    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    117 STAT. 1885

    Public Law 108-147
    108th Congress

    An Act

    To increase, effective as of December 1, 2003, the rates of disablity
    compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the
    rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain
    service-connected disabled veterans, and for other
    purposes. [NOTE: Dec. 3, 2003 -  [H.R. 1683]]

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of [NOTE: Veterans'
    Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003.] Representatives of
    the United States of America in Congress assembled,

    SECTION 1. [NOTE: 38 USC 101 note.] SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living
    Adjustment Act of 2003''.

    SEC. 2. [NOTE: 38 USC 1114 note.] INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY
    COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

    (a) Rate Adjustment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall,
    effective on December 1, 2003, increase the dollar amounts in effect for
    the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity
    compensation by the Secretary, as specified in subsection (b).
    (b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be increased
    pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
    (1) Compensation.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect
    under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
    (2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the
    dollar amounts in effect under section 1115(1) of such title.
    (3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount in effect under
    section 1162 of such title.
    (4) New dic rates.--The dollar amounts in effect under
    paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1311(a) of such title.
    (5) Old dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect
    under section 1311(a)(3) of such title.
    (6) Additional dic for surviving spouses with minor
    children.--The dollar amount in effect under section 1311(b) of
    such title.
    (7) Additional dic for disability.--The dollar amounts in
    effect under sections 1311(c) and 1311(d) of such title.
    (8) DIC for dependent children.--The dollar amounts in
    effect under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.

    (c) Determination of Increase.--(1) The increase under subsection
    (a) shall be made in the dollar amounts specified in subsection (b) as
    in effect on November 30, 2003.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), each such amount shall be
    increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit
    amounts payable under title II of the Social Security

    [[Page 1886]]
    117 STAT. 1886

    Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1, 2003, as
    a result of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
    415(i)).
    (3) Each dollar amount increased pursuant to paragraph (2) shall, if
    not a whole dollar amount, be rounded down to the next lower whole
    dollar amount.
    (d) Special Rule.--The Secretary may adjust administratively,
    consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of
    disability compensation payable to persons within the purview of section
    10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who are not in receipt of
    compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United States
    Code.

    SEC. 3. [NOTE: Federal Register, publication. 38 USC 1114
    note.] PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

    At the same time as the matters specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of
    the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be
    published by reason of a determination made under section 215(i) of such
    Act during fiscal year 2004, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
    publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in subsection (b)
    of section 2, as increased pursuant to that section.

    Approved December 3, 2003.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1683:
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    HOUSE REPORTS: No. 108-108 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs).
    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):
    May 20, 22, considered and passed House.
    Nov. 21, considered and passed Senate.