Veteran Claims Backlog Reduction Act of 2008

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the claims processing of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

3/11/2008--Introduced.
Veteran Claims Backlog Reduction Act of 2008 - Requires that, in order to be recognized as an agent or attorney of a veteran in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of veterans' benefit claims, an individual must certify to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that he or she will assist the Secretary with the Secretary's duties to notify claimants of required claim information and evidence and to assist claimants in obtaining evidence. Directs the Secretary to establish a training program to provide training to individuals recognized as veterans' agents, attorneys, or representatives. Requires a claim certified as fully developed and submitted by a veteran and a recognized agent, attorney, or representative who is a training graduate to be considered as fully developed and evaluated on the evidence provided. Directs the Secretary to:
(1) at least once every fiscal year, conduct a quality control assessment of 1% of the ratings specialists and veterans service representatives employed by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA);
(2) carry out a pilot program to develop and maintain a system for processing disability compensation claims using rules-based technology;
(3) treat a veteran's beneficiary as a veteran claimant for incomplete claims as of the veteran's death;
(4) evaluate training and assessment programs for VBA employees;
(5) allow for the electronic monitoring of a veteran's claim status; and
(6) carry out a pilot program allowing a veteran to submit a claim to any VA regional office. Establishes in the VA an Executive Management Fellowship Program to provide private sector claims processing training and experience for VBA employees.


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Sponsor

• Rep. Stephen Buyer [R, IN-4]
• and 1 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Doug Lamborn [R, CO-5]
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Committees

• House Veterans' Affairs
• 1 more
  • House Veterans' Affairs
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Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.5576

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
March 11, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Mar 14, 2008: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
• Introduced on Mar 11, 2008.
• Mar 11, 2008: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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Related Issue Areas:

• Veterans
• Administrative remedies
• Claims
• Congress
• 25 more
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Disabled
• Electronic government information
• Employee training
• Evidence (Law)
• Executive departments
• Federal employees
• Government employees
• Government information
• Government paperwork
• Health information systems
• Higher education
• Job training
• Law
• Lawyers
• Legal education
• Medical care
• Medical records
• Medicine
• Performance measurement
• Technology
• Telecommunication
• Veterans' benefits
• Veterans' disability compensation

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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Blog Coverage

December 19, 2008 Python Package Index : python-votesmart 0.2.0

getBillAction(8272) HR 5576: Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30 ...

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November 13, 2008 GAO-09-119 Financial Audit: IRS's Fiscal Years 2008 and 2007 ...

provisions in Title II of H.R. 5576 (109th Congress, June 14, 2006);. Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-185, 122 Stat. 613. (Feb. 13, 2008). •. We tested whether IRS’s financial management systems substantially ...

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October 26, 2008 Pilots Age 60 Where Is It Now

Whilst, both bills died a standalone death, they received a much needed boost by their incorporation as amendments into the Transportations Appropriations Bill, HR 5576. Generally, these money bills are voted and passed in the house ...

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