,,ib ,union ,cal5d> ,no4 #aga #aac?     
,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 ,r4 #bahi 
,report ,no4 #aac-bcf ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(
 ,,repres5tatives  ,may #bc1 #bjac,mr4  
,mill] ( ,florida 7= himself & ,mr4     
,mc,carthy ( ,cali=nia7 introduc$ !     
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to !          
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs        
,septemb] #bg1 #bjac;,additional        
sponsors3 ,mr4 ,nug5t1 ,ms4 ,s9ema1     
,mrs4 ,walorski1 ,mr4 ,turn]1 ,mr4      
,mc,intyre1 ,mr4 ,mead[s1 ,mr4 ,jones1 &
 ,mr4 ,issa  ,septemb] #bg1             
#bjac,report$ ) am5dm5ts1 committ$ to ! 
,committee ( ! ,:ole ,h\se on ! ,/ate ( 
! ,union1 & ord]$ to be printed,strike  
out all aft] ! enact+ clause & ins]t !  
"p pr9t$ 9 italic,for text ( introduc$  
bill1 see copy ( bill z introduc$ on    
,may #bc1 #bjac  ,a ,,bill  ,to e/abli% 
a commission or task =ce to evaluate !  
backlog ( disability claims ( !         
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4  #a4     
,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts =   
?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4 #a4 ,table (

 cont5ts4,sec4 #b4 ,scor+ ( budget>y    
effects4,title ,i--,improvem5t ( ,claims
 ,processing,sec4 #aja4 ,evaluation (   
backlog ( disability claims & appeals ( 
claims ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans           
,affairs4,sec4 #ajb4 ,supplem5tal       
reports to ! ,/rategic ,plan to         
,elim9ate ! ,comp5sation ,claims        
,backlog4,sec4 #ajc4 ,exp$ition (       
transf] ( c]ta9 records4,sec4 #ajd4     
,claims processors tra9+4,sec4 #aje4    
,report by ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates4,sec4 #ajf4 ,priority = process+
 claims ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs4,sec4 #ajg4 ,public            
availability ( c]ta9 in=mation ab\t p5d+
 & complet$ claims = comp5sation "u !   
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs4,sec4 #ajh4 ,annual report on  
process+ ( claims4,sec4 #aji4 ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs notice ( av]age     
times = process+ claims & p]c5tage (    
claims approv$4,sec4 #aaj4 ,claim       
def9$4,title ,,ii--,comp5sation &       
,pensions,sec4 #bja4 ,improvem5ts to    

au?ority = p]=mance ( m$ical            
disabilities exam9ations by contract    
physicians4,sec4 #bjb4 ,consid]ation by 
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ( res\rces
 dispos$ ( = less ?an fair m>ket value  
by individuals apply+ = p5sion4,sec4    
#bjc4 ,bifurcat$ paym5ts ( comp5sation  
b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #bjd4 ,p5sion 
= c]ta9 vet]ans cov]$ by ,m$icaid plans 
= s]vices furni%$ by nurs+              
facilities4,title ,,iii--,o!r           
,matters,sec4 #cja4 ,review ( op]ation (
 c]ta9 %ips dur+ ! ,vietnam ,era4,sec4  
#cjb4  ,me?ods = validat+ c]ta9 s]vice  
consid]$ to be active s]vice by !       
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4     
#cjc4 ,designation ( ,am]ican ,_w ,w>   
,,ii ,cities4,sec4 #cjd4 ,obs]vance (   
,vet]ans ,day4  #b4 ,scor+ ( budget>y   
effects ,! budget>y effects ( ?is ,act1 
= ! purpose ( comply+ ) ! ,/atutory     
,pay-,z-,y-,g ,act ( #bjaj1 %all be     
det]m9$ by ref]5ce to ! late/ /atem5t   
titl$ ,budget>y ,effects ( ,,paygo      

,legislation = ?is ,act1 submitt$ =     
pr9t+ 9 ! ,congressional ,record by !   
,*airman ( ! ,h\se ,budget ,committee1  
provid$ t su* /atem5t has be5 submitt$  
prior to ! vote on passage4  ,i         
,improvem5t ( ,claims ,process+  #aja4  
,evaluation ( backlog ( disability      
claims & appeals ( claims ( ,dep>tm5t ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,!re is 
e/abli%$ a commission or task =ce to    
evaluate ! backlog ( claims )9 !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & !       
appeals process ( claims4  7b7 ,/udies  
7#a7 ,backlog /udy  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!    
,commission or ,task ,=ce1 act+ ?r\gh ! 
subcommittee describ$ 9 subsection      
7d77#b77;,a71 %all c>ry out a /udy on ! 
backlog ( claims1 includ+ ! curr5t      
process ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 
uses to evaluate claims & appeals & !   
laws & regulations applicable to su*    
claims & appeals4 ,su* /udy %all be a   
compreh5sive evaluation & assessm5t ( ! 
backlog ( claims1 an analysis ( possible
 improvem5ts to ! proc$ures us$ to      

process su* claims1 & any relat$ issues 
t ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce consid]s  
relevant4  7,b7 ,matt]s includ$ ,9 c>ry+
 out ! /udy "u subp>agraph 7,a71 !      
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all exam9e ! 
foll[+3 7i7 ,! backlog ( claims1 includ+
 an analysis (-- 7,i7 ! mo/ effective   
means to quickly & accurately resolve   
all claims p5d+ z ( ! date ( ! /udy2 &  
7,,ii7 ) respect to ! ,dep>tm5t1 !      
annual fund+1 numb] ( full-"t employees1
 workload managem5t practices1 & !      
progress1 z ( ! date ( ! /udy1 ( !      
/rategic plan4  7ii7 ,possible          
improvem5ts to ! claims process1 includ+
 an evaluation & recomm5dations )       
respect to :e!r sub/antive & /ructural  
*anges to ! ov]all claims process are   
requir$4  7iii7 ,9 c>ry+ out !          
evaluation & recomm5dations "u          
subp>agraph 7,b71 an exam9ation (-- 7,i7
 options t make no major sub/antive     
*anges to ! claims process2  7,,ii7     
options t ma9ta9 ! process b make m9or  
*anges2 &  7,,iii7 options t make broad 

*anges to ! process4  7#b7 ,appeals     
process /udy  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!          
,commission or ,task ,=ce1 act+ ?r\gh ! 
subcommittee describ$ 9 subsection      
7d77#b77;,b71 %all c>ry out a /udy on ! 
anticipat$ increase ( appeals ( claims1 
includ+ ! curr5t appeals process & !    
laws & regulations applicable to su*    
appeals4 ,su* /udy %all be a            
compreh5sive evaluation & assessm5t (   
su* anticipat$ increase ( appeals       
claims1 an analysis ( possible          
improvem5ts to ! proc$ures us$ to       
process su* appeals1 & any relat$ issues
 t ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce consid]s 
relevant4  7,b7 ,matt]s includ$ ,9 c>ry+
 out ! /udy "u subp>agraph 7,a71 !      
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all exam9e ! 
foll[+3 7i7 ,! anticipat$ surge 9       
appeals ( claims1 includ+ an analysis   
(-- 7,i7 ! mo/ effective means to       
quickly & accurately resolve p5d+       
appeals & future appeals2  7,,ii7 )     
respect to bo? ! ,bo>d & ! ,c\rt (      
,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims1 ! annual   

fund+1 numb] ( full-"t employees1       
workload managem5t practices1 & !       
progress1 z ( ! date ( ! /udy1 ( !      
/rategic plan2 &  7,,iii7 ! effici5cy1  
effectiv5ess1 & utility ( ! ,vet]ans    
,b5efits ,managem5t ,sy/em ) respect to 
appeals op]ations1 includ+ an           
id5tification ( key *anges t may ne$ to 
be implem5t$ to su* sy/em4  7ii7        
,possible improvem5ts to ! appeals      
process1 includ+ an evaluation &        
recomm5dations ) respect to :e!r        
sub/antive & /ructural *anges to !      
ov]all appeals process are requir$4     
7iii7 ,9 c>ry+ out ! evaluation &       
recomm5dations "u clause 7ii71 an       
exam9ation (-- 7,i7 options t make no   
major sub/antive *anges to ! appeals    
process2  7,,ii7 options t ma9ta9 !     
process b make m9or *anges2  7,,iii7    
options t make broad *anges to !        
process2  7,,iv7 ! necessity ( !        
multi-ti]$ levels ( appeals at !        
regional (fice level1 includ+ fil+ a    
notice ( disagreem5t1 receipt ( a       

/atem5t ( ! case1 supplem5tal /atem5t ( 
! case 7if applicable71 & sub/antive    
appeal 7,,va ,=m #i72  7,v7 ! role ( !  
,bo>d & ! ,appeals ,managem5t ,c5t]1    
includ+-- 7aa7 ! effectiv5ess ( !       
workload managem5t ( ! ,bo>d & ! ,c5t]2 
7bb7 :e!r ! ,bo>d & ,c5t] %\ld be       
regionaliz$ or ma9ta9 ! c5traliz$       
/ructure 9 ! ,di/rict ( ,columbia2  7cc7
 :e!r ,bo>d memb]s %\ld be requir$ to   
pass ! adm9i/rative law judges          
c]tification exam9ation2 &  7dd7 :e!r ! 
,bo>d %\ld cont9ue to require de novo   
review ( appeals2 &  7,,vi7 ! role ( !  
,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims & ! 
,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals = !      
,f$]al ,circuit1 includ+-- 7aa7 !       
cont9u$ effectiv5ess & necessity ( a    
multi-ti]$ /ructure ( judicial review2  
7bb7 :e!r ! ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans 
,claims %\ld h ,article ,i or ,article  
,,iii /atus2  7cc7 expansion ( ei!r !   
,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims or !
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals = !     
,f$]al ,circuit jurisdiction1 includ+ by

 all[+ su* c\rts to he> class action    
lawsuits ) respect to claims2 &  7dd7 ! 
possibility ( exp&+ judicial review (   
claims to all ,f$]al circuit c\rts (    
appeals or all[+ judicial review beyond 
! ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims   
only by ! ,supreme ,c\rt4  7#c7         
,consid]ation ,9 c>ry+ out ! /udies "u  
p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 & 7#b77;,a7 & mak+   
any recomm5dations "u ?is section1 !    
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all consid] !
 foll[+3 7,a7 ,! int]e/s ( vet]ans1     
includ+ ) respect to accuracy1 fairness1
 & transp>5cy 9 ! claims process ( !    
,dep>tm5t4  7,b7 ,! values & requirem5ts
 ( ! ,con/itution1 includ+ ) respect to 
compliance ) proc$ural & sub/antive due 
process4  7,c7 ,! public int]e/1 includ+
 ) respect to ! responsible use (       
available res\rces4  7,d7 ,) respect to 
! /udy conduct$ "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a71 !
 importance ( ! claimant fri5dly1       
nonadv]s>ial nature ( ! claims process4 
7,e7 ,) respect to ! /udy conduct$ "u   
p>agraph 7#b77;,a71 ! importance ( an   

appeals process t is effici5t & easily  
und]/&able by a claimant4  7#d7 ,role ( 
,secret>y1 ,*airman ( ! ,bo>d1 & ,*ief  
,judge  7,a7 ,in=mation ,9 c>ry+ out ea*
 /udy "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 & 7#b77;,a71
 at times t ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce 
det]m9es appropriate1 ! ,commission or  
,task ,=ce %all submit to ! ,secret>y ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs1 ! ,*airman ( ! ,bo>d1
 & ! ,*ief ,judge ( ! ,c\rt ( ,appeals =
 ,vet]ans ,claims1 z ! case may be1     
in=mation ) respect to rem$ies &        
solutions t ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce 
id5tifies pursuant to su* a /udy4  7,b7 
,implem5tation ,! ,secret>y1 ! ,*airman 
( ! ,bo>d1 & ! ,*ief ,judge %all ea*--  
7i7 fully consid] ! rem$ies & solutions 
submitt$ to ! ,secret>y1 ! ,*airman1 or 
! ,*ief ,judge1 z ! case may be1 "u     
subp>agraph 7,a72  7ii7 implem5t su*    
rem$ies & solutions z ! ,secret>y1 !    
,*airman1 or ! ,*ief ,judge1            
respectively1 det]m9es appropriate2 &   
7iii7 submit to ,congress ju/ification =
 fail+ to implem5t any su* rem$y or     

solution4  7,c7 ,plan ,! ,commission or 
,task ,=ce %all submit to ! ,secret>y1 !
 ,*airman ( ! ,bo>d1 & ! ,*ief ,judge a 
feasible1 timely1 & co/-effective plan  
to elim9ate ! backlog ( appeals ( claims
 bas$ on ! rem$ies & solutions id5tifi$ 
pursuant to ! /udy "u p>agraph 7#b77;,a7
 & ! in=mation submitt$ "u subp>agraph  
7,a74  7c7 ,compreh5sive reports  7#a7  
,initial compreh5sive report ,n lat] ?an
 #fj days aft] ! date on :i* !          
,commission or ,task ,=ce fir/ meets1 ! 
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all submit to
 ! ,presid5t & ,congress an initial     
compreh5sive report on ! /udies conduct$
 "u p>agraphs 7#a77;,a7 & 7#b77;,a7 (   
subsection 7b71 includ+-- 7,a7 ! f9d+s (
 ! causes ( ! backlog ( claims2  7,b7 a 
propos$ plan to h&le ! anticipat$ surge 
9 appeals ( claims2 &  7,c7 ! level (   
coop]ation ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce  
has receiv$ f ! ,secret>y & ! heads (   
o!r dep>tm5ts or ag5cies ( ! ,f$]al     
,gov]nm5t4  7#b7 ,int]im compreh5sive   
reports ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date

 on :i* ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce fir/
 meets1 & ea* #cj-;day p]iod !reaft]    
end+ on ! date on :i* ! ,commission or  
,task ,=ce submits ! f9al compreh5sive  
report "u p>agraph 7#c71 ! ,commission  
or ,task ,=ce %all submit to ! ,presid5t
 & ,congress a compreh5sive report on-- 
7,a7 ! progress ( ! ,secret>y ) respect 
to implem5t+ solutions to exp$ite !     
elim9ation ( ! backlog ( claims pursuant
 to subsection 7b77#d77;,b77ii72  7,b7 !
 progress ( ! ,secret>y1 ! ,*airman ( ! 
,bo>d1 & ! ,*ief ,judge ( ! ,c\rt (     
,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims ) respect to
 implem5t+ solutions to complete appeals
 ( claims 9 a timely mann] 9 a timely   
mann] pursuant to su* subsection2 &     
7,c7 ! level ( coop]ation ! ,commission 
or ,task ,=ce has receiv$ f ! ,secret>y 
& ! heads ( o!r dep>tm5ts or ag5cies ( !
 ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t4  7#c7 ,f9al          
compreh5sive report ,n lat] ?an #ahj    
days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,commission or
 ,task ,=ce fir/ meets1 ! ,commission or
 ,task ,=ce %all submit to ! ,presid5t &

 ,congress a compreh5sive report on !   
foll[+3 7,a7 ,) respect to ! /udy       
conduct$ "u subsection 7b77#a77;,a7--   
7i7 ,! f9d+s1 conclusions1 &            
recomm5dations ( ! ,commission or ,task 
,=ce ) respect to ! matt]s ref]r$ to 9  
su* subsection4  7ii7 ,! recomm5dations 
( ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce = revis+ &
 improv+ ! backlog ( claims & !         
proc$ures us$ to process claims4  7iii7 
,! progress ( ! ,secret>y ) respect to  
implem5t+ solutions to exp$ite !        
elim9ation ( ! backlog ( claims pursuant
 to subsection 7b77#d77;,b77ii74  7iv7  
,o!r in=mation & recomm5dations )       
respect to claims z ! ,commission or    
,task ,=ce consid]s appropriate4  7,b7  
,) respect to ! /udy conduct$ "u        
subsection 7b77#b77;,a7-- 7i7 ,! f9d+s1 
conclusions1 & recomm5dations ( !       
,commission or ,task ,=ce ) respect to !
 matt]s ref]r$ to 9 su* subsection4     
7ii7 ,! recomm5dations ( ! ,commission  
or ,task ,=ce = revis+ & improv+ !      
appeals process2  7iii7 ,! in=mation    

describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#d77;,a74     
7iv7 ,! feasible1 timely1 & co/         
effective plan describ$ 9 subsection    
7b77#d77;,c74  7v7 ,! progress ( !      
,secret>y1 ! ,*airman ( ! ,bo>d1 & !    
,*ief ,judge ( ! ,c\rt ( ,appeals =     
,vet]ans ,claims ) respect to implem5t+ 
solutions to provide timely appeals (   
claims4  7vi7 ,o!r in=mation &          
recomm5dations ) respect to ! appeals   
process z ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce   
consid]s appropriate4  7d7 ,memb]%ip    
7#a7 ,numb] & appo9tm5t ,! ,commission  
or ,task ,=ce %all be compos$ ( #ae     
memb]s1 appo9t$ z foll[s3 7,a7 ,two     
memb]s appo9t$ by ! ,speak] ( ! ,h\se ( 
,repres5tatives1 "o ( :om %all be       
designat$ to s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on 
! ,backlog ( ,claims & "o ( :om %all be 
designat$ to s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on 
,appeals4  7,b7 ,two memb]s appo9t$ by !
 m9ority lead] ( ! ,h\se (              
,repres5tatives1 "o ( :om %all be       
designat$ to s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on 
! ,backlog ( ,claims & "o ( :om %all be 

designat$ to s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on 
,appeals4  7,c7 ,two memb]s appo9t$ by !
 majority lead] ( ! ,s5ate1 "o ( :om    
%all be designat$ to s]ve ^u !          
,subcommittee on ! ,backlog ( ,claims & 
"o ( :om %all be designat$ to s]ve ^u ! 
,subcommittee on ,appeals4  7,d7 ,two   
memb]s appo9t$ by ! m9ority lead] ( !   
,s5ate1 "o ( :om %all be designat$ to   
s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on ! ,backlog ( 
,claims & "o ( :om %all be designat$ to 
s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on ,appeals4    
7,e7 ,?ree memb]s appo9t$ by !          
,presid5t1 two ( :om %all be designat$  
to s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on ! ,backlog
 ( ,claims & "o ( :om %all be designat$ 
to s]ve ^u ! ,subcommittee on ,appeals4 
7,f7 ,"o memb] appo9t$ by ! ,secret>y ( 
,def5se1 :om %all be designat$ to s]ve  
^u ! ,subcommittee on ! ,backlog (      
,claims4  7,g7 ,two memb]s appo9t$ by ! 
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 "o ( :om 
%all be designat$ to s]ve ^u !          
,subcommittee on ! ,backlog ( ,claims & 
"o ( :om %all be designat$ to s]ve ^u ! 

,subcommittee on ,appeals4  7,h7 ,"o    
memb] appo9t$ by ! ,*ief ,judge ( !     
,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims1 :om
 %all be designat$ to s]ve ^u !         
,subcommittee on ,appeals4  7#b7        
,subcommittees ,! ,commission or ,task  
,=ce %all h two subcommittees z foll[s3 
7,a7 ,a ,subcommittee on ! ,backlog (   
,claims consi/+ ( ! eight memb]s        
designat$ 9 accordance ) p>agraph 7#a74 
7,b7 ,a ,subcommittee on ,appeals       
consi/+ ( ! sev5 memb]s designat$ 9     
accordance ) p>agraph 7#a74  7#c7       
,qualifications ,ea* memb] appo9t$ "u   
p>agraph 7#a7 %all be appo9t$ bas$ on ! 
exp]i5ce ( ! memb] z a vet]an or on !   
subject matt] exp]tise or o!r relevant  
exp]i5ce ( ! memb]4  7#d7 ,advisors     
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 addition to ! #ae      
memb]s appo9t$ "u p>agraph 7#a71 !      
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all-- 7i7 h  
five nonvot+1 nonmemb] advisors1 appo9t$
 by a majority ( ! ,commission or ,task 
,=ce1 ea* f a diff]5t organization t    
repres5ts ! int]e/s ( vet]ans2 &  7ii7  

seek advice f exp]ts f nongov]nm5tal    
organizations 7includ+ vet]ans s]vice   
organizations & milit>y organizations71 
! ,int]net te*nology indu/ry1 & !       
insurance indu/ry4  7,b7 ,advice        
,individuals describ$ 9 clause 7i7 &    
7ii7 ( subp>agraph 7,a7 %all provide    
advice to bo? subcommittees describ$ 9  
p>agraph 7#b74  7#e7 ,*airman ,!        
,presid5t %all designate a memb] ( !    
,commission or ,task ,=ce :o is appo9t$ 
by ! ,presid5t & designat$ to s]ve ^u ! 
,subcommittee on ! ,backlog ( ,claims to
 s]ve z ! *airman ( ! ,commission or    
,task ,=ce4 ,! *airman may designate a  
memb] to s]ve z ! *airman ( !           
,subcommittee on ! ,backlog ( ,claims & 
a memb] to s]ve z ! *airman ( !         
,subcommittee on ,appeals to *air su*   
subcommittees z ! designee ( ! *airman (
 ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce4  7#f7     
,p]iod ( ,appo9tm5t ,memb]s ( !         
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all be       
appo9t$ = ! life ( ! ,commission or     
,task ,=ce4 ,a vacancy %all n affect its

 p[]s4  7#g7 ,vacancy ,a vacancy on !   
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all be fill$ 
9 ! mann] 9 :i* ! orig9al appo9tm5t 0   
made4  7#h7 ,appo9tm5t deadl9e ,!       
appo9tm5t ( memb]s ( ! ,commission or   
,task ,=ce e/abli%$ 9 ?is section %all  
be made n lat] ?an #ae days aft] ! date 
( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7e7 ,meet+s   
7#a7 ,initial meet+ ,! ,commission or   
,task ,=ce %all hold its fir/ meet+ n   
lat] ?an #ae days aft] ! date on :i* a  
majority ( ! memb]s are appo9t$4  7#b7  
,meet+s ,! ,commission or ,task ,=ce    
%all meet at ! call ( ! *airman4  7#c7  
,quorum ,a majority ( ! memb]s ( !      
,commission or ,task ,=ce %all con/itute
 a quorum1 b a less] numb] may hold     
he>+s4  7f7 ,p[]s ( ! ,commission or    
,task ,=ce  7#a7 ,he>+s ,! ,commission  
or ,task ,=ce may hold su* he>+s1 sit & 
act at su* times & places1 take su*     
te/imony1 & receive su* evid5ce z !     
,commission or ,task ,=ce consid]s      
advisable to c>ry out ! purposes ( ?is  
section4  7#b7 ,in=mation f ,f$]al      

,ag5cies ,! ,commission or ,task ,=ce   
may secure directly f any dep>tm5t or   
ag5cy ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t su* in=mation
 z ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce consid]s 
necess>y to c>ry out ! provisions ( ?is 
section4 ,^u reque/ ( ! *airman1 ! head 
( su* dep>tm5t or ag5cy %all furni% su* 
in=mation to ! ,commission or ,task     
,=ce4  7#c7 ,po/al ,s]vices ,!          
,commission or ,task ,=ce may use !     
,unit$ ,/ates mails 9 ! same mann] & "u 
! same conditions z o!r dep>tm5ts &     
ag5cies ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t4  7#d7     
,gifts ,! ,commission or ,task ,=ce may 
accept1 use1 & dispose ( gifts or       
donations ( s]vice or prop]ty4  7g7     
,p]sonnel ,matt]s  7#a7 ,comp5sation (  
,memb]s ,ea* memb] ( ! ,commission or   
,task ,=ce :o is n an (fic] or employee 
( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all be comp5sat$ at a
 rate equal to ! daily equival5t ( !    
annual rate ( basic pay prescrib$ =     
level ,,iv ( ! ,executive ,s*$ule "u    
section #ecae ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code1 = ea* day 7includ+ travel "t7    

dur+ :i* ! memb] is engag$ 9 ! p]=mance 
( ! duties ( ! ,commission or ,task     
,=ce4 ,all memb]s ( ! ,commission or    
,task ,=ce :o are (fic]s or employees ( 
! ,unit$ ,/ates %all s]ve )\t           
comp5sation 9 addition to t receiv$ = _!
 s]vices z (fic]s or employees ( !      
,unit$ ,/ates4  7#b7 ,travel ,exp5ses ,!
 memb]s ( ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce   
%all be all[$ travel exp5ses1 includ+ p]
 diem 9 lieu ( subsi/5ce1 at rates      
au?oriz$ = employees ( ag5cies "u       
sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #eg ( title #e1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 :ile away f _!     
homes or regul> places ( bus9ess 9 !    
p]=mance ( s]vice ( ! ,commission or    
,task ,=ce4  7#c7 ,/aff  7,a7 ,appo9tm5t
 ,! *airman ( ! ,commission or ,task    
,=ce may1 )\t reg>d to ! civil s]vice   
laws & regulations1 appo9t an executive 
director & su* o!r p]sonnel z may be    
necess>y to enable ! ,commission or     
,task ,=ce to p]=m its duties4 ,!       
appo9tm5t ( an executive director %all  
be subject to ! approval ( ! ,commission

 or ,task ,=ce4  7,b7 ,comp5sation ,!   
*airman ( ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce   
may fix ! comp5sation ( ! executive     
director & o!r p]sonnel )\t reg>d to !  
provisions ( *apt] #ea & sub*apt] ,,iii 
( *apt] #ec ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code1 relat+ to classification (       
positions & ,g5]al ,s*$ule pay rates1   
except t ! rate ( pay = ! executive     
director & o!r p]sonnel may n exce$ !   
rate payable = level ,v ( ! ,executive  
,s*$ule "u section #ecaf ( su* title4   
7#d7 ,detail ( ,gov]nm5t ,employees ,^u 
reque/ ( ! *airman ( ! ,commission or   
,task ,=ce1 ! head ( any dep>tm5t or    
ag5cy ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t may detail1  
on a nonreimbursable basis1 any p]sonnel
 ( t dep>tm5t or ag5cy to ! ,commission 
or ,task ,=ce to assi/ x 9 c>ry+ out its
 duties4  7#e7 ,procurem5t ( ,tempor>y &
 ,int]mitt5t ,s]vices ,! *airman ( !    
,commission or ,task ,=ce may procure   
tempor>y & int]mitt5t s]vices "u section
 #caji7;b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 at rates = individuals :i* d n   

exce$ ! daily equival5t ( ! annual rate 
( basic pay prescrib$ = level ,v ( !    
,executive ,s*$ule "u section #ecaf (   
su* title4  7h7 ,t]m9ation ( ,commission
 or ,task ,=ce ,! ,commission or ,task  
,=ce %all t]m9ate #fj days aft] ! date  
on :i* ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce      
submits ! f9al compreh5sive report "u   
subsection 7c77#c74  7i7 ,fund+  7#a7 ,9
 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all1 ^u ! reque/ ( 
! *airman ( ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce1
 make available to ! ,commission or     
,task ,=ce su* am\nts z ! ,commission or
 ,task ,=ce may require to c>ry out !   
duties ( ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce "u 
?is section4  7#b7 ,availability ,any   
sums made available to ! ,commission or 
,task ,=ce %all rema9 available1 )\t    
fiscal ye> limitation1 until ! t]m9ation
 ( ! ,commission or ,task ,=ce4  7j7    
,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,! t]m 
appeals process means ! process to      
appeal ! det]m9ation by ! ,secret>y ( a 
claim beg9n+ ) ! notice ( disagreem5t   
fil$ pursuant to section #gaje ( title  

#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & end+ ) !    
review ( a decision by ! ,supreme ,c\rt 
pursuant to section #gbib7;c7 ( su*     
title4  7#b7 ,! t]m ,bo>d means ! ,bo>d 
( ,vet]ans' ,appeals4  7#c7 ,! t]m      
/rategic plan means ! ,/rategic ,plan to
 ,elim9ate ! ,comp5sation ,claims       
,backlog1 publi%$ by ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs on ,janu>y #be1 #bjac4
  #ajb4 ,supplem5tal reports to !       
,/rategic ,plan to ,elim9ate !          
,comp5sation ,claims ,backlog ,n lat]   
?an #fj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( 
?is ,act1 & e #abj days !reaft] until   
,memorial ,day 7,may #be71 #bjae1 !     
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
submit to ,congress a supplem5tal report
 on ! implem5tation by ! ,dep>tm5t (    
,vet]ans ,affairs ( ! ,/rategic ,plan to
 ,elim9ate ! ,comp5sation ,claims       
,backlog4 ,ea* su* report %all include--
 7#a7 v]ification t dur+ ! p]iod cov]$  
by ! report1 ea* claim 0 approv$ or d5i$
 by n lat] ?an #abe days aft] ! date on 
:i* ! claim is submitt$ ) an accuracy   

rate ( #ih p]c5t1 z specifi$ 9 !        
,/rategic ,plan2  7#b7 a description ( !
 specific measures1 proc$ures1 & metrics
 us$ to assess ! implem5tation ( !      
,/rategic ,plan = purposes ( !          
supplem5tal report2 &  7#c7 a detail$   
timel9e = ! implem5tation ( ea*         
initiative conta9$ 9 ! ,/rategic ,plan4 
#ajc4 ,exp$ition ( transf] ( c]ta9      
records  7a7 ,,ssa records ,n lat] ?an  
#fj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is 
,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs   
%all ent] into an agreem5t ) !          
,commission] ( ! ,social ,security      
,adm9i/ration to ensure t ! ,commission]
 transf]s to ! ,secret>y disability or  
m$ical records ( ! ,commission] t !     
,secret>y w use to evaluate a claim by n
 lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! ,secret>y     
reque/s su* records4  7b7 ,,dod records 
,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( !    
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs %all ent] into an     
agreem5t ) ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se to     
ensure t ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se transf]s 

to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs      
m$ical records ( memb]s or =m] memb]s ( 
! ,arm$ ,=ces t ! ,secret>y w use to    
evaluate a claim by n lat] ?an #cj days 
aft] ! ,secret>y reque/s su* records4   
7c7 ,national ,gu>d records ,n lat] ?an 
#fj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is 
,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & 
! ,secret>y ( ,def5se %all jo9tly-- 7#a7
 submit to ,congress a plan to r$uce to 
#cj days ! am\nt ( "t ne$$ to provide   
memb]s ( ! ,national ,gu>d & ! ,secret>y
 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ) ! m$ical records 
( su* memb]s1 includ+ by p>tn]+ )       
appropriate (ficials ( ,f$]al or ,/ate  
dep>tm5ts or ag5cies2 &  7#b7 implem5t  
su* plan4  7d7 ,effective date ,?is     
section %all take effect on ! date t is 
"o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is   
,act4  #ajd4 ,claims processors tra9+   
7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs %all e/abli% a tra9+ program to
 provide newly hir$ claims processors ( 
! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ) tra9+ 
= a p]iod ( n less ?an two ye>s4 ,9     

c>ry+ out su* program1 ! ,secret>y %all 
id5tify successful claims processors ( !
 ,dep>tm5t :o c assi/ 9 ! tra9+ ( newly 
hir$ claims processors4  7b7 ,ability to
 process claims ,! ,secret>y %all c>ry  
out ! tra9+ program e/abli%$ "u         
subsection 7a7 )\t increas+ ! am\nt ( "t
 9 :i* claims are process$ by !         
,dep>tm5t4  7c7 ,effective date ,?is    
section %all take effect on ! date t is 
"o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is   
,act4  #aje4 ,report by ,comptroll]     
,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,n lat] ?an "o 
ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1
 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
%all submit to ,congress a report on !  
progress ( ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs 9 improv+ ! timel9ess ( claims 
process+ & elim9at+ ! backlog ( claims4 
,! report %all include any              
recomm5dations ( ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ) 
respect to improv+ ! ability ( !        
,secret>y to make su* progress4  #ajf4  
,priority = process+ claims ( !         
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9   

g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #ea ( title  
#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new section3     
#eaji;,c4 ,priority = process+ claims   
7a7 ,priority ,9 process+ claims =      
comp5sation "u ?is *apt]1 ! ,secret>y   
%all provide ! foll[+ claimants )       
priority ov] o!r claimants3 7#a7        
,vet]ans :o h atta9$ ! age ( #gj4  7#b7 
,vet]ans :o are t]m9ally ill4  7#c7     
,vet]ans ) life-?reat5+ illnesses4  7#d7
 ,homeless vet]ans 7z def9$ 9 section   
#bjjb ( ?is title74  7#e7 ,vet]ans :o 7 
aw>d$ ! ,m$al ( ,honor4  7#f7 ,vet]ans  
:o are =m] prison]s ( w>4  7#g7 ,vet]ans
 ^: claims are be+ review$ aga9 9       
relation to a previ\sly d5i$ claim      
relat+ to milit>y sexual trauma4  7#h7  
,vet]ans :om ! ,secret>y det]m9es1 on a 
case-by-case basis1 are s]i\sly or v    
s]i\sly injur$4  7#i7 ,vet]ans :om !    
,secret>y det]m9es1 on a case-by-case   
basis1 %\ld be giv5 priority "u ?is     
section bas$ on an application = good   
cause e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y4  7b7     

,regulations ,! ,secret>y %all prescribe
 regulations to c>ry out subsection 7a74
  4  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table (    
sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is     
am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to   
section #eaji;,b ! foll[+ new item3     
#eaji;,c4 ,priority = process+ claims4  
4  #ajg4 ,public availability ( c]ta9   
in=mation ab\t p5d+ & complet$ claims = 
comp5sation "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by !     
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9   
g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #ea ( title  
#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
add+ aft] section #eaji;,c1 z add$ by   
section #ajf1 ! foll[+ new section3     
#eaji;,d4 ,in=mation ab\t p5d+ &        
complet$ claims  7a7 ,availability (    
in=mation ,! ,secret>y %all ma9ta9 on ! 
,int]net website ( ! ,dep>tm5t publicly 
accessible in=mation ab\t p5d+ &        
complet$ claims = comp5sation "u *apt]  
#aa ( ?is title4 ,su* in=mation %all    
include ea* ( ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,= ea*     
regional (fice & = ! ,dep>tm5t z a      
:ole-- 7,a7 ! av]age numb] ( days betwe5

 ! date ( ! submittal ( a claim & ! date
 ( ! decision ) respect to ! claim = ea*
 ( ! prec$+ ?ree-mon? & "o-ye> p]iod2   
7,b7 ! av]age numb] ( days su* a claim  
is p5d+ dur+ ! prec$+ ?ree-mon? & "o-ye>
 p]iods2  7,c7 ! quality & accuracy rat+
 ( ! claims adjudication process dur+ ! 
prec$+ ?ree-mon? & "o-ye> p]iods2  7,d7 
! numb] ( claims p5d+2  7,e7 ! numb] (  
p5d+ claims t h be5 p5d+ = m ?an #abe   
days2 &  7,f7 ! numb] ( claims complet$ 
dur+-- 7i7 ! curr5t mon?1 to date2  7ii7
 ! mon? prec$+ ! curr5t mon?2  7iii7 !  
curr5t cal5d> ye>1 to date2 &  7iv7 !   
cal5d> ye> prec$+ ! curr5t cal5d> ye>4  
7#b7 ,= ea* m$ical condition = :i* a    
claim = comp5sation is submitt$1 = ea*  
regional (fice & = ! ,dep>tm5t z a      
:ole-- 7,a7 ! av]age numb] ( days betwe5
 ! date ( ! submittal ( a claim relat+  
to su* m$ical condition & ! date ( !    
decision ) respect to ! claim = ea* ( ! 
prec$+ ?ree-mon? & "o-ye> p]iod2  7,b7 !
 av]age numb] ( days su* a claim is p5d+
 dur+ ! prec$+ ?ree-mon? & "o-ye>       

p]iods2  7,c7 ! quality & accuracy rat+ 
( ! claims adjudication process z appli$
 to claims relat+ to su* m$ical         
condition dur+ ! prec$+ ?ree-mon? &     
"o-ye> p]iods2  7,d7 ! numb] ( p5d+     
claims relat+ to su* condition2  7,e7 ! 
numb] ( su* p5d+ claims t h be5 p5d+ = m
 ?an #abe days2 &  7,f7 ! numb] ( claims
 relat+ to su* m$ical condition complet$
 dur+-- 7i7 ! curr5t mon?1 to date2     
7ii7 ! mon? prec$+ curr5t mon?2  7iii7 !
 curr5t cal5d> ye>1 to date2 &  7iv7 !  
cal5d> ye> prec$+ ! curr5t cal5d> ye>4  
7b7 ,updates ,! ,secret>y %all update ! 
in=mation on ! website "u subsection 7a7
 n less frequ5tly ?an once e sev5 days4 
4  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table (      
sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is     
am5d$ by add+ aft] ! item relat+ to     
section #eaji;,c1 z add$ by section     
#ajf1 ! foll[+ new item3  #eaji;,d4     
,in=mation ab\t p5d+ & complet$ claims4 
4  #ajh4 ,annual report on process+ (   
claims  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i (     
*apt] #ea ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    

,code1 is am5d$ by add+ aft] section    
#eaji;,d1 z add$ by section #ajg1 !     
foll[+ new section3  #eaji;,e4 ,annual  
report on process+ ( claims  7a7 ,annual
 report ,! ,secret>y %all include 9 !   
annual report to ,congress requir$ "u   
section #ebi ( ?is title in=mation on ! 
foll[+3 7#a7 ,! automatic process+ (    
claims = comp5sation4  7#b7 ,! p]=mance 
( any regional (fice t fails to meet !  
adm9i/rative goals ( ! regional (fice ) 
respect to timel9ess & accuracy 9       
process+ claims = comp5sation4  7#c7 ,! 
timel9ess ( receiv+ in=mation pursuant  
to a reque/ by ! ,secret>y to ! head (  
ano!r dep>tm5t or ag5cy ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates = in=mation requir$ by !         
,secret>y 9 adjudicat+ a claim =        
comp5sation "u *apt] #aa ( ?is title4   
7b7 ,matt]s includ$ ,9 c>ry+ out        
subsection 7a7 to include in=mation 9 ! 
report requir$ "u section #ebi ( ?is    
title1 ! ,secret>y %all include !       
foll[+3 7#a7 ,) respect to ! in=mation  
requir$ by subsection 7a77#a7-- 7,a7 ea*

 m$ical condition = :i* claims relat+ to
 su* condition 7 process$ 9 an          
electronic automat$ fa%ion dur+ ! fiscal
 ye> cov]$ by ! report2  7,b7 !         
feasibility ( process+ any additional   
m$ical conditions 9 an electronic       
automat$ fa%ion & any b>ri]s to su*     
process+1 includ+ any su* b>ri]s relat+ 
to ! s*$ule = rat+ disabilities "u      
section #aaee ( ?is title2  7,c7 ! numb]
 ( claims = comp5sation relat+ to ea*   
m$ical condition submitt$ dur+ su*      
fiscal ye>2 &  7,d7 = ea* m$ical        
condition1 ! p]c5tage ( claims d5i$ & ! 
p]c5tage ( claims approv$ dur+ su*      
fiscal ye>4  7#b7 ,) respect to !       
in=mation requir$ by subsection 7a77#b71
 9 ! case ( any regional (fice t1 = !   
fiscal ye> cov]$ by ! report1 did n meet
 ! adm9i/rative goal ( hav+ no claim    
p5d+ = m ?an #abe days & a*iev+ an      
accuracy rat+ ( #ih p]c5t-- 7,a7 a sign$
 /atem5t prep>$ by ! individual s]v+ z  
director ( ! regional (fice z ( ! date (
 ! submittal ( ! report conta9+-- 7i7 an

 explanation = :y ! regional (fice did n
 meet ! goal2  7ii7 a description ( !   
additional res\rces ne$$ to enable !    
regional (fice to rea* ! goal2 &  7iii7 
a description ( any additional actions  
plann$ = ! subsequ5t fiscal ye> t are   
propos$ to enable ! regional (fice to   
meet ! goal2 &  7,b7 a /atem5t prep>$ by
 ! ,"u ,secret>y = ,b5efits expla9+ h[ !
 failure ( ! regional (fice to meet !   
goal affect$ ! p]=mance evaluation ( !  
director ( ! regional (fice4  7#c7 ,)   
respect to ! in=mation requir$ by       
subsection 7a77#c7-- 7,a7 ! numb] (     
reque/s describ$ 9 su* p>agraph made    
dur+ ! fiscal ye> cov]$ by ! report2 &  
7,b7 ! av]age response "t = su* reque/s 
made dur+ ea* mon? ( su* fiscal ye>1 z  
det]m9$ bas$ on ! p]iod beg9n+ on ! date
 on :i* ! ,secret>y made ! reque/ & end+
 on ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y det]m9es t
 ! reque/ is complet$4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical 
am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ 
( su* *apt] is am5d$ by add+ aft] ! item
 relat+ to section #eaji;,d1 z add$ by  

section #ajg1 ! foll[+ new item3        
#eaji;,e4 ,annual report on process+ (  
claims4  4  7c7 ,effective date ,section
 #eaji;,e ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a7 %all    
take effect on ! date t is "o ye> aft] !
 date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #aji4   
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs notice (  
av]age times = process+ claims &        
p]c5tage ( claims approv$  7a7 ,public  
notice ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 
%all po/ ! in=mation describ$ 9         
subsection 7c7-- 7#a7 9 a conspicu\s    
place 9 ea* regional (fice & claims     
intake facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t (       
,vet]ans ,affairs2 &  7#b7 on ! ,int]net
 website ( ! ,dep>tm5t4  7b7 ,notice to 
applicants  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y  
%all provide to ea* p]son :o submits a  
claim = b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! 
,secret>y be=e ! p]son submits su*      
claim-- 7,a7 notice ( ! in=mation       
describ$ 9 subsection 7c72 &  7,b7      
notice t1 dur+ ! p]iod end+ on ,augu/   
#f1 #bjae1 ! p]son is eligible to       

receive up to an extra ye> ( b5efits    
paym5ts if ! p]son files an orig9al     
claim t is fully develop$4  7#b7        
,ackn[l$gm5t ( receipt ( notice ,ea*    
p]son :o submits a claim = b5efits "u ! 
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y %all       
include 9 su* application a sign$ =m    
ackn[l$g+ t ! p]son receiv$ ! in=mation 
describ$ 9 subsection 7c74  7c7         
,in=mation describ$  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!   
in=mation describ$ 9 ?is subsection is !
 foll[+3 7,a7 ,! av]age process+ "t ( ! 
claims describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 & !     
p]c5tage ( su* submitt$ claims = :i*    
b5efits are aw>d$4  7,b7 ,! p]c5tage (  
ea* ( ! foll[+ types ( submitt$ claims =
 b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by !        
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = :i*     
b5efits are aw>d$3 7i7 ,claims fil$ by  
vet]ans :o au?oriz$ a vet]ans s]vice    
organization to act on ! vet]ans' behalf
 "u a durable p[] ( attorney4  7ii7     
,claims fil$ by vet]ans :o au?oriz$ a   
p]son o!r ?an a vet]ans s]vice          
organization to act on ! vet]ans' behalf

 "u a durable p[] ( attorney4  7iii7    
,claims fil$ by vet]ans :o did n        
au?orize a p]son to act on ! vet]ans'   
behalf "u a durable p[] ( attorney4     
7#b7 ,claims describ$ ,! claims describ$
 9 ?is p>agraph are ea* ( ! foll[+ types
 ( claims = b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$  
by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs3 7,a7
 ,a fully develop$ claim t is submitt$ 9
 /&>d electronic =m4  7,b7 ,a fully     
develop$ claim t is submitt$ 9 /&>d pap]
 =m4  7,c7 ,a claim t is n fully        
develop$ t is submitt$ 9 /&>d electronic
 =m4  7,d7 ,a claim t is n fully        
develop$ t is submitt$ 9 /&>d pap] =m4  
7,e7 ,a claim t is n fully develop$ t is
 submitt$ 9 non/&>d pap] =m4  7#c7      
,update ( in=mation ,! in=mation        
describ$ 9 ?is subsection %all be updat$
 n less frequ5tly ?an once ea* fiscal   
qu>t]4  7d7 ,effective date ,?is section
 %all take effect on ! date t is "o ye> 
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4    
#aaj4 ,claim def9$ ,except z o!rwise    
provid$1 9 ?is title1 ! t]m claim means 

a claim = disability comp5sation "u !   
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs4  ,,ii ,comp5sation & ,p5sions 
#bja4 ,improvem5ts to au?ority =        
p]=mance ( m$ical disabilities          
exam9ations by contract physicians  7a7 
,ext5sion ( tempor>y au?ority           
,subsection 7c7 ( section #gjd ( !      
,vet]ans ,b5efits ,act ( #bjjc 7#ch     
,u4,s4,c4 #eaja note7 is am5d$ by /rik+ 
,decemb] #ca1 #bjac & ins]t+ ,decemb]   
#ca1 #bjaf4  7b7 ,lic5sure ( contract   
physicians  7#a7 ,tempor>y au?ority ,su*
 section #gjd is fur!r am5d$-- 7,a7 by  
r$esignat+ subsection 7d7 z subsection  
7e72 &  7,b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection  
7c7 ! foll[+ new subsection 7d73  7d7   
,lic5sure ( contract physicians  7#a7 ,9
 g5]al ,not)/&+ any law reg>d+ !        
lic5sure ( physicians1 a physician      
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 may conduct an 
exam9ation pursuant to a contract ent]$ 
into "u subsection 7b7 at any location 9
 any ,/ate1 ! ,di/rict ( ,columbia1 or a
 ,commonweal?1 t]ritory1 or possession (

 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 s long z ! exam9ation 
is )9 ! scope ( ! au?oriz$ duties "u su*
 contract4  7#b7 ,physician describ$ ,a 
physician describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph is a  
physician :o-- 7,a7 has a curr5t lic5se 
to practice ! heal? c>e pr(ession ( !   
physician2 &  7,b7 is p]=m+ au?oriz$    
duties = ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs
 pursuant to a contract ent]$ into "u   
subsection 7b74  4  7#b7 ,pilot program 
,section #ejd ( ! ,vet]ans' ,b5efits    
,improvem5t ,act ( #aiif 7#ch ,u4,s4,c4 
#eaja note7 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by          
r$esignat+ subsections 7c7 & 7d7 z      
subsections 7d7 & 7e71 respectively2 &  
7,b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7b7 !    
foll[+ new subsection 7c73  7c7         
,lic5sure ( contract physicians  7#a7 ,9
 g5]al ,not)/&+ any law reg>d+ !        
lic5sure ( physicians1 a physician      
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 may conduct an 
exam9ation pursuant to a contract ent]$ 
into "u subsection 7a7 at any location 9
 any ,/ate1 ! ,di/rict ( ,columbia1 or a
 ,commonweal?1 t]ritory1 or possession (

 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 s long z ! exam9ation 
is )9 ! scope ( ! au?oriz$ duties "u su*
 contract4  7#b7 ,physician describ$ ,a 
physician describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph is a  
physician :o-- 7,a7 has a curr5t lic5se 
to practice ! heal? c>e pr(ession ( !   
physician2 &  7,b7 is p]=m+ au?oriz$    
duties = ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs
 pursuant to a contract ent]$ into "u   
subsection 7a74  4  7c7 ,expansion (    
pilot program ,subsection 7b7 ( su*     
section #ejd is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 
7b7 ,locations  7#a7 ,numb] ,! ,secret>y
 may c>ry out ! pilot program "u ?is    
section ?r\gh n m ?an #ae regional      
(fices ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans         
,affairs4  7#b7 ,selection ,! ,secret>y 
%all select ! regional (fices "u        
p>agraph 7#a7 by analyz+ appropriate    
data to det]m9e ! regional (fices t     
require support4 ,su* appropriate data  
%all include-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( backlogg$ 
claims2  7,b7 ! total p5d+ case         
workload2  7,c7 ! l5g? ( "t cases h be5 
p5d+2  7,d7 ! accuracy ( complet$ cases2

  7,e7 ! ov]all timel9ess ( complet$    
cases2  7,f7 ! availability & workload (
 ! exam9ation units & physicians ( !    
m$ical c5t]s 9 ! regional (fice2 &  7,g7
 any o!r data ! ,secret>y det]m9es      
appropriate4  7#c7 ,annual analysis ,!  
,secret>y %all c>ry out ! data analysis 
( ! regional (fices "u p>agraph 7#b7    
dur+ ea* ye> 9 :i* ! program "u ?is     
section is c>ri$ out to det]m9e !       
regional (fices select$ "u p>agraph 7#a7
 = su* ye>4  4  7d7 ,effective date ,?is
 section & ! am5dm5t made by ?is section
 %all take effect on ! date t is "o ye> 
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4    
#bjb4 ,consid]ation by ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs ( res\rces dispos$ ( =
 less ?an fair m>ket value by           
individuals apply+ = p5sion  7a7        
,vet]ans ,section #aebb ( title #ch1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9  
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by ins]t+ 7#a7    
be=e ,! ,secret>y2 &  7,b7 by add+ at ! 
end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#b7 7,a7   
,if a vet]an o!rwise eligible = paym5t (

 p5sion "u section #aeac or #aeba ( ?is 
title or ! sp\se ( su* vet]an disposes (
 cov]$ res\rces = less ?an fair m>ket   
value on or aft] ! look-back date       
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,c77i71 !       
,secret>y %all d5y or discont9ue !      
paym5t ( p5sion to su* vet]an "u section
 #aeac or #aeba ( ?is title1 z ! case   
may be1 = mon?s dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on !
 date describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,d7 &     
equal to ! numb] ( mon?s calculat$ z    
provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,e74  7,b7 7i7 ,=
 purposes ( ?is p>agraph1 a cov]$       
res\rce is any res\rce t 0 a "p ( !     
corpus ( ! e/ate ( ! vet]an or1 if !    
vet]an has a sp\se1 ! corpus ( ! e/ates 
( ! vet]an & ( ! vet]an's sp\se1 t !    
,secret>y consid]s t "u all !           
circum/ances1 if ! vet]an or sp\se _h n 
dispos$ ( su* res\rce1 x w\ld be        
reasonable t ! res\rce 7or "s portion ( 
! res\rce7 be consum$ = ! vet]an's      
ma9t5ance4  7ii7 ,= purposes ( ?is      
p>agraph1 ! ,secret>y may consid]1 9    
accordance ) regulations ! ,secret>y    

%all prescribe1 a transf] ( an asset    
7includ+ a transf] ( an asset to an     
annuity1 tru/1 or o!r f9ancial in/rum5t 
or inve/m5t7 a disposal ( a cov]$       
res\rce = less ?an fair m>ket value if  
su* transf] r$uces ! am\nt 9 ! corpus ( 
! e/ate ( ! vet]an or1 if ! vet]an has a
 sp\se1 ! corpus ( ! e/ates ( ! vet]an &
 ( ! vet]an's sp\se1 t ! ,secret>y      
consid]s1 "u all ! circum/ances1 w\ld be
 reasonable to be consum$ = ! vet]an's  
ma9t5ance4  7,c7 7i7 ,! look-back date  
describ$ 9 ?is clause is a date t is #cf
 mon?s be=e ! date describ$ 9 clause    
7ii74  7ii7 ,! date describ$ 9 ?is      
clause is ! date on :i* ! vet]an applies
 = p5sion "u section #aeac or #aeba (   
?is title or1 if lat]1 ! date on :i* !  
vet]an 7or ! sp\se ( ! vet]an7 disposes 
( cov]$ res\rces = less ?an fair m>ket  
value4  7,d7 ,! date describ$ 9 ?is     
subp>agraph is ! fir/ day ( ! fir/ mon? 
9 or aft] :i* cov]$ res\rces 7 dispos$ (
 = less ?an fair m>ket value & :i* does 
n occur 9 any o!r p]iod ( ineligibility 

"u ?is p>agraph4  7,e7 ,! numb] ( mon?s 
calculat$ "u ?is subp>agraph %all be    
equal to-- 7i7 ! total1 cumulative      
uncomp5sat$ value ( ! portion ( cov]$   
res\rces s dispos$ ( by ! vet]an 7or !  
sp\se ( ! vet]an7 on or aft] ! look-back
 date describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,c77i7 t !
 ,secret>y det]m9es w\ld reasonably h   
be5 consum$ = ! vet]an's ma9t5ance2     
divid$ by  7ii7 ! maximum am\nt ( mon?ly
 p5sion t is payable to a vet]an "u     
section #aeac or #aeba ( ?is title1     
includ+ ! maximum am\nt ( increas$      
p5sion payable "u su* sections on acc\nt
 ( family memb]s1 b n includ+ any am\nt 
( p5sion payable "u su* sections because
 a vet]an is 9 ne$ ( regul> aid &       
att5dance or is p]man5tly h\seb\nd1     
r\nd$1 9 ! case ( any fraction1 to !    
ne>e/ :ole numb]1 b %all n 9 any case   
exce$ #cf mon?s4  2  7#b7 9 subsection  
7b7-- 7,a7 by ins]t+ 7#a7 be=e ,!       
,secret>y2 &  7,b7 by add+ at ! end !   
foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#b7 7,a7 ,if a   
vet]an o!rwise eligible = paym5t (      

increas$ p5sion "u subsection 7c71 7d71 
7e71 or 7f7 ( section #aeba ( ?is title 
on acc\nt ( a *ild1 ! sp\se ( ! vet]an1 
or ! *ild disposes ( cov]$ res\rces =   
less ?an fair m>ket value on or aft] !  
look-back date describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,c77i71 ! ,secret>y %all d5y or        
discont9ue paym5t ( su* increas$ p5sion 
= mon?s dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on ! date   
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,d7 & equal to !
 numb] ( mon?s calculat$ z provid$ 9    
subp>agraph 7,e74  7,b7 7i7 ,= purposes 
( ?is p>agraph1 a cov]$ res\rce is any  
res\rce t 0 a "p ( ! corpus ( ! e/ate ( 
! *ild t ! ,secret>y consid]s t "u all !
 circum/ances1 if ! vet]an1 ! sp\se ( ! 
vet]an1 or ! *ild _h n dispos$ ( su*    
res\rce1 x w\ld be reasonable t !       
res\rce 7or "s portion ( ! res\rce7 be  
consum$ = ! *ild's ma9t5ance4  7ii7 ,=  
purposes ( ?is p>agraph1 ! ,secret>y may
 consid]1 9 accordance ) regulations !  
,secret>y %all prescribe1 a transf] ( an
 asset 7includ+ a transf] ( an asset to 
an annuity1 tru/1 or o!r f9ancial       

in/rum5t or inve/m5t7 a disposal ( a    
cov]$ res\rce = less ?an fair m>ket     
value if su* transf] r$uces ! am\nt 9 ! 
corpus ( ! e/ate ( ! *ild t ! ,secret>y 
consid]s1 "u all ! circum/ances1 w\ld be
 reasonable to be consum$ = ! *ild's    
ma9t5ance4  7,c7 7i7 ,! look-back date  
describ$ 9 ?is clause is a date t is #cf
 mon?s be=e ! date describ$ 9 clause    
7ii74  7ii7 ,! date describ$ 9 ?is      
clause is ! date on :i* ! vet]an applies
 = paym5t ( increas$ p5sion "u          
subsection 7c71 7d71 7e71 or 7f7 (      
section #aeba ( ?is title on acc\nt ( a 
*ild or1 if lat]1 ! date on :i* !       
vet]an1 ! sp\se ( ! vet]an1 or ! *ild   
disposes ( cov]$ res\rces = less ?an    
fair m>ket value4  7,d7 ,! date describ$
 9 ?is subp>agraph is ! fir/ day ( !    
fir/ mon? 9 or aft] :i* cov]$ res\rces 7
 dispos$ ( = less ?an fair m>ket value &
 :i* does n occur 9 any o!r p]iod (     
ineligibility "u ?is p>agraph4  7,e7 ,! 
numb] ( mon?s calculat$ "u ?is          
subp>agraph %all be equal to-- 7i7 !    

total1 cumulative uncomp5sat$ value ( ! 
portion ( cov]$ res\rces s dispos$ ( by 
! vet]an1 ! sp\se ( ! vet]an1 or ! *ild 
on or aft] ! look-back date describ$ 9  
subp>agraph 7,c77i7 t ! ,secret>y       
det]m9es w\ld reasonably h be5 consum$ =
 ! *ild's ma9t5ance2 divid$ by  7ii7 !  
maximum am\nt ( increas$ mon?ly p5sion t
 is payable to a vet]an "u subsection   
7c71 7d71 7e71 or 7f7 ( section #aeba ( 
?is title on acc\nt ( a *ild1  r\nd$1 9 
! case ( any fraction1 to ! ne>e/ :ole  
numb]1 b %all n 9 any case exce$ #cf    
mon?s4  2 &  7#c7 by add+ at ! end !    
foll[+ new subsections3  7c7 7#a7 ,!    
,secret>y %all n d5y or discont9ue      
paym5t ( p5sion "u section #aeac or     
#aeba ( ?is title or paym5t ( increas$  
p5sion "u subsection 7c71 7d71 7e71 or  
7f7 ( section #aeba ( ?is title on      
acc\nt ( a *ild by reason ( !           
application ( subsection 7a77#b7 or     
7b77#b7 ( ?is section to ! disposal (   
res\rces by an individual to ! ext5t t--
 7,a7 a satisfactory %[+ is made to !   

,secret>y 79 accordance ) regulations   
promulgat$ by ! ,secret>y7 t all        
res\rces dispos$ ( = less ?an fair m>ket
 value h be5 return$ to ! individual :o 
dispos$ ( ! res\rces2 or  7,b7 !        
,secret>y det]m9es1 "u proc$ures        
e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y1 t ! d5ial or   
discont9uance ( paym5t w\ld "w an undue 
h>d%ip z det]m9$ on ! basis ( crit]ia   
e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y4  7#b7 ,at ! "t 
a vet]an applies = p5sion "u section    
#aeac or #aeba ( ?is title or increas$  
p5sion "u subsection 7c71 7d71 7e71 or  
7f7 ( section #aeba ( ?is title on      
acc\nt ( a *ild1 & at su* o!r times z ! 
,secret>y consid]s appropriate1 !       
,secret>y %all-- 7,a7 in=m su* vet]an ( 
! provisions ( subsections 7a77#b7 &    
7b77#b7 provid+ = a p]iod (             
ineligibility = paym5t ( p5sion "u su*  
sections = individuals :o make c]ta9    
dispositions ( res\rces = less ?an fair 
m>ket value2 &  7,b7 obta9 f su* vet]an 
in=mation :i* may be us$ 9 det]m9+ :e!r 
or n a p]iod ( ineligibility = su*      

paym5ts w\ld be requir$ by reason ( su* 
subsections4  7d7 ,subsections 7a77#b7 &
 7b77#b7 %all n apply ) respect to !    
disposal ( res\rces or ! transf] ( an   
asset if su* disposal or transf] is to a
 tru/ describ$ 9 section #aiag7;d77#d7 (
 ! ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4
 #acifp7d77#d77 t is e/abli%$ = ! b5efit
 ( a *ild ( ! vet]an4  4  7b7 ,surviv+  
sp\ses & *ildr5 ,section #aedc ( su*    
title is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a7--
 7,a7 by r$esignat+ p>agraph 7#b7 z     
p>agraph 7#c72  7,b7 by ins]t+ aft]     
p>agraph 7#a7 ! foll[+ new p>agraph     
7#b73  7#b7 7,a7 ,if a surviv+ sp\se    
o!rwise eligible = paym5t ( p5sion "u   
section #aeda ( ?is title disposes (    
cov]$ res\rces = less ?an fair m>ket    
value on or aft] ! look-back date       
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,c77i71 !       
,secret>y %all d5y or discont9ue !      
paym5t ( p5sion to su* surviv+ sp\se "u 
section #aeda ( ?is title = mon?s dur+ !
 p]iod beg9n+ on ! date describ$ 9      
subp>agraph 7,d7 & equal to ! numb] (   

mon?s calculat$ z provid$ 9 subp>agraph 
7,e74  7,b7 7i7 ,= purposes ( ?is       
p>agraph1 a cov]$ res\rce is any res\rce
 t 0 a "p ( ! corpus ( ! e/ate ( !      
surviv+ sp\se t ! ,secret>y consid]s t  
"u all ! circum/ances1 if ! surviv+     
sp\se _h n dispos$ ( su* res\rce1 x w\ld
 be reasonable t ! res\rce 7or "s       
portion ( ! res\rce7 be consum$ = !     
surviv+ sp\se's ma9t5ance4  7ii7 ,=     
purposes ( ?is p>agraph1 ! ,secret>y may
 consid]1 9 accordance ) regulations !  
,secret>y %all prescribe1 a transf] ( an
 asset 7includ+ a transf] ( an asset to 
an annuity1 tru/1 or o!r f9ancial       
in/rum5t or inve/m5t7 a disposal ( a    
cov]$ res\rce = less ?an fair m>ket     
value if su* transf] r$uces ! am\nt 9 ! 
corpus ( ! e/ate ( ! surviv+ sp\se t !  
,secret>y consid]s1 "u all !            
circum/ances1 w\ld be reasonable to be  
consum$ = ! surviv+ sp\se's ma9t5ance4  
7,c7 7i7 ,! look-back date describ$ 9   
?is clause is a date t is #cf mon?s be=e
 ! date describ$ 9 clause 7ii74  7ii7 ,!

 date describ$ 9 ?is clause is ! date on
 :i* ! surviv+ sp\se applies = p5sion "u
 section #aeda ( ?is title or1 if lat]1 
! date on :i* ! surviv+ sp\se disposes (
 cov]$ res\rces = less ?an fair m>ket   
value4  7,d7 ,! date describ$ 9 ?is     
subp>agraph is ! fir/ day ( ! fir/ mon? 
9 or aft] :i* cov]$ res\rces 7 dispos$ (
 = less ?an fair m>ket value & :i* does 
n occur 9 any o!r p]iod ( ineligibility 
"u ?is p>agraph4  7,e7 ,! numb] ( mon?s 
calculat$ "u ?is subp>agraph %all be    
equal to-- 7i7 ! total1 cumulative      
uncomp5sat$ value ( ! portion ( cov]$   
res\rces s dispos$ ( by ! surviv+ sp\se 
on or aft] ! look-back date describ$ 9  
subp>agraph 7,c77i7 t ! ,secret>y       
det]m9es w\ld reasonably h be5 consum$ =
 ! surviv+ sp\se's ma9t5ance2 divid$ by 
7ii7 ! maximum am\nt ( mon?ly p5sion t  
is payable to a surviv+ sp\se "u section
 #aeda ( ?is title1 includ+ ! maximum   
am\nt ( increas$ p5sion payable "u su*  
section on acc\nt ( a *ild1 b n includ+ 
any am\nt ( p5sion payable "u su*       

section because a surviv+ sp\se is 9 ne$
 ( regul> aid & att5dance or is         
p]man5tly h\seb\nd1  r\nd$1 9 ! case (  
any fraction1 to ! ne>e/ :ole numb]1 b  
%all n 9 any case exce$ #cf mon?s4  7,f7
 ,9 ! case ( a transf] by ! surviv+     
sp\se dur+ ! vet]an's lifetime t result$
 9 a p]iod ( ineligibility = ! vet]an "u
 section #aebb ( ?is title1 ! ,secret>y 
%all apply to ! surviv+ sp\se any rema9+
 ineligibility = t p]iod4  2 &  7,c7 by 
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3    
7#d7 7,a7 ,if a surviv+ sp\se o!rwise   
eligible = paym5t ( increas$ p5sion "u  
subsection 7c71 7d71 or 7e7 ( section   
#aeda ( ?is title on acc\nt ( a *ild or 
! *ild disposes ( cov]$ res\rces = less 
?an fair m>ket value on or aft] !       
look-back date describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,c77i71 ! ,secret>y %all d5y or        
discont9ue paym5t ( su* increas$ p5sion 
= mon?s dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on ! date   
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,d7 & equal to !
 numb] ( mon?s calculat$ z provid$ 9    
subp>agraph 7,e74  7,b7 7i7 ,= purposes 

( ?is p>agraph1 a cov]$ res\rce is any  
res\rce t 0 a "p ( ! corpus ( ! e/ate ( 
! *ild t ! ,secret>y consid]s t "u all !
 circum/ances1 if ! surviv+ sp\se or !  
*ild _h n dispos$ ( su* res\rce1 x w\ld 
be reasonable t ! res\rce 7or "s portion
 ( ! res\rce7 be consum$ = ! *ild's     
ma9t5ance4  7ii7 ,= purposes ( ?is      
p>agraph1 ! ,secret>y may consid]1 9    
accordance ) regulations ! ,secret>y    
%all prescribe1 a transf] ( an asset    
7includ+ a transf] ( an asset to an     
annuity1 tru/1 or o!r f9ancial in/rum5t 
or inve/m5t7 a disposal ( a cov]$       
res\rce = less ?an fair m>ket value if  
su* transf] r$uces ! am\nt 9 ! corpus ( 
! e/ate ( ! *ild t ! ,secret>y consid]s1
 "u all ! circum/ances1 w\ld be         
reasonable to be consum$ = ! *ild's     
ma9t5ance4  7,c7 7i7 ,! look-back date  
describ$ 9 ?is clause is a date t is #cf
 mon?s be=e ! date describ$ 9 clause    
7ii74  7ii7 ,! date describ$ 9 ?is      
clause is ! date on :i* ! surviv+ sp\se 
applies = paym5t ( increas$ p5sion "u   

subsection 7c71 7d71 or 7e7 ( section   
#aeda ( ?is title on acc\nt ( a *ild or1
 if lat]1 ! date on :i* ! surviv+ sp\se 
7or ! *ild7 disposes ( cov]$ res\rces = 
less ?an fair m>ket value4  7,d7 ,! date
 describ$ 9 ?is subp>agraph is ! fir/   
day ( ! fir/ mon? 9 or aft] :i* cov]$   
res\rces 7 dispos$ ( = less ?an fair    
m>ket value & :i* does n occur 9 any o!r
 p]iod ( ineligibility "u ?is p>agraph4 
7,e7 ,! numb] ( mon?s calculat$ "u ?is  
clause %all be equal to-- 7i7 ! total1  
cumulative uncomp5sat$ value ( ! portion
 ( cov]$ res\rces s dispos$ ( by surviv+
 sp\se 7or ! *ild7 on or aft] !         
look-back date describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,c77i7 t ! ,secret>y det]m9es w\ld     
reasonably h be5 consum$ = ! *ild's     
ma9t5ance2 divid$ by  7ii7 ! maximum    
am\nt ( increas$ mon?ly p5sion t is     
payable to a surviv+ sp\se "u subsection
 7c71 7d71 or 7e7 ( section #aeda ( ?is 
title on acc\nt ( a *ild1  r\nd$1 9 !   
case ( any fraction1 to ! ne>e/ :ole    
numb]1 b %all n 9 any case exce$ #cf    

mon?s4  2  7#b7 9 subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 
by ins]t+ 7#a7 be=e ,! ,secret>y2 &     
7,b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new      
p>agraph3  7#b7 7,a7 ,if a *ild o!rwise 
eligible = paym5t ( p5sion "u section   
#aedb ( ?is title or any p]son ) :om su*
 *ild is resid+ :o is legally           
responsible = su* *ild's support        
disposes ( cov]$ res\rces = less ?an    
fair m>ket value on or aft] ! look-back 
date describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,c77i71 !  
,secret>y %all d5y or discont9ue !      
paym5t ( p5sion to su* *ild "u section  
#aedb ( ?is title = mon?s dur+ ! p]iod  
beg9n+ on ! date describ$ 9 subp>agraph 
7,d7 & equal to ! numb] ( mon?s         
calculat$ z provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,e74 
7,b7 7i7 ,= purposes ( ?is p>agraph1 a  
cov]$ res\rce is any res\rce t 0 a "p ( 
! corpus ( ! e/ate ( ! *ild or ! corpus 
( ! e/ate ( any p]son ) :om su* *ild is 
resid+ :o is legally responsible = su*  
*ild's support t ! ,secret>y consid]s t 
"u all ! circum/ances1 if ! *ild or     
p]son _h n dispos$ ( su* res\rce1 x w\ld

 be reasonable t ! res\rce 7or "s       
portion ( ! res\rce7 be consum$ = !     
*ild's ma9t5ance4  7ii7 ,= purposes (   
?is p>agraph1 ! ,secret>y may consid]1 9
 accordance ) regulations ! ,secret>y   
%all prescribe1 a transf] ( an asset    
7includ+ a transf] ( an asset to an     
annuity1 tru/1 or o!r f9ancial in/rum5t 
or inve/m5t7 a disposal ( a cov]$       
res\rce = less ?an fair m>ket value if  
su* transf] r$uces ! am\nt 9 ! corpus ( 
! e/ate describ$ 9 clause 7i7 t !       
,secret>y consid]s1 "u all !            
circum/ances1 w\ld be reasonable to be  
consum$ = ! *ild's ma9t5ance4  7,c7 7i7 
,! look-back date describ$ 9 ?is clause 
is a date t is #cf mon?s be=e ! date    
describ$ 9 clause 7ii74  7ii7 ,! date   
describ$ 9 ?is clause is ! date on :i* !
 *ild applies = p5sion "u section #aedb 
( ?is title or1 if lat]1 ! date on :i* !
 *ild 7or p]son describ$ 9 subp>agraph  
7,b77 disposes ( cov]$ res\rces = less  
?an fair m>ket value4  7,d7 ,! date     
describ$ 9 ?is clause is ! fir/ day ( ! 

fir/ mon? 9 or aft] :i* cov]$ res\rces 7
 dispos$ ( = less ?an fair m>ket value &
 :i* does n occur 9 any o!r p]iod (     
ineligibility "u ?is p>agraph4  7,e7 ,! 
numb] ( mon?s calculat$ "u ?is clause   
%all be equal to-- 7i7 ! total1         
cumulative uncomp5sat$ value ( ! portion
 ( cov]$ res\rces s dispos$ ( by ! *ild 
7or p]son describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b77  
on or aft] ! look-back date describ$ 9  
subp>agraph 7,c77i7 t ! ,secret>y       
det]m9es w\ld reasonably h be5 consum$ =
 ! *ild's ma9t5ance2 divid$ by  7ii7 !  
maximum am\nt ( mon?ly p5sion t is      
payable to a *ild "u section #aedb ( ?is
 title1  r\nd$1 9 ! case ( any fraction1
 to ! ne>e/ :ole numb]1 b %all n 9 any  
case exce$ #cf mon?s4  2 &  7#c7 by add+
 at ! end ! foll[+ new subsections3  7c7
 7#a7 ,! ,secret>y %all n d5y or        
discont9ue paym5t ( p5sion "u section   
#aeda or #aedb ( ?is title or paym5t (  
increas$ p5sion "u subsection 7c71 7d71 
or 7e7 ( section #aeda ( ?is title on   
acc\nt ( a *ild by reason ( !           

application ( subsection 7a77#b71       
7a77#d71 or 7b77#b7 ( ?is section to !  
disposal ( res\rces by an individual to 
! ext5t t-- 7,a7 a satisfactory %[+ is  
made to ! ,secret>y 79 accordance )     
regulations promulgat$ by ! ,secret>y7 t
 all res\rces dispos$ ( = less ?an fair 
m>ket value h be5 return$ to !          
individual :o dispos$ ( ! res\rces2 or  
7,b7 ! ,secret>y det]m9es1 "u proc$ures 
e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y1 t ! d5ial or   
discont9uance ( paym5t w\ld "w an undue 
h>d%ip z det]m9$ on ! basis ( crit]ia   
e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y4  7#b7 ,at ! "t 
a surviv+ sp\se or *ild applies = p5sion
 "u section #aeda or #aedb ( ?is title  
or increas$ p5sion "u subsection 7c71   
7d71 or 7e7 ( section #aeda ( ?is title 
on acc\nt ( a *ild1 & at su* o!r times z
 ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate1 !    
,secret>y %all-- 7,a7 in=m su* surviv+  
sp\se or *ild ( ! provisions (          
subsections 7a77#b71 7a77#d71 & 7b77#b71
 z applicable1 provid+ = a p]iod (      
ineligibility = paym5t ( p5sion or      

increas$ p5sion "u su* sections =       
individuals :o make c]ta9 dispositions (
 res\rces = less ?an fair m>ket value2 &
  7,b7 obta9 f su* surviv+ sp\se or *ild
 in=mation :i* may be us$ 9 det]m9+ :e!r
 or n a p]iod ( ineligibility = su*     
paym5ts w\ld be requir$ by reason ( su* 
subsections4  7d7 ,p>agraphs 7#b7 & 7#d7
 ( subsection 7a7 & subsection 7b77#b7  
%all n apply ) respect to ! disposal (  
res\rces or ! transf] ( an asset if su* 
disposal or transf] is to a tru/        
describ$ 9 section #aiag7;d77#d7 ( !    
,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4   
#acifp7d77#d77 t is e/abli%$ = ! b5efit 
( a *ild ( ! vet]an or surviv+ sp\se4  4
  7c7 ,effective date ,subsections      
7a77#b71 7b77#b71 & 7c7 ( section #aebb 
( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$
 by subsection 7a71 & subsections       
7a77#b71 7a77#d71 7b77#b71 & 7c7 (      
section #aedc ( su* title1 z add$ by    
subsection 7b71 %all take effect on !   
date t is "o ye> aft] ! date ( !        
enactm5t ( ?is ,act & %all apply )      

respect to paym5ts ( p5sion & increas$  
p5sion appli$ = aft] su* date & to      
paym5ts ( p5sion & increas$ p5sion = :i*
 eligibility is r$et]m9$ aft] su* date1 
except t no r$uction 9 p5sion %all be   
made "u su* subsections because ( any   
disposal ( cov]$ res\rces made be=e su* 
date4  7d7 ,annual reports  7#a7 ,9     
g5]al ,n lat] ?an two ye>s aft] ! date (
 ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & n less         
frequ5tly ?an once ea* ye> !reaft] ?r\gh
 #bjah1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 
%all submit to ! appropriate committees 
( ,congress a report on ! adm9i/ration (
 subsections 7a77#b71 7b77#b71 & 7c7 (  
section #aebb ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a71 &     
subsections 7a77#b71 7a77#d71 7b77#b71 &
 7c7 ( section #aedc ( su* title1 z add$
 by subsection 7b71 dur+ ! mo/ rec5t    
#ab-mon? p]iod4  7#b7 ,elem5ts ,ea*     
report submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all   
include ! foll[+1 = ! p]iod cov]$ by !  
report3 7,a7 ,! numb] ( individuals :o  
appli$ = p5sion "u *apt] #ae ( su*      

title4  7,b7 ,! numb] ( individuals :o  
receiv$ p5sion "u su* *apt]4  7,c7 ,!   
numb] ( individuals ) respect to :om !  
,secret>y d5i$ or discont9u$ paym5t (   
p5sion "u ! subsections ref]r$ to 9     
p>agraph 7#a74  7,d7 ,a description (   
any tr5ds id5tifi$ by ! ,secret>y reg>d+
 p5sion paym5ts t h occurr$ z a result (
 ! am5dm5ts made by ?is section4  7,e7  
,su* o!r in=mation z ! ,secret>y        
consid]s appropriate4  7#c7 ,appropriate
 committees ( ,congress def9$ ,9 ?is    
subsection1 ! t]m appropriate committees
 ( ,congress means-- 7,a7 ! ,committee  
on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,select       
,committee on ,ag+ ( ! ,s5ate2 &  7,b7 !
 ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !   
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4  #bjc4         
,bifurcat$ paym5ts ( comp5sation b5efits
 "u laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al         
,sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt] #ea ( title #ch1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+  
at ! end ! foll[+ new section3  #eabg4  
,bifurcat$ paym5ts ( comp5sation b5efits

  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,dur+ ! eight-ye> p]iod  
beg9n+ on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
section1 9 ! case ( a claim describ$ 9  
subsection 7b71 prior to adjudicat+ !   
claim1 ! ,secret>y %all make paym5ts (  
monet>y b5efits to ! claimant bas$ on   
any disability = :i* ! ,secret>y has    
made a decision4 ,^u ! adjudication ( ! 
claim1 ! ,secret>y %all pay to !        
claimant any monet>y b5efits aw>d$ to ! 
claimant = ! p]iod ( paym5t "u section  
#eaaa ( ?is title less ! am\nt ( su*    
b5efits paid to ! claimant "u ?is       
section4  7b7 ,claim describ$ ,a claim  
describ$ 9 ?is subsection is a claim =  
disability comp5sation "u *apt] #aa (   
?is title-- 7#a7 ! adjudication ( :i*   
requires ! ,secret>y to make decisions )
 respect to two or m disabilities2 &    
7#b7 = :i*1 be=e complet+ ! adjudication
 ( ! claim1 ! ,secret>y makes a decision
 ) respect to a disability t w\ld result
 9 ! paym5t ( monet>y b5efits to !      
claimant ^u ! adjudication ( ! claim4  4
  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table (       

sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is     
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ( ! items relat+ 
to su* sub*apt] ! foll[+ new item3      
#eabg4 ,bifurcat$ paym5ts ( comp5sation 
b5efits4  4  7c7 ,effective date        
,section #eabg ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ate
 ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a7 %all   
take effect on ! date t is "o ye> aft] !
 date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #bjd4   
,p5sion = c]ta9 vet]ans cov]$ by        
,m$icaid plans = s]vices furni%$ by     
nurs+ facilities ,section #eejc7;d77#g7 
( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is    
am5d$ by /rik+ ,novemb] #cj1 #bjaf &    
ins]t+ ,septemb] #cj1 #bjah4  ,,iii ,o!r
 ,matt]s  #cja4 ,review ( op]ation (    
c]ta9 %ips dur+ ! ,vietnam ,era  7a7    
,review requir$ ,by n lat] ?an "o ye>   
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !  
,secret>y ( ,def5se %all review ! logs (
 ea* %ip "u ! au?ority ( ! ,secret>y ( !
 ,navy t is kn[n to h op]at$ 9 ! wat]s  
ne> ,vietnam dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on     
,janu>y #i1 #aifb1 & end+ on ,may #g1   
#aige1 to det]m9e-- 7#a7 :e!r ea* su*   

%ip op]at$ 9 ! t]ritorial wat]s ( !     
,republic ( ,vietnam dur+ su* p]iod2 &  
7#b7 = ea* su* %ip t s op]at$-- 7,a7 !  
date or dates :5 ! %ip s op]at$2 &  7,b7
 ! di/ance f ! %ore ( ! location :]e !  
%ip op]at$ t 0 ! close/ proximity to    
%ore4  7b7 ,provision ( in=mation to !  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,^u a     
det]m9ation t any su* %ip s op]at$1 !   
,secret>y ( ,def5se %all provide su*    
det]m9ation1 toge!r ) ! in=mation       
describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#b7 ab\t !    
%ip1 to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4
  7c7 ,public availability ( in=mation  
,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all   
make publicly available all unclassifi$ 
in=mation provid$ to ! ,secret>y "u     
subsection 7b74  #cjb4 ,me?ods =        
validat+ c]ta9 s]vice consid]$ to be    
active s]vice by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs  7a7 ,f9d+s ,congress makes !  
foll[+ f9d+s3 7#a7 ,! ,m]*ant ,m>9e     
,act1 #aicf e/abli%$ ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
,m>itime ,commission1 & /at$ z a matt] (
 policy t ! ,unit$ ,/ates %\ld h a      

m]*ant m>9e t is capable ( s]v+ z a     
naval & milit>y auxili>y 9 "t ( w> or   
national em]g5cy4  7#b7 ,! ,social      
,security ,act ,am5dm5ts ( #aici        
7,public ,law #gf-cgi7 exp&$ ! def9ition
 ( employm5t to include s]vice on or 9  
connection ) an ,am]ican vessel "u      
contract ( s]vice :i* is ent]$ into )9 !
 ,unit$ ,/ates or dur+ ! p]=mance ( :i* 
! vessel t\*es at a port 9 ! ,unit$     
,/ates1 if ! employee is employ$ on & 9 
connection ) su* vessel4  7#c7 ,! ,jo9t 
,resolution to repeal sections #b1 #c1 &
 #f ( ! ,neutrality ,act ( #aici1 & =   
o!r purposes 7,public ,law #gg-bid2 #ee 
,/at4 #gfd7 repeal$ section #f ( !      
,neutrality ,act ( #aici 7relat$ to !   
arm+ ( ,unit$ ,/ates vessels7 & au?oriz$
 ! ,presid5t dur+ ! national em]g5cy to 
arm or p]mit to arm any ,unit$ ,/ates   
vessel4  7#d7 ,on ,febru>y #g1 #aidb1   
,presid5t ,frankl9 ,d4 ,roosevelt1 ?r\gh
 ,executive ,ord] ,numb] #ijed1 e/abli%$
 ! ,w> ,%ipp+ ,adm9i/ration t 0 *>g$ )  
build+ or pur*as+1 & op]at+ ! civilian  

%ipp+ vessels ne$$ = ! w> ef=t4  7#e7   
,dur+ ,_w ,w> ,,ii1 ,unit$ ,/ates m]*ant
 m>9]s transport$ goods & mat]ials ?r\gh
 conte/$ wat]s to ! v>i\s combat !at]s4 
7#f7 ,at ! conclusion ( ,_w ,w> ,,ii1   
,unit$ ,/ates m]*ant m>9]s 7 responsible
 = transport+ sev]al million memb]s ( ! 
,unit$ ,/ates ,arm$ ,=ces back to !     
,unit$ ,/ates4  7#g7 ,! ,,gi ,bill      
,improvem5t ,act ( #aigg 7,public ,law  
#ie-bjb7 provid$ t ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se
 c\ld det]m9e t s]vice = ! ,arm$ ,=ces  
by organiz$ gr\ps ( civilians1 or       
contractors1 be consid]$ 8active s]vice0
 = b5efits adm9i/]$ by ! ,vet]ans       
,adm9i/ration4  7#h7 ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se
 ,directive #ajjj4bj direct$ t !        
det]m9ation be made by ! ,secret>y ( !  
,air ,=ce1 & e/abli%$ !                 
,civilian_/,milit>y ,s]vice ,review     
,bo>d & ,advisory ,panel4  7#i7 ,9      
#aihg1 ?ree m]*ant m>9]s along ) !      
,,afl-,,cio su$ ,edw>d ,c4 ,aldridge1   
,secret>y ( ! ,air ,=ce1 *all5g+ ! d5ial
 ( _! application = vet]ans /atus4 ,9   

,s*uma*] v4 ,aldridge 7#ffe ,f4 ,supp4  
#da 7,d4,d4,c4 #aihg771 ! ,c\rt det]m9$ 
t ,secret>y ,aldridge _h fail$ to       
articulate cle> & intelligible crit]ia =
 ! adm9i/ration ( ! application approval
 process4  7#aj7 ,dur+ ,_w ,w> ,,ii1    
wom5 7 repeat$ly d5i$ issuance ( (ficial
 docum5tation affirm+ _! m]*ant m>9e    
seaman /atus by ! ,w> ,%ipp+            
,adm9i/ration4  7#aa7 ,coa/ ,gu>d       
,in=mation ,%eet #gg 7,april #aiib7     
id5tifies ! foll[+ acceptable =ms (     
docum5tation = eligibility meet+ !      
requirem5ts set =? 9 ! ,,gi ,bill       
,improvem5t ,act ( #aigg 7,public ,law  
#ie-bjb7 & ,vet]ans ,programs           
,enhancem5t ,act ( #aiih 7,public ,law  
#aje-cfh73 7,a7 ,c]tificate ( %ipp+ &   
dis*>ge =ms4  7,b7 ,cont9u\s dis*>ge    
books 7%ip's deck or eng9e logbooks74   
7,c7 ,company lett]s %[+ vessel names & 
dates ( voyages4  7#ab7 ,coa/ ,gu>d     
,comm&ant ,ord] ( ,m>* #bj1 #aidd1      
reliev$ ma/]s ( tugs1 t[boats1 & seago+ 
b>ges ( ! responsibility ( submitt+     

reports ( seam5 %ipp$ or dis*>g$ on =ms1
 mean+ c]tificates ( %ipp+ & dis*>ge =ms
 are n available to all eligible        
individuals seek+ to docum5t _!         
eligibility4  7#ac7 ,coa/ ,gu>d         
,in=mation ,%eet #gg 7,april #aiib7     
/ates t deck logs 7 traditionally       
consid]$ to be ! prop]ty ( ! own]s ( !  
%ips4 ,aft] ,_w ,w> ,,ii1 h[ev]1 ! deck 
& eng9e logbooks ( vessels op]at$ by !  
,w> ,%ipp+ ,adm9i/ration 7 turn$ ov] to 
t ag5cy by ! %ip own]s1 & 7 de/roy$ dur+
 ! #aigjs1 mean+ t cont9u\s dis*>ge     
books are n available to all eligible   
individuals seek+ to docum5t _!         
eligibility4  7#ad7 ,coa/ ,gu>d         
,in=mation ,%eet #gg 7,april1 #aiib7    
/ates "s ,_w ,w> ,,ii p]iod log books d 
n "n ports visit$ dur+ ! voyage due to  
w>time security re/rictions1 mean+ t    
company lett]s %[+ vessel names & dates 
( voyages are n available to all        
eligible individuals seek+ to docum5t _!
 eligibility4  7b7 ,me?ods = validat+   
c]ta9 s]vice consid]$ to be active      

s]vice by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,= ! purposes ( 
v]ify+ t an individual p]=m$ s]vice "u  
honorable conditions t satisfies !      
requirem5ts ( a coa/wise m]*ant seaman  
:o is recogniz$ pursuant to section #dja
 ( ! ,,gi ,bill ,improvem5t ,act ( #aigg
 7,public ,law #ie-bjb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4   
#ajf note7 z hav+ p]=m$ active duty     
s]vice = ! purposes describ$ 9 p>agraph 
7#c77;,a71 ! ,secret>y ( ,homel&        
,security %all accept ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,9 
! case ( an individual :o s]v$ on a     
coa/wise m]*ant vessel seek+ su*        
recognition = :om no applicable ,coa/   
,gu>d %ipp+ or dis*>ge =m1 %ip logbook1 
m]*ant m>9]'s docum5t or ,z-c>d1 or o!r 
(ficial employm5t record is available1 !
 ,secret>y %all provide su* recognition 
on ! basis ( applicable ,social         
,security ,adm9i/ration records submitt$
 = or by ! individual1 toge!r ) validat$
 te/imony giv5 by ! individual or !     
prim>y next ( k9 ( ! individual t !     
individual p]=m$ su* s]vice dur+ ! p]iod

 beg9n+ on ,decemb] #g1 #aida1 & end+ on
 ,decemb] #ca1 #aidf4  7,b7 ,9 ! case ( 
an individual :o s]v$ on a coa/wise     
m]*ant vessel seek+ su* recognition =   
:om ! applicable ,coa/ ,gu>d %ipp+ or   
dis*>ge =m1 %ip logbook1 m]*ant m>9]'s  
docum5t or ,z-c>d1 or o!r (ficial       
employm5t record has be5 de/roy$ or     
o!rwise become unavailable by reason (  
any action committ$ by a p]son          
responsible = ! control & ma9t5ance (   
su* =m1 logbook1 or record1 ! ,secret>y 
%all accept o!r (ficial docum5tation    
demon/rat+ t ! individual p]=m$ su*     
s]vice dur+ p]iod beg9n+ on ,decemb] #g1
 #aida1 & end+ on ,decemb] #ca1 #aidf4  
7,c7 ,= ! purpose ( det]m9+ :e!r to     
recognize s]vice alleg$ly p]=m$ dur+ !  
p]iod beg9n+ on ,decemb] #g1 #aida1 &   
end+ on ,decemb] #ca1 #aidf1 ! ,secret>y
 %all recognize ma/]s ( seago+ vessels  
or o!r (fic]s 9 comm& ( simil>ly        
organiz$ gr\ps z ag5ts ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates
 :o 7 au?oriz$ to docum5t any individual
 = purposes ( hir+ ! individual to p]=m 

s]vice 9 ! m]*ant m>9e or dis*>g+ an    
individual f su* s]vice4  7#b7 ,treatm5t
 ( o!r docum5tation ,o!r docum5tation   
accept$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,homel&        
,security pursuant to p>agraph 7#a77;,b7
 %all satisfy all requirem5ts =         
eligibility ( s]vice dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+
 on ,decemb] #g1 #aida1 & end+ on       
,decemb] #ca1 #aidf4  7#c7 ,b5efits     
all[$  7,a7 ,burial b5efits eligibility 
,s]vice ( an individual t is consid]$   
active duty pursuant to p>agraph 7#a7   
%all be consid]$ z active duty s]vice ) 
respect to provid+ burial b5efits "u    
*apt]s #bc & #bd ( title #ch1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 to ! individual4  7,b7    
,m$als1 ribbons1 & decorations ,an      
individual ^: s]vice is recogniz$ z     
active duty pursuant to p>agraph 7#a7   
may be aw>d$ an appropriate m$al1       
ribbon1 or o!r milit>y decoration bas$  
on su* s]vice4  7,c7 ,/atus ( vet]an ,an
 individual ^: s]vice is recogniz$ z    
active duty pursuant to p>agraph 7#a7   
%all be honor$ z a vet]an b %all n be   

entitl$ by reason ( su* recogniz$ s]vice
 to any b5efit t is n describ$ 9 ?is    
subsection4  7#d7 ,det]m9ation (        
coa/wise m]*ant seaman ,! ,secret>y (   
,homel& ,security %all v]ify t an       
individual p]=m$ s]vice "u honorable    
conditions t satisfies ! requirem5ts ( a
 coa/wise m]*ant seaman pursuant to ?is 
section )\t reg>d to ! sex1 age1 or     
disability ( ! individual dur+ ! p]iod 9
 :i* ! individual s]v$ z su* a coa/wise 
m]*ant seaman4  7#e7 ,def9ition ( prim>y
 next ( k9 ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m prim>y 
next ( k9 ) respect to an individual    
seek+ recognition = s]vice "u ?is       
section means ! close/ liv+ relative ( !
 individual :o 0 alive dur+ ! p]iod (   
su* s]vice4  7#f7 ,effective date ,?is  
section %all take effect #ij days aft] !
 date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #cjc4   
,designation ( ,am]ican ,_w ,w> ,,ii    
,cities  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y (    
,vet]ans ,affairs %all designate at lea/
 "o city 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ea* ye> z an 
,am]ican ,_w ,w> ,,ii ,city4  7b7       

,crit]ia = designation ,aft] !          
designation made "u subsection 7c71 !   
,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,secret>y 
( ,def5se1 %all make ea* designation "u 
subsection 7a7 bas$ on ! foll[+ crit]ia3
 7#a7 ,contributions by a city to ! w>  
ef=t dur+ ,_w ,w> ,,ii1 includ+ ^?      
relat$ to def5se manufactur+1 bond      
drives1 s]vice 9 ! ,arm$ ,=ces1 & !     
pres5ce ( milit>y facilities )9 ! city4 
7#b7 ,ef=ts by a city to pres]ve !      
hi/ory ( ! city's contributions dur+ ,_w
 ,w> ,,ii1 includ+ ?r\gh ! e/abli%m5t ( 
pres]vation organizations or museums1   
re/oration ( ,_w ,w> ,,ii facilities1 & 
recognition ( ,_w ,w> ,,ii vet]ans4  7c7
 ,fir/ ,am]ican ,_w ,w> ,,ii ,city ,!   
city ( ,wilm+ton1 ,nor? ,c>ol9a1 is     
designat$ z an ,am]ican ,_w ,w> ,,ii    
,city4  #cjd4 ,obs]vance ( ,vet]ans ,day
  7a7 ,two m9utes ( sil5ce ,*apt] #a (  
title #cf1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new section3 
#ade4 ,vet]ans ,day ,! ,presid5t %all   
issue ea* ye> a proclamation call+ on ! 

p ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to obs]ve two m9utes
 ( sil5ce on ,vet]ans ,day 9 honor ( !  
s]vice & sacrifice ( vet]ans ?r\gh\t !  
hi/ory ( ! ,nation1 beg9n+ at-- 7#a7    
#c3aa p4m4 ,atlantic /&>d "t2  7#b7     
#b3aa p4m4 ea/]n /&>d "t2  7#c7 #a3aa   
p4m4 c5tral /&>d "t2  7#d7 #ab3aa p4m4  
m\nta9 /&>d "t2  7#e7 #aa3aa a4m4       
,pacific /&>d "t2  7#f7 #aj3aa a4m4     
,alaska /&>d "t2 &  7#g7 #i3aa a4m4     
,hawaii-,aleutian /&>d "t4  4  7b7      
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections =  
*apt] #a ( title #cf1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+ new item3  #ade4 ,vet]ans ,day4  
4  ,am5d ! title s z to read3 ,a bill to
 improve ! process+ ( disability claims 
by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 & = 
o!r purposes44 ,septemb] #bg1           
#bjac,report$ ) am5dm5ts1 committ$ to ! 
,committee ( ! ,:ole ,h\se on ! ,/ate ( 
! ,union1 & ord]$ to be pr9t$