,,ii  #aad? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #abjc  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #f1 #bjae,mr4     
,hell] 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,casey1 ,mr4    
,moran1 ,mr4 ,man*91 ,mr4 ,toomey1 ,mr4 
,he9ri*1 ,mr4 ,vitt]1 ,mr4 ,te/]1 & ,ms4
 ,coll9s7 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 ,improvem5ts to ,transition       
,assi/ance ,program4 ,sec4 #ajb4        
,requirem5t t decisions on claims expla9
 advantages ( fil+ appeals )9 #ahj days4

 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,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 ,requirem5t =
 managem5t tra9+ program = vet]ans      
s]vice c5t] manag]s ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits 
,adm9i/ration4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,analysis (  
communication betwe5 regional (fices (  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & vet]ans 
s]vice organizations & ,congressional   
casework]s4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,review (       
practices ( regional (fices reg>d+ use (
 susp5se dates4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,annual     
report on capacity ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits  
,adm9i/ration to process b5efits claims4
 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,requirem5t to complete    
ef=ts to revise res\rce allocation model
 ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4 ,sec4 
#bjg4 ,semiannual report on progress 9  
implem5t+ ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,managem5t  
,sy/em4 ,sec4 #bjh4 ,report on plans (  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to r$uce  

inv5tory ( claims = dep5d5cy & indemnity
 comp5sation & claims = p5sion4 ,sec4   
#bji4 ,increas$ transp>5cy 9 ,monday    
,morn+ ,workload ,report4 ,sec4 #baj4   
,reports on appeals ( decisions on      
b5efits claims4 ,sec4 #baa4             
,modification ( pilot program = use (   
contract physicians = disability        
exam9ations4 ,,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 ,improvem5ts to       
,transition ,assi/ance ,program  7a7    
,modification ,to enable onl9e access   
,section #aadd ( title #aj1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end 
! foll[+ new subsection3  7f7 ,onl9e    
access  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 access mat]ials f ! program   
c>ri$ out "u ?is section ?r\gh an       
,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  7b7 ,p>ticipation ( vet]ans
 s]vice organizations  7#a7 ,s5se (     
,congress ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t !  
,secret>y ( ,def5se1 9 collaboration ) !
 ,secret>y ( ,labor1 ! ,secret>y (      
,homel& ,security1 & ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs1 %\ld e/abli% a       
process by :i* a repres5tative ( a      
vet]ans s]vice organization may be      
pres5t at any portion ( ! program c>ri$ 
out "u section #aadd ( title #aj1 ,unit$
 ,/ates ,code1 relat+ to ! submittal (  
claims to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs = comp5sation "u *apt] #aa or  

#ac ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4   
7#b7 ,report  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an 
"o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is   
,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se %all submit 
to ,congress a report on p>ticipation ( 
vet]ans s]vice organizations 9 ! program
 c>ri$ out "u section #aadd ( title #aj1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7,b7 ,cont5ts ,! 
report requir$ by subp>agraph 7,a7 %all 
include ! foll[+3 7i7 ,an assessm5t ( ! 
compliance ( facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( 
,def5se ) ! directives includ$ 9 !      
memor&um ( ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se entitl$
 ,in/allation ,access & ,support        
,s]vices = ,nonpr(it ,non-,f$]al        
,entities & dat$ ,decemb] #bc1 #bjad4   
7ii7 ,! numb] ( milit>y bases t h       
compli$ ) su* directives4  7iii7 ,h[ _m 
vet]ans s]vice organizations h be5      
pres5t at a portion ( a program z       
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a74  7#c7 ,vet]ans
 s]vice organization def9$ ,9 ?is       
subsection1 ! t]m vet]ans s]vice        
organization means any organization     
recogniz$ by ! ,secret>y = !            

repres5tation ( vet]ans "u section #eijb
 ( title #ch4  #ajb4 ,requirem5t t      
decisions on claims expla9 advantages ( 
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 ( ! advantages (   
fil+ = review ( ! decision )9 #ahj days4
  4  #ajc4 ,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 ,requirem5t = managem5t   
tra9+ program = vet]ans s]vice c5t]     
manag]s ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits             
,adm9i/ration ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans   
,affairs %all e/abli% a tra9+ program = 
vet]ans s]vice c5t] manag]s1 or =       
employees 9 successor positions 9       

regional (fices ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits   
,adm9i/ration1 on matt]s conc]n+        
manag]ial skills & su* o!r skills z !   
,secret>y consid]s appropriate = su*    
manag]s4  #bjc4 ,analysis (             
communication betwe5 regional (fices (  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & vet]ans 
s]vice organizations & ,congressional   
casework]s  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs %all ensure t ea*     
sy/emic analysis ( op]ations t is       
complet$ by a vet]ans s]vice c5t] manag]
 9 a regional (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs includes an analysis (
 ! communication betwe5 ! regional (fice
 & vet]ans s]vice organizations &       
casework]s employ$ by ,memb]s (         
,congress4  7b7 ,vet]ans s]vice         
organization def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m
 vet]ans s]vice organization means any  
organization recogniz$ by ! ,secret>y = 
! repres5tation ( vet]ans "u section    
#eijb ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 
#bjd4 ,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   
7c7 ,susp5se date def9$ ,9 ?is section1 
! t]m susp5se date means a measure us$  
by ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration to 
set increm5tal deadl9es = disability    
claims z !y progress ?r\gh ! disability 
claim assessm5t process4  #bje4 ,annual 
report on capacity ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits  
,adm9i/ration to process b5efits claims 
7a7 ,9 g5]al ,along ) ! support+        
in=mation includ$ 9 ! budget submitt$ by
 ! ,presid5t = fiscal ye> #bjag pursuant
 to section #aaje7;a7 ( title #ca1      

,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & ) ! support+     
in=mation includ$ 9 ea* budget submittal
 "u su* section !reaft]1 ! ,presid5t    
%all include a report t ! ,secret>y (   
,vet]ans ,affairs %all prep>e on !      
capacity ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits          
,adm9i/ration to process claims =       
b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y 
dur+ ! fiscal ye> cov]$ by ! budget )   
:i* ! report is submitt$4  7b7 ,cont5ts 
,ea* report submitt$ "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 
( ! av]age numb] ( su* claims a s+le    
full-"t equival5t employee ( !          
,adm9i/ration c process 9 a ye>1 bas$ on
 a "t & motion /udy t ! ,secret>y %all  
conduct on ! process+ ( su* claims4     

7#d7 ,an assessm5t ( :e!r !             
,adm9i/ration requires additional or    
few] full-"t equival5t employees to     
process su* claims dur+ ! next "o-ye>1  
five-ye>1 & t5-ye> p]iods4  7#e7 ,a     
description ( ! actions ! ,secret>y w   
take to improve ! process+ ( su* claims4
  7#f7 ,an assessm5t ( ! actions        
id5tifi$ by ! ,secret>y 9 ! previ\s     
report submitt$ "u subsection 7a7 &     
id5tification ( ! effects ( ^? actions4 
7c7 ,public availability ,! ,secret>y   
%all make ea* report requir$ by         
subsection 7a7 available to ! public on 
an ,int]net website ( ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs4  #bjf4 ,requirem5t to
 complete ef=ts to revise res\rce       
allocation model ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj 
days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs   
%all complete ! ef=ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs to revise ! res\rce   
allocation model ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits  
,adm9i/ration4  7b7 ,report ,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 ! res\rce allocation model    
revis$ pursuant to subsection 7a74      
#bjg4 ,semiannual report 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 ! date t is ?ree ye>s    
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !  
,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/em4  7#b7 ,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  7#c7            
,recomm5dations submitt$ to ! ,secret>y 
by vet]ans s]vice organizations :o use !
 ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,managem5t ,sy/em =  
su* legislative or adm9i/rative action z
 ! vet]ans s]vice organization consid]  
appropriate to improve su* sy/em4  #bjh4
 ,report on plans ( ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans
 ,affairs to r$uce inv5tory ( claims =  
dep5d5cy & indemnity comp5sation &      
claims = p5sion ,n lat] ?an #ij days    
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
submit to ,congress a report t details !
 plans ( ! ,secret>y to r$uce ! inv5tory
 (--  7#a7 claims submitt$ to !         
,secret>y = comp5sation "u *apt] #ac (  
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 &  7#b7 

claims submitt$ to ! ,secret>y = p5sion 
"u *apt] #ae ( su* title4  #bji4        
,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 claims t h be5 
p5d+ = m ?an #abe days2  7#b7 claims t h
 be5 p5d+ = #abe days or few]2 &  7#c7  
claims t d n require 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  7d7 
,/ation def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m     
/ation means ! location ( a regional    
(fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t :]e claims =        
disability comp5sation are process$4    
#baj4 ,reports on appeals ( decisions on
 b5efits claims  7a7 ,public            
availability ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs %all make ! reports ( !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs entitl$   
,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  7c7 ,claims previ\sly
 adjudicat$ by ,appeals ,managem5t ,c5t]
 ,! ,secret>y %all include 9 "o ( !     
reports describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 !     
p]c5tage ( claims previ\sly adjudicat$  
by ! ,appeals ,managem5t ,c5t] t 7 ei!r 
subsequ5tly grant$ or rem&$ by ! ,bo>d (
 ,vet]ans' ,appeals4  7d7 ,/ation def9$ 
,9 ?is section1 ! t]m /ation means !    
location ( a regional (fice ( !         
,dep>tm5t :]e claims = disability       
comp5sation are process$4  #baa4        
,modification ( pilot program = use (   
contract physicians = disability        
exam9ations ,section #ejd ( ! ,vet]ans' 
,b5efits ,improvem5t ,act ( #aiif       
7,public ,law #ajd-bge2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4   
#eaja note7 is am5d$--  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  ,,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    
,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 ! ,national ,ar*ives & ,records  
,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$ures  7#a7 ,9     
g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 
! ,secret>y ( ,def5se1 & ! ,ar*ivi/ ( ! 
,unit$ ,/ates %all jo9tly develop &     
implem5t proc$ures to improve ! timely  
provision to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
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p>agraph 7#a7 %all ensure t ! in=mation 
provid$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs is provid$ to ! ,secret>y n    
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,secret>y reque/s ! in=mation4  7d7     
,annual reports ,n less frequ5tly ?an   
once ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans    
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"o-ye> p]iod = in=mation f ! ,secret>y (
 ,def5se & ! ,ar*ivi/ ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
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 ,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
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mile/ones = a*iev+ int]op]ability betwe5
 ! electronic heal? records sy/ems ( !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se & ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs4