,,ib  ,union ,cal5d> ,no4 #aee  #aad?   
,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 ,r4 #fge  
,report ,no4 #aad-bjf  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se   
,,( ,,repres5tatives  ,febru>y #c1 #bjae
 ,mr4 ,abraham 7= himself & ,ms4 ,titus7
 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$  
to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs   
,july #af1 #bjae ,additional sponsors3  
,ms4 ,p+ree1 ,mr4 ,pe>ce1 ,mrs4 ,beatty1
 & ,mr4 ,jones  ,july #af1 #bjae        
,report$ ) am5dm5ts1 committ$ to !      
,committee ( ! ,:ole ,h\se on ! ,/ate ( 
! ,union1 & ord]$ to be pr9t$ ,/rike out
 all aft] ! enact+ clause & ins]t ! "p  
pr9t$ 9 italic ,= text ( introduc$ bill1
 see copy ( bill z introduc$ on ,febru>y
 #c1 #bjae  ,a ,,bill  ,to increase1    
effective z ( ,decemb] #a1 #bjae1 !     
rates ( comp5sation = vet]ans )         
s]vice-connect$ disabilities & ! rates (
 dep5d5cy & indemnity comp5sation = !   
survivors ( c]ta9 disabl$ vet]ans1 & =  
o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title2 table ( 
cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may  
be cit$ z ! ,vet]ans' ,comp5sation      

,co/-(-,liv+ ,adju/m5t ,act ( #bjae4    
7b7 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts 
= ?is ,act is z foll[s3  ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort
 title2 table ( cont5ts4 ,title         
,i--,comp5sation co/-(-liv+ adju/m5t    
,sec4 #aja4 ,increase 9 rates (         
disability comp5sation & dep5d5cy &     
indemnity comp5sation4 ,sec4 #ajb4      
,publication ( adju/$ rates4 ,title     
,,ii--,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals =  
,vet]ans ,claims ,sec4 #bja4 ,ext5d+    
tempor>y expansion ( ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt
 ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims4 ,sec4   
#bjb4 ,recall ( retir$ judges ( ,unit$  
,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans      
,claims4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,life insurance    
program relat+ to judges ( ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims4   
,sec4 #bjd4 ,volunt>y contributions to  
enl>ge survivors' annuity4 ,sec4 #bje4  
,sal>ies ( judges ( ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt 
( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims4 ,sec4    
#bjf4 ,selection ( *ief judge ( ,unit$  
,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans      
,claims4 ,title ,,iii--,improvem5t (    

claims process+ ,sec4 #cja4 ,int]im     
paym5ts ( comp5sation b5efits "u laws   
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,claims processors
 tra9+4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,notice ( av]age    
times = process+ claims & p]c5tage (    
claims approv$4 ,title ,,iv--,o!r matt]s
 ,sec4 #dja4 ,cl>ification ( eligible   
recipi5ts ( c]ta9 accru$ b5efits ^u dea?
 ( b5efici>y4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,obs]vance (  
,vet]ans ,day4  ,i ,comp5sation         
co/-(-liv+ adju/m5t  #aja4 ,increase 9  
rates ( disability comp5sation &        
dep5d5cy & indemnity comp5sation  7a7   
,rate adju/m5t ,effective on ,decemb]   
#a1 #bjae1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs %all increase1 9 accordance )  
subsection 7c71 ! doll> am\nts 9 effect 
on ,novemb] #cj1 #bjae1 = ! paym5t (    
disability comp5sation & dep5d5cy &     
indemnity comp5sation "u ! provisions   
specifi$ 9 subsection 7b74  7b7 ,am\nts 
,to be increas$ ,! doll> am\nts to be   
increas$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 are 
! foll[+3 7#a7 ,w>time disability       

comp5sation ,ea* ( ! doll> am\nts "u    
section #aaad ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code4  7#b7 ,additional comp5sation = 
dep5d5ts ,ea* ( ! doll> am\nts "u       
section #aaae7a7 ( su* title4  7#c7     
,clo?+ all[ance ,! doll> am\nt "u       
section #aafb ( su* title4  7#d7        
,dep5d5cy & indemnity comp5sation to    
surviv+ sp\se ,ea* ( ! doll> am\nts "u  
subsections 7a7 ?r\gh 7d7 ( section     
#acaa ( su* title4  7#e7 ,dep5d5cy &    
indemnity comp5sation to *ildr5 ,ea* ( !
 doll> am\nts "u sections #acac7;a7 &   
#acad ( su* title4  7c7 ,det]m9ation (  
,increase  7#a7 ,p]c5tage ,except z     
provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 ea* doll> am\nt
 describ$ 9 subsection 7b7 %all be      
increas$ by ! same p]c5tage z ! p]c5tage
 by :i* b5efit am\nts payable "u title  
,,ii ( ! ,social ,security ,act 7#db    
,u4,s4,c4 #dja et seq47 are increas$    
effective ,decemb] #a1 #bjae1 z a result
 ( a det]m9ation "u section #bae7;i7 (  
su* ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dae7;i774  7#b7
 ,r\nd+ ,ea* doll> am\nt increas$ "u    

p>agraph 7#a71 if n a :ole doll> am\nt1 
%all be r\nd$ to ! next l[] :ole doll>  
am\nt4  7d7 ,special rule ,! ,secret>y (
 ,vet]ans ,affairs may adju/            
adm9i/ratively1 consi/5t ) ! increases  
made "u subsection 7a71 ! rates (       
disability comp5sation payable to p]sons
 "u section #aj ( ,public ,law #he-heg  
7#gb ,/at4 #abfc7 :o h n receiv$        
comp5sation "u *apt] #aa ( title #ch1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  #ajb4 ,publication
 ( adju/$ rates ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs %all publi% 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/] 
! am\nts specifi$ 9 section #aja7;b71 z 
increas$ "u t section1 n lat] ?an ! date
 on :i* ! matt]s specifi$ 9 section     
#bae7;i77#b77;,d7 ( ! ,social ,security 
,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dae7;i77#b77;,d77  
are requir$ to be publi%$ by reason ( a 
det]m9ation made "u section #bae7;i7 (  
su* ,act dur+ fiscal ye> #bjaf4  ,,ii   
,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals =        
,vet]ans ,claims  #bja4 ,ext5d+ tempor>y
 expansion ( ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt (      
,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims ,section    

#gbec7;i77#b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ,janu>y #a1   
#bjac & ins]t+ ,janu>y #a1 #bjbj4  #bjb4
 ,recall ( retir$ judges ( ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims    
,p>agraph 7#a7 ( section #gbeg7;b7 (    
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 to read z foll[s3  7#a7  7,a7 ,! *ief  
judge may recall = fur!r s]vice on !    
,c\rt a recall-eligible retir$ judge 9  
accordance ) ?is section4 ,su* a recall 
%all be made ^u writt5 c]tification by !
 *ief judge t sub/antial s]vice is      
expect$ to be p]=m$ by ! retir$ judge = 
su* p]iod1 n to exce$ #ij days 7or !    
equival5t71 z det]m9$ by ! *ief judge to
 be necess>y to meet ! ne$s ( ! ,c\rt4  
7,b7  7i7 ,a recall-eligible judge may  
reque/ t ! *ief judge recall !          
recall-eligible judge = a p]iod ( s]vice
 ( n less ?an #ij days 7or ! equival5t74
  7ii7 ,! *ief judge %all approve a     
reque/ made by a recall-eligible judge  
pursuant to clause 7i7 unless ! *ief    
judge c]tifies1 9 writ+1 t ! ,c\rt does 

n h--  7,i7 suffici5t "w to assign su*  
recall-eligible judge dur+ ! p]iod (    
recall$ s]vice2 or  7,,ii7 suffici5t    
res\rces to provide to su*              
recall-eligible judge appropriate       
adm9i/rative & (fice support4  7iii7 ,at
 any "t dur+ ! p]iod ( recall$ s]vice ( 
a judge :o is recall$ pursuant to clause
 7i71 ! *ief judge may t]m9ate su*      
recall$ s]vice if ! *ief judge makes a  
writt5 c]tification describ$ 9 clause   
7ii74  4  #bjc4 ,life insurance program 
relat+ to judges ( ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt (
 ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims  7a7 ,9    
g5]al ,section #gbha ( title #ch1 ,unit$
 ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end
 ! foll[+3  7j7 ,= purposes ( *apt] #hg 
( title #e1 a judge :o is 9 regul>      
active s]vice & a judge :o is retir$ "u 
section #gbif ( ?is title or "u *apt]   
#hc or #hd ( title #e %all be treat$ z  
an employee describ$ 9 section          
#hgja7;a77#e7 ( title #e4  4  7b7       
,effective ,date ,! am5dm5t made by     
subsection 7a7 %all apply ) respect to  

any paym5t made on or aft] ! fir/ day ( 
! fir/ applicable pay p]iod beg9n+ on or
 aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4   
#bjd4 ,volunt>y contributions to enl>ge 
survivors' annuity ,section #gbig (     
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new          
subsection3  7p7  7#a7 ,a cov]$ judge :o
 makes an election "u subsection 7b7 may
 pur*ase1 9 ?ree-mon? increm5ts1 up to  
an additional ye> ( s]vice cr$it = ea*  
ye> ( ,f$]al judicial s]vice complet$1  
"u ! t]ms set =? 9 ?is section4  7#b7 ,9
 ?is subsection1 ! t]m cov]$ judge means
 any ( ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,a judge 9 regul> 
active s]vice4  7,b7 ,a retir$ judge :o 
is a recall-eligible retir$ judge       
pursuant to subsection 7a7 ( section    
#gbeg ( ?is title4  7,c7 ,a retir$ judge
 :o w\ld be a recall-eligible retir$    
judge pursuant to subsection 7a7 (      
section #gbeg b =--  7i7 meet+ !        
aggregate recall s]vice requirem5ts "u  
subsection 7b77#c7 ( su* section2 or    
7ii7 be+ p]man5tly disabl$ z describ$ by

 subsection 7b77#d7 ( su* section4  4   
#bje4 ,sal>ies ( judges ( ,unit$ ,/ates 
,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims     
,section #gbec7;e7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ di/rict 
c\rts & ins]t+ c\rts ( appeals4  #bjf4  
,selection ( *ief judge ( ,unit$ ,/ates 
,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims     
,section #gbec7;d7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--  7#a7 9        
p>agraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 9 subp>agraph 7,a71
 by /rik+ &2  7,b7 by r$esignat+        
subp>agraph 7,b7 z subp>agraph 7,c72 &  
7,c7 by ins]t+ aft] subp>agraph 7,a7 !  
foll[+ new subp>agraph 7,b73  7,b7 are  
#fd ye>s ( age or "u & h at lea/ ?ree   
ye>s rema9+ 9 t]m ( (fice2 &  2 &  7#b7 
by am5d+ p>agraph 7#b7 to read z foll[s3
  7#b7  7,a7 ,9 any case 9 :i* !re is no
 judge ( ! ,c\rt 9 regul> active s]vice 
:o meets ! requirem5ts "u p>agraph 7#a71
 ! judge ( ! ,c\rt 9 regul> active      
s]vice :o is s5ior 9 commission & meets 
subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 & subp>agraph  
7,c7 ( p>agraph 7#a7 %all act z ! *ief  

judge4  7,b7 ,9 any case "u subp>agraph 
7,a7 ( ?is p>agraph 9 :i* !re is no     
judge ( ! ,c\rt 9 regul> active s]vice  
:o meets subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 &     
subp>agraph 7,c7 ( p>agraph 7#a71 !     
judge ( ! ,c\rt 9 regul> active s]vice  
:o is s5ior 9 commission & meets        
subp>agraph 7,c7 %all act z ! *ief      
judge4  4  ,,iii ,improvem5t ( claims   
process+  #cja4 ,int]im 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 ,int]im paym5ts ( comp5sation    
b5efits  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 ! case ( a     
claim describ$ 9 subsection 7b71 prior  
to adjudicat+ ! claim1 ! ,secret>y %all 
make int]im paym5ts ( monet>y b5efits to
 ! claimant bas$ on any disability = :i*
 ! ,secret>y has made a decision or1 )  
respect to su* a disability t is n      
comp5sable1 notify ! claimant ( ! rat+  
relat+ to su* disability4 ,^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 7includ+ a claim reg>d+ 
an increas$ rat+7--  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 ,int]im paym5ts (    
comp5sation b5efits4  4  #cjb4 ,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  #cjc4 ,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 ,web site ( ! ,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 t ! p]son is eligible to    
receive up to an extra ye> ( b5efits    
paym5ts if ! p]son files a 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  ,,iv ,o!r matt]s  #dja4 
,cl>ification ( eligible recipi5ts (    
c]ta9 accru$ b5efits ^u dea? ( b5efici>y
  7a7 ,eligibility ( e/ate ,section     
#eaba7;a77#b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 ! matt] prec$+
 subp>agraph 7,a71 by ins]t+ 1 or e/ate1
 aft] p]son2 &  7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! 
foll[+ new subp>agraph3  7,d7 ,! e/ate (
 ! vet]an 7unless ! e/ate w es*eat74  4 
7b7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5t made by  
subsection 7a7 %all apply ) respect to !
 dea? ( an individual on or aft] ! date 
t is two ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t (
 ?is ,act4  #djb4 ,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 increase1 effective z ( ,decemb] #a1 
#bjae1 ! rates ( comp5sation = vet]ans )
 s]vice-connect$ disabilities & ! rates 
( dep5d5cy & indemnity comp5sation = !  
survivors ( c]ta9 disabl$ vet]ans1 to   
am5d title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to 
improve ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals
 = ,vet]ans ,claims1 to improve !       
process+ ( claims by ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs1 & = o!r purposes44   
,july #af1 #bjae ,report$ ) am5dm5ts1   
committ$ to ! ,committee ( ! ,:ole ,h\se
 on ! ,/ate ( ! ,union1 & ord]$ to be   
pr9t$