<enum>I</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Board of Veterans' Appeals matters</header><section id="id931ea465e8484e9eb993e4aedd6b394e" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program</header><subsection id="idBF74D65B9E354358BCFC4FB352571062" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/71">Chapter 71</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: </text><quoted-block id="id8F71A473E33F4DF8B6AE7EDB7A332773" style="USC" act-name="" display-inline="no-display-inline"><section id="idB43BC0B69EC94667AF3F97773C61C210" section-type="subsequent-section" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>7114.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Internship program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish a competitive internship program within the Department for the purpose of providing an opportunity for high-achieving students at law schools accredited by the American Bar Association to gain experience with the Board.</text></section><after-quoted-block display="yes">.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="idCC5674A76B5044BCB85A595BAB8985F6" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><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 71 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item: </text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6F93884EAEE94A86A61063E5B6D10625"><toc><toc-entry level="section" bold="off">7114. Internship program.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block display="yes">.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id3BC8E4D6ADFF4E478ED192E87E323528" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deadline</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish the internship program required by section 7114 of such title, as added by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. </text></subsection></section><section id="iddfdaa61ce2f64c70bc5ee2d3d26d08bd" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Pilot program on establishment of Board of Veterans' Appeals honors program</header><subsection id="id2C5B793243DB48FCB54B023547E55766" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a competitive honors program within the Department for the purpose of recruiting high-achieving law school students, recent law school graduates, and entry-level attorneys for employment with the Board.</text></subsection><subsection id="idA595DB7DD8FB4660AD8FA73019EB8192" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Duration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program required by subsection (a) during the nine-year period beginning on the date of the establishment of the pilot program.</text></subsection><subsection id="id076BE98E89494BBA9E5365790B80F860" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Honors program</header><paragraph id="id9BCA6E9F8DDE4C0D82CAE0211018A256" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Under the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out a competitive honors program as described in such subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id51B7AAFB73D642F1AEC3536E24C83F31" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Priority consideration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall give priority consideration in application for the honors program to individuals who successfully complete the internship program established under section 7114 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 101(a).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4C2A593643E24FDF96036A31194419EF" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Student loan repayment benefits</header><subparagraph id="idD40F7D90139B46EDBF74064A0CBAC68C" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide student loan repayment benefits under section 5379 of title 5, United States Code, to each participant in the pilot program who is eligible for student loan repayment benefits under such section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB4111D64CF9D42DF921AC76A1BE89C47" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Agreements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with each participant in the pilot program who will receive benefits described in subparagraph (A), in accordance with such section. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id10D9DD4208334719A0ABAEED99E22355" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Commitment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"> An agreement described in subparagraph (B) shall include a requirement that the participant will remain in the service of the Department for a period of not less than three years, unless involuntarily separated, in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id675CED987EC543BA9A5D9CCE9F9F41CC" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Professional development activities</header><subparagraph id="id102DB92345834C53B6AD105F47F231F1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assignment of mentors</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90 days after the date on which an individual begins participating in the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall assign the participant a mentor who is a managerial employee of the Department outside the participant's chain of command. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA1002B516EB749108A7044FFEA6BFEC2" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assignments to Office of General Counsel</header><clause id="idC753E43499E0487ABB4437D6CF4D0818" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide each participant in the pilot program at least one assignment within the Office of General Counsel of the Department that includes full-time legal responsibilities in order to further the professional development of the participant.</text></clause><clause id="idAD6AA2079CE146808A971D33DE645FDF" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Period of assignment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assignment provided under clause (i) shall be for a period of not less than 120 days and not more than 180 days, or longer at the discretion of the Secretary. </text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5EDC0FD8BE5B4FAF8AB8B195BE45C797" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other rotational assignments</header><clause id="idDE14029232044577937EB1A55909461E" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may provide a participant in the pilot program one or more other short-term rotational assignments.</text></clause><clause id="id4D104A8848A94E44A04A54A15B168DB7" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Period of assignment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assignment provided under clause (i) shall be for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 180 days, at the discretion of the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBD3BC29E02DD4B4AB24A394E77D346A2" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Periodic reports</header><paragraph id="id7333643E09F24212A92712BA33099614" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reports required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than three years after the date on which the Secretary first accepts a participant into the honors program carried out under subsection (c)(1) and not less frequently than once every three years thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, 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 findings of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4B35C0D7F30C49B8A76200E663583AF3" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text><subparagraph id="id50C602640C724E7C9C51B995D6ACC029" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The findings of the Secretary with respect to the feasibility and advisability of establishing a competitive honors program as described in subsection (a).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3A6D454159634DAFAD2DD666E33776C5" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such recommendations as the Secretary may have for legislative or administrative action to improve recruitment and retention of staff at the Board of Veterans' Appeals.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idc45db2f322ef459ebdc881c75aa1c437" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on improving access to Board of Veterans' Appeals telehearings</header><subsection id="idc7d9858dcd3441109992d1d7a1197abb" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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 improving access to hearings before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals held by picture and voice transmission.</text></subsection><subsection id="idfb562f4e92284af4b82baed5b50f0fe2" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph id="id54c2bfdb75f044d2a2808ebdbb01eceb" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recommendations on the feasibility and advisability of reimbursing veterans for expenses incurred for travel from the home of a veteran to the location at which a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals is held by picture and voice transmission, if the Secretary determines that travel to such location is reasonably necessary for such a hearing;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0d33512a78f94e918ec480e8e68b3ff3" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recommendations on establishment of pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of using other methods that could improve veteran access to hearings before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals held by picture and voice transmission from a veteran’s home.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4863ad540dc9492b84d4c01da031fc5b" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such other recommendations to improve access to hearings before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals held by picture and voice transmission as the Secretary may receive from stakeholders.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>

117 S3388 ES: Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2021 U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2021

.(b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

TITLE I—Board of Veterans' Appeals matters

Sec. 101. Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program.

Sec. 102. Pilot program on establishment of Board of Veterans' Appeals honors program.

Sec. 103. Report on improving access to Board of Veterans' Appeals telehearings.

TITLE II—Medical disability exam matters

Sec. 201. Improving requirement to publish disability benefit questionnaire forms of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sec. 202. Report on improving medical disability examinations for veterans who live abroad.

Sec. 203. Department of Veterans Affairs requirement for communication by contractors providing covered medical disability examinations with persons recognized by power of attorney for preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims.

Sec. 204. Department of Veterans Affairs outreach regarding contact information for contractors providing covered medical disability examinations.

TITLE III—Other matters

Sec. 301. Report on supporting governmental veterans service officers.

Sec. 302. Facilitating Department of Veterans Affairs contractor access to federal tax return information necessary for claims processing.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Claimant

The term claimant has the meaning given that term in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code. (2)

Department

The term Department means the Department of Veterans Affairs. (3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

<enum>I</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Board of Veterans' Appeals matters</header><section id="id931ea465e8484e9eb993e4aedd6b394e" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program</header><subsection id="idBF74D65B9E354358BCFC4FB352571062" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/71">Chapter 71</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: </text><quoted-block id="id8F71A473E33F4DF8B6AE7EDB7A332773" style="USC" act-name="" display-inline="no-display-inline"><section id="idB43BC0B69EC94667AF3F97773C61C210" section-type="subsequent-section" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>7114.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Internship program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish a competitive internship program within the Department for the purpose of providing an opportunity for high-achieving students at law schools accredited by the American Bar Association to gain experience with the Board.</text></section><after-quoted-block display="yes">.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="idCC5674A76B5044BCB85A595BAB8985F6" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><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 71 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item: </text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6F93884EAEE94A86A61063E5B6D10625"><toc><toc-entry level="section" bold="off">7114. Internship program.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block display="yes">.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id3BC8E4D6ADFF4E478ED192E87E323528" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deadline</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish the internship program required by section 7114 of such title, as added by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. </text></subsection></section><section id="iddfdaa61ce2f64c70bc5ee2d3d26d08bd" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Pilot program on establishment of Board of Veterans' Appeals honors program</header><subsection id="id2C5B793243DB48FCB54B023547E55766" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a competitive honors program within the Department for the purpose of recruiting high-achieving law school students, recent law school graduates, and entry-level attorneys for employment with the Board.</text></subsection><subsection id="idA595DB7DD8FB4660AD8FA73019EB8192" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Duration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program required by subsection (a) during the nine-year period beginning on the date of the establishment of the pilot program.</text></subsection><subsection id="id076BE98E89494BBA9E5365790B80F860" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Honors program</header><paragraph id="id9BCA6E9F8DDE4C0D82CAE0211018A256" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Under the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out a competitive honors program as described in such subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id51B7AAFB73D642F1AEC3536E24C83F31" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Priority consideration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall give priority consideration in application for the honors program to individuals who successfully complete the internship program established under section 7114 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 101(a).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4C2A593643E24FDF96036A31194419EF" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Student loan repayment benefits</header><subparagraph id="idD40F7D90139B46EDBF74064A0CBAC68C" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide student loan repayment benefits under section 5379 of title 5, United States Code, to each participant in the pilot program who is eligible for student loan repayment benefits under such section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB4111D64CF9D42DF921AC76A1BE89C47" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Agreements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with each participant in the pilot program who will receive benefits described in subparagraph (A), in accordance with such section. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id10D9DD4208334719A0ABAEED99E22355" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Commitment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"> An agreement described in subparagraph (B) shall include a requirement that the participant will remain in the service of the Department for a period of not less than three years, unless involuntarily separated, in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id675CED987EC543BA9A5D9CCE9F9F41CC" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Professional development activities</header><subparagraph id="id102DB92345834C53B6AD105F47F231F1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assignment of mentors</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90 days after the date on which an individual begins participating in the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall assign the participant a mentor who is a managerial employee of the Department outside the participant's chain of command. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA1002B516EB749108A7044FFEA6BFEC2" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assignments to Office of General Counsel</header><clause id="idC753E43499E0487ABB4437D6CF4D0818" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide each participant in the pilot program at least one assignment within the Office of General Counsel of the Department that includes full-time legal responsibilities in order to further the professional development of the participant.</text></clause><clause id="idAD6AA2079CE146808A971D33DE645FDF" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Period of assignment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assignment provided under clause (i) shall be for a period of not less than 120 days and not more than 180 days, or longer at the discretion of the Secretary. </text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5EDC0FD8BE5B4FAF8AB8B195BE45C797" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other rotational assignments</header><clause id="idDE14029232044577937EB1A55909461E" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may provide a participant in the pilot program one or more other short-term rotational assignments.</text></clause><clause id="id4D104A8848A94E44A04A54A15B168DB7" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Period of assignment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assignment provided under clause (i) shall be for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 180 days, at the discretion of the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBD3BC29E02DD4B4AB24A394E77D346A2" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Periodic reports</header><paragraph id="id7333643E09F24212A92712BA33099614" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reports required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than three years after the date on which the Secretary first accepts a participant into the honors program carried out under subsection (c)(1) and not less frequently than once every three years thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, 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 findings of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4B35C0D7F30C49B8A76200E663583AF3" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text><subparagraph id="id50C602640C724E7C9C51B995D6ACC029" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The findings of the Secretary with respect to the feasibility and advisability of establishing a competitive honors program as described in subsection (a).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3A6D454159634DAFAD2DD666E33776C5" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such recommendations as the Secretary may have for legislative or administrative action to improve recruitment and retention of staff at the Board of Veterans' Appeals.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idc45db2f322ef459ebdc881c75aa1c437" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on improving access to Board of Veterans' Appeals telehearings</header><subsection id="idc7d9858dcd3441109992d1d7a1197abb" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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 improving access to hearings before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals held by picture and voice transmission.</text></subsection><subsection id="idfb562f4e92284af4b82baed5b50f0fe2" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph id="id54c2bfdb75f044d2a2808ebdbb01eceb" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recommendations on the feasibility and advisability of reimbursing veterans for expenses incurred for travel from the home of a veteran to the location at which a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals is held by picture and voice transmission, if the Secretary determines that travel to such location is reasonably necessary for such a hearing;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0d33512a78f94e918ec480e8e68b3ff3" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recommendations on establishment of pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of using other methods that could improve veteran access to hearings before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals held by picture and voice transmission from a veteran’s home.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4863ad540dc9492b84d4c01da031fc5b" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such other recommendations to improve access to hearings before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals held by picture and voice transmission as the Secretary may receive from stakeholders.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Medical disability exam matters</header><section id="ida4e01cebad2c4d818b06ec7003792c28" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>201.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Improving requirement to publish disability benefit questionnaire forms of Department of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5101(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text><paragraph id="id0148E5A570A94B759488BA2C247D3DA2" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (1)(A), by striking <quote>; and</quote> and inserting “, including (except as provided in paragraph (4)(A))—</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3c18949ce953492683046a33412827ae"><clause id="idd9447550d5c0448aa59d6aaa440a2390" indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">all disability benefit questionnaire forms available to personnel of the Veterans Health Administration and contracted personnel for the completion of compensation and pension examinations; and</text></clause><clause id="id3b6bec25de4644d7b91efe41d0e4e481" indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">all factsheets available to such personnel to inform completion of such examinations; and</text></clause><after-quoted-block display="yes">; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id9362936FD1A944CF9A11D5AAC3893723" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCF90F6DE4465487D815CA3FF2D012652"><paragraph id="id211A8FD56C844919A8EE64DF83E55513" indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(4)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id60EAA3CBFDEE4FEBBFF9FB4189440FD3"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may exclude from publication under clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) any form described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph that the Secretary determines could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone not an employee or a contractor of the Department.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph indent="up1" id="id7BADA818830F4D87893764AD2123B78F" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A form described in this subparagraph is a form that—</text><clause id="idD8E7389ECD6C466EA942B5DD1A4963DC" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">was in effect after January 1, 2020; and</text></clause><clause id="id3C1468D23FF04A65AFD34D3D4CCB6341" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has not been published under paragraph (1).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph indent="up1" id="idDD6BE86F614B43A88CFDC1FBCCF17562" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For each form excluded under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—</text><clause id="id9117DB9787CC43599B214CB96171B82D" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">list the form on the same internet website as the forms published under paragraph (1)(A) with an indication that the form has been excluded; and</text></clause><clause id="id47FBD9F75C3042049F111694F55FB5A6" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide with such listing a justification for such exclusion.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block display="yes">.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><section id="idada95f00448342b688437f6fea58ab74" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>202.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on improving medical disability examinations for veterans who live abroad</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than one year 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 efforts of the Secretary to provide reimbursement for a veteran’s travel to a Department facility or a facility of a Department-contracted provider, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside the United States, when such travel is incident to a scheduled compensation and pension examination.</text></section><section id="idB5E0AB4304AA48399F9E6456CC9A3357" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>203.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Department of Veterans Affairs requirement for communication by contractors providing covered medical disability examinations with persons recognized by power of attorney for preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims</header><subsection id="id75652d5ac3244787b962f1a5a07203b9" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In each contract entered into by the Secretary after the date of the enactment of this Act for the provision by a contractor of a covered medical disability examination, the Secretary shall include a requirement that every communication from a contractor to a veteran regarding the scheduling of a covered medical disability examination be contemporaneously transmitted to the person recognized by a power of attorney executed under sections 5902, 5903, and 5904 of title 38, United States Code, for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims.</text></subsection><subsection id="idf1553d193a0f4a25884d5352cd60e010" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>covered medical disability examination</term> means a medical examination that the Secretary determines necessary for the purposes of adjudicating a benefit under chapter 11 or 15 of title 38, United States Code.</text></subsection></section><section id="id254C01DE52D846928446D728DAD48ADF" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>204.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Department of Veterans Affairs outreach regarding contact information for contractors providing covered medical disability examinations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in partnership with veterans service organizations and such other stakeholders as the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate, implement an informative outreach program for veterans regarding the following:</text><paragraph id="idf91009a13580425c8d4c5fde040f6fa4" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contact information for contractors providing covered medical disability examinations, including the telephone numbers from which such contractors may contact veterans.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc6b24b68697647139f09924acb194e7d" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such contractors in order to verify their identity.</text></paragraph></section><enum>III</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other matters</header><section id="id550f8db92f644813bc7796655ec450df" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>301.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report on supporting governmental veterans service officers</header><subsection id="id3047e6f3aa9f4202b5d2a667226eed0f" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and after consulting veterans service organizations and such other stakeholders as the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate, 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 improving the support by the Department of Veterans Affairs of governmental veterans service officers.</text></subsection><subsection id="id1ce82145e2234d3db381060b453bb2bc" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Elements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph id="id4c4f545649cc403eaa0caac6b49f3b77" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Enhanced access to systems</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assessment of the feasibility and current technical limitations of providing governmental veterans service officers enhanced access to certain Department systems to better serve veterans those governmental service officers may not have authorization to represent.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9c139dac056e4773a8bf2ffe0768b0b5" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Intergovernmental liaisons</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assessment as to whether the Department would benefit from the establishment or designation of an office or working group within the Department to serve as an intergovernmental liaison between the Department and governmental veterans service officers.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf3ca7b7c1a4d43d7868e5c09bfbc2b02" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any other recommendations to improve how the Department monitors, coordinates with, or provides support to governmental veterans service officers.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idd65c735418454a8dacd084579e74c11b" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text><paragraph id="idca93e645891e46ab9148b460c4ed12ea" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Governmental veterans service officer</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>governmental veterans service officer</term> means an employee of a State, county, municipal, or Tribal government—</text><subparagraph id="idda0aacf3394e413b8f3b20a69d9ea430" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">who is accredited by at least one veterans service organization to serve as a veterans service officer; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id276cf7b932f14f069e0678b016b1accf" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whose primary responsibilities include working as such an officer.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idbe76d4a1e33044089250a874b5ff26a1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Veterans service organization</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>veterans service organization</term> means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id44db2b25890541f78dc1a8d5902f13bc" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>302.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Facilitating Department of Veterans Affairs contractor access to federal tax return information necessary for claims processing</header><subsection id="id731C685B0ED34F3DBA2531D5AA8B47C5" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/6103">Section 6103(l)(7)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4351D8AD114E4D6EA3BFB616BC7C5A81"><subparagraph id="id3D47F29BAD58470294D199F5D541E796" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(E)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Redisclosures</header><clause id="idA77CB2A4007A4583B7BBEEC2FC96EEF1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Officers and employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are specifically designated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may redisclose return information described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) to contractors of such Department administering (or assisting in administering) a program listed in subparagraph (D)(viii).</text></clause><clause id="id8E0DFD009D1B4C69B09D36686934FC37" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Restrictions on use of information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Information disclosed under this subparagraph shall be disclosed only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, determining eligibility for, or the correct amount of, benefits under a program listed in subparagraph (D)(viii).</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block display="yes">.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id27FC9C4DD778414E992C2211F56DCB6F" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 6103(a)(3) of such Code is amended by inserting <quote>(7)(E),</quote> after <quote>(6),</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="id7C7BAF6D21954FAFAEC93F3D7FEE7FDA" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Safeguards</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 6103(p)(4) of such Code is amended by striking <quote>subsection (l)(10)</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>subsection (l)(7), (10)</quote>. </text></subsection></section>

Passed the Senate December 19, 2022.

Secretary