To clarify the roles of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs disability evaluation systems for retirement and compensation of members of the Armed Forces for disability, to require the development of a single physical exam that can be used to determine both fitness for duty and disability ratings, to standardize fitness testing among the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 19, 2007

Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to develop a joint disability evaluation system under which: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) shall be responsible for determining whether an injured member of the Armed Forces is fit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating, or should be retired or separated because of physical disability; and (2) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall be responsible for establishing the disability rating, compensation, and benefits programs for the member so retired or separated.

Directs the Secretaries to develop a single medical examination for the evaluation of members of the Armed Forces who incur an injury that may require retirement or separation which shall be used by: (1) DOD medical evaluation boards and physical evaluation boards to determine fitness to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating; and (2) VA to establish the member's disability rating, compensation, and benefits programs.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assess VA training programs, including an evaluation of DOD training programs for personnel whose responsibilities are related to the disability evaluation system established by this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3] · R–NC

Committees

Armed Services Committee
Veterans' Affairs Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 19, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Sep 21, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Sep 19, 2007
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 19, 2007
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 19, 2007
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 19, 2007
Introduced in House
Sep 19, 2007
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Sep 19, 2007 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3581 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3581, 110th Congress: To clarify the roles of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs disability evaluation systems for retirement and compensation of members of the Armed Forces for disability, to require the development of a single physical exam that can be used to determine both fitness for duty and disability ratings, to standardize fitness testing among the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-09-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr3581/BILLS-110hr3581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3581 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3581 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3581, 110th Congress: To clarify the roles of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs disability evaluation systems for retirement and compensation of members of the Armed Forces for disability, to require the development of a single physical exam that can be used to determine both fitness for duty and disability ratings, to standardize fitness testing among the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-09-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr3581/BILLS-110hr3581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3581 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3581 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3581, 110th Congress: To clarify the roles of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs disability evaluation systems for retirement and compensation of members of the Armed Forces for disability, to require the development of a single physical exam that can be used to determine both fitness for duty and disability ratings, to standardize fitness testing among the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-09-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr3581/BILLS-110hr3581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3581 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3581 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3581, 110th Congress: To clarify the roles of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs disability evaluation systems for retirement and compensation of members of the Armed Forces for disability, to require the development of a single physical exam that can be used to determine both fitness for duty and disability ratings, to standardize fitness testing among the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-09-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr3581/BILLS-110hr3581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3581 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.