Where a veteran receiving compensation under this chapter disappears, the Secretary may pay the compensation otherwise payable to the veteran to such veteran ’s spouse, children, and parents. Payments made to such spouse, child, or parent under the preceding sentence shall not exceed the amounts payable to each if the veteran had died from service-connected disability. ( Pub. L. 85–857 , Sept. 2, 1958 , 72 Stat. 1125 , § 358; Pub. L. 86–212 , Sept. 1, 1959 , 73 Stat. 436 ; Pub. L. 94–433, title IV, § 404(21) , Sept. 30, 1976 , 90 Stat. 1379 ; renumbered § 1158 and amended Pub. L. 102–83 , §§ 4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991 , 105 Stat. 404–406 .) Editorial Notes Amendments 1991— Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a) , renumbered section 358 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1) , (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”. 1976— Pub. L. 94–433 struck out “, in his discretion,” after “Administrator” and substituted “such veteran’ s spouse” for “his wife” and “such spouse” for “a wife”. 1959— Pub. L. 86–212 substituted “a veteran” for “an incompetent veteran” . Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date of 1976 Amendment Amendment by Pub. L. 94–433 effective Oct. 1, 1976 , see section 406 of Pub. L. 94–433 , set out as a note under section 1101 of this title .