Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 and Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004

This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjudication regulations to incorporate certain provisions from the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 and the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004. Specifically, this document amends VA's adjudication regulations regarding plot or interment allowance eligibility, forfeiture of benefits, dependency and indemnity compensation payments, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990, as amended, exclusions from income for pension purposes, benefits for persons disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by VA, effective date of death pension, and diseases subject to presumptive service connection. This document also amends VA's adjudication regulations to reflect the establishment of the Social Security Administration as an independent agency and that the Coast Guard is now under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Homeland Security. These amendments are necessary to conform the regulations to the statutory amendments.