An Act to amend title 38 of the United States Code to liberalize the provisions relating to payment of disability and death pension and dependency and indemnity compensation, to increase income limitations, and for other purposes.
PL 94-169 (H.R.10355), enacted 12/23/1975

PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
89 STAT. 1013 
Public Law 94-169 
94th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 38 of the United States Code to liberalize the provisions relating 
to payment of disability and death pension and dependency and indemnity 
compensation, to increase income limitations, and for other puri>oses. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may 
be cited as the "Veterans and Survivors Pension Interim Adjustment 
Act of 1975". 
TITLE I—INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS IN CURRENT 
STATUTORY PENSION PROVISIONS 
SEC. 101. Effective January 1, 1976, title 38, United States Code, 
is amended as follows: 
(1) chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking out in paragraph (3) of section 101 
"widow", "woman", "wife", "his", "him", "man", and "her-
self" each time they appear and inserting in lieu thereof 
"surviving spouse", "person of the opposite sex", "spouse", 
"the veteran's", "the veteran", "person", and "himself or 
herself", respectively; 
(B) by striking out in the second sentence of paragraph 
(4) of section 101 "his support" and "his spouse" and insert-
ing in lieu thereof "the person's support" and "the veteran's 
spouse", respectively; 
(C) by striking out in paragraph (5) of section 101 "his" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "the veteran's"; 
(D) by striking out in paragraph (13) of section 101 
"widow" and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(E) by striking out in paragraph (14) of section 101 
"widow" each time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
"surviving spouse"; 
(F) by striking out in paragraph (15) of section 101 
"widow" and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
and 
(G) by adding at the end of section 101 the following 
new paragraph: 
"(31) The term 'spouse' means a person of the opposite sex who is 
a wife or huband and the term 'surviving spouse' means a person of 
the opposite sex who is a widow or widower."; and 
(2) chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by inserting in subsection (a) of section 503 "and" 
after the semicolon at the end of clause (16) of such 
subsection; 
(B) by striking out in subsection (a) of section 541 
"widow" and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse" 
and by striking out "his" preceding the word "death"; 
Dec. 23, 1975 
[H.R. 10355] 
Veterans and 
Survivors 
Pension Interim 
Adjustment Act 
of 1975. 
38 u s e 101 note. 
Effective date. 
38 u s e 101 et 
"Spouse." 
"Surviving 
spouse." 
38 u s e 501 et 
seq. 
89 STAT. 1014 
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
38 use 541. 
Repeals. 
striking out in 
and 
inserting 
the catchline of 
lieu 
thereof 
m 
section 541 
"Surviving 
Effective date. 
Unmarried 
veterans. 
(C) by striking out in subsection (e) of section 541 the 
language preceding clause (1) of such subsection and insert-
ing in lieu thereof "No pension shall be paid to a surviving 
spouse of a veteran under this section unless the spouse 
was married to the veteran—" and by amending subclause 
(D) of clause (1) of such subsection, to read as follows: 
" ( D ) May 8, 1985, in the case of a surviving spouse of a 
Vietnam era veteran; or"; 
(D) by striking out in section 542 "widow" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "surviving spouse" and by striking out "his" 
preceding the word "death"; 
(E) by striking out in section 543 "widow" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(F^ by repealing sections 510 and 531; 
(G) by striking out in the heading of subchapter III 
"Widows" 
and inserting 
in 
lieu 
thereof 
"Surviving 
Spouses"; 
(H) by 
"Widows" 
Spouses"; 
(I) by striking out in the subheading of subchapter III 
immediately following section 543 "WIDOWS" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "SURVI\T:NG SPOUSES"; and 
(J) by amending the table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter 15— 
(i) by striking out 
"510. Confederate forces veterans."; 
(ii) by striking out 
"SUBCHAPTEB III—PENSIONS TO WIDOWS AND CHILDREN" 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"SUBCHAPTEB III 
PENSIONS TO SURVIVING SPOUSES AND CHILDREN" ; 
(iii) by striking out 
"531. Widows of Mexican War veterans."; 
(iv) by striking out 
"541. Widows of Mexican border period, World War I, and World War II, 
Korean conflict, or Vietnam era veterans." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"541. Surviving spouses of Mexican border period, World War I, World War 
II, Korean conflict, or Vietnam era veterans."; and 
(v) by striking out 
"Widows of Veterans of All Periods of War" 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"Surviving Spouses of Veterans of All Periods of War". 
SEC. 102. Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1976, and 
ending September 30, 1976, section 521 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows: 
"(b)(1) If the veteran is unmarried (or married but not living 
with and not reasonably contributing to the support of such veteran's 
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
89 STAT. 1015 
spouse) and has no child, pension shall be paid to the veteran accord-
ing to the following formula: 
"The monthly rate of 
pension shall be 
$173 reduced by— 
$0.00 
.03 
.04 
.05 
.06 
.07 
.08 
For each $1 of annual Income 
Which is more than— 
0 
$300 
500 
700 
1,200 
1,700 
2,000 
But not more than— 
$300 
500 
700 
1,200 
1,700 
2,000 
3.300 
" (2) In no case may the amount of pension payable to any veteran 
under this subsection be less than $5 monthly. 
"(3) In no case may pension be paid under this subsection to any 
veteran if the annual income of such veteran exceeds $3,300. 
"(c) (1) If the veteran is married and living with or reasonably Married veterans, 
contributing to the support of such veteran's spouse, or has a child 
or children, pension shall be paid to the veteran according to the fol-
lowing formula: 
"The monthly rate 
of pension for a vet-
eran shaU be— 
$186 if such veter-
an has one such 
dependent; $191 
If such veteran 
has two such de-
pendents; and 
$196 if such veter-
an has three or 
more such de-
p e n d e n t s ; re-
duced by— 
$0.00 
.02 
.03 
.04 
.05 
.06 
.08 
For each $1 of annual income 
Which is more 
than— 
0 
$500 
700 
1,300 
2,800 
3,200 
3,800 
But not more 
than— 
$500 
700 
1,300 
2, 300 
3,200 
3,800 
4,500 
" (2) In no case may the amount of pension payable to any veteran 
under this subsection be less than $5 monthly. 
"(3) In no case may pension be paid under this subsection to any 
veteran if the annual income of such veteran exceeds $4,500."; 
(2) by striking out in subsection (d) "him" and "$123" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "such veteran" and "$133", respectively; 
and 
(3) by striking out in subsection (e) "his", "him", and "$49" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "such veteran's", "such veteran", and 
"$53", respectively. 
89 STAT. 1016 
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
Effective date. 
Surviving spouse 
with no children. 
Surviving spouse 
with one child. 
SEC. 103. Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1976, and 
ending September 30, 1976, section 541 of title 88, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows: 
"(b) (1) If there is no child, pension shall be paid to the surviving 
spouse according to the following formula: 
"The monthly rate of 
pension shall be 
$117 reduced by— 
$0.00 
.01 
.03 
.04 
.05 
.06 
For each $1 of annual income 
Which Is more than— 
0 
$300 
600 
900 
1, 500 
2,700 
But not more than— 
$300 
600 
900 
1,500 
2,700 
3,300 
"(2) In no case may the amount of pension payable to any surviv-
ing spouse under this subsection be less than $5 monthly. 
"(3) In no case may pension be paid under this subsection to any 
surviving spouse if the annual income of such surviving spouse exceeds 
$3,300. 
"(c) (1) If there is a surviving spouse and one child, pension shall 
be paid to the surviving spouse according to the following formula: 
"The monthly rate of 
pension shall be 
$139 reduced by— 
$0.00 
.01 
.02 
.03 
.04 
.05 
For each $1 of annual income 
Which is more 
than— 
0 
$700 
1,100 
1,800 
2,700 
3,500 
But not more 
Chan— 
$700 
1, 100 
1,800 
2,700 
3,500 
4,500 
"(2) In no case may pension be paid under this subsection to any 
surviving spouse if the annual income of such surviving spouse exceeds 
$4,500. 
"(3) Whenever the monthly rate payable to any surviving spouse 
under paragraph (1) of this subsection is less than the amount which 
38 use 542. 
would be payable for one child under section 542 of this title if the 
surviving spouse were not entitled, the surviving spouse shall be paid 
at the child's rate."; and 
(2) by striking out in subsection (d) "widow" and "$20" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse" and "$22", 
respectively. 
Effective date. 
SEC. 104. Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1976, and 
ending September 30, 1976, section 542 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking out in subsection (a) "$49" and "$20" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$53" and "$22", respectively; and 
(2) by striking out in subsection (c) "$2,400" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$2,700". 
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
89 STAT. 1017 
SEC. 105. Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1976, and 
ending September 30,1976, section 544 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
*'§ 544. Aid and attendance allowance 
"If any surviving spouse is entitled to pension under this subchapter 
and is in need of regular aid and attendance, the monthly rate of 
pension payable to the surviving spouse shall be increased by $69.". 
SEC. 106. Effective January 1, 1976, chapter 15 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking out in section 501(2) "him" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "such veteran"; 
(2) by striking out in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 
502 "he" and "his" each time they appear and inserting in lieu 
thereof "such person" and "such veteran's", respectively; 
(3) by striking out in section 503(a)(7) "wife", "his", and 
"widow" and inserting in lieu thereof "spouse", "such veteran's", 
and "surviving spouse", respectively; 
(4) by striking out in subclauses (A), (B), and (C) of section 
503(a) (7) "his" each time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
"such veteran's"; 
(5) by striking out in subclauses (A) and (B) of section 503 
(a) (9) "his", "widow", and "wife" each time they appear and 
inserting in lieu thereof "such veteran's", "surviving spouse", and 
"spouse", respectively; 
(6) by striking out in section 503(a) (14) "his widow" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "such veteran's surviving spouse"; 
(7) by striking out in section 503(a) (16) "his" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "such employee's"; 
(8) by striking out in section 503(c) "widow" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(9) by striking out in section 505(a) "his" each time it appears 
and inserting in lieu thereof "such individual's"; 
(10) by striking out in section 505 (b) "his wife" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "such veteran's spouse"; 
(11) by striking out in section 505(c), including clauses (1) 
and (2), "widow" each time it appears and inserting in lieu 
thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(12) by striking out in section 506(a) (1) "he" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "the Administrator"; 
(13) by striking out in section 506(a) (2) "him", "he", and "his" 
each time they appear and inserting in lieu thereof "the Adminis-
trator", "such person", and "such person's", respectively; 
(14) by striking out in section 506(a)(3) "his" each time it 
appears and inserting in lieu thereof "such person's"; 
(15) by striking out in section 507 ", in his discretion,"; by 
striking out in such section "his wife" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"such veteran's spouse"; and by striking out in such section "wife" 
the second time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof "spouse"; 
(16) by striking out in subsections (b) and (c) of section 511 
"he" each time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof "such vet-
eran" ; 
(17) by striking out in subsections (a) and (b) of section 512 
''he" each time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof "such 
veteran"; 
Effective date. 
Effective date 
38 u s e 501 et 
seq. 
89 STAT. 1018 
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
38 use 521. 
(18) by striking out in section 521 (g) "he" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "such veteran"; 
(19) by striking out in section 523(b) "him" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "such veteran"; 
(20) by striking out in section 532(a) "widow", "she", "wife", 
and "his" each time they appear and inserting in lieu thereof "sur-
viving spouse", "such surviving spouse", "spouse", and "such vet-
eran's", respectively; 
(21) by striking out in subsections (b) and (c) of section 532 
"widow" and "he" each time they appear and inserting in lieu 
thereof "surviving spouse" and "such veteran", respectively; 
(22) by striking out in section 532(d) "widow", "she", and 
"him" and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse", "such sur-
viving spouse", and "such veteran", respectively; 
(23) by striking out in the catchline of section 532 "Widows" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "Surviving spouses"; 
(24) by striking out in the table of sections at the beginning 
of such chapter 15 
"532. Widows of Civil War veterans." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"532. Surviving spouses of Civil War veterans." ; 
(25) by striking out in section 533 "widow" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(26) by striking out in section 534(a) "widow", "she", "wife", 
and "his" each time they appear and inserting in lieu thereof 
"surviving spouse", "such surviving spouse", "spouse", and "such 
veteran's", respectively; 
(27) by striking out in section 534(b) "widow" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(28) by striking out in section 534(c) "widow", "she", and 
"him" and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse", "such 
surviving spouse", and "such veteran", respectively; 
(29) by striking out in the catchline of section 534 "Widows" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "Surviving spouses"; 
(30) by striking out in the table of sections at the beginning 
of such chapter 15 
"534. Widows of Indian War veterans." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"534. Surviving spouses of Indian War veterans." ; 
(31) by striking out in section 535 "widow" and ^inserting in 
lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(32) by striking out in section 536(a) "widow", "she", "wife", 
and "his" and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse", "such 
surviving spouse", "spouse", and "such veteran's", respectively; 
(33) by striking out in subsections (b) and (c) of section 536 
"widow", "she", and "him" each time they appear and inserting 
in lieu thereof "surviving spouse", "such surviving spouse", and 
"such veteran", respectively; 
(34) by striking out in section 536(d) (1) "widow", "she", and 
"widows" and inserting in lieu thereof "surviving spouse", "such 
surviving spouse", and "surviving spouses", respectively; 
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
89 STAT. 1019 
(35) by striking out in section 536(d) (2) "widow" and insert- 38 U
S
C 536. 
ing in lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(36) by striking out in clauses (A) and (B) of section 536(d) 
(2) "her" and "widow" each time they appear and inserting in 
lieu thereof "such surviving spouse" and "surviving spouse", 
respectively; 
(37) by striking out in the catchline of section 536 "Widows" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "Surviving spouses"; 
(38) by striking out in the table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter 15 
"536. Widows of Spanish-American War veterans." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"536. Surviving spouses of Spanish-American War veterans." ; 
(39) by striking out in section 537 "widow" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(40) by striking out in subclauses (A), (B), and (C) of section 
541(e)(1) "widow" each time it appears and inserting in lieu 
thereof "surviving spouse"; 
(41) by striking out in section 560(b) "himself" and "his" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "such person" and "such person's", respec-
tively; 
(42) by striking out in subsections (a) and (b) of section 561 
"his", "him", and "he" each time they appear and inserting in 
lieu thereof "such person's", "such person", and "such person", 
respectively; 
(43) by striking out in section 561 (c) "by him"; 
(44) by striking out in section 562(a) "him" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "the Administrator"; and 
(45) by striking out in subsections (b) and (d) of section 562 
"he" each time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof "such 
person". 
SEC. 107. Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1976, and Effective date, 
ending September 30, 1976, section 4 of Public Law 90-275 (82 Stat. 
68) is amended to read as follows: 
38 U
S
C 521 note. 
"SEC. 4. The annual income limitations governing payment of pen-
sion under the first sentence of section 9(b) of the Veterans' Pension 
Act of 1959 hereafter shall be $2,900 and $4,200, instead of $2,600 and 38 U
S
C 521 note. 
$3,900, respectively.". 
TITLE II—INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS IN CURRENT STATU-
TORY PROVISIONS RELATING TO DEPENDENCY AND 
INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR PARENTS 
SEC. 201. Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1976, and Effective date, 
ending September 30,1976, section 415 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) of subsection (b) as para-
graph (4) of subsection (b) and by striking out in the redesig-
nated paragraph (4) of subsection (b) "he", "him", and "his" 
each time they appear and inserting in lieu thereof "such parent", 
"such parent", and "such parent's", respectively; 
89 STAT. 1020 
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
(2) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (b) to read as 
follows: 
"(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, 
if there is only one parent, dependency and indemnity compensation 
shall be paid to the parent according to the following formula: 
One parent. 
Two parents. 
"The monthly rate of 
dependency and In-
demnity compen-
sation shall be $133 
reduced by— 
$0.00 
.03 
.04 
.05 
.06 
.08 
For each $1 of amraal income 
Which is more 
than-
0 
$800 
1,000 
1,200 
1,500 
1,700 
But not more 
than-
$800 
1,000 
1,200 
1,500 
1,700 
3,300 
"(2) In no case may the amount of dependency and indemnity 
compensation payable to any parent under this subsection be less than 
$5 monthly. 
"(3) In no case may dependency and indemnity compensation be 
paid under paragraph (1) of this subsection to any parent if the 
annual income of such parent exceeds $3,300."; 
(3) by amending subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows: 
"(c)(1) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, if 
there are two parents, but they are not living together, dependency and 
indemnity compensation shall be paid to each parent according to 
the following formula: 
"The monthly rate of 
dependency and in-
demnity compen-
sation shall be $93 
reduced by— 
$0.00 
.02 
.04 
.05 
.06 
For each $1 of annual income of such parent 
Which is more than— 
0 
$800 
1,100 
1,600 
2,400 
But not more than— 
$800 
1,100 
1,600 
2,400 
3,300 
" (2) In no case may the amount of dependency and indemnity com-
pensation payable to any parent under this subsection be less than $5 
monthly. 
"(3) In no case may dependency and indemnity compensation be 
paid under paragraph (1) of this subsection to any parent if the 
annual income of such parent exceeds $3,300. 
"(d) (1) If there are two parents who are living together, or if a 
parent has remarried and is living with such parent's spouse, depend-
PUBLIC LAW 94-169—DEC. 23, 1975 
89 STAT. 1021 
ency and indemnity compensation shall be paid to each such parent 
according to the following formula: 
"The monthly rate 
of dependency and 
indemnity compen-
sation shall be $90 
reduced by— 
$0. 00 
.02 
.03 
.04 
For each $1 of the total combined annual 
income 
Which Is more than— 
0 
$1, 000 
2,300 
3,300 
But not more than— 
$1, 000 
2,300 
3,300 
4,500 
"(2) In no case may the amount of dependency and indemnity 
compensation payable to any parent under this subsection be less than 
$5 monthly. 
"(3) In no case may dependency and indemnity compensation be 
paid under this subsection to a parent if the total combined annual 
income of the parent and such parent's spouse exceeds $4,500."; 
(4) by striking out in subsection (e) "him" each time it appears 
and inserting in lieu thereof "the Administrator"; 
(5) by striking out in subsection (f) "he" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "the Administrator"; 
(6) by striking out in subsection (g) (1) (J) (ii) "his" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "such veteran's"; and 
(7) by striking out in subsection (h) "$64" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$69". 
SEC. 202. Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1976, and Effective date, 
ending September 30,1976, section 322 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by striking out in subsection (b) "$64" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$69". 
Approved December 23, 1975. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 94-601 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
SENATE REPORT No. 94-568 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 121 (1975): 
Nov. 4, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 17, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Dec. 18, House concurred in Senate amendment.