[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 928 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 928

  To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processing of 
  claims for compensation under laws administered by the Secretary of 
               Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 9, 2013

  Mr. Sanders introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processing of 
  claims for compensation under laws administered by the Secretary of 
               Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Claims Processing 
Improvement Act of 2013''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                TITLE I--AGENCY OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

Sec. 101. Establishment of working group to improve employee work 
                            credit and work management systems of 
                            Veterans Benefits Administration.
Sec. 102. Establishment of task force on retention and training of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs claims 
                            processors and adjudicators.
Sec. 103. Streamlining non-Department of Veterans Affairs Federal 
                            records requests.
Sec. 104. Recognition of representatives of Indian tribes in the 
                            preparation, presentation, and prosecution 
                            of claims under laws administered by the 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 105. Pilot program on participation of local and tribal 
                            governments in improving quality of claims 
                            for disability compensation submitted to 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 106. Quarterly reports on progress of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs in eliminating backlog of claims 
                            for compensation that have not been 
                            adjudicated.
TITLE II--BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS AND COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 
                                 CLAIMS

Sec. 201. Modification of filing period for notice of disagreement to 
                            initiate appellate review of decisions of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 202. Determination of manner of appearance for hearings before 
                            Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Sec. 203. Disclosure of certain medical records in appellate 
                            proceedings in certain courts.
                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for operations of Manila Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs Regional Office.
Sec. 302. Extended period for scheduling of medical exams for veterans 
                            receiving temporary disability ratings for 
                            severe mental disorder.
Sec. 303. Extension of marriage delimiting date for surviving spouses 
                            of Persian Gulf War veterans to qualify for 
                            death pension.
Sec. 304. Making effective date provision consistent with provision for 
                            benefits eligibility of a veteran's child 
                            based upon termination of remarriage by 
                            annulment.
Sec. 305. Extension of temporary authority for performance of medical 
                            disabilities examinations by contract 
                            physicians.

                TITLE I--AGENCY OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORKING GROUP TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE WORK 
              CREDIT AND WORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OF VETERANS BENEFITS 
              ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish a working group to assess and develop recommendations for the 
improvement of the employee work credit and work management systems of 
the Veterans Benefits Administration.
    (b) Composition.--The working group shall be composed of the 
following:
            (1) The Secretary or the Secretary's designee.
            (2) Individuals selected by the Secretary from among 
        employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who--
                    (A) handle claims for compensation and pension 
                benefits; and
                    (B) are recommended to the Secretary by a labor 
                organization for purposes of this section.
            (3) Not fewer than three individuals selected by the 
        Secretary to represent different organizations recognized by 
        the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 
        5902 of title 38, United States Code.
    (c) Duties.--The duties of the working group are as follows:
            (1) To assess and develop recommendations for the 
        improvement of the employee work credit and work management 
        systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
            (2) To develop a data based methodology to be used in 
        revising the employee work credit system of the Department and 
        a schedule by which revisions to such system should be made.
            (3) To assess and develop recommendations for improvement 
        of the resource allocation model of the Veterans Benefits 
        Administration.
    (d) Review and Incorporation of Findings From Prior Study.--In 
carrying out its duties under subsection (c), the working group shall 
review the findings and conclusions of the Secretary regarding previous 
studies of the employee work credit and work management systems of the 
Veterans Benefits Administration.
    (e) Reports.--
            (1) Interim report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the establishment of the working group, the working group 
        shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the 
        working group.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than one year after the date 
        of the establishment of the working group, the working group 
        shall submit to Congress the methodology and schedule developed 
        under subsection (c)(2).
    (f) Implementation of Methodology and Schedule.--After submitting 
the report under subsection (e), the Secretary shall take such actions 
as may be necessary to apply the methodology developed under subsection 
(c)(2) and apply such methodology according to the schedule developed 
under such subsection.

SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE ON RETENTION AND TRAINING OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CLAIMS PROCESSORS AND 
              ADJUDICATORS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish a task force to assess retention and training of claims 
processors and adjudicators that are employed by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and other Federal agencies and departments.
    (b) Composition.--The task force shall be composed of the 
following:
            (1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
            (3) The Commissioner of Social Security.
            (4) An individual selected by the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs who represents an organization recognized by the 
        Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 
        of title 38, United States Code.
            (5) Such other individuals selected by the Secretary who 
        represent such other organizations and institutions as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Duration.--The task force established under subsection (a) 
shall terminate not later than two years after the date on which the 
task force is establish under such subsection.
    (d) Duties.--The duties of the task force are as follows:
            (1) To identify key skills required by claims processors 
        and adjudicators to perform the duties of claims processors and 
        adjudicators in the various claims processing and adjudication 
        positions throughout the Federal Government.
            (2) To identify reasons for employee attrition from claims 
        processing positions.
            (3) Not later than one year after the date of the 
        establishment of the task force, to develop a Government-wide 
        strategic and operational plan for promoting employment of 
        veterans in claims processing positions in the Federal 
        Government.
            (4) To coordinate with educational institutions to develop 
        training and programs of education for members of the Armed 
        Forces to prepare such members for employment in claims 
        processing and adjudication positions in the Federal 
        Government.
            (5) To identify and coordinate offices of the Department of 
        Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs located 
        throughout the United States to provide information about, and 
        promotion of, available claims processing positions to members 
        of the Armed Forces transitioning to civilian life and to 
        veterans with disabilities.
            (6) To establish performance measures to assess the plan 
        developed under paragraph (3), to assess the implementation of 
        such plan, and revise such plan as the task force considers 
        appropriate.
            (7) To establish performance measures to evaluate the 
        effectiveness of the task force.
    (e) Reports.--
            (1) Submittal of plan.--Not later than one year after the 
        date of the establishment of the task force, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the plan 
        developed by the task force under subsection (d)(3).
            (2) Assessment of implementation.--Not later than 120 days 
        after the termination of the task force, the Secretary shall 
        submit to Congress a report that assesses the implementation of 
        the plan developed by the task force under subsection (d)(3).

SEC. 103. STREAMLINING NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FEDERAL 
              RECORDS REQUESTS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 5103A(c) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2)(A) Whenever the Secretary attempts to obtain records from a 
Federal department or agency, other than the Department, under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall make not fewer than two attempts to 
obtain the records, unless the records are obtained or the response to 
the first request makes evident that a second request for such records 
would be futile.
    ``(B) The notification requirements under subsection (b)(2) of this 
section shall apply if the Secretary is unable to obtain all of the 
records sought from a Federal department or agency other than the 
Department.''.
    (b) Subsequent Attainment of Records.--Such section is further 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) If, after adjudicating a claim for a benefit under a law 
administered by the Secretary, the Secretary receives a record relevant 
to such claim (or associates with the file for such claim a record) 
that the Secretary requested from a Federal department or agency before 
the adjudication, the record received (or associated) shall be deemed 
to have been in the file for such claim as of the date of the original 
filing of the claim for such benefit.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and shall apply with respect to any claim that--
            (1) is filed on or after the date that is 180 days after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act; or
            (2) was filed before the date of the enactment of this Act 
        and was not final as of such date.

SEC. 104. RECOGNITION OF REPRESENTATIVES OF INDIAN TRIBES IN THE 
              PREPARATION, PRESENTATION, AND PROSECUTION OF CLAIMS 
              UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    Section 5902(a)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting ``Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b))'' after 
``Foreign Wars,''.

SEC. 105. PILOT PROGRAM ON PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL AND TRIBAL 
              GOVERNMENTS IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY 
              COMPENSATION SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of entering into memorandums of understanding with local 
governments and tribal organizations--
            (1) to improve the quality of claims submitted to the 
        Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 and pension under 
        chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code; and
            (2) to provide assistance to veterans who may be eligible 
        for such compensation or pension in submitting such claims.
    (b) Minimum Number of Participating Tribal Organizations.--In 
carrying out the pilot program required by subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall enter into memorandums of understanding with at least--
            (1) two tribal organizations; and
            (2) 10 State or local governments.
    (c) Tribal Organization Defined.--In this section, the term 
``tribal organization'' has the meaning given that term in section 3765 
of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 106. QUARTERLY REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS IN ELIMINATING BACKLOG OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION 
              THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUDICATED.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and not less frequently than quarterly thereafter 
through calendar year 2015, 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 backlog of claims filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for compensation that have not been adjudicated by the Department.
    (b) Contents.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            (1) For each month through calendar year 2015, a projection 
        of the following:
                    (A) The number of claims completed.
                    (B) The number of claims received.
                    (C) The number of claims backlogged at the end of 
                the month.
                    (D) The number of claims pending at the end of the 
                month.
                    (E) A description of the status of the 
                implementation of initiatives carried out by the 
                Secretary to address the backlog.
            (2) For each quarter through calendar year 2015, a 
        projection of the average accuracy of disability determinations 
        for compensation claims that require a disability rating (or 
        disability decision).
            (3) For each month during the most recently completed 
        quarter, the following:
                    (A) The number of claims completed.
                    (B) The number of claims received.
                    (C) The number of claims backlogged at the end of 
                the month.
                    (D) The number of claims pending at the end of the 
                month.
                    (E) A description of the status of the 
                implementation of initiatives carried out by the 
                Secretary to address the backlog.
            (4) For the most recently completed quarter, an assessment 
        of the accuracy of disability determinations for compensation 
        claims that require a disability rating (or disability 
        decision).
    (c) Availability to Public.--The Secretary shall make each report 
submitted under subsection (a) available to the public.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Backlogged.--The term ``backlogged'', with respect to a 
        claim for compensation received by the Secretary, means a claim 
        that has been pending for more than 125 days.
            (2) Pending.--The term ``pending'', with respect to a claim 
        for compensation received by the Secretary, means a claim that 
        has not been adjudicated by the Secretary.

TITLE II--BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS AND COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 
                                 CLAIMS

SEC. 201. MODIFICATION OF FILING PERIOD FOR NOTICE OF DISAGREEMENT TO 
              INITIATE APPELLATE REVIEW OF DECISIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Filing of Notice of Disagreement by Claimants.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 7105(b) of title 
        38, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``one year'' and inserting ``180 
                days'' in the first sentence; and
                    (B) by striking ``one-year'' and inserting ``180-
                day'' in the third sentence.
            (2) Electronic filing.--Such paragraph is further amended 
        by inserting ``or transmitted by electronic means'' after 
        ``postmarked''.
            (3) Good cause exception for untimely filing of notices of 
        disagreement.--Such section 7105(b) is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) A notice of disagreement not filed within the time 
prescribed by paragraph (1) shall be treated by the Secretary as timely 
filed if--
            ``(i) the Secretary determines that the claimant, legal 
        guardian, or other accredited representative, attorney, or 
        authorized agent filing the notice had good cause for the lack 
        of filing within such time; and
            ``(ii) the notice of disagreement is filed not later than 
        186 days after the period prescribed by paragraph (1).
    ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, good cause shall include the 
following:
            ``(i) Circumstances relating to any physical, mental, 
        educational, or linguistic limitation of the claimant, legal 
        guardian, representative, attorney, or authorized agent 
        concerned (including lack of facility with the English 
        language).
            ``(ii) Circumstances relating to significant delay in the 
        delivery of the initial decision or of the notice of 
        disagreement because of natural disaster or factors relating to 
        geographic location.
            ``(iii) A change in financial circumstances, including the 
        payment of medical expenses or other changes in income or net 
        worth that are considered in determining eligibility for 
        benefits and services on an annualized basis for purposes of 
        needs-based benefits under chapters 13, 15, and 17 of this 
        title.''.
    (b) Application by Department for Review on Appeal.--Section 7106 
of such title is amended in the first sentence by striking ``one-year 
period described in section 7105'' and inserting ``period described in 
section 7105(b)(1)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to claims for compensation and benefits under laws 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs filed with the 
Secretary after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 202. DETERMINATION OF MANNER OF APPEARANCE FOR HEARINGS BEFORE 
              BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7107 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g);
            (2) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``in subsection (f)'' 
        and inserting ``in subsection (g)''; and
            (3) by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the 
        following new subsections:
    ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a hearing before the 
Board shall be conducted through picture and voice transmission, by 
electronic or other means, in such a manner that the appellant is not 
present in the same location as the members of the Board during the 
hearing.
    ``(2)(A) A hearing before the Board shall be conducted in person 
upon the request of an appellant.
    ``(B) In the absence of a request under subparagraph (A), a hearing 
before the Board may also be conducted in person as the Board considers 
appropriate.
    ``(e)(1) In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be 
held as described in subsection (d)(1), the Secretary shall provide 
suitable facilities and equipment to the Board or other components of 
the Department to enable an appellant located at an appropriate 
facility within the area served by a regional office to participate as 
so described.
    ``(2) Any hearing conducted as described in subsection (d)(1) shall 
be conducted in the same manner as, and shall be considered the 
equivalent of, a personal hearing.
    ``(f)(1) In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be 
held as described in subsection (d)(2), the appellant may request that 
the hearing be held at the principal location of the Board or at a 
facility of the Department located within the area served by a regional 
office of the Department.
    ``(2) A hearing to be held within an area served by a regional 
office of the Department shall (except as provided in paragraph (3)) be 
scheduled to be held in accordance with the place of the case on the 
docket under subsection (a) relative to other cases on the docket for 
which hearings are scheduled to be held within that area.
    ``(3) A hearing to be held within an area served by a regional 
office of the Department may, for cause shown, be advanced on motion 
for an earlier hearing. Any such motion shall set forth succinctly the 
grounds upon which the motion is based. Such a motion may be granted 
only--
            ``(A) if the case involves interpretation of law of general 
        application affecting other claims;
            ``(B) if the appellant is seriously ill or is under severe 
        financial hardship; or
            ``(C) for other sufficient cause shown.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to cases received by the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
pursuant to notices of disagreement submitted on or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 203. DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN MEDICAL RECORDS IN APPELLATE 
              PROCEEDINGS IN CERTAIN COURTS.

    Section 7332(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (G) as 
        subparagraphs (F) through (H), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
        subparagraph (E):
            ``(E) To the Supreme Court of the United States, the United 
        States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or the United 
        States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and all parties of 
        record, in a case that is appealed to such court and such 
        records are included in the record on appeal. Upon disclosure 
        of such records, the court concerned shall impose appropriate 
        safeguards against unauthorized disclosure that are consistent 
        with the provisions of section 7268 of this title.''.

                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATIONS OF MANILA DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE.

    Section 315(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.

SEC. 302. EXTENDED PERIOD FOR SCHEDULING OF MEDICAL EXAMS FOR VETERANS 
              RECEIVING TEMPORARY DISABILITY RATINGS FOR SEVERE MENTAL 
              DISORDER.

    Section 1156(a)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``six months'' and inserting ``540 days''.

SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF MARRIAGE DELIMITING DATE FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES 
              OF PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS TO QUALIFY FOR DEATH 
              PENSION.

    Section 1541(f)(1)(E) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ``January 1, 2011'' and inserting ``the date that is 10 
years and one day after the date on which the Persian Gulf War was 
terminated, as prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law''.

SEC. 304. MAKING EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISION CONSISTENT WITH PROVISION FOR 
              BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY OF A VETERAN'S CHILD BASED UPON 
              TERMINATION OF REMARRIAGE BY ANNULMENT.

    Section 5110(l) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``, or of an award or increase of benefits based on 
recognition of a child upon termination of the child's marriage by 
death or divorce,''.

SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
              DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 704(c) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 
2003 (Public Law 108-183; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2013'' and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.
    (b) Report on Disability Medical Examinations Furnished by 
Department of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 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 on the furnishing of general medical 
        and specialty medical examinations by the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs for purposes of adjudicating claims for 
        benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The number of general medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating 
                claims for benefits under laws administered by the 
                Secretary.
                    (B) The number of general medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a 
                claim in which a comprehensive joint examination was 
                conducted, but for which no disability relating to a 
                joint, bone, or muscle had been asserted as an issue in 
                the claim.
                    (C) The number of specialty medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a 
                claim.
                    (D) The number of specialty medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a 
                claim in which one or more joint examinations were 
                conducted.
                    (E) A summary (including citations of) any medical 
                and scientific studies which provide a scientific basis 
                for determining that three repetitions is adequate to 
                determine the effect of repetitive use on functional 
                impairments.
                    (F) The names of all examination reports, including 
                general medical examinations and Disability Benefits 
                Questionnaires, used for evaluation of compensation and 
                pension disability claims which require measurement of 
                repeated ranges of motion testing and the number of 
                examinations requiring such measurements which were 
                conducted in fiscal year 2012.
                    (G) The average amount of time taken by an 
                individual conducting a medical examination to perform 
                the three repetitions.
                    (H) A discussion of whether there are more 
                efficient and effective scientifically reliable methods 
                of testing for functional loss on repetitive use of an 
                extremity other than the three time repetition 
                currently used by the Department.
                    (I) Recommendations as to the continuation of the 
                practice of measuring functional impairment by using 
                three repetitions during the examination as a criteria 
                for evaluating the effect of repetitive motion on 
                functional impairment with supporting rationale.
    (c) Report on Progress of Acceptable Clinical Evidence 
Initiative.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, 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 progress of the Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative 
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs in reducing the necessity 
        for in-person disability examinations and other efforts to 
        comply with the provisions of section 5125 of title 38, United 
        States Code.
            (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The number of claims eligible for the 
                Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative during the 
                period beginning on the date of the initiation of the 
                initiative and ending on the date of the enactment of 
                this Act, disaggregated by fiscal year.
                    (B) The total number of claims eligible for the 
                Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative that required a 
                medical examiner of the Department to supplement the 
                evidence with information obtained during a telephone 
                interview with a claimant.
                    (C) Information on any other initiatives or efforts 
                of the Department to further encourage the use of 
                private medical evidence and reliance upon reports of a 
                medical examination administered by a private physician 
                if the report is sufficiently complete to be adequate 
                for the purposes of adjudicating a claim.
                                 <all>