CLEAN VA Act

This legislation seeks to significantly enhance employee accountability and combat fraud within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It modifies disciplinary procedures for VA employees, requiring decisions to be supported by substantial evidence and setting strict 15-business-day timelines for disciplinary actions. The bill also limits appeals of penalties imposed, except for constitutional issues, and allows for removal or suspension without a prior performance improvement plan. To deter misconduct, the bill establishes enhanced penalties for VA employees involved in fraud, false statements, bribery, or obtaining federal compensation fraudulently, including increased imprisonment terms, higher fines, mandatory restitution, and forfeiture of federal pension benefits. It also strengthens whistleblower protections by mandating expedited investigations for retaliation claims within 60 days, providing interim protections, and authorizing monetary awards up to $10,000 for disclosures that prevent significant fraud. Annual ethics and fraud prevention training is also required for all VA employees. Additionally, the legislation mandates a comprehensive review of the VA's disability rating schedule to identify vulnerabilities to fraudulent or exaggerated claims and ensure criteria reflect current medical standards. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must develop and implement a program utilizing artificial intelligence and data analytics to proactively identify irregularities in disability claims, while ensuring human review, due process, and privacy safeguards. A report detailing these findings and recommendations for modernization must be submitted to Congress within 180 days.