,,ii  #aac? ,,congress  #b;d ,session   
,s4 #bjia  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,m>* #f1 #bjad,mr4     
,hell] 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,casey1 ,mr4    
,moran1 ,mr4 ,he9ri*1 ,mr4 ,vitt]1 &    
,mr4 ,te/]7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i*
 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee  
on ,vet]ans' ,affairs  ,a ,,bill  ,to   
am5d title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to 
improve ! process+ by ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs ( claims = b5efits "u 
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort  
title2 table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort title 
,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! #ba/ ,c5tury  
,vet]ans ,b5efits ,deliv]y ,act4  7b7   
,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts =   
?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort   
title2 table ( cont5ts4 ,,title         
,i--,b5efits claims submission ,sec4    
#aja4 ,modification ( ,transition       
,assi/ance ,program to enable onl9e     
p>ticipation4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,requirem5t to
 enc\rage claimants to use appropriate  
=ms4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,requir$ communications

 to us]s ( e,benefits ,int]net website4 
,sec4 #ajd4 ,ext5sion ( au?ority =      
retroactive date ( aw>ds = fil+ fully   
develop$ claims4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,requirem5t
 t decisions on claims expla9 b5efits ( 
fil+ appeals )9 #ahj days4 ,sec4 #ajf4  
,requirem5t to use ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs =m #ba-jieh 9 regional (fices =
 fil+ ( notices ( disagreem5t4 ,sec4    
#ajg4 ,det]m9ation ( mann] ( appe>ance =
 he>+s be=e ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals4 
,,title ,,ii--,practices ( regional     
(fices ,sec4 #bja4 ,requir$ ,comptroll] 
,g5]al audit ( regional (fices (        
,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration4 ,sec4  
#bjb4 ,/udy on s]vice-connect$          
disabilities t wors5 ) age4 ,sec4 #bjc4 
,improvem5ts to au?ority = p]=mance (   
m$ical disabilities exam9ations by      
contract physician4 ,sec4 #bjd4         
,improvem5t ( mail process+ by ,dep>tm5t
 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4 ,sec4 #bje4       
,review ( practices ( regional (fices   
reg>d+ use ( susp5se dates4 ,sec4 #bjf4 
,semiannual reports on progress 9       

implem5t+ ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,managem5t  
,sy/em4 ,sec4 #bjg4 ,annual report on   
capacity ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits            
,adm9i/ration to process b5efits claims4
 ,sec4 #bjh4 ,increas$ transp>5cy 9     
,monday ,morn+ ,workload ,report4 ,sec4 
#bji4 ,reports on appeals ( decisions on
 b5efits claims4 ,,title                
,,iii--,gov]nm5t response ,sec4 #cja4   
,increas$ coop]ation across ,gov]nm5t4  
,sec4 #cjb4 ,report on int]op]ability   
betwe5 electronic heal? records sy/ems (
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se & ,dep>tm5t (      
,vet]ans ,affairs4  ,i ,b5efits claims  
submission  #aja4 ,modification (       
,transition ,assi/ance ,program to      
enable onl9e p>ticipation ,section #aadd
 ( title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is   
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new     
subsection3  7f7 ,onl9e curriculum  7#a7
 ,! ,secret>y ( ,labor1 9 conjunction ) 
! ,secret>y ( ,def5se1 ! ,secret>y (    
,homel& ,security1 & ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs1 %all take su* actions
 & make su* modifications to !          

e,benefits ,int]net website z may be    
necess>y to ensure t memb]s ( ! arm$    
=ces & sp\ses describ$ 9 subsection     
7a77#a7 c p>ticipate 9 ! program c>ri$  
out "u ?is section ?r\gh su* ,int]net   
website4  7#b7 ,an individual subject to
 a requirem5t "u subsection 7c7 may n   
satisfy su* requirem5t by p>ticipat+ 9 !
 program c>ri$ out "u ?is section solely
 ?r\gh an ,int]net website4  4  #ajb4   
,requirem5t to enc\rage claimants to use
 appropriate =ms ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans
 ,affairs %all enc\rage ea* individual  
:o is seek+ to file a claim ) !         
,secret>y = a b5efit "u a law adm9i/]$  
by ! ,secret>y to file su* claim us+ an 
appropriate =m e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y =
 su* purpose4  #ajc4 ,requir$           
communications to us]s ( e,benefits     
,int]net website  7a7 ,automat$         
notification ( res\rces ,! ,secret>y (  
,vet]ans ,affairs %all take su* measures
 z may be necess>y s t :5ev] an         
individual e/abli%es an acc\nt on !     
e,benefits ,int]net website ( !         

,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs &         
,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se an e-mail is s5t to 
! individual t includes a description ( 
! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! b5efits ( fil+ a fully
 develop$ claim4  7#b7 ,:]e ! individual
 c g to obta9 assi/ance 9 fil+ a fully  
develop$ claim1 includ+ ! foll[+3 7,a7  
,! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4  7,b7 
,an organization recogniz$ by !         
,secret>y = ! repres5tation ( vet]ans "u
 section #eijb ( title #ch1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code4  7b7 ,alt]nate            
communication ,:5ev] ! ,secret>y s5ds a 
message to an individual ?r\gh !        
e,benefits ,int]net website describ$ 9  
subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y %all also   
s5d su* message to ! individual ?r\gh ! 
use ( a second m$ium select$ by !       
individual1 su* z by telephone or by    
s5d+ an e-mail to a private e-mail      
address ( ! individual4  #ajd4 ,ext5sion
 ( au?ority = retroactive date ( aw>ds =
 fil+ fully develop$ claims ,section    
#eaaj7;b77#b77;,c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! date t

 is ?ree ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t (
 su* ,act & ins]t+ ,septemb] #cj1 #bjbj4
  #aje4 ,requirem5t t decisions on      
claims expla9 b5efits ( fil+ appeals )9 
#ahj days ,section #eajd7;a7 ( title    
#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--    
7#a7 by ins]t+ 7#a7 be=e ,9 ! case2 &   
7#b7 by /rik+ ! second s5t5ce & ins]t+ !
 foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#b7 ,! notice   
%all include ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,an         
explanation ( ! proc$ure = obta9+ review
 ( ! decision4  7,b7 ,an explanation ( !
 b5efits ( fil+ = review ( ! decision )9
 #ahj days4  4  #ajf4 ,requirem5t to use
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs =m       
#ba-jieh 9 regional (fices = fil+ (     
notices ( disagreem5t ,! ,secret>y (    
,vet]ans ,affairs %all use ,dep>tm5t (  
,vet]ans ,affairs =m #ba-jieh1 or su*   
o!r =m z ! ,secret>y may require1 9 ea* 
( ! regional (fices ( ! ,dep>tm5t =     
purposes ( fil+ notices ( disagreem5t "u
 section #gaje7;b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code4  #ajg4 ,det]m9ation (     
mann] ( appe>ance = he>+s be=e ,bo>d (  

,vet]ans' ,appeals  7a7 ,9 g5]al        
,section #gajg ( title #ch1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+  
subsection 7e72  7#b7 by r$esignat+     
subsections 7d7 & 7f7 z subsections 7f7 
& 7g71 respectively2  7#c7 by ins]t+    
aft] subsection 7c7 ! foll[+ new        
subsections 7d7 & 7e73  7d7 7#a7        
,subject to p>agraph 7#b71 a he>+ be=e !
 ,bo>d %all be conduct$1 z ! ,bo>d      
consid]s appropriate-- 7,a7 9 p]son2 or 
7,b7 ?r\gh picture & voice transmission1
 by electronic or o!r means1 9 su* mann]
 t ! appellant is n pres5t 9 ! same     
location z ! memb]s ( ! ,bo>d dur+ !    
he>+4  7#b7 ,^u reque/ by an appellant1 
a he>+ be=e ! ,bo>d %all be conduct$1 z 
! appellant consid]s appropriate-- 7,a7 
9 p]son2 or  7,b7 ?r\gh picture & voice 
transmission z describ$ 9 p>agraph      
7#a77;,b74  7e7 7#a7 ,9 a case 9 :i* a  
he>+ be=e ! ,bo>d is to be conduct$     
?r\gh picture & voice transmission z    
describ$ 9 subsection 7d77#a77;,b71 !   
,secret>y %all provide suitable         

facilities & equipm5t to ! ,bo>d or o!r 
compon5ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t to enable an    
appellant locat$ at an appropriate      
facility )9 ! area s]v$ by a regional   
(fice to p>ticipate z s describ$4  7#b7 
,any he>+ conduct$ ?r\gh picture & voice
 transmission z describ$ 9 subsection   
7d77#a77;,b7 %all be conduct$ 9 ! same  
mann] z1 & %all be consid]$ ! equival5t 
(1 a p]sonal he>+4  2 &  7#d7 9         
subsection 7f77#a71 z r$esignat$ by     
p>agraph 7#b71 by /rik+ ,an appellant   
may reque/ & all t foll[s ?r\gh (fice ( 
! ,dep>tm5t & ins]t+ ,9 a case 9 :i* a  
he>+ be=e ! ,bo>d is to be conduct$ 9   
p]son1 ! he>+ %all be held at ! pr9cipal
 location ( ! ,bo>d or at a facility ( !
 ,dep>tm5t locat$ )9 ! area s]v$ by a   
regional (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t44  7b7     
,effective date ,! am5dm5t made by      
subsection 7a7 %all apply ) respect to  
cases receiv$ by ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans'    
,appeals pursuant to notices (          
disagreem5t submitt$ on or aft] ! date (
 ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  ,,ii ,practices

 ( regional (fices  #bja4 ,requir$      
,comptroll] ,g5]al audit ( regional     
(fices ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration
  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] !
 date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !        
,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
%all complete an audit ( ! regional     
(fices ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits            
,adm9i/ration-- 7#a7 to assess !        
consi/5cy ( decisions be+ made ) respect
 to claims = b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$ by
 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs2 &     
7#b7 to id5tify ways 9 :i* ! consi/5cy (
 su* decisions c be improv$4  7b7       
,id5tification ( factors & be/ practices
 ,! audit conduct$ "u subsection 7a7    
%all include ! foll[+3 7#a7             
,id5tification ( ! factors1 includ+     
managem5t practices1 t di/+ui% high]    
p]=m+ regional (fices f o!r regional    
(fices4  7#b7 ,id5tification ( be/      
practices employ$ by high] p]=m+        
regional (fices t di/+ui% ! p]=mance (  
su* (fices f o!r regional (fices4  7c7  
,report ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date

 on :i* ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al completes !
 audit requir$ by subsection 7a71 !     
,comptroll] ,g5]al %all submit to       
,congress a report on ! results ( !     
audit4  #bjb4 ,/udy on s]vice-connect$  
disabilities t wors5 ) age  7a7 ,9 g5]al
 ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( !  
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs %all complete a /udy  
on cov]$ disabilities us+ hi/orical data
 reg>d+ s]vice-connect$ disabilities4   
7b7 ,cov]$ disabilities ,= purposes ( ! 
/udy requir$ by subsection 7a71 a cov]$ 
disability is a s]vice-connect$         
disability t ! ,secret>y det]m9es is ( a
 type or class ( disability or condition
 t ! ,secret>y det]m9es is a type or    
class ( disability or condition t1 =    
individuals ) su* type or class (       
disability1 ! av]age impairm5t ( e>n+   
capacity result+ f su* disability or    
condition increases z ! individual ) su*
 disability or condition ages4  7c7     
,matt]s cov]$ ,! /udy requir$ by        
subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3   

7#a7 ,analysis ( hi/orical /ati/ics &   
in=mation relat$ to ! progressive nature
 ( cov]$ disabilities1 9 t]ms ( increas$
 impairm5t ( e>n+ capacity caus$ by !   
disabilities4  7#b7 ,developm5t (       
recomm5dations = legislative &          
adm9i/rative action t use /ati/ics &    
in=mation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 to   
adjudicate m quickly claims = increas$  
disability comp5sation & disability     
comp5sation claims ( vet]ans :o _h      
specific milit>y occupation specialties 
:5 s]v+ 9 ! ,arm$ ,=ces4  7d7 ,report ,n
 lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all   
submit to ,congress a report on ! /udy  
requir$ by subsection 7a71 includ+ !    
f9d+s ( ! ,secret>y ) respect to su*    
/udy4  7e7 ,public comm5t ,! ,secret>y  
%all-- 7#a7 make ! report submitt$ "u   
p>agraph 7#a7 available to ! public2 &  
7#b7 seek comm5ts f ! public1 includ+ f 
vet]ans s]vice organizations1 vet]ans1 &
 m$ical pr(essionals1 on !              
recomm5dations develop$ "u subsection   

7c77#b74  7f7 ,proposal  7#a7 ,9 g5]al  
,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] submitt+ !   
report "u subsection 7d71 ! ,secret>y   
%all develop & submit to ,congress a    
proposal = conduct ( a pilot program to 
assess ! feasibility & advisability (   
c>ry+ out ! recomm5dations develop$ "u  
subsection 7c77#b74  7#b7 ,input ,9     
develop+ ! proposal requir$ by p>agraph 
7#a71 ! ,secret>y %all consid] ! comm5ts
 receiv$ "u subsection 7e77#b74  7#c7   
,limitation ,! ,secret>y may n conduct !
 pilot program propos$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 
or any portion ( su* proposal except    
pursuant to provisions ( law enact$ aft]
 ! date ( ! receipt by ,congress ( su*  
proposal4  7g7 ,vet]ans s]vice          
organization def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m
 vet]ans s]vice organization means an   
organization recogniz$ by ! ,secret>y = 
! repres5tation ( vet]ans "u section    
#eijb ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 
#bjc4 ,improvem5ts to au?ority =        
p]=mance ( m$ical disabilities          
exam9ations by contract physician  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 #bjad & 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  #bjd4 ,improvem5t ( mail
 process+ by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs ,n lat] ?an ! date t is "o ye> 
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
develop & implem5t a plan to e/abli% a  
uni=m mail process+ & scann+ sy/em      
?r\gh\t ! regional (fices ( ! ,vet]ans  
,b5efits ,adm9i/ration4  #bje4 ,review (
 practices ( regional (fices reg>d+ use 
( susp5se dates  7a7 ,review requir$ ,n 
lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( !      
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all 
conduct a review ( ! practices (        
regional (fices ( ! ,dep>tm5t reg>d+ !  
use ( susp5se dates dur+ ! disability   
claim assessm5t process4  7b7 ,report ,n
 lat] ?an #bgj days aft] ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al

 ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all submit to ,congress 
a report on ! f9d+s ( ! ,inspector      
,g5]al ) respect to ! review conduct$ "u
 subsection 7a74  #bjf4 ,semiannual     
reports on progress 9 implem5t+ ,vet]ans
 ,b5efits ,managem5t ,sy/em  7a7 ,9     
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date 
( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & n less        
frequ5tly ?an once e #ahj days !reaft]  
until ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs c]tifies to         
,congress t ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits         
,managem5t ,sy/em is implem5t$ & fully  
functional1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs %all submit to ,congress a     
report on ! progress ( ! ,secret>y 9    
implem5t+ ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,managem5t
 ,sy/em4  7b7 ,cont5ts ,! report requir$
 by subsection 7a7 %all include !       
foll[+3 7#a7 ,an assessm5t ( ! curr5t   
functionality ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits     
,managem5t ,sy/em1 includ+ :e!r ea*     
compon5t ( ! sy/em is fully functional1 
p>tially functional1 or n functional4   
7#b7 ,= ea* compon5t ( ! sy/em t is     

p>tially functional or n functional1 an 
e/imate ( ! date by :i* ! ,secret>y     
expects ! compon5t to be fully          
functional4  7#c7 ,recomm5dations       
submitt$ to ! ,secret>y by employees ( !
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs :o are   
involv$ 9 process+ claims = b5efits "u  
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y1 includ+   
vet]an s]vice repres5tatives1 rat+      
vet]an s]vice repres5tatives1 & decision
 review (fic]s1 = su* legislative or    
adm9i/rative action z ! employees       
consid] appropriate to improve !        
process+ ( su* claims4  #bjg4 ,annual   
report on capacity ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits  
,adm9i/ration to process b5efits claims 
7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] !  
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & n less   
frequ5tly ?an once ea* ye> !reaft]1 !   
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives a report on ! capacity (
 ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration to   

process claims = b5efits "u laws        
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y dur+ ! next     
"o-ye> p]iod4  7b7 ,cont5ts ,ea* report 
submitt$ "u subsection 7a7 %all include1
 = ! p]iod cov]$ by ! report1 ! foll[+3 
7#a7 ,! numb] ( claims = b5efits "u laws
 adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y t ! ,secret>y  
expects ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits             
,adm9i/ration to process4  7#b7 ,! numb]
 ( full-"t equival5t employees ( !      
,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration :o are  
d$icat$ to process+ su* claims4  7#c7   
,an e/imate ( ! numb] ( su* claims a    
s+le full-"t equival5t employee ( !     
,adm9i/ration c process 9 a ye>4  7#d7  
,an assessm5t ( :e!r ! ,adm9i/ration    
requires additional or few] full-"t     
equival5t employees to process su*      
claims dur+ ! next #a-ye>1 #e-ye>1 &    
#aj-ye> p]iods4  7c7 ,public            
availability ,! ,secret>y %all make !   
report requir$ by subsection 7a7        
available to ! public on an ,int]net    
website ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs4  #bjh4 ,increas$ transp>5cy 9 

,monday ,morn+ ,workload ,report  7a7   
,disaggregation ( claims by decisions   
requir+ disability rat+ ,! ,secret>y (  
,vet]ans ,affairs %all include 9 ea*    
,monday ,morn+ ,workload ,report publi%$
 by ! ,secret>y ! numb] ( claims =      
b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y 
t h be5 receiv$ by a regional (fice ( ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & are p5d+
 a decision1 disaggregat$ by-- 7#a7 :e!r
 ! claim has be5 p5d+ = m ?an #abe days2
 &  7#b7 :e!r ! claim requires a        
decision conc]n+ a disability rat+4  7b7
 ,inclusion ( in=mation on assignm5t (  
p>tial rat+s ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs %all include 9 ea* ,monday     
,morn+ ,workload ,report publi%$ by !   
,secret>y 9 ! portion ( ! report entitl$
 ,trans=mation & 9 ! portion ( ! report 
entitl$ ,aggregate ! numb] ( p>tial     
rat+s assign$4  7c7 ,report on fully    
develop$ claims ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs %all include 9 ea* ,monday     
,morn+ ,workload ,report publi%$ by !   
,secret>y ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! total numb] 

( fully develop$ claims = b5efits "u    
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y t-- 7,a7 h 
be5 receiv$ by a regional (fice ( !     
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs2 &  7,b7  
are p5d+ a decision4  7#b7 ,! total     
numb] ( su* claims t h be5 p5d+ = m ?an 
#abe days1 disaggregat$ by /ation4      
#bji4 ,reports on appeals ( decisions on
 b5efits claims  7a7 ,public            
availability ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs %all make ! reports ( !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs entitl$   
,appeals ,p5d+ & ,appeals ,workload ,by 
,/ation available to ! public on an     
,int]net website ( ! ,dep>tm5t4  7b7    
,appeals grant$ by /ation ,! ,secret>y  
%all include 9 "o ( ! reports describ$ 9
 subsection 7a7 ! p]c5tage ( appeals    
grant$ by /ation4  ,,iii ,gov]nm5t      
response  #cja4 ,increas$ coop]ation    
across ,gov]nm5t  7a7 ,appo9tm5t (      
liaisons  7#a7 ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se ,!   
,secret>y ( ,def5se %all appo9t         
individuals z foll[s3 7,a7 ,at lea/ "o  
individual to act z a liaison "u ?is    

section betwe5 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se & !
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4  7,b7   
,at lea/ "o individual = ea* ( ! res]ve 
compon5ts ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces to act z a    
liaison "u ?is section betwe5 !         
respective compon5t ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces & ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4  7#b7    
,social ,security ,adm9i/ration ,!      
,commission] ( ,social ,security %all   
appo9t at lea/ "o individual to act z a 
liaison "u ?is section betwe5 ! ,social 
,security ,adm9i/ration & ! ,dep>tm5t ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs4  7#c7 ,national      
,ar*ives & ,records ,adm9i/ration ,!    
,ar*ivi/ ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all appo9t  
at lea/ "o individual to act z a liaison
 "u ?is section betwe5 ! ,social        
,security ,adm9i/ration & ! ,dep>tm5t ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs4  7b7 ,duties (       
liaisons ,ea* individual act+ z a       
liaison "u ?is section %all exp$ite !   
timely provision to ! ,secret>y (       
,vet]ans ,affairs ( su* in=mation z !   
,secret>y requires to process claims    
submitt$ to ! ,secret>y = b5efits "u    

laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y4  7c7      
,proc$ures  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y (
 ,vet]ans ,affairs1 ! ,secret>y (       
,def5se1 ! ,commission] ( ,social       
,security1 & ! ,ar*ivi/ ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates %all jo9tly develop & implem5t   
proc$ures to improve ! timely provision 
to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ( su*
 in=mation z ! ,secret>y requires to    
process claims submitt$ to ! ,secret>y =
 b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$ by !          
,secret>y4  7#b7 ,timely provision ,!   
proc$ures develop$ & implem5t$ "u       
p>agraph 7#a7 %all ensure t ! in=mation 
provid$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs is provid$ to ! ,secret>y n    
lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date on :i* !  
,secret>y reque/s ! in=mation4  7d7     
,annual reports ,n less frequ5tly ?an   
once ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs %all submit to ,congress a     
report on-- 7#a7 ! reque/s = in=mation  
made by ! ,secret>y dur+ ! mo/ rec5t    
"o-ye> p]iod = in=mation f ! ,secret>y (
 ,def5se1 ! ,commission] ( ,social      

,security1 & ! ,ar*ivi/ ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates requir$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans
 ,affairs to process claims submitt$ to 
! ,secret>y = b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$  
by ! ,secret>y2 &  7#b7 ! timel9ess (   
responses to su* reque/s4  #cjb4 ,report
 on int]op]ability betwe5 electronic    
heal? records sy/ems ( ,dep>tm5t (      
,def5se & ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 
,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( !      
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y (      
,def5se & ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs %all jo9tly submit to ,congress
 a report t sets =? a timel9e )         
mile/ones = a*iev+ int]op]ability betwe5
 ! electronic heal? records sy/ems ( !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se & ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs4