Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act of 1975
Public Law 94-71 · H.R. 7767 · 94th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Gerald Ford (R) on Aug 5, 1975 · Armed Forces and National Security
Sponsor: Rep. Sonny Montgomery (D-MS-3)
Cosponsors (19): Rep. Herbert Roberts, Rep. Olin Teague,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
(House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments)
Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act - =Title I: Veterans Disability Compensation= - Increases the basic rates of service-connected disability compensation to veterans (ranging from 12 percent to 10 percent depending upon the degree of severity of disability).
Increases the additional allowances payable to service-connected disabled veterans with spouses, children, and dependent parents when the veteran is rated 50 percent or more disabled.
Increases to $175 (now $150) the clothing allowance payable to any veteran who because of his compensable disability wears or uses a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, including a wheelchair, which tends to wear out or tear his clothing.
=Title II: Survivors Dependency and Indemnity Compensation= - Increases by 12 percent the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to the widows of veterans who died of service-connected causes.
Increases the additional monthly allowance payable to a widow receiving DIC for each child under eighteen by 12 percent.
Provides additional increases in DIC allowances in designated categories.
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make a detailed study of claims for dependency and indemnity compensation relating to veterans who at the time of death during the period September 1, 1975, to March 1, 1976, were receiving disability compensation from the Veterans' Administration based upon a rating total and permanent in nature.
=Title III: Effective Dates= - Makes the provisions of this Act effective August 1, 1975.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 15 actions.
- Aug 5, 1975Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public law 94-71.
- Jul 25, 1975PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Jul 24, 1975Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate amendment.
- Jul 22, 1975Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments.
- Jun 23, 1975FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 1597.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Jun 17, 1975CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Jun 16, 1975FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, roll call #301 (389-0).House roll call 301
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Jun 12, 1975CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Jun 10, 1975CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.