79–006 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 115–386 

AMENDING TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE, TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO FURNISH ASSISTANCE FOR ADAPTATIONS OF RESIDENCES OF VETERANS IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS 

UNDER CHAPTER 31 OF SUCH TITLE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

NOVEMBER 6, 2017.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. ROE of Tennessee, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 3562] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 3562) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under 

chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes, having considered 

the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 2 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 2 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 3 

Subcommittee Consideration .................................................................................. 3 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 4 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 4 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 4 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 4 

Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits .................................................................. 4 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 4 

Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Estimate ............................ 4 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 6 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 6 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 6 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 6 

Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs .................................................... 6 

Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking ........................................................................ 6 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 6 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported ...................................... 7 

2 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 3562, would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

(VA) to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans 

in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 title 38, United States 

Code (U.S.C.). H.R. 3562 was introduced by Representative Jodey 

Arrington of Texas on July 28, 2017. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

VA provides vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) 

services to veterans with a service connected disability and an employment handicap or serious employment handicap. Under this 

program, an eligible veteran works with their VR&E counselor to 

create and implement a customized rehabilitation plan that assists 

the veteran reach their rehabilitation and employment goals. When 

a veteran enrolls in VR&E they can choose, with the help of their 

counselor, from one of five tracks in which to begin their training 

and rehabilitation. These tracks include: (1) reemployment—services with the goal of getting veteran reemployed with a previous 

employer; (2) rapid access to reemployment—services with the goal 

of getting the veteran suitable employment as quickly as possible; 

(3) self-employment—provides services to help the veteran start 

and operate their own business; (4) employment through long term 

services—provides veterans with long term training or education 

with the goal of employment; and (5) independent living services— 

provides services to the most severely disabled veterans that are 

not employable but can benefit from services to help them lead a 

more independent life. While the independent living is the smallest 

of VR&E’s tracks, the time and attention spent by VA’s masters degree-level VR&E counselors with veterans can be more than the 

time and attention for veterans in other tracks. 

The Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH) program, which provides up to $81,080 in funding to severely disabled veterans for adaptive 

housing assistance. Once a veteran is determined to be eligible for 

the program, they work with a VA SAH agent and contractor or 

builder of their choice to develop a plan for adapting their home to 

meet their specific needs. These funds can be used for wheelchair 

ramps, widening of doorways, grab bars, and many other adaptations and improvements that would help a disabled veteran to live 

and stay in their own home. There are very specific eligibility requirements for this program that generally involve the loss or loss 

of use of a limb, therefore some severely disabled veterans that 

need home adaptations are still ineligible. Some veterans that do 

not qualify for the SAH program, however, are able to receive funding to adapt their residence to ensure safety and the goal of maximum independent living through VR&E’s independent living 

track. 

The Committee has learned from VA and other stakeholders that 

while the flexibility of having home adaptations completed through 

the independent living track is helpful, there is a concern that 

VR&E counselors are not qualified to provide oversight of such construction and expenditures. At the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity’s legislative hearing on this legislative text on June 29, 

2017, Mr. Curtis Coy, VA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Economic 

Opportunity, stated ‘‘VA determined the home adaptation program 

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portion of an Independent Living rehabilitation plan would be best 

administered through the SAH program due to staff expertise in 

home renovations and consistent oversight of the construction process by VA.’’ 

The Committee agrees with Mr. Coy’s assertion that VR&E’s 

master’s degree-level counselors are trained in how to put veterans 

back to work and do not have the appropriate level of expertise on 

how to adapt a house. Therefore, this section would authorize the 

SAH program to provide assistance to home adaptations to eligible 

veterans using the VR&E program. The amount of assistance 

would be capped at the same level of funding that is provided to 

SAH-eligible veterans under Chapter 21, U.S.C. However, the Secretary would be authorized to waive this cap if the Secretary determines a higher amount is necessary to complete the veteran’s rehabilitation program. The Committee believes that this legislation 

puts the right VA employee, an SAH agent trained in home construction, at the center of helping adapt a disabled veteran’s home. 

The Committee also believes that making such a change could reduce workload for VR&E counselors, which would result in them 

being able to help more disabled veterans reach maximum rehabilitation. 

HEARINGS

On June 29, 2017, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 

held a legislative hearing on several bills pending before the Subcommittee including draft legislation that became the text of H.R. 

3562. The following witnesses testified: 

The Honorable Elise Stefanik, U.S. House of Representatives, 21st district of New York; The Honorable Robert Wittman, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st district of Virginia; 

The Honorable Claudia Tenney, U.S. House of Representatives, 

22nd district of New York; The Honorable David Cicilline, U.S. 

House of Representatives, 1st district of Rhode Island; The 

Honorable Scott Taylor, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd 

district of Virginia; Mr. Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary 

for Economic Opportunity, Veterans Benefits Administration, 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by 

Ms. Tia Butler, Executive Director, Corporate Senior Executive 

Management Office, Human Resources and Administration, 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Mr. Jeffrey London, 

Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Maj. Gen. Jeffrey 

E. Phillips, USAR (Ret.), Executive Director, Reserve Officers 

Association; and Mr. Gabriel Stultz, Legislative Counsel, Paralyzed Veterans of America. 

The following organizations submitted statements for the 

record: U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

SUBCOMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

There was no subcommittee consideration of H.R. 3562. 

4 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On October 12, 2017 the full Committee met in open markup session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 3562 be reported 

favorably to the House of Representatives by voice vote. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, no recorded votes were taken on amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 3562 reported to the 

House. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee’s performance goals and 

objectives of H.R. 3562 are to improve the delivery of VA funding 

for home adaptations to disabled veterans. 

EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS

H.R. 3562 does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule 

XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out this bill. 

However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that Rule provides that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report 

a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974. The Committee adopts as its 

own the cost estimate on H.R. 3562 prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST

ESTIMATE

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to requirements 

of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974, the following is the cost estimate for H.R. 3562 is provided 

by the Congressional Budget Office. 

5 

U.S. CONGRESS, CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, Washington, DC, October 27, 2017. 

Hon. PHIL ROE, M.D., 

Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 3562, a bill to amend title 

38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans 

in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for 

other purposes. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is David Newman. 

Sincerely, 

KEITH HALL, Director. 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 3562—A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for 

adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs 

under chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes 

Through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides assistance 

to veterans whose disabilities prevent them from working. That assistance can include the cost of modifying veterans’ homes to enable them to live independently. The cost of those benefits are paid 

from mandatory appropriations. 

H.R. 3562 would cap payments for housing modifications at 

$79,874 per beneficiary in 2018; that amount would be adjusted annually for inflation. However, the bill would allow VA to waive the 

cap if higher amounts are necessary. The bill also would transfer 

the management of those benefits to a related program that pays 

for housing adaptions for severely disabled veterans. 

On the basis of information from VA regarding how it would implement the bill, CBO expects that very few veterans would be affected. Over the last four years, an average of eight veterans a year 

have received housing adaptations under the vocational rehabilitation program in amounts that would exceed the limit in H.R 3562. 

In addition, the department indicates that it would likely waive enforcement of the cap in most cases. 

Pay-as-you-go procedures apply to H.R. 3562 because enacting 

the bill would decrease direct spending. However, those decreases 

in direct spending would be insignificant, CBO estimates. Enacting 

the bill would not affect revenues. 

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3562 would not increase net 

direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 

10-year periods beginning in 2028. 

H.R. 3562 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Newman. The 

estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant 

Director for Budget Analysis. 

6 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

With respect to the requirements of Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act, P.L. 104–4), 

the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates 

regarding H.R. 3562 prepared by the Director of the Congressional 

Budget Office. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 3562. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States Constitution, 

H.R. 3562 is authorized by Congress’ power to ‘‘provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States.’’ 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that H.R. 3562 does not relate to the terms 

and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 

STATEMENT ON DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision of H.R. 

3562 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public 

Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the 

most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULEMAKING

Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 115th Cong. (2017), H.R. 

3562 would require the Secretary to publish new regulations for 

carrying out this bill. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Improvements to authorities for provision of assistance 

for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs 

Section 1(a) would create a new section 2102B of title 38, U.S.C., 

‘‘Adaptations to residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs.’’ 

This section would authorize the Secretary to provide adaptations 

to a veteran’s residence who is entitled to services and assistance 

under chapter 31 of title 38, U.S.C. The Secretary would be able 

to provide up to $77,307 in assistance but the Secretary could 

waive this limitation if the Secretary determines a waiver is necessary for the rehabilitation program of the veteran. The new section 2102(A) would also require the Secretary to increase the 

amount of assistance each year on October 1st by the percentage 

7 

calculated under section 2102(e)(2) of title 38, U.S.C. The Secretary 

would also be required to prescribe regulations to carry out this 

new section. 

Section 1(b) would allow the Secretary to provide assistance 

under the new section 2102B in advance of regulations by issuing 

notice specifying the criteria for the application, approval, and 

oversight processes relating to the provision of assistance under 

such section. 

Section 1(c) would make conforming amendments to title 38, 

U.S.C. 

Section 1(d) would make a clerical amendment to the table of 

section at the beginning of chapter 21 of title 38, U.S.C. by inserting a new section 2102B. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

Pursuant clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted 

is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE 

* * * * * * * 

PART II—GENERAL BENEFITS 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 21—SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR 

DISABLED VETERANS 

Sec. 

2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible veterans. 

* * * * * * * 

2102A. Assistance for individuals residing temporarily in housing owned by a family 

member. 

2102B. Adaptations to residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: members of 

the Armed Forces with service-connected disabilities; individuals residing outside the United States 

(a) MEMBERS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.—(1) The 

Secretary may provide assistance under this chapter to a member 

of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who is suffering from 

a disability that meets applicable criteria for benefits under this 

8 

chapter if the disability is incurred or aggravated in line of duty 

in the active military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall 

be provided to the same extent as assistance is provided under this 

chapter to veterans eligible for assistance under this chapter and 

subject to the same requirements as veterans under this chapter. 

(2) For purposes of this chapter, any reference to a veteran or eligible individual shall be treated as a reference to a member of the 

Armed Forces described in subsection (a) who is similarly situated 

to the veteran or other eligible individual so referred to. 

(b) BENEFITS AND ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS RESIDING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may, at the Secretary’s discretion, provide benefits and assistance under this chapter (other than benefits under section 2106 

of this title) to any individual otherwise eligible for such benefits 

and assistance who resides outside the United States. 

(2) The Secretary may provide benefits and assistance to an individual under paragraph (1) only if— 

(A) the country or political subdivision in which the housing 

or residence involved is or will be located permits the individual to have or acquire a beneficial property interest (as determined by the Secretary) in such housing or residence; and 

(B) the individual has or will acquire a beneficial property 

interest (as so determined) in such housing or residence. 

(c) LIMITATION.—Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), this 

section shall not apply to the provision of assistance under section 

2102B of this title. 

ø(c)¿ (d) REGULATIONS.—Benefits and assistance under this chapter by reason of this section shall be provided in accordance with 

such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 2102B. Adaptations to residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary 

may assist a veteran who is entitled to services and assistance 

under chapter 31 of this title and is pursuing a rehabilitation program under such chapter in acquiring such adaptations to such veteran’s residence as are determined necessary by the Secretary to accomplish the purposes of such rehabilitation program. 

(b) AMOUNT.—(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to 

a veteran under subsection (a) may not exceed $77,307. The Secretary may waive this limitation for a veteran if the Secretary determines a waiver is necessary for the rehabilitation program of the 

veteran. 

(2) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2017), the 

Secretary shall increase the amount described in paragraph (1) by 

the percentage calculated under section 2102(e)(2) of this title. 

(3) Beginning on October 1, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to 

the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a biennial report on the use of the waiver authority 

under paragraph (1). 

(c) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations 

as may be necessary to carry out this section. 

9 

(d) REHABILITATION PROGRAM DEFINED.—In this section, the term 

‘‘rehabilitation program’’ has the meaning given such term in section 3101 of this title. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 2104. Benefits additional to benefits under other laws 

(a) Any individual who accepts the benefits of this chapter shall 

not by reason thereof be denied the benefits of chapter 37 of this 

titleø; however, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, 

the assistance authorized by section 2101 of this title shall not be 

available to any individual more than once¿. 

(b) An individual eligible for assistance under section 2101(b) of 

this title shall not by reason of such eligibility be denied benefits 

for which such individual becomes eligible under section 2101(a) of 

this title or benefits relating to home health services under section 

1717(a)(2) of this title. øHowever, no particular type of adaptation, 

improvement, or structural alteration provided to an individual 

under section 1717(a)(2) of this title may be provided to such individual under section 2101(b) of this title.¿ 

(c) The Secretary may not provide assistance to a veteran under 

this chapter if the Secretary determines such assistance would result 

in a duplication of benefits under this title to the veteran. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 2106. Veterans’ mortgage life insurance 

ø(a) The United States shall automatically insure any eligible individual age 69 or younger who is or has been granted assistance 

in securing a suitable housing unit under this chapter against the 

death of the individual unless the individual (1) submits to the Secretary in writing the individual’s election not to be insured under 

this section, or (2) fails to respond in a timely manner to a request 

from the Secretary for information on which the premium for such 

insurance can be based.¿ 

(a) The Secretary shall insure any individual under 70 years of 

age who has received assistance under this chapter against the 

death of the individual except for an individual who— 

(1) elects in writing to not receive insurance under this section; 

(2) fails to respond in a timely manner to a request from the 

Secretary for information on which the premium for such insurance can be based; or 

(3) receives such assistance under section 2102B of this title. 

(b) The amount of insurance provided an individual under this 

section may not exceed the lesser of $150,000, or after January 1, 

2012, $200,000, or the amount of the loan outstanding on the housing unit. The amount of such insurance shall be reduced according 

to the amortization schedule of the loan and may not at any time 

exceed the amount of the outstanding loan with interest. If there 

is no outstanding loan on the housing unit, insurance is not payable under this section. If an eligible individual elects not to be insured under this section, the individual may thereafter be insured 

under this section, but only upon submission of an application, payment of required premiums, and compliance with such health reVerDate Sep 11 2014 07:53 Nov 07, 2017 Jkt 079006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR386.XXX HR386
10 

quirements and other terms and conditions as may be prescribed 

by the Secretary. 

(c) The premiums charged an individual for insurance under this 

section shall be paid at such time and in such manner as the Secretary prescribes. The rates for such premiums shall be based on 

such mortality data as the Secretary considers appropriate to cover 

only the mortality cost of insuring standard lives. In the case of an 

individual receiving compensation or other cash benefits paid to the 

individual by the Secretary, the Secretary shall deduct from such 

compensation or other benefits the premiums charged the individual under this section. 

(d)(1) The United States shall bear the costs of insurance under 

this section to the extent that such costs exceed premiums established by the Secretary. Premiums collected on insurance under 

this section shall be credited to the ‘‘Veterans Insurance and Indemnities’’’ appropriation account, and all disbursements of insurance proceeds under this section shall be made from that account. 

(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for 

such account such amounts as may be necessary to carry out this 

section. 

(e) Any amount of insurance in force under this section on the 

date of the death of an individual insured under this section shall 

be paid to the holder of the mortgage loan, for payment of which 

the insurance was granted, for credit on the loan indebtedness. Any 

liability of the United States under such insurance shall be satisfied when such payment is made. If the Secretary is the holder of 

the mortgage loan, the insurance proceeds shall be credited to the 

loan indebtedness and, deposited in the Veterans Housing Benefit 

Program Fund established by section 3722 of this title. 

(f) The Secretary may prescribe such regulations relating to eligibility for insurance under this section, the maximum amount of insurance, the effective date of insurance, the maximum duration of 

insurance, and other pertinent matters not specifically provided for 

in this section as the Secretary determines are in the best interest 

of veterans or the United States. 

(g) The amount of the insurance in force at any time shall be the 

amount necessary to pay the mortgage indebtedness in full, except 

as otherwise limited by subsection (b) of this section or regulations 

prescribed by the Secretary under this section. 

(h) The Secretary shall issue to each individual insured under 

this section a certificate setting forth the benefits to which the individual is entitled under the insurance. 

(i) Insurance under this section shall terminate upon whichever 

of the following events first occurs: 

(1) Satisfaction of the individual’s indebtedness under the 

loan upon which the insurance is based. 

(2) Termination of the individual’s ownership of the property 

securing the loan. 

(3) Discontinuance of payment of premiums by the individual. 

(j) Termination of life insurance under this section shall not affect the guaranty or insurance of the loan by the Secretary. 

* * * * * * * 

11 

PART III—READJUSTMENT AND RELATED 

BENEFITS 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 31—TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR 

VETERANS WITH SERVICE–CONNECTED DISABILITIES 

* * * * * * * 

§ 3104. Scope of services and assistance 

(a) Services and assistance which the Secretary may provide 

under this chapter, pursuant to regulations which the Secretary 

shall prescribe, include the following: 

(1) Evaluation, including periodic reevaluations as appropriate with respect to a veteran participating in a rehabilitation program, of the potential for rehabilitation of a veteran, 

including diagnostic and related services (A) to determine 

whether the veteran has an employment handicap or a serious 

employment handicap and whether a vocational goal is reasonably feasible for such veteran, and (B) to provide a basis for 

planning a suitable vocational rehabilitation program or a program of services and assistance to improve the vocational rehabilitation potential or independent living status of such veteran, as appropriate. 

(2) Educational, vocational, psychological, employment, and 

personal adjustment counseling. 

(3) An allowance and other appropriate assistance, as authorized by section 3108 of this title. 

(4) A work-study allowance as authorized by section 3485 of 

this title. 

(5) Placement services to effect suitable placement in employment, and postplacement services to attempt to insure satisfactory adjustment in employment. 

(6) Personal adjustment and work adjustment training. 

(7)(A) Vocational and other training services and assistance, 

including individualized tutorial assistance, tuition, fees, 

books, supplies, handling charges, licensing fees, and equipment and other training materials determined by the Secretary 

to be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the rehabilitation 

program in the individual case. 

(B) Payment for the services and assistance provided under 

subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be made from funds 

available for the payment of readjustment benefits. 

(8) Loans as authorized by section 3112 of this title. 

(9) Treatment, care, and services described in chapter 17 of 

this title. 

(10) Prosthetic appliances, eyeglasses, and other corrective 

and assistive devices. 

(11) Services to a veteran’s family as necessary for the effective rehabilitation of such veteran. 

(12) For veterans with the most severe service-connected disabilities who require homebound training or self-employment, 

or both homebound training and self-employment, such license 

fees and essential equipment, supplies, and minimum stocks of 

12 

materials as the Secretary determines to be necessary for such 

a veteran to begin employment and are within the criteria and 

cost limitations that the Secretary shall prescribe in regulations for the furnishing of such fees, equipment, supplies, and 

stocks. 

(13) Travel and incidental expenses under the terms and 

conditions set forth in section 111 of this title, plus, in the case 

of a veteran who because of such veteran’s disability has transportation expenses in addition to those incurred by persons not 

so disabled, a special transportation allowance to defray such 

additional expenses during rehabilitation, job seeking, and the 

initial employment stage. 

(14) Special services (including services related to blindness 

and deafness) including— 

(A) language training, speech and voice correction, training in ambulation, and one-hand typewriting; 

(B) orientation, adjustment, mobility, reader, interpreter, 

and related services; and 

(C) telecommunications, sensory, and other technical 

aids and devices. 

(15) Services necessary to enable a veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily living. 

(16) Other incidental goods and services determined by the 

Secretary to be necessary to accomplish the purposes of a rehabilitation program in an individual case. 

(b) A rehabilitation program (including individual courses) to be 

pursued by a veteran shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary. To the maximum extent practicable, a course of education 

or training may be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation 

program under this chapter only if the course is approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title. The Secretary may waive the 

requirement under the preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate. 

(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to administer this 

chapter by prioritizing the provision of services under this chapter 

based on need, as determined by the Secretary. In evaluating need 

for purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall consider disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification 

for a program of independent living, income, and any other factor 

the Secretary determines appropriate. 

(2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to the 

prioritization of the provision of services under this chapter as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the 

Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan describing such changes. 

(d) The Secretary may not assist a veteran in acquiring adaptations to the residence of the veteran under this chapter. Any such 

assistance may be furnished only under section 2102B of this title. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ