Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024
Also known as Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023
Where it stands
- Introduced7/26/23
- Passed SenatePassed 12/12/24
- HousePassed 12/16/24
- PresidentSigned 12/23/24
- LawPublic Law 118-196
Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent on December 12, 2024. Passed the House by voice vote on December 16, 2024. Became Public Law 118-196 on December 23, 2024.
Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024
This act 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 act 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 act 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 three years.
The act extends and increases by one the temporary increase in the maximum number of judges presiding over the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Finally, the VA must report on improving access to telehearings for Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings.
1
7/26/23
What happens next
Became Public Law 118-196.
All actions (18)
- 7/26/23Introduced in Senate
- 7/26/23Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 12/12/24Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 12/12/24Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7043)
- 12/12/24Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 12/12/24Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7011-7013)
- 12/13/24Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 12/16/24Received in the House.
- 12/16/24Held at the desk.
- 12/16/24Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 12/16/24Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7207-7209)
- 12/16/24DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2513.
- 12/16/24Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7207-7208)
- 12/16/24On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7207-7208)
- 12/16/24Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 12/23/24Presented to President.
- 12/23/24Signed by President.
- 12/23/24Became Public Law No: 118-196.