Protecting Veteran’s Claim Options Act

The Protecting Veteran's Claim Options Act would require the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) to accept additional evidence from claimants when the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims remands certain appeals for veterans' benefits. Currently, about 7,250 appeals are remanded to BVA each year, and under current law, appellants generally are not permitted to submit additional evidence to BVA when it considers a remanded case. The bill would also prohibit VA from rejecting appeals of claims for veterans' benefits solely because the appellant does not submit new or relevant evidence.

The bill would extend the reduction of pension payments for veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes. This extension would cover the costs of the other sections of the bill by extending the pension limitation by thirty-eight months to January 30, 2035, since these pension beneficiaries receive government-sponsored care in nursing homes and do not require the full amount of pension to cover their cost of living. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that enacting the bill would reduce net direct spending by $39 million over the 2026-2035 period. The bill has been approved by its committee and is eligible for a floor vote.