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119 HR 9237 IH: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act 
 U.S. House of Representatives 
 2026-06-10 
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 EN 
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 
 
 
 
 I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9237 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 10, 2026 Mr. Bost (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis , Mr. Hudson , Mr. Lawler , Mr. Van Orden , Mrs. Miller-Meeks , Mr. Murphy , Mr. McGuire , Mr. Barrett , Mr. Bergman , Mr. Baird , Mr. Meuser , Ms. King-Hinds , Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia , Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona , Mr. Hill of Arkansas , Mr. Obernolte , Mr. Edwards , Mr. Moolenaar , Mr. Taylor , and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs , and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 1. Short title; table of contents 
 (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
 
 Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
 Title I—Compensation 
 Sec. 101. Major Richard Star Act. 
 Sec. 102. Love Lives On Act. 
 Sec. 103. Extension of increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 
 Sec. 104. Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026. 
 Sec. 105. Claims: prohibition on denial solely for certain reason; improved efficiency of adjudications and appeals. 
 Sec. 106. Annual report on causes of death among veterans. 
 Sec. 107. Plan for use of automation tools to process claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 108. Reforms relating to Department of Veterans Affairs disability ratings. 
 Sec. 109. Improvements to temporary licensure requirements for contract health care professionals who perform medical disability examinations for the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 110. Disability examinations: study on access in rural areas; review of training; review of inadequate or unnecessary examinations. 
 Sec. 111. Improvements to processing and outreach regarding claims involving military sexual trauma. 
 Sec. 112. Independent assessment of notices that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants. 
 Sec. 113. Independent assessment of forms that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants. 
 Title II—Education and Economic Opportunity 
 Sec. 201. Vets Opportunity Act. 
 Sec. 202. Improvements to process for making payments to automobile sellers for automobiles purchased for certain disabled veterans. 
 Sec. 203. Monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for individuals who pursue summer programs of education solely through distance learning. 
 Sec. 204. Clarification regarding inclusion of medically necessary automobile adaptations in Department of Veterans Affairs definition of medical services . 
 Sec. 205. Digital communications: Solid Start program; educational assistance. 
 Sec. 206. Improvements to Transition Assistance Program and Skillbridge. 
 Sec. 207. Transition Assistance Program: presentation in preseparation counseling to promote benefits available to veterans. 
 Sec. 208. Elimination of requirement that on-campus educational and vocational counseling is provided by certain Department of Veterans Affairs employees. 
 Sec. 209. Expansion of entitlement for payment for licensing or certification tests for veterans entitled to educational assistance. 
 Sec. 210. Increase of amount of educational assistance paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for first year of a full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training. 
 Sec. 211. Improving emerging technology opportunities for veterans. 
 Title III—Health Care 
 Sec. 301. Extension and modification of transportation grant program of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 302. Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act. 
 Sec. 303. Veterans TBI Breakthrough Exploration of Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act. 
 Sec. 304. Department of Veterans Affairs assignment of traveling physicians to serve territories and possessions. 
 Sec. 305. Inclusion of adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities in medical services furnished to eligible veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 306. Modifications to and reauthorization of Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 307. Reports on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. 
 Sec. 308. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program to provide grants to mental health care providers for the provision of mental health care for veterans. 
 Sec. 309. Furnishing of certain health services to veterans in the Freely Associated States. 
 Sec. 310. Modification of Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative; reporting on suicide by veterans and members of the Armed Forces. 
 Sec. 311. Establishment of the Blast Overpressure Task Force of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 312. Extension of sharing of Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Health Care Resources; resource sharing oversight and implementation plan. 
 Sec. 313. Timely reporting of the death of a veteran. 
 Sec. 314. Expansion of access by veterans to critical access hospitals and affiliated clinics under the Veterans Community Care Program. 
 Sec. 315. Pilot platform for services for veterans; collection from veterans of information related to social determinants of health. 
 Sec. 316. Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs prosthetic and rehabilitative items and service. 
 Sec. 317. Improvement of submission of medical documentation to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by community care providers. 
 Sec. 318. Implementation of and report on efforts of Department of Veterans Affairs to improve health care appointment scheduling. 
 Sec. 319. Pilot program on coordination of care between Department of Veterans Affairs and Medicare program. 
 Sec. 320. Fisher House availability. 
 Sec. 321. Agreements between medical facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs and rural medical facilities. 
 Sec. 322. Study on quality of care difference between mental health and addiction therapy care provided by health care providers of Department of Veterans Affairs compared to non-Department providers. 
 Sec. 323. Lactation spaces in medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 324. Research related to menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women’s health: report; plan. 
 Sec. 325. Pilot program on provision of opioid rescue medications to veterans. 
 Sec. 326. Establishment of Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission. 
 Sec. 327. Access to health care. 
 Sec. 328. Research on health conditions of descendants of toxic-exposed veterans. 
 Sec. 329. Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act. 
 Sec. 330. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program to award grants for the provision of service dogs to veterans. 
 Sec. 331. Authorization of major medical facility project of Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2027 in Manchester, New Hampshire. 
 Sec. 332. Bowel and bladder care program of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Title IV—Organization 
 Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations to the Office of Information and Technology of the Department of Veterans Affairs for certain purposes. 
 Sec. 402. Establishment of Under Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer. 
 Sec. 403. Department of Veterans Affairs acquisition reform and cost assessment. 
 Sec. 404. Improvement of telephone communication by Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 405. Advancing Department of Veterans Affairs emergency response to crisis. 
 Sec. 406. Membership of Department of Veterans Affairs Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee. 
 Sec. 407. Scheduling of appointments under the Veterans Community Care Program. 
 Title V—Memorial Affairs 
 Sec. 501. Expansion of eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs memorial headstone or marker for certain individuals. 
 Sec. 502. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of additional burial benefits when an urn or commemorative plaque is furnished. 
 Sec. 503. Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program. 
 Title VI—Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers 
 Subtitle A—Improvement of Veterans Community Care Program 
 Sec. 601. Codification of requirements for eligibility standards for access to community care from Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 602. Requirement that Secretary notify veterans of eligibility for care or denial of request for care under Veterans Community Care Program. 
 Sec. 603. Consideration under Veterans Community Care Program of continuity of care and need for caregiver or attendant. 
 Sec. 604. Discussion of telehealth options under Veterans Community Care Program. 
 Sec. 605. Extension of deadline for submittal of claims by health care entities and providers under prompt payment standard. 
 Sec. 606. Audit of representative sample of veterans receiving care and services under Veterans Community Care Program. 
 Sec. 607. Information on wait time and drive time options for receipt of care by veterans. 
 Sec. 608. Establishment of period during which a referral under Veterans Community Care Program remains valid. 
 Sec. 609. Updates to contracting requirements under Veterans Community Care Program. 
 Sec. 610. Publication of community care network sufficiency and payment waiver requests and approvals. 
 Sec. 611. Requirements relating to quality of community care providers. 
 Sec. 612. Provider training. 
 Sec. 613. Oversight authority over community care. 
 Subtitle B—Mental Health Treatment Programs 
 Sec. 621. Veteran participation in certain mental health programs. 
 Sec. 622. Access to mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs for veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder. 
 Subtitle C—Staffing Matters 
 Sec. 631. Treatment of psychologists. 
 Sec. 632. Mentorship program for executive leadership teams at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 633. Requirement for equivalent role postings for vacant positions at Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 634. Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs hiring processes. 
 Sec. 635. Department of Veterans Affairs telework policy. 
 Sec. 636. Expansion of reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses. 
 Sec. 637. Department of Veterans Affairs personnel transparency. 
 Sec. 638. Modification of authority of licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via telemedicine. 
 Sec. 639. Provision of data on educational assistance programs of Veterans Health Administration. 
 Subtitle D—Optimization of Workforce 
 Sec. 641. Department of Veterans Affairs strategic human capital plan. 
 Sec. 642. Department of Veterans Affairs reduction in force notice requirement. 
 Sec. 643. Detailed plans and justifications for reorganization of offices. 
 Sec. 644. Rule of construction. 
 Subtitle E—Veterans Infrastructure and Transformation 
 Sec. 651. Short title. 
 Sec. 652. Modification of authority for sharing of health-care resources of Department of Veterans Affairs to include flexible space utilization and streamlined service agreements. 
 Sec. 653. Use of commercial construction and facilities code and standards. 
 Sec. 654. Feasibility study for full-service hospital of Department of Veterans Affairs in certain States. 
 Sec. 655. Report on strategic plan for infrastructure and capital assets of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 656. Permanent extension of pilot program on acceptance by the Department of Veterans affairs of donated facilities and related improvements. 
 Sec. 657. Authority to accept donations of construction services, minor construction or nonrecurring maintenance projects, and targeted contributions. 
 Sec. 658. Report on use of additional authorities relating to recruitment and retention of personnel. 
 Sec. 659. Reports on key capital asset investments, activities, and performance of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 660. Development of streamlined procurement model; report. 
 Sec. 661. Submission and notification of cost estimates for medical facility leases. 
 Sec. 662. Report on capital asset and information technology needs of the research and development program of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Sec. 663. Improving prevention, detection, and reporting of waste, fraud, and abuse in Department of Veterans Affairs capital asset projects and activities. 
 Sec. 664. Report on long-term care physical infrastructure needs of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 Subtitle F—Other Health Care Matters 
 Sec. 671. Prescription, delivery, distribution, and dispensation of controlled substance medications by covered health care professionals of Department of Veterans Affairs via telemedicine. 
 Sec. 672. Copayments for limited supplies of medications. 
 Sec. 673. Plan on establishment of interactive, online self-service module for care. 
 Sec. 674. Modification of requirements for Center for Innovation for Care and Payment of the Department of Veterans Affairs and transfer of authority. 
 Sec. 675. Report on improvements to clinical appeals process. 
 Sec. 676. Plan on increasing accessibility of care for veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder. 
 I Compensation 
 101. Major Richard Star Act 
 (a) Concurrent receipt generally Section 1414(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraphs: (2) Combat-related disability retirees (A) In general A member retired under chapter 61 of this title with a combat-related disability who is entitled for any month to retired pay under chapter 61 of this title and is also entitled for that month to veterans’ disability compensation under title 38, is entitled to be paid both without regard to sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, as provided by subparagraphs (B) and (C). 
 (B) Career retirees In the case of a member retired under chapter 61 of this title who has a combat-related disability that is not a qualifying service-connected disability (as defined in subsection (a)(2)) and who, at the time of the member's retirement, had 20 years or more of service otherwise creditable under section 1405 of this title or at least 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this title, the member may receive, without regard to sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, both— (i) the amount of retired pay to which the member would have been entitled under any other provision of law based on the member’s service in the uniformed services if the member had not been retired under chapter 61 of this title; and 
 (ii) veterans’ disability compensation under title 38. (C) Disability retirees with less than 20 years of service In the case of a member retired under chapter 61 of this title with a combat-related disability and who, at the time of the member's retirement, had less than 20 years of service otherwise creditable under section 1405 of this title or less than 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this title, the member may receive, without regard to sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, the lesser of— 
 (i) both— (I) the retired pay for which the member is eligible under chapter 61 of this title; and 
 (II) veterans’ disability compensation under title 38; or (ii) both— 
 (I) an amount equal to the product of the retired pay base computed under section 1406(b) or 1407 of this title and the retired pay multiplier determined under section 1409 of this title, as such base pay and multiplier would be computed if the member had 20 years of service creditable under section 1405 of this title; and (II) veterans’ disability compensation under title 38. 
 (D) Combat-related disability defined In this paragraph, the term combat-related disability has the meaning given that term in subsection (e) of section 1413a of this title and as determined under the criteria and procedures used for purposes of such section. (3) Exclusion of other retirees Subsection (a) does not apply to a member retired under chapter 61 of this title if the member is not covered by paragraph (1) or (2). . 
 (b) Technical and conforming amendments 
 (1) Coordination with combat-related special compensation program Section 1414(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking qualified retiree under this section and inserting qualified retiree under subsection (a) or is entitled to a payment under subsection (b)(2) . (2) Amendments reflecting end of concurrent receipt phase-in period Section 1414 of title 10, United States Code, is further amended— 
 (A) in subsection (a)(1)— (i) by striking the second sentence; and 
 (ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B); (B) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and 
 (C) in subsection (d), as redesignated, by striking paragraphs (3) and (4). (3) Section heading The heading of section 1414 of such title is amended to read as follows: 
 
 1414. Members eligible for retired pay who are also eligible for veterans’ disability compensation: concurrent receipt . 
 (4) Conforming amendment Section 1413a(f) of such title is amended by striking Subsection (d) and inserting Subsection (c) . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2027, and shall apply to payments for months beginning on or after that date. 
 102. Love Lives On Act 
 (a) Modification of entitlement to veterans dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses who remarry Section 103(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(B)— 
 (A) by inserting (i) before The remarriage ; (B) in clause (i), as designated by subparagraph (A), by striking Notwithstanding the previous sentence and inserting the following: 
 
 (ii) Notwithstanding clause (i) ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new clause: 
 
 (iii) Notwithstanding clause (ii), the remarriage of a surviving spouse shall not bar the furnishing of benefits under section 1311 or 1562 of this title to the surviving spouse of a veteran. ; and (2) in paragraph (5)— 
 (A) by striking subparagraph (A); and (B) by renumbering subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively. 
 (b) Continued eligibility for survivor benefit plan for certain surviving spouses who remarry Section 1450(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking An annuity and inserting the following: 
 
 (A) In general (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), an annuity ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
 
 (B) Treatment of survivors of members who die on active duty The Secretary may not terminate payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 1448(d)(1) solely because that surviving spouse remarries. In the case of a surviving spouse who remarried before reaching age 55 and before the date of the enactment of Take Care of America’s Veterans Act , the Secretary shall resume payment of the annuity to that surviving spouse— (i) except as provided by clause (ii), for each month that begins on or after the date that is one year after such date of enactment; or 
 (ii) on the first day of the first month beginning after such date of enactment, in the case of a surviving spouse who elected to transfer payment of that annuity to a surviving child or children under the provisions of section 1448(d)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on December 31, 2019. . (c) Expansion of definition of dependent under TRICARE program to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended Section 1072(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
 (1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (I)(v), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and 
 (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (J) a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment. . 
 103. Extension of increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 
 (a) Extension Section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting (A) before The rate ; and 
 (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) A veteran whom the Secretary determines died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis shall be treated as a veteran described in subparagraph (A) without regard for how long the veteran had such disease prior to death. . 
 (b) Applicability Subparagraph (B) of section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on or after October 1, 2022. 104. Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 (a) Increase in rates of certain disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs (1) Increase to rates of wartime disability compensation (A) In general Section 1114 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
 
 (u) In the case of a veteran eligible for a monthly aid and attendance allowance under subsection (r) or subsection (t) of this section, the Secretary shall, in addition to the total amount of compensation for which the veteran is eligible under this section, pay the veteran a supplemental monthly allowance at the rate of $833.33. . (B) Effective date; applicability Subsection (u) of such section (as added by subparagraph (A)) shall take effect on December 1, 2026, and shall apply to months beginning on or after such date. 
 (2) Increase to rates of dependency and indemnity compensation Section 5312 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) 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, except as provided in paragraph (2), effective on the date of such increase in benefit amounts, increase the dollar amounts in effect for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation by the Secretary under paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) of section 1311(a) of this title, as such amounts were in effect immediately before the date of such increase in benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act, by a percentage equal to the sum of— 
 (A) the percentage by which such benefit amounts are increased; and (B) one percent. 
 (2) Whenever there is an increase under paragraph (1) in amounts in effect for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation, the Secretary shall publish such amounts, as increased pursuant to such paragraph, in the Federal Register at the same time as the material required by section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D) ) is published by reason of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 415(i) ). (3) The requirement to increase, pursuant to paragraph (1), the amounts in effect for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation under paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) of section 1311 (a) of this title by the Secretary shall— 
 (A) take effect on December 1, 2026, and shall apply with respect to months beginning on or after such date; and (B) terminate after the date on which the third increase to such amounts pursuant to such paragraph occurs. . 
 (b) Modification of waivers of fees collected for housing loans guaranteed, insured, or made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 3729(b)(2) of such title is amended, in the loan fee table— (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking 0.50 both places it appears and inserting 1.42 ; and 
 (2) in subparagraph (I), by striking 0.50 each place it appears and inserting 1.0 . (c) Home affordability for Guard and Reserve (1) Eligibility of certain members of the reserve components and the National Guard for guaranteed housing loans (A) Expanded definition of active duty for purposes of housing loans Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
 
 (9) The term active duty has the meanings as follows: (A) In the case of members of the regular components of the Armed Forces, the meaning given such term in section 101(21)(A). 
 (B) In the case of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces— (i) service on active duty (as defined in section 101(d) of title 10), inactive-duty training (as defined in section 101(d) of title 10), or annual training duty; or 
 (ii) service on active duty under a call or order to active duty under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12301(h), 12302, 12304, 12304a, or 12304b of title 10 or section 713 of title 14, but not including inactive duty training (as defined in section 101(d) of title 10) or annual training duty. (C) In the case of a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the United States, in addition to service described in subparagraph (B), full-time service— 
 (i) in the National Guard of a State for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard; (ii) in the National Guard when performing full-time National Guard duty (as defined in section 101 of title 32); or 
 (iii) in the National Guard when performing active duty (as defined in section 101 of title 32). . (B) Retroactive applicability to service performed The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to any service performed on or after September 11, 2001. 
 (2) Expansion of eligibility for guaranteed housing loans to certain additional personnel upon payment of additional loan fee 
 (A) Expansion to individuals with at least 14 days of service Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new paragraph: (8) The term veteran also includes, for purposes of home loans (subject to the additional loan fee in section 3729(b)(4)(J) of this title), an individual who— 
 (A) is not otherwise eligible for the benefits of this chapter; (B) has completed a total service of at least 14 days on active duty under paragraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (9); and 
 (C) following completion of such service, continued to serve until the completion of entry level and skill training (as defined in section 3301(3) of this title). . (B) Basic entitlement Section 3702(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
 
 (H) Each individual described in section 3701(b)(8) of this title. . (C) Additional loan fee for such individuals Section 3729(b)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
 
 (J) In the case of a housing loan in which the veteran has eligibility under section 3701(b)(8) of this title and does not otherwise have eligibility, the loan fee table in paragraph (2) shall be applied to the veteran or other obligor (as applicable) by adding 1.00 to the percentage in the table. . (D) Notification to personnel The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide information about this benefit to the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each member of a reserve component or a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the United States who completes entry level and skill training (as defined in section 3301(3) of title 38, United States Code) after the date of the enactment of this Act is notified of their eligibility for housing loan benefits under chapter 37 of such title, including eligibility (subject to the additional loan fee) under section 3701(b)(8) of such title. 
 105. Claims: prohibition on denial solely for certain reason; improved efficiency of adjudications and appeals 
 (a) Prohibition on denial of claims for benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs on sole basis that veteran failed to appear for certain medical examination Subsection (d) of section 5103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the heading, by striking compensation claims and inserting claims for benefits ; 
 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking treat an examination or opinion as being necessary to make a decision on a claim for purposes of and inserting provide for a medical examination or obtain a medical opinion under ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
 
 (3) If a veteran fails to appear for a medical examination provided by the Secretary in conjunction with a claim for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may not deny such claim on the sole basis that such veteran failed to appear for such medical examination. . (b) Improvements to efficiency of adjudications and appeals of claims for benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs (1) Annual report on length of adjudications (A) In general Section 5109B of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
 (i) by striking The Secretary and inserting (a) In general.— The Secretary ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
 
 (b) Annual report The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an annual report that includes, with respect to the period covered by the report— (1) the average length of time a claim (or an issue within a claim) that was remanded by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals was or has been pending before the Secretary after such remand; 
 (2) the number of cases that advanced on the docket by reason of a motion that was filed under section 7107(b) of this title and on which the Board ruled, disaggregated by— (A) whether a motion was granted or denied; and 
 (B) the reason provided for the motion; and (3) the number of appeals dismissed by the Board, disaggregated by— 
 (A) whether or not the dismissal was by reason of the death of the appellant; and (B) in the case of a dismissal by reason of the death of the appellant, whether or not such death was a result of suicide. . 
 (B) Deadline The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit the first report required by subsection (b) of section 5109B of such title (as added by subparagraph (A)) by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Guidelines for advancement of cases on docket of Board Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the General Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, shall prescribe guidelines for the advancement of a case on the docket of the Board on a motion for earlier consideration and determination under section 7107(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code. Such guidelines shall include the type of evidence that may be submitted with the motion for the advancement of the case to show grounds for such a motion. 
 (3) Requirement To track certain claims for benefits 
 (A) In general Chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5109B the following new section: 5109C. Requirement to track and maintain information on certain claims for benefits; notice of certain assignments (a) In general The Secretary shall use technology to track and maintain information (including information with respect to timeliness) on— 
 (1) claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary (including issues within such claims) that are— (A) continuously pursued in accordance with— 
 (i) sections 5104C(a) and 5110(a)(2) of this title; or (ii) any other policy established by the Secretary; 
 (B) filed in the National Work Queue (or any successor system) but have not been assigned to an office of the Veterans Benefits Administration for adjudication; (C) afforded expeditious treatment by the Veterans Benefits Administration pursuant to section 5109B of this title or any other policy established by the Secretary; 
 (D) remanded by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to the Secretary pursuant to section 7104 of this title; or (E) pending a hearing by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals under section 7107 of this title; 
 (2) instances in which an adjudicator of the Veterans Benefits Administration does not comply with a relevant decision of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to remand a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary (or an issue within such a claim), including any such instance in which the relevant decision concerned a failure on the part of the agency of original jurisdiction to satisfy the duty of the Secretary to assist under section 5103A of this title; (3) supplemental claims under section 5108 of this title that are filed— 
 (A) in accordance with section 5104C(a) and section 5110(a)(2) of this title; and (B) after the date of the applicable final decision of the Secretary with respect to a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary (or an issue within such a claim); and 
 (4) first notices submitted to the Secretary of the death of individuals in receipt of benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary, disaggregated by such individuals who were— (A) assigned a fiduciary; and 
 (B) not assigned a fiduciary. (b) Annual report (1) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an annual report that includes all information maintained and tracked pursuant to subsection (a). 
 (2) The first report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act . . (B) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5109B the following new item: 
 
 
 5109C. Requirement to track and maintain information on certain claims for benefits; notice of certain assignments. . 
 (4) Improvements to Board of Veterans’ Appeals 
 (A) Authority to aggregate certain claims 
 (i) In general Section 7104(a) of such title is amended by inserting after the second sentence the following new sentence: If the Chairman of the Board determines that more than one appeal involves common questions of law or fact, the Chairman may aggregate such appeals to decide such questions of law or fact. . (ii) Effective date The amendment made by clause (i) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply beginning on the date 90 days after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of the policies and procedures required under paragraph (7)(D)(i)(II). 
 (iii) Sunset The authority to aggregate appeals pursuant to clause (i) shall expire on the date that is three years after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs completes the development of the policies and procedures required under paragraph (7)(D)(i)(II). (B) Requirement to ensure substantial compliance with certain decisions Such section is further amended— 
 (i) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and (ii) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection (f): 
 
 (f) 
 (1) The Secretary, acting through a member of the Board, shall ensure substantial compliance with any decision of the Board to remand a claim. (2) The agency of original adjudication may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a decision of the Board to remand a claim to the Secretary, if a member of the Board determines— 
 (A) evidence added to the evidentiary record after the date of such decision is sufficient to resolve the issues underlying such decision; or (B) such decision was unnecessary. 
 (3) If the Secretary waives such requirement, the applicable member of the Board shall include, pursuant to subsection (d), a determination of such waiver in the decision of the Board. . (C) Definition of aggregate; report Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsections: 
 
 (h) Not later than three years after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs completes the development of the policies and procedures required under paragraph (7)(D)(i)(II), and every five years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the aggregation of claims by the Board under subsection (a). Each such report shall include— (1) an identification of each instance in which the Board aggregated appeals during the period covered by the report, including, for each such instance, the number of appeals that were aggregated; 
 (2) an assessment of whether the aggregation of appeals has contributed to improved efficiency at the Board with issuing decisions on appeals; and (3) such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate. 
 (i) In this section, the term aggregate — (1) means any practice or procedure to collect common issues, claims, or appeals by multiple parties for the purposes of resolving such issues, claims, or appeals; and 
 (2) includes the use of joinder, consolidation, intervention, class actions, and any other multiparty proceedings. . (5) Expansion of jurisdiction of Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Section 7252 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
 (A) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsections: 
 
 (b) 
 (1) In an appeal over which the Court has jurisdiction pursuant to section 7266 of this title, if the appellant files a request for class certification pursuant to the rules prescribed by the Court pursuant to section 7264 of this title, the Court shall have supplemental jurisdiction over any claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary— (A) filed by a claimant who satisfies the definition of the class contained in such request (including a claimant who has filed a claim for benefits under such laws that are specified in such request); and 
 (B) regarding which— (i) the agency of original jurisdiction has issued a nonfinal decision; and 
 (ii) the claimant has filed a notice of disagreement under section 5104C(a) or section 7105 of this title, including any case in which a claimant has filed a supplemental claim within one year of a Board decision under section 5110(a)(2)(D) and 5108 of this title following a notice of disagreement and decision of the Board. (2) A claimant may submit a request for administrative review of such a claim under section 5104C(a) of this title during the period beginning on the date on which the named claimant of the motion for class action review submits to the Court a motion for class action review and ending on the date that is 60 days after the later of the following dates: 
 (A) The date on which the Court issues a final decision with respect to such claim. (B) The date on which the Court issues a final decision with respect to such motion for class action review. 
 (3) In the case of a claimant whose claim is decided by the Board during the period when the Court is reviewing the motion for class action review the deadline for such claimant to file an appeal to the Court with respect to the decision of the Board shall be tolled if the Court denies the motion for class action review. (c) (1) In the case of a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary, the Court may remand a matter to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals for the limited purpose of ordering the Board to address a question of law or fact if the Court determines the Board failed to— 
 (A) address, in the relevant decision of the Board, an issue that— (i) the claimant or the representative of the claimant raised; or 
 (ii) was reasonably raised by the evidentiary record of the claim; or (B) provide adequate reasons or bases for the decision of the Board with respect to such question. 
 (2) The Court shall issue Rules that provide for each of the following: (A) When and how a party to an appeal (either the appellant or the Secretary) may request that the Court issue a limited remand. 
 (B) The period of time within which the Board is required to issue a decision on the relevant question identified in a limited remand. (C) Guidelines for when the Court may grant a request for a limited remand. 
 (D) Guidelines for when the Court may decide sua sponte to issue a limited remand without a request from any party. (E) A requirement that the parties to an appeal for which a limited remand is issued provide notice to the Court when the Board issues its decision on the relevant question identified in the limited remand. 
 (3) With respect to any matter remanded to the Board pursuant to paragraph (1), the Court shall— (A) retain jurisdiction over such matter; and 
 (B) stay the proceedings of the Court on such matter until the date on which the Board issues the decision required by such remand. . (6) Study and report on common questions of law or fact before Board of Veterans’ Appeals (A) Study The Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals shall carry out a study to identify questions of law or fact the Board commonly considers when reviewing appeals pursuant to section 7104 of title 38, United States Code, for which precedential guidance would assist the Board in issuing final decisions on such appeals. The Chairman may use artificial intelligence and other technology in carrying out such study. 
 (B) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals shall submit to the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that includes the findings of the study required by subparagraph (A). (7) Independent assessment of potential modifications to authority of Board of Veterans’ Appeals (A) Agreement Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC under which the FFRDC shall conduct an assessment of the feasibility of modifying the authority of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals established under chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code, to permit the Board to issue precedential decisions with respect to questions of law or fact arising in matters before the Board. 
 (B) Report; briefings If the Secretary fails to finalize an agreement with an FFRDC under subparagraph (A) before the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary enters negotiations with respect to such agreement, the Secretary shall— (i) submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that includes— 
 (I) an explanation of the reasons the Secretary failed to satisfy such requirement; and (II) an estimate of the date on which the Secretary will finalize the agreement under subparagraph (A); and 
 (ii) not less frequently than once every 60 days after the date on which the Secretary failed to satisfy such requirement, provide to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the progress of the Secretary toward finalizing such agreement. (C) Assessment An FFRDC that enters into an agreement under subparagraph (A) shall, in consultation with veterans service organizations, veterans’ and survivors’ advocate groups, relevant legal experts, and the Chair of the Administrative Conference of the United States (or the designee or designees of such Chair) submit to the Secretary a written assessment that includes the following: 
 (i) The determination of the FFRDC of whether modifying the authority of the Board to permit the Board to issue precedential decisions with respect to questions of law or fact arising in matters before the Board is feasible. (ii) An assessment of the authority of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to aggregate, for review, more than one appeal under chapter 71 of such title that involves common questions of law or fact pursuant to section 7104 of such title, as amended by paragraph (4)(A). 
 (iii) 
 (I) The recommendations of the FFRDC with respect to rules or principles to which the Board should adhere when aggregating appeals for review pursuant to section 7104(a) of title 38, United States Code, as so amended, including— (aa) whether the use of an opt-out system is appropriate in a class certification described in section 7104(a) of title 38, United States Code, as amended; 
 (bb) whether aggregation described in clause (ii) is better carried out by one member, or a panel of members, of the Board; (cc) whether such aggregation may be accomplished in accordance with section 7107 of title 38, United States Code; and 
 (dd) how an accredited representative, attorney, or authorized agent may be selected to represent a class before the Board. (II) The recommendations shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 
 (aa) How the Board should provide notice to claimants of the Board’s intent to aggregate their claim. (bb) This shall include standards for ensuring that information provided to claimants regarding aggregation is written in plain language and clearly explains the potential effects of aggregation on adjudication timelines, appeal rights, and participation options. 
 (cc) The options the Board should provide to claimants to opt out of participation in aggregation of their claim. (dd) The rights of the claimants to appeal decisions that arise out of aggregation of claims, and whether or not such rights may be limited by existing statute, regulation, or judicial decisions. 
 (ee) Safeguards to ensure that aggregation of appeals does not diminish the requirement that each appeal be decided based on the individual facts, evidence, and circumstances specific to the claimant. (ff) Recommendations regarding quality review procedures and oversight mechanisms to monitor the impact of aggregation on claim accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and claimant outcomes. 
 (D) Report; implementation 
 (i) In general Not later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall— (I) submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and 
 (II) begin developing policies and procedures to implement the recommendations in the assessment with respect to the authority of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals referred to in subparagraph (C). (ii) Deadline The Secretary shall complete the development of the policies and procedures required under clause (i)(II) and submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such policies and procedures not later than six months after the date on which the Secretary begins developing such policies and procedures. 
 (E) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) The term FFRDC means a federally funded research and development center. 
 (ii) The term veterans service organization means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Improvements to system for adjudication of claims for benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs (1) Program for quality assurance in decisions of Board of Veterans’ Appeals; performance reviews (A) In general Section 7101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
 
 (f) 
 (1) The Chairman shall carry out a program to ensure quality in the decisions of the Board. Under such program, the Chairman shall— (A) develop policies and procedures for— 
 (i) measuring quality in such decisions; (ii) maintaining data and identifying trends with respect to— 
 (I) errors in such decisions; (II) errors in decisions remanded or returned to the Board by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and 
 (III) specific members of the Board that issued decisions that were subsequently vacated by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and (iii) ensuring any such decision of the Board to remand a claim for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary is necessary under any applicable law or regulation; 
 (B) with respect to a claim for such a benefit that is remanded to the Board by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims— (i) inform any employee of the Board responsible for drafting the decision of the Board with respect to such claim that such decision was remanded; 
 (ii) provide any such employee with a copy of the relevant order of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (including a copy of any accompanying joint motion for remand); and (iii) provide incentives to such employees to review such relevant orders and joint motions for remand; and 
 (C) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that any error identified by the Board under such program is corrected before the date on which the Board issues the final decision associated with such error. (2) 

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Confidence: medium · Complexity: complex · Model: grok-4.5

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