,,ii  #aai? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #aiib  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,june #i1 #bjbe,mr4    
,banks 7= himself & ,mr4 ,blum5?al7     
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 ! effici5cy ( adjudications &   
appeals ( claims = b5efits "u laws      
adm9i/]$ by ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort  
title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,vet]ans
 ,appeals ,effici5cy ,act ( #bjbe4  #b4 
,improvem5ts to effici5cy (             
adjudications & appeals ( claims =      
b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$ by ,secret>y ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,annual report on
 l5g? ( adjudications  7#a7 ,9 g5]al    
,section #eaji;,b ( title #ch1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by /rik+  
,! ,secret>y & ins]t+ 7a7 ,9 g5]al4--,! 
,secret>y2 &  7,b7 by add+ at ! end !   
foll[+ new subsection3  7b7 ,annual     
report ,n less frequ5tly ?an annually1 !

 ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee  
on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & !    
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives an annual report
 t includes1 ) respect to ! p]iod cov]$ 
by ! report-- 7#a7 ! av]age l5g? ( "t a 
claim 7or an issue )9 a claim7 t 0 rem&$
 by ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals 0 or   
has be5 p5d+ be=e ! ,secret>y aft] su*  
rem&2  7#b7 ! numb] ( cases t advanc$ on
 ! docket by reason ( a motion t 0 fil$ 
"u #gajg7;b7 ( ?is title & on :i* !     
,bo>d rul$1 disaggregat$ by-- 7,a7 :e!r 
a motion 0 grant$ or d5i$2 &  7,b7 !    
reason provid$ = ! motion2 &  7#c7 !    
numb] ( appeals dismiss$ by ! ,bo>d1    
disaggregat$ by-- 7,a7 :e!r or n !      
dismissal 0 by reason ( ! dea? ( !      
appellant2 &  7,b7 9 ! case ( a         
dismissal by reason ( ! dea? ( !        
appellant1 :e!r or n su* dea? 0 a result
 ( suicide4  4  7#b7 ,deadl9e ,!        
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
submit ! fir/ report requir$ by         
subsection 7b7 ( section #eaji;,b ( su* 

title 7z add$ by p>agraph 7#a77 by n    
lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act4  7b7 ,guidel9es =          
advancem5t ( cases on docket ( ,bo>d ,n 
lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs1 9 consultation ) ! ,bo>d (    
,vet]ans' ,appeals & ! ,g5]al ,c\nsel ( 
! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 %all   
prescribe guidel9es = ! advancem5t ( a  
case on ! docket ( ! ,bo>d on a motion =
 e>li] consid]ation & det]m9ation "u    
section #gajg7;b77#c7 ( title #ch1      
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 ,su* guidel9es %all
 include ! type ( evid5ce t may be      
submitt$ ) ! motion = ! advancem5t ( !  
case to %[ gr\nds = su* a motion4  7c7  
,requirem5t ,to track c]ta9 claims =    
b5efits  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #ea (     
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by ins]t+ aft] section #eaji;,b !      
foll[+ new section3  #eaji;,c4          
,requirem5t to track & ma9ta9 in=mation 
on c]ta9 claims = b5efits2 notice (     
c]ta9 assignm5ts  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,!       

,secret>y %all use te*nology to track & 
ma9ta9 in=mation 7includ+ in=mation )   
respect to timel9ess7 on-- 7#a7 claims =
 b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by !        
,secret>y 7includ+ issues )9 su* claims7
 t are-- 7,a7 cont9u\sly pursu$ 9       
accordance )-- 7i7 sections #eajd;,c7a7 
& #eaaj7;a77#b7 ( ?is title2 or  7ii7   
any o!r policy e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y2 
7,b7 fil$ 9 ! ,national ,"w ,queue 7or  
any successor sy/em7 b h n be5 assign$  
to an (fice ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits       
,adm9i/ration = adjudication2  7,c7     
af=d$ exp$iti\s treatm5t by ! ,vet]ans  
,b5efits ,adm9i/ration pursuant to      
section #eaji;,b ( ?is title or any o!r 
policy e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y2  7,d7   
rem&$ by ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals to
 ! ,secret>y pursuant to section #gajd (
 ?is title2 or  7,e7 p5d+ a he>+ by !   
,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals "u section   
#gajg ( ?is title2  7#b7 in/ances 9 :i* 
an adjudicator ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits    
,adm9i/ration does n comply ) a relevant
 decision ( ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals

 to rem& a claim = b5efits "u ! laws    
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y 7or an issue )9 
su* a claim71 includ+ any su* in/ance 9 
:i* ! relevant decision conc]n$ a       
failure on ! "p ( ! ag5cy ( orig9al     
jurisdiction to satisfy ! duty ( !      
,secret>y to assi/ "u section #eajc;,a (
 ?is title2  7#c7 supplem5tal claims "u 
section #eajh ( ?is title t are fil$--  
7,a7 9 accordance ) section #eajd;,c7a7 
& section #eaaj7;a77#b7 ( ?is title2 &  
7,b7 aft] ! date ( ! applicable f9al    
decision ( ! ,secret>y ) respect to a   
claim = b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! 
,secret>y 7or an issue )9 su* a claim72 
7#d7 fir/ notices submitt$ to !         
,secret>y ( ! dea? ( individuals 9      
receipt ( b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by 
! ,secret>y1 disaggregat$ by su*        
individuals :o 7-- 7,a7 assign$ a       
fiduci>y2 &  7,b7 n assign$ a fiduci>y4 
7b7 ,annual report  7#a7 ,n less        
frequ5tly ?an annually1 ! ,secret>y %all
 submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'    
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   

,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives an annual report t      
includes all in=mation ma9ta9$ & track$ 
pursuant to subsection 7a74  7#b7 ,!    
fir/ report requir$ by p>agraph 7#a7    
%all be submitt$ by n lat] ?an "o ye>   
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,vet]ans   
,appeals ,effici5cy ,act ( #bjbe4  4    
7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table (        
sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is     
am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to   
section #eaji;,b ! foll[+ new item3     
,sec4 #eaji;,c4 ,requirem5t to track &  
ma9ta9 in=mation on c]ta9 claims =      
b5efits2 notice ( c]ta9 assignm5ts4  4  
7d7 ,improvem5ts to ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans'   
,appeals  7#a7 ,au?ority to aggregate   
c]ta9 claims  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,section    
#gajd7;a7 ( su* title is am5d$ by ins]t+
 aft] ! second s5t5ce ! foll[+ new      
s5t5ce3 ,if ! ,*airman ( ! ,bo>d        
det]m9es t m ?an "o appeal involves     
common que/ions ( law or fact1 !        
,*airman may aggregate su* appeals to   
decide su* que/ions ( law or fact44     

7,b7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5t made by 
subp>agraph 7,a7 %all take effect on !  
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & apply    
beg9n+ on ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y (   
,vet]ans ,affairs completes ! developm5t
 ( ! policies & proc$ures requir$ "u    
subsection 7g77#d77;,a77ii74  7#b7      
,requirem5t to ensure sub/antial        
compliance ) c]ta9 decisions ,su*       
section is fur!r am5d$-- 7,a7 by        
r$esignat+ subsection 7f7 z subsection  
7g72 &  7,b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection  
7e7 ! foll[+ new subsection 7f73  7f7   
7#a7 ,! ,secret>y1 act+ ?r\gh a memb] ( 
! ,bo>d1 %all ensure sub/antial         
compliance ) any decision ( ! ,bo>d to  
rem& a claim4  7#b7 ,! ag5cy ( orig9al  
adjudication may waive ! requirem5t "u  
p>agraph 7#a7 ) respect to a decision ( 
! ,bo>d to rem& a claim to ! ,secret>y1 
if a memb] ( ! ,bo>d det]m9es-- 7,a7    
evid5ce add$ to ! evid5ti>y record aft] 
! date ( su* decision is suffici5t to   
resolve ! issues und]ly+ su* decision2  
or  7,b7 su* decision 0 unnecess>y4     

7#c7 ,if ! ,secret>y waives su*         
requirem5t1 ! applicable memb] ( ! ,bo>d
 %all include1 pursuant to subsection   
7d71 a det]m9ation ( su* waiv] 9 !      
decision ( ! ,bo>d4  4  7#c7 ,def9ition 
( aggregate2 report ,su* section is     
fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+   
new subsections3  7h7 ,n lat] ?an five  
ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( !       
,vet]ans ,appeals ,effici5cy ,act (     
#bjbe1 & n less frequ5tly ?an once e    
five ye>s !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y %all     
submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives a report on !           
aggregation ( claims by ! ,bo>d "u      
subsection 7a74 ,ea* su* report %all    
include-- 7#a7 an id5tification ( ea*   
in/ance 9 :i* ! ,bo>d aggregat$ appeals 
dur+ ! p]iod cov]$ by ! report1 includ+1
 = ea* su* in/ance1 ! numb] ( appeals t 
7 aggregat$2  7#b7 an assessm5t ( :e!r !
 aggregation ( appeals has contribut$ to
 improv$ effici5cy at ! ,bo>d ) issu+   

decisions on appeals2 &  7#c7 su* o!r   
matt]s z ! ,secret>y det]m9es           
appropriate4  7i7 ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m 
aggregate-- 7#a7 means any practice or  
proc$ure to collect common issues1      
claims1 or appeals by multiple p>ties = 
! purposes ( resolv+ su* issues1 claims1
 or appeals2 &  7#b7 includes ! use (   
jo9d]1 consolidation1 int]v5tion1 class 
actions1 & any o!r multip>ty proce$+s4  
4  7e7 ,expansion ( jurisdiction ( ,c\rt
 ( ,appeals = ,vet]ans ,claims ,section 
#gbeb ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 
is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+           
subsections 7b7 & 7c7 z subsections 7d7 
& 7e71 respectively2 &  7#b7 by ins]t+  
aft] subsection 7a7 ! foll[+ new        
subsections3  7b7 7#a7 7,a7 ,9 a cov]$  
proce$+ 9 :i* ! appellant or petition]  
files a reque/ = class c]tification     
pursuant to ! rules prescrib$ by ! ,c\rt
 pursuant to section #gbfd ( ?is title1 
! ,c\rt %all h supplem5tal jurisdiction 
ov] any claim = b5efits "u ! laws       
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y-- 7i7 t         

satisfies ! def9ition ( ! class conta9$ 
9 ! reque/ = class c]tification2 &  7ii7
 = :i* ! ag5cy ( orig9al jurisdiction   
has issu$ a nonf9al decision & !        
claimant has fil$ a notice ( disagreem5t
 "u section #eajd;,c7a7 or section #gaje
 ( ?is title1 includ+ any case 9 :i* a  
claimant has fil$ a supplem5tal claim )9
 "o ye> ( a ,bo>d decision "u section   
#eaaj7;a77#b77;,d7 & #eajh ( ?is title  
foll[+ a notice ( disagreem5t & decision
 ( ! ,bo>d4  7,b7 ,= purposes (         
subp>agraph 7,a71 a cov]$ proce$+       
means-- 7i7 an appeal ov] :i* ! ,c\rt   
has jurisdiction pursuant to section    
#gbff ( ?is title2 or  7ii7 a reque/ = a
 writ ov] :i* ! ,c\rt has jurisdiction4 
7#b7 ,a claimant :o has n opt$ out ( an 
opportunity to be a memb] ( a class     
action may submit a reque/ =            
adm9i/rative review ( su* a claim "u    
section #eajd;,c7a7 ( ?is title dur+ !  
p]iod beg9n+ on ! date on :i* ! nam$    
claimant ( ! motion = class action      
review submits to ! ,c\rt a motion =    

class action review & end+ on ! date t  
is #fj days aft] ! lat] ( ! foll[+      
dates3 7,a7 ,! date on :i* ! ,c\rt      
issues a f9al decision ) respect to su* 
claim4  7,b7 ,! date on :i* ! ,c\rt     
issues a f9al decision ) respect to su* 
motion = class action review4  7#c7 ,9 !
 case ( a claimant :o has n opt$ out (  
an opportunity to be a memb] ( a class  
action & ^: claim is decid$ by ! ,bo>d  
dur+ ! p]iod :5 ! ,c\rt is review+ !    
motion = class action review ! deadl9e =
 su* claimant to file an appeal to !    
,c\rt ) respect to ! decision ( ! ,bo>d 
%all be toll$ if ! ,c\rt d5ies ! motion 
= class action review4  7c7 7#a7 ,9 !   
case ( a claim = b5efits "u ! laws      
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y1 ! ,c\rt may    
rem& a matt] to ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans'     
,appeals = ! limit$ purpose ( ord]+ !   
,bo>d to address a "q ( law or fact if !
 ,c\rt det]m9es ! ,bo>d fail$-- 7,a7 to 
address1 9 ! relevant decision ( !      
,bo>d1 an issue t-- 7i7 ! claimant or ! 
repres5tative ( ! claimant rais$2 or    

7ii7 0 reasonably rais$ by ! evid5ti>y  
record ( ! claim2 or  7,b7 to provide   
adequate reasons or bases = ! decision (
 ! ,bo>d ) respect to su* "q4  7#b7 ,!  
,c\rt %all issue ,rules t provide = ea* 
( ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,:5 & h[ a p>ty to an  
appeal 7ei!r ! appellant or ! ,secret>y7
 may reque/ t ! ,c\rt issue a limit$    
rem&4  7,b7 ,! p]iod )9 :i* ! ,bo>d is  
requir$ issue a decision on ! relevant  
"q id5tifi$ 9 a limit$ rem&4  7,c7      
,guidel9es = :5 ! ,c\rt may grant a     
reque/ = a limit$ rem&4  7,d7 ,guidel9es
 = :5 ! ,c\rt may decide sua sponte to  
issue a limit$ rem& )\t a reque/ f any  
p>ty4  7,e7 ,a requirem5t t ! p>ties to 
an appeal = :i* a limit$ rem& is issu$  
provide notice to ! ,c\rt :5 ! ,bo>d    
issues its decision on ! relevant "q    
id5tifi$ 9 ! limit$ rem&4  7#c7 ,)      
respect to any matt] rem&$ to ! ,bo>d   
pursuant to p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,c\rt      
%all-- 7,a7 reta9 jurisdiction ov] su*  
matt]2 &  7,b7 /ay ! proce$+s ( ! ,c\rt 
on su* matt] until ! date on :i* ! ,bo>d

 issues ! decision requir$ by su* rem&4 
4  7f7 ,/udy & report on common que/ions
 ( law or fact be=e ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans'   
,appeals  7#a7 ,/udy ,! ,*airman ( !    
,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals %all c>ry out
 a /udy to id5tify que/ions ( law or    
fact ! ,bo>d commonly consid]s :5       
review+ appeals pursuant to section     
#gajd ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 
= :i* prec$5tial guidance w\ld assi/ !  
,bo>d 9 issu+ f9al decisions on su*     
appeals4 ,! ,*airman may use artificial 
intellig5ce & o!r te*nology 9 c>ry+ out 
su* /udy4  7#b7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o  
ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1
 ! ,*airman ( ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans        
,appeals %all submit to ! ,committees on
 ,vet]ans ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives & ! ,s5ate a report t   
includes ! f9d+s ( ! /udy requir$ by    
p>agraph 7#a74  7g7 ,indep5d5t assessm5t
 ( pot5tial modifications to au?ority ( 
,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals  7#a7        
,agreem5t ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] !   
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !         

,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all seek 
to ent] into an agreem5t ) a f$]ally    
fund$ rese>* & developm5t c5t] "u :i* ! 
c5t] %all conduct an assessm5t ( !      
feasibility ( modify+ ! au?ority ( !    
,bo>d ( ,vet]ans' ,appeals e/abli%$ "u  
*apt] #ga ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 to p]mit ! ,bo>d to issue        
prec$5tial decisions ) respect to       
que/ions ( law or fact aris+ 9 matt]s   
be=e ! ,bo>d4  7#b7 ,report2 brief+s ,if
 ! ,secret>y fails to f9alize an        
agreem5t ) a f$]ally fund$ rese>* &     
developm5t c5t] "u p>agraph 7#a7 be=e ! 
date t is #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* !
 ,secret>y ent]s negotiations ) respect 
to su* agreem5t1 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7,a7
 submit to ! ,committees on ,vet]ans'   
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & !
 ,s5ate a report t includes-- 7i7 an    
explanation ( ! reasons ! ,secret>y     
fail$ to satisfy su* requirem5t2 &  7ii7
 an e/imate ( ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y 
w f9alize ! agreem5t "u p>agraph 7#a72 &
  7,b7 n less frequ5tly ?an once e #fj  

days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y     
fail$ to satisfy su* requirem5t1 provide
 to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs (
 ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'   
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
brief+ on ! progress ( ! ,secret>y t[>d 
f9aliz+ su* agreem5t4  7#c7 ,assessm5t  
,a f$]ally fund$ rese>* & developm5t    
c5t] t ent]s into an agreem5t "u        
subsection 7a7 %all1 9 consultation )   
vet]ans s]vice organizations1 vet]ans' &
 survivors' advocate gr\ps1 relevant    
legal exp]ts1 & ! ,*air ( !             
,adm9i/rative ,conf]5ce ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates 7or ! designee or designees ( su*
 ,*air7 submit to ! ,secret>y a writt5  
assessm5t t includes ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,!  
det]m9ation ( ! c5t] ( :e!r modify+ !   
au?ority ( ! ,bo>d to p]mit ! ,bo>d to  
issue prec$5tial decisions ) respect to 
que/ions ( law or fact aris+ 9 matt]s   
be=e ! ,bo>d is feasible4  7,b7 ,an     
assessm5t ( ! au?ority ( ! ,bo>d (      
,vet]ans' ,appeals to aggregate1 =      
review1 m ?an "o appeal "u *apt] #ga (  

su* title t involves common que/ions (  
law or fact pursuant to section #gajd ( 
su* title1 z am5d$ by subsection        
7d77#a74  7,c7 ,! recomm5dations ( !    
c5t] ) respect to rules or pr9ciples to 
:i* ! ,bo>d %\ld adh]e :5 aggregat+     
appeals = review pursuant to section    
#gajd7;a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 z s am5d$4  7#d7 ,report2        
implem5tation  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an
 #ij days aft] ! ,secret>y receives !   
assessm5t "u subsection 7b71 ! ,secret>y
 %all-- 7i7 submit to ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & !       
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a copy ( su*    
assessm5t2 &  7ii7 beg9 develop+        
policies & proc$ures to implem5t !      
recomm5dations 9 ! assessm5t ) respect  
to ! au?ority ( ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans'     
,appeals ref]r$ to 9 p>agraph 7#b77;,b74
  7,b7 ,deadl9e ,! ,secret>y %all       
complete ! developm5t ( ! policies &    
proc$ures requir$ "u subp>agraph        
7,a77ii7 by n lat] ?an six mon?s aft] ! 

date on :i* ! ,secret>y beg9s develop+  
su* policies & proc$ures4  7#e7         
,def9ition ( vet]ans s]vice organization
 ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m vet]ans s]vice
 organization means an organization     
recogniz$ by ! ,secret>y = !            
repres5tation ( vet]ans "u section #eijb
 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4