A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes.

This bill makes permanent a pilot program allowing the Veterans Benefits Administration to use contracted physicians (rather than VA employees) to conduct disability examinations for veterans applying for benefits. It requires these contract physicians to hold current state licenses and meet specific qualifications, while funding the program through existing VA benefit accounts. The bill terminates the previous temporary 1996 pilot program and mandates a report to Congress within three years on how the new system affects exam costs, speed, and quality. This change directly impacts veterans seeking disability benefits by altering how their medical evaluations are administered.