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Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-1024| Senate 
| Updated: 7/10/2017
Johnny Isakson

Johnny Isakson

Republican Senator

Georgia

Cosponsors (31)
Dean Heller (Republican)Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Orrin G. Hatch (Republican)Joe Donnelly (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Michael B. Enzi (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Joe Manchin (Independent)John Thune (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Jon Tester (Democratic)Bill Nelson (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Pat Roberts (Republican)Thad Cochran (Republican)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)John Hoeven (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 This bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims appeals system. The bill permits a veteran to appeal within one year by: (1) requesting a review of the agency of original jurisdiction's (AOJ) decision by a higher-level adjudicator within AOJ using the same evidentiary record; (2) filing a supplemental claim with a regional office that includes the opportunity to submit additional evidence and have a hearing; or (3) appealing directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, with the opportunity to select an expedited review to submit new evidence but without a hearing, or to select a review with the option to submit new evidence and request a hearing. A veteran may: (1) maintain the original effective date of a claim if he or she submits new and relevant evidence within one year of the most recent decision, and (2) retain the services of attorneys and accredited agents who charge a fee when the AOJ provides notice of the original decision. The VA's statutory duty to assist a veteran terminates after the original decision. The bill: (1) requires the VA to issue decision notification letters, (2) permits certain veterans who initiated an appeal prior to the bill's effective date to opt-in to the new appeals system, (3) authorizes the VA to conduct a pilot program to test such system, and (4) requires the VA, prior to full implementation, to certify to Congress that it has sufficient resources and personnel to carry out the legacy and new appeals systems.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

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Timeline
May 3, 2017
Introduced in Senate
May 3, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 17, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.
Jun 28, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jul 10, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Isakson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-126.
Jul 10, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 166.
Aug 23, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-2288
Signed by President.
  • May 3, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 3, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 17, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.


  • June 28, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • July 10, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Isakson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-126.


  • July 10, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 166.


  • August 23, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-2288
    Signed by President.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 115-2288: Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017
  • HR 115-457: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the appeals process of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • S 115-712: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reform the rights and processes relating to appeals of decisions regarding claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
  • S 115-933: A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide veterans the option of using an alternative appeals process to more quickly determine claims for disability compensation, and for other purposes.
Administrative remediesComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEvidence and witnessesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth information and medical recordsMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPerformance measurementPersonnel recordsVeterans' pensions and compensation

Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-1024| Senate 
| Updated: 7/10/2017
Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 This bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims appeals system. The bill permits a veteran to appeal within one year by: (1) requesting a review of the agency of original jurisdiction's (AOJ) decision by a higher-level adjudicator within AOJ using the same evidentiary record; (2) filing a supplemental claim with a regional office that includes the opportunity to submit additional evidence and have a hearing; or (3) appealing directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, with the opportunity to select an expedited review to submit new evidence but without a hearing, or to select a review with the option to submit new evidence and request a hearing. A veteran may: (1) maintain the original effective date of a claim if he or she submits new and relevant evidence within one year of the most recent decision, and (2) retain the services of attorneys and accredited agents who charge a fee when the AOJ provides notice of the original decision. The VA's statutory duty to assist a veteran terminates after the original decision. The bill: (1) requires the VA to issue decision notification letters, (2) permits certain veterans who initiated an appeal prior to the bill's effective date to opt-in to the new appeals system, (3) authorizes the VA to conduct a pilot program to test such system, and (4) requires the VA, prior to full implementation, to certify to Congress that it has sufficient resources and personnel to carry out the legacy and new appeals systems.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 3, 2017
Introduced in Senate
May 3, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 17, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.
Jun 28, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jul 10, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Isakson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-126.
Jul 10, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 166.
Aug 23, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-2288
Signed by President.
  • May 3, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 3, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 17, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.


  • June 28, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • July 10, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Isakson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-126.


  • July 10, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 166.


  • August 23, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-2288
    Signed by President.
Johnny Isakson

Johnny Isakson

Republican Senator

Georgia

Cosponsors (31)
Dean Heller (Republican)Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Orrin G. Hatch (Republican)Joe Donnelly (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Michael B. Enzi (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Joe Manchin (Independent)John Thune (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Jon Tester (Democratic)Bill Nelson (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Pat Roberts (Republican)Thad Cochran (Republican)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)John Hoeven (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 115-2288: Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017
  • HR 115-457: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the appeals process of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • S 115-712: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reform the rights and processes relating to appeals of decisions regarding claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
  • S 115-933: A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide veterans the option of using an alternative appeals process to more quickly determine claims for disability compensation, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEvidence and witnessesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth information and medical recordsMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPerformance measurementPersonnel recordsVeterans' pensions and compensation