To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, and for other purposes.
Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007 - Title I: Low-Vision Benefits Matters - (Sec. 101) Modifies the standard for awarding disability compensation to veterans for loss of vision to require payment of compensation for impairment of vision due to a service-connected disability resulting in 20/200 (currently, 5/200) visual acuity or less.
(Sec. 102) Modifies the above standard in the case of impairment of vision (currently, blindness) involving both eyes due to a service-connected disability in one eye and a non-service-connected disability in the other eye to require payment in the case of impairment resulting in a visual acuity of 20/200 or less or of a peripheral field of 20 degrees or less in each eye.
Title II: Matters Relating to Burial and Memorial Affairs - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker for the grave of certain individuals buried in a private cemetery, to furnish a medallion or other device to signify the deceased's status as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense.
(Sec. 202) Repeals, as of October 1, 2006, the time limit for a state's filing of a request for reimbursement for interment costs for veterans buried in cemeteries other than national cemeteries.
Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to a state for operating and maintaining a veterans' cemetery owned by such state. Limits to $5 million the amount of such grants awarded in a fiscal year.
(Sec. 203) Makes permanent the authority of the Secretary to furnish government headstones or markers for the burial of veterans at private cemeteries.
Title III: Other Matters - (Sec. 301) Requires the Secretary to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with information for comparison with the National Directory of New Hires for income verification purposes in order to determine eligibility for certain veteran benefits and services. Requires the Secretary to: (1) seek only the minimum information necessary to make such determination; (2) receive prior written consent of the individual before seeking, using, or disclosing any such information; (3) independently verify any information received prior to terminating, denying, or reducing a benefit or service; and (4) allow an opportunity for an individual to contest negative findings. Terminates such authority at the end of FY2011.
(Sec. 302) Extends, through June 30, 2010, the Secretary's authority to provide an educational allowance to persons performing qualifying work-study activities.
See also H.R. 797.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S13736)
Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S.1163 as amended.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
See also S. 1163.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Resolving differences -- House actions: House agreed to Senate amendment with amendments pursuant to H. Res. 855.
House agreed to Senate amendment with amendments pursuant to H. Res. 855.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate amendment.
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendments (text and title) to Senate amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S15786-15787; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S15786-15787)
Enacted as Public Law 110-157
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Senate agreed to House amendments (text and title) to Senate amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S15786-15787; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S15786-15787)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Cleared for White House.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 110-157.
Became Public Law No: 110-157.