Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptation, 67145-67149 [E9-30096]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 242 (Friday, December 18, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67145-67149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30096]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 3

RIN 2900-AN21


Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptation

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its 
adjudication regulations regarding specially adapted housing and 
special home adaptation grants. The proposed regulations would 
incorporate certain provisions from the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, 
the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004, the Veterans' Housing 
Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006, and the Housing and 
Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The proposed amendments are necessary to 
conform the regulations to the statutory provisions.

DATES: Comments must be received by VA on or before February 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through 
www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to Director, Regulations 
Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., 
NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273-9026. 
Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 
2900-AN21--Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptation.'' 
Copies of comments received will be available for public inspection in 
the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, between the 
hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). 
Please call (202) 461-4902 for an appointment. This is not a toll-free 
number. In addition, during the comment period, comments may be viewed 
online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at https://www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Kniffen, Chief, Regulations 
Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9739. (This is not a toll-free 
telephone number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following public laws revised VA's 
statutes regarding specially adapted housing and special home 
adaptation

[[Page 67146]]

grants: The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, Public Law 108-183; the 
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004, Public Law 108-454; the 
Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006, 
Public Law 109-233; and the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, 
Public Law 110-289. To ensure consistency with statutory changes, we 
propose to amend VA's regulations addressing eligibility for specially 
adapted housing, 38 CFR 3.809, and special home adaptation, 38 CFR 
3.809a.

Benefits for Members of the Armed Forces

    Section 401 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 added subsection 
(c) to 38 U.S.C. 2101, authorizing VA to provide specially adapted 
housing grants under section 2101(a) and special home adaptations under 
section 2101(b) to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty 
who have a qualifying disability. This authorization is effective on 
December 16, 2003. However, section 401 of the Veterans Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2004, which significantly reorganized 38 U.S.C. 
2101, did not retain the authority to provide these benefits to active 
duty servicemembers. There is no indication in the legislative history 
of the Act that Congress intended to eliminate eligibility for 
specially adapted housing and special home adaptation for members of 
the Armed Forces serving on active duty.
    Further, section 105 of the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and 
Benefits Improvement Act of 2006, as a technical correction, re-
inserted into section 2101 subsection (c) as added by the Veterans 
Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 and then made amendments to that 
subsection. The effective date is December 10, 2004, the effective date 
of the amendment made by the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004. 
Because the benefits were made available as of December 16, 2003, by 
the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, this effective date provision in the 
Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 
essentially means that the erroneous removal by the Veterans Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2004 of the language authorizing benefits for active 
duty servicemembers did not occur. Therefore, we propose to amend 
Sec. Sec.  3.809 and 3.809a to incorporate the authority to grant 
eligibility for these benefits to active duty servicemembers.
    Section 2602 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 
created new 38 U.S.C. 2101A for eligibility for specially adapted 
housing and special home adaptations for members of the Armed Forces 
who are serving on active duty. The provisions extending eligibility 
for these benefits to such active duty members of the Armed Forces were 
moved from 38 U.S.C. 2101 to the new section 2101A. No substantive 
changes were made to the provisions. We would cite the new section as 
the statutory authority for our regulations.

38 U.S.C. 1151

    Section 304(a) of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 
amended 38 U.S.C. 1151, Benefits for persons disabled by treatment or 
vocational rehabilitation, by adding subsection (c). Subsection (c) 
states that a qualifying additional disability under section 1151 shall 
be treated as if it were a service-connected disability for purposes of 
chapter 21 benefits (specially adapted housing) and chapter 39 benefits 
(automobiles and adaptive equipment). This is an expansion of the 
benefits to which veterans disabled by VA treatment or vocational 
rehabilitation are eligible. This statutory amendment to 38 U.S.C. 1151 
is applicable with respect to eligibility for these benefits and 
services provided by VA on or after December 10, 2004. Public Law 108-
454, Sec.  304(b), 118 Stat. 3598, 3611. VA incorporated these changes 
in its regulation regarding automobiles and adaptive equipment, 38 CFR 
3.808, by final rulemaking published August 8, 2006, at 71 FR 44915. We 
now propose to amend Sec. Sec.  3.809 and 3.809a to reflect the 
statutory changes.
    VA believes that Congress intended the reference in 38 U.S.C. 
1151(c)(1) to ``Chapter 21, relating to specially adapted housing,'' to 
include both specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a) and 
special home adaptation grants under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b), based upon the 
following analysis. The comma between ``Chapter 21'' and ``relating to 
specially adapted housing'' in section 1151(c)(1) suggests that the 
latter phrase is intended merely to describe the content of the chapter 
rather than to impose a limitation referring to specific provisions in 
the chapter. In fact, the heading for chapter 21 of title 38, United 
States Code, which includes both the provisions authorizing specially 
adapted housing and the provisions authorizing special home adaptation 
grants, was, when Public Law 108-454 amended section 1151, and still is 
``Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans.'' Clearly, Congress 
intended the phrase ``specially adapted housing'' to comprise both 
benefits. Also, it is a rule of statutory construction that statutory 
provisions are to be read together. See, e.g., Coit Independence Joint 
Venture v. Fed. Sav. & Loan Ins. Corp., 489 U.S. 561, 573 (1989). In 
addition to adding subsection (c) to 38 U.S.C. 1151, section 304 of the 
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 added paragraph (2) to 38 
U.S.C. 1151(b), which refers to chapter 21 benefits generally. Reading 
section 1151(b)(2) and (c) together, we interpret the reference in 
section 1151(c)(1) to include all chapter 21 benefits, i.e., special 
home adaptation grants as well as specially adapted housing.
    As stated, section 304(c) of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act 
of 2004 amended 38 U.S.C. 1151(b) by adding paragraph (2). New section 
1151(b)(2) provides that, if a judgment, settlement, or compromise of a 
claim includes an amount specifically designated for a purpose for 
which benefits are provided under chapter 21 or 39 of title 38, United 
States Code, and after the judgment, settlement, or compromise becomes 
final, VA awards benefits under chapter 21 or 39 for the purpose for 
which the amount was designated, VA must reduce the amount of the 
chapter 21 or 39 benefits payable by the amount specifically designated 
for these purposes in the judgment, settlement, or compromise. Section 
1151(b)(2) applies to a judgment, settlement, or compromise that became 
final on or after December 10, 2004. Section 1151(b)(2) also requires 
that, if the specifically designated amount received as a result of the 
judgment, settlement, or compromise is greater than the amount of the 
chapter 21 or 39 benefits awarded, the excess amount received will be 
offset against benefits otherwise payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11. 
In a final rulemaking published August 8, 2006, at 71 FR 44915, VA 
incorporated these statutory changes for chapter 39 benefits by 
amending 38 CFR 3.362, Offset under 38 U.S.C. 1151(b) of benefits 
awarded under 38 U.S.C. 1151(a), for claims filed on or after October 
1, 1997, and by amending 38 CFR 3.800, Disability or death due to 
hospitalization, etc., for claims filed before October 1, 1997. We now 
propose to amend Sec. Sec.  3.362(e) and 3.800(a)(4) to reflect the 
statutory changes regarding chapter 21 benefits. We additionally 
propose to expand current references to ``chapter 39'' in Sec. Sec.  
3.362(e) and 3.800(a)(4) to ``38 U.S.C. chapter 39'' for the purposes 
of clarity and consistency. We intend no substantive change with this 
proposed amendment.

[[Page 67147]]

Loss, or Loss of Use, of Upper Extremities

    Section 401 of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 
amended 38 U.S.C. 2101, authorizing specially adapted housing and home 
adaptation grants for disabled veterans and active duty service 
members, by adding ``the loss, or loss of use, of both upper 
extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at or above the 
elbows'' as a qualifying disability under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a). We propose 
to amend Sec.  3.809 by adding Sec.  3.809(b)(5) to reflect the 
amendment to section 2101.

Typographical Error

    We propose to amend paragraph (4) of Sec.  3.809(b) by correcting a 
typographical error in the current phrase ``loss of loss of use''. The 
phrase throughout paragraph (4) should read ``loss or loss of use''. We 
additionally propose to amend paragraphs (3) and (4) of Sec.  3.809(b) 
by removing the periods at the end of those paragraphs and replacing 
them with ``, or''. Section 2101(a) provides eligibility for veterans 
with disability that meets any of the criteria listed in section 
2101(a)(2)(A) through (E). The current omission of an ``or'' at the end 
of Sec.  3.809(b)(3) is an unintentional typographical error. Our 
amendments will adequately reflect the statute, and we intend no 
substantive change.

Loan Guaranty Service

    Section 101(b) of the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2006 amended 38 U.S.C. 2102 to allow three separate 
grants of assistance under chapter 21. Prior to the amendment, the 
benefit was a one-time benefit. We would also remove from Sec. Sec.  
3.809 and 3.809a the provisions regarding how often the benefit is 
available. Specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants 
are administered by VA's Loan Guaranty Service, although the Loan 
Guaranty Service relies on the Veterans Service Centers' determinations 
of disability to determine eligibility. There is currently a cross-
reference in Sec.  3.809 to the Loan Guaranty Service regulations 
regarding specially adapted housing. We propose to add this same cross-
reference to Sec.  3.809a. We believe that a cross-reference to the 
more comprehensive regulations pertaining to Specially Adapted Housing 
is appropriate here.

Severe Burns

    Section 2603 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 
amended 38 U.S.C. 2101 by adding ``a severe burn injury'' to the list 
of qualifying disabilities for specially adapted housing and special 
home adaptation. The specific type of burn injury is to be determined 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. We further propose to amend 
Sec. Sec.  3.809 and 3.809a to comply with 38 U.S.C. 2101.
    The skin provides protection against fluid and electrolyte loss, 
infection, and radiation, and also provides thermal regulation. Through 
skin contact, an individual is able to obtain information about the 
surrounding environment via touch, perception of temperature, and pain. 
In addition, skin appearance affects identity and interpersonal 
interactions.
    The skin is composed of two layers: the epidermis and the dermis. 
The major functions of the epidermis are to keep fluid in and protect 
against infection. The dermis provides the strength and flexibility of 
the skin. It also has the vascular and neural plexus. The vascular 
plexus is vital for temperature control, and the neural plexus gives 
the skin the ability to sense the environment.
    There are five types of burns defined by the amount of damage to 
the epidermis and dermis. Our proposed amendment would not include 
superficial or superficial partial burns because they heal without 
residuals. The remaining types of burns are deep partial, full-
thickness, and subdermal. For the reasons outlined below, we propose to 
consider these types of burns to allow eligibility for specially 
adapted housing.
    In the deep partial burn, there is complete destruction of the 
epidermis and severe damage to the dermal layer. Healing occurs with 
hypertrophic scars and keloids.
    In the full-thickness burn, there is complete destruction of the 
epidermis and dermis; there may also be some damage to the underlying 
subcutaneous fat layer. Skin grafts are necessary for this type of 
burn.
    In the subdermal burn, there is complete destruction from the 
epidermis down to and including the subcutaneous fat. In addition, 
muscle and bone may be damaged. Extensive surgery is required for this 
type of burn including the possibility of amputation.
    The skin that has experienced the types of burns defined above 
(deep partial, full-thickness, and subdermal) is never restored to 
normal. Scar epithelium (skin) is thin, fragile, and prone to chronic 
ulceration. Scars resulting from these burns cause disfigurement. 
Residuals of these scars include loss of sweat gland function and nail 
growth, pigment formation, sensory changes, physical limitations such 
as cold and heat intolerance, difficulty with sun exposure, altered 
sensation, and painful scars. Skin grafts have the same abnormalities.
    The most frequent cause of impairment is burn scar contracture. 
This residual prohibits movement of a joint in its normal range of 
motion and influences not only the underlying joint but also the 
adjacent joints. Burn scar contracture is not only limited to the 
extremities but can occur as a result of burns to the trunk, resulting 
in postural or respiratory impairments.
    VA worked with military hospital resources to assess burn 
disabilities for adaptive housing. In doing so, we have determined that 
a severe burn injury is considered at least a deep partial thickness 
burn. After a burn of at least this depth heals, the skin is no longer 
capable of its normal function, requiring housing adaptation such as 
temperature control and modified handles. Burns that are less severe 
heal without scarring.
    Our proposed amendments would provide that, for specially adapted 
housing in Sec.  3.809, the criteria for eligibility are that the 
veteran or active duty service member must have full thickness or 
subdermal burns that have resulted in contractures with limitation of 
motion of two or more extremities or of at least one extremity and the 
trunk.
    For special home adaptation grants under Sec.  3.809a, the proposed 
eligibility criteria are that the veteran or active duty service member 
must have deep partial thickness burns that have resulted in 
contractures with limitation of motion of two or more extremities or of 
at least one extremity and the trunk, full thickness or subdermal burns 
that have resulted in contracture(s) with limitation of motion of one 
or more extremities or the trunk, or residuals of an inhalation injury 
(including, but not limited to, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and chronic 
obstructive pulmonary disease).
    We are proposing the additional eligibility criterion of residuals 
of an inhalation injury for special home adaptation grants under Sec.  
3.809a because inhalation injuries can result from the same incidents 
that cause severe burns. Inhalation injury is due to breathing steam or 
toxic inhalants such as fumes, gases, and mists present in a fire 
environment. Toxic inhalants comprise a variety of noxious gases and 
particulate matter that are capable of producing local irritation, 
asphyxiation, and systemic toxicity. The Washington Manual of Medical 
Therapeutics 752 (Wash. U. of St. Louis, 32d ed. 2007).
    Some examples of toxic inhalants are acrolein, chlorine, phosgene, 
and

[[Page 67148]]

nitrogen dioxide. Inhalation injuries can occur with or without burns 
to the skin. However, a significant number of individuals with burns to 
the skin also have inhalation injury, and the presence of inhalation 
injury is a determinant of mortality. Inhalation injury can cause long-
term respiratory complications, including, but not limited to, 
pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 
requiring home adaptation. The specific residuals of such injury would 
determine the level of home adaptation. Residuals of inhalation injury 
would be rated under the predominant disability and its evaluative 
criteria.

Authority Citations

    We additionally propose to amend the authority citations in 
Sec. Sec.  3.809 and 3.809a to move the authority citations to the end 
of each section and ensure the citations are the correct authority for 
the regulatory provisions.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains no provisions constituting a collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary hereby certifies that this proposed rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601-612. This proposed rule would not affect any small entities. 
Only VA beneficiaries could be directly affected. Therefore, pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this proposed rule is exempt from the initial and 
final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of sections 603 and 
604.

Executive Order 12866

    Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and 
benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is 
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits 
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, 
and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). The Executive 
Order classifies a ``significant regulatory action,'' requiring review 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as any regulatory action 
that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect 
on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a 
material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, 
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, 
local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious 
inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by 
another agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and 
obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy 
issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or 
the principles set forth in the Executive Order.
    The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy 
implications of this proposed rule have been examined, and it has been 
determined to be a significant regulatory action under the Executive 
Order because it is likely to result in a rule that may raise novel 
legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's 
priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year. This proposed rule would have no such 
effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private 
sector.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers and Titles

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program numbers and 
titles for the programs affected by this document are 64.106, Specially 
Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans; and 64.109, Veterans 
Compensation for Service-Connected Disability.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 3

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Disability benefits, 
Health care, Pensions, Radioactive materials, Veterans, Vietnam.

    Approved: October 26, 2009.
John R. Gingrich,
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, VA proposes to amend 38 
CFR part 3 as follows:

PART 3--ADJUDICATION

Subpart A-Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity 
Compensation

    1. The authority citation for part 3, subpart A continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority:  38 U.S.C. 501(a), unless otherwise noted.

    2. Revise Sec.  3.362(e) to read as follows:


Sec.  3.362  Offsets under 38 U.S.C. 1151(b) of benefits awarded under 
38 U.S.C. 1151(a).

* * * * *
    (e) Offset of award of benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 or 38 
U.S.C. chapter 39. (1) If a judgment, settlement, or compromise covered 
in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section becomes final on or after 
December 10, 2004, and includes an amount that is specifically 
designated for a purpose for which benefits are provided under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 21 (38 CFR 3.809 and 3.809a) or 38 U.S.C. chapter 39 (38 
CFR 3.808), and if VA awards 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 
39 benefits after the date on which the judgment, settlement, or 
compromise becomes final, the amount of the award will be reduced by 
the amount received under the judgment, settlement, or compromise for 
the same purpose.
    (2) If the amount described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section is 
greater than the amount of an award under 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 or 38 
U.S.C. chapter 39, the excess amount received under the judgment, 
settlement, or compromise will be offset against benefits otherwise 
payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1151)


    3. Revise Sec.  3.800(a)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  3.800  Disability or death due to hospitalization, etc.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (4) Offset of award of benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 or 38 
U.S.C. chapter 39. (i) If a judgment, settlement, or compromise covered 
by paragraph (a)(2) of this section becomes final on or after December 
10, 2004, and includes an amount that is specifically designated for a 
purpose for which benefits are provided under 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 (38 
CFR 3.809 and 3.809a) or 38 U.S.C. chapter 39 (38 CFR 3.808), and if VA 
awards 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 39 benefits after the 
date on which the judgment, settlement, or compromise becomes final, 
the amount of the award will be reduced by the amount received under 
the judgment, settlement, or compromise for the same purpose.
    (ii) If the amount described in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section 
is greater than the amount of an award under 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 or 38 
U.S.C. chapter 39, the excess amount received under the judgment, 
settlement, or

[[Page 67149]]

compromise will be offset against benefits otherwise payable under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 11.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2))


* * * * *
    4. Amend Sec.  3.809 by:
    a. In the section introductory text, removing ``38 U.S.C. 2101(a)'' 
and adding, in its place ``38 U.S.C. 2101(a) or 2101A(a)'' and by 
removing ``veteran'' and adding, in its place, ``veteran or a member of 
the Armed Forces serving on active duty'';
    b. Revising paragraph (a);
    c. Revising paragraph (b) introductory text;
    d. In paragraph (b)(3), removing ``wheelchair.'' and adding, in its 
place, ``wheelchair, or'';
    e. In paragraph (b)(4), removing ``with the loss of loss of use'' 
and adding, in its place, ``with the loss or loss of use'' and removing 
``wheelchair.'' and adding, in its place, ``wheelchair, or'';
    f. Adding paragraphs (b)(5) and (b)(6);
    g. Removing paragraph (c);
    h. Redesignating paragraph (d) as new paragraph (c); and
    i. Revising the authority citation at the end of the section.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  3.809  Specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a).

* * * * *
    (a) Eligibility. A veteran must have had active military, naval, or 
air service after April 20, 1898. Benefits are not restricted to 
veterans with wartime service. On or after December 16, 2003, the 
benefit under this section is also available to a member of the Armed 
Forces serving on active duty.
    (b) Disability. A member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty 
must have a disability that was incurred or aggravated in line of duty 
in active military, naval, or air service. A veteran must be entitled 
to compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for a 
disability rated as permanent and total. In either case, the disability 
must be due to:
* * * * *
    (5) The loss or loss of use of both upper extremities such as to 
preclude use of the arms at or above the elbow, or
    (6) Full thickness or subdermal burns that have resulted in 
contractures with limitation of motion of two or more extremities or of 
at least one extremity and the trunk.
* * * * *

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1151(c)(1), 2101, 2101A).


    5. Amend Sec.  3.809a by:
    a. In the section introductory text, removing ``38 U.S.C. 2101(b)'' 
and adding, in its place ``38 U.S.C. 2101(b) or 2101A(a)'' and by 
removing ``April 20, 1898,'' and adding, in its place, ``April 20, 
1898, or to a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who is 
eligible for the benefit under this section on or after December 16, 
2003,''.
    b. Removing the authority citation after the section introductory 
text.
    c. In paragraph (a), removing ``veteran'' each place it appears and 
adding, in each place, ``member of the Armed Forces serving on active 
duty or veteran'' and by removing the last sentence of paragraph (a).
    d. Revising paragraph (b).
    e. Removing paragraph (c).
    f. Revising the authority citation at the end of the section.
    g. Adding a cross-reference immediately after the authority 
citation at the end of the section.
    The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  3.809a  Special home adaptation grants under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b).

* * * * *
    (b) A member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty must have a 
disability that was incurred or aggravated in line of duty in active 
military, naval, or air service. A veteran must be entitled to 
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for a 
disability rated as permanent and total. In either case, the disability 
must:
    (1) Include the anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, or
    (2) Be due to:
    (i) Blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or
    (ii) Deep partial thickness burns that have resulted in 
contractures with limitation of motion of two or more extremities or of 
at least one extremity and the trunk, or
    (iii) Full thickness or subdermal burns that have resulted in 
contracture(s) with limitation of motion of one or more extremities or 
the trunk, or
    (iv) Residuals of an inhalation injury (including, but not limited 
to, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary 
disease).
* * * * *

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1151(c)(1), 2101, 2101A, 2104).


    Cross-Reference: Assistance to certain disabled veterans in 
acquiring specially adapted housing. See Sec. Sec.  36.4400 through 
36.4410 of this chapter.

[FR Doc. E9-30096 Filed 12-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P