Several Provisions Target Senior Executives

The bill also reflects many of the proposals regarding senior executives at the VA, including several recently proposed by the department itself, that go beyond the restrictions imposed by the 2014 law. They would no longer have MSPB appeal rights but rather could appeal only to internal review boards; those appeals would have to be filed within 10 days and a decision would then have to be made within 21 days. There would be no right of appeal to MSPB, although appeals into federal court would be allowed. Also, if an individual is convicted of a felony related to official duties, the relevant period of service would not be credited toward retirement benefits–and that policy would apply even to those who retire before disciplinary action is taken. The VA also would have to sponsor an outside review of management training for senior executives. Meanwhile, SES-level medical directors and directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks would be put under Title 38, allowing the VA to pay them higher salaries if needed to compete with the private sector in those positions.