Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017

To increase, effective as of December 1, 2017, 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, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, to improve the processing of claims by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017 2. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (a) Rate adjustment Effective on December 1, 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2017, 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 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 chapter 11 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) Amend the title so as to read: A bill to increase, effective as of December 1, 2017, 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. May 19, 2017 Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2017, the rates of veterans' wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Each such increase shall be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date. The VA may adjust administratively, consistent with such increases, the rates of disability compensation payable to persons entitled to veterans benefits under public laws administered by the VA on December 31, 1958, who have not received benefits under provisions governing veterans compensation for service-connected disability or death. (Sec. 3) The VA shall publish such increased rates in the Federal Register not later than the date on which certain social security increases are required to be published in FY2018.