To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility of children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida for benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This bill states that the effective date for an award of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida is the date of the child's birth.

This amendment shall be effective as if included in the Agent Orange Benefits Act.

(Under current law the effective date for the provision of such benefits is January, 1, 1997 [but not before receipt of the application for benefits]. This bill thus provides "retroactive" benefits eligibility for children born before January 1, 1997.)