H.R. 1658House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the grade and pay of podiatrists of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 2:50 AM UTC

The bill updates the Veterans Affairs (VA) provisions in Title 38 of the U.S. Code to clearly define the job grade and compensation for VA podiatrists. It replaces the term “podiatric surgeon (DPM)” with “podiatrist,” adds a specific podiatrist grade, and ensures that podiatrists are listed alongside physicians and dentists in pay‑related sections. The changes affect how podiatrists are classified, paid, and referenced in VA regulations.

Key Provisions

Changes the occupational list in § 7404(b) by removing “PODIATRIC SURGEON (DPM)” and inserting “PODIATRIST,” then adds a new “Podiatrist grade” entry after the physician and surgeon grade.
Amends § 7431 (pay) to replace references to “physician and dentist” with “physician, podiatrist, and dentist,” updating all similar phrases throughout the section.
Updates § 7433 (administrative matters) to include podiatrists alongside physicians and dentists.
Revises the heading of Subchapter III of Chapter 74 to read “Physicians, Podiatrists, and Dentists.”
Modifies the table of contents for Chapter 74 to reflect the new subchapter heading.
Makes minor clerical and technical edits to § 7433 to correct wording and formatting.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 8, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 8, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 8, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 8, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1658

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 8, 2019

Mr. Wenstrup (for himself, Mr. Cunningham, and Mrs. Walorski) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the grade and pay of podiatrists of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Clarification of grade and pay of podiatrists of the Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

Grade

The list in section 7404(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by striking PODIATRIC SURGEON (DPM) and inserting PODIATRIST; and

(2)

by inserting after the item relating to Physician and surgeon grade. the following new item:

Podiatrist grade.

(b)

Pay

(1)

In general

Section 7431 of such title is amended—

(A)

by striking physician and dentist each place it appears and inserting physician, podiatrist, and dentist;

(B)

by striking physicians and dentists each place it appears and inserting physicians, podiatrists, and dentists;

(C)

by striking physician or dentist each place it appears and inserting physician, podiatrist, or dentist;

(D)

by striking physicians or dentists each place it appears and inserting physicians, podiatrists, or dentists;

(E)

by striking Physician and Dentist each place it appears and inserting Physician, Podiatrist, and Dentist; and

(F)

in subsection (e)(1)(A), by inserting podiatrists and before dentists..

(2)

Administrative matters

Section 7433 of such title is amended by striking physicians and dentists each place it appears and inserting physicians, podiatrists, and dentists.

(3)

Conforming amendment

The heading of subchapter III of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting , Podiatrists, after Physicians.

(4)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to the subchapter III heading and inserting the following new item:

Subchapter III—Pay for Physicians, Podiatrists, and Dentists

(5)

Technical amendment

Section 7433 of such title is further amended—

(A)

by striking subsection (b);

(B)

in subsection (a)—

(i)

by striking (1) The Secretary and inserting The Secretary; and

(ii)

by redesignating paragraph (2) as subsection (b); and

(C)

in subsection (b), as so redesignated—

(i)

by striking In prescribing and inserting Recommendations and views.—In prescribing; and

(ii)

by striking this paragraph and inserting this subsection.