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Public Law115th CongressArmed Forces and National Security
H.R. 1725Became Law

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit certain reports relating to medical evidence submitted in support of claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary.

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (Mar 9, 2018)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 19, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), within 180 days of enactment of this bill, to submit a report on the progress of the VA's Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations.

Such report shall include: (1) the number of claims eligible for the initiative, disaggregated by fiscal year; (2) the total number of claims eligible for the initiative that required a VA medical examiner to supplement the evidence with information obtained during a telephone interview with the claimant; (3) information on other VA initiatives to encourage the use of private medical evidence; (4) the anticipated impact on the time line and accuracy of processing claims if the VA were prohibited from requesting a private medical examination that is adequate for a claims decision; and (5) recommendations on how the VA can measure, track, and prevent the ordering of unnecessary medical examinations when a private examination has been administered.

(Sec. 2) The VA shall submit by March 1 of FY2018-FY2024 an annual report that includes for each VA regional office: (1) the number of times a veteran who submitted private medical evidence in support of a claim for compensation or pension was scheduled for an examination by VA personnel because the private medical evidence was determined to be unacceptable, (2) the most common reasons for such determinations, and (3) the types of disabilities for which claims were most commonly denied when private medical evidence was submitted.

What just happenedMar 9, 2018

Became Public Law No: 115-130.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1](D-MN)Sponsor
8 cosponsors4 D4 R
Read on Congress.gov
8cosponsors2committees30actions1related bills6subjects
  1. Mar 9, 2018President

    Became Public Law No: 115-130.

  2. Mar 9, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 115-130.

  3. Mar 9, 2018President

    Signed by President.

  4. Mar 9, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Feb 28, 2018Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Feb 28, 2018President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Feb 16, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Feb 15, 2018Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  9. Feb 15, 2018Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  10. Feb 15, 2018Discharge

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1190-1191)

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  11. Feb 15, 2018Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1190-1191)

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  12. May 24, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  13. May 23, 2017FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  14. May 23, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  15. May 23, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4475)

  16. May 23, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4475)

  17. May 23, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1725.

  18. May 23, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4475-4476)

  19. May 23, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  20. May 19, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 82.

  21. May 19, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-133.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  22. May 19, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-133.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  23. May 17, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  24. May 17, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  25. Apr 27, 2017Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

    Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee
  26. Apr 27, 2017Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee
  27. Mar 24, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

    Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee
  28. Mar 24, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  29. Mar 24, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  30. Mar 24, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawMar 9, 201849

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 19, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), within 180 days of enactment of this bill, to submit a report on the progress of the VA's Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations.

Such report shall include: (1) the number of claims eligible for the initiative, disaggregated by fiscal year; (2) the total number of claims eligible for the initiative that required a VA medical examiner to supplement the evidence with information obtained during a telephone interview with the claimant; (3) information on other VA initiatives to encourage the use of private medical evidence; (4) the anticipated impact on the time line and accuracy of processing claims if the VA were prohibited from requesting a private medical examination that is adequate for a claims decision; and (5) recommendations on how the VA can measure, track, and prevent the ordering of unnecessary medical examinations when a private examination has been administered.

(Sec. 2) The VA shall submit by March 1 of FY2018-FY2024 an annual report that includes for each VA regional office: (1) the number of times a veteran who submitted private medical evidence in support of a claim for compensation or pension was scheduled for an examination by VA personnel because the private medical evidence was determined to be unacceptable, (2) the most common reasons for such determinations, and (3) the types of disabilities for which claims were most commonly denied when private medical evidence was submitted.

Passed Senate without amendmentFeb 15, 201882

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 19, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), within 180 days of enactment of this bill, to submit a report on the progress of the VA's Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations.

Such report shall include: (1) the number of claims eligible for the initiative, disaggregated by fiscal year; (2) the total number of claims eligible for the initiative that required a VA medical examiner to supplement the evidence with information obtained during a telephone interview with the claimant; (3) information on other VA initiatives to encourage the use of private medical evidence; (4) the anticipated impact on the time line and accuracy of processing claims if the VA were prohibited from requesting a private medical examination that is adequate for a claims decision; and (5) recommendations on how the VA can measure, track, and prevent the ordering of unnecessary medical examinations when a private examination has been administered.

(Sec. 2) The VA shall submit by March 1 of FY2018-FY2024 an annual report that includes for each VA regional office: (1) the number of times a veteran who submitted private medical evidence in support of a claim for compensation or pension was scheduled for an examination by VA personnel because the private medical evidence was determined to be unacceptable, (2) the most common reasons for such determinations, and (3) the types of disabilities for which claims were most commonly denied when private medical evidence was submitted.

Passed House amendedMay 23, 201736

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 19, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), within 180 days of enactment of this bill, to submit a report on the progress of the VA's Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations.

Such report shall include: (1) the number of claims eligible for the initiative, disaggregated by fiscal year; (2) the total number of claims eligible for the initiative that required a VA medical examiner to supplement the evidence with information obtained during a telephone interview with the claimant; (3) information on other VA initiatives to encourage the use of private medical evidence; (4) the anticipated impact on the time line and accuracy of processing claims if the VA were prohibited from requesting a private medical examination that is adequate for a claims decision; and (5) recommendations on how the VA can measure, track, and prevent the ordering of unnecessary medical examinations when a private examination has been administered.

(Sec. 2) The VA shall submit by March 1 of FY2018-FY2024 an annual report that includes for each VA regional office: (1) the number of times a veteran who submitted private medical evidence in support of a claim for compensation or pension was scheduled for an examination by VA personnel because the private medical evidence was determined to be unacceptable, (2) the most common reasons for such determinations, and (3) the types of disabilities for which claims were most commonly denied when private medical evidence was submitted.

Reported to House with amendment(s)May 19, 201717

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), within 180 days of enactment of this bill, to submit a report on the progress of the VA's Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations.

Such report shall include: (1) the number of claims eligible for the initiative, disaggregated by fiscal year; (2) the total number of claims eligible for the initiative that required a VA medical examiner to supplement the evidence with information obtained during a telephone interview with the claimant; (3) information on other VA initiatives to encourage the use of private medical evidence; (4) the anticipated impact on the time line and accuracy of processing claims if the VA were prohibited from requesting a private medical examination that is adequate for a claims decision; and (5) recommendations on how the VA can measure, track, and prevent the ordering of unnecessary medical examinations when a private examination has been administered.

(Sec. 2) The VA shall submit by March 1 of FY2018-FY2024 an annual report that includes for each VA regional office: (1) the number of times a veteran who submitted private medical evidence in support of a claim for compensation or pension was scheduled for an examination by VA personnel because the private medical evidence was determined to be unacceptable, (2) the most common reasons for such determinations, and (3) the types of disabilities for which claims were most commonly denied when private medical evidence was submitted.

Introduced in HouseMar 24, 2017

Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017

This bill 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 (defined as competent, credible, probative, and containing such information as required to make a decision on the claim for which the report is provided).

The VA is required 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.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit certain reports relating to medical … — Informed