38 CFR Appendix B
List of Age Distinctions Contained in Statutes and Regulations Governing Federal Financial Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs
November 5, 2020
Section 90.31(f) of the governmentwide regulations (45 CFR part 90) requires each Federal agency to publish an appendix to its final regulations containing a list of age distinctions in Federal statutes and regulations affecting financial assistance administered by the agency. This appendix is VA's list of age distinctions contained in Federal statutes and VA regulations which:
(1) Provide benefits or assistance to persons based upon age; or
(2) Establish criteria for participation in age-related terms; or
(3) Describe intended beneficiaries or target groups in age-related terms.
Appendix B deals only with VA's programs of financial assistance covered by the Age Discrimination Act. It does not list age distinctions used by VA in its direct assistance programs, such as veterans' compensation. Also, this appendix contains only age distinctions in Federal statutes and VA regulations in effect on January 1, 1985.
This appendix has two sections: A list of age distinctions in Federal statutes, and a list of age distinctions in VA regulations. The first column contains the name of the program; the second column has the statute name and U.S. Code citation for statutes, or the regulation name and Code of Federal Regulations citation for regulations; the third column contains the section number of the statute or regulation and the description of the age distinction; and the fourth column cites the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the program(s) affected where it is available.
Age Distinctions in Statutes Governing Federal Financial Assistance Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Open Table
| Program | Statute | Section and Age Distinction | CFDA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans' Benefits | Section 101 of the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1957, as amended; 38 U.S.C. 101 | Section 101(4)(A) defines the term “child” for the purposes of Title 38, U.S.C. (except for chapter 19 and section 8502(b) of Title 38) as “a person who is unmarried and—(i) who is under the age of eighteen years; (ii) who, before attaining the age of eighteen years, became permanently incapable of self-support; or (iii) who, after attaining the age of eighteen years and until completion of education or training (but not after attaining the age of twenty-three years), is pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution; and who is a legitimate child, a legally adopted child, a stepchild who is a member of a veteran's household or was a member at the time of the veteran's death, or an illegitimate child but, as to the alleged father, only if acknowledged in writing signed by him, or if he has been judicially ordered to contribute to the child's support or has been, before his death, judicially decreed to be the father of such child, or if he is otherwise shown by evidence statisfactory to the Secretary to be the father or such child. . . .” | |
| Section 101(4)(B) provides that for the purposes of section 101(4)(A) of Title 38, in the case of an adoption under the laws of any jurisdiction other than a State, a person residing outside any of the States shall not be considered a legally adopted child of a veteran during the lifetime of that veteran, unless, among other things, such a person was less than eighteen years of age at the time of the adoption | |||
| Approval of Educational Institutions | Section 104 of the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1957, as amended, 38 U.S.C. 104 | Section 104(a) authorizes the Secretary to approve or disapprove an educational institution for the purpose of determining whether or not benefits are payable under Title 38, U.S.C. (except chapter 15 of title 38) for a child over the age of eighteen years and under the age of twenty-three years who is attending a school, college, academy, seminary, technical institution, university, or other educational institution | |
| Section 104(b) provides that the Secretary may not approve an educational institution under section 104 of Title 38, unless the institution has agreed to report the termination of attendance of any child. If the educational institution fails to report any such termination promptly, the approval of the Secretary shall be withdrawn | |||
| Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPA) | Section 103(b) of the Veterans Health Care Expansion Act of 1973, as amended; 38 U.S.C. 1713 | Section 1713(a) authorizes the Secretary to provide medical care to: “(1) The spouse or child of a veteran who has a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability, (2) the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who (A) died as a result of a service-connected disability, or (B) at the time of death had a total disability permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability, and (3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who died in the active military, naval, or air service in the line of duty and not due to such person's own misconduct, who are not otherwise eligible for medical care under Chapter 55 of Title 10, U.S.C. (CHAMPUS) | 64.009 |
| Section 1713(c) provides that for the purposes of this program, “a child between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three (1) who is eligible for benefits under subsection (a) of this section, (2) who is pursuing a full-time course of instruction at an educational institution, approved under Chapter 36 of this title, and (3) who while pursuing such course of instruction, incurs a disabling illness or injury . . . which results in such child's inability to continue or resume such child's chosen program of education . . . shall remain eligible for benefits under this section until the end of the six-month period beginning on the date the disability is removed, the end of the two-year period beginning on the date of the onset of the disability, or the twenty-third birthday of the child, whichever occurs first” | |||
| VA Hospital, Domiciliary or Nursing Home Care | Section 510 of the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1957, amended; 38 U.S.C. 1710 | Section 1710 authorizes the Secretary, within the limits of VA facilities, to furnish hospital care or nursing home care. Among the persons eligible for such care are veterans with a nonservice-connected disability if they are sixty-five years of age or older | 64.009 64.010 64.015 64.016 |
| Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance | Post Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Act of 1977, as amended; U.S.C. Chapter 32 | Section 3201 states that the purpose of Chapter 32 of Title 38, U.S.C. is: “(1) To provide educational assistance to those men and women who enter the Armed Forces after December 31, 1976, (2) to assist young men and women in obtaining an education they might not otherwise be able to afford, and (3) to promote and assist the all volunteer military program of the United States by attracting qualified men and women to serve in the Armed Forces” | 64.120 |
| Veterans' Educational Assistance | Section 2 of the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966, amended; 38 U.S.C. Chapter 34 | Section 3451 states that the education program created by this chapter is for the purpose of: “ . . . (1) Enhancing and making more attractive service in the Armed Forces of the United States, (2) extending the benefits of higher education to qualified and deserving young persons who might not otherwise be able to afford such an education, (3) providing vocational readjustment and restoring lost educational opportunities to those service men and women whose careers have been interrupted or impeded by reason of active duty after January 31, 1955, and (4) aiding such persons in attaining the vocational and educational status which they might normally have aspired to and obtained had they not served their country” | 64.111 |
| Section 3492(b) authorizes the Secretary to pay to an eligible veteran receiving tutorial assistance pursuant to section 3492(a) of this chapter, the cost of such tutorial assistance, subject to certain limits, upon certification by the educational institution that “ . . . (2) the tutor chosen to perform such assistance is qualified and is not the eligible veteran's parent, spouse, child (whether or not married or over eighteen years of age), brother, or sister; and (3) the charges for such assistance do not exceed the customary charges for such tutorial assistance” | |||
| Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance | War Orphans' Educational Assistance Act of 1956, as amended; 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 | Section 3500 states that “the educational program established by this chapter is for the purpose of providing opportunities for education to children whose education would otherwise be impeded or interrupted by reason of the disability or death of a parent from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the Armed Forces after the beginning of the Spanish-American War, and for the purpose of aiding such children in attaining the educational status which they might have aspired to and attained but for the disability or death of such parent. The Congress further declares that the educational program extended to the surviving spouses of veterans who died of service-connected total disabilities and to spouses of veterans with a service-connected total disability permanent in nature is for the purpose of assisting them in preparing to support themselves and their families at a standard of living level which the veteran, but for the veteran's death or service disability, could have expected to provide for the veteran's family” | 64.117 |
| Section 3501 defines the term “eligible person” as: “(A) a child of a person who—(i) died of a service-connected disability, (ii) has a total disability permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability, or who died while a disability so evaluated was in existence or (iii) at the time of application for benefits under this chapter is a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty listed, pursuant to section 556 of Title 37 [U.S.C.] and regulations issued thereunder, by the Secretary concerned in one or more of the following categories . . . for a total of ninety days: (A) missing in action, (B) captured in line of duty by a hostile force, or (C) forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power, . . .” Subparagraph (a)(2) of this section provides that the term “child” includes individuals who are married and individuals who are above the age of twenty-three years | |||
| Section 3512 establishes periods of eligibility. Provides that the educational program to which an eligible child within the meaning of this chapter is entitled to may be afforded, “. . . during the period beginning on the person's eighteenth birthday, or on the successful completion of the person's secondary schooling, whichever first occurs, and ending on the person's twenty-sixth birthday, except that—(1) if the person is above the age of compulsory school attendance under applicable State law, and the Secretary determines that the person's best interests will be served thereby, such period may begin before the person's eighteenth birthday; (2) if the person has a mental or physical handicap, and . . . the person's best interests will be served by pursuing a program of special restorative training or a specialized course of vocational training approved under section 3536 of this title, such period may begin before the person's fourteenth birthday; (3) if the Secretary finds that the parent from whom eligibility is derived has a service-connected total disability permanent in nature, or if the death of the parent from whom eligibility is derived occurs, after the eligible person's eighteenth birthday but before the person's twenty-sixth birthday, then (unless paragraph (4) applies) such period shall end 8 years after, whichever date last occurs: (A) the date on which the Secretary first finds that the parent from whom eligibility is derived has a service-connected total disability permanent in nature, or (B) the date of death of the parent from whom eligibility is derived; (4) if the person serves on duty with the Armed Forces as an eligible person after the person's eighteenth birthday but before the person's twenty-sixth birthday, then such period shall end 8 years after the person's first discharge or release from such duty with the Armed Forces . . . in no event shall such period be extended beyond the person's thirty-first birthday by reason of this paragraph; and (5)(A) if the person becomes eligible by reason of the provisions of section 3501(a)(1)(A)(ii) of this title after the person's eighteenth birthday but before the person's twenty-sixth birthday, then (unless clause (4) of this section applies) such period shall end eight years after the date on which the person becomes eligible by reason of such provisions, but in no event shall such period be extended beyond the person's thirty-first birthday by reason of this clause. . . .” | |||
| Section 3513 provides that the parent or guardian of a person or the eligible person (if such person has attained legal majority) for whom the educational assistance is sought under Chapter 35 shall submit an application to the Secretary, which shall be in such form and contain such information as the Secretary shall prescribe | |||
| Section 3562 provides that the commencement of a program of education or special restorative training under Chapter 35 shall be a bar, “(1) to subsequent payments of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension based on a death of a parent to an eligible person over the age of eighteen by reason of pursuing a course in an educational institution, or (2) to increased rates, or additional amounts of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension because of such a person whether eligibility is based upon the death or upon the total permanent disability of the parent” | |||
| Section 3563 states that “The Secretary shall notify the parent or guardian of each eligible person as defined in section 3501(a)(1)(A) of this title of the educational assistance available to such person under Chapter 35. Such notification shall be provided not later then the month in which such eligible person attains such person's thirteenth birthday or as soon thereafter as feasible” |
Age Distinctions in Regulations Governing Federal Financial Assistance Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Open Table
| Program | Regulation | Section and Age Distinction | CFDA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans' Benefits | Adjudication (38 CFR part 3) | Section 3.57 defines the term “child” of a veteran as, “. . . an unmarried person who is a legitimate child, a child legally adopted before the age of 18 years, a stepchild who acquired that status before the age of 18 years and who is a member of the veteran's household or was a member of the veteran's household at the time of the veteran's death, or an illegitimate child; and (i) who is under the age of 18 years; or (ii) who, before reaching the age of 18 years, became permanently incapable of self-support; or (iii) who, after reaching the age of 18 years and until completion of education or training (but not after reaching the age of 23 years) is pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution. (2) For the purposes of determining entitlement of benefits based on a child's school attendance, the term “child” of the veteran also includes the following unmarried persons: (i) A person who was adopted by the veteran between the ages of 18 or 23 years. (ii) A person who became a stepchild of a veteran between the ages of 18 or 23 years and who is a member of the veteran's household at the time of the veteran's death. . . .” | |
| Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance | Adjudication (38 CFR part 3) | Section 3.807(d) sets forth basic eligibility criteria for the program of educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Defines the term “child” as the son or daughter of a veteran who meets the requirements of 38 CFR 3.57, except as to age or marital status | 64.117 |
| Survivors' and Dependent's Educational Assistant Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 (38 CFR part 21, subpart C) | Section 21.3021 describes beneficiaries of the program. Paragraph (a) defines the term “eligible person” as, “(1) A child of a: (i) Veteran who died of a service-connected disability. . . .” Paragraph (b) defines the term “child” as a son or daughter of a veteran as defined in 38 CFR 3.807(d) | ||
| Section 21.3023 states that: “(a) Child; age 18. A child who is eligible for educational assistance and who is also eligible for pension, compensation dependency and indemnity compensation based on school attendance must elect whether he or she will receive educational assistance or pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation. (1) An election of education assistance either before or after the age of 18 years is a bar to subsequent payment or increased rates or additional amounts of pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation on account of a child based on school attendance on or after the age of 18 years. . . . (2) Payment of pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation to or on account of a child after his or her 18th birthday does not bar subsequent payments of educational assistance. . . . (b) Child; under 18 or helpless. Educational assistance allowance or special restorative training allowance may generally be paid concurrently with pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation for a child under the age of 18 years or for a helpless child based on the service of one or more parents. Where, however, entitlement is based on the death of more than one parent in the same parental line, concurrent payments in two or more cases may not be authorized if the death of one such parent occurred on or after June 9, 1960. In the latter cases, an election of educational assistance and pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation in one case does not preclude a reelection of benefits before attaining age 18 or while helpless based on the service of another parent in the same parental line. . . .” | |||
| Section 21.3040 sets forth criteria for the commencement and termination of the program of education or special restorative training for an eligible child under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Paragraph (a) of this section provides that a program of education or special restorative training may not be afforded prior to the eligible persons' 18th birthday or the completion of secondary schooling, whichever is earlier, unless it is determined through counseling that the best interests of the eligible person will be served by entering training at an earlier date and the eligible person has passed: (1) Compulsory school attendance age under State law; or (2) his or her 14th birthday and due to physical or mental handicap may benefit by special restorative or specialized vocational training. Paragraph (c) of this section provides that no person is eligible for educational assistance who reached his or her 26th birthday on or before the effective date of a finding of permanent total service-connected disability, or on or before the date the veteran's death occurred, or on or before the 91st day of listing by the Secretary concerned of the member of the Armed Forces or whose service eligibility is claimed as being is one of the missing categories identified in 38 CFR 21.3021(a) (1)(iii) and (3)(ii). Paragraph (d) provides that no person is eligible for educational assistance beyond his or her 31st birthday, except in certain exceptional cases | |||
| Section 21.3041 sets forth periods of eligibility for an eligible child. Paragraph (a) of this section provides the basic beginning date for the educational assistance as the person's 18th birthday or successful completion of secondary schooling, whichever occurs first. Paragraph (b) authorizes certain exceptions to the basic beginning date, if: (1) A person has passed compulsory school attendance under applicable State law, or (2) has passed his or her 14th birthday and has a physical or mental handicap. Paragraph (c) provides the basic ending date as the person's 26th birthday. Paragraphs (d) and (e) set forth criteria for modifying or extending the ending date | |||
| Administration of Educational Benefits; 38 U.S.C. Chapter 34, 35, and 36 (38 CFR part 21, subpart D) | Section 21.3300 provides that VA may prescribe special restorative training for the purpose of enabling an eligible child to pursue a program of education, special vocational program, or other appropriate goal, where needed to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability | ||
| Section 21.4102(a) requires VA to provide counseling for the purpose set forth in 38 CFR 21.4100 to an eligible child when: (1) The eligible child may require specialized vocational or special restorative training, or (2) the eligible child has reached compulsory school attendance age under State law, but has neither reached his or her 18th birthday nor completed secondary schooling, or (3) if requested by the eligible child or his or her parent or guardian for the purpose of preparing an educational plan | |||
| Section 21.4139(b) provides that VA will make payment of educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 to the eligible person if: (1) He or she has attained majority and has no known legal disability or (2) is in the eligible person's best interests, and there is no reason not to designate the eligible person as payee. VA may pay minors under this provision | |||
| Section 21.4141 provides that payment of educational assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 will be subject to offsets of amounts of pension, compensation, or dependency and indemnity compensation paid over the same period on behalf of a child based on school attendance | |||
| VA Hospital, Domiciliary or Nursing Home Care | Eligiblity for hospital, domiciliary or nursing home care of persons discharged or released from active military, naval, or air service (38 CFR 17.47) | Section 17.47(e) provides that within the limits of VA facilities, hospital or nursing home care may be provided to any veteran with a nonservice-connected disability if such a veteran is 65 years of age or older | 64.009 64.010 64.015 64.016 |
| Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPA) | Medical Care for Survivors and Dependents of Certain Veterans (38 CFR 17.54) | Section 17.54 states that medical care may be provided for: “(1) The spouse or child of a veteran who has a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability, and (2) the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who—(a) died as a result of a service-connected disability, or (b) at the time of death had a total disability, permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability and—(3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who died in the active military, naval or air service . . . Who are not otherwise eligible for medical care as beneficiaries of the Armed Forces under the provisions of Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (CHAMPUS) . . . and (4) An eligible child who is pursuing a full-time course of instruction approved under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 36, and who incurs a disabling illness or injury while pursuing such course; . . . shall remain eligible for medical care until: (a) The end of the 6-month period beginning on the date the disability is removed, or (b) the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the onset of the disability; or (c) the 23d birthday of the child, whichever occurs first. . . .” | 64.009 |
| Veterans' Educational Assistance | Administration of Educational Benefits; 38 U.S.C. Chapters 34, 35, and 36 (38 CFR part 21, subpart D) | Section 21.4135(d) sets forth the following dates for the discontinuance of the educational assistance allowance provided for a dependent child, under Chapter 34 of Title 38: “. . . (1) Last day of the in calendar year in which marriage occurred unless discontinuance is required at an earlier date under other provisions. (2) Age 18. Day preceding 18th birthday. (3) School attendance. Last day of month in which 23rd birthday, whichever is earlier. (4) Helplessness ceased. Last day of month school attendance ceased or day preceding following 60 days after notice to payee that helplessness has ceased.” | |
| Section 21.4136 sets forth monthly rates for the payment of educational assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 34. Paragraph (f) defines the term “dependent” as a spouse, child or dependent parent who meets the definitions of relationship specified in 38 CFR 3.50, 3.57 and 3.59 |
[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 76 FR 34000, June 10, 2011]
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