HR1286-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act.

2. Independent assessment of forms that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants. An FFRDC that enters to an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better organized. Not later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary. The Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation. In this section: The term FFRDC means a federally funded research and development center. The term covered entities includes— the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; an entity that advocates for veterans; and an entity that advocates for survivors of veterans. The term claimant has the meaning given such term in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code.

3. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting December 31, 2031.