1.Short
title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the America's Wounded Warriors
Act
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
TITLE I—Retirement of Members of the Armed Forces for Disability
Sec. 101. Retirement for disability of members of the Armed
Forces after implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs
disability compensation system.
Sec. 102. Continuation of respite care and aid and other
extended care benefits for members of the uniformed services who incur a
serious injury or illness on active duty.
Sec. 103. Eligibility for medical and dental care of members of
the Armed Forces retired after implementation of enhanced Department of
Veterans Affairs disability compensation system.
TITLE II—Compensation of Veterans for Service-Connected
Disability
Sec. 201. Study on veterans disability
compensation.
Sec. 202. Study on veterans transition benefits.
Sec. 203. Study on measures to assist and encourage veterans in
the completion of their vocational rehabilitation plans.
Sec. 204. Proposal on veterans disability compensation and
veterans transition benefits.
Sec. 205. Congressional consideration of proposal.
Sec. 206. Effective date of implementation of enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system.
Sec. 207. Enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system.
Sec. 208. Supplemental survivor benefit for survivors of
veterans retired for disability after implementation of enhanced Department of
Veterans Affairs disability compensation system.
<enum>I</enum><header>Retirement of
Members of the Armed Forces for Disability </header>
<section id="IDa429d96db67649b2bae80f1e43632ebb"><enum>101.</enum><header>Retirement for
disability of members of the Armed Forces after implementation of enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system</header>
<subsection id="ID559d20baea2446a9bd88d2557280edb6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id1D88EB5D56A94151A99B73D84A616E21"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting
before section 1201 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6724195DCDC844E3B082FDCE29FE95A1" style="USC">
<subchapter id="id0E003D8C2BEE4867BAFF59B4E26B6454"><enum>I</enum><header>Retirement or
Separation Before Implementation of Enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability Compensation System</header>
<section id="ID15be04d80035446fbad742626a94191d"><enum>1200.</enum><header>Applicability
of subchapter: members retired or separated before implementation of enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system; certain members
on temporary disability retired list as of implementation of enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system</header>
<subsection id="id98D8EF416FD44226B1375A40C54DB7C8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in
subsection (b), this subchapter applies to the retirement or separation for
disability of members as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="id04CD1E3CA11A4F8ABB2A6ED7A3028D18"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members who are eligible for retirement for
disability or separation for disability before the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system under chapter 12 of title 38 (as determined in accordance
with section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0B7E7AD0F2C646DCA9633850F2D74A12"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Members on the
temporary disability retired list as of the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system who—</text>
<subparagraph id="id2E2EA997F9984B29BE1066463141AF7E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>are eligible for
retirement under the provisions of subchapter II in accordance with section
1206c of this title; but</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id719CAA424A9442A59C152A12533BD416"><enum>(B)</enum><text>do not elect to
retire under the provisions of subchapter II as otherwise provided in section
1206c of this title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB86F7EDA2AB64F2F839B47893FBDC1D9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Inapplicability
to certain members</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For
provisions relating to the applicability of subchapter II to the retirement for
disability of certain members otherwise covered by this subchapter under
subsection (a)(1), see section 1206b of this
title.</text>
</subsection></section></subchapter><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBA6C4C64813340E0972D82C3308AD88E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by transferring
section 1206a to appear after section 1207a and redesignating such section, as
so transferred, as section 1207b; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC11B98C775B54C399552929D86B52876"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting
after section 1206 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB418BBDB73BC4C2D8C809255193D105E" style="USC">
<subchapter id="id92BF5770B2FD4E33A8F7B3CE67B1E703"><enum>II</enum><header>Retirement After
Implementation of Enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs Disability
Compensation System</header>
<section id="IDfc41f75ca37b4336b4c33ee6c5bf43f3"><enum>1206a.</enum><header>Applicability
of subchapter: members retired on or after implementation of enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system</header>
<subsection id="ID6dab4bbc8eb743eb8e6c7779588f9bf3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>This subchapter applies to the retirement of members for
disability (including the placement of members on the temporary disability
retired list in accordance with section 1206e of this title) on or after the
effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system (as determined in accordance with
section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id4BDCC813441340199176289429E53829"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exclusive
application</header><text>Members eligible for retirement under this subchapter
by reason of this section are not eligible for retirement or separation under
subchapter I.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id322832E225DE40E3ACA7030364C98FF1"><enum>1206b.</enum><header>Applicability
of subchapter: certain members retired on or after October 7, 2001, but before
implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system</header>
<subsection id="id4C3D28C8FD4D411081F6551E2EDBE030"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Election of
applicability</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id56D51DB1DB5F4F9FAFEA86910C850B87"><enum>(1)</enum><text>During such period as
the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe for purposes of this section, a former
member described in subsection (b) may elect to retire under this subchapter in
lieu of retirement under the provisions of this chapter as in effect on the day
before the effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of
Veterans Affairs disability compensation system (as determined in accordance
with section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id68AE353FD0704E03B48808C67E29F1A4" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Each election under this subsection
shall be executed in such form and manner as the Secretary of Defense shall
prescribe for purposes of this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1D411ECB7F4F44FD809583909DC7BCC0" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Any election made under this
subsection is irrevocable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3AE015DC963F408EB052DE66C05FF58D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered former
members</header><text>A former member described in this subsection is any
former member who, during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending
on the day before the effective date of the implementation of the enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system, is retired under
the provisions of this chapter as in effect before the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5D21A02ED63046AE9FE4CB3E595D85AF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Treatment of
former members making elections</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idF7CF6786F0054B6B8D6B3BCEFBADEED7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Effective as of the
date of the correction of the military records of such former member under
subsection (d), each former member who makes an election under subsection (a)
shall be deemed to have been retired under this subchapter, with retired pay
computed under section 1401 of this title (as in effect after the effective
date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs
disability compensation system), rather than to have been retired under the
provisions of this chapter as in effect before the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCA87A823A537429383123EE6CA743D7C" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>No benefits are available to a former
member under this subchapter for any period before the correction of the
military records of the former member under subsection (d).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5B5BC1D9E42A4B54ADFD019A00C12D37" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense may not
recoup or collect from any former member who is retired under this subchapter
pursuant to an election under subsection (a) any amount of retired pay paid to
the former member under this chapter before the date of the effective date of
the correction of the military records of the former member under subsection
(d).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD255039A9AFB4697998AFC2028E53B72"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Correction of
military records</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall correct the
military records of each former member making an election under subsection (a)
to reflect that the former member is retired under the provisions of this
subchapter rather than retired under the provisions of this chapter as in
effect before the effective date of the implementation of the enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id50F6477A9B32484EB43610038C7A418D"><enum>1206c.</enum><header>Applicability
of subchapter: members on temporary disability retired list as of
implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system</header>
<subsection id="idD919A4306CD34D6D9C5777FDF910792D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Election of
applicability</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD635D6BF03E74950AF2DE5B637B6EEDD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A member described in
subsection (b) may elect to retire under this subchapter in lieu of retirement
under the provisions of subchapter I.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD618280590C44F20A1D0278419E6C514" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Each election under this subsection
shall be executed in such form and manner as the Secretary of Defense shall
prescribe for purposes of this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6C8A6D7B0BDA44F48F565213E4DB1160" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Any election made under this
subsection is irrevocable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF102339ED889466CAE8C72EE1A0E8E4C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered
members</header><text>A member described in this subsection is any
member—</text>
<paragraph id="idE5529F4BC01041249C3BFBA73BB0D22E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>whose name is on
the temporary disability retired list as of the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system (as determined in accordance with section 206 of the
America's Wounded Warriors Act); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9B3E561F8F744AD68A5C94ABCF610DA5"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id249D042F7C58465BB7CA8068F420C09B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>whose disability
qualifying the member for placement on the temporary disability retired list is
determined after such effective date by the Secretary concerned, based on
accepted medical principles, to be of a permanent nature and stable; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id309A28609EBE453C803EA86BCE5A7B51" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>whose disability is considered after
such effective date by the Secretary concerned to be of a permanent nature and
stable after five years of the placement of the member's name on the temporary
disability retired list in accordance with section 1210(b) of this
title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9BF88D4130874D5D8CF626A7DEF0A733"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Timing of
election</header><text>A member eligible to make an election under subsection
(a) by reason of a determination under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection
(b)(2) shall make such election, if at all, during such period after the date
of the determination as the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe for purposes
of this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idEF615F292BF54347AFB7CA95EB6A496A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Treatment of
members making elections</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id63D6791F535E4BAB89EB419B822C81C8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Effective as of the
date of such election, each member who makes an election under subsection (a)
shall be retired under this subchapter, with retired pay computed under section
1401 of this title (as in effect after the effective date of the implementation
of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation
system).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD55411D48FE44F35A104BB562F52FC09" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>No benefits are available to a member
under this subchapter for any period before the election of the member under
subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3B81E4AFE6B74E649D72291AA25373C2" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense may not
recoup or collect from any member who is retired under this subchapter pursuant
to an election under subsection (a) any amount of retired pay paid to the
member under this chapter before the date of the election of the member under
subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idCA8427E249BE469CB56925BD81900235"><enum>1206d.</enum><header>Retirement</header>
<subsection id="ID795d46a72f8e4837af102bb21e24960c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Upon a determination by the Secretary concerned that a
member covered by this subchapter under section 1206a of this title is unfit to
perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating because of
physical disability, the Secretary may, consistent with regulations prescribed
by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this subchapter, retire the member,
with retired pay computed under section 1401 of this title (as in effect after
the effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system), if the Secretary concerned also makes
the determinations specified in subsection (b) with respect to the
member.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDd586afac66ac4e38a2b1c3c9b18157dc"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Determinations</header><text>The
determinations specified in this subsection with respect to a member are
determinations by the Secretary concerned as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="ID43f748abed1444ae9913820f9e62c3d9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>That the
disability of the member, based upon accepted medical principles—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID1d211ec97954449bbe5a80241a651320"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is of a permanent
nature; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7086855d0f90406caf74fe866e604a40"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is of uncertain
permanency, such that a temporary disability retirement under section 1206e of
this title is appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID1650f7371992494cbe9db22397c4e912"><enum>(2)</enum><text>That the injury,
illness, or disease rendering the member unfit was incurred or aggravated in
the line of duty—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDc84ef79a979848b495994f01acf21d89"><enum>(A)</enum><text>while the member
was entitled to basic pay under section 204 of title 37 or compensation under
section 206 of that title;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID16cb82dea9bc4ffab2befb85516cffbb"><enum>(B)</enum><text>while performing
active duty but not entitled to basic pay under section 204 of title 37 or
inactive-duty training; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID71ad1ec3f76349079c90a57d57524e63"><enum>(C)</enum><text>while engaged in
an activity covered by section 1201(c)(3), 1204(2)(B), or 1204(2)(C) of this
title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID014d1c852d264fcc888196f45ef68f27"><enum>(3)</enum><text>That the injury,
illness, or disease was not—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID2118594a96fe4c8f80f367a28fa9d1cb"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the result of the
member's intentional misconduct or willful neglect; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9f920ba68604410aa4cf66d05c1be2ab"><enum>(B)</enum><text>incurred during a
period of unauthorized absence.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idE7286EE2470C4B858037CA18EF1F4077"><enum>1206e.</enum><header>Temporary
disability retired list</header>
<subsection id="IDc656613ec00e4e4db46aa83983b2b44e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to the provisions of this section, a member
covered by section 1206d(b) of this title who is described by paragraph (1)(B)
of such section shall have such member's name placed on the temporary
disability retired list, with retired pay computed under section 1401 of this
title (as in effect after the effective date of the implementation of the
enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system (as
determined in accordance with section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors
Act)).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id8DD83D0F06884E5B85E800715226D719"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Administration</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idE61A19A9EFCF4272A8FA63BEFF9234FB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subsection (a) shall be
administered in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary of Defense
shall prescribe for purposes of this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id96A397D7B1EE47EAB9AB886B4014AC39" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD2DA5C7B5FE044DE990CCB6C4C5EBA8B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the regulations prescribed under this subsection shall
provide for the applicability of the provisions of sections 1210 and 1211 of
this title to a member whose name is placed on the temporary disability retired
list under this section.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD8C01A8B06CA4B269836E936A82A56F1" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The provisions of subsections (c),
(d), and (e) of section 1210 of this title shall not apply to a member whose
name is placed on the temporary disability retired list under this
section.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id642CACA1D6AD451A89B02BDABDF6748F" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idA767CE8C84DB464E895DA017462974AD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The regulations shall
provide for appropriate mechanisms, applicable uniformly across the military
departments, for an annual review by the military departments of determinations
to place members' names on the temporary disability retired list under this
section in order to ensure the accuracy and consistency of such determinations
by the military departments.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id199B39C952914EBA9BBA808BD382C0B3" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense shall submit
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives each year a report on the results of the reviews conducted by
the military departments under subparagraph (A) during the preceding
year.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8EBBB703AC3E4588959FBFCE6D3FAAE6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Retirement</header><text>If,
as a result of a periodic examination under section 1210(a) of this title or
upon a final determination under section 1210(b) of this title, it is
determined that a member's physical disability is of a permanent nature, the
member's name shall be removed from the temporary disability retired list, and
the member shall be retired under section 1206d of this title.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id26E8D80C106B4287A7E032CF12B6AF60"><enum>1206f.</enum><header>Treatment of
retired pay</header>
<subsection id="ID217c3dd840b945c68abe51d63d9060d3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (b), retired pay
authorized by this subchapter shall be treated as retired pay for all purposes
under this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idE973281C49BB41019F62CD6AF34CAB40"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Treatment for
eligibility for medical and dental care</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id4FEEB4130655432DB128408C23B4FEBA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to paragraph
(2), for purposes of eligibility for medical and dental care under chapter 55
of this title, retired pay authorized a member by this subchapter shall be
treated as retired pay only in accordance with provisions of law enacted by
Congress after receipt by Congress of the report of the Secretary of Defense on
eligibility of members retired under this subchapter for medical and dental
care, as submitted pursuant to section 103 of the America's Wounded Warriors
Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9127FDB984F8452B91C51F47769D29DD" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In the event no provisions of law
have been enacted by Congress as described by paragraph (1) to specify the
category or categories of members of the armed forces retired under this
subchapter who are to be eligible for medical and dental care under chapter 55
of this title as of the effective date of the implementation of the enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system (as determined in
accordance with section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act), the
category or categories of members who are to be so eligible for such medical
and dental care after that date shall be such category or categories of members
as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate in regulations prescribed for
purposes of this subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id640E2BA1810C4B1685FBE94AF5286A63"><enum>(c)</enum><header>No offset under
duplication of benefits</header><text>Retired pay authorized by this subchapter
is not subject to the prohibitions against duplication of benefits under
sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id93BD81D3AFDA4564B6414C8D0FB2DDD5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Ineligibility
for combat-related special compensation</header><text>A member retired under
this subchapter is not eligible for combat-related special compensation under
section 1413a of this title.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idE665BADBF43B402193C9FA8A107DF7BB"><enum>1206g.</enum><header>Determinations
of unfitness</header>
<subsection id="id266B4E5E35FE4AD6BB959F814AC56FF2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In this subchapter, a finding of unfitness for duty with
respect to a member shall be based on determinations by the Secretary concerned
that—</text>
<paragraph id="idC7ACEC07A77649AB86399C26697DC557"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the member is
unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating
because of a physical disability; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id60876C85BD8A4415AACB09113EB3F71C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>it is unlikely
that through retraining in another occupational specialty or other preparations
the member can be reassigned to other duties the member would be fit to perform
and which are consistent with the needs of the armed force concerned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8E739099515E42B1A37D9F978FF99347"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Interservice
transfer</header><text>With the consent of a member determined unfit for duty
under subsection (a), the member may, instead of being retired under this
subchapter, be transferred under section 716 of this title to another uniformed
service if the Secretary responsible for that uniformed service determines that
the member, currently or through retraining in another occupational specialty
or other preparations, can be reassigned to other duties the member would be
fit to perform and which are consistent with the needs of that uniformed
service.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id4E4AA5F1C1C648809608620CF9A4996B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Continuation of
service of member determined unfit</header><text>Upon the agreement of a member
determined unfit for duty under subsection (a) and the Secretary concerned, the
member's service may be continued under terms and conditions specified by the
Secretary concerned, including through transfer to another uniformed service
under section 716 of this title.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idF99C0FE4A4744E36BCF3CBB980E7ED47"><enum>1206h.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subchapter, the terms
<term>disability</term> and <term>physical disability</term> include any
disability based on a mental disorder.</text>
</section></subchapter><subchapter id="id9049EBAC994D432598369C86E9D1AADD"><enum>III</enum><header>Administrative
Matters</header>
</subchapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7454589885344C15B6D2BFC9A40B67FC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendments</header><text>Chapter 61 of such title is further amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idDFB403DC2AC7452A907B96C1C9E58B60"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting
after the chapter heading the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCD36A2EF6BF6456E8DB8C82FB341D60D" style="OLC">
<toc>
<multi-column-toc-entry level="subchapter"><toc-enum>Subchapter</toc-enum><level-header level="subchapter"></level-header><target>Sec.</target>
</multi-column-toc-entry>
<multi-column-toc-entry idref="id0E003D8C2BEE4867BAFF59B4E26B6454" level="subchapter"><toc-enum>I. </toc-enum><level-header level="subchapter">Retirement or Separation Before Implementation of Enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation
System</level-header><target>1200</target>
</multi-column-toc-entry>
<multi-column-toc-entry idref="id92BF5770B2FD4E33A8F7B3CE67B1E703" level="subchapter"><toc-enum>II. </toc-enum><level-header level="subchapter">Retirement After Implementation of Enhanced Department of
Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation
System</level-header><target>1206a</target>
</multi-column-toc-entry>
<multi-column-toc-entry level="subchapter"><toc-enum>III.
</toc-enum><level-header level="subchapter">Administrative
Matters</level-header><target>1207</target></multi-column-toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>;
</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC136676D56F045DDB8BA607DBAC557AC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
after the subchapter heading for subchapter I, as added by subsection (a)(1) of
this section, the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id778B481EB0A6473DB1D7E54AD67991EE" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. </toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="IDfc41f75ca37b4336b4c33ee6c5bf43f3" level="section">1200. Applicability of subchapter: members retired or separated
before implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system; certain members on temporary disability retired list as of
implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="IDfc41f75ca37b4336b4c33ee6c5bf43f3" level="section">1201. Regulars and members on active duty for more than 30
days: retirement.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="IDfc41f75ca37b4336b4c33ee6c5bf43f3" level="section">1202. Regulars and members on active duty for more than 30
days: temporary disability retired list.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="idCA8427E249BE469CB56925BD81900235" level="section">1203. Regulars and members on active duty for more than 30
days: separation.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="idE7286EE2470C4B858037CA18EF1F4077" level="section">1204. Members on active duty for 30 days or less or on
inactive-duty training: retirement.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="idE7286EE2470C4B858037CA18EF1F4077" level="section">1205. Members on active duty for 30 days or less or on
inactive-duty training: temporary disability retired list.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="idE7286EE2470C4B858037CA18EF1F4077" level="section">1206. Members on active duty for 30 days or less or on
inactive-duty training: separation.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>;
</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCB34B08C2C1046AC88201D9FB66E9FE2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting
after the subchapter heading for subchapter II, as added by subsection (a)(3)
of this section, the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="ida12c3f9d-307f-4ac0-bc74-e931f6b2f681" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. </toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="IDfc41f75ca37b4336b4c33ee6c5bf43f3" level="section">1206a. Applicability of subchapter: members retired on or after
implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="IDfc41f75ca37b4336b4c33ee6c5bf43f3" level="section">1206b. Applicability of subchapter: certain members retired on
or after October 7, 2001, but before implementation of enhanced Department of
Veterans Affairs disability compensation system.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="IDfc41f75ca37b4336b4c33ee6c5bf43f3" level="section">1206c. Applicability of subchapter: members on temporary
disability retired list as of implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="idCA8427E249BE469CB56925BD81900235" level="section">1206d. Retirement.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="idE7286EE2470C4B858037CA18EF1F4077" level="section">1206e. Temporary disability retired list.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="id26E8D80C106B4287A7E032CF12B6AF60" level="section">1206f. Treatment of retired pay.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="idE7286EE2470C4B858037CA18EF1F4077" level="section">1206g. Determinations of unfitness.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="idE7286EE2470C4B858037CA18EF1F4077" level="section">1206h. Definitions.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>;
</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
<continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">and</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph id="idDE1C3006A72D443FBCE9523082F77F22"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by inserting
after the subchapter heading for subchapter III, as so added, the
following:</text>
<quoted-block id="id65ee92e2-3f23-4795-b4e6-210cb6cf198f" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. </toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">1207. Disability from intentional
misconduct or willful neglect: separation.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1207a. Members with over eight
years of active service: eligibility for disability retirement for pre-existing
conditions.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1207b. Reserve component
members unable to perform duties when ordered to active duty: disability system
processing.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1208. Computation of
service.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1209. Transfer to inactive
status list instead of separation.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1210. Members on temporary
disability retired list: periodic physical examination; final determination of
status.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1211. Members on temporary
disability retired list: return to active duty; promotion.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1212. Disability severance
pay.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1213. Effect of separation on
benefits and claims.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1214. Right to full and fair
hearing.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1215. Members other than
Regulars: applicability of laws.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1216. Secretaries: powers,
functions, and duties.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1217. Academy cadets and
midshipmen: applicability of chapter.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1218. Discharge or release from
active duty: claims for compensation, pension, or hospitalization.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1219. Statement of origin of
disease or injury: limitations.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1221. Effective date of
retirement or placement of name on temporary disability retired
list.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9977254F3D7046968C7F1CCDC4F21375"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligibility for
disability retirement for pre-existing condition after eight years of
service</header><text>Section 1207a(a) of title 10, United States Code, is
amended by striking <quote>or 1203</quote> and inserting <quote>1203, 1206b,
1206c, 1206d, or 1206e</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID1a0bfd937bdb468fbea8e897f7f4f2fa"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Computation of
retired pay</header><text>The table in section 1401(a) of title 10, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after the matter relating to Formula 2 the
following matter:</text>
<table align-to-level="section" blank-lines-before="1" colsep="1" frame="topbot" line-rules="hor-ver" rowsep="0" rule-weights="4.4.4.0.0.0" subformat="S6211" table-template-name="Generic: 1 text, 5 num" table-type="">
<tgroup cols="6" grid-typeface="1.1" rowsep="0" thead-tbody-ldg-size="10.10.12" ttitle-size="10"><colspec align="left" coldef="fig" colname="column1" colsep="0" colwidth="11pts" min-data-value="2"></colspec><colspec align="left" coldef="fig" colname="column2" colsep="0" colwidth="28pts" min-data-value="5"></colspec><colspec coldef="txt-no-ldr" colname="column3" colsep="0" colwidth="68pts" min-data-value="20"></colspec><colspec coldef="txt-no-ldr" colname="column4" colsep="0" colwidth="135pts" min-data-value="40"></colspec><colspec coldef="fig" colname="column5" colsep="0" colwidth="22pts" min-data-value="4"></colspec><colspec coldef="fig" colname="column6" colsep="0" colwidth="17pts" min-data-value="3"></colspec>
<tbody>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">“3</entry><entry colname="column2" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">1206b</entry><entry colname="column3" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">Retired pay base
</entry><entry colname="column4" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">2½% of
years of service </entry><entry align="right" colname="column5" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column6" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1"></entry><entry colname="column2" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">1206c</entry><entry colname="column3" entry-modify="paragraph" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">as computed</entry><entry colname="column4" entry-modify="paragraph" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">credited to the person</entry><entry align="right" colname="column5" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column6" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1"></entry><entry colname="column2" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">1206d</entry><entry colname="column3" entry-modify="paragraph" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">under section</entry><entry colname="column4" entry-modify="paragraph" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">under section
1208.<superscript>1</superscript>”.</entry><entry align="right" colname="column5" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column6" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1"></entry><entry colname="column2" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">1206e</entry><entry colname="column3" entry-modify="paragraph" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">1406(b) or</entry><entry align="right" colname="column4" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column5" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column6" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column2" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry colname="column3" entry-modify="paragraph" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0">1407.</entry><entry align="right" colname="column4" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column5" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry><entry align="right" colname="column6" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0"></entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
</subsection><subsection id="ID2be5a786967e4c159e0b92ad0d852d7f"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Conforming
amendments relating to retired pay</header>
<paragraph id="ID0786da9bce3a403da4d7ee50a3d6b9e2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Recomputation
of retired pay to reflect later active duty</header><text>Sections 1402(b) and
1402a(b) of title 10, United States Code, are each amended by inserting
<quote>(as in effect before the effective date of the implementation of the
enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system (as
determined in accordance with section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors
Act) or subchapter I of chapter 61 of this title (as in effect after such
effective date), as applicable</quote> after <quote>chapter 61 of this
title</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID972a9d1245524787ad08966919ecaf7c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Retired pay
base for members retired before September <enum-in-header></enum-in-header>8,
1980</header><text>The items in the column in the table in section 1406(b)(1)
of such title designated <quote>For a member entitled to retired pay under
section:</quote> are amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6EB4F355D55844F0A3F776DD8BFBBC51" style="OLC">
<table align-to-level="section" blank-lines-before="1" colsep="0" frame="none" line-rules="no-gen" rowsep="0" rule-weights="0.0.0.0.0.0" subformat="S6211" table-template-name="Generic: 1 text" table-type="">
<tgroup cols="1" grid-typeface="1.1" rowsep="0" thead-tbody-ldg-size="0.10.12"><colspec coldef="txt-no-ldr" colname="column1" colsep="0" colwidth="336pts" min-data-value="300" rowsep="0"></colspec>
<tbody>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1201</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1202</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1204</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1205</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1206b</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1206c</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1206d</entry>
</row>
<row><entry align="left" colname="column1" leader-modify="clr-ldr" rowsep="0" stub-definition="txt-ldr" stub-hierarchy="1">1206e</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup></table>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID046308827d0b463a919bb9598aaa2d35"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Retired pay
base for members retired after September 7, 1980</header><text>Section 1407 of
such title is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDff0621aab13943ca848cced6e923e9cd"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection
(c)—</text>
<clause id="ID33b960f9cc784ad6b56ac709cbc454c4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in
paragraph (1), by striking <quote>other than section 1204 or 1205 or section
12731 of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>(other than section 1204,
1205, or 12731 of this title, or section 1206b, 1206c, 1206d, or 1206e of this
title for nonregular service)</quote>;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID2aa16c64bed44f9ebccd51a2cb61c8ca"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in
paragraph (2), by inserting <quote>, or under section 1206b, 1206c, 1206d, or
1206e of this title for regular service,</quote> after <quote>section 1201 or
1202 of this title</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID72676d0946b04f2eb6ca1182aa8e96ed"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in paragraph
(3)—</text>
<subclause id="IDa3273537f1ec4266acfd175844716ad8"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>section 1201 or 1202</quote> and inserting <quote>section 1201, 1202,
1206b, 1206c, 1206d, or 1206e</quote>; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID672fd73cc84642c4a5a51b730e96384b"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>or under section 1206b, 1206c, 1206d, or 1206e of this title for
nonregular service</quote> before the period; and</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDa8ebb219c90a40e8bd5142343569fa54"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection
(d)—</text>
<clause id="ID9156c41c6aac43ea8c27c0ae1f7fb448"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in
paragraph (2), by inserting <quote>, or under section 1206b, 1206c, 1206d, or
1206e of this title for nonregular service,</quote> after <quote>section 1204
or 1205 of this title</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID021b0477c6c943d0927b9155678f289b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in
paragraph (3), inserting <quote>, or under section 1206, 1206c, 1206d, or 1206e
of this title for nonregular service,</quote> after <quote>section 1204 or 1205
of this title</quote>.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2c4257fe881b4032a3bab879c2a8ee48"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Grade on
retirement for physical disability</header><text>Section 1372 of such title is
amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDf22082989011496fa95d8ff10c6cfb9c"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>section 1201 or 1204</quote> and inserting <quote>section 1201, 1204,
1206b, 1206c, or 1206d</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDcdb2fba3d8ac4e7caf217026613b9ce0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>section 1202 or 1205</quote> and inserting <quote>section 1202, 1205, or
1206e</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE4B34ED8A35C4F70A3B6EE28BBD2C502"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Effective
date</header>
<paragraph id="id3D31CA275B8840C48E2340943BDAE1FE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section and the
amendments made by this section shall take effect, if at all, on the effective
date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs
disability compensation system as determined in accordance with section
206.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5DF408B08C2C421DB61B5C4963FFDC56"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Anticipation of
implementation</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall take appropriate
actions to ensure that the amendments made by this section are implementable on
the effective date described in paragraph (1) in the event of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system on that date.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID08fcc44651a44e8897c386c6b1f976d9"><enum>102.</enum><header>Continuation
of respite care and aid and other extended care benefits for members of the
uniformed services who incur a serious injury or illness on active
duty</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Paragraph (4) of section
1074(c) of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 1633(a) of the
Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2008), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id8E920EAC09954F0098CD7018BC1AD94C"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id20AF58C5FE1F44E7B810346CC6BE7E5E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6735C2FD8EA64426B25CAF398C6AE39E" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="idD6500E2AE7104D9F9C3A7C2FD11BECF6" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Coverage for a member under this
paragraph may continue for such period after the discharge or separation of the
member from active duty as the Secretary considers
appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="id63F18C3F96C14C14BE8046B36C616DD9"><enum>103.</enum><header>Eligibility
for medical and dental care of members of the Armed Forces retired after
implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system</header>
<subsection id="idC30CB6CC1B7C4AA1BEC4DA43ECE9699C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study on
eligibility</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study to
determine the members of the Armed Forces retired under subchapter II of
chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code (as amended by section 101 of this
Act), who are to be eligible for medical and dental care under chapter 55 of
title 10, United States Code, after the effective date of the implementation of
the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system as
determined in accordance with section 206.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id7C48F4DCAD6E4A98907C7C1FDAEF962A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
The report shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="idAB3FF3F689EA41F9AD0EFC8736F32977"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the results of
the study; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9DBBE71979674A20A8F39D3F4616D646"><enum>(2)</enum><text>comprehensive and
specific recommendations on the category or categories of members described in
subsection (a) who are to be eligible for medical and dental care as described
in that subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Compensation of
Veterans for Service-Connected Disability</header>
<section id="idC63FE32E84454A6FB7610EACA6A5260D"><enum>201.</enum><header>Study on
veterans disability compensation</header>
<subsection id="id174516D3B576481D884793515D96FFA3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study
to determine the amount of compensation for service-connected disability to be
payable to veterans under chapter 12 of title 38, United States Code (as added
by section 207(b) of this Act), for each rating of disability assignable to
veterans for service-connected disability.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id3030900A8E644F9AAAC84FE744446175"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Matters To Be
examined</header><text>In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the
Secretary shall examine the following:</text>
<paragraph id="id7787FC0794114A4E86092D1BCF9F09D1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The nature of
injuries and combination of injuries for which disability compensation is
payable under various disability compensation programs of the Federal
Government, State governments, and other countries.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id07B6D473B2844B83981B21B057C78280"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To the extent
applicable, the nature of injuries and combination of injuries for which
disability compensation is payable under commercial disability
insurance.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id11CA029B9C2046B180F55995A284C8B7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The extent to
which quality of life and loss of earnings are independently taken into account
in various disability compensation programs of the Federal Government, State
governments, and other countries.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBE82BAAB80D84F83A89B49046EFB9475"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The effect of an
injury or combination of injuries on—</text>
<subparagraph id="id80E5D4FFA2094EE280C5B15DF6AA97CC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>average loss of
earning capacity, such as inability to work in certain occupations; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idED08AFB419D94EF598885E7FB7BB26BA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a veteran's
quality of life, such as activities of independent living, recreational and
community activities, and personal relationships, including the inability to
participate in favorite activities, social problems related to disfigurement or
cognitive difficulties, and the need to spend increased amounts of time
performing activities of daily living.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id190B3ED3F7BC4A8C92B047FCB0223590"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The measurement
of the effect of an injury or combination of injuries on a veteran's
psychological state, loss of physical integrity, and social inability to
adapt.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id10BB15CC43A6472EBD31AA83D9585984"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The extent to
which disability compensation for veterans may be used as an incentive to
encourage veterans to seek and undergo appropriate medical treatment and
vocational rehabilitation.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id717E1A71293C4383BA76F94FC8B92A12"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Considerations
in determinations of amounts of compensation</header>
<paragraph id="idC21863D99AAA45238938A22E375A91CB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>General
considerations</header><text>In determining amounts of compensation under the
study required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the
determinations—</text>
<subparagraph id="id8F30686843C6492BB40DE20701471AF7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>reflect current
concepts of medicine and disability; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE510DBEFA5394EBFA4746396BF6673DD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>take into account
loss of quality of life and average loss of earning capacity resulting from
specific injuries or combinations of injuries.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id977563A4DC494B98AB1124A639023ECA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specific
considerations</header><text>In determining amounts of compensation, the
Secretary shall consider the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id8D338D249E084C9B858FFBC9D0032101"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The appropriate
injuries or combination of injuries to be covered by the new schedule for
rating service-connected disabilities.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id93B1D2207266422A8658AC275E29CD0C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The appropriate
level of compensation under that schedule for loss of quality of life.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id092FCC8DDC92499A91B73316659DAD4C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The appropriate
standards for determining for purposes of that schedule whether an injury or
combination of injuries has caused a loss in a veteran's quality of
life.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4D4CEC8D7CDA4D42A9060C2560C494C1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The appropriate
level of compensation, including an age-appropriate level of compensation at
time of initial filing of claims, under that schedule for loss of
earnings.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0604152171604BECA0B9BC2BB31BF616"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The appropriate
standards for purposes of that schedule for determining whether an injury or
combination of injuries causes loss of earnings.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF3EE51FF2889413681F3313DA339CFC9"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The appropriate
relationship between the receipt of compensation under that schedule, and,
where appropriate, assurances by the veterans concerned of participation in a
regimen of medical treatment or vocational rehabilitation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id41BE5B39BD484E86A100284460D65A12"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In
conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary—</text>
<paragraph id="id1C63CD88ED344B1F9B3A1C974AB2C1DE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall consult
with such veterans and military service organizations and with such public and
private organizations and individuals as the Secretary considers appropriate;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA4A0D119817C4192A56FE51877C680D4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may employ
consultants.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE3ADF0FDCC9E4A00B7ED8A08F7A4CFD9"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Consideration
of completed and on-going studies</header><text>In conducting the study
required by subsection (a), the Secretary may take into account the findings,
determinations, and results of any completed or on-going study or report
applicable to the matters addressed by the study required by subsection (a)
that the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idD054980F007A4BFF98580D5BD463DDC6"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 270 days after the commencement of the study required by subsection
(a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a
report on the study. The report shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="id23128C704ECA4F05A1F8DBC554484ACE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The findings of
the Secretary under the study.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFEB8AC1CDC764B4399C56E6EC7557940"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The findings of
the Secretary with respect to matters covered by the study arising from—</text>
<subparagraph id="id915142DC21A04E9CADFDEC2CB4CEE189"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the report of the
Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission established pursuant to section 1501
of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (38 U.S.C. 1101 note);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2B05D84DB2F544FF81F4E9452B368082"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the reports of
any other independent advisory commission that has studied the matters covered
by the study as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id092D6A4DF14D40D1AD7282974FFFE9B8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The
recommendations of the Secretary on the matters considered under subparagraphs
(A), (C), (E), and (F) of subsection (c)(2), including a proposal for such
legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to
implement the recommendations.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idDA80D6715F2D464AA58BFDD06306AE63"><enum>202.</enum><header>Study on
veterans transition benefits</header>
<subsection id="idE0194A8B979D4283BE3DE6771AD55BF4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study
to determine the appropriate amounts and duration of transition payments to be
payable under chapter 12 of title 38, United States Code (as added by section
207(b) of this Act), including the amount of monthly transition payments to be
payable under section 1204(b) of title 38, United States Code (as so added),
and the amount and duration of rehabilitation transition allowances to be
payable under section 1204(c) of title 38, United States Code (as so added), to
veterans who are participating in a rehabilitation program under chapter 17 or
31 of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id870E92EBAEB3451893C3E7594BF085A1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In
determining under subsection (a) the amount and duration of rehabilitation
transition allowances to be payable under section 1204(c) of title 38, United
States Code (as so added), to veterans who are participating in a
rehabilitation program under chapter 17 or 31 of title 38, United States Code,
the Secretary shall take into account the prohibition in paragraph (7) of such
section 1204(c) on the payment of subsistence allowances otherwise authorized
by section 3108 of title 38, United States Code, to veterans paid
rehabilitation transition allowances under such section 1204(c).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id79FDF6C381874FBA84D03E4C80CAF506"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In
conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary—</text>
<paragraph id="id194B856E5581439BB7C1A60B13DFB787"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall consult
with such veterans and military service organizations and with such public and
private organizations and individuals as the Secretary considers appropriate;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id19EE562A0171467F8A270490F422F440"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may employ
consultants.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1005CB26066D475F87229B6BC3B2CB88"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Consideration
of completed and on-going studies</header><text>In conducting the study
required by subsection (a), the Secretary may take into account the findings,
determinations, and results of any completed or on-going study or report
applicable to the matters addressed by the study required by subsection (a)
that the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idF78ECA26049C4AF7BFBEB5FFC9B81779"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 270 days after the commencement of the study required by subsection
(a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a
report on the study. The report shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="id45D3687399974839AF1CA6020321E2F7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The findings of
the Secretary under the study.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA6ECA1E4CB0A497F950FED30A28126C9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The findings of
the Secretary with respect to matters covered by the study arising from—</text>
<subparagraph id="id05339FFDA6AA4033B7BA675BA8C97C36"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the report of the
Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission established pursuant to section 1501
of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (38 U.S.C. 1101 note);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBEB856EA2402480DA2DF0EC8E97E9B5D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the reports of
such other independent advisory commissions that have studied the matters
covered by the study as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idE167DE7B3AD44C85869FBF0962237D93"><enum>203.</enum><header>Study on
measures to assist and encourage veterans in the completion of their vocational
rehabilitation plans</header>
<subsection id="id0E3D4C2656484B8C832886E93AE3A994"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study
to identify the following:</text>
<paragraph id="idDE9FCA79EC06454AACBC400C9876059D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The various
factors that may prevent or preclude veterans from completing their vocational
rehabilitation plans through the Department of Veterans Affairs or otherwise
achieving the vocational rehabilitation objectives of such plans.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF945051F86ED497D859C3FD2F943C330"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Actions to be
taken by the Secretary to assist and encourage veterans in overcoming such
factors and in otherwise completing their vocational rehabilitation plans or
achieving the vocational rehabilitation objectives of such plans.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4A9CAB5C8F644D4A9E966EA64A9F5A83"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Matters To Be
examined</header><text>In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the
Secretary shall examine the following:</text>
<paragraph id="id286ADC9B6EDE4D81BA7BAEC8B83A410C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Measures utilized
in other disability systems in the United States, and in other countries, to
encourage completion of vocational rehabilitation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id166D574B32E5495FB4C28D6D1FF17428"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Any survey data
available to the Secretary that relates to the matters covered by the
study.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id10EB8E4DEC464E3BBAE1FBF87D3C3DBD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The results of
the studies conducted pursuant to sections 201 and 202, including any analysis
for purposes of such studies of the extent to which disability compensation may
be used as an incentive to encourage veterans to undergo and complete
vocational rehabilitation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4C394B8A65E3465787A0B91CB2B42F82"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The report of the
Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission established pursuant to section 1501
of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (38 U.S.C. 1101 note).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD8629916AE5E4E1CA3E542F335AA73CF"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The report of the
President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id790914465AFE4F81BE526C390B5419F0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In
conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall
consider—</text>
<paragraph id="id189312D79BA94E12B6D4B0E78187EE6E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the extent to
which bonus payments or other incentives may be used to encourage veterans to
complete their vocational rehabilitation plans or otherwise achieve the
vocational rehabilitation objectives of such plans; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id83480A4A37CB4188A10C076D15A3C863"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such other
matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB9D2CE946CA24955956C1C4491C6636C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In
conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary—</text>
<paragraph id="id639E862C43074D02BE07650E1F98ECB2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall consult
with such veterans and military service organizations and with such public and
private organizations and individuals as the Secretary considers appropriate;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFF3DF98463434CE19F13D1A8C70520C5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may employ
consultants.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80E9027934F740778BDF6790579C6AB3"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 270 days after the commencement of the study required by subsection
(a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a
report on the study. The report shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idED4C34E1DAA143E3B31B2D57DBCAE2BC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The findings of
the Secretary under the study.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5E9C8C682E5F40A5A17F7F210CEB64C7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Any
recommendations that the Secretary considers appropriate for actions to be
taken by the Secretary in light of the study, including a proposal for such
legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to
implement the recommendations.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id4E2ED3BCDF934D44AA70CD85DB1F54F0"><enum>204.</enum><header>Proposal on
veterans disability compensation and veterans transition benefits</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than one year after the later of
the dates of the reports required by sections 201(f) and 202(d), the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a proposal setting forth the
following:</text>
<paragraph id="id2D56FBEF69824822AB49941DEC94ED52"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A statement of
the purpose or purposes of the disability compensation and transition payments
to be payable to veterans under chapter 12 of title 38, United States Code (as
added by section 207(b) of this Act).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1FD1B38AB6844B83998ED44AF3C7DF1F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A statement of
the amounts of compensation for service-connected disability to be payable to
veterans under chapter 12 of title 38, United States Code (as so added), for
each rating of disability assignable to veterans for service-connected
disability.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAFAA76C6A9C54718B1AD4DD0E7213C0A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A statement of
the amounts and duration of transition benefits to be payable to veterans under
chapter 12 of title 38, United States Code (as so added), including the amount
of monthly transition payments to be payable under section 1204(b) of title 38,
United States Code (as so added), and the amount and duration of rehabilitation
transition allowances to be payable under section 1204(c) of title 38, United
States Code (as so added), to veterans who are participating in a
rehabilitation program under chapter 17 or 31 of title 38, United States
Code.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="id19C1ABE747B848AF9E88FE8B4906AD0A"><enum>205.</enum><header>Congressional
consideration of proposal</header>
<subsection id="idE149D2CAE5C24FEC9162BB484B213A2F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Terms of joint
resolution</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>joint
resolution</term> means only a joint resolution which is introduced within the
10-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
submits to Congress the proposal of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on
veterans disability compensation and veterans transition benefits under section
204, and—</text>
<paragraph id="id45E0AADC26CE4594A5D01CE436D54D2C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>which does not
have a preamble;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF328A1DFA3E140C1925B8835CAF12D7F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the matter after
the resolving clause of which is as follows: <quote>That Congress disapproves
the proposal on veterans disability compensation and veterans transition
benefits under section 204 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act as submitted
to Congress on _____</quote>, the blank space being filled in with the
appropriate date; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC8D2EEEAC8E547A58FD6BB4FAAF34A9D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the title of
which is as follows: <quote>Joint resolution disapproving the proposal of the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs on veterans disability compensation and veterans
transition benefits under the America's Wounded Warriors Act.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id23D3E07C4B6C46BF81A81FB6A5713CD8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Referral</header><text>A
resolution described in subsection (a) that is introduced in the House of
Representatives shall be referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives. A resolution described in subsection (a) introduced
in the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id5B12575362B149DFBDD0F013F859B779"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Discharge</header><text>If
the committee to which a resolution described in subsection (a) is referred has
not reported such resolution (or an identical resolution) by the end of the
60-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
submits to Congress the proposal under section 204, such committee shall be, at
the end of such period, discharged from further consideration of such
resolution, and such resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar of
the House involved.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id9FBA8E59FC314E409407E0E4AAB85B07"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Consideration</header>
<paragraph id="id369EBCF6A56040598034652E99FD6399"><enum>(1)</enum><text>On or after the
third day after the date on which the committee to which such a resolution is
referred has reported, or has been discharged (under subsection (c)) from
further consideration of, such a resolution, it is in order (even though a
previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for any Member of the
respective House to move to proceed to the consideration of the resolution. A
Member may make the motion only on the day after the calendar day on which the
Member announces to the House concerned the Member's intention to make the
motion, except that, in the case of the House of Representatives, the motion
may be made without such prior announcement if the motion is made by direction
of the committee to which the resolution was referred. All points of order
against the resolution (and against consideration of the resolution) are
waived. The motion is highly privileged in the House of Representatives and is
privileged in the Senate and is not debatable. The motion is not subject to
amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the
consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the
motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to
proceed to the consideration of the resolution is agreed to, the respective
House shall immediately proceed to consideration of the joint resolution
without intervening motion, order, or other business, and the resolution shall
remain the unfinished business of the respective House until disposed
of.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDF5EB541AB8B4B44BE01589CAA66EE82"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Debate on the
resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith,
shall be limited to not more than 2 hours, which shall be divided equally
between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. An amendment to the
resolution is not in order. A motion further to limit debate is in order and
not debatable. A motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the
consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the resolution is not
in order. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the resolution is agreed to
or disagreed to is not in order.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1BEECBF210B04E9C8EBC76336AB21955"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Immediately
following the conclusion of the debate on a resolution described in subsection
(a) and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in
accordance with the rules of the appropriate House, the vote on final passage
of the resolution shall occur.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id78F3BFDBB3BC43CFACDA387BE4593380"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Appeals from the
decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate
or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, to the procedure relating
to a resolution described in subsection (a) shall be decided without
debate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id05002C7A29664E579B2F1639FA2C55A2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Consideration
by other house</header>
<paragraph id="idF5B070FE96954C7CB73F7DEDFAA1ECE3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>If, before the
passage by one House of a resolution of that House described in subsection (a),
that House receives from the other House a resolution described in subsection
(a), then the following procedures shall apply:</text>
<subparagraph id="id931D0221962743FEB8732A17C506514A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The resolution of
the other House shall not be referred to a committee and may not be considered
in the House receiving it except in the case of final passage as provided in
subparagraph (B)(ii).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id54BD615604C643BD9A2F1C614B6BAC65"><enum>(B)</enum><text>With respect to a
resolution described in subsection (a) of the House receiving the
resolution—</text>
<clause id="id7DD3B0437ED845E993B1CC4AC8DC3D9A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
procedure in that House shall be the same as if no resolution had been received
from the other House; but</text>
</clause><clause id="id5D7F88C6B96D42819E14E35C87C8B509"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the vote on
final passage shall be on the resolution of the other House.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id175145AE8A5B48DDA5695379F73DFF56"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Upon disposition
of the resolution received from the other House, it shall no longer be in order
to consider the resolution that originated in the receiving House.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id37AB7BADFD674456A830E7DA6881F300"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Rules of the
Senate and House</header><text>This section is enacted by Congress—</text>
<paragraph id="id89660A8FC760433AB0BBA21FDEFA5B99"><enum>(1)</enum><text>as an exercise of
the rulemaking power of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively,
and as such it is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but
applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in
the case of a resolution described in subsection (a), and it supersedes other
rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF12F176626844A0F8EAD486B1B84D252"><enum>(2)</enum><text>with full
recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so
far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same
manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that
House.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id10245AA7548545B7941331313B95CFB6"><enum>206.</enum><header>Effective date
of implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system</header>
<subsection id="id3CEA25802E684E0F863C8DB8A37B701D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this
Act and the amendments made by this Act, the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affair disability
compensation system is the date, as provided in subsection (b), on which the
authority of Congress under section 205 to disapprove the proposal of the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs on veterans disability compensation and veterans
transition benefits under section 204 expires, but only if Congress does not so
disapprove the proposal of the Secretary before such date.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idCDD5399EBD6E47F28FF4B921A66A5BA6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Disapproval by
congress</header>
<paragraph id="id64BBAB402F6D44DCA2A470FD26DB294D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall not implement the
enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system if a
joint resolution is enacted, in accordance with section 205, disapproving the
proposal of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on veterans disability
compensation and veterans transition benefits under section 204 before the
earlier of—</text>
<subparagraph id="idB18E53CF7BDA479BABAFA718FCE52D7A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the end of the
85-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary submits the proposal
to Congress; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id721A818509DE4973A866044504645A5E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the adjournment
of Congress sine die for the session during which the proposal is
submitted.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id99A79EF0BEB04CA19367A66DA3A8A844"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Computation of
periods</header><text>For purposes of paragraph (1) and section 205, the days
on which either House of Congress is not in session because of an adjournment
of more than three days to a day certain shall be excluded in the computation
of a period.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7081E71F3C0C44119762F2DE5C1378B4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system
defined</header><text>For purposes of this Act and the amendments made by this
Act, the term <term>enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system</term> means—</text>
<paragraph id="idA96A6D152460477C8E7223845A7A8155"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the elements of
the proposal of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on veterans disability
compensation and veterans transition benefits under section 204; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1B054ECB41B140E780BC20443496BD6D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the amendments to
section 1155 of title 38, United States Code, made by section 207(a) of this
Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA659E33DF1D8451CAF7B8EF776D87CCD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>chapter 12 of
title 38, United States Code, as added by section 207(b) of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID00a1a01de392464fa8ee9106a71dbf7c"><enum>207.</enum><header>Enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system</header>
<subsection id="id7616A941AD1A47BEBD9A319D9CDD899B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Modification of
schedule of ratings To account for loss of earning capacity and quality of
life</header>
<paragraph id="id139A755E01AD416AB9C4A8B4757492AA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 1155 of title 38, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25CEBD3A7A76427A92AE93AD1B3F4654" style="USC">
<section id="id708030CA89F64E02A69F53D7AFCD9ACF"><enum>1155.</enum><header>Schedule for
rating disabilities</header>
<subsection id="id0A3298920BAA48D29A11D6372A58310D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall adopt and apply a schedule of ratings
of disability of veterans associated with specific injuries or combinations of
injuries.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id4A47EA7ED1884A8894A4DDE524580609"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Scope of
ratings</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idDCA4FBC1E20C4132830006027AB70585"><enum>(1)</enum><text>For veterans for whom
disability compensation is payable under this chapter, the ratings under
subsection (a) shall be based, as far as practicable, upon the average
impairments of earning capacity in civil occupations resulting from the
injuries concerned.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDED37417F03E486DADC56FEBC8D52D68" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>For veterans for whom disability
compensation is payable under chapter 12 of this title, the ratings shall
reflect, as far as practicable, each of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id21D75F05A315412BB88D3263BB24914E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Average loss of earning capacity, such
as inability to work in certain occupations.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD21D2298247A4FE498C81AED991A0E0C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Quality of life, such as activities of
independent living, recreational and community activities, and personal
relationships, including the inability to participate in favorite activities,
social problems related to disfigurement or cognitive difficulties, and the
need to spend increased amounts of time performing activities of daily
living.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4543407198864105B44F667F2D7A479C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grades of
disability</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id5CD44BA859DA4835B7F2B0422B8BA38B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>For veterans for whom
disability compensation is payable under this chapter, the schedule of ratings
shall be constructed so as to provide ten grades of disability and no more,
upon which payments of compensation shall be based, namely 10 percent, 20
percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80
percent, 90 percent, and total, 100 percent.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5F03C4FF31494C288DB30DF466DD0A28" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>For veterans for whom disability
compensation is payable under chapter 12 of this title, the schedule of ratings
shall be constructed—</text>
<subparagraph id="id91EBBBF85B3E4E6AA88DE3D6C2D4387C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>at the discretion of the Secretary in
light of the study required by sections 201 of the America's Wounded Warriors
Act, so as to provide such number of grades of disability as the Secretary
considers appropriate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2C5FA5828CA847A2B7CEFC87DCADE267"><enum>(B)</enum><text>at the discretion of the Secretary in
light of the study referred to in subparagraph (A), so as to provide
either—</text>
<clause id="id85C49BA592AB483092A203CF6EDD4375"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the assignment to veterans of
separate grades of disability reflecting each matter specified in subparagraphs
(A) and (B) of subsection (b)(2); or</text>
</clause><clause id="id96982083F94C4BB69DDA685419901874"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the assignment to veterans of a
single grade of disability reflecting both such matters; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF3BC1AC9293D460CAE1F9ED530C2BAA8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if provided in the schedule at the
discretion of the Secretary in light of the study referred to in subparagraph
(A), so as to reflect in the grade of disability assignable to a veteran for
average loss of earning capacity the effect of the age of the veteran on the
potential future earnings of the veteran at the time of assignment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idC738CD5E20514D1A832958C051EA4BB1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Adjustment</header><text>The
Secretary shall from time to time adjust the schedule of ratings in accordance
with experience.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id755DE65A33764868A640056FC0B27407"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Preservation of
rating</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2B165F5892B24A818385C94D74CB8349"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Except as provided in
paragraph (2), an adjustment in the schedule of ratings under subsection (d)
shall not cause a veteran's disability rating in effect on the effective date
of the adjustment to be reduced unless an improvement in the veteran's
disability is shown to have occurred.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id21B8568EF2B54C99AE08B63E3B904252" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An adjustment in the schedule of
ratings may result in a reduction in a veteran's disability rating as provided
in section 1205 of this
title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id565CC60E12894F10A556CA07585534E9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11 of
such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1155 and
inserting the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="idae6cbcca-e31c-4eb1-9110-2f77b132f2fe" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="id708030CA89F64E02A69F53D7AFCD9ACF" level="section">1155. Schedule for rating
disabilities.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id481FE491CECD4DBD8164B5630BF25E34"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (4), this subsection and the
amendments made by this subsection shall take effect, if at all, on the
effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system as determined in accordance with section
206.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id878073A7EAC34384B95B9B756E4A3F8C"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Anticipation of
implementation</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take
appropriate actions to ensure that the amendments made by this subsection are
implementable on the effective date described in paragraph (3) in the event of
the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system on that date.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID2e5f794d7b2c4e07b48182a6ad83811d"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Disability
compensation for loss of earning capacity and quality of life and transition
payments for participation in medical or rehabilitational regimen</header>
<paragraph id="id97FBE6E3CC10469C96DDF92AFB34C9AC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Part II of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after chapter 11 the following new chapter:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id08E7A543B6EC4BDAA0E23256406C0578" style="USC">
<chapter id="id1E375AB3D4C04F1DB67671DAD06EDED0"><enum>12</enum><header>Compensation and
Transition Payments for Service-Connected Disability</header>
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. </toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">1201. Compensation for service-connected
disability: veterans not rated as service-connected disabled who file claims
for compensation on or after implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="ID482e1037cc4447e1b5e8fe923ea1b433" level="section">1202. Compensation for service-connected disability: veterans
rated as service-connected disabled as of implementation of enhanced Department
of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system who file claims on or after
implementation.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="ID98788f085ac447fcae768b8c2aaf6a77" level="section">1203. Rates of compensation.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="ID98788f085ac447fcae768b8c2aaf6a77" level="section">1204. Transition benefits: payments; allowances.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="ID71792f0a9f81400298bedd2132230e03" level="section">1205. Periodic review of extent of disability.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="IDb073edbbfa284b0b99338fca315e0c3f" level="section">1206. Prohibition on duplication of benefits.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<section id="ID482e1037cc4447e1b5e8fe923ea1b433"><enum>1201.</enum><header>Compensation
for service-connected disability: veterans not rated as service-connected
disabled who file claims for compensation on or after implementation of
enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system</header>
<subsection id="id08DB7EA2CC5A4C2D9AC8999CEBB9C654"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In the case of a veteran who has not been rated as having
a service-connected disability under chapter 11 of this title as of the
effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system (as determined in accordance with
section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act) and who files with the
Secretary a claim with respect to disability on or after that effective date,
for disability resulting from personal injury suffered or disease contracted in
line of duty, or from aggravation of a preexisting injury suffered or disease
contracted in line of duty, in the active military, naval, or air service, the
United States will pay such veteran thus disabled and who was discharged or
released under conditions other than dishonorable from the period of service in
which such injury or disease was incurred, or preexisting injury or disease was
aggravated, compensation as provided in section 1203 of this title, but no
compensation shall be paid if the disability is a result of such veteran's own
willful misconduct or abuse of alcohol or drugs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id2D7D296C7A5B43088BD01FDB91B08E94"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rating of
disability</header><text>The rating of disability for which compensation is
payable under this section shall be assigned utilizing the schedule of ratings
under section 1155 of this title that is applicable to veterans for whom
disability compensation is payable under this chapter.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id8B4B149D64064F7A81D75B81099E609D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Limitations</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id88B663FFB26D4165B666357360BE454A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The payment of
compensation pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of
sections 5110 and 5112 of this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5B7853C29A9140258D394E89F203FA10" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Compensation shall not be paid under
this section to a veteran who is retired for disability under subchapter II of
chapter 61 of title 10 pursuant to section 1206a of that title for any period
before the first day following termination of the veteran's receipt of benefits
under section 1204 of this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id2D88482F77E14F7D861EDBEEBF9B8BC5"><enum>1202.</enum><header>Compensation
for service-connected disability: veterans rated as service-connected disabled
as of implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system who file claims on or after implementation</header>
<subsection id="idA907B3CD159946169AAC6EA01C8F3E9C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In the case of a veteran who is rated as having a
service-connected disability under chapter 11 of this title as of the effective
date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs
disability compensation system (as determined in accordance with section 206 of
the America's Wounded Warriors Act) who files with the Secretary a claim with
respect to such disability or disabilities, or another disability, on or after
that date, for disability resulting from personal injury suffered or disease
contracted in line of duty, or from aggravation of a preexisting injury
suffered or disease contracted in line of duty, in the active military, naval,
or air service, the United States will pay such veteran thus disabled and who
was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from the
period of service in which such injury or disease was incurred, or preexisting
injury or disease was aggravated, compensation as provided in section 1203 of
this title, but no compensation shall be paid if such disability is a result of
such veteran's own willful misconduct or abuse of alcohol or drugs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idC5A1F87ED1974B4CAD3A4F5D18C1B9F1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rating of
disability</header><text>The rating of disability for which compensation is
payable under this section shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id7E0E79F7BC3B441397CFD32C116DE621"><enum>(1)</enum><text>take into account
all service-connected disabilities of the veteran concerned, including any
disability for which such veteran was rated as having a service-connected as
described in subsection (a) and the disability with respect to which such
veteran files a claim as described in that subsection; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB5A1DE5CC3134445A3DE06F8FC7CD1C5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be assigned
utilizing the schedule of ratings under section 1155 of this title that is
applicable to veterans for whom disability compensation is payable under this
chapter.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id49D1A33D5E6E483DABBF60C544125CAD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
payment of compensation pursuant to this section shall be subject to the
provisions of sections 5110 and 5112 of this title.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idEE1DFDE4807A429F9222E1E81433BF28"><enum>1203.</enum><header>Rates of
compensation</header>
<subsection id="id89934D3F374B49DF87A996FA5625C11D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of
sections 1201 and 1202 of this title, the rates of compensation payable for
disabilities shall be the applicable rates specified for grade of disability in
the proposal of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 204(2) of the
America's Wounded Warriors Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id87D1C8A952EA404CB46145606D4E3046"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reduction for
persons incarcerated for conviction of a felony</header><text>The payment of
compensation for disabilities under sections 1201 and 1202 shall be subject to
the provisions of section 5313 of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idC26285BE469440D69303A169053A5A97"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Source of
funds</header><text>Amounts for the payment of compensation under this section
shall be derived from amounts available in the Compensation and Pension account
of the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID98788f085ac447fcae768b8c2aaf6a77"><enum>1204.</enum><header>Transition
benefits: payments; allowances</header>
<subsection id="idC0E7183D2F3049C1A704311F277314FA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Eligible
veterans</header><text>For purposes of this section, an eligible veteran is any
veteran who is retired under subchapter II of chapter 61 of title 10 pursuant
to section 1206a of that title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id40B74E8B15294AC9A60CF22F37A8BB1D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Monthly
transition payments</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id31066378E45A448E93A7D493147F468D"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to the provisions of this
subsection, the Secretary shall pay to each eligible veteran a monthly
transition payment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id8F348DD1E96C4F838C8CE79C698F5D8B" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A veteran entitled to monthly
transition payments under this subsection shall be paid—</text>
<subparagraph id="id373ACA12839B4A028A6BA420A0B3A015"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a monthly transition payment in an
amount equal to the amount specified with respect to the veteran in the
proposal of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 204(3) of the
America's Wounded Warriors Act for each of the first three months beginning on
the date of the veteran's retirement as described in paragraph (1); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9BC9B77EC7EE4C9991DE704BA2F45140"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a one-time prorated payment of such
amount for the remaining portion of the month in which the retirement of the
veteran occurred.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD4AC5F63A57D401BA1120D1710E3257A" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No payment shall be made to a veteran under
this subsection for any period for which a rehabilitation transition allowance
is paid the veteran under subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDbc410b024d4c4800876da0a074112a88"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rehabilitation
transition allowance</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3B6D3C9BE23C42E2A2FBD3E1CB12105F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to the
provisions of this subsection, the Secretary shall pay to each eligible veteran
who is participating in a rehabilitation program under chapter 17 or 31 of this
title a monthly rehabilitation transition allowance described in paragraph (3)
during the period described in paragraph (4).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC9B01A3242F64416943ABFF3447A139F" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id564E7A5F3CD84FDFB2C8B9541CA5313C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>For purposes of this
subsection, a veteran shall be treated as participating in a rehabilitation
program under chapter 17 of this title if, as determined by the Secretary, the
veteran is participating in an intensive treatment program under that chapter
for a service-connected disability which program is intended to assist the
veteran in restoring the veteran's ability to obtain and maintain substantially
gainful employment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1683AAD814614079B53E1D35DBB5481A" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For purposes of this subsection, a
veteran shall be treated as participating in a rehabilitation program under
chapter 31 of this title during any period, as determined by the Secretary,
during which the veteran is eligible, notwithstanding paragraph (7), for the
subsistence allowance authorized by section 3108(a)(1) of this title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID4a8dcfae9c20449d8badd2f53b7c5476" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id492ECA371B304242ABCDADD1ACDB94BB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The amount of the
monthly rehabilitation transition allowance payable to a veteran under this
subsection is the amount equal to the amount specified with respect to the
veteran in the proposal of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section
204(3) of the America's Wounded Warriors Act.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5A9B5579FB9A48DB8A15A7AECE987A2B" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For any month in which an eligible
veteran participates in a rehabilitation program described in paragraph (1) for
less than the full month, the amount payable to the veteran under this
paragraph shall be prorated for the portion of the month in which the veteran
so participates.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8EDADD856B6B48AB8E89988087EE7A2F" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>In the case of a veteran entitled to
assistance under this subsection who is participating in a rehabilitation
program that includes paid training on the job, the Secretary may reduce the
veteran's rehabilitation transition allowance under this subsection by one
dollar for each dollar of wages, compensation, or other income paid (directly
or indirectly) by the employer to the veteran for such training.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idCC1C6C5C0B28420687511DCCFF92E166" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The period for which a monthly
rehabilitation transition allowance is payable to a veteran under this
subsection is the period specified with respect to the veteran in the proposal
of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 204(3) of the America's
Wounded Warriors Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7B126241A228498CAFB484004071749C" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>A veteran may be paid a
rehabilitation transition allowance under this subsection only if the veteran
is complying substantially with the individual rehabilitation or recovery plan
developed by the Secretary for purposes of the rehabilitation program described
in paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id904F58CE970448A2A87C641C56C2A38C" indent="up1"><enum>(6)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2C4AAC44276C426FA991AC5500D59DA1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), no rehabilitation transition allowance may be paid under this
subsection to a veteran who is participating in a vocational rehabilitation
program under chapter 31 of this title while such veteran is incarcerated in a
Federal, State, local, or other penal institution or correctional facility for
conviction of a felony.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id41521D78976B46BA94B6544CBA17A32A" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a
veteran who is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program while
residing in a halfway house or participating in a work-release program in
connection with the veteran's conviction of a felony.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id02BE3B724F6D4EB3B1C3EFF7C054B8DB" indent="up1"><enum>(7)</enum><text>A veteran paid a rehabilitation
transition allowance for a month under this subsection may not be paid the
subsistence allowance otherwise authorized for the veteran under section 3108
of this title for that month.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID96b58f9f4ba54bc6b13e185bc13cf739"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Source of
funds</header><text>Amounts for payments under this section shall be derived
from amounts available in the Readjustment Benefits account of the Department
of Veterans Affairs.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID71792f0a9f81400298bedd2132230e03"><enum>1205.</enum><header>Periodic
review of extent of disability</header>
<subsection id="id6C5B95EE61A6401E97691963AC3ABCD3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided under this section, the Secretary
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id2D39B18329844B04A073CA0813184AA5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>reevaluate and
adjust, if appropriate, the disability rating of each veteran entitled to
compensation under section 1201 or 1202 of this title, as the Secretary
considers appropriate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4E56C480D6E0427F8496567FC2134FCC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>adjust the rate
of compensation payable to such veteran under section 1203 of this title
according to the new disability rating as adjusted under paragraph (1) and to
any adjustment of the schedule of ratings under section 1155 of this title
applicable to veterans for whom compensation is payable under this chapter that
has occurred since the preceding assignment of a disability rating to such
veteran.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id31CB47544B174AED80887058F77B1CCA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Frequency of
reevaluations and adjustments</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out the
reevaluations and adjustments required by subsection (a) with respect to a
veteran described in that subsection with such frequency as the Secretary
considers appropriate. In making a determination regarding the appropriate
frequency of reevaluations for a veteran, the Secretary shall be guided by
recommendations made by an examining physician or other appropriate medical
professional who has evaluated the veteran and by such other factors as the
Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDaede7eb9acc642fda21e9bb1bc5d14f1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reevaluation at
request of veteran</header><text>At the request of a veteran receiving
compensation under section 1201 or 1202 of this title, the Secretary
may—</text>
<paragraph id="id365E2379D82A4C138E08D915B607B0B0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>reevaluate and
adjust, if appropriate, the disability rating of the veteran as the Secretary
considers appropriate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id02114DA9309D4374AB6945D7F8159735"><enum>(2)</enum><text>adjust the rate
of compensation payable to such veteran under section 1203 of this title
according to the new disability rating as adjusted under paragraph (1) and to
any adjustment of the schedule of ratings under section 1155 of this title
applicable to veterans for whom compensation is payable under this chapter that
has occurred since the preceding assignment of a disability rating to such
veteran.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDb073edbbfa284b0b99338fca315e0c3f"><enum>1206.</enum><header>Prohibition
on duplication of benefits</header>
<subsection id="idFC3B72D5F5E34D178DB19DADCED93F37"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A veteran entitled to
compensation under section 1201 or 1202 of this title is not entitled to
compensation under chapter 11 of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idBCFC70E55A414EF89FE79AD0A6A0E6AC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Preservation of
entitlement under other system</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2F5DFD6614B242378A4E13153008B5FD"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id6AC07CD18F424CD992E6A1470A334FDF"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in paragraph (2), any
veteran in receipt of compensation under chapter 11 of this title (other than
compensation paid as a result of a temporary rating of disability) as of the
effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system (as determined in accordance with
section 206 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act) shall remain entitled to
compensation in accordance with the provisions of chapter 11 of this title
after that date.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB05683C4C2FC42C893E2977735B8D087" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For provisions relating to the
protection of ratings of disability of veterans covered by subparagraph (A),
see section 110(c) of this title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id70E4112681C540A9B1A4E121A535945F" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8C76081799E7487397897823502F9A88"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The entitlement to compensation of, and
amount of compensation payable to, a veteran described in paragraph (1) who
files a claim for compensation under this title on or after the effective date
of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system shall be determined in accordance with the facts found
under the provisions of section 1155 of this title and this chapter as such
provisions are in effect on the date of the filing of the claim.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAE1CCA9CE49E4EAC990E001381D40B29" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The objection of a veteran to a
proposed reduction in rating of service-connected disability or other response
of a veteran to a proposed adverse action by the Secretary concerning
compensation for a service-connected disability under chapter 11 of this title
shall not be treated as a claim for purposes of subparagraph
(A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD13205AF5AFE4BA2A393AA6E25684ADB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendments</header><text>The table of chapters at the beginning of title 38,
United States Code, and the beginning of part II of such title, are each
amended by inserting after the item related to chapter 11 the following new
item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99A3DD8BAEF542539CE56D6049F2EB9B" style="OLC">
<toc>
<multi-column-toc-entry bold="on" level="chapter"><toc-enum>12.</toc-enum><level-header level="chapter">Compensation and Transition Payments for Service-Connected
Disability</level-header><target>1201</target></multi-column-toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID62934ec769e2459185dc7ee807587f94"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Disability
evaluations subject to reevaluation</header><text>Section 110 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID75c48e9faff443fdb457d42c0c547563"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the first
sentence, by striking <quote>A rating</quote> and inserting <quote>(a) Except
as otherwise provided in this title, a rating</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD1B6B80694AF469E811E0294563E9F2E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by designating
the second sentence as subsection (b) and indenting such subsection, as so
designated, two ems from the left margin;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0a182410021f42a080b1ecc2f146f869"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection
(b), as so designated, by striking <quote>A disability</quote> and inserting
<quote>Except as otherwise provided in this title, a disability</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3FE7136DA10041D99ABFA6425F146FF5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFC23528BA0934522A6EF2D5D7B744967" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id1687E5161C0E44678726A1D576CE193B"><enum>(c)</enum><text>The rating of
disability assigned to a veteran who continues to remain entitled to
compensation under chapter 11 of this title after the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system (as determined in accordance with section 206 of the
America's Wounded Warriors Act) by reason of section 1206(b) of this title may
not be reduced while the veteran continues to remain so entitled, except upon a
showing that such rating was based on
fraud.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idE701A50AD625499B8C21423F2E152F60"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Matters not
subject to review</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
following matters shall not be subject to review by any other official or by
any court, whether by an action in the nature of mandamus or otherwise:</text>
<subparagraph id="idE91E4C40D2D24391B2D56636D433E49A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Any rate of
disability compensation payable under chapter 12 of title 38, United States
Code (as amended by this subsection), that is prescribed by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs for purposes of the proposal under section 204(2) .</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id95B1B4AA811B43EBA5AF2E8FD87A41CF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Any amount of
monthly transition payments payable under section 1204(b) of title 38, United
States Code (as so amended), that is specified by the Secretary for purposes of
the proposal under section 204(3).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1BCAAB041350430D92C8160306945093"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Any amount or
duration of rehabilitation transition allowances payable under section 1204(c)
of title 38, United States Code (as so amended), that is specified by the
Secretary for purposes of the proposal under section 204(3).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8E4FBCDCCBB84555929B44843A28CB0D"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Treatment of
veterans with pending claims</header><text>In the case of a veteran whose claim
for disability compensation under title 38, United States Code, is pending an
initial decision from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or is on appeal
(whether before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, the United States Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims, or otherwise), as of the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system (as determined in accordance with section 206), the
Secretary shall treat such claim as a claim for compensation payable under
chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id81D43E45B4384269B95C1EDCEBDEA626"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (7), this subsection and the
amendments made by this subsection shall take effect, if at all, on the
effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system as determined in accordance with section
206.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB985AC9A433A454191F821D5A43AA674"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Anticipation of
implementation</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take
appropriate actions to ensure that this subsection and the amendments made by
this subsection are implementable on the effective date described in paragraph
(6) in the event of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation system on that date.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id35439DEAC89E487D93D02B0C5FA3BDEF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Expanded
retroactivity of award of compensation</header>
<paragraph id="id0E095F7734424CECBE8B718527DF75BD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 5110(g) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id0F57D89A622D46CDA00BDC38AADB1737"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>(1)</quote> after <quote>(g)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id57099DF902D044028F2A986865CD9E49"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking the
second sentence and inserting the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF77A57EEEE8C405BACDF32A1047E8AA7" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="idE1212DA6F9C6481094DF4D62ACF7789B" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Subject to the limitation in
paragraph (1) and except as provided in paragraph (3), an award or increase
described in paragraph (1) may not be retroactive for more than one year from
the date of application therefore or the date of administrative determination
of entitlement, whichever is earlier.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF328CAB12C314B519A3DDFEA95BFD824" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Subject to the limitation in
paragraph (1), an award or increase described in that paragraph pursuant to the
amendment to section 1155 of this title or chapter 12 of this title made by
section 207 of the America's Wounded Warriors Act under an application therefor
filed during the three-year period beginning on the effective date of the
implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system (as determined in accordance with section 206 of that Act)
may be retroactive for three years from the date of application or date of
administrative determination of entitlement, whichever is
earlier.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id59066C7A9DC84283AAB1C2CD4BA40127"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect, if
at all, on the effective date of the implementation of the enhanced Department
of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system as determined in accordance
with section 206.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2B35B2471CBE4AD9AAEE1A527928891C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Expedited
claims processing during implementation of enhanced disability compensation
system</header>
<paragraph id="idE7FD88B14EEA416BB62C2CA34A38AF7F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Effective as of the effective date of the implementation
of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system
as determined in accordance with section 206, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall implement appropriate mechanisms to expedite the processing of claims
anticipated to be submitted to the Secretary under that system during the
three-year period beginning on the effective date of the implementation of that
system.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA57E7D293BC84C0498132135EBBE27A0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
mechanisms implemented under this subsection shall include the
following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id425DF1178F214A51ACE8DEEFA9F7547A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Mechanisms for
affording appropriate priority for processing among the claims submitted as
described in paragraph (1).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id74DFB61EBA094F7C9CD9470239BB67FD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Mechanisms for
ensuring the appropriate allocation of personnel and resources of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in order to facilitate an expedited processing
of such claims.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id75834D82A874442FB8E5CDA58606E66E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Any other
mechanisms that the Secretary considers appropriate to facilitate an expedited
processing of such claims.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id56ECE4707B4D421892CFBFB8A1150D28"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Consultation in
development of mechanisms</header><text>The Secretary shall consult with
appropriate representatives of veterans services organizations in developing
the mechanisms to be implemented under this subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id15B5F87D7A9F48F09BEB6E634285A218"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Enhanced
authority for processing claims</header>
<subparagraph id="idA8A8FCA8CD6941B9A5D61D0995415186"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), during the five-year period
beginning on the effective date of the implementation of the enhanced
Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system, the Secretary
may waive any provision or limitation of law applicable to determinations on
claims for compensation for veterans under title 38, United States Code, if the
Secretary determines that the waiver of such provision or limitation will
further the expedited processing of claims submitted as described in paragraph
(1).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFDB978506FA044039458DBD1B278D7C9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Notice and
wait</header><text>The Secretary may not waive a provision or limitation of law
under subparagraph (A) until 30 days after the date on which the Secretary
submits to the Committee Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report setting
forth—</text>
<clause id="id45363F364E6B4710911486CEF38B7DA9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
provision or limitation of law to be waived and the duration of the
waiver;</text>
</clause><clause id="idE38CECC344514729B11A47640C81CAE0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a
statement of the reasons why the waiver of the provision or limitation of law
will further the expedited processing of claims submitted as described in
paragraph (1); and</text>
</clause><clause id="id1871F558D7EA4CC5A921DE3B9AC66502"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an estimate of
the time anticipated to be required to complete the processing of claims under
the waiver.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDa7abeef8839341d795df6d2a28c9c114"><enum>208.</enum><header>Supplemental
survivor benefit for survivors of veterans retired for disability after
implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system</header>
<subsection id="idCBE3E7C730A443B2B32DDDC42792C12A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Supplemental
survivor benefit</header>
<paragraph id="id5601CD6639B546C9AB50CAA8F233F9EB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Part II of title 38,
United States Code, as amended by section 207(b) of this Act, is further
amended by inserting after chapter 13 the following new chapter:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA780F9F74C6A4E1BB43E981C1F181FBF" style="USC">
<chapter id="idC5E8F5EAADC14378B459850DF15D7D1C"><enum>14</enum><header>Supplemental
survivor benefit for survivors of veterans retired for disability after
implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system</header>
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. </toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="IDafd4dd5204804310ba5294e86c01c71f" level="section">1401. Definition.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="ID86410329626a458a9ebc5156acb6a8d6" level="section">1402. Election of benefit.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">1403. Receipt of benefit.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="ID5f117e5892e243ddb232155befa33a9c" level="section">1404. Reduction of compensation; termination of
reduction.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="ID45c2c11489404ca7a6557fa48e4fefa1" level="section">1405. Offset for dependency and indemnity
compensation.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<section id="IDafd4dd5204804310ba5294e86c01c71f"><enum>1401.</enum><header>Definition</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this chapter, the term <term>covered
veteran</term> means a veteran retired under subchapter II of chapter 61 of
title 10 pursuant to section 1206a of that title who is entitled to
compensation for service-connected disability under chapter 12 of this
title.</text>
</section><section id="ID86410329626a458a9ebc5156acb6a8d6"><enum>1402.</enum><header>Election of
benefit</header>
<subsection id="idBC293028E8C14A5A91541ED3FDEA5B73"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A covered veteran may
elect in accordance with this section to provide a monthly supplemental
survivor benefit under this chapter to the veteran's survivors as
follows:</text>
<paragraph id="idED06AAD74C414D6AAC787E2BCAF9A2AB"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The surviving spouse of the veteran.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE0FA7EC9794D4B4D9F65D737036E4526"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The surviving
children of the veteran.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA808EF8F0A494F40B58315F2226AE17B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Election by
veterans at award of compensation</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id9329F3CA036A494B834E775CCB179B4A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>If, at the time of the
award of compensation for service-connected disability under chapter 12 of this
title that qualifies such veteran as a covered veteran, a veteran has a spouse,
one or more children, or both, the veteran shall elect to whom to provide a
supplemental survivor benefit under this chapter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id83EFDF74F0C94FB3BB02A597CA6FF0D9" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A veteran may provide the
supplemental survivor benefit referred to in paragraph (1) pursuant to an
election under this paragraph—</text>
<subparagraph id="idBA7F3773257846AB81FB4EAFFF86A426"><enum>(A)</enum><text>if the veteran has only a spouse at
the time of the election, to the surviving spouse of the veteran;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFB219C7CBA884DDA976C1DC0AE45161B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if the veteran has both a spouse and
one or more children at the time of the election—</text>
<clause id="id5421BF0B47E44196BF8CCD989E8BBC55"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to the surviving spouse of the
veteran; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idF3121E9A6E4344DBB9BF43E93EFD89CC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to the surviving children of the
veteran; or</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDEDFA4070B5D4BD690F3EF58FFE7202E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if the veteran is unmarried but has
one or more children at the time of the election, to the surviving children of
the veteran.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD1267662E5024EC598DBDF80FDFB9655" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2D175AA65FDE496486512104D88ADEF0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>If a veteran described
by paragraph (2)(B) elects pursuant to paragraph (1) to provide a supplemental
survivor benefit under this chapter to the surviving children of the veteran,
the Secretary shall notify the veteran's spouse of the election.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8EBE4331134246B9A4C359F53FCAE78F" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A veteran who makes an election
described by subparagraph (A) may later elect instead to provide a supplemental
survivor benefit under this chapter to the surviving spouse of the veteran, but
only if the veteran submits the election under this subparagraph to the
Secretary not later than 30 days after the date of the submittal of the
election described by subparagraph (A) to the Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idF0E8CC57100A42EC8DB510452117F465" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id1F01E18A55114F5E852CDFB66A6F16E2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), an election pursuant to this subsection shall be effective as
of the first day of the first month after the election is received by the
Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDDF676C5D8B741C894A7E3B9C3BD28F7" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An election pursuant to this
subsection that is described by paragraph (3) shall be effective as of the
first day of the first month that begins more than 30 days after the election
described by paragraph (3)(A) is received by the Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9472A0A6F18F44A1A045E9C442C11CD0" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Except as provided in subsection (c),
a veteran who does not make the election provided in this subsection at the
time described in paragraph (1) may not provide a supplemental survivor benefit
under this chapter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id53EEC21A91EA4E25A6308C664142DD16" indent="up1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Except as provided in subsections
(c), (d), and (e), an election pursuant to this subsection is
irrevocable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF434437DCE1747B79354F1444F8E3B49"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Election by
veterans not married at award of compensation who later marry</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id9F22D55042A04C8C8BCD72D62A532A32"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A veteran who is
unmarried at the time of the award of compensation for service-connected
disability under chapter 12 of this title that qualifies the veteran as a
covered veteran and who later marries may elect to provide a supplemental
survivor benefit under this chapter to the spouse of the veteran by such
marriage.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id8EE07650ECB34E1B8945DD831DC5EF50" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An election pursuant to this
subsection shall be effective only if received by the Secretary not later than
60 days after the date of the marriage concerned.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1B72AEDA239340EEA8340758611B86EF" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An election pursuant to this
subsection shall be effective as of the first day of the first month after the
date the election is received by the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3E61999A491C494A9F3D3C1751D9DB91" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An election of a veteran pursuant to
this subsection supersedes the election, if any, of the veteran described in
subsection (b)(2)(C).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0C6B7B4F06FB490C9555505314FB9D6D" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Except as provided in subsection (e),
an election pursuant to this subsection is irrevocable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idFE07A4E3BAF84CC09EEB9571AFF224B0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Election by
veterans married at award of compensation who later remarry</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id4504446F32FC4896A760B5E63B4D3667"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A veteran who is
married at the time of the award of compensation for service-connected
disability under chapter 12 of this title that qualifies the veteran as a
covered veteran, who made an election provided in subsection (b) at that time,
and who later remarries may elect to provide a supplemental survivor benefit
under this chapter to the spouse of the veteran by such remarriage.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id965DE2B92AFB41D7BA59561AE8C0DC7C" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An election pursuant to this
subsection shall be effective only if received by the Secretary not later than
60 days after the date of the marriage concerned.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7DEEA3515AFA49DA90E959A596DC5A9B" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An election pursuant to this
subsection shall be effective as of the first day of the first month after the
date the election is received by the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2D2AC7B595F144BC9D33C6AA6E18D3A9" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An election of a veteran pursuant to
this subsection supersedes the election of the veteran under subsection
(b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD8BCBD88CFE94A93A895DB36F7A8206F" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Except as provided in subsection (e),
an election pursuant to this subsection is irrevocable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id66E34DAB0ECC4625A74E6596713A9D47"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Revocation of
election of spouse eligibility</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD85F4B2155924EC9A1A167E1803451CC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A covered veteran who
has made an election under this section to provide a supplemental survivor
benefit to the surviving spouse of the veteran may revoke the election.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC56A7C4AA7634367A7494A256FB885A8" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idC8B7B2FCF33240D79795BA9699BE6C84"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), a veteran may revoke an election under this subsection only
with the concurrence of the veteran's spouse.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0069C005E034460BAE146907700C065D" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A veteran may revoke an election
under this subsection without the concurrence of the veteran's spouse if the
veteran demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that—</text>
<clause id="id462FE141B9554587BD7A41F252A2B28A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the whereabouts of the spouse cannot
be determined; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idD0CB42482EEC4E8B84234814BD1AFE01"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>because of exceptional circumstances,
a requirement that the veteran seek the concurrence of the spouse would be
unreasonable.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5BF9DFB307E0415C9D016CE51BC2776D" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A revocation of an election under
this subsection is irrevocable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1D233AE3C11E48E6AE3E23707B3A8B20"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Form of
elections</header><text>Any election under this section (including a revocation
of election under subsection (e)) shall be made in writing.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id09662707C96247218D68FF0FDC2797F8"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Notice
regarding elections</header><text>The Secretary shall take appropriate actions
to inform covered veterans of the elections available to covered veterans under
this subsection, including the procedures and deadlines applicable to the
making of such elections.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idFA66AA790DEC4231A749C4E09DC58630"><enum>1403.</enum><header>Receipt of
benefit</header>
<subsection id="id97EA0BA64F404D7BA8A16C5616834E26"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idCF1EC5AA1CD24943ACC002EC3B6E64AD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Effective as of the
first day of the first month after the month in which a covered veteran who has
made an election under section 1402 of this title dies, a monthly supplemental
survivor benefit under this chapter in an amount equal to 55 percent of the
monthly compensation payable to the veteran under section 1203(a) of this title
at the time of the veteran's death shall be payable to the individual or
individuals provided for in such election in force at the time of the veteran's
death.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id52601A11D03A4D53A9C0644094D6DAF7" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Any payment of a supplemental
survivor benefit under this section to the surviving children of a veteran
shall be paid to the surviving children in equal shares.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0c0f6d32aae142faa03d5a97dcf1e115"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility of
surviving spouse</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id966A47EE3E604555AB55F3CAD1BF622E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In the event of the
death of a surviving spouse being paid a supplemental survivor benefit under
subsection (a), the surviving spouse shall be ineligible for the benefit
effective as of the first day of the first month after the date of the
surviving spouse's death.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id29BA252AD50641DB9EE3E01CD4C4A34E" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id9BC5FE298BEC46629A3ADC045C257004"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In the event a
surviving spouse being paid a supplemental survivor benefit under subsection
(a) remarries before reaching the age of 55, the surviving spouse shall be
ineligible for the benefit effective as of the first day of the first month
after the date of the surviving spouse's remarriage.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1F704E35C5084066872F8C9F97FE4AAC" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>If the remarriage of a surviving
spouse covered by subparagraph (A) is terminated by the death of the surviving
spouses's spouse, annulment, or divorce, the eligibility of the surviving
spouse for the benefit shall recommence effective as of the first day of the
first month after the date on which the remarriage is so terminated.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idEE86DD50FA5D441AA682CCC1AC3DDD05" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A surviving spouse who is otherwise
eligible for payment of more than one supplemental survivor benefit under
subsection (a) based on marriages to more than one covered veteran shall elect
which marriage shall entitle the surviving spouse to payment of the benefit for
purposes of this chapter. Any election under this paragraph is
irrevocable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD149430D3DF74B37AEF55FAA7E39F1E8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligibility of
surviving children</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id6C30764ADCC5400EBA6895C15E51429C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In the event the
surviving spouse of a veteran becomes ineligible for payment of a supplemental
survivor benefit under subsection (b), the surviving children of the veteran
shall become eligible for the benefit effective as of the first day of the
first month after the date in which the surviving spouse becomes so
ineligible.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9FA4A61E84A548F1A1341808F903C983" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In the event the surviving spouse of
a veteran becomes re-eligible for payment of a supplemental survivor benefit
under subsection (b)(2)(B), the surviving children of the veteran shall be
ineligible for the benefit effective as of the first day of the first month
after the date in which the surviving spouse becomes so re-eligible.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4F4A62A6A54E4525AF14DB4AF213F911" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In the event of the death of a
surviving child being paid a supplemental survivor benefit, the surviving child
shall be ineligible for the benefit effective as of the first day of the first
month after the surviving child's death, and the payment of the benefit to the
remaining surviving children (if any) of the veteran concerned shall be
adjusted accordingly effective as of that day.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID5f117e5892e243ddb232155befa33a9c"><enum>1404.</enum><header>Reduction of
compensation; termination of reduction</header>
<subsection id="idD78A1826A6B84721AFE12FCA4086925B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reduction of
compensation</header><text>Effective as of the effective date of an election of
a covered veteran under section 1402 of this title to provide a monthly
supplemental survivor benefit under this chapter (as determined in accordance
with applicable provisions of section 1402 of this title), the amount of
monthly compensation for service-connected disability otherwise payable to the
veteran under section 1203(a) of this title shall be reduced by an amount equal
to 6.5 percent of the amount of such monthly compensation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id3344B4F2EAF6407CA53998B40721CCF4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Termination of
reduction in connection with benefit for surviving spouse</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idBA2512789428425B8041BF5AF2A96631"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a covered veteran who has
elected to provide a supplemental survivor benefit under this chapter to the
surviving spouse of the veteran, the reduction required by subsection (a) shall
terminate effective as of the first day of the first month after—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID90a742bad5764f5d837a4bd3a1170c2c" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the death of the spouse;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id44E09AAFEC154D3E995C15CDF755ECAB" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the revocation of the eligibility of
the spouse for the benefit under section 1402(e) of this title; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID279ce8d75f594df1a484592c22c43618" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the dissolution of the veteran's
marriage to the spouse through annulment or divorce.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4718276EBB3945E79BD5D3166074D0CB" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>If after the reduction required by
subsection (a) is terminated under paragraph (1)(C) a veteran elects under
section 1402(d) of this title to provide the benefit to the surviving spouse of
the remarriage covered by such section 1402(d), the reduction required by
subsection (a) shall recommence effective as of the first day of the first
month after the date of the remarriage, and shall be subject to subsequent
termination in accordance with paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5595b722a0b442869cd3018a54ca604b"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Termination of
reduction in connection with benefit for surviving children</header><text>In
the case of a covered veteran who has elected to provide a supplemental
survivor benefit under this chapter to the surviving children of the veteran,
the reduction required by subsection (a) shall terminate effective as of the
first day of the first month after—</text>
<paragraph id="id06FEE8544B524D3A9A97082993057ECA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the date of death
of the last child of the veteran; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id275C56A3BFCC422E986B25130A174CF6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the date on which
the last of the children of the veteran is no longer treatable as a child under
section 101 of this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDfdb856c190e94a22a7a5eebfdc3e0944"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Limitation on
number of months subject to reduction</header><text>The total number of months
for which the monthly compensation of a covered veteran is reduced under
subsection (a) may not exceed 360 months.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID45c2c11489404ca7a6557fa48e4fefa1"><enum>1405.</enum><header>Offset for
dependency and indemnity compensation</header>
<subsection id="id08F34797F32D4056B887246EBF3D9505"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an individual
eligible for payment of a monthly supplemental survivor benefit under this
chapter based on the death of a covered veteran is or becomes entitled to
dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of this title based on
the death of the veteran, the amount of the supplemental survivor benefit paid
the individual under this chapter for a month is the amount of the benefit
otherwise payable to the individual under section 1403 of this title for that
month minus the amount of the dependency and indemnity compensation so payable
to the individual for that month.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID323f14d5aa944694b07c2df135d4ee1c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The reduction of benefit of an individual required by
subsection (a) shall be effective as of the date of the commencement of the
payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the individual under
chapter 13 of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDbbd7481623934ac89512bae8cb981ab2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reimbursement
of reduction in compensation</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id7C59934CF32943DF94E25F9146DF64B2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>If as a result of
subsection (a) no benefit otherwise payable to an individual under section 1403
of this title with respect to a covered veteran is payable to the individual
under this chapter, an amount shall be paid to the individual equal to the
aggregate amount of the reduction under section 1404(a) of this title of the
monthly compensation otherwise payable to the veteran.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC383E13CFD3F4AC9ABD3BAFF263F979C" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>If as a result of subsection (a) the
amount of monthly benefit otherwise payable to an individual under section 1403
of this title with respect to a covered veteran is reduced (other than to
zero), an amount shall be paid to the individual equal to—</text>
<subparagraph id="id0D7B50C367D446AE82D15AD88C524A66"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the aggregate amount of the reduction
under section 1404(a) of this title of the monthly compensation otherwise
payable to the veteran; multiplied by</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id87AFE2890B374FBA93BC708D53E012EC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a number equal to 1 minus an amount
equal to the fraction—</text>
<clause id="id94B636E2E7B946C1B2FE396ACFC9075A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>whose numerator is the amount of
the monthly benefit payable to the individual under section 1403 of this title
as a result of the reduction under subsection (a); and</text>
</clause><clause id="idEF41A1E8590D47339613899750C28D8B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>whose denominator is the amount of
the monthly benefit otherwise payable to the individual under section 1403 of
this title without regard to the reduction under subsection (a).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD2B7DFF3D3A544D6980220FB66B9EBE7" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Any amount payable under this
subsection shall be paid, at the election of the Secretary, in a lump sum or in
such installments as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFC940DF720AE4B0C8CBEE0A39D49DD3A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendments</header><text>The tables of chapters at the beginning of title 38,
United States Code, and the beginning of part II of such title, as amended by
section 207(b) of this Act, are each further amended by inserting after the
item relating to chapter 13 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id890C3D5AE72847FA890CFAA82211B5AA" style="OLC">
<toc>
<multi-column-toc-entry bold="on" level="section"><toc-enum>14.</toc-enum><level-header level="section">Supplemental survivor benefit for survivors of veterans retired
for disability after implementation of enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs
disability compensation
system</level-header><target>1401</target></multi-column-toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id70EC6ECB410E4C338BC6795D33C2A831"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (c), this section and the
amendments made by this section shall take effect, if at all, on the effective
date of the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs
disability compensation system as determined in accordance with section
206.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idCEA002C1DCBB44B4B4BC5FDB86E6EFA0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Anticipation of
implementation</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take
appropriate actions to ensure that the amendments made by this section are
implementable on the effective date described in subsection (b) in the event of
the implementation of the enhanced Department of Veterans Affairs disability
compensation system on that date.</text>
</subsection></section>