Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2672

 PUBLIC LAW 108–183—DEC. 16, 2003

117 STAT. 2653

the surviving spouse of a veteran, then, notwithstanding any other provision of law (other than section 5304(b)(3) of this title), no reduction in benefits under such other provision of law shall be made by reason of such individual’s eligibility for benefits under this section.’’. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on January 1, 2004. (d) RETROACTIVE BENEFITS PROHIBITED.—No benefit may be paid to any person by reason of the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) for any period before the effective date specified in subsection (c). (e) APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS.—In the case of an individual who but for having remarried would be eligible for benefits under title 38, United States Code, by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a) and whose remarriage was before the date of the enactment of this Act and after the individual had attained age 57, the individual shall be eligible for such benefits by reason of such amendment only if the individual submits an application for such benefits to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs not later than the end of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (f) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 101(b) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–330; 116 Stat. 2821; 38 U.S.C. 103 note) is amended by striking ‘‘during the 1-year period’’ and all that follows through ‘‘(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘before the end of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003’’.

38 USC 103 note. 38 USC 103 note.

Effective date. 38 USC 103 note.

SEC. 102. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPINA BIFIDA OF VETERANS OF CERTAIN SERVICE IN KOREA.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 18 is amended— (1) by redesignating subchapter III, and sections 1821, 1822, 1823, and 1824, as subchapter IV, and sections 1831, 1832, 1833, and 1834, respectively; and (2) by inserting after subchapter II the following new subchapter III: ‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—CHILDREN OF CERTAIN KOREA SERVICE VETERANS BORN WITH SPINA BIFIDA ‘‘§ 1821. Benefits for children of certain Korea service veterans born with spina bifida ‘‘(a) BENEFITS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary may provide to any child of a veteran of covered service in Korea who is suffering from spina bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter as if such child of a veteran of covered service in Korea were a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under such subchapter. ‘‘(b) SPINA BIFIDA CONDITIONS COVERED.—This section applies with respect to all forms and manifestations of spina bifida, except spina bifida occulta. ‘‘(c) VETERAN OF COVERED SERVICE IN KOREA.—For purposes of this section, a veteran of covered service in Korea is any individual, without regard to the characterization of that individual’s service, who—

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