,,ii  #aac? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #ibh  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!       
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #i1 #bjac ,mr4    
,s&]s 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+ ( claims =           
comp5sation "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 ! ,claims ,process+           
,improvem5t ,act ( #bjac4  7b7 ,table ( 
cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is
 z foll[s3  ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table
 ( cont5ts4 ,,title ,i--,ag5cy ( orig9al
 jurisdiction ,sec4 #aja4 ,e/abli%m5t ( 
work+ gr\p to improve employee "w cr$it 
& "w managem5t sy/ems ( ,vet]ans        
,b5efits ,adm9i/ration4 ,sec4 #ajb4     
,e/abli%m5t ( task =ce on ret5tion &    
tra9+ ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs   
claims processors & adjudicators4 ,sec4 
#ajc4 ,/reaml9+ non-,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans

 ,affairs ,f$]al records reque/s4 ,sec4 
#ajd4 ,recognition ( repres5tatives (   
,indian tribes 9 ! prep>ation1          
pres5tation1 & prosecution ( claims "u  
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,pilot program on 
p>ticipation ( local & tribal gov]nm5ts 
9 improv+ quality ( claims = disability 
comp5sation submitt$ to ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,qu>t]ly 
reports on progress ( ,dep>tm5t (       
,vet]ans ,affairs 9 elim9at+ backlog (  
claims = comp5sation t h n be5          
adjudicat$4 ,,title ,,ii--,bo>d (       
,vet]ans' ,appeals & ,c\rt ( ,appeals = 
,vet]ans ,claims ,sec4 #bja4            
,modification ( fil+ p]iod = notice (   
disagreem5t to initiate appellate review
 ( decisions ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,det]m9ation (    
mann] ( appe>ance = he>+s be=e ,bo>d (  
,vet]ans' ,appeals4 ,sec4 #bjc4         
,disclosure ( c]ta9 m$ical records 9    
appellate proce$+s 9 c]ta9 c\rts4       
,,title ,,iii--,o!r matt]s ,sec4 #cja4  

,ext5sion ( au?ority = op]ations (      
,manila ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs   
,regional ,(fice4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,ext5d$   
p]iod = s*$ul+ ( m$ical exams = vet]ans 
receiv+ tempor>y disability rat+s =     
sev]e m5tal disord]4 ,sec4 #cjc4        
,ext5sion ( m>riage delimit+ date =     
surviv+ sp\ses ( ,p]sian ,gulf ,w>      
vet]ans to qualify = dea? p5sion4 ,sec4 
#cjd4 ,mak+ effective date provision    
consi/5t ) provision = b5efits          
eligibility ( a vet]an's *ild bas$ ^u   
t]m9ation ( rem>riage by annulm5t4 ,sec4
 #cje4 ,ext5sion ( tempor>y au?ority =  
p]=mance ( m$ical disabilities          
exam9ations by contract physicians4  ,i 
,ag5cy ( orig9al jurisdiction  #aja4    
,e/abli%m5t ( work+ gr\p to improve     
employee "w cr$it & "w managem5t sy/ems 
( ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration  7a7  
,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] !    
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !         
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
e/abli% a work+ gr\p to assess & develop
 recomm5dations = ! improvem5t ( !      

employee "w cr$it & "w managem5t sy/ems 
( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration4    
7b7 ,composition ,! work+ gr\p %all be  
compos$ ( ! foll[+3  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y  
or ! ,secret>y's designee4  7#b7        
,individuals select$ by ! ,secret>y f   
among employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans
 ,affairs :o--  7,a7 h&le claims =      
comp5sation & p5sion b5efits2 &  7,b7   
are recomm5d$ to ! ,secret>y by a labor 
organization = purposes ( ?is section4  
7#c7 ,n few] ?an ?ree individuals       
select$ by ! ,secret>y to repres5t      
diff]5t organizations recogniz$ by !    
,secret>y = ! repres5tation ( vet]ans "u
 section #eijb ( title #ch1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code4  7c7 ,duties ,! duties ( !
 work+ gr\p are z foll[s3  7#a7 ,to     
assess & develop recomm5dations = !     
improvem5t ( ! employee "w cr$it & "w   
managem5t sy/ems ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits  
,adm9i/ration4  7#b7 ,to develop a data 
bas$ me?odology to be us$ 9 revis+ !    
employee "w cr$it sy/em ( ! ,dep>tm5t & 
a s*$ule by :i* revisions to su* sy/em  

%\ld be made4  7#c7 ,to assess & develop
 recomm5dations = improvem5t ( ! res\rce
 allocation model ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits 
,adm9i/ration4  7d7 ,review &           
incorporation ( f9d+s f prior /udy ,9   
c>ry+ out its duties "u subsection 7c71 
! work+ gr\p %all review ! f9d+s &      
conclusions ( ! ,secret>y reg>d+ previ\s
 /udies ( ! employee "w cr$it & "w      
managem5t sy/ems ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits  
,adm9i/ration4  7e7 ,reports  7#a7      
,int]im report ,n lat] ?an #ahj days    
aft] ! date ( ! e/abli%m5t ( ! work+    
gr\p1 ! work+ gr\p %all submit to       
,congress a report on ! progress ( !    
work+ gr\p4  7#b7 ,f9al report ,n lat]  
?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! e/abli%m5t ( 
! work+ gr\p1 ! work+ gr\p %all submit  
to ,congress ! me?odology & s*$ule      
develop$ "u subsection 7c77#b74  7f7    
,implem5tation ( me?odology & s*$ule    
,aft] submitt+ ! report "u subsection   
7e71 ! ,secret>y %all take su* actions z
 may be necess>y to apply ! me?odology  
develop$ "u subsection 7c77#b7 & apply  

su* me?odology accord+ to ! s*$ule      
develop$ "u su* subsection4  #ajb4      
,e/abli%m5t ( task =ce on ret5tion &    
tra9+ ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs   
claims processors & adjudicators  7a7   
,e/abli%m5t ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs %all e/abli% a task =ce to     
assess ret5tion & tra9+ ( claims        
processors & adjudicators t are employ$ 
by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & o!r
 ,f$]al ag5cies & dep>tm5ts4  7b7       
,composition ,! task =ce %all be compos$
 ( ! foll[+3  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y (       
,vet]ans ,affairs4  7#b7 ,! ,director ( 
! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t4  7#c7  
,! ,commission] ( ,social ,security4    
7#d7 ,an individual select$ by !        
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs :o        
repres5ts an organization recogniz$ by !
 ,secret>y = ! repres5tation ( vet]ans  
"u section #eijb ( title #ch1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code4  7#e7 ,su* o!r individuals
 select$ by ! ,secret>y :o repres5t su* 
o!r organizations & in/itutions z !     
,secret>y consid]s appropriate4  7c7    

,duration ,! task =ce e/abli%$ "u       
subsection 7a7 %all t]m9ate n lat] ?an  
two ye>s aft] ! date on :i* ! task =ce  
is e/abli% "u su* subsection4  7d7      
,duties ,! duties ( ! task =ce are z    
foll[s3  7#a7 ,to id5tify key skills    
requir$ by claims processors &          
adjudicators to p]=m ! duties ( claims  
processors & adjudicators 9 ! v>i\s     
claims process+ & adjudication positions
 ?r\gh\t ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t4  7#b7 ,to  
id5tify reasons = employee attrition f  
claims process+ positions4  7#c7 ,n lat]
 ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! e/abli%m5t (
 ! task =ce1 to develop a ,gov]nm5t-wide
 /rategic & op]ational plan = promot+   
employm5t ( vet]ans 9 claims process+   
positions 9 ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t4  7#d7   
,to coord9ate ) educational in/itutions 
to develop tra9+ & programs ( education 
= memb]s ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces to prep>e su*  
memb]s = employm5t 9 claims process+ &  
adjudication positions 9 ! ,f$]al       
,gov]nm5t4  7#e7 ,to id5tify & coord9ate
 (fices ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se & !     

,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs locat$    
?r\gh\t ! ,unit$ ,/ates to provide      
in=mation ab\t1 & promotion (1 available
 claims process+ positions to memb]s ( !
 ,arm$ ,=ces transition+ to civilian    
life & to vet]ans ) disabilities4  7#f7 
,to e/abli% p]=mance measures to assess 
! plan develop$ "u p>agraph 7#c71 to    
assess ! implem5tation ( su* plan1 &    
revise su* plan z ! task =ce consid]s   
appropriate4  7#g7 ,to e/abli% p]=mance 
measures to evaluate ! effectiv5ess ( ! 
task =ce4  7e7 ,reports  7#a7 ,submittal
 ( plan ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date (
 ! e/abli%m5t ( ! task =ce1 ! ,secret>y 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to      
,congress a report on ! plan develop$ by
 ! task =ce "u subsection 7d77#c74  7#b7
 ,assessm5t ( implem5tation ,n lat] ?an 
#abj days aft] ! t]m9ation ( ! task =ce1
 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ,congress a 
report t assesses ! implem5tation ( !   
plan develop$ by ! task =ce "u          
subsection 7d77#c74  #ajc4 ,/reaml9+    
non-,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,f$]al

 records reque/s  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,p>agraph
 7#b7 ( section #eajc;,a7c7 ( title #ch1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z
 foll[s3  7#b7 7,a7 ,:5ev] ! ,secret>y  
attempts to obta9 records f a ,f$]al    
dep>tm5t or ag5cy1 o!r ?an ! ,dep>tm5t1 
"u ?is subsection1 ! ,secret>y %all make
 n few] ?an two attempts to obta9 !     
records1 unless ! records are obta9$ or 
! response to ! fir/ reque/ makes evid5t
 t a second reque/ = su* records w\ld be
 futile4  7,b7 ,! notification          
requirem5ts "u subsection 7b77#b7 ( ?is 
section %all apply if ! ,secret>y is    
unable to obta9 all ( ! records s\ght f 
a ,f$]al dep>tm5t or ag5cy o!r ?an !    
,dep>tm5t4  4  7b7 ,subsequ5t atta9m5t (
 records ,su* section is fur!r am5d$ by 
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3    
7#c7 ,if1 aft] adjudicat+ a claim = a   
b5efit "u a law adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y1
 ! ,secret>y receives a record relevant 
to su* claim 7or associates ) ! file =  
su* claim a record7 t ! ,secret>y       
reque/$ f a ,f$]al dep>tm5t or ag5cy    

be=e ! adjudication1 ! record receiv$   
7or associat$7 %all be deem$ to h be5 9 
! file = su* claim z ( ! date ( !       
orig9al fil+ ( ! claim = su* b5efit4  4 
7c7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by 
?is section %all take effect on ! date t
 is #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t (
 ?is ,act & %all apply ) respect to any 
claim t--  7#a7 is fil$ on or aft] !    
date t is #ahj days aft] ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 or  7#b7 0 fil$    
be=e ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & 0 
n f9al z ( su* date4  #ajd4 ,recognition
 ( repres5tatives ( ,indian tribes 9 !  
prep>ation1 pres5tation1 & prosecution (
 claims "u laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,section            
#eijb7;a77#a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ ,indian      
tribes 7z def9$ 9 section #d ( ! ,indian
 ,self-,det]m9ation & ,education        
,assi/ance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej;b77 
aft] ,=eign ,w>s14  #aje4 ,pilot program
 on p>ticipation ( local & tribal       
gov]nm5ts 9 improv+ quality ( claims =  

disability comp5sation submitt$ to      
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7      
,pilot program requir$ ,! ,secret>y (   
,vet]ans ,affairs %all c>ry out a pilot 
program to assess ! feasibility &       
advisability ( ent]+ into memor&ums (   
und]/&+ ) local gov]nm5ts & tribal      
organizations--  7#a7 to improve !      
quality ( claims submitt$ to ! ,secret>y
 = comp5sation "u *apt] #aa & p5sion "u 
*apt] #ae ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code2 &  7#b7 to provide assi/ance to  
vet]ans :o may be eligible = su*        
comp5sation or p5sion 9 submitt+ su*    
claims4  7b7 ,m9imum numb] ( p>ticipat+ 
tribal organizations ,9 c>ry+ out !     
pilot program requir$ by subsection 7a71
 ! ,secret>y %all ent] into memor&ums ( 
und]/&+ ) at lea/--  7#a7 two tribal    
organizations2 &  7#b7 #aj ,/ate or     
local gov]nm5ts4  7c7 ,tribal           
organization def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m
 tribal organization has ! mean+ giv5 t 
t]m 9 section #cgfe ( title #ch1 ,unit$ 
,/ates ,code4  #ajf4 ,qu>t]ly reports on

 progress ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs 9 elim9at+ backlog ( claims =  
comp5sation t h n be5 adjudicat$  7a7 ,9
 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date 
( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & n less        
frequ5tly ?an qu>t]ly !reaft] ?r\gh     
cal5d> ye> #bjae1 ! ,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 !   
backlog ( claims fil$ ) ! ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs = comp5sation t h n   
be5 adjudicat$ by ! ,dep>tm5t4  7b7     
,cont5ts ,ea* report submitt$ "u        
subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3   
7#a7 ,= ea* mon? ?r\gh cal5d> ye> #bjae1
 a projection ( ! foll[+3  7,a7 ,! numb]
 ( claims complet$4  7,b7 ,! numb] (    
claims receiv$4  7,c7 ,! numb] ( claims 
backlogg$ at ! end ( ! mon?4  7,d7 ,!   
numb] ( claims p5d+ at ! end ( ! mon?4  
7,e7 ,a description ( ! /atus ( !       
implem5tation ( initiatives c>ri$ out by
 ! ,secret>y to address ! backlog4  7#b7

 ,= ea* qu>t] ?r\gh cal5d> ye> #bjae1 a 
projection ( ! av]age accuracy (        
disability det]m9ations = comp5sation   
claims t require a disability rat+ 7or  
disability decision74  7#c7 ,= ea* mon? 
dur+ ! mo/ rec5tly complet$ qu>t]1 !    
foll[+3  7,a7 ,! numb] ( claims         
complet$4  7,b7 ,! numb] ( claims       
receiv$4  7,c7 ,! numb] ( claims        
backlogg$ at ! end ( ! mon?4  7,d7 ,!   
numb] ( claims p5d+ at ! end ( ! mon?4  
7,e7 ,a description ( ! /atus ( !       
implem5tation ( initiatives c>ri$ out by
 ! ,secret>y to address ! backlog4  7#d7
 ,= ! mo/ rec5tly complet$ qu>t]1 an    
assessm5t ( ! accuracy ( disability     
det]m9ations = comp5sation claims t     
require a disability rat+ 7or disability
 decision74  7c7 ,availability to public
 ,! ,secret>y %all make ea* report      
submitt$ "u subsection 7a7 available to 
! public4  7d7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is       
section3  7#a7 ,backlogg$ ,! t]m        
backlogg$1 ) respect to a claim =       
comp5sation receiv$ by ! ,secret>y1     

means a claim t has be5 p5d+ = m ?an    
#abe days4  7#b7 ,p5d+ ,! t]m p5d+1 )   
respect to a claim = comp5sation receiv$
 by ! ,secret>y1 means a claim t has n  
be5 adjudicat$ by ! ,secret>y4  ,,ii    
,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals & ,c\rt (    
,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims  #bja4      
,modification ( fil+ p]iod = notice (   
disagreem5t to initiate appellate review
 ( decisions ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs  7a7 ,fil+ ( notice (          
disagreem5t by claimants  7#a7 ,9 g5]al 
,p>agraph 7#a7 ( section #gaje7;b7 (    
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is      
am5d$--  7,a7 by /rik+ "o ye> & ins]t+  
#ahj days 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce2 &  7,b7 by   
/rik+ "o-ye> & ins]t+ #ahj-;day 9 ! ?ird
 s5t5ce4  7#b7 ,electronic fil+ ,su*    
p>agraph is fur!r am5d$ by ins]t+ or    
transmitt$ by electronic means aft]     
po/m>k$4  7#c7 ,good cause exception =  
untimely fil+ ( notices ( disagreem5t   
,su* section #gaje7;b7 is am5d$ by add+ 
at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#c7   
7,a7 ,a notice ( disagreem5t n fil$ )9 !

 "t prescrib$ by p>agraph 7#a7 %all be  
treat$ by ! ,secret>y z timely fil$ if--
  7i7 ! ,secret>y det]m9es t ! claimant1
 legal gu>dian1 or o!r accr$it$         
repres5tative1 attorney1 or au?oriz$    
ag5t fil+ ! notice _h good cause = !    
lack ( fil+ )9 su* "t2 &  7ii7 ! notice 
( disagreem5t is fil$ n lat] ?an #ahf   
days aft] ! p]iod prescrib$ by p>agraph 
7#a74  7,b7 ,= purposes ( ?is p>agraph1 
good cause %all include ! foll[+3  7i7  
,circum/ances relat+ to any physical1   
m5tal1 educational1 or l+ui/ic          
limitation ( ! claimant1 legal gu>dian1 
repres5tative1 attorney1 or au?oriz$    
ag5t conc]n$ 7includ+ lack ( facility ) 
! ,engli% language74  7ii7 ,circum/ances
 relat+ to significant delay 9 ! deliv]y
 ( ! initial decision or ( ! notice (   
disagreem5t because ( natural disa/] or 
factors relat+ to geographic location4  
7iii7 ,a *ange 9 f9ancial circum/ances1 
includ+ ! paym5t ( m$ical exp5ses or o!r
 *anges 9 income or net wor? t are      
consid]$ 9 det]m9+ eligibility = b5efits

 & s]vices on an annualiz$ basis =      
purposes ( ne$s-bas$ b5efits "u *apt]s  
#ac1 #ae1 & #ag ( ?is title4  4  7b7    
,application by ,dep>tm5t = review on   
appeal ,section #gajf ( su* title is    
am5d$ 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce by /rik+ "o-ye>   
p]iod describ$ 9 section #gaje & ins]t+ 
p]iod describ$ 9 section #gaje7;b77#a74 
7c7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by 
?is section %all apply ) respect to     
claims = comp5sation & b5efits "u laws  
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs fil$ ) ! ,secret>y aft] ! date 
( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #bjb4         
,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$--  7#a7 by
 r$esignat+ subsection 7f7 z subsection 
7g72  7#b7 9 subsection 7a77#a71 by     
/rik+ 9 subsection 7f7 & ins]t+ 9       
subsection 7g72 &  7#c7 by /rik+        
subsections 7d7 & 7e7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+ 
new subsections3  7d7 7#a7 ,except z    
provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 a he>+ be=e !  

,bo>d %all be conduct$ ?r\gh picture &  
voice transmission1 by electronic or o!r
 means1 9 su* a mann] t ! appellant is n
 pres5t 9 ! same location z ! memb]s ( !
 ,bo>d dur+ ! he>+4  7#b7 7,a7 ,a he>+  
be=e ! ,bo>d %all be conduct$ 9 p]son ^u
 ! reque/ ( an appellant4  7,b7 ,9 !    
abs5ce ( a reque/ "u subp>agraph 7,a71 a
 he>+ be=e ! ,bo>d may also be conduct$ 
9 p]son z ! ,bo>d consid]s appropriate4 
7e7 7#a7 ,9 a case 9 :i* a he>+ be=e !  
,bo>d is to be held z describ$ 9        
subsection 7d77#a71 ! ,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$4  7#b7 ,any he>+ conduct$ z 
describ$ 9 subsection 7d77#a7 %all be   
conduct$ 9 ! same mann] z1 & %all be    
consid]$ ! equival5t (1 a p]sonal he>+4 
7f7 7#a7 ,9 a case 9 :i* a he>+ be=e !  
,bo>d is to be held z describ$ 9        
subsection 7d77#b71 ! appellant may     

reque/ t ! he>+ be held at ! pr9cipal   
location ( ! ,bo>d or at a facility ( ! 
,dep>tm5t locat$ )9 ! area s]v$ by a    
regional (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t4  7#b7 ,a  
he>+ to be held )9 an area s]v$ by a    
regional (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all       
7except z provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#c77 be   
s*$ul$ to be held 9 accordance ) ! place
 ( ! case on ! docket "u subsection 7a7 
relative to o!r cases on ! docket = :i* 
he>+s are s*$ul$ to be held )9 t area4  
7#c7 ,a he>+ to be held )9 an area s]v$ 
by a regional (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t may1 =
 cause %[n1 be advanc$ on motion = an   
e>li] he>+4 ,any su* motion %all set =? 
succ9ctly ! gr\nds ^u :i* ! motion is   
bas$4 ,su* a motion may be grant$ only--
  7,a7 if ! case involves int]pretation 
( law ( g5]al application affect+ o!r   
claims2  7,b7 if ! appellant is s]i\sly 
ill or is "u sev]e f9ancial h>d%ip2 or  
7,c7 = o!r suffici5t cause %[n4  4  7b7 
,effective date ,! am5dm5ts 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  #bjc4          
,disclosure ( c]ta9 m$ical records 9    
appellate proce$+s 9 c]ta9 c\rts        
,section #gccb7;b77#b7 ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--  7#a7 by
 r$esignat+ subp>agraphs 7,e7 ?r\gh 7,g7
 z subp>agraphs 7,f7 ?r\gh 7,h71        
respectively2 &  7#b7 by ins]t+ aft]    
subp>agraph 7,d7 ! foll[+ new           
subp>agraph 7,e73  7,e7 ,to ! ,supreme  
,c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ! ,f$]al ,circuit1  
or ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals =   
,vet]ans ,claims1 & all p>ties ( record1
 9 a case t is appeal$ to su* c\rt & su*
 records are includ$ 9 ! record on      
appeal4 ,^u disclosure ( su* records1 ! 
c\rt conc]n$ %all impose appropriate    
safegu>ds aga9/ unau?oriz$ disclosure t 
are consi/5t ) ! provisions ( section   
#gbfh ( ?is title4  4  ,,iii ,o!r matt]s
  #cja4 ,ext5sion ( au?ority = op]ations
 ( ,manila ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs

 ,regional ,(fice ,section #cae7;b7 (   
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by /rik+ ,decemb] #ca1 #bjac & ins]t+  
,decemb] #ca1 #bjad4  #cjb4 ,ext5d$     
p]iod = s*$ul+ ( m$ical exams = vet]ans 
receiv+ tempor>y disability rat+s =     
sev]e m5tal disord] ,section            
#aaef7;a77#c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ six mon?s &   
ins]t+ #edj days4  #cjc4 ,ext5sion (    
m>riage delimit+ date = surviv+ sp\ses (
 ,p]sian ,gulf ,w> vet]ans to qualify = 
dea? p5sion ,section #aeda7;f77#a77;,e7 
( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is    
am5d$ by /rik+ ,janu>y #a1 #bjaa &      
ins]t+ ! date t is #aj ye>s & "o day    
aft] ! date on :i* ! ,p]sian ,gulf ,w> 0
 t]m9at$1 z prescrib$ by ,presid5tial   
proclamation or by law4  #cjd4 ,mak+    
effective date provision consi/5t )     
provision = b5efits eligibility ( a     
vet]an's *ild bas$ ^u t]m9ation (       
rem>riage by annulm5t ,section #eaaj7l7 
( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is    
am5d$ by /rik+ 1 or ( an aw>d or        

increase ( b5efits bas$ on recognition (
 a *ild ^u t]m9ation ( ! *ild's m>riage 
by dea? or divorce14  #cje4 ,ext5sion ( 
tempor>y au?ority = p]=mance ( m$ical   
disabilities exam9ations by contract    
physicians  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section       
#gjd7;c7 ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,act (   
#bjjc 7,public ,law #ajh-ahc2 #ch       
,u4,s4,c4 #eaja note7 is am5d$ by /rik+ 
,decemb] #ca1 #bjac & ins]t+ ,decemb]   
#ca1 #bjad4  7b7 ,report on disability  
m$ical exam9ations furni%$ by ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n   
lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( !      
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,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 ! furni%+ ( g5]al m$ical &    
specialty m$ical exam9ations by !       
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = purposes
 ( adjudicat+ claims = b5efits "u laws  
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y4  7#b7 ,cont5ts 
,! report submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all

 include ! foll[+3  7,a7 ,! numb] (     
g5]al m$ical exam9ations furni%$ by !   
,dep>tm5t dur+ ! p]iod ( fiscal ye>s    
#bjji ?r\gh #bjab = purposes (          
adjudicat+ claims = b5efits "u laws     
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y4  7,b7 ,! numb] 
( g5]al m$ical exam9ations furni%$ by ! 
,dep>tm5t dur+ ! p]iod ( fiscal ye>s    
#bjji ?r\gh #bjab = purposes (          
adjudicat+ a claim 9 :i* a compreh5sive 
jo9t exam9ation 0 conduct$1 b = :i* no  
disability relat+ to a jo9t1 bone1 or   
muscle _h be5 ass]t$ z an issue 9 !     
claim4  7,c7 ,! numb] ( specialty m$ical
 exam9ations furni%$ by ! ,dep>tm5t dur+
 ! p]iod ( fiscal ye>s #bjji ?r\gh #bjab
 = purposes ( adjudicat+ a claim4  7,d7 
,! numb] ( specialty m$ical exam9ations 
furni%$ by ! ,dep>tm5t dur+ ! p]iod (   
fiscal ye>s #bjji ?r\gh #bjab = purposes
 ( adjudicat+ a claim 9 :i* "o or m jo9t
 exam9ations 7 conduct$4  7,e7 ,a summ>y
 7includ+ citations (7 any m$ical &     
sci5tific /udies :i* provide a sci5tific
 basis = det]m9+ t ?ree repetitions is  

adequate to det]m9e ! effect (          
repetitive use on functional impairm5ts4
  7,f7 ,! names ( all exam9ation        
reports1 includ+ g5]al m$ical           
exam9ations & ,disability ,b5efits      
,que/ionnaires1 us$ = evaluation (      
comp5sation & p5sion disability claims  
:i* require measurem5t ( repeat$ ranges 
( motion te/+ & ! numb] ( exam9ations   
requir+ su* measurem5ts :i* 7 conduct$ 9
 fiscal ye> #bjab4  7,g7 ,! av]age am\nt
 ( "t tak5 by an individual conduct+ a  
m$ical exam9ation to p]=m ! ?ree        
repetitions4  7,h7 ,a discussion ( :e!r 
!re are m effici5t & effective          
sci5tifically reliable me?ods ( te/+ =  
functional loss on repetitive use ( an  
extremity o!r ?an ! ?ree "t repetition  
curr5tly us$ by ! ,dep>tm5t4  7,i7      
,recomm5dations z to ! cont9uation ( !  
practice ( measur+ functional impairm5t 
by us+ ?ree repetitions dur+ !          
exam9ation z a crit]ia = evaluat+ !     
effect ( repetitive motion on functional
 impairm5t ) support+ rationale4  7c7   

,report on progress ( ,acceptable       
,cl9ical ,evid5ce initiative  7#a7 ,9   
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date 
( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y    
%all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'
 ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on  
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives a report on ! progress (
 ! ,acceptable ,cl9ical ,evid5ce        
initiative ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs 9 r$uc+ ! necessity = 9-p]son  
disability exam9ations & o!r ef=ts to   
comply ) ! provisions ( section #eabe ( 
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7#b7   
,cont5ts ,! report requir$ by p>agraph  
7#a7 %all include ! foll[+3  7,a7 ,!    
numb] ( claims eligible = ! ,acceptable 
,cl9ical ,evid5ce initiative dur+ !     
p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( ! initiation ( 
! initiative & end+ on ! date ( !       
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 disaggregat$ by    
fiscal ye>4  7,b7 ,! total numb] (      
claims eligible = ! ,acceptable ,cl9ical
 ,evid5ce initiative t requir$ a m$ical 
exam9] ( ! ,dep>tm5t to supplem5t !     

evid5ce ) in=mation obta9$ dur+ a       
telephone int]view ) a claimant4  7,c7  
,in=mation on any o!r initiatives or    
ef=ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t to fur!r enc\rage ! 
use ( private m$ical evid5ce & reliance 
^u reports ( a m$ical exam9ation        
adm9i/]$ by a private physician if !    
report is suffici5tly complete to be    
adequate = ! purposes ( adjudicat+ a    
claim4