Summary: Supporting Uniformed Personnel by Providing Oversight and Relevant Treatment for Substance Use Disorders Act or SUPPORT for Substance Use Disorders Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive review of Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and management of, and research on, substance use disorders (disorders) among members of the Armed Forces (members). Requires the Secretary to submit to the congressional defense and appropriations committees a plan for the improvement and enhancement of such programs and activities for members and their dependent family members, which shall include mechanisms to ensure the availability of appropriate treatment for such disorders and facilitate their prevention and reduction. Requires the plan to include instructions on: (1) the prevention of such disorders; (2) the appropriate training of health care professionals in the treatment of such disorders; (3) services for the dependents of members with such disorders; and (4) the dissemination of disorder prevention materials.Directs the Secretary to study such disorders in members and establish within DOD a Center of Excellence in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Management of Substance Use Disorders.

providing oversight relevant treatment substance use disorders act support substance use disorders act directs secretary defense conduct comprehensive review department_of_defense dod programs activities prevention diagnosis mitigation treatment management research substance use disorders disorders members armed_forces members requires secretary submit congressional defense appropriations committees plan improvement enhancement programs activities members dependent family members shall include mechanisms ensure availability appropriate treatment disorders facilitate prevention reduction requires plan include instructions prevention disorders appropriate training health care professionals treatment disorders services dependents members disorders dissemination disorder prevention materials directs secretary study disorders members establish dod center excellence prevention diagnosis mitigation treatment


Summary: Military Spouses Residency Relief Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit, for purposes of voting for a federal, state, or local office, deeming a person to have lost a residence or domicile in a state, acquired a residence or domicile in any other state, or become a resident in or of any other state solely because the person is absent from a state because the person is accompanying the person's spouse who is absent from the state in compliance with military or naval orders. Prohibits a servicemember's spouse from either losing or acquiring a residence or domicile for purposes of taxation because of being absent or present in any U.S. tax jurisdiction solely to be with the servicemember in compliance with the servicemember's military orders if the residence or domicile is the same for the servicemember and the spouse. Prohibits a spouse's income from being considered income earned in a tax jurisdiction if the spouse is not a resident or domiciliary of such jurisdiction when the spouse is in that jurisdiction solely to be with a servicemember serving under military orders. Suspends land rights residency requirements for spouses accompanying servicemembers serving under military orders.

military spouses residency relief act amends servicemembers civil relief act prohibit purposes voting federal state local office deeming person lost residence domicile state acquired residence domicile state resident state solely person absent state person accompanying person spouse absent state compliance military naval orders prohibits servicemember spouse losing acquiring residence domicile purposes taxation absent present tax jurisdiction solely servicemember compliance servicemember military orders residence domicile servicemember spouse prohibits spouse income considered income earned tax jurisdiction spouse resident domiciliary jurisdiction spouse jurisdiction solely servicemember serving military orders suspends land rights residency requirements spouses accompanying servicemembers serving military orders


Summary: Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis (i.e., exclude premiums from gross income); and (2) a tax deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums or enrollment fees. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the option of paying FEHBP and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis is available to federal civilian and military retirees for the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days after the enactment of this Act.

internal revenue code permit federal civilian military retirees pay federal_employees_health_benefits_program fehbp tricare supplemental premiums basis exclude premiums gross income tax deduction available tricare supplemental premiums enrollment fees directs director secretary defense ensure option paying fehbp tricare supplemental premiums basis available federal civilian military retirees open enrollment period beginning days enactment act


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a dental insurance plan for any veteran enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) annual patient enrollment system, as well as the survivors and dependents of certain veterans. Provides for: (1) the payment of premiums for plan enrollment; and (2) voluntary plan disenrollment.

directs secretary veterans_affairs provide dental insurance plan veteran enrolled department_of_veterans_affairs annual patient enrollment system survivors dependents certain veterans provides payment premiums plan enrollment voluntary plan disenrollment


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a major medical facility project at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington. Authorizes appropriations.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs carry major medical facility project department_of_veterans_affairs_medical_center washington authorizes appropriations


Summary: Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009 - Requires the amount of subsistence allowance paid to a veteran for a month in which the veteran participates in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rehabilitation program to be equal to the national average of the basic allowance for housing paid to a member of the Armed Forces in pay grade E-5. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse a veteran who successfully completes a VA rehabilitation program for costs incurred as a direct consequence of program participation, including child care expenses. Repeals the 2600 per-fiscal-year limit on veterans who may participate in the VA program of independent living services and assistance.

training improvements act requires subsistence allowance paid veteran month veteran participates department_of_veterans_affairs rehabilitation program equal national average basic allowance housing paid member armed_forces pay grade authorizes secretary veterans_affairs reimburse veteran successfully completes rehabilitation program costs incurred direct consequence program participation including child care expenses repeals fiscal year limit veterans participate program independent living services assistance


Summary: Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or would be entitled to such pay except for being under 60 years of age. Prohibits recoupment by the Secretary of Defense of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.

repeals certain provisions require offset amounts paid dependency indemnity compensation survivor_benefit_plan sbp annuities surviving spouses military personnel entitled military retired pay entitled pay years age prohibits recoupment secretary defense certain amounts previously paid sbp recipients form retired pay refund repeals optional authority instead requires secretary military department concerned pay annuity member dependent children eligible surviving spouse directs secretary concerned restore annuity eligibility surviving spouse earlier agreed transfer eligibility surviving child children member


Summary: Veteran and Servicemember Caregiver Support Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a two-year pilot program of training, certification, and support for eligible family caregivers of eligible veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Defines as: (1) eligible family caregivers those family members who agree to provide such services, are accepted by the veteran or member as the provider, and are determined qualified to provide such services; and (2) eligible veterans and members those veterans and members who have a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated on or after September 11, 2001, and require caregiver services because of such disability. Requires: (1) the pilot program to be conducted at at least six medical facilities; (2) at least one facility to be a private facility with expertise in providing rehabilitative care; (3) at least one facility to be a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center in a rural area; and (4) the Secretary, in selecting locations, to give special emphasis to VA polytrauma centers designated as Tier I polytrauma centers. Directs the Secretary to provide training to each eligible family caregiver under the program, and to certify the caregiver as qualified upon training completion. Requires caregivers to be paid for providing such services. Requires: (1) a review of VA and Department of Defense (DOD) respite care programs, as well as a study on enhancing the availability of such programs; (2) the provision of psychological and social support services to caregivers; and (3) a national survey of family caregivers of seriously disabled veterans and members.

veteran servicemember caregiver support act directs secretary veterans_affairs carry year pilot program training certification support eligible family caregivers eligible veterans members armed_forces defines eligible family caregivers family members agree provide services accepted veteran member provider determined qualified provide services eligible veterans members veterans members service connected disability incurred aggravated september require caregiver services disability requires pilot program conducted medical facilities facility private facility expertise providing rehabilitative care facility department_of_veterans_affairs medical center rural area secretary selecting locations special emphasis polytrauma centers designated tier polytrauma centers directs secretary provide training eligible family caregiver program certify caregiver qualified training completion requires caregivers paid providing services requires review department_of_defense dod respite care programs study enhancing availability programs provision psychological social support services caregivers national survey family caregivers seriously disabled veterans members


Summary: Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009 - Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability.

retired pay restoration act allows receipt military retired pay veterans disability compensation respect service connected disability current law disability rated makes eligible concurrent receipt veterans disability compensation military retired pay combat related special pay individuals retired separated military service service connected disability


Summary: Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide uncharged leave or a monetary benefit to any member or former member of the Armed Forces who, on any day beginning on January 19, 2007, and ending on the date of implementation of the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program, would have qualified for a day of administrative absence under such program had it been in effect. Makes such benefit: (1) an amount not to exceed $200 for each day, in the case of a former member; and (2) either one day of administrative absence or an amount not to exceed $200, in the case of a current member. Excludes from such benefit any members discharged or released under other than honorable conditions. Sets at 40 the maximum number of days for which such benefit may be provided.

directs secretary military department concerned provide uncharged leave monetary benefit member member armed_forces day beginning january ending date implementation program qualified day administrative absence program effect makes benefit exceed day case member day administrative absence exceed case current member excludes benefit members discharged released honorable conditions sets maximum number days benefit provided


Summary: Military Family Nutrition Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to exclude combat pay from household income in calculating a child's eligibility for free or reduced price meals under the school lunch program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require states to exclude combat pay from family income in making eligibility determinations under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.

military family nutrition protection act amends national school lunch act exclude combat pay household income calculating child eligibility free reduced price meals school lunch program amends child nutrition act require states exclude combat pay family income making eligibility determinations special supplemental nutrition program women infants children


Summary: Defense Communities Assistance Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress on the necessity of assisting local communities coping with the impact of base closures and realignments and other military actions. Extends permanently (under current law, terminated at the end of FY2008) the authority of the Secretary of the military department concerned to convey, for certain purposes, real property on a military installation determined to be excess to the needs of the Department of Defense (DOD). Authorizes the Secretary concerned to contract for the procurement of municipal services for a U.S. military installation from a county, municipal government, or other local governmental unit in the area. Authorizes such Secretary to so contract using procedures other than competitive procedures, under certain conditions and after congressional notification. Amends the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 to extend through FY2020 a pilot program for the purchase of certain municipal services for military installations. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to broaden the indemnification provided to transferees of military properties. Reinstates provisions of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 which allow military departments to transfer surplus real and personal property at closed or realigned military installations without consideration to local redevelopment authorities when used for economic development purposes, without the requirement to assess the property's value.

defense communities assistance act expresses sense congress necessity assisting local communities coping impact base closures realignments military actions extends permanently current law terminated end fy2008 authority secretary military department concerned convey certain purposes real property military installation determined excess needs department_of_defense dod authorizes secretary concerned contract procurement municipal services military installation county municipal government local governmental unit area authorizes secretary contract procedures competitive procedures certain conditions congressional notification amends national defense authorization act fiscal year extend fy2020 pilot program purchase certain municipal services military installations amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year broaden indemnification provided transferees military properties reinstates provisions defense base closure realignment_act allow military departments transfer surplus real personal property closed realigned military installations consideration local redevelopment authorities economic development purposes requirement assess property value


Summary: Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) report on barriers to the receipt of comprehensive health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) encountered by women veterans, especially those of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; (2) provide for an independent study on health consequences for women veterans serving on active duty in deployments in such Operations; and (3) report on the employment of full-time managers for women veterans programs at VA medical centers. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan to improve the provision of VA health care services to women veterans; (2) carry out a program of education, training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental health professionals providing care for veterans suffering from sexual trauma; (3) carry out a pilot program of providing reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings to women veterans recently separated from service after a prolonged deployment; and (4) carry out a pilot program on subsidies for child care for certain women veterans receiving health care from VA facilities. Requires women veterans recently separated from service to be included on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish care to a newborn child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care for up to seven days after the birth of the child.

directs secretary veterans_affairs report barriers receipt comprehensive health care department_of_veterans_affairs encountered women veterans especially operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom provide independent study health consequences women veterans serving active duty deployments operations report employment time managers women veterans programs medical centers requires secretary develop plan improve provision health care services women veterans carry program education training certification continuing medical education mental health professionals providing care veterans suffering sexual trauma carry pilot program providing reintegration readjustment services group retreat settings women veterans recently separated service prolonged deployment carry pilot program subsidies child care certain women veterans receiving health care facilities requires women veterans recently separated service included advisory_committee_on_women_veterans advisory_committee_on_minority_veterans authorizes secretary furnish care newborn child woman veteran receiving maternity care seven days birth child


Summary: Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to include as an authorized national service program a Veteran Corps program that meets specified unmet needs of members of the Armed Forces and veterans, as well as their families.

amends national_and_community_service_act include authorized national service program program meets specified unmet needs members armed_forces veterans families


Summary: Health Care for Members of the Armed Forces Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Defense, for each occupational and environmental health chemical hazard of particular concern, to establish and administer a registry of members and former members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to such hazard in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify a member or former member who may have been exposed to such a hazard; and (2) provide a complete physical and medical examination of such individual. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies for the Institute of Medicine under which the Institute, for each incident of exposure reported in a registry, shall review and summarize the scientific evidence, and assess the strength thereof, concerning the association between the exposure to such hazard and acute and long-term health consequences of such exposure. Requires the Institute to: (1) make recommendations for necessary additional scientific studies; and (2) conduct periodic subsequent reviews of such evidence. Requires members and former members listed in registries to be notified of any conclusive determinations with respect to such exposure, as well as any other significant related developments. Makes any veteran who was exposed in the line of duty to an occupational and environmental health chemical hazard of particular concern eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for any disability, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the disability may be associated with such exposure.

health care members chemical hazards act directs secretary defense occupational environmental health chemical hazard particular concern establish administer registry members members armed_forces exposed hazard line duty september requires secretary notify member member exposed hazard provide complete physical medical examination individual directs secretary enter agreement institute incident exposure reported registry shall review summarize scientific evidence assess strength thereof concerning association exposure hazard acute long term health consequences exposure requires institute recommendations necessary additional scientific studies conduct periodic subsequent reviews evidence requires members members listed registries notified conclusive determinations respect exposure significant related developments makes veteran exposed line duty occupational environmental health chemical hazard particular concern eligible hospital care medical services nursing home care department_of_veterans_affairs disability notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence conclude disability associated exposure


Summary: Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit before October 1, 2009; and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

merchant mariners world war act establishes treasury merchant mariner equity compensation fund payments secretary veterans_affairs monthly benefit individual december december documented member merchant marine including army_transport_service naval_transport_service serving crewmember vessel operated waters contract property united_states requires individuals apply benefit october received benefits


Summary: Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to issue guidance for the provision of an in-person mental health screening for each member of the Armed Forces deployed in connection with a contingency operation, in order to identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal tendencies, and other behavioral health issues for which additional care and treatment may be necessary. Excludes from such screenings members not subjected or exposed to combat stress during their deployment. Requires the Secretary to share screening results with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in order to ensure continuity of mental health care and treatment for such members during their transition from health care and treatment provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) to health care and treatment provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

directs secretary defense issue guidance provision person mental health screening member armed_forces deployed connection contingency operation order identify post traumatic stress disorder ptsd suicidal behavioral health issues additional care treatment necessary excludes screenings members subjected exposed combat stress deployment requires secretary share screening results secretary veterans_affairs order ensure continuity mental health care treatment members transition health care treatment provided department_of_defense dod health care treatment provided department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 - Title I: Insurance Matters - (Sec. 101) Increases from $20,000 to $30,000 the maximum amount of supplemental insurance provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for totally disabled veterans. (Sec. 102) Limits the duration of a dependent's coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) to 120 days after the member's separation or release from service or assignment. (Sec. 103) Amends the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 to remove the requirement of service in either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom as a condition for retroactive benefits under the traumatic injury coverage of SGLI. (Sec. 104) Permits the VA to distinguish, in specifying payments for qualifying SGLI traumatic injury losses, between the severity of a qualifying loss of a dominant hand and a qualifying loss of a nondominant hand. (Sec. 105) Increases the maximum loan guarantee amount under the veterans' mortgage life insurance program from $90,000 to $150,000, then to $200,000 after January 1, 2012. Title II: Compensation and Pension Matters - (Sec. 201) Establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment, based on increases in amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, for the temporary payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to a veteran's surviving spouse with one or more children under the age of 18. (Sec. 202) Revises eligibility requirements for the payment of a special monthly pension based on disability for veterans of a period of war who already qualify for a service pension based and who are over age 65. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to promulgate regulations which recognize circumstances, consistent with the place, conditions, dangers, or hardships associated with particular military service, that do not require confirming or documenting evidence in order to establish the occurrence of an event or exposure during active military service. (Sec. 204) Extends through FY2014 the expiration date for the reduction of VA pensions for certain beneficiaries with no dependents who are covered by Medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing facilities. (Sec. 205) Authorizes higher levels of veterans' disability compensation for certain veterans who experience difficulty using prostheses after the loss of hands, arms, or legs and those in need of regular aid and attendance after suffering a severe traumatic brain injury. (Sec. 206) Requires that, in the case of a veteran who is retired or separated from active duty due to a catastrophic disability, payment of VA disability benefits based on an original claim shall be made on the date the award becomes effective (thereby eliminating certain procedural delays in such payments). (Sec. 207) Requires a reduction in VA death pension benefits with respect to surviving adult-disabled children of veterans who are Medicaid recipients residing in nursing homes. (Sec. 208) Requires the payment of DIC to the survivors of former prisoners-of-war (POWs) who died on or before September 30, 1999, on the same basis as survivors of former POWs who die after such date. (Expands payment of such benefits to provide the same coverage regardless of the date of death.) Title III: Readjustment and Related Benefit Matters - (Sec. 301) Repeals the current limitation (2600 per year) on the number of veterans who may enroll in a VA program of independent living services and assistance. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the VA to provide automobile and adaptive equipment assistance to disabled veterans and veterans with severe burn injuries. (Sec. 303) Increases from $11,000 to $22,500 per veteran the VA authority to assist severely disabled veterans in purchasing automobiles or other equipment to accommodate such disabilities. Requires such amount to be adjusted annually to coincide with new automobile cost increases. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Secretary, in the event that a VA-guaranteed home loan is modified under bankruptcy proceedings, to pay the mortgagor the unpaid balance of the loan, but only upon the assignment and delivery to the Secretary of all rights, interests, and claims with respect to the loan. Title IV: Employment and Reemployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services - (Sec. 401) Provides that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for any program or activity shall constitute a waiver of state sovereign immunity with respect to actions brought to enforce employment or reemployment rights or benefits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). (Sec. 402) Provides additional factors for determining whether an entity is a "successor in interest" for purposes of USERRA enforcement against employers. (Sec. 403) Includes within USERRA a specific prohibition against wage discrimination against members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 404) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require non-military federal agencies to notify their contractors of potential USERRA obligations. (Sec. 405) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of federal programs of education and outreach on employer obligations under USERRA. Title V: Burial and Memorial Matters - (Sec. 501) Authorizes and directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of funds specifically provided for purposes of this section in advance appropriations, to pay a supplemental benefit for the funeral and burial expenses of veterans, making such amount $900 with respect to a non-service-connected death and $2,100 with respect to a service-connected death. Requires the annual adjustment of such amounts (based on increases in the Consumer Price Index) with respect to deaths that occur after FY2010. Requires the Secretary to estimate, and report to the veterans and appropriations committees on, the amount of fiscal year funding necessary to make such supplemental payments. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretary, subject to the availability of funds specifically provided for purposes of this section in advance appropriations, to pay a supplemental burial plot allowance of $445 for veterans eligible for the current allowance. Requires the annual adjustment of such amount (based on increases in the Consumer Price Index) with respect to deaths that occur after FY2010. Directs the Secretary to estimate, and report to the veterans and appropriations committees on, the amount of fiscal year funding necessary to make such supplemental payment. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Other Matters - (Sec. 601) Directs the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of the best treatments for Gulf War Illness; and (2) report review results to the Secretary and the veterans committees. (Sec. 602) Amends the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998 to extend until October 1, 2015, an NAS review and evaluation concerning associations between illnesses and exposure of Gulf War veterans to toxic agents, environmental or wartime hazards, or preventive medicines or vaccines. Amends the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 to extend until October 1, 2018, an NAS report on the health effects of such exposure. (Sec. 603) Extends through 2011 VA authority to operate a regional office in the Republic of the Philippines. (Sec. 604) Permits an aggregate period of 81 months for the use of VA educational assistance for individuals who receive both survivors' and dependents' educational assistance and other veterans and related educational assistance. Revives any benefit entitlement reduced by prior utilization of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance.

veterans benefits enhancement_act title insurance matters sec increases maximum supplemental insurance provided department_of_veterans_affairs totally disabled veterans sec limits duration dependent coverage days member separation release service assignment sec amends benefits improvement act remove requirement service operation iraqi freedom enduring_freedom condition retroactive benefits traumatic injury coverage sgli sec permits distinguish specifying payments qualifying sgli traumatic injury losses severity qualifying loss dominant hand qualifying loss hand sec increases maximum loan guarantee veterans mortgage life insurance program january title compensation pension matters sec establishes annual cost living adjustment based increases amounts payable title survivors disability insurance social security act temporary payment dependency indemnity compensation dic veteran surviving spouse children age sec revises eligibility requirements payment special monthly pension based disability veterans period war qualify service pension based age sec directs secretary veterans_affairs promulgate regulations recognize circumstances consistent place conditions dangers hardships associated particular military service require confirming documenting evidence order establish occurrence event exposure active military service sec extends fy2014 expiration date reduction pensions certain beneficiaries dependents covered medicaid plans services furnished nursing facilities sec authorizes higher levels veterans disability compensation certain veterans experience difficulty prostheses loss hands arms need regular aid attendance suffering severe traumatic brain injury sec requires case veteran retired separated active duty catastrophic disability payment disability benefits based original claim shall date award effective eliminating certain procedural delays payments sec requires reduction death pension benefits respect surviving adult disabled children veterans medicaid recipients residing nursing homes sec requires payment dic survivors prisoners war pows died september basis survivors pows die date expands payment benefits provide coverage regardless date death title iii readjustment related benefit matters sec repeals current limitation year number veterans enroll program independent living services assistance sec authorizes provide automobile adaptive equipment assistance disabled veterans veterans severe burn injuries sec increases veteran authority assist severely disabled veterans purchasing automobiles equipment accommodate disabilities requires adjusted annually new automobile cost increases sec authorizes secretary event guaranteed home loan modified bankruptcy proceedings pay mortgagor unpaid balance loan assignment delivery secretary rights interests claims respect loan title employment reemployment rights members provides state receipt use federal financial assistance program activity shall constitute waiver state sovereign immunity respect actions brought enforce employment reemployment rights benefits uniformed_services_employment_and_reemployment_rights_act userra sec provides additional factors determining entity successor interest purposes userra enforcement employers sec includes userra specific prohibition wage discrimination members armed_forces sec amends federal_property_and_administrative_services act require non military federal agencies notify contractors potential userra obligations sec directs comptroller general study report congress effectiveness federal programs education outreach employer obligations userra title burial memorial matters sec authorizes directs secretary subject availability funds specifically provided purposes section advance appropriations pay supplemental benefit funeral burial expenses veterans making respect non service connected death respect service connected death requires annual adjustment amounts based increases consumer price index respect deaths occur fy2010 requires secretary estimate report veterans appropriations committees fiscal year funding necessary supplemental payments authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary subject availability funds specifically provided purposes section advance appropriations pay supplemental burial plot allowance veterans eligible current allowance requires annual adjustment based increases consumer price index respect deaths occur fy2010 directs secretary estimate report veterans appropriations committees fiscal year funding necessary supplemental payment authorizes appropriations title matters sec directs institute_of_medicine_of_the_national_academy_of_sciences nas conduct comprehensive review best treatments gulf war illness report review results secretary veterans committees sec amends persian_gulf_war veterans act extend october nas review evaluation concerning associations illnesses exposure gulf war veterans toxic agents environmental wartime hazards preventive medicines vaccines amends extend october nas report health effects exposure sec extends authority operate regional office republic_of_the_philippines sec permits aggregate period months use educational assistance individuals receive survivors dependents educational assistance veterans related educational assistance revives benefit entitlement reduced prior utilization survivors dependents educational assistance


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery in the Sarpy County, Nebraska, region to serve the needs of veterans and their families in Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri.

directs secretary veterans_affairs establish national cemetery nebraska region serve needs veterans families nebraska iowa missouri


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse or provide transportation to a member of the reserves on active duty for more than 30 days who is performing duty at a temporary duty station for travel between the member's temporary and permanent duty station in connection with authorized leave pursuant to a suspension of training. Sets minimum distance requirements and reimbursement limits. Allows such reimbursement or transportation only in connection with a suspension of training of five days or longer.

authorizes secretary military department concerned reimburse provide transportation member reserves active duty days performing duty temporary duty station travel member temporary permanent duty station connection authorized leave pursuant suspension training sets minimum distance requirements reimbursement limits allows reimbursement transportation connection suspension training days longer


Summary: Authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the American soldiers who were prisoners of war in Bataan, Philippines, during World War II, in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country. Provides for the Medal's display at the Smithsonian Institution. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Medal should be made available for display elsewhere, particularly at locations associated with the prisoners of war at Bataan.

authorizes award single congressional gold medal collectively honor american soldiers prisoners war philippines world war recognition personal sacrifice service country provides medal display smithsonian_institution expresses sense congress medal available display particularly locations associated prisoners war


Summary: Honor Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to provide scholarships for the pursuit of a graduate or postgraduate degree in behavioral health sciences to veterans who performed active-duty service in a theater of combat or during a contingency operation overseas. Requires the veteran, following completion of the degree requirements, to serve for an agreed-upon period with either the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DOD) furnishing mental health services to veterans or to members of the Armed Forces (members). Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program to employ and train former members who performed service described above as DOD psychiatric technicians and nurses providing mental health counseling and related services to members deployed to a combat zone. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon request, to provide: (1) referral and related assistance to former members not otherwise authorized for counseling through the VA; and (2) readjustment counseling and mental health services to former members through Vet Centers. Requires the suicide of a former member with a medical history of a combat-related mental health condition, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs within a two-year period after separation or retirement to be treated as a death in the line of active duty for purposes of eligibility for active-duty survivors' benefits provided through the VA. Requires the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs, jointly and annually, to: (1) review and assess their respective programs for the reintegration of members and veterans into civilian life following their retirement, discharge, or release; and (2) report review and assessment results to Congress.

directs secretary veterans_affairs carry program provide scholarships pursuit graduate postgraduate degree behavioral health sciences veterans performed active duty service theater combat contingency operation overseas requires veteran following completion degree requirements serve agreed period department_of_veterans_affairs department_of_defense dod furnishing mental health services veterans members armed_forces members directs secretary defense carry program employ train members performed service described dod psychiatric technicians nurses providing mental health counseling related services members deployed combat zone directs secretary veterans_affairs request provide referral related assistance members authorized counseling readjustment counseling mental health services members vet_centers requires suicide member medical history combat related mental health condition post traumatic stress disorder ptsd traumatic brain injury tbi occurs year period separation retirement treated death line active duty purposes eligibility active duty survivors benefits provided requires secretaries defense veterans_affairs jointly annually review assess respective programs reintegration members veterans civilian life following retirement discharge release report review assessment results congress


Summary: Department of Veterans Affairs Vision Scholars Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program of financial assistance for individuals who: (1) are accepted for, or currently enrolled in, a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or both; and (2) enter into an agreement to serve, after program completion, as a full-time Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee for three years within the first six years after program completion. Sets maximum assistance amounts of $15,000 per academic year and $45,000 total. Requires prorated repayment for failure to satisfy education or service requirements, while allowing the Secretary to waive or suspend such repayment whenever noncompliance is due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, or when waiver or suspension is in the best interests of the United States.

scholars act directs secretary veterans_affairs establish carry scholarship program financial assistance individuals accepted currently enrolled program study leading degree certificate visual impairment orientation mobility enter agreement serve program completion time department_of_veterans_affairs employee years years program completion sets maximum assistance amounts academic year total requires prorated repayment failure satisfy education service requirements allowing secretary waive suspend repayment noncompliance circumstances control participant waiver suspension best interests united_states


Summary: Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009 - Title I: Caregiver Support - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive charges for care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in emergency cases to attendants accompanying veterans severely injured while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, while such veterans are receiving VA care for such injuries. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary, as part of authorized VA home health services for veterans, to furnish family caregiver assistance to family members of veterans in need of personal care services due to a serious injury incurred or aggravated during active duty. Requires the Secretary to: (1) evaluate the services needed by each veteran; (2) provide training and approval to the caregivers; (3) designate a primary personal care attendant for each eligible veteran; (4) provide ongoing family caregiver assistance to such family members; (5) provide respite care for the veteran, in appropriate cases; (6) pay monthly caregiver stipends; (7) conduct oversight of the caregiver assistance program, including visits to each eligible veteran at least every six months; and (8) provide program outreach. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit to the congressional veterans committees a plan for program implementation; and (2) report annually to such committees evaluating the program. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to reimburse attendants for travel expenses, including lodging and subsistence, in connection with authorized VA treatment for veterans. (Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a national survey of family caregivers of seriously disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces to better understand the size and characteristics of their population and the types of care they provide; and (2) report survey results to Congress. Title II: Rural Health Improvements - (Sec. 201) Revises the VA's health professional education debt reduction program to remove the $44,000-per-individual limit on loan repayments under the program. Directs the Secretary, in each offer of employment to a health professional, to provide notice of such individual's eligibility to participate in the program. Provides for the selection of program participants. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out a scholarship program of financial assistance for individuals who: (1) are accepted for, or currently enrolled in, a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or both; and (2) enter into an agreement to serve, after program completion, as a full-time VA employee for three years within the first six years after program completion. Sets maximum assistance amounts of $15,000 per academic year and $45,000 total. Requires pro rata repayment for failure to satisfy education or service requirements, while allowing the Secretary to waive or suspend repayment when noncompliance is due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, or when waiver or suspension is in the best interests of the United States. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to transfer specified amounts from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accounts to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in order to include VA facilities in the list of facilities eligible for assignment of participants in the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program. (Sec. 204) Requires the Secretary to carry out a program of: (1) teleconsultation for the provision of remote mental health and traumatic brain injury assessments in VA facilities not otherwise able to provide such assessments without contracting with third party providers or reimbursing providers through a fee-basis system; and (2) teleretinal imaging in each Veterans Integrated Services Network. Requires annual reports from the Secretary to Congress on each program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require each VA facility involved in the training of medical residents to work with each university concerned to develop an elective rotation in telemedicine for such residents; (2) modify the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) system to provide Veterans Integrated Services Networks with incentives to utilize teleconsultation, teleretinal imaging, telemedicine, and telehealth coordination services; and (3) modify the VERA system to require the inclusion of all telemedicine visits in the calculation of facility workload. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out demonstration projects to examine the feasibility and advisability of alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas. Requires the Secretary to report project results to the veterans and appropriations committees. (Sec. 206) Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide to veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, particularly those who so served with the National Guard or reserves: (1) peer outreach services; (2) peer support services; (3) readjustment counseling and related services; and (4) mental health services. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide to immediate family members of such veterans, during the three-year period after the veteran's return from such deployment, education, support, counseling, and mental health services to assist in: (1) the veteran's readjustment to civilian life; (2) in the case of a veteran with an injury or illness incurred during such deployment, the recovery of the veteran; and (3) the readjustment of the family following the veteran's return. Directs the Secretary to contract with community mental health services and other qualified entities in areas not adequately served by other health care facilities or VA vet centers. Requires the appropriate training of veterans and clinicians for the provision of such services. Directs the Secretary to submit to the veterans committees an initial implementation report, as well as a subsequent status report. (Sec. 207) Directs the Secretary to assign, at each of the 10 VA medical centers that serve the greatest number of Indian veterans per capita, a VA official or employee to act as the center's coordinator of health care for Indian veterans. Requires each such coordinator to: (1) improve outreach to tribal communities; (2) coordinate the medical needs of Indian veterans on Indian reservations with the VHA and the Indian Health Service (IHS); (3) expand the access and participation of the VA, IHS, and tribal members in the Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Veterans Representative program; (4) act as an ombudsman for Indian veterans enrolled in the VHA health care system; and (5) advocate for the incorporation of traditional medicine and healing in VA treatment plans for Indian veterans. Directs the Secretaries of VA and HHS to enter into an agreement to ensure that health records of Indian veterans may be transferred electronically between facilities of the IHS and the VA. Authorizes the VA Secretary to transfer surplus medical and information technology equipment to the IHS. Requires a joint report from such Secretaries to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of the joint VA-IHS establishment and operation of health clinics on Indian reservations to serve the populations of such reservations, including Indian veterans. (Sec. 208) Authorizes the Secretary to pay travel expenses for veterans receiving treatment at VA facilities at the rate of 41.5 cents per mile. (Under current law the rate is that provided to federal employees in connection with the performance of official duties.) Allows the Secretary, one year after the enactment of this Act, to adjust such rate to make it equal to the mileage reimbursement rate for the use of privately-owned vehicles by government employees on official business (requiring a justification to Congress if such adjustment causes a decrease from the previous rate). Includes within such reimbursement travel by air if it is the only practical way to reach a VA facility. Requires the Secretary, in considering whether travel by air is the only practical way, to consider the veteran's medical condition and any other impediments to their use of ground transportation. (Sec. 209) Requires the VA's Director of the Office of Rural Health to develop a five-year strategic plan for such Office, which shall include specific goals for: (1) the recruitment and retention of health care personnel in rural areas; and (2) ensuring the timeliness and quality of health care delivery in rural communities. (Sec. 210) Directs the Secretary to designate a rural outreach coordinator at each VA community-based outpatient clinic at which at least 50% of the enrolled veterans reside in a highly rural area. Requires the Secretary to adjust the compensation of VA health care providers, and provide certain incentives, to encourage such providers to achieve accreditation of their medical practice and to participate in peer review. Directs the Chief Quality and Performance Officer in each Veterans Integrated Services Network to take specified actions to effect the peer review of patient records by a VA facility. (Sec. 211) Authorizes the VA to use volunteer counselors in the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services. Requires such volunteers to: (1) be licensed; (2) never have been named in a tort claim arising from counseling activities; and (3) be free from disciplinary action related to licensing or certification. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for issuing credentials and privileges to volunteer counselors. Requires each VA vet center to develop an outreach plan for community awareness of the services offered by such center. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary to establish and operate at least one and up to five centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities, requiring geographic distribution in center selection. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 213) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program on financial incentives for VA physicians who assume and maintain patient responsibilities at community hospitals in health professional shortage areas. Directs the Secretary to compensate participating physicians for such responsibilities carried out for which the physician would not otherwise be compensated by the VA. Requires a written agreement between the VA and the physician with respect to compensation amounts. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the pilot program during its duration. (Sec. 214) Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on certain matters related to care for veterans who reside in rural areas, as well as on the establishment and functions of the VA's Office of Rural Health. (Sec. 215) Directs the Secretary to make grants to state veterans service agencies and veterans service organizations to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural areas. Limits each grant amount to $50,000. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Other Health Care Matters - (Sec. 301) Revises provisions concerning the authority of the Secretary to reimburse a veteran for the cost of emergency care provided in a non-VA facility to provide that, if the veteran has contractual or legal recourse against a third party that would, in part, extinguish the veteran's liability to the provider of the emergency treatment and payment for the treatment may be made by both the VA and the third party, the amount payable by the VA shall be that which exceeds the cost payable by the third party. Includes as third parties: (1) the HHS Secretary, with respect to the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act; and (2) a state Medicaid agency with respect to payments made under a state plan for medical assistance approved under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide reimbursement for such emergency care provided before the date of enactment of this Act if the Secretary determines it appropriate to do so. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a veteran who is catastrophically disabled from making any copayment for the receipt of VA hospital care or medical services. Title IV: Construction and Naming Matters - (Sec. 401) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a major medical facility construction project at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington, and authorizes appropriations for the project. (Sec. 402) Designates the VA outpatient clinic in Havre, Montana, as the "Merril Lundman Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic."

caregiver act title caregiver support sec authorizes secretary veterans_affairs waive charges care provided department_of_veterans_affairs emergency cases attendants accompanying veterans severely injured active duty september veterans receiving care injuries sec directs secretary authorized home health services veterans furnish family caregiver assistance family members veterans need personal care services injury incurred aggravated active duty requires secretary evaluate services needed veteran provide training approval caregivers designate primary personal care attendant eligible veteran provide ongoing family caregiver assistance family members provide respite care veteran appropriate cases pay monthly caregiver stipends conduct oversight caregiver assistance program including visits eligible veteran months provide program outreach directs secretary submit congressional veterans committees plan program implementation report annually committees evaluating program sec directs secretary reimburse attendants travel expenses including lodging subsistence connection authorized treatment veterans sec requires secretary conduct national survey family caregivers seriously disabled veterans members armed_forces better understand size characteristics population types care provide report survey results congress title rural health improvements sec revises health professional education debt reduction program remove individual limit loan repayments program directs secretary offer employment health professional provide notice individual eligibility participate program provides selection program participants sec directs secretary establish carry scholarship program financial assistance individuals accepted currently enrolled program study leading degree certificate visual impairment orientation mobility enter agreement serve program completion time employee years years program completion sets maximum assistance amounts academic year total requires pro rata repayment failure satisfy education service requirements allowing secretary waive suspend repayment noncompliance circumstances control participant waiver suspension best interests united_states sec directs secretary transfer specified amounts veterans_health_administration vha accounts secretary health_and_human_services hhs order include facilities list facilities eligible assignment participants national_health_service_corps_scholarship_program sec requires secretary carry program teleconsultation provision remote mental health traumatic brain injury assessments facilities able provide assessments contracting party providers reimbursing providers fee basis system imaging veterans_integrated_services_network requires annual reports secretary congress program directs secretary require facility involved training medical residents work university concerned develop elective rotation telemedicine residents modify vera system provide incentives utilize teleconsultation imaging telemedicine telehealth coordination services modify vera system require inclusion telemedicine visits calculation facility workload sec authorizes secretary carry demonstration projects examine feasibility advisability alternatives expanding care veterans rural areas requires secretary report project results veterans appropriations committees sec requires secretary establish program provide veterans operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom particularly served national_guard reserves peer outreach services peer support services readjustment counseling related services mental health services requires secretary establish program provide immediate family members veterans year period veteran return deployment education support counseling mental health services assist veteran readjustment civilian life case veteran injury illness incurred deployment recovery veteran readjustment family following veteran return directs secretary contract community mental health services qualified entities areas adequately served health care facilities vet centers requires appropriate training veterans clinicians provision services directs secretary submit veterans committees initial implementation report subsequent status report sec directs secretary assign medical centers serve greatest number indian veterans capita official employee act center coordinator health care indian veterans requires coordinator improve outreach tribal communities coordinate medical needs indian veterans indian reservations vha indian_health_service ihs expand access participation ihs tribal members department_of_veterans_affairs program act ombudsman indian veterans enrolled vha health care system advocate incorporation traditional medicine healing treatment plans indian veterans directs secretaries hhs enter agreement ensure health records indian veterans transferred electronically facilities ihs authorizes secretary transfer surplus medical information technology equipment ihs requires joint report secretaries congress feasibility advisability joint ihs establishment operation health clinics indian reservations serve populations reservations including indian veterans sec authorizes secretary pay travel expenses veterans receiving treatment facilities rate cents mile current law rate provided federal employees connection performance official duties allows secretary year enactment act adjust rate equal mileage reimbursement rate use privately owned vehicles government employees official business requiring justification congress adjustment causes decrease previous rate includes reimbursement travel air practical way reach facility requires secretary considering travel air practical way consider veteran medical condition impediments use ground transportation sec requires director develop year strategic plan office shall include specific goals recruitment retention health care personnel rural areas ensuring timeliness quality health care delivery rural communities sec directs secretary designate rural outreach coordinator community based outpatient clinic enrolled veterans reside highly rural area requires secretary adjust compensation health care providers provide certain incentives encourage providers achieve accreditation medical practice participate peer review directs chief quality performance officer veterans_integrated_services_network specified actions effect peer review patient records facility sec authorizes use volunteer counselors provision readjustment counseling related mental health services requires volunteers licensed named tort claim arising counseling activities free disciplinary action related licensing certification directs secretary establish procedures issuing credentials privileges volunteer counselors requires vet center develop outreach plan community awareness services offered center sec directs secretary establish operate centers excellence rural health research education clinical activities requiring geographic distribution center selection authorizes appropriations sec requires secretary carry year pilot program financial incentives physicians assume maintain patient responsibilities community hospitals health professional shortage areas directs secretary compensate participating physicians responsibilities carried physician compensated requires written agreement physician respect compensation amounts directs secretary report annually congress pilot program duration sec requires annual report secretary congress certain matters related care veterans reside rural areas establishment functions sec directs secretary grants state veterans service agencies veterans service organizations provide innovative transportation options veterans highly rural areas limits grant authorizes appropriations title iii health care matters sec revises provisions concerning authority secretary reimburse veteran cost emergency care provided non-va facility provide veteran contractual legal recourse party extinguish veteran liability provider emergency treatment payment treatment party payable shall exceeds cost payable party includes parties hhs secretary respect medicare program title xviii social security act state medicaid agency respect payments state plan medical assistance approved title xix medicaid act authorizes secretary provide reimbursement emergency care provided date enactment act secretary determines appropriate sec prohibits secretary requiring veteran catastrophically disabled making copayment receipt hospital care medical services title construction naming matters sec authorizes secretary carry major medical facility construction project department_of_veterans_affairs_medical_center washington authorizes appropriations project sec designates outpatient clinic montana department veterans_affairs_outpatient_clinic


Summary: Veterans Mobility Enhancement Act of 2009 - Increases from $11,000 to $22,500 the amount authorized to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to certain disabled veterans for the purchase of an automobile and any necessary adaptive equipment.

veterans mobility enhancement act increases authorized provided department_of_veterans_affairs certain disabled veterans purchase automobile necessary adaptive equipment


Summary: Prohibits the collection by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care in the case of catastrophically disabled veterans.

prohibits collection department_of_veterans_affairs copayments fees hospital nursing home care case catastrophically disabled veterans


Summary: Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to delegate to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to administer the veteran's treatment courts program established by this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states and other entities: (1) to develop, implement, or enhance veteran's treatment courts or to expand operational drug courts to serve veterans; and (2) for programs that involve continuing judicial supervision over nonviolent offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the U.S. military. Requires such programs to include mandatory periodic testing for the use of drugs, substance abuse and mental health treatment, opportunities for diversion, probation, or supervised release, and programmatic, offender management, and aftercare services. Directs the National Drug Court Institute to conduct national training programs for state and local communities to improve the professional skills of drug court practitioners and provide comprehensive technical assistance to adult, juvenile, and family dependency drug courts.

services education act requires director office_of_national_drug_control_policy delegate department_of_justice doj authority administer veteran treatment courts program established act authorizes attorney general grants states entities develop implement enhance veteran treatment courts expand operational drug courts serve veterans programs involve continuing judicial supervision nonviolent offenders substance abuse mental health problems served military requires programs include mandatory periodic testing use drugs substance abuse mental health treatment opportunities diversion probation supervised release programmatic offender management aftercare services directs conduct national training programs state local communities improve professional skills drug court practitioners provide comprehensive technical assistance adult juvenile family dependency drug courts


Summary: Clarification of Characteristics of Combat Service Act of 2009 - Requires, in each case in which a veteran is seeking service-connection for a disability after service in a particular combat zone, that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) accept credible lay or other evidence as sufficient proof that the veteran encountered an event associated with service in particular locations where the veteran served or in particular circumstances under which the veteran served in that combat zone.

clarification characteristics requires case veteran seeking service connection disability service particular combat zone secretary veterans_affairs accept credible lay evidence sufficient proof veteran encountered event associated service particular locations veteran served particular circumstances veteran served combat zone


Summary: Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of each military department to provide each reserve member of that department who is being evaluated for separation or retirement for disability, or for placement on the temporary disability retired list or inactive status list, the option to remain on active duty during such evaluation in order to continue to receive military pay and allowances, until the member is: (1) cleared to return to duty; or (2) separated, retired, or placed on the temporary disability retired or inactive status list. Requires each Secretary to retain on active duty (for pay and allowances purposes) a reserve member who incurs an injury or illness while on active duty, is being discharged or separated from the Armed Forces, or is being released from active duty, and is not being evaluated in connection with such discharge, separation, or release, until the member is: (1) retired or placed on the temporary disability retired or inactive status list; or (2) determined ineligible for such care or benefits based solely upon the injury or illness. Requires military human resources commands to return to active duty during their evaluation period reserve members who request such option. Encourages the use of local residences by reserve members during such transition periods. Authorizes the use of Defense Health Program funds for reserve members who become ill or injured while on active duty and separate as a result of such illness or injury. Provides for the assignment of Judge Advocate General personnel to assist members of the Armed Forces (members) in connection with the medical discharge process and disability evaluations. Expresses support for access of veterans service organizations to military facilities to provide counseling and services to members.

wounded warrior transition assistance act directs secretary military department provide reserve member department evaluated separation retirement disability placement temporary disability retired list inactive status list option remain active duty evaluation order continue receive military pay allowances member cleared return duty separated retired placed temporary disability retired inactive status list requires secretary retain active duty pay allowances purposes reserve member incurs injury illness active duty discharged separated armed_forces released active duty evaluated connection discharge separation release member retired placed temporary disability retired inactive status list determined ineligible care benefits based solely injury illness requires military human resources commands return active duty evaluation period reserve members request option encourages use local residences reserve members transition periods authorizes use defense_health_program funds reserve members ill injured active duty separate result illness injury provides assignment judge personnel assist members armed_forces members connection medical discharge process disability evaluations expresses support access veterans service organizations military facilities provide counseling services members


Summary: Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2009 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions with respect to former prisoners of war (POWs) to repeal the currently required 30-day minimum period of internment prior to the presumption of service connection for certain listed diseases, for purposes of the payment of veterans' disability compensation. Adds diabetes (type 2) to the listed diseases. Requires: (1) such presumption also with respect to any disease that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines warrants such presumption by reason of having a positive association with the experience of being a POW; and (2) the Secretary to make such a determination within 60 days after a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War that such presumption be established for a non-listed disease.

prisoner war benefits act amends federal veterans benefits provisions respect prisoners war pows repeal currently required day minimum period internment prior presumption service connection certain listed diseases purposes payment veterans disability compensation adds diabetes type listed diseases requires presumption respect disease secretary veterans_affairs determines warrants presumption reason having positive association experience pow secretary determination days recommendation presumption established non listed disease


Summary: Military Retired Pay Fairness Act of 2009 - Provides limitations on the recoupment of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive payments from members of the Armed Forces subsequently receiving military retired or retainer pay. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to waive such recoupments in cases of financial hardship.

military retired pay fairness act provides limitations recoupment separation pay special separation benefits voluntary separation incentive payments members armed_forces subsequently receiving military retired retainer pay authorizes secretary military department concerned waive cases financial hardship


Summary: Reduces the level of difficulty required in the use of prostheses by veterans suffering the loss of hands, arms, or legs as a result of military service before becoming eligible for a higher level of veterans' disability compensation for such injury. Authorizes additional veterans' disability compensation for service-disabled veterans determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to residual effects of traumatic brain injury.

reduces level difficulty required use prostheses veterans suffering loss hands arms result military service eligible higher level veterans disability compensation injury authorizes additional veterans disability compensation service disabled veterans determined department_of_veterans_affairs need regular aid attendance residual effects traumatic brain injury


Summary: Commences the payment of original awards of veterans' disability compensation, in the case of veterans who are retired or separated from active military service for a disability or disabilities, as of the date the award becomes effective. Provides a similar effective date for a waiver by such veterans of military retired or retainer pay in an amount equal to the disability compensation received.

commences payment original awards veterans disability compensation case veterans retired separated active military service disability disabilities date award effective provides similar effective date waiver veterans military retired retainer pay equal disability compensation received


Summary: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2010. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement; (2) the Rapid Acquisition Fund; (3) the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund; (4) Defense Production Act purchases; (5) the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Fund; (6) research, development, test, and evaluation; (7) operation and maintenance, including for the Iraq Freedom Fund, the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund, environmental restoration, humanitarian aid, and cooperative threat reduction; (8) Working Capital Funds; (9) the National Defense Sealift Fund; (10) the Defense Health Program; (11) chemical agents and munitions destruction; (12) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; (13) the Defense Inspector General; (14) the Defense Coalition Support Fund; (15) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; (16) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths; and (17) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) military personnel policy; (2) military pay and allowances; (3) retired pay and survivor benefits; (4) military health care; (5) acquisition policy and management; (6) DOD organization and management; (7) financial matters, including counter-drug activities; (8) civilian personnel matters; (9) matters relating to foreign nations; and (10) matters relating to military construction, family housing, and real property. Provides for reimbursement of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for certain costs associated with the former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site, Suffolk, Virginia. Establishes in the Treasury the Refined Petroleum Products, Marginal Expense Transfer Account for DOD purchases of refined petroleum products. Provides a special monthly allowance to servicemembers recovering from combat or combat-related catastrophic injuries.

national defense authorization act fiscal year authorizes appropriations department_of_defense dod fy2010 authorizes appropriations dod procurement including aircraft missiles weapons tracked combat vehicles ammunition shipbuilding conversion procurement joint_improvised_explosive_device_defeat_fund defense production act purchases resistant ambush protected vehicle fund research development test evaluation operation maintenance including environmental restoration humanitarian aid cooperative threat reduction working_capital_funds defense_health_program chemical agents munitions destruction drug interdiction counter drug activities defense inspector general armed_forces_retirement_home active reserve military personnel including end strengths afghanistan_security_forces_fund sets forth provisions requirements concerning military personnel policy military pay allowances retired pay survivor benefits military health care acquisition policy management dod organization management financial matters including counter drug activities civilian personnel matters matters relating foreign nations matters relating military construction family housing real property provides reimbursement environmental_protection_agency epa certain costs associated nansemond ordnance depot site suffolk virginia establishes treasury marginal expense transfer account dod purchases refined petroleum products provides special monthly allowance servicemembers recovering combat combat related catastrophic injuries


Summary: Selected Reserve Continuum of Care Act - Directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide certain medical and dental services to members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve not otherwise eligible for such services if a qualified health professional determines that the services are necessary to ensure that the member meets applicable standards of medical and dental readiness. Provides funding for such services through the Defense Health Program. Requires (current law authorizes) the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide, to each member of the Ready Reserve ordered to active duty of more than 30 days, necessary medical and dental screening and care to ensure that the member meets applicable medical and dental standards for deployment.

selected reserve continuum care act directs current law authorizes secretary military department concerned provide certain medical dental services members selected_reserve individual ready reserve eligible services qualified health professional determines services necessary ensure member meets applicable standards medical dental readiness provides funding services defense_health_program requires current law authorizes department_of_defense dod provide member ready_reserve ordered active duty days necessary medical dental screening care ensure member meets applicable medical dental standards deployment


Summary: Providing Real Outreach for Veterans Act of 2009 or PRO-VETS Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense for the transfer of data to the Secretary for providing members of the Armed Forces and veterans with individualized information concerning veterans' benefits that each member and veteran may be eligible for. Requires the Secretary, after receiving such data, to: (1) compile a list of all benefits for which each member or veteran may be eligible; (2) notify the member or veteran (or their legal representative) of such benefits; and (3) provide a second notification if the member or veteran does not apply for a listed benefit within 60 days, as well as annual notifications thereafter. Requires additional notifications based on changed circumstances. Allows each member or veteran the option to decline further notifications. Directs the Secretary to use transferred data to reduce the amount of information that a member or veteran must provide when applying for benefits. Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a member or veteran the opportunity to decline authorization for the transfer of information under this Act.

providing real outreach veterans act directs secretary veterans_affairs secretary enter agreement secretary defense transfer data secretary providing members armed_forces veterans individualized information concerning veterans benefits member veteran eligible requires secretary receiving data compile list benefits member veteran eligible notify member veteran legal representative benefits provide second notification member veteran apply listed benefit days annual notifications requires additional notifications based changed circumstances allows member veteran option decline notifications directs secretary use transferred data reduce information member veteran provide applying benefits requires secretary defense provide member veteran opportunity decline authorization transfer information act


Summary: Increases the monthly rates of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Provides a phase-in of DIC payments in the case of veterans who die of a non-service-connected disability after being eligible for at least five years for VA compensation for a service-connected disability rated as total. Reduces from 57 to 55 the age after which the remarriage of a surviving spouse shall not terminate DIC payments.

increases monthly rates veterans dependency indemnity compensation dic payable surviving spouses department_of_veterans_affairs provides phase dic payments case veterans die non service connected disability eligible years compensation service connected disability rated total reduces age remarriage surviving spouse shall terminate dic payments


Summary: Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) design and produce a military service medal, to be known as the Atomic Veterans Service Medal, to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who participated in a radiation-risk activity while serving on active duty; and (2) issue the Medal to such veteran or their next-of-kin.

medal act directs secretary defense dod design produce military service medal known medal honor retired members armed_forces participated radiation risk activity serving active duty issue medal veteran kin


Summary: Establishes within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services, who shall report to the VHA's Under Secretary for Health on all matters relating to the education and training, employment, appropriate utilization, and optimal participation of physician assistants within VHA programs and initiatives.

establishes veterans_health_administration vha department_of_veterans_affairs position director shall report vha secretary health matters relating education training employment appropriate utilization optimal participation physician assistants vha programs initiatives


Summary: Homeless Veterans and Other Veterans Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 - Title I: Homeless Veterans Matters - (Sec. 101) Allows grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for comprehensive services programs for veterans to be used for the construction of new facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from denying an application for a grant under such programs solely on the basis that the grant entity proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, as long as such entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide project oversight and site control. Requires the Secretary to: (1) complete a study of the method used to make per diem payments to grant recipients for the furnishing of services to homeless veterans; and (2) report study results to Congress. Authorizes appropriations for such programs through FY2014. Directs the Secretary to ensure that at least 5% of aggregate grant amounts are awarded to entities located in rural areas. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Labor, subject to the availability of appropriations, to make grants to programs and facilities that provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Requires grants to be used to provide job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services to expedite the reintegration of such veterans into the labor force. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that at least 5% of grant amounts are awarded to programs and facilities in rural areas; (2) monitor and evaluate the expenditure of funds under the grant program; (3) carry out the program through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training; and (4) report biennially to Congress on the grant program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 103) Includes, under the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, entities that are eligible for: (1) grants for programs for a variety of services for such veterans; and (2) per diem payments for services furnished to such veterans. Includes homeless veterans who care for minor dependents among those considered to have special needs and provides for direct receipt of services by such dependents. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to prevent veteran homelessness by: (1) identifying any veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless; and (2) providing assistance to such veterans. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a program operation report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to establish a method for the collection and aggregation of data on homeless veterans participating in programs of the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Directs the Secretary, once the method is established, to collect and aggregate such data on an annual basis, and to report annually to Congress on the data collected. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to make available, for FY2010 and thereafter, an increasing number of vouchers to provide rental assistance to veterans through a public housing-supported program administered in conjunction with the VA. Requires appropriate case management for each veteran who receives such assistance. (Sec. 107) Establishes a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veteran access to VA housing and homeless assistance programs; and (2) coordinate all VA programs and activities relating to veterans. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans. Requires the plan to consider circumstances and requirements that are unique to veterans located in rural areas. Title II: Toxic Substances Exposure - (Sec. 201) Authorizes, from the date of enactment of this Act through December 31, 2012, the provision of VA health care for any illness of a veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War and was exposed to a toxic substance, radiation, or other environmental hazard during such service, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence that the illness is related to such service. Title III: Health Care Matters - (Sec. 301) Increases the authorized number of VA: (1) Assistant Secretaries from seven to eight; and (2) Deputy Assistant Secretaries from 19 to 27. Abolishes the VA position of Director of Construction and Facilities Management. (Sec. 302) Establishes within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services who shall report to the VHA's Chief Patient Care Services Officer on all matters relating to the education and training, employment, appropriate utilization, and optimal participation of physician assistants within VHA programs and initiatives. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to establish and implement the Medical Center Quality Report Card Initiative to publish, at least twice each year, information on the quality and performance of each VA medical center. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement safeguards against the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of medical center data used in compiling such information; and (2) report to Congress periodically on the effectiveness of the Initiative. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans committees on VA use of pay-for-performance compensation mechanisms in the provision of health care services by VA contractors through community-based outpatient clinics. (Sec. 305) Requires the Secretary to permit a state home to provide services to a non-veteran any of whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to provide for the automatic enrollment of reserve members discharged or released from active duty within the VA health or dental care programs for which they will be eligible. Requires such enrollment to: (1) occur during the member's participation in the demobilization and discharge process; and (2) include assistance in the completion of any required enrollment activities. Directs the Secretary to provide members with the option to decline such enrollment. Requires an annual report for six years, from the Secretary to the veterans and appropriations committees, on the implementation of this section. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the provision of chiropractic services to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system, including protocols governing referrals, direct access to, and the scope of such services. Requires the policy to be updated on a periodic basis. Directs the Secretary, in carrying out the policy, to provide chiropractic services at no less than two locations in each Veterans Integrated Service Network, as well as other locations considered appropriate based on the Secretary's assessment of demand for such services. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the veterans committees concerning such policy. (Sec. 308) Designates the VA outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, as the "Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic." Title IV: Other Matters - (Sec. 401) Requires funding for amounts necessary to carry out this Act to be derived from certain unobligated amounts appropriated for VA medical services, but makes such amounts unavailable if their availability would otherwise limit or impede the delivery of health care services to veterans.

title homeless veterans matters sec allows grants secretary veterans_affairs comprehensive services programs veterans construction new facilities prohibits secretary denying application grant programs solely basis grant entity proposes use funding private public sources long entity demonstrates private nonprofit organization provide project oversight site control requires secretary complete study method diem payments grant recipients furnishing services homeless veterans report study results congress authorizes appropriations programs fy2014 directs secretary ensure aggregate grant amounts awarded entities located rural areas sec directs secretary labor subject availability appropriations grants programs facilities provide dedicated services homeless women veterans homeless veterans children requires grants provide job training counseling placement services child care services expedite reintegration veterans labor force requires secretary ensure grant amounts awarded programs facilities rural areas monitor evaluate expenditure funds grant program carry program assistant secretary labor training report biennially congress grant program authorizes appropriations sec includes grant program homeless veterans special needs entities eligible grants programs variety services veterans diem payments services furnished veterans includes homeless veterans care minor dependents considered special needs provides direct receipt services dependents sec directs secretary establish program prevent veteran homelessness identifying veteran homeless imminent risk homeless providing assistance veterans authorizes appropriations requires program operation report secretary congress sec requires secretary establish method collection aggregation data homeless veterans participating programs department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud directs secretary method established collect aggregate data annual basis report annually congress data collected authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary available fy2010 increasing number vouchers provide rental assistance veterans public housing supported program administered conjunction requires appropriate case management veteran receives assistance sec establishes special assistant veterans affairs ensure veteran access housing homeless assistance programs coordinate programs activities relating veterans sec directs secretary submit congress comprehensive plan end homelessness veterans requires plan consider circumstances requirements unique veterans located rural areas title toxic substances exposure sec authorizes date enactment act december provision health care illness veteran served persian_gulf_war exposed toxic substance radiation environmental hazard service notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence illness related service title iii health care matters sec increases authorized number assistant secretaries seven deputy abolishes position director sec establishes veterans_health_administration vha position director shall report vha chief patient care services officer matters relating education training employment appropriate utilization optimal participation physician assistants vha programs initiatives sec directs secretary establish implement publish twice year information quality performance medical center requires secretary develop implement safeguards unauthorized use disclosure dissemination medical center data compiling information report congress periodically effectiveness initiative authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary report veterans committees use pay performance compensation mechanisms provision health care services contractors community based outpatient clinics sec requires secretary permit state home provide services non veteran children died serving armed_forces sec directs secretary provide automatic enrollment reserve members discharged released active duty health dental care programs eligible requires enrollment occur member participation demobilization discharge process include assistance completion required enrollment activities directs secretary provide members option decline enrollment requires annual report years secretary veterans appropriations committees implementation section sec directs secretary develop implement comprehensive policy provision chiropractic services veterans enrolled health care system including protocols governing referrals direct access scope services requires policy updated periodic basis directs secretary carrying policy provide chiropractic services locations veterans_integrated_service_network locations considered appropriate based secretary assessment demand services requires annual report secretary veterans committees concerning policy sec designates outpatient clinic alexandria minnesota max department veterans_affairs_outpatient_clinic title matters sec requires funding amounts necessary carry act derived certain unobligated amounts appropriated medical services makes amounts unavailable availability limit impede delivery health care services veterans