To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that an injury or death sustained as a result of participation in a medical research program of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be treated for purpose of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the same manner as if the injury were incurred as a result of military service, and for other purposes.
Requires certain injuries and deaths sustained after January 1, 1980, as the result of an individual's participation in medical research programs conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be treated in the same manner as injuries and deaths resulting from military service.
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, by contract, for an independent study of the Department's experience in adjudicating claims under the statutory provision governing benefits for persons disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation.
Requires the results of such study and related recommendations to be reported to the Secretary and the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs within one year of enactment of this Act.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.