Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73
§503 Administrative error; equitable relief
Title 38 › Part PART I— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - GENERAL AUTHORITIES › § 503
Summary
The Secretary may give fair relief, including money, when a government mistake caused someone to miss out on benefits or when veterans, surviving spouses, children, or others lost out after relying on an incorrect decision. By April 1 each year the Secretary must report to Congress on cases recommended for relief for the prior calendar year; no reports are required after December 31, 2026.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §503
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(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. No report shall be required under this subsection after December 31, 2026.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Prior section 503 and 504 were renumbered section 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, § 2(a).
Amendments
2025—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 119–37 substituted “
December 31, 2026” for “
December 31, 2025”. 2024—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–83 substituted “
December 31, 2025” for “
December 31, 2024”. 2022—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–180 substituted “
December 31, 2024” for “
December 31, 2022”. 2020—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–159 substituted “
December 31, 2022” for “
December 31, 2020”. 2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–251 substituted “
December 31, 2020” for “
December 31, 2018”. 2017—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted “
December 31, 2018” for “
December 31, 2017”. 2016—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted “
December 31, 2017” for “
December 31, 2016”. 2015—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted “
December 31, 2016” for “
December 31, 2015”. 2014—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–175 substituted “
December 31, 2015” for “
December 31, 2014”. 2010—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–275 substituted “
December 31, 2014” for “
December 31, 2009”. 2006—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–233 substituted “
December 31, 2009” for “
December 31, 2004”. 2000—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–419 inserted at end “No report shall be required under this subsection after
December 31, 2004.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2025 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 119–37 effective as if enacted on Sept. 30, 2025, see section 7406 of Pub. L. 119–37, set out as a note under section 111A of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 503
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73