Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act
Veterans and survivors who file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will receive clearer, more concise, and better-organized notices about their benefits. The VA must hire an independent research group to evaluate its letters, consult with veterans' advocacy organizations, and put recommendations into practice to reduce confusion and save paper costs. To offset federal spending, the bill also extends an existing $90 monthly cap on VA pensions for certain veterans without dependents living in Medicaid-covered nursing homes through December 31, 2031.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- VA benefit claimantsWill receive clearer, better organized, and more concise notices regarding their benefit claims once the VA implements recommended changes.
- Federally funded research and development centersMay be selected to enter into an agreement with the VA to evaluate claim notices and provide recommendations for improvement.
Who it burdens
- Department of Veterans AffairsMust contract with an independent research center to assess benefit notices, report findings to Congress within 90 days of receipt, and implement lawful recommendations within one year.
- Veterans without dependents in Medicaid-covered nursing homesFaces a one-month extension (through December 31, 2031) of the $90 monthly cap on their VA pension payments while receiving Medicaid-covered nursing home care.
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 4 provisions
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with an independent research center to review notices sent to benefit claimants and recommend ways to make them clearer, shorter, and less reliant on paper.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement the study's lawful recommendations within one year after beginning the rollout.
Extends through December 31, 2031, the $90 monthly limit on VA pension benefits for veterans without dependents who receive Medicaid-covered nursing home care.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit the research center's findings to congressional veterans' affairs committees within 90 days of receiving them.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with an independent research center to review notices sent to benefit claimants and recommend ways to make them clearer, shorter, and less reliant on paper.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement the study's lawful recommendations within one year after beginning the rollout.
Extends through December 31, 2031, the $90 monthly limit on VA pension benefits for veterans without dependents who receive Medicaid-covered nursing home care.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 13 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437: 1)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1442-1443)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1039.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1437-1439)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437: 1)
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act (H.R. 1039, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-1039. Congress.gov record as of Jul 13, 2026.