US Codex
Bill
Notes

H.R. 675 — what changed

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015

From Reported in House to Engrossed in House. 5 sections amended between Reported in House and Engrossed in House.

Sec. 204 Voluntary contributions to enlarge survivors' annuity

Section 7297 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(p)

changed “(1) A covered judge who makes an election under subsection (b) may purchase, in three-month 3-month increments, up to an additional year of service credit for each year of Federal judicial service completed, under the terms set forth in this section.

“(2) In this subsection, the term covered judge means any of the following:

“(A) A judge in regular active service.

“(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 of this title.

“(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eligible retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 but for—

“(i) meeting the aggregate recall service requirements under subsection (b)(3) of such section; or

“(ii) being permanently disabled as described by subsection (b)(4) of such section.”

Sec. 206 Selection of chief judge of United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Section 7253(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
in subparagraph (A), by striking “and”;
(B)
by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and
(C)
by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B):

changed “(B) are 64 years of age or under and have at least three 3 years remaining in term of office; and”

(2)
by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:

“(2)

“(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active service who meets the requirements under paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall act as the chief judge.

“(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active service who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.”

Sec. 302 Claims processors training

(a)
changed Establishment— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a training program to provide newly hired claims processors of the Department of Veterans Affairs with training for a period of not less than two 2 years. In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall identify successful claims processors of the Department who can assist in the training of newly hired claims processors.
(b)
changed Ability to To process claims— The Secretary shall carry out the training program established under subsection (a) without increasing the amount of time in which claims are processed by the Department.
(c)
changed Effective date— This section shall take effect on the date that is one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 401 Clarification of eligible recipients of certain accrued benefits upon death of beneficiary

(a)
Eligibility of estate— Section 5121(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “, or estate,” after “person”; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(D) The estate of the veteran (unless the estate will escheat).”

(b)
changed Effective date— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the death of an individual on or after the date that is two 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 402 Observance of Veterans Day

(a)
Two minutes of silence— Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“145. Veterans Day

changed “The President shall issue each year a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe two 2 minutes of silence on Veterans Day in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the Nation, beginning at—

“(1) 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time;

“(2) 2:11 p.m. eastern standard time;

“(3) 1:11 p.m. central standard time;

“(4) 12:11 p.m. mountain standard time;

“(5) 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time;

“(6) 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time; and

“(7) 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.”

(b)
Clerical amendment— The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: