Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 55 Part 1.djvu/872

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55 STAT.] 77TH CONG. , 1ST SESS.-CHS. 602 -604 --DEC. 20, 1941 to the National Service Life Insurance Fund such sums as may be necessary to cover all losses incurred and premiums waived under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. "(4) The benefits and privileges extended by this section are hereby so extended by the Congress because many of the personnel of our armed forces (1) were unable to comply with the prerequisites neces- sary to the granting of insurance by reason of extended duty in the North Atlantic, Hawaii, the Philippines, and other outlying bases; (2) had failed or neglected to apply for such insurance in the expec- tation that their service would be peacetime service only; and (3) by reason of the suddenness with which war was thrust upon us, had not sufficient time to apply for such insurance prior to engaging in combat. The Congress hereby declares that no further relief of such character will be granted." Approved, December 20, 1941. [CHAPTER 603] AN ACT To facilitate standardization and uniformity of procedure relating to determina- tion of service connection of injuries or diseases alleged to have been incurred in or aggravated by active service in a war, campaign, or expedition. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Adminis- trator of Veterans' Affairs is hereby authorized and directed to include in the regulations pertaining to service connection of disabili- ties additional provisions in effect requiring that in each case where a veteran is seeking service connection for any disability due consider- ation shall be given to the places, types, and circumstances of his service as shown by his service record, the official history of each organization in which he served, his medical records, and all perti- nent medical and lay evidence. In the case of any veteran who engaged in combat with the enemy in active service with a military or naval organization of the United States during some war, campaign, or expedition, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs is authorized and directed to accept as sufficient proof of service connection of any disease or injury alleged to have been incurred in or aggravated by service in such war, campaign, or expedition, satisfactory lay or other evidence of service incurrence or aggravation of such injury or disease, if consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of such service, notwith- standing the fact that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation in such service, and, to that end, shall resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of such veteran: Provided, That service connection of such injury or disease may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. The reasons for granting or denying service connection in each such case shall be recorded in lull. Approved, December 20, 1941. [CHAPTER 604] AN ACT Authorizing advancements from the Federal Works Administrator for the pro- vision of certain defense public works and equipment in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Commis- sioners of the District of Columbia (herein called the "Com- missioners") are hereby authorized to accept advancements for the District of Columbia from the Federal Works Administrator (herein called the "Administrator"), and the Administrator, under and sub- 847 54 Stat. 1012. 38U. S.C. §805. Reasons forextend- ing benefits. December 20, 1941 [H. R. 4905] [Public Law 361] Veterans. Determination of service connection of disabilities. Proof of service con- nection. Proviso. Rebuttal evidence. December 20, 1941 [H. R . 5800] [Public Law 362] District of Colum- bia. Advancements for defense public works.