38 U.S.C. § 1152

Persons heretofore having a compensable status

The death and disability benefits of this chapter shall, notwithstanding the service requirements thereof, be granted to persons heretofore recognized by law as having a compensable status, including persons whose claims are based on war or peacetime service rendered before April 21, 1898 .

( Pub. L. 85–857 , Sept. 2, 1958 , 72 Stat. 1124 , § 352; renumbered § 1152, Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a) , Aug. 6, 1991 , 105 Stat. 406 .)