Congressional Research Service Reports - 396 Matching Results
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- Military Retirement: Major Legislative Issues
- The military retirement system includes benefits for retirement after an active or reserve military career, disability retirement, and survivor benefits for eligible survivors of deceased retirees. The change to the system that has generated the most recent legislative activity involves whether some or all military retirees should be allowed to receive both military retired pay and any VA disability compensation to which they are otherwise entitled; this is referred to as "concurrent receipt." Starting in 1999 (FY2000), provisions in each year's annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized payments to comparatively small groups (in the tens of thousands) of military retirees in lieu of concurrent receipt. The most significant military retirement issue Congress dealt with in 2005 was whether military retirees with a 100% VA unemployability rating, but less than a 100% disability rating, should be entitled to full concurrent receipt as was provided to 100% disability retirees in 2004.
- Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans' Affairs, FY2007 Appropriations
- This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.
- Veterans' Benefits Issues in the 109th Congress
- This report presents a brief overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs for veterans as well as some of the issues that have been or likely will be subjects of congressional attention during the 109th Congress. In particular, it outlines the veterans benefits provisions that have seen legislative action.
- Veterans' Benefits Issues in the 109th Congress
- This report presents a brief overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs for veterans as well as some of the issues that have been or likely will be subjects of congressional attention during the 109th Congress. In particular, it outlines the veterans benefits provisions that have seen legislative action. Issues concerning the Veterans Health Administration and health care issues are discussed in a companion report, CRS Report RL32961, Veterans’ Health Care Issues in the 109th Congress, by Sidath Viranga Panangala.
- Veterans' Benefits Issues in the 109th Congress
- This report presents a brief overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs for veterans as well as some of the issues that have been or likely will be subjects of congressional attention during the 109th Congress. In particular, it outlines the veteran's benefits provisions that have seen legislative action. Issues concerning the Veterans Health Administration and health care issues are discussed in a companion report, CRS Report RL32961, Veterans’ Health Care Issues in the 109th Congress, by Sidath Viranga Panangala.
- Department of Veteran Affairs: Information Security and Information Technology Management Reorganization
- On May 3, 2006, the home of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data analyst was burglarized, resulting in the theft of a laptop computer and an external data storage device that was reported to contain personal information on more than 26 million veterans and United States military personnel. The VA Secretary testified that he was not informed of the incident until May 16, 2006, almost two weeks after the data had been stolen. VA publicly announced the theft on May 22. On June 29, VA announced that the stolen laptop computer and external hard drive had been recovered intact and that, based on a forensic examination conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the files on the external hard drive had not been compromised.
- Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties
- This report provides statistics on fatalities during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began on March 19, 2003, and is ongoing, as well as on the number of fatalities since May 1,2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19, 2003.
- Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans' Affairs, FY2007 Appropriations
- This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.
- Veterans’ Benefits Issues in the 109th Congress
- This report presents a brief overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs for veterans as well as some of the issues that have been or likely will be subjects of congressional attention during the 109th Congress. In particular, it outlines the veterans benefits provisions that have seen legislative action. Issues concerning the Veterans Health Administration and health care issues are discussed in a companion report, CRS Report RL32961, Veterans’ Health Care Issues in the 109th Congress, by Sidath Viranga Panangala.
- The HUD Homeless Assistance Grants: Distribution of Funds
- This report describes how HUD distributes the four homeless assistance grants.
- Military Support to the Severely Disabled: Overview of Service Programs
- The Department of Defense (DOD) and each of the military services have established new programs to care for the severely disabled, ensuring rehabilitative assistance and easing the transition back to civilian life. Congress has followed these initiatives with interest and recently directed DOD to develop policies and procedures to standardize these programs. This report examines the background for the new initiatives and provides a status of each program, including contact information.
- Disability Evaluation of Military Servicemembers
- On February 18, 2007, the Washington Post published the first in a series of articles describing problems with outpatient medical care and other services provided at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The series noted, among other things, concerns about the processes used to evaluate disability in injured military servicemembers. This report is intended as a primer to describe disability evaluation in general, including evaluations used by the Department of Defense and the Veterans Affairs administration, as well as evaluations used by the Social Security Administration and by workers' compensation program.
- Veterans Benefits: Federal Employment Assistance
- This report will provide an overview of these federal employment and training programs targeted to veterans, and federal policies to assist veterans in obtaining federal employment.
- Veterans and Homelessness
- The first part of this report defines the term "homeless veteran". The second part summarizes the available research regarding the over representation of both male and female veterans, who are present in greater percentages in the homeless population than their percentages in the general population. The third section of this report discusses nine programs. Lastly, it discusses three emerging issues.
- Veterans’ Health Care Issues
- This report covers a multitude of health issues veterans face and the actions the U.S. government takes to protect the health of veterans.
- Veterans Affairs: Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities
- No Description Available.
- Iraqi Civilian Deaths Estimates
- This report presents various governmental and nongovernmental estimates of Iraqi civilian fatalities. The Department of Defense (DOD) regularly updates total U.S. military death and wounded statistics from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), as reflected in CRS Report RS21578, Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties. However, no Iraqi or U.S. government office regularly releases statistics on Iraqi civilian deaths.
- Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2007
- This report lists those additions and changes by military action and provides the full text of their official citations. The citations were provided by the military awards offices or Internet websites of the respective services. A list of these offices and Internet links is provided at the end of this report. In some instances, Congress approved legislation to remove statutory time limits in order for the Medal to be awarded. Where this has occurred, the legislation is cited.
- Veterans Benefits: Federal Employment Assistance
- This report will provide an overview of these federal employment and training programs targeted to veterans, and federal policies to assist veterans in obtaining federal employment.
- Veterans’ Medical Care: FY2008 Appropriations
- This report discusses the veterans' health benefits. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who meet certain eligibility rules. Benefits to veterans range from disability compensation and pensions to hospital and medical care. The VA provides these benefits through three major operating units: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).
- Veterans Affairs: Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities
- No Description Available.
- Disability Evaluation of Military Servicemembers
- This report is intended as a primer to describe disability evaluation in general, including evaluations used by Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as civilian evaluations used by the SSA and by workers' compensations programs. This report emphasizes the disability evaluation systems at DOD and VA, with illustrative comparisons made to civilian systems when appropriate.
- Military Funeral Honors and Military Cemetaries: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report is written in response to frequently asked questions about military funeral honors and military cemeteries. The report also provides information on the eligibility criteria, required components of the honor detail, and the funeral ceremony. It also cites legislation that mandates that the Department of Defense (DOD) make military funeral honors available to every eligible veteran upon request.
- Veterans Affairs: Health Care and Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
- This report provides a summary of the health care and disability benefits for exposed veterans, a summary of the epidemiological research activities related to Agent Orange, and information on the pending Haas v. Nicholson case.
- Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — Judicial Review of VA Decision Making
- This report examines the historical and legislative background of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), which is an independent federal court, entirely separate from the VA, and its current operation.
- A Fact Sheet on the Economic Stimulus Rebate for Social Security and Veterans’ Benefit Recipients
- The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 will provide a tax rebate to taxpayers with a net federal tax liability and certain other eligible individuals and families. This report provides information for Social Security beneficiaries and Veterans' benefit recipients and their families on eligibility for the rebate, the rebate amount, and how they can receive an economic stimulus rebate.
- Veterans Affairs: The Appeal Process for Veterans’ Claims
- This report contains an overview of the appeal process for veterans' claims.
- Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2008
- This report lists those additions and changes by military action and provides the full text of their official citations. The citations were provided by the military awards offices or internet websites of the respective services. A list of these offices and internet links is provided at the end of this report. In some instances, Congress approved legislation to remove statutory time limits in order for the Medal to be awarded.
- Veterans Affairs: Basic Eligibility for Disability Benefit Programs
- This report examines the eligibility criteria and the fundamentals of the Veteran's Affairs administered disability benefit programs and related issues.
- Second FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations for Military Operations, International Affairs, and Other Purposes
- This report discusses the expanded GI bill, which provides educational benefits, offset by a tax surcharge, extends unemployment compensation payments, delays new Medicaid regulations that would reduce payments to the states, and provides $20 billion for a number of domestic and international affairs programs, including gulf coast hurricane protection and emergency international food aid.
- Veterans Affairs: Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities
- This report describes disability compensation, which is a benefit Congress provides to American veterans and their dependents through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Disability compensation is a monthly cash benefit program for veterans currently impaired from past service-connected activities.
- Memorials: Creating National, State, and Local Memorials
- This report provides information on the mandatory steps to building a memorial on federal property in the District of Columbia. It also provides information on creating memorials in Arlington National Cemetery, within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery System, and in state veterans' cemeteries. In addition, it discusses public and private initiatives at the state and local levels to create memorials including successful local fund-raising efforts.
- Veterans Affairs: Historical Budget Authority, Fiscal Years 1940 through 2007
- Budget authority -- the amount of money a federal department or agency can spend or obligate to spend by law -- for veterans' benefits and services has increased significantly since FY1940. The increases over time have reflected the impact of increases in the number of veterans as the result of wars and other conflicts, the aging of the veteran population, and changes in benefits and services provided for veterans. This report provides information on the historical budget authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (formerly the Veterans Administration) for FY1940 through FY2007.
- A Brief History of Veterans' Education Benefits and Their Value
- This report reviews the evolution of veterans' education benefit programs and describes the types of education benefits that have been made available under these programs. It also examines how changes in the estimated value of these benefits compares with changes in average college prices, and provides a discussion of the interaction between veterans' education benefits and federal student aid benefits made available under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended.
- Veterans Benefits: An Overview
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits and services to eligible veterans, members of their families, and survivors of deceased veterans. VA programs include disability compensation and pensions, readjustment benefits, and health care programs. The VA also provides life insurance, burial benefits, housing and other loan guaranty programs, and special counseling and outreach programs. While eligibility for specific benefits varies, veterans generally must meet requirements related to discharge type and length of active duty military service. This report provides an overview of major VA benefits and the VA budget.
- A Brief History of Veterans' Education Benefits and Their Value
- This report reviews the evolution of veterans' education benefit programs and describes the types of education benefits that have been made available under these programs. The first section provides an historical overview of education benefits for military veterans, beginning with the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill of Rights). The second section is an analysis of the estimated value of veterans' education benefits relative to average college prices. This section focuses on the estimated value of veterans' education benefits and college prices at four-year public and private institutions, and two-year public institutions. The final section briefly examines the interaction between veterans' education benefits and federal student aid benefits authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended.
- Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: FY2009 Appropriations
- This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products.
- A Brief Overview of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008
- This report is a brief Overview of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, enacted as Title V of P.L. 110-252 that provides enhanced educational benefits for veterans and service members.
- Veterans Medical Care: FY2009 Appropriations
- This report provides a brief background on the veterans' health care system, followed by a discussion of the FY2009 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) budget request, and House and Senate Appropriation Committee action. The report concludes with a discussion of major VHA budget issues.
- Unemployment Compensation (Insurance) and Military Service
- The Unemployment Compensation (UC) program contains several provisions relevant to current and former military service personnel and their families. The UC program does not provide benefits for military servicemembers on active duty. However, former active duty military personnel (and certain reservists) separated from active duty may be eligible for Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX). Spouses of military service personnel who voluntarily quit a job to accompany their spouses on account of a military transfer may be eligible for UC benefits, based on the laws of the state where the civilian spouse was employed. States may choose to create provisions that remove or limit these tax increases in certain situations.
- Veterans' Benefits: Issues in the 110th Congress
- This report discusses veterans' benefits issues that are already part of the legislative agenda for the 110th Congress or are likely to be of interest to Congress. These benefits and issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Also presented in this report are an overview of the benefits and their eligibility requirements, data on both the veteran population and the benefit population, and summary information on the FY2008 budget for veterans' benefits.
- U.S. Periods of War
- Many wars or conflicts in U.S. history have federally designated "periods of war," dates marking their beginning and ending. These dates are important for qualification for certain veterans' pension or disability benefits. This report lists the beginning and ending dates for "periods of war" found in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also lists and differentiates other beginning dates given in declarations of war, as well as termination of hostilities' dates and armistice and ending dates given in proclamations, laws, or treaties.
- Veterans' Benefits: An Overview of Benefits for Disabled Veterans
- This report provides an overview of health care services and disability compensation benefits available to Vietnam veterans, children of Vietnam-era veterans, and non-Vietnam veterans exposed to herbicides.
- Veterans' Benefits: The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
- This report describes Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service (VR&E) program services available to veterans with service-connected disabilities and to their families. It provides a brief history of the program as well as information about eligibility and entitlement, the application process, and resources available through other agencies.
- Veterans Affairs: Health Care and Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange
- This report provides an overview of health care services and disability compensation benefits available to Vietnam veterans, Children of Vietnam Era veterans, and non-Vietnam veterans exposed to herbicides. This is followed by a discussion of litigation pertaining to Navy veterans of the Vietnam Era who served offshore and were never physically present on Vietnamese soil. The report concludes with a discussion of epidemiologic research conducted to study the health effects of Agent Orange and dioxin exposure on Vietnam veterans.
- The HUD Homeless Assistance Grants: Distribution of Funds
- This report describes how HUD distributes the four homeless assistance grants.
- Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: FY2009 Appropriations
- This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.
- Veterans Medical Care: FY2009 Appropriations
- This report provides a brief background on the veterans' health care system, followed by a discussion of the FY2009 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) budget request, and House and Senate Appropriations Committee action. The report concludes with a discussion of major VHA budget issues.
- Overview of Filipino Veterans' Benefits
- This report defines the four specific groups of Filipino nationals who served under the command of the United States. It also outlines the Rescission Acts of 1946, benefit changes since 1946, current benefits for Filipino veterans by group, and recent legislative proposals and legislation.
- Veterans' Benefits: Issues in the 110th Congress
- This report provides a general discussion of veterans' benefits issues that are part of the legislative agenda of the 110th Congress or are likely to be of legislative interest. Among those issues are disability compensation and pensions; education benefits; homelessness; life insurance; the status or eligibility of groups such as U.S. merchant seamen and World War II Filipino veterans for veterans' benefits; Reserve and National Guard eligibility for veterans' benefits; the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and legal representation for veterans. For each issue, an overview is provided, along with summaries of pertinent pending legislation. In addition, an overview of the benefits and their eligibility requirements, demographics for both the veteran population and the benefit population, and summary data on the FY2008 budget for veterans' benefits are provided.