Summary:
Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2015

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: Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to award the Distinguished-Service Cross to Edward Halcomb for acts of extraordinary heroism from August 20, 1950, to October 19, 1950, during the Korean War, notwithstanding otherwise applicable time limitations.

authorizes secretary army award distinguished service cross edward acts extraordinary august october korean war notwithstanding applicable time limitations


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on October 26, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study and report to Congress on matters relating to the interring of veterans' unclaimed remains in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration, including:

 the scope of the issues relating to veterans' unclaimed remains, including the estimated number of such remains; the effectiveness of VA procedures for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate their interment in such cemeteries; state and local laws that affect the Secretary's ability to inter unclaimed veterans' remains in such cemeteries; and recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action. (Sec. 3) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to limit FY2016 awards and bonuses to $2 million for VA employees who are members of the Senior Executive Service.

measure amended reported house october summary version repeated dignified interment veterans act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs study report congress matters relating veterans unclaimed remains national cemeteries control national_cemetery_administration including scope issues relating veterans unclaimed remains including estimated number remains effectiveness procedures working persons entities having custody unclaimed remains facilitate interment cemeteries state local laws affect secretary ability inter unclaimed veterans remains cemeteries recommendations appropriate legislative administrative action sec veterans access choice accountability_act amended limit fy2016 awards bonuses million employees members senior_executive_service


Summary:
Veterans Beneficiary Fraud Enforcement Act

This bill prohibits a Veterans' Group Life Insurance insuree from designating as a beneficiary any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee who is in a position of trust with the insured. (Such prohibition includes any doctor, caregiver, or caseworker working directly with the insured, unless such employee is the insured's spouse, child, parent, or other next of kin.)

The VA shall refer to an appropriate legal authority any incident of suspected or alleged fraud relating to a beneficiary designation under any Veterans' Group Life Insurance.

veterans beneficiary fraud enforcement act bill prohibits veterans group life insurance designating beneficiary department_of_veterans_affairs employee position trust insured prohibition includes doctor caregiver caseworker working directly insured employee insured spouse child parent kin shall refer appropriate legal authority incident suspected alleged fraud relating beneficiary designation veterans group life insurance


Summary:
Directs the Board of Veterans' Appeals, upon determining that there is insufficient evidence to make a decision in a claimant's appeal case, to take such steps as necessary to develop the evidence needed to make a decision. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the Board has access to such information as may be necessary to develop such evidence.

Prohibits the Board from remanding any appeal case to the Veterans Benefits Administration.

directs board veterans appeals determining insufficient evidence decision claimant appeal case steps necessary develop evidence needed decision directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure board access information necessary develop evidence prohibits board appeal case veterans_benefits_administration


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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:
Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment Act or the BRAVE Act

(Sec. 2) Authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in awarding a contract or task order for the procurement of goods or services, to give preference to offerors based on the percentage of the offeror's full-time employees who are veterans.

Requires the debarment from contracting with the VA for not less than five years of any offeror determined to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented the veteran status of its employees.

rates american veteran employment act act sec authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs awarding contract task order procurement goods services preference offerors based percentage offeror time employees veterans requires debarment contracting years offeror determined willfully intentionally misrepresented veteran status employees


Summary:
Veteran Education Empowerment Act

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award up to 30 four-year grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or consortia of IHEs to establish, maintain, and improve Veteran Student Centers.

Permits a grantee to use a portion of the grant to provide veteran students with supportive instruction services.

Requires a grantee to be an IHE or consortium that: (1) enrolls in undergraduate or graduate courses a significant number or percentage of veterans or members of the Armed Forces, and (2) presents a sustainability plan demonstrating that its Veteran Student Center will be maintained and will continue to operate after the grant ends.

Defines a "Veteran Student Center" as a dedicated space on a campus that provides students who are veterans or members of the Armed Forces with: (1) a lounge or meeting space for themselves, their spouses or partners, and veterans in the community; (2) a centralized office for veteran services that is staffed by trained employees and volunteers and serves as a single point of contact to coordinate veterans support services; and (3) comprehensive academic and tutoring services to veterans.

Requires that office to provide such students with assistance in:

 transitioning from the military to student life, transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce, networking with other veteran students and veterans in the community, understanding and obtaining benefits provided by the IHE and federal and state government for which they may be eligible, understanding how to succeed in the IHE, and understanding their disability-related rights and protections under specified federal laws. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a website for veteran student services at IHEs, which details best practices for serving veteran students at IHEs.

veteran education empowerment act amends higher education act require secretary education award year grants institutions higher education ihes consortia ihes establish maintain improve veteran student centers permits grantee use portion grant provide veteran students supportive instruction services requires grantee ihe consortium enrolls undergraduate graduate courses significant number percentage veterans members armed_forces presents sustainability plan demonstrating veteran student center maintained continue operate grant ends defines veteran student center dedicated space campus provides students veterans members armed_forces meeting space spouses partners veterans community centralized office veteran services staffed trained employees volunteers serves single point contact coordinate veterans support services comprehensive academic tutoring services veterans requires office provide students assistance transitioning military student life transitioning military civilian workforce networking veteran students veterans community understanding obtaining benefits provided ihe federal state government eligible understanding succeed ihe understanding disability related rights protections specified federal laws requires secretary develop implement website veteran student services ihes details best practices serving veteran students ihes


Summary:
Pay As You Rate Act

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, prior to adjudicating a claim that requires decisions with respect to two or more disabilities, to make interim payments based on any disability for which the Secretary has already made a decision.

Requires the Secretary, upon claim adjudication, to pay the benefits awarded less the amount of the interim payments.

pay rate act directs secretary veterans_affairs prior adjudicating claim requires decisions respect disabilities interim payments based disability secretary decision requires secretary claim adjudication pay benefits awarded interim payments


Summary:
Veterans Eagle Parks Pass Act

Makes the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available at a discount to certain veterans.

Makes a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass made available under this Act valid for the life of the veteran for whom it was purchased.

veterans eagle parks pass act makes national parks federal recreational lands pass available discount certain veterans makes national parks federal recreational lands pass available act valid life veteran purchased


Summary:
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate at least one city in the United States each year as an "American World War II City" based on the city's: (1) contributions to the war effort during World War II; and (2) efforts to preserve the history of such contributions, including through establishment of preservation organizations or museums, restoration of World War II facilities, and recognition of World War II veterans.

Designates Wilmington, North Carolina, as the first such city.

directs secretary veterans_affairs designate city united_states year american world war city based city contributions war effort world war efforts preserve history contributions including establishment preservation organizations museums restoration world war facilities recognition world war veterans designates wilmington north_carolina city


Summary:
Keeping our Promises to Veterans Act of 2015

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 regarding the veterans choice program to:

 reduce the 40-mile radius requirement to 20 miles, and require that the closest medical facility is able to provide a veteran with the care and services needed; reduce the 30-day wait-time goal to 15 days; and require the Veterans Administration (VA) to implement the prompt payment system by the earlier of February 1, 2016, or 180 days after the Comptroller General submits a certain report on the timeliness of VA payments for hospital care, medical services, and other health care furnished by non-VA health care providers.

keeping promises veterans act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act veterans_choice_program reduce mile radius requirement miles require closest medical facility able provide veteran care services needed reduce day wait time goal days require veterans administration implement prompt payment system earlier february days comptroller_general submits certain report timeliness payments hospital care medical services health_care furnished non-va health_care providers


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

provides payment certain accrued benefits estate deceased veteran veteran death


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill makes permanent the requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out, through the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a program to provide reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings to women veterans who are recently separated from service after a prolonged deployment. (Currently, such program is required as a pilot program under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.)

 Such services shall include:

 information on family, employment, and community reintegration; financial and occupational counseling; and information and counseling on stress reduction and conflict resolution.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill makes permanent requirement department_of_veterans_affairs carry readjustment counseling service veterans_health_administration program provide reintegration readjustment services group retreat settings women veterans recently separated service prolonged deployment currently program required pilot program caregivers veterans_omnibus_health_services act services shall include information family employment community reintegration financial occupational counseling information counseling stress reduction conflict resolution


Summary:
Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act

Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age.

 Prohibits requiring repayment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.

military surviving spouses equity act repeals certain provisions require offset amounts paid dependency indemnity compensation survivor_benefit_plan sbp annuities surviving spouses military personnel entitled military retired pay entitled retired pay years age prohibits requiring repayment certain amounts previously paid sbp recipients form retired pay refund repeals optional authority instead requires secretary military department concerned pay annuity member dependent children eligible surviving spouse directs secretary concerned restore annuity eligibility surviving spouse earlier agreed transfer eligibility surviving child children member


Summary: Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Command Sergeant Major Ramon Rodriguez of the U.S. Army for acts of valor, sacrifice, and courage at the risk of his own life beyond the call of duty during the Vietnam War, notwithstanding otherwise applicable time limitations.

authorizes president award medal honor command sergeant major army acts valor sacrifice risk life duty vietnam war notwithstanding applicable time limitations


Summary:
Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act

This bill amends the definition of "spouse" for purposes of veterans' benefits to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recognize a marriage based on the law of the state where the marriage occurred.

When a marriage occurs outside a state, the VA shall recognize it if the marriage is lawful in the place where it occurs and could have been entered into under the laws of any state.

veteran spouses equal treatment act bill amends definition spouse purposes veterans benefits require department_of_veterans_affairs recognize marriage based law state marriage occurred marriage occurs outside state shall recognize marriage lawful place occurs entered laws state


Summary:
Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment Act or the Military SAVE Act

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make eligible for treatment in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs entity any veteran who was the victim of a sexual trauma which occurred while the veteran was serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

military sexual_assault victims empowerment act military save act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act eligible treatment non-department_of_veterans_affairs entity veteran victim sexual trauma occurred veteran serving active duty active duty training inactive duty training


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 16, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Ruth Moore Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report to Congress, by December 1, 2015 and each year thereafter through 2019, on claims submitted during the previous fiscal year for disability compensation based on a covered mental health condition alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma (covered claims).

Each report shall include:

 the number of covered claims submitted or considered; the number and percentage of such claims submitted by each sex, and the number of claims approved or denied; the number and percentage, listed by each sex, of approved covered claims assigned to each rating percentage; the three most common reasons for denial of covered claims, and the number of denials based on the veteran's failure to report for a medical examination; the number of covered claims pending and the number on appeal; the average number of days that covered claims take to complete; and a description of related training provided to Veterans Benefits Administration employees. The VA shall submit to Congress an initial report within 90 days after enactment of this Act, and annual reports beginning in December 2015.

It is the sense of Congress that the VA should update regulations regarding military sexual trauma by:

 ensuring that military sexual trauma is specified as an in-service stressor in determining the service-connection of post-traumatic stress disorder, and recognizing the full range of physical and mental disabilities (including depression, anxiety, and other disabilities as indicated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association) that can result from military sexual trauma. For the period starting fifteen months after enactment of this Act and lasting until VA publishes updated regulations, the VA shall provide:

 a copy of the congressional report to each veteran who has submitted a covered claim or been treated for military sexual trauma at a VA medical facility; and monthly to each such veteran information that includes the date that the VA plans to complete such updated regulations, the number of granted or denied covered claims, a comparison to the rate of grants and denials with the rate for other claims regarding post-traumatic stress disorder, the three most common reasons for claim denials, and the average time for processing covered claims at each regional office. The VA shall report to Congress monthly regarding: (1) all adjudicated covered claims and their outcomes, and (2) the reason for denial of any covered claim.

(Sec. 3) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to limit to $2 million during each of FY2016-FY2018 the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses paid to VA employees who are members of the Senior Executive Service.

measure amended reported house july summary version repeated act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs report congress december year claims submitted previous fiscal year disability compensation based covered mental health condition alleged incurred aggravated military sexual trauma covered claims report shall include number covered claims submitted considered number percentage claims submitted sex number claims approved denied number percentage listed sex approved covered claims assigned rating percentage common reasons denial covered claims number denials based veteran failure report medical examination number covered claims pending number appeal average number days covered claims complete description related training provided veterans_benefits_administration employees shall submit congress initial report days enactment act annual reports beginning december sense congress update regulations military sexual trauma ensuring military sexual trauma specified service determining service connection post traumatic stress disorder recognizing range physical mental disabilities including depression anxiety disabilities indicated diagnostic statistical manual mental disorders published american psychiatric association result military sexual trauma period starting months enactment act lasting publishes updated regulations shall provide copy congressional report veteran submitted covered claim treated military sexual trauma medical facility monthly veteran information includes date plans complete updated regulations number granted denied covered claims comparison rate grants denials rate claims post traumatic stress disorder common reasons claim denials average time processing covered claims regional office shall report congress monthly adjudicated covered claims outcomes reason denial covered claim sec veterans access choice accountability_act amended limit million fy2016 fy2018 aggregate awards bonuses paid employees members senior_executive_service


Summary:
Veterans Pain Management Improvement Act

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a Pain Management Board in each Veterans Integrated Service Network.

Requires each Board to provide: (1) recommendations for treatment, on an in-patient or out-patient basis, for patients with complex clinical pain for whom a request has been made by the patient, the patient's physician, spouse, family member, or an individual designated by the patient to make health care decisions or receive health care information for the patient, or an employee of the covered VA facility; and (2) recommendations on best practices regarding pain management in complex clinical pain cases to VA health care professionals located in the Network covered by the Board.

Requires each Board to annually submit to the VA a report on pain management practices carried out in the covered Network.

Directs the VA, by December 1, 2015, to submit to specified congressional committees the approved clinical guideline, handbook, directive, policy, or other guidance established to govern the step-down methodologies employed by clinicians in VA medical facilities to manage the use of opioid therapies and associated prescribing practices.

veterans pain management improvement act directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish pain management board veterans_integrated_service_network requires board provide recommendations treatment patient patient basis patients complex clinical pain request patient patient physician spouse family member individual designated patient health_care decisions receive health_care information patient employee covered facility recommendations best practices pain management complex clinical pain cases health_care professionals located network covered board requires board annually submit report pain management practices carried covered network directs december submit specified congressional committees approved clinical guideline handbook directive policy guidance established govern step methodologies employed clinicians medical facilities manage use opioid therapies associated prescribing practices


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on November 30, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill states that Disabled American Veterans (the corporation) is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, and includes among its purposes: (1) education of the public about the sacrifices and needs of disabled veterans, and (2) education of disabled veterans about the benefits and resources available to them.

On dissolution or final liquidation of the corporation, any assets remaining after the discharge or satisfactory provision for the discharge of all liabilities shall be transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the care of disabled veterans.

measure amended passed house november summary version repeated sec bill states disabled american veterans corporation organized exclusively charitable educational purposes includes purposes education public sacrifices needs disabled veterans education disabled veterans benefits resources available dissolution final liquidation corporation assets remaining discharge satisfactory provision discharge liabilities shall transferred department_of_veterans_affairs care disabled veterans


Summary:
Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select a VA medical center to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the biological children or grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.

 The bill requires: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) or the head of a federal agency to make available to the VA for review records held by DOD, an Armed Force, or that federal agency that might assist the VA in making determinations regarding individuals and descendents afflicted with an exposure-related health condition; (2) the VA and DOD or such agency head to jointly establish a mechanism for VA review of records; and (3) the national center to employ at least one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of individuals to appropriate social and health care programs and to handle case management.

(Sec. 4) The VA shall establish an Advisory Board to oversee and assess the national center and to advise the VA regarding the center's work.

 The board shall report on its recommendations at least once a year.

(Sec. 5) DOD shall: (1) conduct a declassification review to determine what information may be made publicly available related to any known incident in which at least 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability that an occupational medicine specialist has determined to be credibly associated with such substance; and (2) make such information available consistent with national security and limited to information necessary for determining whether an individual was exposed to such substance, the severity of exposure, and any potential health conditions resulting from such exposure.

(Sec. 6) The VA shall conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed toward members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on: (1) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, health conditions resulting from such exposure, and potential long-term effects; and (2) the national center for individuals eligible to participate in national center studies.

DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services shall assist the VA in implementing such campaign. (Sec. 7) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

toxic exposure research_act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs select medical center serve national center research diagnosis treatment health conditions biological children grandchildren individuals exposed toxic substances serving members armed_forces related exposure bill requires department_of_defense dod head federal agency available review records held dod armed force federal agency assist making determinations individuals exposure related health condition dod agency head jointly establish mechanism review records national center employ licensed clinical social worker coordinate access individuals appropriate social health_care programs handle case management sec shall establish advisory_board oversee assess national center advise center work board shall report recommendations year sec dod shall conduct declassification review determine information publicly available related known incident members armed_forces exposed toxic substance resulted case disability occupational medicine specialist determined associated substance information available consistent national security limited information necessary determining individual exposed substance severity exposure potential health conditions resulting exposure sec shall conduct national outreach education campaign directed members armed_forces veterans family members communicate information incidents exposure members armed_forces toxic substances health conditions resulting exposure potential long term effects national center individuals eligible participate national center studies dod department_of_health_and_human_services shall assist implementing campaign sec additional funds authorized carry bill


Summary:
Veterans Back to Work Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the work opportunity tax credit for hiring qualified veterans (veterans receiving compensation for a service-connected disability and other federal assistance), and (2) allow employers who hire qualified veterans an exemption from employment and railroad retirement taxes for such veterans' first-year wages. Appropriates amounts to the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to cover any revenue loss to such Funds resulting from this Act.

veterans work act amends_the_internal_revenue_code permanent work opportunity tax credit hiring qualified veterans veterans receiving compensation service connected disability federal assistance allow employers hire qualified veterans exemption employment railroad retirement taxes veterans year wages appropriates amounts social_security old age survivors trust_fund federal_disability_insurance_trust_fund cover revenue loss funds resulting act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 10, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program for states with a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to streamline state requirements and procedures to assist veterans who completed military EMT training to meet state EMT certification, licensure, and other requirements.

measure amended reported house summary version repeated veteran emergency medical technician support act sec bill amends public_health_service_act direct department_of_health_and_human_services establish demonstration program states shortage emergency medical technicians streamline state requirements procedures assist veterans completed military emt training meet state emt certification licensure requirements


Summary:
Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program with community partners (private nonprofit organizations) to provide intensive community care coordination and supportive services to disabled veteran families who lack access to VA or other direct wellness services.

Authorizes such services to include:

 care coordination and case management services; outreach services; assistance in obtaining VA benefits, including vocational and rehabilitation counseling, employment and training service, educational assistance, and health care services; assistance in obtaining and coordinating the provision of other public benefits provided in federal, state or local agencies or other community partners, including marriage counseling, services for children, suicide prevention, substance abuse awareness and treatment, mental health awareness and treatment, financial counseling, anger management counseling, domestic violence awareness and prevention, employment assistance, transportation services, child care, housing counseling, preparing and updating family care plans, development of strategies for living with a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, and accessing emergency financial assistance through philanthropic efforts; and providing direct services that are necessary to improve the well-being and address the needs of the disabled veteran families but are otherwise unavailable through existing public or private programs.

directs department_of_veterans_affairs carry year pilot program community partners private nonprofit organizations provide intensive community care coordination supportive services disabled veteran families lack access direct wellness services authorizes services include care coordination case management services outreach services assistance obtaining benefits including vocational rehabilitation counseling employment training service educational assistance health_care services assistance obtaining coordinating provision public benefits provided federal state local agencies community partners including marriage counseling services children suicide prevention substance abuse awareness treatment mental health awareness treatment financial counseling management counseling domestic violence awareness prevention employment assistance transportation services child care housing counseling preparing updating family care plans development strategies living veteran post traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury accessing emergency financial assistance philanthropic efforts providing direct services necessary improve address needs disabled veteran families unavailable existing public private programs


Summary: This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to former Major Dominic S. Gentile, U.S. Army Air Forces, for acts of valor as a pilot during World War II.

bill authorizes president award medal honor major army air forces acts valor pilot world war


Summary:
Local Care for Veterans Act

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that a veteran may elect to receive health care treatment and services in a qualifying non-VA facility if: (1) the veteran is enrolled in the VA health care system and resides not more than 50 miles from the nearest VA facility that the Secretary has identified in a prospectus level lease request as being deficient with respect to providing certain treatment or services or as needing expansion; and (2) the Secretary determines that such deficiency has not been resolved or such expansion has not occurred.

local care veterans act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act direct secretary veterans_affairs ensure veteran elect receive health_care treatment services qualifying non-va facility veteran enrolled health_care system resides miles nearest facility secretary identified prospectus level lease request deficient respect providing certain treatment services needing expansion secretary determines deficiency resolved expansion occurred


Summary:
Filipino Veterans Recognition Act

This bill amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make a payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to an eligible person who, during the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph, submits to the Secretary:

 a benefits claim; or with respect to a person who filed a benefits claim during such one-year period, a new claim or an appeal to such previously filed claim. In determining an individual's eligibility to receive Compensation Fund benefits the Secretary shall accept as proof of service an affidavit from the government of the Philippines certifying an eligible individual's service (AGO Form 23).

 Such an affidavit shall serve as proof of service regardless of whether the eligible individual:

 submits any other qualifying document, or is included in the Approved Revised Reconstructed Guerilla Roster of 1948, (Missouri List). The Secretary may not accept such an affidavit as proof of service for any VA benefit other than the Compensation Fund.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing additional amounts to be appropriated to the Compensation Fund.

filipino veterans recognition_act bill amends american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act authorize secretary veterans_affairs payment filipino veterans equity compensation fund eligible person year period beginning date enactment paragraph submits secretary benefits claim respect person filed benefits claim year period new claim appeal previously filed claim determining individual eligibility receive compensation fund benefits secretary shall accept proof service affidavit government philippines certifying eligible individual service form affidavit shall serve proof service regardless eligible individual submits qualifying document included approved revised reconstructed missouri list secretary accept affidavit proof service benefit compensation fund act shall construed authorizing additional amounts appropriated compensation fund


Summary:
Increases the amounts payable through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) burial and funeral expenses of certain veterans, and (2) such expenses in connection with a veteran's death due to a service-connected disability.

 Directs VA, with respect to any fiscal year, to provide percentage increases for burial and funeral expenses.

increases amounts payable department_of_veterans_affairs burial funeral expenses certain veterans expenses connection veteran death service connected disability directs respect fiscal year provide percentage increases burial funeral expenses


Summary:
Veterans' Access to Child Care Act

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide child care assistance to an eligible veteran for any period that the veteran: (1) receives covered health care services at a VA facility, and (2) is required to travel to and return from such facility for the receipt of such services.

Defines: (1) "covered health care services" to mean regular mental health care services, intensive mental health care services, or such other intensive health care services to which the VA determines that provision of child care assistance would improve the veteran's access; and (2) "eligible veteran" as a veteran who is the primary caretaker of a child and who is receiving covered health care services from the VA or who is in need of, and who would receive, such services from the VA but for lack of child care.

Includes among child care assistance to be provided under this Act:

 a stipend for the payment of the full cost of child care offered by a licensed child care center, which shall be modeled after the VA's Child Care Subsidy Program; direct provision of child care at an on-site VA facility; a payment made directly to a private child care agency; and collaboration with a facility or program of another federal department or agency.

veterans access child care act directs department_of_veterans_affairs provide child care assistance eligible veteran period veteran receives covered health_care services facility required travel return facility receipt services defines covered health_care services mean regular mental health_care services intensive mental health_care services intensive health_care services determines provision child care assistance improve veteran access eligible veteran veteran primary caretaker child receiving covered health_care services need receive services lack child care includes child care assistance provided act stipend payment cost child care offered licensed child care center shall modeled child care subsidy program direct provision child care site facility payment directly private child care agency collaboration facility program federal department agency


Summary:
Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015

Expands eligibility for the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include members of the Armed Forces or veterans who are seriously injured or who became ill on active duty prior to September 11, 2001 (currently, limited to service after September 11, 2001).

Expands services to caregivers of veterans under such program to include child care services, financial planning services, and legal services.

 Terminates the support program for caregivers of covered veterans on October 1, 2020, except that any caregiver activities carried out on September 30, 2020, shall be continued on and after October 1, 2020.

Authorizes the transfer of entitlement to post 9/11 education assistance to family members by veterans who are retired for a physical disability or who are seriously injured veterans in need of family caregiver services, without regard to length-of-service requirements.

Authorizes the VA Secretary to pay monthly special compensation to seriously injured or ill veterans in need of personal care services and to their caregivers. Excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, such compensation paid to injured or ill veterans.

Authorizes flexible work schedules or telework for federal employees who are caregivers of veterans.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to designate a veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers as an adult with a special need for purposes of the lifespan respite care program.

Establishes in the executive branch an interagency working group to review and report on policies relating to the caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

Directs the Secretary to provide for studies on members of the Armed Forces who commenced service after September 11, 2001, and veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, including a mental health injury, and their caregivers.

military veteran caregiver services improvement act expands eligibility family caregiver program department_of_veterans_affairs include members armed_forces veterans seriously injured ill active duty prior september currently limited service september expands services caregivers veterans program include child care services financial planning services legal services terminates support program caregivers covered veterans october caregiver activities carried september shall continued october authorizes transfer entitlement post education assistance family members veterans retired physical disability seriously injured veterans need family caregiver services regard length service requirements authorizes secretary pay monthly special compensation seriously injured ill veterans need personal care services caregivers excludes gross income income tax purposes compensation paid injured ill veterans authorizes flexible work schedules telework federal employees caregivers veterans amends public_health_service_act designate veteran participating program comprehensive assistance family caregivers adult special need purposes lifespan respite care program establishes executive branch interagency_working_group review report policies relating caregivers veterans members armed_forces directs secretary provide studies members armed_forces commenced service september veterans incurred injury illness including mental health injury caregivers


Summary:
Veterans Conservation Corps Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a veterans conservation corps to assist unemployed veterans in the transition from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life and to employ such veterans: (1) in conservation, resource management, firefighting, law enforcement, and historic preservation projects on public lands; (2) in maintenance and improvement projects for cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the National Cemetery Administration; and (3) as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and disaster relief personnel.

Requires priority to be given to the employment of veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

Requires, as part of the veterans conservation corps: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to hire veterans as firefighters, (2) the Attorney General to award grants under the public safety and community policing grant program (COPS ON THE BEAT grant program) under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to hire veterans as law enforcement officers, and (3) the DHS Secretary to provide funds to increase participation by veterans in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Corps program.

Authorizes the VA Secretary to transfer amounts to carry out the corps to the Attorney General, the Chief of Engineers, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, DHS, and the Interior.

Directs the VA Secretary to establish a steering committee to establish selection criteria for, and provide advice to the VA Secretary on, the awarding of assistance under this Act.

veterans conservation corps act directs secretary veterans_affairs establish veterans conservation corps assist unemployed veterans transition service armed_forces civilian life employ veterans conservation resource management firefighting law enforcement historic preservation projects public lands maintenance improvement projects cemeteries jurisdiction national_cemetery_administration firefighters law enforcement officers disaster relief personnel requires priority given employment veterans served active duty september requires veterans conservation corps secretary homeland_security dhs award grants federal_fire_prevention control act hire veterans firefighters attorney general award grants public safety community policing grant program cops beat grant program omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act hire veterans law enforcement officers dhs secretary provide funds increase participation veterans federal_emergency_management_agency corps program authorizes secretary transfer amounts carry corps attorney general chief_of_engineers corporation_for_national_and_community_service secretaries_of_agriculture commerce dhs interior directs secretary establish steering committee establish selection criteria provide advice secretary awarding assistance act


Summary:
VA Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct.

The VA may also remove an individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate.

 A demoted individual: (1) shall be paid at the demoted rate as of the date of demotion, (2) may not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave while an appeal is ongoing, and (3) may only receive pay and other benefits if the individual reports for duty.

 The VA shall notify Congress of, and the reason for, any removal or demotion.

An employee shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board within seven days of removal or demotion. If an administrative judge does not make a final decision within 45 days the original decision becomes final. The Board or an administrative judge may not stay any removal or demotion.

 Between the date on which an individual appeals a removal from the civil service and the date on which the administrative judge issues a final decision on the appeal, the individual may not receive any pay, awards, bonuses, incentives, allowances, differentials, student loan repayments, special payments, or benefits.

 The VA may not remove or demote an employee during the pendency of a whistle blower complaint made to the VA Office of Special Counsel or to the central whistle blower office until a final decision has been made.

The Special Counsel may terminate an investigation of a prohibited personnel practice alleged by a VA employee or former employee after it has given the individual a written statement of the reasons for the termination.

(Sec. 3) An individual's appointment to a permanent position within the competitive service or as a career appointee within the Senior Executive Service (SES) shall become final after an 18-month probationary period, which the VA may extend. Final appointment shall be made by the employee's supervisor.

(Sec. 4) There is established an additional method for filing whistle blower complaints in which a VA employee may file such complaints with his or her immediate and next-level supervisors, and ultimately with the VA after having properly filed a complaint at each supervisory level.

If a supervisor makes a positive determination regarding such complaint the VA shall: (1) inform the employee of the ability to volunteer for a transfer, and (2) give preference to such transfer.

 The VA may not exempt any employee from such whistle blower coverage.

 The central whistle blower office shall be responsible for investigating all VA whistle blower complaints, regardless of whether such complaints are made by or against an employee who is not a SES member.

 The VA shall ensure that the central whistle blower office:

 is not an element of the Office of the General Counsel; is not headed by an official who reports to the General Counsel; does not provide, or receive from, the General Counsel any information regarding a whistle blower complaint except pursuant to an action regarding the complaint before an administrative body or court; and does not provide advice to the General Counsel. The VA shall carry out the following adverse actions against a supervisor who commits a prohibited personnel action relating to a whistle blower complaint:

 for a first offense, an adverse action that is not less than a 14-day suspension and not more than removal; and for a second offense, removal. A supervisor subject to an adverse employment action shall have five days to respond to a notification of the proposed action, and if the supervisor's response is inadequate or untimely, the adverse action will take effect.

 The criteria used to evaluate a supervisor's performance shall include whistle blower-related actions.

 A supervisor who commits a prohibited personnel action shall not be paid any award or bonus for a one-year period, and any award or bonus paid during that period shall be recouped.

 VA employees shall receive annual whistle blower complaint training.

(Sec. 5) The VA shall provide five annual performance level ratings for SES employees as follows:

 outstanding, exceeds fully successful, fully successful, minimally satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. The number of employees who may receive outstanding or exceeds fully successful ratings in each year is limited.

At least once every five years the VA shall reassign each individual employed in an SES position to a position at a different location that does not include the supervision of the same personnel or programs. The VA may waive this requirement if it notifies Congress of the waiver and the reasons for it.

 The VA shall enter into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to review the SES management training program.

(Sec. 6) The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the SES who: (1) is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in that position, and (2) was afforded prior notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another department or federal agency.

The VA may reduce the federal annuity of an individual convicted of such a felony and who was subject to removal or transfer from the SES, but who left the VA before final action was taken.

(Sec. 7) The VA may not place an employee on administrative leave or any other type of paid non-duty status for more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day period. The VA may waive this prohibition if it gives Congress a detailed explanation of the reasons the employee was placed on such leave or status and the reasons for extending that placement.

(Sec. 8) Congressional testimony by a VA employee in his or her official capacity shall be considered official duty, and the VA shall provide any such employee with travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, during the period when the employee is so testifying.

(Sec. 9) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce to $300 million the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses that may be paid by the VA in each of FY2015-FY2018.

(Sec. 10) The Government Accountability Office shall study the amount of time spent by VA employees carrying out labor organizing activities and the amount of VA space used for such activities.

(Sec. 11) The VA Inspector General shall submit to the VA and to Congress any report that recommends actions to address an issue with respect to public health or safety relating to misconduct by a VA employee.

 Such a report shall include: (1) an explanation of any VA-recommended changes to the report during the period in which the Inspector General was preparing the report, and (2) the names of each responsible manager (which the Inspector General shall not make public).

The VA: (1) shall notify each responsible manager within seven days and provide such person with appropriate counseling and a mitigation plan to resolve the issue, and (2) may not pay any bonus or award to such manager if an issue is unresolved.

accountability_act sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs remove demote employee based performance misconduct remove individual civil service demote individual reduction grade annual pay rate demoted individual shall paid demoted rate date demotion placed administrative leave category paid leave appeal ongoing receive pay benefits individual reports duty shall notify congress reason removal demotion employee shall right appeal merit_systems_protection_board seven days removal demotion administrative judge final decision days original decision final board administrative judge stay removal demotion date individual appeals removal civil service date administrative judge issues final decision appeal individual receive pay awards bonuses incentives allowances differentials student loan repayments special payments benefits remove demote employee pendency whistle blower complaint office_of_special_counsel central whistle blower office final decision special_counsel terminate investigation prohibited personnel practice alleged employee employee given individual written statement reasons termination sec individual appointment permanent position competitive service career appointee senior_executive_service ses shall final month probationary period extend final appointment shall employee supervisor sec established additional method filing whistle blower complaints employee file complaints immediate level supervisors ultimately having properly filed complaint supervisory level supervisor makes positive determination complaint shall inform employee ability volunteer transfer preference transfer exempt employee whistle blower coverage central whistle blower office shall responsible investigating whistle blower complaints regardless complaints employee ses member shall ensure central whistle blower office element office general counsel headed official reports general counsel provide receive general counsel information whistle blower complaint pursuant action complaint administrative body court provide advice general counsel shall carry following adverse actions supervisor commits prohibited personnel action relating whistle blower complaint offense adverse action day suspension removal second offense removal supervisor subject adverse employment action shall days respond notification proposed action supervisor response inadequate adverse action effect criteria evaluate supervisor performance shall include whistle blower related actions supervisor commits prohibited personnel action shall paid award bonus year period award bonus paid period shall employees shall receive annual whistle blower complaint training sec shall provide annual performance level ratings ses employees follows outstanding exceeds fully successful fully successful minimally satisfactory unsatisfactory number employees receive outstanding exceeds fully successful ratings year limited years shall reassign individual employed ses position position different location include supervision personnel programs waive requirement notifies congress waiver reasons shall enter contract nongovernmental entity review ses management training program sec shall reduce federal annuity individual removed ses convicted felony influenced performance employed position afforded prior notice opportunity hearing conducted department federal agency reduce federal annuity individual convicted felony subject removal transfer ses left final action taken sec place employee administrative leave type paid non duty status total days day period waive prohibition gives congress detailed explanation reasons employee placed leave status reasons extending placement sec congressional testimony employee official capacity shall considered official duty shall provide employee travel expenses including diem lieu subsistence period employee sec veterans access choice accountability_act amended reduce million aggregate awards bonuses paid fy2015 fy2018 sec government_accountability_office shall study time spent employees carrying labor organizing activities space activities sec inspector_general shall submit congress report recommends actions address issue respect public health safety relating misconduct employee report shall include explanation recommended changes report period inspector_general preparing report names responsible manager inspector_general shall public shall notify responsible manager seven days provide person appropriate counseling mitigation plan resolve issue pay bonus award manager issue unresolved


Summary:
Ensuring Veteran Safety Through Accountability Act of 2015

This bill expands the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove senior VA executives for performance or misconduct to include removal of VA health care professionals.

ensuring veteran safety accountability_act bill expands authority secretary veterans_affairs remove senior executives performance misconduct include removal health_care professionals


Summary:
Military Reserve Survivor Benefit Equity Act

Makes the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity for survivors of members of the reserves who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during inactive-duty training the same as the annuity for survivors of members of the regular Armed Forces who die in the line of duty while on active duty.

Prescribes the same increase with respect to the payment of an SBP annuity to a dependent child or children when there is no eligible surviving spouse.

 Declares that, for any death that occurred before the date of enactment of this Act for which an annuity is being paid (or could be paid) to a surviving spouse, the Secretary concerned may, within six months of that date and in consultation with the surviving spouse, provide an annuity for the dependent children of the decedent instead of an annuity for the surviving spouse.

military reserve survivor benefit equity act makes survivor_benefit_plan sbp annuity survivors members reserves die injury illness incurred aggravated line duty inactive duty training annuity survivors members regular armed_forces die line duty active duty prescribes increase respect payment sbp annuity dependent child children eligible surviving spouse declares death occurred date enactment act annuity paid paid surviving spouse secretary concerned months date consultation surviving spouse provide annuity dependent children decedent instead annuity surviving spouse


Summary:
Cold War Service Medal Act of 2015

Authorizes the military department concerned to issue the Cold War Service Medal to members of the Armed Forces who: (1) served on active duty for at least 24 consecutive months during the Cold War (September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991); (2) were deployed outside the continental United States for at least 30 days during such period; (3) were members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces and were called or ordered to active duty to participate in exercises or operations directly related to the Cold War; or (4) performed other Cold War service as DOD may prescribe. Disqualifies any such person who was not discharged or released from the Armed Forces under under honorable conditions.

Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD should expedite the design and issuance of the Medal.

cold war service medal act authorizes military department concerned issue cold war service medal members armed_forces served active duty consecutive months cold war september december deployed outside continental united_states days period members reserve component armed_forces called ordered active duty participate exercises operations directly related cold war performed cold war service dod prescribe disqualifies person discharged released armed_forces honorable conditions expresses sense congress dod expedite design issuance medal


Summary:
Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2015

Defines a "covered individual" as an individual who is a Vietnam resident and who: (1) is affected by health issues related to Agent Orange exposure which took place between January 1, 1961, and May 7, 1975; (2) lives or had lived in or near geographic areas in Vietnam that continue to contain high levels of Agent Orange; or (3) is affected by such health issues as the child or descendant of such an individual.

Directs the Secretary of State to provide assistance: (1) to address the health care needs of covered individuals, (2) to institutions in Vietnam that provide health care to such individuals, (3) to repair and rebuild substandard homes in Vietnam for covered individuals and their families, and (4) to remediate geographic areas of Vietnam that contain high levels of Agent Orange.

Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide assistance to support research relating to health issues of individuals affected by Agent Orange.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make grants to appropriate public health organizations and Vietnamese-American organizations to conduct a broad health assessment of Vietnamese-Americans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange and their children or descendants; and (2) establish centers in U.S. locations where large populations of Vietnamese-Americans reside to provide assessment, counseling, and treatment for conditions related to Agent Orange exposure.

Amends veterans benefits provisions to provide benefits to the children of male (currently only female) Vietnam veterans who are affected by certain birth defects. Requires the VA Secretary to require any health care provider with whom the Secretary enters into a contract for the provision of health care to such children to provide the VA access to the medical records of such children for research into the intergenerational effects of Agent Orange exposure.

victims agent orange relief_act defines covered individual individual vietnam resident affected health issues related agent orange exposure took place january lives lived near geographic areas vietnam continue contain high levels agent orange affected health issues child descendant individual directs secretary state provide assistance address health_care needs covered individuals institutions vietnam provide health_care individuals repair rebuild substandard homes vietnam covered individuals families remediate geographic areas vietnam contain high levels agent orange directs secretary secretary veterans_affairs provide assistance support research relating health issues individuals affected agent orange requires secretary health_and_human_services grants appropriate public health organizations vietnamese american organizations conduct broad health assessment vietnamese americans exposed agent orange children descendants establish centers locations large populations vietnamese americans reside provide assessment counseling treatment conditions related agent orange exposure amends veterans benefits provisions provide benefits children male currently female vietnam veterans affected certain birth defects requires secretary require health_care provider secretary enters contract provision health_care children provide access medical records children research effects agent orange exposure


Summary:
Veteran's Benefits Claims Faster Filing Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to post notices of average times for the processing of compensation claims, as well as the percentage of claims approved, in a conspicuous place in each VA regional office and claims intake facility and on the VA website.

Requires the Secretary to notify each person submitting a claim of the above information, as well as the person's eligibility to receive up to an extra year of benefit payments upon filing a claim that is fully developed.

Requires the notice information to be updated at least quarterly.

veteran benefits claims faster filing act directs secretary veterans_affairs post notices average times processing compensation claims percentage claims approved conspicuous place regional office claims intake facility website requires secretary notify person submitting claim information person eligibility receive extra year benefit payments filing claim fully developed requires notice information updated quarterly


Summary:
Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act

 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions relating to exposure to open burn pits and other environmental exposures in Afghanistan or Iraq.

The VA shall, in selecting the site, consider entities that:

 are equipped with the specialized equipment needed to study, diagnose, and treat health conditions relating to such exposure; have a publication track record of post-deployment health exposures among veterans who served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; have collaborated with a geosciences department that has a medical geology division; have developed animal models and in vitro models of dust immunology and lung injury consistent with the injuries of members of the Armed Forces who served in support of such Operations; and have expertise in allergy and immunology, pulmonary diseases, and industrial and management engineering. The VA shall ensure that the center collaborates with the Department of Defense (DOD), institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities to:

 provide for dissemination within the VA of best practices for the treatment of such conditions and the training of health professionals; provide guidance for the VA and DOD health systems in determining the personnel required to provide quality health care for members of the Armed Forces and veterans with such conditions; establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program to train VA and DOD health professionals in the treatment of such conditions; facilitate advancements in the study of the short-term and long-term effects of such exposure; conduct basic science and translational research on such conditions for the purposes of understanding the etiology of such conditions and developing preventive interventions and new treatments; and provide medical treatment to all veterans identified as part of the burn pits registry established under the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012. The center shall have access to and make use of the data accumulated by such registry.

helping veterans exposed burn pits act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish center_of_excellence prevention diagnosis mitigation treatment rehabilitation health conditions relating exposure open burn pits environmental exposures afghanistan iraq shall selecting site consider entities equipped specialized equipment needed study diagnose treat health conditions relating exposure publication track record post deployment health exposures veterans served support operation iraqi_freedom operation enduring_freedom geosciences department medical geology division developed animal models vitro models dust lung injury consistent injuries members armed_forces served support operations expertise allergy pulmonary diseases industrial management engineering shall ensure center department_of_defense dod institutions higher education appropriate public private entities provide dissemination best practices treatment conditions training health professionals provide guidance dod health systems determining personnel required provide quality health_care members armed_forces veterans conditions establish implement oversee comprehensive program train dod health professionals treatment conditions facilitate advancements study short term long term effects exposure conduct basic science translational research conditions purposes understanding conditions developing preventive interventions new treatments provide medical treatment veterans identified burn pits registry established dignified burial veterans benefits improvement act center shall access use data accumulated registry


Summary:
United States Cadet Nurse Corps Equity Act This bill deems as active military service for Department of Veterans Affairs purposes any service as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 15, 1945 (qualified service).

 The Department of Defense shall issue an honorable discharge within one year to each person whose qualified service warrants one.

 Retroactive benefits shall not be paid to persons as a result of enactment of this Act.

united_states_cadet_nurse_corps equity act bill deems active military service department_of_veterans_affairs purposes service member united_states_cadet_nurse_corps july december qualified service department_of_defense shall issue honorable discharge year person qualified service warrants retroactive benefits shall paid persons result enactment act


Summary:
Veterans Information Modernization Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report annually to Congress during 2016 through 2020 on its furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care.

Each report shall:

 evaluate the effectiveness of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) program in improving the quality of, and increasing access to, veterans hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care; and assess physician and other VHA employee workloads, patient demographics and utilization rates, physician compensation, physician and VHA employee productivity, the percentage of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care provided to veterans in VA facilities and in non-VA facilities, pharmaceutical prices, and outstanding third party health billings. (Sec. 3) The definition of homeless veteran is expanded for purposes of VA benefits.

 (Sec. 4) The VA shall: (1) adopt the device identification system developed for medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or implement a comparable standard identification system to identify biological implants for use in VA medical facilities, (2) implement a system for tracking biological implants from human or animal source to implantation which shall be compatible with the identification system, and (3) implement inventory recall controls compatible with the tracking system.

180-day implementation deadlines are set for the identification and tracking systems.

(Sec. 5) The VA may procure biological implants of human origin only from a vendor that:

 uses the standard identification system and has safeguards to ensure that a distinct identity code has been in place at each distribution step of each biological implant from its donor; is registered as required by the FDA, and for a vendor that uses a tissue distribution intermediary or a tissue processor, provides assurances that the intermediary or processor is registered as required by the FDA; ensures that donor eligibility determinations and other records accompany each biological implant at all times, regardless of the donor's country of origin; agrees to cooperate with all biological implant recalls; agrees to notify the VA of any adverse event or reaction report it provides to the FDA, or of any FDA warning letter issued to the vendor or a tissue processor or tissue distribution intermediary it uses; agrees to retain all records associated with the procurement of a biological implant by the VA for at least 10 years; and provides assurances that the biological implants provided by the vendor are acquired only from tissue processors that maintain active accreditation with the American Association of Tissue Banks or a similar national accreditation specific to biological implants. The VA may procure biological implants of non-human origin only from a vendor that:

 uses the standard identification system; is a registered establishment as required by the FDA, and in the case of a vendor that is not the original product manufacturer of such implants the vendor provides assurances that the original product manufacturer is registered as required by the FDA; agrees to cooperate with all biological implant recalls; agrees to notify the VA of any adverse event report it provides to the FDA, or any FDA warning letter issued to the vendor or the original product manufacturer it uses; and agrees to retain all records associated with the procurement of a biological implant by the VA for at least 10 years. The VA shall procure biological implants under the General Services Administration's federal supply schedules unless the implants are not available under them.

A VA procurement employee who procures biological implants with the intent to avoid, or with reckless disregard of, the procurement requirements of this Act shall be ineligible to hold a certificate of appointment as a contracting officer or serve as a representative of an ordering officer, contracting officer, or purchase card holder.

(Sec. 6) Extended through FY2019 is the mandatory rounding down of percentage increases of certain educational assistance rates and survivors' and dependents' educational assistance rates. Post-FY2019 increases shall be rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

(Sec. 7) The Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission is established to:

 examine the efficacy of the evidence-based therapy model for treating mental health illnesses of veterans; conduct a patient-centered survey within each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to examine the experience of veterans seeking mental health assistance through the VA and non-VA systems, the preferences of veterans regarding mental health treatment, and VA outreach efforts; examine complementary alternative treatment therapies for mental health issues; and study the potential increase of VA claims relating to mental health issues by veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn, including an assessment of VA resources to meet such claims.

veterans information modernization act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs report annually congress furnishing hospital care medical services nursing home care report shall evaluate effectiveness veterans_health_administration vha program improving quality increasing access veterans hospital care medical services nursing home care assess physician vha employee workloads patient demographics utilization rates physician compensation physician vha employee productivity percentage hospital care medical services nursing home care provided veterans facilities non-va facilities pharmaceutical prices outstanding party health billings sec definition homeless veteran expanded purposes benefits sec shall adopt device identification system developed medical devices food_and_drug_administration fda implement comparable standard identification system identify biological use medical facilities implement system tracking biological human animal source shall compatible identification system implement inventory recall controls compatible tracking system day implementation deadlines set identification tracking systems sec procure biological human origin vendor uses standard identification system safeguards ensure distinct identity code place distribution step biological donor registered required fda vendor uses tissue distribution intermediary tissue processor provides assurances intermediary processor registered required fda ensures donor eligibility determinations records accompany biological times regardless donor country origin agrees cooperate biological recalls agrees notify adverse event reaction report provides fda fda warning letter issued vendor tissue processor tissue distribution intermediary uses agrees retain records associated procurement biological years provides assurances biological provided vendor acquired tissue processors maintain active accreditation american association tissue banks similar national accreditation specific biological procure biological non human origin vendor uses standard identification system registered establishment required fda case vendor original product manufacturer vendor provides assurances original product manufacturer registered required fda agrees cooperate biological recalls agrees notify adverse event report provides fda fda warning letter issued vendor original product manufacturer uses agrees retain records associated procurement biological years shall procure biological general_services_administration federal supply schedules available procurement employee biological intent avoid reckless disregard procurement requirements act shall ineligible hold certificate appointment contracting officer serve representative ordering officer contracting officer purchase card holder sec extended fy2019 mandatory percentage increases certain educational assistance rates survivors dependents educational assistance rates post fy2019 increases shall rounded nearest dollar sec veterans expedited recovery commission established examine efficacy evidence based therapy model treating mental health illnesses veterans conduct patient centered survey veterans_integrated_service_networks examine experience veterans seeking mental health assistance non-va systems preferences veterans mental health treatment outreach efforts examine complementary alternative treatment therapies mental health issues study potential increase claims relating mental health issues veterans served operation enduring_freedom operation iraqi_freedom operation new dawn including assessment resources meet claims


Summary:
VOW to Hire Heroes Extension Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2018 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 Internal Revenue Service, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to make annual reports on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this Act in increasing the employment of veterans.

Requires the Department 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 internal_revenue_service consultation department_of_labor annual reports effectiveness cost effectiveness act increasing employment veterans requires department_of_the_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:
Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015

Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration (VEOTA), headed by the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, to administer VA programs of economic opportunity assistance to veterans and their dependents and survivors.

Requires VEOTA to administer the following VA programs: (1) vocational rehabilitation and employment programs; (2) educational assistance programs; (3) veterans' housing loan and related programs; (4) veterans' small business programs, including the program to increase participation in VA contracts by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans who have service-connected disabilities and by veterans who do not have such disabilities; (5) homeless veterans reintegration programs; (6) job counseling, training, and placement services; and (7) employment and employment rights of members of the uniformed services.

Limits the aggregate number of full-time equivalent employees authorized for VEOTA for FY2017-FY2018.

Transfers, as of October 1, 2016, to VA specified veterans-related programs of the Department of Labor, including: (1) job counseling, training, employment, and placement services; (2) administration of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services; and (3) homeless veterans reintegration programs.

Directs the President, for FY2017 and thereafter, to include in the budget request funding for the VA for such functions.

Establishes a Deputy Under Secretary for Veterans' Employment, Training and Transition.

jobs veterans act establishes department_of_veterans_affairs veterans economic opportunity transition administration headed secretary veterans economic opportunity transition administer programs economic opportunity assistance veterans dependents survivors requires administer following programs vocational rehabilitation employment programs educational assistance programs veterans housing loan related programs veterans small business programs including program increase participation contracts small business concerns owned controlled veterans service connected disabilities veterans disabilities homeless veterans reintegration programs job counseling training placement services employment employment rights members uniformed_services limits aggregate number time equivalent employees authorized fy2017 fy2018 transfers october specified veterans related programs department_of_labor including job counseling training employment placement services administration employment reemployment rights members uniformed_services homeless veterans reintegration programs directs president fy2017 include budget request funding functions establishes deputy secretary veterans employment training transition


Summary:
Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in processing veterans claims for compensation, to provide priority over other claimants to: (1) veterans who have attained age 70, (2) veterans who are terminally ill, and (3) veterans who have life-threatening illnesses.

prioritizing urgent claims veterans act directs secretary veterans_affairs processing veterans claims compensation provide priority claimants veterans attained age veterans terminally ill veterans life threatening illnesses


Summary:
Honor Guardsmen and Reservists Act

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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:
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 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:
Hire A Hero Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow employers a work opportunity tax credit for hiring a member of the Ready Reserve or the National Guard, and (2) make such credit with respect to the hiring of qualified veterans and members of the Ready Reserve and National Guard permanent.

hire hero act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow employers work opportunity tax credit hiring member ready_reserve national_guard credit respect hiring qualified veterans members ready_reserve national_guard permanent


Summary:
Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2015

 Requires the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), at the same time the IG submits a report to the VA, to submit a copy of such report to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs, including: (1) an explanation of any changes to the report recommended by the VA Secretary, and (2) a list of each manager responsible for an issue in a report that recommends actions to address to a public health or safety issue in the VA.

Requires the VA: (1) within seven days after such submission, to notify each such manager of such issue; (2) to direct such manager to resolve the issue, (3) to provide the manager with appropriate counseling and a mitigation plan for resolving the issue; and (4) to ensure that the manager's performance review includes an evaluation of actions taken regarding such issue.

Prohibits the Secretary from paying a bonus or award to any such manager if such issue remains unresolved.

demanding accountability veterans act requires inspector_general department_of_veterans_affairs time submits report submit copy report house senate_committees veterans affairs including explanation changes report recommended secretary list manager responsible issue report recommends actions address public health safety issue requires seven days submission notify manager issue direct manager resolve issue provide manager appropriate counseling mitigation plan resolving issue ensure manager performance review includes evaluation actions taken issue prohibits secretary paying bonus award manager issue remains unresolved


Summary:
Bertie's Respect for National Cemeteries Act

This bill requires the appropriate federal official to take every reasonable action, including by searching public records, to ensure that a person who will be interred in a cemetery in the National Cemetery Administration or in Arlington National Cemetery is not ineligible for such interment by reason of having been convicted of a federal or state capital crime or a tier III sex offense.

The bill applies the requirement of the Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act for a written notice of a disqualifying felony conviction with respect to any interment or memorialization conducted, either before or after enactment of that Act.

The Department of Veterans Affairs shall: (1) disinter the remains of George E. Siple from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery (Pennsylvania); (2) notify his next of kin of the impending disinterment; and (3) upon disinterment, relinquish the remains to the next of kin or, if the next of kin of record is unavailable, arrange for the appropriate disposition of the remains.

respect national cemeteries act bill requires appropriate federal official reasonable action including searching public records ensure person interred cemetery national_cemetery_administration arlington national cemetery ineligible interment reason having convicted federal state capital crime tier iii sex offense bill applies requirement dawn respect national cemeteries act written notice disqualifying felony conviction respect interment conducted enactment act department_of_veterans_affairs shall remains george gap national cemetery pennsylvania notify kin impending relinquish remains kin kin record unavailable arrange appropriate disposition remains


Summary: Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act of 2015 Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish the K-9 Companion Corps program for the awarding of grants to assist nonprofit organizations in establishing, planning, designing, and/or operating programs to provide assistance dogs to certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans who have certain disabilities. Defines "assistance dog" to mean a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of such a disability, except that such term does not include a dog specifically trained for comfort or personal defense.

wounded warrior service dog act directs secretaries_of_defense veterans_affairs jointly establish companion corps program awarding grants assist nonprofit organizations establishing planning designing operating programs provide assistance dogs certain members armed_forces veterans certain disabilities defines assistance dog mean dog specifically trained perform physical tasks mitigate effects disability term include dog specifically trained comfort personal defense


Summary:
Military Spouses Achieving College Education for Survivors Act of 2015 or ACES Act of 2015

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to deem any member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, to have died on January 1, 2006, in order to make that member's surviving spouse eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship. (Surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty after September 11, 2001, are eligible for such assistance until the earlier of the date they remarry or the date that is 15 years after the military spouse's death.)

 A surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, who elected before enactment of this Act to receive educational benefits under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Frye program may revoke such choice. (Such an election is currently irrevocable.)

military spouses achieving college education survivors act act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act deem member armed_forces died september december died january order member surviving spouse eligible marine gunnery sergeant john_david_fry scholarship surviving spouses service members die line duty september eligible assistance earlier date remarry date years military spouse death surviving spouse member armed_forces died september december elected enactment act receive educational benefits survivors dependents educational assistance program marine gunnery sergeant john david program revoke choice election currently irrevocable


Summary:
Veteran Wellness Act

 Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program under which the VA makes grants to nonprofit veterans services organizations (VSOs) to: (1) upgrade their community facilities into health and wellness centers in at least 10 different geographic locations, and (2) promote and expand complementary and integrative wellness programs.

Directs the VA to give priority to locations in economically depressed areas that are not in close proximity to VA medical centers.

Requires a VSO, as a condition of receiving a grant, to agree to carry out the operation and maintenance of a facility that is repaired or constructed using grant funds for three years after completion of the repair or construction.

veteran wellness act requires department_of_veterans_affairs carry year pilot program makes grants nonprofit veterans services organizations upgrade community facilities health wellness centers different geographic locations promote expand complementary integrative wellness programs directs priority locations economically depressed areas close proximity medical centers requires condition receiving grant agree carry operation maintenance facility repaired constructed grant funds years completion repair construction


Summary:
Paul A. Smithhisler Medal of Honor Act

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Sergeant Paul A. Smithhisler for the acts of valor during World War I for which Sergeant Smithhisler originally was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

It is the sense of Congress that should the President award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Paul A. Smithhisler, November 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended formal hostilities in western Europe during World War I, would be an appropriate occasion upon which to make the award.

paul medal honor act bill authorizes president award medal honor sergeant paul acts valor world war sergeant originally awarded distinguished service cross sense congress president award medal honor sergeant paul november anniversary armistice ended formal hostilities western europe world war appropriate occasion award


Summary: This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish headstones and markers for the graves of spouses and dependents of veterans buried in any cemetery in the United States if the spouses and dependents died on or after November 11, 1998.

bill directs secretary veterans_affairs furnish headstones markers graves spouses dependents veterans buried cemetery united_states spouses dependents died november