In the Senate of the United States,
December 8 (legislative day, December 7), 2001.
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representa-
tives (H.R. 1291) entitled ‘‘An Act to amend title 38, United
States Code, to increase the amount of educational benefits
for veterans under the Montgomery GI Bill.’’, do pass with
the following
AMENDMENTS:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Vet-
erans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2001’’.
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for
this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
TITLE I—EDUCATION MATTERS
Sec. 101. Increase in rates of basic educational assistance under Montgomery GI
Bill.
Sec. 102. Authority for accelerated payments of basic educational assistance
under Montgomery GI Bill.
Sec. 103. Accelerated payments of educational assistance under Montgomery GI
Bill for education leading to employment in high technology in-
dustry.
Sec. 104. Eligibility for Montgomery GI Bill benefits of certain additional Viet-
nam era veterans.
Sec. 105. Treatment of educational allowances paid to persons called to active
duty for the national emergency of September 11, 2001.
Sec. 106. Increase in rates of survivors’ and dependents’ educational assistance.
Sec. 107. Eligibility for survivors’ and dependents’ educational assistance of
spouses and surviving spouses of veterans with total service-con-
nected disabilities.
Sec. 108. Inclusion of certain private technology entities in definition of edu-
cational institution.
TITLE II—COMPENSATION AND PENSION MATTERS
Sec. 201. Modification and extension of authorities on presumption of service-con-
nection for herbicide-related disabilities of Vietnam era veterans.
Sec. 202. Compensation for disabilities of Persian Gulf War veterans.
Sec. 203. Expansion of presumptions of permanent and total disability for vet-
erans applying for nonservice-connected pension.
Sec. 204. Exclusion of certain additional income from determinations of annual
income for pension purposes.
Sec. 205. Time limitation on receipt of claim information pursuant to request by
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 206. Effective date of change in recurring income for pension purposes.
Sec. 207. Prohibition on provision of certain benefits with respect to veterans who
are fugitive felons.
Sec. 208. Limitation on payment of compensation for veterans remaining incar-
cerated for felonies committed before October 7, 1980.
Sec. 209. Repeal of limitation on payments of benefits to incompetent institu-
tionalized veterans.
Sec. 210. Extension of limitation on pension for certain recipients of medicaid-
covered nursing home care.
TITLE III—HOUSING MATTERS
Sec. 301. Increase in home loan guaranty amount for construction and purchase
of homes.
Sec. 302. Four-year extension of Native American Veterans Housing Loan Pro-
gram.
Sec. 303. Extension of other expiring authorities.
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TITLE IV—BURIAL MATTERS
Sec. 401. Increase in burial and funeral expense benefit for veterans who die of
service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 402. Authority to provide bronze grave markers for privately marked graves.
TITLE V—OTHER BENEFITS MATTERS
Sec. 501. Repeal of fiscal year limitation on number of veterans in programs of
independent living services and assistance.
TITLE VI—UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS
CLAIMS
Sec. 601. Temporary expansion of United States Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims to facilitate staggered terms of judges.
Sec. 602. Repeal of requirement for written notice regarding acceptance of re-
appointment as condition to retirement from United States
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 603. Termination of notice of disagreement as jurisdictional requirement for
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 604. Registration fees.
Sec. 605. Administrative authorities.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of
an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision,
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of title 38, United States Code.
TITLE I—EDUCATION MATTERS
SEC. 101. INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) ACTIVE DUTY EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—Sec-
tion 3015 is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘$650 (as
increased from time to time under subsection (h))’’
and inserting ‘‘$700, for months beginning after Sep-
tember 30, 2001, but before September 30, 2002, $800
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for months beginning after September 30, 2002, but
before September 30, 2003, and $950 for months be-
ginning after September 30, 2003, but before Sep-
tember 30, 2004, and as increased from time to time
under subsection (h) after September 30, 2004,’’; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘$528 (as
increased from time to time under subsection (h))’’
and inserting ‘‘$569, for months beginning after Sep-
tember 30, 2001, but before September 30, 2002, $650
for months beginning after September 30, 2002, but
before September 30, 2003, and $772 for months be-
ginning after September 30, 2003, but before Sep-
tember 30, 2004, and as increased from time to time
under subsection (h) after September 30, 2004,’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2001, and shall
apply with respect to educational assistance allowances
paid under chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code, for
months after September 2001. However, no adjustment shall
be made under section 3015(h) of title 38, United States
Code, for fiscal year 2002, 2003, or 2004.
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SEC. 102. AUTHORITY FOR ACCELERATED PAYMENTS OF
BASIC 
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
UNDER
MONTGOMERY GI BILL.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3014 is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(c)(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter and subject to subparagraph (B), an individual en-
titled to basic educational assistance under this subchapter
may elect to receive an accelerated payment of the basic
educational assistance allowance.
‘‘(B) The Secretary may not make an accelerated pay-
ment under this subsection for a course to an individual
who has received an advance payment under section 3014A
or 3680(d) of this title for the same enrollment period.
‘‘(2)(A) Pursuant to an election under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall make an accelerated payment to an in-
dividual for a course in a lump-sum amount equal to the
lesser of—
‘‘(i) the amount of the educational assistance al-
lowance for the month, or fraction thereof, in which
the course begins plus the educational assistance al-
lowance for each of the succeeding four months; or
‘‘(ii)(I) in the case of a course offered on a quar-
ter, semester, or term basis, the amount of aggregate
monthly educational assistance allowance otherwise
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payable under this subchapter for the course for the
entire quarter, semester, or term; or
‘‘(II) in the case of a course that is not offered
on a quarter, semester, or term basis, the amount of
aggregate monthly educational assistance allowance
otherwise payable under this subchapter for the entire
course.
‘‘(B) In the case of an adjustment under section
3015(h) of this title in the monthly rate of basic educational
assistance that occurs during a period for which an acceler-
ated payment is made under this subsection, the Secretary
shall pay—
‘‘(i) on an accelerated basis the amount of the al-
lowance otherwise payable under this subchapter for
the period without regard to the adjustment under
that section; and
‘‘(ii) on the date of the adjustment any addi-
tional amount of the allowance that is payable for the
period as a result of the adjustment.
‘‘(3) For each accelerated payment made to an indi-
vidual under this subsection, the individual’s entitlement
under this subchapter shall be charged at the same rate at
which the entitlement would be charged if the individual
had received a monthly educational assistance allowance for
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the period of educational pursuit covered by the accelerated
payment.
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry
out this subsection. The regulations shall include the re-
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
subsection.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on the date that is six months
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply
with respect to courses of education beginning on or after
that date.
SEC. 103. 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
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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-
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 education
shall be the lesser of—
‘‘(A) the amount equal to 60 percent of the estab-
lished 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.
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‘‘(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 program of edu-
cation 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.
‘‘(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 in-
dividual 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 indi-
vidual 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 pro-
gram of education shall be made not later than the last day
of the month immediately following the month in which the
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Secretary receives a certification from the educational insti-
tution 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
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 indi-
vidual under section 3015 of this title as of the beginning
date of the enrollment period for the program of education
for which the accelerated payment is made.
‘‘(2) If the monthly rate of basic educational assistance
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 edu-
cational assistance under this chapter shall be determined
by prorating the entitlement chargeable, in the matter pro-
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vided for under paragraph (1), for the periods covered by
the initial rate and increased rate, respectively, in accord-
ance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
‘‘(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 sec-
tion 3014(c) or 3680(d) of this title for the same enrollment
period.
‘‘(g) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry
out this section. The regulations shall include requirements,
conditions, and methods for the request, issuance, delivery,
certification of receipt and use, and recovery of overpay-
ment of an accelerated payment under this section.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of that chap-
ter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
3014 the following new item:
‘‘3014A. Accelerated payment of basic educational assistance for education leading
to employment in high technology industry.’’.
(b) RESTATEMENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF CERTAIN
ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES.—Subsection (g) of section
3680 is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(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:
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‘‘(A) Enrollment in a course or a program of
education or training.
‘‘(B) Pursuit of a course or program of edu-
cation or training.
‘‘(C) Attendance at a course or program of edu-
cation and 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-
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 suffi-
cient 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 period for
a program of education, the Secretary may accept the indi-
vidual’s certification of enrollment in and satisfactory pur-
suit of the program of education as sufficient proof of the
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certified matters if the certification is submitted after the
enrollment period has ended.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this
section shall take effect eight months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to en-
rollments in courses or programs of education or training
beginning on or after that date.
SEC. 104. 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, is eligible for
educational assistance benefits under chapter 34
of this title and—
‘‘(i) was not on active duty on October
19, 1984;
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‘‘(ii) reenlists or reenters on a period
of active duty after the date specified in
clause (i); and
‘‘(iii) 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-con-
nected disability, for a medical condi-
tion which preexisted such service on
active duty and which the Secretary
determines is not service connected, for
hardship, or for a physical or mental
condition that was not characterized as
a disability, as described in subpara-
graph (A)(ii)(I) of this paragraph, (bb)
for the convenience of the Government,
if the individual completed not less
than 30 months of continuous active
duty after that date, or (cc) involun-
tarily for the convenience of the Gov-
ernment as a result of a reduction in
force, as determined by the Secretary of
the military department concerned in
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accordance with regulations prescribed
by the Secretary of Defense or by the
Secretary of Transportation with re-
spect 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—
(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, is 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 after the date specified in
clause (i); and
‘‘(iii) after July 1, 1985—
‘‘(I) serves at least two years of
continuous active duty in the Armed
Forces, subject to subsection (b) of this
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section, characterized by the Secretary
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 contin-
uous years in the Selected Reserve dur-
ing which the individual participates
satisfactorily in training as prescribed
by the Secretary concerned;’’.
(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 ‘‘sec-
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tion 3011(a)(1)(B), 3011(a)(1)(C), 3012(a)(1)(B), or
3012(a)(1)(C)’’.
SEC. 105. TREATMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ALLOWANCES
PAID TO PERSONS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY
FOR THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY OF SEP-
TEMBER 11, 2001.
(a) MONTGOMERY GI BILL.—Section 3013(f)(2) is
amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘, or in
support of or response to the National Emergency de-
clared by the Presidential Proclamation dated Sep-
tember 14, 2001,’’ after ‘‘Persian Gulf War’’; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘or Presi-
dential Proclamation’’ after ‘‘such War’’.
(b) VEAP.—Section 3231(a)(5) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting ‘‘, or in
support of or response to the National Emergency de-
clared by the Presidential Proclamation dated Sep-
tember 14, 2001,’’ after ‘‘Persian Gulf War’’; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or
Presidential Proclamation’’ after ‘‘such War’’.
(c) SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE.—Section 3511(a)(2)(B)(i) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘, or in support of or response to the National Emer-
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gency declared by the Presidential Proclamation dated Sep-
tember 14, 2001,’’ after ‘‘Persian Gulf War’’.
SEC. 106. INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVORS’ AND DE-
PENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3532(a)(1) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘$588’’ and inserting ‘‘$690’’;
(2) by striking ‘‘$441’’ and inserting ‘‘$517’’;
and
(3) by striking ‘‘$294’’ and inserting ‘‘$345’’.
(b) TRAINING IN BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY.—Section
3532(b) is amended by striking ‘‘$588’’ and inserting
‘‘$690’’.
(c) CORRESPONDENCE COURSES.—Section 3534(b) is
amended by striking ‘‘$588’’ and inserting ‘‘$690’’.
(d) SPECIAL RESTORATIVE TRAINING.—Section 3542
is amended by striking ‘‘$588’’ and inserting ‘‘$690’’.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this
section shall take effect on October 1, 2001, and shall apply
with respect to educational assistance allowances payable
under chapter 35 of title 38, United States Code, for months
beginning on or after that date. No adjustment in amounts
of educational assistance shall be made under section 3564
of title 38, United States Code, for fiscal year 2002.
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SEC. 107. 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’’.
(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 de-
ducted from any entitlement to which such person may sub-
sequently be entitled under this chapter.’’.
(2) Section 3512 is amended by striking subsection (g).
(c) DELIMITING PERIOD.—(1) Section 3512(b) is
amended—
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following new paragraph (1):
‘‘(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a
person made eligible by subparagraph (B) or (D) of section
3501(a)(1) of this title may be afforded educational assist-
ance under this chapter during the 10-year period begin-
ning on the date (as determined by the Secretary) the per-
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son becomes an eligible person within the meaning of sec-
tion 3501(a)(1)(B), 3501(a)(1)(D)(i), or 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 dur-
ing which the person was afforded 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 deter-
mined for the person under subparagraph (A) and which-
ever of the following dates applies:
‘‘(i) The date on which the Secretary notifies the
veteran from whom eligibility is derived that the vet-
eran has a service-connected total disability perma-
nent in nature.
‘‘(ii) The date on which the Secretary determines
that the veteran from whom eligibility is derived died
of a service-connected disability.’’; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3).
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(2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall
apply with respect to any determination (whether adminis-
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 assist-
ance.
SEC. 108. 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)
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 license
or certificate generally recognized as necessary to obtain,
maintain, or advance in employment in a profession or vo-
cation in a high technology occupation (as determined by
the Secretary).’’.
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(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply to enrollments in courses occurring
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE II—COMPENSATION AND
PENSION MATTERS
SEC. 201. MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES
ON PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE-CONNECTION
FOR HERBICIDE-RELATED DISABILITIES OF
VIETNAM ERA VETERANS.
(a) REPEAL OF 30-YEAR LIMITATION ON MANIFESTA-
TION OF RESPIRATORY CANCERS.—Subsection (a)(2)(F) of
section 1116 is amended by striking ‘‘within 30 years’’ and
all that follows through ‘‘May 7, 1975’’.
(b) PRESUMPTION
OF
EXPOSURE
TO
HERBICIDE
AGENTS IN VIETNAM DURING VIETNAM ERA.—(1) Section
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) in subsection (a), by redesignating para-
graph (4) as paragraph (3); and
(C) in subsection (f), as transferred and redesig-
nated by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph—
(i) by striking ‘‘For the purposes of this
subsection, a veteran’’ and inserting ‘‘For pur-
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poses of establishing service connection for a dis-
ability or death resulting from exposure to a her-
bicide agent, including a presumption of service-
connection under this section, a veteran’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘and has a disease referred
to in paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection’’.
(2)(A) The section 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’’.
(B) The table of section at the beginning of chapter
11 is amended by striking the item relating to section 1116
and inserting the following new item:
‘‘1116. Presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to
certain herbicide agents; presumption of exposure.’’.
(c) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PRESUME SERVICE-
CONNECTION FOR ADDITIONAL DISEASES.—(1) Subsection
(e) of section 1116 is amended by striking ‘‘10 years’’ and
inserting ‘‘20 years’’.
(2) Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (38
U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ‘‘10 years’’ and
inserting ‘‘20 years’’.
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SEC. 202. COMPENSATION FOR DISABILITIES OF PERSIAN
GULF WAR VETERANS.
(a) PRESUMPTIVE PERIOD FOR UNDIAGNOSED ILL-
NESSES.—Section 1117 is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘within the
presumptive period prescribed under subsection (b)’’
and inserting ‘‘before December 31, 2011, or such
later date as the Secretary may prescribe by regula-
tion’’;
(2) by striking subsection (b); and
(3) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), and
(f) as subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e), respectively.
(b) ILLNESSES THAT CANNOT
BE CLEARLY DE-
FINED.—Subsection (a) of that section is further amended
by inserting ‘‘or any poorly defined chronic multisymptom
illness of unknown etiology, regardless of diagnosis, charac-
terized by two or more of the signs or symptoms listed in
subsection (f)’’ after ‘‘illnesses)’’.
(c) SIGNS
OR
SYMPTOMS
THAT
MAY
INDICATE
UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESSES.—That section is further amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(f) For purposes of this section, signs or symptoms
that may be a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness in-
clude the following:
‘‘(1) Fatigue.
HR 1291 EAS
‘‘(2) Unexplained rashes or other dermatological
signs or symptoms.
‘‘(3) Headache.
‘‘(4) Muscle pain.
‘‘(5) Joint pain.
‘‘(6) Neurologic signs or symptoms.
‘‘(7) Neuropsychological signs or symptoms.
‘‘(8) Signs or symptoms involving the res-
piratory system (upper or lower).
‘‘(9) Sleep disturbances.
‘‘(10) Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms.
‘‘(11) Cardiovascular signs or symptoms.
‘‘(12) Abnormal weight loss.
‘‘(13) Menstrual disorders.’’.
(d) PRESUMPTION
OF SERVICE CONNECTION PRO-
GRAM.—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(f) of
this title.’’.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this
section shall take effect on April 1, 2002.