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duty under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g),
12302, or 12304 of title 10.
‘‘(3) The period for which, by reason of this sub-
section, a subsistence allowance and other assistance is not
charged against entitlement or counted toward the appli-
cable aggregate period under section 3695 of this title
shall be the period of participation in the vocational reha-
bilitation program for which the veteran failed to receive
credit or with respect to which the veteran lost training
time, as determined by the Secretary.’’.
(2) Section 3103 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(e) In any case in which the Secretary has deter-
mined that a veteran was prevented from participating in
a vocational rehabilitation program under this chapter
within the period of eligibility otherwise prescribed in this
section as a result of being ordered to serve on active duty
under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302,
or 12304 of title 10, such period of eligibility shall not
run for the period of such active duty service plus four
months.
(d) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Sections
3013(f)(2)(B) and 3231(a)(5)(B)(ii) of such title are each
amended by striking ‘‘, in connection with such War,’’.
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(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall take effect as of September 11, 2001.
SEC. 104. ACCELERATED PAYMENTS OF EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL FOR
EDUCATION LEADING TO EMPLOYMENT IN
HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Chapter 30 is amended by in-
serting after section 3014 the following new section:
‘‘§ 3014A. Accelerated payment of basic educational
assistance for education leading to em-
ployment in high technology industry
‘‘(a) An individual described in subsection (b) who
is entitled to basic educational assistance under this sub-
chapter may elect to receive an accelerated payment of the
basic educational assistance allowance otherwise payable
to the individual under section 3015 of this title.
‘‘(b) An individual described in this subsection is an
individual who is—
‘‘(1) enrolled in an approved program of edu-
cation that leads to employment in a high technology
industry (as determined pursuant to regulations pre-
scribed by the Secretary); and
‘‘(2) charged tuition and fees for the program
of education that, when divided by the number of
months (and fractions thereof) in the enrollment pe-
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riod, exceeds the amount equal to 200 percent of the
monthly rate of basic educational assistance allow-
ance otherwise payable to the individual under sec-
tion 3015 of this title.
‘‘(c)(1) The amount of the accelerated payment of
basic educational assistance made to an individual making
an election under subsection (a) for a program of edu-
cation shall be the lesser of—
‘‘(A) the amount equal to 60 percent of the es-
tablished charges for the program of education; or
‘‘(B) the aggregate amount of basic educational
assistance to which the individual remains entitled
under this chapter at the time of the payment.
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘established
charges’, in the case of a program of education, means
the actual charges (as determined pursuant to regulations
prescribed by the Secretary) for tuition and fees which
similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the pro-
gram of education would be required to pay. Established
charges shall be determined on the following basis:
‘‘(A) In the case of an individual enrolled in a
program of education offered on a term, quarter, or
semester basis, the tuition and fees charged the indi-
vidual for the term, quarter, or semester.
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‘‘(B) In the case of an individual enrolled in a
program of education not offered on a term, quarter,
or semester basis, the tuition and fees charged the
individual for the entire program of education.
‘‘(3) The educational institution providing the pro-
gram of education for which an accelerated payment of
basic educational assistance allowance is elected by an in-
dividual under subsection (a) shall certify to the Secretary
the amount of the established charges for the program of
education.
‘‘(d) An accelerated payment of basic educational as-
sistance made to an individual under this section for a
program of education shall be made not later than the last
day of the month immediately following the month in
which the Secretary receives a certification from the edu-
cational institution regarding—
‘‘(1) the individual’s enrollment in and pursuit
of the program of education; and
‘‘(2) the amount of the established charges for
the program of education.
‘‘(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), for each
accelerated payment of basic educational assistance made
to an individual under this section, the individual’s entitle-
ment to basic educational assistance under this chapter
shall be charged the number of months (and any fraction
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thereof) determined by dividing the amount of the acceler-
ated payment by the full-time monthly rate of basic edu-
cational assistance allowance otherwise payable to the in-
dividual under section 3015 of this title as of the begin-
ning date of the enrollment period for the program of edu-
cation for which the accelerated payment is made.
‘‘(2) If the monthly rate of basic educational assist-
ance allowance otherwise payable to an individual under
section 3015 of this title increases during the enrollment
period of a program of education for which an accelerated
payment of basic educational assistance is made under
this section, the charge to the individual’s entitlement to
basic educational assistance under this chapter shall be
determined by prorating the entitlement chargeable, in the
matter provided for under paragraph (1), for the periods
covered by the initial rate and increased rate, respectively,
in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary.
‘‘(f) The Secretary may not make an accelerated pay-
ment under this section for a program of education to an
individual who has received an advance payment under
section 3680(d) of this title for the same enrollment pe-
riod.
‘‘(g) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to
carry out this section. The regulations shall include re-
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quirements, conditions, and methods for the request,
issuance, delivery, certification of receipt and use, and re-
covery of overpayment of an accelerated payment under
this section.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of that
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 3014 the following new item:
‘‘3014A. Accelerated payment of basic educational assistance for education lead-
ing to employment in high technology industry.’’.
(b) RESTATEMENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF CERTAIN
ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES.—Subsection (g) of sec-
tion 3680 is amended to read as follows:
‘‘Determination of Enrollment, Pursuit, and Attendance
‘‘(g)(1) The Secretary may, pursuant to regulations
which the Secretary shall prescribe, determine and define
with respect to an eligible veteran and eligible person the
following:
‘‘(A) Enrollment in a course or program of edu-
cation or training.
‘‘(B) Pursuit of a course or program of edu-
cation or training.
‘‘(C) Attendance at a course or program of edu-
cation or training.
‘‘(2) The Secretary may withhold payment of benefits
to an eligible veteran or eligible person until the Secretary
receives such proof as the Secretary may require of enroll-
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ment in and satisfactory pursuit of a program of education
by the eligible veteran or eligible person. The Secretary
shall adjust the payment withheld, when necessary, on the
basis of the proof the Secretary receives.
‘‘(3) In the case of an individual other than an indi-
vidual described in paragraph (4), the Secretary may ac-
cept the individual’s monthly certification of enrollment in
and satisfactory pursuit of a program of education as suf-
ficient proof of the certified matters.
‘‘(4) In the case of an individual who has received
an accelerated payment of basic educational assistance
under section 3014A of this title during an enrollment pe-
riod for a program of education, the Secretary may accept
the individual’s certification of enrollment in and satisfac-
tory pursuit of the program of education as sufficient
proof of the certified matters if the certification is sub-
mitted after the enrollment period has ended.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall take effect October 1, 2002, and shall
apply with respect to enrollments in courses or programs
of education or training beginning on or after that date.
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SEC. 105. ELIGIBILITY FOR MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENE-
FITS OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL VIETNAM ERA
VETERANS.
(a) ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAM.—Section 3011(a)(1) is
amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph
(A);
(2) by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph
(B); and
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph:
‘‘(C) as of December 31, 1989, was eligible
for educational assistance benefits under chap-
ter 34 of this title and—
‘‘(i) was not on active duty on October
19, 1984;
‘‘(ii) reenlists or reenters on a period
of active duty on or after October 19,
1984; and
‘‘(iii) on or after July 1, 1985,
either—
‘‘(I) serves at least three years of
continuous active duty in the Armed
Forces; or
‘‘(II) is discharged or released
from active duty (aa) for a service-
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connected disability, for a medical
condition which preexisted such serv-
ice on active duty and which the Sec-
retary determines is not service con-
nected, for hardship, or for a physical
or mental condition that was not char-
acterized as a disability, as described
in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) of this
paragraph, (bb) for the convenience of
the Government, if the individual com-
pleted not less than 30 months of con-
tinuous active duty after that date, or
(cc) involuntarily for the convenience
of the Government as a result of a re-
duction in force, as determined by the
Secretary of the military department
concerned in accordance with regula-
tions prescribed by the Secretary of
Defense or by the Secretary of Trans-
portation with respect to the Coast
Guard when it is not operating as a
service in the Navy;’’.
(b) 
SELECTED
RESERVE
PROGRAM.—Section
3012(a)(1) is amended—
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(1) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph
(A);
(2) by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph
(B); and
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph:
‘‘(C) as of December 31, 1989, was eligible
for educational assistance under chapter 34 of
this title and—
‘‘(i) was not on active duty on October
19, 1984;
‘‘(ii) reenlists or reenters on a period
of active duty on or after October 19,
1984; and
‘‘(iii) on or after July 1, 1985—
‘‘(I) serves at least two years of
continuous active duty in the Armed
Forces, subject to subsection (b) of
this section, characterized by the Sec-
retary concerned as honorable service;
and
‘‘(II) subject to subsection (b) of
this section and beginning within one
year after completion of such two
years of service, serves at least four
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continuous years in the Selected Re-
serve during which the individual par-
ticipates satisfactorily in training as
prescribed by the Secretary con-
cerned;’’.
(c) TIME FOR USE OF ENTITLEMENT.—Section 3031
is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (1);
(B) by striking the period at the end of
paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(3) in the case of an individual who becomes
entitled 
to 
such 
assistance 
under 
section
3011(a)(1)(C) or 3012(a)(1)(C) of this title, on the
date of the enactment of this paragraph.’’; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘section
3011(a)(1)(B) or 3012(a)(1)(B)’’ and inserting
‘‘section 
3011(a)(1)(B), 
3011(a)(1)(C),
3012(a)(1)(B), or 3012(a)(1)(C)’’.
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SEC. 106. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE ANNUAL
SENIOR ROTC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE
MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Sections 3011(c)(3)(B) and
3012(d)(3)(B) are each amended by striking ‘‘$2,000’’
and inserting ‘‘$3,400’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to educational as-
sistance allowances paid under chapter 30 of title 38,
United States Code, for months beginning after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 107. EXPANSION OF WORK-STUDY OPPORTUNITIES.
(a) FIVE-YEAR EXPANSION OF QUALIFYING WORK-
STUDY ACTIVITIES.—Subsection (a) of section 3485 is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a)(1) Individuals utilized under the authority of
subsection (b) shall be paid an additional educational as-
sistance allowance (hereinafter in this section referred to
as ‘work-study allowance’). Such allowance shall be paid
in return for an individual’s entering into an agreement
described in paragraph (3).
‘‘(2) Such work-study allowance shall be paid in an
amount equal to the product of—
‘‘(A) the applicable hourly minimum wage; and
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‘‘(B) the number of hours worked during the
applicable period.
‘‘(3) An agreement described in this paragraph is an
agreement of an individual to perform services, during or
between periods of enrollment, aggregating not more than
a number of hours equal to 25 times the number of weeks
in the semester or other applicable enrollment period, re-
quired in connection with a qualifying work-study activity.
‘‘(4) For the purposes of this section, the term ‘quali-
fying work-study activity’ means any of the following:
‘‘(A) The outreach services program under sub-
chapter II of chapter 77 of this title as carried out
under the supervision of a Department employee or,
during the five-year period beginning on the date of
the enactment of the Veterans Education and Bene-
fits Expansion Act of 2001, outreach services to
servicemembers and veterans furnished by employees
of a State approving agency.
‘‘(B) The preparation and processing of nec-
essary papers and other documents at educational
institutions or regional offices or facilities of the De-
partment.
‘‘(C) The provision of hospital and domiciliary
care and medical treatment under chapter 17 of this
title, including, during the five-year period beginning
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on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Edu-
cation and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, the pro-
vision of such care to veterans in a State home for
which payment is made under section 1741 of this
title.
‘‘(D) Any other activity of the Department as
the Secretary determines appropriate.
‘‘(E) In the case of an individual who is receiv-
ing educational assistance under chapter 1606 of
title 10, an activity relating to the administration of
that chapter at Department of Defense, Coast
Guard, or National Guard facilities.
‘‘(F) During the five-year period beginning on
the date of the enactment of the Veterans Education
and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, an activity re-
lating to the administration of a national cemetery
or a State veterans’ cemetery.
‘‘(5) An individual may elect, in a manner prescribed
by the Secretary, to be paid in advance an amount equal
to 40 percent of the total amount of the work-study allow-
ance agreed to be paid under the agreement in return for
the individual’s agreement to perform the number of hours
of work specified in the agreement (but not more than
an amount equal to 50 times the applicable hourly min-
imum wage).
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‘‘(6) For the purposes of this subsection and sub-
section (e), the term ‘applicable hourly minimum wages’
means—
‘‘(A) the hourly minimum wage under section
6(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
U.S.C. 206(a)); or
‘‘(B) the hourly minimum wage under com-
parable law of the State in which the services are to
be performed, if such wage is higher than the wage
referred to in subparagraph (A) and the Secretary
has made a determination to pay such higher
wage.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by
this section shall apply with respect to agreements entered
into under section 3485 of title 38, United States Code,
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 108. ELIGIBILITY FOR SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE OF SPOUSES AND
SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WITH
TOTAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.
(a) 
DESIGNATION
OF
ELIGIBILITY.—Section
3501(a)(1)(D) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(i)’’ after ‘‘(D)’’; and
(2) by inserting ‘‘(ii)’’ after ‘‘or’’.
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(b) RESTATEMENT AND EXPANSION OF TREATMENT
OF USE OF ELIGIBILITY.—(1) Section 3511 is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(c) Any entitlement used by an eligible person as
a result of eligibility under section 3501(a)(1)(A)(iii),
3501(a)(1)(C), or 3501(a)(1)(D)(i) of this title shall be
deducted from any entitlement to which such person may
subsequently be entitled under this chapter.’’.
(2) Section 3512 is amended by striking subsection
(g).
(c) DELIMITING PERIOD.—(1) Section 3511(a)(1) is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
‘‘In no event may the aggregate educational assistance af-
forded 
to 
a 
spouse 
made 
eligible 
under 
both
3501(a)(1)(D)(i) and 3501(a)(1)(D)(ii) of this title exceed
45 months.’’.
(2) Paragraph (1) of section 3512(b) is amended to
read as follows:
‘‘(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a
person made eligible by subparagraph (B) or (D) of sec-
tion 3501(a)(1) of this title may be afforded educational
assistance under this chapter during the 10-year period
beginning on the date (as determined by the Secretary)
the person becomes an eligible person within the meaning
of 
section 
3501(a)(1)(B), 
3501(a)(1)(D)(i), 
or
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3501(a)(1)(D)(ii) of this title. In the case of a surviving
spouse 
made 
eligible 
by 
clause 
(ii) 
of 
section
3501(a)(1)(D) of this title, the 10-year period may not
be reduced by any earlier period during which the person
was eligible for educational assistance under this chapter
as a spouse made eligible by clause (i) of that section.
‘‘(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an eligible
person referred to in that subparagraph may, subject to
the Secretary’s approval, elect a later beginning date for
the 10-year period than would otherwise be applicable to
the person under that subparagraph. The beginning date
so elected may be any date between the beginning date
determined for the person under subparagraph (A) and
whichever of the following dates applies:
‘‘(i) The date on which the Secretary notifies
the veteran from whom eligibility is derived that the
veteran has a service-connected total disability per-
manent in nature.
‘‘(ii) The date on which the Secretary deter-
mines that the veteran from whom eligibility is de-
rived died of a service-connected disability.’’.
(3) Section 3512(b) is further amended by striking
paragraph (3).
(4) The amendments made by this subsection shall
apply with respect to any determination (whether adminis-
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trative or judicial) of the eligibility of a spouse or surviving
spouse for educational assistance under chapter 35 of title
38, United States Code, made on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act, whether pursuant to an original
claim for such assistance or pursuant to a reapplication
or attempt to reopen or readjudicate a claim for such as-
sistance.
SEC. 109. EXPANSION OF SPECIAL RESTORATIVE TRAINING
BENEFIT TO CERTAIN DISABLED SPOUSES OR
SURVIVING SPOUSES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3540 is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘section 3501(a)(1)(A) of this title’’ and inserting
‘‘subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D) of section 3501(a)(1)
of this title’’.
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—(1) 
Section
3541(a) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph
(1) by striking ‘‘of the parent or guardian’’.
(2) Section 3542(a) is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘the parent or guardian shall be
entitled to receive on behalf of such person’’ and in-
serting ‘‘the eligible person shall be entitled to re-
ceive’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘upon election by the parent or
guardian of the eligible person’’ and inserting ‘‘upon
election by the eligible person’’.
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(3) The second sentence of section 3543(a) is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘the parent or guardian for the training
provided to an eligible person’’ and inserting ‘‘for the
training provided to the eligible person’’.
(4) Section 3543 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(c) In a case in which the Secretary authorizes
training under section 3541(a) of this title on behalf of
an eligible person, the parent or guardian shall be
entitled—
‘‘(1) to receive on behalf of the eligible person
the special training allowance provided for under
section 3542(a) of this title;
‘‘(2) to elect an increase in the basic monthly
allowance provided for under such section; and
‘‘(3) to agree with the Secretary on the fair and
reasonable amounts which may be charged under
subsection (a).’’.
SEC. 110. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN PRIVATE TECHNOLOGY
ENTITIES IN DEFINITION OF EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Sections 3452(c) and 3501(a)(6)
are each amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ‘‘Such term also includes any private entity (that
meets such requirements as the Secretary may establish)
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that offers, either directly or under an agreement with an-
other entity (that meets such requirements), a course or
courses to fulfill requirements for the attainment of a li-
cense or certificate generally recognized as necessary to
obtain, maintain, or advance in employment in a profes-
sion or vocation in a high technology occupation (as deter-
mined by the Secretary).’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall apply to enrollments in courses begin-
ning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 111. DISTANCE EDUCATION.
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Subsection (a)(4) of section
3680A is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ after ‘‘leading’’; and
(2) by inserting before the period the following:
‘‘, or (B) to a certificate that reflects educational at-
tainment offered by an institution of higher learn-
ing’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall apply to enrollments in independent
study courses beginning on or after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act.
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TITLE II—COMPENSATION AND
PENSION PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES
ON PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE-CONNECTION
FOR HERBICIDE-RELATED DISABILITIES OF
VIETNAM VETERANS.
(a) PRESUMPTIVE PERIOD FOR RESPIRATORY CAN-
CERS.—(1)(A) Subparagraph (F) of subsection (a)(2) of
section 1116 is amended by striking ‘‘within 30 years’’
and all that follows through ‘‘May 7, 1975’’.
(B) The amendment made by subparagraph (A) shall
take effect January 1, 2002.
(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into
a contract with the National Academy of Sciences, not
later than six months after the date of the enactment of
this Act, for the performance of a study to include a review
of all available scientific literature on the effects of expo-
sure to an herbicide agent containing dioxin on the devel-
opment of respiratory cancers in humans and whether it
is possible to identify a period of time after exposure to
herbicides after which a presumption of service-connection
for such exposure would not be warranted. Under the con-
tract, the National Academy of Sciences shall submit a
report to the Secretary setting forth its conclusions. The
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report shall be submitted not later than 18 months after
the contract is entered into.
(3) For a period of six months beginning on the date
of the receipt of the report of the National Academy of
Sciences under paragraph (2), the Secretary may, if war-
ranted by clear scientific evidence presented in the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences report, initiate a rulemaking
under which the Secretary would specify a limit on the
number of years after a claimant’s departure from Viet-
nam after which respiratory cancers would not be pre-
sumed to have been associated with the claimant’s expo-
sure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam. Any such limit
under such a rule may not take effect until 120 days have
passed after the publication of a final rule to impose such
a limit.
(4)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), if the
Secretary imposes such a limit under paragraph (3), that
limit shall be effective only as to claims filed on or after
the effective date of that limit.
(B) In the case of any veteran whose disability or
death due to respiratory cancer is found by the Secretary
to be service-connected under section 1116(a)(2)(F) of
title 38, United States Code, as amended by paragraph
(1), such disability or death shall remain service-connected
for purposes of all provisions of law under such title not-
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withstanding the imposition, if any, of a time limit by the
Secretary by rulemaking authorized under paragraph (3).
(C) Subaragraph (B) does not apply in a case in
which—
(i) the original award of compensation or serv-
ice connection was based on fraud; or
(ii) it is clearly shown from military records
that the person concerned did not have the requisite
service or character of discharge.
(b) PRESUMPTION
THAT
DIABETES
MELLITUS
(TYPE 2) IS SERVICE-CONNECTED.—Subsection (a)(2) of
section 1116 is further amended by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
‘‘(H) Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2).’’.
(c) PRESUMPTION
OF EXPOSURE
TO HERBICIDE
AGENTS IN VIETNAM DURING VIETNAM ERA.—(1) Sec-
tion 1116 is further amended—
(A) by transferring paragraph (3) of subsection
(a) to the end of the section and redesignating such
paragraph, as so transferred, as subsection (f);
(B) by redesignating paragraph (4) of sub-
section (a) as paragraph (3); and
(C) in subsection (f), as transferred and redes-
ignated by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph—
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(i) by striking ‘‘For the purposes of this
subsection, a veteran’’ and inserting ‘‘For pur-
poses of establishing service connection for a
disability or death resulting from exposure to a
herbicide agent, including a presumption of
service-connection under this section, a vet-
eran’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘and has a disease referred
to in paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection’’.
(2)(A) The heading of that section is amended to
read as follows:
‘‘§ 1116. Presumptions of service connection for dis-
eases associated with exposure to certain
herbicide agents; presumption of expo-
sure for veterans who served in the Re-
public of Vietnam’’.
(B) The item relating to that section in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 11 is amended to read
as follows:
‘‘1116. Presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with exposure
to certain herbicide agents; presumption of exposure for vet-
erans who served in the Republic of Vietnam.’’.
(d) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PRESUME SERV-
ICE-CONNECTION FOR ADDITIONAL DISEASES.—(1) Sub-
section (e) of such section is amended by striking ‘‘10
years’’ and all that follows through ‘‘Agent Orange Act
of 1991’’ and inserting ‘‘on September 30, 2015’’.
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(2) Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (38
U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ‘‘10 years’’ and
all that follows and inserting ‘‘on October 1, 2014.’’.
SEC. 202. PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION FOR PERSIAN GULF
WAR VETERANS WITH CERTAIN CHRONIC
DISABILITIES.
(a) ILLNESSES THAT CANNOT BE CLEARLY DE-
FINED.—(1) Subsection (a) of section 1117 is amended
to read as follows:
‘‘(a)(1) The Secretary may pay compensation under
this subchapter to a Persian Gulf veteran with a qualifying
chronic disability that became manifest—
‘‘(A) during service on active duty in the Armed
Forces in the Southwest Asia theater of operations
during the Persian Gulf War; or
‘‘(B) to a degree of 10 percent or more during
the presumptive period prescribed under subsection
(b).
‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘quali-
fying chronic disability’ means a chronic disability result-
ing from any of the following (or any combination of any
of the following):
‘‘(A) An undiagnosed illness.
‘‘(B) A medically unexplained chronic multi-
symptom illness (such as chronic fatigue syndrome,
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fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome) that is
defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms.
‘‘(C) Any diagnosed illness that the Secretary
determines in regulations prescribed under sub-
section (d) warrants a presumption of service-con-
nection.’’.
(2) Subsection (c)(1) of such section is amended—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A),
by striking ‘‘for an undiagnosed illness (or combina-
tion of undiagnosed illnesses)’’; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘for such
illness (or combination of illnesses)’’.
(b) SIGNS
OR SYMPTOMS THAT MAY INDICATE
UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESSES.—(1) Such section is further
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(g) For purposes of this section, signs or symptoms
that may be a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness or
a chronic multisymptom illness include the following:
‘‘(1) Fatigue.
‘‘(2) Unexplained rashes or other dermato-
logical signs or symptoms.
‘‘(3) Headache.
‘‘(4) Muscle pain.
‘‘(5) Joint pain.
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‘‘(6) Neurological signs and symptoms.
‘‘(7) Neuropsychological signs or symptoms.
‘‘(8) Signs or symptoms involving the upper or
lower respiratory system.
‘‘(9) Sleep disturbances.
‘‘(10) Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms.
‘‘(11) Cardiovascular signs or symptoms.
‘‘(12) Abnormal weight loss.
‘‘(13) Menstrual disorders.’’.
(2) Section 1118(a) is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
‘‘(4) For purposes of this section, signs or symptoms
that may be a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness in-
clude the signs and symptoms listed in section 1117(g)
of this title.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on March 1, 2002.
(d) CLARIFICATION
OF AUTHORITY TO PRESUME
SERVICE-CONNECTION FOR ADDITIONAL DISEASES.—(1)
Sections 1117(c)(2) and 1118(e) are each amended by
striking ‘‘10 years’’ and all that follows through ‘‘of 1998’’
and inserting ‘‘on September 30, 2011’’.
(2) Section 1603(j) of the Persian Gulf War Veterans
Act of 1998 (38 U.S.C. 1117 note) is amended by striking
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‘‘10 years’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘on October
1, 2010.’’.
SEC. 203. PRESERVATION OF SERVICE CONNECTION FOR
UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESSES TO PROVIDE FOR
PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH PROJECTS BY
PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS.
(a) AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY TO PROVIDE FOR
PARTICIPATION WITHOUT LOSS OF BENEFITS.—Section
1117 is amended by adding after subsection (g), as added
by section 202(b), the following new subsection:
‘‘(h)(1) If the Secretary determines with respect to
a medical research project sponsored by the Department
that it is necessary for the conduct of the project that Per-
sian Gulf veterans in receipt of compensation under this
section or section 1118 of this title participate in the
project without the possibility of loss of service connection
under either such section, the Secretary shall provide that
service connection granted under either such section for
disability of a veteran who participated in the research
project may not be terminated. Except as provided in
paragraph (2), nothwithstanding any other provision of
law any grant of service-connection protected under this
subsection shall remain service-connected for purposes of
all provisions of law under this title.
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‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in a case in
which—
‘‘(A) the original award of compensation or
service connection was based on fraud; or
‘‘(B) it is clearly shown from military records
that the person concerned did not have the requisite
service or character of discharge.
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Reg-
ister a list of medical research projects sponsored by the
Department for which service connection granted under
this section or section 1118 of this title may not be termi-
nated pursuant to paragraph (1).’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The authority provided by
subsection (h) of section 1117 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a), may be used by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs with respect to any medical re-
search project of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
whether commenced before, on, or after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 204. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS OF BENE-
FITS TO INCOMPETENT INSTITUTIONALIZED
VETERANS.
(a) REPEAL.—Section 5503 is amended—
(1) by striking subsections (b) and (c); and
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(2) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and
(f) as subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively.
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—(1) 
Section
1114(r) is amended by striking ‘‘section 5503(e)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 5503(c)’’.
(2) Section 5112 is amended by striking subsection
(c).
SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF ROUND-DOWN REQUIREMENT FOR
COMPENSATION 
COST-OF-LIVING 
ADJUST-
MENTS.
Sections 1104(a) and 1303(a) are amended by strik-
ing ‘‘2002’’ and inserting ‘‘2011’’.
SEC. 206. EXPANSION OF PRESUMPTIONS OF PERMANENT
AND TOTAL DISABILITY FOR VETERANS AP-
PLYING FOR NONSERVICE-CONNECTED PEN-
SION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1502(a) is amended by
striking ‘‘such a person’’ and all that follows through the
end of the subsection and inserting the following: ‘‘such
person is any of the following:
‘‘(1) A patient in a nursing home for long-term
care because of disability.
‘‘(2) Disabled, as determined by the Commis-
sioner of Social Security for purposes of any benefits
administered by the Commissioner.
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‘‘(3) Unemployable as a result of disability rea-
sonably certain to continue throughout the life of the
person.
‘‘(4) Suffering from—
‘‘(A) any disability which is sufficient to
render it impossible for the average person to
follow a substantially gainful occupation, but
only if it is reasonably certain that such dis-
ability will continue throughout the life of the
person; or
‘‘(B) any disease or disorder determined by
the Secretary to be of such a nature or extent
as to justify a determination that persons suf-
fering therefrom are permanently and totally
disabled.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by
subsection (a) shall take effect as of September 17, 2001.
SEC. 207. ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS 65 YEARS OF AGE OR
OLDER FOR VETERANS’ PENSION BENEFITS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Subchapter II of chapter 15
is amended by inserting after section 1512 the following
new section:
‘‘§ 1513. Veterans 65 years of age and older
‘‘(a) The Secretary shall pay to each veteran of a pe-
riod of war who is 65 years of age or older and who meets
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the service requirements of section 1521 of this title (as
prescribed in subsection (j) of that section) pension at the
rates prescribed by 1521 of this title and under the condi-
tions (other than the permanent and total disability re-
quirement) applicable to pension paid under that section.
‘‘(b) If a veteran is eligible for pension under both
this section and section 1521 of this title, pension shall
be paid to the veteran only under section 1521 of this
title.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 1512 the following new item:
‘‘1513. Veterans 65 years of age and older.’’.
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—(1) 
Section
1521(f)(1) is amended by inserting ‘‘or the age and service
requirements prescribed in section 1513 of this title,’’
after ‘‘of this section,’’.
(2) Section 1522(a) is amended by inserting ‘‘1513
or’’ after ‘‘under section’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall take effect as of September 17, 2001.
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TITLE III—TRANSITION AND
OUTREACH PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH OVERSEAS VETERANS
ASSISTANCE OFFICES TO EXPAND TRANSI-
TION ASSISTANCE.
Section 7723(a) is amended by inserting after the
first sentence the following new sentence: ‘‘The Secretary
may maintain such offices on such military installations
located elsewhere as the Secretary, after consultation with
the Secretary of Defense, determines to be necessary to
carry out such purposes.’’.
SEC. 302. TIMING OF PRESEPARATION COUNSELING.
(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) The first sentence of section
1142(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows: ‘‘Within the time periods specified in
paragraph (3), the Secretary concerned shall (except as
provided in paragraph (4)) provide for individual
preseparation counseling of each member of the armed
forces whose discharge or release from active duty is an-
ticipated as of a specific date.’’.
(2) Such section is further amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraphs:
‘‘(3)(A) In the case of an anticipated retirement,
preseparation counseling shall commence as soon as pos-
sible during the 24-month period preceding the anticipated
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retirement date. In the case of a separation other than
a retirement, preseparation counseling shall commence as
soon as possible during the 12-month period preceding the
anticipated date. Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
in no event shall preseparation counseling commence later
than 90 days before the date of discharge or release.
‘‘(B) In the event that a retirement or other separa-
tion is unanticipated until there are 90 or fewer days be-
fore the anticipated retirement or separation date,
preseparation counseling shall begin as soon as possible
within the remaining period of service.
‘‘(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary
concerned shall not provide preseparation counseling to a
member who is being discharged or released before the
completion of that member’s first 180 days of active duty.
‘‘(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case
of a member who is being retired or separated for dis-
ability.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The second sen-
tence of section 1144(a)(1) of title 10, United States
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘during the 180-day period’’
and all that follows and inserting ‘‘within the time periods
provided under paragraph (3) of section 1142(a) of this
title, except that the Secretary concerned shall not provide
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preseparation counseling to a member described in para-
graph (4)(A) of such section.’’.
SEC. 303. IMPROVEMENT IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING
OUTREACH 
SERVICES 
FOR 
SEPARATING
SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS.
(a) PROVIDING OUTREACH THROUGH STATE AP-
PROVING AGENCIES.—Section 3672(d) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘and State approving agencies’’ before ‘‘shall ac-
tively promote the development of programs of training
on the job’’.
(b) ADDITIONAL DUTY.—Such section is further
amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(d)’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(2) In conjunction with outreach services provided
by the Secretary under chapter 77 of this title for edu-
cation and training benefits, each State approving agency
shall conduct outreach programs and provide outreach
services to eligible persons and veterans about education
and training benefits available under applicable Federal
and State law.’’.
SEC. 304. IMPROVEMENT OF VETERANS OUTREACH PRO-
GRAMS.
Section 7722(c) is amended—
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(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(c)’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(2) Whenever a veteran or dependent first applies
for any benefit under laws administered by the Secretary
(including a request for burial or related benefits or an
application for life insurance proceeds), the Secretary shall
provide to the veteran or dependent information con-
cerning benefits and health care services under programs
administered by the Secretary. Such information shall be
provided not later than three months after the date of
such application.’’.
TITLE IV—HOUSING MATTERS
SEC. 401. INCREASE IN HOME LOAN GUARANTY AMOUNT
FOR CONSTRUCTION AND PURCHASE OF
HOMES.
Section 3703(a)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘$50,750’’
each place it appears in subparagraphs (A)(i)(IV) and (B)
and inserting ‘‘$60,000’’.
SEC. 402. NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN
PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) EXTENSION
OF
PILOT
PROGRAM.—Section
3761(c) is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2001’’ and
inserting ‘‘December 31, 2005’’.
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(b) AUTHORIZATION OF THE USE OF CERTAIN FED-
ERAL
MEMORANDUMS
OF
UNDERSTANDING.—Section
3762(a)(1) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ after ‘‘(1)’’;
(2) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon and
inserting ‘‘or’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(B) the tribal organization that has jurisdic-
tion over the veteran has entered into a memo-
randum of understanding with any department or
agency of the United States with respect to direct
housing loans to Native Americans that the Sec-
retary determines substantially complies with the re-
quirements of subsection (b); and’’.
(c) EXTENSION
OF
ANNUAL
REPORT.—Section
3762(j) is amended by striking ‘‘2002’’ and inserting
‘‘2006’’.
SEC. 403. MODIFICATION OF LOAN ASSUMPTION NOTICE
REQUIREMENT.
Section 3714(d) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(d) With respect to a loan guaranteed, insured, or
made under this chapter, the Secretary shall provide, by
regulation, that at least one instrument evidencing either
the loan or the mortgage or deed of trust therefor, shall
conspicuously contain, in such form as the Secretary shall
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specify, a notice in substantially the following form: ‘This
loan is not assumable without the approval of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs or its authorized agent’.’’.
SEC. 404. INCREASE IN ASSISTANCE AMOUNT FOR SPE-
CIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING.
Section 2102 is amended—
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of
subsection (a), by striking ‘‘$43,000’’ and inserting
‘‘$48,000’’; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘$8,250’’
and inserting ‘‘$9,250’’.
SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF OTHER HOUSING AUTHORITIES.
(a) HOUSING LOANS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SE-
LECTED RESERVE.—Section 3702(a)(2)(E) is amended by
striking ‘‘September 30, 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘September
30, 2009’’.
(b) ENHANCED LOAN ASSET SALE AUTHORITY.—
Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘December 31,
2008’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2011’’.
(c) HOME LOAN FEE AUTHORITIES.—The table in
section 3729(b)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘October 1,
2008’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘October 1,
2011’’.
(d) PROCEDURES
APPLICABLE
TO
LIQUIDATION
SALES ON DEFAULTED HOME LOANS GUARANTEED BY
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(4) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘(g)(1)’’ and
inserting ‘‘(g) RULES.—(1)’.
SEC. 602. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR WRITTEN NOTICE
REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF REAPPOINT-
MENT AS CONDITION TO RETIREMENT FROM
THE COURT.
Section 7296(b)(2) is amended by striking the second
sentence.
SEC. 603. TERMINATION OF NOTICE OF DISAGREEMENT AS
JURISDICTIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE
COURT.
(a) TERMINATION.—Section 402 of the Veterans’ Ju-
dicial Review Act (division A of Public Law 100–687; 102
Stat. 4122; 38 U.S.C. 7251 note) is repealed.
(b) ATTORNEY FEES.—Section 403 of the Veterans’
Judicial Review Act (102 Stat. 4122; 38 U.S.C. 5904
note) is repealed.
(c) CONSTRUCTION.—The repeal in subsection (a)
may not be construed to confer upon the United States
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims jurisdiction over any
appeal or other matter not within the jurisdiction of the
Court as provided in section 7266(a) of title 38, United
States Code.