Volume 113 · 1601

Public Law 106–118

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a cost-of-living adjustment in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of such veterans.

Approved November 30, 1999

Statutory text

An Act

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

Short Title.—

This Act may be cited as the “Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1999”.

38 USC 101 note.

References to Title 38, United States Code.—

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 2. DISABILITY COMPENSATION.

Increase in Rates.—

by striking “$95” in subsection (a) and inserting “$98”;

by striking “$182” in subsection (b) and inserting “$188”;

by striking “$279” in subsection (c) and inserting “$288”;

by striking “$399” in subsection (d) and inserting “$413”;

by striking “$569” in subsection (e) and inserting “$589”;

by striking “$717” in subsection (f) and inserting “$743”;

by striking “$905” in subsection (g) and inserting “$937”;

by striking “$1,049” in subsection (h) and inserting “$1,087”;

by striking “$1,181” in subsection (i) and inserting “$1,224”;

by striking “$1,964” in subsection (j) and inserting “$2,036”;

in subsection (k)—

by striking “$75” both places it appears and inserting “$76”; and

by striking “$2,443” and “3,426” and inserting “$2,533” and “$3,553”, respectively;

by striking “$2,443” in subsection (l) and inserting “$2,533”;

by striking “$2,694” in subsection (m) and inserting “$2,794”;

by striking “$3,066” in subsection (n) and inserting “$3,179”;

by striking “$3,426” each place it appears in subsections (o) and (p) and inserting “$3,553”;

by striking “$1,471” and “$2,190” in subsection (r) and inserting “$1,525” and “$2,271”, respectively; and

by striking “$2,199” in subsection (s) and inserting “$2,280”.

Special Rule.—

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may authorize administratively, consistent with the increases authorized by this section, the rates of disability compensation payable to persons within the purview of section 10 of Public Law 85–857 who are not in receipt of compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS.

Section 1115(1) is amended—

by striking “$114” in clause (A) and inserting “$117”;

by striking “$195” and “$60” in clause (B) and inserting “$201” and “$61”, respectively;

by striking “$78” and “$60” in clause (C) and inserting “$80” and “$61”, respectively;

by striking “$92” in clause (D) and inserting “$95”;

by striking “$215” in clause (E) and inserting “$222”; and

by striking “$180” in clause (F) and inserting “$186”.

SEC. 4. CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

Section 1162 is amended by striking “$528” and inserting “$546”.

SEC. 5. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES.

New Law Rates.—

Section 1311(a) is amended—

by striking “$850” in paragraph (1) and inserting “$881”; and

by striking “$185” in paragraph (2) and inserting “$191”.

Old Law Rates.—

The table in section 1311(a)(3) is amended to read as follows:

	Monthly		Monthly
“Pay grade	rate	Pay grade	rate
E-1	$881	0-l	$1,054
E-2	881	0–2	930
E–3	881	0–3	962
E–4	881	0–4	1,028
E–5	881	0–5	1,087
E–6	881	0–6	1,198
E–7	911	0–7	1,349
E–8	962	0–8	1,458
E–9	1,0031	0–9	1,598
W–1	930	0–10	1,712
W–2	968		1,8782
W–3	997
“¹If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse’s rate shall be $1,082.
“²If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or Commandant of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse’s rate shall be $2,013.”

Additional DIC for Children.—

Section 1311(b) is amended by striking “$215” and inserting “$222”.

Aid and Attendance Allowance.—

Section 1311(c) is amended by striking “$215” and inserting “$222”.

Houseboud Rate.—

Section 1311(d) is amended by striking “$104” and inserting “$107”.

SEC. 6. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR CHILDREN.

DIC for Orphan Children.—

Section 1313(a) is amended—

by striking “$361” in paragraph (1) and inserting “$373”;

by striking “$520” in paragraph (2) and inserting “$538”;

by striking “$675” in paragraph (3) and inserting “$699”; and

by striking “$675” and “$132” in paragraph (4) and inserting “$699” and “$136”, respectively.

Supplemental DIC for Disabled Adult Children.—

Section 1314 is amended—

by striking “$215” in subsection (a) and inserting “$222”;

by striking “$361” in subsection (b) and inserting “$373”; and

by striking “$182” in subsection (c) and inserting “$188”.

SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on December 1, 1999.

Approved November 30, 1999.