---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 543"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "543"
heading: "Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/543"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 5 — Authority and Duties of the Secretary"
  - "Subchapter III — Advisory Committees"
---

# §543. Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs

- (a) There is in the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) an advisory committee known as the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Committee”).
- (b) The objectives and scope of activities of the Committee shall relate to—
  - (1) prosthetics and special-disabilities programs administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1);
  - (2) the coordination of programs of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for the development and testing of, and for information exchange regarding, prosthetic devices;
  - (3) the coordination of [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and non-[Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) programs that involve the development and testing of prosthetic devices; and
  - (4) the adequacy of funding for the prosthetics and special-disabilities programs of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
- (c) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Committee on the matters described in [subsection (b)](#b).
- (d) Not later than January 15 of 1993, 1994, and 1995, the Committee shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and the Committees on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the prosthetics and special-disabilities programs administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) during the preceding fiscal year. Not more than 60 days after the date on which any such report is received by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall submit a report to such committees commenting on the report of the Committee.
- (e) As used in this section, the term “special-disabilities programs” includes all programs administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for—
  - (1) spinal-cord-injured [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2);
  - (2) blind [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2);
  - (3) [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who have lost or lost the use of extremities;
  - (4) hearing-impaired [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2); and
  - (5) other [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) with serious incapacities in terms of daily life functions.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 102–405, title I, § 105(b)(1), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1975.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Prior section 543 was renumbered section 1543 of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Pub. L. 102–405, title I, § 105(a), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1975, provided that: “The Federal advisory committee established by the Secretary and known as the Prosthetics Service Advisory Committee shall after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1992] be known as the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs and shall operate as though such committee had been established by law. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Committee may, upon the enactment of this Act, meet and act on any matter covered by subsection (b) of section 543 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (b) of this section.”

### Termination of Advisory Committees

Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.