7ACBE" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>803.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Maintenance, management, and availability for research of assets of Air Force Health Study</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2DA2F083627A471A9E2BF69829EA82C9"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Purpose</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H28E008E0650747BB961D3000669EA8E0"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assets from Air Force Health Study</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/109/364">Public Law 109–364</external-xref>; 120 Stat. 2290), including electronic data files and biological specimens on all participants in the study (including control subjects).</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC9C9C78BE7364CFCA21DC31BDC01E81B"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Maintenance and management of transferred assets</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Medical Follow-Up Agency shall maintain and manage the assets transferred to the Agency from the Air Force Health Study.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0727BC9A9C5D4E4C85C1D8E5D1CBB1B9"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional near-term research</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2A8BA5086D95444494A9C11F8567FE"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Medical Follow-Up Agency may, during the period beginning on October 1, 2008, and ending on September 30, 2012, 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.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H801DB90D6A094AFB8465B7860023E744"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Research</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6303ED48B97E4BB0887B14EA94F0BFF5"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional medium-term research</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3BE8D0D508FA4CF600421437586E00C2"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than March 31, 2012, 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, 2012.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCE05981C303343F680A6A131ECEB21C"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Disposition of assets</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4E3E5F28B3C0423EB1E189B64DA1FADF"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funding</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA7E3B85F20114EA2BF28DA22DCB87D17"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">From amounts available for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical and Prosthetic Research, amounts shall be available as follows:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H31A56FFDB96A4B23BF1228813966E89"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$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.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE59E1C8E39E64F1BA15228E8AA538640"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$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.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H24F5D7BC96814725AE9634377E00BBAF"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Medium-term research</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">From amounts available for fiscal year 2012 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).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H11DB6F6078824982989BBB91344F6027" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>804.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">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</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H97EEFF0085EA4576834EB1FD03E75D76"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H49317CED656A4ABAAB7EFF22C49D1B1F"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Elements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Institute of Medicine shall do the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCF3A77D709BD476494F090ADFDD6F7C"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4B6EDBAF9CE7454B89B26FEB1BD67EA"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Identify the incidence and prevalence of diagnosed neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and brain cancers, as well as central nervous system abnormalities that are difficult to precisely diagnose, in each group as follows:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF6A5EBF3FFD4458BB46EF733184780B1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members of the Armed Forces who served during the Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H45CA12138D4C42469D41F0BA10AA51A4"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members of the Armed Forces who served in the Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFD5214C62B21423895181B8E00964E23"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF521AB6BAB54433C830045FB61619EFC"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H31D9C4C70BE14B0BB415BFB034FD78BF"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H783F972B74604BF7A6A6A07B20CAF2C"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reports</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF9583B41A1884103A7B7AEC4A5C5D334"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Interim report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H013A1123C9574563A906EEF12B9C7FCA"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Final report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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, 2012. 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.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H031085B84F084F24AEC5BE0952B9A4C"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funding</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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).</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF2FA8C234BAF43E100BAB8D99852E9E"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7EC68BFCB1FE468EB039D1052375CBC6"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>appropriate committees of Congress</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9E2BF7520E944834AA52B6C2CF77B779"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF00E0840CDEA445B8CECE4449FB9AFDB"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAD2FB04AC0CC4A40AE00E5513C3E00EC"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Persian Gulf War</term> has the meaning given that term in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/101">section 101(33)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H58D363F6295E47278099164C21D4B7CD"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Post 9/11 Global Operations theaters</term> means Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other theater in which the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is awarded for service.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H5A592495609142F1B209037C008FAB9"><enum>805.</enum><header>Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular telephone service for certain servicemembers</header>
<subsection id="H936BAA205FEC41348CDDE40931931506"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>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:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE1F5E6C7B4F949F687C365E2F8102660" style="OLC">
<section id="H882C9835BFDC4EED0036D75D55E2F811"><enum>305A.</enum><header>Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular telephone service</header>
<subsection id="H274732428AD1441DAF45C44D8ECD7397"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A servicemember who receives orders to deploy outside of the continental United States for not less than 90 days or for a permanent change of duty station within the United States may request the termination or suspension of any contract for cellular telephone service entered into by the servicemember before the date of the commencement of such deployment or permanent change if the servicemember's ability to satisfy the contract or to utilize the service will be materially affected by such deployment or permanent change. The request shall include a copy of the servicemember's military orders.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4B6BE2E4528B4EEAB1658076AED74936"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Relief</header><text>Upon receiving the request of a servicemember under subsection (a), the cellular telephone service contractor concerned shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HEBEA8CF4A40042EE8538CD00E87EEC48"><enum>(1)</enum><text>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</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF3902830EE4D435A001EA509F6F5B01C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the case that such servicemember is deployed outside the continental United States as described in subsection (a), 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.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB23798F9420A427E840037CA736699DA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Cellular telephone service defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>cellular telephone service</term> has the meaning given the term <quote>commercial mobile service</quote> in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/47/332">47 U.S.C. 332(d)</external-xref>).</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HCE7CA807AE604D4D9C17BED6001CBCD5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents for that Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="H044F996741AE4437A4FCDCBBB3CE44D2" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="H882C9835BFDC4EED0036D75D55E2F811" level="section">Sec. 305A. Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular telephone service.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="H86E4B4F06E814296AD43E3C74F1F26B8"><enum>806.</enum><header>Contracting goals and preferences for veteran-owned small business concerns</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/8127">Section 8127</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HE6366BFFD73A4EF2BF47D247BB204D27"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subsections (j) and (k) as subsections (k) and (l), respectively; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBDC58A5CD3AC41DD9E59BB002CA824E3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (i) the following new subsection (j):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H50FAFE9CE17B497DB57F521EFF174684" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HF12A6DF8B96646AF8CF3AADF44F242AE"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Applicability of requirements to contracts</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HEBFB88E999F640FF830096BD0006D1CF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>If after December 31, 2008, the Secretary enters into a contract, memorandum of understanding, agreement, or other arrangement with any governmental entity to acquire goods or services, the Secretary shall include in such contract, memorandum, agreement, or other arrangement a requirement that the entity will comply, to the maximum extent feasible, with the provisions of this section in acquiring such goods or services.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD320791617F646AE9C699CC655A261F3" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to supersede or otherwise affect the authorities provided under the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/631">15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="HB2D9437B6B104C0E8356F6901E7557A8"><enum>807.</enum><header>Penalties for violation of interest rate limitation under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 207 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc-appendix" parsable-cite="usc-appendix/50/527">50 U.S.C. App. 527</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4CB07F8C29024A1288AA35EE3C121C3E" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HE729BC59CDA5483EA8E61322ACCCC579"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Penalty</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Whoever knowingly violates subsection (a) shall be fined as provided in title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC8E28FF7F6154636AECFA6AA2B83EAB8"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Preservation of other remedies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The penalties provided under subsection (e) are in addition to and do not preclude any other remedy available under law to a person claiming relief under this section, including any award for consequential or punitive damages.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC61D0BEAB0DF4ADA005147DD9BB600F7" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>808.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Five-year extension of sunset provision for Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Subsection (e) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/544">section 544</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2009</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2014</quote>.</text></section>
<section id="H36FA3B9794E94B6A9D11BE78A26C4905"><enum>809.</enum><header>Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to advertise to promote awareness of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary</header>
<subsection id="HF267DCFD911D4A2F91009F6B81DCA43"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authority To advertise</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/5">chapter 5</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H393DF482973C459B00E77E6497523B3" style="USC">
<section id="H67961A5B56EF44B799F952233E1C7FE1"><enum>532.</enum><header>Authority to advertise in national media</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary may purchase advertising in national media outlets for the purpose of promoting awareness of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, including promoting awareness of assistance provided by the Secretary, including assistance for programs to assist homeless veterans, to promote veteran-owned small businesses, and to provide opportunities for employment in the Department of Veterans Affairs and for education, training, compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation, and healthcare benefits, and mental healthcare (including the prevention of suicide among veterans).</text></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HB1265631527E4876A871B9006861C3ED"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 531 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2DEE72498BD743D3B34C4482F5066F2C" style="OLC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">532. Authority to advertise in national media.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H93C25D344E5948F0AF6632D0A6A44F16" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>810.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Memorial headstones and markers for deceased remarried surviving spouses of veterans</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H16C8D19DB712498FB200B006F5963C35"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2306">Section 2306(b)(4)(B)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>an unremarried surviving spouse whose subsequent remarriage was terminated by death or divorce</quote> and inserting <quote>a surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0311346A62CA4B0CBB62B20034ACEB5C"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by this section shall apply to deaths occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
Lorraine MillerClerk.