(a) In general
Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
(a) Rate adjustment
Effective on December 1 of each year, the Secretary shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30 of that year, for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under the provisions specified in subsection (b).
(b) Amounts To be increased
The dollar amounts to be increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
(1) Wartime disability compensation
Each of the dollar amounts under section 1114 of this title.
(2) Additional compensation for dependents
Each of the dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of this title.
(3) Clothing allowance
The dollar amount under section 1162 of this title.
(4) Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouse
Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a) through (d) of section 1311 of this title.
(5) Dependency and indemnity compensation to children
Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of this title.
(c) Determination of Increase
Each dollar amount described in subsection (b) shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1 of such year as a result of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
(d) Special rule
The Secretary may adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under section 10 of Public Law 85–857 (72 Stat. 1263) who have not received compensation under chapter 11 of this title.
(e) Publication of adjusted rates
Each fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in subsection (b), as increased under subsection (a), not later than the date on which the matters specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act during that fiscal year.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 119 the following new item:
(c) Effective date
Section 120 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.