DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

SEC. 402. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. (a) In General.—The commission shall carry out a study of the Department of Veterans Affairs system for the disposition of claims for veterans benefits. (b) Purpose of Study.—The purpose of the study is to evaluate the Department of Veterans Affairs system for the disposition of claims for veterans benefits in order to determine the following: (1) The efficiency of current processes and procedures under the system for the adjudication, resolution, review, and final disposition of claims for veterans benefits, including the effect of judicial review on the system, and means of increasing the efficiency of the system. (2) Means of reducing the number of claims under the system for which final disposition is pending. (3) Means of enhancing the ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to achieve final determination regarding claims under the system in a prompt and appropriate manner. (c) Contents of Study.—The study to be carried out by the commission under this section is a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs system for the disposition of claims for veterans benefits (as defined in section 406) and of the system for the delivery of such benefits, together with any related issues that the commission determines are relevant to the study. The study shall include an evaluation and assessment of the following: (1) The preparation and submission of claims by veterans under the system. (2) The processes and procedures under the system for the disposition of claims, including— (A) the scope and nature of the review undertaken with respect to a claim at each stage in the claims disposition process, including the role of hearings throughout the process; (B) the number, Federal employment grade, and experience and qualifications required of the persons undertaking such review at each such stage; (C) opportunities for the submittal of new evidence; and (D) the availability of alternative means of completing claims. (3) The effect on the system of the participation of attorneys, members of veterans service organizations, and other advocates on behalf of veterans. (4) The effect on the system of actions taken by the Secretary to modernize the information management system of the Department, including the use of electronic data management systems. (5) The effect on the system of any work performance standards used by the Secretary at regional offices of the Department and at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. (6) The extent of the implementation in the system of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Claims Processing submitted to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 108 STAT. 4661of the Senate and House of Representatives on December 2, 1993, and the effect of such implementation on the system. (7) The effectiveness in improving the system of any pilot programs carried out by the Secretary at regional offices of the Department and of efforts by the Secretary to implement such programs throughout the system. (8) The effectiveness of the quality control practices and quality assurance practices under the system in achieving the goals of such practices. (d) Cooperation of Secretary.—Upon the request of the chairman of the commission, the Secretary shall, within 30 days of such request, submit to the commission, and to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, such information as the chairman shall determine is necessary for the commission to carry out the study required under this section. (e) Reports.— (1) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the commission shall submit to the Secretary and to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a preliminary report on the study required under subsection (c). The report shall contain the preliminary findings and conclusions of the commission with respect to the evaluation and assessment required under the study. (2) Not later than 18 months after such date, the commission shall submit to the Secretary and to such committees a report on such study. The report shall include the following: (A) The findings and conclusions of the commission, including its findings and conclusions with respect to the matters referred to in subsection (c). (B) The recommendations of the commission for means of improving the Department of Veterans Affairs system for the disposition of claims for veterans benefits. (C) Such other information and recommendations with respect to the system as the commission considers appropriate.