WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

The law › Title 38, Veterans' Benefits › Chapter 20

38 U.S.C. 2031: General treatment

Created in 1997 by the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-114). Changed by 15 later laws. 1 bill in this Congress would change it; 2 new laws this Congress changed it.

1 part of federal rules cite it as their authority, written by Department of Veterans Affairs (1).

This Congress

  • H.R. 6500 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 · became law · changed (b)
  • H.R. 5371 Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 · became law · changed (b)
  • H.R. 10555 VETS Access Act · introduced · would change (c)

How it got here

2024

  • Pub. L. 118–83 substituted "September 30, 2025" for "September 30, 2024". (Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025) Law text · (b)

2022

  • Pub. L. 117–180 substituted "September 30, 2024" for "September 30, 2022". (Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023) Law text · (b)

2020

  • Pub. L. 116–159 substituted "September 30, 2022" for "September 30, 2020". (Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act) Law text · (b)

2018

  • Pub. L. 115–251 substituted "September 30, 2020" for "September 30, 2019". (Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2018) Law text · (b)

2017

  • Pub. L. 115–62 substituted "September 30, 2019" for "September 30, 2017". (Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017) Law text · (b)

2016

  • Pub. L. 114–228 substituted "September 30, 2017" for "September 30, 2016". (Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016) Law text · (b)

2015

  • Pub. L. 114–58 substituted "September 30, 2016" for "September 30, 2015". (Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015) Law text · (b)

2014

  • Pub. L. 113–175 substituted "September 30, 2015" for "December 31, 2014". (Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014) Law text · (b)

2013

  • Pub. L. 113–59 substituted "December 31, 2014" for "December 31, 2013". (VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2013) Law text · (b)

2012

  • Pub. L. 112–154 substituted "and to" for ", including" in introductory provisions. (Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012) Law text · (a)
  • Pub. L. 112–191 substituted "December 31, 2013" for "December 31, 2012". (VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2012) Law text · (b)

2011

  • Pub. L. 112–37 substituted "December 31, 2012" for "December 31, 2011". (Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011) Law text · (b)

2006

  • Pub. L. 109–461, §1006(b), provided that as of the enactment of Pub. L. 109–461, the amendments made by Pub. L. 109–444 were deemed for all purposes not to have taken effect and that Pub. L. 109–444 ceased to be in effect. See Amendment notes below and section 1006(b) of Pub. L. 109–46… (Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006) Law text · (b)
  • Pub. L. 109–461, §704(a), substituted "December 31, 2011" for "December 31, 2006". (Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006) Law text · (b)
  • Pub. L. 109–444, which substituted "December 31, 2007" for "December 31, 2006", was terminated by Pub. L. 109–461, §1006(b). See Amendment notes above. Law text · (b)

2001

  • Pub. L. 107–95, §5(b)(1), renumbered section 1771 of this title as this section. (Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001) Law text
  • Pub. L. 107–95, §5(b)(2), substituted "section 2032 of this title" for "section 1772 of this title". (Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001) Law text · (a)
  • Pub. L. 107–95, §5(f), substituted "December 31, 2006" for "December 31, 2001". (Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001) Law text · (b)

Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.