12 2 STA T . 2 85 8 PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 28 9—J UL Y3 0 , 2008 TI T LEV I — VETE RANSHOU SIN GM ATTERS SEC.2601 . HOM E I M PR O V EME NT S A N D STR U CTURA L ALTERATIONS F OR TOTALL Y DISA B LED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES BEFORE DISCHAR G E OR RELEASE FROM THE ARMED FORCES. Section17 17o f tit l e 38,U nite d St a te sC ode, is a m ended by addin g att h e end the follo w ing new s u bsection
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‘ ( d ) (1) I n the case of a membe r of the A rmed F orces who, as determined by the Secretary, has a disability p ermanent in nature incurred or aggra v ated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service, the Secretary may furnish improve - ments and structural alterations for such member for such disability or as otherwise described in subsection (a)( 2 ) while such member is hospitali z ed or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment for such disability if the Secretary determines that such member is li k ely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability . ‘‘(2) T he furnishing of improvements and alterations under paragraph (1) in connection with the furnishing of medical services described in subparagraph (A) or ( B ) of subsection (a)(2) shall be sub j ect to the limitation specified in the applicable subpara- graph. ’ ’. SEC. 2602. ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING BENEFITS AND ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES W ITH SERVICE - CONNECTED DISABILITIES AND INDIVID- UALS RESIDING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. (a) ELIG I B ILI TY . — Chapter 21 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 21 0 1 the following new section: ‘ ‘ §210 1 A.Elig i b ili tyfor b en efit sa n d assistan c e
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embers of t h e Armed F orces w ith ser v ice - connected disabil- ities
individ u als residing outside the U nited S tates ‘‘(a) MEM BE RSW IT H SER V I C E-C ON NECTE DD IS A BILITIES.—(1) The Secretary may provide assistance under this chapter to a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who is suffering from a disability that meets applicable criteria for benefits under this chapter if the disability is incurred or aggravated in line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall be provided to the same e x tent as assistance is provided under this chapter to veterans eligible for assistance under this chapter and subject to the same re q uirements as veterans under this chapter. ‘‘(2) For purposes of this chapter, any reference to a veteran or eligible individual shall be treated as a reference to a member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a) who is similarly situated to the veteran or other eligible individual so referred to. ‘‘(b) BENE F ITS AND ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVID U ALS R ESIDING O UT- SIDE THE UNITED STATES.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Sec- retary may, at the Secretary’s discretion, provide benefits and assistance under this chapter (other than benefits under section
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