Pub. L. 116-58 - Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2019

116th Congress

Affects: 38 U.S.C. §§ 1114; 42 U.S.C. §§ 401, 415

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2019”.

SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

(a) Effective on December 1, 2019, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2019, for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under the provisions specified in subsection (b).

(b) The dollar amounts to be increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:

(b)(1) Each of the dollar amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.

(b)(2) Each of the dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title.

(b)(3) The dollar amount under section 1162 of such title.

(b)(4) Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a) through (d) of section 1311 of such title.

(b)(5) Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.

(c) Each dollar amount described in subsection (b) shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1, 2019, as a result of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).

(d) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under section 10 of Public Law 85–857 (72 Stat. 1263) who have not received compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in section 2(b), as increased under that section, not later than the date on which 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 2020.

Legislative History

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1200:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):

May 21, considered and passed House.

Sept. 12, considered and passed Senate.