US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

38 U.S.C. § 1525

Protection of health-care eligibility

(a)
section 1712(d) of this title In the case of a veteran whose entitlement to pension is terminated after , by reason of income from work or training, the veteran shall retain for a period of three years beginning on the date of such termination all eligibility for care and services under such chapter that the veteran would have had if the veteran’s entitlement to pension had not been terminated. Care and services for which such a veteran retains eligibility include, when applicable, drugs and medicines under .
(b)
For purposes of this section, the term “terminated by reason of income from work or training” means terminated as a result of the veteran’s receipt of earnings from activity performed for remuneration or with gain, but only if the veteran’s annual income from sources other than such earnings would, taken alone, not result in the termination of the veteran’s pension.

Pub. L. 98–543, title III, § 301(a)(1)98 Stat. 2746Pub. L. 99–272, title XIX, § 19011(d)(1)100 Stat. 378Pub. L. 99–576, title VII, § 703(b)(2)100 Stat. 3303Pub. L. 100–687, div. B, title XIII, § 1303(c)102 Stat. 4128Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406Pub. L. 102–291, § 2(c)106 Stat. 178Pub. L. 102–568, title IV, § 403(a)106 Stat. 4337Pub. L. 104–262, title I, § 101(e)(1)110 Stat. 3180(Added , , , § 525; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 1525 and amended , (c)(1), , ; , , ; , (b)(1), , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 104–262, § 101(e)(1)(A)section 1712(d) of this titlesection 1712(h) of this title1996—Subsec. (a). , substituted “” for “ and special priority with respect to such care and services under clauses (5) and (6) of section 1712(i)”.

Pub. L. 104–262, § 101(e)(1)(B)Subsec. (b). , substituted “remuneration” for “renumeration”.

Pub. L. 102–568, § 403(b)(1)1992—, substituted “Protection” for “Temporary protection” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 102–568, § 403(a)(1)Subsec. (a). , substituted “after ,” for “during the program period”.

Pub. L. 102–568, § 403(a)(2)Subsec. (b). , added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: “For the purposes of this section:

“(1) The term ‘terminated by reason of income from work or training’ means terminated as a result of the veteran’s receipt of earnings from activity performed for remuneration or gain, but only if the veteran’s annual income from sources other than such earnings would, taken alone, not result in the termination of the veteran’s pension.

“(2) The term ‘program period’ means the period beginning on , and ending on .”

Pub. L. 102–291 substituted “” for “” in par. (2).

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)section 525 of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (a). , substituted “1712(h)” for “612(h)” and “1712(i)” for “612(i)”.

Pub. L. 100–6871988—Subsec. (b)(2). substituted “1992” for “1989”.

Pub. L. 99–576section 521 of this title1986—Subsec. (a). struck out “under ” after “entitlement to pension”.

Pub. L. 99–272section 612(i)(5) of this title substituted “clauses (5) and (6) of section 612(i)” for “”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–291section 2(d) of Pub. L. 102–291section 1163 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1986 Amendments

Pub. L. 99–576Pub. L. 98–543section 703(c) of Pub. L. 99–576section 1313 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in , see , set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 99–272section 19011(f) of Pub. L. 99–272section 1710 of this titleAmendment by applicable to hospital care, nursing home care, and medical services furnished on or after , see , set out as a note under .

Ratification of Actions of Secretary of Veterans Affairs During Lapsed Period

section 2(e) of Pub. L. 102–291section 1163 of this titleProvision of health care and services to a veteran pursuant to this section ratified with respect to period beginning , and ending , see , set out as a note under .