H.R. 7153 — what changed
Department of Veterans Affairs Principles of Benefits Automation Act
From Introduced in House to Engrossed in House. 1 section amended between Introduced in House and Engrossed in House.
Sec. 2 Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should increase automation in the processing of claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary in accordance with the following principles:
The purpose of automation should be to increase the speed and accuracy of claims processing decisions.
Automation should be conducted in a manner that enhances the productivity of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Automation should be carried out in a manner that achieves greater consistency in the processing and rating of claims by relying on patterns of similar evidence in claim files.
changed
To the greatest extent possible, automation should be carried out by drawing from information in the possession of the Department, other Government agencies, and applicants claimants for benefits.
changed
Automation of any claims analysis process or determination process should not be end-to-end or lack intermediation.end-to-end.
Employees of the Department should continue to make decisions with respect to the approval of claims and the granting of benefits.
Automation should not be carried out in a manner that reduces or infringes upon—
changed
the due process rights of applicants claimants for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary; or
the duties of the Secretary to assist and notify claimants.
added
Automation should be carried out while taking all necessary measures to protect the privacy of claimants and their personally identifiable information.
added
Automation of claims processing should not eliminate or reduce the Veterans Benefits Administration workforce.