38 U.S.C. § 1523: Combination of ratings

38 U.S.C. 1523: Combination of ratingsText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).

From Title 38-VETERANS’ BENEFITSCHAPTER 15-PENSION FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH OR FOR SERVICE

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§1523. Combination of ratings

(a) The Secretary shall provide that, for the purpose of determining whether or not a veteran is permanently and totally disabled, ratings for service-connected disabilities may be combined with ratings for non-service-connected disabilities.

(b) Where a veteran, by virtue of subsection (a), is found to be entitled to a pension under section 1521 of this title, and is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability, the Secretary shall pay such veteran the greater benefit.

( Pub. L. 85–857 , Sept. 2, 1958 , 72 Stat. 1136 , § 523; Pub. L. 94–169, title I, § 106(19) , Dec. 23, 1975 , 89 Stat. 1018 ; renumbered § 1523 and amended Pub. L. 102–83 , §§ 4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991 , 105 Stat. 404–406 .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991⁠—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 523 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “1521” for “521”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

1975⁠—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–169 substituted “such veteran” for “him”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1975 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–169, title I, § 106, Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1017, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1976.