Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7816) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of notice letters that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7816
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act''. SEC. 2. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF NOTICES THAT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SENDS TO CLAIMANTS.
(a) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of notices that the Secretary sends to claimants.
(b) Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters to an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment of such notices. The assessment shall include the following:
(1) The determination of the FFRDC, made in consultation with covered entities, whether each such notice may be feasibly altered to reduce paper consumption by, and costs to, the Federal Government.
(2) The recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such notices clearer to claimants, better organized, and more concise.
(c) Report; Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall--
(1) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and
(2) implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.
(d) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally funded research and development center.
(2) The term ``covered entities'' includes--
(A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(B) an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(C) a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; and
(D) an entity that advocates for veterans.
(3) The terms ``claimant'' and ``notice'' have the meanings given such terms in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``December 31, 2031''.
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Mr. BOST. 7816, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7816, as amended. This bill was introduced by my colleague, Representative Duarte, and I am a proud cosponsor.
This bill, H.R. 7816, as amended, would require VA to contract with a research entity to improve the notice letters VA sends to veterans and survivors who file claims for VA benefits.
VA is required to provide information throughout the VA claims process to veterans and their survivors who have filed claims for VA benefits.
However, at a recent oversight hearing, we heard from veterans and their advocates that VA's notice letters are difficult to understand, too long, filled with legal jargon, and contained information that is not relevant to a veteran's or survivor's overall claim.
These complex letters have caused veterans and survivors confusion and stress. Some have become so overwhelmed that they abandon their claims.
This is unacceptable. As a veteran myself, I have also received these complex letters. A veteran shouldn't have to be a Member of Congress or an attorney to understand his or her rights under the claims process.
H.R. 7816, as amended, would ensure that VA's notice letters do not discourage veterans from accessing the benefits they have earned.
This legislation would ensure that VA sends veterans and survivors understandable notice letters so that they can make informed decisions about their claims.
I thank the veterans service organizations for their support and help in drafting this bill.
I also thank Ranking Member Takano and his staff for working with Representative Duarte and me to make the changes necessary to move this bill forward.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R.
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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