Legis Daily

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-1530| House 
| Updated: 9/21/2023
Morgan Luttrell

Morgan Luttrell

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (5)
Chris Pappas (Democratic)Keith Self (Republican)Stephanie I. Bice (Republican)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023 This bill addresses certain requirements related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical disability examinations for purposes of benefit claims and other administrative matters related to the benefit claims processes and personnel. First, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA. The bill also requires the VA to report on its efforts to provide reimbursement for a veteran's travel to a facility, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside of the United States, when such travel is incident to a medical disability examination for purposes of VA benefits. The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with non-VA providers to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, the contracts must require that every communication from the provider to the applicant regarding the scheduling of a medical disability examination must be transmitted to any person or organization that is legally designated by the applicant and is recognized for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. Additionally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for non-VA providers that are providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such providers to verify their identity. The VA must report on improving its support of governmental veterans service officers. The VA must establish a Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program for individuals enrolled in the first or second year of law school. The VA must also implement a program to furnish student loan repayment benefits or reimbursements for courses, bar exams, or bar membership dues to certain attorneys who agree to work for the VA for at least 3 years. The bill increases the maximum possible number of judges presiding over the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to nine judges. Finally, the VA must report on improving access to telehearings for Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7556
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2022
Mar 10, 2023
Introduced in House
Mar 10, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 28, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Mar 29, 2023
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Apr 19, 2023
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 28, 2023
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 28, 2023
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
Apr 28, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 14, 2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 162.
Sep 14, 2023
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-199.
Sep 18, 2023
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 18, 2023
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4358-4361)
Sep 18, 2023
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1530.
Sep 18, 2023
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Sep 20, 2023
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4426-4427)
Sep 20, 2023
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 401). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4358-4359)
View Vote
Sep 20, 2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 21, 2023
Received in the Senate.
Dec 23, 2024

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-2513
Presented to President.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7556
    Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2022


  • March 10, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • March 10, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 28, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • March 29, 2023
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.


  • April 19, 2023
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • April 28, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • April 28, 2023
    Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.


  • April 28, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • September 14, 2023
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 162.


  • September 14, 2023
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-199.


  • September 18, 2023
    Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • September 18, 2023
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4358-4361)


  • September 18, 2023
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1530.


  • September 18, 2023
    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.


  • September 20, 2023
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4426-4427)


  • September 20, 2023
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 401). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4358-4359)
    View Vote


  • September 20, 2023
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 21, 2023
    Received in the Senate.


  • December 23, 2024

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-2513
    Presented to President.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 118-2513: Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024
  • HR 118-1329: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the maximum number of judges who may be appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Intergovernmental relationsPublic contracts and procurementVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-1530| House 
| Updated: 9/21/2023
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023 This bill addresses certain requirements related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical disability examinations for purposes of benefit claims and other administrative matters related to the benefit claims processes and personnel. First, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA. The bill also requires the VA to report on its efforts to provide reimbursement for a veteran's travel to a facility, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside of the United States, when such travel is incident to a medical disability examination for purposes of VA benefits. The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with non-VA providers to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, the contracts must require that every communication from the provider to the applicant regarding the scheduling of a medical disability examination must be transmitted to any person or organization that is legally designated by the applicant and is recognized for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. Additionally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for non-VA providers that are providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such providers to verify their identity. The VA must report on improving its support of governmental veterans service officers. The VA must establish a Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program for individuals enrolled in the first or second year of law school. The VA must also implement a program to furnish student loan repayment benefits or reimbursements for courses, bar exams, or bar membership dues to certain attorneys who agree to work for the VA for at least 3 years. The bill increases the maximum possible number of judges presiding over the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to nine judges. Finally, the VA must report on improving access to telehearings for Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7556
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2022
Mar 10, 2023
Introduced in House
Mar 10, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 28, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Mar 29, 2023
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Apr 19, 2023
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 28, 2023
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 28, 2023
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
Apr 28, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 14, 2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 162.
Sep 14, 2023
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-199.
Sep 18, 2023
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 18, 2023
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4358-4361)
Sep 18, 2023
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1530.
Sep 18, 2023
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Sep 20, 2023
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4426-4427)
Sep 20, 2023
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 401). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4358-4359)
View Vote
Sep 20, 2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 21, 2023
Received in the Senate.
Dec 23, 2024

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-2513
Presented to President.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7556
    Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2022


  • March 10, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • March 10, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 28, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • March 29, 2023
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.


  • April 19, 2023
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • April 28, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • April 28, 2023
    Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.


  • April 28, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • September 14, 2023
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 162.


  • September 14, 2023
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-199.


  • September 18, 2023
    Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • September 18, 2023
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4358-4361)


  • September 18, 2023
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1530.


  • September 18, 2023
    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.


  • September 20, 2023
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4426-4427)


  • September 20, 2023
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 401). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4358-4359)
    View Vote


  • September 20, 2023
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 21, 2023
    Received in the Senate.


  • December 23, 2024

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-2513
    Presented to President.
Morgan Luttrell

Morgan Luttrell

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (5)
Chris Pappas (Democratic)Keith Self (Republican)Stephanie I. Bice (Republican)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 118-2513: Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024
  • HR 118-1329: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the maximum number of judges who may be appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Intergovernmental relationsPublic contracts and procurementVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation