Pub. L. 94-433, tit. II, sec. 204

Sec. 204. (a) The Administrator shall carry out a thorough and detailed study of the dependency and indemnity compensation program authorized under chapter 13 of this title and of its beneficiaries to measure and evaluate the adequacy of benefits provided under this program and to determine whether, or to what extent, benefits should be based on the military pay grade of the person upon whose death entitlement is predicated. (b) The report of such study shall include such full statistical data as may be obtained concerning surviving spouses and dependents in receipt of dependency and indemnity compensation other than under section 415 of title 38, United States Code, and in each instance the data shall include a breakdown of the distribution of the surviving spouses and dependents amongst the pay grade levels set forth in section 411(a) of title 38, United States Code. Data concerning such surviving spouses and dependents shall include (1) full statistical information concerning the number and ages of surviving spouses and dependents, the number of surviving spouses that remarry, the number of surviving spouses with dependents, and the number of surviving spouses in receipt of aid and attendance; (2) full statistical information concerning the number of surviving spouses and the number of dependents in receipt of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) cash benefits and the amount and type thereof, the number of surviving spouses and the number of dependents in receipt of other Federal or State assistance and the amount and type thereof, the number of surviving spouses in receipt of State survivor benefits and the amount, and type thereof to include a breakdown by State, and the number of surviving spouses who work and their earnings therefrom; (3) full statistical information concerning the educational attainment of the survivor’s deceased spouse; and (4) full statistical information concerning those surviving spouses whose veteran spouse was in receipt 90 STAT. 1377of disability compensation pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, prior to death and the rating of disability thereof. (c) The report together with such comments and recommendations by the Administrator for improving the program as are appropriate shall be submitted to the Congress and the President not later than October 1, 1977.