Bill > S1789

This bill, the Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2023 (or the PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023), aims to improve the review of claims for benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, it clarifies that the administration of a medical examination or the writing of a report based on such an examination does not constitute the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim. The bill also establishes new requirements for the VA to recognize agents and attorneys who assist veterans with claims, including a 90-day timeline for the VA to make a decision and a provision that allows the VA to suspend agents and attorneys without a hearing if they do not meet the necessary qualifications. Additionally, the bill introduces new limits on the fees that agents and attorneys can charge veterans for claims-related services, including a $12,500 cap (adjusted for inflation) and a provision for fees to be paid out of increased award amounts. Finally, the bill reinstates penalties for those who charge unauthorized fees to veterans for claims-related services.