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118th Congress Armed Forces and National Security

S. 2513: Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024

Became LawPublic Law 118-196, signed Dec 23, 2024

  1. Introduced (completed)Jul 26, 2023
  2. Passed Senate (completed)Dec 12, 2024
  3. Passed House (completed)Dec 16, 2024
  4. To the President (completed)Dec 23, 2024
  5. Became law (completed)Dec 23, 2024

Summary

Public Law, Dec 23, 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.

Read the full summary

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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

1 offered

Showing 1 of 1 amendments

  • S.Amdt. 3326Jerry Moran R-KSAgreedDec 12, 2024Dec 12, 2024: Amendment SA 3326 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Cosponsors

1

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

186 points earned
  1. 1Jon Tester D-MT SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, discharged, passed Senate, passed House, became law6 events+160
  2. 2Jerry Moran R-KS1 amendment offered, 1 agreed; cosponsored; cosponsored bill passed4 events+26
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Jon Tester

History

  1. Dec 23, 2024Presented to the President. Signed by the President. Became Public Law 118-196.
  2. Dec 16, 2024Passed the House by voice vote.
  3. Dec 12, 2024Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent.
  4. Jul 26, 2023Introduced in the Senate by Jon Tester.
Show the full action history (18 actions)
  1. Dec 23, 2024Presented to President.
  2. Dec 23, 2024Signed by President.
  3. Dec 23, 2024Became Public Law No: 118-196.
  4. Dec 16, 2024Received in the House.
  5. Dec 16, 2024Held at the desk.
  6. Dec 16, 2024Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  7. Dec 16, 2024Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7207-7209)
  8. Dec 16, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2513.
  9. Dec 16, 2024Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7207-7208)
  10. Dec 16, 2024On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7207-7208)
  11. Dec 16, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  12. Dec 13, 2024Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  13. Dec 12, 2024Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  14. Dec 12, 2024Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7043)
  15. Dec 12, 2024Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  16. Dec 12, 2024Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7011-7013)
  17. Jul 26, 2023Introduced in Senate
  18. Jul 26, 2023Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.