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

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of the Army to ensure that the cremated remains of persons whose service has been determined to be active duty service pursuant to the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 are eligible for above ground inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

 Such provision shall apply with respect to: (1) the remains of a person that are not formally interred or inurned as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and (2) a person who dies on or after such date.

(Sec. 2) The Department of the Army shall report to Congress on Arlington National Cemetery's interment and inurnment capacity, including:

 the estimated date that the cemetery will reach maximum interment and inurnment capacity; and recommendations for legislative actions and non legislative options to ensure that the cemetery's maximum interment and inurnment capacity is not reached until well into the future, including options with respect to redefining interment and inurnment eligibility and expansion opportunities beyond the cemetery's current boundaries.

measure amended passed senate summary version repeated sec bill directs department_of_the_army ensure remains persons service determined active duty service pursuant bill improvement act eligible ground arlington national cemetery military honors provision shall apply respect remains person formally interred date enactment act person dies date sec department_of_the_army shall report congress arlington national cemetery interment capacity including estimated date cemetery reach maximum interment capacity recommendations legislative actions non legislative options ensure cemetery maximum interment capacity reached future including options respect redefining interment eligibility expansion opportunities cemetery current boundaries


Summary:
Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with federal agencies, states, and experts to develop and implement federal and state standards that protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension for a non-service-connected disability or death or for service on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices.

The Government Accountability Office must: (1) report standards that would be effective in protecting such individuals if the VA fails to submit such standards as required, and (2) complete a study on standards implemented under this Act.

veterans care financial protection act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs work federal agencies states experts develop implement federal state standards protect individuals eligible increased pension non service connected disability death service basis need regular aid attendance predatory unlawful practices government_accountability_office report standards effective protecting individuals fails submit standards required complete study standards implemented act


Summary:
Be Responsive to all Veterans Expeditiously Act of 2016 or the BRAVE Act of 2016

This bill requires the primary telephone line for any Department of Veterans Affairs facility to include voice mail.

The introductory message of any voice mail shall inform the caller of: (1) the facility's name, (2) the expected response time, and (3) an emergency telephone number.

responsive veterans expeditiously act act bill requires primary telephone line department_of_veterans_affairs facility include voice mail introductory message voice mail shall inform caller facility expected response time emergency telephone number


Summary:
Military Retiree Employment Act

This bill permits, for a specified five-year period, retired members of the Armed Forces to be appointed to civil service positions in or under the Department of Defense (DOD) during the first 180 days after retirement without meeting current requirements regarding: (1) appointment authorization, (2) basic pay increase, or (3) existence of a state of national emergency.

The Office of Personnel Management shall establish an oversight plan to monitor such appointments.

DOD shall ensure that every DOD employee is informed, within one calendar day, of the publication of a vacancy within that employee's office that requires qualifications related to the employee's current duties.

DOD shall ensure for 10 years that each employee who is a veteran and who is newly hired or appointed to a DOD position shall be informed of the effect of certain DOD guidelines for reduction in force protection.

military retiree employment act bill permits specified year period retired members armed_forces appointed civil service positions department_of_defense dod days retirement meeting current requirements appointment authorization basic pay increase existence state national emergency office_of_personnel_management shall establish oversight plan monitor appointments dod shall ensure dod employee informed calendar day publication vacancy employee office requires qualifications related employee current duties dod shall ensure years employee veteran newly hired appointed dod position shall informed effect certain dod guidelines reduction force protection


Summary:
Sanctioned Iranian Entities Oversight Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to extend through 2019 the annual report the President must submit to Congress regarding the use of certain Iranian seaports by foreign vessels and the use of foreign airports by sanctioned Iranian air carriers.

Such report shall also include a description of Department of State efforts to encourage other countries to prohibit the use of air space and airports by sanctioned Iranian air carriers.

sanctioned iranian entities oversight act bill amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year extend annual report president submit congress use certain iranian seaports foreign vessels use foreign airports sanctioned iranian air carriers report shall include description department_of_state efforts encourage countries prohibit use air space airports sanctioned iranian air carriers


Summary:
Veteran Suicide Prevention Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to complete a publicly available review of the deaths of all covered veterans who died by suicide during the preceding five-year period.

 Such review shall include:

 the total number of veterans who died by suicide during the five-year period; a summary that includes age, gender, and race; a list of the medications prescribed to, and found in the systems of, such veterans at the time of their deaths, and a summary of medical diagnoses by VA physicians which led to the prescribing of such medications; the number of instances in which the veteran was concurrently on multiple medications prescribed by VA physicians; the percentage of veterans who were not taking any medication prescribed by a VA physician; the percentage of veterans with combat experience or trauma; Veterans Health Administration facilities with markedly high prescription and patient suicide rates; a description of VA policies governing the prescribing of medications; and recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of veterans. "Covered veteran" means any veteran who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the veteran's death.

veteran suicide prevention act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs complete publicly available review deaths covered veterans died suicide preceding year period review shall include total number veterans died suicide year period summary includes age gender race list medications prescribed found systems veterans time deaths summary medical diagnoses physicians led prescribing medications number instances veteran concurrently multiple medications prescribed physicians percentage veterans taking medication prescribed physician percentage veterans combat experience trauma veterans_health_administration facilities high prescription patient suicide rates description policies governing prescribing medications recommendations improve safety veterans covered veteran means veteran received hospital care medical services year period preceding veteran death


Summary:
Jobs for Veterans Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increased work opportunity tax credit for employers who hire veterans who have been certified as discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2015, and before January 1, 2020. This increased credit is in addition to any work opportunity tax credit allowed to a veteran with a service-connected disability.

jobs veterans act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow increased work opportunity tax credit employers hire veterans certified discharged released active duty armed_forces september begin work employer december january increased credit addition work opportunity tax credit allowed veteran service connected disability


Summary:
Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to declare that any person who knowingly engages in any scheme or artifice to defraud an individual of veterans' benefits, or in connection with obtaining veteran's benefits for that individual, shall be fined, imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

 "Veterans' benefits" means any benefit provided by federal law for a veteran or a dependent or survivor of a veteran.

preventing crimes veterans act sec bill amends federal criminal code declare person knowingly engages scheme artifice defraud individual veterans benefits connection obtaining veteran benefits individual shall fined imprisoned years veterans benefits means benefit provided federal law veteran dependent survivor veteran


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish at a private cemetery, and upon request, a headstone, marker, or medallion that signifies the status of an eligible veteran who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917, as a Medal of Honor recipient.

If the VA furnished a headstone, marker, or medallion for a deceased veteran that does not signify his or her status as a Medal of Honor recipient, the VA shall upon request replace that headstone, marker, or medallion with one that signifies the deceased's status as a Medal of Honor recipient.

(Sec. 2) The bill authorizes award of the Presidential Memorial Certificate to certain deceased members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, the Air or Army National Guard, and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs furnish private cemetery request headstone marker medallion status eligible veteran served armed_forces april medal honor recipient furnished headstone marker medallion deceased veteran signify status medal honor recipient shall request replace headstone marker medallion deceased status medal honor recipient sec bill authorizes award presidential memorial certificate certain deceased members reserve components armed_forces air army_national_guard reserve officers training corps


Summary:
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, to carry out a five-year pilot program under which the VA shall provide service dogs and veterinary health insurance to certain veterans who: (1) served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001; and (2) were diagnosed with, and continue to suffer from, post-traumatic stress disorder.

The provision of a service dog shall be done in addition to other types of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and shall not replace established treatment modalities.

assisting wounded servicemembers act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs office patient centered care cultural transformation carry year pilot program shall provide service dogs veterinary health insurance certain veterans served active duty september diagnosed continue suffer post traumatic stress disorder provision service dog shall addition types treatment post traumatic stress disorder shall replace established treatment modalities


Summary:
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2016, the amounts for the payment of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

Each such increase shall be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date (rounded to the next lower dollar amount if the amount is not a whole dollar amount).

 The VA may adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons receiving benefits pursuant to public laws administered by the VA on December 31, 1958 (that are still in effect) who have not received service-connected disability or death compensation.

 The VA shall publish such increased amounts in the Federal Register.

(Sec. 3) The VA may pay the cost of transporting a deceased veteran:

 who died as the result of a service-connected disability, or who died while in receipt of disability compensation, to a national cemetery or a state- or tribal-owned veterans' cemetery in which the deceased veteran is eligible to be buried, or who has no next of kin or other person claiming the body to a national cemetery in which the deceased veteran is eligible to be buried. Such payment shall not exceed the cost of transportation to the national cemetery nearest to the veteran's last place of residence in which burial space is available.

(Sec. 4) The VA shall furnish at a private cemetery, upon request, a headstone, marker, or medallion that signifies the status of an eligible veteran who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917, as a Medal of Honor recipient.

If the VA furnished a headstone, marker, or medallion for a deceased veteran that does not signify his or her status as a Medal of Honor recipient, the VA shall, upon request, replace that headstone, marker, or medallion with one that signifies such status.

(Sec. 5) The bill authorizes award of the Presidential Memorial Certificate to certain deceased members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces and certain deceased members of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

(Sec. 6) The Department of the Army shall reserve 100 in-ground burial plots at Arlington National Cemetery for interment of deceased Medal of Honor recipients. Such requirement shall terminate when the Army submits a report on the cemetery's interment and inurnment capacity that includes: (1) the estimated date of achieving maximum capacity; and (2) recommendations to ensure that such capacity is not reached until well into the future, including actions to redefine interment eligibility and considerations for cemetery expansion.

(Sec. 7) The VA, beginning not later than October 1, 2016, shall carry out a three-year pilot program under which the VA shall carry out Veteran Engagement Team events to assist veterans in completing VA disability and pension claims.

Such events shall be carried out:

 during the first year, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 10 VA regional offices, including at least 2 regional offices in each of the 5 districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration; during each of the second and third years, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 15 VA regional offices, including at least 3 regional offices in each district; at different locations within each regional office's jurisdiction and at least 50 miles from any regional office; during the sponsoring regional office's normal business hours; and with a sufficient number of physicians (to be available for opinions only), veteran service and rating representatives, and other appropriate claims personnel to initiate, update, and finalize the completion and adjudication of claims. The VA shall: (1) collect and analyze event-satisfaction information from attending veterans, and (2) report annuallys on event implementation.

The VA may not permanently transfer any Veterans Health Administration physician to staff an event.

veterans compensation cost living adjustment act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs increase december amounts payment veterans disability compensation additional compensation dependents clothing allowance certain disabled veterans dependency indemnity compensation surviving spouses children increase shall percentage increase benefits provided title old age survivors disability_insurance social_security_act effective date rounded lower dollar dollar adjust administratively rates disability compensation payable persons receiving benefits pursuant public laws administered december effect received service connected disability death compensation shall publish increased amounts federal_register sec pay cost transporting deceased veteran died result service connected disability died receipt disability compensation national cemetery state- tribal owned veterans cemetery deceased veteran eligible buried kin person claiming body national cemetery deceased veteran eligible buried payment shall exceed cost transportation national cemetery nearest veteran place residence burial space available sec shall furnish private cemetery request headstone marker medallion status eligible veteran served armed_forces april medal honor recipient furnished headstone marker medallion deceased veteran signify status medal honor recipient shall request replace headstone marker medallion status sec bill authorizes award presidential memorial certificate certain deceased members reserve components armed_forces certain deceased members reserve officers training corps sec department_of_the_army shall reserve ground burial arlington national cemetery interment deceased medal honor recipients requirement shall terminate army submits report cemetery interment capacity includes estimated date achieving maximum capacity recommendations ensure capacity reached future including actions redefine interment eligibility considerations cemetery expansion sec beginning later october shall carry year pilot program shall carry veteran engagement team events assist veterans completing disability pension claims events shall carried year month jurisdiction regional offices including regional offices districts veterans_benefits_administration second years month jurisdiction regional offices including regional offices district different locations regional office jurisdiction miles regional office sponsoring regional office normal business hours sufficient number physicians available opinions veteran service rating representatives appropriate claims personnel initiate update finalize completion adjudication claims shall collect analyze event satisfaction information attending veterans report event implementation permanently transfer veterans_health_administration physician staff event


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to construct on the Arlington Ridge tract in the area of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia, a structure for visitor services, including a public restroom facility.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated sec bill authorizes department_of_the_interior construct arlington ridge tract area marine_corps war memorial arlington county virginia structure visitor services including public restroom facility


Summary:
Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds for acts of valor in World War II to save the lives of more than 200 Jewish members of the Armed Forces.

congressional gold medal act bill authorizes president award medal honor master sergeant acts valor world war save lives jewish members armed_forces


Summary:
Dust Off Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation of a single gold medal in honor of the Dust Off crews (helicopter air ambulance crews) of the Vietnam War in recognition of their heroic military service.

It is the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should also make such medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at appropriate locations associated with the Vietnam War, and that preference should be given to locations affiliated with the Smithsonian.

dust crews vietnam war congressional gold medal act bill directs speaker house_of_representatives president pro tempore senate appropriate arrangements presentation single gold medal honor dust crews helicopter air ambulance crews vietnam war recognition military service sense congress smithsonian_institution medal available display particularly appropriate locations associated vietnam war preference given locations affiliated smithsonian


Summary: This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Corporal David Dunnels White of the 37th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, for his capture of Confederate Major General George Washington Custis Lee at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia, on April 6, 1865.

bill authorizes president award medal honor corporal david white massachusetts army capture major general george_washington lee battle creek virginia april


Summary: This bill authorizes the Department of the Army to award the Distinguished Service Cross to Chaplain (First Lieutenant) Joseph Verbis LaFleur for acts of valor during World War II.

bill authorizes department_of_the_army award distinguished service cross chaplain lieutenant joseph acts valor world war


Summary:
Guardians of America's Freedom Medal Act

This bill requires each military department to carry out a program to award medals or other commendations to military working dogs and their handlers to recognize valor or meritorious achievement.

guardians america freedom medal act bill requires military department carry program award medals military working dogs handlers recognize valor meritorious achievement


Summary:
RCAF/RAF-Americans Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of all U.S. nationals who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Royal Air Force during World War II.

americans congressional gold medal act bill directs speaker house_of_representatives president pro tempore senate arrange award congressional gold medal commemoration nationals joined canadian air_force air_force world war


Summary:
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the troops from the United States and the Philippines who defended Bataan, Philippines, and were subsequently prisoners of war in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service during World War II.

The medal shall be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, which is urged to make the medal available for display at other locations associated with such troops.

bill directs speaker house_of_representatives president pro tempore senate arrange collective award congressional gold medal troops united_states philippines philippines subsequently prisoners war recognition personal sacrifice service world war medal shall displayed smithsonian_institution medal available display locations associated troops


Summary: This bill designates the Medal of Honor Museum, which is to be built in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, as the "National Medal of Honor Museum."

bill designates medal honor museum built mount south_carolina national medal honor museum


Summary:
Military Injury Surgical Systems Integrated Operationally Nationwide to Achieve ZERO Preventable Deaths Act or the MISSION ZERO Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to award grants to certain trauma centers to enable military trauma care providers and trauma teams to provide trauma care and related acute care at those trauma centers. Funds may be used to train and incorporate military trauma care providers into the trauma center, including expenditures for malpractice insurance, office space, information technology, specialty education and supervision, trauma programs, and state license fees. Grantees must allow the military trauma care providers to be deployed for military operations, training, or response to a mass casualty incident.

military injury surgical systems integrated operationally nationwide achieve zero preventable deaths act mission zero act bill amends public_health_service_act require office assistant secretary preparedness response award grants certain trauma centers enable military trauma care providers trauma teams provide trauma care related acute care trauma centers funds train incorporate military trauma care providers trauma center including expenditures malpractice insurance office space information technology specialty education supervision trauma programs state license fees grantees allow military trauma care providers deployed military operations training response mass casualty incident


Summary: This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James C. McCloughan for acts of valor during the Vietnam War for which he was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.

bill authorizes president award medal honor james acts valor vietnam war previously awarded bronze star medal device


Summary: This bill authorizes the President, notwithstanding otherwise applicable time requirements, to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Doris Miller for acts of valor during World War II while a member of the Navy.

bill authorizes president notwithstanding applicable time requirements award medal honor acts valor world war member navy


Summary:
Recognizing Mayaguez Veterans Act

This bill requires the military department concerned, upon application by or on behalf of a veteran who was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for participation in the Mayaguez rescue operation of May 12-May 15, 1975, or who otherwise participated in such operation, to award that veteran the Vietnam Service Medal, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable requirements. Such award shall be made in lieu of any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal awarded for participation in such operation.

recognizing veterans act bill requires military department concerned application behalf veteran awarded armed_forces expeditionary medal participation rescue operation participated operation award veteran vietnam service medal notwithstanding applicable requirements award shall lieu armed_forces expeditionary medal awarded participation operation


Summary:
Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow veterans a deduction from gross income, up to $400 a year, for their travel expenses, including those of a family member, to a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center for treatment related to a service-connected disability or for an examination related to a claim for disability compensation or a pension.

veterans_travel tax relief_act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow veterans deduction gross income year travel expenses including family member department_of_veterans_affairs_medical_center treatment related service connected disability examination related claim disability compensation pension


Summary:
Veterans Affairs Research Transparency Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make available on a publicly-available Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website: (1) data files that contain information on VA research, (2) a data dictionary on each data file, and (3) instructions on how to obtain access to each data file for use in research.

Directs the Secretary, within 540 days after this Act's enactment, to require, as a condition on the use of any data gathered or formulated from research funded by VA, that any final, peer-reviewed manuscript prepared for publication that uses such data be submitted to the Secretary for deposit in a digital archive (established by the Secretary under this Act). Requires such archive to be publicly available.

Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive to submit to the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) options and recommendations for establishing a program of long-term cooperation and data-sharing between and within VA and DOD to facilitate research on outcomes of military service, readjustment after combat deployment, and other topics of importance to veterans, members of the Armed Forces (members), their families, and members of communities that have a significant population of veterans or members.

veterans_affairs research transparency_act directs secretary veterans_affairs available publicly available department_of_veterans_affairs website data files contain information research data data file instructions obtain access data file use research directs secretary days act enactment require condition use data gathered formulated research funded final peer reviewed prepared publication uses data submitted secretary deposit digital archive established secretary act requires archive publicly available requires department_of_veterans_affairs department_of_defense joint executive submit secretary secretary defense dod options recommendations establishing program long term cooperation data sharing dod facilitate research outcomes military service readjustment combat deployment topics importance veterans members armed_forces members families members communities significant population veterans members


Summary:
Wounded Veterans Recreation Act of 2015

Amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to be made available at no charge to, and for the lifetime of, any veteran with a service-connected disability. (The Pass is currently made available at no charge to, and for the lifetime of, any U.S. citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled.)

Requires the entrance fees charged those who do not have a free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to be adjusted to maintain total receipts.

wounded veterans recreation act amends federal_lands_recreation_enhancement_act require national parks federal recreational lands pass available charge lifetime veteran service connected disability pass currently available charge lifetime citizen person domiciled united_states medically determined permanently disabled requires entrance fees charged free national parks federal recreational lands pass adjusted maintain total receipts


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Includes as a preference eligible for federal employment purposes a parent (currently, the mother only) of either an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the Armed Forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955, or a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if: (1) the spouse of such parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (2) such parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or legally separated from his or her spouse.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated gold star fathers act sec includes preference eligible federal employment purposes parent currently mother individual lost life honorable conditions serving armed_forces war campaign expedition campaign badge authorized period beginning april ending july service connected permanently totally disabled veteran spouse parent totally permanently disabled parent preference claimed unmarried legally separated spouse


Summary:
Filipino Veterans Promise Act

Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a process for determining whether individuals who served in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines or in the Philippine Scouts while in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and who are not included in the Missouri List are eligible for certain benefits relating to their U.S. service.

filipino veterans promise act directs secretary defense establish process determining individuals served organized military forces government commonwealth philippines philippine_scouts service armed_forces world war included missouri list eligible certain benefits relating service


Summary:
Military Family Relief Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay temporary (not to exceed six months) dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to the surviving spouse of a veteran if, at the time of death, the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated as total for at least one year preceding the veteran's death.

Authorizes the payment to such survivor, for the same period, of any veteran's pension that the deceased was receiving at the time of death, without regard to the annual income and net worth of the surviving spouse.

Allows a surviving spouse who is entitled to a pension or DIC under any other VA provision to be paid the amount by which such pension or DIC exceeds the amount of pension paid under this Act.

military family relief_act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs pay temporary exceed months dependency indemnity compensation dic surviving spouse veteran time death veteran receipt entitled receive compensation service connected disability rated total year preceding veteran death authorizes payment survivor period veteran pension deceased receiving time death regard annual income net worth surviving spouse allows surviving spouse entitled pension dic provision paid pension dic exceeds pension paid act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Entitles any federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or more, during the 12-month period beginning on the first day of employment, to up to 104 hours of leave, without loss or reduction in pay, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability for which sick leave could regularly be used. Requires the forfeiture of any such leave that is not used during such 12-month period.

Requires such employee to submit to the head of the employing agency certification that such employee used such leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for such disability by a health care provider.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated wounded warriors federal leave act sec entitles federal employee veteran service connected disability rated month period beginning day employment hours leave loss reduction pay purposes undergoing medical treatment disability sick leave regularly requires forfeiture leave month period requires employee submit head employing agency certification employee leave purposes furnished treatment disability health_care provider


Summary:
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a comprehensive review of VA examinations that assess the cognitive impairments of individuals who submit claims for compensation for service-connected traumatic brain injury.

Requires: (1) the Institute, in conducting the review, to convene a group of experts in clinical neuropsychology and other related disciplines; and (2) the review to include a determination of the adequacy of the VA's tools and protocols used in conducting such examinations and the credentials that are necessary for health care specialists and providers to perform the portions of such examinations that assess cognitive functions.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress any Institute recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve the adjudication of claims.

Requires Secretary to seek to enter an agreement with a similar nongovernmental, nonprofit organization to conduct such review if the Secretary is unable to enter into an acceptable agreement with the Institute.

directs secretary veterans_affairs seek enter agreement institute_of_medicine conduct comprehensive review examinations assess cognitive impairments individuals submit claims compensation service connected traumatic brain injury requires institute conducting review convene group experts clinical related disciplines review include determination adequacy tools protocols conducting examinations credentials necessary health_care specialists providers perform portions examinations assess cognitive functions directs secretary submit congress institute recommendations legislative administrative action improve adjudication claims requires secretary seek enter agreement similar nongovernmental nonprofit organization conduct review secretary unable enter acceptable agreement institute


Summary:
Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act of 2015

Revises the definition of "surviving spouse" for purposes of veterans benefits provisions to eliminate the requirement that the person who was the spouse of a veteran at the time of the veteran's death be a person of the opposite sex.

Considers an individual to be a "spouse" if the marriage of the individual is considered valid under the laws of any state.

military spouses equal treatment act revises definition surviving spouse purposes veterans benefits provisions eliminate requirement person spouse veteran time veteran death person opposite sex considers individual spouse marriage individual considered valid laws state


Summary:
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2015

Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more).

Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability.

retired pay restoration act allows receipt military retired pay veterans disability compensation respect service connected disability current law disability rated makes eligible concurrent receipt veterans disability compensation military retired pay combat related special pay individuals retired separated military service service connected disability


Summary:
Increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability to Veterans Act of 2016

 This bill requires the reduction of the federal annuities of individuals removed from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Senior Executive Service (SES) if they are convicted of a felony that influenced their performance while employed in such position.

The VA may order the reduction of the federal annuities of individuals who were convicted of such a felony and were subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken. Such annuities shall be reduced by excluding the covered service performed after the activity that subjects such an individual to transfer or removal occurs.

 An individual whose annuity is reduced may appeal the reduction to the Office of Personnel Management.

 The VA may not place an SES employee on administrative leave for more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day period. The VA may waive such prohibition if it provides Congress with a detailed explanation of the reasons the employee was placed on administrative leave and the reasons for extending such leave.

 The VA shall conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to the plan conducted for career appointee SES employees.

 A supervisor of an employee on probation shall determine, during the 30-day period ending on the date on which the probationary period ends, whether the employee: (1) has demonstrated successful performance, and (2) should continue past the probationary period.

 Each annual performance plan for a supervisor of an employee serving a probationary period shall hold the supervisor accountable for: (1) providing regular feedback to the employee before making a determination regarding such employee's probationary status, and (2) making a timely probationary status determination.

 The evaluation of VA managers shall include actions taken to address employee performance.

 Before terminating VA employment, an official who has participated personally and substantially in a VA acquisition that exceeds $1 million or who held a key acquisitions position at the VA shall obtain a written opinion from a VA ethics counselor regarding any restrictions on activities that the official may undertake on behalf of a contractor during the two-year period after the official terminates VA employment. A contractor may not knowingly provide compensation to such an individual during such two-year period unless the contractor determines that the individual has obtained or requested such written opinion.

increasing department_of_veterans_affairs accountability veterans act bill requires reduction federal annuities individuals removed department_of_veterans_affairs senior_executive_service ses convicted felony influenced performance employed position order reduction federal annuities individuals convicted felony subject removal transfer ses left final action taken annuities shall reduced excluding covered service performed activity subjects individual transfer removal occurs individual annuity reduced appeal reduction office_of_personnel_management place ses employee administrative leave total days day period waive prohibition provides congress detailed explanation reasons employee placed administrative leave reasons extending leave shall conduct annual performance plan political appointee similar plan conducted career appointee ses employees supervisor employee probation shall determine day period ending date probationary period ends employee demonstrated successful performance continue past probationary period annual performance plan supervisor employee serving probationary period shall hold supervisor accountable providing regular feedback employee making determination employee probationary status making timely probationary status determination evaluation managers shall include actions taken address employee performance terminating employment official participated personally substantially acquisition exceeds million held key acquisitions position shall obtain written opinion ethics counselor restrictions activities official undertake behalf contractor year period official terminates employment contractor knowingly provide compensation individual year period contractor determines individual obtained requested written opinion


Summary:
Frontlines to Lifelines Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to revive, for a three-year period, VA's Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program that was carried out between January 2013 and February 2014. Requires VA to: (1) expand the pilot program to include at least 250 intermediate care technicians, and (2) give priority in assigning those technicians to VA facilities at which veterans have the longest wait times.

Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to transfer credentialing data regarding DOD health care providers that are hired by VA to VA.

Authorizes VA to allow a covered nurse to practice independently, without the supervision or direction of others, under a set of VA-approved privileges, regardless of the state in which VA employs the covered nurse. Defines a "covered nurse" as an advanced practice registered nurse who is employed by VA as: (1) a nurse midwife; (2) a clinical nurse specialist, with respect to the provision of mental health care; or (3) a nurse practitioner.

act directs secretary veterans_affairs revive year period intermediate care technician pilot program carried january february requires_va expand pilot program include intermediate care technicians priority assigning technicians facilities veterans wait times requires secretary defense dod transfer credentialing data dod health_care providers hired authorizes allow covered nurse practice independently supervision direction set approved privileges regardless state employs covered nurse defines covered nurse advanced practice registered nurse employed nurse midwife clinical nurse specialist respect provision mental health_care nurse practitioner


Summary:
GI Bill Fairness Act of 2015

Includes as active duty for purposes of eligibility for post-9/11 veterans educational assistance service of a member of a reserve component ordered to active duty to receive authorized medical care, to be medically evaluated, or to complete a required Department of Defense health care study.

bill fairness act includes active duty purposes eligibility veterans educational assistance service member reserve component ordered active duty receive authorized medical care medically evaluated complete required department_of_defense health_care study


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:
(Sec. 1) This bill provides that if the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) makes an adverse finding that a VA employee has violated a VA policy for which the employee may be removed or suspended, or has violated a law for which the employee may be imprisoned for more than one year, the VA may not award a bonus to such employee until the earlier of the date that:

 is five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the adverse finding was made, or the finding is found to have been made in error. If an adverse finding is made, the VA, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing, shall direct the employee to repay any bonus he or she received during the year in which the adverse finding is made, unless such finding is found to have been made in error.

(Sec. 2) If a VA employee receives a reprimand or admonishment the VA shall retain a copy of such reprimand or admonishment in the employee's permanent record as long as he or she is employed by the VA.

sec bill provides department_of_veterans_affairs makes adverse finding employee violated policy employee removed suspended violated law employee imprisoned year award bonus employee earlier date years end fiscal year adverse finding finding found error adverse finding providing notice opportunity hearing shall direct employee repay bonus received year adverse finding finding found error sec employee receives shall retain copy employee permanent record long employed


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:
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015

 Includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam its territorial seas for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam.

blue water navy vietnam veterans act includes republic_of_vietnam territorial seas purposes presumption service connection diseases associated exposure veterans certain herbicide agents vietnam


Summary:
Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015

Requires the Secretary 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 the interment of such remains 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.

dignified interment veterans act requires secretary 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 remains cemeteries state local laws affect secretary ability inter unclaimed veterans remains cemeteries recommendations appropriate legislative administrative action


Summary:
Requires the termination of any employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who is found to have:

 retaliated or threatened to retaliate against any employee or applicant for employment for disclosing what the employee or applicant reasonably believes to be a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety (provided the disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law); retaliated or threatened to retaliate against any employee or applicant for exercising, or assisting another individual in exercising, any appeal, complaint, or grievance right granted by any law, rule, or regulation; or implemented or enforced certain nondisclosure policies, forms, or agreements that conflict with whistleblower protections and employee rights.

requires termination employee department_of_veterans_affairs found threatened retaliate employee applicant employment disclosing employee applicant reasonably believes violation law rule regulation mismanagement gross waste funds abuse authority substantial specific danger public health safety provided disclosure specifically prohibited law threatened retaliate employee applicant exercising assisting individual exercising appeal complaint grievance right granted law rule regulation implemented enforced certain nondisclosure policies forms agreements conflict whistleblower protections employee rights


Summary:
Care and Readiness Enhancement for Reservists Act of 2015 or the CARE for Reservists Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide care for behavioral health conditions to any member of the Selected Reserve for whom such Secretary determines, based on the member's most recent medical exam or mental health assessment, that the receipt of such care will ensure that the member meets applicable standards of medical readiness.

Provides funding for such care through the Defense Health Program.

 Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish counseling, which may include a comprehensive individual assessment, to any member of the Selected Reserve who has a behavioral health condition or psychological trauma. States that such counseling or assessment shall not require a prior referral.

care readiness enhancement reservists act care reservists act authorizes secretary military department concerned provide care behavioral health conditions member selected_reserve secretary determines based member recent medical exam mental health assessment receipt care ensure member meets applicable standards medical readiness provides funding care defense_health_program authorizes secretary veterans_affairs furnish counseling include comprehensive individual assessment member selected_reserve behavioral health condition psychological trauma states counseling assessment shall require prior referral


Summary:
National POW/MIA Remembrance Act of 2015

Directs the Architect of the Capitol to: (1) enter into an agreement to obtain a chair featuring the logo of the National League of POW/MIA Families, and (2) place it in the U.S. Capitol in a suitable permanent location within two years after enactment of this Act.

national pow mia act directs architect capitol enter agreement obtain chair logo national league pow mia families place capitol suitable permanent location years enactment act


Summary:
Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

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, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.

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 a health condition as a result of such exposure; (2) the VA and DOD or such agency head to jointly establish a mechanism for the availability and review of records by the VA; 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.

Establishes an Advisory Board to oversee and assess the national center and to advise the VA regarding the center's work.

Directs DOD to declassify documents (other than documents that would materially and immediately threaten national security) 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 an associated disability.

Directs the VA to 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 the potential long-term effects; and (2) the national center. Requires DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services to assist the VA in implementing such campaign.

toxic exposure research_act directs department_of_veterans_affairs select medical center serve national center research diagnosis treatment health conditions biological children grandchildren great grandchildren individuals exposed toxic substances serving members armed_forces related exposure requires department_of_defense dod head federal agency available review records held dod armed force federal agency assist making determinations individuals health condition result exposure dod agency head jointly establish mechanism availability review records national center employ licensed clinical social worker coordinate access individuals appropriate social health_care programs handle case management establishes advisory_board oversee assess national center advise center work directs dod documents documents materially immediately threaten national security related known incident members armed_forces exposed toxic substance resulted case associated disability directs 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 requires dod department_of_health_and_human_services assist implementing campaign


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

Veterans Entrepreneurship Act

(Sec. 3) Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) from assessing a guarantee fee in connection with a loan made under the SBA Express Program to a veteran or spouse of a veteran on or after October 1, 2015.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of providing financial planning and counseling to owners of small business concerns who are members of a reserve component prior to deployment; (2) the level of outreach to and consultation with female veterans by women's business centers and veterans business outreach centers; and (3) the Military Reservists Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, which shall include a discussion of SBA outreach efforts to increase participation, the number of loans made, and an analysis of the effectiveness of, and recommendations for improving, the Program.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure veterans entrepreneurship act sec amends small_business_act prohibit administrator small_business_administration sba assessing guarantee fee connection loan sba express program veteran spouse veteran october sec directs administrator report congress feasibility providing financial planning counseling owners small business concerns members reserve component prior deployment level outreach consultation female veterans women business centers veterans business outreach centers military reservists economic injury disaster loan program shall include discussion sba outreach efforts increase participation number loans analysis effectiveness recommendations improving program


Summary:
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 would be entitled to such pay, except for being under 60 years of age.

Prohibits recoupment by the Secretary of Defense 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.

repeals certain provisions require offset amounts paid dependency indemnity compensation survivor_benefit_plan sbp annuities surviving spouses military personnel entitled military retired pay entitled pay years age prohibits recoupment secretary defense 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:
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.

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 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:
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:
Legal Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2015

This bill revises whistle blower protections for members of the Armed Forces.

Prohibited personnel actions shall include:

 a superior's failure to respond to retaliatory action or harassment taken against a subordinate; and action that could be understood as an attempt to dissuade a service member from making or preparing a communication, or participating in any other activity. A service member may opt out of a military branch investigation in favor of an investigation by the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General (DODIG).

An investigating Inspector General (IG) may impose a 90-day stay of a personnel action, which may be extended by the military department concerned to complete an investigation, in order to prevent undue hardship to a service member if reasonable grounds exist to believe that a prohibited personnel action has occurred.

Periodic notice must be given to service members on the progress of IG investigations.

IG recommendations for disposition of complaints must include recommendations for disciplinary actions against the person who committed the prohibited personnel action, against a superior who knew or should have known but failed to address the action, or both.

An investigating IG shall submit a substantiated investigation to the appropriate military corrections board unless the service member requests otherwise.

Service members may request a corrections board hearing under specified circumstances.

DODIG shall prescribe uniform standards for: (1) investigation of allegations of prohibited personnel actions, and (2) staff training.

The investigative evidentiary burden of proof shall be "clear and convincing evidence."

Provisions are revised for improvements to authorities and procedures for correction of military records, including permitting a claimant to seek judicial review of a board's determination in an appropriate U.S. court.

The Inspector General Act of 1978 is amended to include the Inspectors General of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the National Guard Bureau, and the Coast Guard in the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

legal justice servicemembers act bill revises whistle blower protections members armed_forces prohibited personnel actions shall include superior failure respond retaliatory action harassment taken subordinate action understood attempt dissuade service member making preparing communication participating activity service member opt military branch investigation favor investigation department_of_defense office_of_the_inspector_general investigating inspector_general impose day stay personnel action extended military department concerned complete investigation order prevent undue hardship service member reasonable grounds exist believe prohibited personnel action occurred periodic notice given service members progress investigations recommendations disposition complaints include recommendations disciplinary actions person committed prohibited personnel action superior knew known failed address action investigating shall submit substantiated investigation appropriate military corrections board service member requests service members request corrections board hearing specified circumstances shall prescribe uniform standards investigation allegations prohibited personnel actions staff training investigative evidentiary burden proof shall clear convincing evidence provisions revised improvements authorities procedures correction military records including permitting claimant seek judicial review board determination appropriate court inspector_general act amended include inspectors_general army navy air_force marine_corps national_guard_bureau coast_guard council_of_inspectors_general_on_integrity_and_efficiency


Summary:
21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act

TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

Subtitle A--Expansion and Improvement of Health Care Benefits

(Sec. 101) This bill includes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) preventive health services each immunization on the recommended adult immunization schedule.

(Sec. 102) The VA shall provide chiropractic care and services at not fewer than two medical centers or clinics in each Veterans Integrated Service Network within two years, and at not fewer than 50% of all medical centers in each Veterans Integrated Service Network within three years.

 Chiropractic services are included as part of VA medical, rehabilitative, and preventive services.

Subtitle B--Health Care Administration

(Sec. 111) The VA shall work with institutions of higher education to develop partnerships for the establishment or expansion of programs of advanced degrees in prosthetics and orthotics in order to enhance the availability of high quality prosthetic and orthotic care for veterans.

The bill authorizes FY2017 appropriations, which shall remain available through FY2019.

(Sec. 112) The VA shall report to Congress on increasing public access to scientific publications and digital data from VA-funded research.

(Sec. 113) The VA shall: (1) revive for three years the intermediate care technician pilot program that was carried out between January 2013 and February 2014, (2) select at least 72 intermediate care technicians to participate in the program, and (3) give priority to facilities with the longest appointment wait times.

(Sec. 114) Upon request, DOD shall transfer to the VA any credentialing data regarding DOD health care providers the VA hires.

(Sec. 115) The VA shall ensure that VA hospitals with emergency departments provide appropriate examination and stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions and women in labor.

A person who has not been stabilized may not be transferred unless:

 the individual, after being informed of the obligations of the hospital on the risks of transfer, requests in writing transfer to another medical facility; a VA physician, or a qualified medical person in the absence of a physician, has certified that the medical benefits at another medical facility outweigh the transfer risks; and the transfer to such facility is appropriate. Subtitle C--Improvement of Medical Workforce

(Sec. 121) Education and training of marriage and family therapists and licensed professional mental health counselors shall be included in VA health personnel education and training programs.

(Sec. 122) Doctoral degrees shall be included in VA qualifications for licensed mental health counselors.

(Sec. 123) The VA shall submit a medical workforce report to Congress.

TITLE II--COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS MATTERS

Subtitle A--Benefits Claims Submission

(Sec. 201) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that DOD should establish a process by which a veterans service organization representative may be present at any portion of the transition assistance program with respect to the submittal of compensation claims to the VA for service connected disability/death or dependency/indemnity compensation for service-connected death compensation.

DOD shall report to Congress regarding veterans service organization participation in this transition program.

(Sec. 202) The VA shall make available to the public and report to Congress on the average length of time to adjudicate timely and untimely appeals.

(Sec. 203) A hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals will be conducted as the Board considers appropriate, either in person or through picture and voice conferencing. Upon appellant request the hearing will be held as the appellant considers appropriate, either in person or through picture and voice conferencing.

Subtitle B--Practices of Regional Offices Relating to Benefits Claims

(Sec. 211) The Government Accountability Office shall complete a review of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) regional offices to help the VBA achieve more consistent performance in processing disability compensation claims.

(Sec. 212) The President shall include in his annual budget submission to Congress information on the VBA's capacity to process benefits claims.

(Sec. 213) The VA shall report to Congress on the criteria and procedures the VA will use to determine appropriate staffing levels at regional office once the VA transitions to the National Work Queue for distribution of the claims processing workload.

(Sec. 214) The VA shall submit to Congress three annual reports on the VA's progress in implementing the veterans benefits management system.

(Sec. 215) The VA shall detail to Congress plans to reduce the work item inventory listed in certain Monday Morning Workload Reports.

(Sec. 216) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the VA should include in its Monday Morning Workload Report information regarding the workload of fully-developed claims at each regional office and enhanced information regarding pending appeals.

Subtitle C--Other Benefits Matters

(Sec. 221) The Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 is amended to permit licensed, VA-contracted physicians to conduct medical disability examinations for applicant benefits at any location in any state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. Commonwealth, territory, or possession, as long as the examination is authorized under the contract.

(Sec. 222) The VA and the National Guard Bureau shall jointly develop and implement procedures to improve the timely provision to the VA of claims information.

(Sec. 223) The VA shall review the process for determining whether Filipinos who claim to have served in support of the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II meet the service requirements for payments from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

Any new payment process shall ensure that individuals who engaged in any disqualifying conduct during service, including collaboration with the enemy or criminal conduct, are not treated as covered individuals.

(Sec. 224) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the VA should report to Congress regarding claims based on post-traumatic stress disorder alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma.

TITLE III--EDUCATION MATTERS

(Sec. 301) The authorities under which a Reservist may regain lost payments and lost entitlement for educational programs when ordered to active duty shall include disaster service and service for a pre-planned mission in support of a combatant command.

(Sec. 302) Educational institutions shall report annually to the VA on the academic progress of students for whom it receives Post-9/11 educational assistance payments.

(Sec. 303) The VA shall include in its annual report to Congress regarding the Post-9/11 educational assistance program the highest level of education attained by each individual who transfers a portion of his or her benefits to an eligible dependent.

(Sec. 304) The VA shall report annually to Congress on the education levels attained by separating members of the Armed Forces.

TITLE IV--EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSITION MATTERS

(Sec. 401) Each Department of Labor veterans employment and training program shall coordinate activities with its respective state departments of labor and of veterans affairs.

(Sec. 403) Labor shall review: (1) the challenges faced by employers seeking to hire veterans, and (2) information-sharing among federal entities that serve veterans and separating members of the Armed Forces.

(Sec. 404) DOD shall review the Transition GPS Program Core Curriculum.

(Sec. 405) Pre-separation counseling shall not be given to a service member discharged before completion of 180 continuous days on active duty.

TITLE V--VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS

(Sec. 501) The surviving spouse of a service-disabled veteran who acquires the ownership interest in a small business of the deceased veteran shall be treated as that veteran for purposes of eligibility for VA service-disabled small business contracting goals and preferences. The period of such treatment shall be for: (1) 10 years after the veteran's death if the veteran was either 100% disabled or died from a service-connected disability, or (2) 3 years after death if the veteran was less than 100% disabled and did not die from a service-connected disability.

(Sec. 502) The surviving spouse or dependent child of a service member who owns at least 51% of a small business and dies in the line of duty shall maintain the status of the small business as one owned or controlled by a veteran for up to 10 years following the member's death.

That status ends before the 10-year period, however, if: (1) the surviving spouse remarries, or (2) the surviving spouse or dependent child relinquishes an ownership interest in the small business and no longer owns at least 51% of it.

TITLE VI--BURIAL MATTERS

(Sec. 601) The VA shall study matters relating to the interment 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 those cemeteries; and recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action. TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 701) Any person entitled to retired pay for non-regular (reserve) service, or who but for age would be so entitled, shall be honored as a veteran but not be entitled to any benefit by reason of such recognition.

(Sec. 702) The VA shall report to Congress on: (1) the extent to which Laotian military forces provided combat support to the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 15, 1975, (2) whether the current classification by the DOD Civilian/Military Service Review Board of service by Hmong individuals is appropriate, and (3) any legislative recommendations.

(Sec. 703) Certain reporting fees paid to educational institutions shall be reduced for the 10-year period beginning on September 26, 2015.

21st century veterans benefits delivery improvements act title health_care matters subtitle expansion improvement health_care benefits sec bill includes department_of_veterans_affairs preventive health services immunization recommended adult immunization schedule sec shall provide chiropractic care services fewer medical centers clinics veterans_integrated_service_network years fewer medical centers veterans_integrated_service_network years chiropractic services included medical rehabilitative preventive services subtitle health_care administration sec shall work institutions higher education develop partnerships establishment expansion programs advanced degrees prosthetics orthotics order enhance availability high quality prosthetic orthotic care veterans bill authorizes fy2017 appropriations shall remain available fy2019 sec shall report congress increasing public access scientific publications digital data funded research sec shall revive years intermediate care technician pilot program carried january february select intermediate care technicians participate program priority facilities appointment wait times sec request dod shall transfer credentialing data dod health_care providers hires sec shall ensure hospitals emergency departments provide appropriate examination stabilizing treatment emergency medical conditions women labor person transferred individual informed obligations hospital risks transfer requests writing transfer medical facility physician qualified medical person absence physician certified medical benefits medical facility outweigh transfer risks transfer facility appropriate subtitle improvement medical workforce sec education training marriage family therapists licensed professional mental health counselors shall included health personnel education training programs sec doctoral degrees shall included qualifications licensed mental health counselors sec shall submit medical workforce report congress title compensation benefits matters subtitle benefits claims submission sec bill expresses sense congress dod establish process veterans service organization representative present portion transition_assistance_program respect submittal compensation claims service connected disability death dependency indemnity compensation service connected death compensation dod shall report congress veterans service organization participation transition program sec shall available public report congress average length time adjudicate timely appeals sec hearing board veterans appeals conducted board considers appropriate person picture voice conferencing appellant request hearing held appellant considers appropriate person picture voice conferencing subtitle practices regional offices relating benefits claims sec government_accountability_office shall complete review veterans_benefits_administration vba regional offices help vba achieve consistent performance processing disability compensation claims sec president shall include annual budget submission congress information vba capacity process benefits claims sec shall report congress criteria procedures use determine appropriate staffing levels regional office transitions national work distribution claims processing workload sec shall submit congress annual reports progress implementing veterans benefits management system sec shall detail congress plans reduce work item inventory listed certain monday workload reports sec bill expresses sense congress include monday workload report information workload fully developed claims regional office enhanced information pending appeals subtitle benefits matters sec veterans benefits improvement act amended permit licensed contracted physicians conduct medical disability examinations applicant benefits location state district_of_columbia commonwealth territory possession long examination authorized contract sec national_guard_bureau shall jointly develop implement procedures improve timely provision claims information sec shall review process determining claim served support armed_forces world war meet service requirements payments filipino veterans equity compensation fund new payment process shall ensure individuals engaged disqualifying conduct service including collaboration enemy criminal conduct treated covered individuals sec bill expresses sense congress report congress claims based post traumatic stress disorder alleged incurred aggravated military sexual trauma title iii education matters sec authorities reservist lost payments lost entitlement educational programs ordered active duty shall include disaster service service pre planned mission support combatant command sec educational institutions shall report annually academic progress students receives educational assistance payments sec shall include annual report congress educational assistance program highest level education attained individual transfers portion benefits eligible dependent sec shall report annually congress education levels attained separating members armed_forces title employment transition matters sec department_of_labor veterans employment training program shall coordinate activities respective state departments_of_labor veterans_affairs sec labor shall review challenges faced employers seeking hire veterans information sharing federal entities serve veterans separating members armed_forces sec dod shall review transition gps program core curriculum sec pre separation counseling shall given service member discharged completion continuous days active duty title veteran small business matters sec surviving spouse service disabled veteran acquires ownership interest small business deceased veteran shall treated veteran purposes eligibility service disabled small business contracting goals preferences period treatment shall years veteran death veteran disabled died service connected disability years death veteran disabled die service connected disability sec surviving spouse dependent child service member owns small business dies line duty shall maintain status small business owned controlled veteran years following member death status ends year period surviving spouse remarries surviving spouse dependent child relinquishes ownership interest small business longer owns title burial matters sec shall study matters relating interment 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 title vii matters sec person entitled retired pay non regular reserve service age entitled shall honored veteran entitled benefit reason recognition sec shall report congress extent military forces provided combat support armed_forces february current classification dod civilian military service review board service individuals appropriate legislative recommendations sec certain reporting fees paid educational institutions shall reduced year period beginning september


Summary:
Veterans Appeals Assistance and Improvement Act of 2015

This bill directs the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to establish a financial assistance program to provide legal and other assistance without charge for veterans and other persons seeking Court review who are unable to afford legal representation costs. (Programs include case screening and referral, training for attorney and related personnel, and facilitation of pro bono representation by members of the bar and law school clinical and other programs.)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall establish a financial assistance program to provide legal and other assistance without charge to veterans and other persons seeking review by the Board of Veterans' Appeals who are unable to afford legal representation costs.

The Court and the VA shall each carry out such programs through an interagency agreement with the Legal Services Corporation. The Corporation may receive a reimbursable payment from the Court or VA for providing such financial assistance. Funds may not be used for the payment of attorney's fees.

VA shall provide for the expeditious treatment by the Board of any claim that: (1) is remanded to VA by the Court, or (2) has been pending before the Board for eight years or more.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the processing of appeals of VA decisions regarding service-connected disability and dependency and indemnity compensation claims.

veterans appeals assistance improvement act bill directs court_of_appeals veterans claims establish financial assistance program provide legal assistance charge veterans persons seeking court review unable afford legal representation costs programs include case screening referral training attorney related personnel facilitation pro bono representation members bar law school clinical programs department_of_veterans_affairs shall establish financial assistance program provide legal assistance charge veterans persons seeking review board veterans appeals unable afford legal representation costs court shall carry programs interagency agreement legal_services_corporation corporation receive reimbursable payment court providing financial assistance funds payment attorney fees shall provide expeditious treatment board claim remanded court pending board years government_accountability_office shall review processing appeals decisions service connected disability dependency indemnity compensation claims


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:
Patriot Employer Tax Credit Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a Patriot employer a business-related tax credit for up to 10% of the first $15,000 of wages paid to any employee in a taxable year. Sets forth criteria for designation as a Patriot employer, including requirements that such employer: (1) maintains its headquarters in the United States and does not expatriate to avoid payment of U.S. income taxes, (2) complies with the employer mandate to provide minimum essential health care coverage to its employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (3) compensates at least 90% of its employees at a level that is 156% of the federal poverty level for a family of three and provides 90% of its employees with a basic level of retirement benefits, (4) provides for differential wage payments to its employees who are members of the Uniformed Services, and (5) increases the number of its employees performing substantially all of their services inside the United States to offset the number of employees who work outside the United States.

Sets forth a rule for the deferral of the tax deduction for foreign-related interest expense.

patriot employer tax credit act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow patriot employer business related tax credit wages paid employee taxable year sets forth criteria designation patriot employer including requirements employer maintains headquarters united_states avoid payment income taxes complies employer mandate provide minimum essential health_care coverage employees patient_protection affordable care act compensates employees level federal poverty level family provides employees basic level retirement benefits provides differential wage payments employees members uniformed_services increases number employees performing substantially services inside united_states offset number employees work outside united_states sets forth rule deferral tax deduction foreign related interest expense


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2015, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

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

Directs the VA to publish the increased amounts in the Federal Register.

 Authorizes the VA to adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made by this Act, the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for a service-connected disability.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated veterans compensation cost living adjustment act sec directs department_of_veterans_affairs increase december rates veterans disability compensation additional compensation dependents clothing allowance certain disabled veterans dependency indemnity compensation surviving spouses children requires increase percentage increase benefits provided title old age survivors disability_insurance social_security_act effective date directs publish increased amounts federal_register authorizes adjust administratively consistent increases act rates disability compensation payable persons received compensation service connected disability


Summary:
Ensuring Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Accountability Act

Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to retain in a VA employee's permanent record a copy of any reprimand or admonishment received by such an employee.

ensuring department_of_veterans_affairs employee accountability_act requires department_of_veterans_affairs retain employee permanent record copy received employee


Summary:
This bill requires that a military working dog be retired in the United States, except when a U.S. citizen living abroad adopts the dog at the time of retirement.

Amounts available to the military department concerned shall be available for such dog's transport to the United States for retirement.

bill requires military working dog retired united_states citizen living abroad adopts dog time retirement amounts available military department concerned shall available dog transport united_states retirement


Summary: Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Megellas for acts of valor on January 28, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

authorizes president award medal honor james acts valor january battle world war