While covered by insurance under this program an individual would have the right to obtain from a private insurance company an insurance policy without medical examination in an amount equal to the group insurance policy under which he was protected during the period of service. If the man has a service-connected disability, he would be eligible for a commercial policy without medical examination under this program and, in addition, would be eligible for a $10,000 Service Disabled Veteran's Insurance policy administered by the Veterans' Administration. To be eligible to participate in the program, a commercial company must meet criteria established by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs. Group life insurance coverage under this program is in addition to any U.S. Government Life Insurance or National Service Life Insurance which the serviceman might hold. DEATH GRATUITY PROGRAM Covers death incurred in the active military, naval, or air service during the period from January 1, 1957, through September 28, 1965, the day before the effective date of the servicemen's group life insurance program. The death must have resulted from (A) action of hostile forces, (B) an accident involving a military or naval aircraft, (C) as a direct result of the extra hazard of military or naval service, as such hazard is determined by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, or (D) the performance of service for which certain incentive or special pay for hazardous duty is authorized. Death gratuity payments are made to the widow of the veteran; if no widow is living, then to his child or children; and if no widow or child is living, then to his living parent or parents. No other persons would be eligible. The amount of the death gratuity payment, $5,000, is reduced by the amount of United States Government Life Insurance or National Service Life Insurance paid or payable on account of the death of the veteran. Application for such death gratuity must be made before November 2, 1967. SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' CIVIL RELIEF ACT The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 was enacted in the Seventy-sixth Congress, and was approved October 17, 1940. A similar enactment referable to World War I was approved March 8, 1918, during the Sixty-fifth Congress and bore the title "Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act." The purpose of the act is to provide for strengthening of national defense and to suspend the enforcement of civilian liabilities in certain cases of persons in the military service of the United States, the belief being that this is necessary to enable the persons called to perform military duties to devote their entire energy to the defense needs of the Nation. For the purposes of article IV (insurance) of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended, World War II was deemed to have terminated July 25, 1947, in accordance with the provisions of section 4, Public Law 239, Eightieth Congress. However, section 14, Public Law 759, Eightieth Congress, June 24, 1948, as amended, known as the Universal Military Training and Service Act, provides that all of the provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended, shall be applicable to all persons in the Armed Forces including those thereafter inducted or the Public Health Service until such time as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended, is "repealed or otherwise terminated by subsequent act of Congress." Thus, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act is in full force and effect today and applies to all persons who are called upon to perform service in one of the branches of the Armed Forces of the United States. The only section of this law which is centrally administered is article IV (insurance), by the Veterans' Administration. The other articles are administered locally by the various courts. Checklist of veterans' benefits (NOTE.-The list below is not inclusive of all benefits or to be interpreted to mean that the benefits cited are without restriction) 3 All disabilities presumed to be service connected for this purpose. Service on or after Sept. 29, 1965. 5 On contributory basis on and after Jan. 1, 1957. ་་་་་་ི་་་ Post-World War II service if disability 30 percent or more or pronounced employment handicap. 7 Afforded in case of certain deaths or total disabilities permanent in nature resulting from service after Spanish War. Flag furnished to veteran of Mexican border service and service after Jan. 31, 1955. All disabilities of Indian war veterans presumed to be service connected for this purpose. 69-338 0-66 NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND DEATHS IN SERVICE DURING ALL WARS, AND THE POST-KOREAN CONFLICT PERIOD; NUMBER OF LIVING VETERANS, AND VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS ON COMPENSATION AND PENSION ROLLS, SEPTEMBER 30, 1966 Participants Deaths in service.. Living veterans. Veterans and Dependents on Compensation and Pension Rolls Parents Widows Children Veterans Participants___ Deaths in service.. Living veterans World War I (1917-1918) 1 55, 443 * Persons who served in more than one war period are counted as participants in each. Includes 1,476,000 who served in both World War II and the Korean conflict. b Includes 1,218,000 with service in both World War II and the Korean conflict. • Includes 22,601 parents of deceased former members of the Regular Establishment (peacetime) and post-Korean conflict veterans. d Includes 30,949 widows of deceased former members of the Regular Establishment (peacetime) and post-Korean conflict veterans. • Includes 24.821 children of deceased former members of the Regular Establishment (peacetime) and post-Korean conflict veterans. 4,744, 000 Includes 178,618 former members of the Regular Total-All Wars and Post-Korean Conflict Through September 30, 1966 1,000 Participants*. Veterans and Dependents on Compensa Widows tion and Pension Rolls Deaths in service.. 38, 169, 000 1,002, 000 25, 664, 000 Veterans and Dependents on Compensa tion and Pension Rolls 4 Living veterans 259 22 Parents 11. COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEath-- 13. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE-COnnected 15. PENSION FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR Death or for CHAPT. PART V. BOARDS AND DEPARTMENTS 71. BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS. 73. DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.. 75. VETERANS' CANTEEN SERVICE.. PART VI. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY СНАРТ. 81. ACQUISITION AND OPERATION OF HOSPITAL AND DOMICILIARY FACILITIES; PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY. 83. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND BEQUESTS_ 109. Benefits for discharged members of allied forces.. 110. Preservation of disability ratings---. 111. Travel expenses- 112. Presidential memorial certificate program. CHAPTER 3.-VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION; OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES SUBCHAPTER I.-VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION Page 207 210 219 222 232 234 26 30 31 32 32 32 33 34 35 35 36 36 210. Appointment and general authority of Administrator; Deputy Administrator_ 211. Decisions by Administrator; opinions of Attorney General_ 212. Delegation of authority and assignment of duties. 216. Research by Administrator; indemnification of contractors_ 217. Studies of rehabilitation of disabled persons.. SUBCHAPTER III.-VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL OFFICES; 230. Central and regional offices.. 232. Employment of translators... 231. Placement of employees in military installations. 233. Employees' appearel; school transportation; recreational equipment; visual exhibits; personal property; emergency transportation of employees. 234. Telephone service for medical officers.. 41 41 42 42 42 236. Administrative settlement of tort claims arising in foreign countries.. 43 42 2223 235. Benefits to employees at overseas offices who are U.S. citizens.. |