5 U.S.C. 302, 552a; 38 U.S.C. 501, 512, 515, 1729, 1729A, 5711; 44 U.S.C. 3702, unless otherwise noted.
Nomenclature changes to part 2 appear at 61 FR 7216, Feb. 27, 1996.
In addition to the delegations of authority in this part, numerous delegations of authority are set forth throughout this title.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(a) An employee to whom authority is delegated by the Secretary in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 5711, or to whom authority was delegated by the Secretary in accordance with title III, Pub. L. 844, 74th Congress, section 616, Pub. L. 801, 76th Congress, and section 1211, Pub. L. 85-56, is by virtue of such delegated authority, until such authority is revoked or otherwise terminated, empowered to take affidavits, to administer oaths and affirmations, to aid claimants in the preparation and presentation of claims, and to make investigations, examine witnesses, and certify to the correctness of papers and documents upon any matter within the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such employee is not authorized to administer oaths in connection with the execution of affidavits relative to fiscal vouchers and is not authorized to take acknowledgments to policy loan agreements and applications for cash surrender value to United States Government life insurance and National Service life insurance.
(b) Any such oath, affirmation, affidavit, or examination, when certified under the hand of any such employee by whom it was administered or taken and authenticated by the seal of the Department of Veterans Affairs, may be offered or used in any court of the United States and, without further proof of the identity or authority of such employee, shall have like force and effect as if administered or taken before a clerk of such court.
(c) The delegated authority from the Secretary to employees to take affidavits, to administer oaths, etc., will be evidenced by VA Form 4505 series.
Paid advertisements may be used in recruitment for VA competitive and excepted service positions. Authority to order such advertisements is hereby delegated to Administration Heads, Assistant Secretaries, Other Key Officials (the General Counsel; the Inspector General; the Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals; the Chairman, Board of Contract Appeals; and the Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization), Deputy Assistant Secretaries, to the deputies of such officials, to the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management, and to field facility Directors.
(a) Persons occupying or acting for the following positions in the Office of the General Counsel are authorized to certify copies of public documents, records, or papers belonging to or in the files of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes of 38 U.S.C. 302: General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, and the Regional Counsel for Puerto Rico.
(b) The person occupying or acting in the position of Chairman of the Department of Veterans Affairs Board of Contract Appeals is authorized to certify copies of decisions, orders, subpoenas, and other documents, records, or papers issued by, belonging to, or in the files of the Boards for the purposes of 38 U.S.C. 302.
(c) The person occupying or acting in the position of Chairman, Board of Veterans Apeals, is authorized to certify copies of decisions, orders, subpoenas, and other documents, records, or papers issued by, belonging to, or in the files of the Board for the purposes of 38 U.S.C. 302.
Employees occupying or acting in the positions designated below are delegated authority as indicated:
(a)
(1) To act on all matters assigned to the Veterans Health Administration by statute (38 U.S.C. Ch. 73) and by regulation, except such matters as require the personal attention or action of the Secretary.
(2) To revise, exceed, delete, increase, or decrease fees contained in Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Services and Research Administration Manual M-1, part I, appendix A (following agreement therefor as provided in the contract with the intermediary involved), in an approved State fee schedule, and to add additional fees when found to be necessary, provided such fees are not in excess of those customarily charged the general public, in the community concerned, for the same service.
(3) To designate the Deputy Under Secretary for Health, or other physician of the Veterans Health Administration, and authority is hereby delegated such designee to perform the functions prescribed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(4) To revise, exceed, delete, increase or decrease dental fees established in Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Services and Research Administration Manual M-4, chapter 6, and any amendments thereto, and to add additional fees when found to be necessary, provided: such fees are not in excess of those customarily charged the general public, in the community concerned, for the same service.
(5) To designate the Assistant Chief Medical Director for Dentistry, and authority is hereby delegated such designee, to perform the functions prescribed in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(6) To supervise programs for grants to the Republic of the Philippines and medical care for Commonwealth Army veterans and Philippine Scouts in Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Manila, pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. ch. 17, subch. IV.
(7) To designate the Deputy Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration and authority is hereby delegated such designee to designate a Department of Veterans Affairs full-time physician or nonmedical Director to serve
(8) To authorize Directors of Department of Veterans Affairs property and facilities under the charge and control of the Department of Veterans Affairs to appoint police officers with the power to enforce Federal laws and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations, to investigate violations of those laws and to arrest for crimes committed on Department of Veterans Affairs property to the full extent provided by Department policies and procedures.
(9) To develop and establish minimum safety and quality standards for adaptive equipment provided under chapter 39 of title 38, United States Code, or to appoint a designee to perform these functions.
(b)
(2)
(c)
(2) The Assistant Secretary for Finance and Information Resources Management (Chief Financial Officer) is delegated authority under 31 U.S.C. 1553(c)(1), to approve, in a fixed appropriation account to which the period of availability for obligation has expired, obligational increases related to contract changes when such transaction will cause cumulative obligational increase for contract changes during a fiscal year to exceed $4 million but not more than $25 million; for this responsibility the Assistant Secretary for Finance and Information Resources Management (Chief Financial Officer) shall act as a member of the Office of the Secretary and shall report to and consult with the Secretary on these matters.
(d) Administration heads and staff office directors. Authority is delegated to the head of each administration and the director of each staff office, and to any officer or board designated by them, to take appropriate action (other than provided for in paragraph (e)(4)) in connection with the collection of civil claims by VA for money or property, as authorized in § 1.900,
(e)
(2) Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 515(b), the General Counsel, Deputy
(3) Under the provisions of “The Federal Medical Care Recovery Act,” 42 U.S.C. 2651,
(4)
(i) Make appropriate determinations with respect to the litigative probabilities of a claim (§ 1.932 of this chapter), the legal merits of a claim (§ 1.942(e) of this chapter), and any other legal considerations of a claim.
(ii) Collect in full a claim involving damage to or loss of government property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs resulting from negligence or other legal wrong of a person (other than an employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his or her employment) and to compromise, suspend, or terminate any such claim not exceeding $100,000.
(iii) Collect a claim in full from an individual or legal entity who is liable for the cost of hospital, medical, surgical, or dental care and treatment of a person, and to compromise, suspend, or terminate any such claim not exceeding $100,000.
(iv) The delegations of authority set forth in paragraphs (e)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section do not apply to the handling of any claim as to which there is an indication of fraud, the presentation of a false claim or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any other party having an interest in the claim, or to any claim based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the antitrust laws. Such cases will be considered by the General Counsel, who will make the determination in all instances as to whether the case warrants referral to the Department of Justice. The delegations of authority are applicable to those claims where the Department of Justice determines that action based upon the alleged fraud, false claim, or misrepresentation is not warranted.
(5) Pursuant to the provisions of the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claim Act of 1964, 31 U.S.C. 3721, as amended, the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group III), Deputy Assistant General Counsel of said staff group, and Regional Counsel or those authorized to act for them, are authorized to settle and pay a claim for not more than $40,000 made by a civilian officer or employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to his or her service. (Pub. L. 97-226)
(6) Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7316(e), authority is delegated to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and the Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group I) to hold harmless or provide liability insurance for any person to whom the immunity provisions of section 7316 apply, for damage for personal injury or death, or for property damage, negligently caused by such person while furnishing medical care or treatment in the exercise of his or her duties in or for the Veterans Health Administration, if such person is assigned to a foreign country, detailed to State or political division thereof, or is acting under any
(7) The General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and those authorized to act for them, are authorized to conduct investigations, examine witnesses, take affidavits, administer oaths and affirmations, and certify copies of public or private documents on all matters within the jurisdiction of the General Counsel. Pursuant to the provisions of § 2.2(c), the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and those authorized to act for them, are authorized to countersign VA Form 4505.
(8) The General Counsel, or the Deputy General Counsel acting as or for the General Counsel, is authorized to designate, in accordance with established standards, those legal opinions of the General Counsel which will be considered precedent opinions involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(9) Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1729(c)(1), authority is delegated to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group I), Deputy Assistant General Counsel of said staff group, and Regional Counsel, or those authorized to act for them, to collect in full, compromise, settle, or waive any claim and execute the release thereof; however, claims in excess of $100,000 may only be compromised, settled, or waived with the prior approval of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group I), or Deputy Assistant General Counsel of said staff group, or those authorized to act for them.
(10) The General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel are authorized to make final Departmental decisions on appeals under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, 38 U.S.C. 5701 and 5705.
(11) All authority delegated in this paragraph to Regional Counsels will be exercised by them under the supervision of and in accordance with instructions issued by the General Counsel.
(f)
(1) To act on all matters assigned to the National Cemetery Administration by statute (38 U.S.C. chapter 24) and by regulation except where specifically requiring the personal attention or action of the Secretary and to authorize supervisory personnel within the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, to perform such functions as may be assigned.
(2) To designate, as deemed necessary, Superintendents of National Cemeteries as special investigators under 38 U.S.C. 901, however, such law enforcement authority is limited to enforcement of rules and regulations governing conduct on property under the charge and control of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as those rules and regulations apply to the cemetery over which the individual Superintendent exercises control and jurisdiction. Such designation will not authorize the carrying of firearms by any Superintendent.
(3) To accept donations of a minor nature, such as, individual trees for planting in burial areas and privately purchased grave markers.
(4) To name features in national cemeteries, such as, roads, walks, and special structures.
(5) To establish policies and specifications for inscriptions on Government headstones, markers, and private monuments.
(g)
(2) The Inspector General delegates the authority under the Inspector General Act of 1978, and redelegates the authority under paragraph (a) of this section, to request Privacy Act-protected records from Federal agencies pursuant to subsection (b)(7) of the Privacy Act to each of the following Office of Inspector General officials: (i) Deputy Inspector General, (ii) Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, (iii) Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, (iv) Chief of Operations, and (v) Special Agents in Charge of Field Offices of Investigations. These officials may not redelegate this authority.
(h)
(2) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chief Operating Officer, and all Regional EEO Officers/Field Managers are delegated authority to make procedural agency decisions to either accept or dismiss, in whole or in part, EEO discrimination complaints based upon race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or reprisal filed by employees, former employees, or applicants for employment.
(3) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief, Policy and Compliance are delegated authority to make agency decisions on all breach of settlement claims raised by employees, former employees, and applicants for employment.
(4) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief, Policy and Compliance are delegated authority to consider and resolve all claims raised by employees, former employees, and applicants for employment that allege dissatisfaction with the processing of a previously filed EEO discrimination complaint.
(5) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief, Policy and Compliance are delegated authority to monitor compliance by Department organizational components with orders and decisions of the OEDCA and the EEOC.
(i)
(2) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to dismiss, in whole or in part any EEO discrimination complaint based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or reprisal filed by any ORM employee, former employee, or applicant for employment.
(3) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to make the agency decision on all breach of settlement claims raised by ORM employees, former employees, and applicants for employment.
(4) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to consider and resolve all claims raised by ORM employees, former employees, and applicants for employment that allege dissatisfaction with the processing of a previously filed EEO discrimination complaint.
(5) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to make procedural agency decisions to either accept or dismiss, in whole or in part, EEO discrimination complaints filed by employees, former employees, or applicants for employment where the ORM must recuse itself from a case due to an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest.
(j)
(k)
(l)
(1) To act on all matters assigned to the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, except such matters as require the personal attention or action of the Secretary or the Secretary's Regulatory Policy Council.
(2) To manage and coordinate the Department's rulemaking activities, including the revision and reorganization of regulations.
(3) To serve as the Regulatory Policy Officer for the Department's rulemaking activities in accordance with Executive Order 12866.
For
(a) Section 503(a) of title 38 U.S.C., provides that if the Secretary determines that benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs have not been provided by reason of administrative error on the part of the Federal Government or any of its employees, the Secretary is authorized to provide such relief on account of such error as the Secretary determines equitable, including the payment of moneys to any person whom he determines equitably entitled thereto.
(b) Section 503(b) of title 38 U.S.C., provides that if the Secretary determines that any veteran, surviving spouse, child of a veteran, or other person, has suffered loss, as a consequence of reliance upon a determination by the Department of Veterans Affairs of eligibility or entitlement to benefits, without knowledge that it was erroneously made, the Secretary is authorized to provide such relief as the Secretary determines equitable, including the payment of moneys to any person equitably entitled thereto. The Secretary is also required to submit an annual report to the Congress, containing a brief summary of each recommendation for relief and its disposition. Preparation of the report shall be the responsibility of the General Counsel.
(c) The authority to grant the equitable relief, referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, has not been delegated and is reserved to the Secretary. Recommendation for the correction of administrative error and for appropriate equitable relief therefrom will be submitted to the Secretary, through the General Counsel. Such recommendation may be initiated by the head of the administration having responsibility for the benefit, or of any concerned staff office, or by the Chairman, Board of Veterans Appeals. When a recommendation for relief under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section is initiated by the head of a staff office, or the Chairman, Board of Veterans
(a) Employees occupying or acting in the positions designated in paragraph (b) of this section are authorized to designate those employees who are required to serve as notaries public in connection with the performance of official business and to pay an allowance for the costs therefor not to exceed the expense required to be incurred by them in order to obtain their commission.
(b) Designated positions: Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits, Director, Office of Data Management and Telecommunications, Chief Medical Director, General Counsel, Directors of regional offices, hospitals, domiciliaries, and centers.