Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2016
PL 114-197 (H.R.5588), enacted 07/22/2016

130 STAT. 693 
PUBLIC LAW 114–197—JULY 22, 2016 
Public Law 114–197 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To increase, effective as of December 1, 2016, the rates of compensation for veterans 
with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity 
compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans’ Compensation COLA 
Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND 
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION. 
(a) RATE ADJUSTMENT.—Effective on December 1, 2016, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with 
subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2016, 
for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and 
indemnity compensation under the provisions specified in subsection 
(b). 
(b) AMOUNTS TO BE INCREASED.—The dollar amounts to be 
increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following: 
(1) WARTIME DISABILITY COMPENSATION.—Each of the dollar 
amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS.—Each of 
the dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title. 
(3) CLOTHING ALLOWANCE.—The dollar amount under sec-
tion 1162 of such title. 
(4) DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION TO SUR-
VIVING SPOUSE.—Each of the dollar amounts under subsections 
(a) through (d) of section 1311 of such title. 
(5) DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION TO CHIL-
DREN.—Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 
1314 of such title. 
(c) 
DETERMINATION
OF
INCREASE.—Each 
dollar 
amount 
described in subsection (b) shall be increased by the same percent-
age as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable under 
title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are 
increased effective December 1, 2016, as a result of a determination 
under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)). 
(d) SPECIAL RULE.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made under 
subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation payable to per-
sons under section 10 of Public Law 85–857 (72 Stat. 1263) who 
have not received compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
38 USC 1114 
note. 
Veterans’ 
Compensation 
COLA Act 
of 2016. 
38 USC 101 note. 
July 22, 2016 
[H.R. 5588] 
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130 STAT. 694 
PUBLIC LAW 114–197—JULY 22, 2016 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5588 (S. 1493): 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–122 (Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs) accompanying 
S. 1493. 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 
July 11, considered and passed House. 
July 13, considered and passed Senate. 
SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal 
Register the amounts specified in section 2(b), as increased under 
that section, not later than the date on which the matters specified 
in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a determina-
tion made under section 215(i) of such Act during fiscal year 2017. 
Approved July 22, 2016. 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 1114 
note. 
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