
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document affected by Public Law 106-419 Section 403(c)(1)]
[CITE: 38USC503]

 
                      TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS
 
                       PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
            CHAPTER 5--AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
 
                    SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL AUTHORITIES
 
Sec. 503. Administrative error; equitable relief

    (a) If the Secretary determines that benefits administered by the 
Department have not been provided by reason of administrative error on 
the part of the Federal Government or any of its employees, the 
Secretary may provide such relief on account of such error as the 
Secretary determines equitable, including the payment of moneys to any 
person whom the Secretary determines is equitably entitled to such 
moneys.
    (b) If the Secretary determines that a veteran, surviving spouse, 
child of a veteran, or other person has suffered loss as a consequence 
of reliance upon a determination by the Department of eligibility or 
entitlement to benefits, without knowledge that it was erroneously made, 
the Secretary may provide such relief on account of such error as the 
Secretary determines is equitable, including the payment of moneys to 
any person whom the Secretary determines is equitably entitled to such 
moneys.
    (c) Not later than April 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report containing a statement as to the disposition of 
each case recommended to the Secretary for equitable relief under this 
section during the preceding calendar year.

(Added Pub. L. 102-83, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 386.)


                            Prior Provisions

    Prior sections 503 and 504 were renumbered sections 1503 and 1504 of 
this title, respectively.
    Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in 
section 210(c)(2), (3) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102-83, 
Sec. 2(a).
