Summary: Veterans' Independent Living Enhancement Act - Repeals provisions that: (1) prohibit the initiation of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs providing independent living services and assistance for greater than 2,700 veterans in each fiscal year; and (2) require giving first priority under such programs to veterans for whom the reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal is precluded solely as a result of disability.

veterans independent living enhancement_act repeals provisions prohibit initiation department_of_veterans_affairs programs providing independent living services assistance greater veterans fiscal year require giving priority programs veterans reasonable feasibility achieving vocational goal precluded solely result disability


Summary: Authorizes and requests the President to issue a posthumous commission in the grade of captain in the regular Army to Milton Holland, who, while a sergeant major of the 5th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Civil War.

authorizes requests president issue posthumous commission grade captain regular army sergeant major united_states awarded medal honor civil war


Summary:
Veterans Day Off Act - Entitles veterans who have been employed by an employer for at least 12 months, except those employed by a public agency, to leave from such employer on Veterans Day upon request if such veteran would otherwise be required to work on Veterans Day. Authorizes employers who employ 50 or more employees to deny leave if providing leave to veterans would negatively impact public health or safety or cause the employer significant economic or operational disruption.

Authorizes leave granted to consist of unpaid leave. Authorizes an employee to elect, or an employer to require the employee, to substitute accrued paid vacation leave or personal leave for leave provided under this Act.

Prohibits: (1) such employers from interfering with, restraining, or denying the taking of any leave provided under this Act; (2) such employers from discharging or discriminating against individuals for opposing practices made unlawful by this Act; and (3) any person from discharging or discriminating against individuals for filing any charge or instituting any proceeding under this Act, giving any information in connection with inquiries or proceedings relating to such leave, or testifying in inquiries or proceedings related to such leave.

Gives the Secretary of Labor investigative authority with respect to the provisions of this Act in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as the investigative authority provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

Requires such employers to post in conspicuous places on their premises a notice with information pertaining to the filing of a charge under this Act.

veterans day act entitles veterans employed employer months employed public agency leave employer veterans day request veteran required work veterans day authorizes employers employ employees deny leave providing leave veterans negatively impact public health safety cause employer significant economic operational disruption authorizes leave granted consist unpaid leave authorizes employee elect employer require employee substitute accrued paid vacation leave personal leave leave provided act prohibits employers interfering restraining denying taking leave provided act employers discharging discriminating individuals opposing practices unlawful act person discharging discriminating individuals filing charge instituting proceeding act giving information connection inquiries proceedings relating leave inquiries proceedings related leave gives secretary labor investigative authority respect provisions act manner terms conditions investigative authority provided family_and_medical_leave_act requires employers post conspicuous places premises notice information pertaining filing charge act


Summary: Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act - Authorizes burial in any open national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration of the remains of any individual: (1) who was naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 and who resided in the United States at the time of death; or (2) who the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines served with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and who, at the time of death, resided in the United States and was a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

veterans service recognition act_-_authorizes burial open national cemetery control national_cemetery_administration remains individual naturalized pursuant veterans naturalization act resided united_states time death secretary veterans_affairs determines served special unit irregular forces operating base laos support armed_forces february time death resided united_states citizen alien lawfully admitted permanent residence


Summary: Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2013 - Extends to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury the eligibility to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program of comprehensive assistance to family caregivers of such veterans. (Under current law, such eligibility is limited to those veterans who incurred such an injury on or after September 11, 2001.)

caregivers expansion improvement act extends veterans service connected injury eligibility participate department_of_veterans_affairs program comprehensive assistance family caregivers veterans current law eligibility limited veterans incurred injury september


Summary:
Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat a pre-apprenticeship program as a program of apprenticeship, for purposes of providing educational assistance, if such pre-apprenticeship program: (1) is recognized under or compliant with relevant state standards for a postsecondary pre-apprenticeship program, or (2) is in a state that does not require such standards and the curriculum of the program is approved by a sponsor who certifies that the program will prepare an individual with skills and competencies needed to enroll in a registered apprenticeship program and the pre-apprenticeship program maintains conduct and attendance policies in accordance with such sponsor.

Requires that a covered individual enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program receive the same amount and kind of educational assistance the individual would receive if the individual were enrolled in a program of apprenticeship, with an exception of specified housing assistance if the individual is not paid as part of such pre-apprenticeship program.

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veterans entry apprenticeship act_-_requires secretary veterans_affairs treat pre apprenticeship program program apprenticeship purposes providing educational assistance pre apprenticeship program recognized compliant relevant state standards postsecondary pre apprenticeship program state require standards curriculum program approved sponsor certifies program prepare individual skills competencies needed enroll registered apprenticeship program pre apprenticeship program maintains conduct attendance policies accordance sponsor requires covered individual enrolled pre apprenticeship program receive kind educational assistance individual receive individual enrolled program apprenticeship exception specified housing assistance individual paid pre apprenticeship program


Summary: Classified Veterans Access to Care Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) establish standards and procedures to ensure that a veteran who participated in a classified mission or served in a sensitive unit while in the Armed Forces may access mental health care provided by the VA in a manner that fully accommodates the veteran's obligation to not improperly disclose classified information; (2) disseminate guidance to employees of the Veterans Health Administration, including mental health professionals, on such standards and procedures and on how to best engage such veterans during the course of mental health treatment with respect to classified information; and (3) ensure that an individual may elect to identify as such a veteran on an appropriate form.

classified veterans access care act_-_requires secretary veterans_affairs establish standards procedures ensure veteran participated classified mission served sensitive unit armed_forces access mental health_care provided manner fully accommodates veteran obligation improperly disclose classified information disseminate guidance employees veterans_health_administration including mental health professionals standards procedures best engage veterans course mental health treatment respect classified information ensure individual elect identify veteran appropriate form


Summary:
VOW to Hire Heroes Extension Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2017 the work opportunity tax credit for hiring a qualified veteran (defined as an unemployed veteran who is certified as being a member of a family receiving food stamp assistance and who is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability), (2) revise tax credit eligibility requirements for documenting the status of veterans and their receipt of unemployment compensation, and (3) extend the payroll tax offset for such credit to certain for-profit employers.

 Directs the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to make annual reports on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this Act in increasing the employment of veterans.

Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to pay: (1) each U.S. possession (i.e., American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) with a mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss to such possession due to this Act; and (2) each U.S. possession without such a tax system an amount estimated to equal the loss to such possession that would have occurred due to this Act if such a tax system had been in effect in that possession.

hire heroes extension act amends_the_internal_revenue_code extend work opportunity tax credit hiring qualified veteran defined unemployed veteran certified member family receiving food stamp assistance entitled compensation service connected disability revise tax credit eligibility requirements documenting status veterans receipt unemployment compensation extend payroll tax offset credit certain profit employers directs commissioner internal_revenue_service consultation secretary labor annual reports effectiveness cost effectiveness act increasing employment veterans requires secretary treasury pay possession american_samoa guam commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands commonwealth_of_puerto_rico virgin_islands code tax system amounts equal loss possession act possession tax system estimated equal loss possession occurred act tax system effect possession


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to develop guidelines for the use by the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) of unofficial sources of information, including eyewitness statements, to determine the eligibility of a member or former member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the member's service records are incomplete because of damage to the records as a result of the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or any subsequent incident while the records were in DOD's possession.

directs secretary defense dod develop guidelines use secretaries military departments secretary veterans_affairs sources information including eyewitness statements determine eligibility member member armed_forces benefits decorations member service records incomplete damage records result fire national personnel records center missouri subsequent incident records dod possession


Summary:
Veterans Education Counseling Act - Modifies provisions relating to educational and vocational counseling for veterans to provide a program of counseling services to be known as the Academic Counseling and Educational Information Service. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) make available to veterans information about the definitions, eligibility requirements, and services provided by such counseling and how such counseling services differ from those provided as part of rehabilitation and readjustment assistance programs for veterans; and (2) maintain a website on which a person is able to request such counseling services.

Establishes as the primary goal of such counseling services to provide individuals with assistance in: (1) pursuing postsecondary education and training opportunities, (2) obtaining information about and data on such opportunities, (3) selecting a program of education or training, and (4) addressing other needs relating to education.

veterans education counseling act modifies provisions relating educational vocational counseling veterans provide program counseling services known academic counseling educational information service requires secretary veterans_affairs available veterans information definitions eligibility requirements services provided counseling counseling services differ provided rehabilitation readjustment assistance programs veterans maintain website person able request counseling services establishes primary goal counseling services provide individuals assistance pursuing postsecondary education training opportunities obtaining information data opportunities selecting program education training addressing needs relating education


Summary:
Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signage in accessible formats and displayed prominently and conspicuously in each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prosthetics and orthotics clinic. Requires VA employees who work at such clinics, as well as patient advocates of veterans who receive care there, to receive training on such Bill of Rights. Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to inform veterans of such Bill of Rights.

Includes in the Bill of Rights the right to: (1) access the highest quality prosthetic and orthotic care; (2) select the practitioner that best meets their prosthetic and orthotic needs; (3) timely and efficient prosthetic and orthotic care; and (4) transition and readjust to civilian life in an honorable manner, including by having ample access to vocational rehabilitation, employment programs, and housing assistance.

Directs: (1) the Secretary to collect information relating to the alleged mistreatment of injured and amputee veterans, (2) the veteran liaison at each VA medical center to submit quarterly to the VA's Chief Consultant of Prosthetics and Sensory Aids a report on such information, and (3) the Chief Consultant to investigate and address such information.

injured amputee veterans bill rights directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure injured amputee veterans bill rights printed signage accessible formats displayed prominently conspicuously department_of_veterans_affairs prosthetics orthotics clinic requires_va employees work clinics patient advocates veterans receive care receive training bill rights directs secretary conduct outreach inform veterans bill rights includes bill rights right access highest quality prosthetic orthotic care select practitioner best meets prosthetic orthotic needs timely efficient prosthetic orthotic care transition civilian life honorable manner including having access vocational rehabilitation employment programs housing assistance directs secretary collect information relating alleged mistreatment injured amputee veterans veteran liaison medical center submit quarterly chief consultant prosthetics sensory aids report information chief consultant investigate address information


Summary: Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make grants to non-profit organizations in the 75 U.S. cities with the largest populations of veterans to establish clearinghouses for veterans to receive information about available employment opportunities and services.

requires secretary veterans_affairs grants non profit organizations cities largest populations veterans establish clearinghouses veterans receive information available employment opportunities services


Summary:
Streamlining Support for Veterans and Military Caregivers Act - Expands the program of assistance and support services for caregivers of veterans to include all caregivers (currently allowed for family caregivers).

Modifies the program of special compensation to members of the uniformed services for injuries and illness to allow such compensation for a serious injury or illness (currently allowed for a catastrophic injury or illness). Exempts payments of such compensation from taxation.

streamlining support veterans military caregivers act expands program assistance support services caregivers veterans include caregivers currently allowed family caregivers modifies program special compensation members uniformed_services injuries illness allow compensation injury illness currently allowed catastrophic injury illness exempts payments compensation taxation


Summary:
Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013 - Amends the: (1) VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to extend through March 31, 2016, the veterans retraining assistance program; and (2) Wounded Warrior Act to extend through 2016 the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) (Secretary) to provide the same rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces (members) with severe injuries or illnesses as are provided to veterans.

Extends through: (1) March 31, 2016, additional VA rehabilitation programs for certain disabled veterans who have completed a VA rehabilitation program and have exhausted their rights to state unemployment benefits; and (2) FY2015 the collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program.

Directs the Secretary to develop a single, unified federal web-based employment portal for veterans to access information on federal programs and activities concerning veterans employment, unemployment benefits, and training.

Directs the: (1) Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants to hire veterans as firefighters, and (2) Attorney General (AG) to award grants to hire veterans as law enforcement officers.

Requires the head of each executive and defense agency to consider favorably, as an evaluation factor in federal solicitations for contracts and task or delivery orders valued at or above $25 million, the employment by a prospective contractor of veterans constituting at least 5% of the contractor's workforce.

Allows a veteran on whose behalf a complaint of a violation of employment or reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is made by the AG to intervene in such action, and to obtain appropriate relief. Requires the AG, within 60 days after receiving a referral of an unsuccessful attempt to resolve a complaint relating to a state or private employer, to notify the person on whose behalf the complaint is submitted of either the decision to commence such an action or of when such decision is expected to be made. Requires, in the latter case, such decision to be made within an additional 30 days. Requires the AG to commence such an action when there is reasonable cause to believe that a state or private employer is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of such rights and benefits, and that the pattern or practice denies the full exercise of such rights and benefits.

Authorizes the suspension, termination, or debarment of federal contractors for repeated failures or refusals to comply with USERRA protections.

Provides the Special Counsel with subpoena power to require the attendance and testimony of, and production of documents from, federal employees, to be enforced through the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Authorizes the AG, in employment or reemployment rights investigations, to issue and serve a civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material.

putting veterans work act amends hire heroes act extend march veterans retraining assistance program wounded warrior act extend authority secretary veterans_affairs secretary provide rehabilitation vocational benefits members armed_forces members severe injuries illnesses provided veterans extends march additional rehabilitation programs certain disabled veterans completed rehabilitation program exhausted rights state unemployment benefits fy2015 collaborative veterans training mentoring placement program directs secretary develop single unified federal web based employment portal veterans access information federal programs activities concerning veterans employment unemployment benefits training directs secretary homeland_security dhs award grants hire veterans firefighters attorney general award grants hire veterans law enforcement officers requires head executive defense agency consider evaluation factor federal solicitations contracts task delivery orders valued million employment prospective contractor veterans constituting contractor workforce allows veteran behalf complaint violation employment reemployment rights uniformed_services_employment_and_reemployment_rights_act userra intervene action obtain appropriate relief requires days receiving referral unsuccessful attempt resolve complaint relating state private employer notify person behalf complaint submitted decision commence action decision expected requires case decision additional days requires commence action reasonable cause believe state private employer engaged pattern practice resistance enjoyment rights benefits pattern practice denies exercise rights benefits authorizes suspension termination debarment federal contractors repeated failures refusals comply userra protections provides special_counsel subpoena power require attendance testimony production documents federal employees enforced merit_systems_protection_board authorizes employment reemployment rights investigations issue serve civil investigative demand production documentary material


Summary: Support Earned Recognition for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Excludes from the definitions of "active duty," "active duty for training," and "inactive duty training," for veteran benefit or employment preference purposes, any service performed at a preparatory school of a service academy by a student who is not otherwise a member of the Armed Forces.

support earned recognition veterans act act excludes definitions active duty active duty training inactive duty training veteran benefit employment preference purposes service performed preparatory school service academy student member armed_forces


Summary:
Veterans Legal Support Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to at least one university law school program that is designed to provide legal assistance to veterans.

Allows programs of university law schools which may receive support under this Act to include those that assist veterans with: (1) filing and appealing claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) such other civil, criminal, and family legal matters as considered appropriate.

Permits the support provided to a program to include financial support.

Limits the total amount of financial support provided in any fiscal year to $1 million.

veterans legal support act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs provide support university law school program designed provide legal assistance veterans allows programs university law schools receive support act include assist veterans filing appealing claims benefits laws administered secretary civil criminal family legal matters considered appropriate permits support provided program include financial support limits total financial support provided fiscal year million


Summary: Servicemembers Transition Improvement Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing information on members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service to state veterans agencies to facilitate the transition of such members to civilian life. Authorizes such agencies to share such information with appropriate county veterans service offices.

servicemembers transition improvement act requires secretary defense dod carry pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing information members armed_forces separating service state veterans agencies facilitate transition members civilian life authorizes agencies share information appropriate county veterans service offices


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to award the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert L. Towles for acts of valor during the Vietnam War, notwithstanding otherwise applicable time limitations.

authorizes secretary army award distinguished service cross robert acts valor vietnam war notwithstanding applicable time limitations


Summary:
Honor Our Fallen Heroes With Dignity Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of the Army to permit visitors to leave on any gravesite or government-furnished marker located in section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery any item that: (1) does not present a safety or health concern, (2) is not permanently affixed to such marker, and (3) does not interfere with the normal operations and maintenance procedures of the Cemetery.

Requires the History Office of Arlington National Cemetery: (1) to collect, catalog, and store any other items left on a gravesite, headstone, or marker in section 60; and (2) at the end of each calendar month, to collect, catalog, and store all items left on gravesites, headstones, and government-furnished markers.

honor fallen heroes dignity act directs secretary army permit visitors leave gravesite government furnished marker located section arlington national cemetery item present safety health concern permanently affixed marker interfere normal operations maintenance procedures cemetery requires history office arlington national cemetery collect catalog store items left gravesite headstone marker section end calendar month collect catalog store items left gravesites headstones government furnished markers


Summary: Increased Age Limit for Post-9/11 Education Assistance Dependents Act - Increases from 26 to 29 years old the age after which a child may not use transferred educational assistance for service in the Armed Forces commencing on or after September 11, 2001.

increased age limit education assistance dependents act increases years old age child use transferred educational assistance service armed_forces commencing september


Summary:
Protecting the Freedoms and Benefits for All Veterans Act - Revises the definition of "surviving spouse" for purposes of veterans benefits provisions to eliminate the requirement that the person who was the spouse of a veteran at the time of the veteran's death be a person of the opposite sex.

Considers an individual to be a "spouse" if: (1) the marriage is valid in the state in which it was entered into; or (2) in the case of a marriage entered into outside any state, the marriage is valid in the place in which it was entered into and could have been entered into in a state, or it was valid in the place in which all parties to it resided at the time it was entered into.

protecting freedoms benefits veterans act revises definition surviving spouse purposes veterans benefits provisions eliminate requirement person spouse veteran time veteran death person opposite sex considers individual spouse marriage valid state entered case marriage entered outside state marriage valid place entered entered state valid place parties resided time entered


Summary: GI Education Benefit Fairness Act - Expands the definition of "children," for purposes of provisions allowing members or former members of the uniformed services who served on active duty for specified periods beginning on or after September 11, 2001, to transfer their entitlement to educational assistance, to mean an unmarried person who: (1) is placed in the legal custody of a member or former member by court order for at least 12 consecutive months, (2) has not attained the age of 21, (3) has not attained the age of 23 and is enrolled in a full-time course of study at an institution of higher learning, (4) is incapable of self support due to a mental or physical incapacity that occurred while such person was a dependent of the member or former member, (5) is dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support, (6) resides with the member or former member unless separated due to military service or institutionalization for a disability or incapacitation, and (7) is not a dependent of a member or former member under any other provision defining dependent.

education benefit fairness act expands definition children purposes provisions allowing members members uniformed_services served active duty specified periods beginning september transfer entitlement educational assistance mean unmarried person placed legal custody member member court order consecutive months attained age attained age enrolled time course study institution higher learning incapable self support mental physical incapacity occurred person dependent member member dependent member member half support resides member member separated military service institutionalization disability dependent member member provision defining dependent


Summary:
Military Skills to Careers Act - Requires a state, as a condition for receipt of a grant or contract from the Department of Labor to employ disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives, to establish a program under which that state administers an examination and issues a license or credential to a veteran without requiring any training or apprenticeship if such veteran: (1) receives a satisfactory score on such examination, (2) has been awarded a military occupational specialty that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the state requirements for such license or credential, (3) has engaged in active practice of such occupation for at least two of the five years preceding the date of application for such license or credential, and (4) pays any fees required by the state for such license or credential. Requires the state to report annually to the Secretary of Labor on the exams administered, the number of veterans who completed such exams, and exam results, disaggregated by occupational field.

Allows the Secretary to waive the requirement that a state establish such a program if the state certifies that it: (1) takes into account previous military training or testing; (2) permits veterans to satisfy through examination training or testing requirements for which a veteran has previously completed military training; and (3) substantially reduces training time, based on the military training received by a veteran, required to satisfy requirements the veteran is unable to completely satisfy through examination.

Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress and the Secretary of Defense on administered exams and exam results.

military skills careers act_-_requires state condition receipt grant contract department_of_labor employ disabled veterans outreach program specialists local veterans employment representatives establish program state administers examination issues license credential veteran requiring training apprenticeship veteran receives satisfactory score examination awarded military occupational specialty substantially equivalent exceeds state requirements license credential engaged active practice occupation years preceding date application license credential pays fees required state license credential requires state report annually secretary labor exams administered number veterans completed exams exam results disaggregated occupational field allows secretary waive requirement state establish program state certifies takes account previous military training testing permits veterans satisfy examination training testing requirements veteran previously completed military training substantially reduces training time based military training received veteran required satisfy requirements veteran unable completely satisfy examination requires annual report secretary congress secretary defense administered exams exam results


Summary:
Careers for Heroes Act - Directs the head of each federal agency other than the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a plan for exercising, during the five-year period beginning on the enactment of this Act, authority to make veterans recruitment appointments and authority under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998.

Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure that, under such plans, agencies shall appoint no less than 15,000 qualified covered veterans during such period. (Covered veterans include those who: (1) are disabled or recently separated; (2) served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or (3) while serving on active duty, participated in a military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded.)

careers heroes act_-_directs head federal agency department_of_defense dod department_of_veterans_affairs develop plan exercising year period beginning enactment act authority veterans recruitment appointments authority veterans employment opportunities act requires director office_of_personnel_management opm ensure plans agencies shall appoint qualified covered veterans period covered veterans include disabled recently separated served active duty war campaign expedition campaign badge authorized serving active duty participated military operation armed_forces service medal awarded


Summary: Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide trained guide dogs to veterans who are blind by reason of a service-connected disability, are enrolled for VA hospital care and medical services, and elect to receive such a dog.

requires secretary veterans_affairs provide trained guide dogs veterans blind reason service connected disability enrolled hospital care medical services elect receive dog


Summary:
Jobs for Veterans Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increased work opportunity tax credit for the hiring in 2013 or 2014 of veterans discharged or released from active military duty after September 11, 2001.

Reduces amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for general administration in FY2013 and FY2014 to offset the cost of the increased credit allowed by this Act.

jobs veterans act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow increased work opportunity tax credit hiring veterans discharged released active military duty september reduces amounts authorized appropriated department_of_veterans_affairs general administration fy2013 fy2014 offset cost increased credit allowed act


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a medallion or other device to signify the veteran status of a deceased individual, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense, regardless of the date of death of such individual.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs furnish medallion device signify veteran status deceased individual attached headstone marker furnished private expense regardless date death individual


Summary:
Veterans Entrepreneurs Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit of up to $400,000 for 25% of the franchise fees paid or incurred by a veteran for the purchase of a franchise. Reduces the amount of such credit if the veteran does not own 100% of the stock or capital or profits interest of the franchisee.

Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide information about the tax credit allowed by this Act to veterans service organizations and veteran advocacy groups.

veterans entrepreneurs act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow business related tax credit franchise fees paid incurred veteran purchase franchise reduces credit veteran stock capital profits interest franchisee directs administrator small_business_administration sba secretary veterans_affairs provide information tax credit allowed act veterans service organizations veteran advocacy groups


Summary:
Repeals a provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62.

Prohibits any increase in the pension of a retired Member of Congress who is under age 62.

Requires the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly ensure that brand-name prescription drugs purchased by DOD and VA are purchased jointly by such Departments at the same level such drugs were purchased jointly by such Departments in FY2005 or in excess of that level.

repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age prohibits increase pension retired member congress age requires secretaries_of_defense dod veterans_affairs jointly ensure brand prescription drugs purchased dod purchased jointly departments level drugs purchased jointly departments excess level


Summary:
Repeals the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the child tax credit, to require taxpayers claiming such credit to provide their social security numbers on their tax returns.

repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect child tax credit require taxpayers claiming credit provide social_security numbers tax returns


Summary: Exempts from the reduction in the cost-of-living adjustment of retired pay of members of the Armed Forces under the age of 62 enacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 the retired pay of any member or former member who is: (1) retired, (2) eligible for combat-related special compensation, or (3) entitled to concurrent payment of retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Makes such reduction in the cost-of-living adjustment inapplicable to percentage increases allowed for annuities under survivor benefit plans based on retired or retainer pay.

exempts reduction cost living adjustment retired pay members armed_forces age enacted bipartisan_budget_act retired pay member member retired eligible combat related special compensation entitled concurrent payment retired pay veterans disability compensation makes reduction cost living adjustment inapplicable percentage increases allowed annuities survivor benefit plans based retired retainer pay


Summary: Repeals the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62.

repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age


Summary: Repeals a provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62.


Summary:
Military Retirement Restoration Act - Repeals the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat a foreign corporation managed and controlled, directly or indirectly, primarily in the United States as a domestic corporation for U.S. tax purposes if the stock of such corporation is regularly traded on an established securities market or the aggregate gross assets of such corporation during the taxable year or any preceding taxable year is $50 million or more.

military retirement restoration act repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age amends_the_internal_revenue_code treat foreign corporation managed controlled directly indirectly primarily united_states domestic corporation tax purposes stock corporation regularly traded established securities market aggregate gross assets corporation taxable year preceding taxable year million


Summary:
Repeals a provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62.

Requires a reduction in the unobligated balances of the Department of Defense (DOD) to offset the costs incurred by such repeal.

repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age requires reduction unobligated balances department_of_defense dod offset costs incurred repeal


Summary: Repeals the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62. Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to reduce funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund in FY2015-FY2022 to provide for an offset against the cost of such repeal.

repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age amends patient_protection affordable care act reduce funding prevention_and_public_health_fund fy2015 fy2022 provide offset cost repeal


Summary:
Uphold Our Promise to Veterans Act - Repeals the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62.

Prohibits assistance to the Government of Egypt and economic and security assistance to the Government of Pakistan effective on the date of enactment of this Act with respect to funds made available beginning with FY2015.

Requires: (1) 8% of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and 8% of the National Forest System land to be offered for competitive sale by auction, and (2) proceeds from the sale of such lands to be used to reduce the annual federal budget deficit or the outstanding federal debt.

uphold promise veterans act repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age prohibits assistance government egypt economic security assistance government pakistan effective date enactment act respect funds available beginning fy2015 requires federal land managed bureau_of_land_management blm national_forest_system land offered competitive sale auction proceeds sale lands reduce annual federal budget deficit outstanding federal debt


Summary: Provides that the reduction in the annual adjustment to the retired pay of members of the Armed Forces under the age of 62 shall not apply to the retirement pay of members retired for a physical disability and to retirement pay used to compute benefit plan annuities of survivors of deceased members.

provides reduction annual adjustment retired pay members armed_forces age shall apply retirement pay members retired physical disability retirement pay compute benefit plan annuities survivors deceased members


Summary: Burial with Dignity for Heroes Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program to make grants to eligible entities to provide for the cost of burials for homeless veterans who: (1) are eligible to be buried in national cemeteries, and (2) the Secretary determines have no next-of-kin.

burial dignity heroes act directs secretary veterans_affairs carry program grants eligible entities provide cost homeless veterans eligible buried national cemeteries secretary determines kin


Summary: Wounded Veterans Recreation Act - Amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which is made available for the lifetime of the passholder without charge to any U.S. citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled, to be made available to any veteran with a service-connected disability.

wounded veterans recreation act_-_amends federal_lands_recreation_enhancement_act require national parks federal recreational lands pass available lifetime charge citizen person domiciled united_states medically determined permanently disabled available veteran service connected disability


Summary:
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an enhanced-use lease for buildings 205 and 208 of the West Los Angeles Medical Center, California, for the provision of long-term therapeutic housing for homeless veterans who require assisted living or other similar forms of care. Exempts such buildings from a provision authorizing the Secretary to transfer property under an enhanced-use lease to the lessee.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) review such lease at least once during each two-year period in which it is in effect, including by assessing the leasing party and determining whether such lease should continue; and (2) submit a report.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs enter enhanced use lease buildings west los_angeles medical center california provision long term therapeutic housing homeless veterans require assisted living similar forms care exempts buildings provision authorizing secretary transfer property enhanced use lease lessee requires secretary review lease year period effect including assessing leasing party determining lease continue submit report


Summary:
Improving Veterans' Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), when calculating the rate of veterans determined to be rehabilitated to the point of employability, to divide the number of veterans who participated in VA vocational rehabilitation programs whom the Secretary determines to have been so rehabilitated by the total number of veterans who: (1) participated in such programs during that fiscal year, and (2) were entitled to participate in such programs during such fiscal year but who did not complete a program.

Allows a course of education and training to be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program only if the course is approved under VA vocational rehabilitation requirements.

Makes veterans enrolled in a VA vocational rehabilitation program eligible for VA specially adapted housing, when appropriate.

Authorizes the Secretary to prioritize VA vocational rehabilitation services based on need upon consideration of disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and other factors determined appropriate.

improving veterans access vocational rehabilitation employment act requires secretary veterans_affairs calculating rate veterans determined rehabilitated point employability divide number veterans participated vocational rehabilitation programs secretary determines rehabilitated total number veterans participated programs fiscal year entitled participate programs fiscal year complete program allows course education training pursued veteran rehabilitation program course approved vocational rehabilitation requirements makes veterans enrolled vocational rehabilitation program eligible specially adapted housing appropriate authorizes secretary prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based need consideration disability ratings severity employment qualification program independent living income factors determined appropriate


Summary:
Veterans Benefits Administration Information Technology Improvement Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make such changes and improvements to the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure that: (1) all original and supplemental claims for veterans educational assistance are adjudicated electronically, and (2) rules-based processing is used to make decisions with respect to such claims with little human intervention.

Requires the Secretary to reduce redundancy and inefficiencies in the use of information technology to process claims for rehabilitation programs by: (1) ensuring that payments of subsistence allowance for veterans participating in a rehabilitation program are processed and paid out of only one corporate information technology system, and (2) enhancing the information technology system supporting veterans participating in such a program to support more accurate accounting of services and outcomes.

veterans_benefits_administration information technology improvement act requires secretary veterans_affairs changes improvements information technology system veterans_benefits_administration ensure original supplemental claims veterans educational assistance adjudicated electronically rules based processing decisions respect claims little human intervention requires secretary reduce inefficiencies use information technology process claims rehabilitation programs ensuring payments subsistence allowance veterans participating rehabilitation program processed paid corporate information technology system enhancing information technology system supporting veterans participating program support accurate accounting services outcomes


Summary:
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2014, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.

veterans compensation cost living adjustment act directs secretary veterans_affairs increase december rates veterans disability compensation additional compensation dependents clothing allowance certain disabled veterans dependency indemnity compensation surviving spouses children requires increase percentage increase benefits provided title old age survivors disability_insurance social_security_act effective date


Summary: American Heroes COLA Act of 2014 - Requires that, whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall increase by the same percentage the amounts payable as veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

american heroes cola act requires increase benefit amounts payable title old age survivors disability_insurance social_security_act secretary veterans_affairs shall increase percentage amounts payable veterans disability compensation additional compensation dependents clothing allowance certain disabled adult children dependency indemnity compensation surviving spouses children


Summary:
Timely Information Management Enforcement Act or the TIME Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to provide covered beneficiaries and providers participating in the TRICARE program with written notice explaining changes to any program benefits.

Requires such notification through both mail and electronic means by the earlier of: (1) the date that would afford such individuals adequate time to understand and respond to the change, and (2) 90 days before the change becomes effective.

timely information management enforcement act time act_-_requires secretary defense dod provide covered beneficiaries providers participating tricare program written notice explaining changes program benefits requires notification mail electronic means earlier date afford individuals adequate time understand respond change days change effective


Summary:
Provides for the payment of certain accrued benefits to the estate of a deceased veteran upon the veteran's death.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay to the estate of Shelton Hickerson, formerly of Indianapolis, Indiana, the amount that the Secretary awarded to Hickerson upon his death but that was not payable to any survivor, or to the estate, of Hickerson.

provides payment certain accrued benefits estate deceased veteran veteran death directs secretary veterans_affairs pay estate indiana secretary awarded death payable survivor estate


Summary:
Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity for Veterans Transitioning from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 2014 or the HERO Transition from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit for $1,000 times the number of veterans (not more than 25 in a taxable year) who begin work resulting from the efforts of a military relations manager.

Deems as a reasonable effort of an employer to employ veterans, for purposes of veteran employment and reemployment programs, the designation of an employee as a military relations manager and the use of the military skills translator database (database for assisting veterans in relating military skills, experience, and training to civilian skills, experience, and training). Defines "military relations manager" as an expert in the process of transitioning from being a member of the Armed Forces to being a civilian and in translating the skills, experience, and training gained in the Armed Forces to skills, experience, and training needed in the private sector.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the military skills translator database may be used by civilian employers and conduct outreach to inform civilian employers of such database.

helping encourage real opportunity veterans transitioning workplace act hero transition workplace act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow employers business related tax credit times number veterans taxable year begin work resulting efforts military relations manager deems reasonable effort employer employ veterans purposes veteran employment reemployment programs designation employee military relations manager use military skills translator database database assisting veterans relating military skills experience training civilian skills experience training defines military relations manager expert process transitioning member armed_forces civilian translating skills experience training gained armed_forces skills experience training needed private sector directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure military skills translator database civilian employers conduct outreach inform civilian employers database


Summary: America First Act - Repeals the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62. Offsets the cost of such repeal by reducing amounts authorized to be appropriated for foreign aid (including non-military and military assistance) for FY2015-FY2024.

america act repeals provision bipartisan_budget_act reduces cost living adjustment retirement pay members armed_forces age offsets cost repeal reducing amounts authorized appropriated foreign aid including non military military assistance fy2015 fy2024


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into enhanced-use leases for excess property of the National Cemetery Administration that is unsuitable for burial purposes.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs enter enhanced use leases excess property national_cemetery_administration unsuitable burial purposes


Summary:
Help Hire our Heroes Act - Amends the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to extend through September 30, 2014, the veterans retraining assistance program.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to transfer funds for such program from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.

help hire heroes act_-_amends hire heroes act extend september veterans retraining assistance program amends_the_internal_revenue_code transfer funds program leaking underground storage tank trust_fund


Summary:
Veterans Employment and Training Service Longitudinal Study Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into a contract with a non-governmental entity to conduct a longitudinal study of a statistically valid sample of each of the following groups of individuals over a period of at least five years: (1) veterans who have received intensive job counseling, training, and placement services; (2) veterans who did not receive intensive services but who otherwise received services; and (3) veterans who did not seek or receive services.

Requires the study to include the collection of specified information for each individual who participates in the study, including: (1) the average number of months served on active duty, (2) the distribution of disability ratings, (3) unemployment benefits received, (4) the average number of months employed and average individual and household annual income, (5) employment status, (6) whether the individual believes that any service received helped the individual to become employed, (7) use of educational assistance, (8) participation in a vocational rehabilitation program, (9) conditions of discharge or release from the Armed Forces, and (10) demographic information.

Directs the Secretary to submit annual reports on the outcomes of the study that include any information the Secretary determines is necessary to determine long-term outcomes of the individuals in such groups.

Amends the Social Security Act to grant the Secretary access to new hire information reported by employers.

veterans employment training service longitudinal study act directs secretary labor enter contract non governmental entity conduct longitudinal study statistically valid sample following groups individuals period years veterans received intensive job counseling training placement services veterans receive intensive services received services veterans seek receive services requires study include collection specified information individual participates study including average number months served active duty distribution disability ratings unemployment benefits received average number months employed average individual household annual income employment status individual believes service received individual employed use educational assistance participation vocational rehabilitation program conditions discharge release armed_forces demographic information directs secretary submit annual reports outcomes study include information secretary determines necessary determine long term outcomes individuals groups amends social_security_act grant secretary access new hire information reported employers


Summary:
Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act - Requires (current law authorizes) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept, for purposes of establishing a claim for veterans disability benefits, a report of a medical examination administered by a private physician without requiring confirmation by a Veterans Health Administration physician if the report is sufficiently complete. Defines "sufficiently complete" as competent, credible, probative, and containing such information as required to make a decision on the claim for which the report is provided.

Requires the Secretary to submit: (1) a report on the progress of the VA's Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations, and (2) an annual report for each VA regional office regarding claims for which private medical evidence was determined to be unacceptable.

veterans benefits delivery act_-_requires current law authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs accept purposes establishing claim veterans disability benefits report medical examination administered private physician requiring confirmation veterans_health_administration physician report sufficiently complete defines sufficiently complete competent credible containing information required decision claim report provided requires secretary submit report progress acceptable clinical evidence initiative reducing necessity person disability examinations annual report regional office claims private medical evidence determined unacceptable


Summary: Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act - Repeals the termination date of (thus, reinstates) the requirement for an annual report from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the Secretary's compliance, by facility and by service-network, with requirements for managing the provision of hospital care and medical services furnished to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

appropriate care disabled veterans act repeals termination date reinstates requirement annual report secretary veterans_affairs secretary compliance facility service network requirements managing provision hospital care medical services furnished veterans service connected disabilities


Summary: Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter and Corporal Jonathan Yale of the Marine Corps for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 22, 2008, for which they were originally awarded the Navy Cross.

authorizes president award medal honor lance corporal jordan corporal marine_corps acts valor operation iraqi_freedom april originally awarded navy cross


Summary:
Disabled Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act - Entitles a veteran who has a service-connected disability or combination of service-connected disabilities rated as not less than 70% disabling by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and who receives a passing grade in an examination for entrance into the federal competitive service to 15 additional points above his or her earned rating.

Requires a hiring agency to notify individuals who received a passing grade on an entrance examination in 2014 before the enactment of this Act to determine whether they are eligible for such additional points.

disabled veterans jobs opportunity act entitles veteran service connected disability combination service connected disabilities rated disabling secretary veterans_affairs receives passing grade examination entrance federal competitive service additional points earned rating requires hiring agency notify individuals received passing grade entrance examination enactment act determine eligible additional points


Summary: Amends the Department of Defense Survivor Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 (also known as the Honoring the Families of Fallen Soldiers Act) to appropriate funds for fiscal years after FY2014 during any period of lapsed appropriations for the payment of death gratuities and related benefits for survivors of deceased servicemembers.

amends department_of_defense survivor benefits continuing_appropriations_resolution known honoring families fallen soldiers act appropriate funds fiscal years fy2014 period lapsed appropriations payment death gratuities related benefits survivors deceased servicemembers


Summary:
Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2014 - Extends subcontracting limitations that apply to certain small businesses awarded contracts under various Small Business Administration (SBA) programs (requirements under the Small Business Act limit the amount that such small businesses may expend on subcontractors) to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with or without service-connected disabilities who are awarded contracts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Requires, for purposes of applying such subcontracting limitations to veterans with small businesses awarded such VA contracts, that: (1) small businesses owned and controlled by veterans be treated in the same manner as small businesses owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities, and (2) "similarly situated entity" be defined as a subcontractor for a small business owned and controlled by a veteran with or without a service-connected disability (contract amounts expended by small businesses on subcontractors that are similarly situated entities are not considered toward subcontracting limits).

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon awarding such a contract, to obtain a certification from the offeror that specifies the performance requirements and acknowledges that the certification is subject to criminal laws concerning false or fraudulent statements or representations. Subjects small businesses to fines, imprisonment, or both for not acting in good faith.

Requires the VA's Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the VA's Chief Acquisition Officer to: (1) establish a process to monitor compliance with this Act, and (2) refer violations to the VA Inspector General. Directs the Inspector General to submit annual reports to Congress regarding such violations.

protecting business opportunities veterans act extends subcontracting limitations apply certain small businesses awarded contracts small_business_administration sba programs requirements small_business_act limit small businesses expend subcontractors small business concerns owned controlled veterans service connected disabilities awarded contracts department_of_veterans_affairs requires purposes applying subcontracting limitations veterans small businesses awarded contracts small businesses owned controlled veterans treated manner small businesses owned controlled veterans service connected disabilities similarly situated entity defined subcontractor small business owned controlled veteran service connected disability contract amounts expended small businesses subcontractors similarly situated entities considered subcontracting limits directs secretary veterans_affairs awarding contract obtain certification offeror specifies performance requirements acknowledges certification subject criminal laws concerning false fraudulent statements representations subjects small businesses fines imprisonment acting good faith requires director office_of_small disadvantaged_business_utilization chief acquisition officer establish process monitor compliance act refer violations inspector_general directs inspector_general submit annual reports congress violations


Summary:
Veteran Families Fairness Act - Provides for the payment of certain accrued veterans' benefits to the estate of a deceased veteran upon the veteran's death if the veteran has no living spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Allows the estate of a veteran who dies while his or her claim for accrued veterans' benefits is pending to file a request to be substituted as the claimant.

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to process the claim of a substituted claimant: (1) by recognizing the original filing date of the claim, and (2) without penalty to the priority of the claim.

Directs the Secretary to notify the estates of veterans who died before this Act's enactment of their eligibility to apply for the deceased veteran's accrued benefits or apply to act as a substituted claimant. Gives estates one year after the date they received such notification to make such an application.

Requires the Secretary to reimburse a successful veterans' benefits claimant for the medical costs that: (1) were charged to the claimant while the claim was pending, and (2) would have been reimbursed or provided by the VA if the treatment occurred after the claim was approved. Directs the Secretary to recommend to each claimant, when they file a claim, to retain documentation regarding such costs.

veteran families fairness act provides payment certain accrued veterans benefits estate deceased veteran veteran death veteran living spouse children dependent parents allows estate veteran dies claim accrued veterans benefits pending file request substituted claimant requires secretary veterans_affairs process claim substituted claimant recognizing original filing date claim penalty priority claim directs secretary notify estates veterans died act enactment eligibility apply deceased veteran accrued benefits apply act substituted claimant gives estates year date received notification application requires secretary reimburse successful veterans benefits claimant medical costs charged claimant claim pending reimbursed provided treatment occurred claim approved directs secretary recommend claimant file claim retain documentation costs


Summary:
Military Sexual Trauma Claims Administration Reform and Eligibility Act - Establishes a presumption, for the purpose of determining a veteran's eligibility for disability compensation, that a veteran's mental health condition was incurred in or aggravated by military sexual trauma if the veteran so certifies, despite a lack of evidence that such condition or trauma occurred during such service. Makes that presumption rebuttable.

Defines "military sexual trauma" as psychological trauma that, in the judgment of a mental health professional, resulted from a physical assault or battery of a sexual nature or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving on active duty or active duty for training in the Armed Forces.

military sexual trauma claims administration reform eligibility act establishes presumption purpose determining veteran eligibility disability compensation veteran mental health condition incurred aggravated military sexual trauma veteran certifies despite lack evidence condition trauma occurred service makes presumption rebuttable defines military sexual trauma psychological trauma judgment mental health professional resulted physical assault battery sexual nature sexual harassment occurred veteran serving active duty active duty training armed_forces


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Information Security Protection Act - Requires the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Information and Technology to submit to the congressional veterans committees (under current law, only to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) quarterly reports on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compliance with federally-required information security improvements. Directs the Assistant Secretary to submit to such committees: (1) quarterly, a plan of action to address critical known VA information security vulnerabilities; and (2) annually, a plan for identifying and replacing VA operating systems that are out-of-date or unsupported. Requires the Assistant Secretary to ensure that any software or Internet applications used on VA operating systems are secure from vulnerabilities that could affect the confidentiality of sensitive personal information on veterans.

Directs the Secretary to report, quarterly, to such committees on any incidents of failure to comply with established information security policies, any actions taken in response to such incidents, and certain related information. Requires the Secretary to submit a strategic plan for improving VA information security and to update such plan at least every two years.

Requires VA contractors with access to sensitive personal information to provide protective measures to safeguard from possible information security threats any information provided by the VA that will be resident on, or transiting through, information systems controlled by that contractor.

department_of_veterans_affairs information security protection act_-_requires assistant secretary veterans_affairs information technology submit congressional veterans committees current law secretary veterans_affairs quarterly reports department_of_veterans_affairs compliance federally required information security improvements directs assistant secretary submit committees quarterly plan action address critical known information security vulnerabilities annually plan identifying replacing operating systems date requires assistant secretary ensure software internet applications operating systems secure vulnerabilities affect confidentiality sensitive personal information veterans directs secretary report quarterly committees incidents failure comply established information security policies actions taken response incidents certain related information requires secretary submit strategic plan improving information security update plan years requires_va contractors access sensitive personal information provide protective measures safeguard possible information security threats information provided resident transiting information systems controlled contractor


Summary: Honor Guardsmen and Reservists Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make available for purchase a memorial headstone or marker for the marked or unmarked grave of: (1) an individual who performed inactive duty training or active duty for training as a member of a reserve component, but did not serve on active duty and is not otherwise ineligible for a memorial headstone or marker on account of the nature of the individual's separation from the Armed Forces or other cause; or (2) such an individual whose remains are unavailable.

honor reservists act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs available purchase memorial headstone marker marked unmarked grave individual performed inactive duty training active duty training member reserve component serve active duty ineligible memorial headstone marker account nature individual separation armed_forces cause individual remains unavailable


Summary:
Work for Warriors Act of 2014 - Directs the Chief of the National Guard to carry out a pilot program, to be known as the Work for Warriors Program, to enhance Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to provide job placement assistance and related employment services to members of the reserve components. Requires each participating state to provide at least 30% in matching funds. Requires the Program to follow a direct employment program model, with one-on-one job placement and follow-up services to such individuals.

Requires the Chief to: (1) develop outcome measures to evaluate the success of the Program in each state, and (2) report to the congressional defense committees on Program results.

Grants the Chief authority to carry out the Program during FY2015-FY2018, with an authorized extension for up to two additional years.

work warriors act directs chief national_guard carry pilot program known work warriors program enhance department_of_defense dod efforts provide job placement assistance related employment services members reserve components requires participating state provide matching funds requires program follow direct employment program model job placement follow services individuals requires chief develop outcome measures evaluate success program state report congressional defense committees program results grants chief authority carry program fy2015 fy2018 authorized extension additional years


Summary:
Veterans Information Security Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) carry out certain information security activities, (2) ensure that officials and staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) possess specified qualifications in such areas, and (3) coordinate the staffing of related information technology and security offices.

Requires the Secretary to ensure that: (1) the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, the head of the Office of Information Security (OIS), and relevant field staff possess certain levels of information technology education, certifications, and experience; (2) Office of Information and Technology (OIT) staff are assigned to the OIS; and (3) subordinate OIT offices maintain appropriate information security functions.

Directs the Secretary to ensure that subordinate OIT offices maintain functions to: (1) integrate the VA's security architecture into the VA's overall enterprise architecture strategy, (2) restrict the development of new data warehouses and data marts holding sensitive personal information of veterans, and (3) reduce the number of data marts holding such personal information.

Defines: (1) "data mart" as a subset of a data warehouse that contains information for a specific entity of an organization rather than the entire organization, and (2) "data warehouse" as a collection of data designed to support management decision making that contains a wide variety of data presenting a coherent picture of business conditions for an entire organization at a single point in time and whose development includes systems to extract data from operating systems plus installation of a warehouse database system that provides managers flexible access to the data.

Requires the Secretary to safeguard VA network infrastructure, computers, and servers.

Directs the Secretary to protect the confidentiality of sensitive personal information of veterans by: (1) providing upgrades or phaseouts of outdated or unsupported operating systems to protect against harmful viruses and malicious software, and (2) securing VA web applications and the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (commonly referred to as the "Vista system," which allows for an integrated inpatient and outpatient electronic health record for patients and provides administrative tools to VA employees).

Directs the Secretary to submit certifications to Congress regarding the VA's compliance with information security requirements, including actions required by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Requires the Secretary to submit monthly reports to Congress regarding security vulnerabilities discovered after performing regular scans of VA computers and servers.

veterans information security improvement act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs carry certain information security activities ensure officials staff department_of_veterans_affairs possess specified qualifications areas coordinate staffing related information technology security offices requires secretary ensure assistant secretary information technology head office information security relevant field staff possess certain levels information technology education certifications experience office information technology staff assigned subordinate offices maintain appropriate information security functions directs secretary ensure subordinate offices maintain functions integrate security architecture overall enterprise architecture strategy restrict development new data data holding sensitive personal information veterans reduce number data holding personal information defines data subset data warehouse contains information specific entity organization entire organization data warehouse collection data designed support management decision making contains wide variety data presenting coherent picture business conditions entire organization single point time development includes systems extract data operating systems plus installation warehouse database system provides managers flexible access data requires secretary safeguard network infrastructure computers servers directs secretary protect confidentiality sensitive personal information veterans providing upgrades outdated operating systems protect harmful viruses malicious software securing web applications veterans health information systems technology architecture commonly referred vista system allows integrated inpatient outpatient electronic health record patients provides administrative tools employees directs secretary submit certifications congress compliance information security requirements including actions required national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist office_of_management_and_budget omb requires secretary submit monthly reports congress security vulnerabilities discovered performing regular scans computers servers


Summary:
Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) adopt the unique device identification system developed for medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or implement a comparable standard identification system, for identifying biological implants intended for use in medical procedures conducted in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities; (2) implement a compatible system for tracking the implants from donor to implantation; and (3) implement inventory controls compatible with such tracking system so that all patients who have received, in a VA medical facility, a biological implant subject to a recall by the FDA can be notified of the recall.

 Authorizes the Secretary to procure biological implants only from vendors that meet specified conditions, including that the vendor uses the standard identification system, consents to periodic VA inspections and audits, is registered with the FDA, and maintains national accreditation specific to biological implants. Requires the Secretary to: (1) procure such implants under General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules, (2) accommodate reasonable vendor requests to undertake specified outreach efforts to educate VA medical professionals about the use and efficacy of implants that are listed on such Schedules, and (3) procure biological implants that are unavailable for procurement under such Schedules using competitive procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Makes any VA procurement employee found responsible for a biological implant procurement transaction with intent to avoid, or with reckless disregard of, the requirements of this Act ineligible to hold a certificate of appointment as a contracting officer or to serve as the representative of an ordering officer, contracting officer, or purchase card holder.

biological tracking veteran safety act directs secretary veterans_affairs adopt unique device identification system developed medical devices food_and_drug_administration fda implement comparable standard identification system identifying biological intended use medical procedures conducted department_of_veterans_affairs medical facilities implement compatible system tracking donor implement inventory controls compatible tracking system patients received medical facility biological subject recall fda notified recall authorizes secretary procure biological vendors meet specified conditions including vendor uses standard identification system consents periodic inspections audits registered fda maintains national accreditation specific biological requires secretary procure general_services_administration gsa federal supply schedules accommodate reasonable vendor requests undertake specified outreach efforts educate medical professionals use efficacy listed schedules procure biological unavailable procurement schedules competitive procedures accordance federal_acquisition_regulation makes procurement employee found responsible biological procurement transaction intent avoid reckless disregard requirements act ineligible hold certificate appointment contracting officer serve representative ordering officer contracting officer purchase card holder


Summary:
Lawrence J. Hackett Jr. Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a task force to assess and make recommendations about the care and compensation that should be provided to veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange, their spouses, and multiple generations of their offspring.

Requires the task force to make recommendations: (1) to establish the Agent Orange Illness Compensation Program to provide an exposed veteran or eligible survivor a lump sum payment for the veteran's injury, illness, or death; (2) for the establishment of a national outreach and education campaign to communicate information about Agent Orange exposures and health conditions to veterans who are affected by incidents of toxic exposures and their families; (3) for compensation and health care for individuals with Spina Bifida, birth defects, or other illnesses who are the children or descendants of members of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or in or near the demilitarized zone in Korea during certain time periods determined by the task force; and (4) for the establishment of a unified policy to deal with the consequences of exposure to hazardous materials in the military.

Terminates the task force not later than two years after its establishment.

lawrence vietnam veterans agent orange fairness act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs establish task_force assess recommendations care compensation provided veterans exposed agent orange spouses multiple generations offspring requires task_force recommendations establish agent orange illness compensation program provide exposed veteran eligible survivor lump sum payment veteran injury illness death establishment national outreach education campaign communicate information agent orange exposures health conditions veterans affected incidents toxic exposures families compensation health_care individuals spina bifida birth defects illnesses children descendants members armed_forces served vietnam near zone korea certain time periods determined task_force establishment unified policy deal consequences exposure hazardous materials military terminates task_force later years establishment


Summary:
Veterans' Job Corps Act - Authorizes the President to establish and operate a Veterans' Job Corps to employ veterans and veterans' widows or widowers who are otherwise unemployed in the construction, maintenance, and carrying on of public works in connection with: (1) the forestation of U.S. or state lands; (2) the prevention of forest fires, floods, and soil erosion; (3) public safety; (4) plant pest and disease control; and (5) the construction, maintenance, or repair of paths, trails, and fire-lanes in National Park System units and other public lands.

Directs the President to employ individuals in the Corps in the following order of preference: (1) unemployed veterans, and (2) widows or widowers who are eligible for unemployment compensation immediately before employment in the Corps.

Authorizes the President to provide individuals employed in the Corps with housing, necessary subsistence, clothing, medical attendance and hospitalization, a cash allowance, and transportation to and from the places of employment.

Prohibits the employment in the Corps of an individual convicted of a felony or a veteran who was discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.

veterans job_corps act_-_authorizes president establish operate veterans job_corps employ veterans veterans widows widowers unemployed construction maintenance carrying public works connection state lands prevention forest fires floods soil erosion public safety plant pest disease control construction maintenance repair paths trails fire lanes national_park_system units public lands directs president employ individuals corps following order preference unemployed veterans widows widowers eligible unemployment compensation immediately employment corps authorizes president provide individuals employed corps housing necessary subsistence clothing medical attendance hospitalization cash allowance transportation places employment prohibits employment corps individual convicted felony veteran discharged armed_forces dishonorable conditions


Summary:
Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study on matters relating to the identification, claiming, and interring of unclaimed remains of veterans, including: (1) estimating the number of unclaimed remains; (2) assessing the effectiveness of VA procedures for claiming and interring unclaimed remains of veterans; (3) assessing state and local laws that affect the ability of the Secretary to identify, claim, and inter such remains; and (4) recommending appropriate legislative or administrative action.

 .

dignified interment veterans act requires secretary veterans_affairs conduct study matters relating identification claiming unclaimed remains veterans including estimating number unclaimed remains assessing effectiveness procedures claiming unclaimed remains veterans assessing state local laws affect ability secretary identify claim inter remains recommending appropriate legislative administrative action


Summary:
Express Appeals Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) carry out a five-year pilot program to provide the option of an alternative appeals process to determine appeals of claims for disability compensation more quickly, and (2) inform claimants about such program.

Authorizes a claimant to elect to file an express appeal by filing with the Secretary: (1) a notice of disagreement, (2) all evidence that the claimant believes is needed for the appeal, (3) a statement of the argument in support of the claim, and (4) the claimant's written election to have the appeal determined under the pilot program. Requires the Secretary to transfer jurisdiction over an express appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Requires a claimant to make such election: (1) at any time during the traditional appeal process if the claimant has filed a traditional appeal before the pilot program commences, or (2) by 90 days after the Secretary provides notice of the determination of the claim if the claimant has not filed a traditional appeal.

Directs the Secretary to inform a claimant who seeks to change a traditional appeal to an express appeal about whether any time will be saved. Allows a claimant who elects to file an express appeal to elect to revert to a traditional appeal at any time.

Requires the Board of Veterans' Appeals to: (1) maintain express appeals on a separate docket, (2) hear express appeals in the order received, and (3) decide not more than one express appeal for each four traditional appeals decided.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the effects of new evidence submitted or additional information needed after an express appeal is filed, and (2) a prohibition against the Board providing hearings for express appeals.

express appeals act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs carry year pilot program provide option alternative appeals process determine appeals claims disability compensation quickly inform claimants program authorizes claimant elect file express appeal filing secretary notice disagreement evidence claimant believes needed appeal statement argument support claim claimant written election appeal determined pilot program requires secretary transfer jurisdiction express appeal directly board veterans appeals requires claimant election time traditional appeal process claimant filed traditional appeal pilot program commences days secretary provides notice determination claim claimant filed traditional appeal directs secretary inform claimant seeks change traditional appeal express appeal time saved allows claimant elects file express appeal elect revert traditional appeal time requires board veterans appeals maintain express appeals separate docket hear express appeals order received decide express appeal traditional appeals decided sets forth provisions effects new evidence submitted additional information needed express appeal filed prohibition board providing hearings express appeals


Summary: Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, as part of the Veteran's Workforce Investment Program, to carry out a five-year pilot program (to be known as the Veterans Manufacturing Employment Program) to award competitive grants to three states for the establishment and administration of a State Manufacturing Employment Program to make grants to manufacturing employers and labor-management organizations that provide training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to eligible veterans.

manufacturing jobs veterans act_-_directs secretary labor veteran workforce investment program carry year pilot program known veterans manufacturing employment program award competitive grants states establishment administration state manufacturing employment program grants manufacturing employers labor management organizations provide training job training apprenticeships certification classes eligible veterans


Summary:
Gold Star Families Equality Act - Requires a lapel button to be designed to identify widows, parents, and next of kin of members of the Armed Forces who die, under circumstances not already prescribed for under existing eligibility standards for a gold star lapel button, while serving on active duty or while assigned to a reserve component in a drill status.

Makes such next of kin button available retroactively to survivors of members of the Armed Forces who have died since September 10, 2001.

Directs the Secretary of each military department and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to provide for the issuance of a Gold Star Installation Access Card to family members with gold or next of kin buttons to expedite their ability to gain unescorted access to military installations for the purpose of obtaining on-base services and benefits.

Requires regulations to be prescribed to permit parents (including stepparents, parents though adoption, or foster parents who stood in loco parentis) with such buttons to use commissary stores and other military retail facilities on the same basis as surviving spouses or children.

gold star families equality act_-_requires lapel button designed identify widows parents kin members armed_forces die circumstances prescribed existing eligibility standards gold star lapel button serving active duty assigned reserve component drill status makes kin button available retroactively survivors members armed_forces died september directs secretary military department secretary department coast_guard operating provide issuance gold star installation access card family members gold kin expedite ability gain unescorted access military installations purpose obtaining base services benefits requires regulations prescribed permit parents including parents adoption foster parents loco parentis use commissary stores military retail facilities basis surviving spouses children


Summary:
Veterans National Remembrance Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in selecting a location for the establishment of a new national cemetery, to: (1) give priority to a state that does not have a national cemetery and that has the largest population of veterans among states without such a cemetary, and (2) ensure that such location is within 10 miles of a significant amount of the population to be served by such cemetery during the 25 years following its establishment.

Permits the Secretary, after establishing two national cemeteries, to waive the requirement of giving priority to a state that does not have a national cemetery if such waiver will allow the Secretary to establish a cemetery that will serve a larger population of veterans.

veterans national act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs selecting location establishment new national cemetery priority state national cemetery largest population veterans states ensure location miles significant population served cemetery years following establishment permits secretary establishing national cemeteries waive requirement giving priority state national cemetery waiver allow secretary establish cemetery serve larger population veterans


Summary:
Surviving Spouses' Benefit Improvement Act of 2014 - Increases the monthly rates of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Prohibits benefits under any other law (other than duplication of benefits) from being reduced or offset because the surviving spouse is eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation.

surviving spouses benefit improvement act increases monthly rates veterans dependency indemnity compensation payable surviving spouses department_of_veterans_affairs prohibits benefits law duplication benefits reduced offset surviving spouse eligible dependency indemnity compensation