[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3288-S3296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               VETERANS' BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the pending business.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1315) to amend Title 38, United States Code, to 
     enhance life insurance benefits for disabled veterans, and 
     for other purposes.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported 
from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, with an amendment to strike 
all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' 
     Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Reference to title 38, United States Code.

                       TITLE I--INSURANCE MATTERS

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

                       TITLE II--HOUSING MATTERS

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

[[Page S3289]]

Sec. 207. Report on specially adapted housing assistance for 
              individuals who reside in housing owned by a family 
              member on permanent basis.

                 TITLE III--LABOR AND EDUCATION MATTERS

Sec. 301. Coordination of approval activities in the administration of 
              education benefits.
Sec. 302. Modification of rate of reimbursement of State and local 
              agencies administering veterans education benefits.
Sec. 303. Waiver of residency requirement for Directors for Veterans' 
              Employment and Training.
Sec. 304. Modification of special unemployment study to cover veterans 
              of Post 9/11 Global Operations.
Sec. 305. Extension of increase in benefit for individuals pursuing 
              apprenticeship or on-job training.

            TITLE IV--FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS MATTERS

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

                         TITLE V--COURT MATTERS

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

               TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSION MATTERS

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

                 TITLE VII--BURIAL AND MEMORIAL MATTERS

Sec. 701. Supplemental benefits for veterans for funeral and burial 
              expenses.
Sec. 702. Supplemental plot allowances.

                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

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

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

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

                       TITLE I--INSURANCE MATTERS

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

       (a) In General.--Chapter 19 is amended by inserting after 
     section 1922A the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1922B. Level-premium term life insurance for veterans 
       with service-connected disabilities

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

``1922B. Level-premium term life insurance for veterans with service-
              connected disabilities.''.

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

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

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

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

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

     SEC. 104. SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE FOR TOTALLY DISABLED 
                   VETERANS.

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

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

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 501(b) of the 
     Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 
     2006 (Public Law 109-233; 120 Stat. 414; 38 U.S.C. 1980A 
     note) is amended by striking ``, if, as determined by the 
     Secretary concerned, that loss was a direct result of a 
     traumatic injury incurred in the theater of operations for 
     Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom''.

[[Page S3290]]

       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The heading of such section is 
     amended by striking ``in Operation Enduring Freedom and 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on January 1, 2008.

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

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

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

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

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

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

                       TITLE II--HOUSING MATTERS

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

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

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

       (a) Eligibility.--Chapter 21 is amended by inserting after 
     section 2101 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: 
       members of the Armed Forces with service-connected 
       disabilities; individuals residing outside the United 
       States

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

     ``Sec. 2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible 
       veterans''.

       (B) The heading of section 2102A is amended to read as 
     follows:

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

       (8) Clerical amendments.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 21 is amended--
       (A) by striking the item relating to section 2101 and 
     inserting the following new item:

``2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible veterans.'';

       (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 2101, 
     as so amended, the following new item:

``2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: members of the Armed 
              Forces with service-connected disabilities; individuals 
              residing outside the United States.'';

     and
       (C) by striking the item relating to section 2102A and 
     inserting the following new item:

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

[[Page S3291]]

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

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

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

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

     SEC. 205. SUPPLEMENTAL SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING BENEFITS FOR 
                   DISABLED VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 21 is amended by inserting after 
     section 2102A the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2102B. Supplemental assistance

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the availability of funds 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in 
     advance in an appropriations Act, whenever the Secretary 
     makes a payment in accordance with section 2102 of this title 
     to an individual authorized to receive such assistance under 
     section 2101 of this title for the acquisition of housing 
     with special features or for special adaptations to a 
     residence, the Secretary is also authorized and directed to 
     pay such individual supplemental assistance under this 
     section for such acquisition or adaptation.
       ``(2) No supplemental assistance payment shall be made 
     under this subsection if the Secretary has expended all funds 
     that were specifically provided for purposes of this 
     subsection in an appropriations Act.
       ``(b) Amount of Supplemental Assistance.--(1) In the case 
     of a payment made in accordance with section 2102(a) of this 
     title, supplemental assistance required by subsection (a) is 
     equal to the excess of--
       ``(A) the payment which would be determined under section 
     2102(a) of this title, and 2102A of this title if applicable, 
     if the amount described in section 2102(d)(1) of this title 
     were increased to the adjusted amount described in subsection 
     (c)(1), over
       ``(B) the payment determined without regard to this 
     section.
       ``(2) In the case of a payment made in accordance with 
     section 2102(b) of this title, supplemental assistance 
     required by subsection (a) is equal to the excess of--
       ``(A) the payment which would be determined under section 
     2102(b) of this title, and 2102A of this title if applicable, 
     if the amount described in section 2102(b)(2) of this title 
     and section 2102(d)(2) of this title were increased to the 
     adjusted amount described in subsection (c)(2), over
       ``(B) the payment determined without regard to this 
     section.
       ``(c) Adjusted Amount.--(1) In the case of a payment made 
     in accordance with section 2102(a) of this title, the 
     adjusted amount is $60,000 (as adjusted from time to time 
     under subsection (d)).
       ``(2) In the case of a payment made in accordance with 
     section 2102(b) of this title, the adjusted amount is $12,000 
     (as adjusted from time to time under subsection (d)).
       ``(d) Adjustment.--(1) Effective on October 1 of each year 
     (beginning in 2008), the Secretary shall increase the 
     adjusted amounts described in subsection (c) in accordance 
     with this subsection.
       ``(2) The increase in amounts under paragraph (1) to take 
     effect on October 1 of any year shall be the percentage by 
     which (A) the residential home cost-of-construction index for 
     the preceding calendar year exceeds (B) the residential home 
     cost-of-construction index for the year preceding that year.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall establish a residential home 
     cost-of-construction index for the purposes of this 
     subsection. The index shall reflect a uniform, national 
     average increase in the cost of residential home 
     construction, determined on a calendar year basis. The 
     Secretary may use an index developed in the private sector 
     that the Secretary determines is appropriate for purposes of 
     this subsection.
       ``(e) Estimates.--(1) From time to time, the Secretary 
     shall make an estimate of--
       ``(A) the amount of funding that would be necessary to 
     provide supplemental assistance under this section to all 
     eligible recipients for the remainder of the fiscal year in 
     which such an estimate is made; and
       ``(B) the amount that Congress would need to appropriate to 
     provide all eligible recipients with supplemental assistance 
     under this section in the next fiscal year.
       ``(2) On the dates described in paragraph (3), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress the estimates described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) The dates described in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       ``(A) April 1 of each year.
       ``(B) July 1 of each year.
       ``(C) September 1 of each year.
       ``(D) The date that is 60 days before the date estimated by 
     the Secretary on which amounts appropriated for the purposes 
     of this section for a fiscal year will be exhausted.
       ``(f) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `appropriate committees of Congress' 
     means--
       ``(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
       ``(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item related to section 2102A the following new item:

``2102B. Supplemental assistance.''.

       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such 
     sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
     section 2102B of title 38, United States Code (as added by 
     subsection (a)).
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2007, and shall apply with 
     respect to payments made in accordance with section 2102 of 
     title 38, United States Code, on or after that date.

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

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

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

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

                 TITLE III--LABOR AND EDUCATION MATTERS

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

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

     ``Sec. 3673. Approval activities: cooperation and 
       coordination of activities''.

       (B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 is 
     amended by striking the item relating to section 3673 and 
     inserting the following new item:

``3673. Approval activities: cooperation and coordination of 
              activities.''.

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

[[Page S3292]]

     approval and outreach activities by such agencies.
       (3) Any recommendations for legislative action that the 
     Secretary considers appropriate to achieve the complete 
     implementation of the standards described in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 302. MODIFICATION OF RATE OF REIMBURSEMENT OF STATE AND 
                   LOCAL AGENCIES ADMINISTERING VETERANS EDUCATION 
                   BENEFITS.

       Section 3674(a)(4) is amended by striking ``$13,000,000'' 
     and all that follows through ``fiscal year 2007,''.

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

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

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

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

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

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

            TITLE IV--FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS MATTERS

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

       (a) Modification of Status of Certain Service.--
       (1) In general.--Section 107 is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 107. Certain service with Philippine forces deemed to 
       be active service

       ``(a) In General.--Service described in subsection (b) 
     shall be deemed to have been active military, naval, or air 
     service for purposes of any law of the United States 
     conferring rights, privileges, or benefits upon any 
     individual by reason of the service of such individual or the 
     service of any other individual in the Armed Forces.
       ``(b) Service Described.--Service described in this 
     subsection is service--
       ``(1) before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces 
     of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, 
     while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of 
     the United States pursuant to the military order of the 
     President dated July 26, 1941, including among such military 
     forces organized guerrilla forces under commanders appointed, 
     designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in 
     Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority 
     in the Army of the United States; or
       ``(2) in the Philippine Scouts under section 14 of the 
     Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 (59 Stat. 
     538).
       ``(c) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Certain 
     Recipients Residing Outside the United States.--(1) 
     Dependency and indemnity compensation provided under chapter 
     13 of this title to an individual described in paragraph (2) 
     shall be made at a rate of $0.50 for each dollar authorized.
       ``(2) An individual described in this paragraph is an 
     individual who resides outside the United States and is 
     entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation under 
     chapter 13 of this title based on service described in 
     subsection (b).
       ``(d) Modified Pension and Death Pension for Certain 
     Recipients Residing Outside the United States.--(1) Any 
     pension provided under subchapter II or III of chapter 15 of 
     this title to an individual described in paragraph (2) shall 
     be made only as specified in section 1514 of this title.
       ``(2) An individual described in this paragraph is an 
     individual who resides outside the United States and is 
     entitled to a pension provided under subchapter II or III of 
     chapter 15 of this title based on service described in 
     subsection (b).
       ``(e) United States Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `United States' means the States, the District of Columbia, 
     Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
     possession or territory of the United States.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 1 is amended by striking the item 
     related to section 107 and inserting the following new item:

``107. Certain service with Philippine forces deemed to be active 
              service.''.

       (3) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection 
     shall apply with respect to the payment or provision of 
     benefits on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
     No benefits are payable or are required to be provided by 
     reason of such amendment for any period before such date.
       (b) Pension and Death Pension for Certain Service.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 15 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1514. Certain recipients residing outside the United 
       States

       ``(a) Special Rates for Pension Benefits for Individuals 
     Serving With Philippine Forces and Survivors.--(1) Payment 
     under this subchapter to an individual who resides outside 
     the United States and is eligible for such payment because of 
     service described in section 107(b) of this title shall be 
     made as follows:
       ``(A) For such an individual who is married, at a rate of 
     $4,500 per year (as increased from time to time under section 
     5312 of this title).
       ``(B) For such an individual who is not married, at a rate 
     of $3,600 per year (as increased from time to time under 
     section 5312 of this title).
       ``(2) Payment under subchapter III of this chapter to an 
     individual who resides outside the United States and is 
     eligible for such payment because of service described in 
     section 107(b) of this title shall be made at a rate of 
     $2,400 per year (as increased from time to time under section 
     5312 of this title).
       ``(3) An individual who is otherwise entitled to benefits 
     under this chapter and resides outside the United States, and 
     receives or would otherwise be eligible to receive a monetary 
     benefit from a foreign government, may not receive benefits 
     under this chapter for service described in section 107(b) of 
     this title if receipt of such benefits under this chapter 
     would reduce such monetary benefit from such foreign 
     government.
       ``(4) The provisions of sections 1503(a), 1506, 1522, and 
     1543 of this title shall not apply to benefits paid under 
     this section.
       ``(b) Individuals Living Outside the United States Entitled 
     to Certain Social Security Benefits Ineligible.--An 
     individual residing outside the United States who is 
     receiving or is eligible to receive benefits under title VIII 
     of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) may not 
     receive benefits under this chapter.
       ``(c) United States Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `United States' means the States, the District of Columbia, 
     Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
     possession or territory of the United States.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 15 is amended by inserting after the 
     item related to section 1513 the following new item:

``1514. Certain recipients residing outside the United States.''.

       (3) Frequency of payment.--Section 1508 is amended by 
     inserting ``1514,'' before ``1521,'' each place it appears.
       (4) Rounding down of rates.--Section 5123 is amended by 
     inserting ``1514,'' before ``1521''.
       (5) Annual adjustment of benefit rates.--Section 5312 is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by inserting ``1514,'' before 
     ``1521,'' the first place it appears; and
       (B) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``1514,'' before 
     ``1521,''.
       (6) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraphs (1) 
     and (2) shall apply to applications for benefits filed on or 
     after May 1, 2008. The amendments made by paragraphs (3), 
     (4), and (5) shall take effect on May 1, 2008.
       (c) Pension and Death Pension Benefit Protection.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a veteran with 
     service described in section 107(b) of title 38, United 
     States Code (as added by subsection (a)), who is receiving 
     benefits under a Federal or federally assisted program as of 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, or a survivor of such 
     veteran who is receiving such benefits as of the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, may not be required to apply for or 
     receive benefits under chapter 15 of such title if the 
     receipt of such benefits would--
       (1) make such veteran or survivor ineligible for any 
     Federal or federally assisted program for which such veteran 
     or survivor qualifies; or
       (2) reduce the amount of benefit such veteran or survivor 
     would receive from any Federal or federally assisted program 
     for which such veteran or survivor qualifies.

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

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

[[Page S3293]]

                         TITLE V--COURT MATTERS

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

       (a) Repeal of Limit on Service of Recalled Retired Judges 
     Who Voluntarily Serve More Than 90 Days.--Section 7257(b)(2) 
     is amended by striking ``or for more than a total of 180 days 
     (or the equivalent) during any calendar year''.
       (b) New Judges Recalled After Retirement Receive Pay of 
     Current Judges Only During Period of Recall.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7296(c) is amended by striking 
     paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph:
       ``(1)(A) A judge who is appointed on or after the date of 
     the enactment of the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 
     2007 and who retires under subsection (b) and elects under 
     subsection (d) to receive retired pay under this subsection 
     shall (except as provided in paragraph (2)) receive retired 
     pay as follows:
       ``(i) In the case of a judge who is a recall-eligible 
     retired judge under section 7257 of this title, the retired 
     pay of the judge shall (subject to section 7257(d)(2) of this 
     title) be the rate of pay applicable to that judge at the 
     time of retirement, as adjusted from time to time under 
     subsection (f)(3).
       ``(ii) In the case of a judge other than a recall-eligible 
     retired judge, the retired pay of the judge shall be the rate 
     of pay applicable to that judge at the time of retirement.
       ``(B) A judge who retired before the date of the enactment 
     of the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 and elected 
     under subsection (d) to receive retired pay under this 
     subsection, or a judge who retires under subsection (b) and 
     elects under subsection (d) to receive retired pay under this 
     subsection, shall (except as provided in paragraph (2)) 
     receive retired pay as follows:
       ``(i) In the case of a judge who is a recall-eligible 
     retired judge under section 7257 of this title or who was a 
     recall-eligible retired judge under that section and was 
     removed from recall status under subsection (b)(4) of that 
     section by reason of disability, the retired pay of the judge 
     shall be the pay of a judge of the court.
       ``(ii) In the case of a judge who at the time of retirement 
     did not provide notice under section 7257 of this title of 
     availability for service in a recalled status, the retired 
     pay of the judge shall be the rate of pay applicable to that 
     judge at the time of retirement.
       ``(iii) In the case of a judge who was a recall-eligible 
     retired judge under section 7257 of this title and was 
     removed from recall status under subsection (b)(3) of that 
     section, the retired pay of the judge shall be the pay of the 
     judge at the time of the removal from recall status.''.
       (2) Cost-of-living adjustment for retired pay of new judges 
     who are recall-eligible.--Section 7296(f)(3)(A) is amended by 
     striking ``paragraph (2) of subsection (c)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraph (1)(A)(i) or (2) of subsection (c)''.
       (3) Pay during period of recall.--Subsection (d) of section 
     7257 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1) The pay of a recall-eligible retired judge to whom 
     section 7296(c)(1)(B) of this title applies is the pay 
     specified in that section.
       ``(2) A judge who is recalled under this section who 
     retired under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 or to whom section 
     7296(c)(1)(A) of this title applies shall be paid, during the 
     period for which the judge serves in recall status, pay at 
     the rate of pay in effect under section 7253(e) of this title 
     for a judge performing active service, less the amount of the 
     judge's annuity under the applicable provisions of chapter 83 
     or 84 of title 5 or the judge's annuity under section 
     7296(c)(1)(A) of this title, whichever is applicable.''.
       (4) Notice.--The last sentence of section 7257(a)(1) is 
     amended to read as follows: ``Such a notice provided by a 
     retired judge to whom section 7296(c)(1)(B) of this title 
     applies is irrevocable.''.
       (c) Limitation on Involuntary Recalls.--Section 7257(b)(3) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
     ``This paragraph shall not apply to a judge to whom section 
     7296(c)(1)(A) or 7296(c)(1)(B) of this title applies and who 
     has, in the aggregate, served at least five years of recalled 
     service on the Court under this section.''.

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

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

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

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 72 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 7288. Annual report

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

``7288. Annual report.''.

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

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

               TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSION MATTERS

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

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

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

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

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

       Section 1513 is amended--

[[Page S3294]]

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

                 TITLE VII--BURIAL AND MEMORIAL MATTERS

     SEC. 701. SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS FOR FUNERAL AND 
                   BURIAL EXPENSES.

       (a) Funeral Expenses.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 23 is amended by inserting after 
     section 2302 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2302A. Funeral expenses: supplemental benefits

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the availability of funds 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in 
     advance in an appropriations Act, whenever the Secretary 
     makes a payment for the burial and funeral of a veteran under 
     section 2302(a) of this title, the Secretary is also 
     authorized and directed to pay the recipient of such payment 
     a supplemental payment under this section for the cost of 
     such burial and funeral.
       ``(2) No supplemental payment shall be made under this 
     subsection if the Secretary has expended all funds that were 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in an 
     appropriations Act.
       ``(b) Amount.--The amount of the supplemental payment 
     required by subsection (a) for any death is $900 (as adjusted 
     from time to time under subsection (c)).
       ``(c) Adjustment.--With respect to deaths that occur in any 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2008, the supplemental payment 
     described in subsection (b) shall be equal to the sum of--
       ``(1) the supplemental payment in effect under subsection 
     (b) for the preceding fiscal year (determined after 
     application of this subsection), plus
       ``(2) the sum of the amount described in section 2302(a) of 
     this title and the amount under paragraph (1), multiplied by 
     the percentage by which--
       ``(A) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States 
     city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
     preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the 
     increase is made, exceeds
       ``(B) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
     preceding the 12-month period described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(d) Estimates.--(1) From time to time, the Secretary 
     shall make an estimate of--
       ``(A) the amount of funding that would be necessary to 
     provide supplemental payments under this section to all 
     eligible recipients for the remainder of the fiscal year in 
     which such an estimate is made; and
       ``(B) the amount that Congress would need to appropriate to 
     provide all eligible recipients with supplemental payments 
     under this section in the next fiscal year.
       ``(2) On the dates described in paragraph (3), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress the estimates described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) The dates described in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       ``(A) April 1 of each year.
       ``(B) July 1 of each year.
       ``(C) September 1 of each year.
       ``(D) The date that is 60 days before the date estimated by 
     the Secretary on which amounts appropriated for the purposes 
     of this section for a fiscal year will be exhausted.
       ``(e) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `appropriate committees of Congress' 
     means--
       ``(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
       ``(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item related to section 2302 the following new item:

``2302A. Funeral expenses: supplemental benefits.''.

       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such 
     sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
     section 2302A of title 38, United States Code (as added by 
     this subsection).
       (b) Death From Service-Connected Disability.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 23 is amended by inserting after 
     section 2307 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2307A. Death from service-connected disability: 
       supplemental benefits for burial and funeral expenses

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the availability of funds 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in 
     advance in an appropriations Act, whenever the Secretary 
     makes a payment for the burial and funeral of a veteran under 
     section 2307(1) of this title, the Secretary is also 
     authorized and directed to pay the recipient of such payment 
     a supplemental payment under this section for the cost of 
     such burial and funeral.
       ``(2) No supplemental payment shall be made under this 
     subsection if the Secretary has expended all funds that were 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in an 
     appropriations Act.
       ``(b) Amount.--The amount of the supplemental payment 
     required by subsection (a) for any death is $2,100 (as 
     adjusted from time to time under subsection (c)).
       ``(c) Adjustment.--With respect to deaths that occur in any 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2008, the supplemental payment 
     described in subsection (b) shall be equal to the sum of--
       ``(1) the supplemental payment in effect under subsection 
     (b) for the preceding fiscal year (determined after 
     application of this subsection), plus
       ``(2) the sum of the amount described in section 2307(1) of 
     this title and the amount under paragraph (1), multiplied by 
     the percentage by which--
       ``(A) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States 
     city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
     preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the 
     increase is made, exceeds
       ``(B) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
     preceding the 12-month period described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(d) Estimates.--(1) From time to time, the Secretary 
     shall make an estimate of--
       ``(A) the amount of funding that would be necessary to 
     provide supplemental payments under this section to all 
     eligible recipients for the remainder of the fiscal year in 
     which such an estimate is made; and
       ``(B) the amount that Congress would need to appropriate to 
     provide all eligible recipients with supplemental payments 
     under this section in the next fiscal year.
       ``(2) On the dates described in paragraph (3), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress the estimates described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) The dates described in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       ``(A) April 1 of each year.
       ``(B) July 1 of each year.
       ``(C) September 1 of each year.
       ``(D) The date that is 60 days before the date estimated by 
     the Secretary on which amounts appropriated for the purposes 
     of this section for a fiscal year will be exhausted.
       ``(e) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `appropriate committees of Congress' 
     means--
       ``(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
       ``(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item related to section 2307 the following new item:

``2307A. Death from service-connected disability: supplemental benefits 
              for burial and funeral expenses.''.

       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such 
     sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
     section 2307A of title 38, United States Code (as added by 
     this subsection).
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2007, and shall apply with 
     respect to deaths occurring on or after that date.

     SEC. 702. SUPPLEMENTAL PLOT ALLOWANCES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 23 is amended by inserting after 
     section 2303 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2303A. Supplemental plot allowance

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the availability of funds 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in 
     advance in an appropriations Act, whenever the Secretary 
     makes a payment for the burial and funeral of a veteran under 
     section 2303(a)(1)(A) of this title, or for the burial of a 
     veteran under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2303(b) of this 
     title, the Secretary is also authorized and directed to pay 
     the recipient of such payment a supplemental payment under 
     this section for the cost of such burial and funeral or 
     burial, as applicable.
       ``(2) No supplemental plot allowance payment shall be made 
     under this subsection if the Secretary has expended all funds 
     that were specifically provided for purposes of this 
     subsection in an appropriations Act.
       ``(b) Amount.--The amount of the supplemental payment 
     required by subsection (a) for any death is $445 (as adjusted 
     from time to time under subsection (c)).
       ``(c) Adjustment.--With respect to deaths that occur in any 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2008, the supplemental payment 
     described in subsection (b) shall be equal to the sum of--
       ``(1) the supplemental payment in effect under subsection 
     (b) for the preceding fiscal year (determined after 
     application of this subsection), plus
       ``(2) the sum of the amount described in section 
     2303(a)(1)(A) of this title and the amount under paragraph 
     (1), multiplied by the percentage by which--
       ``(A) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States 
     city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
     preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the 
     increase is made, exceeds
       ``(B) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
     preceding the 12-month period described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(d) Estimates.--(1) From time to time, the Secretary 
     shall make an estimate of--
       ``(A) the amount of funding that would be necessary to 
     provide supplemental plot allowance payments under this 
     section to all eligible recipients for the remainder of the 
     fiscal year in which such an estimate is made; and
       ``(B) the amount that Congress would need to appropriate to 
     provide all eligible recipients

[[Page S3295]]

     with supplemental plot allowance payments under this section 
     in the next fiscal year.
       ``(2) On the dates described in paragraph (3), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress the estimates described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) The dates described in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       ``(A) April 1 of each year.
       ``(B) July 1 of each year.
       ``(C) September 1 of each year.
       ``(D) The date that is 60 days before the date estimated by 
     the Secretary on which amounts appropriated for the purposes 
     of this section for a fiscal year will be exhausted.
       ``(e) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `appropriate committees of Congress' 
     means--
       ``(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
       ``(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item related to section 2303 the following new item:

``2303A. Supplemental plot allowance.''.

       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2007, and shall apply with 
     respect to deaths occurring on or after that date.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such 
     sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
     section 2303A of title 38, United States Code (as added by 
     subsection (a)).

                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

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

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

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

       (a) In General.--Chapter 39 is amended by inserting after 
     section 3902 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 3902A. Supplemental assistance for providing 
       automobiles or other conveyances

       ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the availability of funds 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in 
     advance in an appropriations Act, whenever the Secretary 
     makes a payment for the purchase of an automobile or other 
     conveyance for an eligible person under section 3902 of this 
     title, the Secretary is also authorized and directed to pay 
     the recipient of such payment a supplemental payment under 
     this section for the cost of such purchase.
       ``(2) No supplemental payment shall be made under this 
     subsection if the Secretary has expended all funds that were 
     specifically provided for purposes of this subsection in an 
     appropriations Act.
       ``(b) Amount of Supplemental Payment.--Supplemental payment 
     required by subsection (a) is equal to the excess of--
       ``(1) the payment which would be determined under section 
     3902 of this title if the amount described in section 3902 of 
     this title were increased to the adjusted amount described in 
     subsection (c), over
       ``(2) the payment determined under section 3902 of this 
     title without regard to this section.
       ``(c) Adjusted Amount.--The adjusted amount is $22,484 (as 
     adjusted from time to time under subsection (d)).
       ``(d) Adjustment.--(1) Effective on October 1 of each year 
     (beginning in 2008), the Secretary shall increase the 
     adjusted amount described in subsection (c) to an amount 
     equal to 80 percent of the average retail cost of new 
     automobiles for the preceding calendar year.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall establish the method for 
     determining the average retail cost of new automobiles for 
     purposes of this subsection. The Secretary may use data 
     developed in the private sector if the Secretary determines 
     the data is appropriate for purposes of this subsection.
       ``(e) Estimates.--(1) From time to time, the Secretary 
     shall make an estimate of--
       ``(A) the amount of funding that would be necessary to 
     provide supplemental payment under this section for every 
     eligible person for the remainder of the fiscal year in which 
     such an estimate is made; and
       ``(B) the amount that Congress would need to appropriate to 
     provide every eligible person with supplemental payment under 
     this section in the next fiscal year.
       ``(2) On the dates described in paragraph (3), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress the estimates described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) The dates described in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       ``(A) April 1 of each year.
       ``(B) July 1 of each year.
       ``(C) September 1 of each year.
       ``(D) The date that is 60 days before the date estimated by 
     the Secretary on which amounts appropriated for the purposes 
     of this section for a fiscal year will be exhausted.
       ``(f) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `appropriate committees of Congress' 
     means--
       ``(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
       ``(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item related to section 3902 the following new item:

``3902A. Supplemental assistance for providing automobiles or other 
              conveyances.''.

       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such 
     sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
     section 3902A of title 38, United States Code (as added by 
     subsection (a)).
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2007, and shall apply with 
     respect to payments made in accordance with section 3902 of 
     title 38, United States Code, on or after that date.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure that 
     the assets transferred to the Medical Follow-Up Agency from 
     the Air Force Health Study are maintained, managed, and made 
     available as a resource for future research for the benefit 
     of veterans and their families, and for other humanitarian 
     purposes.
       (b) Assets From Air Force Health Study.--For purposes of 
     this section, the assets transferred to the Medical Follow-Up 
     Agency from the Air Force Health Study are the assets of the 
     Air Force Health Study transferred to the Medical Follow-Up 
     Agency under section 714 of the John Warner National Defense 
     Authorization

[[Page S3296]]

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

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

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

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

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 10 months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
     the United States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
     Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees 
     on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the adequacy of dependency and 
     indemnity compensation payable under chapter 13 of title 38, 
     United States Code, to surviving spouses and dependents of 
     veterans who die as a result of a service-connected 
     disability in replacing the deceased veteran's income.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include--
       (1) a description of the current system for the payment of 
     dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses 
     and dependents described in subsection (a), including a 
     statement of the rates of such compensation so payable;
       (2) an assessment of the adequacy of such payments in 
     replacing the deceased veteran's income; and
       (3) such recommendations as the Comptroller General 
     considers appropriate in order to improve or enhance the 
     effects of such payments in replacing the deceased veteran's 
     income.
         Amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 38, 
     United States Code, to enhance veterans' insurance and 
     housing benefits, to improve benefits and services for 
     transitioning servicemembers, and for other purposes.''.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.

                          ____________________