Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006
PL 109-233 (S.1235), enacted 06/15/2006

120 STAT. 397
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
Public Law 109–233
109th Congress
An Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and extend housing, insurance,
outreach, and benefits programs provided under the laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to improve and extend employment programs for
veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Labor, and for other pur-
poses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans’
Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006’’.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I—HOUSING MATTERS
Sec. 101. Adapted housing assistance for disabled veterans residing temporarily in
housing owned by a family member.
Sec. 102. Adjustable rate mortgages.
Sec. 103. Permanent authority to make direct housing loans to Native American
veterans.
Sec. 104. Extension of eligibility for direct loans for Native American veterans to
a veteran who is the spouse of a Native American.
Sec. 105. Technical corrections to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004.
TITLE II—EMPLOYMENT MATTERS
Sec. 201. Additional duty for the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Em-
ployment and Training to raise awareness of skills of veterans and of
the benefits of hiring veterans.
Sec. 202. Modifications to the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and
Training.
Sec. 203. Reauthorization of appropriations for homeless veterans reintegration
programs.
TITLE III—LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE MATTERS
Sec. 301. Duration of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance coverage for totally
disabled veterans following separation from service.
Sec. 302. Limitation on premium increases for reinstated health insurance of
servicemembers released from active military service.
Sec. 303. Preservation of employer-sponsored health plan coverage for certain re-
serve-component members who acquire TRICARE eligibility.
TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 401. Inclusion of additional diseases and conditions in diseases and disabilities
presumed to be associated with prisoner of war status.
Sec. 402. Consolidation and revision of outreach authorities.
Sec. 403. Extension of annual report requirement on equitable relief cases.
TITLE V—TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS
Sec. 501. Technical and clarifying amendments to new traumatic injury protection
coverage under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance.
Veterans’
Housing
Opportunity and
Benefits
Improvement Act
of 2006.
38 USC 101 note.
June 15, 2006
[S. 1235]
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120 STAT. 398
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
Sec. 502. Terminology amendments to revise references to certain veterans in pro-
visions relating to eligibility for compensation or dependency and indem-
nity compensation.
Sec. 503. Technical and clerical amendments.
TITLE I—HOUSING MATTERS
SEC. 101. ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS
RESIDING TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A
FAMILY MEMBER.
(a) ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED.—Chapter 21 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2102 the fol-
lowing new section:
‘‘§ 2102A. Assistance for veterans residing temporarily in
housing owned by a family member
‘‘(a) PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.—In the case of a disabled vet-
eran who is described in subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of section 2101
of this title and who is residing, but does not intend to permanently
reside, in a residence owned by a member of such veteran’s family,
the Secretary may assist the veteran in acquiring such adaptations
to such residence as are determined by the Secretary to be reason-
ably necessary because of the veteran’s disability.
‘‘(b) AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.—The assistance authorized under
subsection (a) may not exceed—
‘‘(1) $14,000, in the case of a veteran described in section
2101(a)(2) of this title; or
‘‘(2) $2,000, in the case of a veteran described in section
2101(b)(2) of this title.
‘‘(c) LIMITATION.—The assistance authorized by subsection (a)
shall be limited in the case of any veteran to one residence.
‘‘(d) REGULATIONS.—Assistance under this section shall be pro-
vided in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may
prescribe.
‘‘(e) TERMINATION.—No assistance may be provided under this
section after the end of the five-year period that begins on the
date of the enactment of the Veterans’ Housing Opportunity and
Benefits Improvement Act of 2006.’’.
(b) LIMITATIONS ON ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE.—Section
2102 of such title is amended—
(1) in the matter in subsection (a) preceding paragraph
(1)—
(A) by striking ‘‘shall be limited in the case of any
veteran to one housing unit, and necessary land therefor,
and’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘veteran but shall not exceed $50,000
in any one case—’’ and inserting ‘‘veteran—’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(d)(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to a vet-
eran under sections 2101(a) and 2102A of this title shall be limited
to $50,000.
‘‘(2) The aggregate amount of assistance available to a veteran
under sections 2101(b) and 2102A of this title shall be limited
to $10,000.
‘‘(3) No veteran may receive more than three grants of assist-
ance under this chapter.’’.
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120 STAT. 399
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
(c) COORDINATION OF ADMINISTRATION OF BENEFITS.—Chapter
21 of such title is further amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
‘‘§ 2107. Coordination of administration of benefits
‘‘The Secretary shall provide for the coordination of the adminis-
tration of programs to provide specially adapted housing that are
administered by the Under Secretary for Health and such programs
that are administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits under
this chapter, chapter 17, and chapter 31 of this title.’’.
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended—
(1) by inserting after the item relating to section 2102
the following new item:
‘‘2102A. Assistance for veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a family
member.’’;
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new item:
‘‘2107. Coordination of administration of benefits.’’.
(e) GAO REPORTS.—
(1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than three years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
shall submit to Congress an interim report on the implementa-
tion by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of section 2102A
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
(2) FINAL
REPORT.—Not later than five years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
shall submit to Congress a final report on the implementation
of such section.
(f) TEMPORARY INCREASE IN CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.—
For a subsequent loan described in subsection (a) of section 3710
of title 38, United States Code, to purchase or construct a dwelling
with 0-down or any other subsequent loan described in that sub-
section, other than a loan with 5-down or 10-down, that is closed
during fiscal year 2007, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
apply section 3729(b)(2) of such title by substituting ‘‘3.35’’ for
‘‘3.30’’.
SEC. 102. ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES.
Section 3707A(c)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ‘‘1 percentage point’’ and inserting ‘‘such percentage
points as the Secretary may prescribe’’.
SEC. 103. PERMANENT AUTHORITY TO MAKE DIRECT HOUSING LOANS
TO NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS.
(a) PERMANENT AUTHORITY.—Section 3761 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) by striking ‘‘establish and implement a pilot pro-
gram under which the Secretary may’’ in the first sentence;
and
(B) by striking ‘‘shall establish and implement the
pilot program’’ in the third sentence and inserting ‘‘shall
make such loans’’;
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘In carrying out the pilot
program under this subchapter, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and
38 USC 3729
note.
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120 STAT. 400
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
(3) by striking subsection (c).
(b) REPORTS.—Section 3762(j) of such title is amended to read
as follows:
‘‘(j) The Secretary shall include as part of the annual benefits
report of the Veterans Benefits Administration information con-
cerning the cost and number of loans provided under this sub-
chapter for the fiscal year covered by the report.’’.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) SECTION 3762.—Section 3762 of such title is amended—
(A) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘under this sub-
chapter’’ after ‘‘to a Native American veteran’’;
(B) in subsection (b)(1)(E), by striking ‘‘the pilot pro-
gram established under this subchapter is implemented’’
and inserting ‘‘loans under this subchapter are made’’;
(C) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ‘‘carry out the
pilot program under this subchapter in a manner that
demonstrates the advisability of making direct housing
loans’’ in the second sentence and inserting ‘‘make direct
housing loans under this subchapter’’;
(D) in subsection (i)—
(i) by striking ‘‘the pilot program provided for
under this subchapter and’’ in paragraph (1);
(ii) by striking ‘‘under the pilot program and in
assisting such organizations and veterans in partici-
pating in the pilot program’’ in paragraph (2)(A) and
inserting ‘‘under this subchapter and in assisting such
organizations and veterans with respect to such
housing benefits’’; and
(iii) by striking ‘‘in participating in the pilot pro-
gram’’ in paragraph (2)(E) and inserting ‘‘with respect
to such benefits’’.
(2) CONFORMING
REPEAL.—Section 8(b) of the Veterans
Home Loan Program Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 102–
547; 38 U.S.C. 3761 note) is repealed.
(d) ESTABLISHMENT OF MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF LOANS.—Section
3762(c)(1)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘(B) The’’ and inserting ‘‘(B)(i) Subject to
clause (ii), the’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new clause:
‘‘(ii) The amount of a loan made by the Secretary under this
subchapter may not exceed the maximum loan amount authorized
for loans guaranteed under section 3703(a)(1)(C) of this title.’’.
(e) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Subsection (c)(1)(A) of section
3762 of such title is amended by inserting ‘‘veteran’’ after ‘‘Native
American’’.
(f) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—
(1) SUBCHAPTER HEADING.—The heading for subchapter V
of chapter 37 of such title is amended to read as follows:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—DIRECT HOUSING LOANS FOR NATIVE
AMERICAN VETERANS’’.
(2) SECTION HEADING.—The heading for section 3761 of
such title is amended to read as follows:
38 USC 3762.
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PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
‘‘§ 3761. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans;
program authority’’.
(3) SECTION HEADING.—The heading for section 3762 of
such title is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 3762. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans;
program administration’’.
(4) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 37 of such title is amended by striking the
items relating to subchapter V and sections 3761 and 3762
and inserting the following new items:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—DIRECT HOUSING LOANS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS
‘‘3761. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program authority.
‘‘3762. Direct housing loans to Native American veterans; program administration.’’.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DIRECT LOANS FOR NATIVE
AMERICAN VETERANS TO A VETERAN WHO IS THE
SPOUSE OF A NATIVE AMERICAN.
(a) EXTENSION.—Subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended—
(1) by redesignating section 3764 as section 3765; and
(2) by inserting after section 3763 the following new section:
‘‘§ 3764. Qualified non-Native American veterans
‘‘(a) TREATMENT OF NON-NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS.—Subject
to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of this
subchapter—
‘‘(1) a qualified non-Native American veteran is deemed
to be a Native American veteran; and
‘‘(2) for purposes of applicability to a non-Native American
veteran, any reference in this subchapter to the jurisdiction
of a tribal organization over a Native American veteran is
deemed to be a reference to jurisdiction of a tribal organization
over the Native American spouse of the qualified non-Native
American veteran.
‘‘(b) USE OF LOAN.—In making direct loans under this sub-
chapter to a qualified non-Native American veteran by reason of
eligibility under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that
the tribal organization permits, and the qualified non-Native Amer-
ican veteran actually holds, possesses, or purchases, using the pro-
ceeds of the loan, jointly with the Native American spouse of the
qualified non-Native American veteran, a meaningful interest in
the lot, dwelling, or both, that is located on trust land.
‘‘(c) RESTRICTIONS
IMPOSED
BY
TRIBAL
ORGANIZATIONS.—
Nothing in subsection (b) shall be construed as precluding a tribal
organization from imposing reasonable restrictions on the right
of the qualified non-Native American veteran to convey, assign,
or otherwise dispose of such interest in the lot or dwelling, or
both, if such restrictions are designed to ensure the continuation
in trust status of the lot or dwelling, or both. Such requirements
may include the termination of the interest of the qualified non-
Native American veteran in the lot or dwelling, or both, upon
the dissolution of the marriage of the qualified non-Native American
veteran to the Native American spouse.’’.
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PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 3765 of such title, as
redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(5) The term ‘qualified non-Native American veteran’
means a veteran who—
‘‘(A) is the spouse of a Native American, but
‘‘(B) is not a Native American.’’.
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 37 of such title is amended by striking the item
relating to section 3764 and inserting the following new items:
‘‘3764. Qualified non-Native American veterans.
‘‘3765. Definitions.’’.
SEC. 
105. 
TECHNICAL 
CORRECTIONS 
TO 
VETERANS 
BENEFITS
IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2004.
(a) CORRECTIONS.—Section 2101 of title 38, United States Code,
as amended by section 401 of the Veterans Benefits Improvement
Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–454; 118 Stat. 3614), is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d);
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) a new subsection (c)
consisting of the text of subsection (c) of such section 2101
as in effect immediately before the enactment of such Act,
modified—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘paragraph
(1), (2), or (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraph (A), (B),
(C), or (D) of paragraph (2)’’; and
(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘the second
sentence’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (3)’’; and
(B) in paragraph (2)—
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘paragraph
(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (2)’’; and
(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘paragraph
(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (3)’’; and
(3) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘subsection (c)’’ in the
matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting ‘‘subsection
(d)’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection
(a) shall take effect as of December 10, 2004, as if enacted imme-
diately after the enactment of the Veterans Benefits Improvement
Act of 2004 on that date.
TITLE II—EMPLOYMENT MATTERS
SEC. 201. ADDITIONAL DUTY FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
LABOR FOR VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING TO
RAISE AWARENESS OF SKILLS OF VETERANS AND OF THE
BENEFITS OF HIRING VETERANS.
Subsection (b) of section 4102A of title 38, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(8) With advice and assistance from the Advisory Com-
mittee on Veterans Employment and Training, and Employer
Outreach established under section 4110 of this title, furnish
information to employers (through meetings in person with
hiring executives of corporations and otherwise) with respect
to the training and skills of veterans and disabled veterans,
38 USC 2101
note.
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120 STAT. 403
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
and the advantages afforded employers by hiring veterans with
such training and skills, and to facilitate employment of vet-
erans and disabled veterans through participation in labor
exchanges (Internet-based and otherwise), and other means.’’.
SEC. 202. MODIFICATIONS TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON VET-
ERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING.
(a) COMMITTEE NAME.—
(1) CHANGE OF NAME.—Subsection (a)(1) of section 4110
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking
‘‘Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training’’
and inserting ‘‘Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment,
Training, and Employer Outreach’’.
(2) SECTION
HEADING.—The heading of such section is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 4110. Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment,
Training, and Employer Outreach’’.
(3) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The item relating to section 4110
in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 of
such title is amended to read as follows:
‘‘4110. Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Out-
reach.’’.
(4) REFERENCES.—Any reference to the Advisory Committee
established under section 4110 of such title in any law, regula-
tion, map, document, record, or other paper of the United
States shall be considered to be a reference to the Advisory
Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer
Outreach.
(b) EXPANSION
OF DUTIES
OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—Sub-
section (a)(2) of such section is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘and their integration
into the workforce’’ after ‘‘veterans’’;
(2) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph (B);
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph
(E); and
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraphs:
‘‘(C) assist the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’
Employment and Training in carrying out outreach activities
to employers with respect to the training and skills of veterans
and the advantages afforded employers by hiring veterans;
‘‘(D) make recommendations to the Secretary, through the
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and
Training, with respect to outreach activities and the employ-
ment and training of veterans; and’’.
(c) MODIFICATION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) MEMBERSHIP.—Subsection (c)(1) of such section is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary of Labor shall appoint at least 12, but
no more than 15, individuals to serve as members of the advisory
committee as follows:
‘‘(A) Six individuals, one each from among representatives
nominated by each of the following organizations:
‘‘(i) The National Society of Human Resource Man-
agers.
38 USC 4110
note.
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120 STAT. 404
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
‘‘(ii) The Business Roundtable.
‘‘(iii) The National Association of State Workforce Agen-
cies.
‘‘(iv) The United States Chamber of Commerce.
‘‘(v) The National Federation of Independent Business.
‘‘(vi) A nationally recognized labor union or organiza-
tion.
‘‘(B) Not more than five individuals from among representa-
tives nominated by veterans service organizations that have
a national employment program.
‘‘(C) Not more than five individuals who are recognized
authorities in the fields of business, employment, training,
rehabilitation, or labor and who are not employees of the
Department of Labor.’’.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Subsection (d) of such sec-
tion is amended—
(A) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), (8), (10), (11), and
(12); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (9)
as paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6), respectively.
(d) REINSTATEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENT.—Subsection (f)(1) of such section is amended—
(1) by striking the first sentence and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘Not later than December 31 of each year, the advisory
committee shall submit to the Secretary and to the Committees
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives
a report on the employment and training needs of veterans,
with special emphasis on disabled veterans, for the previous
fiscal year.’’;
(2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘and their integration
into the workforce’’ after ‘‘veterans’’;
(3) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph (B);
(4) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subpara-
graphs (C) and (F), respectively;
(5) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(B) an assessment of the outreach activities carried out
by the Secretary of Labor to employers with respect to the
training and skills of veterans and the advantages afforded
employers by hiring veterans;’’; and
(6) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as so redesignated,
the following new subparagraphs:
‘‘(D) a description of the activities of the advisory committee
during that fiscal year;
‘‘(E) a description of activities that the advisory committee
proposes to undertake in the succeeding fiscal year; and’’.
SEC. 203. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.
Subsection (e)(1) of section 2021 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph:
‘‘(F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through
2009.’’.
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120 STAT. 405
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
TITLE III—LIFE AND HEALTH
INSURANCE MATTERS
SEC. 301. DURATION OF SERVICEMEMBERS’ GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
COVERAGE FOR TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS FOL-
LOWING SEPARATION FROM SERVICE.
(a) SEPARATION OR RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY.—
(1) EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF COVERAGE.—Paragraph (1)(A)
of section 1968(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ‘‘shall cease’’ and all that follows and inserting
‘‘shall cease on the earlier of the following dates (but in no
event before the end of 120 days after such separation or
release):
‘‘(i) The date on which the insured ceases to be
totally disabled.
‘‘(ii) The date that is—
‘‘(I) two years after the date of separation or
release from such active duty or active duty for
training, in the case of such a separation or release
during the period beginning on the date that is
one year before the date of the enactment of Vet-
erans’ Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improve-
ment Act of 2006 and ending on September 30,
2011; and
‘‘(II) 18 months after the date of separation
or release from such active duty or active duty
for training, in the case of such a separation or
release on or after October 1, 2011.’’.
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Paragraph (1) of such sec-
tion is further amended—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ‘‘shall cease—’’ and inserting ‘‘shall cease as fol-
lows:’’; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘at’’ after ‘‘(B)’’
and inserting ‘‘At’’.
(b) SEPARATION OR RELEASE FROM CERTAIN RESERVE ASSIGN-
MENTS.—Paragraph (4) of such section is amended by striking ‘‘shall
cease’’ the second place it appears and all that follows and inserting
‘‘shall cease on the earlier of the following dates (but in no event
before the end of 120 days after separation or release from such
assignment):
‘‘(A) The date on which the insured ceases to be totally
disabled.
‘‘(B) The date that is—
‘‘(i) two years after the date of separation or release
from such assignment, in the case of such a separation
or release during the period beginning on the date
that is one year before the date of the enactment
of 
Veterans’ 
Housing 
Opportunity 
and 
Benefits
Improvement Act of 2006 and ending on September
30, 2011; and
‘‘(ii) 18 months after the date of separation or
release from such assignment, in the case of such
a separation or release on or after October 1, 2011.’’.
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120 STAT. 406
PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
SEC. 302. LIMITATION ON PREMIUM INCREASES FOR REINSTATED
HEALTH INSURANCE OF SERVICEMEMBERS RELEASED
FROM ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE.
(a) PREMIUM PROTECTION.—Section 704 of the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 594) is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(e) LIMITATION ON PREMIUM INCREASES.—
‘‘(1) PREMIUM PROTECTION.—The amount of the premium
for health insurance coverage that was terminated by a
servicemember and required to be reinstated under subsection
(a) may not be increased, for the balance of the period for
which coverage would have been continued had the coverage
not been terminated, to an amount greater than the amount
chargeable for such coverage before the termination.
‘‘(2) INCREASES
OF
GENERAL
APPLICABILITY
NOT
PRE-
CLUDED.—Paragraph (1) does not prevent an increase in pre-
mium to the extent of any general increase in the premiums
charged by the carrier of the health care insurance for the
same health insurance coverage for persons similarly covered
by such insurance during the period between the termination
and the reinstatement.’’.
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Subsection (b)(3) of such section
is amended by striking ‘‘if the’’ and inserting ‘‘in a case in which
the’’.
SEC. 303. PRESERVATION OF EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH PLAN
COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN RESERVE-COMPONENT MEM-
BERS WHO ACQUIRE TRICARE ELIGIBILITY.
(a) CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE.—Subsection (a)(1) of section
4317 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after ‘‘by reason of service in the uniformed services,’’ the following:
‘‘or such person becomes eligible for medical and dental care under
chapter 55 of title 10 by reason of subsection (d) of section 1074
of that title,’’.
(b) REINSTATEMENT OF COVERAGE.—Subsection (b) of such sec-
tion is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by inserting after ‘‘by reason of service in the
uniformed services,’’ the following: ‘‘or by reason of the
person’s having become eligible for medical and dental
care under chapter 55 of title 10 by reason of subsection
(d) of section 1074 of that title,’’; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘or eligibility’’ before the period at
the end of the first sentence; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(3) In the case of a person whose coverage under a health
plan is terminated by reason of the person having become eligible
for medical and dental care under chapter 55 of title 10 by reason
of subsection (d) of section 1074 of that title but who subsequently
does not commence a period of active duty under the order to
active duty that established such eligibility because the order is
canceled before such active duty commences, the provisions of para-
graph (1) relating to any exclusion or waiting period in connection
with the reinstatement of coverage under a health plan shall apply
to such person’s continued employment, upon the termination of
such eligibility for medical and dental care under chapter 55 of
title 10 that is incident to the cancellation of such order, in the
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same manner as if the person had become reemployed upon such
termination of eligibility.’’.
TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 401. INCLUSION OF ADDITIONAL DISEASES AND CONDITIONS IN
DISEASES AND DISABILITIES PRESUMED TO BE ASSOCI-
ATED WITH PRISONER OF WAR STATUS.
Section 1112(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
‘‘(L) Atherosclerotic heart disease or hypertensive vascular
disease (including hypertensive heart disease) and their com-
plications (including myocardial infarction, congestive heart
failure and arrhythmia).
‘‘(M) Stroke and its complications.’’.
SEC. 402. CONSOLIDATION AND REVISION OF OUTREACH AUTHORI-
TIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part IV of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:
‘‘CHAPTER 63—OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
‘‘6301. Purpose; definitions.
‘‘6302. Biennial plan.
‘‘6303. Outreach services.
‘‘6304. Veterans assistance offices.
‘‘6305. Outstationing of counseling and outreach personnel.
‘‘6306. Use of other agencies.
‘‘6307. Outreach for eligible dependents.
‘‘6308. Biennial report to Congress.
‘‘§ 6301. Purpose; definitions
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The Congress declares that—
‘‘(1) the outreach services program authorized by this
chapter is for the purpose of ensuring that all veterans (espe-
cially those who have been recently discharged or released
from active military, naval, or air service and those who are
eligible for readjustment or other benefits and services under
laws administered by the Department) are provided timely
and appropriate assistance to aid and encourage them in
applying for and obtaining such benefits and services in order
that they may achieve a rapid social and economic readjustment
to civilian life and obtain a higher standard of living for them-
selves and their dependents; and
‘‘(2) the outreach services program authorized by this
chapter is for the purpose of charging the Department with
the affirmative duty of seeking out eligible veterans and eligible
dependents and providing them with such services.
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this chapter—
‘‘(1) the term ‘other governmental programs’ includes all
programs under State or local laws as well as all programs
under Federal law other than those authorized by this title;
and
‘‘(2) the term ‘eligible dependent’ means a spouse, surviving
spouse, child, or dependent parent of a person who served
in the active military, naval, or air service.
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‘‘§ 6302. Biennial plan
‘‘(a) BIENNIAL PLAN REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall, during
the first nine months of every odd-numbered year, prepare a
biennial plan for the outreach activities of the Department for
the two-fiscal-year period beginning on October 1 of that year.
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—Each biennial plan under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
‘‘(1) Plans for efforts to identify eligible veterans and
eligible dependents who are not enrolled or registered with
the Department for benefits or services under the programs
administered by the Secretary.
‘‘(2) Plans for informing eligible veterans and eligible
dependents of modifications of the benefits and services under
the programs administered by the Secretary, including eligi-
bility for medical and nursing care and services.
‘‘(c) COORDINATION
IN
DEVELOPMENT.—In developing the
biennial plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with
the following:
‘‘(1) Directors or other appropriate officials of organizations
approved by the Secretary under section 5902 of this title.
‘‘(2) Directors or other appropriate officials of State and
local education and training programs.
‘‘(3) Representatives of nongovernmental organizations that
carry out veterans outreach programs.
‘‘(4) Representatives of State and local veterans employ-
ment organizations.
‘‘(5) Other individuals and organizations that the Secretary
considers appropriate.
‘‘§ 6303. Outreach services
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES.—In carrying out the
purposes of this chapter, the Secretary shall provide the outreach
services specified in subsections (b) through (d). In areas where
a significant number of eligible veterans and eligible dependents
speak a language other than English as their principal language,
such services shall, to the maximum feasible extent, be provided
in the principal language of such persons.
‘‘(b) INDIVIDUAL NOTICE
TO NEW VETERANS.—The Secretary
shall by letter advise each veteran at the time of the veteran’s
discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service
(or as soon as possible after such discharge or release) of all benefits
and services under laws administered by the Department for which
the veteran may be eligible. In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall ensure, through the use of veteran-student services
under section 3485 of this title, that contact, in person or by
telephone, is made with those veterans who, on the basis of their
military service records, do not have a high school education or
equivalent at the time of discharge or release.
‘‘(c) DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION.—(1) The Secretary—
‘‘(A) shall distribute full information to eligible veterans
and eligible dependents regarding all benefits and services to
which they may be entitled under laws administered by the
Secretary; and
‘‘(B) may, to the extent feasible, distribute information
on other governmental programs (including manpower and
training programs) which the Secretary determines would be
beneficial to veterans.
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‘‘(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 concerning benefits and health care serv-
ices under programs administered by the Secretary. Such informa-
tion shall be provided not later than three months after the date
of such application.
‘‘(d) PROVISION OF AID AND ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall
provide, to the maximum extent possible, aid and assistance
(including personal interviews) to members of the Armed Forces,
veterans, and eligible dependents with respect to subsections (b)
and (c) and in the preparation and presentation of claims under
laws administered by the Department.
‘‘(e) ASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEES.—In carrying out this section,
the Secretary shall assign such employees as the Secretary considers
appropriate to conduct outreach programs and provide outreach
services for homeless veterans. Such outreach services may include
site visits through which homeless veterans can be identified and
provided assistance in obtaining benefits and services that may
be available to them.
‘‘§ 6304. Veterans assistance offices
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish and maintain
veterans assistance offices at such places throughout the United
States and its territories and possessions, and in the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, as the Secretary determines to be necessary to
carry out the purposes of this chapter. The Secretary may maintain
such offices on such military installations located elsewhere as
the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense
and taking into account recommendations, if any, of the Secretary
of Labor, determines to be necessary to carry out such purposes.
‘‘(b) LOCATION OF OFFICES.—In establishing and maintaining
such offices, the Secretary shall give due regard to—
‘‘(1) the geographical distribution of veterans recently dis-
charged or released from active military, naval, or air service;
‘‘(2) the special needs of educationally disadvantaged vet-
erans (including their need for accessibility of outreach serv-
ices); and
‘‘(3) the necessity of providing appropriate outreach services
in less populated areas.
‘‘§ 6305. Outstationing of counseling and outreach personnel
‘‘The Secretary may station employees of the Department at
locations other than Department offices, including educational
institutions, to provide—
‘‘(1) counseling and other assistance regarding benefits
under this title to veterans and other persons eligible for bene-
fits under this title; and
‘‘(2) outreach services under this chapter.
‘‘§ 6306. Use of other agencies
‘‘(a) In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall arrange
with the Secretary of Labor for the State employment service to
match the particular qualifications of an eligible veteran or eligible
dependent with an appropriate job or job training opportunity,
including, where possible, arrangements for outstationing the State
Establishment.
Homeless.
Deadline.
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employment personnel who provide such assistance at appropriate
facilities of the Department.
‘‘(b) In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Labor, actively seek to promote
the development and establishment of employment opportunities,
training opportunities, and other opportunities for veterans, with
particular emphasis on the needs of veterans with service-connected
disabilities and other eligible veterans, taking into account
applicable rates of unemployment and the employment emphases
set forth in chapter 42 of this title.
‘‘(c) In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall cooperate
with and use the services of any Federal department or agency
or any State or local governmental agency or recognized national
or other organization.
‘‘(d) In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall, where
appropriate, make referrals to any Federal department or agency
or State or local governmental unit or recognized national or other
organization.
‘‘(e) In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary may furnish
available space and office facilities for the use of authorized rep-
resentatives of such governmental unit or other organization pro-
viding services.
‘‘(f) In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall conduct
and provide for studies, in consultation with appropriate Federal
departments and agencies, to determine the most effective program
design to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
‘‘§ 6307. Outreach for eligible dependents
‘‘(a) NEEDS OF DEPENDENTS.—In carrying out this chapter, the
Secretary shall ensure that the needs of eligible dependents are
fully addressed.
‘‘(b) INFORMATION AS TO AVAILABILITY OF OUTREACH SERVICES
FOR DEPENDENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the availability
of outreach services and assistance for eligible dependents under
this chapter is made known through a variety of means, including
the Internet, announcements in veterans publications, and
announcements to the media.
‘‘§ 6308. Biennial report to Congress
‘‘(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall, not later than
December 1 of every even-numbered year (beginning in 2008),
submit to Congress a report on the outreach activities carried
out by the Department.
‘‘(b) CONTENT.—Each report under this section shall include
the following:
‘‘(1) A description of the implementation during the pre-
ceding fiscal year of the current biennial plan under section
6302 of this title.
‘‘(2) Recommendations for the improvement or more effec-
tive administration of the outreach activities of the Depart-
ment.’’.
(b) INCORPORATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE OUT-
REACH AND AWARENESS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall,
to the extent appropriate, incorporate the recommendations for
the improvement of veterans outreach and awareness activities
included in the report submitted to Congress by the Secretary
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pursuant to section 805 of the Veterans Benefits Improvement
Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–454).
(c) REPEAL
OF
RECODIFIED
PROVISIONS.—Subchapter II of
chapter 77 of title 38, United States Code, is repealed.
(d) CONFORMING AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—
(1) Subchapter III of chapter 77 of such title is redesignated
as subchapter II.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by striking the items relating to the heading for
subchapter II, sections 7721 through 7727, and the heading
for subchapter III and inserting the following:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—QUALITY ASSURANCE’’.
(3) The tables of chapters at the beginning of such title,
and at the beginning of part IV of such title, are amended
by inserting after the item relating to chapter 61 the following
new item:
‘‘63. Outreach Activities ......................................................................................... 6301’’.
(e) CROSS-REFERENCE AMENDMENTS.—
(1) Section 3485(a)(4)(A) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended by striking ‘‘subchapter II of chapter 77’’ and
inserting ‘‘chapter 63’’.
(2) Section 4113(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking
‘‘section 7723(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 6304(a)’’.
(3) Section 4214(g) of such title is amended by striking
‘‘section 7722’’ and ‘‘section 7724’’ and inserting ‘‘section 6303’’
and ‘‘section 6305’’, respectively.
(4) Section 168(b)(2)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act
of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2913(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘sub-
chapter II of chapter 77’’ and inserting ‘‘chapter 63’’.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF ANNUAL REPORT REQUIREMENT ON EQUI-
TABLE RELIEF CASES.
Section 503(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2004’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2009’’.
TITLE V—TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS
SEC. 501. TECHNICAL AND CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS TO NEW TRAU-
MATIC 
INJURY 
PROTECTION 
COVERAGE 
UNDER
SERVICEMEMBERS’ GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.
(a) SECTION 1980A.—Section 1980A of title 38, United States
Code, is amended as follows:
(1) Subsection (a) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a)(1) A member of the uniformed services who is insured
under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance shall automatically
be insured for traumatic injury in accordance with this section.
Insurance benefits under this section shall be payable if the
member, while so insured, sustains a traumatic injury on or after
December 1, 2005, that results in a qualifying loss specified pursu-
ant to subsection (b)(1).
‘‘(2) If a member suffers more than one such qualifying loss
as a result of traumatic injury from the same traumatic event,
payment shall be made under this section in accordance with the
38 USC
7721–7727.
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schedule prescribed pursuant to subsection (d) for the single loss
providing the highest payment.’’.
(2) Subsection (b) is amended—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) by striking ‘‘issued a’’ and all that follows
through ‘‘limited to—’’ and inserting ‘‘insured against
traumatic injury under this section is insured against
such losses due to traumatic injury (in this section
referred to as ‘qualifying losses’) as are prescribed by
the Secretary by regulation. Qualifying losses so pre-
scribed shall include the following:’’;
(ii) by capitalizing the first letter of the first word
of each of subparagraphs (A) through (H);
(iii) by striking the semicolon at the end of each
of subparagraphs (A) through (F) and inserting a
period; and
(iv) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of subparagraph
(G) and inserting a period;
(B) in paragraph (2)—
(i) by striking ‘‘subsection—’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section:’’;
(ii) by striking ‘‘the’’ at the beginning of subpara-
graphs (A), (B), and (C) and inserting ‘‘The’’;
(iii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘4 limbs;’’
and inserting ‘‘four limbs.’’;
(iv) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘; and’’ at
the end and inserting a period;
(v) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘1 side’’ and
inserting ‘‘one side’’; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(D) The term ‘inability to carry out the activities of daily
living’ means the inability to independently perform two or
more of the following six functions:
‘‘(i) Bathing.
‘‘(ii) Continence.
‘‘(iii) Dressing.
‘‘(iv) Eating.
‘‘(v) Toileting.
‘‘(vi) Transferring.’’;
(C) in paragraph (3)—
(i) by striking ‘‘, in collaboration with the Secretary
of Defense,’’;
(ii) by striking ‘‘shall prescribe’’ and inserting ‘‘may
prescribe’’; and
(iii) by striking ‘‘the conditions under which cov-
erage against loss will not be provided’’ and inserting
‘‘conditions under which coverage otherwise provided
under this section is excluded’’; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(4) A member shall not be considered for the purposes of
this section to be a member insured under Servicemembers’ Group
Life Insurance if the member is insured under Servicemembers’
Group Life Insurance only as an insurable dependent of another
member pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) or (C)(ii) of section
1967(a)(1) of this title.’’.
(3) Subsection (c) is amended to read as follows:
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‘‘(c)(1) A payment may be made to a member under this section
only for a qualifying loss that results directly from a traumatic
injury sustained while the member is covered against loss under
this section and from no other cause.
‘‘(2)(A) A payment may be made to a member under this section
for a qualifying loss resulting from a traumatic injury only for
a loss that is incurred during the applicable period of time specified
pursuant to subparagraph (B).
‘‘(B) For each qualifying loss, the Secretary shall prescribe,
by regulation, a period of time to be the period of time within
which a loss of that type must be incurred, determined from the
date on which the member sustains the traumatic injury resulting
in that loss, in order for that loss to be covered under this section.’’.
(4) Subsection (d) is amended by striking ‘‘losses described
in subsection (b)(1) shall be—’’ and all that follows and inserting
‘‘qualifying losses shall be made in accordance with a schedule
prescribed by the Secretary, by regulation, specifying the
amount of payment to be made for each type of qualifying
loss, to be based on the severity of the qualifying loss. The
minimum payment that may be prescribed for a qualifying
loss is $25,000, and the maximum payment that may be pre-
scribed for a qualifying loss is $100,000.’’.
(5) Subsection (e) is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘of Veterans Affairs’’ each place it
appears;
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘as the premium
allocable’’ and all that follows through ‘‘protection under
this section’’;
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Secretary of the
concerned service’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary concerned’’; and
(D) by striking paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) and
inserting the following:
‘‘(6) The cost attributable to insuring members under this sec-
tion for any month or other period specified by the Secretary,
less the premiums paid by the members, shall be paid by the
Secretary concerned to the Secretary. The Secretary shall allocate
the amount payable among the uniformed services using such
methods and data as the Secretary determines to be reasonable
and practicable. Payments under this paragraph shall be made
on a monthly basis or at such other intervals as may be specified
by the Secretary and shall be made within 10 days of the date
on which the Secretary provides notice to the Secretary concerned
of the amount required.
‘‘(7) For each period for which a payment by a Secretary con-
cerned is required under paragraph (6), the Secretary concerned
shall contribute such amount from appropriations available for
active duty pay of the uniformed service concerned.
‘‘(8) The sums withheld from the basic or other pay of members,
or collected from them by the Secretary concerned, under this
subsection, and the sums contributed from appropriations under
this subsection, together with the income derived from any divi-
dends or premium rate adjustments received from insurers shall
be deposited to the credit of the revolving fund established in
the Treasury of the United States under section 1869(d)(1) of this
title.’’.
(6) Subsection (f) is amended to read as follows:
Regulations.
Regulations.
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‘‘(f) When a claim for benefits is submitted under this section,
the Secretary of Defense or, in the case of a member not under
the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary concerned,
shall certify to the Secretary whether the member with respect
to whom the claim is submitted—
‘‘(1) was at the time of the injury giving rise to the claim
insured under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance for the
purposes of this section; and
‘‘(2) has sustained a qualifying loss.’’.
(7) Subsection (g) of such section is amended—
(A) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(g)’’;
(B) by striking ‘‘will not be made’’ and inserting ‘‘may
not be made under the insurance coverage under this sec-
tion’’;
(C) by striking ‘‘the period’’ and all that follows through
‘‘the date’’ and inserting ‘‘a period prescribed by the Sec-
retary, by regulation, for such purpose that begins on the
date’’;
(D) by designating the second sentence as paragraph
(2);
(E) by striking ‘‘If the member’’ and inserting ‘‘If a
member eligible for a payment under this section’’;
(F) by striking ‘‘will be’’ and inserting ‘‘shall be’’; and
(G) by striking ‘‘according to’’ and all that follows and
inserting ‘‘to the beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom the
payment would be made if the payment were life insurance
under section 1967(a) of this title.’’.
(8) Subsection (h) of such section is amended—
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘member’s separa-
tion from the uniformed service’’ and inserting ‘‘termination
of the member’s duty status in the uniformed services
that established eligibility for Servicemembers’ Group Life
Insurance’’;
(B) by striking the second sentence; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new sentence:
‘‘The termination of coverage under this section is effective
in accordance with the preceding sentence, notwithstanding
any continuation after the date specified in that sentence
of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance coverage pursu-
ant to 1968(a) of this title for a period specified in that
section.’’.
(9) Such section is further amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(j) Regulations under this section shall be prescribed in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Defense.’’.
(b) APPLICABILITY TO QUALIFYING LOSSES INCURRED IN OPER-
ATION ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM BEFORE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF NEW PROGRAM.—
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—A member of the uniformed services who
during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending
at the close of November 30, 2005, sustains a traumatic injury
resulting in a qualifying loss is eligible for coverage for that
loss under section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, if,
as determined by the Secretary concerned, that loss was a
direct result of a traumatic injury incurred in the theater
of operations for Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation
Iraqi Freedom.
38 USC 1980A
note.
Regulations.
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(2) CERTIFICATION OF PERSONS ENTITLED TO PAYMENT.—
The Secretary concerned shall certify to the life insurance com-
pany issuing the policy of life insurance for Servicemembers’
Group Life Insurance under chapter 19 of title 38, United
States Code, the name and address of each person who the
Secretary concerned determines to be entitled by reason of
paragraph (1) to a payment under section 1980A of title 38,
United States Code, plus such additional information as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may require.
(3) FUNDING.—At the time a certification is made under
paragraph (2), the Secretary concerned, from funds then avail-
able to that Secretary for the pay of members of the uniformed
services under the jurisdiction of that Secretary, shall pay
to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the amount of funds the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to be necessary to
pay all costs related to payments to be made under that certifi-
cation. Amounts received by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
under this paragraph shall be deposited to the credit of the
revolving fund in the Treasury of the United States established
under section 1969(d) of title 38, United States Code.
(4) QUALIFYING LOSS.—For purposes of this subsection, the
term ‘‘qualifying loss’’ means—
(A) a loss specified in the second sentence of subsection
(b)(1) of section 1980A of title 38, United States Code,
as amended by subsection (a); and
(B) any other loss specified by the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs pursuant to the first sentence of that sub-
section.
(5) SECRETARY
CONCERNED.—For purposes of this sub-
section, the term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the meaning given
that term in paragraph (25) of section 101 of title 38, United
States Code.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) Section 1965 of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking paragraph (11).
(2) Section 1032(c) of Public Law 109–13 (119 Stat. 257;
38 U.S.C. 1980A note) is repealed.
SEC. 502. TERMINOLOGY AMENDMENTS TO REVISE REFERENCES TO
CERTAIN VETERANS IN PROVISIONS RELATING TO ELIGI-
BILITY FOR COMPENSATION OR DEPENDENCY AND
INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
(1) Section 1114(l) is amended by striking ‘‘so helpless’’
and inserting ‘‘with such significant disabilities’’.
(2) Section 1114(m) is amended by striking ‘‘so helpless’’
and inserting ‘‘so significantly disabled’’.
(3) Sections 1115(1)(E)(ii), 1122(b)(2), 1311(c)(2), 1315(g)(2),
and 1502(b)(2) are amended by striking ‘‘helpless or blind,
or so nearly helpless or blind as to’’ and inserting ‘‘blind,
or so nearly blind or significantly disabled as to’’.
SEC. 503. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.
Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
(1) TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR.—Section 1117(h)(1) is amended
by 
striking 
‘‘nothwithstanding’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘notwith-
standing’’.
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PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
(2) INSERTION
OF
MISSING
WORD.—Section 1513(a) is
amended by inserting ‘‘section’’ after ‘‘prescribed by’’.
(3) DELETION OF EXTRA WORDS.—Section 3012(a)(1)(C)(ii)
is amended by striking ‘‘on or’’.
(4) CROSS REFERENCE CORRECTION.—Section 3017(b)(1)(D)
is amended by striking ‘‘3011(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘3011(e)’’.
(5) STYLISTIC AMENDMENTS.—Section 3018A is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘of this section’’ in subsections (b) and
(c);
(B) by striking ‘‘of this subsection’’ in subsections (a)(4),
(a)(5), (d)(1) (both places it appears), and (d)(3); and
(C) by striking ‘‘of this chapter’’ in subsection (d)(3)
and inserting ‘‘of this title’’.
(6) CROSS REFERENCE CORRECTION.—Section 3117(b)(1) is
amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘section 8’’ and inserting ‘‘section
4(b)(1)’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘633(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘633(b)(1)’’.
(7) INSERTION
OF
MISSING
WORD.—Section 3511(a)(1) is
amended by inserting ‘‘sections’’ after ‘‘under both’’.
(8) SUBSECTION HEADINGS.—
(A) Sections 3461, 3462, 3481, 3565, 3680, and 3690
are each amended by revising each subsection heading
for a subsection therein (appearing as a centered heading
immediately before the text of the subsection) so that such
heading appears immediately after the subsection designa-
tion and is set forth in capitals-and-small-capitals typeface,
followed by a period and a one-em dash.
(B) Section 3461(c) is amended by inserting after the
subsection designation the following: ‘‘DURATION
OF
ENTITLEMENT.—’’.
(C) Section 3462 is amended—
(i) in subsection (d), by inserting after the sub-
section designation the following: ‘‘PRISONERS
OF
WAR.—’’; and
(ii) in subsection (e), by inserting after the sub-
section designation the following: ‘‘TERMINATION
OF
ASSISTANCE.—’’.
(9) CROSS REFERENCE CORRECTION.—Section 3732(c)(10)(D)
is amended by striking ‘‘clause (B) of paragraphs (5), (6), (7),
and (8) of this subsection’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (5)(B),
(6), (7)(B), and (8)(B)’’.
(10) DATE OF ENACTMENT REFERENCE.—Section 3733(a)(7)
is amended by striking ‘‘the date of the enactment of the
Veterans Benefits Act of 2003’’ and inserting ‘‘December 16,
2003’’.
(11) REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISIONS.—Section 4102A is
amended—
(A) in subsection (c)(7)—
(i) by striking ‘‘With respect to program years
beginning during or after fiscal year 2004, one percent
of’’ and inserting ‘‘Of’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘for the program year’’ and inserting
‘‘for any program year, one percent’’; and
(B) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ‘‘By not later than
May 7, 2003, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’.
38 USC 1513.
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PUBLIC LAW 109–233—JUNE 15, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1235 (H.R. 2046) (H.R. 3665):
HOUSE REPORTS: Nos. 109–88 accompanying H.R. 2046 and 109–263 accom-
panying H.R. 3665 (both from Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 109–139 (Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 151 (2005): Sept. 28, considered and passed Senate.
Vol. 152 (2006): May 22, considered and passed House, amended.
May 25, Senate concurred in House amendments.
(12) REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISIONS.—Section 4105(b) is
amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘shall provide,’’ and all that follows
through ‘‘Affairs with’’ and inserting ‘‘shall, on the 15th
day of each month, provide the Secretary and the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs with updated information regarding’’;
and
(B) by striking ‘‘and shall’’ and all that follows through
‘‘regarding the list’’.
(13) CITATION CORRECTION.—Section 4110B is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998’’; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘(29 U.S.C. 2822(b))’’ before the period
at the end.
(14) CROSS-REFERENCE CORRECTION.—Section 4331(b)(2)(C)
is amended by striking ‘‘section 2303(a)(2)(C)(ii)’’ and inserting
‘‘section 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii)’’.
(15) CAPITALIZATION
CORRECTION.—Section 7253(d)(5) is
amended by striking ‘‘court’’ and inserting ‘‘Court’’.
Approved June 15, 2006.
38 USC 4105.
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