---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 1922B"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "1922B"
heading: "Service-disabled veterans insurance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/1922B"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 19 — Insurance"
  - "Subchapter I — National Service Life Insurance"
---

# §1922B. Service-disabled veterans insurance

- (a) **Insurance.—**
  - (1) Beginning January 1, 2023, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall carry out a service-disabled [veterans](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under which a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) is granted [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) by the United States against the death of such individual occurring while such [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) is in force.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may only issue whole-life policies under the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [paragraph (1)](#a-1).
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may not grant [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) to a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) unless—
    - (A) the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) submits the application for such [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) before the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) attains 81 years of age; or
    - (B) with respect to a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) who has attained 81 years of age—
      - (i) the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) filed a claim for [compensation](/usc/38/101.md?p=13) under [chapter 11](/usc/38/chptII/ch11.md) of this title before attaining such age;
      - (ii) based on such claim, and after the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) attained such age, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) first determines that the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) has a [service-connected](/usc/38/101.md?p=16) [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1); and
      - (iii) the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) submits the application for such [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) during the two-year period following the date of such determination.
  - (4)
    - (A) A [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) enrolled in the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) may elect to be insured in any of the following amounts:
      - (i) $10,000.
      - (ii) $20,000.
      - (iii) $30,000.
      - (iv) $40,000.
      - (v) In accordance with [subparagraph (B)](#a-4-B), a maximum amount greater than $40,000.
    - (B) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may establish a maximum amount to be insured under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) that is greater than $40,000 if the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)—
      - (i) determines that such maximum amount and the premiums for such amount—
        - (I) are administratively and actuarially sound for the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [paragraph (1)](#a-1); and
        - (II) will not result in such program operating at a loss; and
      - (ii) publishes in the Federal Register, and submits to the Committee on [Veterans](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1)’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on [Veterans](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1)’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, such maximum amount and determination.
  - (5)
    - (A)
      - (i) [Insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) granted under this section shall be on a nonparticipating basis and all premiums and other collections therefor shall be credited directly to a revolving fund in the Treasury of the United States.
      - (ii) Any payments on such [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) shall be made directly from such fund.
    - (B)
      - (i) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Treasury may invest in and sell and retire special interest-bearing obligations of the United States for the account of the revolving fund under [subparagraph (A)](#a-5-A).
      - (ii) Such obligations issued for that purpose shall—
        - (I) have maturities fixed with due regard for the needs of the fund; and
        - (II) bear interest at a rate equal to the average market yield (computed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Treasury on the basis of market quotations as of the end of the calendar month preceding the date of issue) on all marketable interest-bearing obligations of the United States then forming a part of the public debt which are not due or callable until after the expiration of four years from the end of such calendar month; except that where such average market yield is not a multiple of one-eighth of one per centum, the rate of interest of such obligation shall be the multiple of one-eighth of one per centum nearest such market yield.
  - (6)
    - (A) Administrative support financed by the appropriations for “General Operating Expenses, Department of Veterans Affairs” and “Information Technology Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs” for the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall be paid from premiums credited to the fund under [paragraph (5)](#a-5).
    - (B) Such payment for administrative support shall be reimbursed for that fiscal year from funds that are available on such [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) after claims have been paid.
- (b) **Eligibility.—** A [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) is eligible to enroll in the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) if the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) has a [service-connected](/usc/38/101.md?p=16) [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1), without regard to—
  - (1) whether such [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) is compensable under [chapter 11](/usc/38/chptII/ch11.md) of this title; or
  - (2) whether the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) meets standards of good health required for other life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policies.
- (c) **Enrollment and Waiting Period.—**
  - (1) An [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3452.md?p=a-1) may enroll in the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) at any time.
  - (2) The life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy of a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) who enrolls in the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) does not go into force unless—
    - (A) a period of two years elapses following the date of such enrollment; and
    - (B) the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) pays the premiums required during such two-year period.
  - (3)
    - (A) If a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) dies during the two-year period described in [paragraph (2)](#c-2), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall pay to the beneficiary of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) the amount of premiums paid by the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) under this section, plus interest.
    - (B) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)—
      - (i) for the initial year of the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1)—
        - (I) shall set such interest at a rate of one percent; and
        - (II) may adjust such rate during such year based on program experience, except that the interest rate may not be less than zero percent;
      - (ii) for the second and each subsequent year of the program, shall calculate such interest at an annual rate equal to the rate of return on the revolving fund under [subsection (a)(5)](#a-5) for the calendar year preceding the year of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1)’s death, except that the interest rate may not be less than zero percent; and
      - (iii) on an annual basis, shall publish on the internet website of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) the average interest rate calculated under [clause (ii)](#c-3-B-ii) for the preceding calendar year.
- (d) **Premiums.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall establish a schedule of basic premium rates by age per $10,000 of [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) consistent with basic premium rates generally charged for guaranteed acceptance life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policies by private life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) companies.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may adjust such schedule after the first policy year in a manner consistent with the general practice of guaranteed acceptance life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policies issued by private life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) companies.
  - (3) [Section 1912 of this title](/usc/38/1912.md) shall not apply to life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policies under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1), and the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may not otherwise waive premiums for such [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policies.
- (e) **Beneficiaries.—**
  - (1) A [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) who enrolls in the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) may designate a beneficiary of the life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy.
  - (2) If a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) enrolled in the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) program under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) does not designate a beneficiary under [paragraph (1)](#e-1) before the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) dies, or if a designated beneficiary predeceases the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall determine the beneficiary in the following order:
    - (A) The [surviving spouse](/usc/38/101.md?p=3) of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1).
    - (B) The children of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) and descendants of deceased children by representation.
    - (C) The [parents](/usc/38/1901.md?p=4) of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) or the survivors of the [parents](/usc/38/1901.md?p=4).
    - (D) The duly appointed executor or administrator of the estate of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1).
    - (E) Other next of kin of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) entitled under the laws of domicile of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) at the time of the death of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1).
- (f) **Claims.—**
  - (1) If the deceased [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) designated a beneficiary under [subsection (e)(1)](#e-1)—
    - (A) the designated beneficiary is the only person who may file a claim for payment under [subsection (g)](#g) during the one-year period beginning on the date of the death of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1); and
    - (B) if the designated beneficiary does not file a claim for the payment during the period described in [paragraph (1)](#f-1), or if payment to the designated beneficiary within that period is prohibited by Federal statute or regulation, a beneficiary described in [subsection (e)(2)](#e-2) may file a claim for such payment during the one-year period following the period described in [subparagraph (A)](#f-1-A) as if the designated beneficiary had predeceased the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1).
  - (2) If the deceased [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) did not designate a beneficiary under [subsection (e)(1)](#e-1), or if the designated beneficiary predeceased the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1), a beneficiary described in [subsection (e)(2)](#e-2) may file a claim for payment under [subsection (g)](#g) during the two-year period beginning on the date of the death of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1).
  - (3) If, on the date that is two years after the date of the death of the [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1), no claim for payment has been filed by any beneficiary pursuant to paragraph [(1)](#f-1) or [(2)](#f-2), and the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) has not received notice that any such claim will be so filed during the subsequent one-year period, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may make the payment to a claimant whom the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines to be equitably entitled to such payment.
- (g) **Payments.—**
  - (1) In a case described in [subsection (f)](#f)—
    - (A) in [paragraph (1)(A)](#g-1-A), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall pay the designated beneficiary not later than 90 days after the designated beneficiary files a complete and valid claim for payment;
    - (B) in paragraph [(1)(B)](#g-1-B) or [(2)](#g-2), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall make any payment not later than one year after the end of the period described in the applicable such paragraph, if the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) receives a complete and valid claim for payment in accordance with the applicable such paragraph; or
    - (C) in [paragraph (3)](#g-3), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall make any payment not later than one year after the end of the period described in such paragraph, if the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) receives a complete and valid claim for payment.
  - (2) In a case where the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) has not made an [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) payment under this section during the applicable period specified in [paragraph (1)](#g-1) by reason of a beneficiary not yet having filed a claim, or the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) not yet making a determination under [subsection (f)(3)](#f-3), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may make the payment after such applicable period.
  - (3) Notwithstanding [section 1917 of this title](/usc/38/1917.md), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall make an [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) payment under this section in a lump sum.
  - (4) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may not make an [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) payment under this section if such payment will escheat to a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20).
  - (5) Any payment under this subsection shall be a bar to recovery by any other person.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 116–315, title II, § 2004(a)(1), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4970.)