Plan for use of automation tools to process claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

(a) In general Not later than 180 days one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives the plan of the Secretary to make available, to the maximum extent practicable, an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (b) Automation tool described An automation tool described in this subsection is a technology developed for the Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration that— (1) automates the retrieval of the service record or health records of a veteran; (2) compiles evidence relevant to the determination of a claim for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; (3) provides automated decision support relevant to such a determination; (4) automates information sharing between Federal agencies; and (5) assists in generating correspondence regarding such a claim. (c) Analysis In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct an analysis of each of the following: (1) The feasibility and benefits of the use of an automation tool described in subsection (b) by elements of the Department for the purpose of processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Any modification to an existing automation tool that could render such tool usable for such purpose by such an element. (3) Any requirement of any such element pertaining to such purpose that cannot be addressed by using an automation tool. (4) The extent to which the technology offices of such elements may need to collaborate with the technology office responsible for developing an automation tool in the course of the development and use of the tool by the element for such purpose. (5) A timeline for modifying and implementing any automation tool for use by such elements for such purpose. (d) Priority In providing an automation tool described in subsection (b) to elements of the Department pursuant to the plan required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to the following elements: (1) The Pension and Fiduciary Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (2) The Education Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (3) Program offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration, as determined by the Secretary. (4) The Debt Management Center. (5) The Board of Veterans’ Appeals. (e) Deadline for provision of automation tool to certain program offices Not later than one year after the date of the submission of the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that an automation tool with the capability described in subsection (b)(5) is made available to each program office of the Department responsible for processing claims for pension or survivor benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary.Appeals.