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Adds new section 5109C to chapter 51 requiring the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress and publish on a Department website disaggregated information on outcomes of appeals (including supplemental review, higher-level review, and options for appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals) and to ensure published information is deidentified.
Amends the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 51 by inserting a new item for section 5109C after the item relating to section 5109B.
Amends 38 U.S.C. 7107 by (1) in subsection (a)(4) replacing the phrase 'in subsection (b)' with 'in subsection (b) or (c)(3)'; and (2) adding new subsection (c)(3) authorizing, at the discretion of the member of the Board conducting a hearing, the Board to issue a decision, in whole or in part, during the hearing.
Amends 38 U.S.C. 7103 to replace the provision with rules governing reconsideration and correction of obvious errors: Chairman-ordered reconsideration procedures, panel referral and exclusion rules, authority for the Board to correct obvious errors on its own motion, claimant-initiated review with mandatory approval by the Chairman, requirements that requests be in writing in a form prescribed by the Secretary and made within the existing appeal timeframe, required notice content, limitation of the evidentiary record to the evidence of record in the Board decision being reviewed, and that reconsideration under the subsection is de novo.
Strikes and replaces 38 U.S.C. 7104(d)(1) to require that notices/records issued by the Board of Veterans' Appeals include specified items (A) through (G) detailing issues adjudicated, evidence and law summaries, favorable findings, reasons for denial, how to access evidence, and criteria for service connection or higher compensation when applicable.
Amends 38 U.S.C. 7104(f) by: (1) in paragraph (1) replacing the word "if" with "unless" and inserting additional text after "; and"; and (2) in paragraph (2) inserting text before the final period.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced December 1, 2025 by Bill Cassidy · Last progress December 1, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate