,i  #aah? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  ,h4
 ,r4 #hacf  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(          
,,repres5tatives  ,april #bf1 #bjbd,mrs4
 ,peltola 7= h]self1 ,mr4 ,moylan1 &    
,mr4 ,got!im]7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 
:i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on         
,vet]ans' ,affairs1 & 9 addition to !   
,committee on ! ,judici>y1 = a p]iod to 
be subsequ5tly det]m9$ by ! ,speak]1 9  
ea* case = consid]ation ( su* provisions
 z fall )9 ! jurisdiction ( ! committee 
conc]n$  ,a ,,bill  ,to am5d title #ch1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to improve !       
processes by :i* a vet]an may appeal    
decisions affect+ ! provision ( b5efits 
"u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y (     
,vet]ans ,affairs1 & = o!r purposes4    
#a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z 
! ,,va ,appeals ,re=m ,act ( #bjbd4  #b4
 ,improvem5ts to sy/em = adjudication ( 
claims = b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by !
 ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7     
,duty ,to assi/2 supplem5tal claims2    
exp$it$ treatm5t ( c]ta9 claims ,*apt]  
#ea ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is

 am5d$-- 7#a7 9 section #eajc;,a-- 7,a7 
by r$esignat+ subsections 7b7 ?r\gh 7i7 
z subsections 7c7 ?r\gh 7j71            
respectively2  7,b7 by ins]t+ aft]      
subsection 7a7 ! foll[+ new subsection3 
7b7 ,assi/ance ^u reque/ ( ! claimant ,z
 "p ( ! assi/ance provid$ "u subsection 
7a71 ! ,secret>y %all1 n lat] ?an #ij   
days aft] ! claimant makes a reque/ =   
assi/ance "u ?is subsection1 provide any
 ( ! foll[+ docum5ts3 7#a7 ,! vet]an's  
claims file4  7#b7 ,a pag9at$ copy ( ea*
 compon5t ( ea* docum5t 9 ! evid5ce (   
record t ! ,secret>y det]m9es is        
relevant to ! claim4  7#c7 ,! contact   
in=mation ( ! individual adjudicat+ !   
claim4  7#d7 ,! contact in=mation &     
curriculum vitae ( any indep5d5t m$ical 
exp]t describ$ 9 section #eaji ( ?is    
title (f]+ an advisory m$ical op9ion 9  
connection ) ! claim4  7#e7 ,a copy (   
any correspond5ce relat+ to ! claim     
betwe5-- 7,a7 "o or m employees ( !     
,dep>tm5t2 &  7,b7 an employee ( !      
,dep>tm5t & any o!r individual4  7#f7   

,^u ! reque/ ( ! claimant1 a copy ( any 
docum5t relevant to ! claim t ! claimant
 adequately id5tifies & au?orizes !     
,secret>y to obta9 t is 9 ! possession  
(-- 7,a7 ! ,secret>y2 or  7,b7 ! head ( 
any ,f$]al dep>tm5t or ag5cy4  4  7,c7 9
 subsection 7f7 7z s r$esignat$71 by    
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3    
7#c7 ,! duty ( ! ,secret>y to provide   
assi/ance "u ?is section to a claimant )
 respect to a claim "u ?is section %all 
cont9ue until su* "t z ! ag5cy ( orig9al
 jurisdiction s*$ules a he>+ to         
adjudicate ! claim4  2 &  7,d7 9        
subsection 7i7 7z s r$esignat$71 by     
/rik+ except :5 new & relevant evid5ce  
is pres5t$ or secur$1 z & ins]t+ except 
z provid$ "u ! conditions2  7#b7 9      
section #eajd7;b7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph     
7#b71 by ins]t+ be=e ! p]iod at ! end 1 
includ+ citations to applicable page    
numb]s42  7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by      
ins]t+ 1 includ$ z an app5dix aft]      
regulations2  7,c7 9 p>agraph 7#e71 by  
/rik+ d5ial & all t foll[s ?r\gh ! end (

 ! p>agraph & ins]t+ d5ial-- 7,a7 an    
id5tification ( elem5ts n satisfi$ lead+
 to ! d5ial2 &  7,b7 a summ>y ( ! rights
 ( ! vet]an to appeal su* d5ial4  2 &   
7,d7 9 p>agraph 7#g71 by ins]t+ 1       
includ+ ! diagno/ic codes us$ 9 !       
det]m9ation ( ! disability p]c5tage & a 
citation to ! applicable regulation aft]
 comp5sation2  7#c7 9 section #eajd;,b1 
by am5d+ subsection 7c7 to read z       
foll[s3  7c7 ,evid5ti>y record = review 
7#a7 ,9 ! c\rse ( a high]-level review1 
! vet]an may supplem5t ! evid5ti>y      
record be=e ! high]-level review]4  7#b7
 ,if1 dur+ review ( ! ag5cy ( orig9al   
jurisdiction decision1 ! high]-level    
review] id5tifies an error on ! "p ( !  
ag5cy ( orig9al jurisdiction t          
con/itutes a failure to satisfy its     
duties "u section #eajc;,a ( ?is title1 
& t error occurr$ prior to ! ag5cy (    
orig9al jurisdiction decision be+       
review$1 ! high]-level review] %all     
return ! claim to ! ag5cy ( orig9al     
jurisdiction4  2  7#d7 9 section #eajh1 

by am5d+ subsection 7a7 to read z       
foll[s3  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all 
readjudicate a supplem5tal claim1 tak+  
into consid]ation all ( ! evid5ce (     
record :51 ) respect to su* supplem5tal 
claim-- 7#a7 new & mat]ial evid5ce is   
pres5t$ or secur$2  7#b7 ! ,bo>d (      
,vet]ans ,appeals id5tifies a cle> &    
unmi/akable error on ! "p ( ! ag5cy (   
orig9al jurisdiction2 or  7#c7 a law or 
regulation enact$ aft] ! date ( ! d5ial 
( ! orig9al claim p]mits ! vet]an to br+
 su* supplem5tal claim4  2  7#e7 9      
section #eaji;,a1 by add+ at ! end !    
foll[+ new subsection3  7f7 ,9 ?is      
section1 ! t]m cle> & unmi/akable error 
includes1 ) respect to a decision by !  
,secret>y1 any ( ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,any    
error ( law1 fact1 or application ( law 
to fact-- 7,a7 t is manife/ on ! face ( 
su* decision2 &  7,b7 affect$ ! outcome 
( su* decision4  7#b7 ,! mis9t]pretation
 or misapplication ( a /atute1 reg>dless
 ( :e!r su* decision o!rwise complies ) 
regulations issu$ by ! ,secret>y 9      

effect z ( ! date ( su* decision4  7#c7 
,! mis9t]pretation or misapplication (  
an unambigu\s regulation1 reg>dless (   
:e!r su* decision o!rwise complies ) !  
regulations describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b74  2
 &  7#f7 by /rik+ section #eaji;,b &    
ins]t+ ! foll[+ new section #eaji;,b3   
#eaji;,b4 ,exp$it$ treatm5t ( return$ & 
rem&$ claims  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y 
%all take su* actions z may be necess>y 
to provide = ! exp$iti\s treatm5t by !  
,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration ( any   
claim t is-- 7#a7 return$ by a          
high]-level adjudicator "u section      
#eajd;,b ( ?is title2 or  7#b7 rem&$ by 
! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals4  7b7      
,deadl9e  7#a7 ,except z provid$ 9      
p>agraph 7#b71 ) respect to any claim   
describ$ 9 subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y  
%all take ! actions "u su* subsection n 
lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date on :i*--  
7,a7 a high]-level adjudicator return$  
su* claim2 or  7,b7 ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' 
,appeals rem&$ su* claim4  7#b7 ,! ,bo>d
 ( may1 ^u motion ( ! claimant1 ext5d ! 

deadl9e "u p>agraph 7#a7 if ! ,bo>d     
det]m9es !re is good cause = su*        
ext5sion4  4  7b7 ,attorney fees = fil+ 
( notice ( int5t ,to appeal c]ta9       
decisions ,section #eijd7;c7 ( title    
#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code is am5d$-- 7#a7
 9 p>agraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 by /rik+ !      
enum]ator & ins]t+ 7#d77;,a72 &  7,b7 by
 /rik+ "u ?is p>agraph & ins]t+ "u ?is  
subp>agraph2 &  7#b7 by add+ at ! end1 !
 foll[+ new subp>agraph3  7,b7 ,a       
reasonable fee1 n to exce$ ! less] (    
#bjj or #bj p]c5t ( ! initial paym5t f !
 claimant to ! attorney1 may be *>g$ or 
paid 9 connection ) ! fil+ ( a notice ( 
int5t to appeal a decision by !         
,secret>y "u section #eaa ( ?is title   
affect+ ! provision ( b5efits to a      
claimant4  4  7c7 ,appo9tm5t (          
adm9i/rative law judges2 p]=mance       
reviews2 s*$ul+ conf]5ces ,*apt] #ga (  
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 z foll[s3 7#a7 ,9 section #gaja-- 7,a7 
9 subsection 7c77#a7-- 7i7 by am5d+     
subp>agraph 7,a7 to read z foll[s3  7,a7

 ,! ,*airman may f "t to "t designate a 
retir$ (fic] ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces :o         
previ\sly s]v$ z a milit>y judge 7z     
def9$ 9 section #hja ( title #aj        
7article #a ( ! ,uni=m ,code ( ,milit>y 
,ju/ice77 to s]ve z an act+ memb] ( !   
,bo>d4 ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph  
7,b71 any su* designation %all be = a   
p]iod n to exce$ #ahj days1 z det]m9$ by
 ! ,*airman4  2 &  7ii7 by add+ at ! end
 ! foll[+ new subp>agraph3  7,e7 ,an    
individual designat$ pursuant to        
subp>agraph 7,a7 %all complete a program
 ( tra9+ ) respect to ! laws adm9i/]$ by
 ! ,secret>y t ! ,secret>y det]m9es     
appropriate4  2 &  7,b7 9 subsection    
7d7-- 7i7 9 subp>agraph 7,f71 by /rik+ 2
 & & ins]t+ a semicolon2  7ii7 by       
r$esignat+ subp>agraph 7,g7 z           
subp>agraph 7,h72 &  7iii7 by ins]t+    
aft] subp>agraph 7,f71 ! foll[+ new     
subp>agraph3  7,g7 ! numb] ( decisions (
 ! ,bo>d rem&$ or return$ to ! ,bo>d1   
disaggregat$ by ! ,bo>d memb] :o issu$ !
 f9al decision s rem&$ or return$2 &  4 

7#b7 ,9 section #gaja;,a-- 7,a7 9       
subsection 7a77#b71 by /rik+ %all be &  
all t foll[s ?r\gh ! end ( ! p>agraph & 
ins]t+ %all be-- 7,a7 an adm9i/rative   
law judge appo9t$ "u section #caje (    
title #e2 &  7,b7 a memb] 9 good /&+ ( !
 b> ( a ,/ate4  2 &  7,b7 9 subsection  
7c77#a7-- 7i7 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 by    
/rik+ ,n less ?an "o ye> aft] ! job     
p]=mance /&>ds "u subsection 7f7 are    
initially e/abli%$1 & n less (t5 ?an    
once e ?ree ye>s !reaft] & ins]t+ ,"u ! 
conditions describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,c72 
&  7ii7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new   
subp>agraph3  7,c7 ,! p]=mance review   
panel %all review ! job p]=mance ( a    
memb] ( ! ,bo>d-- 7i7 n less ?an "o ye> 
aft] ! job p]=mance /&>ds "u subsection 
7f7 are initially e/abli%$2  7ii7 n less
 (t5 ?an once e ?ree ye>s aft] su* /&>ds
 are e/abli%$2 &  7iii7 :51 dur+ any    
#ab-mon?-p]iod1 ! ,c\rt ( ,appeals =    
,vet]ans ,claims or a high] au?ority    
rem&s to ! ,bo>d m ?an #fj p]c5t ( !    
decisions issu$ by su* memb]4  4  7#c7  

,9 section #gajb-- 7,a7 by r$esignat+   
subsection 7c7 z subsection 7d72 &  7,b7
 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7b7 ! foll[+ 
new subsection3  7c7 ,9 ! case ( a      
decision ( ! ,bo>d t is rem&$ to ! ,bo>d
 by ! ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans       
,claims or a high] au?ority1 any        
subsequ5t proce$+ associat$ ) ! decision
 s rem&$ may n be assign$ to ! memb] ( !
 ,bo>d :o issu$ su* decision4  4  7#d7  
,9 section #gaje-- 7,a7 9 ! head+1 by   
ins]t+ 2 s*$ul+ conf]5ces aft] ,fil+ (  
appeal2  7,b7 by r$esignat+ subsections 
7c7 & 7d7 z subsections 7d7 & 7e71      
respectively2 &  7,c7 by ins]t+ aft]    
subsection 7b7 ! foll[+ new subsection3 
7c7 7#a7 ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] a    
vet]an files a notice ( disagreem5t "u  
subsection 7a71 ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans      
,appeals %all hold1 by picture & voice  
transmission1 a conf]5ce ) su* vet]an & 
! repres5tative ( su* vet]an1 if any1 to
 s*$ule su* he>+4  7#b7 ,dur+ ! conf]5ce
 "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,bo>d %all-- 7,a7  
provide ! vet]an-- 7i7 n few] ?an #cj   

days = su* vet]an to reque/ a he>+2     
7ii7 n few] ?an #cj days to secure      
c\nsel = su* he>+2  7iii7 n few] ?an #fj
 days = su* vet]an to submit to ! ,bo>d 
! specific det]m9ations or f9d+s ( !    
,bo>d ) :i* ! claimant disagrees2  7iv7 
n few] ?an #abj days = su* vet]an to    
submit evid5ce relat+ to ! det]m9ations 
describ$ 9 clause 7iii72  7v7 in=mation 
relat+ to ! rules gov]n+ an appeal "u   
?is *apt]2 &  7vi7 contact in=mation = a
 repres5tative ( ! ,bo>d1 includ+ an    
electronic mail address2 &  7,b7 s*$ule 
a t5tative date = su* he>+4  7#c7 ,!    
,secret>y may1 ^u motion ( ! vet]an1    
ext5d ! deadl9es describ$ 9 clauses 7i7 
?r\gh 7iv7 ( subp>agraph 7,a7 = good    
cause1 includ+ ! failure ( ! ,secret>y  
to provide reque/$ relevant or mat]ial  
in=mation4  4  7#e7 ,9 section #gajg--  
7,a7 9 subsection 7a7-- 7i7 by /rik+ two
 sep>ate dockets ea* place x appe>s &   
ins]t+ "o docket2 &  7ii7 9 p>agraph    
7#c7-- 7,i7 by /rik+ 7,a72  7,,ii7 by   
/rik+ 1 except t cases & all t foll[s   

?r\gh are assign$2 &  7,,iii7 by /rik+  
subp>agraph 7,b72 &  7,b7 9 subsection  
7e71 by ins]t+ 1 if applicable be=e !   
p]iod at ! end2 &  7,c7 by add+ at ! end
 ! foll[+ new subsection3  7f7 ,he>+    
transcripts ,! ,bo>d1 ^u ! reque/ ( !   
vet]an & at no co/ to su* vet]an1       
provide su* vet]an ) a copy ( !         
transcript ( ! he>+ & a digital record+ 
( any picture & voice transmission      
consid]$ dur+ su* he>+4  4  7#f7 ,9     
section #gaaa1 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+
 new subsection3  7g7 ,9 ?is section1 ! 
t]m cle> & unmi/akable error includes1 )
 respect to a decision ( ! ,bo>d1 any ( 
! foll[+3 7#a7 ,any error ( law1 fact1  
or application ( law to fact-- 7,a7 t is
 manife/ on ! face ( su* decision2 &    
7,b7 affect$ ! outcome ( su* decision4  
7#b7 ,! mis9t]pretation or              
misapplication ( a /atute1 reg>dless (  
:e!r su* decision o!rwise complies )    
regulations issu$ by ! ,secret>y 9      
effect z ( ! date ( su* decision4  7#c7 
,! mis9t]pretation or misapplication (  

an unambigu\s regulation1 reg>dless (   
:e!r su* decision o!rwise complies ) !  
regulations describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b74  2
  7#g7 ,by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new   
section 7& con=m+ ! table ( *apt]s at ! 
beg9n+ ( su* *apt] accord+ly73  #gaad4  
,program to e/abli% electronic case     
managem5t & fil+ sy/em  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! 
,secret>y %all e/abli% an electronic    
fil+ & case managem5t sy/em = ! purposes
 ( process+ appeals "u ?is *apt]4  7b7  
,elem5ts ,! sy/em requir$ by subsection 
7a7 %all include-- 7#a7 an int]net      
database ( docum5ts relat+ to appeals "u
 ?is *apt]2  7#b7 subject to subsection 
7d71 a me*anism by :i* attorneys approv$
 by ! ,(fice ( ! ,g5]al ,c\nsel ( !     
,dep>tm5t to repres5t a vet]an be=e !   
,bo>d ( ,vet]ans ,appeals may access su*
 int]net database to an ext5t !         
,secret>y det]m9es appropriate2 &  7#c7 
a me*anism by :i* a vet]an1 or !        
attorney or repres5tative ( a vet]an1 c 
submit to ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans ,appeals   
docum5ts relat+ to an appeal "u ?is     

*apt]1 9 portable docum5t =mat or o!r   
comm]cially available =mat1 ?r\gh su*   
int]net database4  7c7 ,tra9+ ,n lat]   
?an "o ye> aft] ! date on :i* !         
,secret>y e/abli%es ! program requir$ by
 subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y %all make  
available to attorneys describ$ 9       
subsection 7b77#b7 tra9+ on su* program4
  7d7 ,c]tification ( good /&+ ,z a     
condition ( access to ! int]net database
 describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#b71 !       
,secret>y may require an attorney to    
provide to ! ,secret>y a c]tificate (   
good /&+ f a ,/ate c\rt or ,f$]al       
di/rict c\rt4  7e7 ,requir$ consid]ation
 ,9 c>ry+ out subsection 7a71 !         
,secret>y %all consid] ! case           
managem5t_/electronic fil+ sy/em        
7,,cm_/,,ecf7 adm9i/]$ by ,unit$ ,/ates 
,di/rict ,c\rts4  4  7d7 ,disclosure (  
c]ta9 m$ical records ,section           
#gccb7;b77#b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !     
foll[+ new subp>agraphs3  7,j7 ,to !    
pati5t1 & ! attorney ( su* pati5t1 if   

any1 = ! purposes ( us+ su* record 9    
connection ) an appeal "u *apt] #ga (   
?is title4  7,k7 ,to ! ,c\rt ( ,appeals 
= ,vet]ans ,claims1 = purposes ( fil+ an
 appeal "u *apt] #gb ( ?is title4  4    
7e7 ,deadl9e = c]ta9 me*anism ,!        
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
e/abli% ! me*anism describ$ 9 p>agraph  
7#c7 ( subsection 7b7 ( section #gaab ( 
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$  
by subsection 7c77#g71 by n lat] ?an    
#ahj aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
,act4  #c4 ,expansion ( jurisdiction (  
,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals =        
,vet]ans ,claims & ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt (
 ,appeals = ! ,f$]al ,circuit  7a7      
,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals =        
,vet]ans ,claims  7#a7 ,expansion       
,section #ejb ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! ,f$]al      
,circuit & ins]t+ ,vet]ans ,claims4     
7#b7 ,scope ( review ( c]ta9 claims     
,section #gbfa ( su* title is am5d$--   
7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#d7 ( subsection 7a71  
by /rik+ cle>ly errone\s & ins]t+       

arbitr>y & caprici\s2  7,b7 by /rik+    
subsection 7c72  7,c7 by r$esignat+     
subsection 7d7 z subsection 7c72 &  7,d7
 9 subsection 7c7 7z s r$esignat$71 by  
/rik+ %all review only que/ions rais$ z 
to compliance ) & ! validity ( !        
regulation & ins]t+ %all review su*     
decision & ! accompany+ f9d+s ( fact by 
trial de novo4  7b7 ,unit$ ,/ates ,c\rt 
( ,appeals = ! ,f$]al ,circuit  7#a7    
,expansion ,section #abie7;a7 ( title   
#bh1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--    
7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#ac71 by /rik+ 2 &2    
7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#ad71 by /rik+ ! p]iod 
at ! end & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  7,c7 by add+  
at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#ae7 (
 an appeal f a f9al decision ( ! ,unit$ 
,/ates ,c\rt ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans      
,claims4  4  7#b7 ,repeal ( c]ta9       
provision ,section #gbib ( title #ch1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is repeal$4  7#c7  
,con=m+ am5dm5ts ,section #gbeb ( su*   
title is am5d$ by /rik+ subsection 7c74