the rac was created after congress decided that the va's research into the issue was flawed, and focused on psychological causes, while mostly ignoring biological ones.. the rac was first authorized under the veterans programs enhancement act of 1998 (section 104 of public law 105-368, enacted november 11, 1998, and now codified as 38 u.s.c. §527 note). while the law directing its creation mandated that it be established not later than january 1, 1999, the va's significant delays resulted in the rac's first charter not being issued until january 23, 2002, by va secretary anthony principi. the rac convened for its first meetings on april 11-12, 2002, more than three years after the date for its establishment mandated in law.