Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1984
PL 98-543 (H.R.5688), enacted 10/24/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2735 
Public Law 98-543 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the rates of disability compensa-
tion for disabled veterans and of dependency and indemnity compensation for 
surviving spouses and children of veterans, to increase the rates of subsistence and 
educational assistance allowances for veterans pursuing vocational rehabilitation 
programs under chapter 31 of such title and for veterans and eligible persons 
pursuing programs of education or training under chapter 34, 35, or 36 of such title, 
to increase the opportunities for vocational rehabilitation of certain veterans 
receiving disability compensation, and to provide vocational training opportunities 
for certain veterans receiving pension; and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE 
SECTION 1. (a) This Act may be cited as the "Veterans' Benefits 
Improvement Act of 1984". 
(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act 
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, 
or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be 
considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, 
United States Code. 
Oct. 24, 1984 
[H.R. 5688] 
Veterans' 
Benefits 
Improvement 
Act of 1984. 
38 u s e 101 note. 
TITLE I—DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY 
AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION 
PART A—RATE INCREASES 
DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
SEC. 101. (a) Section 314 is amended— 
(1) by striking out "$64" in subsection (a) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$66"; 
(2) by striking out "$118" in subsection (b) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$122"; 
(3) by striking out "$179" in subsection (c) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$185"; 
(4) by striking out "$258" in subsection (d) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$266"; 
(5) by striking out "$364" in subsection (e) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$376"; 
(6) by striking out "$459" in subsection (f) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$474"; 
(7) by striking out "$579" in subsection (g) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$598"; 
(8) by striking out "$671" in subsection (h) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$692"; 
(9) by striking out "$755" in subsection (i) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$779"; 
(10) by striking out "$1,255" in subsection (j) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$1,295"; 
Ante, p. 37. 
98 STAT. 2736 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
(11) by striking out "$1,559" and "$2,185" in subsection (k) 
and 
inserting 
in 
lieu 
thereof 
"$1,609" 
and 
"$2,255", 
respectively; 
(12) by striking out "$1,559" in subsection (1) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$1,609"; 
(13) by striking out "$1,719" in subsection (m) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$1,774"; 
(14) by striking out "$1,954" in subsection (n) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$2,017"; 
(15) by striking out "$2,185" each place it appears in subsec-
tions (o) and (p) and inserting in lieu thereof "$2,255"; 
(16) by striking out "$938" and "$1,397" in subsection (r) and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$968" and "$1,442", respectively; 
(17) by striking out "$1,404" in subsection (s) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$1,449"; and 
(18) by striking out "$271" in subsection (t) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$280". 
38 use 314 note. 
(b) The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may adjust administra-
tively, consistent with the increases authorized by this section, the 
rates of disability compensation payable to persons within the pur-
38 use note 
view of section 10 of Public Law 85-857 who are not in receipt of 
prec. 101. 
compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United 
38 U^c 301 et 
States Code. 
seq. 
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS 
Ante, p. 38. 
SEC. 102. Section 315(1) is amended— 
(1) by striking out "$77" in clause (A) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$79"; 
(2) by striking out "$128" and "$41" in clause (B) and insert-
ing in lieu thereof "$132" and "$42", respectively; 
(3) by striking out "$52" and "$41" in clause (C) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$54" and "$42", respectively; 
(4) by striking out "$62" in clause (D) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$64"; 
(5) by striking out "$139" in clause (E) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$143"; and 
(6) by striking out "$116" in clause (F) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$120". 
CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS 
Ante, p. 38. 
SEC. 103. Section 362 is amended by striking out "$338" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$349". 
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES 
Ante, p. 38. 
SEC. 104. (a) Subsection (a) of section 411 is amended to read as 
follows: 
"(a) Dependency and indemnity compensation shall be paid to a 
surviving spouse, based on the pay grade of the person upon whose 
death entitlement is predicated, at monthly rates set forth in the 
following table: 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2737 
Monthly 
Monthly 
"Pay grade 
rate Pay grade 
rate 
E-1 
$476 
W-4 
$682 
E-2 
490 
0-1 
602 
E-3 
502 
0-2 
621 
E-4 
535 
0-3 
665 
E-5 
549 
0-4 
703 
E-6 
561 
0-5 
775 
E-7 
589 
0-6 
873 
E-8 
621 
0-7 
944 
E-9 
1649 
0-8 
1,035 
W-1 
602 
0-9 
1,111 
W-2 
626 
O-IO 
2 1,217 
W-3 
644 
"' 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 section 402 of this title, 
the surviving spouse's rate shall be $700. 
"^ If 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 section 402 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be 
$1,305.". 
(b) Subsection (b) of such section is amended by striking out "$53" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$55". 
(c) Subsection (c) of such section is amended by striking out "$139" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$143". 
(d) Subsection (d) of such section is amended by striking out "$68" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$70". 
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR CHILDREN 
SEC. 105. Section 413 is amended— 
Ante, p. 39. 
(1) by striking out "$233" in clause (1) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$240"; 
(2) by striking out "$334" in clause (2) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$345"; 
(3) by striking out "$432" in clause (3) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$446"; and 
(4) by striking out "$432" and "$87" in clause (4) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$446" and "$90", respectively. 
SUPPLEMENTAL DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR 
CHILDREN 
SEC. 106. Section 414 is amended— 
Ante, p. 39. 
(1) by striking out "$139" in subsection (a) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$143"; 
(2) by striking out "$233" in subsection (b) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$240"; and 
(3) by striking out "$118" in subsection (c) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$122". 
EFFECTIVE DATE 
SEC. 107. Sections 101 through 106 shall take effect on 38 use 3
1
4 note. 
December 1,1984. 
98 STAT. 2738 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
PART B—COMPENSATION PROGRAM AMENDMENTS 
TRIAL WORK PERIOD AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PILOT PROJECT 
SEC. IIL (aKl) Subchapter VI of chapter 11 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
38 use 363. 
"§ 363. Temporary program for trial work periods and vocational 
rehabilitation for certain veterans with total disability 
ratings 
"(aKl) The disability rating of a qualifled veteran who begins to 
engage in a substantially gainful occupation during the program 
period may not be reduced on the basis of the veteran having 
secured and followed a substantially gainful occupation unless the 
veteran maintains such an occupation for a period of 12 consecutive 
months. 
"(2) For purposes of this section: 
"(A) The term 'qualified veteran' means a veteran who has a 
service-connected disability, or service-connected disabilities, 
not rated as total but who has been awarded a rating of total 
disability by reason of inability to secure or follow a substan-
tially gainful occupation as a result of such disability or disabil-
ities. 
"(B) The term 'program period' means the period beginning 
on February 1,1985, and ending on January 31,1989. 
"(b) During the program period, the Administrator shall make 
counseling services described in section 1504(aX2) of this title and 
placement and postplacement services described in section 1504(aX5) 
of this title available to each qualified veteran (whether or not the 
veteran is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program 
38 use 1500 et 
under chapter 31 of this title). 
«^9 
"(c)(lXA) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, in 
the case of each award during the program period of a rating of total 
disability described in subsection (aK2)(A) of this section to a vet-
eran, the Administrator shall provide to the veteran, at the time 
that notice of the award is provided to the veteran, a statement 
providing— 
"(i) notice of the provisions of this section; 
"(ii) information explaining the purposes and availability of 
and eligibility for, and the procedures for pursuing, a vocational 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title; and 
"(iii) a summary description of the scope of services and 
assistance available under that chapter. 
"(B) After providing the notice required under subparagraph (A) 
of this paragraph to a veteran, the Administrator shall arrange as 
promptly as is practical for the veteran to be provided an evaluation 
in order to make a determination as to whether the achievement of 
a vocational goal by the veteran is reasonably feasible. Such evalua-
tion shall include a personal interview of the veteran by a Veterans' 
Administration employee who is trained in vocational counseling. 
The Administrator shall provide the veteran with reasonable notice 
of the schedule for the evaluation. 
"(2) If the veteran fails, for reasons other than those beyond the 
veteran's control, to participate in an evaluation under paragraph 
(1KB) of this subsection in the manner required by the Administra-
tor in order to make the determination described in that paragraph, 
the Administrator shall reduce the veteran's disability rating to the 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2739 
rating that would be applicable to the veteran but for the determi-
nation of the veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially 
gainful occupation. Any such reduction shall remain in effect for the 
duration of such failure. 
"(3XA) If, after completion of an evaluation under paragraph (1)(B) 
of this subsection, the Administrator determines that achievement 
of a vocational goal by the veteran is reasonably feasible, the 
Administrator shall formulate an individualized written plan of 
vocational rehabilitation for the veteran under chapter 31 of this 
title. 
38 u s e 1500 et 
"(B) If the Administrator determines that the veteran has failed seq. 
to pursue (or to continue to pursue) the vocational rehabilitation 
program described in such plan, the Administrator shall provide the 
veteran with notice that, if the veteran fails, for reasons other than 
those beyond the veteran's control, to initiate or resume pursuit of 
such program within 60 days after the Administrator provided such 
notice (or such longer period as the Administrator determines is the 
shortest period within which it is reasonably feasible for the veteran 
to initiate or resume pursuit), the Administrator will provide for the 
results of the evaluation to be considered in the next scheduled 
review of the veteran's eligibility for a rating of total disability 
based on inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupa-
tion. Unless the veteran initiates or resumes such pursuit within 
such 60 days (or such longer period, if applicable), the Administrator 
shall provide for such results to be so considered. 
"(4) This subsection does not apply with respect to a veteran as to 
whom the Administrator determines that an evaluation of voca-
tional rehabilitation potential or achievement of a vocational goal is 
not reasonably feasible.". 
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item: 
"363. Temporary program for trial work periods and vocational rehabilitation for 
certain veterans with total disability ratings.". 
(b)(1) Not later than April 1,1985, the Administrator of Veterans' 38 use 363 note. 
Affairs shall provide to each veteran described in paragraph (2) a 
statement providing— 
(A) information explaining the provisions of section 363(b) of 
title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)(1)); 
(B) information explaining the purposes and availability of 
and eligibility for, and the procedures for pursuing, a vocational 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of such title; and 
(C) a summary description of the scope of services and assist-
ance available under that chapter. 
(2)(A) A veteran to whom a statement is to be provided under 
paragraph (1) is a veteran who has a service-connected disability, or 
service-connected disabilities, not rated as total but who, as of 
January 31, 1985, has been awarded a rating of total disability by 
reason of a determination of inability to secure or follow a substan-
tially gainful occupation as a result of such disability or disabilities. 
(B) Notice under paragraph (1) need not be provided to a veteran 
who has a rating of total disability described in subparagraph (A) 
which is protected by the first sentence of section 110 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(c) Not later than April 15, 1988, the Administrator of Veterans' Report. 
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 38 use 363 note. 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the results of the 
98 STAT. 2740 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
implementation of section 363 of title 38, United States Code (as 
added by subsection (aXD), during the three-year period beginning 
on February 1,1985. The report shall include— 
(1) information regarding— 
(A) the number of veterans with a disability rating of 
total based on inability to secure or follow a substantially 
gainful occupation who during such period followed a sub-
stantially gainful occupation for a period of twelve consecu-
tive months and the work experience of those veterans and 
their disability ratings after completing such twelve-month 
period and (if known) the number of veterans with such a 
rating who during the period covered by the report followed 
a substantially gainful occupation but did not maintain 
employment in it for a period of twelve consecutive months, 
(B) the number of veterans who during the period covered 
by the report were provided with evaluations under subsec-
tion (b) of such section, 
(C) the number of veterans provided such evaluations for 
whom a plan of vocational rehabilitation was formulated 
pursuant to such subsection, 
(D) the number of veterans for whom such a plan was 
formulated who elected, and who did not elect, to pursue a 
vocational rehabilitation program, 
(E) the extent to which those veterans who elected to 
pursue such a program completed the program, and 
(F) the subsequent work experience and disability ratings 
of the veterans who were provided such evaluations; 
(2) a tabulation of the reasons given by such veterans for not 
electing to pursue such a program by those who did not elect to 
pursue such a program; and 
(3) the Administrator's assessment of the value (including the 
cost-effectiveness) and effect of such implementation and any 
recommendations of the Administrator for administrative and 
legislative action based on such results and assessment. 
TECHNICAL AMENDMENT 
38 use 335. 
SEC. 112. (a) Section 335 is amended by striking out "50 per 
centum" and inserting in lieu thereof "30 percent". 
Effective date. 
(b) The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect as of 
38 use 835 note. October 1,1978. 
TITLE II—VETERANS' REHABILITATION, EDUCATION, AND 
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS 
PART A—RATE INCREASES 
RATES OF REHABIUTATION SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCES FOR VETERANS 
WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABIUTIES 
38 use 1508. 
SEC. 201. The table contained in section 1508(b) is amended to read 
as follows: 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2741 
"C!olumn I 
Type of program 
Institutional training: 
Full-time 
Three-quarter 
time. 
Half-time 
Farm cooperative, 
apprentice, or other 
on-job training: 
Full-time 
Extended evaluation: 
Full-time 
Independent living 
training: 
Full-time 
Three-quarter 
time. 
Half-time 
-/_, . 
Column 
II 
No 
depend-
ents 
$310 
233 
155 
271 
310 
310 
233 
155 
Column III 
One 
dependent 
$384 
288 
193 
327 
384 
384 
288 
193 
Column IV 
Two 
depend-
ents 
$452 
339 
227 
377 
452 
452 
339 
227 
Column V 
More than two 
dependents 
The amount in 
column IV, plus the 
following for each 
dependent in excess 
of two: 
$33 
25 
17 
24 
33 
33 
25 
17". 
RATES OF GI BILL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR VIETNAM-ERA 
VETERANS 
SEC. 202. Chapter 34 is amended as follows: 
(1) The table contained in paragraph (1) of section 1682(a) is 38 USC 1682. 
amended to read as follows: 
"Column I 
Type of program 
Institutional training: 
Full-time 
Three-quarter 
time. 
Half-time 
Cooperative 
Column 
II 
No 
depend-
ents 
$376 
283 
188 
304 
Column III 
One 
dependent 
$448 
336 
224 
355 
Column IV 
Two 
depend-
ents 
$510 
383 
255 
404 
Column V 
More than two 
dependents 
The amount in 
column IV, plus the 
following for each 
dependent in excess 
of two: 
$32 
24 
17 
23". 
(2) Section 1682(b) is amended by striking out "$342" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$376". 
(3) The table contained in section 1682(c) is amended to read 
£is follows: 
98 STAT. 2742 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
38 u s e 1692. 
"Column I 
Basis 
Full-time 
Three-quarter time 
Half-time 
Column 
II 
No 
depend-
ents 
$304 
228 
152 
Column III 
One 
dependent 
$355 
266 
178 
Column IV 
Two 
depend-
ents 
$404 
303 
202 
Column V 
More than two 
dependents 
The amount in 
column IV, plus the 
following for each 
dependent in excess 
of two: 
$23 
18 
12". 
(4) Section 1692(b) is amended by striking out "$76" and 
"$911" and inserting in lieu thereof "$84" and "$1,008", 
respectively. 
RATES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS 
SEC. 203. Chapter 35 is amended— 
38 use 1732. 
(1) by striking out "$276" in section 1732(b) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$304"; and 
(2) by striking out "$342", "$108", "$108", and "$11.44" in 
38 use 1742. 
section 1742(a) and inserting in lieu thereof "$376", "$119", 
"$119", and "$12.58", respectively. 
RATES OF TRAINING ALLOWANCES FOR APPRENTICESHIP OR OTHER ON-
JOB TRAINING 
SEC. 204. Chapter 36 is amended as follows: 
38 use 1786. 
(1) Section 1786(a)(2) is amended by striking out "$342" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$376". 
38 use 1787. 
(2) The table contained in section 1787(b)(1) is amended to 
read as follows: 
38 u s e 1798. 
"Column I 
Periods of training 
First 6 months 
Second 6 months 
Third 6 months 
Fourth and any 
succeeding 6-month 
periods. 
Column 
II 
No 
depend-
ents 
$274 
205 
136 
68 
Column III 
One 
dependent 
$307 
239 
171 
101 
Column IV 
Two 
depend-
ents 
$336 
267 
198 
131 
Column V 
More than two 
dependents 
The amount in 
column IV, plus the 
following for each 
dependent in excess 
of two: 
$14 
14 
14 
14". 
(3) Section 17980bX3) is amended by striking out "$342" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$376". 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2743 
EFFECTIVE DATE 
SEC. 205. The amendments made by this part shall take effect as 38 use 1508 
ofOctober 1,1984. 
note. 
PART B—VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS 
EXTENSION AND REVISION OF VETERANS READJUSTMENT APPOINTMENT 
PROGRAM 
SEC. 211. (a) Subsection (a) of section 2014 is amended— 
38 use 2014. 
(1) by inserting "(1)" after "(a)"; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(2) For the purposes of this section, the term 'agency' means a 
department, agency, or instrumentality in the executive branch.". 
(b) Subsection (b) of such section is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking out "GS-7" in clause (A) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "GS-9"; 
(B) by striking out "and" at the end of clause (B); 
(C) by striking out the period at the end of clause (C) and 
inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon and "and"; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new clause: 
"(D) a veteran given an appointment under the authority 
of this subsection whose employment under the appoint-
ment is terminated within one year after the date of such 
appointment shall have the same right to appeal that 
termination to the Merit Systems Protection Board as a 
career or career-conditional employee has during the first 
year of employment."; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking out "September 30, 1984" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "September 30,1986". 
(c) Subsection (c) of such section is amended— 
(1) by striking out "department, agency, and instrumentality 
in the executive branch" and inserting in lieu thereof "agency'; 
and 
(2) by striking out "such department, agency, or instrumental-
ity" and inserting in lieu thereof "such agency". 
(d) Subsections (d) and (e) of such section are amended to read as 
follows: 
"(d) The Office of Personnel Management shall be responsible for 
the review and evaluation of the implementation of this section and 
the activities of each agency to carry out the purpose and provisions 
of this section. The Office shall periodically obtain (on at least an 
annual basis) information on the implementation of this section by 
each agency and on the activities of each agency to carry out the 
purpose and provisions of this section. The information obtained 
shall include specification of the use and extent of appointments 
made by each agency under subsection (b) of this section and the 
results of the plans required under subsection (c) of this section. 
"(e)(1) The Office of Personnel Management shall submit to the Report. 
Congress annually a report on activities carried out under this 
section. Each such report shall include the following information 
with respect to each agency: 
"(A) The number of appointments made under subsection (b) 
of this section since the last such report and the grade levels in 
which such appointments were made. 
98 STAT. 2744 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
"(B) The number of individuals receiving appointments under 
such subsection whose appointments were converted to career 
or career-conditional appointments, or whose employment 
under such an appointment has terminated, since the last such 
report, together with a complete listing of categories of causes of 
appointment terminations and the number of such individuals 
whose employment has terminated falling into each such 
category. 
"(C) The number of such terminations since the last such 
report that were initiated by the agency involved and the 
number of such terminations since the last such report that 
were initiated by the individual involved. 
"(D) A description of the education and training programs in 
which individuals appointed under such subsection are partici-
pating at the time of such report. 
"(2) Information shown for an agency under clauses (A) through 
(D) of paragraph (1) of this subsection— 
"(A) shall be shown for all veterans; and 
"(B) shall be shown separately (i) for veterans of the Vietnam 
era who are entitled to disability compensation under the laws 
administered by the Veterans' Administration or whose dis-
charge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred 
or aggravated in line of duty, and (ii) for other veterans.". 
EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY VETERANS* JOB TRAINING ACT PROGRAM 
SEC. 212. (a) Section 5(bX3)(A) of the Emergency Veterans' Job 
29 use 1721 
Training Act of 1983 (Public Law 98-77; 97 Stat. 445) is amended bv 
note. 
striking out "60 days" and inserting in lieu thereof "90 days'. 
29 use 1721 
(b) Section 16 of such Act is amended by striking out "Septem-
note. 
ber 30, 1986" and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30, 1987". 
29 use 1721 
(c) The text of section 17 of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
note. 
"SEC. 17. Assistance may not be paid to an employer under this 
Act— 
"(1) on behalf of a veteran who initially applies for a program 
of job training under this Act after February 28, 1985; or 
"(2) for any such program which begins after September 1, 
1985.". 
TITLE III—OTHER BENEFIT RATE INCREASES AND 
PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS 
VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND HEALTH-CARE ELIGIBIUTY PROTECTION FOR 
PENSION RECIPIENTS 
SEC. 301. (a)(1) Subchapter II of chapter 15 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new sections: 
38 use 524. 
"§ 524. Temporary program of vocational training for certain new 
pension recipients 
"(aXD Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, in the case of a 
veteran under the age of 50 who is awarded pension during the 
program period, the Administrator shall determine whether the 
achievement of a vocational goal by the veteran is reasonably 
feasible. Any such determination shall be made only after evalua-
tion of the veteran's potential for rehabilitation, and any such 
evaluation shall include a personal interview of the veteran by a 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2745 
Veterans' Administration employee who is trained in vocational 
counseling. If the veteran fails, for reasons other than those beyond 
the veteran's control, to participate in the evaluation in the manner 
required by the Administrator in order to make such determination, 
the Administrator shall suspend the veteran's pension for the dura-
tion of such failure. 
"(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, if a veteran who is 
50 years of age or older and who is awarded pension during the 
program period applies for vocational training under this section 
and the Administrator makes a preliminary finding on the basis of 
information in the application that, with the assistance of a voca-
tional training program under subsection (d) of this section, the 
veteran has a good potential for achieving employment, the Admin-
istrator shall provide the veteran with an evaluation in order to 
determine whether the achievement of a vocational goal by the 
veteran is reasonably feasible. Any such evaluation shall include a 
personal interview by a Veterans' Administration employee trained 
in vocational counseling. 
"(3) Not more than 2,500 veterans may be given evaluations under 
this subsection during any 12-month period beginning on February 1 
of a year. 
"(4) For the purposes of this section, the term 'program period' 
means the period beginning on February 1, 1985, and ending on 
January 31,1989. 
"(bXD If the Administrator, based upon an evaluation under 
subsection (a) of this section, determines that the achievement of a 
vocational goal by a veteran is reasonably feasible, the veteran shall 
be offered and may elect to pursue a vocational training program 
under this subsection. If the veteran elects to pursue such a pro-
gram, the program shall be designed in consultation with the 
veteran in order to meet the veteran's individual needs and shall be 
set forth in an individualized written plan of vocational rehabilita-
tion of the kind described in section 1507 of this title. 
"(2XA) Subject to subparagraph (B) of this parcigraph, a vocational 
training program under this subsection shall consist of vocationally 
oriented services and assistance of the kind provided under chapter 
31 of this title and such other services and assistance of the kind 38 USC 1500 et 
provided under that chapter as are necessary to enable the veteran seq. 
to prepare for and participate in vocational training or employment. 
"(B) A vocational training program under this subsection— 
"(i) may not exceed 24 months unless, based on a determina-
tion by the Administrator that an extension is necessary in 
order for the veteran to achieve a vocational goal identified 
(before the end of the first 24 months of such program) in the 
written plan formulated for the veteran, the Administrator 
grants an extension for a period not to exceed 24 months; 
"(ii) may not include the provision of any loan or subsistence 
allowance or any automobile adaptive equipment of the kind 
provided under chapter 39 of this title; and 
38 USC 1901 et 
"(iii) may include a program of education at an institution of seq. 
higher learning (as defined in sections 1652(b) and 1652(f), re-
spectively, of this title) only in a case in which the Administra-
tor determines that the program involved is predominantly 
vocational in content. 
"(3) When a veteran completes a vocational training program 
under this subsection, the Administrator may provide the veteran 
with counseling of the kind described in section 1504(aX2) of this 
98 STAT. 2746 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
title, placement and postplacement services of the kind described in 
section 1504(a)(5) of this title, and training of the kind described in 
section 1504(a)(6) of this title during a period not to exceed 18 
months beginning on the date of such completion. 
"(4) A veteran may not begin pursuit of a vocational training 
program under this subsection after the later of (A) January 31, 
1989, or (B) the end of a reasonable period of time, as determined by 
the Administrator, following either the evaluation of the veteran 
under subsection (a)(1) of this section or the award of pension to the 
veteran as described in subsection (a)(2) of this section. Any determi-
nation by the Administrator of such a reasonable period of time 
shall be made pursuant to regulations which the Administrator 
shall prescribe. 
"(c) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of section 525 of this title, a 
veteran who pursues a vocational training program under subsec-
tion (b) of this section shall have the benefit of the provisions of 
Infra. 
subsection (a) of section 525 of this title beginning at such time as 
the veteran's entitlement to pension is terminated by reason of 
income from work or training (as defined in subsection (b) of that 
section). 
"(d) Payments by the Administrator for education, training, and 
other services and assistance under subsection (b) of this section 
(other than the services of Veterans' Administration employees) 
shall be made from the Veterans' Administration appropriations 
account from which payments for pension are made. 
38 use 525. 
"§ 525. Temporary protection of health-care eligibility 
"(a) In the case of a veteran whose entitlement to pension under 
section 521 of this title is terminated during the program period by 
reason of income from work or training, the veteran shall retain for 
a period of three years beginning on the date of such termination all 
eligibility for care and services under such chapter that the veteran 
would have had if the veteran's entitlement to pension had not been 
terminated. Care and services for which such a veteran retains 
eligibility include, when applicable, drugs and medicines under 
section 612(h) of this title and special priority with respect to such 
care and services under section 612(i)(5) of this title. 
"(b) For the purposes of this section: 
"(1) The term 'terminated by reason of income from work or 
training' means terminated as a result of the veteran's receipt 
of earnings from activity performed for remuneration or gain, 
but only if the veteran's annual income from sources other than 
such earnings would, taken alone, not result in the termination 
of the veteran's pension. 
"(2) The term 'program period' means the period beginning on 
February 1,1985, and ending on January 31,1989.". 
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 523 the 
, 
following new items: 
"524. Temporary vocational training for certain new pension recipients. 
"525. Temporary protection of health-care eligibility.'. 
Report. 
(b) Not later than April 15, 1988, the Administrator of Veterans' 
38 use 524 note. Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the results of the 
implementation of sections 524 and 525 of title 38, United States 
Code (as added by subsection (a)(1)), during the period beginning on 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2747 
February 1, 1985, and ending on January 31, 1988. The report shall 
include— 
(1) information regarding— 
(A) the number of veterans who during the period covered 
by the report were provided with evaluations under para-
graphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of such section 524, 
(B) the number of such veterans for whom a vocational 
goal was determined to be feasible, 
(C) the number of such veterans who elected, and who did 
not elect, to pursue a vocational training program under 
subsection (b) of that section, 
(D) the extent to which those veterans who elected to 
pursue such a program completed the program, 
(E) the subsequent work and pension-eligibility expe-
rience of the veterans who were provided with such 
evaluations, shown according to their participation in and 
completion of vocational training programs, and 
(F) the number of veterans who received the benefit of 
such section 525; 
Ante, p. 2746. 
(2) a tabulation of the reasons given by such veterans for not 
electing to pursue such a program by those for whom a 
vocational goal was determined to be reasonably feasible but 
who did not elect to pursue such program; and 
(3) the Administrator's assessment of the value (including the 
cost-effectiveness) and effect of such implementation and any 
recommendations of the Administrator for administrative and 
legislative action based on such results and assessment. 
REPORT ON MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF CERTAIN PENSION RECIPIENTS 
SEC. 302. (a) Not later than twenty-eight months after the date of 38 USC 521 note. 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a report containing a statistical tabu-
lation of the results of the medical examinations conducted under 
subsection (bXlXA) and the determinations made under subsection 
(bXlXB). 
(bXD The Administrator— 
(A) shall provide for the selection of a sampling of the class of 
pension recipients described in paragraph (3) to undergo, and 
each recipient in such sampling shall undergo, a medical exami-
nation of the kind provided a veteran under 65 years of age who 
is applying for pension under section 521 of title 38, United 
States Code; and 
(B) shall determine what, if any, percentage rating would be 
applicable to the recipient under the schedule of ratings 
adopted pursuant to section 355 of such title. 
(2) The sampling of pension recipients selected under paragraph 
(IXA) shall be selected in a manner that is statistically valid for the 
purpose of estimating the disability ratings of all recipients in the 
class described in paragraph (3). 
(3) The class of pension recipients referred to in paragraphs (1) 
and (2) are those individuals who, during the two-year period begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act, are awarded pension 
under section 521 of title 38, United States Code, by reason of being 
considered, under section 502(a) of such title, to be permanently and 
98 STAT. 2748 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
38 u s e 618. 
38 u s e 802. 
Effective date. 
38 u s e 802 note. 
38 u s e 1902. 
38 u s e 1903. 
Effective date. 
38 u s e 1903 
note. 
38 u s e 1901 et 
seq. 
totally disabled by reason of being 65 years of age or older or 
becoming unemployable after age 65. 
PARTICIPATION IN THERAPEUTIC OR REHABILITATIVE ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 303. Section 618 is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing new subsection: 
"(f) Neither a veteran's participation in an activity carried out 
under this section nor a veteran's receipt of remuneration as a 
result of such participation may be considered as a basis for the 
denial or discontinuance of a rating of total disability for purposes of 
compensation or pension based on the veteran's inability to secure 
or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of 
disability.". 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE 
SEC. 304. (a) Section 802 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking out "$32,500" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$35,500"; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking out "$5,000" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$6,000". 
(b) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on 
January 1,1985. 
AUTOMOBILE AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE 
SEC 305. (a) Section 1902(a) is amended by striking out "$4,400" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$5,000". 
(b) Subsection (c) of section 1903 is amended to read as follows: 
"(cXl) An eligible person shall not be entitled to adaptive equip-
ment under this chapter for more than two automobiles or other 
conveyances at any one time or (except as provided in paragraph (2) 
of this subsection) during any four-year period. 
"(2) In a case in which the four-year limitation in paragraph (1) of 
this subsection precludes an eligible person from being entitled to 
adaptive equipment under this chapter, if the Administrator deter-
mines that, due to circumstances beyond the control of such person, 
one of the automobiles or other conveyances for which adaptive 
equipment was provided to such person during the applicable four-
year period is no longer available for the use of such person, the 
Administrator may provide adaptive equipment to such person for 
an additional automobile or other conveyance during such period. 
Provision of adaptive equipment under this paragraph is within the 
discretion of the Administrator. Any action to provide adaptive 
equipment under this paragraph shall be made pursuant to regula-
tions which the Administrator shall prescribe.". 
(cXD The amendments made by this section shall take effect on 
January 1,1985. 
(2) In the case of a person who during the four-year period ending 
on December 31, 1984, was provided adaptive equipment under 
chapter 39 of title 38, United States Code, for an automobile or other 
conveyance and who has such automobile or other conveyance 
available for use on the date of the enactment of this Act, the first 
four-year period applicable to such person under subsection (c) of 
section 1903 of such title (as amended by subsection (a)) shall begin 
on the most recent date before January 1, 1985, on which such 
person was provided such equipment. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-543—OCT. 24, 1984 
TITLE IV-MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
98 STAT. 2749 
REPEAL OF ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT 
SEC 401. Section 1796 is amended by striking out subsection (d). 
38 use 1796. 
SUSPENSION OF COMPENSATION AND PENSION PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN 
INSTITUTIONALIZED VETERANS; WAIVER 
SEC. 402. (a) Section 3203(b)(1) is amended— 
(1) by designating the first and second sentences as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively; 
(2) in subparagraph (A), as so designated— 
(A) by striking out the comma after "treatment" in the 
first sentence and inserting in lieu thereof "or"; 
(B) by striking out "by reason of mental illness"; and 
(C) by inserting "(excluding the value of the veteran's 
home unless there is no reasonable likelihood that the 
veteran will again reside in such home)," after "the veter-
an's estate"; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
"(C) The Administrator may waive the discontinuance under this 
paragraph of payments to a veteran with respect to not more than 
60 days of care of the veteran during any calendar year if the 
Administrator determines that the waiver is necessary in order to 
avoid a hardship for the veteran. Any such waiver shall be made 
pursuant to regulations which the Administrator shall prescribe.", 
(b) The Administrator shall prescribe regulations under subpara-
graph (C) of section 3203(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code (as 
added by subsection (a)), not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
Approved October 24, 1984. 
97 Stat. 1010. 
38 u s e 3203. 
Waiver. 
Regulations. 
38 u s e 3203 
note. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5688 (S. 2736): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-828 (Oomm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-604 accompanying S. 2736 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
eONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
June 18, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 2, S. 2736 considered and passed Senate; H.R. 5688, amended, passed in lieu. 
Oct. 5, House concurred in Senate amendments with an amendment. 
Oct. 9, Senate concurred in House amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 20, No. 43 (1984): 
Oct. 24, Presidential statement.