Prior section 5101 was renumbered section 8301 of this title.

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–183 substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary of Health and Human Services”.

1991—Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(b)(1), renumbered section 3001 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” after “prescribed by the”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1), substituted “administered by the Secretary” for “administered by the Veterans’ Administration”.

Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(d)(1), substituted “5105” for “3005”.

1990—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–508 added subsec. (c).

1986—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 99–576 substituted “surviving spouse or” for “widow or” in two places.

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–295 substituted “Health and Human Services” for “Health, Education, and Welfare”.

Pub. L. 108–183, title VII, § 704, Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2672, provided that:

“(a) Authority.—Using appropriated funds, other than funds available for compensation and pension, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide for the conduct of examinations with respect to the medical disabilities of applicants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary by persons other than Department of Veterans Affairs employees. The authority under this section is in addition to the authority provided in section 504(b) of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note ).

“(b) Performance by Contract.—Examinations under the authority provided in subsection (a) shall be conducted pursuant to contracts entered into and administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits.

“(c) Expiration.—The authority in subsection (a) shall expire on December 31, 2009. No examination may be carried out under the authority provided in that subsection after that date.

“(d) Report.—Not later than four years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 16, 2003], the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the use of the authority provided in subsection (a). The Secretary shall include in the report an assessment of the effect of examinations under that authority on the cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of examinations with respect to the medical disabilities of applicants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.”

Pub. L. 104–275, title V, § 504, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3341, provided that:

“(a) Authority.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Under Secretary for Benefits, may conduct a pilot program under this section under which examinations with respect to medical disability of applicants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary that are carried out through the Under Secretary for Benefits may be made by persons other than employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Any such examination shall be performed pursuant to contracts entered into by the Under Secretary for Benefits with those persons.

“(b) Limitation.—The Secretary may carry out the pilot program under this section through not more than 10 regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“(c) Source of Funds.—Payments for contracts under the pilot program under this section shall be made from amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for payment of compensation and pensions.

“(d) Report to Congress.—Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1996], the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the effect of the use of the authority provided by subsection (a) on the cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of medical disability examinations.”

Pub. L. 103–446, title III, § 302, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4658, as amended by Pub. L. 105–368, title V, § 512(c), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3342, provided that Secretary of Veterans Affairs was to take necessary actions to provide for expeditious treatment, by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and by regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration, of any claim that had been remanded by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for additional development or other appropriate action, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 108–183, title VII, § 707(c), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2673.

Pub. L. 103–446, title IV, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4659, as amended by Pub. L. 104–275, title V, § 503(a), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3341, established Veterans’ Claims Adjudication Commission which was directed to conduct comprehensive evaluation and assessment of Department of Veterans Affairs system for disposition of claims for veterans benefits and of system for delivery of such benefits, together with any related issues determined to be relevant to study, for purpose of determining means of increasing efficiency of system, means of reducing number of claims under system for which final disposition is pending, and means of enhancing ability of Department of Veterans Affairs to achieve final determination regarding claims under system in prompt and appropriate manner, and further provided for membership and powers of Commission, personnel matters, definitions and funding, and for submission of preliminary report to Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Congress not later than one year after Nov. 2, 1994, submission of final report not later than Dec. 31, 1996, and for termination of Commission 90 days after submission of final report.