Pub. L. 86–142, § 2, Aug. 7, 1959, 73 Stat. 289, provided that a person entitled to a pension or compensation under any law administered by the Veterans’ Administration, based on the active service described in section 1 of Pub. L. 86–142, which added section 1038 to Title 10, Armed Forces, could elect within 1 year after Aug. 7, 1959 to receive that pension or compensation in lieu of any compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act; that such an election is irrevocable; and that the election does not entitle that person to the pension or compensation for any period before the date of election.

Pub. L. 86–142, § 3, Aug. 7, 1959, 73 Stat. 289, provided that: “No person is entitled to back pay or allowances because of any service credited under section 1 of this Act [enacting this section].”