S 1992119th CongressIn Committee

Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025

Introduced: Jun 9, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN] (R-Indiana)

Veterans Affairs

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025 is a Senate bill aimed at speeding and improving VA benefits adjudications and appeals. It introduces new reporting requirements, tracking systems, and process changes intended to increase transparency, enable more efficient case handling, and reduce delays. Key ideas include annual performance reports on delays and docket movements, guidelines for advancing cases, a formal tracking system for a wide range of claims and actions, the ability for the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) to aggregate similar appeals, expanded court options for Class-Action style review and limited remands, plus studies and pilot assessments on making BVA decisions precedential. If enacted, these provisions could lead to faster decisions, more consistent decisions, and new avenues for grouped or streamlined reviews.

Key Points

1Annual reporting on adjudication length and docket movements
2- VA must provide, to Congress annually, metrics such as average time a remanded claim remains pending, docket advances due to 7107(b) motions, and Board dismissals (including death and suicide classifications).
3- First annual report due within one year of enactment.
4Guidelines for advancement on the Board’s docket
5- VA must issue guidelines (within one year) for advancing cases on motions for earlier consideration under 7107(b)(3), including what evidence may support such motions.
6New tracking and information requirements (Section 5109C)
7- VA must use technology to track and maintain information on claims (and issues) that are pursued, in the National Work Queue, expeditiously treated, remanded by the Board, or pending a Board hearing, among other categories.
8- The system must also track noncompliance with Board remands and notices of death (including fiduciary assignments).
9Board improvements: aggregation and compliance
10- BVA may aggregate multiple appeals with common questions of law or fact when appropriate.
11- The Secretary must ensure substantial compliance with Board remands and may waive compliance in certain narrowly defined scenarios.
12- A new five-yearly report on aggregation of claims, including instances of aggregation, impact on efficiency, and related considerations.
13- Definitions of “aggregate” include joinder, consolidation, and other multiparty procedures.
14Expanded jurisdiction and procedures for the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
15- The Court would gain supplemental jurisdiction over class-action style benefit claims when class certification is sought, under specified conditions (including nonfinal agency decisions and notices of disagreement).
16- Provisions for class action review timelines, opt-out rights, and tolling of deadlines if class action review is pending.
17- The Court can issue limited remands to address specific questions of law or fact, with rules to govern requests, timelines, and when the Court may act sua sponte.
18- The Court retains jurisdiction over matters remanded and suspends Court proceedings until the Board issues the required decision.
19Study of common questions and potential precedential authority for the Board
20- The Board must study common questions of law or fact it frequently faces to determine where precedential guidance would help decisions; may use AI and other technology.
21- A formal report on findings is due within one year.
22Independent assessment of Board authority to issue precedential decisions
23- The Secretary must seek an agreement with a federally funded research center to assess feasibility of giving the Board authority to issue precedential decisions.
24- If no agreement is finalized within 180 days, the Secretary must report reasons and provide regular briefings, with ongoing progress updates.
25- The assessment includes evaluating aggregation authority and recommending rules for aggregation.
26Implementation and timelines
27- Assessments and policy developments tied to the consented research center must proceed with specific deadlines (e.g., six months to finalize implementation after assessment).
28- The term “veterans service organization” is defined for purposes of these provisions.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Veterans seeking benefits, and their families, survivors, and fiduciaries; VA adjudicators and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals; legal representatives and veterans service organizations that assist claimants.Secondary group/area affected- The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and its procedures; VA policy officials; Federal agencies assisting in data tracking and reporting; veterans advocates and legal scholars.Additional impacts- Potential for faster, more transparent adjudication timelines and more consistent decisions due to aggregation and precedential guidance.- New data collection requirements may drive changes in workflow, staffing, and IT systems within VA.- Introduction of class-action-like review mechanisms could affect how some benefit disputes are litigated and resolved in the Court.- Could lead to increased focus on ensuring Board remands are followed unless a waiver is justified, potentially changing how remands are handled downstream.- Regular, five-year assessments of aggregation practices may influence future VA adjudication strategies.

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