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118-s-2513118th CongressWALLET

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024

Sponsored By: Senator Tester, Jon [D-MT]

Became Law

Summary

Veterans' benefits processing and access get stricter oversight and new supports to make disability exams, representation, and appeals more reliable and better coordinated. It tightens contractor exam rules, expands legal pipelines, and boosts appeals capacity.

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  • Veterans and claimants: Veterans receive clearer outreach and scheduling communications about contracted medical exams, including notices about identity verification. VA must report within one year on reimbursing veteran travel to VA facilities or contracted providers.
  • Contracted medical providers: The law narrows which disability benefit questionnaire forms must be publicly posted by allowing VA to exclude forms that non-VA examiners cannot complete to a clinical standard, and it requires exam-related communications be shared promptly with designated representatives.
  • VA workforce and appeals system: Establishes a Board of Veterans' Appeals internship for early law students and a benefits program with student loan repayment and licensure reimbursement tied to a three-year service agreement. It also temporarily adds three judges to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and requires reports on expanding telehearing access.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Loan help and bar costs for VA attorneys

VA creates a program within one year that repays student loans and covers bar prep, exam fees, and annual dues for eligible Honors attorneys and Board law clerks. You must agree to stay at VA for at least three years, or repay if you leave early or for misconduct. VA assigns a mentor within 90 days and offers 120–180 day full‑time legal rotations after two years. VA also starts a competitive Board internship for first‑ or second‑year ABA law students within one year.

Clearer exam notices and forms for veterans

VA publishes all disability exam forms online and lists any excluded forms with reasons. For contractor exams, scheduling messages must also go to your power of attorney or recognized representative, for contracts signed after enactment. Within 120 days of enactment, VA runs outreach with contractor phone numbers and warns that contractors may ask for personal info to verify your identity. The law defines which non‑VA exam providers are covered.

More judges for veterans claims court

The law adds three judges to the Veterans Claims Court, effective on enactment. The extra judges are authorized through January 1, 2028. This increases capacity to hear veterans’ appeals.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Tester, Jon [D-MT]

MT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 7/26/2023

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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