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">Section 5103(a) 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">Section 502 is
amended by striking <quote>(other than an action relating to the adoption or
revision of the schedule of ratings for disabilities adopted under section 1155
of this title)</quote>.</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 section 1212(c) of title
10</quote> and inserting <quote>to the extent required by section 1212(d) 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; 38
U.S.C. 5101 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">Section 1112(b)(2) 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">Chapter 11 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>Section
1156(a)(1) 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 chapter 11 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>Chapter 51 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 section
5121(a) 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 section 5121 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 chapter 51 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 section 1155 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 chapter 5 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 section 1155 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>Chapter 3 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>Section 7731 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 section 1155 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 section 7731(c)(1) 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 chapter 77 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 section 7731(c)(3) 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 chapter
77 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
section 4322 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">Section 4323(a)(1) 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">Section 4324(a)(1) 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
section 4324(a)(2) 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 chapter 43 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 section 4323 or 4324 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 section 4323 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 section 4324 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 section 4323 or 4324 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 section 4323 or 4324 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
chapter 43 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">Section 4332 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 section 4322(f) 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 section 4323(a) 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 section
4323(a) of this title but did not meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of
section 4323(a) 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 section
4324(a) of this title but did not meet the requirements of paragraph (2)(B) of
section 4324(a) 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 section 552a 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 section 4332 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 section
4322 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 section
4332 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 chapter 43 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
chapter 43 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 section 3765(4) 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">Section 4323(e) 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">Section 4103(a)(2) 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 section 4110A 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">Section 3512(b)(1) 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
section 3501(a)(1)(D)(i) 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">Section 3676(c)(4) 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">Section 3686(b) 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">Section 3691(d) 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">Section 3677(b) 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 section 3452(e)(2) 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">Section 3673 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
chapter 36 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">Section 3105(d) 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">Chapter 31 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 section 3452(f) 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">Section 1965(10) 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">Section 101(4)(A) 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">Section 1967(a)(1)(C) is amended by
striking <quote>section 1965(5)(B) of this title</quote> and inserting
<quote>subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1965(5) 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">Section 1967(a)(5)(C) is amended by
striking <quote>section 1965(5)(B) of this title</quote> and inserting
<quote>subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1965(5) 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">Section 1969(g)(1)(B) is amended by
striking <quote>section 1965(5)(B) of this title</quote> and inserting
<quote>subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1965(5) 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">Section 1968(a)(5)(B)(ii) 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">Section
1969(g)(1)(B) 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">Section 1973 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">Section
1922(a) 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 (12 U.S.C.
1454(a)(2)) 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">Section 2103 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">Section 3703(a)(1)(A)(i)(IV) 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">Section 3710(b)(8) 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>Section
3707(a) 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>Section
3707A(a) 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">Section 7253
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">Section 7268
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 section 7264(a) 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">Section 7257(b)(2) 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">Section 7296(c) 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 section 7257 of this title, the retired pay
of the judge shall (subject to section 7257(d)(2) of this title) be the rate of
pay applicable to that judge at the time of retirement, as adjusted from time
to time under subsection (f)(3).</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 section 7257 of this title or who was a
recall-eligible retired judge under that section and was removed from recall
status under subsection (b)(4) of that section by reason of disability, the
retired pay of the judge shall be the pay of a judge of the court.</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 section 7257 of this title of
availability for service in a recalled status, the retired pay of the judge
shall be the rate of pay applicable to that judge at the time of
retirement.</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 section 7257 of this title and was removed
from recall status under subsection (b)(3) of that section, the retired pay of
the judge shall be the pay of the judge at the time of the removal from recall
status.</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">Section 7296(f)(3)(A) 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 section 7257 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 section 7296(c)(1)(B) 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 section 7296(c)(1)(A) of this title applies shall be paid,
during the period for which the judge serves in recall status, pay at the rate
of pay in effect under section 7253(e) of this title for a judge performing
active service, less the amount of the judge's annuity under the applicable
provisions of chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 or the judge's annuity under section
7296(c)(1)(A) of this title, whichever is
applicable.</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 section 7257(a)(1) is
amended to read as follows: <quote>Such a notice provided by a retired judge to
whom section 7296(c)(1)(B) 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">Section 7257(b)(3) is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: <quote>This paragraph
shall not apply to a judge to whom section 7296(c)(1)(A) or 7296(c)(1)(B) of
this title applies and who has, in the aggregate, served at least five years of
recalled service on the Court under this section.</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 chapter 72 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
chapter 72 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">Section 7285(a) 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 chapter 5 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 section 222, 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 chapter 31
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 section 322 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">Section 5317(g) 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 (47 U.S.C.
332(d)).</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">Section 8127 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 (15 U.S.C. 631 et
seq.).</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 section 544 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
chapter 5 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">Section 2306(b)(4)(B) 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>
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Vice President of the United States and President of the
Senate