PUBLIC LAW 114–197—JULY 22, 2016 130 STAT. 693 

Public Law 114–197 

114th Congress 

An Act 

To increase, effective as of December 1, 2016, the rates of compensation for veterans 

with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity 

compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans’ Compensation COLA 

Act of 2016’’. 

SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND 

DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION. 

(a) RATE ADJUSTMENT.—Effective on December 1, 2016, the 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with 

subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2016, 

for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and 

indemnity compensation under the provisions specified in subsection 

(b). 

(b) AMOUNTS TO BE INCREASED.—The dollar amounts to be 

increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following: 

(1) WARTIME DISABILITY COMPENSATION.—Each of the dollar 

amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code. 

(2) ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS.—Each of 

the dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title. 

(3) CLOTHING ALLOWANCE.—The dollar amount under section 1162 of such title. 

(4) DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION TO SURVIVING SPOUSE.—Each of the dollar amounts under subsections 

(a) through (d) of section 1311 of such title. 

(5) DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION TO CHILDREN.—Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 

1314 of such title. 

(c) DETERMINATION OF INCREASE.—Each dollar amount 

described in subsection (b) shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable under 

title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are 

increased effective December 1, 2016, as a result of a determination 

under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)). 

(d) SPECIAL RULE.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 

adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made under 

subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under section 10 of Public Law 85–857 (72 Stat. 1263) who 

have not received compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United 

States Code. 

38 USC 1114 

note. 

Veterans’ 

Compensation 

COLA Act 

of 2016. 

38 USC 101 note. 

July 22, 2016 

[H.R. 5588] 


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130 STAT. 694 PUBLIC LAW 114–197—JULY 22, 2016 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5588 (S. 1493): 

SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–122 (Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs) accompanying 

S. 1493. 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 

July 11, considered and passed House. 

July 13, considered and passed Senate. 

Æ 

SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES. 

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal 

Register the amounts specified in section 2(b), as increased under 

that section, not later than the date on which the matters specified 

in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 

415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act during fiscal year 2017. 

Approved July 22, 2016. 

Federal Register, 

publication. 

Deadline. 

38 USC 1114 

note. 


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