H.R. 1530Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

1 recorded action296 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Morgan Luttrell [R-TX-08]
Cosponsors: 5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Committee: Veterans' Affairs Committee
Latest action: Sep 21, 2023 · Received in the Senate.

IntroducedMar 10, 2023
Passed the HouseSep 20, 2023
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

This bill addresses certain requirements related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical disability examinations for purposes of benefit claims and other administrative matters related to the benefit claims processes and personnel.

First, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA.

The bill also requires the VA to report on its efforts to provide reimbursement for a veteran's travel to a facility, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside of the United States, when such travel is incident to a medical disability examination for purposes of VA benefits.

The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with non-VA providers to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, the contracts must require that every communication from the provider to the applicant regarding the scheduling of a medical disability examination must be transmitted to any person or organization that is legally designated by the applicant and is recognized for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims.

Additionally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for non-VA providers that are providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such providers to verify their identity.

The VA must report on improving its support of governmental veterans service officers.

The VA must establish a Board of Veterans' Appeals internship program for individuals enrolled in the first or second year of law school.

The VA must also implement a program to furnish student loan repayment benefits or reimbursements for courses, bar exams, or bar membership dues to certain attorneys who agree to work for the VA for at least 3 years.

The bill increases the maximum possible number of judges presiding over the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to nine judges.

Finally, the VA must report on improving access to telehearings for Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 1530 as passed House on Sep 20, 2023. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 401

House Sep 20, 2023

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

423 Yea 0 Nay 10 not voting

Crossed both parties No voting member broke with their own party.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

One dot per member. Select a seat or a bar to filter the list.

DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

By party select a segment to filter

All members433 members

Democratic212 members

Republican221 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 1530 and vote against it. 1 signed when it was filed.

DChris Pappas [D-NH-01]Original

DMorgan McGarvey [D-KY-03]Joined Apr 18, 20232026 profile

DJulia Brownley [D-CA-26]Joined Apr 18, 2023

RKeith Self [R-TX-03]Joined Apr 18, 20232026 profile

RStephanie I. Bice [R-OK-05]Joined Jul 11, 20232026 profile

Loading the public record

H.R. 1530Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 401

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

How the chamber split

Cosponsors5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans

H.R. 1530Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 401

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

How the chamber split

Cosponsors5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans

Who lobbied on H.R. 15305 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 15305 organizations