An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans; to increase the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for their survivors; and for other purposes.
PL 93-295 (S.3072), enacted 05/31/1974

180 
PUBLIC LAW 93-295-MAY 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
37 u s e 301. 
Ante, 
p. 177, 
Annual report, 
public release. 
37 u s e 301a 
note. 
Effective date. 
37 u s e 30Ia 
note. 
(A) in the amount he was receiving under section 301(b) 
of that title on May 31,1973, or on the day before the effective 
date of this Act, but with no entitlement after either of 
those dates, as applicable, to any longevity pay increases 
or increases resulting from promotion to a higher grade 
until such time as the rate to which he is entitled under sec-
tion 301a (b) of that title, as added by this Act, is equal to or 
greater than the amount he was receiving under that sec-
tion on May 31, 1973, or on the day before the effective date 
of this Act, and thereafter his entitlement is as prescribed 
by that section, as added by this Act; or 
(B) at the rate prescribed by section 301a(b) of that title, 
as added by this Act; 
whichever is greater. However, an officer who is promoted and 
assigned to pay grade 0-7 or above during the 36-month period 
following the effective date of this Act may not receive more 
than the rate which existed for that pay grade, as appropriate, 
prior to June 1,1973. 
(2) If he is credited with more than 6 years of aviation service 
as an officer, or less than 6 years of aviation service but more than 
12 years of service as an officer, he may receive monthly incentive 
pay at the rate prescribed in the table in section 301a (b) of title 
37, United States Code, as added by this Act, that is applicable 
to him, or $165, whichever is greater, for not more than 36 months 
after the effective date of this Act, notwithstanding the provi-
sions of section 301a (a) of that title, as added by this Act, with 
respect to prescribed operational flying duties (including flight 
training but excluding proficiency flying). However, under this 
clause, an officer who is assigned to the pay grade 0-7 on the 
effective date of this Act, or is promoted to the pay grade 0-7 
during the 36-month period following the effective date of this 
Act, may not receive more than $160 per month while assigned 
to that grade. 
The amount to which a reserve officer who is entitled to compensation 
under section 206 of title 37, United States Code, is entitled under 
this section is governed by the provisions of section 301a(d) of that 
title, as added by this Act. 
SEC. 5. A yearly report containing such data as necessary to monitor 
the progress of this bill shall be made by the Department of Defense 
in cooperation with the Senate and House Armed Services Committees 
and released publicly. 
SEC. 6. This Act becomes effective on the first day of the first 
month after enactment. 
Approved May 31, 1974. 
May 31, 1974 
[S.3072] 
Public Law 93-295 
AN ACT 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase tlie rates of disability com-
pensation for disabled veterans; to increase the rates of dependency and indem-
nity compensation for their survivors; and for other purposes. 
Veterans Dis-
ability Compen-
sation and Survi-
vor Benefits Act 
of 1974. 
38 u s e 314 
note. 
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 Disability Compensation and Survivor Bene-
fits Act of 1974". 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-295-MAY 31, 1974 
181 
TITLE I—VETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
SEU. 101. (a) Section 314 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking out "$28" in subsection (a) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$32"; 
(2) by striking out "$61" in subsection (b) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$59"; 
(3) by striking out "$77" in subsection (c) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$89"; 
(4) by striking out "$106" in subsection (d) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$122"; 
(5) by striking out "$149" in subsection (e) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$171"; 
(6) by striking out "$179" in subsection (f) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$211"; 
(7) by striking out "$212" in subsection (g) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$260"; 
(8) by striking out "$246" in subsection (h) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$289"; 
(9) by striking out "$276" in subsection (i) and inserting m 
lieu thereof "$326"; 
(10) by striking out "$496" in subsection (j) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$584"; 
(11) by striking out "$47" and "$616" and "$862" in subsection 
(k) and inserting in lieu thereof "$52" and "$727" and "$1,017", 
respectively; 
(12) by striking out "$616" in subsection (1) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$727"; 
(13) by striking out "$678" in subsection (m) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$800"; 
(14) by striking out "$770" in subsection (n) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$909"; 
(15) by striking out "$862" in subsections (o) and (p) and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$1,017"; 
(16) by striking out "$370" in subsection (r) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$437"; and 
(17) by striking out "$554" in subsection (s) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$654". 
(b) The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may adjust adminis- ^^^^f adjust-
tratively, consistent with the increases authorized by this section, the 
as use au 
rates of disability compensation payable to persons within the purview "°*^' 
of section 10 of Public Law 85-867 who are not in receipt of com- ^^^^ use prec. 
pensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United States 
as^usc aoi. 
Code. 
SEC. 102. Section 315(1) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking out "$31" in subparagraph (A) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$36"; 
(2) by striking out "$53" in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$61"; 
182 
PUBLIC LAW 93-295-MAY 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
(3) by striking out "$67" in subparagraph (C) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$77"; 
(4) by striking out "$83" and "$15" in subparagraph (D) and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$95" and "$17", respectively; 
(5) by striking out "$21" in subparagraph (E) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$24"; 
(6) by striking out "$36" in subparagraph (F) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$41"; 
(7) by striking out "$53" and "$15" in subparagraph (G) and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$61" and "$17", respectively; 
(8) by striking out "$25" in subparagraph (H) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$29"; and 
(9) by striking out "$48" in subparagraph (I) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$55". 
TITLE II—SURVIVORS DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 
COMPENSATION 
SEC. 201. Section 411 of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
"(a) Dependency and indemnity compensation shall be paid to a 
widow, based on the pay grade of her deceased husband, at monthly 
rates set forth in the following table: 
"Pay grade 
E-1 _ _ 
E-2 _ 
_ 
E-3 _ 
E-4 
E-5 _ 
___ 
E-6 
E-7 
E-8 
-_ 
— 
-
E-9 
W-1 
W-2 ___ 
W-3 
Monthly rate 
- 
$215 
_ 
_ 
221 
_ 
228 
241 
248 
254 
__ 
. 
266 
_ 
_- 
281 
_ 
'294 
271 
282 
291 
Pay grade 
W-4 
0-1 
0-2 
0-3 
0-4 
__ 
_ 
_. 
0-5 
0-6 
0-7 
0 - 8 
0-9 -
0-10 _ 
Monthly rat« 
$307 
271 
281 
_ 
_ 
301 
._ 
_ _ 
318 
.__ 
- 
350 
394 
. 
_ _ 
_ 
_ 
427 
467 
.__ 
502 
._ 
"549 
" 1 If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior enlisted advisor of the 
Navy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or 
master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by sec. 402 
of this title, the widow's rate shall be $316. 
"'It 
the veteran served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the 
Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, or Commandant of the 
Marine Corps, at the applicable time designated by sec. 402 of this title, the widow's rate 
shall be $589. 
"(b) If there is a widow with one or more children below the age 
of eighteen of a deceased veteran, the dependency and indemnity 
compensation paid monthly to the widow shall be increased by $26 
for each such child. 
"(c) The monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation 
payable to the widow shallbe increased by $64 if she is (1) a patient 
m a nursing home or (2) helpless or blind, or so nearly helpless or 
blind as to need or require the regular aid and attendance of another 
person.". 
SEC. 202. Section 413 of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
"Whenever there is no widow of a deceased veteran entitled to 
dependency and indemnity compensation, dependency and indemnity 
compensation shall be paid in equal shares to the children of the 
deceased veteran at the following monthly rates: 
88 
STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-295-MAY 31, 1974 
183 
Death compen-
sation, increase. 
Repeal. 
"(1) One child, $108. 
"(2) Two children, $156. 
"(3) Three children, $201. 
"(4) More than three children, $201, plus $40 for each child 
in excess of three.". 
SEC. 203. (a) Subsection (a) of section 414 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking out "$55" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"$64". 
(b) Subsection (b) of section 414 of such title is amended by strik-
ing out "$92 ' and inserting in lieu thereof "$108". 
(c) Subsection (c) of section 414 of such title is amended by strik-
ing out "$47" and mserting in lieu thereof "$55". 
SEC. 204. Section 322(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
"(b) The monthly rate of death compensation payable to a widow 
or dependent parent under subsection (a) of this section shall be 
increased by $64 if the payee is (1) a patient in a nursing home or 
(2) helpless or blind, or so nearly helpless or blind as to need or require 
the regular aid and attendance of another person.". 
SEC. 205. Section 337 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking "January 31,1955" and inserting in lieu thereof "December 31, 
1946". 
•SEC. 206. (a) Section 342 of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking out "equal" and all that follows down through the end 
thereof and inserting in lieu thereof "those specified in section 322 of 
this title". 
(b) Section 343 of such title is hereby repealed. 
(c) The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter V of 
chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking 
out the following: 
"343. Conditions under which wartime rates are payable.". 
SEC. 207. (a) The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall make a 
detailed study of claims for dependency and indemnity compensation 
relating to veterans, as defined in section 101 (2), title 38, United States 
Code, who at time of death within six months prior to the date of 
enactment of this Act were receiving disability compensation from the 
Veterans' Administration based upon a rating total and permanent 
in nature. 
(b) The report of such study shall include (1) the number of the 
described cases, (2) the number of cases in which the specified benefit 
was denied, (3) an analysis of the reasons for each such denial, (4) 
an analysis of any difficulty which may have been encountered by the 
claimant in attempting to establish that the death of the veteran con-
cerned was connected with his or her military, naval, or air service 
in the Armed Forces of the United States, and (5) data regarding 
the current financial status of the widow, widower, children, and par-
ents in each case of denial. 
(c) The report together with such commeirfs and recommendations 
as the Administrator deems appropriate shall be submitted to the 
Sjjeaker of the House and the President of the Senate not more than gg^g'^^^"' °^ *^ 
thirty days after the beginning of the Ninety-fourth Congress. 
TITLE III—PAYMENT OF BENEFITS TO PERSONS 
UNDER LEGAL DISABILITY 
study. 
38 u s e 301 
note. 
Report. 
Report, submit-
tal to Speaker of 
the House and 
SEC. 301. (a) Subsection (a) of section 320^©f title 38, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
" (a) Where it appears to the Administrator that the interest of the 
beneficiary would be served thereby, payment of benefits under any 
184 
PUBLIC LAW 93-296-MAY 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
law administered by the Veterans' Administration may be made 
directly to the beneficiary or to a relative or some other person for 
the use and benefit of the beneficiary, regardless of any legal disability 
on the part of the beneficiary. Where, in the opinion of the Adminis-
trator, any fiduciary receiving funds on behalf of a Veterans' Admin-
istration beneficiary is acting in such a number of cases as to make 
it impracticable to conserve properly the estates or to supervise the 
persons of the beneficiaries, the Administrator may refuse to make 
future payments in such cases as he may deem proper." 
(b) Subsection (c) of section 3202 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by deleting the phrase "guardian, curator, conservator, 
or other person legally vested with the care of the claimant or his 
estate", following the word "any" and inserting "fiduciary or other 
person for the purpose of payment of benefits payable under laws 
administered by the Veterans' Administration" and by deleting the 
word "estates" and inserting the word "benefits". 
(c) Subsection (e) of section 3202 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by deleting the phrase "guardian, curator, conservator, 
or person legally vested with the care of the beneficiary or his estate," 
following the words "hands of a", and inserting in lieu thereof the 
words "fiduciary appointed by a State court or the Veterans' Admin-
istration" and by deleting the phrase "guardian, curator, conservator, 
or person legally vested with the care of the beneficiary or his estate", 
following the word "such", and inserting in lieu thereof the word 
"fiduciary". 
^^P^^^- 
(d) Subsections (f) and (g) of section 3202 of title 38, United 
States Code, are hereby repealed. 
SEC. 302. Subsection (a)(4) of section 1701 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
"(4) The term 'guardian' includes a fiduciary legally appointed 
by a court of competent jurisdiction, or any other person who has been 
appointed by the Administrator under section 3202 of this title to 
receive payment of benefits for the use and benefit of the eligible 
38 use 3202. 
person.". 
TITLE IV—EFFECTIVE DATES 
no^te,"i^7oi^ioie. 
^EC. 401. The provlsious of this Act shall become effective on May 1, 
3202' note. 
' 
1974, except that title I I I shall become effective on the first day of the 
second calendar month following enactment. 
Approved May 31, 1974. 
Public Law 93-296 
M
a
y 31, 1974 
AN ACT 
LS. 775] 
rp(j amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a 
National Institute on Aging. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
Research on 
United States of America in Conqress assembled, 
Agmg Act o
f 
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "Research on Aging Act 
42 use 289k-2 
of 1974". 
"°42"usc 289k-2 
SEC. 2. Tlic Cougross fiuds and dcclarps that— 
note. 
(1) the study of the aging process, the one biological condi-
tion coipmon to all, has not received research support commen-
surate with its effects on the lives of every individual; 
(2) in addition to the physical infirmities resulting from 
advanced age, the economic, social, and psychological factors asso-
ciated with aging operate to exclude millions of older Americans