I 

108TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 4175 

To increase, effective as of December 1, 2004, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates 

of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 20, 2004 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. EVANS, Mr. BROWN of South 

Carolina, and Mr. MICHAUD) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

A BILL 

To increase, effective as of December 1, 2004, the rates 

of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain serviceconnected disabled veterans, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as ‘‘Veterans’ Compensation 

5 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2004’’. 
2 

•HR 4175 IH 

1 SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSA2 TION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 

3 COMPENSATION. 

4 (a) RATE ADJUSTMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans 

5 Affairs shall, effective on December 1, 2004, increase the 

6 dollar amounts in effect for the payment of disability com7 pensation and dependency and indemnity compensation by 

8 the Secretary, as specified in subsection (b). 

9 (b) AMOUNTS TO BE INCREASED.—The dollar 

10 amounts to be increased pursuant to subsection (a) are 

11 the following: 

12 (1) COMPENSATION.—Each of the dollar 

13 amounts in effect under section 1114 of title 38, 

14 United States Code. 

15 (2) ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPEND16 ENTS.—Each of the dollar amounts in effect under 

17 section 1115(1) of such title. 

18 (3) CLOTHING ALLOWANCE.—The dollar 

19 amount in effect under section 1162 of such title. 

20 (4) NEW DIC RATES.—The dollar amounts in 

21 effect under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 

22 1311(a) of such title. 

23 (5) OLD DIC RATES.—Each of the dollar 

24 amounts in effect under section 1311(a)(3) of such 

25 title. 
3 

•HR 4175 IH 

1 (6) ADDITIONAL DIC FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES

2 WITH MINOR CHILDREN.—The dollar amount in ef3 fect under section 1311(b) of such title. 

4 (7) ADDITIONAL DIC FOR DISABILITY.—The 

5 dollar amounts in effect under sections 1311(c) and 

6 1311(d) of such title. 

7 (8) DIC FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN.—The 

8 dollar amounts in effect under sections 1313(a) and 

9 1314 of such title. 

10 (c) DETERMINATION OF INCREASE.—(1) The in11 crease under subsection (a) shall be made in the dollar 

12 amounts specified in subsection (b) as in effect on Novem13 ber 30, 2004. 

14 (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), each such 

15 amount shall be increased by the same percentage as the 

16 percentage by which benefit amounts payable under title 

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

18 increased effective December 1, 2004, as a result of a de19 termination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 

20 415(i)). 

21 (3) Each dollar amount increased pursuant to para22 graph (2) shall, if not a whole dollar amount, be rounded 

23 down to the next lower whole dollar amount. 

24 (d) SPECIAL RULE.—The Secretary may adjust ad25 ministratively, consistent with the increases made under 
4 

•HR 4175 IH 

1 subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation pay2 able to persons within the purview of section 10 of Public 

3 Law 85–857 (72 Stat. 1263) who are not in receipt of 

4 compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, 

5 United States Code. 

6 SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES. 

7 At the same time as the matters specified in section 

8 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 

9 415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of 

10 a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act 

11 during fiscal year 2005, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

12 shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified 

13 in subsection (b) of section 2, as increased pursuant to 

14 that section. 

Æ