PUBLIC LAW 101-237—DEC. 18, 1989 103 STAT. 2065 (3) by striking out "hospital or" each place it appears in subparagraphs (B) and (D). (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection (a) 38 USC 3203 shall take effect on February 1, 1990. '^°^- SEC. 112. EXPANSION OF CLOTHING ALLOWANCE. Section 362 is amended— (1) by striking out "Administrator" the first two places it appears and inserting in lieu thereof "Secretary"; (2) by striking out all after "each veteran" and inserting in lieu thereof "who— "(1) because of a service-connected disability, wears or uses a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (including a wheelchair) which the Secretary determines tends to wear out or tear the clothing of the veteran; or "(2) uses medication which (A) a physician has prescribed for a skin condition which is due to a service-connected disability, and (B) the Secretary determines causes irreparable damage to the veteran's outergarments.". SEC. 113. REDUCTION IN PERIOD OF MARRIAGE REQUIRED FOR ELIGI- BILITY FOR CERTAIN SURVIVOR BENEFITS. Section 418(c)(l) is amended by striking out "two years" and inserting in lieu thereof "one year". SEC. 114. TEMPORARY PROGRAM OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING. (a) REDUCTION IN MAXIMUM AGE OF NEW PENSION RECIPIENTS FOR WHOM VOCATIONAL EVALUATIONS ARE REQUIRED.— Section 524(a) is amended by striking out "50" in paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting in lieu thereof "45". (b) PRESERVATION OF DISABILITY RATING.—Section 524 is amended by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e) and inserting after subsection (b) the following: "(c) In the case of a veteran who has been determined to have a permanent and total non-service-connected disability and who, not later than one year after the date the veteran's eligibility for counseling under subsection (b)(3) of this section expires, secures employment within the scope of a vocational goal identified in the veteran's individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation (or in a related field which requires reasonably developed skills and the use of some or all of the training or services furnished the veteran under such plan), the evaluation of the veteran as having a perma- nent and total disability may not be terminated by reason of the veteran's capacity to engage in such employment until the veteran first maintains such employment for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months.". SEC. 115. DECISIONS AND NOTICES OF DECISIONS. (a) IN GENERAL. — (1) Chapter 51 is amended by inserting after section 3003 the following new section:
- § 3004. Decisions and notices of decisions
"(a)(1) In the case of a decision by the Secretary under section 211(a) of this title affecting the provision of benefits to a claimant, the Secretary shall, on a timely basis, provide to the claimant (and to the claimsmt's representative) notice of such decision. The notice
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