An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a cost-of-living increase in the rates of compensation paid to veterans with service-connected disabilities and in the rates of dependency and indemnity compensations paid to survivors of veterans, to modify certain veterans' life insurance programs, and to exempt Veterans' Administration home loans from State anti-usury laws; to provide for certain assistance in locating individuals who were exposed to occupational hazards during military service; and for other purposes.
PL 96-128 (H.R.2282), enacted 11/28/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-127-NOV. 28,1979 
93 STAT. 981 
Public Law 96-127 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To amend section 201 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, to extend until 
— ~ — ' — — -
September 30, 1981, the requirement that the price of milk be supported at not 
[H.R. 4167] 
less than 80 per centum of the parity price therefor. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) the second Milk price 
sentence of subsection (c) of section 201 of the Agricultural Act of support, 
1949, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1446(c)), is amended by striking out extension. 
"March 31,1979" and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30,1981". 
O
t
)
) The first sentence of subsection (d) of such section (7 U.S.C. 
1446(d)) is amended by striking out "March 31,1981" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "September 30,1981". 
Approved November 28, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-278 (Comm. on Agriculture). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-400 accompanying S. 6 (Comm. on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Oct. 29, Nov. 8, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 15, S. 6 considered in Senate and indefinitely postponed; H.R. 4167 consid-
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 15, No. 48: 
Nov. 28, Presidential statement. 
93 STAT. 982 
PUBLIC LAW 96-128—NOV. 28, 1979 
Nov. 28, 1979 
[H.R. 2282] 
Veterans' 
Disability 
Compensation 
and Survivors' 
Benefits 
Amendments of 
1979. 
38 u s e 101 note. 
Public Law 96-
96th Congress 
•128 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a cost-of-living increase in the 
rates of compensation paid to veterans with service-connected disabilities and in 
the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation paid to survivors of veter-
ans, to modify certain veterans' life insurance programs, and to exempt Veterans' 
Administration home loans from State anti-usury laws; to provide for certain 
assistance in locating individuals who were exposed to occupational hazards 
during military service; and for other purposes 
Be it enacted by 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 Survivors' 
Benefits Amendments of 1979". 
SEC. 2. 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. 
TITLE I—VETERANS' DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
BENEFITS 
92 Stat. 1560. 
38 u s e 314. 
RATES OP DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
SEC. 101. (a) Section 314 is amended— 
(1) by striking out "$44" in subsection (a) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$48"; 
(2) by striking out "$80" in subsection (b) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$88"; 
(3) by striking out "$121" in subsection (c) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$133"; 
(4) by striking out "$166" in subsection (d) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$182"; 
(5) by striking out "$232" in subsection (e) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$255"; 
(6) by striking out "$292" in subsection (f) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$321"; 
(7) by striking out "$346" in subsection (g) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$380"; 
(8) by striking out "$400" in subsection (h) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$440"; 
(9) by striking out "$450" in subsection (i) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$495"; 
(10) by striking out "$809" in subsection (j) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$889"; 
(11) by striking out "$56", "$1,005", and "$1,408" in subsection 
(k) and inserting in lieu thereof "$62", "$1,104", and "$1,547", 
respectively; 
(12) by striking out "$1,005" in subsection G) and insertiag in 
lieu thereof "$1,104"; 
(13) by striking out "$1,107" in subsection (m) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$1,217"; 
PUBLIC LAW 96-128—NOV. 28, 1979 
93 STAT. 983 
(14) by striking out "$1,258" in subsection (n) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$1,383"; 
(15) by striking out "$1,408" each place it appears in subsec-
tions (o) and (p) and inserting in lieu thereof "$1,547"; 
(16) by striking out "$604" and "$900" in subsection (r) and 
mserting in lieu thereof "$664" and "$989", respectively; 
(17) by striking out "$905" in subsection (s) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$995"; and 
(18) by striking out "$175" in subsection (t) and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$192". 
(b) The Administrator of Veterans* Affairs may adjust administra- Rates of 
tively, consistent with the increases authorized by this section, the sg'^^^^i^note 
rates of disability compensation payable to persons within the pur-
view of section 10 of Public Law 85-857 who are not in receipt of 38 use prec. loi 
compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United ^°^-
States Code. 
38 use 30i et 
seq. 
RATES OF ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS 
SEC. 102. (a) Section 315(1) is amended— 
92 Stat. 1562. 
(1) by striking out "$49" in clause (A) and inserting in lieu 38 use 315. 
thereof "$54"; 
(2) by strildng out "$83" in clause (B) and inserting in lieu 
thereof"$91"; 
(3) by striking out "$110" in clause (C) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$121"; 
(4) by striking out "$137" and "$27" in clause (D) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$151" and "$30", respectively; 
(5) by striking out "$34" in clause (E) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$37"; 
(6) by strildng out "$61" in clause (F) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$67"; 
(7) by striking out "$88" and "$27" in clause (G) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$97" and "$30", respectively; 
(8) by striking out "$40" in clause (H) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$44"; 
(9) by striking out "$89" in clause (I) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$98"; and 
(10) by striking out "$75" in clause (J) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$82". 
(b)(1)(A) Clause (I) of such section (as amended by subsection (a)) is 
further amended— 
(i) by striking out "subsection" the first time it appears and 
inserting in lieu thereof "paragraph"; 
(ii) by striking out "(1)" and "or (2)" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "(i)" and "or (ii)", respectively; and 
(iii) by striking out "paragraph (2) of this subsection" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "paragraph (2) of 
this section". 
(B) Clause (J) of such section (as amended by subsection (a)) is 
further amended— 
(i) by striking out "subsection" the first time it appears and 
inserting in lieu thereof "paragraph"; and 
(ii) by striking out "paragraph (2) of this subsection" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "paragraph (2) of 
this section". 
(2) Section 315(2) is amended by inserting "of this section" after 
"paragraph (1)". 
93 STAT. 984 
PUBLIC LAW 96-128—NOV. 28, 1979 
CLOrmNG ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS 
92 Stat. 1562. 
SEC. 103. Section 362 is amended by striking out "$218" and 
38 use 362. 
inserting in lieu thereof "$240". 
EUGIBIUTY FOR AID AND ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN 
VETERANS 
92 Stat. 1561. 
SEC. 104. Section 314(r) is amended— 
38 use 314. 
(1) by striking out "the" the first place it appears; 
(2) by striking out "or" after "this section and inserting in lieu 
thereof a comma; 
(3) by inserting "or at the intermediate rate authorized 
between the rates authorized under subsections (n) and (o) of this 
section and at the rate authorized under subsection (k) of this 
section," after "subsection (p) of 
this section,"; and 
(4) by striking out "compensation under subsection (o) or (p) of 
this section—" and inserting in lieu thereof "compensation—". 
DETERMINATION OF INTERMEDIATE RATES 
SEC. 105. Subsection (p) of section 314 is amended by inserting 
before the semicolon at the end thereof a period and "Any intermedi-
ate rate under this subsection shall be established at the arithmetic 
mean, rounded to the nearest dollar, between the two rates 
concerned". 
TITLE n-SURVIVORS' DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 
COMPENSATION BENEFITS 
RATES OF DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR 
SURVIVING SPOUSES 
92 Stat. 1562. 
SEC. 201. (a) Subsection (a) of section 411 is amended to read as 
38 use 411. 
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: 
"Pay grade 
Monthly rate 
Pay grade 
Monthly rate 
E-1 
$326 
W-4, 
E-2 
337 
O-l 
413 
E-3 
345 
0-2 
426 
E-4 
367 
0-3 
457 
E-5 
377 
0-4 
482 
E-6 
386 
0-5 
532 
E-7 
404 
0-6 
598 
E-8 
426 
0-7 
648 
E-9 
'446 
0-8 
710 
W-1 
413 
0-9 
763 
W-2 
430 
O-IO 
2835 
W-3 
442 
" ' If the veteran served as sergeant m^or of the Army, senior enlisted advisor of the Navy, 
chief master sergeant of the Air Force, sergeant mcyor of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty 
ofHcer of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 402 of this title, the 
surviving spouse's rate shall be $480. 
" * 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 
$895.". 
PUBLIC LAW 96-128-NOV. 28, 1979 
93 STAT. 985 
(b) Subsection (b) of such section is amended by striking out "$35" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$38". 
(c) Subsection (c) of such section is amended by striking out "$89" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$98". 
(d) Subsection (d) of such section is amended by striking out "$45" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$49". 
RATES OF DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR CHILDREN 
SEC. 202. Section 413 is amended— 
92 Stat. 1563. 
(1) by striking out "$150" in clause (1) and inserting in lieu ^^ use 413. 
thereof "$165"; 
(2) by striking out "$216" in clause (2) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$237"; 
(3) by striking out "$278" in clause (3) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$306"; and 
(4) by striking out "$278" and "$56" in clause (4) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$306" and "$62", respectively. 
RATES OF SUPPLEMENTAL DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION 
FOR CHILDREN 
SEC. 203. Section 414 is amended— 
38 use 414. 
(1) by striking out "$89" in subsection (a) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$98"; 
(2) by striking out "$150" in subsection (b) and inserting in lieu 
thereof "$165"; and 
(3) by striking out "$76" in subsection (c) and inserting in lieu 
thereof"$84". 
TITLE III—AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN VETERANS' LIFE 
INSURANCE PROVISIONS 
AUTHORITY FOR DIVIDENDS—VETERANS* REOPENED INSURANCE 
SEC. 301. (a) Subsection (b) of section 725 is amended— 
38 use 725. 
(1) by inserting "and" after the semicolon at the end of clause 
(6); and 
(2) by striking out the semicolon at the end of clause (7) and all 
that follows in such subsection and inserting in lieu thereof a 
period. 
(b) Subsection (c) of 
such section is amended— 
(1) by striking out clause (4); 
(2) by redesignating clauses (5), (6), and (7) as clauses (4), (5), and 
(6), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting "and" after the semicolon at the end of clause 
' "^^ 
(5) (as so redesignated). 
(c) The first sentence of subsection (d) of such section is amended by 
striking out "shall be made from that fund" and inserting in lieu 
thereof a comma and "including payments of dividends and refunds 
of unearned premiums, shall be made from that fund and the interest 
earned on the assets of 
that fund". 
93 STAT. 986 
PUBLIC LAW 96-128—NOV. 28, 1979 
AUTHORITY FOR HIGHER INTEREST RATES FOR AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO 
BENEFICIARIES 
SEC. 302. (a) Subchapter I of chapter 19 is amended by adding at the 
end thereof the following new section: 
38 use 726. 
"§ 726. Authority for higher interest rates for amounts payable to 
beneficiaries 
"Notwithstanding sections 702, 723, and 725 of this title, if the 
beneficiary of an insurance policy receives the proceeds of such policy 
under a settlement option under which such proceeds are paid in 
equal monthly installments over a limited period of months, the 
interest that may be added to each such installment may be at a rate 
that is higher than the interest rate prescribed in the appropriate 
section of this subchapter. The Administrator may from time to time 
establish a higher interest rate under the preceding sentence only in 
accordance with a determination that such higher rate is administra-
tively and actuarially sound for the program of insurance concerned. 
Any such higher interest rate shall be paid on the unpaid balance of 
such monthly installments.". 
(b) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 725 the 
following new item: 
"726. Authority for higher interest rates for amounts payable to beneficiaries.". 
SEC. 303. (a) Subchapter II of chapter 19 is amended by adding at 
the end thereof the following new section: 
38 use 761. 
"§761. Authority for higher interest rates for amounts payable to 
beneHciaries 
"Notwithstanding section 7440t)) of this title, if the beneficiary of £in 
insurance policy issued under the provisions of this subchapter 
receives the proceeds of such policy under a settlement option under 
which such proceeds are paid in equsd monthly installments over a 
limited period of months, the interest that may be added to each such 
installment may be at a rate that is higher than the interest rate 
prescribed in such section. The Administrator may from time to time 
establish a higher interest rate under the preceding sentence only in 
accordance with a determination that such higher rate is administra-
tively and actuarially sound. Any such higher interest rate shaU be 
paid on the unpaid balance of 
sucn monthly installments.". 
(b) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 760 the 
following new item: 
"761. Authority for higher interest rates for amounts payable to beneficiaries.". 
TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS 
38 use 718,753. 
SEC. 304. Sections 718(b) and 753 are amended by striking out "his" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "such person's". 
TITLE IV—EXEMPTION OF VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION 
HOME LOANS FROM STATE ANTI-USURY PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. (a) Chapter 37 is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following new section: 
38 use 1828. 
*
*
§ 1828. Exemption from State anti-usury provisions 
"If, under any law of the United States, loans and mortgages 
insured under title I or title II of the National Housing Act are 
PUBLIC LAW 96-128—NOV. 28, 1979 
93 STAT. 987 
exempt from the application of the provisions of any State constitu-
tion or law limiting the rate or amount of interest, discount points, or 
other charges which may be charged, taken, received, or reserved by 
lenders, then loans guaranteed or insured under this chapter are also 
exempt from the application of such provisions.". 
(b) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new item: 
"1828. Exemption from State anti-usury provisions.". 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 501. (a) Section 611(c)(1) is amended by striking out "recog- Ante, p. 54. 
nized by the Administrator for the purposes o
f
^
^
' and inserting in lieu 
thereof "named in, or approved by the Administrator under,". 
(b) Section 612A(d) is amended by striking out the comma after Ante, p. 48. 
"this title)". 
(c) Section 620A is amended— 
Ante, p. 50. 
(1) by striking out "of after "treatment facilities" in para-
graph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting in lieu thereof "for"; and 
(2) by striking out the comma after "such request" in para-
graph (2) of subsection (d). 
(d) Section 663(d) is amended by striking out "order to carry" and Ante, p. 52. 
inserting in lieu thereof "carrying". 
(e) Section 5005(a) is amended by striking out "section 5031 of this Ante, p. 57. 
title" and inserting in lieu thereof "subchapter III of this chapter". 38 use 5031. 
ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO 
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS DURING MILITARY SERVICE 
SEC. 502. In order to effectuate more fully the policy underlying the 26 U
S
C 6103 
enactment of section 6103(mX3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 note, 
regarding the location, for certain purposes, of individuals who are, ^2 Stet. 2921. 
or may have been, exposed to occupational hazards, the Director of ^^ ^°^ ^^^^• 
the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, upon 
request by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (or the head of any 
other Federal department, agency, or instrumentality), shall (1) 
pursuant to such section 6103(m)(3), request the mailing addresses of 
individuals who such Administrator (or such department, agency, or 
instrumentality head) certifies may have been exposed to occupa-
tional hazards during active military, naval, or air service (as 
defined in section 101(24) of title 38, United States Code), and (2) 
provide such addresses to such Administrator (or such department, 
agency, or instrumentality head) to be used solely for the purpose of 
locating such individuals as part of an activity being carried out by 
or on behalf of the Veterans Administration (or such other depart-
ment, agency, or instrumentality) to determine the status of their 
health or to inform them of the possible need for medical care and 
treatment and of benefits to which they may be entitled based on 
disability resulting from exposure to such occupational hazards. 
TITLE VI-EFFECTIVE DATES 
EFFECTIVE DATES 
SEC. 601. (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsec- 38 use 314 note, 
tion, the amendments made by titles I and II and the provisions of 
section lOlOt)) shall take effect as of October 1,1979. 
93 STAT. 988 
PUBLIC LAW 96-128—NOV. 28, 1979 
(2) With respect to the amendment made by clause (1) of section 
101(a), that portion of the amendment amending subsection (k) of 
section 314 to increase certain monthly rates of compensation shall 
take effect as of September 1, 1980, and that portion of the amend-
ment amending such subsection to increase certain maximum 
monthy amounts of compensation shall take effect as of October 1, 
1979. 
(b) The amendments made by titles III, IV, and V shall take effect 
on the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
Approved November 28, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-310 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 96-260 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs) and No. 96-280 (Ck)mm. 
on Appropriations), both accompanjdng S. 689. 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
July 16, considered and passed House. 
Aug. 3, considered and passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 689. 
Oct. 30, House concurred in Senate amendments with amendments. 
Nov. 15, Senate concurred in House amendments with amendments. 
Nov. 16, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 15, No. 48: 
Nov. 28, Presidential statement.