[Title 38 CFR ]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2017 Edition]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page i]]

          

          Title 38

Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief


________________________

Part 18 to End

                         Revised as of July 1, 2017

          Containing a codification of documents of general 
          applicability and future effect

          As of July 1, 2017
                    Published by the Office of the Federal Register 
                    National Archives and Records Administration as a 
                    Special Edition of the Federal Register

[[Page ii]]

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                            Table of Contents



                                                                    Page
  Explanation.................................................       v

  Title 38:
          Chapter I--Department of Veterans Affairs 
          (Continued)                                                3
          Chapter II--Armed Forces Retirement Home                1063
  Finding Aids:
      Table of CFR Titles and Chapters........................    1075
      Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR......    1095
      List of CFR Sections Affected...........................    1105

[[Page iv]]


      


                     ----------------------------

                     Cite this Code:  CFR
                     To cite the regulations in 
                       this volume use title, 
                       part and section number. 
                       Thus, 38 CFR 18.1 refers 
                       to title 38, part 18, 
                       section 1.

                     ----------------------------

[[Page v]]



                               EXPLANATION

    The Code of Federal Regulations is a codification of the general and 
permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Code is divided 
into 50 titles which represent broad areas subject to Federal 
regulation. Each title is divided into chapters which usually bear the 
name of the issuing agency. Each chapter is further subdivided into 
parts covering specific regulatory areas.
    Each volume of the Code is revised at least once each calendar year 
and issued on a quarterly basis approximately as follows:

Title 1 through Title 16.................................as of January 1
Title 17 through Title 27..................................as of April 1
Title 28 through Title 41...................................as of July 1
Title 42 through Title 50................................as of October 1

    The appropriate revision date is printed on the cover of each 
volume.

LEGAL STATUS

    The contents of the Federal Register are required to be judicially 
noticed (44 U.S.C. 1507). The Code of Federal Regulations is prima facie 
evidence of the text of the original documents (44 U.S.C. 1510).

HOW TO USE THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

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OMB CONTROL NUMBERS

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511) requires 
Federal agencies to display an OMB control number with their information 
collection request.

[[Page vi]]

Many agencies have begun publishing numerous OMB control numbers as 
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[[Page vii]]

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    Oliver A. Potts,
    Director,
    Office of the Federal Register.
    July 1, 2017.

                                
                                      
                            

  

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                               THIS TITLE

    Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses and Veterans' Relief is composed of two 
volumes. The parts in these volumes are arranged in the following order: 
parts 0-17 and part 18 to end. The contents of these volumes represent 
all current regulations codified by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
and the Armed Forces Retirement Home under this title of the CFR as of 
July 1, 2017.

    For this volume, Gabrielle E. Burns was Chief Editor. The Code of 
Federal Regulations publication program is under the direction of John 
Hyrum Martinez, assisted by Stephen J. Frattini.

[[Page 1]]



            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF




                   (This book contains part 18 to End)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Part

chapter i--Department of Veterans Affairs (Continued).......          18

chapter ii--Armed Forces Retirement Home....................         200

[[Page 3]]



          CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED)




  --------------------------------------------------------------------


  Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to chapter I appear at 64 FR 
30244, June 7, 1999; 65 FR 1545, Jan. 11, 2000; 66 FR 44053, Aug. 22, 
2001; 66 FR 66767, Dec. 27, 2001; 67 FR 16023, Apr. 4, 2002; and 69 FR 
18803, Apr. 9, 2004.
Part                                                                Page
18              Nondiscrimination in federally-assisted 
                    programs of the Department of Veterans 
                    Affairs--effectuation of Title VI of the 
                    Civil Rights Act of 1964................           5
18a             Delegation of responsibility in connection 
                    with Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964.          48
18b             Practice and procedure under Title VI of the 
                    Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Part 18 of 
                    this chapter............................          51
19              Board of Veterans' Appeals: Appeals 
                    regulations.............................          62
20              Board of Veterans' Appeals: Rules of 
                    practice................................          73
21              Vocational rehabilitation and education.....         112
23              Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in 
                    education programs or activities 
                    receiving Federal financial assistance..         606
25              Uniform relocation assistance and real 
                    property acquisition for Federal and 
                    federally assisted programs.............         623
26              Environmental effects of the Department of 
                    Veterans Affairs (VA) actions...........         623
36              Loan guaranty...............................         628
38              National cemeteries of the Department of 
                    Veterans Affairs........................         815
39              Aid for the establishment, expansion, and 
                    improvement, or operation and 
                    maintenance, of veterans cemeteries.....         828
40              Intergovernmental review of Department of 
                    Veterans Affairs programs and activities         850
42              Standards implementing the Program Fraud 
                    Civil Remedies Act......................         854
45              New restrictions on lobbying................         870
46              Policy regarding participation in National 
                    Practitioner Data Bank..................         881

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47              Policy regarding reporting health care 
                    professionals to State licensing boards.         885
48              Governmentwide requirements for drug-free 
                    workplace (financial assistance)........         886
50              Religious and community organizations: 
                    Providing beneficiary protections to 
                    political or religious affiliation......         892
51              Per diem for nursing home care of veterans 
                    in State homes..........................         894
52              Per diem for adult day health care of 
                    veterans in State homes.................         923
53              Payments to States for programs to promote 
                    the hiring and retention of nurses at 
                    State veterans homes....................         946
58              [Reserved]

59              Grants to States for construction or 
                    acquisition of State homes..............         949
60              Fisher houses and other temporary lodging...         965
61              VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
                    Program.................................         968
62              Supportive Services for Veteran Families 
                    Program.................................         992
63              Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) 
                    Program.................................        1013
64              Grants for the Rural Veterans Coordination 
                    Pilot (RVCP)............................        1015
70              Veterans Transportation Programs............        1019
71              Caregivers benefits and certain medical 
                    benefits offered to family members of 
                    veterans................................        1029
74              Veterans small business regulations.........        1036
75              Information security matters................        1048
76              Monthly assistance allowance for veterans in 
                    connection with the United States 
                    Paralympics.............................        1053
77              Grants for adaptive sports programs for 
                    disabled veterans and disabled members 
                    of the Armed Forces.....................        1055
78-199          [Reserved]

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PART 18_NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY-ASSISTED PROGRAMS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS_EFFECTUATION OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL
RIGHTS ACT OF 1964--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
18.1  Purpose.
18.2  Application of this part.
18.3  Discrimination prohibited.
18.4  Assurances required.
18.6  Compliance information.
18.7  Conduct of investigations.
18.8  Procedure for effecting compliance.
18.9  Hearings.
18.10  Decisions and notices.
18.11  Judicial review.
18.12  Effect on other regulations, forms and instructions.
18.13  Definitions.

Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 18--Statutory Provisions to Which This 
          Subpart Applies
Appendix B to Subpart A of Part 18--Illustrative Applications

Subparts B-C [Reserved]

          Subpart D_Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap

                           General Provisions

18.401  Purpose.
18.402  Application.
18.403  Definitions.
18.404  Discrimination prohibited.
18.405  Assurances required.
18.406  Remedial action, voluntary action and self-evaluation.
18.407  Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance 
          procedures.
18.408  Notice.
18.409  Administrative requirements for certain recipients.
18.410  Effect of State or local law or other requirements and effect of 
          employment opportunities.

                          Employment Practices

18.411  Discrimination prohibited.
18.412  Reasonable accommodation.
18.413  Employment criteria.
18.414  Preemployment inquiries.

                              Accessibility

18.421  Discrimination prohibited.
18.422  Existing facilities.
18.423  New construction.

               Elementary, Secondary, and Adult Education

18.431  Application.
18.432  Location and notification.
18.433  Free appropriate public education.
18.434  Education setting.
18.435  Evaluation and placement.
18.436  Procedural safeguards.
18.437  Nonacademic services.
18.438  Adult education.
18.439  Private education.

                         Postsecondary Education

18.441  Application.
18.442  Admissions and recruitment.
18.443  General treatment of students.
18.444  Academic adjustments.
18.445  Housing.
18.446  Financial and employment assistance to students.
18.447  Nonacademic services.

                       Health and Social Services

18.451  Application.
18.452  Health and other social services.
18.453  Drug and alcohol addicts.
18.454  Education of institutionalized persons.

                               Procedures

18.461  Procedures.

Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 18--Statutory Provisions to Which This 
          Part Applies

             Subpart E_Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age

                                 General

18.501  Purpose.
18.502  Application.
18.503  Definitions.

              Standards for Determining Age Discrimination

18.511  Rules against age discrimination.
18.512  Definitions of ``normal operation'' and ``statutory objective.''
18.513  Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination; normal 
          operation or statutory objective of any program or activity.
18.514  Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination; reasonable 
          factors other than age.
18.515  Burden of proof.
18.516  Affirmative action by recipients.

      Responsibilities of Department of Veterans Affairs Recipients

18.531  General responsibilities.
18.532  Notice of subrecipients.
18.533  Assurance of compliance and recipient assessment of age 
          distinctions.

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18.534  Information requirements.

         Investigation, Conciliation, and Enforcement Procedures

18.541  Compliance reviews.
18.542  Complaints.
18.543  Mediation.
18.544  Investigation.
18.545  Prohibition against intimidation or retaliation.
18.546  Compliance procedure.
18.547  Hearings, decisions, post-termination proceedings.
18.548  Remedial action by recipient.
18.549  Alternate funds disbursal procedure.
18.550  Exhaustion of administrative remedies.

Appendix A to Subpart E of Part 18--Statutory Provisions to Which This 
          Subpart Applies
Appendix B to Subpart E of Part 18--List of Age Distinctions Contained 
          in Statutes and Regulations Governing Federal Financial 
          Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs



                            Subpart A_General

    Authority: Sec. 602, 78 Stat. 252 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1) and the laws 
referred to in Appendix A.



Sec. 18.1  Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to effectuate the provisions of Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (hereafter referred to as the Act) to 
the end that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of 
race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be 
denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination 
under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance 
from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964. Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 
1980]



Sec. 18.2  Application of this part.

    This part applies to any program for which Federal financial 
assistance is authorized under a law administered by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, including the types of Federal financial assistance 
listed in appendix A to this subpart. It applies to money paid, property 
transferred, or other Federal financial assistance extended after the 
effective date of this part pursuant to an application approved prior to 
such effective date. This part does not apply to (a) any Federal 
financial assistance by way of insurance or guaranty contracts, (b) 
money paid, property transferred, or other assistance extended before 
the effective date of this part, (c) any assistance to any individual 
who is the ultimate beneficiary, or (d) any employment practice, under 
any such program, of any employer, employment agency, or labor 
organization, except to the extent described in Sec. 18.3. The fact that 
a type of Federal financial assistance is not listed in appendix A to 
this subpart shall not mean, if Title VI of the Act is otherwise 
applicable, that a program is not covered. Other types of Federal 
financial assistance under statutes now in force or hereinafter enacted 
may be added to appendix A to this subpart by notice published in the 
Federal Register.

[38 FR 17965, July 5, 1973. Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, 
as amended at 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.3  Discrimination prohibited.

    (a) General. No person in the United States shall, on the ground of 
race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be 
denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination 
under any program to which this part applies.
    (b) Specific discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) A recipient to 
which this part applies may not, directly or through contractual or 
other arrangements, on grounds of race, color, or national origin:
    (i) Deny an individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit 
provided under the program;
    (ii) Provide any service, financial aid, or other benefit to an 
individual which is different, or is provided in a different manner, 
from that provided to others under the program;
    (iii) Subject an individual to segregation or separate treatment in 
any matter related to receipt of any service, financial aid, or other 
benefit under the program;
    (iv) Restrict an individual in any way in the enjoyment of any 
advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any service, 
financial aid, or other benefit under the program;
    (v) Treat an individual differently from others in determining 
whether is

[[Page 7]]

satisfied any admission, enrollment, quota, eligibility, membership or 
other requirement or condition which individuals must meet in order to 
be provided any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under 
the program.
    (vi) Deny a person an opportunity to participate in the program 
through the provision of services or otherwise or afford an opportunity 
to do so which is different from that afforded others under the program.
    (vii) Deny a person the opportunity to participate as a member of a 
planning or advisory body which is an integral part of the program.
    (2) A recipient, in determining the types of services, financial 
aid, or other benefits, or facilities which will be provided under any 
such program, or the class of individuals to whom, or the situations in 
which, such services, financial aid, other benefits, or facilities will 
be provided under any such program, or the class of individuals to be 
afforded an opportunity to participate in any such program, may not, 
directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria 
or methods of administration which have the effect of subjecting 
individuals to discrimination because of their race, color, or national 
origin, or have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing 
accomplishment of the objectives of the program with respect to 
individuals of a particular race, color, or national origin.
    (3) In determining the site or location of facilities, a recipient 
or applicant may not make selections with the purpose or effect of 
excluding individuals from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting 
them to discrimination under any program to which this part applies on 
the grounds of race, color or national origin; or with the purpose or 
effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the 
objectives of the Act or this part.
    (4) As used in this section the services, financial aid, or other 
benefits provided under a program receiving Federal financial assistance 
shall be deemed to include any service, financial aid, or other benefit 
provided in or through a facility provided with the aid of Federal 
financial assistance.
    (5) The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination 
in this paragraph does not limit the generality of the prohibition in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (6)(i) In administering a program regarding which the recipient has 
previously discriminated against persons on the ground of race, color, 
or national origin, the recipient must take affirmative action to 
overcome the effects of prior discrimination.
    (ii) Even in the absence of such prior discrimination, a recipient 
in administering a program may take affirmative action to overcome the 
effects of conditions which resulted in limiting participation by 
persons of a particular race, color or national origin.
    (c) Medical emergencies. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of 
this section, a recipient of Federal financial assistance shall not be 
deemed to have failed to comply with paragraph (a) of this section if 
immediate provision of a service or other benefit to an individual is 
necessary to prevent his or her death or serious impairment of his or 
her health, and such service or other benefit cannot be provided except 
by or through a medical institution which refuses or fails to comply 
with paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) Employment practices. (1) Whenever a primary objective of the 
Federal financial assistance to a program to which part 18 applies, is 
to provide employment, a recipient of such assistance may not (directly 
or through contractual or other arrangements) subject any individual to 
discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in its 
employment practices under such program (including recruitment or 
recruitment advertising, employment, layoff, or termination, upgrading, 
demotion, or transfer, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and 
use of facilities). The requirements applicable to construction 
employment under any such program shall be those specified in or 
pursuant to part III of Executive Order 11246 (3 CFR Chapter IV) or any 
Executive order which supersedes it.
    (2) In regard to Federal financial assistance which does not have 
providing

[[Page 8]]

employment as a primary objective, the provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section apply to the employment practices of the recipient if 
discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in such 
employment practices tends, on the grounds of race, color, or national 
origin, to exclude persons from participation in, to deny them the 
benefits of or to subject them to discrimination under the program 
receiving Federal financial assistance. In any such case, the provisions 
of paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall apply to the extent necessary 
to assure equality of opportunity to and nondiscriminatory treatment of 
beneficiaries.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964, as amended at 38 FR 17965, July 5, 1973; 42 
FR 60144, Nov. 25, 1977. Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, 
and further amended at 51 FR 10384, Mar. 26, 1986; 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 
2003]



Sec. 18.4  Assurances required.

    (a) General. (1) Every application for Federal financial assistance 
to which this part applies, except an application to which paragraph (b) 
of this section applies, and every application for Federal financial 
assistance to provide a facility shall, as a condition to its approval 
and the extension of any Federal financial assistance pursuant to the 
application, contain or be accompanied by an assurance that the program 
will be conducted or the facility operated in compliance with all 
requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part. Every award of Federal 
financial assistance shall require the submission of such an assurance. 
In the case of an application for Federal financial assistance to 
provide real property or structures thereon, the assurance shall 
obligate the recipient, or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the 
transferee, for the period during which the real property or structures 
are used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is 
extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar 
services or benefits. In the case of personal property the assurance 
shall obligate the recipient for the period during which the recipient 
retains ownership or possession of the property. In all other cases the 
assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which 
Federal financial assistance is extended pursuant to the application. 
The responsible agency official shall specify the form of the foregoing 
assurances and the extent to which like assurances will be required of 
subgrantees, contractors and subcontractors, transferees, successors in 
interest, and other participants. Any such assurance shall include 
provisions which give the United States a right to seek its judicial 
enforcement.
    (2) Transfers of surplus property are subject to regulations issued 
by the Administrator of General Services (41 CFR subpart 101-6.2).
    (b) Continuing Federal financial assistance. Every application by a 
State or a State agency for continuing Federal financial assistance to 
which this part applies (including the types of Federal financial 
assistance listed in appendix A to this subpart) shall as a condition to 
its approval and the extension of any Federal financial assistance 
pursuant to the application (1) contain or be accompanied by a statement 
that the program is (or, in the case of a new program, will be) 
conducted in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to 
this part, and (2) provide or be accompanied by provision for such 
methods of administration for the program as are found by the 
responsible agency official to give reasonable assurance that the 
applicant and all recipients of Federal financial assistance under such 
program will comply with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to this 
part. In any case in which the recipient is claiming financial 
assistance pursuant to arrangements entered into prior to the effective 
date of this part, the assurances provided by this paragraph shall be 
included in the first application or claim for assistance on or after 
the effective date of this part.
    (c) Elementary and secondary schools. The requirements of paragraph 
(a) or (b) of this section with respect to any elementary or secondary 
school or school system shall be deemed to be satisfied if such school 
or school system (1) is subject to a final order of a court of the 
United States for the desegregation of such school or school system, and 
provides an assurance that

[[Page 9]]

it will comply with such order, including any future modification of 
such order, or (2) submits a plan for the desegregation of such school 
or school system which the responsible agency official determines is 
adequate to accomplish the purposes of the Act and this part, at the 
earliest practicable time, and provides reasonable assurance that it 
will carry out such plan; in any case of continuing Federal financial 
assistance the responsible agency official may reserve the right to 
redetermine, after such period as may be specified by the official, the 
adequacy of the plan to accomplish the purposes of the Act and this 
part. In any case in which a final order of a court of the United States 
for the desegregation of such school or school system is entered after 
submission of such a plan, such plan shall be revised to conform to such 
final order, including any future modification of such order.
    (d) Extent of application to institution or facility. In the case 
where any assurances are required from an academic, a medical care, or 
any other institution or facility, insofar as the assurances relate to 
the institution's practices with respect to the admission, care, or 
other treatment of persons by the institution or with respect to the 
opportunity of persons to participate in the receiving or providing of 
services, treatment, or benefits, such assurances shall be applicable to 
the entire institution or facility.

[38 FR 17965, July 5, 1973. Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, 
and amended at 51 FR 10384, Mar. 26, 1986; 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.6  Compliance information.

    (a) Cooperation and assistance. Each responsible agency official 
shall to the fullest extent practicable seek the cooperation of 
recipients in obtaining compliance with this part and shall provide 
assistance and guidance to recipients to help them comply voluntarily 
with this part.
    (b) Compliance reports. Each recipient shall keep such records and 
submit to the responsible agency official or designee, timely, complete 
and accurate compliance reports at such times, and in such form and 
containing such information, as the responsible agency official or 
designee may determine to be necessary to enable the official to 
ascertain whether the recipient has complied or is complying with this 
part. In the case in which a primary recipient extends Federal financial 
assistance to any other recipient, such other recipient shall also 
submit such compliance reports to the primary recipient as may be 
necessary to enable the primary recipient to carry out its obligations 
under this part. In general, recipients should have available for the 
agency racial and ethnic data showing the extent to which members of 
minority groups are beneficiaries of federally assisted programs.
    (c) Access to sources of information. Each recipient shall permit 
access by the responsible agency official or designee during normal 
business hours to such of its books, records, accounts, and other 
sources of information, and its facilities as may be pertinent to 
ascertain compliance with this part. Where any information required of a 
recipient is in the exclusive possession of any other agency, 
institution or person and this agency, institution or person shall fail 
or refuse to furnish this information, the recipient shall so certify in 
its report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain the 
information.
    (d) Information to beneficiaries and participants. Each recipient 
shall make available to participants, beneficiaries, and other 
interested persons such information regarding the provisions of this 
part and its applicability to the program for which the recipient 
receives Federal financial assistance, and make such information 
available to them in such manner, as the responsible agency official 
finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against 
discrimination assured them by the Act and this part.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964, as amended at 38 FR 17966, July 5, 1973. 
Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980 and amended at 51 FR 10384, 
Mar. 26, 1986; 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.7  Conduct of investigations.

    (a) Periodic compliance reviews. The responsible agency official or 
designee shall from time to time review the practices of recipients to 
determine

[[Page 10]]

whether they are complying with this part.
    (b) Complaints. Any person or any specific class of individuals who 
believe they have been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this 
part may themselves, or by a representative, file with the responsible 
agency official or designee a written complaint. A complaint must be 
filed not later than 180 days from the date of the alleged 
discrimination unless the time for filing is extended by the responsible 
agency offical or designee.
    (c) Investigations. The responsible agency official or designee will 
initiate a prompt investigation whenever a compliance review, report, 
complaint, or any other information indicates a possible failure to 
comply with this part. The investigation should include, where 
appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and policies of the 
recipient, the circumstances under which the possible noncompliance with 
this part occurred, and other factors relevant to a determination as to 
whether the recipient has failed to comply with this part.
    (d) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section indicates a failure to comply with this 
part, the responsible agency official or designee will so inform the 
recipient and the matter will be resolved by informal means whenever 
possible. If it has been determined that the matter cannot be resolved 
by informal means, action will be taken as provided for in Sec. 18.8.
    (2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section the responsible agency official or 
designee will so inform the recipient and the complainant, if any, in 
writing.
    (e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No recipient or 
other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against 
any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or 
privilege secured by section 601 of the Act or this part, or because the 
individual has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in 
any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. 
The identity of complainants shall be kept confidential except to the 
extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, including the 
conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising 
thereunder.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964. Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980 
and amended at 51 FR 10384, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18.8  Procedure for effecting compliance.

    (a) General. If there appears to be a failure or threatened failure 
to comply with this part, and if the noncompliance or threatened 
noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, compliance with 
this part may be effected by the suspension or termination of or refusal 
to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance or by any other 
means authorized by law. Such other means may include, but are not 
limited to, (1) a reference to the Department of Justice with a 
recommendation that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any 
rights of the United States under any law of the United States 
(including other titles of the Act), or any assurance or other 
contractual undertaking, and (2) any applicable proceeding under State 
or local law.
    (b) Noncompliance with Sec. 18.4. If an applicant fails or refuses 
to furnish an assurance required under Sec. 18.4 or otherwise fails or 
refuses to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to that 
section Federal financial assistance may be refused in accordance with 
the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall not be required to provide assistance in such a 
case during the pendency of the administrative proceedings under such 
paragraph except that the Department of Veterans Affairs shall continue 
assistance during the pendency of such proceedings where such assistance 
is due and payable pursuant to an application therefor approved prior to 
the effective date of this part.
    (c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal 
financial assistance. No order suspending, terminating or refusing to 
grant or continue Federal

[[Page 11]]

financial assistance shall become effective until (1) the responsible 
agency official has advised the applicant or recipient of failure to 
comply and has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary 
means, (2) there has been an express finding on the record, after 
opportunity for hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to 
comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part, (3) the 
action has been approved by the Secretary pursuant to Sec. 18.10(e), and 
(4) the expiration of 30 days after the Secretary has filed with the 
committee of the House and the committee of the Senate having 
legislative jurisdiction over the program involved, a full written 
report of the circumstances and the grounds for such action. Any action 
to suspend or terminate or to refuse to grant or to continue Federal 
financial assistance shall be limited to the particular political 
entity, or part thereof, or other applicant or recipient as to whom such 
a finding has been made and shall be limited in its effect to the 
particular program, or part thereof, in which such noncompliance has 
been so found.
    (d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance 
with Title VI of the Act by any other means authorized by law shall be 
taken by the Department of Veterans Affairs until (1) the responsible 
agency official has determined that compliance cannot be secured by 
voluntary means, (2) the recipient or other person has been notified of 
its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to effect 
compliance, and (3) the expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing 
of such notice to the recipient or other person. During this period of 
at least 10 days, additional efforts shall be made to persuade the 
recipient or other person to comply with this part and to take such 
corrective action as may be appropriate.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964, as amended at 38 FR 17966, July 5, 1973. 
Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, and amended at 51 FR 10384, 
Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18.9  Hearings.

    (a) Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing 
is required by Sec. 18.8(c), reasonable notice shall be given by 
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected 
applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or 
recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision 
under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the 
matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action, and either 
(1) fix a date not less than 20 days after the date of such notice 
within which the applicant or recipient may request of the responsible 
agency official that the matter be scheduled for hearing or (2) advise 
the applicant or recipient that the matter in question has been set down 
for hearing at a stated place and time. The time and place so fixed 
shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for cause. The 
complainant, if any, shall be advised of the time and place of the 
hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit 
written information and argument for the record. The failure of an 
applicant or recipient to request a hearing under this paragraph or to 
appear at a hearing for which a date has been set shall be deemed to be 
a waiver of the right to a hearing under section 602 of the Act and 
Sec. 18.8(c) of this part and consent to the making of a decision on the 
basis of such information as is available.
    (b) Time and place of hearing. Hearings shall be held at the offices 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., at a time 
fixed by the responsible agency official unless the official determines 
that the convenience of the applicant or recipient or of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs requires that another place be selected. Hearings 
shall be held before the responsible agency official or, at the 
official's discretion, before an administrative law judge appointed in 
accordance with section 3105 of Title 5, U.S.C., or detailed under 
section 3344 of Title 5, U.S.C.
    (c) Right to counsel. In all proceedings under this section, the 
applicant or recipient and the Department of Veterans Affairs shall have 
the right to be represented by counsel.

[[Page 12]]

    (d) Procedures, evidence, and record. (1) The hearing decision and 
any administrative review thereof shall be conducted in conformity with 
the procedures contained in 5 U.S.C. 554-557 (sections 5-8 of the 
Administrative Procedure Act) and in accordance with such rules of 
procedure as are proper (and not inconsistent with this section) 
relating to the conduct of the hearing, giving of notices subsequent to 
those provided for in paragraph (a) of this section, taking of 
testimony, exhibits, arguments and briefs, requests for findings, and 
other related matters. Both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 
applicant or recipient shall be entitled to introduce all relevant 
evidence on the issues as stated in the notice for hearing or as 
determined by the officer conducting the hearing at the outset of or 
during the hearing.
    (2) Technical rules of evidence shall not apply to hearings 
conducted pursuant to this part, but rules or principles designed to 
assure production of the most credible evidence available and to subject 
testimony to test by cross-examination shall be applied where reasonably 
necessary by the officer conducting the hearing. The hearing officer may 
exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. All 
documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record shall be 
open to examination by the parties and opportunity shall be given to 
refute facts and arguments advanced on either side of the issues. A 
transcript shall be made of the oral evidence except to the extent the 
substance thereof is stipulated for the record. All decisions shall be 
based upon the hearing record and written findings shall be made.
    (e) Consolidated or joint hearings. In cases in which the same or 
related facts are asserted to constitute noncompliance with this part 
with respect to two or more Federal statutes; authorities, or other 
means by which Federal financial assistance is extended and to which 
this part applies, or noncompliance with this part and the regulations 
of one or more other Federal departments or agencies issued under Title 
VI of the Act, the Secretary may, by agreement with such other 
departments or agencies where applicable, provide for the conduct of 
consolidated or joint hearings, and for the application to such hearings 
of rules of procedures not inconsistent with this part. Final decisions 
in such cases, insofar as this part is concerned, shall be made in 
accordance with Sec. 18.10.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 28, 1964, as amended at 38 FR 17966, July 5, 1973. 
Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980 and amended at 51 FR 10384, 
Mar. 26, 1986; 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.10  Decisions and notices.

    (a) Procedure on decisions by an administrative law judge. If the 
hearing is held by an administrative law judge such administrative law 
judge shall either make an initial decision, if so authorized, or 
certify the entire record including recommended findings and proposed 
decision to the responsible agency official for a final decision, and a 
copy of such initial decision or certification shall be mailed to the 
applicant or recipient. Where the initial decision is made by the 
administrative law judge the applicant or recipient may within 30 days 
of the mailing of such notice of initial decision file with the 
responsible agency official exceptions to the initial decision with 
reasons therefor. In the absence of exceptions, the responsible agency 
official may within 45 days after the initial decision serve on the 
applicant or recipient a notice that the decision will be reviewed. Upon 
the filing of such exceptions or of such notice of review the 
responsible agency official shall review the initial decision and issue 
a decision thereon including the reasons therefor. In the absence of 
either exceptions or a notice of review the initial decision shall 
constitute the final decision of the responsible agency official.
    (b) Decisions on record or review by the responsible agency 
official. Whenever a record is certified to the responsible agency 
official for decision or the official reviews the decision of an 
administrative law judge pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, or 
whenever the responsible agency official conducts the hearing, the 
applicant or recipient shall be given reasonable opportunity to file 
with the official briefs or other written statements of its contentions, 
and a written copy of the final

[[Page 13]]

decision of the responsible agency official shall be sent to the 
applicant or recipient and to the complainant, if any.
    (c) Decisions on record where a hearing is waived. Whenever a 
hearing is waived pursuant to Sec. 18.9(a) a decision shall be made by 
the responsible agency official on the record and a written copy of such 
decision shall be sent to the applicant or recipient, and to the 
complainant, if any.
    (d) Rulings required. Each decision of an administrative law judge 
or responsible agency official shall set forth a ruling on each finding, 
conclusion, or exception presented, and shall identify the requirements 
imposed by or pursuant to this part with which it is found that the 
applicant or recipient has failed to comply.
    (e) Approval by Secretary. Any final decision by an administrative 
law judge which provides for the suspension or termination of, or the 
refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, or the 
imposition of any other sanction available under this part of the Act, 
shall promptly be transmitted to the Secretary personally, who may 
approve such decision, may vacate it, or remit or mitigate any sanction 
imposed.
    (f) Content of orders. The final decision may provide for suspension 
or termination of, or refusal to grant or continue Federal financial 
assistance, in whole or in part, to which this regulation applies, and 
may contain such terms, conditions, and other provisions as are 
consistent with and will effectuate the purposes of the Act and this 
part, including provisions designed to assure that no Federal financial 
assistance to which this regulation applies will thereafter be extended 
to the applicant or recipient determined by such decision to be in 
default in its performance of an assurance given by it pursuant to this 
part, or to have otherwise failed to comply with this part, unless and 
until it corrects its noncompliance and satisfies the responsible agency 
official that it will fully comply with this part.
    (g) Post termination proceedings. (1) An applicant or recipient 
adversely affected by an order issued under paragraph (f) of this 
section shall be restored to full eligibility to receive Federal 
financial assistance if it satisfies the terms and conditions of that 
order for such eligibility or if it brings itself into compliance with 
this section and provides reasonable assurance that it will fully comply 
with this part.
    (2) Any applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order 
entered pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section may at any time 
request the responsible agency official to restore fully its eligibility 
to receive Federal financial assistance. Any such request shall be 
supported by information showing that the applicant or recipient has met 
the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. If the responsible 
agency official determines that those requirements have been satisfied, 
the official shall restore such eligibility.
    (3) If the responsible agency official denies any such request, the 
applicant or recipient may submit a request for a hearing in writing, 
specifying why it believes such official to have been in error. It shall 
thereupon be given an expeditious hearing, with a decision on the 
record, in accordance with rules of procedure issued by the responsible 
agency official. The applicant or recipient will be restored to such 
eligibility if it proves at such a hearing that it satisfied the 
requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. While proceedings 
under this paragraph are pending, the sanctions imposed by the order 
issued under paragraph (f) of this section shall remain in effect.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964, as amended at 38 FR 17966, July 5, 1973. 
Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, and amended at 51 FR 10384, 
Mar. 26, 1986; 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.11  Judicial review.

    Action taken pursuant to section 602 of the Act is subject to 
judicial review as provided in section 603 of the Act.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964. Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 
1980]



Sec. 18.12  Effect on other regulations, forms and instructions.

    (a) Effect on other regulations. All regulations, orders, or like 
directions issued before the effective date of this part by any officer 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs which impose requirements designed 
to prohibit any discrimination against individuals on

[[Page 14]]

the grounds of race, color or national origin under any program to which 
this part applies, and which authorize the suspension or termination of 
or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance to any 
applicant for or recipient of such assistance for failure to comply with 
such requirements, are hereby superseded to the extent that such 
discrimination is prohibited by this part, except that nothing in this 
part shall be deemed to relieve any person of any obligation assumed or 
imposed under any such superseded regulation, order, instruction, or 
like direction prior to the effective date of this part. Nothing in this 
part, however, shall be deemed to supersede any of the following 
(including future amendments thereof):
    (1) Executive Orders 10925 (3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 448), 11114 
(3 CFR, 1959-1963, p. 774), and 11246 (3 CFR, 1965 Supp., p. 167) and 
regulations issued thereunder, or
    (2) Executive Order 11063 (3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 652) and 
regulations issued thereunder, or any other orders, regulations or 
instructions, insofar as such orders, regulations, or instructions 
prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color or national origin 
in any program or situation to which this part is inapplicable, or 
prohibit discrimination on any other ground.
    (b) Forms and instructions. Each responsible agency officials shall 
issue and promptly make available to interested persons forms and 
detailed instructions and procedures for effectuating this part as 
applied to programs to which this part applies and for which he is 
responsible.
    (c) Supervision and coordination. The Secretary may from time to 
time assign to officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs or to 
officials of other departments or agencies of the Government with the 
consent of such departments or agencies, responsibilities in connection 
with the effectuation of the purposes of Title VI of the Act and this 
part (other than responsibility for final decision as provided in 
Sec. 18.10) including the achievement of effective coordination and 
maximum uniformity within the Department of Veterans Affairs and within 
the executive branch of the Government in the application of Title VI 
and this part to similar programs and in similar situations. Any action 
taken, determination made, or requirement imposed by an official of 
another department or agency acting pursuant to an assignment of 
responsibility under this paragraph shall have the same effect as though 
such action has been taken by the responsible official of this Agency.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964, as amended at 38 FR 17967, July 5, 1973. 
Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980; 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.13  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    (a) The term agency means the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 
includes each of its operating agencies and other organization units.
    (b) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    (c) The term responsible agency official with respect to any program 
receiving Federal financial assistance means the Secretary or other 
official of the Department of Veterans Affairs or an official of another 
department or agency to the extent the Secretary has delegated authority 
to such official.
    (d) The term United States means the States of the United States, 
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American 
Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the Canal Zone, and the territories and 
possessions of the United States, and the term State means any one of 
the foregoing.
    (e) The term Federal financial assistance includes (1) grants of 
Federal funds, (2) the grant or donation of Federal property and 
interests in property, (3) the detail of Federal personnel, (4) the sale 
and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or 
transient basis), Federal property or any interest in such property 
without consideration or at a nominal consideration, or at a 
consideration which is reduced for the purpose of assisting the 
recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such 
sale or lease to the recipient, and (5) any Federal agreement, 
arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its purposes the 
provision of assistance.
    (f) The terms program or activity and program mean all of the 
operations of

[[Page 15]]

any entity described in paragraphs (f)(1) through (4) of this section, 
any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance:
    (1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
    (ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes 
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State 
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the 
case of assistance to a State or local government;
    (2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or 
a public system of higher education; or
    (ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), 
system of vocational education, or other school system;
    (3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private 
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
    (A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, 
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
    (B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing 
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and 
recreation; or
    (ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate 
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case 
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole 
proprietorship; or
    (4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the 
entities described in paragraph (f)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
    (g) The term facility includes all or any portion of structures, 
equipment, or other real or personal property or interests therein, and 
the provision of facilities includes the construction, expansion, 
renovation, remodeling, alteration or acquisition of facilities.
    (h) The term recipient means any State, political subdivision of any 
State, or instrumentality of any State or political subdivision, any 
public or private agency, institution, or organization, or other entity, 
or any individual, in the United States, to whom Federal financial 
assistance is extended, directly or through another recipient, including 
any successor, assignee, or transferee thereof, but such term does not 
include any ultimate beneficiary.
    (i) The term applicant means a person who submits an application, 
request, or plan required to be approved by the Secretary, or by a 
recipient, as a condition to eligibility for Federal financial 
assistance, and application means such an application, request, or plan.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964, as amended at 38 FR 17967, July 5, 1973. 
Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, and amended at 51 FR 10385, 
Mar. 26, 1986; 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]



 Sec. Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 18--Statutory Provisions to Which 
                          This Subpart Applies

    1. Payments to State homes (38 U.S.C. 1741-1743).
    2. State home facilities for furnishing domiciliary, nursing home, 
and hospital care (38 U.S.C. 8131-8137).
    3. Space and office facilities for representatives of recognized 
national organizations (38 U.S.C. 5902(a)(2)).
    4. All-volunteer force educational assistance, vocational 
rehabilitation, post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance, 
survivors' and dependents' educational assistance, and administration of 
educational benefits (38 U.S.C. Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 and 36, 
respectively).
    5. Sharing of medical facilities, equipment, and information (38 
U.S.C. 8151-8157).
    6. Approval of educational institutions (38 U.S.C. 104).
    7. Space and office facilities for representatives of State 
employment services (38 U.S.C. 7725(1)).
    8. Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans (38 
U.S.C. 1713).
    9. Transfers for nursing home care; adult day health care (38 U.S.C. 
1720).
    10. Treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol or drug dependence or 
abuse disabilities (38 U.S.C. 1720A).
    11. Aid to States for establishment, expansion, and improvement of 
veterans cemeteries (38 U.S.C. 2408).
    12. Assistance in establishing new medical schools; grants to 
affiliated medical schools; assistance to health manpower training 
institutions (38 U.S.C. Chapter 82).
    13. Department of Veterans Affairs health professional scholarship 
program (38 U.S.C. 7601-7655).
    14. Emergency veterans job training (Pub. L. 98-77, 97 Stat. 443-
452).

[51 FR 10385, Mar. 26, 1986]

[[Page 16]]



   Sec. Appendix B to Subpart A of Part 18--Illustrative Applications

    The following examples, without being exhaustive, will illustrate 
the application of the nondiscrimination provisions to certain grants of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. (In all cases the discrimination 
prohibited is discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national 
origin prohibited by title VI of the Act and this part, as a condition 
of the receipt of Federal financial assistance.)
    (a) In grants which support the provision of health or welfare 
services for veterans in State homes, discrimination in the selection or 
eligibility of individuals to receive the services, and segregation or 
other discriminatory practices in the manner of providing them, are 
prohibited. This prohibition extends to all facilities and services 
provided by the State as grantee under the program or by a political 
subdivision of the State. It extends also to services purchased or 
otherwise obtained by the grantee (or political subdivision) from 
hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and similar institutions for 
beneficiaries of the program, and to the facilities in which such 
services are provided, subject, however, to the provisions of 
Sec. 18.3(c).
    (b) In grants to assist in the construction of facilities for the 
provision of health or welfare services assurances will be required that 
services will be provided without discrimination, to the same extent 
that discrimination would be prohibited as a condition of Federal 
operating grants for the support of such services. Thus, as a condition 
of grants for the construction of a State home for furnishing nursing 
home care, assurances will be required that there will be no 
discrimination in the admission or treatment of patients. In the case of 
such grants the assurance will apply to patients, to interns, residents, 
student nurses, and other trainees, and to the privilege of physicians, 
dentists, and other professionally qualified persons to practice in the 
nursing home, and will apply to the entire facility for which, or for a 
part of which, the grant is made, and to facilities operated in 
connection therewith.
    (c) Upon transfers of real or personal surplus property for health 
or educational uses, discrimination is prohibited to the same extent as 
in the case of grants for the construction of facilities or the 
provision of equipment for like purposes.
    (d) A recipient may not take action that is calculated to bring 
about indirectly what this part forbids it to accomplish directly. Thus 
a State, in selecting or approving projects or sites for the 
construction of a nursing home which will receive Federal financial 
assistance, may not base its selections or approvals on criteria which 
have the effect of defeating or of substantially impairing 
accomplishment of the objectives of the Federal assistance program with 
respect to individuals of a particular race, color, or national origin.

(38 U.S.C. 1741, 1744, 8131-8137, 8155, 5902(a)(2), Chapters 31, 34, 35 
and 36)

[38 FR 17968, July 5, 1973. Redesignated at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980]

Subparts B-C [Reserved]



          Subpart D_Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 706, 794.

    Source: 45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, unless otherwise noted.

                           General Provisions



Sec. 18.401  Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is designed to eliminate 
discrimination on the basis of handicap in any program or activity 
receiving Federal financial assistance.



Sec. 18.402  Application.

    This part applies to each recipient of Federal financial assistance 
from the Department of Veterans Affairs and to each program or activity 
that receives such assistance.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.403  Definitions.

    As used in this part, the term:
    (a) The Act means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93-112, as 
amended by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974, Pub. L. 93-516, 
and Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental 
Disabilities Amendments of 1978, Pub. L. 95-602, 29 U.S.C. 794.
    (b) Section 504 means section 504 of the Act.
    (c) Education of the Handicapped Act means that statute as amended 
by the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975, Pub. L. 94-
142, 20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.
    (d) Agency means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (e) Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

[[Page 17]]

    (f) Recipient means any State or its political subdivision, any 
instrumentality of a State or its political subdivision, any public or 
private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any 
person to which Federal financial assistance is extended directly or 
through another recipient, including any successor, assignee, or 
transferee of a recipient but excluding the ultimate beneficiary of the 
assistance.
    (g) Applicant for assistance means one who submits an application, 
request, or plan required to be approved by an Agency official or by a 
recipient as a condition to eligibility for Federal financial 
assistance.
    (h) Federal financial assistance means any grant, loan, contract 
(other than a procurement contract or a contract of insurance or 
guaranty), or any other arrangement by which the Agency provides or 
otherwise makes available assistance in the form of:
    (1) Funds, including funds extended to any entity for payment to or 
on behalf of students admitted to that entity, extended directly to 
those students for payment to that entity, or extended directly to those 
students contingent upon their participation in education or training of 
that entity;
    (2) Services of Federal personnel; or
    (3) Real and personal property or any interest in or use of 
property, including;
    (i) Transfers or leases of such property for less than fair market 
value or for reduced consideration; and
    (ii) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of such property 
if the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the 
Federal Government.
    (i) Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, 
equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, or other real or personal 
property or interest in such property.
    (j) Handicapped person. (1) Handicapped person means any person who:
    (i) Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits 
one or more major life activities;
    (ii) Has a record of such an impairment; or
    (iii) Is regarded as having such an impairment.
    (2) As used in paragraph (j)(1) of this section, the phrase:
    (i) Physical or mental impairment means:
    (A) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, 
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: 
Neurological, musculoskeletal; special sense organs including speech 
organs; respiratory; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; 
genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
    (B) Any mental or psychological discorder, such as mental 
retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and 
specific learning disabilities.
    (C) The term physical or mental impairment includes, but is not 
limited to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech 
and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, 
multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, 
emotional illness, drug addiction and alcoholism.
    (ii) Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's 
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, 
breathing, learning and working.
    (iii) Has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or 
has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that 
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
    (iv) Is regarded as having an impairment means:
    (A) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially 
limit major life activities but is treated by a recipient as 
constituting such a limitation;
    (B) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 
major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward 
such impairment;
    (C) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (j)(2)(i) of 
this section, but is treated by a recipient as having such an 
impairment.
    (k) Qualified handicapped person means:
    (1) With respect to employment, a handicapped person who, with 
reasonable accommodation, can perform the

[[Page 18]]

essential functions of the job in question;
    (2) With respect to public elementary, secondary, or adult 
educational services, a handicapped person:
    (i) Of an age during which nonhandicapped persons are provided such 
services;
    (ii) Of any age during which it is mandatory under State laws to 
provide such services to handicapped persons; or
    (iii) To whom a State is required to provide a free appropriate 
public education under section 612 of the Education of the Handicapped 
Act; and
    (3) With respect to postsecondary and vocational education services, 
a handicapped person who meets the academic and technical standards 
requisite to admission or participation in the recipient's education 
program or activity; and
    (4) With respect to other services, a handicapped person who meets 
the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of such services.
    (l) Handicap means any condition or characteristic that renders a 
person a handicapped person as defined in paragraph (j) of this section.
    (m) Program or activity means all of the operations of any entity 
described in paragraphs (m)(1) through (4) of this section, any part of 
which is extended Federal financial assistance:
    (1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
    (ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes 
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State 
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the 
case of assistance to a State or local government;
    (2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or 
a public system of higher education; or
    (ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), 
system of vocational education, or other school system;
    (3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private 
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
    (A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, 
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
    (B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing 
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and 
recreation; or
    (ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate 
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case 
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole 
proprietorship; or
    (4) Any other entity that is established by two or more of the 
entities described in paragraph (m)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.404  Discrimination prohibited.

    (a) General. No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of 
handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, 
or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or 
activity which receives Federal financial assistance.
    (b) Discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) A recipient, in providing 
an aid, benefit, or service, may not, directly or through contractual, 
licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of handicap:
    (i) Deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is 
equal to that afforded others;
    (ii) Afford a qualified handicapped person an opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not 
equal to that afforded others;
    (iii) Provide a qualified handicapped person with an aid, benefit, 
or service that is not as effective as that provided to others;
    (iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to 
handicapped persons or to any class of handicapped persons unless such 
action is necessary to provide qualified handicapped persons with aid, 
benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to others;
    (v) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified handicapped 
person

[[Page 19]]

by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization, or 
person that discriminates on the basis of handicap in providing any aid, 
benefit, or service to beneficiaries of the recipient's program or 
activity;
    (vi) Deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to 
participate as a member of planning or advisory boards; or
    (vii) Otherwise limit a qualified handicapped person in the 
enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by 
others receiving an aid, benefit, or service.
    (2) Aids, benefits, and services, to be equally effective, are not 
required to produce the identical result or level of achievement for 
handicapped and nonhandicapped persons, but must give handicapped 
persons equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same 
benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement, in the most 
integrated setting appropriate to the person's needs.
    (3) Despite the existence of separate or different aid, benefits, or 
services provided in accordance with this part, a recipient may not deny 
a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to participate in aid, 
benefits, or services that are not separate or different.
    (4) A recipient may not, directly or through contractual or other 
arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration that:
    (i) Have the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped persons to 
discrimination on the basis of handicap,
    (ii) Have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially 
impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the recipient's program or 
activity with respect to handicapped persons, or
    (iii) Perpetuate the discrimination of another recipient if both 
recipients are subject to common administrative control or are agencies 
of the same State.
    (5) In determining the site or location of a facility, an applicant 
for assistance or a recipient may not make selections that:
    (i) Have the effect of excluding handicapped persons from, deny them 
the benefits of, or otherwise subject them to discrimination under any 
program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance, or
    (ii) Have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially 
impairing the accomplishment of the objective of the program or activity 
with respect to handicapped persons.
    (6) As used in this section, the aid, benefit, or service provided 
under a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance 
includes any aid, benefit, or service provided in or through a facility 
that has been constructed, expanded, altered, leased or rented, or 
otherwise acquired, in whole of in part, with Federal financial 
assistance.
    (c) Aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal law. The exclusion 
of nonhandicapped persons or the exclusion of a specific class of 
handicapped persons from aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal 
statute or Executive order to a different class of handicapped persons 
is not prohibited by this part.
    (d) Special communication. Recipients shall take appropriate action 
to ensure that communications with their applicants, employees, and 
beneficiaries are available to persons with impaired vision and hearing.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.405  Assurances required.

    (a) Assurances. An applicant for Federal financial assistance to 
which this part applies shall submit an assurance on a form specified by 
the Secretary, that the program or activity will be operated in 
compliance with this part.
    (b) Duration of obligation. (1) When Federal financial assistance is 
extended in the form of real property or structures on the property, the 
assurance will obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent 
transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property 
or structures are used for the purpose for which Federal financial 
assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provisions 
of similar services or benefits.
    (2) Where Federal financial assistance is extended to provide 
personal property, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the 
period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property.

[[Page 20]]

    (3) In all other cases the assurance will obligate the recipient for 
the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended.
    (c) Extent of application to institution or facility. An assurance 
shall apply to the entire institution or facility.
    (d) Covenants. (1) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in 
the form of real property or interest in the property from the Agency, 
the instrument effecting or recording this transfer shall contain a 
covenant running with the land to assure nondiscrimination for the 
period during which the real property is used for a purpose for which 
the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose 
involving the provisions of similar services or benefits.
    (2) Where no transfer of property is involved but property is 
purchased or improved with Federal financial assistance, the recipient 
shall agree to include the covenant described in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section in the instrument effecting or recording any subsequent 
transfer of property.
    (3) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of 
real property or interest in the property from the Agency, the covenant 
shall also include a condition coupled with a right to be reserved by 
the Agency to revert title to the property if there is a breach of the 
covenant. If a transferree of real property proposes to mortgage or 
otherwise encumber the real property as security for financing 
construction of new, or improvement of existing, facilities on the 
property for the purpose for which the property was transferred, the 
Secretary may, upon request of the transferee and if necessary to 
accomplish such financing and upon such conditions as considered 
appropriate, agree to forbear the exercise of the right to revert title 
for as long as the lien of the mortgage or other encumbrance remains 
effective.
    (e) Other methods of enforcement. (1) Recipients are required to 
keep such records as the responsible VA official deems necessary for 
complete and accurate compliance reports. VA can specify intervals for 
reporting and prescribe the form and content of information required to 
ascertain whether the recipient has complied or is complying with the 
law.
    (2) Periodic compliance reviews of training establishments will be 
conducted by VA compliance officers. During these reviews recipients are 
required to permit access by VA compliance officers during normal 
business hours to such of their books, records, accounts, facilities and 
other sources of information including interviews with personnel and 
trainees as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with the law.
    (3) From study of documentation, results of interviews, and 
observation of activities during tours of facilities, compliance 
officers will evaluate recipients' compliance status.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 51 FR 10385, Mar. 26, 1986; 
68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.406  Remedial action, voluntary action and self-evaluation.

    (a) Remedial action. (1) If the Secretary finds that a recipient has 
discriminated against qualified persons on the basis of handicap in 
violation of section 504 or this part, the recipient shall take such 
remedial action as the Secretary considers necessary to overcome the 
effects of the discrimination.
    (2) Where a recipient is found to have discriminated against 
qualified persons on the basis of handicap in violation of section 504 
or this part and where another recipient exercises control over the 
recipient that has discriminated, the Secretary, where appropriate, may 
require either or both recipients to take remedial action.
    (3) The Secretary may, where necessary to overcome the effects of 
discrimination in violation of section 504 or this part, require a 
recipient to take remedial action with respect to:
    (i) Handicapped persons who are no longer participants in the 
recipient's program or activity but who were participants in the program 
or activity when such discrimination occurred;
    (ii) Handicapped persons who would have been participants in the 
program or activity had the discrimination not occurred; or

[[Page 21]]

    (iii) Handicapped persons presently in the program or activity, but 
not receiving full benefits or equal and integrated treatment within the 
program or activity.
    (b) Voluntary action. A recipient may take steps, in addition to any 
action that is required by this part, to overcome the effects of 
conditions that resulted in limited participation in the recipient's 
program or activity by qualified handicapped persons.
    (c) Self-evaluation. (1) A recipient shall, within one year of the 
effective date of this part:
    (i) Evaluate with the assistance of interested persons, including 
handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons, 
its current policies and practices and the effects of the policies and 
practices that do not or may not meet the requirements of this part;
    (ii) Modify, after consultation with interested persons, including 
handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons, 
any policies and practices that do not meet the requirements of this 
part; and
    (iii) Take, after consultation with interested persons, including 
handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons, 
appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any 
discrimination that resulted from adherence to these policies and 
practices.
    (2) A recipient that employs fifteen or more persons shall, for at 
least three years following completion of the evaluation required under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, maintain on file, make available for 
public inspection, and provide to the Secretary upon request:
    (i) A list of the interested persons consulted;
    (ii) A description of areas examined and any problems identified; 
and
    (iii) A description of any modifications made and of any remedial 
steps taken.
    (3) Recipients who become such more than one year after the 
effective date of these regulations shall complete these self-evaluation 
requirements within one year after becoming recipients of Federal 
financial assistance.

(The information collection requirements contained in paragraph (c) have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control 
number 2900-0415)

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 49 FR 32574, Aug. 15, 1984; 
68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.407  Designation of responsible employee and adoption of
grievance procedures.

    (a) Designation of responsible employee. A recipient that employs 
fifteen or more persons shall designate at least one person to 
coordinate its efforts to comply with this part.
    (b) Adoption of grievance procedures. A recipient that employs 
fifteen or more persons shall adopt grievance procedures that 
incorporate appropriate due process standards and that provide for the 
prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action 
prohibited by this part. Such procedures need not be established with 
respect to complaints from applicants for employment or from applicants 
for admission to postsecondary educational institutions.



Sec. 18.408  Notice.

    (a) A recipient that employs fifteen or more persons shall take 
appropriate initial and continuing steps to notify participants, 
beneficiaries, applicants, and employees, including those with impaired 
vision or hearing, and unions or professional organizations holding 
collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient that 
it does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of 
section 504 and this part. The notification shall state, where 
appropriate, that the recipient does not discriminate in admission or 
access to, or treatment, or employment in, its programs or activities. 
The notification shall also include an identification of the responsible 
employee designated under Sec. 18.407. A recipient shall make the 
initial notification required by this paragraph within 90 days of the 
effective date of this part. Methods of initial and continuing 
notification may include the posting of notices, publication in 
newspapers and

[[Page 22]]

magazines, placement of notices in recipient's publication, and 
distribution of memorandums or other written communications.
    (b) If a recipient publishes or uses recruitment materials or 
publications containing general information that it makes available to 
participants, beneficiaries, applicants, or employees, it shall include 
in those materials or publications a statement of the policy described 
in paragraph (a) of this section. A recipient may meet the requirement 
of this section either by including appropriate inserts in existing 
materials and publications or by revising and reprinting the materials 
and publications.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.409  Administrative requirements for certain recipients.

    The Secretary may require any recipient with fewer than fifteen 
employees, or any class of such recipients, to comply with Secs. 18.407 
and 18.408 in whole or in part, when the Secretary finds a violation of 
this part or finds that such compliance will not significantly impair 
the ability of the recipient or class of recipients to provide benefits 
or services.



Sec. 18.410  Effect of State or local law or other requirements and
effect of employment opportunities.

    (a) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or 
alleviated by the existence of any State law or other requirement that, 
on the basis of handicap, imposes prohibitions or limits upon the 
eligibility of qualified handicapped persons to receive services or to 
practice any occupation or profession.
    (b) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or 
alleviated because employment opportunities in any occupation or 
profession are or may be more limited for handicapped persons than for 
nonhandicapped persons.

                          Employment Practices



Sec. 18.411  Discrimination prohibited.

    (a) General. (1) No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis 
of handicap, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any 
program or activity to which this part applies.
    (2) A recipient shall make all decisions concerning employment under 
any program or activity to which this part applies in a manner which 
ensures that discrimination on the basis of handicap does not occur and 
may not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or employees in any way 
that adversely affects their opportunities or status because of 
handicap.
    (3) A recipient may not participate in a contractual or other 
relationship that has the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped 
applicants or employees to discrimination in employment. The 
relationships referred to in this section include relationships with 
employment and referral agencies, with organizations providing or 
administering fringe benefits to employees of the recipient, and with 
organizations providing training and apprenticeships.
    (b) Specific activities. Nondiscrimination in employment applies to:
    (1) Recruitment, advertising, and the processing of applications for 
employment;
    (2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion, 
transfer, layoff, termination, right of return from layoff, and 
rehiring;
    (3) Rates of pay or other forms of compensation and changes in 
compensation;
    (4) Job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures, 
position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists;
    (5) Leaves of absence, sick leave, or any other leave;
    (6) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or 
not administered by the recipient;
    (7) Selection and financial support for training, including 
apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related 
activities, and selection for leaves of absence to pursue training;
    (8) Employer sponsored activities, including those that are social 
or recreational; and
    (9) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.
    (c) Collective bargaining agreements. A recipient's obligation to 
comply with

[[Page 23]]

this subpart is not affected by any inconsistent term of any collective 
bargaining agreement to which it is a party.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.412  Reasonable accommodation.

    (a) A recipient shall make reasonable accommodation to the known 
physical or mental limitations of a handicapped applicant or employee if 
such accommodation would enable that person to perform the essential 
functions of the job unless the recipient can demonstrate that the 
accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of its 
program or activity.
    (b) Reasonable accommodation may include:
    (1) Making facilities used by employees readily accessible to and 
usable by handicapped persons; and
    (2) Job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, 
acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, the provision of 
readers or interpreters and other similar actions.
    (c) In determining under paragraph (a) of this section whether an 
accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of a 
recipient's program or activity, factors to be considered include:
    (1) The overall size of the recipient's program or activity with 
respect to number of employees, number and type of facilities, and size 
of budget;
    (2) The type of the recipient's operation, including the composition 
and structure of the recipient's work force; and
    (3) The nature and cost of the accommodation needed.
    (d) A recipient may not deny any employment opportunity to a 
qualified handicapped employee or applicant if the basis for denial is 
the need to make reasonable accommodation to the physical or mental 
limitations of the employee or applicant.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 51 FR 10385, Mar. 26, 1986; 
68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.413  Employment criteria.

    (a) A recipient may not use any employment test or other selection 
criterion that screens out or tends to screen out handicapped persons or 
any class of handicapped persons unless:
    (1) The test score or other selection criterion, as used by the 
recipient, is shown to be job-related for the position in question; and
    (2) Alternative job-related tests or criteria that do not screen out 
or tend to screen out as many handicapped persons are not shown by the 
Secretary to be available.
    (b) A recipient shall select and administer tests concerning 
employment to best ensure that when administered to an applicant or 
employee who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking 
skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's or 
employee's job skills, aptitude, or whatever other factor the test 
purports to measure, rather than reflect the applicant's or employee's 
impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except when those skills 
are the factors that the test purports to measure).



Sec. 18.414  Preemployment inquiries.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a 
recipient may not conduct a preemployment medical examination or may not 
make preemployment inquiry of an applicant as to whether the applicant 
is a handicapped person or as to the nature or severity of a handicap. A 
recipient may, however, make preemployment inquiry into the applicant's 
ability to perform job-related functions.
    (b) When a recipient is taking remedial action to correct the 
effects of past discrimination pursuant to Sec. 18.406(a), when a 
recipient is taking voluntary action to overcome the effects of 
conditions that resulted in limited participation in its federally 
assisted program or activity pursuant to Sec. 18.406(b), or when a 
recipient is taking affirmative action pursuant to section 503 of the 
Act, the recipient may invite applicants for employment to indicate 
whether and to what extent they are handicapped, provided that:
    (1) The recipient states clearly on any written questionnaire used 
for this purpose or makes clear orally if no written questionnaire is 
used that the information requested is intended for

[[Page 24]]

use solely in connection with its remedial action obligations or its 
voluntary or affirmative action efforts; and
    (2) The recipient states clearly that the information is being 
requested on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential as 
provided in paragraph (d) of this section, that refusal to provide it 
will not subject the applicant or employee to any adverse treatment, and 
that it will be used only in accordance with this part.
    (c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a recipient from 
conditioning an offer of employment on the results of a medical 
examination conducted prior to the employee's entrance on duty, provided 
that:
    (1) All entering employees are subjected to such an examination 
regardless of handicap, and (2) the results of such an examination are 
used only in accordance with the requirements of this part.
    (d) Information obtained in accordance with this section as to the 
medical condition or history of the applicant shall be collected and 
maintained on separate forms that shall be accorded confidentiality as 
medical records, except that:
    (1) Supervisors and managers may be informed regarding restrictions 
on the work or duties of handicapped persons and regarding necessary 
accommodations;
    (2) First aid and safety personnel may be informed, where 
appropriate, if the condition might require emergency treatment;
    (3) Government officials investigating compliance with the Act shall 
be provided relevant information upon request.

                              Accessibility



Sec. 18.421  Discrimination prohibited.

    No qualified handicapped person shall, because a recipient's 
facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by handicapped persons, be 
denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise 
be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity to which 
this part applies.



Sec. 18.422  Existing facilities.

    (a) Accessibility. A recipient shall operate each program or 
activity to which this part applies so that when each part is viewed in 
its entirety it is readily accessible to handicapped persons. This 
paragraph does not require a recipient to make each of its existing 
facilities or every part of a facility accessible to and usable by 
handicapped persons.
    (b) Methods. A recipient may comply with the requirement of 
paragraph (a) of this section through such measures as redesign of 
equipment, reassignment of classes or other services to accessible 
buildings, assignment of aids to beneficiaries, home visits, delivery of 
health, or other social services at alternate accessible sites, 
alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities in 
conformance with Sec. 18.423 or any other methods that make its program 
or activity accessible to handicapped persons. A recipient is not 
required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other 
methods are effective in making its programs or activities readily 
accessible to handicapped persons. In choosing among available methods 
for complying with paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient shall give 
priority to methods that serve handicapped persons in the most 
integrated setting appropriate.
    (c) Small health, welfare or other social service providers, and 
recipients that operate other than educational programs or activities. 
If a recipient with fewer than fifteen employees finds after 
consultation with a handicapped person seeking its services that there 
is no method of complying with paragraph (a) of this section other than 
making a significant alteration in its existing facilities, the 
recipient may, as an alternative, refer the qualified handicapped person 
to other providers whose services are accessible. Where referrals are 
necessary, transportation costs shall not exceed costs to and from 
recipients' programs or activities.
    (d) Time period. A recipient shall comply with paragraph (a) of this 
section within 60 days of the effective date of this part except that 
when structural changes in facilities are necessary, these changes shall 
be made as soon as practicable, but not later than three

[[Page 25]]

years after the effective date of this part.
    (e) Transition plan. If structural changes to facilities are 
necessary to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, a 
recipient shall develop a transition plan within six months of the 
effective date of this part setting forth the steps necessary to 
complete such change. The plan shall be developed with the assistance of 
interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations 
representing handicapped persons. A copy of the transition plan shall be 
available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum:
    (1) Identify physical obstacles in the recipient's facilities that 
limit the accessibility of its program or activity to handicapped 
persons;
    (2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the 
facilities accessible;
    (3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve 
full accessibility under paragraph (a) of this section and, if the time 
period of the transition plan is longer than one year, identify steps 
that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and
    (4) Indicate the person responsible for implementation of the plan.
    (f) Notice. The recipient shall implement procedures to ensure that 
interested persons, including persons with impaired vision or hearing, 
can obtain information concerning the existence and location of 
services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable 
by handicapped persons.

(The information collection requirements contained in paragraph (e) have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control 
number 2900-0414)

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 49 FR 32574, Aug. 15, 1984; 
68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.423  New construction.

    (a) Design and construction. Each facility or part of a facility 
constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient shall be 
designed and constructed so that the facility or part of the facility is 
readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, if the 
construction was commenced after the effective date of this part.
    (b) Alteration. Each facility or part of a facility which is altered 
by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient after the effective date 
of this part in a manner that affects or could affect the usability of 
the facility or part of the facility shall, to the maximum extent 
feasible, be altered so that the altered portion of the facility is 
readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons.
    (c) Conformance with Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. (1) 
Effective as of January 18, 1991, design, construction, or alteration of 
buildings in conformance with sections 3-8 of the Uniform Federal 
Accessibility Standards (USAF) (appendix A to 41 CFR subpart 101-19.6) 
shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this section with 
respect to those buildings. Departures from particular technical and 
scoping requirements of UFAS by the use of other methods are permitted 
where substantially equivalent or greater access to and usability of the 
building is provided.
    (2) For purposes of this section, section 4.1.6(1)(g) of UFAS shall 
be interpreted to exempt from the requirements of UFAS only mechanical 
rooms and other spaces that, because of their intended use, will not 
require accessibility to the public or beneficiaries or result in the 
employment or residence therein of persons with physical handicaps.
    (3) This section does not require recipients to make building 
alterations that have little likelihood of being accomplished without 
removing or altering a load-bearing structural member.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 55 FR 52138, 52141, Dec. 19, 
1990]

               Elementary, Secondary, and Adult Education



Sec. 18.431  Application.

    Sections 18.431 through 18.439 apply to elementary, secondary, and 
adult education programs or activities that receive Federal financial 
assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs and to recipients 
that operate or receive Federal financial assistance for

[[Page 26]]

the operation of such programs or activities.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.432  Location and notification.

    A recipient that operates a public elementary or secondary 
educational program shall annually:
    (a) Undertake to identify and locate every qualified handicapped 
person residing in the recipient's jurisdiction who is not receiving a 
public education; and
    (b) Take appropriate steps to notify handicapped persons their 
parents or guardians of the recipients's duty under Secs. 18.431 through 
18.439.



Sec. 18.433  Free appropriate public education.

    (a) General. A recipient that operates a public elementary or 
secondary education program shall provide a free appropriate public 
education to each qualified handicapped person who is in the recipient's 
jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the person's 
handicap.
    (b) Appropriate education. (1) The provision of an appropriate 
education is the provision of regular or special education and related 
aids and services that:
    (i) Are designed to meet individual educational needs of handicapped 
persons as adequately as the needs of nonhandicapped persons are met; 
and
    (ii) Are based upon adherence to procedures that satisfy the 
requirements of Secs. 18.434, 18.435, and 18.436.
    (2) Implementation of an Individualized Education Program developed 
in accordance with the Education of the Handicapped Act is one means of 
meeting the standard established in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section.
    (3) A recipient may place a qualified handicapped person or refer 
that person for aid, benefits, or services other than those that it 
operates or provides as its means of carrying out the requirements of 
Secs. 18.431 through 18.439. The recipients remain responsible for 
ensuring that the requirements of Secs. 18.431 through 18.439 are met 
with respect to any qualified handicapped person so placed or referred.
    (c) Free education. (1) The provision of a free education is the 
provision of educational and related services without cost to the 
handicapped person, parents or guardian, except for those fees that are 
imposed on nonhandicapped persons or their parents or guardian. It may 
consist either of the provision of free services or, if a recipient 
places a handicapped person or refers that person for aid, benefits, or 
services not operated or provided by the recipient as its means of 
carrying out the requirements of Secs. 18.431 through 18.439, of payment 
for the costs of the aid, benefits, or services. Funds available from 
any public or private agency may be used to meet the requirements of 
this subpart. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve an 
insurer or similar third party from an otherwise valid obligation to 
provide or pay for services provided to a handicapped person.
    (2) If a recipient places a handicapped person or refers that person 
for aid, benefits, or services not operated or provided by the recipient 
as its means of carrying out the requirements of this subpart, the 
recipient shall ensure that adequate transportation to and from the aid, 
benefits, or services is provided at no greater cost than would be 
incurred by the person, parents or guardian if the person were placed in 
the aid, benefits, or services operated by the recipient.
    (3) If placement in a public or private residential program is 
necessary to provide free appropriate public education to a handicapped 
person because of his or her handicap, the program, including non-
medical care and room and board, shall be provided at no cost to the 
person, parents or guardian.
    (4) If a recipient has made available, in conformance with this 
section and Sec. 18.434, a free appropriate public education to a 
handicapped person and the person's parents or guardian chooses to place 
the person in a private school, the recipient is not required to pay for 
the person's education in the private school. Disagreements between a 
parent or guardian and a recipient regarding whether the recipient has 
made a free appropriate public education available or regarding the 
question of financial responsibility are subject to the due process 
procedures of Sec. 18.436.

[[Page 27]]

    (d) Compliance. A recipient may not exclude any qualified 
handicapped person from a public elementary or secondary education after 
the effective date of this part. A recipient that is not, on the 
effective date of this part, in full compliance with the requirements of 
paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section shall meet those requirements 
at the earliest practicable time, but not later than October 1, 1981.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 51 FR 10385, Mar. 26, 1986; 
51 FR 12702, Apr. 15, 1986; 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.434  Education setting.

    (a) Academic setting. A recipient shall educate, or shall provide 
for the education of, each qualified handicapped person in its 
jurisdiction with persons who are not handicapped to the maximum extent 
appropriate to the needs of the handicapped person. A recipient shall 
place a handicapped person in the regular educational environment 
operated by the recipient unless it is demonstrated by the recipient 
that the education of the person in the regular environment with the use 
of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. In 
deciding whether to place a person in a setting other than the regular 
educational environment, a recipient shall consider the proximity of the 
alternate setting to the person's home.
    (b) Nonacademic settings. In providing or arranging for the 
provision of nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities, a 
recipient shall ensure that handicapped persons participate with 
nonhandicapped persons in those activities and services to the maximum 
extent appropriate to the needs of the handicapped person in question.
    (c) Comparable facilities. If a recipient in compliance with 
paragraph (a) of this section operates a facility that is identifiable 
as being for handicapped persons, the recipient shall ensure that the 
facility and the services and activities provided in that facility are 
comparable to the other facilities, services, and activities of the 
recipient.



Sec. 18.435  Evaluation and placement.

    (a) Preplacement evaluation. A recipient that operates a public 
elementary or secondary education program or activity shall conduct an 
evaluation of any qualified person who, because of handicap, needs or is 
believed to need special education or related services before taking any 
action concerning the initial placement of the person in regular or 
program special education and any subsequent change in placement.
    (b) Evaluation procedures. Elementary, secondary, and adult 
education programs or activities that receive Federal financial 
assistance shall establish standards and procedures for the evaluation 
and placement of persons who, because of handicap, need or are believed 
to need special education or related services which ensure that:
    (1) Tests and other evaluation materials have been validated for the 
specific purpose for which they are used and are administered by trained 
personnel in conformance with the instructions provided by their 
producer;
    (2) Tests and other evaluation materials include those tailored to 
assess specific areas of educational need and not merely those which are 
designed to provide a single general intelligence quotient; and
    (3) Tests are selected and administered to best ensure that, when a 
test is administered to a student with impaired sensory, manual, or 
speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the student's 
aptitude or achievement level or whatever other factor the test purports 
to measure, rather than reflect the student's impaired sensory, manual, 
or speaking skills (except where those skills are the factors that the 
test purports to measure.)
    (c) Placement procedures. In interpreting evaluation data and in 
making placement decisions, a recipient shall:
    (1) Draw upon information from a variety of sources, including 
aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical 
condition, social or cultural background and adaptive behavior;
    (2) Establish procedures to ensure that information obtained from 
all sources is documented and carefully considered;
    (3) Ensure that the placement decision is made by a group of 
persons, including persons knowledgeable about

[[Page 28]]

the student, the meaning of the evaluation data and the placement 
options; and
    (4) Ensure that the placement decision is made in accordance with 
Sec. 18.434.
    (d) Reevaluation. A recipient to which this section applies shall 
establish procedures, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, 
for periodic reevaluation of students who have been provided special 
education and related services. A reevaluation procedure consistent with 
the Education for the Handicapped Act is one means of meeting this 
requirement.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.436  Procedural safeguards.

    (a) A recipient that operates a public elementary or secondary 
education program shall implement a system of procedural safeguards with 
respect to actions regarding the identification, evaluation, or 
educational placement of persons who, because of handicap, need or are 
believed to need special instruction or related services. The system 
shall include:
    (1) Notice;
    (2) An opportunity for the parents or guardian of the person to 
examine relevant records;
    (3) An impartial hearing with opportunity for participation by the 
person's parents or guardian and representation by counsel; and
    (4) Review procedure.
    (b) Compliance with the procedural safeguards of section 615 of the 
Education of the Handicapped Act is one means of meeting this 
requirement.



Sec. 18.437  Nonacademic services.

    (a) General. (1) Elementary, secondary, and adult education programs 
that receive Federal financial assistance shall provide nonacademic and 
extracurricular services and activities in a manner which gives 
handicapped students an equal opportunity for participation in these 
services and activities.
    (2) Nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities may 
include counseling services, physical recreational athletics, 
transportation, health services, recreational activities, special 
interest groups or clubs sponsored by the recipient, referrals to 
agencies which provide assistance to handicapped persons, and employment 
of students, including both employment by the recipient and assistance 
in making available outside employment.
    (b) Counseling services. Elementary, secondary, and adult education 
programs that receive Federal financial assistance and that provide 
personal, academic, or vocational counseling, guidance, or placement 
services to their students shall provide these services without 
discrimination on the basis of handicap and shall ensure that qualified 
handicapped students are not counseled toward more restrictive career 
objectives than are nonhandicapped students with similar interests and 
abilities.
    (c) Physical education and athletics. (1) In providing physical 
education courses and athletics and similar aid, benefits, or services 
to any of its students, an elementary, secondary, or adult education 
program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance may not 
discriminate on the basis of handicap. A recipient that offers physical 
education courses or that operates or sponsors interscholastic, club, or 
intramural activities shall provide to qualified handicapped students an 
equal opportunity for participation.
    (2) A recipient may offer to handicapped students physical education 
and athletic activities that are separate or different from those 
offered to nonhandicapped students only if separation or differentiation 
is consistent with the requirements of Sec. 18.434 and only if no 
qualified handicapped student is denied the opportunity to compete for 
teams or to participate in courses that are not separate or different.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.438  Adult education.

    A recipient that provides adult education may not, on the basis of 
handicap, exclude qualified handicapped persons. The recipient shall 
take into account the needs of these persons in determining the aid, 
benefits, or services to be provided.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]

[[Page 29]]



Sec. 18.439  Private education.

    (a) A recipient that provides private elementary or secondary 
education may not on the basis of handicap, exclude a qualified 
handicapped person if the person can, with minor adjustments, be 
provided an appropriate education, as defined in Sec. 18.433(b)(1), 
within that recipient's program or activity.
    (b) A recipient may not charge more for providing an appropriate 
education to handicapped persons than to nonhandicapped persons except 
to the extent that any additional charge is justified by a substantial 
increase in cost to the recipient.
    (c) A recipient to which this section applies that provides special 
education shall do so in accordance with Secs. 18.435 and 18.436. Each 
recipient to which this section applies is subject to Secs. 18.434, 
18.437, and 18.438.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]

                         Postsecondary Education



Sec. 18.441  Application.

    Sections 18.441 through 18.447 apply to postsecondary education 
programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance from 
the Department of Veterans Affairs and to recipients that operate or 
receive or benefit from Federal financial assistance for the operation 
of such programs or activities.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.442  Admissions and recruitment.

    (a) General. Qualified handicapped persons may not, on the basis of 
handicap, be denied admission or be subjected to discrimination in 
admission or recruitment by a recipient.
    (b) Admission. In administering its admission policies, a recipient;
    (1) May not apply limitations on the number or proportion of 
handicapped persons who may be admitted;
    (2) May not use any test or criterion for admission that has a 
disproportionate, adverse effect on handicapped persons or any class of 
handicapped persons unless:
    (i) The test or criterion, as used by the recipient, has been 
validated as a predictor of success in the education program or activity 
in question; and
    (ii) Alternate tests or criteria that have a less disproportionate, 
adverse effect are not shown by the Secretary to be available;
    (3) Shall assure itself that:
    (i) Admissions tests are selected and administered to best ensure 
that, when a test is administered to an applicant who has a handicap 
that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results 
accurately reflect the applicant's aptitude or achievement level or 
whatever other factors the test purports to measure, rather than reflect 
the applicant's impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except 
where those skills are the factors that the test purports to measure);
    (ii) Admissions tests that are designed for persons with impaired 
sensory, manual, or speaking skills are offered as often and in as 
timely a manner as are other admissions tests; and
    (iii) Admissions tests are administered in facilities that, on the 
whole, are accessible to handicapped persons; and
    (4) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, may not 
make preadmission inquiries as to whether an applicant for admission is 
a handicapped person. After admission, the recipient may inquire on a 
confidential basis as to handicaps that may require accommodation.
    (c) Preadmission inquiry exception. When a recipient is taking 
remedial action to correct the effects of past discrimination under 
Sec. 18.406(a) or when a recipient is taking voluntary action to 
overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited 
participation in its federally assisted program or activity under 
Sec. 18.406(b), the recipient may invite applicants for admission to 
indicate whether and to what extent they are handicapped.
    (1) The recipient shall state clearly on any written questionnaire 
used for this purpose or make clear orally if no written questionnaire 
is used that the information requested is intended for use solely in 
connection with its remedial action obligations or its voluntary action 
efforts; and
    (2) The recipient shall state clearly that the information is being 
requested

[[Page 30]]

on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential, that refusal to 
provide it will not subject the applicant to any adverse treatment, and 
that it will be used only in accordance with this part.
    (d) Validity studies. For the purpose of paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, a recipient may base prediction equations on first year grades, 
but shall conduct periodic validity studies against the criterion of 
overall success in the education program or activity in question to 
monitor the general validity of the test scores.



Sec. 18.443  General treatment of students.

    (a) No qualified handicapped student shall, on the basis of 
handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, 
or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any academic, 
research, occupational training, housing, health insurance, counseling, 
financial aid, physical education, athletics, recreation, 
transportation, other extracurricular, or other aid, benefits, or 
services operated by a recipient to which this subpart applies.
    (b) A recipient that considers participation by students in 
education programs or activities not operated wholly by the recipient as 
part of, or equivalent to, an education program or activity operated by 
the recipient shall assure itself that the other education program or 
activity, as a whole, provides an equal opportunity for the 
participation of qualified handicapped persons.
    (c) A recipient to which this subpart applies may not, on the basis 
of handicap, exclude any qualified handicapped student from any course, 
course of study, or other part of its education program or activity.
    (d) A recipient shall operate its program or activity in the most 
integrated setting appropriate.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.444  Academic adjustments.

    (a) Academic requirements. A recipient shall make necessary 
modifications to its academic requirements to ensure that these 
requirements do not discriminate or have the effect of discriminating, 
on the basis of handicap, against a qualified handicapped applicant or 
student. Modifications may include changes in the length of time 
permitted for the completion of degree requirements, substitution of 
specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements, and 
adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted. 
Academic requirements that the recipient can demonstrate are essential 
to the instruction being pursued by the student or to any directly 
related licensing requirement will not be regarded as discriminatory 
within the meaning of this section.
    (b) Other rules. A recipient may not impose upon handicapped 
students other rules, such as the prohibition of tape recorders in 
classrooms or guide dogs in campus buildings, that have the effect of 
limiting the participation of handicapped students in the recipient's 
education program or activity.
    (c) Course examinations. In its course examinations or other 
procedures for evaluating students' academic achievement, a recipient 
shall provide methods for evaluating the achievement of students who 
have a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills that 
will best ensure that the results of the evaluation represent the 
students' achievement in the course, rather than reflect the students' 
impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except where such skills 
are the factors that the test purports to measure).
    (d) Auxiliary aids. (1) A recipient shall ensure that no qualified 
handicapped student is denied the benefits of, excluded from 
participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of 
the absence of educational auxiliary aids for students with impaired 
sensory, manual, or speaking skills.
    (2) Auxiliary aids may include taped texts, interpreters or other 
effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to 
students with hearing impairments, readers in libraries for students 
with visual impairments, classroom equipment adapted for use by students 
with manual impairments, and other similar services and actions. 
Recipients need not provide attendants, individually prescribed devices, 
readers for personal

[[Page 31]]

use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.445  Housing.

    (a) Housing provided by a recipient. A recipient that provides 
housing to its nonhandicapped students shall provide comparable, 
convenient, and accessible housing to qualified handicapped students at 
the same cost as to others. At the end of the transition period provided 
for in Sec. 18.422(e), this housing shall be available in sufficient 
quantity and variety so that the scope of handicapped students' choice 
of living accommodations is, as a whole, comparable to that of 
nonhandicapped students.
    (b) Other housing. A recipient that assists any agency, 
organization, or person in making housing available to any of its 
students shall assure itself that such housing is, as a whole, made 
available in a manner that does not result in discrimination on the 
basis of handicap.



Sec. 18.446  Financial and employment assistance to students.

    (a) Provision of financial assistance. (1) In providing financial 
assistance to qualified handicapped persons, a recipient may not:
    (i) On the basis of handicap, provide less assistance than is 
provided to nonhandicapped persons, limit eligibility for assistance, or 
otherwise discriminate; or
    (ii) Assist any entity or person that provides assistance to any of 
the recipient's students in a manner that discriminates against 
qualified handicapped persons on the basis of handicap.
    (2) A recipient may administer or assist in the administration of 
scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance 
established under wills, trusts, bequests, or similar legal instruments 
that require awards to be made on the basis of factors that discriminate 
or have the effect of discriminating on the basis of handicap only if 
the overall effect of the award of scholarships, fellowships, and other 
forms of financial assistance is not discriminatory on the basis of 
handicap.
    (b) Assistance in making available outside employment. A recipient 
that assists any agency, organization, or person in providing employment 
opportunities to any of its students shall assure itself that these 
employment opportunities, as a whole, are made available in a manner 
that would not violate Secs. 18.411 through 18.414 if the opportunities 
were provided by the recipient.
    (c) Employment of students by recipients. A recipient that employs 
any of its students may not do so in a manner that violates Secs. 18.411 
through 18.414.



Sec. 18.447  Nonacademic services.

    (a) Physical education and athletics. (1) In providing physical 
education courses and athletics and similar aid, benefits, or services 
to any of its students, a recipient may not discriminate on the basis of 
handicap. A recipient that offers physical education courses or that 
operates or sponsors intercollegiate, club or intramural athletics shall 
provide to qualified handicapped students an equal opportunity for 
participation in these activities.
    (2) A recipient may offer to handicapped students physical education 
and athletic activities that are separate or different only if 
separation or differentiation is consistent with the requirements of 
Sec. 18.443(d) and only if no qualified handicapped student is denied 
the opportunity to compete for teams or to participate in courses that 
are not separate or different.
    (b) Counseling and placement services. A recipient that provides 
personal, academic, or vocational counseling, guidance, or placement 
services to its students shall provide these services without 
discrimination on the basis of handicap. The recipient shall ensure that 
qualified handicapped students are not counseled toward more restrictive 
career objectives than are nonhandicapped students with similar 
interests and abilities. This requirement does not preclude a recipient 
from providing factual information about licensing and certification 
requirements that may present obstacles to handicapped persons in their 
pursuit of particular careers.
    (c) Social organizations. A recipient that provides significant 
assistance to

[[Page 32]]

fraternities, sororities, or similar organizations shall assure itself 
that the membership practices of these organizations do not permit 
discrimination otherwise prohibited by Secs. 18.441 through 18.447.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]

                       Health and Social Services



Sec. 18.451  Application.

    Subpart F applies to health, and other social service programs or 
activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Veterans Affairs and to recipients that operate or receive Federal 
financial assistance for the operation of such programs or activities.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51370, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.452  Health and other social services.

    (a) General. In providing health, or other social services or 
benefits, a recipient may not, on the basis of handicap:
    (1) Deny a qualified handicapped person these benefits or services;
    (2) Give a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to receive 
benefits or services that are not equal to those offered nonhandicapped 
persons.
    (3) Provide a qualified handicapped person with benefits or services 
that are not as effective (as defined in Sec. 18.404(b)(2)) as the 
benefits or services provided to others;
    (4) Provide benefits or services in a manner that limits or has the 
effect of limiting the participation of qualified handicapped persons; 
or
    (5) Provide different or separate benefits or services to 
handicapped persons except where necessary to provide qualified 
handicapped persons with benefits and services that are as effective as 
those provided to others.
    (b) Notice. A recipient that provides notice concerning benefits or 
services or written material concerning waivers of rights of consent to 
treatment shall ensure that qualified handicapped persons, including 
those with impaired sensory or speaking skills, are not denied effective 
notice because of their handicap.
    (c) Emergency treatment for the hearing impaired. A recipient 
hospital that provides health services or benefits shall establish a 
procedure for effective communication with persons with impaired hearing 
for the purpose of providing emergency care.
    (d) Auxiliary aids. (1) A recipient that employs fifteen or more 
persons shall provide appropriate auxiliary aids to persons with 
impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills, where necessary to give 
these persons an equal opportunity to benefit from the service in 
question.
    (2) The Secretary may require recipients with fewer than fifteen 
employees to provide auxiliary aids where the provision of aids would 
not significantly impair the ability of the recipient to provide its 
benefits or services.
    (3) Auxiliary aids may include brailled and taped material, 
interpreters, and aids for persons with impaired hearing or vision.



Sec. 18.453  Drug and alcohol addicts.

    A recipient that operates a general hospital or outpatient facility 
may not discriminate, with regard to a drug or alcohol abuser or 
alcoholic who is suffering from a medical condition, in the admission of 
that person for treatment of the medical condition, or in the treatment 
of the medical condition because of the person's drug or alcohol abuse 
or alcoholism.



Sec. 18.454  Education of institutionalized persons.

    A recipient that operates or supervises a program or activity that 
provides aid, benefits, or services for persons who are 
institutionalized because of handicap and is responsible for providing 
training shall ensure that each qualified handicapped person, as defined 
in Sec. 18.403(k)(2), in its program or activity that provides aid, 
benefits, or services is provided an appropriate education, as defined 
in Sec. 18.433(b). Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as 
altering in any way the obligations of recipients under Secs. 18.431 
through 18.439.

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980; 51 FR 12702, Apr. 15, 1986; 68 FR 51370, 
Aug. 26, 2003]

[[Page 33]]

                               Procedures



Sec. 18.461  Procedures.

    The procedural provisions applicable to Title VI of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 apply to this part. These procedures are found in Secs. 18.6 
through 18.11 and part 18b of this chapter.



 Sec. Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 18--Statutory Provisions to Which 
                            This Part Applies

1. Payments to State Homes (38 U.S.C. 1741-1743).
2. State home facilities for furnishing domiciliary, nursing home, and 
          hospital care (38 U.S.C. 8131-8137).
3. Transfers for nursing home care; adult day health care (38 U.S.C. 
          1720).
4. Sharing of medical facilities, equipment, and information (38 U.S.C. 
          8151-8157).
5. Assistance in establishing new state medical schools, grants to 
          affiliated medical schools; assistance to health manpower 
          training institutions (38 U.S.C. Chapter 82).
6. Approval of educational institutions (38 U.S.C. 104).
7. Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans (38 
          U.S.C. 1713).
8. Space and office facilities for representatives of State employment 
          service (38 U.S.C. 7725(4)).
9. Space and office facilities for representatives of recognized 
          national service organizations (38 U.S.C. 5902(a)(2)).
10. All-volunteer force educational assistance, vocational 
          rehabilitation post-Vietnam era veterans educational 
          assistance; veterans educational assistance, survivors' and 
          dependents' educational assistance, and administration of 
          educational benefits (38 U.S.C. Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 
          and 36 respectively).
11. Treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol or drug dependence or abuse 
          disabilities (38 U.S.C. 1720A).
12. Aid to States for establishment, expansion, and improvement of 
          veterans cemeteries (38 U.S.C. 2408).
13. Department of Veterans Affairs health professional scholarship 
          program (38 U.S.C. 7601-7655).
14. Emergency veterans job training (Pub. L. 98-77, 97 Stat. 443-452).

[45 FR 63268, Sept. 24, 1980, as amended at 51 FR 10385, Mar. 26, 1986; 
51 FR 12702, Apr. 15, 1986]



             Subpart E_Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age

    Authority: Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
6101, et seq.; 45 CFR part 90 (1979).

    Source: 50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

                                 General



Sec. 18.501  Purpose.

    The purpose of these regulations is to set out Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) policies and procedures under the Age 
Discrimination Act of 1975 and the governmentwide age discrimination 
regulations at 45 CFR part 90. The Act and the governmentwide 
regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of age in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance. The Act and the 
governmentwide regulations permit federally assisted programs or 
activities, and recipients of Federal funds, to continue to use age 
distinctions and factors other than age which meet the requirements of 
the Act and its implementing regulations.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 54 FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989; 
68 FR 51372, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.502  Application.

    (a) These regulations apply to any program or activity receiving 
Federal financial assistance provided by VA directly or through another 
recipient.
    (b) These regulations do not apply to:
    (1) An age distinction contained in that part of a Federal, State, 
or local statute or ordinance adopted by an elected, general purpose 
legislative body which:
    (i) Provides any benefits or assistance to persons based on age; or
    (ii) Establishes criteria for participation in age-related terms; or
    (iii) Describes intended beneficiaries or target groups in age-
related terms.
    (2) Any employment practice of any employer, employment agency, 
labor organization, or any labor-management joint apprenticeship 
training program, except any program or activity receiving Federal 
financial assistance for public service employment under

[[Page 34]]

the Job Training Partnership Act, 29 U.S.C. 1501, et seq.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.503  Definitions.

    As used in these regulations:
    (a) Act means the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (Title 
III of Pub. L. 94-135, 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107).
    (b) Action means any act, activity, policy, rule, standard, or 
method of administration; or the use of any policy, rule, standard, or 
method of administration.
    (c) Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or designees.
    (d) Age means how old a person is, or the number of elapsed years 
from the date of a person's birth.
    (e) Age discrimination means unlawful treatment based on age.
    (f) Age distinction means any action using age or an age-related 
term.
    (g) Age-related term means a word or words which necessarily imply a 
particular age or range of ages (for example, children, adult, older 
persons, but not student).
    (h) Day means calendar day.
    (i) Federal financial assistance means any grant, entitlement, loan, 
cooperative agreement, contract (other than a procurement contract or a 
contract of insurance or guaranty), or any other arrangement by which a 
Federal agency or department provides or otherwise makes available 
assistance in the form of:
    (1) Funds; or
    (2) Services of Federal personnel; or
    (3) Real and personal property or any interest in or use of 
property, including:
    (i) Transfers or leases of property for less than fair market value 
or for reduced consideration; and
    (ii) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of property if the 
Federal share of its market value is not returned to the Federal 
Government.
    (j) Program or activity means all of the operations of any entity 
described in paragraphs (j)(1) through (4) of this section, any part of 
which is extended Federal financial assistance:
    (1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
    (ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes 
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State 
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the 
case of assistance to a State or local government;
    (2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or 
a public system of higher education; or
    (ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), 
system of vocational education, or other school system;
    (3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private 
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
    (A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, 
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
    (B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing 
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and 
recreation; or
    (ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate 
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case 
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole 
proprietorship; or
    (4) Any other entity that is established by two or more of the 
entities described in paragraph (j)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
    (k) Recipient means any State or its political subdivision, any 
instrumentality of a State or its political subdivision, any public or 
private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any 
person to which Federal financial assistance is extended, directly or 
through another recipient. Recipient includes any successor, assignee, 
or transferee, but excludes the ultimate beneficiary of the assistance.
    (l) Subrecipient means any of the entities in the definition of 
recipient to which a recipient extends or passes on Federal financial 
assistance. A subrecipient is generally regarded as a recipient of 
Federal financial assistance and has all the duties of a recipient in 
these regulations.
    (m) United States means the fifty States, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal

[[Page 35]]

Zone, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, the Northern 
Marianas, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51371, Aug. 26, 2003]

              Standards for Determining Age Discrimination



Sec. 18.511  Rules against age discrimination.

    The rules in this section are limited by the exceptions contained in 
Secs. 18.513 and 18.514 of these regulations.
    (a) General rule. No person in the United States shall, on the basis 
of age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or 
be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity receiving 
Federal financial assistance.
    (b) Specific rules. A recipient may not, in any program or activity 
receiving Federal financial assistance, directly or through contractual 
licensing, or other arrangements, use age distinctions or take any other 
actions which have the effect, on the basis of age, of:
    (1) Excluding individuals from, denying them the benefits of, or 
subjecting them to discrimination under, a program or activity receiving 
Federal financial assistance; or
    (2) Denying or limiting individuals in their opportunity to 
participate in any program or activity receiving Federal financial 
assistance.
    (c) The specific forms of age discrimination listed in paragraph (b) 
of this section do not necessarily constitute a complete list.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.512  Definitions of ``normal operation'' and ``statutory objective.''

    For the purpose of these regulations, the terms normal operation and 
statutory objective shall have the following meaning:
    (a) Normal operation means the operation of a program or activity 
without significant changes that would impair its ability to meet its 
objectives.
    (b) Statutory objective means any purpose of a program or activity 
expressly stated in any Federal statute, State statute, or local statute 
or ordinance adopted by an elected, general purpose legislative body.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.513  Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination; normal
operation or statutory objective of any program or activity.

    A recipient is permitted to take an action, otherwise prohibited by 
Sec. 18.511, if the action reasonably takes into account age as a factor 
necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any statutory 
objective of a program or activity. An action reasonably takes into 
account age as a factor necessary to the normal operation or the 
achievement of any statutory objective of a program or activity, if:
    (a) Age is used as a measure or approximation of one or more other 
characteristics; and
    (b) The other characteristic(s) must be measured or approximated in 
order for the normal operation of the program or activity to continue, 
or to achieve any statutory objective of the program or activity; and
    (c) The other characteristic(s) can be reasonably measured or 
approximated by the use of age; and
    (d) The other characteristic(s) are impractical to measure directly 
on an individual basis.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.514  Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination; 
reasonable factors other than age.

    A recipient is permitted to take an action otherwise prohibited by 
Sec. 18.511 which is based on a factor other than age, even though that 
action may have a disproportionate effect on persons of different ages. 
An action may be based on a factor other than age only if the factor 
bears a direct and substantial relationship to the normal operation of 
the program or activity or to the achievement of a statutory objective.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.515  Burden of proof.

    The burden of proving that an age distinction or other action falls 
within the exceptions outlined in Secs. 18.513 and

[[Page 36]]

18.514 is on the recipient of Federal financial assistance.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.516  Affirmative action by recipients.

    Even in the absence of a finding of discrimination, a recipient may 
take affirmative action to overcome the effects of conditions that 
resulted in limited participation in the recipient's program or activity 
on the basis of age.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

      Responsibilities of Department of Veterans Affairs Recipients



Sec. 18.531  General responsibilities.

    Each VA recipient must ensure that its programs or activities are in 
compliance with the Act and these regulations.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51372, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.532  Notice of subrecipients.

    Where a recipient passes on Federal financial assistance from VA to 
programs or activities of subrecipients, the recipient shall provide the 
subrecipients written notice of their obligations under the Act and 
these regulations with respect to such programs and activities.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0400)

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51372, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.533  Assurance of compliance and recipient assessment of age 
distinctions.

    (a) Each recipient of Federal financial assistance from VA shall 
sign a written assurance as specified by the Secretary that it will 
comply with the Act and these regulations.
    (b) Recipient assessment of age distinctions. (1) As part of a 
compliance review under Sec. 18.541 or complaint investigation under 
Sec. 18.544, the Secretary may require a recipient employing the 
equivalent of 15 of more employees to complete a written self-
evaluation, in a manner specified by the responsible agency official, of 
any age distinction imposed in its programs or activities receiving 
Federal financial assistance from VA to assess the recipient's 
compliance with the Act.
    (2) Whenever an assessment indicates a violation of the Act or these 
regulations, the recipient shall take corrective action.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.534  Information requirements.

    Each recipient shall:
    (a) Make available upon request to VA information necessary to 
determine whether the recipient is complying with the Act and these 
regulations.
    (b) Permit reasonable access by VA to the books, records, accounts, 
and other recipient facilities and sources of information to the extent 
necessary to determine whether the recipient is in compliance with the 
Act and these regulations.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

         Investigation, Conciliation, and Enforcement Procedures



Sec. 18.541  Compliance reviews.

    (a) VA may conduct compliance reviews and preaward reviews of 
recipients or use other similar procedures that will permit it to 
investigate and correct violations of the Act and these regulations. VA 
may conduct these reviews even in the absence of a complaint against a 
recipient. The review may be as comprehensive as necessary to determine 
whether a violation of these regulations has occurred.
    (b) If a compliance review or preaward review indicates a violation 
of the Act or these regulations, VA will attempt to achieve voluntary 
compliance with the Act. If voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, VA 
may institute enforcement proceedings as described in Sec. 18.546.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.542  Complaints.

    (a) Any person, individually or as a member of a class or on behalf 
of others, may file a complaint with VA alleging discrimination 
prohibited by the Act or these regulations based on an action occurring 
on or after July 1,

[[Page 37]]

1979. A complainant shall file a complaint within 180 days from the date 
the complainant first had knowledge of the alleged act of 
discrimination. However, for good cause shown, VA may extend this time 
limit. Complaints may be submitted to the Director, Office of Equal 
Opportunity (06B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20420.
    (b) VA will attempt to facilitate the filing of complaints wherever 
possible, including taking the following measures:
    (1) Acknowledging receipt and acceptance of a complaint in writing.
    (2) Accepting as a sufficient complaint, any written statement which 
identifies the parties involved and the date the complainant first had 
knowledge of the alleged violation, describes generally the action or 
practice complained of, and is signed by the complainant.
    (3) Freely permitting a complainant to add information to the 
complaint to meet the requirements of a sufficient complaint.
    (4) Widely disseminating information regarding the obligations of 
recipients under the Act and these regulations.
    (5) Notifying the complainant and the recipient of their rights and 
obligations under the complaint procedure, including the right to have a 
representative at all stages of the complaint procedure.
    (6) Notifying the complainant and the recipient (or their 
representatives) of their right to contact VA for information and 
assistance regarding the complaint resolution process.
    (c) VA will refer a complaint of discrimination based on age to 
another appropriate Federal agency when the complaint is outside the 
jurisdiction of VA. VA will notify the complainant in writing that the 
complaint has been referred; explain the reason why the complaint is not 
within the jurisdiction of VA; and give the complainant the name, 
agency, and address of the official to whom the complaint was referred.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0401)

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.543  Mediation.

    (a) Referral of complaints for mediation. VA will refer to the 
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service all complaints that:
    (1) Fall within the jurisdiction of the Act and these regulations; 
and
    (2) Contain all information necessary for further processing.
    (b) Both the complainant and the recipient shall participate in the 
mediation process to the extent necessary to reach an agreement or make 
an informed judgment that an agreement is not possible. However, the 
recipient and the complainant need not meet with the mediator at the 
same time.
    (c) If the complainant and the recipient reach an agreement, the 
mediator shall prepare a written statement of the agreement and have the 
complainant and the recipient sign it. The mediator shall send a copy of 
the agreement to VA. VA will take no further action on the complaint 
unless the complainant or the recipient fails to comply with the 
agreement.
    (d) The mediator shall protect the confidentiality of all 
information obtained in the course of the mediation process. No mediator 
shall testify in any adjunctive proceeding, produce any document, or 
otherwise disclose any information obtained in the course of the 
mediation process without prior approval of the head of the mediation 
agency.
    (e) VA will use the mediation process for a maximum of 60 days after 
the responsible agency official receives a complaint.
    (f) Mediation ends if:
    (1) 60 days elapse from the time the responsible agency official 
receives the complaint; or
    (2) Prior to the end of that 60-day period, an agreement is reached; 
or
    (3) Prior to the end of that 60-day period, the mediator determines 
that an agreement cannot be reached.
    (g) The mediator shall return unresolved complaints to VA.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

[[Page 38]]



Sec. 18.544  Investigation.

    (a) Informal investigation. (1) VA will investigate complaints that 
are reopened because of a violation of a mediation agreement.
    (2) As part of the initial investigation VA will use informal fact 
finding methods, including joint or separate discussions with the 
complainant and recipient to establish the facts and, if possible, 
settle the complaint on terms that are mutually agreeable to the 
parties. VA may seek the assistance of any involved State agency.
    (3) VA will put any agreement in writing and have it signed by the 
parties and an authorized official from the VA.
    (4) The settlement shall not affect the operation of any other 
enforcement effort of VA, including compliance reviews and investigation 
of other complaints which may involve the recipient.
    (5) A settlement need not contain an admission of discrimination or 
other wrongdoing by the recipient nor should it be considered a finding 
of discrimination against the recipient.
    (b) Formal investigation. If VA cannot resolve the complaint through 
informal investigation, it will begin to develop formal findings through 
further investigation of the complaint. If the investigation indicates a 
violation of these regulations, VA will attempt to obtain voluntary 
compliance. If voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, VA may institute 
enforcement proceedings as described in Sec. 18.546.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51372, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.545  Prohibition against intimidation or retaliation.

    A recipient may not engage in acts of intimidation or retaliation 
against any person who:
    (a) Attempts to assert a right protected by the Act or these 
regulations; or
    (b) Cooperates in any mediation, investigation, hearing, or other 
part of VA's investigation, conciliation, and enforcement process.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



Sec. 18.546  Compliance procedure.

    (a) VA may enforce the Act and these regulations through:
    (1) Termination of Federal financial assistance from VA with respect 
to a recipient's program or activity that has violated the Act or these 
regulations. The determination of the recipient's violation may be made 
only after a recipient has had an opportunity for a hearing on the 
record before an administrative law judge. Therefore, cases which are 
settled in mediation, or prior to a hearing, will not involve 
termination of a recipient's Federal financial assistance from VA.
    (2) Any other means authorized by law including but not limited to:
    (i) Referral to the Department of Justice for proceedings to enforce 
any rights of the United States or obligations of the recipient created 
by the Act or these regulations.
    (ii) Use of any requirement of or referral to any Federal, State, or 
local government agency that will have the effect of correcting a 
violation of the Act or these regulations.
    (b) VA will limit any termination under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section to the particular program or activity or part of such program or 
activity of a recipient that VA finds to be in violation of the Act or 
these regulations. VA will not base any part of a termination on a 
finding with respect to any program or activity of the recipient which 
does not receive Federal financial assistance from VA.
    (c) VA will take no action under paragraph (a) of this section 
until:
    (1) The Secretary has advised the recipient of its failure to comply 
with the Act and these regulations and has determined that voluntary 
compliance cannot be obtained.
    (2) Thirty days have elapsed after the Secretary has sent a written 
report of the circumstances and grounds of the action to the committees 
of the Congress having legislative jurisdiction over the program or 
activity involved. The Secretary will file a report whenever any action 
is taken under paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) VA also may defer granting new Federal financial assistance from 
VA to a recipient when a hearing under

[[Page 39]]

paragraph (a)(1) of this section is initiated.
    (1) New Federal financial assistance from VA includes all assistance 
for which VA requires an application or approval, including renewal or 
continuation of existing activities, or authorization of new activities 
during the deferral period. New Federal financial assistance from VA 
does not include increases in funding resulting solely from a change in 
the formula or method of computing awards, nor does it include 
assistance approved prior to the beginning of a hearing under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    (2) VA will not begin a deferral until the recipient has received a 
notice of an opportunity for a hearing under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section. VA will not continue a deferral for more than 60 days unless a 
hearing has begun within that time or the time for beginning the hearing 
has been extended by mutual consent of the recipient and the Secretary. 
VA will not continue a deferral for more than 30 days after the close of 
the hearing, unless the hearing results in a finding against the 
recipient.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)

[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51372, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.547  Hearings, decisions, post-termination proceedings.

    Certain VA procedural provisions applicable to Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 apply to VA enforcement of these regulations. They 
are found at Secs. 18.9 through 18.11 and part 18b of this title.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-1607)



Sec. 18.548  Remedial action by recipient.

    Where VA finds that a recipient has discriminated on the basis of 
age, the recipient shall take any remedial action that VA may require to 
overcome the effects of the discrimination. If another recipient 
exercises control over the recipient that has discriminated, VA may 
require both recipients to take remedial action.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-1607)



Sec. 18.549  Alternate funds disbursal procedure.

    (a) When VA withholds funds from a recipient under these 
regulations, the Secretary may disburse the withheld funds directly to 
an alternate recipient: Any public or non-profit private organization or 
agency, or State or political subdivision of the State.
    (b) The Secretary will require any alternate recipient to 
demonstrate;
    (1) The ability to comply with these regulations; and
    (2) The ability to achieve the goals of the Federal statute 
authorizing the Federal financial assistance.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-1607)

[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51372, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec. 18.550  Exhaustion of administrative remedies.

    (a) A complainant may file a civil action following the exhaustion 
of administrative remedies under the Act. Administrative remedies are 
exhausted if:
    (1) 180 days have elapsed since the complainant filed the complaint 
and VA has made no finding with regard to the complaint; or
    (2) VA issues any finding in favor of the recipient.
    (b) If VA fails to make a finding within 180 days or issues a 
finding in favor of the recipient, VA will:
    (1) Promptly advise the complainant of this fact; and
    (2) Advise the complainant of his or her right to bring a civil 
action for injunctive relief; and
    (3) Inform the complainant that:
    (i) The complainant may bring a civil action only in a United States 
district court for the district in which the recipient is found or 
transacts business;
    (ii) A complainant prevailing in a civil action has the right to be 
awarded the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees, 
but the complainant must demand these costs in the complaint;
    (iii) Before commencing the action, the complainant shall give 30 
days notice by registered mail to the Secretary, the Attorney General of 
the United States, and the recipient;

[[Page 40]]

    (iv) The notice must state: The alleged violation of the Act; the 
relief requested; the court in which the complainant is bringing the 
action; and, whether or not attorney's fees are demanded in the event 
the complainant prevails; and
    (v) The complainant may not bring action if the same alleged 
violations of the Act by the same recipient is the subject of a pending 
action in any court of the United States.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6101-6107)



 Sec. Appendix A to Subpart E of Part 18--Statutory Provisions to Which 
                          This Subpart Applies

    1. Approval of educational institutions (38 U.S.C. 104).
    2. Space and office facilities for representatives of State 
employment services (38 U.S.C. 7725(1)).
    3. Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans (38 
U.S.C. 1713).
    4. Transfers for nursing home care; adult day health care (38 U.S.C. 
1720).
    5. Treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol or drug dependence or 
abuse disabilities (38 U.S.C. 1720A).
    6. Payments to State Homes (38 U.S.C. 1741-1743).
    7. Aid to States for establishment, expansion, and improvement of 
veterans' cemeteries (38 U.S.C. 2408).
    8. Vocational Rehabilitation; Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance; Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance; and 
Administration of Educational Benefits (38 U.S.C. Chapters 31, 32, 34, 
35 and 36 respectively).
    9. Space and office facilities for representatives of recognized 
national organizations (38 U.S.C. 5902(a)(2)).
    10. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship 
Program (38 U.S.C. 7601-7655).
    11. State Home Facilities for Furnishing Domiciliary, Nursing Home 
and Hospital Care (38 U.S.C. 8131-8137).
    12. Sharing of Medical Facilities, Equipment and Information (38 
U.S.C. 8151-8157).
    13. Assistance in Establishing New State Medical Schools; Grants to 
Affiliated Medical Schools; Assistance to Health Manpower Training 
Institutions (38 U.S.C. Chapter 82).
    14. Emergency Veterans' Job Training (Pub. L. 98-77, 97 Stat. 443-
452).



   Sec. Appendix B to Subpart E of Part 18--List of Age Distinctions 
   Contained in Statutes and Regulations Governing Federal Financial 
            Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs

    Section 90.31(f) of the governmentwide regulations (45 CFR part 90) 
requires each Federal agency to publish an appendix to its final 
regulations containing a list of age distinctions in Federal statutes 
and regulations affecting financial assistance administered by the 
agency. This appendix is VA's list of age distinctions contained in 
Federal statutes and VA regulations which:
    (1) Provide benefits or assistance to persons based upon age; or
    (2) Establish criteria for participation in age-related terms; or
    (3) Describe intended beneficiaries or target groups in age-related 
terms.
    Appendix B deals only with VA's programs of financial assistance 
covered by the Age Discrimination Act. It does not list age distinctions 
used by VA in its direct assistance programs, such as veterans' 
compensation. Also, this appendix contains only age distinctions in 
Federal statutes and VA regulations in effect on January 1, 1985.
    This appendix has two sections: A list of age distinctions in 
Federal statutes, and a list of age distinctions in VA regulations. The 
first column contains the name of the program; the second column has the 
statute name and U.S. Code citation for statutes, or the regulation name 
and Code of Federal Regulations citation for regulations; the third 
column contains the section number of the statute or regulation and the 
description of the age distinction; and the fourth column cites the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the program(s) 
affected where it is available.

[[Page 41]]



   Age Distinctions in Statutes Governing Federal Financial Assistance Programs of the Department of Veterans
                                                     Affairs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Program                            Statute               Section and Age Distinction      CFDA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans' Benefits......................  Section 101 of the           Section 101(4)(A) defines the
                                           Veterans' Benefits Act of    term ``child'' for the purposes
                                           1957, as amended; 38         of Title 38, U.S.C. (except for
                                           U.S.C. 101.                  chapter 19 and section 8502(b)
                                                                        of Title 38) as ``a person who
                                                                        is unmarried and--(i) who is
                                                                        under the age of eighteen
                                                                        years; (ii) who, before
                                                                        attaining the age of eighteen
                                                                        years, became permanently
                                                                        incapable of self-support; or
                                                                        (iii) who, after attaining the
                                                                        age of eighteen years and until
                                                                        completion of education or
                                                                        training (but not after
                                                                        attaining the age of twenty-
                                                                        three years), is pursuing a
                                                                        course of instruction at an
                                                                        approved educational
                                                                        institution; and who is a
                                                                        legitimate child, a legally
                                                                        adopted child, a stepchild who
                                                                        is a member of a veteran's
                                                                        household or was a member at
                                                                        the time of the veteran's
                                                                        death, or an illegitimate child
                                                                        but, as to the alleged father,
                                                                        only if acknowledged in writing
                                                                        signed by him, or if he has
                                                                        been judicially ordered to
                                                                        contribute to the child's
                                                                        support or has been, before his
                                                                        death, judicially decreed to be
                                                                        the father of such child, or if
                                                                        he is otherwise shown by
                                                                        evidence statisfactory to the
                                                                        Secretary to be the father or
                                                                        such child. . . .''.
                                                                       Section 101(4)(B) provides that
                                                                        for the purposes of section
                                                                        101(4)(A) of Title 38, in the
                                                                        case of an adoption under the
                                                                        laws of any jurisdiction other
                                                                        than a State, a person residing
                                                                        outside any of the States shall
                                                                        not be considered a legally
                                                                        adopted child of a veteran
                                                                        during the lifetime of that
                                                                        veteran, unless, among other
                                                                        things, such a person was less
                                                                        than eighteen years of age at
                                                                        the time of the adoption.
Approval of Educational Institutions....  Section 104 of the           Section 104(a) authorizes the
                                           Veterans' Benefits Act of    Secretary to approve or
                                           1957, as amended, 38         disapprove an educational
                                           U.S.C. 104.                  institution for the purpose of
                                                                        determining whether or not
                                                                        benefits are payable under
                                                                        Title 38, U.S.C. (except
                                                                        chapter 15 of title 38) for a
                                                                        child over the age of eighteen
                                                                        years and under the age of
                                                                        twenty-three years who is
                                                                        attending a school, college,
                                                                        academy, seminary, technical
                                                                        institution, university, or
                                                                        other educational institution.
                                                                       Section 104(b) provides that the
                                                                        Secretary may not approve an
                                                                        educational institution under
                                                                        section 104 of Title 38, unless
                                                                        the institution has agreed to
                                                                        report the termination of
                                                                        attendance of any child. If the
                                                                        educational institution fails
                                                                        to report any such termination
                                                                        promptly, the approval of the
                                                                        Secretary shall be withdrawn.
Civilian Health and Medical Program of    Section 103(b) of the        Section 1713(a) authorizes the     64.009
 the Department of Veterans Affairs        Veterans Health Care         Secretary to provide medical
 (CHAMPA).                                 Expansion Act of 1973, as    care to: ``(1) The spouse or
                                           amended; 38 U.S.C. 1713.     child of a veteran who has a
                                                                        total disability, permanent in
                                                                        nature, resulting from a
                                                                        service-connected disability,
                                                                        (2) the surviving spouse or
                                                                        child of a veteran who (A) died
                                                                        as a result of a service-
                                                                        connected disability, or (B) at
                                                                        the time of death had a total
                                                                        disability permanent in nature,
                                                                        resulting from a service-
                                                                        connected disability, and (3)
                                                                        the surviving spouse or child
                                                                        of a person who died in the
                                                                        active military, naval, or air
                                                                        service in the line of duty and
                                                                        not due to such person's own
                                                                        misconduct, who are not
                                                                        otherwise eligible for medical
                                                                        care under Chapter 55 of Title
                                                                        10, U.S.C. (CHAMPUS).

[[Page 42]]

 
                                                                       Section 1713(c) provides that
                                                                        for the purposes of this
                                                                        program, ``a child between the
                                                                        ages of eighteen and twenty-
                                                                        three (1) who is eligible for
                                                                        benefits under subsection (a)
                                                                        of this section, (2) who is
                                                                        pursuing a full-time course of
                                                                        instruction at an educational
                                                                        institution, approved under
                                                                        Chapter 36 of this title, and
                                                                        (3) who while pursuing such
                                                                        course of instruction, incurs a
                                                                        disabling illness or injury . .
                                                                        . which results in such child's
                                                                        inability to continue or resume
                                                                        such child's chosen program of
                                                                        education . . . shall remain
                                                                        eligible for benefits under
                                                                        this section until the end of
                                                                        the six-month period beginning
                                                                        on the date the disability is
                                                                        removed, the end of the two-
                                                                        year period beginning on the
                                                                        date of the onset of the
                                                                        disability, or the twenty-third
                                                                        birthday of the child,
                                                                        whichever occurs first''.
VA Hospital, Domiciliary or Nursing Home  Section 510 of the           Section 1710 authorizes the        64.009
 Care.                                     Veterans' Benefits Act of    Secretary, within the limits of   64.010
                                           1957, amended; 38 U.S.C.     VA facilities, to furnish         64.015
                                           1710.                        hospital care or nursing home     64.016
                                                                        care. Among the persons
                                                                        eligible for such care are
                                                                        veterans with a nonservice-
                                                                        connected disability if they
                                                                        are sixty-five years of age or
                                                                        older.
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational    Post Vietnam Era Veterans'   Section 3201 states that the       64.120
 Assistance.                               Educational Act of 1977,     purpose of Chapter 32 of Title
                                           as amended; U.S.C. Chapter   38, U.S.C. is: ``(1) To provide
                                           32.                          educational assistance to those
                                                                        men and women who enter the
                                                                        Armed Forces after December 31,
                                                                        1976, (2) to assist young men
                                                                        and women in obtaining an
                                                                        education they might not
                                                                        otherwise be able to afford,
                                                                        and (3) to promote and assist
                                                                        the all volunteer military
                                                                        program of the United States by
                                                                        attracting qualified men and
                                                                        women to serve in the Armed
                                                                        Forces''.
Veterans' Educational Assistance........  Section 2 of the Veterans'   Section 3451 states that the       64.111
                                           Readjustment Benefits Act    education program created by
                                           of 1966, amended; 38         this chapter is for the purpose
                                           U.S.C. Chapter 34.           of: `` . . . (1) Enhancing and
                                                                        making more attractive service
                                                                        in the Armed Forces of the
                                                                        United States, (2) extending
                                                                        the benefits of higher
                                                                        education to qualified and
                                                                        deserving young persons who
                                                                        might not otherwise be able to
                                                                        afford such an education, (3)
                                                                        providing vocational
                                                                        readjustment and restoring lost
                                                                        educational opportunities to
                                                                        those service men and women
                                                                        whose careers have been
                                                                        interrupted or impeded by
                                                                        reason of active duty after
                                                                        January 31, 1955, and (4)
                                                                        aiding such persons in
                                                                        attaining the vocational and
                                                                        educational status which they
                                                                        might normally have aspired to
                                                                        and obtained had they not
                                                                        served their country''.
                                                                       Section 3492(b) authorizes the
                                                                        Secretary to pay to an eligible
                                                                        veteran receiving tutorial
                                                                        assistance pursuant to section
                                                                        3492(a) of this chapter, the
                                                                        cost of such tutorial
                                                                        assistance, subject to certain
                                                                        limits, upon certification by
                                                                        the educational institution
                                                                        that `` . . . (2) the tutor
                                                                        chosen to perform such
                                                                        assistance is qualified and is
                                                                        not the eligible veteran's
                                                                        parent, spouse, child (whether
                                                                        or not married or over eighteen
                                                                        years of age), brother, or
                                                                        sister; and (3) the charges for
                                                                        such assistance do not exceed
                                                                        the customary charges for such
                                                                        tutorial assistance''.

[[Page 43]]

 
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational    War Orphans' Educational     Section 3500 states that ``the     64.117
 Assistance.                               Assistance Act of 1956, as   educational program established
                                           amended; 38 U.S.C. Chapter   by this chapter is for the
                                           35.                          purpose of providing
                                                                        opportunities for education to
                                                                        children whose education would
                                                                        otherwise be impeded or
                                                                        interrupted by reason of the
                                                                        disability or death of a parent
                                                                        from a disease or injury
                                                                        incurred or aggravated in the
                                                                        Armed Forces after the
                                                                        beginning of the Spanish-
                                                                        American War, and for the
                                                                        purpose of aiding such children
                                                                        in attaining the educational
                                                                        status which they might have
                                                                        aspired to and attained but for
                                                                        the disability or death of such
                                                                        parent. The Congress further
                                                                        declares that the educational
                                                                        program extended to the
                                                                        surviving spouses of veterans
                                                                        who died of service-connected
                                                                        total disabilities and to
                                                                        spouses of veterans with a
                                                                        service-connected total
                                                                        disability permanent in nature
                                                                        is for the purpose of assisting
                                                                        them in preparing to support
                                                                        themselves and their families
                                                                        at a standard of living level
                                                                        which the veteran, but for the
                                                                        veteran's death or service
                                                                        disability, could have expected
                                                                        to provide for the veteran's
                                                                        family''.
                                                                       Section 3501 defines the term
                                                                        ``eligible person'' as: ``(A) a
                                                                        child of a person who--(i) died
                                                                        of a service-connected
                                                                        disability, (ii) has a total
                                                                        disability permanent in nature
                                                                        resulting from a service-
                                                                        connected disability, or who
                                                                        died while a disability so
                                                                        evaluated was in existence or
                                                                        (iii) at the time of
                                                                        application for benefits under
                                                                        this chapter is a member of the
                                                                        Armed Forces serving on active
                                                                        duty listed, pursuant to
                                                                        section 556 of Title 37
                                                                        [U.S.C.] and regulations issued
                                                                        thereunder, by the Secretary
                                                                        concerned in one or more of the
                                                                        following categories . . . for
                                                                        a total of ninety days: (A)
                                                                        missing in action, (B) captured
                                                                        in line of duty by a hostile
                                                                        force, or (C) forcibly detained
                                                                        or interned in line of duty by
                                                                        a foreign government or power,
                                                                        . . .'' Subparagraph (a)(2) of
                                                                        this section provides that the
                                                                        term ``child'' includes
                                                                        individuals who are married and
                                                                        individuals who are above the
                                                                        age of twenty-three years.

[[Page 44]]

 
                                                                       Section 3512 establishes periods
                                                                        of eligibility. Provides that
                                                                        the educational program to
                                                                        which an eligible child within
                                                                        the meaning of this chapter is
                                                                        entitled to may be afforded,
                                                                        ``. . . during the period
                                                                        beginning on the person's
                                                                        eighteenth birthday, or on the
                                                                        successful completion of the
                                                                        person's secondary schooling,
                                                                        whichever first occurs, and
                                                                        ending on the person's twenty-
                                                                        sixth birthday, except that--
                                                                        (1) if the person is above the
                                                                        age of compulsory school
                                                                        attendance under applicable
                                                                        State law, and the Secretary
                                                                        determines that the person's
                                                                        best interests will be served
                                                                        thereby, such period may begin
                                                                        before the person's eighteenth
                                                                        birthday; (2) if the person has
                                                                        a mental or physical handicap,
                                                                        and . . . the person's best
                                                                        interests will be served by
                                                                        pursuing a program of special
                                                                        restorative training or a
                                                                        specialized course of
                                                                        vocational training approved
                                                                        under section 3536 of this
                                                                        title, such period may begin
                                                                        before the person's fourteenth
                                                                        birthday; (3) if the Secretary
                                                                        finds that the parent from whom
                                                                        eligibility is derived has a
                                                                        service-connected total
                                                                        disability permanent in nature,
                                                                        or if the death of the parent
                                                                        from whom eligibility is
                                                                        derived occurs, after the
                                                                        eligible person's eighteenth
                                                                        birthday but before the
                                                                        person's twenty-sixth birthday,
                                                                        then (unless paragraph (4)
                                                                        applies) such period shall end
                                                                        8 years after, whichever date
                                                                        last occurs: (A) the date on
                                                                        which the Secretary first finds
                                                                        that the parent from whom
                                                                        eligibility is derived has a
                                                                        service-connected total
                                                                        disability permanent in nature,
                                                                        or (B) the date of death of the
                                                                        parent from whom eligibility is
                                                                        derived; (4) if the person
                                                                        serves on duty with the Armed
                                                                        Forces as an eligible person
                                                                        after the person's eighteenth
                                                                        birthday but before the
                                                                        person's twenty-sixth birthday,
                                                                        then such period shall end 8
                                                                        years after the person's first
                                                                        discharge or release from such
                                                                        duty with the Armed Forces . .
                                                                        . in no event shall such period
                                                                        be extended beyond the person's
                                                                        thirty-first birthday by reason
                                                                        of this paragraph; and (5)(A)
                                                                        if the person becomes eligible
                                                                        by reason of the provisions of
                                                                        section 3501(a)(1)(A)(ii) of
                                                                        this title after the person's
                                                                        eighteenth birthday but before
                                                                        the person's twenty-sixth
                                                                        birthday, then (unless clause
                                                                        (4) of this section applies)
                                                                        such period shall end eight
                                                                        years after the date on which
                                                                        the person becomes eligible by
                                                                        reason of such provisions, but
                                                                        in no event shall such period
                                                                        be extended beyond the person's
                                                                        thirty-first birthday by reason
                                                                        of this clause. . . .''.
                                                                       Section 3513 provides that the
                                                                        parent or guardian of a person
                                                                        or the eligible person (if such
                                                                        person has attained legal
                                                                        majority) for whom the
                                                                        educational assistance is
                                                                        sought under Chapter 35 shall
                                                                        submit an application to the
                                                                        Secretary, which shall be in
                                                                        such form and contain such
                                                                        information as the Secretary
                                                                        shall prescribe.

[[Page 45]]

 
                                                                       Section 3562 provides that the
                                                                        commencement of a program of
                                                                        education or special
                                                                        restorative training under
                                                                        Chapter 35 shall be a bar,
                                                                        ``(1) to subsequent payments of
                                                                        compensation, dependency and
                                                                        indemnity compensation, or
                                                                        pension based on a death of a
                                                                        parent to an eligible person
                                                                        over the age of eighteen by
                                                                        reason of pursuing a course in
                                                                        an educational institution, or
                                                                        (2) to increased rates, or
                                                                        additional amounts of
                                                                        compensation, dependency and
                                                                        indemnity compensation, or
                                                                        pension because of such a
                                                                        person whether eligibility is
                                                                        based upon the death or upon
                                                                        the total permanent disability
                                                                        of the parent''.
                                                                       Section 3563 states that ``The
                                                                        Secretary shall notify the
                                                                        parent or guardian of each
                                                                        eligible person as defined in
                                                                        section 3501(a)(1)(A) of this
                                                                        title of the educational
                                                                        assistance available to such
                                                                        person under Chapter 35. Such
                                                                        notification shall be provided
                                                                        not later then the month in
                                                                        which such eligible person
                                                                        attains such person's
                                                                        thirteenth birthday or as soon
                                                                        thereafter as feasible''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Age Distinctions in Regulations Governing Federal Financial Assistance Programs of the Department of Veterans
                                                     Affairs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Program                           Regulation             Section and Age Distinction      CFDA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans' Benefits......................  Adjudication (38 CFR part    Section 3.57 defines the term
                                           3).                          ``child'' of a veteran as, ``.
                                                                        . . an unmarried person who is
                                                                        a legitimate child, a child
                                                                        legally adopted before the age
                                                                        of 18 years, a stepchild who
                                                                        acquired that status before the
                                                                        age of 18 years and who is a
                                                                        member of the veteran's
                                                                        household or was a member of
                                                                        the veteran's household at the
                                                                        time of the veteran's death, or
                                                                        an illegitimate child; and (i)
                                                                        who is under the age of 18
                                                                        years; or (ii) who, before
                                                                        reaching the age of 18 years,
                                                                        became permanently incapable of
                                                                        self-support; or (iii) who,
                                                                        after reaching the age of 18
                                                                        years and until completion of
                                                                        education or training (but not
                                                                        after reaching the age of 23
                                                                        years) is pursuing a course of
                                                                        instruction at an approved
                                                                        educational institution. (2)
                                                                        For the purposes of determining
                                                                        entitlement of benefits based
                                                                        on a child's school attendance,
                                                                        the term ``child'' of the
                                                                        veteran also includes the
                                                                        following unmarried persons:
                                                                        (i) A person who was adopted by
                                                                        the veteran between the ages of
                                                                        18 or 23 years. (ii) A person
                                                                        who became a stepchild of a
                                                                        veteran between the ages of 18
                                                                        or 23 years and who is a member
                                                                        of the veteran's household at
                                                                        the time of the veteran's
                                                                        death. . . .''
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational    Adjudication (38 CFR part    Section 3.807(d) sets forth        64.117
 Assistance.                               3).                          basic eligibility criteria for
                                                                        the program of educational
                                                                        assistance under 38 U.S.C.
                                                                        Chapter 35. Defines the term
                                                                        ``child'' as the son or
                                                                        daughter of a veteran who meets
                                                                        the requirements of 38 CFR
                                                                        3.57, except as to age or
                                                                        marital status.
                                          Survivors' and Dependent's   Section 21.3021 describes
                                           Educational Assistant        beneficiaries of the program.
                                           Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35   Paragraph (a) defines the term
                                           (38 CFR part 21, subpart     ``eligible person'' as, ``(1) A
                                           C).                          child of a: (i) Veteran who
                                                                        died of a service-connected
                                                                        disability. . . .'' Paragraph
                                                                        (b) defines the term ``child''
                                                                        as a son or daughter of a
                                                                        veteran as defined in 38 CFR
                                                                        3.807(d).

[[Page 46]]

 
                                                                       Section 21.3023 states that:
                                                                        ``(a) Child; age 18. A child
                                                                        who is eligible for educational
                                                                        assistance and who is also
                                                                        eligible for pension,
                                                                        compensation dependency and
                                                                        indemnity compensation based on
                                                                        school attendance must elect
                                                                        whether he or she will receive
                                                                        educational assistance or
                                                                        pension, compensation or
                                                                        dependency and indemnity
                                                                        compensation. (1) An election
                                                                        of education assistance either
                                                                        before or after the age of 18
                                                                        years is a bar to subsequent
                                                                        payment or increased rates or
                                                                        additional amounts of pension,
                                                                        compensation or dependency and
                                                                        indemnity compensation on
                                                                        account of a child based on
                                                                        school attendance on or after
                                                                        the age of 18 years. . . . (2)
                                                                        Payment of pension,
                                                                        compensation or dependency and
                                                                        indemnity compensation to or on
                                                                        account of a child after his or
                                                                        her 18th birthday does not bar
                                                                        subsequent payments of
                                                                        educational assistance. . . .
                                                                        (b) Child; under 18 or
                                                                        helpless. Educational
                                                                        assistance allowance or special
                                                                        restorative training allowance
                                                                        may generally be paid
                                                                        concurrently with pension,
                                                                        compensation or dependency and
                                                                        indemnity compensation for a
                                                                        child under the age of 18 years
                                                                        or for a helpless child based
                                                                        on the service of one or more
                                                                        parents. Where, however,
                                                                        entitlement is based on the
                                                                        death of more than one parent
                                                                        in the same parental line,
                                                                        concurrent payments in two or
                                                                        more cases may not be
                                                                        authorized if the death of one
                                                                        such parent occurred on or
                                                                        after June 9, 1960. In the
                                                                        latter cases, an election of
                                                                        educational assistance and
                                                                        pension, compensation or
                                                                        dependency and indemnity
                                                                        compensation in one case does
                                                                        not preclude a reelection of
                                                                        benefits before attaining age
                                                                        18 or while helpless based on
                                                                        the service of another parent
                                                                        in the same parental line. . .
                                                                        .''
                                                                       Section 21.3040 sets forth
                                                                        criteria for the commencement
                                                                        and termination of the program
                                                                        of education or special
                                                                        restorative training for an
                                                                        eligible child under 38 U.S.C.
                                                                        Chapter 35. Paragraph (a) of
                                                                        this section provides that a
                                                                        program of education or special
                                                                        restorative training may not be
                                                                        afforded prior to the eligible
                                                                        persons' 18th birthday or the
                                                                        completion of secondary
                                                                        schooling, whichever is
                                                                        earlier, unless it is
                                                                        determined through counseling
                                                                        that the best interests of the
                                                                        eligible person will be served
                                                                        by entering training at an
                                                                        earlier date and the eligible
                                                                        person has passed: (1)
                                                                        Compulsory school attendance
                                                                        age under State law; or (2) his
                                                                        or her 14th birthday and due to
                                                                        physical or mental handicap may
                                                                        benefit by special restorative
                                                                        or specialized vocational
                                                                        training. Paragraph (c) of this
                                                                        section provides that no person
                                                                        is eligible for educational
                                                                        assistance who reached his or
                                                                        her 26th birthday on or before
                                                                        the effective date of a finding
                                                                        of permanent total service-
                                                                        connected disability, or on or
                                                                        before the date the veteran's
                                                                        death occurred, or on or before
                                                                        the 91st day of listing by the
                                                                        Secretary concerned of the
                                                                        member of the Armed Forces or
                                                                        whose service eligibility is
                                                                        claimed as being is one of the
                                                                        missing categories identified
                                                                        in 38 CFR 21.3021(a) (1)(iii)
                                                                        and (3)(ii). Paragraph (d)
                                                                        provides that no person is
                                                                        eligible for educational
                                                                        assistance beyond his or her
                                                                        31st birthday, except in
                                                                        certain exceptional cases.

[[Page 47]]

 
                                                                       Section 21.3041 sets forth
                                                                        periods of eligibility for an
                                                                        eligible child. Paragraph (a)
                                                                        of this section provides the
                                                                        basic beginning date for the
                                                                        educational assistance as the
                                                                        person's 18th birthday or
                                                                        successful completion of
                                                                        secondary schooling, whichever
                                                                        occurs first. Paragraph (b)
                                                                        authorizes certain exceptions
                                                                        to the basic beginning date,
                                                                        if: (1) A person has passed
                                                                        compulsory school attendance
                                                                        under applicable State law, or
                                                                        (2) has passed his or her 14th
                                                                        birthday and has a physical or
                                                                        mental handicap. Paragraph (c)
                                                                        provides the basic ending date
                                                                        as the person's 26th birthday.
                                                                        Paragraphs (d) and (e) set
                                                                        forth criteria for modifying or
                                                                        extending the ending date.
                                          Administration of            Section 21.3300 provides that VA
                                           Educational Benefits; 38     may prescribe special
                                           U.S.C. Chapter 34, 35, and   restorative training for the
                                           36 (38 CFR part 21,          purpose of enabling an eligible
                                           subpart D).                  child to pursue a program of
                                                                        education, special vocational
                                                                        program, or other appropriate
                                                                        goal, where needed to overcome
                                                                        or lessen the effects of a
                                                                        physical or mental disability.
                                                                       Section 21.4102(a) requires VA
                                                                        to provide counseling for the
                                                                        purpose set forth in 38 CFR
                                                                        21.4100 to an eligible child
                                                                        when: (1) The eligible child
                                                                        may require specialized
                                                                        vocational or special
                                                                        restorative training, or (2)
                                                                        the eligible child has reached
                                                                        compulsory school attendance
                                                                        age under State law, but has
                                                                        neither reached his or her 18th
                                                                        birthday nor completed
                                                                        secondary schooling, or (3) if
                                                                        requested by the eligible child
                                                                        or his or her parent or
                                                                        guardian for the purpose of
                                                                        preparing an educational plan.
                                                                       Section 21.4139(b) provides that
                                                                        VA will make payment of
                                                                        educational assistance under 38
                                                                        U.S.C. Chapter 35 to the
                                                                        eligible person if: (1) He or
                                                                        she has attained majority and
                                                                        has no known legal disability
                                                                        or (2) is in the eligible
                                                                        person's best interests, and
                                                                        there is no reason not to
                                                                        designate the eligible person
                                                                        as payee. VA may pay minors
                                                                        under this provision.
                                                                       Section 21.4141 provides that
                                                                        payment of educational
                                                                        assistance allowance under 38
                                                                        U.S.C. Chapter 35 will be
                                                                        subject to offsets of amounts
                                                                        of pension, compensation, or
                                                                        dependency and indemnity
                                                                        compensation paid over the same
                                                                        period on behalf of a child
                                                                        based on school attendance.
VA Hospital, Domiciliary or Nursing Home  Eligiblity for hospital,     Section 17.47(e) provides that     64.009
 Care.                                     domiciliary or nursing       within the limits of VA           64.010
                                           home care of persons         facilities, hospital or nursing   64.015
                                           discharged or released       home care may be provided to      64.016
                                           from active military,        any veteran with a nonservice-
                                           naval, or air service (38    connected disability if such a
                                           CFR 17.47).                  veteran is 65 years of age or
                                                                        older.

[[Page 48]]

 
Civilian Health and Medical Program of    Medical Care for Survivors   Section 17.54 states that          64.009
 the Department of Veterans Affairs        and Dependents of Certain    medical care may be provided
 (CHAMPA).                                 Veterans (38 CFR 17.54).     for: ``(1) The spouse or child
                                                                        of a veteran who has a total
                                                                        disability, permanent in
                                                                        nature, resulting from a
                                                                        service-connected disability,
                                                                        and (2) the surviving spouse or
                                                                        child of a veteran who--(a)
                                                                        died as a result of a service-
                                                                        connected disability, or (b) at
                                                                        the time of death had a total
                                                                        disability, permanent in nature
                                                                        resulting from a service-
                                                                        connected disability and--(3)
                                                                        the surviving spouse or child
                                                                        of a person who died in the
                                                                        active military, naval or air
                                                                        service . . . Who are not
                                                                        otherwise eligible for medical
                                                                        care as beneficiaries of the
                                                                        Armed Forces under the
                                                                        provisions of Chapter 55 of
                                                                        Title 10, United States Code
                                                                        (CHAMPUS) . . . and (4) An
                                                                        eligible child who is pursuing
                                                                        a full-time course of
                                                                        instruction approved under 38
                                                                        U.S.C. Chapter 36, and who
                                                                        incurs a disabling illness or
                                                                        injury while pursuing such
                                                                        course; . . . shall remain
                                                                        eligible for medical care
                                                                        until: (a) The end of the 6-
                                                                        month period beginning on the
                                                                        date the disability is removed,
                                                                        or (b) the end of the 2-year
                                                                        period beginning on the date of
                                                                        the onset of the disability; or
                                                                        (c) the 23d birthday of the
                                                                        child, whichever occurs first.
                                                                        . . .''
Veterans' Educational Assistance........  Administration of            Section 21.4135(d) sets forth
                                           Educational Benefits; 38     the following dates for the
                                           U.S.C. Chapters 34, 35,      discontinuance of the
                                           and 36 (38 CFR part 21,      educational assistance
                                           subpart D).                  allowance provided for a
                                                                        dependent child, under Chapter
                                                                        34 of Title 38: ``. . . (1)
                                                                        Last day of the in calendar
                                                                        year in which marriage occurred
                                                                        unless discontinuance is
                                                                        required at an earlier date
                                                                        under other provisions. (2) Age
                                                                        18. Day preceding 18th
                                                                        birthday. (3) School
                                                                        attendance. Last day of month
                                                                        in which 23rd birthday,
                                                                        whichever is earlier. (4)
                                                                        Helplessness ceased. Last day
                                                                        of month school attendance
                                                                        ceased or day preceding
                                                                        following 60 days after notice
                                                                        to payee that helplessness has
                                                                        ceased.''
                                                                       Section 21.4136 sets forth
                                                                        monthly rates for the payment
                                                                        of educational assistance
                                                                        allowance under 38 U.S.C.
                                                                        Chapter 34. Paragraph (f)
                                                                        defines the term ``dependent''
                                                                        as a spouse, child or dependent
                                                                        parent who meets the
                                                                        definitions of relationship
                                                                        specified in 38 CFR 3.50, 3.57
                                                                        and 3.59.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[50 FR 34133, Aug. 23, 1985, as amended at 76 FR 34000, June 10, 2011]



PART 18a_DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY IN CONNECTION WITH TITLE VI,
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964--Table of Contents



Sec.
18a.1  Delegations of responsibility between the Secretary of Veterans 
          Affairs and the Secretary, Department of Health and Human 
          Services, and the Secretary, Department of Education.
18a.2  Delegation to the Under Secretary for Benefits.
18a.3  Delegation to the Chief Medical Director.
18a.4  Duties of the Director, Contract Compliance Service.
18a.5  Delegation to the General Counsel.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 38 U.S.C. 501 and 38 CFR 18.9(d) and 
appendix A, part 18.



Sec. 18a.1  Delegations of responsibility between the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary, Department of Health and Human
Services, and the Secretary, Department of Education.

    (a) Authority has been delegated to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, and 
the Secretary, Department of Education to

[[Page 49]]

perform responsibilities of those Departments and of the responsible 
Departmental officials under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
and the Departments' regulations issued thereunder (45 CFR part 80 and 
34 CFR part 100) with respect to: Proprietary (i.e., other than public 
or nonprofit) educational institutions, except if operated by a 
hospital; and post secondary, nonprofit, educational institutions other 
than colleges and universities, except if operated by a college or 
university, a hospital, or a unit of State or local government (i.e., 
those operating such institutions as an elementary or secondary school, 
an area vocational school, a school for the handicapped, etc.)
    (1) The compliance responsibilities so delegated include:
    (i) Soliciting, receiving, and determining the adequacy of 
assurances of compliance under 45 CFR 80.4 and 34 CFR 100.4;
    (ii) All actions under 45 CFR 80.6 including mailing, receiving, and 
evaluating compliance reports under Sec. 80.6(b) and 34 CFR 100.6(b); 
and
    (iii) All other actions related to securing voluntary compliance, or 
related to investigations, compliance reviews, complaints, 
determinations of apparent failure to comply, and resolutions of matters 
by informal means.
    (2) The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department 
of Education specifically reserve to themselves the responsibilities for 
the effectuation of compliance under 45 CFR 80.8, 80.9, 80.10 and 34 CFR 
100.8, 100.9 and 100.10.
    (b) Authority has been delegated to the Secretary, Department of 
Health and Human Services and the Secretary, Department of Education, to 
perform responsibilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and of 
the responsible Department of Veterans Affairs official under Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Department of Veterans Affairs 
regulations issued thereunder (part 18 of this chapter) with respect to 
institutions of higher learning, including post-high school institutions 
which offer nondegree courses for which credit is given and which would 
be accepted on transfer by a degree-granting institution toward a 
baccalaureate or higher degree; hospitals and other health facilities 
and elementary and secondary schools and school systems including, but 
not limited to, their activities in connection with providing or seeking 
approval to provide vocational rehabilitation to eligible persons under 
Chapter 31 of Title 38 U.S.C., or education or training to eligible 
persons under Chapters 34, 35, or 36 of Title 38 U.S.C.
    (1) The compliance responsibilities so delegated include:
    (i) Soliciting, receiving, and determining the adequacy of 
assurances of compliance under Sec. 18.4 of this chapter;
    (ii) Mailing, receiving, and evaluating compliance reports under 
Sec. 18.6(b) of this chapter; and
    (iii) All other actions related to securing voluntary compliance or 
related investigations, compliance reviews, complaints, determinations 
of apparent failure to comply and resolutions of matters by informal 
means.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs specifically reserves to 
itself responsibilities for effectuation of compliance under Secs. 18.8, 
18.9, and 18.10 of this chapter. Not included in the delegation to the 
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary, 
Department of Education and specifically reserved to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs is the exercise of compliance responsibilities with 
respect to:
    (i) Postsecondary schools which do not offer a program or courses 
leading, or creditable, towards the granting of at least a bachelor's 
degree, or its equivalent;
    (ii) Privately-owned and operated proprietary technical, vocational, 
and other private schools at the elementary or secondary level; and
    (iii) Those institutions of higher learning and elementary and 
secondary schools and school systems which, as of January 3, 1969, have 
already been subjected to formal noncompliance proceedings by the 
Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Education 
and have had their right to receive Federal financial assistance from 
that agency terminated for noncompliance with Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964.

[[Page 50]]


The Department of Veterans Affairs also retains the right to exercise 
delegated compliance responsibilities itself in special cases with the 
agreement of the appropriate official in the Department of Health and 
Human Services or the Department of Education.
    (c) Any institution of higher learning or a hospital or other health 
facility which is listed by the Department of Health and Human Services 
or the Department of Education as having filed an assurance of 
compliance will be accepted as having met the requirements of the law 
for the purpose of payment under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 31, 34, 35, or 36 
and 38 U.S.C. sections 1741, 8131-8137 and 8155.
    (d) If the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department 
of Education finds that a school, hospital or other health facility 
which has signed an assurance of compliance is apparently in 
noncompliance, action will be initiated by that Department to obtain 
compliance by voluntary means. If voluntary compliance is not achieved, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs will join in subsequent proceedings.
    (e) An institution which is on the Department of Health and Human 
Services or the Department of Education list of noncomplying 
institutions will be considered to be in a status of compliance for 
Department of Veterans Affairs purposes if an assurance of compliance is 
filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs and actual compliance is 
confirmed. Certificates of eligibility may be issued and enrollments 
approved and other appropriate payments made until such time as the 
Department of Veterans Affairs has made an independent determination 
that the institution is not in compliance.

[35 FR 10759, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10385, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18a.2  Delegation to the Under Secretary for Benefits.

    The Under Secretary for Benefits is delegated responsibility for 
obtaining evidence of voluntary compliance for vocational 
rehabilitation, education, and special restorative training to implement 
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964. Authority is delegated to the Under 
Secretary for Benefits and designee to take any necessary action as to 
programs of vocational rehabilitation, education, or special restorative 
training under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 31, 34, 35, and 36 for the purpose of 
securing evidence of voluntary compliance directly or through the 
agencies to whom the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has delegated 
responsibility for various schools or training establishments to 
implement part 18 of this chapter. The Under Secretary for Benefits also 
is delegated responsibility for obtaining evidence of voluntary 
compliance from recognized national organizations whose representatives 
are afforded space and office facilities in field facilities under 
jurisdiction of the Under Secretary for Benefits.

[35 FR 10759, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986; 54 
FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 18a.3  Delegation to the Chief Medical Director.

    The Chief Medical Director is delegated responsibility for obtaining 
evidence of voluntary compliance implementing the provisions of Title 
VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, in connection with payments to State 
homes, with State home facilities for furnishing nursing home care, and 
from recognized national organizations whose representatives are 
afforded space and office facilities in field facilities under 
jurisdiction of the Chief Medical Director.

[35 FR 10759, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18a.4  Duties of the Director, Contract Compliance Service.

    Upon referral by the Chief Medical Director or the Under Secretary 
for Benefits, the Director, Contract Compliance Service will:
    (a) Investigate and process all complaints arising under Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
    (b) Conduct periodic audits, reviews and evaluations;
    (c) Attempt to secure voluntary compliance by conciliatory or other 
informal means whenever investigation of a complaint, compliance review, 
failure to furnish assurance of compliance, or other source indicates 
noncompliance with Title VI; and

[[Page 51]]


report to the Chief Medical Director or the Under Secretary for 
Benefits, whichever is appropriate, the results of investigations, 
audits, reviews and evaluations or the results of attempts to secure 
voluntary compliance.

[35 FR 10759, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18a.5  Delegation to the General Counsel.

    The General Counsel is delegated the responsibility, upon receipt of 
information from the Under Secretary for Benefits, the Chief Medical 
Director, or the designee of either of them, that compliance cannot be 
secured by voluntary means, of forwarding to the recipient or other 
person the notice required by Sec. 18.9(a) of this chapter, and also is 
delegated the responsibility of representing the agency in all 
proceedings resulting from such notice.

[35 FR 10759, July 2, 1970]



PART 18b_PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE UNDER TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS
ACT OF 1964 AND PART 18 OF THIS CHAPTER--Table of Contents



                              General Rules

Sec.
18b.1  Scope of rules.
18b.2  Reviewing authority.
18b.9  Definitions.
18b.10  Records to be public.
18b.11  Use of number.
18b.12  Suspension of rules.

                         Appearance and Practice

18b.13  Appearance.
18b.14  Authority for representation.
18b.15  Exclusion from hearing for misconduct.

                                 Parties

18b.16  Parties.
18b.17  Amici curiae.
18b.18  Complainants not parties.

                                Documents

18b.20  Form of documents to be filed.
18b.21  Signature of documents.
18b.22  Filing and service.
18b.23  Service; how made.
18b.24  Date of service.
18b.25  Certificate of service.

                                  Time

18b.26  Computation.
18b.27  Extension of time or postponement.
18b.28  Reduction of time to file documents.

                       Proceedings Before Hearing

18b.30  Notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing.
18b.31  Answer to notice.
18b.32  Amendment of notice or answer.
18b.33  Request for hearing.
18b.34  Consolidation.
18b.35  Motions.
18b.36  Responses to motions and petitions.
18b.37  Disposition of motions and petitions.

            Responsibilities and Duties of Presiding Officer

18b.40  Who presides.
18b.41  Designation of an administrative law judge.
18b.42  Authority of presiding officer.

                           Hearing Procedures

18b.50  Statements of position and trial briefs.
18b.51  Evidentiary purpose.
18b.52  Testimony.
18b.53  Exhibits.
18b.54  Affidavits.
18b.55  Depositions.
18b.56  Admissions as to facts and documents.
18b.57  Evidence.
18b.58  Cross-examination.
18b.59  Unsponsored written material.
18b.60  Objections.
18b.61  Exceptions to rulings of presiding officer unnecessary.
18b.62  Official notice.
18b.63  Public document items.
18b.64  Offer of proof.
18b.65  Appeals from ruling of presiding officer.

                               The Record

18b.66  Official transcript.
18b.67  Record for decision.

                    Posthearing Procedures; Decisions

18b.70  Posthearing briefs; proposed findings and conclusions.
18b.71  Decisions following hearing.
18b.72  Exceptions to initial or recommended decisions.
18b.73  Final decisions.
18b.74  Oral argument to the reviewing authority.
18b.75  Review by the Secretary.
18b.76  Service on amici curiae.

                     Posthearing Department Actions

18b.77  Final Department action.

                     Judicial Standards of Practice

18b.90  Conduct.
18b.91  Improper conduct.

[[Page 52]]

18b.92  Ex parte communications.
18b.93  Expeditious treatment.
18b.94  Matters not prohibited.
18b.95  Filing of ex parte communications.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 38 U.S.C. 501 and 38 CFR 18.9(d) and 
appendix A, part 18.

    Source: 35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, unless otherwise noted.

                              General Rules



Sec. 18b.1  Scope of rules.

    The rules of procedure in this part supplement Secs. 18.9 and 18.10 
of this chapter and govern the practice for hearings, decisions, and 
administrative review conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (section 602, 78 
Stat. 252) and part 18 of this chapter.



Sec. 18b.2  Reviewing authority.

    The term reviewing authority means the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, or any person or persons acting pursuant to authority delegated 
by the Secretary to carry out responsibility under Sec. 18.10 of this 
chapter. The term includes the Secretary with respect to action under 
Sec. 18b.75.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.9  Definitions.

    The definitions contained in Sec. 18.13 of this chapter apply to 
this part, unless the context otherwise requires.



Sec. 18b.10  Records to be public.

    All pleadings, correspondence, exhibits, transcripts of testimony, 
exceptions, briefs, decisions, and other documents filed in the docket 
in any proceeding may be inspected and copied in the office of the Civil 
Rights hearing clerk. Inquiries may be made at the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20420.



Sec. 18b.11  Use of number.

    As used in this part, words importing the singular number may extend 
and be applied to several persons or things, and vice versa.

[51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.12  Suspension of rules.

    Upon notice to all parties, the reviewing authority or the presiding 
officer, with respect to matters pending before them, may modify or 
waive any rule upon determination that no party will be unduly 
prejudiced and the ends of justice will thereby be served.

                         Appearance and Practice



Sec. 18b.13  Appearance.

    A party may appear in person or by counsel and participate fully in 
any proceeding. A State agency or a corporation may appear by any of its 
officers or by any employee it authorizes to appear on its behalf. 
Counsel must be members in good standing of the bar of a State, 
territory, or possession of the United States or of the District of 
Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.



Sec. 18b.14  Authority for representation.

    Any individual acting in any proceeding may be required to show 
authority to act in such capacity.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.15  Exclusion from hearing for misconduct.

    Disrespectful, disorderly, or contumacious language or contemptuous 
conduct, refusal to comply with directions, or continued use of dilatory 
tactics by any person at any hearing before a presiding officer shall 
constitute grounds for immediate exclusion of such person from the 
hearing by the presiding officer.

                                 Parties



Sec. 18b.16  Parties.

    The term party shall include an applicant or recipient or other 
person to whom a notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing has been 
mailed naming that person as respondent. The Department shall also be 
deemed a party to all proceedings and shall be represented by the 
General Counsel.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986; 54 
FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989]

[[Page 53]]



Sec. 18b.17  Amici curiae.

    (a) Any interested person or organization may file a petition to 
participate in a proceeding as an amicus curiae. Such petition shall be 
filed prior to the prehearing conference, or if none is held, before the 
commencement of the hearing, unless the petitioner shows good cause for 
filing the petition later. The presiding officer may grant the petition 
if the officer finds that the petitioner has a legitimate interest in 
the proceedings, that such participation will not unduly delay the 
outcome, and may contribute materially to the proper disposition 
thereof. An amicus curiae is not a party and may not introduce evidence 
at a hearing.
    (b) An amicus curiae may submit a statement of position to the 
presiding officer prior to the beginning of a hearing, and shall serve a 
copy on each party. The amicus curiae may submit a brief on each 
occasion a decision is to be made or a prior decision is subject to 
review. The brief shall be filed and served on each party within the 
time limits applicable to the party whose position the amicus curiae 
deems to support; or if the amicus curiae does not deem to support the 
position of any party, within the longest time limit applicable to any 
party at that particular stage of the proceedings.
    (c) When all parties have completed their initial examination of a 
witness, any amicus curiae may request the presiding officer to propound 
specific questions to the witness. The presiding officer, in the 
officer's discretion, may grant any such request if the officer believes 
the proposed additional testimony may assist materially in elucidating 
factual matters at issue between the parties and will not expand the 
issues.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.18  Complainants not parties.

    A person submitting a complaint pursuant to Sec. 18.7(b) of this 
chapter is not a party to the proceedings governed by this part, but may 
petition, after proceedings are initiated, to become an amicus curiae.

                                Documents



Sec. 18b.20  Form of documents to be filed.

    Documents to be filed shall be dated, the original signed in ink, 
shall show the docket description and title of the proceeding, and shall 
show the title, if any, and address of the signatory. Copies need not be 
signed but the name of the person signing the original shall be 
reproduced. Documents shall be legible and shall not be more than 8\1/2\ 
inches wide and 12 inches long.



Sec. 18b.21  Signature of documents.

    The signature of a party, authorized officer, employee, or attorney 
constitutes a certificate that one of them has read the document, that 
to the best of that person's knowledge, information, and belief there is 
good ground to support it, and that it is not interposed for delay. If a 
document is not signed or is signed with intent to defeat the purpose of 
this section, it may be stricken as sham and false and the proceeding 
may proceed as though the document had not been filed. Similar action 
may be taken if scandalous or indecent matter is inserted.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.22  Filing and service.

    All notices by a Department of Veterans Affairs official, and all 
written motions, requests, petitions, memoranda, pleadings, exceptions, 
briefs, decisions, and correspondence to a Department of Veterans 
Affairs official from a party, or vice versa, relating to a proceeding 
after its commencement shall be filed and served on all parties. Parties 
shall supply the original and two copies of documents submitted for 
filing. Filings shall be made with the Civil Rights hearing clerk at the 
address stated in the notice of hearing or notice of opportunity for 
hearing, during regular business hours. Regular business hours are every 
Monday through Friday (legal holidays in the District of Columbia 
excepted) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., eastern standard or daylight saving 
time, whichever is effective in the District of Columbia at the time. 
Originals only of exhibits and transcripts of testimony need be filed.

[[Page 54]]

For requirements of service on amici curiae, see Sec. 18b.76.



Sec. 18b.23  Service; how made.

    Service shall be made by personal delivery of one copy to each 
person to be served or by mailing by first-class mail, properly 
addressed with postage prepaid. When a party or amicus has appeared by 
attorney or other representative, service upon such attorney or 
representative, will be deemed service upon the party or amicus. 
Documents served by mail preferably should be mailed in sufficient time 
to reach the addressee by the date on which the original is due to be 
filed, and should be airmailed if the addressee is more than 300 miles 
distant.



Sec. 18b.24  Date of service.

    The date of service shall be the day when the matter is deposited in 
the U.S. mail or is delivered in person, except that the date of service 
of the initial notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing shall be the 
date of its delivery, or of its attempted delivery if refused.



Sec. 18b.25  Certificate of service.

    The original of every document filed and required to be served upon 
parties to a proceeding shall be endorsed with a certificate of service 
signed by the party making service or by the party's attorney or 
representative, stating that such service has been made, the date of 
service, and the manner of service, whether by mail or personal 
delivery.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]

                                  Time



Sec. 18b.26  Computation.

    In computing any period of time under the rules in this part or in 
an order issued hereunder, the time begins with the day following the 
act, event, or default, and includes the last day of the period, unless 
it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday observed in the District of 
Columbia, in which event it includes the next following business day. 
When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, 
intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be excluded 
from the computation.



Sec. 18b.27  Extension of time or postponement.

    Requests for extension of time should be served on all parties and 
should set forth the reasons for the application. Applications may be 
granted upon a showing of good cause by the applicant. From the 
designation of a presiding officer until the issuance of a decision such 
requests should be addressed to the presiding officer. Answers to such 
requests are permitted, if made promptly.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.28  Reduction of time to file documents.

    For good cause, the reviewing authority or the presiding officer, 
with respect to matters pending before them, may reduce any time limit 
prescribed by the rules in this part, except as provided by law or in 
part 18 of this chapter.

                       Proceedings Before Hearing



Sec. 18b.30  Notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing.

    Proceedings are commenced by mailing a notice of hearing or 
opportunity for hearing to an affected applicant or recipient, pursuant 
to Secs. 18.9 and 18a.5 of this chapter.



Sec. 18b.31  Answer to notice.

    The respondent, applicant or recipient may file an answer to the 
notice within 20 days after service thereof. Answers shall admit or deny 
specifically and in detail each allegation of the notice, unless the 
respondent party is without knowledge, in which case the answer should 
so state, and the statement will be deemed a denial. Allegations of fact 
in the notice not denied or controverted by answer shall be deemed 
admitted. Matters alleged as affirmative defenses shall be separately 
stated and numbered. Failure of the respondent to file an answer within 
the 20-day period following service of the notice may be deemed an 
admission of

[[Page 55]]

all matters of fact recited in the notice.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.32  Amendment of notice or answer.

    The General Counsel may amend the notice of hearing or opportunity 
for hearing once as a matter of course before an answer thereto is 
served, and each respondent may amend the answer once as a matter of 
course not later than 10 days before the date fixed for hearing but in 
no event later than 20 days from the date of service of the original 
answer. Otherwise a notice or answer may be amended only by leave of the 
presiding officer. A respondent shall file the answer to an amended 
notice within the time remaining for filing the answer to the original 
notice or within 10 days after service of the amended notice, whichever 
period may be the longer, unless the presiding officer otherwise orders.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.33  Request for hearing.

    Within 20 days after service of a notice of opportunity for hearing 
which does not fix a date for hearing the respondent, either in the 
answer or in a separate document, may request a hearing. Failure of the 
respondent to request a hearing shall be deemed a waiver of the right to 
a hearing and to constitute consent to the making of a decision on the 
basis of such information as is available.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.34  Consolidation.

    The reviewing authority may provide for proceedings in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to be joined or consolidated for hearing 
with proceedings in other Federal departments or agencies, by agreement 
with such other departments or agencies. All parties to any proceeding 
consolidated subsequent to service of the notice of hearing or 
opportunity for hearing shall be served with notice of such 
consolidation.



Sec. 18b.35  Motions.

    Motions and petitions shall state the relief sought, the authority 
relied upon, and the facts alleged. If made before or after the hearing, 
these matters shall be in writing. If made at the hearing, they may be 
stated orally; but the presiding officer may require that they be 
reduced to writing and filed and served on all parties in the same 
manner as a formal motion. Motions, answers, and replies shall be 
addressed to the presiding officer, if the case is pending before the 
officer. A repetitious motion will not be entertained.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.36  Responses to motions and petitions.

    Within 8 days after a written motion or petition is served, or such 
other period as the reviewing authority or the presiding officer may 
fix, any party may file a response thereto. An immediate oral response 
may be made to an oral motion.



Sec. 18b.37  Disposition of motions and petitions.

    The reviewing authority or the presiding officer may not sustain or 
grant a written motion or petition prior to expiration of the time for 
filing responses thereto, but may overrule or deny such motion or 
petition without awaiting response: Provided, however, That prehearing 
conferences, hearings and decisions need not be delayed pending 
disposition of motions or petitions. Oral motions and petitions may be 
ruled on immediately. Motions and petitions submitted to the reviewing 
authority or the presiding officer, respectively, and not disposed of in 
separate rulings or in their respective decisions will be deemed denied. 
Oral arguments shall not be held on written motions or petitions unless 
the presiding officer in the officer's discretion expressly so orders.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]

[[Page 56]]

            Responsibilities and Duties of Presiding Officer



Sec. 18b.40  Who presides.

    An administrative law judge assigned under 5 U.S.C. 3105 or 3344 
(formerly section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act) shall preside 
over the taking of evidence in any hearing to which these rules or 
procedure apply.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.41  Designation of an administrative law judge.

    The designation of the administrative law judge as presiding officer 
shall be in writing, and shall specify whether the administrative law 
judge is to make an initial decision or to certify the entire record 
including recommended findings and proposed decision to the reviewing 
authority, and may also fix the time and place of hearing. A copy of 
such order shall be served on all parties. After service of an order 
designating an administrative law judge to preside, and until such 
administrative law judge makes a decision, motions and petitions shall 
be submitted to the administrative law judge. In the case of the death, 
illness, disqualification or unavailability of the designated 
administrative law judge, another administrative law judge may be 
designated to take that person's place.

[51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.42  Authority of presiding officer.

    The presiding officer shall have the duty to conduct a fair hearing, 
to take all necessary action to avoid delay, and to maintain order. The 
presiding officer shall have all powers necessary to these ends, 
including (but not limited to) the power to:
    (a) Arrange and issue notice of the date, time, and place of 
hearings, or, upon due notice to the parties, to change the date, time, 
and place of hearings previously set.
    (b) Hold conferences to settle, simplify, or fix the issues in a 
proceeding, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious 
disposition of the proceeding.
    (c) Require parties and amici curiae to state their position with 
respect to the various issues in the proceeding.
    (d) Administer oaths and affirmations.
    (e) Rule on motions, and other procedural items on matters pending 
before the presiding officer.
    (f) Regulate the course of the hearing and conduct of counsel 
therein.
    (g) Examine witnesses and direct witnesses to testify.
    (h) Receive, rule on, exclude or limit evidence.
    (i) Fix the time for filing motions, petitions, briefs, or other 
items in matters pending before the presiding officer.
    (j) Issue initial or recommended decisions.
    (k) Take any action authorized by the rules in this part, or in 
conformance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 551-559 (the Administrative 
Procedure Act).

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]

                           Hearing Procedures



Sec. 18b.50  Statements of position and trial briefs.

    The presiding officer may require parties and amici curiae to file 
written statements of position prior to the beginning of a hearing. The 
presiding officer may also require the parties to submit trial briefs.



Sec. 18b.51  Evidentiary purpose.

    (a) The hearing is directed to receiving factual evidence and expert 
opinion testimony related to the issues in the proceeding. Argument will 
not be received in evidence; rather it should be presented in 
statements, memoranda, or briefs, as determined by the presiding 
officer. Brief opening statements, which shall be limited to statement 
of the party's position and what the party intends to prove, may be made 
at hearings.
    (b) Hearings for the reception of evidence will be held only in 
cases where issues of fact must be resolved in order to determine 
whether the respondent has failed to comply with one or more applicable 
requirements of part 18 of

[[Page 57]]

this chapter. In any case where it appears from the respondent's answer 
to the notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing, from failure timely 
to answer, or from admissions or stipulations in the record, that there 
are no matters of material fact in dispute, the reviewing authority or 
presiding officer may enter an order so finding, vacating the hearing 
date if one has been set, and fixing the time for filing briefs under 
Sec. 18b.70. Thereafter the proceedings shall go to conclusion in 
accordance with Secs. 18b.70 through 18b.76. The presiding officer may 
allow an appeal from such order in accordance with Sec. 18b.65.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.52  Testimony.

    Testimony shall be given orally under oath or affirmation by 
witnesses at the hearing; but the presiding officer, in the officer's 
discretion, may require or permit that the direct testimony of any 
witness be prepared in writing and served on all parties in advance of 
the hearing. Such testimony may be adopted by the witness at the 
hearing, and filed as part of the record thereof. Unless authorized by 
the presiding officer, witnesses will not be permitted to read prepared 
testimony into the record. Except as provided in Secs. 18b.54 and 
18b.55, witnesses shall be available at the hearing for cross-
examination.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.53  Exhibits.

    Proposed exhibits shall be exchanged at the prehearing conference, 
or otherwise prior to the hearing if the presiding officer so requires. 
Proposed exhibits not so exchanged may be denied admission as evidence. 
The authenticity of all proposed exhibits exchanged prior to hearing 
will be deemed admitted unless written objection thereto is filed prior 
to the hearing or unless good cause is shown at the hearing for failure 
to file such written objection.



Sec. 18b.54  Affidavits.

    An affidavit is not inadmissible as such. Unless the presiding 
officer fixes other time periods affidavits shall be filed and served on 
the parties not later than 15 days prior to the hearing; and not less 
than 7 days prior to hearing a party may file and serve written 
objection to any affidavit on the ground that it is believed necessary 
to test the truth of assertions therein at hearing. In such event the 
assertions objected to will not be received in evidence unless the 
affiant is made available for cross-examination, or the presiding 
officer determines that cross-examination is not necessary for the full 
and true disclosure of facts referred to in such assertions. 
Notwithstanding any objection, however, affidavits may be considered in 
the case of any respondent who waives a hearing.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.55  Depositions.

    Upon such terms as may be just, for the convenience of the parties 
or of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the presiding officer may 
authorize or direct the testimony of any witness to be taken by 
deposition.



Sec. 18b.56  Admissions as to facts and documents.

    Not later than 15 days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing 
except for good cause shown or prior to such earlier date as the 
presiding officer may order, any party may serve upon an opposing party 
a written request for the admission of the genuineness and authenticity 
of any relevant documents described in and exhibited with the request, 
or for the admission of the truth of any relevant matters of fact stated 
in the request. Each of the matters of which an admission is requested 
shall be deemed admitted, unless within a period designated in the 
request (not less than 10 days after service thereof, or within such 
further time as the presiding officer or the reviewing authority if no 
presiding officer has yet been designated may allow upon motion and 
notice) the party to whom the

[[Page 58]]

request is directed serves upon the requesting party a sworn statement 
either denying specifically the matters of which an admission is 
requested or setting forth in detail the reasons why the party cannot 
truthfully either admit or deny such matters. Copies of requests for 
admission and answers thereto shall be served on all parties. Any 
admission made by a party to such request is only for the purposes of 
the pending proceeding, or any proceeding or action instituted for the 
enforcement of any order entered therein, and shall not constitute an 
admission by the party for any other purpose or be used against the 
party in any other proceeding or action.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.57  Evidence.

    Irrelevant, immaterial, unreliable, and unduly repetitious evidence 
will be excluded.



Sec. 18b.58  Cross-examination.

    A witness may be cross-examined on any matter material to the 
proceeding without regard to the scope of his direct examination.



Sec. 18b.59  Unsponsored written material.

    Letters expressing views or urging action and other unsponsored 
written material regarding matters in issue in a hearing will be placed 
in the correspondence section of the docket of the proceeding. These 
data are not deemed part of the evidence or record in the hearing.



Sec. 18b.60  Objections.

    Objections to evidence shall be timely and briefly state the ground 
relied upon.



Sec. 18b.61  Exceptions to rulings of presiding officer unnecessary.

    Exceptions to rulings of the presiding officer are unnecessary. It 
is sufficient that a party, at the time the ruling of the presiding 
officer is sought, makes known the action which the party desires the 
presiding officer to take, or the party's objection to an action taken, 
and the party's grounds therefor.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.62  Official notice.

    Where official notice is taken or is to be taken of a material fact 
not appearing in the evidence of record, any party, on timely request, 
shall be afforded an opportunity to show the contrary.



Sec. 18b.63  Public document items.

    Whenever there is offered (in whole or in part) a public document, 
such as an official report, decision, opinion, or published scientific 
or economic statistical data issued by any of the executive departments 
(or their subdivisions), legislative agencies or committees, or 
administrative agencies of the Federal Government (including Government-
owned corporations), or a similar document issued by a State or its 
agencies, and such document (or part thereof) has been shown by the 
offeror to be reasonably available to the public, such document need not 
be produced or marked for identification, but may be offered for 
official notice, as a public document item by specifying the document or 
relevant part thereof.



Sec. 18b.64  Offer of proof.

    An offer of proof made in connection with an objection taken to any 
ruling of the presiding officer rejecting or excluding proffered oral 
testimony shall consist of a statement of the substance of the evidence 
which counsel contends would be adduced by such testimony; and, if the 
excluded evidence consists of evidence in documentary or written form or 
of reference to documents or records, a copy of such evidence shall be 
marked for identification and shall accompany the record as the offer of 
proof.



Sec. 18b.65  Appeals from ruling of presiding officer.

    Rulings of the presiding officer may not be appealed to the 
reviewing authority prior to consideration of the entire proceeding 
except with the consent of the presiding officer and where the reviewing 
authority certifies on

[[Page 59]]

the record or in writing that the allowance of an interlocutory appeal 
is clearly necessary to prevent exceptional delay, expense, or prejudice 
to any party, or substantial detriment to the public interest. If an 
appeal is allowed, any party may file a brief with the reviewing 
authority within such period as the presiding officer directs. No oral 
argument will be heard unless the reviewing authority directs otherwise. 
At any time prior to submission of the proceeding to the reviewing 
authority for decision, the reviewing authority may direct the presiding 
officer to certify any question or the entire record to the reviewing 
authority for decision. Where the entire record is so certified, the 
presiding officer shall recommend a decision.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]

                               The Record



Sec. 18b.66  Official transcript.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs will designate the official 
reporter for all hearings. The official transcripts of testimony taken, 
together with any exhibits, briefs, or memoranda of law filed therewith 
shall be filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Transcripts of 
testimony in hearings may be obtained from the official reporter by the 
parties and the public at rates not to exceed the maximum rates fixed by 
the contract between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 
reporter. Upon notice to all parties, the presiding officer may 
authorize corrections to the transcript which involve matters of 
substance.



Sec. 18b.67  Record for decision.

    The transcript of testimony, exhibits, and all papers and requests 
filed in the proceedings, except the correspondence section of the 
docket, including rulings and any recommended or initial decision shall 
constitute the exclusive record for decision.

                    Posthearing Procedures; Decisions



Sec. 18b.70  Posthearing briefs; proposed findings and conclusions.

    (a) The presiding officer shall fix the time for filing posthearing 
briefs, which may contain proposed findings of fact and conclusions of 
law, and, if permitted, reply briefs.
    (b) Briefs should include a summary of the evidence relied upon 
together with references to exhibit numbers and pages of the transcript, 
with citations of authorities relied upon.



Sec. 18b.71  Decisions following hearing.

    When the time for submission of posthearing briefs has expired, the 
presiding officer shall certify the entire record, including recommended 
findings and proposed decision, to the reviewing authority; or if so 
authorized shall make an initial decision. A copy of the recommended 
findings and proposed decision, or of the initial decision, shall be 
served upon all parties, and amici, if any.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.72  Exceptions to initial or recommended decisions.

    Within 20 days after the mailing of an initial or recommended 
decision, any party may file exceptions to the decision, stating reasons 
therefor, with the reviewing authority. Any other party may file a 
response thereto within 30 days after the mailing of the decision. Upon 
the filing of such exceptions, the reviewing authority shall review the 
decision and issue its own decision thereon.



Sec. 18b.73  Final decisions.

    (a) Where the hearing is conducted by a hearing examiner who makes 
an initial decision, if no exceptions thereto are filed within the 20-
day period specified in Sec. 18b.72, such decision shall become the 
final decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and shall 
constitute ``final agency action'' within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 704 
(formerly section 10(c) of the Administrative Procedure Act), subject to 
the provisions of Sec. 18b.75.
    (b) Where the hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge 
who makes a recommended decision or upon the filing of exceptions to an 
administrative law judge's initial decision, the reviewing authority 
shall review the recommended or initial decision and shall issue a 
decision thereon, which

[[Page 60]]

shall become the final decision of VA, and shall constitute ``final 
agency action'' within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 704 (formerly section 
10(c) of the Administrative Procedures Act), subject to the provisions 
of Sec. 18b.75.
    (c) All final decisions shall be promptly served on all parties, and 
amici, if any.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986; 54 
FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 18b.74  Oral argument to the reviewing authority.

    (a) If any party desires to argue a case orally on exceptions or 
replies to exceptions to an initial or recommended decision, the party 
shall make such request in writing. The reviewing authority may grant or 
deny such requests in his or her discretion. If granted, the reviewing 
authority will serve notice of oral argument on all parties. The notice 
will set forth the order of presentation, the amount of time allotted, 
and the time and place for argument. The names of persons who will argue 
should be filed with the agency hearing clerk not later than 7 days 
before the date set for oral argument.
    (b) The purpose of oral argument is to emphasize and clarify the 
written argument in the briefs. Reading at length from the brief or 
other texts is not favored. Participants should confine their arguments 
to points of controlling importance and to points upon which exceptions 
have been filed. Consolidations of appearances at oral argument by 
parties taking the same side will permit the parties' interests to be 
presented more effectively in the time allotted.
    (c) Pamphlets, charts, and other written material may be presented 
at oral argument only if such material is limited to facts already in 
the record and is served on all parties and filed with the Department 
hearing clerk at least 7 days before the argument.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986; 54 
FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 18b.75  Review by the Secretary.

    Within 20 days after an initial decision becomes a final decision 
pursuant to Sec. 18b.73(a), or within 20 days of the mailing of a final 
decision referred to in Sec. 18b.73(b), as the case may be, a party may 
request the Secretary to review the final decision. The Secretary may 
grant or deny such request, in whole or in part, or serve notice of 
intent to review the decision in whole or in part upon motion. If the 
Secretary grants the requested review, or serves notice of intent to 
review upon motion, each party to the decision shall have 20 days 
following notice of the Secretary's proposed action within which to file 
exceptions to the decision and supporting briefs and memoranda, or 
briefs and memoranda in support of the decision. Failure of a party to 
request review under this section shall not be deemed a failure to 
exhaust administrative remedies for the purpose of obtaining judicial 
review.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10387, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.76  Service on amici curiae.

    All briefs, exceptions, memoranda, requests, and decisions referred 
to in Secs. 18b.70 through 18b.76 shall be served upon amici curiae at 
the same times and in the same manner required for service on parties. 
Any written statements of position and trial briefs required of parties 
under Sec. 18b.50 shall be served on amici.

                     Posthearing Department Actions



Sec. 18b.77  Final Department action.

    (a) The final decision of the administrative law judge or reviewing 
authority that a school or training establishment is not in compliance 
will be referred by the reviewing authority to the Secretary for 
approval as required by Sec. 18.10(e) of this chapter. The finding will 
be accompanied by letters from the Secretary to the House Veterans' 
Affairs Committee and the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee containing a 
full report on the circumstances as required by Sec. 18.8(c) of this 
chapter, the reasons for the proposed action and a statement that the 
proposed action will become the final Department action 30 days after 
the date of the letter.

[[Page 61]]

    (b) A copy of the letters to the congressional committees will be 
sent to all parties to the proceedings.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10387, Mar. 26, 1986; 54 
FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989]

                     Judicial Standards of Practice



Sec. 18b.90  Conduct.

    Parties and their representatives are expected to conduct themselves 
with honor and dignity and observe judicial standards of practice and 
ethics in all proceedings. They should not indulge in offensive 
personalities, unseemly wrangling, or intemperate accusations or 
characterizations. A representative of any party whether or not a lawyer 
shall observe the traditional responsibilities of lawyers as officers of 
the court and use best efforts to restrain the principal represented 
from improprieties in connection with a proceeding.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10387, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.91  Improper conduct.

    With respect to any proceeding it is improper for any interested 
person to attempt to sway the judgment of the reviewing authority by 
undertaking to bring pressure or influence to bear upon the reviewing 
authority or any officer having a responsibility for a decision in the 
proceeding, or decisional staff. It is improper that such interested 
persons or any members of the Department of Veterans Affairs's staff or 
the presiding officer give statements to communications media, by paid 
advertisement or otherwise, designed to influence the judgment of any 
officer having a responsibility for a decision in the proceeding, or 
decisional staff. It is improper for any person to solicit 
communications to any such officer, or decisional staff, other than 
proper communications by parties or amici curiae.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10387, Mar. 26, 1986]



Sec. 18b.92  Ex parte communications.

    Only persons employed by or assigned to work with the reviewing 
authority who perform no investigative or prosecuting function in 
connection with a proceeding shall communicate ex parte with the 
reviewing authority or the presiding officer, or any employee or person 
involved in the decisional process in such proceedings with respect to 
the merits of that or a factually related proceeding. The reviewing 
authority, the presiding officer, or any employee or person involved in 
the decisional process of a proceeding shall communicate ex parte with 
respect to the merits of that or a factually related proceeding only 
with persons employed by or assigned to work with them and who perform 
no investigative or prosecuting function in connection with the 
proceeding.



Sec. 18b.93  Expeditious treatment.

    Requests for expeditious treatment of matters pending before the 
reviewing authority or the presiding officer are deemed communications 
on the merits, and are improper except when forwarded from parties to a 
proceeding and served upon all other parties thereto. Such 
communications should be in the form of a motion.



Sec. 18b.94  Matters not prohibited.

    A request for information which merely inquires about the status of 
a proceeding without discussing issues or expressing points of view is 
not deemed an ex parte communication. Such requests should be directed 
to the civil rights hearing clerk. Communications with respect to minor 
procedural matters or inquiries or emergency requests for extensions of 
time are not deemed ex parte communications prohibited by Sec. 18b.92. 
Where feasible, however, such communications should be by letter with 
copies to all parties. Ex parte communications between a respondent and 
the responsible agency official or the Secretary with respect to 
securing such respondent's voluntary compliance with any requirement of 
part 18 of this chapter are not prohibited.



Sec. 18b.95  Filing of ex parte communications.

    A prohibited communication in writing received by the Secretary, the 
reviewing authority, or by the presiding officer, shall be made public 
by placing it in the correspondence file of the

[[Page 62]]

docket in the case and will not be considered as part of the record for 
decision. If the prohibited communication is received orally, a 
memorandum setting forth its substance shall be made and filed in the 
correspondence section of the docket in the case. A person referred to 
in such memorandum may file a comment for inclusion in the docket if the 
memorandum is considered to be incorrect.

[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10387, Mar. 26, 1986]



PART 19_BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS: APPEALS REGULATIONS--
Table of Contents



          Subpart A_Operation of the Board of Veterans' Appeals

Sec.
19.1  Establishment of the Board.
19.2  Composition of the Board; Titles.
19.3  Assignment of proceedings.
19.4  Principal functions of the Board.
19.5  Criteria governing disposition of appeals.
19.6  [Reserved]
19.7  The decision.
19.8  Content of Board decision, remand, or order in simultaneously 
          contested claims.
19.9  Remand or referral for further action.
19.10  [Reserved]
19.11  Reconsideration panel.
19.12  Disqualification of Members.
19.13  Delegation of authority to Chairman and Vice Chairman, Board of 
          Veterans' Appeals.
19.14  Delegation of authority--Appeals regulations.

     Subpart B_Appeals Processing by Agency of Original Jurisdiction

19.23  Applicability of provisions concerning Notice of Disagreement.
19.24  Action by agency of original jurisdiction on Notice of 
          Disagreement required to be filed on a standardized form.
19.25  Notification by agency of original jurisdiction of right to 
          appeal.
19.26  Action by agency of original jurisdiction on Notice of 
          Disagreement.
19.27  Adequacy of Notice of Disagreement questioned within the agency 
          of original jurisdiction.
19.28  Determination that a Notice of Disagreement is inadequate 
          protested by claimant or representative.
19.29  Statement of the Case.
19.30  Furnishing the Statement of the Case and instructions for filing 
          a Substantive Appeal.
19.31  Supplemental statement of the case.
19.32  Closing of appeal for failure to respond to Statement of the 
          Case.
19.33  Timely filing of Notice of Disagreement or Substantive Appeal 
          questioned within the agency of original jurisdiction.
19.34  Determination that Notice of Disagreement or Substantive Appeal 
          was not timely filed protested by claimant or representative.
19.35  Certification of appeals.
19.36  Notification of certification of appeal and transfer of appellate 
          record.
19.37  Consideration of additional evidence received by the agency of 
          original jurisdiction after an appeal has been initiated.
19.38  Action by agency of original jurisdiction when remand received.
19.39-19.49  [Reserved]

                    Subpart C_Administrative Appeals

19.50  Nature and form of administrative appeal.
19.51  Officials authorized to file administrative appeals and time 
          limits for filing.
19.52  Notification to claimant of filing of administrative appeal.
19.53  Restriction as to change in payments pending determination of 
          administrative appeals.
19.54-19.74  [Reserved]

 Subpart D_Hearings Before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at Department 
                  of Veterans Affairs Field Facilities

19.75  Hearing docket.
19.76  Notice of time and place of hearing before the Board of Veterans' 
          Appeals at Department of Veterans Affairs field facilities.
19.77-19.99  [Reserved]

                Subpart E_Simultaneously Contested Claims

19.100  Notification of right to appeal in simultaneously contested 
          claims.
19.101  Notice to contesting parties on receipt of Notice of 
          Disagreement in simultaneously contested claims.
19.102  Notice of appeal to other contesting parties in simultaneously 
          contested claims.

Appendix A to Part 19--Cross-References

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, unless otherwise noted.

[[Page 63]]



          Subpart A_Operation of the Board of Veterans' Appeals



Sec. 19.1  Establishment of the Board.

    The Board of Veterans' Appeals is established by authority of, and 
functions pursuant to, title 38, United States Code, chapter 71.



Sec. 19.2  Composition of the Board; Titles.

    (a) The Board consists of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Deputy Vice 
Chairmen, Members and professional, administrative, clerical and 
stenographic personnel. Deputy Vice Chairmen are Members of the Board 
who are appointed to that office by the Secretary upon the 
recommendation of the Chairman.
    (b) A member of the Board (other than the Chairman) may also be 
known as a Veterans Law Judge. An individual designated as an acting 
member pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 7101(c)(1) may also be known as an acting 
Veterans Law Judge.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 512, 7101(a))

[68 FR 6625, Feb. 10, 2003]



Sec. 19.3  Assignment of proceedings.

    (a) Assignment. The Chairman may assign a proceeding instituted 
before the Board, including any motion, to an individual Member or to a 
panel of three or more Members for adjudication or other appropriate 
action. The Chairman may participate in a proceeding assigned to a panel 
of Members.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102)

    (b) Inability to serve. If a Member is unable to participate in the 
disposition of a proceeding or motion to which the Member has been 
assigned, the Chairman may assign the proceeding or motion to another 
Member or substitute another Member (in the case of a proceeding or 
motion assigned to a panel).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7101(a), 7102)

[61 FR 20448, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 19.4  Principal functions of the Board.

    The principal functions of the Board are to make determinations of 
appellate jurisdiction, consider all applications on appeal properly 
before it, conduct hearings on appeal, evaluate the evidence of record, 
and enter decisions in writing on the questions presented on appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7104, 7107)



Sec. 19.5  Criteria governing disposition of appeals.

    In the consideration of appeals, the Board is bound by applicable 
statutes, regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 
precedent opinions of the General Counsel of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. The Board is not bound by Department manuals, circulars, or 
similar administrative issues.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7104(c))



Sec. 19.6  [Reserved]



Sec. 19.7  The decision.

    (a) Decisions based on entire record. The appellant will not be 
presumed to be in agreement with any statement of fact contained in a 
Statement of the Case to which no exception is taken. Decisions of the 
Board are based on a review of the entire record.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104(a), 7105(d)(4))

    (b) Content. The decision of the Board will be in writing and will 
set forth specifically the issue or issues under appellate 
consideration. Except with respect to issues remanded to the agency of 
original jurisdiction for further development of the case and appeals 
which are dismissed because the issue has been resolved by 
administrative action or because an appellant seeking nonmonetary 
benefits has died while the appeal was pending, the decision will also 
include separately stated findings of fact and conclusions of law on all 
material issues of fact and law presented on the record, the reasons or 
bases for those findings and conclusions, and an order granting or 
denying the benefit or benefits sought on appeal or dismissing the 
appeal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104(d))


[[Page 64]]


    (c) A decision by a panel of Members will be by a majority vote of 
the panel Members.

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 19.8  Content of Board decision, remand, or order in 
simultaneously contested claims.

    The content of the Board's decision, remand, or order in appeals 
involving a simultaneously contested claim will be limited to 
information that directly affects the issues involved in the contested 
claim. Appellate issues that do not involve all of the contesting 
parties will be addressed in one or more separate written decisions, 
remands, or orders that will be furnished only to the appellants 
concerned and their representatives, if any.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(b), 38 U.S.C. 5701(a))

[61 FR 68666, Dec. 30, 1996]



Sec. 19.9  Remand or referral for further action.

    (a) Remand. If further evidence, clarification of the evidence, 
correction of a procedural defect, or any other action is essential for 
a proper appellate decision, a Veterans Law Judge or panel of Veterans 
Law Judges shall remand the case to the agency of original jurisdiction, 
specifying the action to be undertaken.
    (b) Referral. The Board shall refer to the agency of original 
jurisdiction for appropriate consideration and handling in the first 
instance all claims reasonably raised by the record that have not been 
initially adjudicated by the agency of original jurisdiction, except for 
claims over which the Board has original jurisdiction.
    (c) Remand for a Statement of the Case. In cases before the Board in 
which a claimant has timely filed a Notice of Disagreement with a 
determination of the agency of original jurisdiction on a claim, but the 
record reflects that the agency of original jurisdiction has not 
subsequently granted the claim in full and has not furnished the 
claimant with a Statement of the Case, the Board shall remand the claim 
to the agency of original jurisdiction with instructions to prepare and 
issue a Statement of the Case in accordance with the provisions of 
subpart B of this part. A remand for a Statement of the Case is not 
required if the claimant, consistent with the withdrawal requirements of 
Sec. 20.204 of this chapter, withdraws the Notice of Disagreement.
    (d) Exceptions. A remand or referral to the agency of original 
jurisdiction is not necessary for any of the following purposes:
    (1) Clarifying a procedural matter before the Board, including the 
appellant's choice of representative before the Board, the issues on 
appeal, or requests for a hearing before the Board;
    (2) Considering law not already considered by the agency of original 
jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, statutes, regulations, and 
court decisions;
    (3) Reviewing additional evidence received by the Board, if, 
pursuant to Sec. 20.1304(c) of this chapter, the appellant or the 
appellant's representative waives the right to initial consideration by 
the agency of original jurisdiction, or if the Board determines that the 
benefit or benefits to which the evidence relates may be fully allowed 
on appeal;
    (4) Requesting an opinion under Sec. 20.901 of this chapter;
    (5) Supplementing the record with a recognized medical treatise; or
    (6) Considering a matter over which the Board has original 
jurisdiction.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7103(c), 7104(a), 7105).

[67 FR 3104, Jan. 23, 2002, as amended at 69 FR 53808, Sept. 3, 2004; 76 
FR 17547, Mar. 30, 2011]



Sec. 19.10  [Reserved]



Sec. 19.11  Reconsideration panel.

    (a) Assignment of Members. When a motion for reconsideration is 
allowed, the Chairman will assign a panel of three or more Members of 
the Board, which may include the Chairman, to conduct the 
reconsideration.
    (b) Number of Members constituting a reconsideration panel. In the 
case of a matter originally heard by a single Member of the Board, the 
case shall be referred to a panel of three Members of the Board. In the 
case of a matter originally heard by a panel of Members of the Board, 
the case shall be referred

[[Page 65]]

to an enlarged panel, consisting of three or more Members than the 
original panel. In order to obtain a majority opinion, the number of 
Members assigned to a reconsideration panel may be increased in 
successive increments of three.
    (c) Members included in the reconsideration panel. The 
reconsideration panel may not include any Member who participated in the 
decision that is being reconsidered. Additional Members will be assigned 
in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7103)

[61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 19.12  Disqualification of Members.

    (a) General. A Member of the Board will disqualify himself or 
herself in a hearing or decision on an appeal if that appeal involves a 
determination in which he or she participated or had supervisory 
responsibility in the agency of original jurisdiction prior to his or 
her appointment as a Member of the Board, or where there are other 
circumstances which might give the impression of bias either for or 
against the appellant.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7104)

    (b) Appeal on same issue subsequent to decision on administrative 
appeal. Any Member of the Board who made the decision on an 
administrative appeal will disqualify himself or herself from acting on 
a subsequent appeal by the claimant on the same issue.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7104, 7106)

    (c) Disqualification of Members by the Chairman. The Chairman of the 
Board, on his or her own motion, may disqualify a Member from acting in 
an appeal on the grounds set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section and in those cases where a Member is unable or unwilling to act.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7104, 7106)

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 19.13  Delegation of authority to Chairman and Vice Chairman,
Board of Veterans' Appeals.

    The Chairman and/or Vice Chairman have authority delegated by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to:
    (a) Approve the assumption of appellate jurisdiction of an 
adjudicative determination which has not become final in order to grant 
a benefit, and
    (b) Order VA Central Office investigations of matters before the 
Board.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 303, 512(a))



Sec. 19.14  Delegation of authority--Appeals regulations.

    (a) The authority exercised by the Chairman of the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals described in Secs. 19.3(b) and 19.12(c) of this part 
may also be exercised by the Vice Chairman of the Board.
    (b) The authority exercised by the Chairman of the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals described in Sec. 19.11 of this part may also be 
exercised by the Vice Chairman of the Board and by Deputy Vice Chairmen 
of the Board.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 7102, 7104)

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 70 FR 8930, Feb. 24, 2005]



     Subpart B_Appeals Processing by Agency of Original Jurisdiction



Sec. 19.23  Applicability of provisions concerning Notice of
Disagreement.

    (a) Appeals governed by Sec. 20.201(a) of this chapter shall be 
processed in accordance with Sec. 19.24. Sections 19.26, 19.27 and 19.28 
shall not apply to appeals governed by Sec. 20.201(a) of this chapter.
    (b) Appeals governed by Sec. 20.201(b) of this chapter shall be 
processed in accordance with Secs. 19.26, 19.27, and 19.28.

[79 FR 57697, Sept. 25, 2014]



Sec. 19.24  Action by agency of original jurisdiction on Notice of
Disagreement required to be filed on a standardized form.

    (a) Initial action. When a timely Notice of Disagreement in 
accordance with the requirements of Sec. 20.201(a) of this chapter is 
filed, the agency of original jurisdiction will reexamine the

[[Page 66]]

claim and determine whether additional review or development is 
warranted.
    (b) Incomplete and complete appeal forms--(1) Incomplete appeal 
forms. In cases governed by paragraph (a) of Sec. 20.201 of this 
chapter, if VA determines a form filed by the claimant is incomplete and 
requests clarification, the claimant must timely file a completed 
version of the correct form in order to initiate an appeal. A claimant 
is not required to cure or correct the filing of an incomplete form by 
filing a completed version of the correct form unless VA informs the 
claimant or his or her representative that the form is incomplete and 
requests clarification.
    (2) Complete appeal forms. In general, a form will be considered 
complete if the following information is provided:
    (i) Information to identify the claimant;
    (ii) The claim to which the form pertains;
    (iii) Any information necessary to identify the specific nature of 
the disagreement if the form so requires. For compensation claims, this 
criterion will be met if the form enumerates the issues or conditions 
for which appellate review is sought, or if it provides other 
information required on the form to identify the claimant and the nature 
of the disagreement (such as disagreement with disability rating, 
effective date, or denial of service connection); and
    (iv) The claimant's signature.
    (3) Timeframe to complete correct form. In general, a claimant who 
wishes to initiate an appeal must provide a complete form within the 
timeframe established by Sec. 20.302(a) of this chapter. When VA 
requests clarification of an incomplete form, the claimant must provide 
a complete form in response to VA's request for clarification within the 
later of the following dates:
    (i) 60 days from the date of the request; or
    (ii) 1 year from the date of mailing of the notice of the decision 
of the agency of original jurisdiction.
    (4) Failure to respond. If the claimant fails to provide a completed 
form within the timeframe set forth in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, 
the decision of the agency of original jurisdiction will become final.
    (5) Form timely completed. If a completed form is received within 
the timeframe set forth in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, VA will 
treat the completed form as the Notice of Disagreement and VA will 
reexamine the claim and determine whether additional review or 
development is warranted. If no further review or development is 
required, or after necessary review or development is completed, VA will 
prepare a Statement of the Case pursuant to Sec. 19.29 unless the 
disagreement is resolved by a grant of the benefit(s) sought on appeal 
or the NOD is withdrawn by the claimant.
    (c) Issues under appellate review. If a form enumerates some but not 
all of the issues or conditions which were the subject of the decision 
of the agency of original jurisdiction, the form will be considered 
complete with respect to the issues for which appellate review is sought 
and identified by the claimant. Any issues or conditions not enumerated 
will not be considered appealed on the basis of the filing of that form 
and will become final unless the claimant timely files a separate form 
for those issues or conditions within the applicable timeframe set forth 
in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (d) Disagreement concerning whether Notice of Disagreement has been 
filed. Whether or not a claimant has timely filed a Notice of 
Disagreement is an appealable issue, but in such a case, appellate 
consideration shall be limited to the question of whether the correct 
form was timely filed.

[79 FR 57697, Sept. 25, 2014]



Sec. 19.25  Notification by agency of original jurisdiction of right
to appeal.

    The claimant and his or her representative, if any, will be informed 
of appellate rights provided by 38 U.S.C. chapters 71 and 72, including 
the right to a personal hearing and the right to representation. The 
agency of original jurisdiction will provide this information in each 
notification of a determination of entitlement or nonentitlement to 
Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(a))

[[Page 67]]



Sec. 19.26  Action by agency of original jurisdiction on Notice
of Disagreement.

    (a) Initial action. When a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) is 
filed, the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) must reexamine the 
claim and determine whether additional review or development is 
warranted.
    (b) Unclear communication or disagreement. If within one year after 
mailing an adverse decision (or 60 days for simultaneously contested 
claims), the AOJ receives a written communication expressing 
dissatisfaction or disagreement with the adverse decision, but the AOJ 
cannot clearly identify that communication as expressing an intent to 
appeal, or the AOJ cannot identify which denied claim(s) the claimant 
wants to appeal, then the AOJ will contact the claimant to request 
clarification of the claimant's intent. This contact may be either oral 
or written.
    (1) For oral contacts, VA will contact whoever filed the 
communication. VA will make a written record of any oral clarification 
request conveyed to the claimant including the date of the adverse 
decision involved and the response. In any request for clarification, 
the AOJ will explain that if a response to this request is not received 
within the time period described in paragraph (c) of this section, the 
earlier, unclear communication will not be considered an NOD as to any 
adverse decision for which clarification was requested.
    (2) For written contacts, VA will mail a letter requesting 
clarification to the claimant and send a copy to his or her 
representative and fiduciary, if any.
    (c) Response required from claimant--(1) Time to respond. The 
claimant must respond to the AOJ's request for clarification within the 
later of the following dates:
    (i) 60 days after the date of the AOJ's clarification request; or
    (ii) One year after the date of mailing of notice of the adverse 
decision being appealed (60 days for simultaneously contested claims).
    (2) Failure to respond. If the claimant fails to provide a timely 
response, the previous communication from the claimant will not be 
considered an NOD as to any claim for which clarification was requested. 
The AOJ will not consider the claimant to have appealed the decision(s) 
on any claim(s) as to which clarification was requested and not 
received.
    (d) Action following clarification. When clarification of the 
claimant's intent to file an NOD is obtained, the AOJ will reexamine the 
claim and determine whether additional review or development is 
warranted. If no further review or development is required, or after 
necessary review or development is completed, the AOJ will prepare a 
Statement of the Case pursuant to Sec. 19.29 unless the disagreement is 
resolved by a grant of the benefit(s) sought on appeal or the NOD is 
withdrawn by the claimant.
    (e) Representatives and fiduciaries. For the purpose of the 
requirements in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, references 
to the ``claimant'' include reference to the claimant or his or her 
representative, if any, or to his or her fiduciary, if any, as 
appropriate.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0674)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 7105, 7105A)

[71 FR 56871, Sept. 28, 2006]



Sec. 19.27  Adequacy of Notice of Disagreement questioned within the
agency of original jurisdiction.

    If, after following the procedures set forth in 38 CFR 19.26, there 
remains within the agency of original jurisdiction a conflict of opinion 
or a question pertaining to a claim regarding whether a written 
communication expresses an intent to appeal or as to which denied claims 
a claimant wants to appeal, the procedures for an administrative appeal, 
as set forth in 38 CFR 19.50-19.53, must be followed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 7105, 7106)

[71 FR 56872, Sept. 28, 2006]



Sec. 19.28  Determination that a Notice of Disagreement is inadequate
protested by claimant or representative.

    Whether a Notice of Disagreement is adequate is an appealable issue. 
If the claimant or his or her representative protests an adverse 
determination

[[Page 68]]

made by the agency of original jurisdiction with respect to the adequacy 
of a Notice of Disagreement, the claimant will be furnished a Statement 
of the Case.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)



Sec. 19.29  Statement of the Case.

    The Statement of the Case must be complete enough to allow the 
appellant to present written and/or oral arguments before the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals. It must contain:
    (a) A summary of the evidence in the case relating to the issue or 
issues with which the appellant or representative has expressed 
disagreement;
    (b) A summary of the applicable laws and regulations, with 
appropriate citations, and a discussion of how such laws and regulations 
affect the determination; and
    (c) The determination of the agency of original jurisdiction on each 
issue and the reasons for each such determination with respect to which 
disagreement has been expressed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(1))



Sec. 19.30  Furnishing the Statement of the Case and instructions for
filing a Substantive Appeal.

    (a) To whom the Statement of the Case is furnished. The Statement of 
the Case will be forwarded to the appellant at the latest address of 
record and a separate copy provided to his or her representative (if 
any).
    (b) Information furnished with the Statement of the Case. With the 
Statement of the Case, the appellant and the representative will be 
furnished information on the right to file, and time limit for filing, a 
Substantive Appeal; information on hearing and representation rights; 
and a VA Form 9, ``Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals.''

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 19.31  Supplemental statement of the case.

    (a) Purpose and limitations. A ``Supplemental Statement of the 
Case,'' so identified, is a document prepared by the agency of original 
jurisdiction to inform the appellant of any material changes in, or 
additions to, the information included in the Statement of the Case or 
any prior Supplemental Statement of the Case. In no case will a 
Supplemental Statement of the Case be used to announce decisions by the 
agency of original jurisdiction on issues not previously addressed in 
the Statement of the Case, or to respond to a notice of disagreement on 
newly appealed issues that were not addressed in the Statement of the 
Case. The agency of original jurisdiction will respond to notices of 
disagreement on newly appealed issues not addressed in the Statement of 
the Case using the procedures in Secs. 19.29 and 19.30 of this part 
(relating to statements of the case).
    (b) When furnished. The agency of original jurisdiction will furnish 
the appellant and his or her representative, if any, a Supplemental 
Statement of the Case if:
    (1) The agency of original jurisdiction receives additional 
pertinent evidence after a Statement of the Case or the most recent 
Supplemental Statement of the Case has been issued and before the appeal 
is certified to the Board of Veterans' Appeals and the appellate record 
is transferred to the Board;
    (2) A material defect in the Statement of the Case or a prior 
Supplemental statement of the Case is discovered; or
    (3) For any other reason the Statement of the Case or a prior 
Supplemental Statement of the Case is inadequate.
    (c) Pursuant to remand from the Board. The agency of original 
jurisdiction will issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case if, 
pursuant to a remand by the Board, it develops the evidence or cures a 
procedural defect, unless:
    (1) The only purpose of the remand is to assemble records previously 
considered by the agency of original jurisdiction and properly discussed 
in a prior Statement of the Case or Supplemental Statement of the Case; 
or
    (2) The Board specifies in the remand that a Supplemental Statement 
of the Case is not required.
    (d) Exception. Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply in 
proceedings before the General Counsel conducted

[[Page 69]]

under part 14 of this chapter to cancel accreditation or to review fee 
agreements and expenses for reasonableness.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d); 38 U.S.C. 5902, 5903, 5904)

[67 FR 3104, Jan. 23, 2002, as amended at 73 FR 29879, May 22, 2008]



Sec. 19.32  Closing of appeal for failure to respond to Statement
of the Case.

    The agency of original jurisdiction may close the appeal without 
notice to an appellant or his or her representative for failure to 
respond to a Statement of the Case within the period allowed. However, 
if a Substantive Appeal is subsequently received within the 1-year 
appeal period (60-day appeal period for simultaneously contested 
claims), the appeal will be considered to be reactivated.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(3))



Sec. 19.33  Timely filing of Notice of Disagreement or Substantive
Appeal questioned within the agency of original jurisdiction.

    If, within the agency of original jurisdiction, there is a question 
as to the timely filing of a Notice of Disagreement or Substantive 
Appeal, the procedures for an administrative appeal must be followed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105, 7106)



Sec. 19.34  Determination that Notice of Disagreement or Substantive
Appeal was not timely filed protested by claimant or representative.

    Whether a Notice of Disagreement or Substantive Appeal has been 
filed on time is an appealable issue. If the claimant or his or her 
representative protests an adverse determination made by the agency of 
original jurisdiction with respect to timely filing of the Notice of 
Disagreement or Substantive Appeal, the claimant will be furnished a 
Statement of the Case.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)



Sec. 19.35  Certification of appeals.

    Following receipt of a timely Substantive Appeal, the agency of 
original jurisdiction will certify the case to the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals. Certification is accomplished by the completion of VA Form 8, 
``Certification of Appeal.'' The certification is used for 
administrative purposes and does not serve to either confer or deprive 
the Board of Veterans' Appeals of jurisdiction over an issue.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996; 66 FR 
53339, Oct. 22, 2001]



Sec. 19.36  Notification of certification of appeal and transfer
of appellate record.

    When an appeal is certified to the Board of Veterans' Appeals for 
appellate review and the appellate record is transferred to the Board, 
the appellant and his or her representative, if any, will be notified in 
writing of the certification and transfer and of the time limit for 
requesting a change in representation, for requesting a personal 
hearing, and for submitting additional evidence described in Rule of 
Practice 1304 (Sec. 20.1304 of this chapter). Provisions in this section 
for submitting additional evidence and references to Sec. 20.1304 do not 
apply in proceedings before the General Counsel conducted under part 14 
of this chapter to suspend or cancel accreditation or to review fee 
agreements and expenses for reasonableness.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105; 38 U.S.C. 5902, 5903, 5904)

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 73 FR 29879, May 22, 2008]



Sec. 19.37  Consideration of additional evidence received by the 
agency of original jurisdiction after an appeal has been initiated.

    (a) Evidence received prior to transfer of records to Board of 
Veterans' Appeals. Evidence received by the agency of original 
jurisdiction prior to transfer of the records to the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals after an appeal has been initiated (including evidence received 
after certification has been completed) will be referred to the 
appropriate rating or authorization activity for review and disposition. 
If the Statement of the Case and any prior Supplemental Statements of 
the Case were prepared before the receipt of the additional evidence, a 
Supplemental Statement of the Case will be furnished to the appellant 
and his or her representative as

[[Page 70]]

provided in Sec. 19.31 of this part, unless the additional evidence 
received duplicates evidence previously of record which was discussed in 
the Statement of the Case or a prior Supplemental Statement of the Case 
or the additional evidence is not relevant to the issue, or issues, on 
appeal.
    (b) Evidence received after transfer of records to the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals. Additional evidence received by the agency of 
original jurisdiction after the records have been transferred to the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals for appellate consideration will be forwarded 
to the Board if it has a bearing on the appellate issue or issues. The 
Board will then determine what action is required with respect to the 
additional evidence.
    (c) The provisions of this section do not apply in proceedings 
before the General Counsel conducted under part 14 of this chapter to 
cancel accreditation or to review fee agreements and expenses for 
reasonableness.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(1), 5902, 5903, 5904)

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 73 FR 29879, May 22, 2008]



Sec. 19.38  Action by agency of original jurisdiction when remand 
received.

    When a case is remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals, the 
agency of original jurisdiction will complete the additional development 
of the evidence or procedural development required. Following completion 
of the development, the case will be reviewed to determine whether the 
additional development, together with the evidence which was previously 
of record, supports the allowance of all benefits sought on appeal. If 
so, the appellant and his or her representative, if any, will be 
promptly informed. If any benefits sought on appeal remain denied 
following this review, the agency of original jurisdiction will issue a 
Supplemental Statement of the Case concerning the additional development 
pertaining to those issues in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec. 19.31 of this part. Following the 30-day period allowed for a 
response to the Supplemental Statement of the Case pursuant to Rule of 
Practice 302, paragraph (c) (Sec. 20.302(c) of this chapter), the case 
will be returned to the Board for further appellate processing unless 
the appeal is withdrawn or review of the response to the Supplemental 
Statement of the Case results in the allowance of all benefits sought on 
appeal. Remanded cases will not be closed for failure to respond to the 
Supplemental Statement of the Case.

(Authority 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(1))

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 69 FR 53808, Sept. 3, 2004; 73 
FR 40748, July 16, 2008]



Secs. 19.39-19.49  [Reserved]



                    Subpart C_Administrative Appeals



Sec. 19.50  Nature and form of administrative appeal.

    (a) General. An administrative appeal from an agency of original 
jurisdiction determination is an appeal taken by an official of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs authorized to do so to resolve a conflict 
of opinion or a question pertaining to a claim involving benefits under 
laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such appeals 
may be taken not only from determinations involving dissenting opinions, 
but also from unanimous determinations denying or allowing the benefit 
claimed in whole or in part.
    (b) Form of Appeal. An administrative appeal is entered by a 
memorandum entitled ``Administrative Appeal'' in which the issues and 
the basis for the appeal are set forth.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7106)



Sec. 19.51  Officials authorized to file administrative appeals and
time limits for filing.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs authorizes certain officials of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs to file administrative appeals within 
specified time limits, as follows:
    (a) Central Office--(1) Officials. The Under Secretary for Benefits 
or a service director of the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Under 
Secretary for Health or a service director of the Veterans Health 
Administration, and the General Counsel.
    (2) Time limit. Such officials must file an administrative appeal 
within 1 year

[[Page 71]]

from the date of mailing notice of such determination to the claimant.
    (b) Agencies of original jurisdiction--(1) Officials. Directors, 
adjudication officers, and officials at comparable levels in field 
offices deciding any claims for benefits, from any determination 
originating within their established jurisdiction.
    (2) Time limit. The Director or comparable official must file an 
administrative appeal within 6 months from the date of mailing notice of 
the determination to the claimant. Officials below the level of Director 
must do so within 60 days from such date.
    (c) The date of mailing. With respect to paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section, the date of mailing notice of the determination to the 
claimant will be presumed to be the same as the date of the letter of 
notification to the claimant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7106)

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 19.52  Notification to claimant of filing of administrative
appeal.

    When an administrative appeal is entered, the claimant and his or 
her representative, if any, will be promptly furnished a copy of the 
memorandum entitled ``Administrative Appeal,'' or an adequate summary 
thereof, outlining the question at issue. They will be allowed a period 
of 60 days to join in the appeal if they so desire. The claimant will 
also be advised of the effect of such action and of the preservation of 
normal appeal rights if he or she does not elect to join in the 
administrative appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7106)



Sec. 19.53  Restriction as to change in payments pending determination
of administrative appeals.

    If an administrative appeal is taken from a review or determination 
by the agency of original jurisdiction pursuant to Secs. 19.50 and 19.51 
of this part, that review or determination may not be used to effect any 
change in payments until after a decision is made by the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7106)



Secs. 19.54-19.74  [Reserved]



 Subpart D_Hearings Before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at Department 
                  of Veterans Affairs Field Facilities



Sec. 19.75  Field hearing docket.

    Hearings on appeal held at Department of Veterans Affairs field 
facilities will be scheduled for each area served by a regional office 
in accordance with the place of each case on the Board's docket, 
established under Sec. 20.900 of this chapter, relative to other cases 
for which hearings are scheduled to be held within that area. Such 
scheduling is subject to Sec. 20.704(f) of this chapter pertaining to 
advancement of a case on the hearing docket.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7107)

[65 FR 14471, Mar. 17, 2000]



Sec. 19.76  Notice of time and place of hearing before the Board 
of Veterans' Appeals at Department of Veterans Affairs field 
facilities.

    The agency of original jurisdiction will notify the appellant and 
his or her representative of the place and time of a hearing before the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals at a Department of Veterans Affairs field 
facility not less than 30 days prior to the hearing date. This time 
limitation does not apply to hearings which have been rescheduled due to 
a postponement requested by an appellant, or on his or her behalf, or 
due to the prior failure of an appellant to appear at a scheduled 
hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at a Department of 
Veterans Affairs field facility with good cause. The right to notice at 
least 30 days in advance will be deemed to have been waived if an 
appellant accepts an earlier hearing date due to the cancellation of 
another previously scheduled hearing.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7107)

[61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43008, Aug. 20, 1996]

[[Page 72]]



Secs. 19.77-19.99  [Reserved]



                Subpart E_Simultaneously Contested Claims



Sec. 19.100  Notification of right to appeal in simultaneously
contested claims.

    All interested parties will be specifically notified of the action 
taken by the agency of original jurisdiction in a simultaneously 
contested claim and of the right and time limit for initiation of an 
appeal, as well as hearing and representation rights.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(a))



Sec. 19.101  Notice to contesting parties on receipt of Notice 
of Disagreement in simultaneously contested claims.

    Upon the filing of a Notice of Disagreement in a simultaneously 
contested claim, all interested parties and their representatives will 
be furnished a copy of the Statement of the Case. The Statement of the 
Case so furnished will contain only information which directly affects 
the payment or potential payment of the benefit(s) which is (are) the 
subject of that contested claim. The interested parties who filed 
Notices of Disagreement will be duly notified of the right to file, and 
the time limit within which to file, a Substantive Appeal and will be 
furnished with VA Form 9, ``Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals.''

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(b))

[57 FR 4104, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 19.102  Notice of appeal to other contesting parties in
simultaneously contested claims.

    When a Substantive Appeal is filed in a simultaneously contested 
claim, the content of the Substantive Appeal will be furnished to the 
other contesting parties to the extent that it contains information 
which could directly affect the payment or potential payment of the 
benefit which is the subject of the contested claim.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(b))



              Sec. Appendix A to Part 19--Cross-References

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Title of cross-
      Sec. Cross-reference          referenced material or
                                                         comment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.5...........  38 CFR 14.507(b).............  See re ``precedent
                                                 opinions'' of the
                                                 General Counsel of the
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs.
                 38 CFR 20.1303...............  Rule 1303.
                                                 Nonprecedential nature
                                                 of Board decisions.
19.7...........  38 CFR 20.905................  Rule 905. Vacating a
                                                 decision.
19.13..........  38 CFR 2.66..................  Contains similar
                                                 provisions.
19.25..........  38 CFR 19.52.................  Notification to claimant
                                                 of filing of
                                                 administrative appeal.
                 38 CFR 19.100................  Notification of right to
                                                 appeal in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
19.26..........  38 CFR 20.302................  Rule 302. Time limit for
                                                 filing Notice of
                                                 Disagreement,
                                                 Substantive Appeal, and
                                                 response to
                                                 Supplemental Statement
                                                 of the Case.
19.27..........  38 CFR 19.50-19.53...........  See re administrative
                                                 appeals.
19.30..........  38 CFR 20.202................  Rule 202. Substantive
                                                 Appeal.
19.32..........  38 CFR 20.302................  Rule 302. Time limit for
                                                 filing Notice of
                                                 Disagreement,
                                                 Substantive Appeal, and
                                                 response to
                                                 Supplemental Statement
                                                 of the Case.
                 38 CFR 20.501................  Rule 501. Time limits
                                                 for filing Notice of
                                                 Disagreement,
                                                 Substantive Appeal, and
                                                 response to
                                                 Supplemental Statement
                                                 of the Case in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
19.33..........  38 CFR 19.50-19.53...........  See re administrative
                                                 appeals.
19.50..........  38 CFR 19.53.................  Restriction as to change
                                                 in payments pending
                                                 determination of
                                                 administrative appeals.
19.76..........  38 CFR 20.704................  Rule 704. Scheduling and
                                                 notice of hearings
                                                 conducted by traveling
                                                 Sections of the Board
                                                 of Veterans' Appeals at
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs field
                                                 facilities.
19.100.........  38 CFR 20.713................  Rule 713. Hearings in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
19.101.........  38 CFR 19.30.................  Furnishing the Statement
                                                 of the Case and
                                                 instructions for filing
                                                 a Substantive Appeal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 73]]



PART 20_BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS: RULES OF PRACTICE--
Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
20.1  Rule 1. Purpose and construction of Rules of Practice.
20.2  Rule 2. Procedure in absence of specific Rule of Practice.
20.3  Rule 3. Definitions.
20.4-20.99  [Reserved]

                           Subpart B_The Board

20.100  Rule 100. Name, business hours, and mailing address of the 
          Board.
20.101  Rule 101. Jurisdiction of the Board.
20.102  Rule 102. Delegation of authority--Rules of Practice.
20.103-20.199  [Reserved]

             Subpart C_Commencement and Perfection of Appeal

20.200  Rule 200. What constitutes an appeal.
20.201  Rule 201. Notice of Disagreement.
20.202  Rule 202. Substantive Appeal.
20.203  [Reserved]
20.204  Rule 204. Withdrawal of Appeal.
20.205-20.299  [Reserved]

                            Subpart D_Filing

20.300  Rule 300. Place of filing Notice of Disagreement and Substantive 
          Appeal.
20.301  Rule 301. Who can file an appeal.
20.302  Rule 302. Time limit for filing Notice of Disagreement, 
          Substantive Appeal, and response to Supplemental Statement of 
          the Case.
20.303  Rule 303. Extension of time for filing Substantive Appeal and 
          response to Supplemental Statement of the Case.
20.304  Rule 304. Filing additional evidence does not extend time limit 
          for appeal.
20.305  Rule 305. Computation of time limit for filing.
20.306  Rule 306. Legal holidays.
20.307-20.399  [Reserved]

                    Subpart E_Administrative Appeals

20.400  Rule 400. Action by claimant or representative on notification 
          of administrative appeal.
20.401  Rule 401. Effect of decision on administrative or merged appeal 
          on claimant's appellate rights.
20.402-20.499  [Reserved]

                Subpart F_Simultaneously Contested Claims

20.500  Rule 500. Who can file an appeal in simultaneously contested 
          claims.
20.501  Rule 501. Time limits for filing Notice of Disagreement, 
          Substantive Appeal, and response to Supplemental Statement of 
          the Case in simultaneously contested claims.
20.502  Rule 502. Time limit for response to appeal by another 
          contesting party in a simultaneously contested claim.
20.503  Rule 503. Extension of time for filing a Substantive Appeal in 
          simultaneously contested claims.
20.504  Rule 504. Notices sent to last addresses of record in 
          simultaneously contested claims.
20.505-20.599  [Reserved]

                        Subpart G_Representation

20.600  Rule 600. Right to representation.
20.601-20.607  [Reserved]
20.608  Rule 608. Withdrawal of services by a representative.
20.612-20.699  [Reserved]

                      Subpart H_Hearings on Appeal

20.700  Rule 700. General.
20.701  Rule 701. Who may present oral argument.
20.702  Rule 702. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by the 
          Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, DC.
20.703  Rule 703. When a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
          at a Department of Veterans Affairs field facility may be 
          requested.
20.704  Rule 704. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by the 
          Board of Veterans' Appeals at Department of Veterans Affairs 
          field facilities.
20.705  Rule 705. Where hearings are conducted.
20.706  Rule 706. Functions of the presiding Member.
20.707  Rule 707. Designation of Member or Members to conduct the 
          hearing.
20.708  Rule 708. Prehearing conference.
20.709  Rule 709. Procurement of additional evidence following a 
          hearing.
20.710  Rule 710. Witnesses at hearings.
20.711  Rule 711. Subpoenas.
20.712  Rule 712. Expenses of appellants, representatives, and witnesses 
          incident to hearings not reimbursable by the Government.
20.713  Rule 713. Hearings in simultaneously contested claims.
20.714  Rule 714. Record of hearing.
20.715  Rule 715. Recording of hearing by appellant or representative.
20.716  Rule 716. Correction of hearing transcripts.
20.717  Rule 717. Loss of hearing tapes or transcripts--motion for new 
          hearing.
20.718-20.799  [Reserved]

[[Page 74]]

                           Subpart I_Evidence

20.800  Rule 800. Submission of additional evidence after initiation of 
          appeal.
20.801-20.899  [Reserved]

                      Subpart J_Action by the Board

20.900  Rule 900. Order of consideration of appeals.
20.901  Rule 901. Medical opinions and opinions of the General Counsel.
20.902  Rule 902. Filing of requests for the procurement of opinions.
20.903  Rule 903. Notification of evidence to be considered by the Board 
          and opportunity for response.
20.904  Rule 904. Vacating a decision.
20.905-20.999  [Reserved]

                        Subpart K_Reconsideration

20.1000  Rule 1000. When reconsideration is accorded.
20.1001  Rule 1001. Filing and disposition of motion for 
          reconsideration.
20.1002  Rule 1002. [Reserved]
20.1003  Rule 1003. Hearings on reconsideration.
20.1004-20.1099  [Reserved]

                           Subpart L_Finality

20.1100  Rule 1100. Finality of decisions of the Board.
20.1101  Rule 1101. [Reserved]
20.1102  Rule 1102. Harmless error.
20.1103  Rule 1103. Finality of determinations of the agency of original 
          jurisdiction where appeal is not perfected.
20.1104  Rule 1104. Finality of determinations of the agency of original 
          jurisdiction affirmed on appeal.
20.1105  Rule 1105. New claim after promulgation of appellate decision.
20.1106  Rule 1106. Claim for death benefits by survivor--prior 
          unfavorable decisions during veteran's lifetime.
20.1107-20.1199  [Reserved]

                          Subpart M_Privacy Act

20.1200  Rule 1200. Privacy Act request--appeal pending.
20.1201  Rule 1201. Amendment of appellate decisions.
20.1202-20.1299  [Reserved]

                         Subpart N_Miscellaneous

20.1300  Rule 1300. Removal of Board records.
20.1301  Rule 1301. Disclosure of information.
20.1302  Rule 1302. Death of appellant during pendency of appeal before 
          the Board.
20.1303  Rule 1303. Nonprecedential nature of Board decisions.
20.1304  Rule 1304. Request for change in representation, request for 
          personal hearing, or submission of additional evidence 
          following certification of an appeal to the Board of Veterans' 
          Appeals.

  Subpart O_Revision of Decisions on Grounds of Clear and Unmistakable 
                                  Error

20.1400  Rule 1400. Motions to revise Board decisions.
20.1401  Rule 1401. Definitions.
20.1402  Rule 1402. Inapplicability of other rules.
20.1403  Rule 1403. What constitutes clear and unmistakable error; what 
          does not.
20.1404  Rule 1404. Filing and pleading requirements; withdrawal.
20.1405  Rule 1405. Disposition.
20.1406  Rule 1406. Effect of revision; discontinuance or reduction of 
          benefits.
20.1407  Rule 1407. Motions by the Board.
20.1408  Rule 1408. Special rules for simultaneously contested claims.
20.1409  Rule 1409. Finality and appeal.
20.1410  Rule 1410. Stays pending court action.
20.1411  Rule 1411. Relationship to other statutes.

    Subpart P_Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative_Pilot Program

20.1500  Rule 1500. Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative.
20.1501  Rule 1501. Definitions.
20.1502  Rule 1502. Eligibility.
20.1503  Rule 1503. Election, identification of evidence, and 
          representation.
20.1504  Rule 1504. Time limits.
20.1505  Rule 1505. Review of initial benefits claim decision.
20.1506  Rule 1506. Board review of cases.
20.1507  Rule 1507. Hearings.
20.1508  Rule 1508. Waiver.
20.1509  Rule 1509. Compliance and revocation of participation.
20.1510  Rule 1510. Termination of the Initiative.

Appendix A to Part 20--Cross-References

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a) and as noted in specific sections.

    Source: 57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 20.1  Rule 1. Purpose and construction of Rules of Practice.

    (a) Purpose. These rules establish the practices and procedures 
governing appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7102, 7104)


[[Page 75]]


    (b) Construction. These rules are to be construed to secure a just 
and speedy decision in every appeal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 5107, 7104)



Sec. 20.2  Rule 2. Procedure in absence of specific Rule of Practice.

    Where in any instance there is no applicable rule or procedure, the 
Chairman may prescribe a procedure which is consistent with the 
provisions of title 38, United States Code, and these rules.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 512(a), 7102, 7104)



Sec. 20.3  Rule 3. Definitions.

    As used in these Rules:
    (a) Agency of original jurisdiction means the Department of Veterans 
Affairs activity or administration, that is, the Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Veterans Health Administration, or National Cemetery 
Administration, that made the initial determination on a claim.
    (b) Agent means a person who has met the standards and 
qualifications for accreditation outlined in Sec. 14.629(b) of this 
chapter and who has been properly designated under the provisions of 
Rule 604 (Sec. 20.604 of this part). It does not include representatives 
recognized under Rules 602, 603, or 605 (Sec. 20.602, 20.603, or 
Sec. 20.605 of this part).
    (c) Appellant means a claimant who has initiated an appeal to the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals by filing a timely Notice of Disagreement 
pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 20.201, and either Sec. 20.302(a) or 
Sec. 20.501(a), as applicable.
    (d) Attorney-at-law means a member in good standing of a State bar.
    (e) Benefit means any payment, service, commodity, function, or 
status, entitlement to which is determined under laws administered by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs pertaining to veterans and their 
dependents and survivors.
    (f) Claim means application made under title 38, United States Code, 
and implementing directives for entitlement to Department of Veterans 
Affairs benefits or for the continuation or increase of such benefits, 
or the defense of a proposed agency adverse action concerning benefits.
    (g) Claimant means a person who has filed a claim, as defined by 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (h) Electronic hearing means a hearing on appeal in which an 
appellant or a representative participates, through voice transmission 
or through picture and voice transmission, by electronic or other means, 
in a hearing with a Member or Members sitting at the Board's principal 
location in Washington, DC.
    (i) Hearing on appeal means a hearing conducted after a Notice of 
Disagreement has been filed in which argument and/or testimony is 
presented concerning the determination, or determinations, by the agency 
of original jurisdiction being appealed.
    (j) Law student means an individual pursuing a Juris Doctor or 
equivalent degree at a school approved by a recognized accrediting 
association.
    (k) Legal intern means a graduate of a law school, which has been 
approved by a recognized accrediting association, who has not yet been 
admitted to a State bar.
    (l) Motion means a request that the Board rule on some question 
which is subsidiary to the ultimate decision on the outcome of an 
appeal. For example, the questions of whether a representative's fees 
are reasonable or whether additional evidence may be submitted more than 
90 days after certification of an appeal to the Board are raised by 
motion (see Rule 609, paragraph (i), and Rule 1304, paragraph (b) 
Secs. 20.609(i) and 20.1304(b) of this part). Unless raised orally at a 
personal hearing before Members of the Board, motions for consideration 
by the Board must be made in writing. No formal type of document is 
required. The motion may be in the form of a letter which contains the 
necessary information.
    (m) Paralegal means a graduate of a course of paralegal instruction 
given by a school which has been approved by a recognized accrediting 
association, or an individual who has equivalent legal experience.
    (n) Past-due benefits means a nonrecurring payment resulting from a 
benefit, or benefits, granted on appeal or awarded on the basis of a 
claim reopened after a denial by the Board of Veterans' Appeals or the 
lump sum

[[Page 76]]

payment which represents the total amount of recurring cash payments 
which accrued between the effective date of the award, as determined by 
applicable laws and regulations, and the date of the grant of the 
benefit by the agency of original jurisdiction, the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals, or an appellate court.
    (o) Presiding Member means that Member of the Board who presides 
over a hearing, whether conducted as a single Member or panel hearing.
    (p) Simultaneously contested claim refers to the situation in which 
the allowance of one claim results in the disallowance of another claim 
involving the same benefit or the allowance of one claim results in the 
payment of a lesser benefit to another claimant.
    (q) State includes any State, possession, territory, or Commonwealth 
of the United States, as well as the District of Columbia.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996; 67 FR 
36104, May 23, 2002; 69 FR 53808, Sept. 3, 2004; 79 FR 57698, Sept. 25, 
2014]



Secs. 20.4-20.99  [Reserved]



                           Subpart B_The Board



Sec. 20.100  Rule 100. Name, business hours, and mailing address 
of the Board.

    (a) Name. The name of the Board is the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
    (b) Business hours. The Board is open during business hours on all 
days except Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays. Business hours are from 
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    (c) Mailing address. Except as otherwise noted in these Rules, 
appeals-related mail to the Board must be addressed to: Chairman (01), 
Board of Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038. Mail 
to the Board that is not related to an appeal must be addressed to: 
Board of Veterans' Appeals, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20420.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7101(a))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 81 FR 32649, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.101  Rule 101. Jurisdiction of the Board.

    (a) General. All questions of law and fact necessary to a decision 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under a law that affects the 
provision of benefits by the Secretary to veterans or their dependents 
or survivors are subject to review on appeal to the Secretary. Decisions 
in such appeals are made by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. In its 
decisions, the Board is bound by applicable statutes, the regulations of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs and precedent opinions of the General 
Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Examples of the issues 
over which the Board has jurisdiction include, but are not limited to, 
the following:
    (1) Entitlement to, and benefits resulting from, service-connected 
disability or death (38 U.S.C. chapter 11).
    (2) Dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected 
death, including benefits in certain cases of inservice or service-
connected deaths (38 U.S.C. 1312) and certification and entitlement to 
death gratuity (38 U.S.C. 1323).
    (3) Benefits for survivors of certain veterans rated totally 
disabled at time of death (38 U.S.C. 1318).
    (4) Entitlement to nonservice-connected disability pension, service 
pension and death pension (38 U.S.C. chapter 15).
    (5) All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30).
    (6) Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service-Connected 
Disabilities (38 U.S.C. chapter 31).
    (7) Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance (38 U.S.C. 
chapter 32).
    (8) Veterans' Educational Assistance (38 U.S.C. chapter 34).
    (9) Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (38 U.S.C. 
chapter 35).
    (10) Veterans' Job Training (Pub. L. 98-77, as amended; 38 CFR 
21.4600 et seq.).
    (11) Educational Assistance for Members of the Selected Reserve (10 
U.S.C. chapter 106).
    (12) Educational Assistance Test Program (10 U.S.C. chapter 107; 38 
CFR 21.5701 et seq.).

[[Page 77]]

    (13) Educational Assistance Pilot Program (10 U.S.C. chapter 107; 38 
CFR 21.5290 et seq.).
    (14) Matters arising under National Service Life Insurance and 
United States Government Life Insurance (38 U.S.C. chapter 19).
    (15) Payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses (38 
U.S.C. 1728).
    (16) Burial benefits and burial in National Cemeteries (38 U.S.C. 
chapters 23 and 24).
    (17) Benefits for persons disabled by medical treatment or 
vocational rehabilitation (38 U.S.C. 1151).
    (18) Basic eligibility for home, condominium and mobile home loans 
as well as waiver of payment of loan guaranty indebtedness (38 U.S.C. 
chapter 37, 38 U.S.C. 5302).
    (19) Waiver of recovery of overpayments (38 U.S.C. 5302).
    (20) Forfeiture of rights, claims or benefits for fraud, treason, or 
subversive activities (38 U.S.C. 6102-6105).
    (21) Character of discharge (38 U.S.C. 5303).
    (22) Determinations as to duty status (38 U.S.C. 101(21)-(24)).
    (23) Determinations as to marital status (38 U.S.C. 101(3), 103).
    (24) Determination of dependency status as parent or child (38 
U.S.C. 101(4), (5)).
    (25) Validity of claims and effective dates of benefits (38 U.S.C. 
chapter 51).
    (26) Apportionment of benefits (38 U.S.C. 5307).
    (27) Payment of benefits while a veteran is hospitalized and 
questions regarding an estate of an incompetent institutionalized 
veteran (38 U.S.C. 5503).
    (28) Benefits for surviving spouses and children of deceased 
veterans under Public Law 97-377, section 156 (38 CFR 3.812(d)).
    (29) Eligibility for automobile and automobile adaptive equipment 
assistance (38 U.S.C. chapter 39).
    (b) Appellate jurisdiction of determinations of the Veterans Health 
Administration. The Board's appellate jurisdiction extends to questions 
of eligibility for hospitalization, outpatient treatment, and nursing 
home and domiciliary care; for devices such as prostheses, canes, 
wheelchairs, back braces, orthopedic shoes, and similar appliances; and 
for other benefits administered by the Veterans Health Administration. 
Medical determinations, such as determinations of the need for and 
appropriateness of specific types of medical care and treatment for an 
individual, are not adjudicative matters and are beyond the Board's 
jurisdiction. Typical examples of these issues are whether a particular 
drug should be prescribed, whether a specific type of physiotherapy 
should be ordered, and similar judgmental treatment decisions with which 
an attending physician may be faced.
    (c) Appeals as to jurisdiction. All claimants have the right to 
appeal a determination made by the agency of original jurisdiction that 
the Board does not have jurisdictional authority to review a particular 
case. Jurisdictional questions which a claimant may appeal, include, but 
are not limited to, questions relating to the timely filing and adequacy 
of the Notice of Disagreement and the Substantive Appeal.
    (d) Authority to determine jurisdiction. The Board may address 
questions pertaining to its jurisdictional authority to review a 
particular case, including, but not limited to, determining whether 
Notices of Disagreement and Substantive Appeals are adequate and timely, 
at any stage in a proceeding before it, regardless of whether the agency 
of original jurisdiction addressed such question(s). When the Board, on 
its own initiative, raises a question as to a potential jurisdictional 
defect, all parties to the proceeding and their representative(s), if 
any, will be given notice of the potential jurisdictional defect(s) and 
granted a period of 60 days following the date on which such notice is 
mailed to present written argument and additional evidence relevant to 
jurisdiction and to request a hearing to present oral argument on the 
jurisdictional question(s). The date of mailing of the notice will be 
presumed to be the same as the date stamped on the letter of 
notification. The Board may dismiss any case over which it determines it 
does not have jurisdiction.
    (e) Application of 38 CFR 19.9 and 20.1304. Section 19.9 of this 
chapter shall not apply to proceedings to determine the Board's own 
jurisdiction. However, the Board may remand a case

[[Page 78]]

to an agency of original jurisdiction in order to obtain assistance in 
securing evidence of jurisdictional facts. The time restrictions on 
requesting a hearing and submitting additional evidence in Sec. 20.1304 
of this part do not apply to a hearing requested, or evidence submitted, 
under paragraph (d) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511(a), 7104, 7105, 7108)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 66 FR 53339, Oct. 22, 2001]



Sec. 20.102  Rule 102. Delegation of authority--Rules of Practice.

    (a) The authority exercised by the Chairman of the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals described in Rules 717(d) and 1001(c) (Secs. 20.717(d) 
and 20.1001(c) of this part) may also be exercised by the Vice Chairman 
of the Board and by Deputy Vice Chairmen of the Board.
    (b) The authority exercised by the Chairman of the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals described in Rules 2 and 606(d) (Secs. 20.2, and 
20.606(d) of this part), may also be exercised by the Vice Chairman of 
the Board; by Deputy Vice Chairmen of the Board; and, in connection with 
a proceeding or motion assigned to them by the Chairman, by a Member or 
Members of the Board.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 7102, 7104)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992; 57 FR 20055, May 11, 1992; 57 FR 38443, Aug. 
25, 1992; 61 FR 20449, May 7, 1996; 70 FR 8930, Feb. 24, 2005]



Secs. 20.103-20.199  [Reserved]



             Subpart C_Commencement and Perfection of Appeal



Sec. 20.200  Rule 200. What constitutes an appeal.

    An appeal consists of a timely filed Notice of Disagreement 
submitted in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 20.201, and either 
Sec. 20.302(a) or Sec. 20.501(a), as applicable and, after a Statement 
of the Case has been furnished, a timely filed Substantive Appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)

[79 FR 57698, Sept. 25, 2014]



Sec. 20.201  Rule 201. Notice of Disagreement.

    (a) Cases in which a form is provided by the agency of original 
jurisdiction for the purpose of initiating an appeal.
    (1) Format. For every case in which the agency of original 
jurisdiction (AOJ) provides, in connection with its decision, a form for 
the purpose of initiating an appeal, a Notice of Disagreement consists 
of a completed and timely submitted copy of that form. VA will not 
accept as a notice of disagreement an expression of dissatisfaction or 
disagreement with an adjudicative determination by the agency of 
original jurisdiction and a desire to contest the result that is 
submitted in any other format, including on a different VA form.
    (2) Provision of form to the claimant. If a claimant has established 
an online benefits account with VA, or has designated an email address 
for the purpose of receiving communications from VA, VA may provide an 
appeal form pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section electronically, 
whether by email, hyperlink, or other direction to the appropriate form 
within the claimant's online benefits account. VA may also provide a 
form pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section in paper format.
    (3) Presumption form was provided. This paragraph (a) applies if 
there is any indication whatsoever in the claimant's file or electronic 
account that a form was sent pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section.
    (4) Specificity required by form. If the agency of original 
jurisdiction gave notice that adjudicative determinations were made on 
several issues at the same time, the specific determinations with which 
the claimant disagrees must be identified to the extent a form provided 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section so requires. If the 
claimant wishes to appeal all of the issues decided by the agency of 
original jurisdiction, the form must clearly indicate that intent. 
Issues not identified on the form will not be considered appealed.
    (5) Alternate form or other communication. The filing of an 
alternate form or other communication will not extend, toll, or 
otherwise delay the time limit for filing a Notice of Disagreement, as

[[Page 79]]

provided in Sec. 20.302(a). In particular, returning the incorrect VA 
form, including a form designed to appeal a different benefit does not 
extend, toll, or otherwise delay the time limit for filing the correct 
form.
    (b) Cases in which no form is provided by the agency of original 
jurisdiction for purpose of initiating an appeal. A written 
communication from a claimant or his or her representative expressing 
dissatisfaction or disagreement with an adjudicative determination by 
the agency of original jurisdiction and a desire to contest the result 
will constitute a Notice of Disagreement relating to a claim for 
benefits in any case in which the agency of original jurisdiction does 
not provide a form identified as being for the purpose of initiating an 
appeal. The Notice of Disagreement must be in terms which can be 
reasonably construed as disagreement with that determination and a 
desire for appellate review. If the agency of original jurisdiction gave 
notice that adjudicative determinations were made on several issues at 
the same time, the specific determinations with which the claimant 
disagrees must be identified.
    (c) Simultaneously contested claims. The provisions of paragraph (b) 
of this section shall apply to appeals in simultaneously contested 
claims under Secs. 20.500 and 20.501, regardless of whether a 
standardized form was provided with the decision of the agency of 
original jurisdiction.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)

[79 FR 57698, Sept. 25, 2014]



Sec. 20.202  Rule 202. Substantive Appeal.

    A Substantive Appeal consists of a properly completed VA Form 9, 
``Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals,'' or correspondence containing 
the necessary information. If the Statement of the Case and any prior 
Supplemental Statements of the Case addressed several issues, the 
Substantive Appeal must either indicate that the appeal is being 
perfected as to all of those issues or must specifically identify the 
issues appealed. The Substantive Appeal should set out specific 
arguments relating to errors of fact or law made by the agency of 
original jurisdiction in reaching the determination, or determinations, 
being appealed. To the extent feasible, the argument should be related 
to specific items in the Statement of the Case and any prior 
Supplemental Statements of the Case. The Board will construe such 
arguments in a liberal manner for purposes of determining whether they 
raise issues on appeal, but the Board may dismiss any appeal which fails 
to allege specific error of fact or law in the determination, or 
determinations, being appealed. The Board will not presume that an 
appellant agrees with any statement of fact contained in a Statement of 
the Case or a Supplemental Statement of the Case which is not 
specifically contested. Proper completion and filing of a Substantive 
Appeal are the last actions the appellant needs to take to perfect an 
appeal.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0085)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(3)-(5))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20450, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 20.203  [Reserved]



Sec. 20.204  Rule 204. Withdrawal of Appeal.

    (a) When and by whom filed. Only an appellant, or an appellant's 
authorized representative, may withdraw an appeal. An appeal may be 
withdrawn as to any or all issues involved in the appeal.
    (b) Filing--(1) Form and content. Except for appeals withdrawn on 
the record at a hearing, appeal withdrawals must be in writing. They 
must include the name of the veteran, the name of the claimant or 
appellant if other than the veteran (e.g., a veteran's survivor, a 
guardian, or a fiduciary appointed to receive VA benefits on an 
individual's behalf), the applicable Department of Veterans Affairs file 
number, and a statement that the appeal is withdrawn. If the appeal 
involves multiple issues, the withdrawal must specify that the appeal is 
withdrawn in its entirety, or list the issue(s) withdrawn from the 
appeal.
    (2) Where to file. Appeal withdrawals should be filed with the 
agency of

[[Page 80]]

original jurisdiction until the appellant or representative filing the 
withdrawal receives notice that the appeal has been transferred to the 
Board. Thereafter, file the withdrawal at the following address: 
Director, Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.
    (3) When effective. Until the appeal is transferred to the Board, an 
appeal withdrawal is effective when received by the agency of original 
jurisdiction. Thereafter, it is not effective until received by the 
Board. A withdrawal received by the Board after the Board issues a final 
decision under Rule 1100(a) (Sec. 20.1100(a) of this part) will not be 
effective.
    (c) Effect of filing. Withdrawal of an appeal will be deemed a 
withdrawal of the Notice of Disagreement and, if filed, the Substantive 
Appeal, as to all issues to which the withdrawal applies. Withdrawal 
does not preclude filing a new Notice of Disagreement and, after a 
Statement of the Case is issued, a new Substantive Appeal, as to any 
issue withdrawn, provided such filings would be timely under these rules 
if the appeal withdrawn had never been filed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(b) and (d))

[68 FR 13236, Mar. 19, 2003, as amended at 81 FR 32649, May 24, 2016]



Secs. 20.205-20.299  [Reserved]



                            Subpart D_Filing



Sec. 20.300  Rule 300. Place of filing Notice of Disagreement
and Substantive Appeal.

    The Notice of Disagreement and Substantive Appeal must be filed with 
the Department of Veterans Affairs office from which the claimant 
received notice of the determination being appealed unless notice has 
been received that the applicable Department of Veterans Affairs records 
have been transferred to another Department of Veterans Affairs office. 
In that case, the Notice of Disagreement or Substantive Appeal must be 
filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs office which has assumed 
jurisdiction over the applicable records.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105 (b)(1), (d)(3))



Sec. 20.301  Rule 301. Who can file an appeal.

    (a) Persons authorized. A Notice of Disagreement and/or a 
Substantive Appeal may be filed by a claimant personally, or by his or 
her representative if a proper Power of Attorney or declaration of 
representation, as applicable, is on record or accompanies such Notice 
of Disagreement or Substantive Appeal.
    (b) Claimant rated incompetent by Department of Veterans Affairs or 
under disability and unable to file. If an appeal is not filed by a 
person listed in paragraph (a) of this section, and the claimant is 
rated incompetent by the Department of Veterans Affairs or has a 
physical, mental, or legal disability which prevents the filing of an 
appeal on his or her own behalf, a Notice of Disagreement and a 
Substantive Appeal may be filed by a fiduciary appointed to manage the 
claimant's affairs by the Department of Veterans Affairs or a court, or 
by a person acting as next friend if the appointed fiduciary fails to 
take needed action or no fiduciary has been appointed.
    (c) Claimant under disability and able to file. Notwithstanding the 
fact that a fiduciary may have been appointed for a claimant, an appeal 
filed by a claimant will be accepted.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(b)(2))



Sec. 20.302  Rule 302. Time limit for filing Notice of Disagreement,
Substantive Appeal, and response to Supplemental Statement of the Case.

    (a) Notice of Disagreement. Except in the case of simultaneously 
contested claims, a claimant, or his or her representative, must file a 
Notice of Disagreement with a determination by the agency of original 
jurisdiction within one year from the date that that agency mails notice 
of the determination to him or her. Otherwise, that determination will 
become final. The date of mailing the letter of notification of the 
determination will be presumed to be the same as the date of that letter 
for

[[Page 81]]

purposes of determining whether an appeal has been timely filed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1))

    (b) Substantive Appeal--(1) General. Except in the case of 
simultaneously contested claims, a Substantive Appeal must be filed 
within 60 days from the date that the agency of original jurisdiction 
mails the Statement of the Case to the appellant, or within the 
remainder of the 1-year period from the date of mailing of the 
notification of the determination being appealed, whichever period ends 
later. The date of mailing of the Statement of the Case will be presumed 
to be the same as the date of the Statement of the Case and the date of 
mailing the letter of notification of the determination will be presumed 
to be the same as the date of that letter for purposes of determining 
whether an appeal has been timely filed.
    (2) Special rule in certain cases where additional evidence is 
submitted. Except in the case of simultaneously contested claims, if (i) 
a claimant submits additional evidence within 1 year of the date of 
mailing of the notification of the determination being appealed, and 
(ii) that evidence requires, in accordance with Sec. 19.31 of this 
title, that the claimant be furnished a Supplemental Statement of the 
Case, then the time to submit a Substantive Appeal shall end not sooner 
than 60 days after such Supplemental Statement of the Case is mailed to 
the appellant, even if the 60-day period extends beyond the expiration 
of the 1-year appeal period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105 (b)(1), (d)(3))

    (c) Response to Supplemental Statement of the Case. Where a 
Supplemental Statement of the Case is furnished, a period of 30 days 
from the date of mailing of the Supplemental Statement of the Case will 
be allowed for response. The date of mailing of the Supplemental 
Statement of the Case will be presumed to be the same as the date of the 
Supplemental Statement of the Case for purposes of determining whether a 
response has been timely filed. Provided a Substantive Appeal has been 
timely filed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, the 
response to a Supplemental Statement of the Case is optional and is not 
required for the perfection of an appeal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(3))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 66 FR 50318, Oct. 3, 2001; 68 
FR 64806, Nov. 17, 2003; 73 FR 40748, July 16, 2008]



Sec. 20.303  Rule 303. Extension of time for filing Substantive Appeal
and response to Supplemental Statement of the Case.

    An extension of the 60-day period for filing a Substantive Appeal, 
or the 30-day period for responding to a Supplemental Statement of the 
Case, may be granted for good cause. A request for such an extension 
must be in writing and must be made prior to expiration of the time 
limit for filing the Substantive Appeal or the response to the 
Supplemental Statement of the Case. The request for extension must be 
filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs office from which the 
claimant received notice of the determination being appealed, unless 
notice has been received that the applicable records have been 
transferred to another Department of Veterans Affairs office. A denial 
of a request for extension may be appealed to the Board.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(3))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 73 FR 40748, July 16, 2008]



Sec. 20.304  Rule 304. Filing additional evidence does not extend
time limit for appeal.

    Except as provided in Rule 302(b) (Sec. 20.302(b) of this part), the 
filing of additional evidence after receipt of notice of an adverse 
determination does not extend the time limit for initiating or 
completing an appeal from that determination.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 66 FR 50318, Oct. 3, 2001]



Sec. 20.305  Rule 305. Computation of time limit for filing.

    (a) Acceptance of postmark date. When these Rules require that any 
written document be filed within a specified period of time, a response 
postmarked prior to expiration of the applicable time limit will be 
accepted as having

[[Page 82]]

been timely filed. In the event that the postmark is not of record, the 
postmark date will be presumed to be five days prior to the date of 
receipt of the document by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 
calculating this 5-day period, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays 
will be excluded.
    (b) Computation of time limit. In computing the time limit for 
filing a written document, the first day of the specified period will be 
excluded and the last day included. Where the time limit would expire on 
a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the next succeeding workday will 
be included in the computation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)



Sec. 20.306  Rule 306. Legal holidays.

    For the purpose of Rule 305 (Sec. 20.305 of this part), the legal 
holidays, in addition to any other day appointed as a holiday by the 
President or the Congress of the United States, are as follows: New 
Year's Day--January 1; Inauguration Day--January 20 of every fourth year 
or, if the 20th falls on a Sunday, the next succeeding day selected for 
public observance of the inauguration; Birthday of Martin Luther King, 
Jr.--Third Monday in January; Washington's Birthday--Third Monday in 
February; Memorial Day--Last Monday in May; Independence Day--July 4; 
Labor Day--First Monday in September; Columbus Day--Second Monday in 
October; Veterans Day--November 11; Thanksgiving Day--Fourth Thursday in 
November; and Christmas Day--December 25. When a holiday occurs on a 
Saturday, the Friday immediately before is the legal public holiday. 
When a holiday occurs on a Sunday, the Monday immediately after is the 
legal public holiday.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 6103)



Secs. 20.307-20.399  [Reserved]



                    Subpart E_Administrative Appeals



Sec. 20.400  Rule 400. Action by claimant or representative on
notification of administrative appeal.

    When an official of the Department of Veterans Affairs enters an 
administrative appeal, the claimant and his or her representative, if 
any, are notified and given a period of 60 days from the date of mailing 
of the letter of notification to join in the administrative appeal. The 
date of mailing of the letter of notification will be presumed to be the 
same as the date of the letter of notification. If the claimant, or the 
representative acting on his or her behalf, elects to join in the 
administrative appeal, it becomes a ``merged appeal'' and the rules 
governing an appeal initiated by a claimant are for application. The 
presentation of evidence or argument by the claimant or his or her 
representative in response to notification of the right to join in the 
administrative appeal will be construed as an election to join in the 
administrative appeal. If the claimant does not authorize the merger, he 
or she must hold such evidence or argument in abeyance until resolution 
of the administrative appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7106)



Sec. 20.401  Rule 401. Effect of decision on administrative or merged
appeal on claimant's appellate rights.

    (a) Merged appeal. If the administrative appeal is merged, the 
appellate decision on the merged appeal will constitute final 
disposition of the claimant's appellate rights.
    (b) Appeal not merged. If the claimant does not authorize merger, 
normal appellate rights on the same issue are preserved, and the 
Chairman will assign the proceeding to a Member or panel of Members of 
the Board who did not make the decision on the administrative appeal. 
The period of time from the date of notification to the claimant of the 
administrative appeal to the date of the Board's decision on the 
administrative appeal is not chargeable to the claimant for purposes of 
determining the time limit for perfecting his or her separate appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7106)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20450, May 7, 1996]

[[Page 83]]



Secs. 20.402-20.499  [Reserved]



                Subpart F_Simultaneously Contested Claims



Sec. 20.500  Rule 500. Who can file an appeal in simultaneously
contested claims.

    In a simultaneously contested claim, any claimant or representative 
of a claimant may file a Notice of Disagreement or Substantive Appeal 
within the time limits set out in Rule 501 (Sec. 20.501 of this part).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(b)(2), 7105A)



Sec. 20.501  Rule 501. Time limits for filing Notice of Disagreement,
Substantive Appeal, and response to Supplemental Statement of the Case
in simultaneously  contested claims.

    (a) Notice of Disagreement. In simultaneously contested claims, the 
Notice of Disagreement from the person adversely affected must be filed 
within 60 days from the date of mailing of the notification of the 
determination to him or her; otherwise, that determination will become 
final. The date of mailing of the letter of notification will be 
presumed to be the same as the date of that letter for purposes of 
determining whether a Notice of Disagreement has been timely filed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(a))

    (b) Substantive Appeal. In the case of simultaneously contested 
claims, a Substantive Appeal must be filed within 30 days from the date 
of mailing of the Statement of the Case. The date of mailing of the 
Statement of the Case will be presumed to be the same as the date of the 
Statement of the Case for purposes of determining whether an appeal has 
been timely filed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(b))

    (c) Supplemental Statement of the Case. Where a Supplemental 
Statement of the Case is furnished by the agency of original 
jurisdiction in a simultaneously contested claim, a period of 30 days 
from the date of mailing of the Supplemental Statement of the Case will 
be allowed for response, but the receipt of a Supplemental Statement of 
the Case will not extend the time allowed for filing a Substantive 
Appeal as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. The date of 
mailing of the Supplemental Statement of the Case will be presumed to be 
the same as the date of the Supplemental Statement of the Case for 
purposes of determining whether a response has been timely filed. 
Provided a Substantive Appeal has been timely filed in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this section, the response to a Supplemental Statement 
of the Case is optional and is not required for the perfection of an 
appeal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(3), 7105A(b))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 68 FR 64806, Nov. 17, 2003]



Sec. 20.502  Rule 502. Time limit for response to appeal by another
contesting party in a simultaneously contested claim.

    A party to a simultaneously contested claim may file a brief or 
argument in answer to a Substantive Appeal filed by another contesting 
party. Any such brief or argument must be filed with the agency of 
original jurisdiction within 30 days from the date the content of the 
Substantive Appeal is furnished as provided in Sec. 19.102 of this 
chapter. Such content will be presumed to have been furnished on the 
date of the letter that accompanies the content.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(b))

[66 FR 60153, Dec. 3, 2001]



Sec. 20.503  Rule 503. Extension of time for filing a Substantive 
Appeal in simultaneously contested claims.

    An extension of the 30-day period to file a Substantive Appeal in 
simultaneously contested claims may be granted if good cause is shown. 
In granting an extension, consideration will be given to the interests 
of the other parties involved. A request for such an extension must be 
in writing and must be made prior to expiration of the time limit for 
filing the Substantive Appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(b))

[[Page 84]]



Sec. 20.504  Rule 504. Notices sent to last addresses of record
in simultaneously contested claims.

    Notices in simultaneously contested claims will be forwarded to the 
last address of record of the parties concerned and such action will 
constitute sufficient evidence of notice.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A(b))



Secs. 20.505-20.599  [Reserved]



                        Subpart G_Representation



Sec. 20.600  Rule 600. Right to representation.

    An appellant will be accorded full right to representation in all 
stages of an appeal by a recognized organization, attorney, agent, or 
other authorized person.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5901-5905, 7105(a))



Secs. 20.601-20.607  [Reserved]



Sec. 20.608  Rule 608. Withdrawal of services by a representative.

    (a) Withdrawal of services prior to certification of an appeal. A 
representative may withdraw services as representative in an appeal at 
any time prior to certification of the appeal to the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals by the agency of original jurisdiction by complying with the 
requirements of Sec. 14.631 of this chapter.
    (b) Withdrawal of services after certification of an appeal--(1) 
Applicability. The restrictions on a representative's right to withdraw 
contained in this paragraph apply only to those cases in which the 
representative has previously agreed to act as representative in an 
appeal. In addition to express agreement, orally or in writing, such 
agreement shall be presumed if the representative makes an appearance in 
the case by acting on an appellant's behalf before the Board in any way 
after the appellant has designated the representative as such as 
provided in Secs. 20.602 through 20.605 of this part. The preceding 
sentence notwithstanding, an appearance in an appeal solely to notify 
the Board that a designation of representation has not been accepted 
will not be presumed to constitute such consent.
    (2) Procedures. After the agency of original jurisdiction has 
certified an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, a representative 
may not withdraw services as representative in the appeal unless good 
cause is shown on motion. Good cause for such purposes is the extended 
illness or incapacitation of an agent admitted to practice before the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, an attorney-at-law, or other individual 
representative; failure of the appellant to cooperate with proper 
preparation and presentation of the appeal; or other factors which make 
the continuation of representation impossible, impractical, or 
unethical. Such motions must be in writing and must include the name of 
the veteran, the name of the claimant or appellant if other than the 
veteran (e.g., a veteran's survivor, a guardian, or a fiduciary 
appointed to receive VA benefits on an individual's behalf), the 
applicable Department of Veterans Affairs file number, and the reason 
why withdrawal should be permitted, and a signed statement certifying 
that a copy of the motion was sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, 
to the appellant, setting forth the address to which the copy was 
mailed. Such motions should not contain information which would violate 
privileged communications or which would otherwise be unethical to 
reveal. Such motions must be filed at the following address: Office of 
the Principal Deputy Vice Chairman (01C), Board of Veterans' Appeals, 
P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038. The appellant may file a response 
to the motion with the Board at the same address not later than 30 days 
following receipt of the copy of the motion and must include a signed 
statement certifying that a copy of the response was sent by first-class 
mail, postage prepaid, to the representative, setting forth the address 
to which the copy was mailed.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0085)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5901-5904, 7105(a))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20450, May 7, 1996; 69 FR 
21069, Apr. 20, 2004; 73 FR 29879, May 22, 2008; 81 FR 32649, May 24, 
2016]

[[Page 85]]



Secs. 20.612-20.699  [Reserved]

    Note to subpart G: The representation provisions in Secs. 14.626 
through 14.637 of this title replace former Secs. 20.601 through 20.607 
concerning representation before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.



                      Subpart H_Hearings on Appeal



Sec. 20.700  Rule 700. General.

    (a) Right to a hearing. A hearing on appeal will be granted if an 
appellant, or an appellant's representative acting on his or her behalf, 
expresses a desire to appear in person.
    (b) Purpose of hearing. The purpose of a hearing is to receive 
argument and testimony relevant and material to the appellate issue. It 
is contemplated that the appellant and witnesses, if any, will be 
present. A hearing will not normally be scheduled solely for the purpose 
of receiving argument by a representative. Such argument should be 
submitted in the form of a written brief. Oral argument may also be 
submitted on audio cassette for transcription for the record in 
accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. Requests for appearances 
by representatives alone to personally present argument to Members of 
the Board may be granted if good cause is shown. Whether good cause has 
been shown will be determined by the presiding Member assigned to 
conduct the hearing.
    (c) Nonadversarial proceedings. Hearings conducted by the Board are 
ex parte in nature and nonadversarial. Parties to the hearing will be 
permitted to ask questions, including follow-up questions, of all 
witnesses but cross-examination will not be permitted. Proceedings will 
not be limited by legal rules of evidence, but reasonable bounds of 
relevancy and materiality will be maintained. The presiding Member may 
set reasonable time limits for the presentation of argument and may 
exclude documentary evidence, testimony, and/or argument which is not 
relevant or material to the issue, or issues, being considered or which 
is unduly repetitious.
    (d) Informal hearings. This term is used to describe situations in 
which the appellant cannot, or does not wish to, appear. In the absence 
of the appellant, the authorized representative may present oral 
arguments, not exceeding 30 minutes in length, to the Board on an audio 
cassette without personally appearing before the Board of Veterans 
Appeals. These arguments will be transcribed by Board personnel for 
subsequent review by the Member or Members to whom the appeal has been 
assigned for a determination. This procedure will not be construed to 
satisfy an appellant's request to appear in person.
    (e) Electronic hearings. When suitable facilities and equipment are 
available, an appellant may be scheduled for an electronic hearing. Any 
such hearing will be in lieu of a hearing held by personally appearing 
before a Member or panel of Members of the Board and shall be conducted 
in the same manner as, and considered the equivalent of, such a hearing. 
If an appellant declines to participate in an electronic hearing, the 
appellant's opportunity to participate in a hearing before the Board 
shall not be affected.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 27935, May 12, 1993; 61 
FR 20450, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 20.701  Rule 701. Who may present oral argument.

    Only the appellant and/or his or her authorized representative may 
appear and present argument in support of an appeal. At the request of 
an appellant, a Veterans Benefits Counselor of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs may present the appeal at a hearing before the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105, 7107)

[58 FR 27935, May 12, 1993]



Sec. 20.702  Rule 702. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted
by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, DC.

    (a) General. To the extent that officials scheduling hearings for 
the Board of Veterans' Appeals determine that necessary physical 
resources and qualified personnel are available, hearings will be 
scheduled at the convenience of appellants and their representatives, 
with consideration of the travel distance involved. While a Statement of 
the Case should be prepared prior to the hearing, it is not a 
prerequisite for

[[Page 86]]

a hearing and an appellant may request that the hearing be scheduled 
prior to issuance of the Statement of the Case.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

    (b) Notification of hearing. When a hearing is scheduled, the person 
requesting it will be notified of its time and place, and of the fact 
that the Government may not assume any expense incurred by the 
appellant, the representative or witnesses attending the hearing.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

    (c) Requests for changes in hearing dates. (1) The appellant or the 
representative may request a different date for the hearing within 60 
days from the date of the letter of notification of the time and place 
of the hearing, or not later than two weeks prior to the scheduled 
hearing date, whichever is earlier. The request must be in writing, but 
the grounds for the request need not be stated. Only one such request 
for a change of the date of the hearing will be granted, subject to the 
interests of other parties if a simultaneously contested claim is 
involved. In the case of hearings to be conducted by the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals in Washington, DC, such requests for a new hearing 
date must be filed with: Director, Office of Management, Planning and 
Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, 
DC 20038.
    (2) After the period described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
has passed, or after one change in the hearing date is granted based on 
a request received during such period, the date of the hearing will 
become fixed. After a hearing date has become fixed, an extension of 
time for appearance at a hearing will be granted only for good cause, 
with due consideration of the interests of other parties if a 
simultaneously contested claim is involved. Examples of good cause 
include, but are not limited to, illness of the appellant and/or 
representative, difficulty in obtaining necessary records, and 
unavailability of a necessary witness. The motion for a new hearing date 
must be in writing and must explain why a new hearing date is necessary. 
If good cause is shown, the hearing will be rescheduled for the next 
available hearing date after the appellant or his or her representative 
gives notice that the contingency which gave rise to the request for 
postponement has been removed. Ordinarily, however, hearings will not be 
postponed more than 30 days. In the case of a hearing conducted by the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, DC, whether good cause for 
establishing a new hearing date has been shown will be determined by the 
presiding Member assigned to conduct the hearing. In the case of 
hearings to be conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in 
Washington, DC, the motion for a new hearing date must be filed with: 
Director, Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7105A, 7107)

    (d) Failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. If an appellant (or 
when a hearing only for oral argument by a representative has been 
authorized, the representative) fails to appear for a scheduled hearing 
and a request for postponement has not been received and granted, the 
case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been 
withdrawn. No further request for a hearing will be granted in the same 
appeal unless such failure to appear was with good cause and the cause 
for the failure to appear arose under such circumstances that a timely 
request for postponement could not have been submitted prior to the 
scheduled hearing date. A motion for a new hearing date following a 
failure to appear must be in writing; must be submitted not more than 15 
days following the original hearing date; and must set forth the reason, 
or reasons, for the failure to appear at the originally scheduled 
hearing and the reason, or reasons, why a timely request for 
postponement could not have been submitted. In the case of hearings to 
be conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, DC, the 
motion must be filed with: Director, Office of Management, Planning and 
Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, 
DC 20038. If good cause is shown, the hearing will be rescheduled for 
the next available hearing date

[[Page 87]]

after the appellant or his or her representative gives notice that the 
contingency which gave rise to the failure to appear has been removed. 
Ordinarily, however, hearings will not be postponed more than 30 days. 
In the case of hearings before the Board of Veterans' Appeals in 
Washington, DC, whether good cause for such failure to appear has been 
established will be determined by the presiding Member assigned to 
conduct the hearing.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7105A, 7107)

    (e) Withdrawal of hearing requests. A request for a hearing may be 
withdrawn by an appellant at any time before the date of the hearing. A 
request for a hearing may not be withdrawn by an appellant's 
representative without the consent of the appellant. In the case of 
hearings to be conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in 
Washington, DC, the notice of withdrawal must be sent to: Director, 
Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' 
Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0085)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 27935, May 12, 1993; 61 
FR 20450, May 7, 1996; 81 FR 32649, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.703  Rule 703. When a hearing before the Board of Veterans'
Appeals at a Department of Veterans Affairs field facility may be
requested.

    An appellant, or an appellant's representative, may request a 
hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at a Department of 
Veterans Affairs field facility when submitting the substantive appeal 
(VA Form 9) or anytime thereafter, subject to the restrictions in Rule 
1304 (Sec. 20.1304 of this part). Requests for such hearings before a 
substantive appeal has been filed will be rejected.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(a), 7107)

[61 FR 43009, Aug. 20, 1996]



Sec. 20.704  Rule 704. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by
the Board of Veterans' Appeals at Department of Veterans Affairs 
field facilities.

    (a) General. Hearings are conducted by a Member or Members of the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals during prescheduled visits to Department of 
Veterans Affairs facilities having adequate physical resources and 
personnel for the support of such hearings. Subject to paragraph (f) of 
this section, the hearings will be scheduled in the order specified in 
Sec. 19.75 of this chapter. Requests for such hearings must be submitted 
to the agency of original jurisdiction, in writing, and should not be 
submitted directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
    (b) Notification of hearing. When a hearing is scheduled, the person 
requesting it will be notified of its time and place, and of the fact 
that the Government may not assume any expense incurred by the 
appellant, the representative or witnesses attending the hearing.
    (c) Requests for changes in hearing dates. Requests for a change in 
a hearing date may be made at any time up to two weeks prior to the 
scheduled date of the hearing if good cause is shown. Such requests must 
be in writing, must explain why a new hearing date is necessary, and 
must be filed with the office of the official of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs who signed the notice of the original hearing date. 
Examples of good cause include, but are not limited to, illness of the 
appellant and/or representative, difficulty in obtaining necessary 
records, and unavailability of a necessary witness. If good cause is 
shown, the hearing will be rescheduled for the next available hearing 
date after the appellant or his or her representative gives notice that 
the contingency which gave rise to the request for postponement has been 
removed. If good cause is not shown, the appellant and his or her 
representative will be promptly notified and given an opportunity to 
appear at the hearing as previously scheduled. If the appellant elects 
not to appear at the prescheduled date, the request for a hearing will 
be considered to have been

[[Page 88]]

withdrawn. In such cases, however, the record will be submitted for 
review by the Member who would have presided over the hearing. If the 
presiding Member determines that good cause has been shown, the hearing 
will be rescheduled for the next available hearing date after the 
contingency which gave rise to the request for postponement has been 
removed.
    (d) Failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. If an appellant (or 
when a hearing only for oral argument by a representative has been 
authorized, the representative) fails to appear for a scheduled hearing 
and a request for postponement has not been received and granted, the 
case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been 
withdrawn. No further request for a hearing will be granted in the same 
appeal unless such failure to appear was with good cause and the cause 
for the failure to appear arose under such circumstances that a timely 
request for postponement could not have been submitted prior to the 
scheduled hearing date. A motion for a new hearing date following a 
failure to appear for a scheduled hearing must be in writing, must be 
filed within 15 days of the originally scheduled hearing date, and must 
explain why the appellant failed to appear for the hearing and why a 
timely request for a new hearing date could not have been submitted. 
Such motions must be filed with: Director, Office of Management, 
Planning and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, 
Washington, DC 20038. Whether good cause for such failure to appear and 
the impossibility of timely requesting postponement have been 
established will be determined by the Member who would have presided 
over the hearing. If good cause and the impossibility of timely 
requesting postponement are shown, the hearing will be rescheduled for 
the next available hearing date at the same facility after the appellant 
or his or her representative gives notice that the contingency which 
gave rise to the failure to appear has been removed.
    (e) Withdrawal of hearing requests. A request for a hearing may be 
withdrawn by an appellant at any time before the date of the hearing. A 
request for a hearing may not be withdrawn by an appellant's 
representative without the consent of the appellant. Notices of 
withdrawal must be submitted to the office of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs official who signed the notice of the hearing date.
    (f) Advancement of the case on the hearing docket. A hearing may be 
scheduled at a time earlier than would be provided for under Sec. 19.75 
of this chapter upon written motion of the appellant or the 
representative. The same grounds for granting relief, motion filing 
procedures, and designation of authority to rule on the motion specified 
in Rule 900(c) (Sec. 20.900(c) of this part) for advancing a case on the 
Board's docket shall apply.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0085)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7107)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20451, May 7, 1996; 65 FR 
14471, Mar. 17, 2000; 81 FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.705  Rule 705. Where hearings are conducted.

    A hearing on appeal before the Board of Veterans' Appeals may be 
held in one of the following places at the option of the appellant:
    (a) In Washington, DC, or
    (b) At a Department of Veterans Affairs facility having adequate 
physical resources and personnel for the support of such hearings.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[58 FR 27936, May 12, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 20451, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 20.706  Rule 706. Functions of the presiding Member.

    The presiding Member of a hearing panel is responsible for the 
conduct of the hearing, administration of the oath or affirmation, and 
for ruling on questions of procedure. The presiding Member will assure 
that the course of the hearing remains relevant to the issue, or issues, 
on appeal and that there is no cross-examination of the parties or 
witnesses. The presiding Member will take such steps as may be necessary 
to maintain good order at hearings and may terminate a hearing or direct 
that the offending party leave the hearing if

[[Page 89]]

an appellant, representative, or witness persists in disruptive 
behavior.

[77 FR 23130, Apr. 18, 2012]



Sec. 20.707  Rule 707. Designation of Member or Members to conduct
the hearing.

    The Member or panel to whom a proceeding is assigned under Sec. 19.3 
of this part shall conduct any hearing before the Board in connection 
with that proceeding. Where a proceeding has been assigned to a panel, 
the Chairman, or the Chairman's designee, shall designate one of the 
Members as the presiding Member. The Member or Members who conduct the 
hearing shall participate in making the final determination of the 
claim, subject to the exception in Sec. 19.11(c) of this part (relating 
to reconsideration of a decision).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7107)

[61 FR 20451, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 20.708  Rule 708. Prehearing conference.

    An appellant's authorized representative may request a prehearing 
conference with the presiding Member of a hearing to clarify the issues 
to be considered at a hearing on appeal, obtain rulings on the 
admissibility of evidence, develop stipulations of fact, establish the 
length of argument which will be permitted, or take other steps which 
will make the hearing itself more efficient and productive. With respect 
to hearings to be held before the Board at Washington, DC, arrangements 
for a prehearing conference must be made through: Director, Office of 
Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, 
P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038. Requests for prehearing 
conferences in cases involving hearings to be held before the Board at 
Department of Veterans Affairs field facilities must be addressed to the 
office of the Department of Veterans Affairs official who signed the 
letter giving notice of the time and place of the hearing.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[61 FR 20452, May 7, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.709  Rule 709. Procurement of additional evidence following
a hearing.

    If it appears during the course of a hearing that additional 
evidence would assist in the review of the questions at issue, the 
presiding Member may direct that the record be left open so that the 
appellant and his or her representative may obtain the desired evidence. 
The presiding Member will determine the period of time during which the 
record will stay open, considering the amount of time estimated by the 
appellant or representative as needed to obtain the evidence and other 
factors adduced during the hearing. Ordinarily, the period will not 
exceed 60 days, and will be as short as possible in order that appellate 
consideration of the case not be unnecessarily delayed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)



Sec. 20.710  Rule 710. Witnesses at hearings.

    The testimony of witnesses, including appellants, will be heard. All 
testimony must be given under oath or affirmation. Oath or affirmation 
is not required for the sole purpose of presenting contentions and 
argument.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[61 FR 29028, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 20.711  Rule 711. Subpoenas.

    (a) General. An appellant, or his or her representative, may arrange 
for the production of any tangible evidence or the voluntary appearance 
of any witnesses desired. When necessary evidence cannot be obtained in 
any other reasonable way, the appellant, or his or her representative, 
may move that a subpoena be issued to compel the attendance of witnesses 
residing within 100 miles of the place where a hearing on appeal is to 
be held and/or to compel the production of tangible evidence. A subpoena 
will not be issued to compel the attendance of Department of Veterans 
Affairs adjudicatory personnel.
    (b) Contents of motion for subpoena. The motion for a subpoena must 
be in writing, must clearly show the name and address of each witness to 
be subpoenaed, must clearly identify all documentary or other tangible 
evidence to be produced, and must explain why the

[[Page 90]]

attendance of the witness and/or the production of the tangible evidence 
cannot be obtained without a subpoena.
    (c) Where filed. Motions for a subpoena must be filed with the 
Director, Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.
    (d) When motion for subpoena is to be filed in cases involving a 
hearing on appeal. Motions for the issuance of a subpoena for the 
attendance of a witness, or the production of documents or other 
tangible evidence, at a hearing on appeal must be filed not later than 
30 days prior to the hearing date.
    (e) Ruling on motion for subpoena--(1) To whom assigned. The ruling 
on the motion will be made by the Member or panel of Members to whom the 
case is assigned. Where the case has not been assigned, the Chairman, or 
the Chairman's designee, will assign the case to a Member or panel who 
will then rule on the motion.
    (2) Procedure. If the motion is denied, the Member(s) ruling on the 
motion will issue an order to that effect which sets forth the reasons 
for the denial and will send copies to the moving party and his or her 
representative, if any. Granting the motion will be signified by 
completion of a VA Form 0714, ``Subpoena,'' if attendance of a witness 
is required, and/or VA Form 0713, ``Subpoena Duces Tecum,'' if 
production of tangible evidence is required. The completed form shall be 
signed by the Member ruling on the motion, or, where applicable, by any 
panel Member on behalf of the panel ruling on the motion, and served in 
accordance with paragraph (g) of this section.
    (f) Fees. Any person who is required to attend a hearing as a 
witness shall be allowed and paid the same fees and mileage as are paid 
witnesses in the district courts of the United States. A subpoena for a 
witness will not be issued or served unless the party on whose behalf 
the subpoena is issued submits a check in an amount equal to the fee for 
one day's attendance and the mileage allowed by law, made payable to the 
witness, as an attachment to the motion for the subpoena. Except for 
checks on the business accounts of attorneys-at-law, agents, and 
recognized service organizations, such checks must be in the form of 
certified checks or cashiers checks.
    (g) Service of subpoenas. The Board will serve the subpoena by 
certified mail, return receipt requested. The check for fees and mileage 
described in paragraph (f) of this section shall be mailed with the 
subpoena. The receipt, which must bear the signature of the witness or 
of the custodian of the tangible evidence, and a copy of the subpoena 
will be filed in the claims folder, loan guaranty folder, or other 
applicable Department of Veterans Affairs records folder.
    (h) Motion to quash or modify subpoena--(1) Filing procedure. Upon 
written motion of the party securing the subpoena, or of the person 
subpoenaed, the Board may quash or modify the subpoena if it is 
unreasonable and oppressive or for other good cause shown. Relief may 
include, but is not limited to, requiring the party who secured the 
subpoena to advance the reasonable cost of producing books, papers, or 
other tangible evidence. The motion must specify the relief sought and 
the reasons for requesting relief. Such motions must be filed at the 
address specified in paragraph (c) of this section within 10 days after 
mailing of the subpoena or the time specified in the subpoena for 
compliance, whichever is less. The motion may be accompanied by such 
supporting evidence as the moving party may choose to submit. It must be 
accompanied by a declaration showing:
    (i) That a copy of the motion, and any attachments thereto, were 
mailed to the party who secured the subpoena, or the person subpoenaed, 
as applicable;
    (ii) The date of mailing; and
    (iii) The address to which the copy was mailed.
    (2) Response. Not later than 10 days after the date that the motion 
was mailed to the responding party, that party may file a response to 
the motion at the address specified in paragraph (c) of this section. 
The response may be accompanied by such supporting evidence as the 
responding

[[Page 91]]

party may choose to submit. It must be accompanied by a declaration 
showing:
    (i) That a copy of the response, and any attachments thereto, were 
mailed to the moving party;
    (ii) The date of mailing; and
    (iii) The address to which the copy was mailed. If the subpoena 
involves testimony or the production of tangible evidence at a hearing 
before the Board and less than 30 days remain before the scheduled 
hearing date at the time the response is received by the Board, the 
Board may reschedule the hearing to permit disposition of the motion.
    (3) Ruling on the motion. The Member or panel to whom the case is 
assigned will issue an order disposing of the motion. Such order shall 
set forth the reasons for which a motion is either granted or denied. 
The order will be mailed to all parties to the motion. Where applicable, 
an order quashing a subpoena will require refund of any sum advanced for 
fees and mileage.
    (i) Disobedience. In case of disobedience to a subpoena issued by 
the Board, the Board will take such steps as may be necessary to invoke 
the aid of the appropriate district court of the United States in 
requiring the attendance of the witness and/or the production of the 
tangible evidence subpoenaed. A failure to obey the order of such a 
court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5711, 5713, 7102(a))


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5711, 7102(a), 7107)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20452, May 7, 1996; 66 FR 
49538, Sept. 28, 2001; 81 FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.712  Rule 712. Expenses of appellants, representatives,
and witnesses incident to hearings not reimbursable by the 
Government.

    No expenses incurred by an appellant, representative, or witness 
incident to attendance at a hearing may be paid by the Government.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)



Sec. 20.713  Rule 713. Hearings in simultaneously contested claims.

    (a) General. If a hearing is scheduled for any party to a 
simultaneously contested claim, the other contesting claimants and their 
representatives, if any, will be notified and afforded an opportunity to 
be present. The appellant will be allowed to present opening testimony 
and argument. Thereafter, any other contesting party who wishes to do so 
may present testimony and argument. The appellant will then be allowed 
an opportunity to present testimony and argument in rebuttal. Cross-
examination will not be allowed.
    (b) Requests for changes in hearing dates. Any party to a 
simultaneously contested claim may request a change in a hearing date in 
accordance with the provisions of Rule 702, paragraph (c) 
(Sec. 20.702(c) of this part), or Rule 704, paragraph (c) 
(Sec. 20.704(c) of this part), as applicable. In order to obtain a new 
hearing date under the provisions of Rule 702, paragraph (c)(1), the 
consent of all other interested parties must be obtained and submitted 
with the request for a new hearing date. If such consent is not 
obtained, paragraph (c)(2) of that rule will apply even though the 
request is submitted within 60 days from the date of the letter of 
notification of the time and place of the hearing. A copy of any motion 
for a new hearing date required by these rules must be mailed to all 
other interested parties by certified mail, return receipt requested. 
The receipts, which must bear the signatures of the other interested 
parties, and a letter explaining that they relate to the motion for a 
new hearing date and containing the applicable Department of Veterans 
Affairs file number must be filed at the same address where the motion 
was filed as proof of service of the motion. Each interested party will 
be allowed a period of 10 days from the date that the copy of the motion 
was received by that party to file written argument in response to the 
motion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105A)



Sec. 20.714  Rule 714. Record of hearing.

    (a) Board of Veterans' Appeals. A hearing before a Member or panel 
of Members of the Board, whether held in Washington, DC, or at a 
Department of Veterans Affairs field facility, will be recorded on audio 
tape. In those instances where a complete written transcript is 
prepared, that transcript will

[[Page 92]]

be the official record of the hearing and the tape recording will be 
retained at the Board for a period of 12 months following the date of 
the hearing as a duplicate record of the hearing. Tape recordings of 
hearings that have not been transcribed will be maintained by the Board 
as the official record of hearings and retained in accordance with 
retention standards approved by the National Archives and Records 
Administration. A transcript will be prepared and incorporated as a part 
of the claims folder, loan guaranty folder, or other applicable 
Department of Veterans Affairs records folder if one or more of the 
following conditions have been met:
    (1) The appellant or representative has shown good cause why such a 
written transcript should be prepared. (The presiding Member will 
determine whether good cause has been shown. Requests that recordings of 
hearing proceedings be transcribed may be made orally at the time of the 
hearing. Requests made subsequent to the hearing must be in writing and 
must explain why transcription is necessary. They must be filed with: 
Director, Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.)
    (2) Testimony and/or argument has been presented at the hearing 
pertaining to an issue which is to be remanded to the agency of original 
jurisdiction for further development or an issue which is not in 
appellate status which is to be referred to the agency of original 
jurisdiction for consideration.
    (3) The hearing involves an issue relating to National Service Life 
Insurance or United States Government Life Insurance.
    (4) With respect to hearings conducted by a Member or Members of the 
Board at a Department of Veterans Affairs field facility :
    (i) An issue on appeal involves radiation, Agent Orange, or asbestos 
exposure;
    (ii) The appeal involves reconsideration of a prior Board of 
Veterans' Appeals decision on the same issue; or
    (5) The Board's decision on an issue addressed at the hearing has 
been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
    (b) Copy of hearing tape recording or written transcript. One copy 
of the tape recording of hearing proceedings before the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, or the written transcript of such proceedings when 
such a transcript has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of 
paragraph (a) of this section, shall be furnished without cost to the 
appellant or representative if a request is made in accordance with 
Sec. 1.577 of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 27936, May 12, 1993; 61 
FR 20452, May 7, 1996; 65 FR 14472, Mar. 17, 2000; 81 FR 32650, May 24, 
2016]



Sec. 20.715  Rule 715. Recording of hearing by appellant or
representative.

    An appellant or representative may record the hearing with his or 
her own equipment. Filming, videotaping or televising the hearing may 
only be authorized when prior written consent is obtained from all 
appellants and contesting claimants, if any, and made a matter of 
record. In no event will such additional equipment be used if it 
interferes with the conduct of the hearing or the official recording 
apparatus. In all such situations, advance arrangements must be made. In 
the case of hearings held before the Board of Veterans' Appeals in 
Washington, DC, arrangements must be made with the Director, Office of 
Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, 
P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038. In the case of hearings held 
before the Board at Department of Veterans Affairs field facilities, 
arrangements must be made through the office of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs official who signed the letter giving notification of 
the time and place of the hearing.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[58 FR 27936, May 12, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 20452, May 7, 1996; 81 
FR 32650, May 24, 2016]

[[Page 93]]



Sec. 20.716  Rule 716. Correction of hearing transcripts.

    The tape recording on file at the Board of Veterans' Appeals or a 
transcript prepared by the Board of Veterans' Appeals is the only 
official record of a hearing before the Board. Alternate transcript 
versions prepared by the appellant and representative will not be 
accepted. If an appellant wishes to seek correction of perceived errors 
in a hearing transcript, the appellant or his or her representative 
should move for the correction of the hearing transcript within 30 days 
after the date that the transcript is mailed to the appellant. The 
motion must be in writing and must specify the error, or errors, in the 
transcript and the correct wording to be substituted. In the case of 
hearings held before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, whether in 
Washington, DC, or in the field, the motion must be filed with the 
Director, Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038. The ruling on 
the motion will be made by the presiding Member of the hearing.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[58 FR 27936, May 12, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 20452, May 7, 1996; 81 
FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.717  Rule 717. Loss of hearing tapes or transcripts--motion
for new hearing.

    (a) Motion for new hearing. In the event that a hearing has not been 
recorded in whole or in part due to equipment failure or other cause, or 
the official transcript of the hearing is lost or destroyed and the 
recording upon which it was based is no longer available, an appellant 
or his or her representative may move for a new hearing. The motion must 
be in writing and must specify why prejudice would result from the 
failure to provide a new hearing.
    (b) Time limit for filing motion for a new hearing. The motion will 
not be granted if there has been no request for a new hearing within a 
period of 120 days from the date of a final Board of Veterans' Appeals 
decision or, in cases appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for 
Veterans Claims, if there has been no request for a new hearing within a 
reasonable period of time after the appeal to that Court has been filed.
    (c) Where motion for a new hearing is filed. In the case of hearings 
held before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, whether in Washington, DC, 
or in the field, the motion must be filed with: Director, Office of 
Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, 
P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.
    (d) Ruling on motion for a new hearing. The ruling on the motion for 
a new hearing will be made by the Member who presided over the hearing. 
If the presiding Member is no longer available, the ruling on the motion 
may be made by the Member or Members to whom the case has been assigned 
for a determination. In cases in which a final Board of Veterans' 
Appeals decision has already been promulgated with respect to the appeal 
in question, the Chairman will assign the matter in accordance with 
Sec. 19.3 of this title. Factors to be considered in ruling on the 
motion include, but will not be limited to, the extent of the loss of 
the record in those cases where only a portion of a hearing tape is 
unintelligible or only a portion of a transcript has been lost or 
destroyed, and the extent and reasonableness of any delay in moving for 
a new hearing. If a new hearing is granted in a case in which a final 
Board of Veterans' Appeals decision has already been promulgated, a 
supplemental decision will be issued.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 27936, May 12, 1993; 61 
FR 20452, May 7, 1996; 65 FR 14472, Mar. 17, 2000; 81 FR 32650, May 24, 
2016]



Secs. 20.718-20.799  [Reserved]



                           Subpart I_Evidence



Sec. 20.800  Rule 800. Submission of additional evidence after 
initiation of appeal.

    Subject to the limitations set forth in Rule 1304 (Sec. 20.1304 of 
this part), an appellant may submit additional evidence, or information 
as to the availability of additional evidence, after initiating an 
appeal. The provisions of

[[Page 94]]

this section do not apply in proceedings before the General Counsel 
conducted under part 14 of this chapter to cancel accreditation or to 
review fee agreements and expenses for reasonableness.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(1); 38 U.S.C. 5902, 5903, 5904)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 73 FR 29879, May 22, 2008]



Secs. 20.801-20.899  [Reserved]



                      Subpart J_Action by the Board



Sec. 20.900  Rule 900. Order of consideration of appeals.

    (a) Docketing of appeals. Applications for review on appeal are 
docketed in the order in which they are received.
    (1) A case returned to the Board following action pursuant to a 
remand assumes its original place on the docket.
    (2) A case returned to the Board following the grant of a 
substitution request or pursuant to an appeal of a denial of a 
substitution request assumes the same place on the docket held by the 
deceased appellant at the time of his or her death. Pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section, if the deceased appellant's case was 
advanced on the docket prior to his or her death, the substitute will 
receive the benefit of the advanced placement.
    (b) Appeals considered in docket order. Except as otherwise provided 
in this Rule, appeals are considered in the order in which they are 
entered on the docket.
    (c) Advancement on the docket--(1) Grounds for advancement. A case 
may be advanced on the docket on the motion of the Chairman, the Vice 
Chairman, a party to the case before the Board, or such party's 
representative. Such a motion may be granted only if the case involves 
interpretation of law of general application affecting other claims, if 
the appellant is seriously ill or is under severe financial hardship, or 
if other sufficient cause is shown. ``Other sufficient cause'' shall 
include, but is not limited to, administrative error resulting in a 
significant delay in docketing the case or the advanced age of the 
appellant. For purposes of this Rule, ``advanced age'' is defined as 75 
or more years of age. This paragraph does not require the Board to 
advance a case on the docket in the absence of a motion of a party to 
the case or the party's representative.
    (2) Requirements for motions. Motions for advancement on the docket 
must be in writing and must identify the specific reason(s) why 
advancement on the docket is sought, the name of the veteran, the name 
of the appellant if other than the veteran (e.g., a veteran's survivor, 
a guardian, a substitute appellant, or a fiduciary appointed to receive 
VA benefits on an individual's behalf), and the applicable Department of 
Veterans Affairs file number. The motion must be filed with: Director, 
Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' 
Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.
    (3) Disposition of motions. If a motion is received prior to the 
assignment of the case to an individual member or panel of members, the 
ruling on the motion will be by the Vice Chairman, who may delegate such 
authority to a Deputy Vice Chairman. If a motion to advance a case on 
the docket is denied, the appellant and his or her representative will 
be immediately notified. If the motion to advance a case on the docket 
is granted, that fact will be noted in the Board's decision when 
rendered.
    (d) Consideration of appeals remanded by the United States Court of 
Appeals for Veterans Claims. A case remanded by the United States Court 
of Appeals for Veterans Claims for additional development or other 
appropriate action will be treated expeditiously by the Board without 
regard to its place on the Board's docket.
    (e) Postponement to provide hearing. Any other provision of this 
Rule notwithstanding, a case may be postponed for later consideration 
and determination if such postponement is necessary to afford the 
appellant a hearing.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121A, 7107; Pub. L. 103-446, Sec. 302)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 51923, Oct. 4, 1995; 61 
FR 20453, May 7, 1996; 65 FR 14472, Mar. 17, 2000; 68 FR 53683, Sept. 
12, 2003; 79 FR 52984, Sept. 5, 2014; 81 FR 32650, May 24, 2016]

[[Page 95]]



Sec. 20.901  Rule 901. Medical opinions and opinions of the General
Counsel.

    (a) Opinion from the Veterans Health Administration. The Board may 
obtain a medical opinion from an appropriate health care professional in 
the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
on medical questions involved in the consideration of an appeal when, in 
its judgment, such medical expertise is needed for equitable disposition 
of an appeal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A(d), 7109)

    (b) Armed Forces Institute of Pathology opinions. The Board may 
refer pathologic material to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and 
request an opinion based on that material.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7109(a))

    (c) Opinion of the General Counsel. The Board may obtain an opinion 
from the General Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs on legal 
questions involved in the consideration of an appeal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104(c))

    (d) Independent medical expert opinions. When, in the judgment of 
the Board, additional medical opinion is warranted by the medical 
complexity or controversy involved in an appeal, the Board may obtain an 
advisory medical opinion from one or more medical experts who are not 
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Opinions will be 
secured, as requested by the Chairman of the Board, from recognized 
medical schools, universities, clinics, or medical institutions with 
which arrangements for such opinions have been made by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs. An appropriate official of the institution will select 
the individual expert, or experts, to give an opinion.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7109)

    (e) For purposes of this section, the term ``the Board'' includes 
the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, any Deputy Vice Chairman, and any 
Member of the Board before whom a case is pending.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5107(a), 7104(c), 7109)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20453, May 7, 1996; 66 FR 
38159, July 23, 2001; 69 FR 19937, Apr. 15, 2004]



Sec. 20.902  Rule 902. Filing of requests for the procurement of opinions.

    The appellant or representative may request that the Board obtain an 
opinion under Rule 901 (Sec. 20.901 of this part). The request must be 
in writing. It will be granted upon a showing of good cause, such as the 
identification of a complex or controversial medical or legal issue 
involved in the appeal which warrants such an opinion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5107(a), 7102(c), 7104(c), 7109)



Sec. 20.903  Rule 903. Notification of evidence to be considered by 
the Board and opportunity for response.

    (a) If the Board obtains a legal or medical opinion. If the Board 
requests an opinion pursuant to Rule 901 (Sec. 20.901 of this part), the 
Board will notify the appellant and his or her representative, if any. 
When the Board receives the opinion, it will furnish a copy of the 
opinion to the appellant, subject to the limitations provided in 38 
U.S.C. 5701(b)(1), and to the appellant's representative, if any. A 
period of 60 days from the date the Board furnishes a copy of the 
opinion will be allowed for response, which may include the submission 
of relevant evidence or argument. The date the Board furnishes a copy 
will be presumed to be the same as the date of the letter or memorandum 
that accompanies the copy of the opinion for purposes of determining 
whether a response was timely filed.
    (b) If the Board supplements the record with a recognized medical 
treatise--(1) General. If, pursuant to Sec. 19.9(d)(5) of this chapter, 
the Board supplements the record with a recognized medical treatise, the 
Board will notify the appellant and his or her representative, if any, 
that the Board will consider such recognized medical treatise in the 
adjudication of the appeal. The notice from the Board will contain a 
copy of the relevant portions of the recognized

[[Page 96]]

medical treatise. The appellant will be given 60 days after the date of 
the notice described in this section to file a response, which may 
include the submission of relevant evidence or argument. The date the 
Board gives the notice will be presumed to be the same as the date of 
the notice letter for purposes of determining whether a response was 
timely filed.
    (2) Exception. The notice described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section is not required if the Board uses a recognized medical treatise 
or medical dictionary for the limited purpose of defining a medical term 
and that definition is not material to the Board's disposition of the 
appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104(a), 7109(c)).

[67 FR 3105, Jan. 23, 2002, as amended at 69 FR 53808, Sept. 3, 2004; 76 
FR 17548, Mar. 30, 2011]



Sec. 20.904  Rule 904. Vacating a decision.

    An appellate decision may be vacated by the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals at any time upon request of the appellant or his or her 
representative, or on the Board's own motion, on the following grounds:
    (a) Denial of due process. Examples of circumstances in which denial 
of due process of law will be conceded are:
    (1) When the appellant was denied his or her right to representation 
through action or inaction by Department of Veterans Affairs or Board of 
Veterans' Appeals personnel,
    (2) When a Statement of the Case or required Supplemental Statement 
of the Case was not provided, and
    (3) When there was a prejudicial failure to afford the appellant a 
personal hearing. (Where there was a failure to honor a request for a 
hearing and a hearing is subsequently scheduled, but the appellant fails 
to appear, the decision will not be vacated.)
    (b) Allowance of benefits based on false or fraudulent evidence. 
Where it is determined on reconsideration that an allowance of benefits 
by the Board has been materially influenced by false or fraudulent 
evidence submitted by or on behalf of the appellant, the prior decision 
will be vacated only with respect to the issue or issues to which, 
within the judgment of the Board, the false or fraudulent evidence was 
material.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104(a))



Secs. 20.905-20.999  [Reserved]



                        Subpart K_Reconsideration



Sec. 20.1000  Rule 1000. When reconsideration is accorded.

    Reconsideration of an appellate decision may be accorded at any time 
by the Board of Veterans' Appeals on motion by the appellant or his or 
her representative or on the Board's own motion:
    (a) Upon allegation of obvious error of fact or law;
    (b) Upon discovery of new and material evidence in the form of 
relevant records or reports of the service department concerned; or
    (c) Upon allegation that an allowance of benefits by the Board has 
been materially influenced by false or fraudulent evidence submitted by 
or on behalf of the appellant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7103, 7104)



Sec. 20.1001  Rule 1001. Filing and disposition of motion for
reconsideration.

    (a) Application requirements. A motion for Reconsideration must be 
in writing and must include the name of the veteran; the name of the 
claimant or appellant if other than the veteran (e.g., a veteran's 
survivor, a guardian, or a fiduciary appointed to receive VA benefits on 
an individual's behalf); the applicable Department of Veterans Affairs 
file number; and the date of the Board of Veterans' Appeals decision, or 
decisions, to be reconsidered. It must also set forth clearly and 
specifically the alleged obvious error, or errors, of fact or law in the 
applicable decision, or decisions, of the Board or other appropriate 
basis for requesting Reconsideration. If the applicable Board of 
Veterans' Appeals decision, or decisions, involved more than one issue 
on appeal, the motion for reconsideration must identify the specific 
issue, or issues, to which the motion pertains. Issues not so identified 
will not be considered in the disposition of the motion.

[[Page 97]]

    (b) Filing of motion for reconsideration. A motion for 
reconsideration of a prior Board of Veterans' Appeals decision may be 
filed at any time. Such motions must be filed at the following address: 
Director, Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.
    (c) Disposition. The Chairman will review the sufficiency of the 
allegations set forth in the motion and, depending upon the decision 
reached, proceed as follows:
    (1) Motion denied. The appellant and representative or other 
appropriate party will be notified if the motion is denied. The 
notification will include reasons why the allegations are found 
insufficient. This constitutes final disposition of the motion.
    (2) Motion allowed. If the motion is allowed, the appellant and his 
or her representative, if any, will be notified. The appellant and the 
representative will be given a period of 60 days from the date of 
mailing of the letter of notification to present additional arguments or 
evidence. The date of mailing of the letter of notification will be 
presumed to be the same as the date of the letter of notification. The 
Chairman will assign a Reconsideration panel in accordance with 
Sec. 19.11 of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7103, 7108)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 81 FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.1002  Rule 1002. [Reserved]



Sec. 20.1003  Rule 1003. Hearings on reconsideration.

    After a motion for reconsideration has been allowed, a hearing will 
be granted if an appellant requests a hearing before the Board. The 
hearing will be held by a Member or Members assigned to the 
reconsideration panel. A hearing will not normally be scheduled solely 
for the purpose of receiving argument by a representative. Such argument 
should be submitted in the form of a written brief. Oral argument may 
also be submitted on audio cassette for transcription for the record in 
accordance with Rule 700(d) (Sec. 20.700(d) of this part). Requests for 
appearances by representatives alone to personally present argument to a 
Member or panel of Members of the Board may be granted if good cause is 
shown. Whether good cause has been shown will be determined by the 
presiding Member.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7103, 7105(a))

[61 FR 20453, May 7, 1996]



Secs. 20.1004-20.1099  [Reserved]



                           Subpart L_Finality



Sec. 20.1100  Rule 1100. Finality of decisions of the Board.

    (a) General. All decisions of the Board will be stamped with the 
date of mailing on the face of the decision. Unless the Chairman of the 
Board orders reconsideration, and with the exception of matters listed 
in paragraph (b) of this section, all Board decisions are final on the 
date stamped on the face of the decision. With the exception of matters 
listed in paragraph (b) of this section, the decision rendered by the 
reconsideration Panel in an appeal in which the Chairman has ordered 
reconsideration is final.
    (b) Exceptions. Final Board decisions are not subject to review 
except as provided in 38 U.S.C. 1975 and 1984 and 38 U.S.C. chapters 37 
and 72. A remand is in the nature of a preliminary order and does not 
constitute a final decision of the Board.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511(a), 7103, 7104(a))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20453, May 7, 1996]



Sec. 20.1101  Rule 1101. [Reserved]



Sec. 20.1102  Rule 1102. Harmless error.

    An error or defect in any decision by the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
which does not affect the merits of the issue or substantive rights of 
the appellant will be considered harmless and not a basis for vacating 
or reversing such decision.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7103)



Sec. 20.1103  Rule 1103. Finality of determinations of the agency
of original jurisdiction where appeal is not perfected.

    A determination on a claim by the agency of original jurisdiction of 
which the claimant is properly notified is final if an appeal is not 
perfected as

[[Page 98]]

prescribed in Rule 302 (Sec. 20.302 of this part).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)



Sec. 20.1104  Rule 1104. Finality of determinations of the agency
of original jurisdiction affirmed on appeal.

    When a determination of the agency of original jurisdiction is 
affirmed by the Board of Veterans' Appeals, such determination is 
subsumed by the final appellate decision.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104(a))



Sec. 20.1105  Rule 1105. New claim after promulgation of appellate
decision.

    When a claimant requests that a claim be reopened after an appellate 
decision has been promulgated and submits evidence in support thereof, a 
determination as to whether such evidence is new and material must be 
made and, if it is, as to whether it provides a basis for allowing the 
claim. An adverse determination as to either question is appealable.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5108, 7104)



Sec. 20.1106  Rule 1106. Claim for death benefits by survivor--prior
unfavorable decisions during veteran's lifetime.

    Except with respect to benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 
1311(a)(2) and 1318, and certain cases involving individuals whose 
Department of Veterans Affairs benefits have been forfeited for treason 
or for subversive activities under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 6104 and 
6105, issues involved in a survivor's claim for death benefits will be 
decided without regard to any prior disposition of those issues during 
the veteran's lifetime. Cases in which a person substitutes for a 
deceased veteran under 38 U.S.C. 5121A are not claims for death benefits 
and are not subject to this section. Cases in which a person substitutes 
for a deceased death benefits claimant under 38 U.S.C. 5121A are claims 
for death benefits subject to this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121A, 7104(b)).

[79 FR 52984, Sept. 5, 2014]



Secs. 20.1107-20.1199  [Reserved]



                          Subpart M_Privacy Act



Sec. 20.1200  Rule 1200. Privacy Act request--appeal pending.

    When a Privacy Act request is filed under Sec. 1.577 of this chapter 
by an individual seeking records pertaining to him or her and the 
relevant records are in the custody of the Board, such request will be 
reviewed and processed prior to appellate action on that individual's 
appeal.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a; 38 U.S.C. 7107)



Sec. 20.1201  Rule 1201. Amendment of appellate decisions.

    A request for amendment of an appellate decision under the Privacy 
Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) may be entertained. However, such a request may not 
be used in lieu of, or to circumvent, the procedures established under 
Rules 1000 through 1003 (Secs. 20.1000-20.1003 of this part). The Board 
will review a request for correction of factual information set forth in 
a decision. Where the request to amend under the Privacy Act is an 
attempt to alter a judgment made by the Board and thereby replace the 
adjudicatory authority and functions of the Board, the request will be 
denied on the basis that the Act does not authorize a collateral attack 
upon that which has already been the subject of a decision of the Board. 
The denial will satisfy the procedural requirements of Sec. 1.579 of 
this chapter. If otherwise appropriate, the request will be considered 
one for reconsideration under Rules 1000 through 1003 (Secs. 20.1000-
20.1003 of this part).

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(d); 38 U.S.C. 7103, 7108)



Secs. 20.1202-20.1299  [Reserved]



                         Subpart N_Miscellaneous

    Cross Reference: In cases involving access to patient information 
relating to a Department of Veterans Affairs program for, or the 
treatment of, drug abuse, alcoholism, alcohol abuse, sickle cell anemia, 
or infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, also see 38 U.S.C. 
7332.

[[Page 99]]



Sec. 20.1300  Rule 1300. Removal of Board records.

    No original record, paper, document or exhibit certified to the 
Board may be taken from the Board except as authorized by the Chairman 
or except as may be necessary to furnish copies or to transmit copies 
for other official purposes.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5701)

[61 FR 29028, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 20.1301  Rule 1301. Disclosure of information.

    (a) Policy. It is the policy of the Board of Veterans' Appeals for 
the full text of appellate decisions, Statements of the Case, and 
Supplemental Statements of the Case to be disclosed to appellants. In 
those situations where disclosing certain information directly to the 
appellant would not be in conformance with 38 U.S.C. 5701, that 
information will be removed from the decision, Statement of the Case, or 
Supplemental Statement of the Case and the remaining text will be 
furnished to the appellant. A full-text appellate decision, Statement of 
the Case, or Supplemental Statement of the Case will be disclosed to the 
designated representative, however, unless the relationship between the 
appellant and representative is such (for example, a parent or spouse) 
that disclosure to the representative would be as harmful as if made to 
the appellant.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(d)(2))

    (b) Public availability of Board decisions--(1) Decisions issued on 
or after January 1, 1992. Decisions rendered by the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals on or after January 1, 1992, are electronically available for 
public inspection and copying on the Internet at http://
www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.html. All personal identifiers are 
redacted from the decisions prior to publication. Specific decisions may 
be identified by a word and/or topic search, or by the Board docket 
number. Board decisions will continue to be provided in a widely-used 
format as future advances in technology occur.
    (2) Decisions issued prior to January 1, 1992. Decisions rendered by 
the Board of Veterans' Appeals prior to January 1, 1992, have been 
indexed to facilitate access to the contents of the decisions (BVA Index 
I-01-1). The index, which was published quarterly in microfiche form 
with an annual cumulation, is available for review at Department of 
Veterans Affairs regional offices and at the Research Center at the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, DC. Information on obtaining a 
microfiche copy of the index is also available from the Board's Research 
Center. The index can be used to locate citations to decisions with 
issues similar to those of concern to an appellant. Each indexed 
decision has a locator number assigned to it. The manner in which the 
locator number is written depends upon the age of the decision. 
Decisions archived prior to late 1989 have a number such as 82-07-0001. 
Decisions archived at a later date have a number such as BVA-90-12345. 
This number must be used when requesting a paper copy of that decision. 
These requests must be directed to the Research Center (01C1), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2), 38 U.S.C. 501(a))

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 71 FR 18009, Apr. 10, 2006; 81 
FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.1302  Rule 1302. Death of appellant during pendency of appeal
before the Board.

    (a) General. An appeal pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
when the appellant dies will be dismissed without prejudice. A person 
eligible for substitution under Sec. 3.1010 of this chapter may file 
with the agency of original jurisdiction a request to substitute for the 
deceased appellant. If the agency of original jurisdiction grants the 
request to substitute, the case will assume its original place on the 
docket pursuant to Rule 900 (Sec. 20.900(a)(2)). If the agency of 
original jurisdiction denies the request to substitute and the person 
requesting to substitute appeals that decision to the Board, the appeal 
regarding eligibility to substitute will assume the same place on the 
docket as the original claim pursuant to Rule 900 (Sec. 20.900(a)(2)).
    (b) Exception. (1) If a hearing request is pending pursuant to Rule 
704 (Sec. 20.704) when the appellant dies, the agency of original 
jurisdiction may

[[Page 100]]

take action on a request to substitute without regard to whether the 
pending appeal has been dismissed by the Board, if the request is 
submitted in accordance with Sec. 3.1010 of this chapter.
    (2) If the agency of original jurisdiction grants the request to 
substitute, the Board of Veterans' Appeals can then take the testimony 
of the substitute at a hearing held pursuant to Rules 700 through 717 
(Secs. 20.700 through 20.717). If the substitute desires representation 
at the hearing, he or she must appoint a representative prior to the 
hearing pursuant to Sec. 14.631(g) of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121A, 7104(a)).

[79 FR 52984, Sept. 5, 2014]



Sec. 20.1303  Rule 1303. Nonprecedential nature of Board decisions.

    Although the Board strives for consistency in issuing its decisions, 
previously issued Board decisions will be considered binding only with 
regard to the specific case decided. Prior decisions in other appeals 
may be considered in a case to the extent that they reasonably relate to 
the case, but each case presented to the Board will be decided on the 
basis of the individual facts of the case in light of applicable 
procedure and substantive law.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104(a))



Sec. 20.1304  Rule 1304. Request for change in representation, request
for personal hearing, or submission of additional evidence following 
certification of an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

    (a) Request for a change in representation, request for a personal 
hearing, or submission of additional evidence within 90 days following 
notification of certification and transfer of records. An appellant and 
his or her representative, if any, will be granted a period of 90 days 
following the mailing of notice to them that an appeal has been 
certified to the Board for appellate review and that the appellate 
record has been transferred to the Board, or until the date the 
appellate decision is promulgated by the Board of Veterans' Appeals, 
whichever comes first, during which they may submit a request for a 
personal hearing, additional evidence, or a request for a change in 
representation. Any such request or additional evidence must be 
submitted directly to the Board and not to the agency of original 
jurisdiction. The date of mailing of the letter of notification will be 
presumed to be the same as the date of that letter for purposes of 
determining whether the request was timely made or the evidence was 
timely submitted. Any evidence which is submitted at a hearing on appeal 
which was requested during such period will be considered to have been 
received during such period, even though the hearing may be held 
following the expiration of the period. Any pertinent evidence submitted 
by the appellant or representative is subject to the requirements of 
paragraph (d) of this section if a simultaneously contested claim is 
involved.
    (b) Subsequent request for a change in representation, request for a 
personal hearing, or submission of additional evidence--(1) General 
rule. Subject to the exception in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
following the expiration of the period described in paragraph (a) of 
this section, the Board of Veterans' Appeals will not accept a request 
for a change in representation, a request for a personal hearing, or 
additional evidence except when the appellant demonstrates on motion 
that there was good cause for the delay. Examples of good cause include, 
but are not limited to, illness of the appellant or the representative 
which precluded action during the period; death of an individual 
representative; illness or incapacity of an individual representative 
which renders it impractical for an appellant to continue with him or 
her as representative; withdrawal of an individual representative; the 
discovery of evidence that was not available prior to the expiration of 
the period; and delay in transfer of the appellate record to the Board 
which precluded timely action with respect to these matters. Such 
motions must be in writing and must include the name of the veteran; the 
name of the claimant or appellant if other than the veteran (e.g., a 
veteran's survivor, a guardian, or a fiduciary appointed to receive VA 
benefits on an individual's behalf) or the name of any substitute 
claimant or appellant; the applicable Department

[[Page 101]]

of Veterans Affairs file number; and an explanation of why the request 
for a change in representation, the request for a personal hearing, or 
the submission of additional evidence could not be accomplished in a 
timely manner. Such motions must be filed at the following address: 
Director, Office of Management, Planning and Analysis (014), Board of 
Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038. Depending upon 
the ruling on the motion, action will be taken as follows:
    (i) Good cause not shown. If good cause is not shown, the request 
for a change in representation, the request for a personal hearing, or 
the additional evidence submitted will be referred to the agency of 
original jurisdiction upon completion of the Board's action on the 
pending appeal without action by the Board concerning the request or 
additional evidence. Any personal hearing granted as a result of a 
request so referred or any additional evidence so referred may be 
treated by that agency as the basis for a reopened claim, if 
appropriate. If the Board denied a benefit sought in the pending appeal 
and any evidence so referred which was received prior to the date of the 
Board's decision, or testimony presented at a hearing resulting from a 
request for a hearing so referred, together with the evidence already of 
record, is subsequently found to be the basis of an allowance of that 
benefit, the effective date of the award will be the same as if the 
benefit had been granted by the Board as a result of the appeal which 
was pending at the time that the hearing request or additional evidence 
was received.
    (ii) Good cause shown. If good cause is shown, the request for a 
change in representation or for a personal hearing will be honored. Any 
pertinent evidence submitted by the appellant or representative will be 
accepted, subject to the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section 
if a simultaneously contested claim is involved.
    (2) Exception. The motion described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section is not required to submit evidence in response to a notice 
described in Sec. 20.903 of this chapter.
    (c) Consideration of additional evidence by the Board or by the 
agency of original jurisdiction. Any pertinent evidence submitted by the 
appellant or representative which is accepted by the Board under the 
provisions of this section, or is submitted by the appellant or 
representative in response to a Sec. 20.903 of this part, notification, 
as well as any such evidence referred to the Board by the agency of 
original jurisdiction under Sec. 19.37(b) of this chapter, must be 
referred to the agency of original jurisdiction for review, unless this 
procedural right is waived by the appellant or representative, or unless 
the Board determines that the benefit or benefits to which the evidence 
relates may be fully allowed on appeal without such referral. Such a 
waiver must be in writing or, if a hearing on appeal is conducted, the 
waiver must be formally and clearly entered on the record orally at the 
time of the hearing. Evidence is not pertinent if it does not relate to 
or have a bearing on the appellate issue or issues.
    (d) Simultaneously contested claims. In simultaneously contested 
claims, if pertinent evidence which directly affects payment, or 
potential payment, of the benefit sought is submitted by any claimant 
and is accepted by the Board under the provisions of this section, the 
substance of such evidence will be mailed to each of the other claimants 
who will then have 60 days from the date of mailing of notice of the new 
evidence within which to comment upon it and/or submit additional 
evidence in rebuttal. For matters over which the Board does not have 
original jurisdiction, a waiver of initial agency of original 
jurisdiction consideration of pertinent additional evidence received by 
the Board must be obtained from each claimant in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this section. The date of mailing of the letter of 
notification of the new evidence will be presumed to be the same as the 
date of that letter for purposes of determining whether such comment or 
evidence in rebuttal was timely submitted. No further period will be 
provided for response to such comment or rebuttal evidence.
    (e) Relationship to proceedings before the General Counsel to cancel 
accreditation or to review the reasonableness of fees and expenses. The 
provisions of

[[Page 102]]

paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of this section allowing appellants to 
submit additional evidence do not apply in proceedings before the 
General Counsel conducted under part 14 of this chapter to cancel 
accreditation or to review fee agreements and expenses for 
reasonableness.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121A, 5902, 5903, 5904, 7104, 7105, 7105A)

[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 25851, May 15, 1995; 61 
FR 20453, May 7, 1996; 67 FR 3105, Jan. 23, 2002; 69 FR 53808, Sept. 3, 
2004; 73 FR 29880, May 22, 2008; 76 FR 17548, Mar. 30, 2011; 79 FR 
52984, Sept. 5, 2014; 81 FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



  Subpart O_Revision of Decisions on Grounds of Clear and Unmistakable 
                                  Error

    Source: 64 FR 2139, Jan. 13, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 20.1400  Rule 1400. Motions to revise Board decisions.

    (a) Review to determine whether clear and unmistakable error exists 
in a final Board decision may be initiated by the Board, on its own 
motion, or by a party to that decision (as the term ``party'' is defined 
in Rule 1401(b) (Sec. 20.1401(b) of this part) in accordance with Rule 
1404 (Sec. 20.1404 of this part).
    (b) All final Board decisions are subject to revision under this 
subpart except:
    (1) Decisions on issues which have been appealed to and decided by a 
court of competent jurisdiction; and
    (2) Decisions on issues which have subsequently been decided by a 
court of competent jurisdiction.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7111)

[64 FR 2139, Jan. 13, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 73414, Dec. 30, 1999]



Sec. 20.1401  Rule 1401. Definitions.

    (a) Issue. Unless otherwise specified, the term ``issue'' in this 
subpart means a matter upon which the Board made a final decision (other 
than a decision under this subpart). As used in the preceding sentence, 
a ``final decision'' is one which was appealable under Chapter 72 of 
title 38, United States Code, or which would have been so appealable if 
such provision had been in effect at the time of the decision.
    (b) Party. As used in this subpart, the term ``party'' means any 
party to the proceeding before the Board that resulted in the final 
Board decision which is the subject of a motion under this subpart, but 
does not include officials authorized to file administrative appeals 
pursuant to Sec. 19.51 of this title.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7104(a))



Sec. 20.1402  Rule 1402. Inapplicability of other rules.

    Motions filed under this subpart are not appeals and, except as 
otherwise provided, are not subject to the provisions of part 19 of this 
title or this part 20 which relate to the processing and disposition of 
appeals.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1403  Rule 1403. What constitutes clear and unmistakable
error; what does not.

    (a) General. Clear and unmistakable error is a very specific and 
rare kind of error. It is the kind of error, of fact or of law, that 
when called to the attention of later reviewers compels the conclusion, 
to which reasonable minds could not differ, that the result would have 
been manifestly different but for the error. Generally, either the 
correct facts, as they were known at the time, were not before the 
Board, or the statutory and regulatory provisions extant at the time 
were incorrectly applied.
    (b) Record to be reviewed--(1) General. Review for clear and 
unmistakable error in a prior Board decision must be based on the record 
and the law that existed when that decision was made.
    (2) Special rule for Board decisions issued on or after July 21, 
1992. For a Board decision issued on or after July 21, 1992, the record 
that existed when that decision was made includes relevant documents 
possessed by the Department of Veterans Affairs not later than 90 days 
before such record was transferred to the Board for review in reaching 
that decision, provided that the documents could reasonably be expected 
to be part of the record.
    (c) Errors that constitute clear and unmistakable error. To warrant 
revision of a Board decision on the grounds of

[[Page 103]]

clear and unmistakable error, there must have been an error in the 
Board's adjudication of the appeal which, had it not been made, would 
have manifestly changed the outcome when it was made. If it is not 
absolutely clear that a different result would have ensued, the error 
complained of cannot be clear and unmistakable.
    (d) Examples of situations that are not clear and unmistakable 
error--(1) Changed diagnosis. A new medical diagnosis that ``corrects'' 
an earlier diagnosis considered in a Board decision.
    (2) Duty to assist. The Secretary's failure to fulfill the duty to 
assist.
    (3) Evaluation of evidence. A disagreement as to how the facts were 
weighed or evaluated.
    (e) Change in interpretation. Clear and unmistakable error does not 
include the otherwise correct application of a statute or regulation 
where, subsequent to the Board decision challenged, there has been a 
change in the interpretation of the statute or regulation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7111)



Sec. 20.1404  Rule 1404. Filing and pleading requirements; withdrawal.

    (a) General. A motion for revision of a decision based on clear and 
unmistakable error must be in writing, and must be signed by the moving 
party or that party's representative. The motion must include the name 
of the veteran; the name of the moving party if other than the veteran; 
the applicable Department of Veterans Affairs file number; and the date 
of the Board of Veterans' Appeals decision to which the motion relates. 
If the applicable decision involved more than one issue on appeal, the 
motion must identify the specific issue, or issues, to which the motion 
pertains. Motions which fail to comply with the requirements set forth 
in this paragraph shall be dismissed without prejudice to refiling under 
this subpart.
    (b) Specific allegations required. The motion must set forth clearly 
and specifically the alleged clear and unmistakable error, or errors, of 
fact or law in the Board decision, the legal or factual basis for such 
allegations, and why the result would have been manifestly different but 
for the alleged error. Non-specific allegations of failure to follow 
regulations or failure to give due process, or any other general, non-
specific allegations of error, are insufficient to satisfy the 
requirement of the previous sentence. Motions which fail to comply with 
the requirements set forth in this paragraph shall be dismissed without 
prejudice to refiling under this subpart.
    (c) Filing. A motion for revision of a decision based on clear and 
unmistakable error may be filed at any time. Such motions should be 
filed at the following address: Director, Office of Management, Planning 
and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, 
Washington, DC 20038.
    (d) Requests not filed at the Board. A request for revision 
transmitted to the Board by the Secretary pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 7111(f) 
(relating to requests for revision filed with the Secretary other than 
at the Board) shall be treated as if a motion had been filed pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (e) Motions for reconsideration. A motion for reconsideration, as 
described in subpart K of this part, whenever filed, will not be 
considered a motion under this subpart.
    (f) Withdrawal. A motion under this subpart may be withdrawn at any 
time before the Board promulgates a decision on the motion. Such 
withdrawal shall be in writing, shall be filed at the address listed in 
paragraph (c) of this section, and shall be signed by the moving party 
or by such party's representative. If such a writing is timely received, 
the motion shall be dismissed without prejudice to refiling under this 
subpart.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7111)

[64 FR 2139, Jan. 13, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 35903, July 10, 2001; 81 
FR 32650, May 24, 2016]



Sec. 20.1405  Rule 1405. Disposition.

    (a) Docketing and assignment; notification of representative--(1) 
General. Motions under this subpart will be docketed in the order 
received and will be assigned in accordance with Sec. 19.3 of this title 
(relating to assignment of proceedings). Where an appeal is pending on 
the same underlying issue at the time the motion is received, the motion 
and the appeal may be consolidated under the same docket number

[[Page 104]]

and disposed of as part of the same proceeding. A motion may not be 
assigned to any Member who participated in the decision that is the 
subject of the motion. If a motion is assigned to a panel, the decision 
will be by a majority vote of the panel Members.
    (2) Advancement on the docket. A motion may be advanced on the 
docket subject to the same substantive and procedural requirements as 
those applicable to an appeal under Rule 900(c) (Sec. 20.900(c) of this 
part).
    (3) Notification of representative. When the Board receives a motion 
under this subpart from an individual whose claims file indicates that 
he or she is represented, the Board shall provide a copy of the motion 
to the representative before assigning the motion to a Member or panel. 
Within 30 days after the date on which the Board provides a copy of the 
motion to the representative, the representative may file a relevant 
response, including a request to review the claims file prior to filing 
a further response. Upon request made within the time allowed under this 
paragraph (a)(2), the Board shall arrange for the representative to have 
the opportunity to review the claims file, and shall permit the 
representative a reasonable time after making the file available to file 
a further response.
    (b) Evidence. No new evidence will be considered in connection with 
the disposition of the motion. Material included in the record on the 
basis of Rule 1403(b)(2) (Sec. 20.1403(b)(2) of this part) is not 
considered new evidence.
    (c) Hearing--(1) Availability. The Board may, for good cause shown, 
grant a request for a hearing for the purpose of argument. No testimony 
or other evidence will be admitted in connection with such a hearing. 
The determination as to whether good cause has been shown shall be made 
by the member or panel to whom the motion is assigned.
    (2) Submission of requests. Requests for such a hearing shall be 
submitted to the following address: Director, Office of Management, 
Planning and Analysis (014), Board of Veterans' Appeals, P.O. Box 27063, 
Washington, DC 20038.
    (d) Decision to be by the Board. The decision on a motion under this 
subpart shall be made by the Board. There shall be no referral of the 
matter to any adjudicative or hearing official acting on behalf of the 
Secretary for the purpose of deciding the motion.
    (e) Referral to ensure completeness of the record. Subject to the 
provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, the Board may use the 
various agencies of original jurisdiction to ensure completeness of the 
record in connection with a motion under this subpart.
    (f) General Counsel opinions. The Board may secure opinions of the 
General Counsel in connection with a motion under this subpart. In such 
cases, the Board will notify the party and his or her representative, if 
any. When the opinion is received by the Board, a copy of the opinion 
will be furnished to the party's representative or, subject to the 
limitations provided in 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1), to the party if there is 
no representative. A period of 60 days from the date of mailing of a 
copy of the opinion will be allowed for response. The date of mailing 
will be presumed to be the same as the date of the letter or memorandum 
which accompanies the copy of the opinion for purposes of determining 
whether a response was timely filed.
    (g) Decision. The decision of the Board on a motion will be in 
writing. The decision will include separately stated findings of fact 
and conclusions of law on all material questions of fact and law 
presented on the record, the reasons or bases for those findings and 
conclusions, and an order granting or denying the motion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7104(d), 7111)

[64 FR 2139, Jan. 13, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 7091, Feb. 12, 1999; 66 
FR 37151, July 17, 2001; 68 FR 53682, Sept. 12, 2003; 81 FR 32650, May 
24, 2016]



Sec. 20.1406  Rule 1406. Effect of revision; discontinuance or 
reduction of benefits.

    (a) General. A decision of the Board that revises a prior Board 
decision on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error has the same 
effect as if the decision had been made on the date of the prior 
decision.
    (b) Discontinuance or reduction of benefits. Revision of a prior 
Board decision under this subpart that results in the

[[Page 105]]

discontinuance or reduction of benefits is subject to laws and 
regulations governing the reduction or discontinuance of benefits by 
reason of erroneous award based solely on administrative error or errors 
in judgment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7111(b))



Sec. 20.1407  Rule 1407. Motions by the Board.

    If the Board undertakes, on its own motion, a review pursuant to 
this subpart, the party to that decision and that party's representative 
(if any) will be notified of such motion and provided an adequate 
summary thereof and, if applicable, outlining any proposed 
discontinuance or reduction in benefits that would result from revision 
of the Board's prior decision. They will be allowed a period of 60 days 
to file a brief or argument in answer. The failure of a party to so 
respond does not affect the finality of the Board's decision on the 
motion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7111)



Sec. 20.1408  Rule 1408. Special rules for simultaneously contested
claims.

    In the case of a motion under this subpart to revise a final Board 
decision in a simultaneously contested claim, as that term is used in 
Rule 3(o) (Sec. 20.3(o) of this part), a copy of such motion shall, to 
the extent practicable, be sent to all other contesting parties. Other 
parties have a period of 30 days from the date of mailing of the copy of 
the motion to file a brief or argument in answer. The date of mailing of 
the copy will be presumed to be the same as the date of the letter which 
accompanies the copy. Notices in simultaneously contested claims will be 
forwarded to the last address of record of the parties concerned and 
such action will constitute sufficient evidence of notice.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1409  Rule 1409. Finality and appeal.

    (a) A decision on a motion filed by a party or initiated by the 
Board pursuant to this subpart will be stamped with the date of mailing 
on the face of the decision, and is final on such date. The party and 
his or her representative, if any, will be provided with copies of the 
decision.
    (b) For purposes of this section, a dismissal without prejudice 
under Rule 1404(a)(Sec. 20.1404(a) of this part), Rule 
1404(b)(Sec. 20.1404(b)), or Rule 1404(f)(Sec. 20.1404(f)), or a 
referral under Rule 1405(e) is not a final decision of the Board.
    (c) Once there is a final decision on a motion under this subpart 
relating to a prior Board decision on an issue, that prior Board 
decision on that issue is no longer subject to revision on the grounds 
of clear and unmistakable error. Subsequent motions relating to that 
prior Board decision on that issue shall be dismissed with prejudice.
    (d) Chapter 72 of title 38, United States Code (relating to judicial 
review), applies with respect to final decisions on motions filed by a 
party or initiated by the Board pursuant to this subpart.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a); Pub. L. 105-111)

[64 FR 2139, Jan. 13, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 35903, July 10, 2001]



Sec. 20.1410  Rule 1410. Stays pending court action.

    The Board will stay its consideration of a motion under this subpart 
upon receiving notice that the Board decision that is the subject of the 
motion has been appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction until the 
appeal has been concluded or the court has issued an order permitting, 
or directing, the Board to proceed with the motion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1411  Rule 1411. Relationship to other statutes.

    (a) The ``benefit of the doubt'' rule of 38 U.S.C. 5107(b) does not 
apply to the Board's decision, on a motion under this subpart, as to 
whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a prior Board 
decision.
    (b) A motion under this subpart is not a claim subject to reopening 
under 38 U.S.C. 5108 (relating to reopening claims on the grounds of new 
and material evidence).
    (c) A motion under this subpart is not an application for benefits 
subject to any duty associated with 38 U.S.C.

[[Page 106]]

5103(a) (relating to applications for benefits).
    (d) A motion under this subpart is not a claim for benefits subject 
to the requirements and duties associated with 38 U.S.C. 5107(a) 
(requiring ``well-grounded'' claims and imposing a duty to assist).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



    Subpart P_Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative_Pilot Program

    Source: 73 FR 65732, Nov. 5, 2008, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 20.1500  Rule 1500. Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative.

    (a) Purpose. The Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative is a pilot 
program designed to streamline the claims adjudication and appeals 
process. This subpart establishes procedures governing this Initiative.
    (b) Outline of Initiative. This Initiative allows eligible claimants 
to voluntarily participate in an alternative claims adjudication program 
as set forth in this subpart, which is predicated on the claimant's 
waiver of certain identified statutory and regulatory time limits, 
procedural rights, and processing issues that may arise.
    (c) Scope. Except as specifically provided in this subpart, claims 
processed under this Initiative will be adjudicated according to the 
procedures outlined in part 3 of this chapter, and appeals will be 
processed according to the Appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice, as 
outlined in parts 19 and 20 of this chapter. Any matter not otherwise 
covered by this subpart will be governed by existing rules in this 
title.
    (d) Duration. The Secretary will accept an executed Agreement and 
Waiver of Rights as provided in Sec. 20.1503 of this part for a period 
not to exceed 2 years from December 5, 2008.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1501  Rule 1501. Definitions.

    For purposes of this subpart, the following definitions apply:
    (a) Initiative means the Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative as 
promulgated by this subpart.
    (b) Participant means any eligible claimant who elects to 
participate in the Initiative by executing, with his or her 
representative, an Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative Agreement 
and Waiver of Rights as provided in Sec. 20.1503 of this part.
    (c) Covered claim or covered claims means any claim or claims, as 
described in Sec. 20.1502(c) of this part, that a participant elects to 
have processed under the rules governing the Initiative, including any 
downstream element of the claim(s), such as assignment of a disability 
rating and effective date, and any claim that is inextricably 
intertwined with a covered claim.
    (d) Representative means an accredited representative of a 
recognized Veterans Service Organization or an accredited attorney or 
agent, as set forth in part 14 of this chapter, for whom a claimant has 
properly executed and filed a VA Form 21-22, ``Appointment of Veterans 
Service Organization as Claimant's Representative,'' or a VA Form 21-
22a, ``Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative,'' as 
required by Sec. 14.631 of this chapter.
    (e) Participating VA regional office means one of the following four 
VA regional offices: Nashville, Tennessee; Lincoln, Nebraska; Seattle, 
Washington; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The jurisdiction of the 
Nashville, Lincoln, and Seattle regional offices extends to residents of 
Tennessee, Nebraska, and Washington, respectively. The jurisdiction of 
the Philadelphia regional office extends to residents of the 40 
easternmost counties of Pennsylvania and residents of the seven 
southernmost counties of New Jersey. For purposes of this Initiative 
only, the jurisdiction of these regional offices extends only to a 
covered claim, as described in Sec. 20.1502(c) of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1502  Rule 1502. Eligibility.

    To participate in the Initiative, a claimant must:
    (a) At the time the Agreement and Waiver of Rights is executed, have 
a representative, as defined in Sec. 20.1501(d) of this part;

[[Page 107]]

    (b) Reside within the jurisdiction of a participating VA regional 
office, as defined in Sec. 20.1501(e) of this part; and
    (c) File one of the following types of claims for VA disability 
compensation as outlined in parts 3 and 4 of this chapter at a 
participating VA regional office:
    (1) Original claim;
    (2) Claim for an increased rating;
    (3) Claim to reopen a previously-denied claim based on the 
submission of new and material evidence as provided in Sec. 3.156 of 
this chapter; or
    (4) Requests for revision of a decision of an agency of original 
jurisdiction under Sec. 3.105 of this chapter based on clear and 
unmistakable error.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1503  Rule 1503. Election, identification of evidence, 
and representation.

    (a) When and how election made. Upon the filing of a claim described 
in Sec. 20.1502(c) of this part, VA will promptly notify the claimant in 
writing of the opportunity to participate in the Initiative and provide 
the claimant with an Agreement and Waiver of Rights. A claimant may 
elect to participate in the Initiative by filing an executed Agreement 
and Waiver of Rights as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section within 30 days of the date of the notice of the opportunity to 
participate in the Initiative. An election to participate in the 
Initiative can be revoked at any time in accordance with Sec. 20.1509 of 
this part.
    (b) Execution of agreement. To participate in the Initiative, a 
claimant and his or her representative must execute an Agreement and 
Waiver of Rights on a form prescribed by the Secretary. The claimant 
will specifically identify in the Agreement and Waiver of Rights all 
claims he or she wishes to have processed under the Initiative.
    (c) Where to file. The executed Agreement and Waiver of Rights must 
be filed with the participating VA regional office that has jurisdiction 
over the claim.
    (d) Identification of relevant evidence. Upon executing the 
Agreement and Waiver of Rights, the participant will respond, within the 
time period prescribed in Sec. 20.1504(a)(1), to VA notice regarding the 
information and evidence necessary to substantiate the claim by 
identifying all relevant evidence in support of his or her claim(s), 
providing the requested evidence, or notifying VA that no such evidence 
exists. Relevant evidence may include any VA records, non-VA Federal 
records (such as Social Security disability records), and any private 
records (such as treatment records from a family physician). If the 
participant requires assistance from VA in obtaining any identified 
records, the participant will provide VA, upon request, the appropriate 
release form so VA may attempt to promptly obtain the records on behalf 
of the participant. VA must receive the necessary information and 
evidence requested from the participant within 1 year of the date of the 
notice, in accordance with Sec. 3.159(b)(1) of this chapter.
    (e) Effect of change in representation on the election. If a 
participant changes or terminates representation after having made a 
valid election to participate in the Initiative, participation in the 
Initiative will continue under the terms of the signed Agreement and 
Waiver of Rights, unless the participant indicates, in writing, pursuant 
to Sec. 20.1509(b) of this part, that he or she wishes to revoke 
participation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1504  Rule 1504. Time limits.

    The following time limits will be applicable to all covered claims:
    (a) Time limits to be observed by the participant. The participant 
will comply with the following time limits for all covered claims:
    (1) Response to initial notice letter. The time limit for responding 
to the notification regarding the information and medical or lay 
evidence necessary to substantiate a claim in the manner required by 
Sec. 20.1503(d) will be 30 days.
    (2) Subsequent requests by VA for additional information and 
evidence. The time limit for responding to any subsequent request by VA 
for additional information or evidence, either by notifying VA of the 
existence of such information or evidence, providing such evidence, or 
notifying VA that no such evidence exists, will be 30 days.

[[Page 108]]

    (3) VA request for waiver. The time limit for responding to a VA 
request for waiver as set forth in Sec. 20.1508 of this part, will be 30 
days.
    (4) Notice of Disagreement. The time limit for filing a Notice of 
Disagreement pursuant to Sec. 20.302(a) of this part will be 60 days.
    (5) Substantive Appeal. The time limit for filing a Substantive 
Appeal pursuant to Sec. 20.302(b) of this part will be 30 days.
    (6) Following certification of appeal to the Board. Following the 
issuance of notification that the appeal has been certified and 
transferred to the Board, the time limit for taking the following 
actions pursuant to Sec. 20.1304 of this part will be 30 days:
    (i) Request a hearing before the Board,
    (ii) Request a change in representation, or
    (iii) Submit additional evidence or argument.
    (b) Time limit to be observed by the participating VA regional 
office. The participating VA regional office shall certify covered 
claims and transfer the appellate record to the Board as set forth in 
Secs. 19.35 and 19.36 of this chapter within 30 days of the receipt of 
the Substantive Appeal, or within 30 days of receipt of any additional 
submissions following the Substantive Appeal, but no later than 60 days 
from the receipt of the Substantive Appeal. However, if, after issuance 
of the Statement of the Case, additional assistance in obtaining 
evidence is required in order to comply with Sec. 3.159(c) of this 
chapter, the participating VA regional office shall certify covered 
claims and transfer the appellate record to the Board within 60 days 
after the requisite action is completed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a) and 5103A)



Sec. 20.1505  Rule 1505. Review of initial benefits claim decision.

    If a participant files a Notice of Disagreement as to a covered 
claim, the decision of the participating VA regional office will be 
reviewed by a Decision Review Officer under the provisions set forth in 
Sec. 3.2600 of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1506  Rule 1506. Board review of cases.

    (a) The Board will screen cases that are certified and transferred 
to the Board under the Initiative to determine whether the record is 
adequate for decisional purposes. If the Board determines that the 
record is inadequate, the Board will take appropriate action pursuant to 
Sec. 19.9 of this chapter.
    (b) A case screened by the Board for purposes of determining the 
adequacy of the record will be decided in docket order and will not be 
advanced on the Board's docket except as provided in Sec. 20.900(c) of 
this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7107(a), (f))



Sec. 20.1507  Rule 1507. Hearings.

    (a) Before the participating VA regional office. Upon request, a 
participant is entitled to a hearing by a Decision Review Officer before 
the participating VA regional office as provided in Secs. 3.103(c) and 
3.2600(c) of this chapter, subject to the following limitations:
    (1) No hearing will be conducted prior to the initial adjudication 
of the claim by the participating VA regional office.
    (2) Only one hearing on a claim will be conducted at the 
participating VA regional office and the hearing will be conducted by a 
Decision Review Officer in accordance with Sec. 3.2600 of this chapter.
    (b) Before the Board. Upon request, a participant is entitled to a 
hearing before the Board as provided in Secs. 20.700 through 20.717, and 
20.1304, subject to the following limitations:
    (1) Only one hearing before the Board will be conducted.
    (2) After consultation with the participant and his or her 
representative, the Board will determine whether the hearing will be 
conducted in person in Washington, DC, at the participating VA regional 
office with jurisdiction over the claim, or by electronic equipment as 
set forth in Sec. 20.700(e) of this part. The Board's determination will 
be based primarily on the type and place of hearing which will allow for 
scheduling at the earliest possible date. An in-person hearing will be 
conducted in Washington, DC, only if geographically convenient for the 
participant and his

[[Page 109]]

or her representative, or if the participant agrees to travel to 
Washington, DC, at his or her own expense.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1508  Rule 1508. Waiver.

    (a) General. When requested by VA, a participant will waive, in 
writing, identified procedural processing issues and actions relating to 
covered claims. VA will provide the participant with a clear 
explanation, in writing, as to what rights he or she may be waiving. If 
a hearing on appeal is conducted, the waiver may be formally and clearly 
entered on the record at the time of hearing. A response to a written 
waiver request from VA must be filed within the 30-day period prescribed 
in Sec. 20.1504(a)(3) of this part. Such waiver is not required for 
matters that have already been waived by virtue of electing 
participation in the Initiative.
    (b) Evidence obtained or submitted after the Statement of the Case--
(1) Evidence obtained by VA. If new evidence is obtained by VA following 
issuance of a Statement of the Case under Secs. 19.29 and 19.30 of this 
chapter, and the claim(s) is not otherwise granted in full based on this 
new evidence, VA will provide a copy of such evidence to the participant 
and representative, and request a waiver of review by the agency of 
original jurisdiction of such evidence and issuance of a Supplemental 
Statement of the Case pursuant to the provisions set forth in 
Sec. 20.1304(c) of this part. A response to a written waiver request 
from VA must be filed within the 30-day period prescribed in 
Sec. 20.1504(a)(3) of this part. The failure of the participant to agree 
to a waiver of initial consideration by the agency of original 
jurisdiction of any evidence obtained by VA will constitute an implied 
revocation of participation in the Initiative, as provided by 
Sec. 20.1509(c)(2).
    (2) Evidence submitted by participant or representative. If new 
evidence is submitted by the participant or representative following 
issuance of a Statement of the Case under Secs. 19.29 and 19.30 of this 
chapter, the participant, by virtue of executing a valid Agreement and 
Waiver of Rights, is deemed to have knowingly and voluntarily waived 
agency of original jurisdiction review of such evidence and issuance of 
a Supplemental Statement of the Case, which permits the Board to review 
such evidence in the first instance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1509  Rule 1509. Compliance and revocation of participation.

    (a) Unless the participant revokes his or her participation in the 
Initiative as provided in paragraphs (b), (c) or (d) of this section, 
all covered claims will continue to be processed by VA or the Board in 
accordance with the provisions of this subpart until a final decision of 
the agency of original jurisdiction or the Board has been issued.
    (b) Express revocation. A participant may revoke participation in 
the Initiative at any time by submitting a revocation request in 
writing. The revocation request must be filed with the participating VA 
regional office unless the case has been certified and transferred to 
the Board, in which case the revocation request should be filed with the 
Board. As of the date of receipt of the revocation, any covered claims 
will be processed in the same manner as if the participant had not 
elected to participate in the Initiative.
    (c) Implied revocation. The failure of a participant to meet the 
terms of these rules, as outlined in the executed Agreement and Waiver 
of Rights, will have the same result as if the participant had expressly 
revoked his or her participation in the Initiative. As of the date of 
the action constituting such implied revocation, any covered claims will 
be processed in the same manner as if the participant had not elected to 
participate in the Initiative. Grounds for implied revocation of 
participation include, but are not limited to:
    (1) The failure of the participant or representative, as 
appropriate, to comply with any of the time limits set forth in 
Sec. 20.1504(a) of this part;
    (2) The failure to waive initial consideration by the agency of 
original jurisdiction of any evidence obtained by VA that was not 
considered in the Statement of the Case;
    (3) A request by a participant or representative for an extension of 
any of the time limits set forth in Sec. 20.1504(a) of this part, unless 
a motion for good

[[Page 110]]

cause is granted, as described by paragraph (e) of this section; and
    (4) Any other failure on the part of the participant to comply with 
the terms of the Agreement and Waiver of Rights, as determined by VA.
    (d) Death of participant. If a participant dies while his or her 
claim is being processed, participation in the Initiative will be deemed 
revoked.
    (e) Extensions. Extensions of any of the time limits described in 
this subpart may only be granted when the participant demonstrates on 
motion that there is good cause for the extension request. At no time 
may time periods be extended beyond those provided by law to all 
claimants and appellants. Examples of good cause include, but are not 
limited to, illness of the participant or the representative of such 
severity that precludes action during the period; death of an individual 
representative; illness or incapacity of an individual representative 
that renders it impractical for a participant to continue with him or 
her as representative; or withdrawal of an individual representative. 
Motions for extensions must be filed prior to the expiration of the time 
period for which a motion is being requested. Motions must be in 
writing, and filed with the participating VA regional office that has 
jurisdiction over the claim, unless the case has been certified and 
transferred to the Board, in which case the motion must be filed with 
the Board. Motions must include the name of the participant, the 
applicable Department of Veterans Affairs file number; and an 
explanation as to why the extension request is being made.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



Sec. 20.1510  Rule 1510. Termination of the Initiative.

    VA may terminate the Initiative at any time. In the event of such 
termination, VA will notify participants and their representatives in 
writing and inform them that any covered claims will be processed from 
the date of termination in the same manner as if the participant had not 
elected to participate in the Initiative.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))



              Sec. Appendix A to Part 20--Cross-References

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Title of cross-
      Sec. Cross-reference          referenced material or
                                                         comment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.1...........  38 CFR 3.103(a)..............  Statement of policy.
20.100.........  38 CFR 20.306................  Rule 306. Legal
                                                 holidays.
20.200.........  38 CFR 20.201................  Rule 201. Notice of
                                                 Disagreement.
                 38 CFR 20.202................  Rule 202. Substantive
                                                 Appeal.
                 38 CFR 20.300-20.306.........  See re filing Notices of
                                                 Disagreement and
                                                 Substantive Appeals.
20.202.........  38 CFR 19.29.................  Statement of the Case.
                 38 CFR 19.31.................  Supplemental Statement
                                                 of the Case.
20.301.........  38 CFR 20.500................  Rule 500. Who can file
                                                 an appeal in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
                 38 CFR 20.602................  Rule 602. Representation
                                                 by recognized
                                                 organizations.
                 38 CFR 20.603................  Rule 603. Representation
                                                 by attorneys-at-law.
                 38 CFR 20.604................  Rule 604. Representation
                                                 by agents.
                 38 CFR 20.605................  Rule 605. Other persons
                                                 as representative.
20.302.........  38 CFR 20.501................  Rule 501. Time limits
                                                 for filing Notice of
                                                 Disagreement,
                                                 Substantive Appeal, and
                                                 response to
                                                 Supplemental Statement
                                                 of the Case in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.303.........  38 CFR 20.304................  Rule 304. Filing
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 does not extend time
                                                 limit for appeal.
                 38 CFR 20.503................  Rule 503. Extension of
                                                 time for filing a
                                                 Substantive Appeal in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.305.........  38 CFR 20.306................  Rule 306. Legal
                                                 holidays.
20.400.........  38 CFR 19.50-19.53...........  See also re
                                                 administrative appeals.
20.401.........  38 CFR 19.50-19.53...........  See also re
                                                 administrative appeals.
                 38 CFR 20.302-20.306.........  See re time limits for
                                                 perfecting an appeal.
                 38 CFR 20.501, 20.503........  See re time limits for
                                                 perfecting an appeal in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.500.........  38 CFR 20.713................  Rule 713. Hearings in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.501.........  38 CFR 20.305................  Rule 305. Computation of
                                                 time limit for filing.
                 38 CFR 20.306................  Rule 306. Legal
                                                 holidays.
                 38 CFR 20.713................  Rule 713. Hearings in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.502.........  38 CFR 20.305................  Rule 305. Computation of
                                                 time limit for filing.
                 38 CFR 20.306................  Rule 306. Legal
                                                 holidays.
                 38 CFR 20.713................  Rule 713. Hearings in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.503.........  38 CFR 20.713................  Rule 713. Hearings in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.504.........  38 CFR 20.713................  Rule 713. Hearings in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.

[[Page 111]]

 
20.600.........  38 CFR 14.626 et seq.........  See also re
                                                 representation.
                 38 CFR 20.602................  Rule 602. Representation
                                                 by recognized
                                                 organizations.
                 38 CFR 20.603................  Rule 603. Representation
                                                 by attorneys-at-law.
                 38 CFR 20.604................  Rule 604. Representation
                                                 by agents.
                 38 CFR 20.605................  Rule 605. Other persons
                                                 as representative.
20.602.........  38 CFR 14.628................  Recognition of
                                                 organizations.
                 38 CFR 14.631................  Powers of attorney.
                 38 CFR 20.100................  Rule 100. Name, business
                                                 hours, and mailing
                                                 address of the Board.
                 38 CFR 20.607................  Rule 607. Revocation of
                                                 a representative's
                                                 authority to act.
                 38 CFR 20.608................  Rule 608. Withdrawal of
                                                 services by a
                                                 representative.
                 38 CFR 20.609................  Rule 609. Payment of
                                                 representative's fees
                                                 in proceedings before
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs field personnel
                                                 and before the Board of
                                                 Veterans' Appeals.
                 38 CFR 20.610................  Rule 610. Payment of
                                                 representative's
                                                 expenses in proceedings
                                                 before Department of
                                                 Veterans Affairs field
                                                 personnel and before
                                                 the Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals.
20.603.........  38 CFR 14.629................  Requirements for
                                                 accreditation of
                                                 representatives,
                                                 agents, and attorneys.
                 38 CFR 14.631................  Powers of attorney.
                 38 CFR 20.100................  Rule 100. Name, business
                                                 hours, and mailing
                                                 address of the Board.
                 38 CFR 20.606................  Rule 606. Legal interns,
                                                 law students and
                                                 paralegals.
                 38 CFR 20.607................  Rule 607. Revocation of
                                                 a representative's
                                                 authority to act.
                 38 CFR 20.608................  Rule 608. Withdrawal of
                                                 services by a
                                                 representative.
                 38 CFR 20.609................  Rule 609. Payment of
                                                 representative's fees
                                                 in proceedings before
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs field personnel
                                                 and before the Board of
                                                 Veterans' Appeals.
                 38 CFR 20.610................  Rule 610. Payment of
                                                 representative's
                                                 expenses in proceedings
                                                 before Department of
                                                 Veterans Affairs field
                                                 personnel and before
                                                 the Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals.
20.604.........  38 CFR 14.631................  Powers of attorney.
                 38 CFR 20.100................  Rule 100. Name, business
                                                 hours, and mailing
                                                 address of the Board.
                 38 CFR 20.607................  Rule 607. Revocation of
                                                 a representative's
                                                 authority to act.
                 38 CFR 20.608................  Rule 608. Withdrawal of
                                                 services by a
                                                 representative.
                 38 CFR 20.609................  Rule 609. Payment of
                                                 representative's fees
                                                 in proceedings before
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs field personnel
                                                 and before the Board of
                                                 Veterans' Appeals.
                 38 CFR 20.610................  Rule 610. Payment of
                                                 representative's
                                                 expenses in proceedings
                                                 before Department of
                                                 Veterans Affairs field
                                                 personnel and before
                                                 the Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals.
20.605.........  38 CFR 14.630................  Authorization for a
                                                 particular claim.
                 38 CFR 14.631................  Powers of attorney.
                 38 CFR 20.100................  Rule 100. Name, business
                                                 hours, and mailing
                                                 address of the Board.
                 38 CFR 20.607................  Rule 607. Revocation of
                                                 a representative's
                                                 authority to act.
                 38 CFR 20.608................  Rule 608. Withdrawal of
                                                 services by a
                                                 representative.
                 38 CFR 20.609................  Rule 609. Payment of
                                                 representative's fees
                                                 in proceedings before
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs field personnel
                                                 and before the Board of
                                                 Veterans' Appeals.
                 38 CFR 20.610................  Rule 610. Payment of
                                                 representative's
                                                 expenses in proceedings
                                                 before Department of
                                                 Veterans Affairs field
                                                 personnel and before
                                                 the Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals.
20.606.........  38 CFR 20.603................  Rule 603. Representation
                                                 by attorneys-at-law.
20.607.........  38 CFR 14.631(d).............  See also re revocation
                                                 of powers of attorney.
20.609.........  38 CFR 14.629................  Requirements for
                                                 accreditation of
                                                 representatives,
                                                 agents, and attorneys.
                 38 CFR 20.603................  Rule 603. Representation
                                                 by attorneys-at-law.
                 38 CFR 20.604................  Rule 604. Representation
                                                 by agents.
                 38 CFR 20.606................  Rule 606. Legal interns,
                                                 law students and
                                                 paralegals.
                 38 CFR 20.610................  Rule 610. Payment of
                                                 representative's
                                                 expenses in proceedings
                                                 before Department of
                                                 Veterans Affairs field
                                                 personnel and before
                                                 the Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals.
20.610.........  38 CFR 20.609................  Rule 609. Payment of
                                                 representative's fees
                                                 in proceedings before
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs field personnel
                                                 and before the Board of
                                                 Veterans' Appeals.
20.611.........  38 CFR 1.525(d), 14.631(e)...  See also re continuation
                                                 of authority conferred
                                                 by powers of attorney
                                                 upon the death of a
                                                 claimant.
20.701.........  38 CFR 20.710................  Rule 710. Witnesses at
                                                 hearings.
20.702.........  38 CFR 20.704................  Rule 704. Scheduling and
                                                 notice of hearings
                                                 conducted by traveling
                                                 Sections of the Board
                                                 of Veterans' Appeals at
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs facilities.
                 38 CFR 20.713................  Rule 713. Hearings in
                                                 simultaneously
                                                 contested claims.
20.703.........  38 CFR 20.201................  Rule 201. Notice of
                                                 Disagreement.
20.704.........  38 CFR 20.702................  Rule 702. Scheduling and
                                                 notice of hearings
                                                 conducted by the Board
                                                 of Veterans' Appeals in
                                                 Washington, DC, and by
                                                 agency of original
                                                 jurisdiction personnel
                                                 acting on behalf of the
                                                 Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals at field
                                                 facilities.
20.706.........  38 CFR 20.700(c).............  See also re the
                                                 presiding Member's role
                                                 in the conduct of
                                                 hearings.
                 38 CFR 20.708................  Rule 708. Prehearing
                                                 conference.
                 38 CFR 20.709................  Rule 709. Procurement of
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 following a hearing.
20.707.........  38 CFR 19.11.................  Reconsideration Section.
20.708.........  38 CFR 20.606(d).............  See re the prehearing
                                                 conference required
                                                 when a legal intern,
                                                 law student, or
                                                 paralegal is to
                                                 participate in a
                                                 hearing held before a
                                                 traveling Section of
                                                 the Board.
20.709.........  38 CFR 19.37.................  Consideration of
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 received by the agency
                                                 of original
                                                 jurisdiction after an
                                                 appeal has been
                                                 initiated.
                 38 CFR 20.1304...............  Rule 1304. Request for
                                                 change in
                                                 representation, request
                                                 for personal hearing,
                                                 or submission of
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 following certification
                                                 of an appeal to the
                                                 Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals.
20.710.........  38 CFR 20.711................  Rule 711. Subpoenas.
20.711.........  38 CFR 2.1...................  See for further
                                                 information on
                                                 subpoenas, including
                                                 action to be taken in
                                                 the event of
                                                 noncompliance.

[[Page 112]]

 
20.713.........  38 CFR 20.702................  Rule 702. Scheduling and
                                                 notice of hearings
                                                 conducted by the Board
                                                 of Veterans' Appeals in
                                                 Washington, DC, and by
                                                 agency of original
                                                 jurisdiction personnel
                                                 acting on behalf of the
                                                 Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals at field
                                                 facilities.
                 38 CFR 20.704................  Rule 704. Scheduling and
                                                 notice of hearings
                                                 conducted by traveling
                                                 Sections of the Board
                                                 of Veterans' Appeals at
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs facilities.
20.715.........  38 CFR 20.706................  Rule 706. Functions of
                                                 the presiding Member.
20.800.........  38 CFR 20.304................  Rule 304. Filing
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 does not extend time
                                                 limit for appeal.
                 38 CFR 20.709................  Rule 709. Procurement of
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 following a hearing.
                 38 CFR 20.1304...............  Rule 1304. Request for
                                                 change in
                                                 representation, request
                                                 for personal hearing,
                                                 or submission of
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 following certification
                                                 of an appeal to the
                                                 Board of Veterans'
                                                 Appeals.
20.901.........  38 CFR 14.507................  See re opinions of the
                                                 General Counsel of the
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs.
20.903.........  38 CFR 20.305................  Rule 305. Computation of
                                                 time limit for filing.
                 38 CFR 20.306................  Rule 306. Legal
                                                 holidays.
20.1003........  38 CFR 20.700(b).............  See re submission of
                                                 written brief and of
                                                 oral argument on audio
                                                 cassette.
20.1105........  38 CFR 3.156.................  New and material
                                                 evidence.
                 38 CFR 3.160(e)..............  Reopened claim.
                 38 CFR 20.1304(b)(1).........  See re request for a
                                                 personal hearing or
                                                 submission of
                                                 additional evidence
                                                 more than 60 days after
                                                 a case has been
                                                 certified to the Board
                                                 of Veterans' Appeals as
                                                 possible basis for a
                                                 reopened claim.
20.1106........  38 CFR 3.22(a)(2)............  See re correction of a
                                                 rating, after a
                                                 veteran's death, based
                                                 on clear and
                                                 unmistakable error, in
                                                 cases involving claims
                                                 for benefits under the
                                                 provisions of 38 U.S.C.
                                                 1318.
20.1300........  38 CFR 1.500-1.527...........  See re the release of
                                                 information from
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs claimant
                                                 records.
                 38 CFR 1.550-1.559...........  See re the release of
                                                 information from
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs records other
                                                 than claimant records.
                 38 CFR 1.575-1.584...........  See re safeguarding
                                                 personal information in
                                                 Department of Veterans
                                                 Affairs records.
                 38 CFR 20.1301...............  Rule 1301. Disclosure of
                                                 information.
20.1301........  38 CFR 1.577.................  Access to records.
20.1302........  38 CFR 20.611................  Rule 611. Continuation
                                                 of representation
                                                 following death of a
                                                 claimant or appellant.
20.1304........  38 CFR 3.103(c), 20.700-       See also rehearings.
                  20.717.
                 38 CFR 3.156.................  New and material
                                                 evidence.
                 38 CFR 3.160(e)..............  Reopened claim.
                 38 CFR 20.305................  Rule 305. Computation of
                                                 time limit for filing.
                 38 CFR 20.306................  Rule 306. Legal
                                                 holidays.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 77 FR 23130, Apr. 18, 2012]



PART 21_VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION--Table of Contents



   Subpart A_Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Under 38 U.S.C. 
                               Chapter 31

                   Vocational Rehabilitation Overview

Sec.
21.1  Training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected 
          disabilities.

                             Nonduplication

21.21  Election of benefits under education programs administered by the 
          Department of Veterans Affairs.
21.22  Nonduplication--Federal programs.

                                 Claims

21.30  Claims.
21.31  Informal claim.
21.32  Notification by VA of necessary information or evidence when a 
          claim is filed; time for claimant response and VA action.
21.33  VA has a duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.

                               Definitions

21.35  Definitions.

                               Entitlement

21.40  Basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits and 
          services.

                         Periods of Eligibility

21.41  Basic period of eligibility.
21.42  Deferral or extension of the basic period of eligibility.
21.44  Extension of the basic period of eligibility for a veteran with a 
          serious employment handicap.
21.45  Extending the period of eligibility for a program of independent 
          living beyond basic period of eligibility.
21.46  Veteran ordered to active duty; extension of basic period of 
          eligibility.
21.47  Eligibility for employment assistance.
21.48  Severance of service-connection--reduction to noncompensable 
          degree.

                     Initial and Extended Evaluation

21.50  Initial evaluation.

[[Page 113]]

21.51  Determining employment handicap.
21.52  Determining serious employment handicap.
21.53  Reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal.
21.57  Extended evaluation.
21.58  Redetermination of employment handicap and serious employment 
          handicap.
21.59  Review and appeal of decisions on eligibility and entitlement.

                     Vocational Rehabilitation Panel

21.60  Vocational Rehabilitation Panel.
21.62  Duties of the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel.

                   Duration of Rehabilitation Programs

21.70  Vocational rehabilitation.
21.72  Rehabilitation to the point of employability.
21.73  Duration of employment assistance programs.
21.74  Extended evaluation.
21.76  Independent living.
21.78  Approving more than 48 months of rehabilitation.
21.79  Determining entitlement usage under Chapter 31.

               Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan

21.80  Requirement for a rehabilitation plan.
21.82  Completing the plan under Chapter 31.
21.84  Individualized written rehabilitation plan.
21.86  Individualized extended evaluation plan.
21.88  Individualized employment assistance plan.
21.90  Individualized independent living plan.
21.92  Preparation of the plan.
21.94  Changing the plan.
21.96  Review of the plan.
21.98  Appeal of disagreement regarding development of, or change in, 
          the plan.

                               Counseling

21.100  Counseling.

              Educational and Vocational Training Services

21.120  Educational and vocational training services.
21.122  School course.
21.123  On-job course.
21.124  Combination course.
21.126  Farm cooperative course.
21.128  Independent study course.
21.129  Home study course.
21.130  Educational and vocational courses outside the United States.
21.132  Repetition of the course.
21.134  Limitation on flight training.

                     Special Rehabilitation Services

21.140  Evaluation and improvement of rehabilitation potential.
21.142  Adult basic education.
21.144  Vocational course in sheltered workshop or rehabilitation 
          facility.
21.146  Independent instructor course.
21.148  Tutorial assistance.
21.150  Reader service.
21.152  Interpreter service for the hearing impaired.
21.154  Special transportation assistance.
21.155  Services to a veteran's family.
21.156  Other incidental goods and services.

                       Independent Living Services

21.160  Independent living services.
21.162  Participation in a program of independent living services.

                               Case Status

21.180  Case status system.
21.182  ``Applicant'' status.
21.184  ``Evaluation and planning'' status.
21.186  ``Ineligible'' status.
21.188  ``Extended evaluation'' status.
21.190  ``Rehabilitation to the point of employability'' status.
21.192  ``Independent living program'' status.
21.194  ``Employment services'' status.
21.196  ``Rehabilitated'' status.
21.197  ``Interrupted'' status.
21.198  ``Discontinued'' status.

                                Supplies

21.210  Supplies.
21.212  General policy in furnishing supplies during periods of 
          rehabilitation.
21.214  Furnishing supplies for special programs.
21.216  Special equipment.
21.218  Methods of furnishing supplies.
21.219  Supplies consisting of clothing, magazines and periodicals, and 
          items which may be personally used by the veteran.
21.220  Replacement of supplies.
21.222  Release of, and repayment for, training and rehabilitation 
          supplies.
21.224  Prevention of abuse.

                      Medical and Related Services

21.240  Medical treatment, care and services.
21.242  Resources for provision of treatment, care and services.

                           Employment Services

21.250  Overview of employment services.
21.252  Job development and placement services.
21.254  Supportive services.
21.256  Incentives for employers.
21.257  Self-employment.
21.258  Cost limitations on approval of self-employment plans.

[[Page 114]]

                      Monetary Assistance Services

21.260  Subsistence allowance.
21.262  Procurement and reimbursement of cost for training and 
          rehabilitation services, supplies, or facilities.
21.264  Election of payment at the 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 educational 
          assistance rate or election of payment of Post-9/11 
          subsistence allowance.
21.266  Payment of subsistence allowance under special conditions.
21.268  Employment adjustment allowance.
21.270  Payment of subsistence allowance during leave and other periods.
21.272  Veteran-student services.
21.274  Revolving fund loan.
21.276  Incarcerated veterans.

                 Induction into a Rehabilitation Program

21.282  Effective date of induction into a rehabilitation program; 
          retroactive induction.
21.283  Rehabilitated.
21.284  Reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

                 Course Approval and Facility Selection

21.290  Training and rehabilitation resources.
21.292  Course approvals.
21.294  Selecting the training or rehabilitation facility.
21.296  Selecting a training establishment for on-job training.
21.298  Selecting a farm.
21.299  Use of Government facilities for on-job training or work 
          experience at no or nominal pay.

                             Rate of Pursuit

21.310  Rate of pursuit of a rehabilitation program.
21.312  Reduced work tolerance.
21.314  Pursuit of training under special conditions.

 Authorization of Subsistence Allowance and Training and Rehabilitation 
                                Services

21.320  Awards for subsistence allowance and authorization of 
          rehabilitation services.
21.322  Commencing dates of subsistence allowance.
21.324  Reduction or termination dates of subsistence allowance.
21.326  Authorization of employment services.
21.328  Two veteran cases--dependents.
21.330  Apportionment.
21.332  Payments of subsistence allowance.
21.334  Election of payment at the Chapter 30 rate.

                            Leaves of Absence

21.340  Introduction.
21.342  Leave accounting policy.
21.344  Facility offering training or rehabilitation services.
21.346  Facility temporarily not offering training or rehabilitation 
          services.
21.348  Leave following completion of a period of training or 
          rehabilitation services.
21.350  Unauthorized absences.

                         Conduct and Cooperation

21.362  Satisfactory conduct and cooperation.
21.364  Unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation.

           Interregional and Intraregional Travel of Veterans

21.370  Intraregional travel at government expense.
21.372  Interregional transfer at government expense.
21.374  Authorization for travel of attendants.
21.376  Travel expenses for initial evaluation and counseling.

                   Personnel Training and Development

21.380  Establishment of qualifications for personnel providing 
          assistance under Chapter 31.
21.382  Training and staff development for personnel providing 
          assistance under Chapter 31.

              Rehabilitation Research and Special Projects

21.390  Rehabilitation research and special projects.

             Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation

21.400  Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation.
21.402  Responsibilities of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on 
          Rehabilitation.

                 Additional Administrative Consideration

21.410  Delegation of authority.
21.412  Finality of decisions.
21.414  Revision of decision.

                          Informing the Veteran

21.420  Informing the veteran.
21.422  Reduction in subsistence allowance following the loss of a 
          dependent.

                             Accountability

21.430  Accountability for authorization and payment of training and 
          rehabilitation services.

            Veterans Employment Pay for Success Grant Program

21.440  Purpose and scope.
21.441  Definitions.

[[Page 115]]

21.442  VEPFS grants--general.
21.443  Permissible uses of VEPFS grant funds.
21.444  Notice of funding availability.
21.445  Application.
21.446  Scoring and selection.
21.447  VEPFS grant agreement.
21.448  Recipient reporting requirements.
21.449  Recovery of funds.

      Subpart B_Claims and Applications for Educational Assistance

                                 Claims

21.1029  Definitions.
21.1030  Claims.
21.1031  VA responsibilities when a claim is filed.
21.1032  VA has a duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.
21.1033  Time limits.
21.1034  Appeals.

  Subpart C_Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Under 38 
                            U.S.C. Chapter 35

                                 General

21.3001  Delegation of authority.
21.3002  Administration of Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
          Assistance Program.
21.3020  Educational assistance.
21.3021  Definitions.
21.3022  Nonduplication--programs administered by VA.
21.3023  Nonduplication; pension, compensation, and dependency and 
          indemnity compensation.
21.3024  Nonduplication; Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
21.3025  Nonduplication; Federal programs.

                                 Claims

21.3030  Claims.

                       Eligibility and Entitlement

21.3040  Eligibility; child.
21.3041  Periods of eligibility; child.
21.3042  Service with Armed Forces.
21.3043  Suspension of program; child.
21.3044  Entitlement.
21.3045  Entitlement charges.
21.3046  Periods of eligibility; spouses and surviving spouses.
21.3047  Extended period of eligibility due to physical or mental 
          disability.

                               Counseling

21.3100  Counseling.
21.3102  Required counseling.
21.3103  Failure to cooperate.
21.3104  Special training.
21.3105  Travel expenses.

                                Payments

21.3130  Educational assistance.
21.3131  Rates--educational assistance allowance--38 U.S.C. chapter 35.
21.3132  Reductions in survivors' and dependents' educational 
          assistance.
21.3133  Payment procedures.
21.3135  Reduction or discontinuance dates for awards of educational 
          assistance allowance.

                      Special Restorative Training

21.3300  Special restorative training.
21.3301  Need.
21.3302  Special restorative training agreements and reports.
21.3303  Extent of training.
21.3304  Assistance during training.
21.3305  ``Interrupted'' status.
21.3306  Reentrance after interruption.
21.3307  ``Discontinued'' status.

                 Payments; Special Restorative Training

21.3330  Payments.
21.3331  Commencing date.
21.3332  Discontinuance dates.
21.3333  Rates.

                     Special Assistance and Training

21.3344  Special assistance for the educationally disadvantaged.

       Subpart D_Administration of Educational Assistance Programs

                             Administrative

21.4001  Delegations of authority.
21.4002  Finality of decisions.
21.4003  Revision of decisions.
21.4005  Conflicting interests.
21.4006  False or misleading statements.
21.4007  Forfeiture.
21.4008  Prevention of overpayments.
21.4009  Waiver or recovery of overpayments.

                                 General

21.4020  Two or more programs.
21.4022  Nonduplication--programs administered by VA.

               Payments; Educational Assistance Allowance

21.4131  Commencing dates.
21.4135  Discontinuance dates.
21.4136  Withdrawals or nonpunitive grades may result in nonpayment.
21.4138  Certifications and release of payments.
21.4145  Work-study allowance.
21.4146  Assignments of benefits prohibited.

                        State Approving Agencies

21.4150  Designation.
21.4151  Cooperation.

[[Page 116]]

21.4152  Control by agencies of the United States.
21.4153  Reimbursement of expenses.
21.4154  Report of activities.
21.4155  Evaluations of State approving agency performance.

                                 Schools

21.4200  Definitions.
21.4201  Restrictions on enrollment; percentage of students receiving 
          financial support.
21.4202  Overcharges; restrictions on enrollments.
21.4203  Reports--requirements.
21.4204  Periodic certifications.
21.4206  Reporting fee.
21.4209  Examination of records.
21.4210  Suspension and discontinuance of educational assistance 
          payments, and of enrollments or reenrollments for pursuit of 
          approved courses.
21.4211  Composition, jurisdiction, and duties of Committee on 
          Educational Allowances.
21.4212  Referral to Committee on Educational Allowances.
21.4213  Notice of hearing by Committee on Educational Allowances.
21.4214  Hearing rules and procedures for Committee on Educational 
          Allowances.
21.4215  Decision of Director of VA Regional Processing Office of 
          jurisdiction.
21.4216  Review of decision of Director of VA Regional Processing Office 
          of jurisdiction.

                          Programs of Education

21.4232  Specialized vocational training--38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
21.4233  Combination.
21.4234  Change of program.
21.4235  Programs of education that include flight training.
21.4236  Tutorial assistance.

                                 Courses

21.4250  Course and licensing and certification test approval; 
          jurisdiction and notices.
21.4251  Minimum period of operation requirement for educational 
          institutions.
21.4252  Courses precluded; erroneous, deceptive, or misleading 
          practices.
21.4253  Accredited courses.
21.4254  Nonaccredited courses.
21.4255  Refund policy; nonaccredited courses.
21.4256  Correspondence programs and courses.
21.4257  Cooperative courses.
21.4258  Notice of approval.
21.4259  Suspension or disapproval.
21.4260  Courses in foreign countries.
21.4261  Apprentice courses.
21.4262  Other training on-the-job courses.
21.4263  Approval of flight training courses.
21.4264  Farm cooperative courses.
21.4265  Practical training approved as institutional training or on-job 
          training.
21.4266  Approval of courses at a branch campus or extension.
21.4267  Approval of independent study.
21.4268  Approval of licensing and certification tests.

                    Assessment and Pursuit of Courses

21.4270  Measurement of courses.
21.4271  [Reserved]
21.4272  Collegiate course measurement.
21.4273  Collegiate graduate.
21.4274  Law courses.
21.4275  Practical training courses; measurement.
21.4277  Discontinuance: unsatisfactory progress, conduct and 
          attendance.
21.4278  Reentrance after discontinuance.
21.4279  Combination correspondence-residence program.
21.4280  [Reserved]

Subpart E [Reserved]

                        Subpart F_Education Loans

21.4500  Definitions.
21.4501  Eligibility.
21.4502  Applications.
21.4503  Determination of loan amount.
21.4504  Promissory note.
21.4505  Check delivery.
21.4507  Advertising.

Subparts F-1--F-3 [Reserved]

  Subpart G_Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Under 38 
                            U.S.C. Chapter 32

                             Administrative

21.5001  Administration of benefits: 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32.

                                 General

21.5020  Post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance.
21.5021  Definitions.
21.5022  Eligibility under more than one program.
21.5023  Nonduplication; Federal programs.

                         Claims and Applications

21.5030  Applications, claims, and time limits.

                               Eligibility

21.5040  Basic eligibility.
21.5041  Periods of entitlement.
21.5042  Extended period of eligibility.

[[Page 117]]

                              Participation

21.5050  Application requirements for participation.
21.5052  Contribution requirements.
21.5053  Restoration of contributions (Persian Gulf War).
21.5054  Dates of participation.
21.5058  Resumption of participation.
21.5060  Disenrollment.
21.5062  Date of disenrollment.
21.5064  Refund upon disenrollment.
21.5065  Refunds without disenrollment.
21.5066  Suspension of participation.
21.5067  Death of participant.

                               Entitlement

21.5070  Entitlement.
21.5071  Months of entitlement allowed.
21.5072  Entitlement charge.
21.5076  Entitlement charge--overpayment cases.
21.5078  Interruption to conserve entitlement.

                               Counseling

21.5100  Counseling.
21.5103  Travel expenses.

               Payments; Educational Assistance Allowance

21.5130  Payments; educational assistance allowance.
21.5131  Educational assistance allowance.
21.5132  Criteria used in determining benefit payments.
21.5133  Certifications and release of payments.
21.5134  Restrictions on paying benefits to servicepersons.
21.5135  Advance payments.
21.5136  Benefit payments--secondary school program.
21.5137  Benefit payments and charges against entitlement for taking an 
          approved licensing or certification test.
21.5138  Computation of benefit payments and monthly rates.
21.5139  Computation of benefit payments for incarcerated individuals.
21.5141  Tutorial assistance.

                        State Approving Agencies

21.5150  State approving agencies.

                                 Schools

21.5200  Schools.

                          Programs of Education

21.5230  Programs of education.
21.5231  Combination.
21.5232  Change of program.

                                 Courses

21.5250  Courses.

                    Assessment and Pursuit of Course

21.5270  Assessment and pursuit of course.

                  Educational Assistance Pilot Program

21.5290  Educational Assistance Pilot Program.
21.5292  Reduced monthly contribution for certain individuals.
21.5294  Transfer of entitlement.
21.5296  Extended period of eligibility.

              Subpart H_Educational Assistance Test Program

21.5701  Establishment of educational assistance test program.
21.5703  Overview.
21.5705  Transfer of authority.

                                 General

21.5720  Definitions.
21.5725  Obtaining benefits.

                         Claims and Applications

21.5730  Applications, claims, and time limits.

                       Eligibility and Entitlement

21.5740  Eligibility.
21.5741  Eligibility under more than one program.
21.5742  Entitlement.
21.5743  Transfer of entitlement.
21.5744  Charges against entitlement.
21.5745  Period of entitlement.

                                 Courses

21.5800  Courses.

                             Certifications

21.5810  Certifications of enrollment.
21.5812  Reports of withdrawals and terminations of attendance and 
          changes in training time.
21.5816  False or fraudulent claims.

       Payments--Educational Assistance and Subsistence Allowance

21.5820  Educational assistance.
21.5822  Subsistence allowance.
21.5824  Nonduplication: Federal programs.
21.5828  False or misleading statements.
21.5830  Payment of educational assistance.
21.5831  Commencing date of subsistence allowance.
21.5834  Discontinuance dates: General.
21.5835  Specific discontinuance dates.
21.5838  Overpayments.

                         Measurement of Courses

21.5870  Measurement of courses.

[[Page 118]]

                             Administrative

21.5900  Administration of benefits program--chapter 107, title 10 
          U.S.C.
21.5901  Delegations of authority.

   Subpart I_Temporary Program of Vocational Training for Certain New 
                           Pension Recipients

                                 General

21.6001  Temporary vocational training program for certain pension 
          recipients.
21.6005  Definitions.
21.6010  Applicability of rules and administrative procedures under 38 
          U.S.C., chapter 31.
21.6015  Claims and elections.
21.6021  Nonduplication--38 U.S.C., chapters 30, 31, 32, 34 and 35.

                     Basic Eligibility Requirements

21.6040  Eligibility for vocational training and employment assistance.
21.6042  Entry, reentry and completion.

                               Evaluation

21.6050  Participation of eligible veterans in an evaluation.
21.6052  Evaluations.
21.6054  Criteria for determining good employment potential.
21.6056  Cooperation of the veteran in an evaluation.
21.6058  Consequences of evaluation.
21.6059  Limitations on the number of evaluations.

             Services and Assistance to Program Participants

21.6060  Services and assistance.

                          Duration of Training

21.6070  Basic duration of a vocational training program.
21.6072  Extending the duration of a vocational training program.
21.6074  Computing the period of vocational training program 
          participation.

               Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan

21.6080  Requirement for an individualized written rehabilitation or 
          employment assistance plan.
21.6082  Completing the plan.

                               Counseling

21.6100  Counseling.

              Educational and Vocational Training Services

21.6120  Educational and vocational training services.

         Evaluation and Improvement of Rehabilitation Potential

21.6140  Evaluation and improvement of rehabilitation potential.

                       Independent Living Services

21.6160  Independent living services.

                           Case Status System

21.6180  Case status system.

                                Supplies

21.6210  Supplies.

                      Medical and Related Services

21.6240  Medical treatment, care and services.
21.6242  Resources for provision of medical treatment, care and 
          services.

                          Financial Assistance

21.6260  Financial assistance.

                      Entering Vocational Training

21.6282  Effective dates of induction into and termination of vocational 
          training.
21.6284  Reentrance into a training program.
21.6290  Training resources.

                             Rate of Pursuit

21.6310  Rate of pursuit.

                        Authorization of Services

21.6320  Authorization of services under Chapter 31 rules.

                            Leaves of Absence

21.6340  Leaves of absence.

                  Satisfactory Conduct and Cooperation

21.6362  Satisfactory conduct and cooperation.

                         Transportation Services

21.6370  Authorization of transportation services.

                    Additional Applicable Regulations

21.6380  Additional applicable Chapter 31 regulations.

                         Delegation of Authority

21.6410  Delegation of authority.

              Coordination with the Veterans Service Center

21.6420  Coordination with the Veterans Service Center.

  Subpart J_Temporary Program of Vocational Training and Rehabilitation

21.6501  Overview.

[[Page 119]]

21.6503  Definitions.
21.6505  Participation in the temporary program.
21.6507  Special benefits for qualified veterans under test program.
21.6509  Notice to qualified veterans.
21.6511-21.6513  [Reserved]
21.6515  Formulation of rehabilitation plan.
21.6517  [Reserved]
21.6519  Eligibility of qualified veterans for employment and counseling 
          services.
21.6521  Employment of qualified veterans.
21.6523  Entry and reentry into a program of counseling and employment 
          services under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a) (2) and (5).
21.6525  [Reserved]

Subpart K_All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (Montgomery 
                          GI Bill_Active Duty)

21.7000  Establishment of educational assistance program.

                               Definitions

21.7020  Definitions.

                         Claims and Applications

21.7030  Applications, claims, and time limits.
21.7032  Time limits for making elections.

                               Eligibility

21.7040  Categories of basic eligibility.
21.7042  Basic eligibility requirements.
21.7044  Persons with eligibility under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.
21.7045  Eligibility based on involuntary separation, voluntary 
          separation, or participation in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' 
          Educational Assistance Program.
21.7046  Eligibility for supplemental educational assistance.
21.7050  Ending dates of eligibility.
21.7051  Extended period of eligibility.

                               Entitlement

21.7070  Entitlement.
21.7072  Entitlement to basic educational assistance.
21.7073  Entitlement for some individuals who establish eligibility 
          during the open period or who establish eligibility before 
          involuntary separation.
21.7074  Entitlement to supplemental educational assistance.
21.7075  Entitlement to tuition assistance top-up.
21.7076  Entitlement charges.

  Transfer of Entitlement to Basic Educational Assistance to Dependents

21.7080  Transfer of entitlement.

                               Counseling

21.7100  Counseling.
21.7103  Travel expenses.

                          Programs of Education

21.7110  Selection of a program of education.
21.7112  Programs of education combining two or more types of courses.
21.7114  Change of program.

                                 Courses

21.7120  Courses included in programs of education.
21.7122  Courses precluded.
21.7124  Overcharges.

                    Payments--Educational Assistance

21.7130  Educational assistance.
21.7131  Commencing dates.
21.7133  Suspension or discontinuance of payments.
21.7135  Discontinuance dates.
21.7136  Rates of payment of basic educational assistance.
21.7137  Rates of payment of basic educational assistance for 
          individuals with remaining entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
          34.
21.7138  Rates of supplemental educational assistance.
21.7139  Conditions which result in reduced rates or no payment.
21.7140  Certifications and release of payments.
21.7141  Tutorial assistance.
21.7142  Accelerated payments, payment of tuition assistance top-up, and 
          licensing or certification test reimbursement.
21.7143  Nonduplication of educational assistance.
21.7144  Overpayments.

                           Pursuit of Courses

21.7150  Pursuit.
21.7151  Advance payment and accelerated payment certifications.
21.7152  Certification of enrollment.
21.7153  Progress and conduct.
21.7154  Pursuit and absences.
21.7156  Other required reports.
21.7158  False, late, or missing reports.
21.7159  Reporting fee.

                            Course Assessment

21.7170  Course measurement.
21.7172  Measurement of concurrent enrollments.

                        State Approving Agencies

21.7200  State approving agencies.

                           Approval of Courses

21.7220  Course approval.
21.7222  Courses and enrollments which may not be approved.
21.7280  Death benefit.

[[Page 120]]

                             Administrative

21.7301  Delegations of authority.
21.7302  Finality of decisions.
21.7303  Revision of decisions.
21.7305  Conflicting interests.
21.7307  Examination of records.
21.7310  Civil rights.
21.7320  Procedural protection; reduction following loss of dependent.

  Subpart L_Educational Assistance for Members of the Selected Reserve

21.7500  Establishment and purpose of educational assistance program.

                               Definitions

21.7520  Definitions.

                         Claims and Applications

21.7530  Applications, claims, and time limits.

                               Eligibility

21.7540  Eligibility for educational assistance.
21.7550  Ending dates of eligibility.
21.7551  Extended period of eligibility.

                               Entitlement

21.7570  Entitlement.
21.7576  Entitlement charges.

                               Counseling

21.7600  Counseling.
21.7603  Travel expenses.

                          Programs of Education

21.7610  Selection of a program of education.
21.7612  Programs of education combining two or more types of courses.
21.7614  Changes of program.

                                 Courses

21.7620  Courses included in programs of education.
21.7622  Courses precluded.
21.7624  Overcharges and restrictions on enrollments.

                    Payments--Educational Assistance

21.7630  Educational assistance.
21.7631  Commencing dates.
21.7633  Suspension or discontinuance of payments.
21.7635  Discontinuance dates.
21.7636  Rates of payment.
21.7639  Conditions which result in reduced rates or no payment.
21.7640  Release of payments.
21.7642  Nonduplication of educational assistance.
21.7644  Overpayments.

                 Pursuit of Course and Required Reports

21.7650  Pursuit.
21.7652  Certification of enrollment and verification of pursuit.
21.7653  Progress, conduct, and attendance.
21.7654  Pursuit and absences.
21.7656  Other required reports.
21.7658  False, late, or missing reports.
21.7659  Reporting fee.

                            Course Assessment

21.7670  Measurement of courses leading to a standard, undergraduate 
          college degree.
21.7672  Measurement of courses not leading to a standard college 
          degree.
21.7673  Measurement of concurrent enrollments.
21.7674  Measurement of practical training courses.

                        State Approving Agencies

21.7700  State approving agencies.

                           Approval of Courses

21.7720  Course approval.
21.7722  Courses and enrollments which may not be approved.

                             Administrative

21.7801  Delegation of authority.
21.7802  Finality of decisions.
21.7803  Revision of decisions.
21.7805  Conflicting interests.
21.7807  Examination of records.

Subpart M_Vocational Training and Rehabilitation for Certain Children of 
Vietnam Veterans and Veterans with Covered Service in Korea_Spina Bifida 
                        and Covered Birth Defects

                                 General

21.8010  Definitions and abbreviations.
21.8012  Vocational training program for certain children of Vietnam 
          veterans and veterans with covered service in Korea--spina 
          bifida and covered birth defects.
21.8014  Application.
21.8015  Notification by VA of necessary information or evidence when a 
          claim is filed; time for claimant response and VA action; and 
          VA's duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.
21.8016  Nonduplication of benefits.

                     Basic Entitlement Requirements

21.8020  Entitlement to vocational training and employment assistance.
21.8022  Entry and reentry.

                               Evaluation

21.8030  Requirement for evaluation of child.
21.8032  Evaluations.

[[Page 121]]

             Services and Assistance to Program Participants

21.8050  Scope of training, services, and assistance.

                     Duration of Vocational Training

21.8070  Basic duration of a vocational training program.
21.8072  Authorizing training, services, and assistance beyond the 
          initial individualized written plan of vocational 
          rehabilitation.
21.8074  Computing the period for vocational training program 
          participation.

        Individualized Written Plan of Vocational Rehabilitation

21.8080  Requirement for an individualized written plan of vocational 
          rehabilitation.
21.8082  Inability of child to complete individualized written plan of 
          vocational rehabilitation or achieve vocational goal.

                               Counseling

21.8100  Counseling.

              Vocational Training, Services, and Assistance

21.8120  Vocational training, services, and assistance.

           Evaluation and Improvement of Vocational Potential

21.8140  Evaluation and improvement of vocational potential.

                                Supplies

21.8210  Supplies.

                              Program Costs

21.8260  Training, Services, and Assistance Costs.

    Vocational Training Program Entrance, Termination, and Resources

21.8280  Effective date of induction into a vocational training program.
21.8282  Termination of a vocational training program.
21.8284  Additional vocational training.
21.8286  Training resources.

                             Rate of Pursuit

21.8310  Rate of pursuit.

                        Authorization of Services

21.8320  Authorization of services.

                            Leaves of Absence

21.8340  Leaves of absence.

                  Satisfactory Conduct and Cooperation

21.8360  Satisfactory conduct and cooperation.

                         Transportation Services

21.8370  Authorization of transportation services.

                    Additional Applicable Regulations

21.8380  Additional applicable regulations.

                         Delegation of Authority

21.8410  Delegation of authority.

Subparts N-O [Reserved]

                       Subpart P_Post-9/11 GI Bill

21.9500  Introduction.

                               Definitions

21.9505  Definitions.

                         Claims and Applications

21.9510  Claims, VA's duty to assist, and time limits.

                               Eligibility

21.9520  Basic eligibility.
21.9525  Eligibility for increased and supplemental educational 
          assistance.
21.9530  Eligibility time limit.
21.9535  Extended period of eligibility.

                               Entitlement

21.9550  Entitlement.
21.9555  Entitlement to supplemental educational assistance.
21.9560  Entitlement charges.

  Transfer of Entitlement to Basic Educational Assistance to Dependents

21.9570  Transfer of entitlement.

                               Counseling

21.9580  Counseling
21.9585  Travel expenses.

               Approved Programs of Education and Courses

21.9590  Approved programs of education and courses.
21.9600  Overcharges.

                    Payments--Educational Assistance

21.9620  Educational assistance.
21.9625  Beginning dates.
21.9630  Suspension or discontinuance of payments.
21.9635  Discontinuance dates.
21.9640  Rates of payment of educational assistance.
21.9645  Refund of basic contribution to chapter 30.

[[Page 122]]

21.9650  Increase in educational assistance.
21.9655  Rates of supplemental educational assistance.
21.9660  Rural relocation benefit.
21.9665  Reimbursement for licensing or certification tests.
21.9670  Work-study allowance.
21.9675  Conditions that result in reduced rates or no payment.
21.9680  Certifications and release of payments.
21.9685  Tutorial assistance.
21.9690  Nonduplication of educational assistance.
21.9695  Overpayments.
21.9700  Yellow Ribbon Program.

                           Pursuit of Courses

21.9710  Pursuit.
21.9715  Advance payment certification.
21.9720  Certification of enrollment.
21.9725  Progress and conduct.
21.9735  Other required reports.
21.9740  False, late, or missing reports.
21.9745  Reporting fee.

                            Course Assessment

21.9750  Course measurement.

                    Approval of Programs of Education

21.9765  Program of education approval.

                             Administrative

21.9770  Administrative.



   Subpart A_Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Under 38 U.S.C. 
                               Chapter 31

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 18, 31, and as noted in specific 
sections.

    Source: 49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

                   Vocational Rehabilitation Overview



Sec. 21.1  Training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-
connected disabilities.

    (a) Purposes. The purposes of this program are to provide to 
eligible veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities all 
services and assistance necessary to enable them to achieve maximum 
independence in daily living and, to the maximum extent feasible, to 
become employable and to obtain and maintain suitable employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3100)

    (b) Basic requirements. Before a service-disabled veteran may 
receive training and rehabilitation services under Chapter 31, Title 38 
U.S.C., three basic requirements must be met:
    (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs must first find that the 
veteran has basic entitlement to services as prescribed by Sec. 21.40.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102)

    (2) The services necessary for training and rehabilitation must be 
identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)

    (3) An individual written plan must be developed by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs and the veteran describing the goals of the program 
and the means through which these goals will be achieved.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]

                             Nonduplication



Sec. 21.21  Election of benefits under education programs administered
by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    (a) Election of benefits required. A veteran must make an election 
of benefits among the programs of education administered by VA for which 
he or she may be eligible. A veteran who has basic entitlement to 
rehabilitation under chapter 31 and is also eligible for assistance 
under any of the other education programs administered by VA must make 
an election of benefits between chapter 31 and any other VA program of 
education for which he or she may be eligible. The veteran may reelect 
at any time if he or she is otherwise eligible. (See Secs. 21.264 and 
21.334.)


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1781(b))

    (b) Use of prior training in formulating a rehabilitation program. 
If a veteran has pursued an educational or training program under an 
education program

[[Page 123]]

listed in Sec. 21.4020 of this part, the earlier program of education or 
special restorative training shall be utilized to the extent 
practicable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3695(b))

[53 FR 880, Jan. 14, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]



Sec. 21.22  Nonduplication--Federal programs.

    (a) Allowances. A service-disabled veteran who is eligible for 
benefits under Chapter 31, may not receive a subsistence allowance or 
elect payment of an allowance at the educational assistance rate under 
Chapter 30 pursuant to Sec. 21.264 if the veteran:
    (1) Is on active duty and is pursuing a course of education which is 
being paid for by the Armed Forces (or by the Department of Health and 
Human Services in the case of the Public Health Service), or
    (2) Is attending a course of education or training paid for under 
Chapter 41, Title 5 U.S.C. and whose full salary is being paid to such 
veteran while so training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3681; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Services which may be authorized. A service-disabled veteran who 
is in one of the two categories defined in paragraph (a) of this section 
is entitled to receive all benefits, other than an allowance, to which 
he or she is otherwise entitled under Chapter 31, including:
    (1) Payment of any tuition and fees not paid for by the Armed 
Forces.
    (2) The cost of special services, such as reader services, tutorial 
assistance, and special equipment during the period of such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3681)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4283, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]

                                 Claims



Sec. 21.30  Claims.

    A specific claim in the form prescribed by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs must be filed for:
    (a) A program of rehabilitation services, or
    (b) Employment assistance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3102, 3117, 5101(a))



Sec. 21.31  Informal claim.

    Any communication or action indicating an intent to apply for 
rehabilitation or employment assistance, from a veteran, a duly 
authorized representative, or a Member of Congress may be considered an 
informal claim. Upon receipt of an informal claim, if a formal claim has 
not been filed, an application form will be forwarded to the veteran for 
execution. In the case of a claim for rehabilitation, or employment 
assistance, the formal claim will be considered filed as of the date of 
receipt of the informal claim if received within 1 year from the date it 
was sent to the veteran, or before cessation of the course, whichever is 
earlier.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 5101(a), 5103(a))



Sec. 21.32  Notification by VA of necessary information or evidence 
when a claim is filed; time for claimant response and VA action.

    The provisions of this section apply to claims that are governed by 
this subpart or subpart M of this part.
    (a) VA has a duty to notify claimants of necessary information or 
evidence. Except when a claim cannot be substantiated because there is 
no legal basis for the claim, or undisputed facts render the claimant 
ineligible for the claimed benefit, when VA receives a complete or 
substantially complete application for vocational rehabilitation 
benefits and services provided under this subpart or subpart M of this 
part VA will:
    (1) Notify the claimant of any information and evidence that is 
necessary to substantiate the claim;
    (2) Inform the claimant which information and evidence, if any, the 
claimant is to provide to VA and which information and evidence, if any, 
VA will try to obtain for the claimant; and
    (3) Inform the claimant of the time limit, as provided in paragraph 
(c) of this section, for responding to VA's notification, and of 
actions, as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, that VA may take 
to decide the claim if the claimant does not respond to such 
notification within 30 days.

[[Page 124]]

    (b) Definitions for purposes of Secs. 21.32 and 21.33. For purposes 
of this section and Sec. 21.33:
    (1) The term application does not include a notice of disagreement.
    (2) The term notification means the notice described in paragraph 
(a) of this section.
    (3) The term substantially complete application means, for an 
individual's first application for vocational rehabilitation benefits 
and services administered by VA, an application containing:
    (i) The claimant's name;
    (ii) His or her relationship to the veteran, if applicable;
    (iii) Sufficient information for VA to verify the claimed service, 
if applicable; and
    (iv) The benefit claimed.
    (4) The term information means nonevidentiary facts, such as the 
claimant's Social Security number or address, or the name of the 
educational institution the claimant is attending.
    (c) Time limit. Any information and evidence described in the 
notification as information and evidence that the claimant is to provide 
must be received by VA within one year from the date of the 
notification. If VA does not receive the information and evidence from 
the claimant within that time period, VA may adjudicate the claim based 
on the information and evidence in the file.
    (d) Actions VA may take after 30 days if no response from claimant. 
If the claimant has not responded to the notification within 30 days, VA 
may decide the claim before the expiration of the one-year period, based 
on all the information and evidence in the file, including information 
and evidence it has obtained on behalf of the claimant. If VA does so, 
however, and the claimant subsequently provides the information and 
evidence specified in the notification within one year of the date of 
the notification, VA must readjudicate the claim. If VA's decision on a 
readjudication is favorable to the claimant, the award of vocational 
rehabilitation benefits and services shall take effect as if the prior 
decision by VA on the claim had not been made.
    (e) Incomplete applications. If VA receives an incomplete 
application for benefits, it will notify the claimant of the information 
necessary to complete the application and will defer assistance until 
the claimant submits this information. If the information necessary to 
complete the application is not received by VA within one year from the 
date of such notice, VA cannot pay or provide any benefits based on that 
application.
    (f) Who VA will notify. For the purpose of this section, when VA 
seeks to notify a claimant, it will provide such notice to:
    (1) The claimant;
    (2) His or her fiduciary, if any; and
    (3) His or her representative, if any.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5102, 5103, 5103A(a)(3))

[74 FR 31855, July 6, 2009]



Sec. 21.33  VA has a duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.

    The provisions of this section apply to claims that are governed by 
this subpart or subpart M of this part.
    (a) VA's duty to assist begins when VA receives a complete or 
substantially complete application. (1) Except as provided in paragraph 
(d) of this section, upon receipt of a complete or substantially 
complete application for vocational rehabilitation benefits and services 
under this subpart or subpart M of this part, VA will:
    (i) Make reasonable efforts to help a claimant obtain evidence 
necessary to substantiate the claim; and
    (ii) Give the assistance described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section to an individual attempting to reopen a finally decided claim.
    (2) VA will not pay any fees a custodian of records may charge to 
provide the records VA requests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)

    (b) Obtaining records not in the custody of a Federal department or 
agency. (1) VA will make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant records 
not in the custody of a Federal department or agency. These records 
include relevant records from:
    (i) State or local governments;
    (ii) Private medical care providers;
    (iii) Current or former employers; and
    (iv) Other non-Federal governmental sources.
    (2) The reasonable efforts described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section will

[[Page 125]]

generally consist of an initial request for the records and, if VA does 
not receive the records, at least one follow-up request. The following 
are exceptions to this provision concerning the number of requests that 
VA generally will make:
    (i) VA will not make a follow-up request if a response to the 
initial request indicates that the records sought do not exist or that a 
follow-up request for the records would be futile.
    (ii) If VA receives information showing that subsequent requests to 
this or another custodian could result in obtaining the records sought, 
reasonable efforts will include an initial request and, if VA does not 
receive the records, at least one follow-up request to the new source or 
an additional request to the original source.
    (3) The claimant must cooperate fully with VA's reasonable efforts 
to obtain relevant records from non-Federal agency or department 
custodians. The claimant must provide enough information to identify and 
locate the existing records, including:
    (i) The person, company, agency, or other custodian holding the 
records;
    (ii) The approximate time frame covered by the records; and
    (iii) In the case of medical treatment records, the condition for 
which treatment was provided.
    (4) If necessary, the claimant must authorize the release of 
existing records in a form acceptable to the person, company, agency, or 
other custodian holding the records.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)

    (c) Obtaining records in the custody of a Federal department or 
agency. (1) Subject to paragraphs (c)(2) through (c)(4) of this section, 
VA will make as many requests as are necessary to obtain relevant 
records from a Federal department or agency. These records include but 
are not limited to:
    (i) Military records;
    (ii) Medical and other records from VA medical facilities;
    (iii) Records from non-VA facilities providing examination or 
treatment at VA expense; and
    (iv) Records from other Federal agencies.
    (2) VA will cease its efforts to obtain records from a Federal 
department or agency only if VA concludes that the records sought do not 
exist or that further efforts to obtain those records would be futile. 
Cases in which VA may conclude that no further efforts are required 
include cases in which the Federal department or agency advises VA that 
the requested records do not exist or that the custodian of such records 
does not have them.
    (3) The claimant must cooperate fully with VA's reasonable efforts 
to obtain relevant records from Federal department or agency custodians. 
At VA's request, the claimant must provide enough information to 
identify and locate the existing records, including:
    (i) The custodian or agency holding the records;
    (ii) The approximate time frame covered by the records; and
    (iii) In the case of medical treatment records, the condition for 
which treatment was provided.
    (4) If necessary, the claimant must authorize the release of 
existing records in a form acceptable to the custodian or agency holding 
the records.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)

    (d) Circumstances where VA will refrain from or discontinue 
providing assistance. VA will refrain from providing assistance in 
obtaining evidence for a claim if the substantially complete or complete 
application for benefits indicates that there is no reasonable 
possibility that any assistance VA would provide to the claimant would 
substantiate the claim. VA will discontinue providing assistance in 
obtaining evidence for a claim if the evidence obtained indicates that 
there is no reasonable possibility that further assistance would 
substantiate the claim. Circumstances in which VA will refrain from or 
discontinue providing assistance in obtaining evidence include but are 
not limited to:
    (1) The claimant's ineligibility for the benefit sought because of 
lack of qualifying service, lack of veteran status, or other lack of 
legal eligibility;
    (2) Claims that are inherently not credible or clearly lack merit;

[[Page 126]]

    (3) An application requesting a benefit to which the claimant is not 
entitled as a matter of law; and
    (4) The claimant's lack of cooperation in providing or requesting 
information or evidence necessary to substantiate the claim.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)

    (e) Duty to notify claimant of inability to obtain records. (1) VA 
will notify the claimant either orally or in writing when VA:
    (i) Has made reasonable efforts to obtain relevant non-Federal 
records, but is unable to obtain them; or
    (ii) After continued efforts to obtain Federal records, concludes 
that it is reasonably certain they do not exist or that further efforts 
to obtain them would be futile.
    (2) For non-Federal records requests, VA may provide the notice to 
the claimant at the same time it makes its final attempt to obtain the 
relevant records.
    (3) VA will make a written record of any oral notice conveyed under 
this paragraph to the claimant.
    (4) The notice to the claimant must contain the following 
information:
    (i) The identity of the records VA was unable to obtain;
    (ii) An explanation of the efforts VA made to obtain the records;
    (iii) The fact described in paragraph (e)(1)(i) or (e)(1)(ii) of 
this section;
    (iv) A description of any further action VA will take regarding the 
claim, including, but not limited to, notice that VA will decide the 
claim based on the evidence of record unless the claimant submits the 
records VA was unable to obtain; and
    (v) A notice that the claimant is ultimately responsible for 
obtaining the evidence.
    (5) If VA becomes aware of the existence of relevant records before 
deciding the claim, VA will notify the claimant of the existence of such 
records and ask that the claimant provide a release for the records. If 
the claimant does not provide any necessary release of the relevant 
records that VA is unable to obtain, VA will ask that the claimant 
obtain the records and provide them to VA.
    (6) For the purpose of this section, if VA must notify the claimant, 
VA will provide notice to:
    (i) The claimant;
    (ii) His or her fiduciary, if any; and
    (iii) His or her representative, if any.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5102, 5103(a), 5103A)

[74 FR 31856, July 6, 2009]

                               Definitions



Sec. 21.35  Definitions.

    (a) Employment handicap. This term means an impairment of a 
veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment 
consistent with such veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and interests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(1), 3102)

    (b) Independence in daily living. This term means the ability of a 
veteran, without the service of others, or with a reduced level of the 
services of others, to live and function within such veteran's family 
and community.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(2))

    (c) Program of education. This term means:
    (1) A combination of subjects or unit courses pursued at a school 
which is generally acceptable to meet requirements for a predetermined 
educational, professional or vocational objective; or
    (2) Such subjects or courses which are generally acceptable to meet 
requirements for more than one objective if all objectives pursued are 
generally recognized as being related to a single career field; or
    (3) Any unit course or subject, or combination of courses or 
subjects, pursued by an eligible veteran at any educational institution 
required by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration as a 
condition to obtaining financial assistance under the provisions of 
section (7)(i)(1) of the Small Business Act.


(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 636(i)(1), 38 U.S.C. 3452(b))

    (d) Program of independent living services and assistance. This term 
includes:

[[Page 127]]

    (1) The services provided in this program that are needed to enable 
a veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily living, including 
counseling, diagnostic, medical, social, psychological, and educational 
services determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be 
necessary, and
    (2) The monthly allowance authorized by 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 for 
such a veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(4))

    (e) Rehabilitated to the point of employability. This term means 
that the veteran is employable in an occupation for which a vocational 
rehabilitation program has been provided under this program


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(5))

    (f) Rehabilitation program. This term includes, when appropriate:
    (1) A vocational rehabilitation program (see paragraph (i) of this 
section);
    (2) A program of independent living services and assistance (see 
paragraph (d) of this section) for a veteran for whom a vocational goal 
has been determined not to be currently reasonably feasible; or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(6); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (3) A program of employment services for employable veterans who are 
prior participants in Department of Veterans Affairs or state-federal 
vocational rehabilitation programs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

    (g) Serious employment handicap. This term means a significant 
impairment of a veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain 
employment consistent with such veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and 
interests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(7)

    (h) Vocational goal. (1) The term vocational goal means a gainful 
employment status consistent with a veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and 
interests;
    (2) The term achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible 
means the effects of the veteran's disability (service and nonservice-
connected), when considered in relation to the veteran's circumstances 
does not prevent the veteran from successfully pursuing a vocational 
rehabilitation program and becoming gainfully employed in an occupation 
consistent with the veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and interests;
    (3) The term achievement of a vocational goal is not currently 
reasonably feasible means the effects of the veteran's disability 
(service and nonservice-connected), when considered in relation to the 
veteran's circumstances at the time of the determination:
    (i) Prevent the veteran from successfully achieving a vocational 
goal at that time; or
    (ii) Are expected to worsen within the period needed to achieve a 
vocational goal and which would, therefore, make achievement not 
reasonably feasible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(8))

    (i) Vocational rehabilitation program. This term includes:
    (1) The services that are needed for the accomplishment of the 
purposes of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 including such counseling, diagnostic, 
medical, social, psychological, independent living, economic, 
educational, vocational, and employment services as are determined by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs to be needed;
    (i) In the case of a veteran for whom the achievement of a 
vocational goal has not been found to be currently infeasible, such 
services include:
    (A) Determining whether a vocational goal is reasonably feasible;
    (B) Improving the veteran's potential to participate in a program of 
services designed to achieve a vocational goal;
    (C) Enabling the veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily 
living;
    (ii) In the case of a veteran for whom achievement of a vocational 
goal is feasible, such services include assisting the veteran to become, 
to the maximum extent feasible, employable and to obtain and maintain 
suitable employment; and
    (2) The term also includes the monetary assistance authorized by 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 31 for a veteran receiving any of the services described 
in this paragraph.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(9); Pub. L. 99-576)


[[Page 128]]


    (j) Program of employment services. This term includes the 
counseling, medical, social, and other placement and post-placement 
services provided to a veteran under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 to assist the 
veteran in obtaining or maintaining suitable employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

    (k) Other terminology. The following are primarily intended as 
explanations rather than definitions of terms to which frequent 
reference will be made in these regulations.
    (1) Counseling psychologist. Unless otherwise stated, the term 
counseling psychologist refers to a counseling psychologist in the 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division in the Veterans 
Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118(c))

    (2) Vocational rehabilitation specialist. Unless otherwise stated, 
the term vocational rehabilitation specialist refers to a vocational 
rehabilitation specialist in the Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment Division in the Veterans Benefits Administration of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, or to a Department of Veterans Affairs 
counseling psychologist performing the duties of a vocational 
rehabilitation specialist.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118(c))

    (3) School, educational institution, institution. These terms means 
any public or private school, secondary school, vocational school, 
correspondence school, business school, junior college, teachers' 
college, college, normal school, professional school, university, or 
scientific or technical institution, or other institution furnishing 
education for adults.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(c))

    (4) Training establishment. This term means any establishment 
providing apprentice or other training on the job, including those under 
the supervision of a college or university or any State department of 
education, or any State apprenticeship agency, or any State board of 
vocational education, or any joint apprenticeship committee, or the 
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training established in accordance with 29 
U.S.C. Chapter 4C, or any agency of the Federal Government authorized to 
supervise such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(e))

    (5) Rehabilitation facility. This term means a distinct 
organizational entity, either separate or within a larger insititution 
or agency, which provides goal-oriented comprehensive and coordinated 
services to individuals designed to evaluate and minimize the 
handicapping effects of physical, mental, social and vocational 
disadvantages, and to effect a realization of the individual's 
potential.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(a))

    (6) Workshop. This term means a charitable organization or 
institution, conducted not for profit, but for the purpose of carrying 
out an organized program of evaluation and rehabilitation for 
handicapped workers and/or for providing such individuals with 
remunerative employment and other occupational rehabilitative activity 
of an educational or therapeutic nature.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(a))

    (7) Vocational rehabilitation counselor. Unless otherwise stated, 
the term vocational rehabilitation counselor refers to a vocational 
rehabilitation counselor in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 
Division in the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118(c))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985, as amended at 53 
FR 50956, Dec. 19, 1988; 62 FR 17707, Apr. 11, 1997]

                               Entitlement



Sec. 21.40  Basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits
and services.

    An individual meets the basic entitlement criteria for vocational 
rehabilitation benefits and services under this subpart if VA determines 
that he or she meets the requirements of paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d) 
of this section. For other requirements affecting the provision of 
vocational rehabilitation

[[Page 129]]

benefits and services, see Secs. 21.41 through 21.46 (period of 
eligibility), Sec. 21.53 (reasonable feasibility of achieving a 
vocational goal), and Secs. 21.70 through 21.79 (months of entitlement).
    (a) Veterans with at least 20 percent disability. The individual is 
a veteran who meets all of the following criteria:
    (1) Has a service-connected disability or combination of 
disabilities rated 20 percent or more under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11.
    (2) Incurred or aggravated the disability or disabilities in active 
military, naval, or air service on or after September 16, 1940.
    (3) Is determined by VA to be in need of rehabilitation because of 
an employment handicap.
    (b) Veterans with 10 percent disability. The individual is a veteran 
who meets all of the following criteria:
    (1) Has a service-connected disability or combination of 
disabilities rated less than 20 percent under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11.
    (2) Incurred or aggravated the disability or disabilities in active 
military, naval, or air service on or after September 16, 1940.
    (3) Is determined by VA to be in need of rehabilitation because of a 
serious employment handicap.
    (c) Servicemembers awaiting discharge. The individual is a 
servicemember who, while waiting for discharge from the active military, 
naval, or air service, is hospitalized, or receiving outpatient medical 
care, services, or treatment, for a disability that VA will likely 
determine to be service-connected. In addition, VA must have determined 
that:
    (1) The hospital or other medical facility providing the 
hospitalization, care, service, or treatment is doing so under contract 
or agreement with the Secretary concerned, or is under the jurisdiction 
of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary concerned;
    (2) The individual is in need of rehabilitation because of an 
employment handicap; and
    (3) The individual has a disability or combination or disabilities 
that will likely be:
    (i) At least 10 percent compensable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 and 
he or she originally applied for assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 
after March 31, 1981, and before November 1, 1990; or
    (ii) At least 20 percent compensable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 and 
he or she originally applied for assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 
on or after November 1, 1990.
    (d) Exception for veterans who first applied after March 31, 1981, 
and before November 1, 1990. The individual is a veteran who:
    (1) Has a service-connected disability or combination of 
disabilities rated less than 20 percent under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11;
    (2) Originally applied for assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 
after March 31, 1981, and before November 1, 1990; and
    (3) Is determined by VA to be in need of rehabilitation because of 
an employment handicap.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. ch. 11, 3102, 3103, 3106; sec. 8021(b), Pub. L. 
101-508, 104 Stat. 1388-347; sec. 404(b), Pub. L. 102-568, 106 Stat. 
4338, as amended by sec. 602, Pub. L. 103-446, 108 Stat. 4671)

[75 FR 3164, Jan. 20, 2010]

                         Periods of Eligibility



Sec. 21.41  Basic period of eligibility.

    (a) Time limit for eligibility to receive vocational rehabilitation. 
(1) For purposes of Secs. 21.41 through 21.46, the term basic period of 
eligibility means the 12-year period beginning on the date of a 
veteran's discharge or release from his or her last period of active 
military, naval, or air service, and ending on the date that is 12 years 
from the veteran's discharge or release date, but the beginning date may 
be deferred or the ending date extended under the sections referred to 
in paragraph (b) of this section. (See Secs. 21.70 through 21.79 
concerning duration of rehabilitation programs.)
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, the 
period during which an individual may receive a program of vocational 
rehabilitation benefits and services under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 is 
limited to his or her basic period of eligibility.
    (b) Deferral and extension of the basic period of eligibility. VA 
may defer the beginning date of a veteran's basic period of eligibility 
under Sec. 21.42. VA may

[[Page 130]]

extend the ending date of a veteran's basic period of eligibility under 
Sec. 21.42 (extension due to medical condition); Sec. 21.44 (extension 
for a veteran with a serious employment handicap), Sec. 21.45 (extension 
during a program of independent living services and assistance), and 
Sec. 21.46 (extension for a veteran recalled to active duty).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103)

    (c) Servicemember entitled to vocational rehabilitation services and 
assistance before discharge. The basic period of eligibility for a 
servicemember who is entitled to vocational rehabilitation services and 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 for a period before discharge does 
not run while the servicemember remains on active duty, but begins on 
the date of discharge from the active military, naval, or air service. 
The period of eligibility requirements of this section are not 
applicable to provision of vocational rehabilitation services and 
assistance under chapter 31 during active duty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102, 3103)

[75 FR 3166, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.42  Deferral or extension of the basic period of eligibility.

    The basic period of eligibility does not run as long as any of the 
following reasons prevents the veteran from commencing or continuing a 
vocational rehabilitation program:
    (a) Qualifying compensable service-connected disability(ies) not 
established. The basic period of eligibility does not commence until the 
day VA notifies a veteran of a rating determination by VA that the 
veteran has a qualifying compensable service-connected disability under 
Sec. 21.40.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(b)(3))

    (b) Character of discharge is a bar to benefits. (1) The basic 
period of eligibility does not commence until the veteran meets the 
requirement of a discharge or release under conditions other than 
dishonorable. (For provisions regarding character of discharge, see 
Sec. 3.12 of this chapter.)
    (2) If VA has considered a veteran's character of discharge to be a 
bar to benefits, the basic period of eligibility commences only when one 
of the following happens:
    (i) An appropriate authority changes the character of discharge or 
release; or
    (ii) VA determines that the discharge or release was under 
conditions other than dishonorable or that the discharge or release was, 
but no longer is, a bar to benefits.
    (3) If there is a change in the character of discharge, or the 
discharge or release otherwise is determined, as provided in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, not to be a bar to benefits, the beginning date 
of the basic period of eligibility will be the effective date of the 
change or VA determination.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(b)(2))

    (c) Commencement or continuation of participation prevented by 
medical condition(s). (1) The basic period of eligibility does not run 
during any period when a veteran's participation in a vocational 
rehabilitation program is determined to be infeasible for 30 days or 
more because of any medical condition(s) of the veteran, including the 
disabling effects of chronic alcoholism (see paragraphs (c)(2) through 
(c)(5) of this section).
    (2) For purposes of this section, the term disabling effects of 
chronic alcoholism means alcohol-induced physical or mental disorders or 
both, such as habitual intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, amnesia, 
dementia, and other like manifestations that:
    (i) Have been diagnosed as manifestations of alcohol dependency or 
chronic alcohol abuse; and
    (ii) Have been determined to prevent the affected veteran from 
beginning or continuing in a program of vocational rehabilitation and 
employment.
    (3) A diagnosis of alcoholism, chronic alcoholism, alcohol 
dependency, or chronic alcohol abuse, in and of itself, does not satisfy 
the definition of disabling effects of chronic alcoholism.
    (4) Injuries sustained by a veteran as a proximate and immediate 
result of activity undertaken by the veteran while physically or 
mentally unqualified to do so due to alcoholic intoxication are not 
considered disabling effects of chronic alcoholism. An injury

[[Page 131]]

itself, however, may prevent commencement or continuation of a 
rehabilitation program.
    (5) For purposes of this section, after November 17, 1988, the 
disabling effects of chronic alcoholism do not constitute willful 
misconduct. See 38 U.S.C. 105(c).
    (6) If the basic period of eligibility is delayed or interrupted 
under this paragraph (c) due to any medical condition(s) of the veteran, 
it will begin or resume on the date a Counseling Psychologist (CP) or 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) notifies the veteran in 
writing that the CP or VRC has determined, based on the evidence of 
record, that participation in a vocational rehabilitation program is 
reasonably feasible for the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(b)(1))

[75 FR 3166, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.44  Extension of the basic period of eligibility for a veteran
with a serious employment handicap.

    (a) Conditions for extension. A Counseling Psychologist (CP) or 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) may extend the basic period of 
eligibility of a veteran with a serious employment handicap when the 
veteran's current employment handicap and need for rehabilitation 
services and assistance necessitate an extension under the following 
conditions:
    (1) Not rehabilitated to the point of employability. The veteran has 
not been rehabilitated to the point of employability; or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(c))

    (2) Rehabilitated to the point of employability. The veteran was 
previously declared rehabilitated to the point of employability, but 
currently meets one of the following three conditions:
    (i) One or more of the veteran's service-connected disabilities has 
worsened, preventing the veteran from working in the occupation for 
which he or she trained, or in a related occupation;
    (ii) The veteran's current employment handicap and capabilities 
clearly show that the occupation for which the veteran previously 
trained is currently unsuitable; or
    (iii) The occupational requirements in the occupation for which the 
veteran trained have changed to such an extent that additional services 
are necessary to enable the veteran to work in that occupation, or in a 
related field.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(c))

    (b) Length of eligibility extension. For a veteran with a serious 
employment handicap, a CP or VRC may extend the basic period of 
eligibility for such additional period as the CP or VRC determines is 
needed for the veteran to accomplish the purposes of his or her 
individualized rehabilitation program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(c))

[75 FR 3166, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.45  Extending the period of eligibility for a program of
independent living beyond basic period of eligibility.

    A Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) may extend the period of eligibility for a veteran's 
program of independent living services beyond the veteran's basic period 
of eligibility if the CP or VRC determines that an extension is 
necessary for the veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily 
living. The extension may be for such period as the CP or VRC determines 
is needed for the veteran to achieve the goals of his or her program of 
independent living. (See Sec. 21.76(b) concerning duration of 
independent living services.)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(d))

[75 FR 3166, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.46  Veteran ordered to active duty; extension of basic period
of eligibility.

    If VA determines that a veteran is prevented from participating in, 
or continuing in, a program of vocational rehabilitation as a result of 
being ordered to active duty under 10 U.S.C. 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 
12301(g), 12302, or 12304, the veteran's basic period of eligibility 
will be extended by the length

[[Page 132]]

of time the veteran serves on active duty plus 4 months.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(e); sec. 308(h), Pub. L. 107-330, 116 Stat. 
2829)

[75 FR 3168, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.47  Eligibility for employment assistance.

    (a) Providing employment services to veterans eligible for a 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31. Each veteran, other than one 
found in need of a program of independent living services and 
assistance, who is otherwise currently eligible for and entitled to 
participate in a program of rehabilitation under chapter 31 may receive 
employment services. Included are those veterans who:
    (1) Have completed a program of rehabilitation services under 
chapter 31 and been declared rehabilitated to the point of 
employability;
    (2) Have not completed a period of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability under chapter 31, but:
    (i) Have elected to secure employment without completing the period 
of rehabilitation to the point of employability; and
    (ii) Are employable; or
    (3) Have never received services for rehabilitation to the point of 
employability under chapter 31 if they:
    (i) Are employable or employed in a suitable occupation;
    (ii) Have an employment handicap or a serious employment handicap; 
and
    (iii) Need employment services to secure and/or maintain suitable 
employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102)

    (b) Veteran previously participated in a VA vocational 
rehabilitation program or a similar program under the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973, as amended. A veteran who at some time in the past has 
participated in a vocational rehabilitation program under chapter 31 or 
a similar program under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and 
is employable is eligible for employment services under the following 
conditions even though he or she is ineligible for any other assistance 
under chapter 31:
    (1) The veteran is employable in a suitable occupation;
    (2) The veteran has filed a claim for vocational rehabilitation or 
employment assistance;
    (3) The veteran meets the criteria for eligibility described in 
Sec. 21.40; and
    (4) The veteran has an employment handicap or serious employment 
handicap; and
    (5) The veteran:
    (i) Completed a vocational rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. 
ch. 31 or participated in such a program for at least 90 days on or 
after September 16, 1940; or
    (ii) Completed a vocational rehabilitation program under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 after September 26, 1975, or participated in 
such a program which included at least 90 days of postsecondary 
education or vocational training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

    (c) Veteran never received vocational rehabilitation services from 
the Department of Veterans Affairs or under the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973. If a veteran is currently ineligible under chapter 31 because he 
or she does not have an employment handicap, and has never before 
participated in a vocational rehabilitation program under chapter 31 or 
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, no employment assistance may now 
be provided to the veteran under chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

    (d) Duration of period of employment assistance. The periods during 
which employment assistance may be provided are not subject to 
limitations on periods of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation 
provided in Secs. 21.41 through 21.45 of this part, but entitlement to 
such assistance is, as provided in Sec. 21.73 of this part, limited to 
18 total months of assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105)

[54 FR 21215, May 17, 1989, as amended at 56 FR 15836, Apr. 18, 1991; 75 
FR 3165, Jan. 20, 2010]

[[Page 133]]



Sec. 21.48  Severance of service-connection--reduction to 
noncompensable degree.

    When a rating action is taken which proposes severance of service-
connection or reduction to a noncompensable degree, the provisions of 
the following paragraphs will govern the veteran's entitlement to 
rehabilitation and employment assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31.
    (a) Applicant. If the veteran is an applicant for rehabilitation or 
employment assistance when the proposed rating action is taken, all 
processes respecting determination of entitlement or induction into 
training shall be immediately suspended. In no event shall any veteran 
be inducted into a rehabilitation program or provided employment 
assistance during the interim periods provided in Sec. 3.105 (d) and (e) 
of this title. If the proposed rating action becomes final, the 
application will be denied. See also Sec. 21.50 as to initial 
evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

    (b) Reduction while in a rehabilitation program. If the proposed 
rating action is taken while the veteran is in a rehabilitation program 
and results in a reduction to a noncompensable rating of his or her 
disability, the veteran may be retained in the program until the 
completion of the program, except if ``discontinued'' under Sec. 21.198 
he or she may not reenter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103)

    (c) Severance while in a rehabilitation program. If the proposed 
rating action is taken while the veteran is in a rehabilitation program 
and results in severance of the service-connection of his or her 
disability, rehabilitation will be terminated effective as of the last 
day of the month in which severance of service-connection becomes final.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103)

                     Initial and Extended Evaluation



Sec. 21.50  Initial evaluation.

    (a) Entitlement to an initial evaluation. VA will provide an initial 
evaluation to an individual who:
    (1) Applies for benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31; and
    (2) Meets the service-connected disability requirements of 
Sec. 21.40.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(9), 3106)

    (b) Determinations to be made by VA during the initial evaluation. A 
counseling psychologist (CP) or vocational rehabilitation counselor 
(VRC) will determine:
    (1) Whether the individual has an employment handicap as determined 
in accordance with this section and Sec. 21.51;
    (2) Whether an individual with an employment handicap has a serious 
employment handicap as determined in accordance with this section and 
Sec. 21.52; and
    (3) Whether the achievement of a vocational goal is currently 
reasonably feasible as described in Sec. 21.53.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102, 3103)

    (c) Factors for assessment as part of the initial evaluation. In 
making the determinations under paragraph (b) of this section, the 
following factors will be developed and assessed:
    (1) The handicapping effects of the individual's service-connected 
and nonservice-connected disability(ies) on employability and on 
independence in daily living;
    (2) The individual's physical and mental capabilities that may 
affect employability and ability to function independently in daily 
living activities in family and community;
    (3) The impact of the individual's identified vocational impairments 
on the individual's ability to prepare for, obtain, and keep suitable 
employment;
    (4) The individual's abilities, aptitudes, and interests;
    (5) The individual's personal history and current circumstances 
(including educational and training achievements, employment record, 
developmental and related vocationally significant factors, and family 
and community adjustment); and
    (6) Other factors that may affect the individual's employability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(a))


[[Page 134]]


    (d) Need for cooperation in the initial evaluation process. The 
individual's cooperation is essential in the initial evaluation process. 
If the individual does not cooperate, the CP or VRC will make reasonable 
efforts to secure the individual's cooperation. If, despite those 
efforts, the individual fails to cooperate, VA will suspend the initial 
evaluation process (see Sec. 21.362, regarding satisfactory conduct and 
cooperation, and Sec. 21.364, regarding unsatisfactory conduct and 
cooperation).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3111)

[72 FR 14042, Mar. 26, 2007, as amended at 75 FR 3165, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.51  Determining employment handicap.

    For the purposes of Sec. 21.50, an employment handicap will be found 
to exist only if a CP or VRC determines that the individual meets each 
of the following conditions:
    (a) Vocational impairment. The individual has a vocational 
impairment; that is, an impairment of the ability to prepare for, 
obtain, or keep employment in an occupation consistent with his or her 
abilities, aptitudes, and interests.
    (b) Effects of impairment not overcome. The individual has not 
overcome the effects of the individual's impairment of employability 
through employment in, or qualifying for employment in, an occupation 
consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. This 
situation includes an individual who qualifies for a suitable job, but 
who does not obtain or keep the job for reasons beyond his or her 
control.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102)

    (c) Contribution of the service-connected disability(ies) to the 
individual's overall vocational impairment. (1) Except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the service-connected disability(ies) 
must contribute in substantial part to the individual's overall 
vocational impairment. This means that the disability(ies) must have an 
identifiable, measurable, or observable causative effect on the overall 
vocational impairment, but need not be the sole or primary cause of the 
employment handicap.
    (2) When determining the individual's overall vocational impairment, 
the CP or VRC will consider the factors identified in Sec. 21.50(c).
    (3) For determinations made on applications for vocational 
rehabilitation filed on or after March 30, 1995, but before October 9, 
1996, the individual's service-connected disability(ies) need not 
contribute to the individual's overall vocational impairment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101, 3102)

[72 FR 14042, Mar. 26, 2007]



Sec. 21.52  Determining serious employment handicap.

    (a) Requirements for determining serious employment handicap. For 
each individual who is found to have an employment handicap, a CP or VRC 
must make a separate determination of whether the individual has a 
serious employment handicap. For the purposes of an initial evaluation 
under Sec. 21.50, a serious employment handicap will be found to exist 
only if a CP or VRC determines that the individual meets each of the 
following conditions:
    (1) Significant vocational impairment. The individual has a 
significant vocational impairment; that is, a significant impairment of 
the ability to prepare for, obtain, or keep employment in an occupation 
consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests, 
considering the factors described in Sec. 21.50 and paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (2) Effects of significant impairment not overcome. The individual 
has not overcome the effects of the significant vocational impairment 
through employment in, or qualifying for employment in, an occupation 
consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. This 
includes an individual who qualifies for a suitable job, but who does 
not obtain or keep the job for reasons beyond his or her control.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102)

    (3) Contribution of the service-connected disability(ies) to the 
individual's overall significant vocational impairment. (i) Except as 
provided in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, the service-connected 
disability(ies) must contribute in substantial part to the individual's 
overall significant vocational

[[Page 135]]

impairment. This means that the disability(ies) must have an 
identifiable, measurable, or observable causative effect on the overall 
significant vocational impairment, but need not be the sole or primary 
cause of the serious employment handicap.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101)

    (ii) For determinations made on applications for vocational 
rehabilitation filed on or after March 30, 1995, but before October 9, 
1996, the individual's service-connected disability(ies) need not 
contribute to the individual's overall significant vocational 
impairment.
    (b) Factors for assessment during the initial evaluation, when 
determining whether a significant vocational impairment exists. The 
combination of all restrictions and their effects on the individual 
define the extent of the vocational impairment and its significance. 
When determining whether the individual has a significant vocational 
impairment, VA will develop and assess the following factors and their 
effects:
    (1) Number of disabling conditions;
    (2) Severity of disabling condition(s);
    (3) Existence of neuropsychiatric condition(s);
    (4) Adequacy of education or training for suitable employment;
    (5) Number, length, and frequency of periods of unemployment or 
underemployment;
    (6) A pattern of reliance on government support programs, such as 
welfare, service-connected disability compensation, nonservice-connected 
disability pension, worker's compensation, or Social Security 
disability;
    (7) Extent and complexity of services and assistance the individual 
needs to achieve rehabilitation;
    (8) Negative attitudes toward individuals with disabilities and 
other evidence of restrictions on suitable employment, such as labor 
market conditions; discrimination based on age, race, gender, disability 
or other factors; alcoholism or other substance abuse; and
    (9) Other factors that relate to preparing for, obtaining, or 
keeping employment consistent with the individual's abilities, 
aptitudes, and interests.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102, 3106)

[72 FR 14043, Mar. 26, 2007]



Sec. 21.53  Reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal.

    (a) Requirement. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall determine 
the reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal in each case 
in which a veteran has either:
    (1) An employment handicap, or
    (2) A serious employment handicap.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(a))

    (b) Definition. The term vocational goal means a gainful employment 
status consistent with the veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and 
interests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(8))

    (c) Expeditious determination. The determination of reasonable 
feasibility shall be made as expeditiously as possible when necessary 
information has been developed in the course of initial evaluation. If 
an extended evaluation is necessary as provided in Sec. 21.57 a decision 
of feasibility shall be made by the end of the extended evaluation. Any 
reasonable doubt shall be resolved in favor of a finding of feasibility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(d))

    (d) Vocational goal is reasonably feasible. Achievement of a 
vocational goal is reasonably feasible for a veteran with either an 
employment or serious employment handicap when the following conditions 
are met:
    (1) Vocational goal(s) has (have) been identified;
    (2) The veteran's physical and mental conditions permit training for 
the goal(s) to begin within a reasonable period; and
    (3) The veteran:
    (i) Possesses the necessary educational skills and background to 
pursue the vocational goal; or
    (ii) Will be provided services by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
to develop such necessary educational skills as part of the program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1), 3106(a))


[[Page 136]]


    (e) Criteria for reasonable feasibility not met. (1) When VA finds 
that the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section are not met, but VA 
has not determined that achievement of a vocational goal is not 
currently reasonably feasible, VA shall provide the rehabilitation 
services contained in Sec. 21.35(i)(1)(i) of this part as appropriate;
    (2) A finding that achievement of a vocational goal is infeasible 
without a period of extended evaluation requires compelling evidence 
which establishes infeasibility beyond any reasonable doubt.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1), 3106(b))

    (f) Independent living services. The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) shall determine the current 
reasonable feasibility of a program of independent living services in 
each case in which a vocational rehabilitation program is not found 
reasonably feasible. The concurrence of the Vocational Rehabilitation 
and Employment (VR&E) Officer is required in any case in which the CP or 
VRC does not approve a program of independent living services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3100)

    (g) Responsible staff. A CP or VRC in the Vocational Rehabilitation 
and Employment Division shall determine whether achievement of a 
vocational goal is:
    (1) Reasonably feasible; or
    (2) Not currently reasonably feasible under the provisions of 
paragraph (e) of this section for the purpose of determining present 
eligibility to receive a program of independent living services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(b), Pub. L. 99-576)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50956, Dec. 19, 1988; 
54 FR 37332, Sept. 8, 1989; 81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.57  Extended evaluation.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of an extended evaluation for a veteran 
with a serious employment handicap is to determine the current 
feasibility of the veteran achieving a vocational goal, when this 
decision reasonably cannot be made on the basis of information developed 
during the initial evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(c), Pub. L. 99-576)

    (b) Scope of services. During the extended evaluation, a veteran may 
be provided:
    (1) Diagnostic and evaluative services;
    (2) Services to improve his or her ability to attain a vocational 
goal;
    (3) Services to improve his or her ability to live and function 
independently in the community;
    (4) An allowance as provided in Sec. 21.260.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

    (c) Determination. (1) The determination of the reasonable 
feasibility of a veteran achieving a vocational goal will be made at the 
earliest time possible during an extended evaluation, but not later than 
the end of the period of evaluation, or an extension of that period. Any 
reasonable doubt as to feasibility will be resolved in the veteran's 
favor;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(d))

    (2) When it is reasonably feasible for the veteran to achieve a 
vocational goal, an individualized written rehabilitation plan (IWRP) 
will be developed as indicated in Sec. 21.84 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(b))

    (d) Responsibility for determining the need for a period of extended 
evaluation. A Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division 
shall determine whether a period of extended evaluation is needed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(c))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50956, Dec. 19, 1988; 
54 FR 37332, Sept. 8, 1989; 62 FR 17707, Apr. 11, 1997; 81 FR 26131, May 
2, 2016]



Sec. 21.58  Redetermination of employment handicap and serious
employment handicap.

    (a) Prior to induction into a program. A determination as to 
employment handicap, serious employment handicap, or

[[Page 137]]

eligibility for a program of employment services will not be changed 
except for:
    (1) Unmistakable error in fact or law; or
    (2) New and material evidence which justifies a change.
    (b) After induction into a program. (1) The Department of Veterans 
Affairs will not redetermine a finding of employment handicap, serious 
employment handicap, or eligibility for a program of employment services 
subsequent to the veteran's induction into a program because of a 
reduction in his or her disability rating, including a reduction to 0 
percent:
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs may consider whether a 
finding of employment handicap should be changed to serious employment 
handicap when there is an increase in the degree of service-connected 
disability, or other significant change in the veteran's situation;
    (3) A redetermination of employment handicap, serious employment 
handicap, or eligibility for a program of employment services will be 
made when there is a clear and unmistakable error of fact or law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102, 3106)

    (c) Following rehabilitation or discontinuance. A veteran's 
eligibility and entitlement to assistance must be redetermined in any 
case in which:
    (1) The veteran is determined to be rehabilitated to the point of 
employability under the provisions of Sec. 21.190;
    (2) The veteran is determined to meet the requirements for 
rehabilitation under the provisions of Sec. 21.196; or
    (3) The veteran's program is discontinued under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.198, except as described in Sec. 21.198(c)(3).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102, 3111)



Sec. 21.59  Review and appeal of decisions on eligibility and
entitlement.

    A veteran may appeal decisions of the Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment staff on eligibility and entitlement to rehabilitation 
services to the Board of Veterans Appeals as provided in Sec. 19.2 of 
Title 38, CFR. However, the veteran or an accredited representative, on 
his or her behalf, may request administrative review by Central Office 
prior to filing an appeal to BVA. A case already on appeal to BVA may 
not be referred to Central Office for administrative review or advisory 
opinion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(c))

                     Vocational Rehabilitation Panel



Sec. 21.60  Vocational Rehabilitation Panel.

    (a) Establishment of the Panel. A Vocational Rehabilitation Panel 
will be established at each field facility by the facility head. The 
purpose of the Panel is to provide technical assistance in the planning 
of rehabilitation programs for seriously disabled veterans and 
dependents. This purpose will be most effectively carried out through 
use of the services of a wide range of professionals to bring the 
resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the community to 
bear on problems presented in the individual case.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (b) Composition of the Panel. The Panel will include, but not be 
limited to the following:
    (1) A Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) in the VR&E (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) 
Division as the chairperson;
    (2) A vocational rehabilitation specialist in VR&E
    (3) A medical consultant from a Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center;
    (4) A member of the Social Services staff from a Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and
    (5) Other specialists from the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a), 3115(a))

    (c) Appointment to the Panel. (1) The VR&E (Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment) Officer may not serve as either 
chairperson or member of the Panel.
    (2) The VR&E Officer will arrange for the participation of 
nonmedical professional staff in the Panel's meetings.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(a)(2))


[[Page 138]]


    (d) Scope of Panel review. The Panel will review each case which has 
been referred to it in relation to:
    (1) Specific reason for the referral; and
    (2) Other problem areas which the Panel identifies in the course of 
its consideration of the case.
    (e) Referral. A case may be referred to the Panel by:
    (1) A CP or VRC in VR&E
    (2) A vocational rehabilitation specialist in VR&E or
    (3) The VR&E officer.
    (f) Report. The Panel must prepare a report on its findings and 
recommendations in each case. The Panel's recommendations may include 
specific actions which are warranted on the basis of current 
information, or may identify additional information needed to provide a 
sounder basis for planning the veteran's program of rehabilitation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.62  Duties of the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel.

    (a) Consultation requested. The panel shall provide technical and 
consultative services when requested by professional staff of the 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Division to:
    (1) Assist staff members in planning and carrying out a 
rehabilitation plan for seriously disabled veterans and their 
dependents; and
    (2) Consider other cases of individuals eligible for, or being 
provided assistance under chapter 31 and other programs of education and 
training administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (b) Independent living services. The Panel has a key responsibility 
to assure that seriously disabled service-connected veterans who need 
independent living services to increase their independence in daily 
living are provided necessary services. In carrying out this 
responsibility the Panel shall review all cases which come before it to 
assure that the proposed program of vocational rehabilitation or 
independent living services includes those services necessary to enable 
the veteran to achieve the goals of the program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3100)

    (c) Dependents. The specific duties of the Panel with respect to 
dependents are more fully described Secs. 21.3300, 21.3301, 21.3304, 
21.4105, and 21.4276 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3536, 3540, 3541, 3542, 3543)

[54 FR 37332, Sept. 8, 1989]

                   Duration of Rehabilitation Programs



Sec. 21.70  Vocational rehabilitation.

    (a) General. The goal of a vocational rehabilitation program is to:
    (1) Evaluate and improve the veteran's ability to achieve a 
vocational goal;
    (2) Provide services needed to qualify for suitable employment;
    (3) Enable the veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily 
living;
    (4) Enable the veteran to become employed in a suitable occupation 
and to maintain suitable employment.
    (b) Vocational rehabilitation program. This term includes:
    (1) The services that are needed for the accomplishment of the 
purposes of Chapter 31, including such counseling, diagnostic, medical, 
social, psychological, independent living, economic, educational, 
vocational, and employment services as are determined by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs to be needed;
    (i) In the case of a veteran for whom the achievement of a 
vocational goal has not been found to be currently infeasible such 
needed services include:
    (A) Determining whether a vocational goal is reasonably feasible;
    (B) Improving the veteran's potential to participate in a program of 
services designed to achieve a vocational goal;
    (C) Enabling the veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily 
living;
    (ii) In the case of a veteran for whom achievement of a vocational 
goal is feasible, such needed services include assisting the veteran to 
become, to the maximum extent feasible, employable

[[Page 139]]

and to obtain and maintain suitable employment;
    (2) The term also includes the monetary assistance authorized by 
Chapter 31 for a veteran receiving any of the services described in this 
paragraph.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(9); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (c) Duration of vocational rehabilitation. Decisions on the duration 
of periods for attaining the goals named in paragraph (a) of this 
section are made in the course of development and approval of the 
Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan. However, the duration of a 
vocational rehabilitation program may not exceed 48 months (or its 
equivalent when pursued on a part-time basis), except as provided in 
Sec. 21.78.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3695, 3105)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985, as amended at 53 
FR 50957, Dec. 19, 1988]



Sec. 21.72  Rehabilitation to the point of employability.

    (a) General. Rehabilitation to the point of employability may 
include the services needed to:
    (1) Evaluate and improve the veteran's ability to undertake 
training;
    (2) Train the veteran to the level generally recognized as necessary 
for entry into employment in a suitable occupational objective. Where a 
particular degree, diploma, or certificate is generally necessary for 
entry into the occupation, e.g., an MSW for social work, the veteran 
shall be trained to that level.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(5), 3104)

    (b) When duration of training may exceed general requirements--(1) 
Employment handicap. If the amount of training necessary to qualify for 
employment in a particular occupation in a geographical area where a 
veteran lives or will seek employment exceeds the amount generally 
needed for employment in that occupation, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs will provide, or arrange for the necessary additional training.
    (2) Serious employment handicap. The Department of Veterans Affairs 
will assist a veteran with a serious employment handicap to train to a 
higher level than is usually required to qualify in a particular 
occupation, when one of the following conditions exist:
    (i) The veteran is preparing for a type of work in which he or she 
will be at a definite disadvantage in competing with nondisabled persons 
for jobs or business, and the additional training will help to offset 
the competitive disadvantage;
    (ii) The number of feasible occupations are restricted, and 
additional training will enhance the veteran's employability in one of 
those occupations;
    (iii) The number of employment opportunities within feasible 
occupations are restricted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(c))

    (c) Responsibility for estimating duration of training. (1) The 
Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
(VRC) shall estimate the duration of training and the estimate shall be 
incorporated in the IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan). 
When the period of training is estimated to exceed 48 months, the 
concurrence of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Officer is 
required, prior to approving the IWRP, under conditions listed in 
Sec. 21.78.
    (2) The estimated duration of the period of training required to 
complete an original or amended IWRP may be extended when necessary. 
Authorization of an extension is the responsibility of the CP or VRC, 
except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section. Any extension which 
will result in use of more than 48 months of entitlement must meet 
conditions described in Sec. 21.78.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3695(b))

    (d) Extension of training by the vocational rehabilitation 
specialist. (1) The VRS (Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist) may 
authorize an extension of up to six months of the period of vocational 
rehabilitation training authorized by the IWRP when:
    (i) The veteran is in rehabilitation to the point of employability 
status under Sec. 21.190;
    (ii) The veteran has completed more than half of the prescribed 
training;

[[Page 140]]

    (iii) The veteran is making satisfactory progress;
    (iv) The extension is necessary to complete training;
    (v) Training can be completed within six months; and
    (vi) The extension will not result in use of more than 48 months of 
entitlement under Chapter 31 alone or in combination with other programs 
identified in Sec. 21.4020.
    (2) If the conditions listed in paragraph (d)(1) of this section are 
not met, and an extension is needed to complete the program, the case 
will be referred to the CP or VRC for a determination.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(c))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.73  Duration of employment assistance programs.

    (a) Duration. Employment assistance may be provided to the veteran 
for the period necessary to enable the veteran to secure employment in a 
suitable occupation, and to adjust in the employment. This period shall 
not exceed 18 months. A veteran may be provided such assistance if he or 
she is eligible for employment assistance under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.47 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(b))

    (b) Employment assistance not charged against Chapter 31 
entitlement. The period of employment assistance provided in paragraph 
(a) of this section is not charged against the months of entitlement 
under Chapter 31 (see Sec. 21.70).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(b))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 21216, May 17, 1989]



Sec. 21.74  Extended evaluation.

    (a) General. An extended evaluation may be authorized for the period 
necessary to determine whether the attainment of a vocational goal is 
currently reasonably feasible for the veteran. The services which may be 
provided during the period of extended evaluation are listed in 
Sec. 21.57(b) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(a), 3106(a))

    (b) Duration. An extended evaluation may not be for less than two 
weeks (full or part-time equivalent) nor for more than twelve months, 
unless a longer period is necessary to determine whether achievement of 
a vocational goal is reasonably feasible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(a))

    (c) Approval of the period of an extended evaluation. (1) The 
Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
(VRC) may approve an initial period of up to 12 months for an extended 
evaluation.
    (2) An additional period of extended evaluation of up to 6 months 
may be approved by the CP or VRC, if there is reasonable certainty that 
the feasibility of achieving a vocational goal can be determined during 
the additional period. The CP or VRC will obtain the concurrence of the 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Officer before approving 
the extension of a period of extended evaluation.
    (3) An extension beyond a total period of 18 months for additional 
periods of up to 6 months each may only be approved by the CP or VRC if 
there is a substantial certainty that a determination of current 
feasibility may be made within this extended period. The concurrence of 
the VR&E Officer is also required for this extension.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(a), 3106(b); Pub. L. 99-576)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50957, Dec. 19, 1988; 
54 FR 37332, Sept. 8, 1989; 62 FR 17707, Apr. 11, 1997; 81 FR 26131, May 
2, 2016]



Sec. 21.76  Independent living.

    (a) General. A program of independent living services may be 
authorized to enable the veteran to:
    (1) Reach the goals of the program, and
    (2) Maintain the newly achieved level of independence in daily 
living.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(4), 3104(b))

    (b) Period of independent living services. The duration of an 
independent living services program may not exceed

[[Page 141]]

24 months unless the Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational 
Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) finds that an additional period of up to 
6 months would enable the veteran to substantially increase his or her 
level of independence in daily living. The concurrence of the Vocational 
Counseling and Rehabilitation Officer in this finding is required.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(d))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 37332, Sept. 8, 1989; 
81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.78  Approving more than 48 months of rehabilitation.

    (a) General. Neither the basic period of entitlement which may be 
authorized for a program of rehabilitation under Chapter 31 alone, nor a 
combination of entitlement of Chapter 31 and other programs listed in 
Sec. 21.4020 shall exceed 48 months except as indicated in paragraphs 
(b) and (c) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3695)

    (b) Employment handicap. A rehabilitation program for a veteran with 
an employment handicap may only be extended beyond 48 months when:
    (1) The veteran previously completed training for a suitable 
occupation but the veteran's service-connected disability has worsened 
to the point that he or she is unable to perform the duties of the 
occupation for which training had been provided, and a period of 
training in the same or a different field is required. An extension 
beyond 48 months under Chapter 31 alone shall be authorized for this 
purpose.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(c)(1)(A))

    (2) The occupation in which the veteran previously completed 
training is found to be unsuitable because of the veteran's abilities 
and employment handicap. An extension beyond 48 months under Chapter 31 
alone shall be approved for this purpose.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(c)(1)(B))

    (3) The veteran previously used education benefit entitlement under 
other programs administered by VA, and the additional period of 
assistance to be provided under Chapter 31 which the veteran needs to 
become employable will result in more than 48 months being used under 
all VA education programs, under these conditions the number of months 
necessary to complete the program may be authorized under Chapter 31, 
provided that the length of the extension will not result in 
authorization of more than 48 months under Chapter 31 alone.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3695)

    (4) A veteran in an approved Chapter 31 program has elected payment 
of benefits at the Chapter 30 educational assistance rate. The 48 month 
limitation may be exceeded only:
    (i) To the extent that the entitlement in excess of 48 months does 
not exceed the entitlement previously used by the veteran in a course at 
the secondary school level under Sec. 21.4235 before December 31, 1989, 
or
    (ii) If the veteran is in a course on a term, quarter, or semester 
basis which began before the 36 month limitation on Chapter 30 
entitlement was reached, and completion of the course will be possible 
by permitting the veteran to complete the training under Chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013, 3695; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (5) The assistance to be provided in excess of 48 months consists 
only of a period of employment assistance (see Sec. 21.73).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(b))

    (c) Serious employment handicap. The duration of a rehabilitation 
program for a veteran with a serious employment handicap may be extended 
beyond 48 months under Chapter 31 for the number of months necessary to 
complete a rehabilitation program under the following conditions:
    (1) To enable the veteran to complete a period of rehabilitation to 
the point of employability;
    (2) To provide an extended evaluation in cases in which the total 
period needed for an extended evaluation and for rehabilitation to the 
point of employability would exceed 48 months;

[[Page 142]]

    (3) To provide a program of independent living services, including 
cases in which achievement of a vocational goal becomes feasible during 
or following a program of independent living services;
    (4) Following rehabilitation to the point of employability:
    (i) The veteran has been unable to secure employment in the 
occupation for which training has been provided despite intensive 
efforts on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 
veteran, and a period of retraining or additional training is needed;
    (ii) The skills which the veteran developed in training for an 
occupation in which he or she was employed are no longer adequate to 
maintain employment in that field and a period of retraining is needed;
    (iii) The veteran's service-connected disability has worsened to the 
point that he or she is unable to perform the duties of the occupation 
for which the veteran has been trained, and a period of training in the 
same or different field is required;
    (iv) The occupation in which the veteran previously completed 
training is found to be unsuitable due to the veteran's abilities and 
employment handicap.
    (5) The assistance to be provided in excess of 48 months consists, 
only of a period of employment assistance. (see Sec. 21.73).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(c)(2))

    (d) Approval of extension beyond 48 months. All extensions of a 
rehabilitation program beyond 48 months of total entitlement under all 
Department of Veterans Affairs programs requires the approval of the 
Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
(VRC) and concurrence of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 
Officer. Concurrence of the VR&E officer is not required for an 
extension due to provision of employment assistance (see Sec. 21.21).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(b))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4283, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992; 81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.79  Determining entitlement usage under Chapter 31.

    (a) General. The determination of entitlement usage for chapter 31 
participants is made under the provisions of this section except as 
provided in paragraph (f) of this section. Charges for entitlement usage 
shall be based upon the principle that a veteran who pursues a 
rehabilitation program for 1 day should be charged 1 day of entitlement. 
The determination of entitlement is based upon the rate at which the 
veteran pursues his or her rehabilitation program. The rate of pursuit 
is determined under the provisions of Sec. 21.310 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(d))

    (b) No charge against chapter 31 entitlement. No charge will be made 
against chapter 31 entitlement under any of the following circumstances:
    (1) The veteran is receiving employment services under an 
Individualized Employment Assistance Plan (IEAP);
    (2) The veteran is receiving an employment adjustment allowance; or
    (3) The veteran is on leave from his or her program, but leave is 
not authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(d), 3117)

    (c) Periods during which entitlement may be charged. Charges for 
usage of chapter 31 entitlement may only be made for program 
participants in one of the following case statuses:
    (1) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (2) Extended evaluation; or
    (3) Independent living.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106, 3109)

    (d) Method of charging entitlement under chapter 31. The Department 
of Veterans Affairs will make a charge against entitlement:
    (1) On the basis of total elapsed time (1 day of entitlement for 
each day of pursuit) if the veteran is being provided a rehabilitation 
program on a full-time basis;
    (2) On the basis of a proportionate rate of elapsed time if the 
veteran is being provided a rehabilitation program on a three-quarter, 
one-half or

[[Page 143]]

less than one-half time basis. Entitlement is charged at a:
    (i) Three-quarter time rate if pursuit is three-quarters or more, 
but less than full-time;
    (ii) One-half time rate if pursuit is half-time or more, but less 
than three-quarter time;
    (iii) One-quarter time rate if pursuit is less than half-time. 
Measurement of pursuit on a one-quarter time basis is limited to 
veterans in independent living or extended evaluation programs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(d), 3680(g))

    (e) Computing entitlement. (1) The computation of entitlement is 
based upon the rate of program pursuit, as determined under Sec. 21.310 
of this part, over the elapsed time during which training and 
rehabilitation services were furnished;
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs will compute elapsed time 
from the commencing date of the rehabilitation program as determined 
under Sec. 21.322 of this part to the date of termination as determined 
under Sec. 21.324 of this part. This includes the period during which 
veterans not receiving subsistence allowance because of a statutory bar; 
e.g., certain incarcerated veterans or servicepersons in a military 
hospital, nevertheless, received other chapter 31 services and 
assistance. Elapsed time includes the total period from the commencing 
date until the termination date, except for any period of unauthorized 
leave;
    (3) If the veteran's rate of pursuit changes after the commencing 
date of the rehabilitation program, the Department of Veterans Affairs 
will:
    (i) Separate the period of rehabilitation program services into the 
actual periods of time during which the veteran's rate of pursuit was 
different; and
    (ii) Compute entitlement based on the rate of pursuit for each 
separate elapsed time period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f))

    (f) Special situtations. (1) When a chapter 31 participant elects 
benefits of the kind provided under chapter 30 or chapter 34 as a part 
of his or her rehabilitation program under chapter 31, the veteran's 
entitlement usage will be determined by using the entitlement provisions 
of those programs. Entitlement charges shall be in accordance with 
Sec. 21.7076 for chapter 30 and Sec. 21.1045 under chapter 34. The 
entitlement usage computed under these provisions is deducted from the 
veteran's chapter 31 entitlement. No entitlement charges are made 
against either chapter 30 or chapter 34.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f))

    (2) When a chapter 31 participant elects to receive payment of the 
Post-9/11 subsistence allowance under Sec. 21.260(c) in lieu of a 
subsistence allowance under Sec. 21.260(b), the entitlement usage is 
deducted from the veteran's chapter 31 entitlement. No entitlement 
charges are made against chapter 33.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(b))

    (3) When a veteran is pursuing on-job training or work experience in 
a Federal agency on a nonpay or nominal pay basis, the amount of 
entitlement used is determined in the following manner:
    (i) Entitlement used in on-job training in a Federal agency on a 
nonpay or nominal pay basis is determined in the same manner as other 
training.
    (ii) Entitlement used in pursuing work experience will be computed 
in the same manner as for veterans in on-job training except that work 
experience may be pursued on a less than full-time basis. If the veteran 
is receiving work experience on a less than full-time basis, entitlement 
charges are based upon a proportionate amount of the workweek. For 
example, if the workweek is 40 hours, three-quarter time is at least 30 
hours, but less than 40 hours, and half-time is at least 20 hours but 
less than 30 hours.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(c))

    (4) Entitlement is charged on a full-time basis for a veteran found 
to have a reduced work tolerance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(d), 3680(g))

    (g) Overpayment. The Department of Veterans Affairs will make a 
charge against entitlement for an overpayment of subsistence allowance 
under

[[Page 144]]

the conditions described in Sec. 21.1045(h) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(g))

[54 FR 47770, Nov. 17, 1989, as amended at 76 FR 45703, Aug. 1, 2011]

               Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan



Sec. 21.80  Requirement for a rehabilitation plan.

    (a) General. An IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan) 
will be developed for each veteran eligible for rehabilitation services 
under Chapter 31. The plan is intended to assist in:
    (1) Providing a structure which allows VR&E staff to translate the 
findings made in the course of the initial evaluation into specific 
rehabilitation goals and objectives;
    (2) Monitoring the veteran's progress in achieving the 
rehabilitation goals established in the plan;
    (3) Assuring the timeliness of assistance by Department of Veterans 
Affairs staff in providing services specified in the plan; and
    (4) Evaluating the effectiveness of the planning and delivery of 
rehabilitation services by VR&E staff.
    (b) When a plan is prepared. A plan will be prepared in each case in 
which a veteran will pursue:
    (1) A vocational rehabilitation program, as that term is defined in 
Sec. 21.35(i);
    (2) An extended evaluation program;
    (3) An independent living services program; or
    (4) An employment program.
    (c) Plan--a generic term. The term plan refers to the IWRP 
(Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan) Sec. 21.84, IEEP 
(Individualized Extended Evaluation Plan) Sec. 21.86, IEAP 
(Individualized Employment Assistance Plan) Sec. 21.88, and IILP 
(Individualized Independent Living Plan) Sec. 21.90.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(a))

    (d) Plan not required. A plan will not be prepared for a veteran who 
is not eligible for any assistance under Chapter 31. Department of 
Veterans Affairs staff, with the veteran's assistance and cooperation, 
will utilize information developed in the course of an initial 
evaluation to assist the veteran to develop alternatives for education 
and training, independence in daily living, or employment assistance. 
This assistance should help the veteran in achieving attainable 
vocational, independent living and employment goals utilizing benefits 
and services for which the veteran may be eligible under other 
Department of Veterans Affairs or non-Department of Veterans Affairs 
programs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 523, 7722(c))



Sec. 21.82  Completing the plan under Chapter 31.

    (a) Serious employment handicap. Each plan for a veteran with a 
serious employment handicap shall provide for completion of the program 
provided by the plan under Chapter 31. The provisions of Sec. 21.70 and 
Sec. 21.78(c) are designed to enable a veteran with a serious employment 
handicap to pursue and complete a rehabilitation plan under Department 
of Veterans Affairs auspices. These provisions shall be used as 
necessary to accomplish the goals of the plan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(c), 3107)

    (b) Employment handicap. A plan for a veteran with an employment 
handicap that is not a serious employment handicap shall require that 
the program be completed within 48 months, if the veteran is not 
eligible for an extension as provided in Sec. 21.78. When the program 
provided by the plan cannot be completed under Chapter 31 because of 
limitations imposed by the veteran's termination date or months of 
remaining entitlement, realistic, comprehensive and detailed 
arrangements must be made which will enable the veteran to successfully 
complete training under other auspices. If an arrangement cannot be made 
which meets these requirements, the long-range vocational goal of the 
veteran must be reevaluated, and another vocational goal selected which 
can be completed using the veteran's remaining Chapter 31 resources.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(a))

    (c) Employment assistance when training is not completed under 
Chapter 31. A plan for employment assistance may be

[[Page 145]]

implemented even though the veteran's training has not been or will not 
be completed under Chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117(a))



Sec. 21.84  Individualized written rehabilitation plan.

    (a) Purpose. The purposes of the IWRP (Individualized Written 
Rehabilitation Plan) are to:
    (1) Identify goals and objectives to be achieved by the veteran 
during the period of rehabilitation services that will lead to the point 
of employability;
    (2) Plan for placement of the veteran in the occupational field for 
which training and other services will be provided; and
    (3) Specify the key services needed by the veteran to achieve the 
goals and objectives of the plan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (b) Elements of the plan. A plan will include the following:
    (1) A statement of long-range rehabilitation goals. Each statement 
of long-range goals shall include at a minimum:
    (i) One vocational goal for a veteran with an employment handicap; 
or
    (ii) One vocational goal and, if applicable, one independent living 
goal for a veteran with a serious employment handicap.
    (2) Intermediate rehabilitation objectives; Intermediate objectives 
are statements of achievement expected of the veteran to attain the 
long-range goal. The development of appropriate intermediate objectives 
is the cornerstone of an effective plan. Intermediate objectives should 
have the following characteristics:
    (i) The activity specified relates to the achievement of the goal;
    (ii) The activity specified is definable in terms of observable 
behavior (e.g., pursuing an A.A. degree);
    (iii) The activity has a projected completion date;
    (iv) The outcome desired upon completion is measurable (e.g., 
receiving an A.A. degree).
    (3) The specific services to be provided by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs as stated. Counseling shall be included in all plans 
for a veteran with a serious employment handicap.
    (4) The projected starting and completion dates of the planned 
services and the duration of each service;
    (5) Objective criteria and an evaluation procedure and schedule for 
determining whether the objectives and goals are being achieved as set 
forth; and
    (6) The name, location, and phone number of the VBA case manager.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.86  Individualized extended evaluation plan.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of an IEEP is to identify the services 
needed for the VA to determine the veteran's current ability to achieve 
a vocational goal when this cannot reasonably be determined during the 
initial evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(a), 3107(a))

    (b) Elements of the plan. An IEEP shall include the same elements as 
an IWRP except that:
    (1) The long range goal shall be to determine achievement of a 
vocational goal is currently reasonably feasible;
    (2) The intermediate objectives relate to problems of questions 
which must be resolved for the VA to determine the current reasonable 
feasibility of achieving a vocational goal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(a), 3107(a))

[53 FR 50957, Dec. 19, 1988]



Sec. 21.88  Individualized employment assistance plan.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of the IEAP (Individualized Employment 
Assistance Plan) is to assure that a comprehensive, thoughtful approach 
is taken, enabling eligible veterans to secure suitable employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (b) Requirement for a plan. An IEAP will be prepared:
    (1) As part of an IWRP; or

[[Page 146]]

    (2) When the veteran is eligible for employment assistance under 
provisions of Sec. 21.47.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(a))

    (c) Elements of the plan. The IEAP shall follow the same structure 
as the IWRP. Each IEAP will include full utilization of community 
resources to enable the veteran to:
    (1) Secure employment; and
    (2) Maintain employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

    (d) Preparation of the IEAP. Preparation of the IEAP will be 
completed:
    (1) No later than 60 days before the projected end of the period of 
rehabilitation services leading to the point of employability; or
    (2) Following initial evaluation when employment services constitute 
the whole of the veteran's program under provisions of Sec. 21.47.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(a))



Sec. 21.90  Individualized independent living plan.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of the IILP is to identify the steps 
through which a veteran, whose disabilities are so severe that a 
vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible, can become more 
independent in daily living within the family and community.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3109, 3120)

    (b) Elements of the plan. The IILP shall follow the same structure 
as the IWRP. The plan will include:
    (1) Services which may be provided under Chapter 31 to achieve 
independence in daily living;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

    (2) Utilization of programs with a demonstrated capacity to provide 
independent living services for severely handicapped persons;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(b), 3120(a))

    (3) Services provided under other Department of Veterans Affairs and 
non-Department of Veterans Affairs programs needed to achieve the goals 
of the plan;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (4) Arrangements for maintaining the improved level of independence 
following completion of the plan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50957, Dec. 19, 1988]



Sec. 21.92  Preparation of the plan.

    (a) General. The plan will be jointly developed by Department of 
Veterans Affairs staff and the veteran.
    (b) Approval of the plan. The terms and conditions of the plan must 
be approved and agreed to by the Counseling Psychologist (CP) or 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), the vocational rehabilitation 
specialist, and the veteran.
    (c) Implementation of the plan. The vocational rehabilitation 
specialist or CP or VRC designated as case manager has the primary role 
in carrying out Department of Veterans Affairs responsibility for 
implementation of the plan.
    (d) Responsible staff. The CP or VRC has the primary responsibility 
for the preparation of plans.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.94  Changing the plan.

    (a) General. The veteran, the Counseling Psychologist (CP) or 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) or the vocational 
rehabilitation specialist may request a change in the plan at any time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(b))

    (b) Long-range goals. A change in the statement of a long-range goal 
may only be made following a reevaluation of the veteran's 
rehabilitation program by the CP or VRC. A change may be made when:
    (1) Achievement of the current goal(s) is no longer reasonably 
feasible; or
    (2) The veteran's circumstances have changed or new information has 
been developed which makes rehabilitation

[[Page 147]]

more likely if a different long-range goal is established; and
    (3) The veteran fully participates and concurs in the change.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(b))

    (c) Intermediate objectives or services. A change in intermediate 
objectives or services provided under the plan may be made by the case 
manager when such change is necessary to carry out the statement of 
long-range goals. The veteran must concur in the change.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(b))

    (d) Minor changes. Minor changes in the plan (e.g., changing the 
date of a scheduled evaluation) by the case manager may be made without 
the participation and concurrence of the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(b))

    (e) Changes in duration of the plan. Any change in the total 
duration of a veteran's rehabilitation plan is subject to provisions on 
duration of a rehabilitation program described in Secs. 21.70-21.78.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(b))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.96  Review of the plan.

    (a) General. The veteran's progress in reaching the goals of the 
plan will be reviewed and evaluated as scheduled in the plan by the case 
manager and the veteran.
    (b) Comprehensive review required. The case manager and the veteran 
will review all of the terms of the plan and the veteran's progress at 
least every twelve months. On the basis of such review the veteran and 
the case manager will agree whether the plan should be:
    (1) Retained in its current form;
    (2) Amended; or
    (3) Redeveloped.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(b))



Sec. 21.98  Appeal of disagreement regarding development of,
or change in, the plan.

    (a) General. The veteran may request a review of a proposed, 
original, or amended plan when Department of Veterans Affairs staff and 
the veteran do not reach agreement on the terms and conditions of the 
plan. A veteran who requests a review of the plan must submit a written 
statement to the case manager which:
    (1) Requests a review of the proposed, original, or amended plan; 
and
    (2) Details his or her objections to the terms and conditions of the 
proposed, original, or amended plan.
    (b) Review by Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Officer. Upon 
receipt of the veteran's request for review of the plan, the Counseling 
Psychologist (CP), the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), or the 
case manager will forward the request together with relevant comment to 
the VR&E Officer who will:
    (1) Review relevant information; and
    (2) Inform the veteran of his or her decision within 90 days.
    (c) Review by Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 
Service. The veteran's request shall be reviewed by the Director, VR&E 
in any case in which the VR&E Officer is the case manager. The veteran 
will be informed of the decision within 90 days.
    (d) Appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals. The veteran may appeal 
an adverse decision of the VR&E Officer, or the Director, VR&E to the 
Board of Veterans Appeals.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107(c))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 62 FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997; 
81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]

                               Counseling



Sec. 21.100  Counseling.

    (a) General. A veteran requesting or being furnished assistance 
under Chapter 31 shall be provided professional counseling services by 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service and other staff 
as necessary to:
    (1) Carry out an initial evaluation in each case in which assistance 
is requested;
    (2) Develop a rehabilitation plan or plan for employment services in 
each case in which the veteran is found during the initial evaluation to 
be eligible and entitled to services;
    (3) Assist veterans found ineligible for services under Chapter 31 
to the extent provided in Sec. 21.82; and

[[Page 148]]

    (4) Try to overcome problems which arise during the course of the 
veteran's rehabilitation program or program of employment services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101)

    (b) Types of counseling services. VA will furnish comprehensive 
counseling services, including but not limited to
    (1) Psychological;
    (2) Vocational;
    (3) Personal adjustment;
    (4) Employment;
    (5) Educational.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(2))

    (c) Qualifications. Counseling services may only be furnished by VA 
or other personnel who meet requirements established under provisions of 
Sec. 21.380 and other policies of the VA pertaining to the 
qualifications of staff providing assistance under Chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118)

    (d) Limitations. (1) If a veteran resides within a State, counseling 
services necessary to carry out the initial evaluation and the 
development of a rehabilitation plan or a program of employment services 
will be furnished by Counseling Psychologists (CP) or Vocational 
Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) in the Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment (VR&E) Division;
    (2) If a veteran does not reside in a State the counseling services 
necessary to carry out an initial evaluation may be accomplished in the 
same manner as for a veteran residing in a State or through other 
arrangements when deemed appropriate by the VR&E Division. These 
alternative arrangements include, but are not limited to:
    (i) Use of counseling centers or individual qualified professionals 
under contract to VA; and
    (ii) Professional staff of other Federal agencies located in the 
area in which the veteran resides.
    (3) Alternative arrangements to provide counseling are subject to 
the following requirements:
    (i) All arrangements must be consistent with the provisions of 
paragraph (c) of this section regarding utilization of professionally 
qualified persons to provide counseling services during the initial 
evaluation;
    (ii) All determinations of eligibility, entitlement and the 
development of a rehabilitation plan will continue to be made by a CP or 
VRC in the VR&E Division.
    (4) If a CP or VRC in the VR&E Division determines that the evidence 
of record is insufficient to carry out an initial evaluation in a case 
in which alternative arrangements were used, VA staff may authorize the 
veteran to travel to a VA facility to complete the evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118(c))

    (e) Definition. For the purposes of this section, the term State 
means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(20))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 32071, Aug. 4, 1989; 62 
FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]

              Educational and Vocational Training Services



Sec. 21.120  Educational and vocational training services.

    (a) Purposes. The purposes of providing educational and vocational 
training services are to enable a veteran eligible for, and entitled to, 
services and assistance under Chapter 31 to:
    (1) Meet the requirements for employment in the occupational 
objective established in the IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation 
Plan);
    (2) Provide incidental training which is necessary to achieve the 
employment objective in the IEAP (Individualized Employment Assistance 
Plan);
    (3) Provide incidental training needed to achieve the goals of an 
IILP (Individualized Independent Living Plan); or
    (4) Provide training services necessary to implement an IEEP 
(Individualized Extended Evaluation Plan).
    (b) Selection of courses. VA will generally select courses of study 
and training, completion of which usually

[[Page 149]]

results in a diploma, certificate, degree, qualification for licensure, 
or employment. If such courses are not available in the area in which 
the veteran resides, or if they are available but not accessible to the 
veteran, other arrangements may be made. Such arrangements may include, 
but are not limited to:
    (1) Relocation of the veteran to another area in which necessary 
services are available, or
    (2) Use of an individual instructor to provide necessary training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (c) Charges for education and training services. The cost of 
education and training services will be one of the factors considered in 
selecting a facility when:
    (1) There is more than one facility in the area in which the veteran 
resides which:
    (i) Meets requirements for approval under Secs. 21.292 through 
21.298;
    (ii) Can provide the education and training services, and other 
supportive services specified in the veteran's plan; and
    (iii) Is within reasonable commuting distance; or
    (2) The veteran wishes to train at a suitable facility in another 
area, even though training can be provided at a suitable facility in the 
area in which the veteran resides.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7), 3115(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.122  School course.

    (a) Explanation of terms--schools, educational institution, and 
institution. These terms mean any public or private school, secondary 
school, vocational school, correspondence school, business school, 
junior college, teacher's college, college, normal school, professional 
school, university, scientific or technical institution, or other 
institution funishing education for adults.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3104)

    (b) Course. A course generally consists of a number of areas of 
subject matter which are organized into learning units for the purpose 
of attaining a specific educational or vocational objective. Organized 
instruction in the units comprising the course is offered within a given 
period of time and credit toward graduation or certification is 
generally given.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))

    (c) School course. A school course is a course as defined in 
paragraph (b) of this section offered by a facility identified in 
paragraph (a) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)



Sec. 21.123  On-job course.

    (a) Training establishment. This term means any establishment 
providing apprentice or other training on the job, including those under 
the supervision of a college or university or any State department of 
education, or any state apprenticeship agency, or any State board of 
vocational education, or any joint apprenticeship committee, or the 
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training established in accordance with 29 
U.S.C. Chapter 4C, or any agency of the Federal government authorized to 
supervise such training.
    (b) On-job course, An on-job course is pursued toward a specified 
vocational objective, provided by a training establishment. The trainee 
learns, in the course of work performed under supervision, primarily by 
receiving formal instruction, observing practical demonstration of work 
tasks, and assisting in those tasks. Productive work should gradually 
increase with greater independence from formal instruction as the course 
progresses.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3104)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.124  Combination course.

    (a) General. A combination course is a course which combines 
training on the job with training in school. For the purpose of VA 
vocational rehabilitation, a course will be considered to be a 
combination course, if the student spends full-time on the job and one 
or more times a week also attends school on a part-tme basis. A veteran 
may

[[Page 150]]

pursue the components of a combination course in the following manner:
    (1) Concurrent school and on-job training;
    (2) Primarily on-job with some related instruction in school;
    (3) In a school as a preparatory course to entering on-job training; 
or
    (4) First training on-job followed by the school portion.
    (b) Cooperative course. A cooperative course is a special type of 
combination course which usually:
    (1) Has an objective which the student attains primarily through 
school instruction with the on-job portion being supplemental to the 
school course;
    (2) Is at the college or junior college level although some 
cooperative courses are offered at post-secondary schools which do not 
offer a college degree or at secondary schools;
    (3) Requires the student to devote at least one-half of the total 
training period to the school portion of the course; and
    (4) Includes relatively long periods each of training on the job and 
in school such as a full term in school followed by a full term on the 
job.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.126  Farm cooperative course.

    (a) Definition. An approvable farm cooperative course is a full-time 
course designated to restore employability by training a veteran to:
    (1) Operate a farm which he or she owns or leases; or
    (2) Manage a farm as the employee of another.
    (b) Reaching the goal of a farm cooperative course. The farm 
cooperative course must enable a veteran to become proficient in the 
type of farming for which he or she is being provided rehabilitation 
services. The areas in which proficiency is to be established include:
    (1) Planning;
    (2) Producing;
    (3) Marketing;
    (4) Maintaining farm equipment;
    (5) Conserving farm resources;
    (6) Financing the farm;
    (7) Managing the farm; and
    (8) Keeping farm and home accounts.
    (c) Instruction, including organized group instruction. Instruction 
in a farm cooperative course may be by a mixture of organized group 
(classroom) instruction and individual instruction or by individual 
instruction alone. A course which includes organized group instruction 
must meet the following criteria to be considered as full-time:
    (1) The number of clock hours of instruction which should be 
provided yearly shall meet the requirements of Sec. 21.310(a)(4) and 
Sec. 21.4264 pertaining to full-time pursuit of a farm cooperative 
course:
    (2) The individual instructor portion of a farm cooperative course 
shall include at least 100 hours of individual instruction per year.
    (d) Instruction given solely by an individual instructor. (1) 
Instruction in a farm cooperative course may be given solely by an 
individual instructor if organized group instruction is:
    (i) Not available within reasonable commuting distance of the 
veteran's farm; or
    (ii) The major portion of the organized group instruction that is 
available does not have a direct relation to the veteran's farming 
operation and pertinent VA records are fully and clearly documented 
accordingly.
    (2) To be considered full-time pursuit the individual instruction 
provided in these course must:
    (i) Consist of at least 200 hours of instruction per year;
    (ii) Be given by a fully qualified individual instructor by contract 
between VA and the instructor or an educational agency which employs the 
instructor.
    (e) Plan requirements for farm operator or farm manager. (1) The 
plan for training developed by the case manager and the veteran in 
collaboration with the instructor must include:
    (i) A complete written survey including but not limited to the areas 
identified in Sec. 21.298 (a) and (b);
    (ii) An overall, long-term plan based upon the survey of the 
operation of the farm;
    (iii) An annual plan identifying the part of the overall plan to be 
implemented which will be prepared before the beginning of each crop 
year; and

[[Page 151]]

    (iv) A detailed individual training program showing the kind and 
amount of instruction, classroom and individual, or individual; and
    (2) The farm must meet the requirements for selecting a farm found 
in Sec. 21.298.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.128  Independent study course.

    A veteran may pursue a course by independent study under the 
following conditions:
    (a) College level. The course is offered by a college or university.
    (b) College degree. The course leads to or is fully creditable 
towards a standard college degree.
    (c) Course content. The course consists of a prescribed program of 
study with provision for interaction between the student and regularly 
employed faculty of the university or college by mail, telephone, 
personally, or class attendance.
    (d) School responsibility. The university or college:
    (1) Evaluates the course in semester or quarter hours or the 
equivalent; and
    (2) Prescribes a period for completion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))



Sec. 21.129  Home study course.

    (a) Definition. A home study course is a course conducted by mail, 
consisting of a series of written lesson assignments furnished by a 
school to the student for study and preparation of written answers, 
solutions to problems, and work projects which are corrected and graded 
by the school and returned to the trainee.
    (b) Limitations on inclusion of home study courses, in 
rehabilitation plans. A veteran and his or her case manager may include 
a home study course in a rehabilitation plan only when it supplements 
the major part of the program. The purpose of the home study course is 
to provide the veteran with theory or technical information directly 
related to the practice of the occupation for which the veteran is 
training.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))



Sec. 21.130  Educational and vocational courses outside the
United States.

    (a) General. VA may provide educational and vocational courses 
outside a State if the case manager determines that such training is in 
the best interest of the veteran and the Federal Government.
    (b) Specific conditions. (1) The training must be necessary to 
enable the veteran to qualify for, obtain, and retain suitable 
employment in the occupational objective; and
    (2) Either:
    (i) The training is not available in the United States; or
    (ii) The training is available in the United States, but personal 
hardship would result from requiring that the veteran pursue training in 
this country; and
    (3) All necessary supportive and follow-up services, including 
medical care and treatment and employment services, reasonably can be 
provided by or through VA, considering such factors as the availability, 
accessibility and cost of such services.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3114)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 55 FR 27822, July 6, 1990]



Sec. 21.132  Repetition of the course.

    (a) Repeating all or part of the course. A veteran, having completed 
a course under Chapter 31 according to the standards and practices of 
the institution, ordinarily will not pursue it again at the expense of 
VA. However, VA may approve repetition of all, or any part of the course 
when VA determines that the repetition is necessary to accomplish the 
veteran's vocational rehabilitation. A veteran repeating a course under 
Chapter 31 is subject to the same requirements for satisfactory pursuit 
and completion of the course as are other veterans taking the course 
unless a longer period is needed because of the veteran's reduced work 
tolerance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))

    (b) Review course. A veteran who has completed a course of training 
under Chapter 31 may pursue a review course,

[[Page 152]]

such as a bar review course, if it is specifically organized and 
conducted as a review course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))

    (c) Auditing a subject. Auditing, as defined in Sec. 21.4200(i), may 
not be authorized as a part of any rehabilitation plan. However, if an 
individual repeats a course under the conditions described in paragraph 
(a) of this section, the course shall not be considered an audited 
course, if pursued in the same manner as a subject offered for credit. 
The individual must meet the same requirements as other students, and 
not be a mere listener.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))



Sec. 21.134  Limitation on flight training.

    Flight Training approved under chapter 31 may only be authorized in 
degree curriculums in the field of aviation that include required flight 
training. This type of training is otherwise subject to the same 
limitations as are applicable to flight training under Chapter 30.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(b))

[57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]

                     Special Rehabilitation Services



Sec. 21.140  Evaluation and improvement of rehabilitation potential.

    (a) General. The purposes of these services are to:
    (1) Evaluate if the veteran:
    (i) Has an employment handicap;
    (ii) Has a serious employment handicap; and
    (iii) Is reasonably feasible for a vocational goal or an independent 
living goal.
    (2) Provide a basis for planning:
    (i) A program of services and assistance to improve the veteran's 
potential for vocational rehabilitation or independent living;
    (ii) A suitable vocational rehabilitation program; or
    (iii) A suitable independent living program.
    (3) Reevaluate the vocational rehabilitation or independent living 
potential of a veteran participating in a rehabilitation program under 
Chapter 31, as necessary.
    (4) Enable a veteran to achieve:
    (i) A vocational goal; or
    (ii) An independent living goal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

    (b) Periods during which evaluation and improvement services may be 
provided. Evaluation and improvement services may be provided 
concurrently, whenever necessary, with a period of rehabilitation 
services, including:
    (1) Initial evaluation or reevaluation;
    (2) Extended evaluation:
    (3) Rehabilitation to the point of employability:
    (4) A program of independent living services: or
    (5) Employment services, incidental to obtaining or maintaining 
employment.
    (c) Duration of full-time assistance. If evaluation and improvement 
services are furnished on a full-time basis as a preliminary part of the 
period of rehabilitation to the point of employability, or as the 
vocational rehabilitation program, the duration of such assistance may 
not exceed 12 months, except as provided in Sec. 21.74(c).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105)

    (d) Scope of services. Evaluation and improvement services include:
    (1) Diagnostic services;
    (2) Personal and work adjustment training;
    (3) Medical care and treatment;
    (4) Independent living services;
    (5) Language training, speech and voice correction, training in 
ambulation, and one-hand typewriting;
    (6) Orientation, adjustment, mobility and related services; and
    (7) Other appropriate services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1), (6), (9), (10), (15))



Sec. 21.142  Adult basic education.

    (a) Definition. The term adult basic education means an 
instructional program for the undereducated adult planned around those 
basic and specific skills most needed to help him or her to function 
adequately in society.
    (b) Purposes. The purposes of providing adult basic education are 
to:

[[Page 153]]

    (1) Upgrade a veteran's basic educational skills;
    (2) Provide refresher training; or
    (3) Remedy deficiencies which prevent the veteran from undertaking a 
course of education or vocational training.
    (c) Periods during which basic adult education may be provided. 
Basic adult education may be authorized, as necessary, during;
    (1) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (2) Extended evaluation; and
    (3) Independent living services.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1))



Sec. 21.144  Vocational course in a sheltered workshop or 
rehabilitation facility.

    (a) General. A vocational course in a sheltered workshop or 
rehabilitation facility may be an institutional, on-job, or combination 
course which has been modified to facilitate successful pursuit by a 
person with a disability that would otherwise prevent or impair the 
person's participation in the course.
    (b) Authorization. A vocational course in a sheltered workshop or 
rehabilitation facility may be authorized when the training offered is a 
sound method of restoring a veteran's employability.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))



Sec. 21.146  Independent instructor course.

    (a) Definition. An independent instructor course is a full-time 
course of vocational training which the veteran pursues with an 
individual instructor, who, independently of a training institution or 
on-job training establishment, furnishes and conducts a vocational 
course at a suitable place of training.
    (b) Limitations on including an independent instructor course in a 
rehabilitation plan. A veteran and his or her case manager may include 
an independent instructor course in a rehabilitation plan, other than 
one involving a farm cooperative program, only when either or both of 
the following conditions exist:
    (1) Training is not available through an established school, on-job 
training establishment, rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop 
within a reasonable commuting distance from the veteran's home; or
    (2) The veteran's condition or other circumstances do not permit the 
veteran to attend an otherwise suitable facility within commuting 
distance. See Sec. 21.126.
    (c) Training in the home. Training in the home is a specialized type 
of independent instructor course which the veteran pursues in his or her 
home if:
    (1) He or she is unable to pursue training at an otherwise suitable 
facility because of the effects of his or her disability;
    (2) Based on proper medical opinion, the veteran is able to pursue 
the prescribed training; and
    (3) The veteran's home provides a favorable educational environment 
with adequate work and study space.
    (d) Planning an individual instructor course. The case manager, the 
veteran, and the instructor should jointly plan the training program for 
a veteran for whom an independent instructor course is prescribed.
    (e) Assuring employment. Since the customary channels leading to 
employment may not be readily available to a veteran requiring an 
individual instructor course, the IEAP (Individual Employment Assistance 
Plan) shall indicate thorough consideration of plans and prospects for 
seeking and obtaining employment, including self-employment, upon 
completion of training.
    (f) Rate of pursuit. A veteran in an independent instructor program 
shall pursue training at a rate comparable to the rate at which similar 
training is pursued on an institutional basis, unless the veteran's work 
tolerance is reduced by the effects of his or her disability.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))



Sec. 21.148  Tutorial assistance.

    (a) General. A veteran may be provided individualized tutorial 
assistance, if VA determines that special assistance beyond that 
ordinarily given by the facility to students pursuing the same or a 
similar subject is needed to correct a deficiency in a subject.
    (b) Authorization of tutorial assistance. Tutorial assistance may be 
provided

[[Page 154]]

during any period of rehabilitation services authorized by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))

    (c) Use of relatives precluded. Tutorial assistance at VA expense 
may not be provided by a relative of the veteran. The term relative has 
the same meaning as under Sec. 21.374 pertaining to the use of a 
relative as an attendant.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3492)

    (d) Payment at the Chapter 30 rate. If a veteran has elected payment 
at the educational assistance rate payable under Chapter 30, he or she 
may not be provided individualized tutorial assistance under provision 
of Chapter 31. (See Sec. 21.334.)


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4283, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]



Sec. 21.150  Reader service.

    (a) Limitations on vision. A veteran considered to have a visual 
impairment necessitating reader service includes a veteran:
    (1) Whose best corrected vision is 20/200 in both eyes;
    (2) Whose central vision is greater than 20/200 but whose field of 
vision is limited to such an extent that the widest diameter of a visual 
field subtends to an angle no greater than 20 degrees; or
    (3) With impaired vision, whose condition or prognosis indicates 
that the residual sight will be adversely affected by the use of his or 
her eyes for reading.
    (b) Periods during which reader service may be provided. reader 
service necessary to the development of a rehabilitation plan, or the 
successful pursuit of a rehabilitation program may be provided during:
    (1) Initial evaluation or reevaluation;
    (2) Extended evaluation;
    (3) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (4) Independent living services; or
    (5) Employment services, including an initial employment period of 
up to three months.
    (c) Reader responsibility. The reader should be able to do more than 
read to the veteran. The reader should have an understanding of the 
subject matter based upon prior training or experience which allows him 
or her to:
    (1) Read printed material with understanding; and
    (2) Test the veteran's understanding of what has been read.
    (d) Extent of service. The number of hours of service will be 
determined in each case by the amount of reading necessitated by the 
course and the efficacy of other equipment with which the veteran has 
been furnished to enable him or her to read printed material unassisted.
    (e) Recording. VA will not normally pay for recording textbooks or 
other materials as a part of reader services, since excellent recording 
services are provided by volunteer organizations at no cost.
    (f) Selecting a relative as a reader. Utilization of a relative of 
the veteran as a reader is subject to the limitations on use of a 
relative as an attendant under Sec. 21.374.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(14))



Sec. 21.152  Interpreter service for the hearing impaired.

    (a) General. The main purpose of interpreter service for the hearing 
impaired is to facilitate instructor-student communication. VA will 
provide interpreter service as necessary for the development and pursuit 
of a rehabilitation program. This service will be provided if:
    (1) A VA physician determines that:
    (i) The veteran is deaf or his or her hearing is severely impaired; 
and
    (ii) All appropriate services and aids have been furnished to 
improve the veteran's residual hearing; or
    (2) A VA physician determines that the veteran:
    (i) Can benefit from language and speech training; and
    (ii) Agrees to undertake language and speech training.
    (b) Periods during which interpreter service may be provided. 
Interpreter service may be furnished during:
    (1) Initial evaluation or reevaluation;
    (2) Extended evaluation;
    (3) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (4) Independent living services; or

[[Page 155]]

    (5) Employment services, including the first three months of 
employment.
    (c) Selecting the interpreter. Only certified interpreters or 
persons meeting generally accepted standards for interpreters shall 
provide interpreter service. When an individual is not certified by a 
State or professional association, VA shall seek the assistance of a 
State certifying agency or a professional association in ascertaining 
whether the individual is qualified to serve as an interpreter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(14))

    (d) Relatives. Interpreter service at VA expense may not be provided 
by a relative of the veteran. The term relative has the same meaning as 
under Sec. 21.374 pertaining to the use of relatives as attendants.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3492)



Sec. 21.154  Special transportation assistance.

    (a) General. A veteran, who because of the effects of disability has 
transportation expenses in addition to those incurred by persons not so 
disabled, shall be provided a transportation allowance to defray such 
additional expenses. The assistance provided in this section is in 
addition to provisions for interregional and intraregional travel which 
may be authorized under provisions of Secs. 21.370 through 21.376.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(13))

    (b) Periods during which special transportation allowance may be 
provided. A special transportation allowance may be provided during:
    (1) Extended evaluation;
    (2) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (3) Independent living services; or
    (4) Employment services, including the first three months of 
employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(14))

    (c) Scope of transportation assistance. (1) Transportation 
assistance includes mileage, parking fees, reasonable fee for a driver, 
transportation furnished by a rehabilitation facility or sheltered 
workshop, and other reasonable expenses which may be incurred in local 
travel;
    (2) The veteran's monthly transportation allowance may not exceed 
the lesser of actual expenses incurred or one-half of the subsistence 
allowance of a single veteran in full-time institutional training, 
unless extraordinary arrangements, such as transportation by ambulance, 
are necessary to enable a veteran to pursue a rehabilitation program.
    (d) Determining the need for a transportation allowance. The case 
manager will determine the need for a transportation allowance. The 
assistance of a medical consultant shall be utilized, as necessary, to 
determine the need for special transportation assistance and to develop 
transportation arrangements which do not unduly tax the veteran's 
ability to travel and pursue a rehabilitation program.
    (e) Use of a relative precluded. A relative of the veteran may not 
be paid any part of a special transportation allowance. The term 
relative has the same meaning as under Sec. 21.374 pertaining to the use 
of a relative as an attendant.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(13))



Sec. 21.155  Services to a veteran's family.

    (a) General. VA shall provide services to a veteran's family which 
are necessary to the implementation of the veteran's rehabilitation 
plan. The term family includes the veteran's immediate family, legal 
guardian, or any individual in whose home the veteran certifies an 
intention to live.
    (b) Scope of services to a veteran's family. The services which may 
be furnished to the family are generally limited to consultation, 
homecare training, counseling, and mental health services of brief 
duration which are designed to enable the family to cope with the 
veteran's needs. Extended medical, psychiatric or other services may not 
be furnished to family members under these provisions.
    (c) Providing services to a veteran's family. VR&E Staff will:
    (1) Identify services which family members may need to facilitate 
the rehabilitation of the veteran; and

[[Page 156]]

    (2) Arrange for provision of the services which have been 
identified.
    (d) Resources for provision of services to family members. (1) The 
established program and services which are furnished by Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA) to family members of veterans eligible for Chapter 
31 should be used to the extent practicable; but
    (2) If services are not readily available through regular VHA 
programs, necessary services will normally be secured through 
arrangements with other public and nonprofit agencies.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(11))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 62 FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997]



Sec. 21.156  Other incidental goods and services.

    (a) General. Other incidental goods and services may be authorized 
if the case manager determines them to be necessary to implement the 
veteran's rehabilitation plan. For example, a calculator may be 
authorized for a veteran pursuing an engineering degree, even though the 
veteran may not be required to have a calculator for any specific 
subject in his or her course, where there is substantial evidence that 
lack of a calculator places the veteran at a distinct disadvantage in 
successfully pursuing the course.
    (b) Limitation on cost. The costs of incidental goods and services 
normally should not exceed five percent of training costs for any 
twelve-month period.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(10))

                       Independent Living Services



Sec. 21.160  Independent living services.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of independent living services is to assist 
eligible veterans whose ability to function independently in family, 
community, or employment is so limited by the severity of disability 
(service and nonservice-connected) that vocational or rehabilitation 
services need to be appreciably more extensive than for less disabled 
veterans.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(15), 3109, 3120)

    (b) Definitions. The term independence in daily living means the 
ability of a veteran, without the services of others or with a reduced 
level of the services of others, to live and function within the 
veteran's family and community.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(2))

    (c) Situations under which independent living services may be 
furnished. Independent living services may be furnished:
    (1) As part of a program to achieve rehabilitation to the point of 
employability;
    (2) As part of an extended evaluation to determine the current 
reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal;
    (3) Incidental to a program of employment services; or
    (4) As a program of rehabilitation services for eligible veterans 
for whom achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably 
feasible. This program of rehabilitation services may be furnished to 
help the veteran:
    (i) Function more independently in the family and community without 
the assistance of others or a reduced level of the assistance of others;
    (ii) Become reasonably feasible for a vocational rehabilitation 
program; or
    (iii) Become reasonably feasible for extended evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(15), 3109, 3120)

    (d) Services which may be authorized. The services which may be 
authorized as part of an IILP (Individualized Independent Living Plan) 
include:
    (1) Any appropriate service which may be authorized for a vocational 
rehabilitation program as that term is defined in Sec. 21.35(i), except 
for a course of education or training as described in Sec. 21.120; and
    (2) Independent living services offered by approved independent 
living centers and programs which are determined to be necessary to 
carry out the veteran's plan including:
    (i) Evaluation of independent living potential;
    (ii) Training in independent living skills;
    (iii) Attendant care;
    (iv) Health maintenance programs; and

[[Page 157]]

    (v) Identifying appropriate housing accommodations.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(15), 3109, 3120)

    (e) Coordination with other VA elements and other Federal, State, 
and local programs. Implementation of programs of independent living 
services and assistance will generally require extensive coordination 
with other VA and non-VA programs. If appropriate arrangements cannot be 
made to provide these services through VA, other governmental, private 
nonprofit and for-profit agencies and facilities may be used to secure 
necessary services if the requirements contained in Sec. 21.294 are met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(15), 3109, 3115, 3120)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50957, Dec. 19, 1988; 
55 FR 42186, Oct. 18, 1990]



Sec. 21.162  Participation in a program of independent living services.

    (a) Approval of a program of independent living services. A program 
of independent living services and assistance is approved when:
    (1) The VA determines that achievement of a vocational goal is not 
currently reasonably feasible;
    (2) The VA determines that the veteran's independence in daily 
living can be improved, and the gains made can reasonably be expected to 
continue following completion of the program;
    (3) All steps required by Secs. 21.90 and 21.92 of this part for the 
development and preparation of an Individualized Independent Living Plan 
(IILP) have been completed; and
    (4) The VR&E Officer concurs in the IILP.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(15), 3109, 3120)

    (b) Considerations for the VR&E Officer. The VR&E Officer will 
consider the following factors in administering programs providing 
independent living services:
    (1) If VA resources available limit the number of veterans who may 
be provided a program of independent living services and assistance, the 
first priority shall be given to veterans for whom the reasonable 
feasibility of achieving a vocational goal is precluded solely as a 
result of service-connected disability; and
    (2) To the maximum extent feasible, a substantial portion of 
veterans provided with programs of independent living services and 
assistance shall be receiving long-term care in VA medical centers and 
nursing homes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3120(c))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50957, Dec. 19, 1988; 
55 FR 48842, Nov. 23, 1990; 62 FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997]

                               Case Status



Sec. 21.180  Case status system.

    (a) General. Each veteran's case will be assigned to a specific case 
status from the point of initial contact until all appropriate steps in 
the rehabilitation process have been completed. The case status system 
will:
    (1) Assist VR&E staff to fulfill its case management responsibility 
to provide authorized assistance to enable the veteran to successfully 
pursue his or her program; and
    (2) Assure program management and accountability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (b) Responsibility for change of case status. The case manager is 
responsible for assigning a case to the appropriate case status at each 
point in the rehabilitation process.
    (c) Case manager. The VR&E (Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment) Officer or his or her designee will assign a case manager 
when the veteran's case is placed in evaluation and planning status. The 
VR&E Officer or his or her designee may assign case management 
responsibility for development and implementation of a rehabilitation 
plan authorized under Chapter 31 to a Counseling Psychologist (CP), 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) or vocational rehabilitation 
specialist in the VR&E Division. The case manager assigned will, unless 
replaced by the VR&E Officer, continue to be responsible for case 
management throughout the course of the veteran's rehabilitation 
program. When securing medical care, treatment, and other related 
services, the VR&E case manager

[[Page 158]]

will coordinate with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) staff members 
who have case management responsibility for the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(e))

    (d) Informing the veteran. The veteran will be informed in writing 
of changes in case status by VA which affect his or her receipt of 
benefits and services under Chapter 31. The letter to the veteran will 
include the reason for the change of case status, and other information 
required under provisions of Sec. 21.420.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (e) Normal progression for eligible veterans. The cases of veterans 
who are eligible for and entitled to services under Chapter 31 for whom 
individualized plans have been prepared will generally undergo the 
following changes of status:
    (1) Individualized written rehabilitation plan. A veteran with an 
IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan) will generally move 
sequentially from applicant status through evaluation and planning 
status, rehabilitation to the point of employability status, employment 
services status, and rehabilitated status.
    (2) Individualized extended evaluation plan. A veteran with an IEEP 
(Individualized Extended Evaluation Plan) will generally move from 
applicant status through evaluation and planning status to extended 
evaluation status. Once in extended evaluation status there will 
generally be a finding which leads to development of an IWRP (paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section), or IILP (Individualized Independent Living 
Plan) (paragraph (e)(3) of this section).
    (3) Individualized independent living plan. A veteran with an IILP 
(Individualized Independent Living Plan) will generally move from 
applicant status through evaluation and planning, extended evaluation, 
independent living, and rehabilitated status.
    (4) Individualized employment assistance plan. (i) A veteran with an 
IEAP (Individualized Employment Assistance Plan) which is a part of an 
IWRP will move through the case statuses described in paragraph (e)(1) 
of this section, or in some cases through the steps in paragraph (e)(2) 
of this section.
    (ii) A veteran for whom only employment services are provided will 
generally move from applicant through evaluation and planning, 
employment services to rehabilitated status.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (f) Normal progression for ineligible veterans. A veteran found 
ineligible for services under Chapter 31 will generally move from 
applicant to evaluation and planning status, to ineligible status.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (g) Changes of status. The case manager may change the case status 
when:
    (1) Conditions for change specified in the status are met;
    (2) The change is not specifically precluded by the status to which 
change is being considered; and
    (3) The change is consistent with provisions of other applicable 
regulations.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989; 
62 FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.182  ``Applicant'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The purposes of applicant status are to:
    (1) Process a veteran's claim for assistance under Chapter 31 in a 
timely manner; and
    (2) Identify service-disabled veterans whom VA should contact 
individually to increase their awareness and understanding of how they 
may benefit from services furnished under Chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102)

    (b) Assignment to applicant status. VA will assign a veteran's 
records to applicant status when either:
    (1) VA receives a formal or informal application from a veteran for 
services under Chapter 31; or
    (2) The VR&E (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) Division:
    (i) Advises a veteran in writing of the veteran's potential 
eligibility for Chapter 31 services, or

[[Page 159]]

    (ii) Is informed that the veteran has been advised in writing of his 
or her potential eligibility for Chapter 31 services by other VA 
elements.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102(2))

    (c) Termination of applicant status. Applicant status will be 
terminated when:
    (1) An appointment for an initial evaluation has been kept by the 
veteran; or
    (2) The veteran's service-connected disability is reduced to a 
noncompensable degree; or
    (3) The veteran's service-connected disability is severed; or
    (4) The veteran's application is invalid because of fraud or error; 
or
    (5) The veteran withdraws his or her claim, or otherwise indicates 
that no further assistance is desired.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)

    (d) Transfer of terminated cases to discontinued status. Each 
instance in which a veteran's case is terminated for reasons described 
in paragraph (c)(4) or (5) of this section shall be placed in 
discontinued status.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102)

    Cross Reference: See Secs. 21.30 Claims, 21.31 Informal claims, and 
21.32 Time limits.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 52 FR 2518, Jan. 23, 1987]



Sec. 21.184  ``Evaluation and planning'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of evaluation and planning status is to 
identify veterans for whom evaluation and planing services are needed 
to:
    (1) Accomplish an initial evaluation as provided in Sec. 21.50;
    (2) Develop an IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan), 
IEEP (Individualized Extended Evaluation Plan), IILP (Individualized 
Independent Living Plan) or IEAP (Individualized Employment Assistance 
Plan); or
    (3) Reevaluate:
    (i) Findings made in prior initial evaluations, or
    (ii) Current or previous individualized rehabilitation plans.
    (b) Assignment to evaluation and planning status. A veteran's 
records will be assigned to evaluation and planning status for any of 
the purposes specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Termination of evaluation and planning status. The assignment of 
the veteran's records to evaluation and planning status may be 
terminated under the following conditions:
    (1) Evaluation and planning completed. The services necessary to 
complete evaluation and planning have been provided. These services are:
    (i) Completion of an initial evaluation;
    (ii) Development of an IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation 
Plan) or other individual rehabilitation plan in those cases in which 
eligibility and entitlement to services provided under Chapter 31 are 
established; or
    (iii) Completion of reevaluation of prior findings made in initial 
evaluation or modification of a rehabilitation plan.
    (2) Evaluation and planning not completed. The VR&E Division shall 
make every reasonable effort to enable the veteran to complete the 
evaluation and planning phase of the rehabilitation process. A 
determination that every reasonable effort by VA has been made, and that 
little likelihood exists that continued efforts will lead to completion 
of planning and evaluation, may be made under the following conditions:
    (i) The veteran writes VA and requests that his or her case be 
inactivated;
    (ii) The veteran fails to keep scheduled appointments following his 
or her initial appointment; or
    (iii) The veteran otherwise fails to cooperate with VA in the 
evaluation and planning process. If the veteran fails to cooperate, the 
provisions of Sec. 21.362 are applicable.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106, 3107)

    Cross Reference: See Secs. 21.50 through 21.58 Initial and extended 
evaluation, and Secs. 21.80 through 21.98 Individualized written 
rehabilitation plan.3



Sec. 21.186  ``Ineligible'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of ineligible status is to identify the 
cases in which

[[Page 160]]

a veteran requests services under Chapter 31, but the request is denied 
by VA, usually, on the basis of information developed when the veteran 
was in evaluation and planning status.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)

    (b) Assignment to ineligible status. A veteran's case will be 
assigned to ineligible status following a finding by VA that the veteran 
is not eligible for or entitled to services under Chapter 31. The 
finding must preclude all possible Chapter 31 services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106, 3107)

    (c) Termination of ineligible status. The assignment of the 
veteran's case to ineligible status should be terminated if the veteran 
thereafter becomes eligible to receive any Chapter 31 service. Placement 
of the case in ineligible status is a bar to reconsideration of 
eligibility unless a material change in circumstances occurs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)



Sec. 21.188  ``Extended evaluation'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The purposes of extended evaluation status are to:
    (1) Identify a veteran for whom a period of extended evaluation is 
needed; and
    (2) Assure that necessary services are provided by VA during the 
extended evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)

    (b) Assignment to extended evaluation status. A veteran's case may 
be assigned or reassigned to extended evaluation status under provisions 
of Sec. 21.57, Sec. 21.74, Sec. 21.86, Sec. 21.94, Sec. 21.96, or 
Sec. 21.98.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (c) Continuation in extended evaluation status. A veteran's case 
will be in extended evaluation status during periods in which:
    (1) The veteran is pending induction into the facility at which 
rehabilitation services will be provided;
    (2) The veteran is receiving rehabilitation services prescribed in 
the IEEP (Sec. 21.86); or
    (3) The veteran is on authorized leave of absence during an extended 
evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108)

    (d) Termination of extended evaluation status. A veteran in extended 
evaluation status will remain in that status until one of the following 
events occur:
    (1) Following notification of necessary arrangements to begin an 
extended evaluation, the date the extended evaluation begins, and 
instructions as to the next steps to be taken, the veteran:
    (i) Fails to report and does not respond to followup contact by the 
case manager;
    (ii) Declines or refuses to enter the program; or
    (iii) Defers induction for a period exceeding 30 days beyond the 
scheduled date of induction, except where the deferment is due to 
illness or other sufficient reason;
    (2) VA determines the reasonable feasibility of a vocational goal 
for the veteran before completion of all of the planned evaluation 
because the decision does not require the further evaluation;
    (3) The veteran completes the extended evaluation;
    (4) Either the veteran or VA interrupts the extended evaluation;
    (5) Either the veteran or VA discontinues the extended evaluation; 
or
    (6) Service-connection for the veteran's service-connected 
disability is severed by VA or his or her continued eligibility 
otherwise ceases.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)

    Cross References: See Secs. 21.57 Extended evaluation, 21.322 
Commencing dates, 21.324 Reduction or termination.



Sec. 21.190  ``Rehabilitation to the point of employability'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The rehabilitation to the point of employability status 
serves to:
    (1) Identify veterans who receive training and rehabilitation 
services to enable them to attain a vocational goal; and

[[Page 161]]

    (2) Assure that services specified in the veteran's IWRP are 
provided in a timely manner by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101)

    (b) Assignment. A veteran's case may be assigned or reassigned to 
rehabilitation to the point of employability status under the provisions 
of Sec. 21.84, Sec. 21.94, Sec. 21.96, or Sec. 21.98.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (c) Continuation in rehabilitation to the point of employability 
status. A veteran will be assigned to rehabilitation to the point of 
employability status during periods in which:
    (1) The veteran has progressed through applicant status and 
evaluation and planning status (including extended evaluation status 
when appropriate), and is pending induction into the facility at which 
training and rehabilitation services will be provided;
    (2) The veteran is receiving training and rehabilitation services 
prescribed in the IWRP; or
    (3) The veteran is on authorized leave of absence.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104, 3108)

    (d) Termination of rehabilitation to the point of employability 
status when goals of the IWRP for this period are achieved. VA will 
consider a veteran to have completed the period of rehabilitation to the 
point of employability, and will terminate this status under the 
following conditions:
    (1) The veteran achieves the goals of, and has been provided 
services specified in, the IWRP;
    (2) The veteran who leaves the program has completed a sufficient 
portion of the services prescribed in the IWRP to establish clearly that 
he or she is generally employable as a trained worker in the 
occupational objective established in the IWRP;
    (3) The veteran, who has not completed all prescribed services in 
the IWRP, accepts employment in the occupational objective established 
in the IWRP with wages and other benefits commensurate with wages and 
benefits received by trained workers; or
    (4) The veteran:
    (i) Satisfactorily completes a prescribed program, the practice of 
which requires pursuing an examination for licensure, but
    (ii) Is unable to take the licensure examination prior to the basic 
twelve-year termination date and there is no basis for extension of that 
date.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (e) Other conditions for termination of rehabilitation to the point 
of employability status. In addition to termination under conditions 
described in paragraph (d) of this section, the classification of the 
veteran's records in this status may be terminated under any of the 
following conditions:
    (1) A veteran who has been notified of necessary arrangements to 
begin the program, the date the program begins and instructions as to 
the next steps to be taken:
    (i) Fails to report and does not respond to initial or subsequent 
followup by the case manager;
    (ii) Declines or refuses to enter the program; or
    (iii) Defers induction for a period exceeding 30 days beyond the 
scheduled beginning date of the program, except where the deferment is 
due to illness or other sufficient reason.
    (2) Either the veteran or VA interrupts the period of rehabilitation 
to the point of employability;
    (3) Either VA or the veteran discontinues the period of 
rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (4) The veteran reaches his or her termination date, and there is no 
basis for extension under Sec. 21.44;
    (5) The veteran's entitlement to training and rehabilitation 
services under Chapter 31 is exhausted, and there is no basis for 
extension under Sec. 21.78; or
    (6) Service-connection for the veteran's service-connected 
disability is served by VA or he or she otherwise ceases to be eligible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (f) Payment of employment adjustment allowance. An employment 
adjustment allowance will be paid when the veteran's classification in 
rehabilitation to the point of employability status is terminated under 
provisions of paragraph

[[Page 162]]

(d) of this section. An employment adjustment allowance will not be paid 
if termination is for one of the reasons specified in paragraph (e) of 
this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a))

    Cross References: See Secs. 21.120 Educational and vocational 
trainings services, 21.282 Effective date of induction into a 
rehabilitation program, and 21.284 Reentering into a rehabilitation 
program.



Sec. 21.192  ``Independent living program'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The independent living program status serves to:
    (1) Identify veterans who are being furnished a program of 
independent living services by VA; and
    (2) Assure that such veterans receive necessary services from VA in 
a timely manner.
    (b) Assignment to independent living program status. A veteran may 
be assigned or reassigned to independent living program status under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.88, Sec. 21.94, Sec. 21.96, or Sec. 21.98.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    (c) Continuation in independent living program status. A veteran 
will be in independent living program status during periods in which:
    (1) The provisions of Sec. 21.282 for induction into a program are 
met, but the veteran is pending induction into the facility at which 
rehabilitation services will be provided;
    (2) The veteran receives rehabilitation services prescribed in an 
IILP; or
    (3) The veteran is on authorized leave of absence status.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3109, 3120)

    (d) Termination of independent living program status. When a 
veteran's case has been assigned to independent living program status, 
the case will be terminated from that status, if one of the following 
occurs:
    (1) A veteran, who has been notified of necessary arrangements to 
begin a program, the date the program begins and instructions as to the 
next steps to be taken:
    (i) Fails to report and does not respond to followup contact by the 
case manager;
    (ii) Declines or refuses to enter the program; or
    (iii) Defers entry for more than 30 days beyond the scheduled 
beginning date, unless the deferment is due to illness or other 
sufficient reason.
    (2) The veteran completes the IILP;
    (3) Either the veteran or VA interrupts the program;
    (4) Either the veteran or VA discontinues the program; or
    (5) Service-connection for the veteran's service-connected 
disability is severed by VA or he or she otherwise ceases to be 
eligible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3109, 3110)

    Cross References: See Secs. 21.160 Independent living services, 
21.282 Effective date of induction into a rehabilitation program, 21.322 
Commencing date, and 21.324 Reduction or termination date.



Sec. 21.194  ``Employment services'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The status employment services serves to:
    (1) Identify veterans who are being furnished employment services; 
and
    (2) Assure that these veterans receive necessary services in a 
timely manner.
    (b) Assignment to employment services status. A veteran's case may 
be assigned or reassigned to employment services status under the 
provisions of Secs. 21.84, 21.88, 21.94 and 21.98.
    (c) Continuation in employment services status. A case will remain 
in employment services status for the period specified in the IEAP, 
subject to the limitations specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (d) Termination of employment services status. The veteran will 
continue in employment services status until the earliest of the 
following events occurs:
    (1) He or she is determined to be rehabilitated under the provisions 
of Sec. 21.283; or
    (2) He or she is:
    (i) Employed for at least 60 days in employment that does not meet 
the criteria for rehabilitation contained in Sec. 21.283, if the veteran 
intends to maintain this employment and declines further assistance; and
    (ii) Adjusted to the duties and responsibilities of the job.

[[Page 163]]

    (3) Either the veteran or VA interrupts the employment services 
program;
    (4) Either the veteran or VA discontinues the employment services 
program;
    (5) He or she reaches the end of the period for which employment 
services have been authorized and there is no basis for extension; or
    (6) Service-connection for the veteran's service-connected 
disability is severed or he or she otherwise ceases to be eligible.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

    Cross References: See Secs. 21.47 Eligibility for employment 
assistance, 21.250 Overview of employment services, and 21.326 
Authorization of employment services.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 58 FR 68768, Dec. 29, 1993]



Sec. 21.196  ``Rehabilitated'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of rehabilitated status is to identify 
those cases in which the goals of a rehabilitation program or a program 
of employment services have been substantially achieved.
    (b) Assignment to ``rehabilitated'' status. A veteran's case shall 
be assigned to ``rehabilitated'' status when his or her case meets the 
criteria for rehabilitation contained in Sec. 21.283.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102, 3107 and 3117)

    (c) Termination of rehabilitated status. A veteran's case will not 
be removed from rehabilitated status under Sec. 21.284 once that status 
has been assigned, unless the determination of rehabilitation is set 
aside for a reason specified in Sec. 21.284.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3100)

    Cross Reference: See Sec. 21.284 Reentrance into a rehabilitation 
program.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985, as amended at 58 
FR 68768, Dec. 29, 1993]



Sec. 21.197  ``Interrupted'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of interrupted status is to recognize that 
a variety of situations may arise in the course of a rehabilitation 
program in which a temporary suspension of the program is warranted. In 
each case, VA first must determine that the veteran will be able to 
return to a rehabilitation program or a program of employment services 
following the resolution of the situation causing the interruption. This 
determination will be documented in the veteran's record.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

    (b) Assignment to ``interrupted'' status. A veteran's case will be 
assigned to interrupted status when:
    (1) VA determines that a suspension of services being provided is 
necessary; and
    (2) Either:
    (i) A definite date for resumption of the program is established; or
    (ii) The evidence indicates the veteran will be able to resume the 
program at some future date, which can be approximately established.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3110)

    (c) Reasons for assignment to ``interrupted'' status. A veteran's 
case may be interrupted and assigned to interrupted status for reasons 
including but not limited to the following:
    (1) Veteran does not initiate or continue rehabilitation process. If 
a veteran does not begin or continue the rehabilitation process, the 
veteran's case will be interrupted and assigned to interrupted status, 
including:
    (i) A case in evaluation and planning status;
    (ii) A case in extended evaluation status;
    (iii) A case in rehabilitation to the point of employability status;
    (iv) A case in independent living program status; or
    (v) A case in employment services status.
    (2) Unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation. If a veteran's conduct 
or cooperation becomes unsatisfactory, services and assistance may be 
interrupted as determined under provisions of Secs. 21.362 and 21.364.
    (3) Services not available. The veteran cannot continue the program 
because the necessary training and rehabilitation services are 
unavailable.
    (4) Prior to assignment to ``discontinued'' status. A veteran's case 
shall be assigned to interrupted status prior to discontinuance and 
assignment to discontinued status in all cases except as

[[Page 164]]

provided in Sec. 21.182(d) and upon the veteran's death. The purpose of 
assignment to interrupted status is to assure that all appropriate 
actions have been taken to help the veteran continue in his or her 
program before discontinuing benefits and services.
    (5) Absences. The veteran is not entitled to be placed on authorized 
absence under Secs. 21.340 through 21.350 while in interrupted status.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3111)

    (d) Reentrance from ``interrupted'' status. (1) A veteran in 
interrupted status may be assigned to his or her prior status or other 
appropriate status, if he or she reports for entrance or reentrance into 
the prescribed program at the time and place scheduled for the 
resumption of the rehabilitation program.
    (2) If a veteran in interrupted status fails to report for entrance 
or reentrance into the program at the appointed time and place, the 
veteran's case will remain in interrupted status. The case manager will 
then determine whether there is a satisfactory reason for the veteran's 
failure to enter a new or reenter the prior program. If the evidence of 
record does not establish a satisfactory reason, the veteran's case will 
be discontinued and assigned to discontinued status.
    (e) Case management responsibility during a period of interruption. 
The case manager shall maintain contact with the veteran during 
interruption and shall arrange for appropriate medical or other services 
the veteran needs to be able to enter or reenter a rehabilitation 
program or a program of employment services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    Cross Reference: See Sec. 21.324 Reduction or termination date.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 52 FR 2518, Jan. 23, 1987]



Sec. 21.198  ``Discontinued'' status.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of discontinued status is to identify 
situations in which termination of all services and benefits received 
under Chapter 31 is necessary.
    (b) Placement in ``discontinued''. VA will discontinue the veteran's 
case and assign the case to discontinued status following assignment to 
interrupted status as provided in Sec. 21.197 for reasons including but 
not limited to the following:
    (1) Veteran declines to initiate or continue rehabilitation process. 
If a veteran does not initiate or continue the rehabilitation process 
and does not furnish an acceptable reason for his or her failure to do 
so following assignment to interrupted status, the veteran's case will 
be discontinued and assigned to discontinued status. This includes:
    (i) A case in applicant status;
    (ii) A case in evaluation and planning status;
    (iii) A case in extended evaluation status;
    (iv) A case in rehabilitation to the point of employability status;
    (v) A case in independent living program status;
    (vi) A case in employment services status; or
    (vii) A case in interrupted status;
    (2) Unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation. When a veteran's conduct 
or cooperation becomes unsatisfactory, services and assistance may be 
discontinued and assigned to discontinued status as determined under 
provisions of Secs. 21.362 and 21.364.
    (3) Eligibility and entitlement. Unless the veteran desires 
employment assistance, the veteran's case will be discontinued and 
assigned to discontinued status when:
    (i) The veteran reaches the basic twelve-year termination date, and 
there is no basis for extension; or
    (ii) The veteran has used 48 months of entitlement under one or more 
VA programs, and there is no basis for extension of entitlement.
    (4) Medical and related problems. A veteran's case will be 
discontinued and assigned to discontinued status when:
    (i) The veteran will be unable to participate in a rehabilitation 
program because of a serious physical or emotional problem for an 
extended period; and
    (ii) VA medical staff are unable to estimate an approximate date by 
which the veteran will be able to begin or return to the program.

[[Page 165]]

    (5) Withdrawal. Veteran voluntarily withdraws from the program.
    (6) Failure to progress. The veteran's case will be discontinued and 
assigned to discontinued status if his or her failure to progress in a 
program is due to:
    (i) Continuing lack of application by the veteran unrelated to any 
personal or other problems; or
    (ii) Inability of the veteran to benefit from rehabilitation 
services despite the best efforts of VA and the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108, 3111)

    (7) Special review of proposed discontinuance action. The Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Officer shall review each case in 
which discontinuance is being considered for a veteran with a service-
connected disability rated 50 percent or more disabling. The VR&E 
Officer may utilize existing resources to assist in the review, 
including referral to the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel (VRP).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1))

    (c) Termination of ``discontinued'' status. Except as noted in 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section assignment of the veteran's case to the 
same status from which the veteran was discontinued or to a different 
one requires that VA first find:
    (1) The reason for the discontinuance has been removed; and
    (2) VA has redetermined his or her eligibility and entitlement under 
Chapter 31.
    (3) In addition to the criteria described in paragraphs (c) (1) and 
(2) of this section a veteran placed into discontinued status as a 
result of a finding of unsatisfactory conduct or cooperation under 
Secs. 21.362 and 21.364 must also meet the requirements for reentrance 
into a rehabilitation program found in Sec. 21.364.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3111)

    (d) Follow-up of a cases placed in ``discontinued'' status. VA shall 
establish appropriate procedures to follow up on cases which have been 
placed in discontinued status, except in those cases reassigned from 
applicant status. The purpose of such followup is to determine if:
    (1) The reasons for discontinuance may have been removed, and 
reconsideration of eligibility and entitlement is possible; or
    (2) The veteran is employed, and criteria for assignment to 
rehabilitated status are met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107)

    Cross Reference: See Sec. 21.324 Reduction or termination dates of 
subsistence allowance.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 52 FR 2518, Jan. 23, 1987; 53 
FR 32620, Aug. 26, 1988]

                                Supplies



Sec. 21.210  Supplies.

    (a) Purpose of furnishing supplies. Supplies are furnished to enable 
a veteran to pursue rehabilitation and achieve the goals of his or her 
program.
    (b) Definition. The term supplies includes books, tools, and other 
supplies and equipment which VA determines are necessary for the 
veteran's rehabilitation program.
    (c) Periods during which supplies may be furnished. Supplies may be 
furnished during:
    (1) Extended evaluation;
    (2) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (3) Employment services; and
    (4) An independent living services program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (d) Supplies precluded. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 
(c) of this section, supplies may not be furnished to a veteran who has 
elected, or is in receipt of, payment at the educational assistance rate 
paid under Chapter 34.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a))



Sec. 21.212  General policy in furnishing supplies during periods
of rehabilitation.

    (a) Furnishing necessary supplies during a period of rehabilitation 
services. A veteran will be furnished supplies that are necessary for a 
program of rehabilitation services. For example, a veteran training in a 
school will be furnished the supplies needed to pursue the school 
course. If additional supplies are

[[Page 166]]

subsequently needed to secure employment, they will be furnished during 
the period of employment services as provided in Sec. 21.214(d).
    (b) Determining supplies needed during a period of rehabilitation. 
Subject to the provisions of Secs. 21.210 through 21.222, VA will 
authorize only those supplies which are required:
    (1) To be used by similarly circumstanced non-disabled persons in 
the same training or employment situation;
    (2) To mitigate or compensate for the effects of the veteran's 
disability while he or she is being evaluated, trained or assisted in 
gaining employment; or
    (3) To allow the veteran to function more independently and thereby 
lessen his or her dependence on others for assistance.
    (c) When supplies may be authorized. Supplies should generally be 
authorized subsequent to the date of enrollment in training or beginning 
date of other rehabilitation services unless there are compelling 
reasons to authorize them earlier. Supplies may not be authorized 
earlier than the date the veteran's rehabilitation plan is approved by 
VA and the veteran is accepted by the facility or individual providing 
services.
    (d) Supplies needed, but not specifically required. VA may determine 
that an item, such as a calculator, while not required by the school for 
the pursuit of a particular school subject, is nevertheless necessary 
for the veteran to successfully pursue his or her program under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.156 pertaining to incidental goods and services. 
The item may be authorized if:
    (1) It is generally owned and used by students pursuing the course; 
and
    (2) Students who do not have the item would be placed at a distinct 
disadvantage in pursuing the course.
    (e) Supplies for special projects and theses. The amount of supplies 
that VA may authorize for special projects, including theses, may not 
exceed the amount generally needed by similarly circumstanced 
nonveterans in meeting course or thesis requirements.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (f) Responsibility for authorization of supplies. The case manager 
is responsible for the authorization of supplies, subject to 
requirements for prior approval contained in Sec. 21.258 and other 
instructions governing payment of program charges.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(e))



Sec. 21.214  Furnishing supplies for special programs.

    (a) General. A veteran pursuing one of the following types of 
vocational rehabilitation programs is eligible for any types of supplies 
listed in Sec. 21.212. The following paragraphs clarify the 
applicability of the general provisions of Sec. 21.212 to these special 
situations.
    (b) Supplies furnished to veterans pursuing training in the home. VA 
may furnish to veterans training in the home:
    (1) Books, tools, and supplies which schools or training 
establishments that train individuals outside the home for the objective 
the veteran is pursuing at home ordinarily require all students and 
trainees to personally possess;
    (2) Supplies and equipment which are essential to the prescribed 
course of training because the veteran is pursuing the course at home. 
Equipment in this category consists of items which ordinarily are not 
required by a school or training establishment;
    (3) Special equipment, such as a vise or drafting table;
    (4) Supplies needed to enable the veteran to function more 
independently in his or her home and community.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (c) Supplies furnished to a veteran in farm cooperative training. 
The books and related training supplies which VA may furnish a veteran 
in farm cooperative training depend upon the type of instruction he or 
she is receiving:
    (1) When organized, group instruction is part of a veteran's course, 
VA will furnish those books and supplies which the school requires all 
students in the school portion of the course to own personally or on a 
rental basis;
    (2) When all instruction is given on the veteran's farm by an 
individual instructor, VA will furnish to a student

[[Page 167]]

only those textbooks and other supplies which would ordinarily be 
required by a school.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))

    (d) Obtaining and maintaining employment. A veteran being furnished 
employment services may receive supplies which:
    (1) The employer requires similarly circumstanced nonveterans to own 
upon begining employment to the extent that the items were not furnished 
during the period in which the veteran was training for the objective, 
or the items that were furnished for training purposes are not adequate 
for employment;
    (2) VA determines that special equipment is necessary for the 
veteran to perform his or her duties, subject to the obligation of the 
employer to make reasonable accommodation to the disabling effects of 
the veteran's condition.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a), 4212)

    (e) Self-employment. The supplies and related assistance which may 
be furnished, subject to the requirements prescribed under Secs. 21.257 
and 21.258, to a veteran for whom self-employment has been approved as 
the occupational objective, are generally limited to those necessary to 
begin operations:
    (1) Minimum stocks of materials, e.g., inventory of saleable 
merchandise or goods, expendable items required for day-to-day 
operations, and items which are consumed on the premises;
    (2) Essential equipment, including machinery, occupational fixtures, 
accessories, and appliances; and
    (3) Other related assistance such as business license fees.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(12))

    (f) Supplies and related assistance which may not be furnished for 
self-employment. VA may not authorize assistance for:
    (1) Purchase of, or part payment for, land and buildings;
    (2) Making full or part payment of leases or rentals;
    (3) Purchase or rentals of trucks, cars, or other means of 
transportation;
    (4) Stocking a farm for animal husbandry operations.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(12))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985, as amended at 75 
FR 3169, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.216  Special equipment.

    (a) General. Special equipment should be authorized as necessary to 
enable a veteran to mitigate or overcome the effects of disability in 
pursuing a rehabilitation program. The major types of special equipment 
which may be authorized include:
    (1) Equipment for educational or vocational purposes. This category 
includes items which are ordinarily used by nondisabled persons pursuing 
evaluation or training, modified to allow for use by disabled persons. 
e.g., calculators with speech capability for blinded persons.
    (2) Sensory aids and prostheses. This category includes items which 
are specifically designed to mitigate or overcome the effects of 
disability. They range from eyeglasses and hearing aids to closed-
circuit TV systems which amplify reading material for veterans with 
severe visual impairments.
    (3) Modifications to improve access. This category includes 
adaptations of environment not generally associated with education and 
training, such as adaptive equipment for automobiles or supplies 
necessary to modify a veteran's home to make either training or self-
employment possible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (b) Coordination with other VA elements in securing special 
equipment. In any case in which the veteran needs special equipment and 
is eligible for such equipment under other VA programs, such as medical 
care and treatment at VA medical centers, the items will be secured 
under that program. The veteran must be found ineligible for needed 
special equipment under other programs and benefits administered by VA 
before the item may be authorized under Chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

[[Page 168]]



Sec. 21.218  Methods of furnishing supplies.

    (a) Supplies furnished by the school or facility. VA will make 
arrangements for the school or other facility furnishing a veteran 
training, rehabilitation assistance, or employment under Chapter 31 to 
provide supplies to the extent practicable. This method is the one most 
likely to assure that supplies are available and can be secured 
expeditiously. A facility may be considered to be furnishing supplies 
when the facility itself is the supplier, or the facility has designated 
a supplier. Prior authorization of supplies by the case manager is 
required, except for standard sets of books, tools, or supplies which 
the facility requires all trainees or employees to have.
    (b) Issuance of supplies not furnished by the facility. VA will 
issue authorized supplies directly to the veteran, if the supplies are 
not furnished by the facility providing training, rehabilitation 
services, or employment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    Cross Reference: See 48 CFR part 831. Contract cost principles and 
procedures.



Sec. 21.219  Supplies consisting of clothing, magazines and 
periodicals, and items which may be personally used by the veteran.

    (a) Furnishing protective articles and clothing. Protective articles 
or apparel worn in place of ordinary clothing will be furnished at VA 
expense, when the school or training establishment requires similarly 
circumstanced nonveterans to use the articles of apparel. No other 
clothing will be supplied.
    (b) Furnishing magazines and periodicals. Appropriate past issues of 
magazines, periodicals, or reprints may be furnished in the same manner 
as text material, when relevant to the course or training.
    (c) Furnishing items which may be personally used. Musical 
instruments, cameras, or other items which could be used personally by 
the veteran may only be furnished if required by the facility to meet 
requirements for degree or course completion.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))



Sec. 21.220  Replacement of supplies.

    (a) Lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged supples. VA will replace 
articles which are necessary to further pursuit of the veteran's program 
and which are lost, stolen, misplaced, or damaged beyond repair through 
no fault of the veteran;
    (1) VA will make an advancement from the Vocational Rehabilitation 
Revolving Fund to a veteran to replace articles for which VA will not 
pay, if the veteran is without funds to pay for them;
    (2) If a veteran refuses to replace an article indispensable to the 
program after VA determines that its loss or damage was his or her 
fault, the veteran's refusal may be considered as noncooperation under 
Sec. 21.364;
    (3) If the veteran's program is discontinued under provisions of 
Sec. 21.364(b), he or she will be reentered into the program only when 
he or she replaces the necessary articles.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (b) Personally purchased supplies. VA will not generally reimburse a 
veteran who personally buys supplies. VA may pay for the required 
supplies which a training facility or other vendor sells to a veteran, 
if the facility chooses to return to the veteran the amounts he or she 
paid, so that the charges stand as an unpaid obligation of VA to the 
facility. If the facility does not agree to such an arrangement, VA may 
still pay the veteran, if the facts and equities of the case are 
demonstrated.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

    (c) Supplies used in more than one part of the program. Except as 
provided in paragraph (a) of this section, VA will generally furnish any 
nonconsumable supplies only one time, even though the same supplies may 
be required for use by the veteran in another subject or in another 
quarter, semester, or school year.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(7))



Sec. 21.222  Release of, and repayment for, training and rehabilitation
supplies.

    The value of supplies authorized by VA will be repaid under the 
provisions

[[Page 169]]

of this section, when the veteran fails to complete the program as 
planned.
    (a) Consumable supplies. VA will require reimbursement from a 
veteran for consumable supplies authorized, unless:
    (1) The veteran fails to complete the rehabilitation program through 
no fault of his or her own;
    (2) The employment objective of the rehabilitation plan is changed 
as a result of reevaluation by VA staff;
    (3) The total value of the supplies for which repayment is required 
is less than $100; or
    (4) The veteran dies.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

    (b) Nonconsumable supplies (general). (1) In addition to the 
exceptions noted in paragraph (c) of this section, VA will not require 
reimbursement from a veteran for nonconsumable supplies authorized, if:
    (i) The veteran and VA change the long-range goal of the 
rehabilitation plan and those supplies are not required for the 
veteran's pursuit of training for the new goal;
    (ii) The veteran's failure to complete the program was not his or 
her fault;
    (iii) The veteran was pursuing the program at a facility which 
recovers nonconsumable supplies from veterans through contractural 
arrangements with VA, and the veteran returned to the facility all the 
nonconsumable supplies furnished at VA expense;
    (iv) The veteran reenters the Armed Forces or is in the process of 
reentering the Armed Forces;
    (v) The veteran satisfactorily completed one-half or more of a 
noncollege degree course (or at least two terms in the case of a college 
course) for which VA furnished the supplies;
    (vi) The veteran certifies that he or she is using in current 
employment the supplies furnished during training;
    (vii) The total value of the supplies for which repayment is 
required is less than $100;
    (viii) The veteran dies;
    (ix) The veteran is furnished supplies during a period of employment 
services but loses the job through no fault of his or her own;
    (x) A veteran discontinued from an independent living services 
program is using supplies and equipment to reduce his or her dependence 
on others; or
    (xi) The veteran is declared rehabilitated.
    (2) The amount which a veteran must repay will be the lesser of the 
current value of the supplies, or the original cost of the supplies. VA 
will accept supplies in lieu of repayment of the value of the supplies 
if VA has authorized a change of objective.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (c) Training in the home and self-employment. In addition to the 
reasons for not requiring repayment or return of nonconsumable supplies 
listed in paragraph (b) of this section, VA will not require a veteran 
to pay for or return nonconsumable supplies if: (1) In the case of a 
veteran training in the home:
    (i) VA furnished such supplies to equip his or her home as a place 
of training; and
    (ii) The veteran has completed enough of his or her training program 
to be considered employable, and has been declared rehabilitated to the 
point of employability;
    (2) A veteran in a self-employment program not in the home is 
declared rehabilitated; or
    (3) The veteran dies and the Director, VR&E Service determines that 
the facts and equities of the family situation warrant waiver of all or 
a part of the requirements for repayment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(12))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 62 FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997]



Sec. 21.224  Prevention of abuse.

    Supplies are to be furnished under the most careful checks by the 
case manager as to what is needed by the veteran to pursue his or her 
program. Determinations of the supplies needed to enable the veteran to 
successfully pursue his or her rehabilitation program are made under the 
provisions of Secs. 21.210 through 21.222.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104, 3111)

[[Page 170]]

                      Medical and Related Services



Sec. 21.240  Medical treatment, care and services.

    (a) General. A Chapter 31 participant shall be furnished medical 
treatment, care and services which VA determines are necessary to 
develop, carry out and complete the veteran's rehabilitation plan. The 
provision of such services is a part of the veteran's entitlement to 
benefits and services under Chapter 31, and is limited to the period or 
periods in which the veteran is a Chapter 31 participant.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104, 3107)

    (b) Scope of services. The services which may be furnished under 
Chapter 31 include the treatment, care and services described in part 17 
of this title. In addition the following services may be authorized 
under Chapter 31 even if not included or described in part 17:
    (1) Prosthetic appliances, eyeglasses, and other corrective or 
assistive devices;
    (2) Services to a veteran's family as necessary for the effective 
rehabilitation of the veteran;
    (3) Special services (including services related to blindness and 
deafness) including:
    (i) Language training; speech and voice correction, training in 
ambulation, and one-hand typewriting;
    (ii) Orientation, adjustment, mobility and related services;
    (iii) Telecommunications, sensory and other technical aids and 
devices.
    (c) Eligibility. A veteran is eligible for the services described in 
paragraph (b) of this section during periods in which he or she is 
considered a Chapter 31 participant. These periods include:
    (1) Initial evaluation;
    (2) Extended evaluation;
    (3) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (4) Independent living services program;
    (5) Employment services; and
    (6) Other periods to the extent that services are needed to begin or 
continue in any of the statutes described in paragraphs (c)(1) through 
(5) of this section. Such periods include but are not limited to 
services needed to facilitate reentry into rehabilitation following:
    (i) Interruption; or
    (ii) Discontinuance because of illness or injury.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

    Cross Reference: See Sec. 17.48(g). Participating in a 
rehabilitation program under Chapter 31.



Sec. 21.242  Resources for provision of treatment, care and services.

    (a) General. VA medical centers are the primary resources for the 
provision of medical treatment, care and services for Chapter 31 
participants which may be authorized under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.240. The availability of necessary services in VA facilities 
shall be ascertained in each case.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

    (b) Hospital care and medical service. Hospital care and medical 
services provided under Chapter 31 shall only be furnished in facilities 
over which VA has direct jurisdiction, except as authorized on a 
contract or fee basis under the provisions of part 17 of this title.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(b))

    Cross References: See Sec. 17.30(l). Hospital care. Sec. 17.30(m) 
Medical services.

                           Employment Services



Sec. 21.250  Overview of employment services.

    (a) General. Employment services shall be provided if:
    (1) Eligibility for employment services exists;
    (2) The employment services which are needed have been identified; 
and
    (3) The services which have been identified are incorporated in the 
veteran's IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan) or IEAP 
(Individualized Employment Assistance Plan).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107, 3117)

    (b) Definitions. (1) The term program (period) of employment 
services includes the counseling, medical, social, and other placement 
and postplacement services provided to a veteran under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 
31 to assist the veteran

[[Page 171]]

in obtaining or maintaining suitable employment. The term program of 
employment services is used only if the veteran's eligibility under 
Chapter 31 is limited to employment services.
    (2) The term job development means a comprehensive professional 
service to assist the individual veteran to actually obtain a suitable 
job, and not simply the solicitation of jobs on behalf of the veteran. 
Continuing and mutually beneficial relationships with employers should 
be established by VA staff through referral of suitable employees and 
supportive services (e.g., adjustment counseling and job modification). 
Job development activities by VA staff are intended to provide disabled 
workers with a chance for suitable employment with cooperating 
employers.
    (3) The term employable means the veteran is able to secure and 
maintain employment in the competitive labor market or in a sheltered 
workshop or other special situation at the minimum wage.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101, 3106, 3116, 3117)

    (c) Determining eligibility for, and the extent of, employment 
services. (1) A veteran's eligibility for employment services shall be 
determined under the provisions of Sec. 21.47;
    (2) The duration of the period of employment services is determined 
under provisions of Sec. 21.73;
    (3) An IEAP (Individualized Employment Assistance Plan) shall be 
prepared under provisions of Sec. 21.88;
    (4) A veteran shall be placed in and removed from ``Employment 
Assistance Status'' under provisions of Sec. 21.194.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101, 3117)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985, as amended at 54 
FR 21216, May 17, 1989]



Sec. 21.252  Job development and placement services.

    (a) General. Job development and placement services may include:
    (1) Direct placement assistance by VA;
    (2) Utilization of the job development and placement services of:
    (i) DVOP (Disabled Veterans Outreach Program) specialists;
    (ii) Programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as 
amended;
    (iii) The State Employment Services and the Veterans' Employment and 
Training Service of the United States Department of Labor;
    (iv) The Office of Personnel Management; and
    (v) The services of any other public, or nonprofit organization 
having placement services available; and
    (vi) Any for-profit agency in a case in which it has been determined 
that comparable services are not available through public and nonprofit 
agencies and comparable services cannot be provided cost-effectively by 
the public and nonprofit agencies listed in this paragraph.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117(a)(2))

    (b) Promotion of employment and training opportunities. As funding 
permits, VA employees engaged in the administration of Chapter 31 will 
promote the establishment of employment, training, and related 
opportunities to accomplish the purposes described in Sec. 21.1.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101)

    (c) Advocacy responsibility. VA shall take reasonable steps to 
ensure that a veteran being provided employment services receives the 
benefit of any applicable provision of law or regulation providing for 
special consideration or emphasis or preference of the veteran in 
employment or training, especially programs and activities identified in 
the preceding paragraphs of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 523)

    (d) Interagency coordination. VA employees providing assistance to 
Chapter 31 participants shall coordinate their job development, 
placement, promotional, and advocacy activities with similar or related 
activities of:
    (1) The Department of Labor and State employment security agencies 
as provided by written agreement or other arrangement;
    (2) The State approving agencies:

[[Page 172]]

    (3) Other public, for-profit and nonprofit agencies providing 
employment and related services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3116, 3117, Pub. L. 100-689)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 55 FR 42187, Oct. 18, 1990; 
62 FR 17708, Apr. 11, 1997]



Sec. 21.254  Supportive services.

    (a) General. Supportive services which may be provided during a 
period or program of employment services include a broad range of 
medical treatment, care and services, supplies, license and other fees, 
special services, including services to the blind and deaf, 
transportation assistance, services to the veteran's family, and other 
appropriate services, subject to the limitations provided in VA 
regulations governing the provisions of these services under Chapter 31.
    (b) Exclusions. The following benefits may not be provided to the 
veteran by VA during a period or program of employment services:
    (1) Subsistence allowance, or payment of an allowance at the 
educational assistance rate paid under Chapter 30 for similar training;
    (2) Education and training services, other than brief courses, such 
as review courses necessary for licensure;
    (3) Revolving Fund Loan; and
    (4) Work-study allowance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a), 3108(f))

    (c) Individuals with service-connected disability(ies) trained for 
self-employment under a State rehabilitation agency. An individual with 
service-connected disability(ies) who has trained for self-employment 
under a State rehabilitation agency may be provided supplemental 
equipment and initial stocks and supplies similar to the materials 
supplied under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 to individuals with the most severe 
service-connected disability(ies) who require self-employment as defined 
in Sec. 21.257(b) if VA determines that the following conditions are 
met:
    (1) The individual is eligible for employment assistance under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.47;
    (2) Evidence of record indicates that the individual has 
successfully completed training for a self-employment program under a 
State rehabilitation agency;
    (3) No other non-VA sources of assistance are known to be available 
for the individual to complete his or her self-employment program; and
    (4) The individual meets the requirements of the definition in 
Sec. 21.257(b).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104, 3117(b)(2))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4283, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992; 62 FR 17709, Apr. 11, 1997; 75 FR 3169, Jan. 20, 
2010]



Sec. 21.256  Incentives for employers.

    (a) General. VA may make payments to employers to enable a veteran 
who has been rehabilitated to employability to begin and maintain 
employment or to provide on-job training. The purpose of such payment is 
to facilitate the placement of veterans who are generally qualified for 
employment but may lack some specific training or work experience which 
the employer requires or who are difficult to place due to their 
disability. The specific conditions which must be met before this option 
may be considered are contained in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this 
section.
    (b) Requirements for payments to employers. Payments may be made to 
employers to provide on-job training or to begin and maintain employment 
if all of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The veteran is in need of an on-job training situation or is 
generally qualified for employment but such on-job situation or 
employment opportunity is not otherwise available despite repeated and 
intensive efforts on the part of VA and the veteran to secure such 
opportunities. These conditions are also considered to be met when:
    (i) There are few employers within commuting distance of the 
veteran's home who can provide a training or employment opportunity 
consistent with the veteran's plan; and
    (ii) The veteran reasonably could not be required to seek on-job or 
employment opportunities in other areas due to the effects of his or her 
disability, family situation, or other pertinent factors; and

[[Page 173]]

    (iii) The available local employers will only provide a training or 
employment opportunity if VA agrees to reimburse for direct expenses to 
the degree permitted under this section.
    (2) The training establishment or employer is in compliance with 
provisions of Sec. 21.292 (a) and (b), pertaining to the approval of 
courses and facilities.
    (3) VA entered into an agreement with the employer in writing prior 
to the beginning of the period of on-job training or employment, whereby 
the employer will be reimbursed for direct expenses approved under 
provisions of paragraph (c) of this section.
    (4) The on-job training program or employment of the veteran does 
not displace a current employee or prevent the recall of a laid-off 
employee.
    (c) Limitation on payment. Payments to the employer may be made only 
for the employer's direct expenses as a result of hiring the veteran and 
generally may not exceed one-half of the wage paid to other employees in 
the same or similar job. Direct expenses include:
    (1) Instruction;
    (2) Instructional aids;
    (3) Training materials and supplies provided to the veteran;
    (4) Minor modification of equipment to the special limitations of 
the veteran;
    (5) Significant loss of productivity of the employer caused by using 
the veteran as opposed to a nondisabled employee.
    (d) Duration. The period for which the employer is paid may not 
exceed the period necessary to accomplish on-job training or to begin 
and maintain employment at the journeyman level for at least 2 months. 
The period for which payment may be authorized may not exceed 9 months, 
unless the VR&E Officer, approves a longer period.
    (e) Benefits and services. (1) An eligible veteran on whose behalf 
payments are made to the employer shall be provided all other Chapter 31 
benefits and services furnished to other veterans receiving employment 
services. A veteran may not be paid a subsistence allowance during the 
period in which job training or work experience is furnished under this 
section.
    (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these regulations, if 
the program in which the veteran is participating meets the criteria for 
approval of on-job training under chapter 30, the veteran may be paid at 
educational assistance rates provided for this type of training under 
chapter 30 to the extent that he or she has remaining eligibility and 
entitlement under chapter 30 and has elected to receive a subsistence 
allowance in accordance with Sec. 21.7136.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f), 3116(b))

    (f) Non-duplication. VA will not make payments under the provisions 
of this section to an employer receiving payments from any other program 
for the same training or employment expenses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3116(b))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985; 54 FR 4283, Jan. 
30, 1989; 57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992; 62 FR 17709, Apr. 11, 1997]



Sec. 21.257  Self-employment.

    (a) Approval of self-employment as a vocational goal. A program of 
vocational rehabilitation benefits and services may include self-
employment for an individual if VA determines that such an objective is 
a suitable vocational goal. VA will make this determination based on--
    (1) The results of the individual's initial evaluation conducted in 
accordance with the provisions of Sec. 21.50; and
    (2) The provisions of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (b) Definition. For purposes of this subpart, individuals with the 
most severe service-connected disability(ies) who require self-
employment means individuals who have been determined by VA to have 
limitations affecting employability arising from the effects of each 
individual's service-connected disability(ies), which are so severe as 
to necessitate selection of self-employment as the only reasonably 
feasible vocational goal for the individuals.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

    (c) Scope of self-employment benefits and services. (1) VA may 
provide the self-employment services listed in paragraph (d) of this 
section to program participants who are pursuing

[[Page 174]]

the vocational goal of self-employment.
    (2) VA may provide the more extensive services listed in paragraph 
(e) of this section to individuals with the most severe service-
connected disability(ies) who require self-employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (d) Assistance for other individuals in self-employment. Subject to 
the provisions of Sec. 21.258, VA may provide the following assistance 
to any individual for whom self-employment is determined to be a 
suitable vocational goal--
    (1) Vocational training;
    (2) Incidental training in the management of a business;
    (3) License or other fees required for self-employment;
    (4) Necessary tools and supplies for the occupation; and
    (5) Services described in Sec. 21.252.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (e) Special self-employment services for individuals with the most 
severe service-connected disability(ies) who require self-employment. 
Individuals described in paragraph (b) of this section who are in a 
self-employment program may receive--
    (1) The services described in paragraph (d) of this section; and
    (2) The assistance described in Sec. 21.214.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104, 3116, 3117)

    (f) Feasibility analysis of a proposed self-employment business 
plan. VA will conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the 
feasibility of a proposed business plan, as submitted by the individual 
or developed with VA's assistance, prior to authorizing a rehabilitation 
plan leading to self-employment (a ``self-employment plan''). The 
feasibility analysis must include--
    (1) An analysis of the economic viability of the proposed business;
    (2) A cost analysis specifying the amount and types of assistance 
that VA will provide;
    (3) A market analysis for the individual's proposed services or 
products;
    (4) Availability of financing from non-VA sources, including the 
individual's personal resources, local banks, and other sources;
    (5) Evidence of coordination with the Small Business Administration 
to secure special consideration under section 8 of the Small Business 
Act, as amended;
    (6) The location of the site for the proposed business and the cost 
of the site, if any; and
    (7) A training plan to operate a successful business.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

[75 FR 3170, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.258  Cost limitations on approval of self-employment plans.

    A self-employment plan with an estimated or actual cost of less than 
$25,000 may be approved by the VR&E Officer with jurisdiction. Any self-
employment plan with an estimated or actual cost of $25,000 or more must 
be approved by the Director, VR&E Service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104)

[75 FR 3170, Jan. 20, 2010]

                      Monetary Assistance Services



Sec. 21.260  Subsistence allowance.

    (a) General. A veteran participating in a rehabilitation program 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 will receive a monthly subsistence allowance 
at the rates in paragraph (b) of this section, unless the veteran elects 
to receive an alternate payment (for the purposes of part 21, subpart A, 
referred to as the Post-9/11 subsistence allowance) as specified in 
paragraph (c) of this section, or payment at the rate of monthly 
educational assistance allowance payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 for 
the veteran's type of training. See Sec. 21.264(a) for election of 
payment at the chapter 30 rate and Sec. 21.264(b) for election of the 
Post-9/11 subsistence allowance. See Secs. 21.7136, 21.7137, and 21.7138 
to determine the applicable chapter 30 rate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a), 3108(b), 3108(f))

    (b) Rate of payment. VA pays subsistence allowance at the rates 
stated in the following tables:

[[Page 175]]

    (1) Subsistence allowance is paid at the following rates effective 
October 1, 1994, and before November 2, 1994:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                                                      amount for
                       Type of program                             No          One          Two          each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   dependent
                                                                                                       over two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional: \1\
    Full-time...............................................      $374.93      $465.08      $548.05       $39.95
    \3/4\ time..............................................       281.71       349.32       409.76        30.73
    \1/2\ time..............................................       188.49       233.56       274.54        20.49
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a Federal, State,
 or local agency; training in the home; vocational course in
 a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop;
 independent instructor:
    Full-time only..........................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a Federal, State,
 or local agency:
    Full-time...............................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
    \3/4\ time..............................................       281.71       349.32       409.76        30.73
    \1/2\ time..............................................       188.49       233.56       274.54        20.49
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other on-job training:
 \2\
    Full-time only..........................................       327.81       396.44       456.88        29.71
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time...................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.45
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time.............................       327.81       396.44       456.88        29.71
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional...........................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
    On-job..................................................       327.81       396.44       456.88        29.71
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time only..........................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
    \3/4\ time..............................................       281.71       349.32       409.76        30.73
    \1/2\ time..............................................       188.49       233.56       274.54        20.49
    \1/4\ time \3\..........................................        94.24       116.78       137.27       10.24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 through 21.4275.
\2\ For on-job training, subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage,
  not including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.
\3\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.

    (2) Subsistence allowance is paid at the following rates effective 
November 2, 1994, and before October 1, 1995:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                                                      amount for
                       Type of program                             No          One          Two          each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   dependent
                                                                                                       over two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional: \1\
    Full-time...............................................      $374.93      $465.08      $548.05       $39.95
    \3/4\ time..............................................       281.71       349.32       409.76        30.73
    \1/2\ time..............................................       188.49       233.56       274.54        20.49
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency; training in the home; vocational course in a
 rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; independent
 instructor:
    Full-time only..........................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency:
    Full-time...............................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
    \3/4\ time..............................................       281.71       349.32       409.76        30.73
    \1/2\ time..............................................       188.49       233.56       274.54        20.49
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other on-job training:
 \2\
    Full-time only..........................................       327.81       396.44       456.88        29.71
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time...................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.45
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time.............................       327.81       396.44       456.88        29.71
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional...........................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
    On-job..................................................       327.81       396.44       456.88        29.71
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time only..........................................       374.93       465.08       548.05        39.95
    \3/4\ time..............................................       281.71       349.32       409.76        30.73
    \1/2\ time..............................................       188.49       233.56       274.54        20.49
    \1/4\ time \3\..........................................        94.24       116.78       137.27       10.24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 through 21.4275.

[[Page 176]]

 
\2\ For on-job training, subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage,
  not including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.
\3\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.

    (3) The following table states the monthly rates of subsistence 
allowance payable for participation in a rehabilitation program under 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 31 that occurs after September 30, 1995, and before 
October 1, 1996:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                                                      amount for
                       Type of program                             No          One          Two          each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   dependent
                                                                                                       over two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:\1\
    Full-time...............................................      $385.80      $478.57      $563.94       $41.11
    \3/4\ time..............................................       289.88       359.45       421.64        31.62
    \1/2\ time..............................................       193.96       240.33       282.50        21.08
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency; training in the home; vocational course in a
 rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; independent
 instructor:
    Full-time only..........................................       385.80       478.57       563.94        41.11
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or Indian tribe agency:
    Full-time...............................................       385.80       478.57       563.94        41.11
    \3/4\ time..............................................       289.88       359.45       421.64        31.62
    \1/2\ time..............................................       193.96       240.33       282.50        21.08
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other on-job training
 (OJT): \2\
    Full-time only..........................................       337.32       407.94       470.13        30.57
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time...................       385.80       478.57       563.94        41.11
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time \2\.........................       337.32       407.94       470.13        30.57
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional...........................................       385.80       478.57       563.94        41.11
    On-job \2\..............................................       337.32       407.94       470.13        30.57
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time only..........................................       385.80       478.57       563.94        41.11
    \3/4\ time..............................................       289.88       359.45       421.64        31.62
    \1/2\ time..............................................       193.96       240.33       282.50        21.08
    \1/4\ time \3\..........................................        96.97       120.17       141.25       10.54
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 through 21.4275.
\2\ For on-job training, subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage,
  not including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.
\3\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.

    (4) The following table states the monthly rates of subsistence 
allowance payable for participation in a rehabilitation program under 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 31 that occurs after September 30, 1996, and before 
October 1, 1997:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                                                      amount for
                       Type of program                             No          One          Two          each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   dependent
                                                                                                       over two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional: \1\
    Full-time...............................................      $396.22      $491.49      $579.17       $42.22
    \3/4\time...............................................       297.71       369.16       433.02        32.47
    \1/2\ time..............................................       199.20       246.82       290.13        21.65
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency; training in the home; vocational course in a
 rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; independent
 instructor:
    Full-time only..........................................       396.22       491.49       579.17        42.22
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency:
    Full-time...............................................       396.22       491.49       579.17        42.22
    \3/4\ time..............................................       297.71       369.16       433.02        32.47
    \1/2\ time..............................................       199.20       246.82       290.13        21.65
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other on-job training
 (OJT) \2\
    Full-time only..........................................       346.43       418.95       482.82        31.40
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time...................       396.22       491.49       579.17        42.22
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time \2\.........................       346.43       418.95       482.82        31.40
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional...........................................       396.22       491.49       579.17        42.22

[[Page 177]]

 
    On-job \2\..............................................       346.43       418.95       482.82        31.40
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time only..........................................       396.22       491.49       579.17        42.22
    \3/4\ time..............................................       297.71       369.16       433.02        32.47
    \1/2\ time..............................................       199.20       246.82       290.13        21.65
    \1/4\ time \3\..........................................        99.59       123.41       145.06       10.82
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 through 21.4275.
\2\ For on-job training, subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage,
  not including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.
\3\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.

    (5) The following table states the monthly rates of subsistence 
allowance payable for participation in a rehabilitation program under 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 31 that occurs after September 30, 1997, and before 
November 1, 1998:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                                                      amount for
                       Type of program                             No          One          Two          each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   dependent
                                                                                                       over two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional: \1\
    Full-time...............................................      $407.31      $505.25      $595.39       $43.40
    \3/4\ time..............................................       306.05       379.50       445.14        33.38
    \1/2\ time..............................................       204.78       253.73       298.25        22.26
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency; training in the home; vocational course in a
 rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; independent
 instructor:
    Full-time only..........................................       407.31       505.25       595.39        43.40
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency:
    Full-time...............................................       407.31       505.25       595.39        43.40
    \3/4\ time..............................................       306.05       379.50       445.14        33.38
    \1/2\ time..............................................       204.78       253.73       298.25        22.26
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other on-job training
 (OJT): \2\
    Full-time only..........................................       356.13       430.68       496.34        32.28
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time...................       407.31       505.25       595.39        43.40
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time \2\.........................       356.13       430.68       496.34        32.28
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional...........................................       407.31       505.25       595.39        43.40
    On-job \2\..............................................       356.13       430.68       496.34        32.28
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time only..........................................       407.31       505.25       595.39        43.40
    \3/4\ time..............................................       306.05       379.50       445.14        33.38
    \1/2\ time..............................................       204.78       253.73       298.25        22.26
    \1/4\ time \3\..........................................       102.38       126.87       148.09       11.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 through 21.4275.
\2\ For on-job training, subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage,
  not including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.
\3\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.

    (6) The following table states the monthly rates of subsistence 
allowance payable for participation in a rehabilitation program under 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 31 that occurs after September 30, 1998, and before 
October 1, 1999:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                                                      amount for
                       Type of program                             No          One          Two          each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   dependent
                                                                                                       over two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional: \1\
    Full-time...............................................      $413.83      $513.33      $604.92       $44.09
    \3/4\ time..............................................       310.95       385.57       452.26        33.91
    \1/2\ time..............................................       208.06       257.79       303.02        22.62
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency; training in the home; vocational course in a
 rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop; independent
 instructor:

[[Page 178]]

 
    Full-time only..........................................       413.83       513.33       604.92        44.09
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a facility of a
 Federal, State, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
 agency:
    Full-time...............................................       413.83       513.33       604.92        44.09
    \3/4\ time..............................................       310.95       385.57       452.26        33.91
    \1/2\ time..............................................       208.06       257.79       303.02        22.62
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other on-job training
 (OJT): \2\
    Full-time only..........................................       361.83       437.57       504.28        32.80
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time...................       413.83       513.33       604.92        44.09
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time \2\.........................       361.83       437.57       504.28        32.80
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional...........................................       413.83       513.33       604.92        44.09
    On-job \2\..............................................       361.83       437.57       504.28        32.80
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time only..........................................       413.83       513.33       604.92        44.09
    \3/4\ time..............................................       310.95       385.57       452.26        33.91
    \1/2\ time..............................................       208.06       257.79       303.02        22.62
    \1/4\ time \3\..........................................       104.02       128.90       151.51       11.30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 through 21.4275.
\2\ For on-job training, subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage,
  not including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.
\3\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.

    (7) The following table states the monthly rates of subsistence 
allowance payable for participation in a rehabilitation program under 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 31 that occurs after September 30, 1999, and before 
October 1, 2000:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                                                                                                      amount for
                       Type of program                             No          One          Two          each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   dependent
                                                                                                       over two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:\1\
    Full-time...............................................      $420.45      $521.54      $614.60       $44.80
    \3/4\ time..............................................       315.93       391.74       459.50        34.45
    \1/2\ time..............................................       211.39       261.91       307.87        22.98
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a Federal, State,
 local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency;
 training in the home; vocational course in a rehabilitation
 facility or sheltered workshop; independent instructor;
 institutional non-farm cooperative:
    Full-time only..........................................       420.45       521.54       614.60        44.80
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a Federal, State,
 local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency:
    Full-time...............................................       420.45       521.54       614.60        44.80
    \3/4\ time..............................................       315.93       391.74       459.50        34.45
    \1/2\ time..............................................       211.39       261.91       307.87        22.98
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other on-job training
 (OJT):\2\
    Full-time only..........................................       367.62       444.57       512.35        33.32
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time...................       420.45       521.54       614.60        44.80
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time\2\..........................       367.62       444.57       512.35        33.32
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional...........................................       420.45       521.54       614.60        44.80
    On-job \2\..............................................       367.62       444.57       512.35        33.32
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time...............................................       420.45       521.54      $614.60       $44.80
    \3/4\ time..............................................       315.93       391.74       459.50        34.45
    \1/2\ time..............................................       211.39       261.91       307.87        22.98
    \1/4\ time \3\..........................................       105.98       130.96       153.93       11.48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 through 21.4275.
\2\ For on-job training, subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage,
  not including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.
\3\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.


[[Page 179]]


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108, 3115(a)(1); Pub. L. 103-446)

    (c) Rate of payment of Post-9/11 subsistence allowance. In lieu of 
the subsistence allowance payable under paragraph (b) of this section, 
VA pays the Post-9/11 subsistence allowance at the rates in the table at 
the end of this paragraph, effective August 1, 2011, based on the basic 
allowance for housing payable under 37 U.S.C. 403. For purposes of the 
following table:
    (1) BAH means ``the applicable amount of basic allowance for housing 
payable under 37 U.S.C. 403 for a member of the military with dependents 
in pay grade E-5 residing in the military housing area that encompasses 
all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area in which is located the 
institution, agency, or employer providing the rehabilitation program 
concerned''.
    (2) BAH National Average means ``the average (i.e., unweighted 
arithmetic mean) monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing 
payable under 37 U.S.C. 403 for a member of the military with dependents 
in pay grade E-5 residing in the United States''.

Payment of Post-9/11 Subsistence Allowance in Accordance With Public Law
                                 111-377
                     [Effective August 1, 2011] \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Type of program                          Payment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional: \2\
    Full-time.............................  Entire BAH of institution
                                             ZIP code.
    \3/4\ time............................  \3/4\ BAH of institution ZIP
                                             code.
    \1/2\ time............................  \1/2\ BAH of institution ZIP
                                             code.
Nonpay or nominal pay on-job training in a
 Federal, State, local, or federally
 recognized Indian tribe agency;
 vocational course in a rehabilitation
 facility or sheltered workshop;
 institutional non-farm cooperative:
    Full-time only........................  Entire BAH of agency or
                                             institution ZIP code.
Nonpay or nominal pay work experience in a
 Federal, State, local, or federally
 recognized Indian tribe agency:
    Full-time.............................  Entire BAH of agency ZIP
                                             code.
    \3/4\ time............................  \3/4\ BAH of agency ZIP
                                             code.
    \1/2\ time............................  \1/2\ BAH of agency ZIP
                                             code.
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or other
 on-job training (OJT): \3\
    Full-time only........................  Entire BAH of employer ZIP
                                             code.
Combination of institutional and OJT (Full-
 time only):
    Institutional greater than \1/2\ time.  Entire BAH of institution
                                             ZIP code.
    OJT greater than \1/2\ time \3\.......  Entire BAH of employer ZIP
                                             code.
Non-farm cooperative (Full-time only):
    Institutional.........................  Entire BAH of institution
                                             ZIP code.
    On-job \3\............................  Entire BAH of employer ZIP
                                             code.
Improvement of rehabilitation potential:
    Full-time.............................  Entire BAH of institution
                                             ZIP code.
    \3/4\ time............................  \3/4\ BAH of institution ZIP
                                             code.
    \1/2\ time............................  \1/2\ BAH of institution ZIP
                                             code.
    \1/4\ time \4\........................  \1/4\ BAH of institution ZIP
                                             code.
Training consisting of solely distance
 learning: \5\
    Full-time.............................  \1/2\ BAH National Average.
    \3/4\ time............................  \3/8\ BAH National Average.
    \1/2\ time............................  \1/4\ BAH National Average.
Training in the home, including
 independent instructor:
    Full-time only........................  \1/2\ BAH National Average.
Training in an institution not assigned a
 ZIP code, including foreign institutions:
    Full-time.............................  Entire BAH National Average.
    \3/4\ time............................  \3/4\ BAH National Average.
    \1/2\ time............................  \1/2\ BAH National Average.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Effective August 1, 2011, the Post-9/11 subsistence allowance may be
  paid in lieu of subsistence allowance authorized in Sec. 21.260(b),
  and is not adjusted to include dependents.
\2\ For measurement of rate of pursuit, see Secs.  21.4270 and 21.4272
  through 21.4275. Payments for courses being taken simultaneously at
  more than one institution are based on the BAH of the ZIP code
  assigned to the parent institution.
\3\ For on-job training, payment of the Post-9/11 subsistence allowance
  may not exceed the difference between the monthly training wage, not
  including overtime, and the entrance journeyman wage for the veteran's
  objective.
\4\ The quarter-time rate may be paid only during extended evaluation.
\5\ Payment for training consisting of both distance learning and
  courses taken at a local institution is based on the BAH of the ZIP
  code assigned to the local institution.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108, 3115(a)(1))

    (d) Subsistence allowance precluded. A veteran may not receive a 
subsistence allowance when VA is providing the veteran only the 
following services:
    (1) Initial evaluation;
    (2) Placement and post-placement services under 38 U.S.C. 3105(b); 
or

[[Page 180]]

    (3) Counseling.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108 (a)(1) and (a)(3))

    (e) Dependents. The term dependent means a spouse, child or 
dependent parent who meets the definition of relationship specified in 
Sec. 3.50, Sec. 3.57 or Sec. 3.59 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(b))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 51 FR 9955, Mar. 24, 1986; 52 
FR 42113, Nov. 3, 1987; 54 FR 4283, Jan. 30, 1989; 56 FR 7567, Feb. 25, 
1991; 60 FR 4561, Jan. 24, 1995; 65 FR 51764, Aug. 25, 2000; 65 FR 
60724, Oct. 12, 2000; 76 FR 34000, June 10, 2011; 76 FR 45703, Aug. 1, 
2011]



Sec. 21.262  Procurement and reimbursement of cost for training and 
rehabilitation services, supplies, or facilities.

    (a) General. Whenever services, supplies and facilities from source 
outside VA are required by any of these regulations, they shall be 
provided through contract, agreement of other cooperative arrangement 
between VA and the vendor.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(b))

    (b) VA Acquisition Regulations. Payments of charges for training and 
rehabilition services, supplies, or facilities, authorized under Chapter 
31 are subject to the provisions of applicable VA Acquisition 
Regulations especially 48 CFR part 831 and subpart 871.2.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(a))



Sec. 21.264  Election of payment at the 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 
educational assistance rate or election of payment of Post-9/11
subsistence allowance.

    (a) Election of chapter 30 educational assistance rate. (1) 
Eligibility. A veteran who applies for, and is found entitled to 
training or education under Chapter 31, may elect to receive payment at 
the educational allowance rate and other assistance furnished under 
Chapter 30, for similar training in lieu of a subsistence allowance, 
provided the following criteria are met:
    (i) The veteran has remaining eligibility for, and entitlement to 
educational assistance under Chapter 30;
    (ii) The veteran enrolls in a program of education or training 
approved for benefits under Chapter 30;
    (iii) The program of education is part of an IWRP (Individualized 
Written Rehabilitation Plan) approved by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3022, 3108(f))

    (2) Reelection of subsistence allowance. Reelection of payment of 
benefits at the Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate may be made only 
after completion of a term, quarter, semester, or other period of 
instruction unless:
    (i) Chapter 30 eligibility or entitlement ends earlier;
    (ii) Failure to approve immediate reelection would prevent the 
veteran from continuing in the rehabilitation program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3022, 3108(f))

    (3) Services precluded. A veteran entitled to vocational 
rehabilitation training or education who elects payment at the 
educational assistance rate payable under Chapter 30 shall be provided 
the same training and rehabilitation services as other veterans under 
Chapter 31, but may not be provided:
    (i) Subsistence allowances;
    (ii) Loans from the revolving fund loan;
    (iii) Payment of costs for:
    (A) Vocational and other training services;
    (B) Supplies; or
    (C) Individualized tutorial assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3022, 3108(f))

    (4) Chapter 30 provisions applicable. A veteran who has elected 
payment at the Chapter 30 educational assistance rate must meet the same 
terms and conditions as other veterans pursuing similar training under 
these programs.
    (b) Election of payment of Post-9/11 subsistence allowance--(1) 
Eligibility. Effective August 1, 2011, a veteran who applies and is 
eligible for training or education under chapter 31 may elect to receive 
payment of the Post-9/11 subsistence allowance under Sec. 21.260(c) in 
lieu of a subsistence allowance under Sec. 21.260(b), provided the 
veteran has remaining eligibility for, and entitlement to, educational 
assistance under chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill.

[[Page 181]]

    (2) Reelection of subsistence allowance under Sec. 21.260(b). 
Reelection of payment of benefits at the chapter 31 subsistence 
allowance rate under Sec. 21.260(b) may be made only after completion of 
a term, quarter, semester, or other period of instruction unless:
    (i) Chapter 33 eligibility or entitlement ends earlier; or
    (ii) Failure to approve immediate reelection would prevent the 
veteran from continuing in the rehabilitation program.
    (3) Services under chapter 31. A veteran who elects payment of the 
Post-9/11 subsistence allowance remains entitled to all other services 
and assistance under chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(b))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4283, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992; 76 FR 45704, Aug. 1, 2011]



Sec. 21.266  Payment of subsistence allowance under special conditions.

    (a) Hospitalized veteran or serviceperson. A veteran pursuing a VA 
rehabilitation program under Chapter 31 while hospitalized in a VA 
medical center or in any other hospital at VA expense may receive the 
subsistence allowance otherwise payable. The subsistence allowance will 
be paid at the rates specified in Sec. 21.260, except:
    (1) The amount of subsistence allowance or the allowance provided 
under Sec. 21.264 that may be paid to a veteran pursuing a 
rehabilitation program for any month for which the veteran receives 
compensation at the rate prescribed in Sec. 3.401(h) of this title, as 
the result of hospital treatment (not including post-hospital 
convalescence) or observation at the expense of VA may not exceed, when 
added to any compensation to which such veteran is entitled for the 
month, an amount equal to the greater of:
    (i) The sum of: (A) the amount of monthly subsistence of the 
allowance payable under Sec. 21.264, and (B) the amount of monthly 
disability compensation that would be paid to the veteran if he or she 
was not receiving compensation at the temporary 100 percent rate as the 
result of such hospital treatment or observation, or
    (ii) The amount of monthly disability compensation payable under 
Sec. 3.401(h) of this title.
    (2) A veteran pursuing a rehabilitation program while in post 
hospital convalescence (Sec. 3.401(h)) will be paid the regular rate of 
subsistence allowance.
    (3) A serviceperson pursuing a rehabilitation program under Chapter 
31 will not receive a subsistence allowance if he or she is hospitalized 
in a medical facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary pending 
final discharge from the armed forces.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(h))

    (b) Specialized rehabilitation facility--(1) A veteran in a 
specialized rehabilitation facility will be paid the regular rate of 
subsistence allowance at the institutional rate. VA may pay the cost of 
room and board in lieu of subsistence allowance when:
    (i) The specialized rehabilitation facility requires that similarly 
circumstanced persons pay the same charges for room and board, and
    (ii) The case manager finds and the veteran agrees that it is to the 
veteran's advantage for VA to pay the cost of room and board.
    (2) Even though VA pays the cost of room and board, the veteran will 
be paid that portion of subsistence allowance otherwise payable for 
dependents.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(e))

    (c) Non-pay work experience or training in a Federal agency. A 
veteran in an on-job program or being provided work experience in a 
Federal agency at no or nominal pay shall receive subsistence allowance 
at the institutional rate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(c))

    (d) Extended evaluation and independent living program. A veteran in 
a program of extended evaluation or independent living service program 
shall be paid subsistence allowance for full or part-time participation 
at the rate specified for institutional training in Sec. 21.260. If an 
extended evaluation or independent living program is pursued on a less 
than a quarter-time basis, as measured under Sec. 21.310(d), VA will 
only

[[Page 182]]

pay established charges for services furnished.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(h))

    (e) On-job training. A veteran in an on-job training program will be 
paid subsistence allowance at the rate provided under Sec. 21.260(b), 
except that subsistence allowance may not exceed the difference between 
the monthly training wage, exclusive of overtime, and the entrance 
journeyman wage for the veteran's objective.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(c))



Sec. 21.268  Employment adjustment allowance.

    (a) General. A veteran who completes a period of rehabilitation and 
reaches the point of employability will be paid an employment adjustment 
allowance for a period of two months at the full-time subsistence 
allowance rate for the type of program the veteran was last pursuing. 
(See Sec. 21.190(d))


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a))

    (b) Reelection of subsistence allowance. A veteran who has elected 
payment at the Chapter 30 educational assistance allowance rate may be 
paid an employment adjustment allowance only if he or she reelects 
subsistence allowance to become effective no later than the day 
following completion of the period of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f))

    (c) Special programs. An employment adjustment allowance will be 
paid at the institutional rate of subsistence allowance for veterans in 
any of the following programs:
    (1) On-job training at no or nominal pay in a Federal agency;
    (2) Training in the home program;
    (3) Independent instructor program;
    (4) Cooperative program; or
    (5) Self-employment program.
    (d) Combination program. A veteran who has pursued a combination 
program will be paid an employment adjustment allowance at the full-time 
rate for the type of training the veteran was actually pursuing at the 
completion of the period of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability.
    (e) Subsequent payments of employment adjustment allowance. If a 
veteran has ever received an employment adjustment allowance following 
rehabilitation to the point of employability, he or she may, 
nevertheless, receive it again when completing an additional 
rehabilitation program to the point of employability if:
    (1) The prior determination of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability is set aside; and
    (2) The veteran is reinducted into a new vocational rehabilitation 
program as provided in Sec. 21.282.
    (f) Special situations. Effective August 6, 2013, a veteran who has 
been displaced as the result of a natural or other disaster while being 
paid an employment adjustment allowance may receive up to an additional 
two months of employment adjustment allowance, if satisfactorily 
following a program of employment services.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a)(2))
    (g) Employment adjustment allowance not charged against entitlement. 
An employment adjustment allowance will not be charged against the 
veteran's basic entitlement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4284, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992; 79 FR 15921, Mar. 24, 2014]



Sec. 21.270  Payment of subsistence allowance during leave and other
periods.

    (a) Payment during leave. VA will pay an eligible veteran a 
subsistence allowance during any period of approved leave including a 
veteran:
    (1) Receiving medical or rehabilitation services on an outpatient 
basis at a VA medical center, and who provides his or her own room and 
board;
    (2) Receiving service department retirement or retained pay while 
not on active duty;
    (3) Hospitalized at a VA medical center while on approved leave. If 
the veteran becomes eligible for payment of disability compensation at 
the temporary 100 percent rate, under Sec. 3.401(h)

[[Page 183]]

of this title due to hospitalization, payment will be made under 
provisions of Sec. 21.266(a).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3110)

    (b) Payment for other periods. Subsistence allowance will be paid 
for:
    (1) Weekend and legal holidays, or customary vacation periods 
associated with them;
    (2) Periods in which the school is closed temporarily under 
emergency conditions described in Sec. 21.4138(f).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 76 FR 45705, Aug. 1, 2011]



Sec. 21.272  Veteran-student services.

    (a) Eligibility. Veterans who are pursuing a rehabilitation program 
under chapter 31 on a three-quarter or full-time basis are eligible to 
receive a work-study allowance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(4), 3485)

    (b) Selection criteria. Whenever feasible, VA will give priority to 
veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 30 percent or more 
disabling in selection of recipients of this allowance. VA shall 
consider the following additional selection criteria:
    (1) Need of the veteran to augment the subsistence allowance or 
payment made by the Chapter 30 rate;
    (2) Motivation of the veteran; and
    (3) Compatibility of the work assignment with the veteran's physical 
condition.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(4), 3108(f), 3485)

    (c) Utilization. Veteran-student services may be utilized in 
connection with:
    (1) VA outreach service program as carried out under the supervision 
of a VA employee;
    (2) Preparation and processing of necessary VA papers and other 
documents at educational institutions, regional offices or other VA 
facilities;
    (3) Hospital and domiciliary care and medical treatment at VA 
facilities; and
    (4) Any other appropriate activity of VA.
    (d) Rate of payment. (1) In return for the veterans' agreement to 
perform services for VA totaling 25 times the number of weeks contained 
in an enrollment period, VA will pay an allowance equal to the higher 
of:
    (i) The hourly minimum wage in effect under section 6(a) of the Fair 
Labor Standards Act of 1938 times the number of hours the veteran has 
agreed to work; or
    (ii) The hourly minimum wage under comparable law of the State in 
which the services are to be performed times the number of hours the 
veteran has agreed to work.
    (2) VA will pay proportionately less to a veteran who agrees to 
perform a lesser number of hours of services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(4), 3485)

    (e) Payment in advance. VA will pay in advance an amount equal to 40 
percent of the total amount payable under the contract (but not more 
than an amount equal to 50 times the applicable hourly minimum wage).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(4), 3485)

    (f) Veteran reduces rate of training. In the event the veteran 
reduces his or her training to less than three-quarter time before 
completing an agreement, the veteran, with the approval of the Director 
of the VA field station, or designee, may be permitted to complete the 
portions of an agreement in the same or immediately following term, 
quarter or semester in which the veteran ceases to be at least a three-
quarter time student.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(4), 3485)

    (g) Veteran terminates training. If the veteran terminates all 
training before completing an agreement, VA:
    (1) Will permit him or her to complete the portion of the agreement 
represented by the sum of money VA has advanced to the veteran for which 
he or she has not performed any services; but
    (2) Will not permit him or her to complete that portion of an 
agreement for which no advance has been made.
    (h) Indebtedness for unperformed service. (1) If the veteran has 
received an advance for hours of unperformed service that remain after 
application of

[[Page 184]]

paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section, that advance:
    (i) Will be a debt due the United States; and
    (ii) Will be subject to recovery in the same manner as any other 
debt due the United States;
    (2) For each hour of unperformed service, the amount of indebtedness 
shall equal the hourly wage upon which the contract was made.
    (i) Survey. VA will conduct an annual survey of its regional offices 
to determine the number of veterans whose services can be utilized 
effectively.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(4), 3485)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985; 54 FR 4284, Jan. 
30, 1989, as amended at 56 FR 14648, Apr. 11, 1991; 57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 
1992; 62 FR 17709, Apr. 11, 1997]



Sec. 21.274  Revolving fund loan.

    (a) Establishment of revolving fund loan. A revolving fund is 
established to provide advances to veterans who would otherwise be 
unable to begin or continue in a rehabilitation program without such 
assistance.
    (b) Definition. The term advance means a non-interest loan from the 
revolving fund.
    (c) Eligibility. A veteran is eligible for an advance if the 
following conditions are present:
    (1) An Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan, Individualized 
Extended Evaluation Plan, or Individualized Independent Living Plan has 
been prepared; and
    (2) The veteran and VA staff agree on the terms and conditions of 
the plan.
    (d) Advance conditions. (1) An advance may be approved when the 
following conditions are met:
    (i) The purpose of the advance is clearly and directly related to 
beginning, continuing, or reentering a rehabilitation program;
    (ii) The veteran would otherwise be unable to begin, continue or 
reenter his or her rehabilitation program;
    (iii) The advance does not exceed either the amount needed, or twice 
the monthly subsistence allowance for a veteran without dependents in 
full-time institutional training specified in Sec. 21.260(b); and
    (iv) The veteran has elected, or is in receipt of, subsistence 
allowance.
    (2) An advance may not be made to a veteran who meets conditions 
described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section if the veteran:
    (i) Has not fully repaid an advance;
    (ii) Does not agree to the terms and conditions for repayment; or
    (iii) Will not be eligible in the future for payments of pension, 
compensation, subsistence allowance, educational assistance, or retired 
pay.
    (e) Determination of the amount of the advance. (1) If the 
conditions described in paragraphs (c) and (d)(2) of this section are 
met, a Counseling Psychologist (CP), Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
(VRC), or vocational rehabilitation specialist in the VR&E Division 
will:
    (i) Document the findings; and
    (ii) Determine the amount of the advance.
    (2) Loans will be made in multiples of $10.
    (f) Repayment--(1) Offset possible. The amount advanced will be 
repaid in monthly installments from future VA payments for compensation, 
pension, subsistence allowance, educational assistance allowance or 
retired pay.
    (i) Repayment will begin on the earlier of the following dates:
    (A) The first day of the month following the month in which the 
advance is granted; or
    (B) The first day of the month after receipt of the advance in which 
the veteran receives a subsistence allowance
    (ii) The VR&E staff person who approves the advance will determine 
the rate of repayment.
    (iii) The monthly rate of repayment may not be less than 10 percent 
of the amount advanced unless the monthly benefit against which the 
advance is being offset is less than that amount.
    (2) Offset not possible. If the amount advanced cannot be repaid 
from the benefits cited in paragraph (f)(1) of this section because the 
veteran is not in receipt of any of these benefits, collection of the 
amount due will be made in

[[Page 185]]

the same manner as any other debt payable to VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3112)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 76 FR 45705, Aug. 1, 2011; 81 
FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.276  Incarcerated veterans.

    (a) General. The provisions contained in this section describe the 
limitations on payment of subsistence allowance and charges for tuition 
and fees for:
    (1) Incarcerated veterans;
    (2) Formerly incarcerated veterans in halfway houses; and
    (3) Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated veterans in work release 
programs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(g), 3680(a))

    (b) Definition. The term incarcerated veteran means any veteran 
incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local prison, jail, or other penal 
institution for a felony. It does not include any veteran who is 
pursuing a rehabilitation program under Chapter 31 while residing in a 
halfway house or participating in a work-release program in connection 
with such veteran's conviction of a felony.
    (c) Subsistence allowance not paid to an incarcerated veteran. A 
subsistence allowance may not be paid to an incarcerated veteran 
convicted of a felony, but VA may pay all or part of the veteran's 
tuition and fees.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(g))

    (d) Halfway house. A subsistence allowance may be paid to a veteran 
pursuing a rehabilitation program while residing in a halfway house as a 
result of a felony conviction even though all of the veteran's living 
expenses are paid by a non-VA Federal, State, or local government 
program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a))

    (e) Work-release program. A subsistence allowance may be paid to a 
veteran in a work-release program as a result of a felony conviction.
    (f) Services. VA may provide other appropriate services, including 
but not limited to medical, reader service, and tutorial assistance 
necessary for the veteran to pursue his or her rehabilitation program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(g))

    (g) Payment of allowance at the rates paid under Chapter 30. A 
veteran incarcerated for a felony conviction or a veteran in a halfway 
house or work-release program who elects payment at the educational 
assistance rate paid under Chapter 30 shall be paid in accordance with 
the provisions of law applicable to other incarcerated veterans training 
under Chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f), 3680(a))

    (h) Apportionment. Apportionment of subsistence allowance which 
began before October 17, 1980 made to dependents of an incarcerated 
veteran convicted of a felony may be continued.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(g))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 51 FR 22807, June 23, 1986; 
54 FR 4284, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]

                 Induction into a Rehabilitation Program



Sec. 21.282  Effective date of induction into a rehabilitation 
program; retroactive induction.

    (a) Entering a rehabilitation program. The effective date of 
induction into a rehabilitation program is governed by the provisions of 
Secs. 21.320 through 21.334, except as provided in this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108, 5113)

    (b) Retroactive induction. Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
section, an individual may be inducted into a rehabilitation program on 
a retroactive basis. If the individual is retroactively inducted, VA may 
authorize payment pursuant to Sec. 21.262 or Sec. 21.264 for tuition, 
fees, and other verifiable expenses that an individual paid or incurred 
consistent with the approved rehabilitation program. In addition, VA may 
authorize payment of subsistence allowance pursuant to Secs. 21.260, 
21.266, and 21.270 for the period of retroactive induction, except for 
any period during

[[Page 186]]

which the individual was on active duty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108, 3113, 3681, 5113)

    (c) Conditions for retroactive induction. Retroactive induction into 
a rehabilitation program may be authorized for a past period under a 
claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits when all of the following 
conditions are met:
    (1) The past period is within--
    (i) A period under Sec. 21.40(c) during which a servicemember was 
awaiting discharge for disability; or
    (ii) A period of eligibility under Secs. 21.41 through 21.44 or 38 
U.S.C. 3103.
    (2) The individual was entitled to disability compensation under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 11 during the period or would likely have been entitled 
to that compensation but for active-duty service.
    (3) The individual met the criteria for entitlement to vocational 
rehabilitation benefits and services under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 in 
effect during the period.
    (4) VA determines that the individual's training and other 
rehabilitation services received during the period were reasonably 
needed to achieve the goals and objectives identified for the individual 
and may be included in the plan developed for the individual (see 
Secs. 21.80 through 21.88, and Secs. 21.92 through 21.98).
    (5) VA has recouped any benefits that it paid the individual for 
education or training pursued under any VA education program during any 
portion of the period.
    (6) An initial evaluation was completed under Sec. 21.50.
    (7) A period of extended evaluation is not needed to be able to 
determine the reasonable feasibility of the achievement of a vocational 
goal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102, 3103, 3108, 5113)

    (d) Effective date for retroactive induction. The effective date for 
retroactive induction is the date when all the entitlement conditions 
set forth in paragraph (c) of this section are met, and for a veteran 
(except as to a period prior to discharge from active duty) in no event 
before the effective date of a VA rating under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 
establishing a qualifying level under Sec. 21.40 of service-connected 
disability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

[75 FR 3165, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.283  Rehabilitated.

    (a) General. For purposes of chapter 31 a veteran shall be declared 
rehabilitated when he or she has overcome the employment handicap to the 
maximum extent feasible as described in paragraph (c), (d) or (e) of 
this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101 (1), (2))

    (b) Definition. The term ``suitably employed'' includes employment 
in the competitive labor market, sheltered situations, or on a nonpay 
basis which is consistent with the veteran's abilities, aptitudes and 
interests if the criteria contained in paragraph (c) (1) or (2) of this 
section are otherwise met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3100)

    (c) Rehabilitation to the point of employability has been achieved. 
The veteran who has been found rehabilitated to the point of 
employability shall be declared rehabilitated if he or she:
    (1) Is employed in the occupational objective for which a program of 
services was provided or in a closely related occupation for at least 60 
continuous days;
    (2) Is employed in an occupation unrelated to the occupational 
objective of the veteran's rehabilitation plan for at least 60 
continuous days if the veteran concurs in the change and such 
employment:
    (i) Follows intensive, yet unsuccessful, efforts to secure 
employment for the veteran in the occupation objective of a 
rehabilitation plan for a closely related occupation contained in the 
veteran's rehabilitation plan;
    (ii) Is consistent with the veterans's aptitudes, interests, and 
abilities; and
    (iii) Utilizes some of the academic, technical or professional 
knowledge and skills obtained under the rehabilitation plan; or
    (3) Pursues additional education or training, in lieu of obtaining 
employment, after completing his or her prescribed program of training 
and rehabilitation services if:

[[Page 187]]

    (i) The additional education or training is not approvable as part 
of the veteran's rehabilitation program under this chapter; and
    (ii) Achievement of employment consistent with the veterans's 
aptitudes, interests, and abilities will be enhanced by the completion 
of the additional education or training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(1), 3107 and 3117)

    (d) Rehabilitation to the point of employability has not been 
completed. A veteran under a rehabilitation plan who obtains employment 
without being declared rehabilitated to the point of employability as 
contemplated by the plan, including a veteran in a rehabilitation 
program consisting solely of employment services, is considered to be 
rehabilitated if the following conditions exist:
    (1) The veteran obtains and retains employment substantially using 
the services and assistance provided under the plan for rehabilitation.
    (2) The employment obtained is consistent with the veterans's 
abilities, aptitudes and interests.
    (3) Maximum services feasible to assist the veteran to retain the 
employment obtained have been provided.
    (4) The veteran has maintained the employment for at least 60 
continuous days.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(1), 3107 and 3117)

    (e) Independent living. A veteran who has pursued a program of 
independent living services will be considered rehabilitated when all 
goals of the program have been achieved, or if not achieved, when:
    (1) The veteran, nevertheless, has attained a substantial increase 
in the level of independence with the program assistance provided;
    (2) The veteran has maintained the increased level of independence 
for at least 60 days; and
    (3) Further assistance is unlikely to significantly increase the 
veteran's level of independence.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101 (1), (2) 3107)

[58 FR 68768, Dec. 29, 1993]



Sec. 21.284  Reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

    (a) Reentrance into rehabilitation to the point of employability 
following a determination of rehabilitation. A veteran who has been 
found rehabilitated under provisions of Sec. 21.283 may be provided an 
additional period of training or services only if the following 
conditions are met:
    (1) The veteran has a compensable service-connected disability and 
either;
    (2) Current facts, including any relevant medical findings, 
establish that the veteran's service-connected disability has worsened 
to the extent that the effects of the service-connected disability 
considered in relation to other facts precludes him or her from 
performing the duties of the occupation for which the veteran previously 
was found rehabilitated; or
    (3) The occupation for which the veteran previously was found 
rehabilitated under Chapter 31 is found to be unsuitable on the basis of 
the veteran's specific employment handicap and capabilities.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(a))

    (b) Reentrance into a program of independent living services 
following a determination of rehabilitation. A finding of rehabilitation 
following a program of independent living services may only be set 
aside, and an additional period of independent living services provided, 
if the following conditions are met:
    (1) Either:
    (i) The veteran's condition has worsened and as a result the veteran 
has sustained a substantial loss of independence; or
    (ii) Other changes in the veteran's circumstances have caused a 
substantial loss of independence; and
    (2) The provisions of Sec. 21.162 pertaining to participation in a 
program of independent living services are met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3109)

    (c) Reentrance into rehabilitation to the point of employability 
during a period of employment services. A finding of rehabilitation to 
the point of employability by VA may be set aside during a period of 
employment services and an additional period of training and related

[[Page 188]]

services provided, if any of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The conditions for setting aside a finding of rehabilitation 
under paragraph (a) of this section are found;
    (2) The rehabilitation services originally given to the veteran are 
now inadequate to make the veteran employable in the occupation for 
which he or she pursued rehabilitation;
    (3) Experience during the period of employment services has 
demonstrated that employment in the objective or field for which the 
veteran was rehabilitated to the point of employability should not 
reasonably have been expected at the time the program was originally 
developed; or
    (4) The veteran, because of technological change which occurred 
subsequent to the declaration of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability, is no longer able:
    (i) To perform the duties of the occupation for which he or she 
trained, or in a related occupation; or
    (ii) To secure employment in the occupation for which he or she 
trained, or in a related occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 58 FR 68769, Dec. 29, 1993]

                 Course Approval and Facility Selection



Sec. 21.290  Training and rehabilitation resources.

    (a) General. For the purpose of providing training and 
rehabilitation services under Chapter 31 VA may:
    (1) Use facilities, staff and other resources of VA;
    (2) Employ any additional personnel and experts needed;
    (3) Use the facilities and services of any:
    (i) Federal agency;
    (ii) State agency;
    (iii) Other public agency; or
    (iv) Agency maintained by joint Federal and state contributions.
    (4) Use the facilities and services of any:
    (i) Public institution or establishment;
    (ii) Private institution or establishment; or
    (iii) Private individual.
    (b) Agreement required. Use of facilities and services provided 
under paragraph (a) of this section shall be procured through contract, 
agreement, or other cooperative arrangement. The specific requirements 
for use of contracts or other arrangements are described in 48 CFR 
871.2.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)



Sec. 21.292  Course approvals.

    (a) Courses must be approved. Only those courses approved by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs shall be utilized to provide training and 
rehabilitation services under Chapter 31.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106)

    (b) General. VA staff in consultation with the veteran will select 
courses and services needed to carry out the rehabilitation plan only 
from those which VA determines are offered by a training or 
rehabilitation facility which:
    (1) Meets the requirements of Secs. 21.120 through 21.162;
    (2) Meets the criteria of Secs. 21.290 through 21.299; and
    (3) Is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 
section 503(a) Veterans Readjustment Act of 1972, and sections 501 
through 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
    (c) Obtaining information necessary for approval. In determining 
whether services and courses may be approved for a veteran's training 
and rehabilitation under Chapter 31, the Department of Veterans Affairs 
may use information relevant to the approval or certification of such 
services and courses for similar purposes developed by:
    (1) The State approving agencies;
    (2) The Department of Labor;
    (3) State vocational rehabilitation agencies;
    (4) Nationally recognized accrediting associations;
    (5) The Committee on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities; and
    (6) Other organizations and agencies.
    (d) Course not approved. If a course or program is not approved by 
one of the agencies identified in paragraph (c) of this section, VR&E 
staff shall develop necessary information to determine

[[Page 189]]

whether criteria given in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are 
met.
    (e) Course disapproved. The VR&E Officer may approve for 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 31 use courses that one of the agencies in paragraph (c) of this 
section has disapproved.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 62 FR 17709, Apr. 11, 1997]



Sec. 21.294  Selecting the training or rehabilitation facility.

    (a) Criteria the facility must meet. In addition to approval of the 
courses offered, all facilities which provide training and 
rehabilitation services under Chapter 31 must meet the criteria 
contained in Secs. 21.290 through 21.299 applicable to the type of 
facility. Each facility must:
    (1) Have space, equipment, instructional material and instructor 
personnel adequate in kind, quality, and amount to provide the desired 
service for the veteran;
    (2) Fully accept the obligation to give the training or 
rehabilitation services in all parts of the plan which call for the 
facility's participation;
    (3) Provide courses or services which:
    (i) Meet the customary requirements in the locality for employment 
in the occupation in which training is given when employment is the 
objective of the program; and
    (ii) Meet the requirements for licensure or permit to practice the 
occupation, if such is required;
    (4) Agree:
    (i) To cooperate with VA, and
    (ii) To provide timely and accurate information covering the 
veteran's attendance, performance, and progress in training in the 
manner prescribed by VA.
    (b) Selecting a facility for provision of independent living 
services. (1) Facilities offering independent living services will be 
utilized to:
    (i) Evaluate independent living potential;
    (ii) Provide a program of independent living services to veterans 
for whom an IILP (Individualized Independent Living Plan) has been 
developed; or
    (iii) Provide independent living services to veterans as part of an 
IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan) or an IEEP 
(Individualized Extended Evaluation Plan).
    (2) VA may use public and nonprofit agencies and facilities to 
furnish independent living services. Public and nonprofit facilities may 
be:
    (i) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities that provide 
independent living services;
    (ii) Facilities which meet standards established by the State 
rehabilitation agency for rehabilitation facilities or for providers of 
independent living services;
    (iii) Facilities which are neither approved nor disapproved by the 
State rehabilitation agency, but are determined by VA as able to provide 
the services necessary in an individual veteran's case.
    (3) VA also may use for-profit agencies and organizations to furnish 
programs of independent living services only if services comparable in 
effectiveness to those provided by for-profit agencies and 
organizations:
    (i) Are not available through public or nonprofit agencies or VHA; 
or
    (ii) Cannot be obtained cost-effectively from public or nonprofit 
agencies or VHA.
    (4) In addition to the criteria described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section for public and private nonprofit agencies; for-profit 
agencies and organizations must meet any additional standards 
established by local, state (including the State rehabilitation agency), 
and Federal agencies which are applicable to for-profit facilities and 
agencies offering independent living services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115, 3120)

    (c) Use of facilities. VA policy shall be to use VA facilities, if 
available, to provide rehabilitation services for veterans in a 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31. Non-VA facilities may be used 
to provide rehabilitation services only when necessary services are not 
readily available at a VHA facility. This policy shall be implemented in 
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section in the 
case of the use of for-profit facilities to provide programs of 
independent living services, or in the case

[[Page 190]]

of employment services, provision of such services by non-VA sources is 
permitted under Sec. 21.252.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

    (d) Selection of individual to provide training or rehabilitation 
services. Persons selected to provide individual instruction or other 
services as part of a program leading to the long-range goal of a 
veteran's plan must meet one of the following criteria:
    (1) State requirements for teaching in the field or occupation for 
which training is being provided; or
    (2) Expertise demonstrated through employment in the field in which 
the veteran is to be trained; or
    (3) Requirements established by professional associations to provide 
the services needed by the veteran.
    (e) Relatives. Relatives of the veteran may not be selected to 
provide services, even if otherwise qualified, unless such use is 
specifically permitted by VA regulation governing provision of the 
service. Selection of a training or rehabilitation facility owned by the 
veteran or a relative, or in which the veteran or a relative of the 
veteran has an interest is precluded, except for selection of a farm as 
provided in Sec. 21.298. The term relative has the same meaning as in 
Sec. 21.374.
    (f) Contracts or agreements required. The Department of Veterans 
Affairs will negotiate formal contracts for reimbursement to providers 
of services as requred by Sec. 21.262. However, a letter contract will 
be effected immediately to permit the induction of the veteran into a 
program if:
    (1) The veteran is immediately entered into a school with which a 
contract is required;
    (2) The veteran's rehabilitation plan will be jeopardized by 
withholding services until a contract can be completed; and
    (3) There are no known reasons to indicate that a contract may not 
be completed in a reasonable time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

    (g) Training outside the United States. VA may only use those 
facilities and courses outside the United States to provide training 
under Chapter 31 which meet requirements for approval under 
Secs. 21.4250(c) and 21.4260. The conditions under which training 
outside the United States may be approved are contained in Sec. 21.130.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3114)

    (h) Flight training. Flight training may only be provided in 
educational institutions which offer a standard college degree. The 
specific conditions under which flight training may be approved are 
contained in Sec. 21.134.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

    (i) Additional consideration. The case manager will consider the 
veteran's preference for a particular training or rehabilitation 
facility but VA has final responsibility for selection of the facility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985, as amended at 53 
FR 50958, Dec. 19, 1988; 55 FR 42187, Oct. 18, 1990; 62 FR 17709, Apr. 
11, 1997]



Sec. 21.296  Selecting a training establishment for on-job training.

    (a) Additional criteria for selecting a training establishment. In 
addition to meeting all of the requirements of Sec. 21.294 the training 
establishment must:
    (1) Sign an agreement to provide on-job training to disabled 
veterans;
    (2) Provide continuous training for each veteran without 
interruption except for normal holidays and vacation periods;
    (3) Provide daytime training for the veteran except when the veteran 
cannot obtain necessary on-job or related training during the working 
hours of the day;
    (4) Modify the program when necessary to compensate for the 
limitations resulting from the veteran's disability or needs;
    (5) Organize training into definite steps or units which will result 
in progressive training;
    (6) Encourage rapid progress of each veteran rather than limit the 
progress of the individual to the progress of the group;

[[Page 191]]

    (7) Not, during the period of training, use the veteran on 
production activities beyond the point of efficient training;
    (8) Agree to pay the veteran during training (except as provided in 
paragraph (b) of this section) a salary or wage rate;
    (i) Commensurate with the value of the veteran's productive labor,
    (ii) Not less than that prescribed by the Fair Labor Standards Act 
of 1938, as amended, and
    (iii) Not less than that customarily paid to nonveteran-trainees in 
the same or similar training situation;
    (9) Agree to provide the veteran with employment at the end of the 
training program, provided the veteran's conduct and progress have been 
satisfactory; and
    (10) Agree to furnish VA a statement in writing showing wages, 
compensation, and other income paid directly or indirectly to each 
veteran in training under Chapter 31 during the month.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(c), 3115)

    (b) On-job training at subminimum wage rates. A subminimum hourly 
wage rate for handicapped workers may be considered where necessary in 
order to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment. Payment at 
the subminimum rate must be approved by the Wage and Hour Division of 
the Department of Labor.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.298  Selecting a farm.

    (a) Control of the farm--farm operator. A farm selected for farm 
cooperative training must be under the control of the veteran by 
ownership, lease or other written tenure arrangement. If the veteran 
does not own the farm, the lease or other written agreement shall:
    (1) Afford the veteran control of the farm at least until the end of 
his or her course;
    (2) Allow the veteran's control to be such that he or she is able:
    (i) To carry out the provisions of the training program; and
    (ii) To operate the farm in accordance with the farm and home plan 
developed by the case manager and the veteran in collaboration with the 
instructor, and when appropriate, the landowner or lessor;
    (3) Permit instruction in the planning, management, and operation of 
farming enterprise in the veteran's farm and home plan;
    (4) At least by the end of the necessary minimum period of training, 
assure the veteran a reasonably satisfactory living under normal 
economic conditions;
    (5) Provide for the necessary buildings and equipment to enable the 
veteran to satisfactorily begin pursuit of the course of farm 
cooperative training;
    (6) Provide for resources which give reasonable promise that any 
additional items required for the pursuit of the course, including 
livestock, will be available as they become necessary;
    (7) Provide for capital improvements to be made which are necessary 
for carrying out the farm and home plan, with the veteran furnishing no 
greater portion of the costs than the benefits accruing to the veteran 
warrant; and
    (8) Provide for the landowner or leasor to share the costs of 
improved practices put into effect in proportion to the returns he or 
she will receive from such practices.
    (b) Farms on which more than one person trains--farm operator. If a 
veteran in training is a partner of another person or if more than one 
person is involved in operating the farm, the farm shall be of such size 
and character that the farm:
    (1) Together with the instruction part of the course will occupy the 
full time of the veteran; and
    (2) Meets all requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Selecting a farm--farm manager. The farm on which a veteran 
trains to become a farm manager shall be of such size and character 
that, together with the group instruction part of the course the farm:
    (1) Will occupy the full time of the veteran;
    (2) Will permit instruction in all aspects of the management and 
operation of a farm of the type for which the veteran is being trained; 
and

[[Page 192]]

    (3) Meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) Employer agreement. VA may approve a farm on which a veteran is 
to train to become a farm manager only if the employer-trainer agrees:
    (1) To instruct the veteran in various aspects of farm management in 
accordance with the individual's plan;
    (2) To pay the veteran for each successive period of training a 
salary or wage rate:
    (i) Commensurate with the value of the veteran's productive labor; 
and
    (ii) Not less than that customarily paid to a nonveteran trainee in 
the same or similar training situation in that community; and
    (3) To employ the veteran as a manager of the farm on which he or 
she is being trained if his or her conduct and progress remain 
satisfactory, or assure that the veteran will be employed as manager of 
a specified comparable farm.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.299  Use of Government facilities for on-job training or
work experience at no or nominal pay.

    (a) Types of facilities which may be used to provide training. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of regulations governing chapter 31, 
the facilities of any agency of the United States or of any State or 
local government receiving Federal financial assistance may be used to 
provide training or work experience at no or nominal pay as all or part 
of the veteran's program of vocational training under Secs. 21.123, 
21.294, and 21.296 of this part. The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) and case manager must 
determine that the training work experience is necessary to accomplish 
vocational rehabilitation and providing such training or work experience 
is in the best interest of the veteran and the Federal government.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115, Pub. L. 100-689)

    (b) Employment status of veterans. (1) While pursuing on-job 
training or work experience in a facility of the United States, a 
veteran:
    (i) Shall be deemed to be an employee of the United States for the 
purposes of benefits under chapter 81, title 5 U.S.C.; but
    (ii) Shall not be deemed an employee of the United States for the 
purpose of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management.
    (2) While pursuing on-job training or work experience in a State or 
local government agency the veteran shall have the employment status and 
rights comparable to those provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
for a veteran pursuing on-job training or work experience at a Federal 
agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115, Pub. L. 100-689)

    (c) Terms applicable to training in State and local government. (1) 
The term State means each of the several States Territories, any 
possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(20))

    (2) The term local government agency means an administrative 
subdivision of a government including a county, municipality, city, 
town, township, public authority, district, school district, or other 
such agency or instrumentality of a local government.
    (3) The term Federal financial assistance means the direct or 
indirect provision of funds by grant, loan, contract, or any other 
arrangement by the Federal government to a State or local government 
agency.
    (d) Additional considerations in providing on-job training and work 
experience in State and local government agencies. (1) The veteran's 
progress and adjustment in a rehabilitation program conducted wholly or 
in part at a State or local government agency shall be closely monitored 
by VR&E staff members to assure that:
    (i) Training and rehabilitation services are provided in accordance 
with the veteran's rehabilitation plan. The plan shall provide for:
    (A) Close supervision of the veteran's progress and adjustment by 
the case manager during the period he or she is at the State or local 
government agency; and

[[Page 193]]

    (B) The employer's periodic certification (not less than once every 
three months) that the veteran's progress and adjustment are in 
accordance with the program which has been jointly developed by VA, the 
veteran and the employer; and
    (ii) The veteran achieves his or her employment goal.
    (2) Training may not be provided for a position which involves 
religious or political activities;
    (3) The veteran's training:
    (i) Will not result in the displacement of currently employed 
workers; and
    (ii) Will not be in a job while another person is laid off from a 
substantially equivalent job, or will not be in a job the opening for 
which was created as a result of the employer having terminated the 
employment of any regular employee or otherwise having reduced its 
workforce with the intention of using the opening for a Chapter 31 
trainee.


(Authority: Pub. L. 100-689)

[55 FR 3739, Feb. 5, 1990, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]

                             Rate of Pursuit



Sec. 21.310  Rate of pursuit of a rehabilitation program.

    (a) Programs offered at educational institutions. This section 
provides policy for determining the full-time and part-time rate of 
pursuit of a rehabilitation program by a veteran whose ability to pursue 
a program has not been reduced by the effects of disability.
    (1) Measuring full and part-time training. VA will measure the full-
time and part-time rate of pursuit of training offered at educational 
institutions according to the criteria found in Secs. 21.4270 through 
21.4275, except as provided in paragraphs (a) (2) and (3) of this 
section.
    (2) Independent study course. (i) For certain seriously disabled 
veterans described in subdivision (i)(A) of this subparagraph VA may 
measure the veteran's enrollment:
    (A) In an independent study course as half-time or greater training, 
or
    (B) Both in independent study subjects and subjects requiring class 
attendance on the basis of the combined training load when the number of 
credit hours of independent study equals or exceeds the number of other 
credit hours.
    (ii) To qualify for measurement described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of 
this section:
    (A) The seriously disabled veteran must have a disability or 
circumstances which preclude regular attendance at an institution of 
higher learning, and
    (B) Independent study must be a sound method for providing the 
training necessary for restoring the veteran's employability.
    (iii) In all other cases VA will measure independent study according 
to the provisions of Sec. 21.4280.
    (3) Special school. If training is pursued in a special school, such 
as those for persons with visual or hearing disabilities, the rate of 
pursuit will be measured under Secs. 21.2470 through 21.4275 unless it 
is the established policy of the school to measure the rate of pursuit 
for full-time or particular level or part-time training based upon fewer 
semester, credit, or clock hours of attendance than prescribed in these 
regulations.
    (4) Farm cooperative. If training in a farm cooperative program is 
provided by an educational institution, the rate of pursuit shall be 
determined the same as under Sec. 21.4270 for that type of training.
    (5) Course offered under contract. When a school or other entity 
furnishes all or part of a vocational rehabilitation program under 
contact with another school, VA will measure the course or courses as 
appropriate for the school or other entity actually providing the 
training.
    (b) Education or training not furnished by an educational 
institution. The following types of training which are not furnished by 
an educational institution (Sec. 21.35(k)(3) may only be pursued full-
time:
    (1) On-job training. Full-time training in an on-job program is the 
lesser of the number of hours in the prevailing workweek for:
    (i) Journeyman employees in the same job categories at the 
establishment where training is being provided;

[[Page 194]]

    (ii) Other persons in on-job training for the same or similar 
occupations at the facility where the veteran is training or at other 
facilities in the locality.
    (2) Farm cooperative training. If training in a farm cooperative 
program is provided by an individual instructor, the full-time rate of 
pursuit must meet the requirements of Sec. 21.126.
    (3) Independent instructor. The full-time rate of pursuit for a 
veteran in an independent instructor program must meet the requirements 
of Sec. 21.146.
    (4) Training in the home. The full-time rate for a training program 
provided in the veteran's home must meet the requirements of 
Sec. 21.146.
    (5) Vocational course in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered 
workshop. A vocational course of training offered by a rehabilitation 
facility or sheltered workshop (Sec. 21.35(k) (5) and (6)), will be 
measured under provisions of Sec. 21.4270(b) for trade or technical 
nonaccredited courses, unless it is the established policy of the 
facility to measure the rate of pursuit for full-time or a particular 
level of part-time training based upon fewer clock hours of attendance 
than provided in that regulation.
    (c) Combination and cooperative programs. The rate of pursuit of a 
program which combines institutional training and on job training will 
be measured as follows:
    (1) The institutional part will be assessed under Secs. 21.4270 
through 21.4275, and
    (2) The on-the-job part will be assessed under paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section.
    (d) Rehabilitative services. Measurement of the rate of pursuit for 
veterans in programs consisting primarily of services designed to 
evaluate and improve physical and psychological functioning will be 
assessed under this paragraph.
    (1) The services assessed under this paragraph include:
    (i) Evaluation and improvement of the rehabilitation potential of a 
veteran for whom attainment of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible;
    (ii) Extended evaluation to determine whether attainment of a 
vocational goal is reasonably feasible; or
    (iii) A program of independent living services to enable a veteran 
to function more independently in his or her family and community when 
attainment of a vocational goal is not reasonably feasible.
    (2) Measurement of the rate of pursuit for services and programs 
named in paragraph (d)(1) of this section will be:
    (i) As provided in paragraph (a) of this section for services 
furnished by educational institutions; or
    (ii) According to the noneducational facility's customary criteria 
for full-time and part-time pursuit. If the facility does not have 
established criteria for full-time and part-time pursuit, or services 
are being provided by more than one facility, the rate of pursuit will 
be assessed in the following manner:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Rate of pursuit                   Clock hours per month
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-time.................................  120 or more.
Three-quarter time \1\....................  90-119.
Half-time \1\.............................  60-89.
Quarter-time \1\..........................  30-59.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Extended evaluation and independent living.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(d))



Sec. 21.312  Reduced work tolerance.

    (a) General. VA will consider that a veteran with reduced work 
tolerance is pursuing a rehabilitation program full-time when the amount 
of time the veteran is devoting to his or her program is as great as the 
effects of his or her disability (service and nonservice-connected) will 
permit.
    (b) Pursuit of a program. A veteran with reduced work tolerance may 
pursue a rehabilitation program when the following conditions are met:
    (1) Reduced work tolerance has been determined.
    (2) Achievement of the goals of the program are reasonably feasible;
    (3) The IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan) or other 
plan provides for completion of the program under Chapter 31.
    (c) Redetermination of work tolerance. As necessary, but not less 
than once yearly, the veteran's work tolerance will be reevaluated. The 
rate of pursuit required to meet the standard of full-time pursuit will 
be modified if there is

[[Page 195]]

either an increase or decrease in the work tolerance of the veteran.
    (d) Payment of allowance. A veteran with a reduced work tolerance 
will be paid a subsistence allowance, at the full-time rate for the type 
of program being pursued, when the veteran meets the standard for full-
time pursuit established for him or her in the Plan. A veteran with 
reduced work tolerance, who elects benefits at the Chapter 34 rate, will 
have to meet normal attendance requirements for that chapter, however.
    (e) Determining work tolerance. A VA physician will make all 
determinations and redeterminations of work tolerance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(d))



Sec. 21.314  Pursuit of training under special conditions.

    A veteran is required to pursue a rehabilitation program at a rate 
which meets the requirement for full- or part-time participation 
described in Secs. 21.310 and 21.312. However, a veteran may pursue a 
rehabilitation program at a lesser rate, if such pursuit is a part of 
the veteran's plan. Subsistence allowance is not payable during such 
periods.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(d))

 Authorization of Subsistence Allowance and Training and Rehabilitation 
                                Services



Sec. 21.320  Awards for subsistence allowance and authorization of
rehabilitation services.

    Awards providing for payment of a subsistence allowance and 
authorization of services necessary for rehabilitation may be prepared 
when an IWRP (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan) or other plan 
has been completed and other requirements for entrance or reentrance 
into a rehabilitation program have been met.
    (a) Commencing date of subsistence allowance. The commencing date of 
an award of subsistence allowance will be determined under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.322.
    (b) Commencing date of authorization of training and rehabilitation 
services. The commencing date for authorization of training and 
rehabilitation services is the same as the effective date for awards for 
subsistence allowance under provisions of Sec. 21.322, except when:
    (1) The commencing date for authorization of a program of employment 
services is determined under provisions of Sec. 21.326;
    (2) An earlier commencement date is established in the veteran's 
plan or the veteran is entitled to earlier induction under Sec. 21.282;
    (3) The veteran elects payment at the educational assistance 
allowance rate, in which case the commencing date of payment is 
determined under provisions applicable to commencement of payment under 
Chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108 (a) and (f))

    (c) Ending date of subsistence allowance. The ending date of an 
award for subsistence allowance will be the earliest of the following 
dates:
    (1) The ending date provided in the veteran's IWRP or other plan;
    (2) The ending date of a period of enrollment as certified by a 
training or rehabilitation facility;
    (3) The ending date specified in Sec. 21.324.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108)

    (d) Ending date for training and rehabilitation services. The ending 
date of training and rehabilitation services will be the same as the 
termination date for subsistence allowance under paragraph (c) of this 
section, except when:
    (1) The ending date for a period of employment services is 
determined under provisions of Sec. 21.326;
    (2) A later termination date is established in the veteran's plan;
    (3) A veteran has elected payment at the educational assistance rate 
paid under Chapter 30. The ending date of the award is determined under 
regulations applicable to termination of training under Chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108 (a) and (f))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4284, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]

[[Page 196]]



Sec. 21.322  Commencing dates of subsistence allowance.

    (a) General. VA will determine the commencing date of an award or 
increased award of subsistence allowance under this section. VA will not 
authorize subsistence allowance for any period prior to the earliest 
date for which disability compensation is payable or would be payable 
but for the veteran's receipt of retired pay.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108, 3113)

    (b) Entrance or reentrance into vocational rehabilitation, extended 
evaluation, independent living services. Except in the case of 
retroactive induction into a rehabilitation program, as provided in 
Sec. 21.282, the commencing date of an award of subsistence allowance 
shall be the earlier of:
    (1) The date the facility requires the veteran to report for 
prescribed activities; or
    (2) The date training or rehabilitation services begin.
    (c) Increases for dependents--(1) Dependency exists at the time of 
entrance or reentrance into a rehabilitation program. A veteran may have 
one or more dependents on or before the date he or she enters or 
reenters a rehabilitation program. When this occurs, the following rules 
apply:
    (i) The effective date of the increase will be the date of entrance 
or reentrance if:
    (A) VA receives the claim for the increase within one year of the 
date of entrance or reentrance; and
    (B) VA receives any necessary evidence within 1 year of the date VA 
requested the evidence and informed the veteran of the time limits 
during which this evidence must be submitted. If VA fails to inform the 
veteran of these time limits, the period of submission of the evidence 
is adjusted in accordance with Sec. 21.32 of this part.
    (ii) The effective date of the increase will be the date VA receives 
notice of the dependents existence if:
    (A) VA receives the claim for the increase more than one year after 
the date of entrance or reentrance; and
    (B) VA receives any necessary evidence within 1 year of the date VA 
requested the evidence and informed the veteran of the time limits 
during which this evidence must be submitted. If VA fails to inform the 
veteran of these time limits, the period for submission of the evidence 
is adjusted in accordance with Sec. 21.32 of this part;
    (iii) The effective date of the increase will be the date VA 
receives all necessary evidence if that evidence is received more than 
one year from the date VA requested the evidence and informed the 
veteran of the time limits during which this evidence must be submitted. 
If VA fails to inform the veteran of these time limits, the period for 
submission of the evidence is adjusted in accordance with Sec. 21.32 of 
this part.
    (2) Dependency arises after entrance or reentrance into a 
rehabilitation program. If the veteran acquires a dependent after he or 
she enters or reenters a rehabilitation program, the increase will be 
effective on the latest of the following dates:
    (i) Date of claim. This term means the following listed in order of 
their applicability:
    (A) Date of the veteran's marriage, or birth of his or her child, or 
his or her adoption of a child, if the evidence of the event is received 
within one year from the date of the event;
    (B) Date notice is received of the dependents's existence if 
evidence is received within 1 year from the date VA requested the 
evidence and informed the veteran of the time limits during which this 
evidence must be submitted. If VA fails to inform the veteran of these 
time limits, the period for submission of the evidence is adjusted in 
accordance with Sec. 21.32 of this part.
    (C) Date VA receives evidence of the dependent's existence if this 
date is more than one year after VA requested this evidence and informed 
the veteran of the time limits during which this evidence must be 
submitted. If VA fails to inform the veteran of the time limits, the 
period for submission of the evidence is adjusted in accordance with 
Sec. 21.32 of this part.
    (ii) Date dependency arises--(3) Increased award not permitted. No 
increased award for dependency may be paid prior to the date the law 
permits benefits for dependents generally.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(b))


[[Page 197]]


    (d) Correction of military records. In accordance with the facts 
found, but not earlier than the date the change, correction, or 
modification was made by the service department, if eligibility of a 
veteran arises as the result of correction or modification of military 
records under 10 U.S.C. 1552, or change, correction or modification of a 
discharge or dismissal under 10 U.S.C. 1553, or other competent military 
authority.
    (e) Bar to benefits removed by VA. In accordance with the facts 
found, but not earlier than the date the change was made by VA, if 
eligibility of a veteran arises as the result of review of the evidence 
of record regarding the character of discharge by VA, when the veteran's 
discharge or dismissal was a bar to benefits under 38 U.S.C. 5301.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3103(b))

    (f) Incarcerated veterans. (1) Date of release from Federal, State, 
or local penal institution of a veteran incarcerated for conviction of a 
felony.
    (2) Earlier of the following dates in the case of a veteran residing 
in a half-way house or participating in a work-release program as a 
result of a felony conviction.
    (i) Date of release from the half-way house or work-release program, 
or
    (ii) Date a veteran becomes obligated to pay part of his or her 
living expenses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(g))

    (g) Temporary 100 percent award terminated. Date of reduction of a 
temporary award of disability compensation at the 100 percent rate 
because of hospitalization.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(h))

    (h) Liberalizing laws and VA issues. In accordance with facts found, 
but not earlier than the date of the act or administrative issue.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    Cross Reference. See Sec. 21.260(c) for definition of dependents.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 51 FR 22808, June 23, 1986; 
52 FR 42113, Nov. 3, 1987; 55 FR 12821, Apr. 6, 1990]



Sec. 21.324  Reduction or termination dates of subsistence allowance.

    (a) General. The effective date of the reduction of the amount paid 
or termination of payment of subsistance allowance will be the earliest 
of the dates specified in this section. If an award is reduced, the 
reduced rate will be effective the day following the date of termination 
of the greater benefit.
    (b) Death of a veteran. Date of death, if death occurs while the 
veteran is in attendance or authorized leave status; otherwise date of 
last attendance.
    (c) Death of a dependent. (1) Before October 1, 1982. Last day of 
the calendar year in which death occurs, unless the veteran's program is 
terminated earlier under other provisions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (2) After September 30, 1982. Last day of the month in which death 
occurs unless discontinuance is required at an earlier date under other 
provisions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113)

    (d) Divorce--(1) Before October 1, 1982. Last day of the calendar 
year in which divorce occurs, unless the veteran's program is terminated 
earlier under other provisions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (2) After September 30, 1982. Last day of the month in which divorce 
occurs unless discontinuance is required at an earlier date under other 
provisions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113)

    (e) Child--(1) Marriage--(i) Before October 1, 1982. Last day of the 
month in which the marriage occurs, unless the veteran's program is 
terminated earlier under other provisions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (ii) After September 30, 1982. Last day of the month in which the 
marriage occurs, unless discontinuance is required at an earlier date 
under other provisions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113)

    (2) Age 18. Day preceding the child's 18th birthday.
    (3) School attendance.

[[Page 198]]

    (i) Last day of the month in which the child ceases attending 
school; or
    (ii) The day preceding the child's 23rd birthday, whichever is 
earlier.
    (4) Helplessness. Last day of the month in which 60 days has passed 
from VA's notice to the payee that the child's helplessness has ceased.
    (f) Interrupted, rehabilitation to the point of employability, 
independent living program completed, and extended evaluation completed 
status. Last day of attendance, or approved leave status, whichever is 
applicable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (g) Discontinued. Last day of attendance or approved leave status, 
whichever is applicable, except as follows:
    (1) If VA places the veteran in ``discontinued'' status following 
the veteran's withdrawal from all courses with nonpunitive grades or 
following his or her completion of all courses with nonpunitive grades 
and the case manager does not find mitigating circumstances, VA will 
terminate subsistence allowance effective:
    (i) The first date of the term, or
    (ii) December 1, 1976, whichever is later.
    (2) If VA places the veteran in ``discontinued'' status following a 
term in which the grades the veteran receives include both those that 
count in the grade point average and nonpunitive grades, and the case 
manager does not find mitigating circumstances:
    (i) VA will terminate subsistence allowance for courses in which the 
veteran receives nonpunitive grades effective the first day of the term 
or December 1, 1976, whichever is later.
    (ii) VA will terminate subsistence allowance for courses in which 
the veteran receives grades that will count in the grade point average 
effective the veteran's last day of attendance or approved leave status, 
whichever is applicable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (h) Wages or salary received in apprentice or on-job training. (1) 
If the sum of the training wage plus the scheduled subsistence allowance 
is more than the journeyman wage when the training commences, the 
subsistence allowance will be decreased by VA effective the first day of 
the second month following the month in which the veteran enters on-job 
training.
    (2) Subsequent adjustments will be effective the first day of the 
second month following the month in which wages or salary changes are 
made which justify the adjustment under provisions of Sec. 21.266(e).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108)

    (i) Reduction in rate of pursuit of the program. End of month in 
which reduction occurs, except that if the rate of pursuit is reduced as 
a result of the veteran's withdrawal from a unit course or courses with 
nonpunitive grade(s) or as a result of the veteran's completion of a 
unit course or courses with nonpunitive grade(s) (Sec. 21.4200(j)), VA 
will reduce subsistence allowance as follows:
    (1) If it is determined that there are mitigating circumstances:
    (i) Withdrawal with nonpunitive grades: The end of the month or the 
end of the term in which the veteran withdraws, whichever is earlier; if 
the reduction occurs at the beginning of the term benefits will be 
reduced the first day of the term in which the veteran withdraws.
    (ii) Completion with nonpunitive grades. No reduction required.
    (2) If it is determined there are no mitigating circumstances VA 
will reduce the veteran's subsistence allowance effective the first day 
of the term in which the veteran withdraws or which the veteran 
completes with nonpunitive grades. The term mitigating circumstances 
means circumstances beyond the veteran's or serviceperson's control 
which prevent him or her from continuously pursuing a rehabilitation 
program. The following circumstances are representative of those which 
are considered mitigating.
    (i) An illness of the program participant;
    (ii) An illness or death in the program participant's family;
    (iii) An unavoidable change in the veteran's conditions of 
employment;
    (iv) An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the 
veteran's employment;

[[Page 199]]

    (v) Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of 
the veteran which are found by VA to require the veteran to suspend 
pursuit of the rehabilitation program;
    (vi) Discontinuance of the course by the educational institution;
    (vii) In the first instance of withdrawal on or after June 1, 1989 
by a program participant from a course or courses with respect to which 
such veteran has been paid subsistence allowance under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.260(b), mitigating circumstances shall be considered to exist 
with respect to courses totaling not more than six semester hours or the 
equivalent thereof;
    (viii) Difficulties in obtaining child care or changes in such 
arrangements which are beyond the control of the program participant and 
which require interruption of the rehabilitation program is order for 
the participant to provide or arrange for such care.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (j) Severance of service-connection. Last day of the month in which 
the severance becomes final.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (k) Fraud. The later of the following dates:
    (1) The beginning date of the award of subsistence allowance, or
    (2) The day preceding the date of the fraudulent act.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 6103(a))

    (l) Error--(1) Payee error. Effective date of the award of 
subsistence allowance or day preceding the act, whichever is later, but 
not prior to the date the veteran's entitlement ceases, on an erroneous 
award based on an act of commission or omission by a payee with his or 
her knowledge.
    (2) Administrative error. Except as provided in paragraph (j) of 
this section, date of last payment on an erroneous award based solely on 
administrative error or an error in judgment by a VA employee.
    (m) Treasonable acts, subversive activities. The later of the 
following dates:
    (1) Beginning date of the award of subsistence allowance, or
    (2) Day preceding the date of commission of the treasonable act or 
subversive activities for which the veteran is convicted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (n) Incarceration in prison or jail--(1) Felony conviction. If a 
veteran's subsistence allowance must be reduced because of incarceration 
for a felony conviction under provisions of Sec. 21.276, his or her rate 
of payment will be reduced the later of:
    (i) The date of his or her incarceration in a prison or jail; or
    (ii) The commencing date of his or her award as determined by 
Sec. 21.322.
    (2) Halfway house or work-release program. The subsistence allowance 
of a veteran in a halfway house or work release program as a result of 
conviction of a felony will not be reduced under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.276 the date on which the Federal Government or a State or local 
government pays all of the veteran's living expenses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(g))

    (o) Specialized rehabilitation facility. Date payment for room and 
board by VA begins, reduce the rate paid to the amount payable for 
dependents.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(i))

    (p) Termination of subsistence allowance while hospitalized at VA 
expense. Date before the beginning date of the increased disability 
compensation award, which results in a reduced subsistence allowance 
under the provisions of Sec. 21.266.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(h))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 51 FR 22808, June 23, 1986; 
51 FR 25525, July 15, 1986; 55 FR 48843, Nov. 23, 1990]



Sec. 21.326  Authorization of employment services.

    (a) General. Authorization of employment services shall be based 
upon the services identified and goals established in an IEAP 
(Individualized Employment Assistance Plan) under provisions of 
Sec. 21.88. The effective dates for the commencement, or termination of

[[Page 200]]

such services will be determined under this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3117(a))

    (b) Commencing date. The commencing date authorizing a period of 
employment services will be the later of:
    (1) The date following completion of the period of rehabilitation to 
the point of employability; or
    (2) The date of the original IEAP.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3107, 3117(a))

    (c) Termination of the authorization of employment services. 
Authorization for employment services will be terminated the earliest 
of:
    (1) The last day employment services are provided under the terms of 
an IEAP when employment services are interrupted, discontinued, or the 
veteran is rehabilitated;
    (2) The date the authorization is found to be erroneous because of 
an act of omission or commission by the veteran, or with his or her 
knowledge;
    (3) The last day of the month in which severance of service 
connection becomes final;
    (4) The day proceding the date of a fraudulent act;
    (5) The date preceding the commission of a treasonable or subversive 
act for which the veteran is convicted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108, 5113)



Sec. 21.328  Two veteran cases--dependents.

    If both partners in a marriage are veterans, and if each is 
receiving either subsistence allowance for a vocational rehabilitation 
program or an educational assistance allowance under another VA program, 
each is entitled to receive the additional allowances payable for each 
other and for their children.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(a))



Sec. 21.330  Apportionment.

    (a) General. Where in order, VA will apportion subsistence allowance 
in accordance with Sec. 3.451 of this title, subject to the limitations 
of Sec. 3.458 of this title. If the veteran is in receipt of benefits at 
the Chapter 30 rate, VA will not apportion these benefits.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5307(c))

    (b) Effective date. The effective date of apportionment will be as 
prescribed in Sec. 3.400(e) of this title.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5307(c))

    (c) Child adopted out of family. Where evidence establishes that a 
veteran is the natural parent of a child or children legally adopted 
outside of the veteran's family, VA will apportion in favor of the child 
or children only that additional amount of subsistence allowance payable 
on account of the existence of the child or children. The veteran is not 
entitled in his or her own right to the additional amount of subsistence 
allowance payable for the child because of the existence of the child 
unless the veteran is contributing to the child's support.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5307(c))

    (d) Veteran convicted of a felony. The subsistence allowance of a 
veteran in a rehabilitation program after October 17, 1980, may not be 
apportioned if the veteran is incarcerated because of conviction for a 
felony.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(g))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4284, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]



Sec. 21.332  Payments of subsistence allowance.

    (a) Eligibility. At the end of the month, VA shall pay to an 
eligible veteran enrolled in a rehabilitation program, subsistence 
allowance at the rates specified in Sec. 21.260 for the type of program 
pursued during the month, unless advance payment is approved. VA will 
continue payments during those intervals described in Sec. 21.270.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108)

    (b) Advance payment criteria. VA will make an advance payment of 
subsistence allowance only when:
    (1) The veteran specifically requests an advance payment; and

[[Page 201]]

    (2) The educational institution at which the veteran is accepted or 
enrolled has agreed to, and can carry out, satisfactorily, the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3680(d) (4) and (5) pertaining to:
    (i) Receipt, delivery or return of advance checks; and
    (ii) Certifications of delivery and enrollment.
    (c) Advance payment. (1) The amount of advance payment is not to 
exceed:
    (i) The veteran's subsistence allowance for the month or part of a 
month in which his or her course will begin; plus
    (ii) The veteran's subsistence allowance for the following month.
    (2) Upon application and completion of arrangements for enrollment 
of a veteran who meets the criteria for an advance payment, VA shall 
mail a check payable to the veteran to the institution for delivery to 
the veteran upon registration.
    (3) An institution shall not deliver an advance payment check to a 
veteran more than 30 days in advance of commencement of his or her 
program.
    (d) Certification for advance payment. VA will authorize advance 
payment upon receipt of the institution's certification of the following 
information:
    (1) The veteran is eligible for benefits;
    (2) The institution has accepted the veteran or he or she is 
eligible to continue his or her training;
    (3) The veteran has notified the institution of his or her intention 
to attend or to reenroll;
    (4) The number of semester or clock hours the veteran will pursue; 
and
    (5) The beginning and ending dates of the enrollment period.
    (e) Time of advance payment. VA will authorize advance payment only:
    (1) At the beginning of an ordinary school year; or
    (2) At the beginning of any other enrollment period which begins 
after a break in enrollment of one full calendar month or longer.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(d))

    (f) Other payments. (1) VA will make all payments other than advance 
payments at the end of the month for the veteran's training during that 
month.
    (2) VA may withhold final payment until:
    (i) VA receives certification that the veteran has completed his or 
her course; and
    (ii) VA makes all necessary adjustments in the veteran's award 
resulting from that certification.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(g))

    (g) Payments for courses which are repeated. VA may pay subsistence 
allowance to a veteran who repeats a course under conditions described 
in Sec. 21.132.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.334  Election of payment at the Chapter 30 rate.

    (a) Election. When the veteran elects payment of an allowance at the 
chapter 30 rate, the effective dates for commencement, reduction and 
termination of the allowance shall be in accordance with Secs. 21.7130 
through 21.7135 and Sec. 21.7050 under chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1808(f), 1780)

    (b) Election of payment at the Chapter 30 rate subsequent to 
induction into a rehabilitation program. Election of payment at the 
Chapter 30 rate subsequent to induction into training is permissible 
under provisions of Sec. 21.264 (a) and (b). The effective date of the 
election is the latest of the following dates:
    (1) The commencing date determined under Sec. 21.7131 in the case of 
a veteran who has elected payment at the chapter 30 rate; or

    (2) The day following the end of the period for which VA paid 
tuition, fees or other program charges under this Chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f))

    (c) Reelection of subsistence allowance subsequent to induction. If 
a veteran reelects subsistence allowance under provisions of 
Sec. 21.264(b) of this part, the effective date of change is earliest of 
the following:
    (1) The date following completion of the term, semester, quarter, or 
other period of instruction in which the veteran is currently enrolled;

[[Page 202]]

    (2) The veteran's Chapter 30 delimiting date;
    (3) The day after exhaustion of Chapter 30 entitlement; or
    (4) The day following the date of a VA determination that failure to 
approve reelection would prevent the veteran from continuing the 
rehabilitation program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f))

    (d) Election or reelection during leave or between periods of 
instruction--(1) Payment at the Chapter 30 rate. If an otherwise 
eligible veteran elects payment at the Chapter 30 rate during a period 
between periods of instruction, the effective date of the election shall 
be the first day of the next period of instruction.
    (2) Subsistence allowance. If an otherwise eligible veteran reelects 
subsistence allowance during leave or between periods of instruction 
following election of payment at the Chapter 30 rate, the effective date 
of the change will be the date of the reelection or the beginning of the 
next period of training, whichever is to the veteran's benefit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3108(f))

    (e) Effect of Chapter 34 program termination. (1) Since Chapter 34 
benefits are not payable beyond December 31, 1989, any previous election 
of benefits at that rate is terminated as of that date;
    (2) A veteran entitled to chapter 30 benefits based on his or her 
chapter 34 eligibility as of December 31, 1989, and whose election of 
chapter 34 rates terminated as of the date under paragraph (e)(1) of 
this section must, if the individual desires payment at the chapter 30 
rate, elect such payment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1411(a))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4284, Jan. 30, 1989, 54 
FR 13522, Apr. 4, 1989; 57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]

                            Leaves of Absence



Sec. 21.340  Introduction.

    (a) General. VA may approve leaves of absence under certain 
conditions. During approved leaves of absence, a veteran in receipt of 
subsistence allowance shall be considered to be pursuing a 
rehabilitation program. Leave may be authorized for a veteran during a 
period of:
    (1) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (2) Extended evaluation; or
    (3) Independent living services.
    (b) Election of subsistence allowance. If a veteran elects to 
receive subsistence allowance and payment of rehabilitation services by 
VA, he or she may be authorized leave of absence under Secs. 21.342 
through 21.350.
    (c) Election of benefits at the chapter 30 rate. If a veteran elects 
to receive a subsistence allowance paid at the chapter 30 rate, the 
effect of absences is determined under Secs. 21.7139 and 21.7154.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1508(f) and 1510)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 4285, Jan. 30, 1989; 57 
FR 57109, Dec. 3, 1992]



Sec. 21.342  Leave accounting policy.

    (a) Amount of leave. A veteran pursuing one of the programs listed 
in Sec. 21.340(a) may be authorized up to 30 days of leave by the case 
manager during a twelve-month period. The beginning date of the first 
twelve-month period is the commencing date of the original award, and 
the ending date is twelve months from the beginning date, with 
subsequent twelve-month periods running consecutively thereafter.
    (b) Additional leave under exceptional circumstances. A veteran in a 
program may be authorized up to 15 additional days of leave during the 
twelve-month period by the case manager under exceptional circumstances, 
such as extended illness or family problems.
    (c) Absence. For the purpose of determining when a leave of absence 
may be authorized, a veteran who elects subsistence allowance shall be 
considered absent during any period in which he or she is:
    (1) Not in attendance under the rules and regulations of the 
educational institution, rehabilitation center, or sheltered workshop;
    (2) Not considered at work under the rules of the training 
establishment; or
    (3) Not present at a scheduled period of individual instruction.
    (d) System of records. An educational institution, training 
establishment, rehabilitation center, or other facility or

[[Page 203]]

individual providing training and rehabilitation services under Chapter 
31 may utilize the same system of records to determine absence as the 
one used for similarly circumstanced nonveterans.
    (e) Change in rate of pursuit. The amount of approved leave is not 
affected by the veteran's rate of pursuit of a rehabilitation program.
    (f) Charging leave. VA shall charge 1 day of leave for each day or 
part of a day of absence from pursuit of a rehabilitation program.
    (g) Limitation on carrying leave over to another period. The veteran 
may not carry over unused days of leave from one twelve-month period to 
another.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3110)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985, as amended at 56 
FR 14649, Apr. 11, 1991]



Sec. 21.344  Facility offering training or rehabilitation services.

    (a) Approval of leaves of absence required. Leaves of absence 
normally must be approved in advance by the case manager when the 
facility offering training or rehabilitation services arranges for the 
leave. The approval of the case manager is required:
    (1) During periods in a rehabilitation program identified in 
Sec. 21.342(c); or
    (2) A period of hospitalization at VA expense during one of the 
periods identified in Sec. 21.342(c).
    (b) Responsibility of the veteran in obtaining leave. VA will not 
authorize leave without a verbal or written request by the veteran, and 
the approval of the facility.
    (c) Conditions permitting approval of leaves of absence. (1) The 
case manager may approve leaves of absence up to a total of 30 days 
during a twelve-month period if the facility certifies that the use of 
the leave does not interfere materially with the veteran's progress;
    (2) An additional period of up to 15 days of leave in the same 
twelve-month period under exceptional circumstances may be approved by 
the case manager if failure to approve leave will:
    (i) Result in personal hardship, or
    (ii) Adversely affect the veteran's ability to continue in his or 
her rehabilitation program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3110)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended by 56 FR 14649, Apr. 11, 1991]



Sec. 21.346  Facility temporarily not offering training or
rehabilitation services.

    (a) Approval of leave of absence not required. A veteran may receive 
subsistence allowance, during a period when the facility temporarily is 
not offering services, without the veteran's being charged with leave 
when:
    (1) The facility is closed temporarily under an executive order of 
the President or due to an emergency situation;
    (2) The veteran is pursuing on-job training and he or she receives 
holidays established by Federal or State law;
    (3) The veteran is pursuing farm cooperative training and is 
required in the ordinary day to day conduct of farm business to be 
absent:
    (i) From the farm; or
    (ii) From that part of a farm cooperative course which is given at 
the educational institution.
    (4) The veteran is pursuing a standard college degree; and
    (i) There is an interval between consecutive semesters, terms, 
quarters or periods of instruction within a certified enrollment period 
which does not exceed a full calendar month;
    (ii) There is an interval, which does not exceed a full calendar 
month between semesters, terms or quarters when the educational 
institution only certifies enrollment on a semester, term, or quarter 
basis; or
    (iii) There is an interval, which does not exceed 30 days, when the 
veteran, as part of his or her approved program of vocational 
rehabilitation, transfers from one educational institution to another 
for the purpose of enrolling in and pursuing a similar program at the 
second institution;
    (5) The veteran is pursuing a non-college-degree course and there is 
a period of up to 5 days per twelve-month period during which the school 
offering non-college-degree courses is not operating, because 
instructors are attending professional meetings.

[[Page 204]]

    (b) Case manager responsibility. The case manager may disapprove 
leave under paragraph (a)(4) of this section if:
    (1) Approval would result in or lead to use of more than 48 months 
of entitlement under Chapter 31, alone; or
    (2) Approval would require extension of the scheduled completion 
date of the veteran's program.
    (c) Approval of leaves of absence required. A veteran, who wishes to 
receive subsistence allowance while the facility temporarily is not 
offering training under conditions other than those identified in 
paragraph (a) of this section, must seek an approved leave of absence 
and be charged leave.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3110)



Sec. 21.348  Leave following completion of a period of training 
or rehabilitation services.

    (a) Leave following completion of training or rehabilitation 
services. Leave may not be approved following completion of a period of 
rehabilitation services described in Sec. 21.340(a).
    (b) Postponement of the date of completion of a period of 
rehabilitation services prohibited. The date of completion of the 
veteran's program may not be extended for the purpose of allowing the 
veteran to use leave.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3110)



Sec. 21.350  Unauthorized absences.

    A veteran who is unable to obtain an authorized leave of absence in 
advance may seek to have the unauthorized absence excused.
    (a) Excusing unauthorized absences. VA may excuse an unauthorized 
absence and make proper charges against the veteran's leave when:
    (1) The veteran has absented himself or herself when advance 
approval from VA is impracticable; and
    (2) Conditions for approval of leave are otherwise met.
    (b) Unexcused, unauthorized absences. When an unauthorized absence 
is not satisfactorily explained, VA will take necessary action, 
including recoupment of subsistence allowance for that period of 
absence.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3110)

                         Conduct and Cooperation



Sec. 21.362  Satisfactory conduct and cooperation.

    (a) General. The successful development and implementation of a 
program of rehabilitation services require the full and effective 
participation of the veteran in the rehabilitation process.
    (1) The veteran is responsible for satisfactory conduct and 
cooperation in developing and implementing a program of rehabilitation 
services under Chapter 31;
    (2) The staff is responsible for insuring satisfactory conduct and 
cooperation on the veteran's part; and
    (3) VA staff shall take required action when the veteran's conduct 
and cooperation are not satisfactory. (See Sec. 21.364)
    (b) VA responsibility. VA shall make a reasonable effort to inform 
the veteran and assure his or her understanding of:
    (1) The services and assistance which may be provided under Chapter 
31 to help the veteran maintain satisfactory cooperation and conduct and 
to cope with problems directly related to the rehabilitation process, 
especially counseling services;
    (2) Other services which VR&E staff can assist the veteran in 
securing through non-VA programs; and
    (3) The specific responsibilities of the veteran in the process of 
developing and implementing a program of rehabilitation services, 
especially the specific responsibility for satisfactory conduct and 
cooperation.
    (c) Veteran's responsibility. A veteran requesting or being provided 
services under Chapter 31 must:
    (1) Cooperate with VA staff in carrying out the initial evaluation 
and developing a rehabilitation plan;
    (2) Arrange a schedule which allows him or her to devote the time 
needed to attain the goals of the rehabilitation plan;
    (3) Seek the assistance of VA staff, as necessary, to resolve 
problems which affect attainment of the goals of the rehabilitation 
plan;
    (4) Conform to procedures established by VA governing pursuit of a 
rehabilitation plan including:
    (i) Enrollment and reenrollment in a course;

[[Page 205]]

    (ii) Changing the rate at which a course is pursued;
    (iii) Requesting a leave of absence;
    (iv) Requesting medical care and treatment;
    (v) Securing supplies; and
    (vi) Other applicable procedures.
    (5) Conform to the rules and regulations of the training or 
rehabilitation facility at which services are being provided.
    (d) Responsibility for determining satisfactory conduct and 
cooperation. VR&E staff with case management responsibility in the 
veteran's case will:
    (1) Monitor the veteran's conduct and cooperation as necessary to 
assure consistency with provisions of paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) Provide assistance which may be authorized under Chapter 31, or 
for which arrangements may be made under other programs to enable the 
veteran to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3111)



Sec. 21.364  Unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation.

    (a) General. If VA determines that a veteran has failed to maintain 
satisfactory conduct or cooperation, VA may, after determining that all 
reasonable counseling efforts have been made and are found not 
reasonably likely to be effective, discontinue services and assistance 
to the veteran, unless the case manager determines that mitigating 
circumstances exist. In any case in which such services and assistance 
have been discontinued, VA may reinstitute such services and assistance 
only if the Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) determines that:
    (1) The unsatisfactory conduct or cooperation of such veteran will 
not be likely to recur; and
    (2) The rehabilitation program which the veteran proposes to pursue 
(whether the same or revised) is suitable to such veteran's abilities, 
aptitudes, and interests.
    (b) Unsatisfactory conduct or cooperation exists. When the case 
manager determines that the veteran's conduct and/or cooperation are not 
in conformity with provisions of Sec. 21.362(c), the case manager will:
    (1) Discuss the situation with the veteran;
    (2) Arrange for services, particularly counseling services, which 
may assist in resolving the problems which led to the veteran's 
unsatisfactory conduct or cooperation;
    (3) Interrupt the program to allow for more intense efforts, if the 
unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation persist. If a reasonable effort 
to remedy the situation is unsuccessful during the period in which the 
program is interrupted, the veteran's case will be discontinued and 
assigned to ``discontinued'' status unless mitigating circumstances are 
found. When mitigating circumstances exist the case may be continued in 
``interrupted'' status until VA staff determines the veteran may be 
reentered into the same or a different program because the veteran's 
conduct and cooperation will be satisfactory, or if a plan has been 
developed, to enable the veteran to reenter and try to maintain 
satisfactory conduct and cooperation. Mitigating circumstances include:
    (i) The effects of the veteran's service and nonservice-connected 
condition;
    (ii) Family or financial problems which have led the veteran to 
unsatisfactory conduct or cooperation; or
    (iii) Other circumstances beyond the veteran's control.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3111)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]

           Interregional and Intraregional Travel of Veterans



Sec. 21.370  Intraregional travel at government expense.

    (a) Introduction. VA may authorize transportation expenses for 
intraregional travel to a veteran in a rehabilitation program or a 
program of employment services for the purposes presented in paragraph 
(b) of this section. When approved for purposes stated in paragraph (b) 
of this section, authorization of travel is limited to the veteran's 
transportation, and does not include transportation for the veteran's 
dependents, or for moving personal effects.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111, 3104(a)(13))


[[Page 206]]


    (b) Necessary condition for intraregional travel at government 
expense. VA may authorize a veteran to travel at government expense 
within the regional territory of the VA field station of jurisdiction 
when:
    (1) VA determines that the travel is necessary in the discharge of 
the government's obligation to the veteran; and
    (2) The veteran is instructed to travel for any of the following 
reasons:
    (i) To report to the chosen school or training facility for the 
purpose of starting training;
    (ii) To report to a prospective employer-trainer for an interview 
prior to induction into training, when there is definite assurance in 
advance of approving the travel that, upon interview, the employer will 
start the veteran in training, if the employer finds the veteran 
acceptable, or
    (iii) To report to the chosen school for a personal interview prior 
to induction into training when:
    (A) The school requires the interview as a condition of admission,
    (B) There is assurance before the travel is approved that the 
veteran's records (school, counseling, etc.) show he or she meets all 
basic requirements for induction under Sec. 21.282; and
    (C) The veteran submits to the school a transcript of his or her 
high school credits and a transcript from any school he or she attended 
following high school.
    (iv) To report to a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop;
    (v) To return to his or her home from the training or rehabilitation 
facility when:
    (A) Services are not available for a period of 30 days or more 
(including summer vacation periods), and
    (B) Travel from his or her home to the training or rehabilitation 
facility was at government expense;
    (vi) To return to the training or rehabilitation facility from his 
or her home, when:
    (A) The purpose of the travel is to continue the rehabilitation 
program, and
    (B) Travel from the training or rehabilitation facility to the 
veteran's home was at government expense;
    (vii) To return to the point from which he or she was transported at 
government expense, upon being placed in ``discontinued'' or 
``interrupted'' status for any reason, except abandonment of training by 
the veteran without good reason;
    (viii) To report to a place of prearranged satisfactory employment 
upon completion of vocational rehabilitation for the purpose of 
beginning work;
    (ix) To return to his or her home from the place of training 
following rehabilitation to the point of employability, when suitable 
employment is not available;
    (x) To return from the place of training to the veteran's prior 
location, when VA could have approved travel to the place of training at 
government expense, but did not issue the necessary travel 
authorization; and
    (xi) To report to a place to take a scheduled examination required 
to practice the trade or profession for which the veteran has been 
trained. This travel shall be limited to points within the state in 
which the veteran has pursued his or her training or, if the veteran 
returned to the state from which he or she was sent to pursue training, 
he or she may be sent at government expense to a place within that state 
to take the examination. If there is more than one place within the 
state at which the veteran may take the examination, travel shall be 
limited to the nearest place.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

    (c) Approval of intraregional transfer. Intraregional travel must be 
approved by the case manager.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(13))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.372  Interregional transfer at government expense.

    (a) Introduction. A veteran may need to transfer from the 
jurisdiction of one VA facility to another in order to accomplish 
rehabilitation. This section states the conditions which will permit the 
transfer to be made at government expense. Authorization of travel is 
limited to the veteran's transportation,

[[Page 207]]

and does not include transportation for the veteran's dependents or for 
moving personal effects.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111, 3104(a)(13))

    (b) Conditions which permit interregional transfers at government 
expense. A veteran may be provided travel at government expense when it 
has been determined that such travel is necessary to accomplish 
rehabilitation. VA will authorize an interregional transfer at 
government expense only to allow the veteran:
    (1) To enter training in the nearest satisfactory facility if:
    (i) The nearest satisfactory facility is within the jurisdiction of 
another VA facility; or
    (ii) There are no satisfactory facilities within the jurisdiction of 
the facility in which the veteran resides.
    (2) To enter training in the state in which the veteran has long-
standing family and social ties, and in which he or she plans to live 
following rehabilitation;
    (3) To report to an employer-trainer when all necessary steps have 
been taken to establish an on-job training program;
    (4) To report to rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop;
    (5) To return to his or her home from the place of training when:
    (i) Training is not available for a period of 30 days or more 
(including summer vacation periods), and
    (ii) Travel from his or her home to the place of training or 
rehabilitation services was at government expense;
    (6) To return to the place of training or rehabilitation services 
from his or her home, when;
    (i) The purpose of the travel is to continue training or 
rehabilitation services; and
    (ii) Travel from the place of training or rehabilitation services to 
the veteran's home was at government expense;
    (7) To return to the point from which he or she was transferred at 
government expense, upon being assigned to ``discontinued'' or 
``interrupted'' status, for any reason, except abandonment of training 
by the veteran without good reason;
    (8) To report to a place of prearranged satisfactory employment or 
for a prearranged employment interview following completion of his or 
her program of vocational rehabilitation, when:
    (i) There is no satisfactory opportunity for employment in the 
veteran's occupation within the jurisdiction of the facility which has 
jurisdiction over his or her residence, and
    (ii) The veteran has a serious employment handicap.
    (9) To return to his or her home, from which he or she was 
transferred at government expense to pursue training, when, upon 
completion of his or her course, satisfactory employment is not 
available;
    (10) To return to the location from which he or she traveled without 
authorization because VA did not issue the necessary travel 
authorization on a timely basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

    (c) Approval of interregional transfer. Interregional travel must be 
approved by the case manager.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(13))



Sec. 21.374  Authorization for travel of attendants.

    (a) Travel for attendants. The services of an attendant to accompany 
a veteran while traveling for rehabilitation purposes may be provided 
when such services are necessitated by the severity of the veteran's 
disability. Attendants may only be used to enable a veteran to attend 
appointments for initial evaluation, counseling, or intraregional or 
interregional travel at government expense under Sec. 21.370 and 
Sec. 21.372.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

    (b) Attendants not employed by the Federal government. (1) VA may 
authorize persons not in regular civilian employment of the Federal 
government to act as attendants. Payment of travel expenses for 
attendants will be authorized on the same basis as for the veteran the 
attendant is accompanying. VA:

[[Page 208]]

    (i) Will furnish the attendant with common-carrier transportation, 
meal and lodging expenses; or
    (ii) Will grant the attendant a mileage allowance in lieu of 
furnishing the assistance cited in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section.
    (2) VA will not pay the attendant a fee if he or she is a relative 
of the veteran. A relative, for this purpose, is a person who by blood 
or marriage is the veteran's
    (i) Spouse,
    (ii) Parent,
    (iii) Child,
    (iv) Brother,
    (v) Sister,
    (vi) Uncle,
    (vii) Aunt,
    (viii) Niece, or
    (ix) Nephew.
    (c) Attendant employed by the Federal government. (1) VA may 
authorize a person in the regular civilian employment of the Federal 
government to act as an attendant. When assigned, the attendant:
    (i) Will be entitled to transportation and expenses, or
    (ii) May be allowed per diem in place of subsistence in accordance 
with the provisions of the Federal Travel Regulations (5 U.S.C. Chapter 
57).
    (2) VA will pay no fee to civilian employees of the Federal 
government who act as attendants.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984; 50 FR 9622, Mar. 11, 1985]



Sec. 21.376  Travel expenses for initial evaluation and counseling.

    When VA asks a disabled veteran to report to a designated place for 
an initial evaluation, reevaluation or counseling (including personal or 
vocational adjustment counseling), the veteran will travel to and from 
the place of evaluation and counseling at government expense. When a 
veteran, because of a severe disability, requires the services of an 
attendant while traveling, VA will authorize payment of travel expenses 
for the attendant under the provisions of Sec. 21.374.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

                   Personnel Training and Development



Sec. 21.380  Establishment of qualifications for personnel providing
assistance under Chapter 31.

    (a) General. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or 
regulation, VA shall establish qualification standards for VBA personnel 
providing evaluation, rehabilitation, and case management services to 
eligible veterans under chapter 31, including:
    (1) Counseling Psychologists (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselors (VRC);
    (2) Vocational rehabilitation specialists; and
    (3) Other staff providing professional and technical assistance.
    (b) Rehabilitation Act of 1973. VA shall consider qualification 
standards established for comparable personnel under the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973, when setting agency standards.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118(c))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.382  Training and staff development for personnel providing
assistance under Chapter 31.

    (a) General. VA shall provide a program of ongoing professional 
training and development for staff of the VR&E Service engaged in 
providing rehabilitation services under chapter 31. The objective of 
such training shall be to insure that rehabilitation services for 
disabled veterans are provided in accordance with the most advanced 
knowledge, methods, and techniques available for the rehabilitation of 
disabled persons. The areas in which training and development services 
may be provided to enhance staff skills include:
    (1) Evaluation and assessment:
    (2) Medical aspects of disability;
    (3) Psychological aspects of disability;
    (4) Counseling theory and techniques;
    (5) Personal and vocational adjustment;
    (6) Occupational information;
    (7) Placement processes and job development;
    (8) Special considerations in rehabilitation of the seriously 
disabled;

[[Page 209]]

    (9) Independent living services;
    (10) Resources for training and rehabilitation; and
    (11) Utilizing research findings and professional publications.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118)

    (b) Training and development resources. For the purpose of carrying 
out the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section VA may:
    (1) Employ the services of consultants;
    (2) Make grants to and contract with public and private agencies, 
including institutions of higher learning, to conduct workshop and 
training activities;
    (3) Authorize individual training at institutions of higher learning 
and other appropriate facilities; and
    (4) Utilize chapter 41 of title 5, U.S.C., and related instructions 
to provide training and staff development activities on a group and 
individual basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118(b))

    (c) Interagency coordination. VA shall coordinate with the 
Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the 
Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment in planning and carrying 
out personnel training in areas of mutual programmatic concern.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3118(c))

              Rehabilitation Research and Special Projects



Sec. 21.390  Rehabilitation research and special projects.

    (a) General. VA shall carry out an ongoing program of activities for 
the purpose of advancing the knowledge, methods, techniques, and 
resources available for use in rehabilitation programs for veterans. For 
this purpose, VA may conduct research and development, provide support 
for research and development, or both conduct and provide support for 
the development and conduct of:
    (1) Studies and research concerning the psychological, educational, 
social, vocational, industrial, and economic aspects of rehabilitation; 
and
    (2) Projects which are designed to increase the resources and 
potential for accomplishing the rehabilitation of disabled veterans.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119(a))

    (b) Grants. VA may make grants to, or contract with, public on 
nonprofit agencies, including institutions of higher learning, to carry 
out the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119(b))

    (c) Research by Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) 
staff members. VA will encourage research by VR&E staff members. This 
research will address problems affecting service delivery, initiation 
and continuation in rehabilitation programs, and other areas directly 
affecting the quality of VR&E services to veterans.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119(a))

    (d) Interagency coordination. VA shall cooperate with the 
Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the 
Director of the National Institute of Handicapped Research in the 
Department of Education, the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
Employment in the Department of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services regarding rehabilitation studies, research, and special 
projects of mutual programmatic concern.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119(c))

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 62 FR 17710, Apr. 11, 1997]

             Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation



Sec. 21.400  Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation.

    (a) General. The Secretary shall appoint an advisory committee to be 
known as the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation.
    (b) Purpose. The purposes of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on 
Rehabilitation, hereafter referred to as the committee, are to:
    (1) Assess the rehabilitation needs of service and nonservice-
disabled veterans; and

[[Page 210]]

    (2) Review the programs and activities of VA designed to meet such 
needs;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3121(c))

    (c) Members. The committee shall include:
    (1) Members of the general public;
    (2) Appropriate representation of veterans with service-connected 
disabilities; and
    (3) Persons who have distinguished themselves in the public and 
private sectors in the fields of rehabilitation, and employment and 
training programs.
    (d) Members terms. The Secretary shall appoint members of the 
committee for three-year terms. Members may be reappointed for 
additional three-year terms.
    (e) Chairperson. The Secretary will designate one of the members of 
the committee to chair the committee.
    (f) Ex-officio members. The committee shall also include ex-officio 
members named by the following agencies. The ex-officio members shall 
include one representative from:
    (1) The Veterans Health Services and Research Administration;
    (2) The Veterans Benefits Administration;
    (3) The Rehabilitation Services Administration and one from the 
National Institute for Handicapped Research of the Department of 
Education; and
    (4) The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment of the 
Department of Labor.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3121(a))



Sec. 21.402  Responsibilities of the Veterans' Advisory Committee
on Rehabilitation.

    (a) Consultation with the Secretary. The Secretary shall regularly, 
but not less than twice yearly, consult with and seek the advice of the 
committee with respect to the administration of veterans' rehabilitation 
programs authorized under Title 38, United States Code.
    (b) Submission of an annual report. The committee shall:
    (1) Submit to the Secretary an annual report on the rehabilitation 
programs and activities of the VA; and
    (2) Submit such other reports and recommendations to the Secretary 
as the committee determines appropriate.
    (c) Contents of the committee's annual report. The committee's 
annual report shall include:
    (1) An assessment of the rehabilitation needs of veterans; and
    (2) A review of the programs and activities of VA designed to meet 
needs identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (d) Secretary's annual report. The findings of the committee shall 
be incorporated in the Secretary's annual report submitted to the 
Congress under 38 U.S.C. 529. In addition the Secretary shall submit, 
together with this annual report, a copy of all reports and 
recommendations of the committee submitted to the Secretary since the 
previous annual report was submitted to the Congress.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3121(c))

                 Additional Administrative Consideration



Sec. 21.410  Delegation of authority.

    The Secretary delegates authority to the Under Secretary for 
Benefits to make findings and decisions under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 and 
regulations, precedents, and instructions that affect vocational 
rehabilitation services for disabled veterans. The Under Secretary for 
Benefits may further delegate this authority to supervisory and non-
supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment staff members.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

[62 FR 17710, Apr. 11, 1997]



Sec. 21.412  Finality of decisions.

    (a) Facility of original jurisdiction. The decision of a VA facility 
in a given veteran's case:
    (1) Will be final and binding upon all field stations of VA as to 
conclusions based on evidence on file at that time; and
    (2) Will not be subject to revision on the same factual basis except 
by duly constituted appellate authorities or except as provided in 
Secs. 21.410 and 21.414. (See Secs. 19.153, 19.154, and 19.155.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 7103)


[[Page 211]]


    (b) Adjudicative determinations. Current determinations of line of 
duty, character of discharge, relationship, and other pertinent elements 
affecting eligibility for training and rehabilitation services or 
payment of subsistence allowance under Chapter 31, made by an 
adjudicative activity by application of the same criteria and based on 
the same facts, are binding upon all other adjudicative activities in 
the absence of clear and unmistakable error.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))



Sec. 21.414  Revision of decision.

    The revision of a decision on which an action is based is subject to 
the following regulations:
    (a) Clear and unmistakable error, Sec. 3.105(a);
    (b) Difference of opinion, Sec. 3.105(b);
    (c) Character of discharge, Sec. 3.105(c);
    (d) Severance of service-connection, Sec. 3.105(d);
    (e) Reduction to less than compensable evaluation, Sec. 3.105(e). 
(See Secs. 21.48, 21.322, and 21.324)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112)

                          Informing the Veteran



Sec. 21.420  Informing the veteran.

    (a) General. VA will inform a veteran in writing of findings 
affecting receipt of benefits and services under Chapter 31. This 
includes veterans:
    (1) Requesting benefits and services; or
    (2) In receipt of benefits and services.
    (b) Notification. (1) Each notification should include the decision 
or finding, the reasons, including fact and law, for the decision, the 
effective date of the decision or finding; and
    (2) The veteran's appeal rights, if any.
    (c) Adverse action. An adverse action is one, other than an interim 
action such as a suspension of benefits pending development, which:
    (1) Denies Chapter 31 benefits, when such benefits have been 
requested;
    (2) Reduces or otherwise diminishes benefits being received by the 
veteran; or
    (3) Terminates receipt of benefits for reasons other than scheduled 
interruptions which are a part of the veteran's plan.
    (d) Prior notification of adverse action. VA shall give the veteran 
a period of at least 30 days to indicate his or her disagreement with an 
adverse action other than one which arises as a consequence of a change 
in training time or other such alteration in circumstances. If the 
veteran disagrees, he or she shall be given the opportunity, before 
appealing the adverse action as provided in Sec. 21.59 of this part, to:
    (1) Meet informally with a representative of VA;
    (2) Review the basis for VA decision, including any relevant written 
documents or material; and
    (3) Submit to VA any material which he or she may have relevant to 
the decision.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3102)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 40872, Oct. 4, 1989]



Sec. 21.422  Reduction in subsistence allowance following the loss
of a dependent.

    (a) Notice of reduction required when a veteran loses a dependent. 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, VA will not 
reduce an award of subsistence allowance following the veteran's loss of 
a dependent unless:
    (i) VA has notified the veteran of the adverse action, and
    (ii) VA has provided the veteran with a period of 60 days in which 
to submit evidence for the purpose of showing that subsistence allowance 
should not be reduced.
    (2) When the reduction is based solely on written, factual, 
unambiguous information as to dependency provided by the veteran or his 
or her fiduciary with knowledge or notice that the information would be 
used to determine the monthly rate of subsistence allowance;
    (i) VA is not required to send a pre-reduction notice as stated in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, but;
    (ii) VA will send notice contemporaneous with the reduction in 
subsistence allowance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112, 5113)


[[Page 212]]


    (b) Pre-reduction notice. Where a reduction in subsistence allowance 
is proposed by reason of information concerning dependency received from 
a source other than the veteran, VA will:
    (1) Prepared a proposal for the reduction of subsistence allowance, 
setting forth material facts and reasons;
    (2) Notify the veteran at his or her latest address of record of the 
proposed action;
    (3) Furnish detailed reasons for the proposed reduction;
    (4) Inform the veteran that he or she has an opportunity for a 
predetermination hearing, provided that VA receives a request for such a 
hearing within 30 days from the date of the notice; and
    (5) Give the veteran 60 days for the presentation of additional 
evidence to show that the subsistence allowance should be continued at 
its present level.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112, 5113)

    (c) Predetermination hearing. (1) If VA receives a timely request 
for a predetermination hearing as indicated in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section:
    (i) VA will notify the veteran in writing of the date, time and 
place for the hearing; and
    (ii) Payments of subsistence allowance will continue at the 
previously established level pending a final determination concerning 
the proposed reduction.
    (2) The hearing will be conducted by a VA employee who:
    (i) Did not participate in the preparation of the proposal to reduce 
the veteran's subsistence allowance, and
    (ii) Will bear the decision-making responsibility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112, 5113)

    (d) Final action. VA will take final action following the 
predetermination procedures specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (1) If a predetermination hearing was not requested or if the 
veteran failed to report for a scheduled predetermination hearing, the 
final action will be based solely upon the evidence of record at the 
expiration of 60 days.
    (2) If a predetermination hearing was conducted, VA will base final 
action upon:
    (i) Evidence presented at the hearing;
    (ii) Evidence contained in the claims file at the time of the 
hearing; and
    (iii) Any additional evidence obtained following the hearing 
pursuant to necessary development.
    (3) Whether or not a predetermination hearing was conducted, a 
written notice of the final action shall be issued to the veteran 
setting forth the reasons for the decison, and the evidence upon which 
it is based. The veteran will be informed of his or her appellate rights 
and right of representation. (For information concerning the conduct of 
the hearing see Sec. 3.103 (c) and (d) of this chapter).
    (4) When a reduction of subsistence allowance is found to be 
warranted following consideration of any additional evidence submitted, 
the effective date of the reduction or discontinuance shall be as 
specified under the provisions of Sec. 21.324 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112, 5113)

[54 FR 40872, Oct. 4, 1989]

                             Accountability



Sec. 21.430  Accountability for authorization and payment of training
and rehabilitation services.

    (a) General. VA shall maintain policies and procedures which provide 
accountability in the authorization and payment of program costs for 
training and rehabilitation services. The procedures established under 
this section are applicable to all program costs except subsistence 
allowance (or the optional allowance at Chapter 34 rates). Policies and 
procedures governing payment of subsistence allowance are governed by 
Secs. 21.260 through 21.276, and Secs. 21.320 through 21.334.
    (b) Determining necessary costs for training and rehabilitation 
services. The estimates of program costs during a calendar year or 
lesser period shall be based upon the services necessary to carry out 
the veteran's rehabilitation plan during that period (Secs. 21.80 
through 21.98). The estimates will be developed by the VBA case manager. 
If additional approval is required, the VBA case manager shall secure 
such additional approval prior to authorization of services.

[[Page 213]]

    (c) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Officer's review 
of program costs. The VR&E Officer will review the program costs for the 
services in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of this section if the case 
manager's program cost estimate for a calendar year exceeds $25,000. The 
VR&E Officer may not delegate this responsibility. The case manager will 
neither sign a rehabilitation plan nor authorize expenditures before the 
VR&E Officer approves the program costs. The services subject to this 
review are:
    (1) Providing supplies to help establish a small business;
    (2) A period of extended evaluation; or
    (3) A program of independent living services.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(b)(4))

    Cross References: See Sec. 21.156. Other incidental goods and 
services. Sec. 21.258. Special assistance for veterans in self-
employment.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 51 FR 45767, Dec. 22, 1986; 
55 FR 25975, June 26, 1990; 62 FR 17710, Apr. 11, 1997]

            Veterans Employment Pay for Success Grant Program

    Source: 81 FR 52775, Aug. 10, 2016, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 21.440  Purpose and scope.

    Sections 21.440 through 21.449 establish and implement the Veterans 
Employment Pay for Success (VEPFS) grant program, which provides grants 
to eligible entities to fund outcomes payments for projects that are 
successful in accomplishing employment rehabilitation for Veterans with 
service-connected disabilities. These sections apply only to the 
administration of the VEPFS grant program, unless specifically provided 
otherwise.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(d), 3119)



Sec. 21.441  Definitions.

    For the purposes of Secs. 21.440 through 21.449, and any Notices of 
Funding Availability (NOFA) issued pursuant to Secs. 21.440 through 
21.449, the following definitions apply:
    Applicant is an eligible entity that submits an application for a 
VEPFS grant announced in a NOFA.
    Eligible entity is a public or nonprofit agency, to include 
institutions of higher learning.
    Employment outcome is the employment or earnings of a participant in 
the intervention or control group member after the service period. 
Improving employment outcomes means creating positive impact in terms of 
these outcomes, where the results for individuals that receive the 
intervention are better than the results for a valid control group that 
did not receive the intervention.
    Intervention is a service or technology that is provided to 
individuals and is intended to achieve certain results.
    Outcomes payments are funds that are paid to an investor or service 
provider and that are released only for the achievement of outcomes, as 
compared to those of a control group, that meet target levels that have 
been agreed to in advance of the provision of intervention (i.e., if 
positive impact has been created by the intervention in terms of these 
outcomes). When investors have provided the upfront capital for the 
project, these payments generally cover repayment of the principal 
investment and provide a modest return on investment for any associated 
risks of paying for the intervention upfront.
    Pay for Success (PFS) agreement is a multi-party agreement to 
deliver an innovative or evidence-based intervention intended to improve 
outcomes for a targeted population signed by the entities that 
constitute the project partnership.
    Project partnership is a collaboration among entities that negotiate 
an agreement and execute a project to improve employment outcomes for 
Veterans with service-connected disabilities. The entities that may be 
involved in a project partnership include:
    (1)(i) Outcomes payor. Entity that receives a VEPFS grant and pays 
for outcomes of services that meet target levels that have been agreed 
to in advance of the provision of the intervention.
    (ii) Project coordinator. Facilitates, coordinates, and executes a 
PFS agreement to improve employment outcomes for Veterans with service-
connected disabilities. With respect to

[[Page 214]]

other PFS projects, project coordinators are sometimes referred to as 
intermediaries.
    (iii) Evaluator. Independent entity that determines the impact of 
the services provided, including whether the services have resulted in 
employment outcomes that meet target levels that have been agreed to in 
advance of the provision of the intervention.
    (iv) Investor. Person or entity that provides upfront capital to 
cover costs of providing services/delivering an intervention and other 
associated costs before a determination has been made as to whether 
certain employment outcomes have been achieved at pre-set target levels.
    (v) Service provider. Entity that delivers an intervention designed 
to achieve improved employment outcomes for Veterans with service-
connected disabilities.
    (2) A full project partnership is a project partnership that 
includes an outcomes payor, evaluator, investor (if the PFS agreement 
involves PFS financing), and service provider. A partial project 
partnership includes an outcomes payor and at least one of the 
following: Evaluator, investor (if the PFS agreement involves PFS 
financing), or service provider.
    Recipient is the entity that receives a VEPFS grant under 
Secs. 21.440 through 21.449. The recipient is also the outcomes payor.
    Secretary refers to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    Service-connected disability is a disability that is ``service-
connected'' as defined in 38 CFR 3.1.
    Social finance strategy is a method for securing financial resources 
using an investment approach that focuses on achieving positive social 
and/or environmental impact with some form of financial return.
    Strong evidence constitutes results from previous studies, the 
designs of which can support causal conclusions (i.e., studies with high 
internal validity), that include enough of the range of participants and 
settings to support scaling up to the state, regional, or national level 
(i.e., studies with high external validity).
    Veteran has the same definition as provided in 38 CFR 3.1.
    Veterans Employment Pay for Success (VEPFS) agreement is a PFS 
agreement to deliver an innovative, evidence-based intervention intended 
to improve Veteran employment outcomes.
    Veterans Employment Pay for Success (VEPFS) project is a project 
with a strategy for delivering a service with a goal to significantly 
improve a current condition with respect to unemployment of a target 
Veteran population and sufficient evidence to support the theory behind 
the project using a financial model that includes cost savings by 
funding the project only if it is successful.
    Work-plan is a document that articulates tasks and milestones with 
regard to a particular project.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119)



Sec. 21.442  VEPFS grants--general.

    (a) VA may award a VEPFS grant only to an eligible entity selected 
under Sec. 21.446.
    (b) The amount of Federal funding available to be awarded in a VEPFS 
grant will be specified in the NOFA.
    (c) A VEPFS grant will be awarded for a minimum of 5 years and a 
pre-determined maximum number of years, beginning on the date on which 
the VEPFS grant is awarded, with the availability of no-cost extensions.
    (d) As a condition of receiving a VEPFS grant, a recipient will be 
required to provide matching funds from non-Federal sources equal to or 
greater than the amount of Federal grant funds awarded, to be combined 
with the amount of Federal grant funds awarded and used as specified in 
Sec. 21.443.
    (e) A VEPFS grant award is not a Veterans' benefit. Decisions of the 
Secretary are final and not subject to the same appeal rights as 
decisions related to Veterans' benefits.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119)



Sec. 21.443  Permissible uses of VEPFS grant funds.

    (a) VEPFS grant funds may be used only to fund outcomes payments if 
an intervention achieves outcomes at a pre-set target level that has 
been agreed to in a PFS agreement before service delivery begins for a 
PFS

[[Page 215]]

project with a goal to improve employment outcomes for Veterans with 
service-connected disabilities.
    (b) To pay for the indirect costs of administering a grant, 
regardless of whether an intervention achieves outcomes at a pre-set 
target level, a recipient may:
    (1) Use a Federally approved indirect cost rate (a rate already 
negotiated with the Federal Government);
    (2) Use a 10% de minimis rate of modified total direct costs;
    (3) Negotiate an indirect cost rate for the first time; or
    (4) Claim certain costs directly following 2 CFR 200.413.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119, 2 CFR 200.414)



Sec. 21.444  Notice of funding availability.

    When funds are available for a VEPFS grant, VA will publish a NOFA 
in the Federal Register and on Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). The 
NOFA will identify:
    (a) The location for obtaining grant applications and the specific 
forms that will be required;
    (b) The date, time, and place for submitting completed grant 
applications;
    (c) The total amount and type of funds available and the maximum 
amount available to a single applicant;
    (d) Information regarding eligibility and the scoring process;
    (e) Any timeframes and manner for payments under the grant; and
    (f) Other information necessary for the VEPFS grant application 
process, as determined by VA, including contact information for the VA 
office that will oversee the VEPFS grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(d), 3119)



Sec. 21.445  Application.

    To apply for a VEPFS grant, eligible entities must submit to VA a 
complete application package in accordance with the instructions in the 
NOFA and include the forms specified in the NOFA. Applications will be 
accepted only through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). A complete 
grant application package, as further described in the NOFA, includes 
standard forms specified in the NOFA and the following:
    (a) Project description, including a description of the 
intervention, the Veteran population to be served, and anticipated 
employment outcomes;
    (b) Description of anticipated project partnership(s), including the 
responsibilities of each of the partner entities, the experience of any 
involved entities with serving Veteran populations, and other 
qualifications of the involved entities that may be relevant in carrying 
out responsibilities of the project partnership. In procuring partners 
such as the project coordinator and investor, procurement standards set 
forth in 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.326 must be followed;
    (c) A work plan, including a budget and timelines;
    (d) Description of applicant's expertise or experience with PFS or 
other social finance strategies or experience administering programs 
that serve Veterans with disabilities;
    (e) Documentation of applicant's ability and capacity to administer 
the project;
    (f) Proof of matching funds already secured, ability to secure 
matching funds, or commitments received; and
    (g) Any additional information as deemed appropriate by VA and set 
forth in the NOFA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119)



Sec. 21.446  Scoring and selection.

    (a) Scoring. VA will score only complete applications received from 
eligible entities by the deadline established in the NOFA. VA will score 
applications using the following criteria:
    (1) Project description. Applicant identifies and describes an 
intervention that is designed to improve employment outcomes for 
Veterans with service-connected disabilities through a PFS agreement and 
demonstrates with strong evidence the ability of the intervention to 
meet objectives. Project description should explain and justify the need 
for the intervention, and include concept, size and scope of the 
project, and the Veteran population to be served.
    (2) Project partnership. Applicant provides a description of the 
partnership and the level of partnership (full, partial, or none) 
attained at the time of application.

[[Page 216]]

    (3) Work plan and budget. Applicant provides a work plan that 
describes in detail the timeline for the tasks outlined in the project 
description and proposed milestones. Applicant provides a budget that 
specifies amount of outcome payments and indirect and other relevant 
costs.
    (4) Expertise and capacity. Applicant provides evidence of its past 
experience with PFS or other social finance strategies or experience 
administering programs that serve Veterans with disabilities, and of its 
ability and capacity to successfully administer the project.
    (5) Match. Applicant provides evidence of secured cash matching 
(1:1) funds or of its ability to secure or commitments to receive such 
funds.
    (b) Selection of recipients. All complete applications from eligible 
entities will be scored using the criteria in paragraph (a) of this 
section and ranked in order from highest to lowest total score. NOFA 
announcements may also clarify the selection criteria in paragraph (a). 
The relative weight (point value) for each selection criterion will be 
specified in the NOFA. Point values will be assigned according to the 
criterion's importance in ensuring the successful development and 
implementation of a VEPFS project. VA will award any VEPFS grant on the 
primary basis of scores but will also consider a risk assessment 
evaluation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3119)



Sec. 21.447  VEPFS grant agreement.

    After an applicant is selected to receive a VEPFS grant in 
accordance with Sec. 21.446, VA will draft a grant agreement to be 
executed by VA and the applicant. Upon execution of the VEPFS grant 
agreement, VA will obligate grant funds to cover the amount of the 
approved grant, subject to the availability of funding. The VEPFS grant 
agreement will provide that the recipient agrees, and will ensure that 
each subcontractor (if applicable) agrees, to:
    (a) Operate the program in accordance with the provisions of 
Secs. 21.440 through 21.449, 2 CFR part 200, and the applicant's VEPFS 
grant application;
    (b) Comply with such other terms and conditions, including 
recordkeeping and reports for program monitoring and evaluation 
purposes, as VA may establish in the Terms and Conditions of the grant 
agreement for purposes of carrying out the VEPFS program in an effective 
and efficient manner; and
    (c) Provide additional information that VA requests with respect to:
    (1) Program effectiveness, as defined in the Terms and Conditions of 
the grant agreement;
    (2) Compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the grant agreement; 
and
    (3) Criteria for evaluation, as defined in the Terms and Conditions 
of the grant agreement.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(d), 3119)



Sec. 21.448  Recipient reporting requirements.

    (a) Recipients must submit to VA a quarterly report 30 days after 
the close of each Federal fiscal quarter of the grant period. The report 
must include the following information:
    (1) A detailed record of the time involved and resources expended 
administering the VEPFS program.
    (2) The number of Veterans served, including demographics of this 
population.
    (3) The types of employment assistance provided.
    (4) A full accounting of VEPFS grant funds used or unused during the 
quarter.
    (5) A comparison of accomplishments related to the objectives of the 
award.
    (6) An explanation for any goals not met.
    (7) An analysis and explanation for any cost overruns.
    (b) VA may request additional reports in the Terms and Conditions of 
the grant agreement if necessary to allow VA to fully and effectively 
assess program accountability and effectiveness.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(d), 3119, 2 CFR 200.327-200.328)



Sec. 21.449  Recovery of funds.

    If a recipient fails to comply with any Federal statutes or 
regulations or the terms and conditions of an award made under 
Secs. 21.440 through 21.449, VA may impose additional conditions as 
specified in 2 CFR 200.207 or, if non-

[[Page 217]]

compliance cannot be remedied, take any appropriate actions specified in 
2 CFR part 200 as remedies for non-compliance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(d), 3119, 2 CFR 200.338 through 200.342)



      Subpart B_Claims and Applications for Educational Assistance

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), ch. 51, and as noted in specific 
sections.

    Editorial Note: The regulations formerly appearing under this 
subpart were revoked at 30 FR 14103, Nov. 9, 1965. That order provided 
in part, ``these regulations remain in force insofar as they are 
pertinent to any problems, appeals, litigation, or determinations of 
liability of educational institutions or training establishments for 
overpayments under 38 U.S.C. 1666.''

                                 Claims



Sec. 21.1029  Definitions.

    The following definitions of terms apply to this subpart and 
subparts C, D, F, G, H, K, L, and P, to the extent that the terms are 
not otherwise defined in those subparts:
    (a) Abandoned claim. A claim is an abandoned claim if:
    (1) In connection with a formal claim VA requests that the claimant 
furnish additional evidence, and the claimant--
    (i) Does not furnish that evidence within one year of the date of 
the request; and
    (ii) Does not show good cause why the evidence could not have been 
submitted within one year of the date of the request; or
    (2) In connection with an informal claim, VA requests a formal 
claim, and--
    (i) VA does not receive the formal claim within one year of the date 
of request; and
    (ii) The claimant does not show good cause why he or she could not 
have filed the formal claim in sufficient time for VA to have received 
it within one year of the date of the request.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103(a))

    (b) Date of claim. The date of claim is the date on which a valid 
claim or application for educational assistance is considered to have 
been filed with VA, for purposes of determining the commencing date of 
an award of that educational assistance.
    (1) If an informal claim is filed and VA receives a formal claim 
within one year of the date VA requested it, or within such other period 
of time as provided by Sec. 21.1033, the date of claim, subject to the 
provisions of paragraph (b)(3) of this section, is the date VA received 
the informal claim.
    (2) If a formal claim is filed other than as described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, the date of claim, subject to the provisions of 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section, is the date VA received the formal 
claim.
    (3) If a formal claim itself is abandoned and a new formal or 
informal claim is filed, the date of claim is as provided in paragraph 
(b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, as appropriate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103)

    (c) Educational institution. The term educational institution means:
    (1) A vocational school or business school;
    (2) A junior college, teachers' college, college, normal school, 
professional school, university, or scientific or technical institution;
    (3) A public or private elementary school or secondary school;
    (4) Any entity, other than an institution of higher learning, that 
provides training for completion of a State-approved alternative teacher 
certification program;
    (5) An organization or entity offering a licensing or certification 
test; or
    (6) Any private entity that offers, either directly or indirectly 
under an agreement with another entity, a course or courses to fulfill 
requirements for the attainment of a license or certificate generally 
recognized as necessary to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment in 
a profession or vocation in a high technology occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452, 3501(a)(6), 3689(d))

    (d) Formal claim. A claim is a formal claim when the claimant (or 
his or her authorized representative) files the claim with VA, and--

[[Page 218]]

    (1) The claim is a claim for--
    (i) Educational assistance;
    (ii) An increase in educational assistance; or
    (iii) An extension of the eligibility period for receiving 
educational assistance; and
    (2) If there is a form (either paper or electronic) prescribed under 
this part, the claim is filed on that form.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5101(a))

    (e) Informal claim. (1) If a form (either paper or electronic) has 
been prescribed under this part to use in claiming the benefit sought, 
the term informal claim means--
    (i) Any communication from an individual, or from an authorized 
representative or a Member of Congress on that individual's behalf that 
indicates a desire on the part of the individual to claim or to apply 
for VA-administered educational assistance; or
    (ii) A claim from an individual or from an authorized representative 
on that individual's behalf for a benefit described in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section that is filed in a document other than in the 
prescribed form.
    (2) If a form (either paper or electronic) has not been prescribed 
to use in claiming the benefit sought, the term informal claim means any 
communication, other than a formal claim, from an individual, or from an 
authorized representative or a Member of Congress on that individual's 
behalf that indicates a desire on the part of the individual to claim or 
to apply for VA-administered educational assistance.
    (3) When VA requests evidence in connection with a claim, and the 
claimant submits that evidence to VA after having abandoned the claim, 
the claimant's submission of the evidence is an informal claim.
    (4) The act of enrolling in an approved educational institution or 
training establishment is not an informal claim.
    (5) VA will not consider a communication received from a service 
organization, an attorney, or agent to be an informal claim if a valid 
power of attorney, executed by the claimant, is not in effect at the 
time the communication is written.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C 501(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3471, 3513, 5101(a))

    (f) Information. The term information means nonevidentiary facts, 
such as the claimant's Social Security number or address, or the name of 
the educational institution the claimant is attending.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5101, 5102, 5103)

    (g) Substantially complete application. (1) The term substantially 
complete application means, for an individual's first application for 
educational assistance administered by VA, an application containing--
    (i) The claimant's name;
    (ii) His or her relationship to the veteran, if applicable;
    (iii) Sufficient information for VA to verify the claimed service, 
if applicable;
    (iv) The benefit claimed;
    (v) The program of education, if applicable; and
    (vi) The name of the educational institution or training 
establishment the claimant intends to attend, if applicable.
    (2) For subsequent applications for educational assistance 
administered by VA, a substantially complete application means an 
application containing the information specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) 
through (g)(1)(vi) of this section, except that the application may omit 
any information specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(ii) or (g)(1)(iii) of 
this section that is already of record with VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5102, 5103, 5103A)

    (h) Training establishment. The term training establishment means 
any establishment providing apprentice or other training on-the-job, 
including those under the supervision of a college, university, any 
State department of education, any State apprenticeship agency, any 
State board of vocational education, any joint apprenticeship committee, 
the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training established in accordance

[[Page 219]]

with 29 U.S.C. chapter 4C, or any agency of the Federal government 
authorized to supervise such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(e), 3501(a)(9))

    (i) VA. The term VA means the United States Department of Veterans 
Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 301)

[64 FR 23770, May 4, 1999, as amended at 72 FR 16964, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14665, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.1030  Claims.

    (a) Claim for educational assistance. (1) The first time an 
individual claims educational assistance administered by VA for pursuit 
of a program of education, he or she must file an application for 
educational assistance using a form the Secretary prescribes for that 
purpose.
    (2) If an individual changes his or her program of education or 
place of training after filing his or her first application for 
educational assistance, he or she must file an application requesting 
the change of program or place of training using a form the Secretary 
prescribes for that purpose.
    (3) A servicemember must consult with his or her education service 
officer before filing an application for educational assistance, whether 
it is the first application or an application to request a change of 
program or place of training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3471, 3513, 5101(a))

    (b) Filing a claim for educational assistance to pay for a licensing 
or certification test. To receive educational assistance to pay for a 
licensing or certification test, an individual must file a claim for 
educational assistance.
    (1) If the claim is the first claim for educational assistance 
administered by VA, the individual must file an application for 
educational assistance using a form the Secretary prescribes for that 
purpose and must include the information described in paragraphs 
(b)(2)(i) through (b)(2)(vi) of this section.
    (2) If the claim is the second or subsequent claim for educational 
assistance, the claim must include:
    (i) The name of the test;
    (ii) The name and address of the organization or entity issuing the 
license or certificate;
    (iii) The date the claimant took the test;
    (iv) The cost of the test;
    (v) A statement authorizing release of the claimant's test 
information to VA, such as: ``I authorize release of my test information 
to VA''; and
    (vi) Such other information as the Secretary may require.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3471, 3513, 5101(a))

    (c) Filing a claim for educational assistance to supplement tuition 
assistance provided under a program administered by the Secretary of a 
military department. To receive tuition assistance top-up as defined in 
Sec. 21.4200(hh), an individual must file a claim for educational 
assistance.
    (1) If the claim is the first claim for educational assistance 
administered by VA, the individual must file an application for 
educational assistance using a form the Secretary prescribes for that 
purpose.
    (2) If the claim is the second or subsequent claim for educational 
assistance, the claimant may submit a statement that he or she wishes to 
receive tuition assistance top-up.
    (3) The claimant must also submit a copy of the form(s) that the 
military service with jurisdiction requires for tuition assistance and 
that had been presented to the educational institution, covering the 
course or courses for which the claimant wants tuition assistance top-
up. Examples of these forms include:
    (i) DA Form 2171, Request for Tuition Assistance-Army Continuing 
Education System;
    (ii) AF Form 1227, Authority for Tuition Assistance-Education 
Services Program;
    (iii) NAVMC 10883, Application for Tuition Assistance, and either 
NAVEDTRA 1560/5, Tuition Assistance Authorization or NAVMC (page 2), 
Tuition Assistance Authorization;
    (iv) Department of Homeland Security, USCG CG-4147, Application for 
Off-Duty Assistance; and

[[Page 220]]

    (v) Request for Top-Up: eArmyU Program.
    (4) The claimant must also provide to VA the following information, 
to the extent it is not contained on any form filed under paragraph 
(c)(1) or (c)(3) of this section:
    (i) His or her name;
    (ii) His or her Social Security number;
    (iii) The name of the educational institution;
    (iv) The name of the course or courses for which the claimant wants 
educational assistance;
    (v) The number of the course or courses;
    (vi) The number of credit hours for each course;
    (vii) The beginning and ending date of each course;
    (viii) The cost of the course or courses; and
    (ix) If the claimant doesn't want to receive the full amount of that 
cost not met by the Secretary of the military department concerned, the 
portion that the claimant wishes to receive.
    (5) If the claimant's military department uses an electronic tuition 
assistance application process with electronic signatures, VA will 
accept an electronic transmission of the approved tuition assistance 
application directly from the military department concerned on behalf of 
the claimant if--
    (i) The electronic tuition assistance application indicates the 
servicemember's intent to claim tuition-assistance top-up; and
    (ii) The information described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section 
is included in the electronic application.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3471, 3513, 5101(a))

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 2900-0074, 
2900-0098, 2900-0099, 2900-0154, 2900-0695, and 2900-0698)

[72 FR 16964, Apr. 5, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 14665, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.1031  VA responsibilities when a claim is filed.

    (a) VA will furnish forms. VA will furnish all necessary VA claim 
forms and instructions, and, if appropriate, a description of any 
supporting evidence required upon receipt of an informal claim.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5102)

    (b) VA has a duty to notify claimants of necessary information or 
evidence. (1) Except when a claim cannot be substantiated because there 
is no legal basis for the claim, or undisputed facts render the claimant 
ineligible for the claimed benefit, when VA receives a complete or 
substantially complete application for educational assistance provided 
under subpart C, D, G, H, K, L, or P of this part VA will--
    (i) Notify the claimant of any information and evidence that is 
necessary to substantiate the claim; and
    (ii) Inform the claimant which information and evidence, if any, the 
claimant is to provide to VA and which information and evidence, if any, 
VA will try to obtain for the claimant.
    (2) The information and evidence that VA, pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section informs the claimant that the claimant must 
provide, must be provided within one year from the date of the notice. 
If VA does not receive such information and evidence from the claimant 
within that time period, VA may adjudicate the claim based on the 
information and evidence in the file.
    (3) If the claimant has not responded to the request within 30 days, 
VA may decide the claim before the expiration of the one-year period 
prescribed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, based on all the 
information and evidence in the file, including information and evidence 
it has obtained on behalf of the claimant. If VA does so, however, and 
the claimant subsequently provides the information and evidence within 
one year of the date of the request, VA must readjudicate the claim. If 
VA's decision on a readjudication is favorable to the claimant, the 
award shall take effect as if the prior decision by VA on the claim had 
not been made.
    (4) If VA receives an incomplete application for benefits, it will 
notify the claimant of the information necessary to complete the 
application and will

[[Page 221]]

defer assistance until the claimant submits this information. If the 
information necessary to complete the application is not received by VA 
within one year from the date of such notice, VA cannot pay or provide 
any benefits based on that application.
    (5) For the purpose of this paragraph, if VA must notify the 
claimant, VA will provide notice to:
    (i) The claimant;
    (ii) His or her fiduciary, if any; and
    (iii) His or her representative, if any.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5102, 5103, 5103A(a)(3))

[64 FR 23771, May 4, 1999, as amended at 72 FR 16965, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14665, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.1032  VA has a duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.

    (a) VA's duty to assist begins when VA receives a complete or 
substantially complete application. (1) Except as provided in paragraph 
(d) of this section, upon receipt of a complete or substantially 
complete application for educational assistance under subpart C, D, G, 
H, K, L, or P of this part, VA will--
    (i) Make reasonable efforts to help a claimant obtain evidence 
necessary to substantiate the claim; and
    (ii) Give the assistance described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section to an individual attempting to reopen a finally decided claim.
    (2) VA will not pay any fees a custodian of records may charge to 
provide the records VA requests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)

    (b) Obtaining records not in the custody of a Federal department or 
agency. (1) VA will make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant records 
not in the custody of a Federal department or agency. These records 
include relevant records from:
    (i) State or local governments;
    (ii) Private medical care providers;
    (iii) Current or former employers; and
    (iv) Other non-Federal governmental sources.
    (2) The reasonable efforts described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section will generally consist of an initial request for the records 
and, if VA does not receive the records, at least one follow-up request. 
The following are exceptions to this provision concerning the number of 
requests that VA generally will make:
    (i) VA will not make a follow-up request if a response to the 
initial request indicates that the records sought do not exist or that a 
follow-up request for the records would be futile.
    (ii) If VA receives information showing that subsequent requests to 
the initial or another custodian could result in obtaining the records 
sought, reasonable efforts will include an initial request and, if VA 
does not receive the records, at least one follow-up request to the new 
source or an additional request to the original source.
    (3) The claimant must cooperate fully with VA's reasonable efforts 
to obtain relevant records from non-Federal agency or department 
custodians. The claimant must provide enough information to identify and 
locate the existing records, including--
    (i) The person, company, agency, or other custodian holding the 
records;
    (ii) The approximate time frame covered by the records; and
    (iii) In the case of medical treatment records, the condition for 
which treatment was provided.
    (4) If necessary, the claimant must authorize the release of 
existing records in a form acceptable to the person, company, agency, or 
other custodian holding the records.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)

    (c) Obtaining records in the custody of a Federal department or 
agency. (1) VA will make as many requests as are necessary to obtain 
relevant records from a Federal department or agency. These records 
include but are not limited to:
    (i) Military records;
    (ii) Medical and other records from VA medical facilities;
    (iii) Records from non-VA facilities providing examination or 
treatment at VA expense; and
    (iv) Records from other Federal agencies.
    (2) VA will end its efforts to obtain records from a Federal 
department or agency only if VA concludes that the records sought do not 
exist or that further efforts to obtain those records would be futile. 
Cases in which VA may

[[Page 222]]

conclude that no further efforts are required include cases in which the 
Federal department or agency advises VA that the requested records do 
not exist or that the custodian of such records does not have them.
    (3) The claimant must cooperate fully with VA's reasonable efforts 
to obtain relevant records from Federal department or agency custodians. 
At VA's request, the claimant must provide enough information to 
identify and locate the existing records, including--
    (i) The custodian or agency holding the records;
    (ii) The approximate time frame covered by the records; and
    (iii) In the case of medical treatment records, the condition for 
which treatment was provided.
    (4) If necessary, the claimant must authorize the release of 
existing records in a form acceptable to the custodian or agency holding 
the records.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)
    (d) Circumstances where VA will refrain from or discontinue 
providing assistance. VA will refrain from providing assistance in 
obtaining evidence for a claim if the substantially complete or complete 
application for benefits indicates that there is no reasonable 
possibility that any assistance VA would provide to the claimant would 
substantiate the claim. VA will discontinue providing assistance in 
obtaining evidence for a claim if the evidence obtained indicates that 
there is no reasonable possibility that further assistance would 
substantiate the claim. Circumstances in which VA will refrain from or 
discontinue providing assistance in obtaining evidence include, but are 
not limited to:
    (1) The claimant's ineligibility for the benefit sought because of 
lack of qualifying service, lack of veteran status, or other lack of 
legal eligibility;
    (2) Claims that are inherently not credible or clearly lack merit; 
and
    (3) An application requesting a benefit to which the claimant is not 
entitled as a matter of law.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103A)
    (e) Duty to notify claimant of inability to obtain records. (1) VA 
will notify the claimant either orally or in writing when VA:
    (i) Makes reasonable efforts to obtain relevant non-Federal records, 
but is unable to obtain them; or
    (ii) After continued efforts to obtain Federal records, concludes 
that it is reasonably certain they do not exist or that further efforts 
to obtain them would be futile.
    (2) For non-Federal records requests, VA may provide the notice to 
the claimant at the same time it makes its final attempt to obtain the 
relevant records.
    (3) VA will make a record of any oral notice conveyed under 
paragraph (e) of this section to the claimant.
    (4) The notice to the claimant must contain the following 
information:
    (i) The identity of the records VA was unable to obtain;
    (ii) An explanation of the efforts VA made to obtain the records;
    (iii) The fact described in paragraph (e)(1)(i) or (e)(1)(ii) of 
this section;
    (iv) A description of any further action VA will take regarding the 
claim, including, but not limited to, notice that VA will decide the 
claim based on the evidence of record unless the claimant submits the 
records VA was unable to obtain; and
    (v) A notice that the claimant is ultimately responsible for 
obtaining the evidence.
    (5) If VA becomes aware of the existence of relevant records before 
deciding the claim, VA will notify the claimant of the existence of such 
records and ask that the claimant provide a release for the records. If 
the claimant does not provide any necessary release of the relevant 
records that VA is unable to obtain, VA will ask that the claimant 
obtain the records and provide them to VA.
    (6) For the purpose of this section, if VA must notify the claimant, 
VA will provide notice to:
    (i) The claimant;
    (ii) His or her fiduciary, if any; and
    (iii) His or her representative, if any.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5102(b), 5103(a), 5103A)

[72 FR 16965, Apr. 5, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 14665, Mar. 31, 2009]

[[Page 223]]



Sec. 21.1033  Time limits.

    The provisions of this section are applicable to informal claims and 
formal claims.
    (a) Failure to furnish form, information, or notice of time limit. 
VA's failure to give a claimant or potential claimant any form or 
information concerning the right to file a claim or to furnish notice of 
the time limit for the filing of a claim will not extend the time 
periods allowed for these actions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5101, 5113)

    (b) [Reserved]
    (c) Time limit for filing a claim for an extended period of 
eligibility under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 
33, or 35. VA must receive a claim for an extended period of eligibility 
provided by Sec. 21.3047, Sec. 21.5042, Sec. 21.7051, Sec. 21.7551, or 
Sec. 21.9535 by the later of the following dates:
    (1) One year from the date on which the spouse's, surviving 
spouse's, veteran's, reservist's, or other eligible individual's 
original period of eligibility ended; or
    (2) One year from the date on which the spouse's, surviving 
spouse's, veteran's, reservist's, or other eligible individual's 
physical or mental disability no longer prevented him or her from 
beginning or resuming a chosen program of education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(b); 38 U.S.C. 3031(d), 3232(a), 3321, 3512)

    (d) Time limit for filing for an extension of eligibility due to 
suspension of program (38 U.S.C. chapter 35). VA must receive a claim 
for an extended period of eligibility due to a suspension of an eligible 
child's program of education as provided in Sec. 21.3043 by the later of 
the following dates.
    (1) One year from the date on which the child's original period of 
eligibility ended; or
    (2) One year from the date on which the condition that caused the 
suspension of the program of education ceased to exist.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(c))

    (e) Extension for good cause. (1) VA may extend for good cause a 
time limit within which a claimant or beneficiary is required to act to 
perfect a claim or challenge an adverse VA decision. VA may grant such 
an extension only when the following conditions are met:
    (i) When a claimant or beneficiary requests an extension after 
expiration of a time limit, he or she must take the required action 
concurrently with or before the filing of that request; and
    (ii) The claimant or beneficiary must show good cause as to why he 
or she could not take the required action during the original time 
period and could not have taken the required action sooner.
    (2) Denials of time limit extensions are separately appealable 
issues.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5101, 5113)

    (f) Computation of time limit. (1) In computing the time limit for 
any action required of a claimant or beneficiary, including the filing 
of claims or evidence requested by VA, VA will exclude the first day of 
the specified period, and will include the last day. This rule is 
applicable in cases in which the time limit expires on a workday. When 
the time limit would expire on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the VA 
will include the next succeeding day in the computation.
    (2) The first day of the specified period referred to in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section will be the date of the letter of notification to 
the claimant or beneficiary for purposes of computing time limits. As to 
appeals, see Secs. 20.302 and 20.305 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a))

[64 FR 23771, May 4, 1999, as amended at 71 FR 1497, Jan. 10, 2006. 
Redesignated and amended at 72 FR 16965, 16966, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 FR 
14665, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.1034  Appeals.

    A claimant may appeal a decision of eligibility or entitlement to 
educational assistance under title 38, U.S.C., to the Board of Veterans 
Appeals in accordance with the provisions of 38 CFR part 20. A claimant 
may appeal a decision of entitlement to educational assistance under 10 
U.S.C. 510 and 10 U.S.C. chapters 106a, 1606, and 1607 to the Board of 
Veterans Appeals in accordance with the provisions of 38

[[Page 224]]

CFR part 20. A claimant may not appeal a decision of eligibility under 
10 U.S.C. 510 or 10 U.S.C. chapters 106a, 1606, or 1607 or for 
supplemental or increased educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. 
16131(i) or 38 U.S.C. 3015(d), 3021, or 3316 to VA as the Department of 
Defense solely determines eligibility to supplemental and increased 
educational assistance under those sections.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7105, 7105A)

[74 FR 14665, Mar. 31, 2009]



  Subpart C_Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Under 38 
                            U.S.C. Chapter 35

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 512, 3500-3566, and as noted in 
specific sections.

                                 General



Sec. 21.3001  Delegation of authority.

    Except as otherwise provided, authority is delegated to the Under 
Secretary for Benefits and to supervisory or administrative personnel 
within the jurisdiction of the Education Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, designated by him or her to make findings and decisions 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 and the applicable regulations, precedents 
and instructions, as to the program authorized by this subpart.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

[61 FR 26108, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.3002  Administration of Survivors' and Dependents' Educational
Assistance Program.

    Subpart D of this part applies to the Survivors' and Dependents' 
Educational Assistance Program, unless the provisions of a section in 
that subpart are explicitly limited to one or more of the other 
educational assistance programs VA administers.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3501-3566)

[61 FR 26108, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.3020  Educational assistance.

    The program of educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 
captioned Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, may be 
referred to as Dependents' Educational Assistance.


(Authority: Sec. 309, 90 Stat. 2383)

    (a) General. A program of education or special restorative training 
may be authorized for an eligible person who meets the definition 
contained in Sec. 21.3021.
    (b) 45 months limitation. Educational assistance may not exceed a 
period of 45 months, or the equivalent in part-time training, unless it 
is determined that a longer period is required for special restorative 
training under the circumstances outlined in Sec. 21.3300(c) or except 
as specified in Sec. 21.3044(c).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511(a), 3533, 3541(b))

    (c) Courses in foreign countries. A course to be pursued at a school 
not located in a State or in the Philippines may not be approved except 
under the circumstances outlined in Sec. 21.4260.

[30 FR 15631, Dec. 18, 1965, as amended at 31 FR 6773, May 6, 1966; 34 
FR 841, Jan. 18, 1969; 38 FR 14931, June 7, 1973; 43 FR 35289, Aug. 9, 
1978]



Sec. 21.3021  Definitions.

    For the purposes of subpart C and the payment of basic educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35, the following definitions apply.
    (a) Eligible person means:
    (1) A child of a:
    (i) Veteran who died of a service-connected disability.
    (ii) Veteran who died while having a disability evaluated as total 
and permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability.
    (iii) Veteran, serviceman or servicewoman who has a total disability 
permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability.
    (iv) Person who is on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces 
and who now is, and, for a period of more than 90 days, has been, listed 
by the Secretary concerned as missing in action, captured in line of 
duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in line of 
duty by a foreign government or power.
    (2) The surviving spouse of a:
    (i) Veteran who died of a service-connected disability.

[[Page 225]]

    (ii) Veteran who died while having a disability evaluated as total 
and permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability, 
arising out of active military, naval or air service after the beginning 
of the Spanish-American War. (See Secs. 3.6(a) and 3.807 of this 
chapter.)
    (3) The spouse of a:
    (i) Veteran, serviceman or servicewoman who has a total disability 
permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability.
    (ii) Person who is on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces 
and who now is, and, for a period of more than 90 days, has been, listed 
by the Secretary concerned as missing in action, captured in line of 
duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in line of 
duty by a foreign government or power.
    (b) Child means a son or daughter of a veteran as defined in 
Sec. 3.807(d) of this chapter. The term includes a child of a Philippine 
Commonwealth Army veteran and a Philippine Scout (designated as a New 
Philippine Scout under 38 U.S.C. 3566(b)), as defined in Sec. 3.40(b), 
(c), or (d) of this chapter, but educational assistance allowance may 
not be authorized based on such service for any period before September 
30, 1966.
    (c) Wife and widow, spouse and surviving spouse. The terms wife and 
widow mean an individual as defined in Sec. 3.807(d) of this chapter and 
the terms spouse and surviving spouse shall have the same respective 
meaning when used in the regulations in part 21, Title 38, Code of 
Federal Regulations. Educational assistance allowance may not be 
authorized for any such individuals for any period before December 1, 
1968.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3500, 3501, and 3511)

    (d) Parent or guardian means a natural or adoptive parent, a 
fiduciary legally appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction or any 
person who is determined to be otherwise legally vested with the care of 
the eligible person (38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(4)) or it may be the eligible 
person if he or she has attained majority under laws applicable in his 
or her State of residence as shown on the application and is under no 
known legal disability. (38 U.S.C. 3501(b)) The eligible person may be 
designated as the person by whom required actions may be taken even 
though he or she has not attained majority, or having attained majority, 
is under a legal disability, when it is determined that to do otherwise 
would not be in his or her best interest, would result in undue delay or 
would not be administratively feasible. Where necessary to protect his 
or her interest and there is reason why the eligible person should not 
act for himself or herself, some other individual may be designated as 
the person by whom required actions should be taken.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(c))

    (e) Armed Forces, as to service by the eligible person, means the 
U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, including the 
Reserve components of each, the National Guard of the United States and 
the Air National Guard of the United States. (38 U.S.C. 3501 (a)(3) and 
(d) and 3512(a)) Effective December 31, 1970, the term includes the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental 
Science Services Administration and the Coast and Geodetic Survey, as to 
full-time duty of officers commissioned therein.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(21)(C))

    (f) Duty with the Armed Forces, as to service by the eligible 
person, means active duty, active duty for training for a period of 6 or 
more consecutive months, or an initial period of active duty for 
training of not less than 3 months or more than 6 months in the Ready 
Reserve. (38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(3) and (d), 3512(a)) See Secs. 21.3041 and 
21.3042.
    (g) State means each of the several States, territories, and 
possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Canal Zone. (38 U.S.C. 101(20)) 
(Although the Republic of the Philippines is not included in the 
definition of a State, eligible persons may pursue courses of training 
in that country.)
    (h) Program of education. The term program of education means any 
curriculum or any combination of unit courses or subjects pursued at an 
educational institution that is generally

[[Page 226]]

accepted as necessary to fulfill the requirements for the attainment of 
a predetermined and identified educational, professional, or vocational 
objective. The term program of education also includes--
    (1) A preparatory course for a test that is required or used for 
admission to an institution of higher education;
    (2) A preparatory course for a test that is required or used for 
admission to a graduate school; and
    (3) A licensing or certification test, the successful completion of 
which demonstrates an individual's possession of the knowledge or skill 
required to enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a 
predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided such tests 
and the licensing or credentialing organizations or entities that offer 
such tests are approved by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3501 (a)(5))

    (i) Educational objective. An educational objective is one that 
leads to the awarding of a diploma, degree, or certificate which 
reflects educational attainment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(5))

    (j) Professional or vocational objective. A professional or 
vocational objective is one that leads to an occupation. It may include 
educational objectives essential to prepare for the chosen occupation. 
When a program consists of a series of courses not leading to an 
educational objective, such courses must be directed toward attainment 
of a designated professional or vocational objective.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(5))

    (k) School, educational institution, institution. The terms school, 
educational institution and institution mean:
    (1) A vocational school or business school;
    (2) A junior college, teachers' college, college, normal school, 
professional school, university, or scientific or technical institution;
    (3) A public or private secondary school;
    (4) A training establishment as defined in Sec. 21.4200(c); or
    (5) An institution that provides specialized vocational training, 
generally recognized as on the secondary school level or above, for 
people with mental or physical disabilities.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(6), 3535)

    (l) Disabling effects of chronic alcoholism. (1) The term disabling 
effects of chronic alcoholism means alcohol-induced physical or mental 
disorders or both, such as habitual intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, 
amnesia, dementia, and other like manifestations of chronic alcoholism 
which in the particular case:
    (i) Have been medically diagnosed as manifestations of alcohol 
dependency or chronic alcohol abuse; and
    (ii) Are determined to have prevented commencement or completion of 
the affected individual's chosen program of education.
    (2) A diagnosis of alcoholism, chronic alcoholism, alcohol-
dependency, chronic alcohol abuse, etc., in and of itself, does not 
satisfy the definition of this term.
    (3) Injury sustained by an eligible spouse or surviving spouse as a 
proximate and immediate result of activity undertaken by the eligible 
spouse or surviving spouse while physically or mentally unqualified to 
do so due to alcoholic intoxication is not considered a disabling effect 
of chronic alcoholism.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3512(b))

    (m) Institution of higher education. The term institution of higher 
education has the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.7020(b)(45).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3501(a)(5))

    (n) Graduate school. The term graduate school has the same meaning 
as provided in Sec. 21.7020(b)(46).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3501(a)(5))

    (o) Eligibility date. The term eligibility date means the date on 
which an individual becomes an eligible person (as defined in paragraph 
(a) of this section).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (p) P&T means permanent and total ``disability,'' permanently and 
totally

[[Page 227]]

``disabled,'' or permanent and total ``rating,'' when any of these terms 
are used in reference to a veteran with a service-connected disability 
rating determined by VA to be total for the purposes of VA disability 
compensation where the impairment is reasonably certain to continue 
throughout the life of the disabled veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(8))

    (q) Initial rating decision. The term initial rating decision means, 
with respect to an eligible spouse or child, a decision made by VA that 
establishes for the person from whom such eligibility is derived--
    (1) Service connection for the cause of the person's death;
    (2) A service connected P&T disability; or
    (3) For a member of the Armed Forces, a P&T disability incurred or 
aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air 
service if the member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical 
care, services, or treatment, and is likely to be discharged or released 
from such service for such disability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

    (r) Effective date of the P&T rating. The term effective date of the 
P&T rating means the date from which VA considers that the veteran's P&T 
disability commenced for purposes of VA benefits, as determined by the 
initial rating decision.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(d))

    (s) First finds. The term first finds means the effective date of 
the P&T rating or the date VA first notifies the veteran of that rating, 
whichever is more advantageous to the child.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(d))

    (t) Counseling psychologist means the same as provided in 
Sec. 21.35(k)(1).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3118(c), 3541, 3543)

    (u) Vocational rehabilitation counselor means the same as provided 
in Sec. 21.35(k)(7).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3118(c), 3541, 3543)

    (v) Additional definitions. The definitions of all terms that are 
defined in Secs. 21.1029 and 21.4200 but that are not defined in this 
section apply to subpart C of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3501)

    Cross References: Duty periods. See Sec. 3.6 of this chapter.


    Persons included. See Sec. 3.7 of this chapter.

    Philippine and insular forces. See Sec. 3.40 of this chapter.

[36 FR 2508, Feb. 5, 1971, as amended at 38 FR 12110, May 9, 1973; 43 FR 
35290, Aug. 9, 1978; 61 FR 26108, May 24, 1996; 61 FR 29295, June 10, 
1996; 62 FR 51784, Oct. 3, 1997; 64 FR 23771, May 4, 1999; 73 FR 2423, 
Jan. 15, 2008; 73 FR 30488, May 28, 2008]



Sec. 21.3022  Nonduplication--programs administered by VA.

    A person who is eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 35 and is also eligible for assistance under any of the 
provisions of law listed in this paragraph cannot receive such 
assistance concurrently. The eligible person must choose which benefit 
he or she will receive for the particular period(s) of training during 
which education or training is to be pursued. The individual may choose 
to receive benefits under another program (other than 38 U.S.C. chapter 
33) at any time, but not more than once in a calendar month. The 
individual may choose to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 at 
any time, but not more than once during a certified term, quarter, or 
semester.
    (a) 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty);
    (b) 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment);
    (c) 38 U.S.C. chapter 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance);
    (d) 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill);
    (e) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve);
    (f) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program);
    (g) 10 U.S.C. chapter 106a (Educational Assistance Test Program);
    (h) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981 
(Pub. L. 96-342, 10 U.S.C. 2141 note.);

[[Page 228]]

    (i) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-449, 5 U.S.C. 5561 
note.); and
    (j) The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 
(Pub. L. 99-399).

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 16166(b); 38 U.S.C. 3322, 3681)

[74 FR 14665, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.3023  Nonduplication; pension, compensation, and dependency
and indemnity compensation.

    (a) Child; age 18. A child who is eligible for educational 
assistance and who is also eligible for pension, compensation or 
dependency and indemnity compensation based on school attendance must 
elect whether he or she will receive educational assistance or pension, 
compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation.
    (1) An election of educational assistance either before or after the 
age of 18 years is a bar to subsequent payment or increased rates or 
additional amounts of pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity 
compensation on account of the child based on school attendance on or 
after the age of 18 years. The bar is equally applicable where the child 
has eligibility from more than one parent.
    (2) Payment of pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity 
compensation to or on account of a child after his or her 18th birthday 
does not bar subsequent payments of educational assistance.
    (3) An election of educational assistance will not preclude the 
allowance of pension, compensation, or dependency and indemnity 
compensation based on school attendance for periods, including vacation 
periods, prior to the commencement of educational assistance.
    (b) Child; under 18 or helpless. Educational assistance allowance or 
special restorative training allowance may generally be paid 
concurrently with pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity 
compensation for a child under the age of 18 years or for a helpless 
child based on the service of one or more parents. Where, however, 
entitlement is based on the death of more than one parent in the same 
parental line, concurrent payments in two or more cases may not be 
authorized if the death of one such parent occurred on or after June 9, 
1960. In the latter cases, an election of educational assistance and 
pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation in one 
case does not preclude a reelection of benefits before attaining age 18 
or while helpless based on the service of another parent in the same 
parental line.
    (c) Child; election. An election by a child under this section must 
be submitted to VA in writing.
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, an 
election to receive Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance 
(DEA) is final when the eligible child commences a program of education 
under DEA (38 U.S.C. chapter 35). Commencement of a program of education 
under DEA will be deemed to have occurred for VA purposes on the date 
the first payment of DEA educational assistance is made, as evidenced by 
negotiation of the first check or receipt of the first payment by 
electronic funds transfer.
    (2) An election based on erroneous information furnished by an 
authorized representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs is not 
considered final.
    (3) A child other than a helpless child, whose eligibility was based 
on a finding that the veteran had a permanent total service-connected 
disability and who commenced a program of education under DEA may not 
thereafter qualify as a dependent for disability compensation purposes 
if the veteran is later found to be less than permanently and totally 
disabled, or for pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity 
compensation after the veteran's death.
    (d) Spouse or surviving spouse. Educational assistance allowance may 
be paid for an eligible spouse or surviving spouse concurrently with 
pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation.

(The information collection requirements in this section have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0595)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3562)

    Cross References: Discontinuance. See Sec. 3.503(a)(8) of this 
chapter.

    Concurrent payments. See Sec. 3.707 of this chapter.

[[Page 229]]


    Certification. See Sec. 3.807 of this chapter.

[30 FR 15631, Dec. 18, 1965, as amended at 31 FR 6773, May 6, 1966; 34 
FR 842, Jan. 18, 1969; 40 FR 42879, Sept. 17, 1975; 50 FR 27826, July 8, 
1985; 63 FR 45718, Aug. 27, 1998; 75 FR 32293, June 8, 2010]



Sec. 21.3024  Nonduplication; Federal Employees' Compensation Act.

    (a) Civilian employment. The provisions of this paragraph are 
applicable to cases where there is eligibility for benefits from the 
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, under the Federal Employees' 
Compensation Act (FECA) based on the disability or death as a result of 
civilian employment of the veteran from whom eligibility for educational 
assistance is derived.
    (1) Child, spouse or surviving spouse. A person who is eligible for 
educational assistance and is also eligible for Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs benefits, under the Federal Employees' 
Compensation Act (FECA) must elect which benefit he or she will receive.
    (2) Veteran, spouse and child--surviving spouse and child. An 
eligible person may receive educational assistance notwithstanding that 
the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs benefits under the Federal 
Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) are being paid to a veteran, or 
surviving spouse.
    (3) Election. An election of Office of Workers' Compensation 
Programs benefits, under the Federal employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 
by or for a child filed on or after July 4, 1966, is a bar to subsequent 
payments of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits during the period of 
concurrent eligibility. An election of Office of Workers' Compensation 
Programs benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) 
by a surviving spouse filed on or after December 1, 1968, is a bar to 
subsequent payments of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits during 
the period of concurrent eligibility.
    (b) Military service. The provisions of this paragraph are 
applicable to cases where there is eligibility for benefits from Office 
of Workers' Compensation Program, under the Federal Employee's 
Compensation Act (FECA) based on the disability or death as a result of 
military service by the veteran from whom eligibility for educational 
assistance is derived.
    (1) Child, spouse or surviving spouse. A person who is eligible for 
educational assistance and is also eligible for Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs benefits, under the Federal Employees' 
Compensation Act (FECA) must elect which benefit he or she will receive. 
The election may be made at any time.
    (2) Veteran, spouse and child--surviving spouse and child. An 
eligible person may receive educational assistance notwithstanding that 
the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs benefits, under the Federal 
Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) are being paid to a veteran, or 
surviving spouse.

    Cross Reference: Federal Employees' Compensation. See Sec. 3.708 of 
this chapter.

[40 FR 42879, Sept. 17, 1975, as amended at 50 FR 27826, July 8, 1985]



Sec. 21.3025  Nonduplication; Federal programs.

    Payment of subsistence allowance and special training allowance is 
prohibited to an otherwise eligible person--
    (a) Who is on active duty and is pursuing a course of education 
which is being paid for by the Armed Forces (or by the Department of 
Health and Human Services in the case of the Public Health Service); or
    (b) For a unit course or courses which are being paid for under 5 
U.S.C. chapter 41.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3681(a))

[61 FR 26108, May 24, 1996]

                                 Claims



Sec. 21.3030  Claims.

    The provisions of subpart B of this part apply with respect to 
submission of a claim for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
35, VA actions upon receiving a claim, and time limits connected with 
claims.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3513, 5101, 5102, 5103)

[64 FR 23772, May 4, 1999]

[[Page 230]]

                       Eligibility and Entitlement



Sec. 21.3040  Eligibility; child.

    (a) Commencement. A program of education or special restorative 
training may not be afforded prior to the eligible person's 18th 
birthday or the completion of secondary schooling, whichever is earlier, 
unless it is determined through counseling that the best interests of 
the eligible person will be served by entering training at an earlier 
date and the eligible person has passed:
    (1) Compulsory school attendance age under State law; or
    (2) His or her 14th birthday and due to physical or mental handicap 
may benefit by special restorative or specialized vocational training.
    (b) Secondary schooling. Completion of secondary schooling means 
completion of a curriculum offered by a public or private school which 
satisfies the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent--
usually completion of the 12th grade in the public school system.
    (c) Age limitation for commencement. No person is eligible for 
educational assistance who reached his or her 26th birthday on or before 
the effective date of a finding of permanent total service-connected 
disability, or on or before the date the veteran's death occurred, or on 
or before the 91st day of listing by the Secretary concerned of the 
member of the Armed Forces on whose service eligibility is claimed as 
being in one of the missing status categories of Sec. 21.3021 (a)(1)(iv) 
and (3)(ii).
    (d) Termination of eligibility. No person is eligible for 
educational assistance beyond his or her 31st birthday, except as 
provided under Sec. 21.3041(g)(2). In no event may educational 
assistance be provided after the period of entitlement has been 
exhausted. In an exceptional case special restorative training may be 
provided in excess of 45 months. See Sec. 21.3300.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a))

[30 FR 15632, Dec. 18, 1965, as amended at 34 FR 842, Jan. 18, 1969; 39 
FR 38227, Oct. 30, 1974; 40 FR 42879, Sept. 17, 1975; 41 FR 47929, Nov. 
1, 1976; 43 FR 35290, Aug. 9, 1978; 73 FR 30489, May 28, 2008]



Sec. 21.3041  Periods of eligibility; child.

    (a) Eligibility derived from a veteran with a P&T disability. An 
eligible child's period of eligibility generally begins on the child's 
18th birthday, or on the successful completion of the child's secondary 
schooling, whichever first occurs. The period of eligibility generally 
ends on the earlier of the date of the child's 26th birthday or the date 
the veteran is no longer P&T disabled. VA will extend an eligible 
child's period of eligibility for the reasons listed in paragraphs (g) 
and (h) of this section. See paragraph (c) of this section if the child 
serves on duty in the Armed Forces as an eligible child after his or her 
18th birthday and before his or her 26th birthday. If the veteran dies 
while the P&T rating is in effect and before the eligible child's 26th 
birthday, see paragraph (b) of this section to determine the new period 
of eligibility. Exceptions to this general period of eligibility are as 
follows:
    (1) Period of eligibility may begin before the child's 18th 
birthday. The period of eligibility may begin before the eligible 
child's 18th birthday for one of the reasons in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), 
(ii), or (iii) of this section. The period of eligibility ends on the 
earlier of the date the veteran is no longer rated P&T disabled or the 
date of the child's 26th birthday. See Sec. 21.3135(h) if the veteran is 
no longer rated P&T disabled.
    (i) The child completed compulsory school attendance under 
applicable State law (see Sec. 21.3040(a) and (b));
    (ii) The child is pursuing a course designed to prepare him or her 
for an examination required or used for entrance into an institution of 
higher education or a graduate school; or
    (iii) The child is beyond his or her 14th birthday and has a 
physical or mental handicap (see Sec. 21.3040(a)).


(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3512(a))

    (2) Period of eligibility may begin after the child's 18th birthday. 
A child's period of eligibility may begin after his or her 18th birthday 
if VA first finds the veteran has a P&T disability after the child's 
18th birthday but before the child's 26th birthday. See paragraph (e) of 
this section if an adopted child becomes eligible through qualifying as

[[Page 231]]

the veteran's child after VA first finds the veteran has a P&T 
disability. See paragraph (f) of this section if a stepchild becomes 
eligible through qualifying as the veteran's child after VA first finds 
the veteran is P&T disabled.
    (i) Beginning date if the effective date of the initial P&T rating 
is before the child's 18th birthday and notification to the veteran 
occurs after the child's 18th birthday and before his or her 26th 
birthday. If the effective date of the P&T rating is before the child's 
18th birthday, and the date of notification to the veteran occurs after 
the child's 18th birthday but before the child's 26th birthday, the 
child may elect the beginning date of his or her period of eligibility. 
(See paragraph (i) of this section for election requirements.) If the 
child elects a beginning date that is before his or her 18th birthday, 
the period of eligibility ends the earlier of the date that the veteran 
is no longer rated P&T disabled, or the date of the child's 26th 
birthday. If the child elects a beginning date after his or her 18th 
birthday, the period of eligibility ends the earlier of the date the 
veteran is no longer rated P&T disabled or 8 years after the beginning 
date the child elects. (See Sec. 21.3135(h) if the veteran is no longer 
rated P&T disabled.) The child can elect as a beginning date either--
    (A) The date of his or her 18th birthday;
    (B) The date he or she completed compulsory school attendance under 
applicable State law (see Sec. 21.3040(a) and (b)), if that date is on 
or after the effective date of the P&T rating and before his or her 18th 
birthday;
    (C) The date he or she begins a course designed to prepare him or 
her for an examination required or used for entrance into an institution 
of higher education or a graduate school, if that date is on or after 
the effective date of the P&T rating and before the date of notification 
to the veteran of the P&T rating. If the child elects the beginning date 
of enrollment in such course, he or she may not receive educational 
assistance for pursuit of secondary schooling unless secondary school 
pursuit is otherwise authorized (see Sec. 21.3040);
    (D) The date VA notifies the veteran of the P&T rating; or
    (E) Any date between the applicable date described in paragraphs 
(a)(2)(i)(A) through (C) of this section and the date in paragraph 
(a)(2)(i)(D) of this section.
    (ii) Beginning date if the effective date of the P&T rating is after 
the child's 18th birthday and before child's 26th birthday. If the 
effective date of the P&T rating occurs after the child's 18th birthday 
but before the child's 26th birthday, the child may elect the beginning 
date of his or her period of eligibility. (See paragraph (i) of this 
section for election requirements.) The period of eligibility ends the 
earlier of the date the veteran is no longer rated P&T disabled, or 8 
years after the beginning date the child elects. (See Sec. 21.3135(h) if 
the veteran is no longer rated P&T disabled.) The child can elect as a 
beginning date--
    (A) The effective date of the P&T rating;
    (B) The date VA notifies the veteran of the veteran's P&T rating; or
    (C) Any date in between.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512)

    (b) Eligibility derived as the result of veteran's death. An 
eligible child's period of eligibility begins on the child's 18th 
birthday, or on the successful completion of the child's secondary 
schooling, whichever first occurs. The period of eligibility ends on the 
child's 26th birthday. VA will extend an eligible child's period of 
eligibility for reasons shown in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section. 
See paragraph (c) of this section if the child serves on duty in the 
Armed Forces as an eligible child after his or her 18th birthday and 
before his or her 26th birthday. Exceptions to this general period of 
eligibility are as follows:
    (1) Period of eligibility may begin before the child's 18th 
birthday. The period of eligibility may begin before the eligible 
child's 18th birthday for one of the reasons in paragraphs (i), (ii), or 
(iii) of this paragraph. The ending date of the period of eligibility is 
the child's 26th birthday.
    (i) The child completed compulsory school attendance under 
applicable State law (see Sec. 21.3040(a) and (b));

[[Page 232]]

    (ii) The child is pursuing a course designed to prepare him or her 
for an examination required or used for entrance into an institution of 
higher education or a graduate school; or
    (iii) The child is beyond his or her 14th birthday and has a 
physical or mental handicap (see Sec. 21.3040(a)).


(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3512(a))

    (2) Period of eligibility may begin after the child's 18th birthday. 
If the veteran's death occurs after the child's 18th birthday but before 
the child's 26th birthday, the child may elect the beginning date of his 
or her period of eligibility. The period of eligibility ends 8 years 
after the beginning date the child elects. See paragraph (i) of this 
section for election requirements. VA may extend the period of 
eligibility for one of the reasons shown in paragraph (g) or (h) of this 
section. See paragraph (c) of this section if the child serves in the 
Armed Forces as an eligible person after his or her 18th birthday and 
before his or her 26th birthday. The child can elect as a beginning date 
any date between the--
    (i) Date of the veteran's death; or
    (ii) Date of VA's decision that the veteran's death was service-
connected.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a)(3))

    (c) Period of eligibility for a child who serves on duty in the 
Armed Forces as an eligible person. If the child serves on duty in the 
Armed Forces as an eligible person (as defined in Sec. 21.3021(a)(1)) 
after the child's 18th birthday and before the child's 26th birthday, 
the child is eligible for a modified ending date based on the provisions 
of this paragraph. Under the provisions of this paragraph, the period of 
eligibility ends 8 years after the date of the child's first discharge 
or release from such duty, or the child's 31st birthday, whichever is 
earlier. VA may extend the ending date for one of the reasons shown in 
paragraph (g) of this section. See paragraph (h) of this section if the 
child is ordered to active duty as a reservist.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a)(5))

    (d) Eligibility derived from a parent who is listed by the Armed 
Forces as missing in action, captured in the line of duty, or forcibly 
detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power. 
(1) If a child establishes eligibility through the provisions of 
Sec. 21.3021(a)(1)(iv) after his or her 18th birthday but before his or 
her 26th birthday, the period of eligibility will end on the earliest of 
the following dates:
    (i) When the parent is no longer listed as described in 
Sec. 21.3021(a)(1)(iv);
    (ii) Eight years after the date on which the child becomes eligible 
under such provisions; or
    (iii) The child's 31st birthday.
    (2) VA may extend the ending date for one of the reasons shown in 
paragraphs (g) or (h) of this section. See Sec. 21.3135(i) if the child 
is enrolled in an educational institution and the child's ending date is 
based on paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section. See paragraph (c) of this 
section if the child serves in the Armed Forces as an eligible person 
after his or her 18th birthday and before his or her 26th birthday.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a)(5))

    (e) Adopted child qualifies after VA firsts finds the veteran P&T 
disabled. If an adopted child becomes eligible through qualifying as the 
veteran's child (see 38 CFR 3.57(c)) and the date the child so becomes 
eligible is after VA first finds the veteran is P&T disabled, the 
beginning date of eligibility is the date determined pursuant to 
paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, but in no event before the 
date the adopted child qualifies as the veteran's child under 
Sec. 3.57(c) of this chapter. The ending date is the child's 26th 
birthday. VA may extend the period of eligibility for one of the reasons 
in paragraph (g) or (h) of this section. See paragraph (c) of this 
section if the child serves on duty in the Armed Forces as an eligible 
person.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501)

    (f) Stepchild qualifies after VA first finds the veteran P&T 
disabled. If a stepchild becomes eligible through qualifying as the 
veteran's child and a member of the veteran's household after VA first 
finds the veteran is P&T disabled,

[[Page 233]]

the beginning date of the period of eligibility is the date determined 
pursuant to paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, but in no event 
before the date he or she becomes the veteran's stepchild and a member 
of the veteran's household. The ending date of the period of eligibility 
is the stepchild's 26th birthday. VA may extend the ending date for one 
of the reasons in paragraphs (g) or (h) of this section. See paragraph 
(c) of this section for the ending date of the period of eligibility if 
the stepchild serves on active duty in the Armed Forces as an eligible 
person. See Sec. 21.3135(g) for award discontinuance dates if the 
veteran and the stepchild's natural or adopted parent divorce or the 
stepchild ceases to be a member of the veteran's household.
    (g) Extensions to ending dates. (1) If an eligible child suspends 
pursuit of his or her program due to conditions that VA determined were 
beyond the child's control, VA may extend the period of eligibility 
ending date (see Sec. 21.3043). VA cannot grant an extension beyond age 
31 to those children whose period of eligibility ending date (as 
determined under paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section) is subject 
to an age limitation.
    (2) If an eligible child's period of eligibility ending date (as 
determined under paragraphs (a) through (f), or (h) of this section) 
occurs while the child is enrolled in an educational institution, VA may 
extend the period of eligibility (extensions may be made beyond age 
31)--
    (i) To the end of the quarter or semester, for a child enrolled in 
an educational institution that regularly operates on the quarter or 
semester system; or
    (ii) To the end of the course, not to exceed 12 weeks, for a child 
who completed a major portion of a course while enrolled in an 
educational institution that operates under other than a quarter or 
semester system.
    (3) If an eligible child's period of eligibility ending date (as 
determined under paragraphs (a) through (f), or (h) of this section) 
occurs while the child is pursuing training in a training establishment 
(as defined in Sec. 21.4200(c)), VA cannot extend the ending date.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a)(7)(c)).

    (h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if during 
an eligible child's period of eligibility, as determined in paragraphs 
(a) through (g) of this section, but after September 10, 2001, an 
eligible child is ordered to active duty or involuntarily ordered to 
full-time National Guard duty VA will grant an extension of the child's 
period of eligibility. The extension will be equal to the length of the 
period served plus an additional 4 months for each qualifying period and 
applies if after September 10, 2001, the eligible child is--
    (i) Ordered to serve on active duty under section 688, 12301(a), 
12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of title 10, United States Code; or
    (ii) Involuntarily ordered to full-time National Guard duty under 
section 502(f) of title 32, United States Code.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(h))

    (i) Elections. (1) VA must provide written notice to certain 
eligible children informing them of their right to elect the beginning 
date of their period of eligibility. The written notice must identify 
the beginning dates the child may choose from and must contain a 
statement that the child must make the election within 60 days of the 
date of the written notice. An eligible child may elect his or her 
beginning date if--
    (i) The effective date of the P&T rating is before the child's 18th 
birthday, and date of the notification to the veteran from whom the 
child derives eligibility occurs after the child's 18th birthday but 
before the child's 26th birthday (see paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this 
section);
    (ii) The effective date of the P&T rating, or the date of 
notification to the veteran from whom the child derives eligibility, 
occurs after the child's 18th birthday but before the child's 26th 
birthday (see paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section);
    (iii) The veteran's death occurs after the child's 18th birthday but 
before the child's 26th birthday (see paragraph (b)(2) of this section);
    (iv) The child makes such election within 60 days of VA's written 
notice to the child informing him or her of the right to elect his or 
her beginning date; and

[[Page 234]]

    (v) The child's election is in accordance with the choices VA 
identified in the written notice described in paragraph (i)(1) of this 
section.
    (2) If the child does not elect a beginning date within 60 days of 
VA's written notice informing him or her of the right to elect a 
beginning date, the period of eligibility beginning date will be 
whichever of the following applies--
    (i) The date of VA's decision that the veteran has a P&T disability; 
or
    (ii) The date of VA's decision that the veteran's death is service-
connected.
    (3) If upon review of the child's application VA determines the 
child is entitled to and eligible for an immediate award of educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35, VA will for purposes of such 
award--
    (i) Consider the beginning date of the child's period of eligibility 
to be the date of VA's decision that the--
    (A) Veteran has a P&T disability in the case of a child whose 
eligibility is derived from a veteran with a P&T disability; or
    (B) Veteran's death is service-connected in the case of a child 
whose eligibility is derived due to the veteran's death.
    (ii) Notify the child of his or her right to elect a beginning date 
in accordance with paragraph (i)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Adjust the child's beginning date based on the child's 
election if the child makes an election within 60 days after VA's 
written notice in accordance with paragraph (i)(1) of this section.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0703)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a)(3), (a)(4))

[73 FR 30489, May 28, 2008; 73 FR 31742, June 3, 2008]



Sec. 21.3042  Service with Armed Forces.

    (a) No educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 may be 
provided an otherwise eligible person during any period he or she is on 
duty with the Armed Forces. See Sec. 21.3021 (e) and (f). This does not 
apply to brief periods of active duty for training. See Sec. 21.3135(f).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(d))

    (b) If the eligible person served with the Armed Forces, his or her 
discharge or release from each period of service must have been under 
conditions other than dishonorable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(d))

[30 FR 15633, Dec. 18, 1965, as amended at 34 FR 842, Jan. 18, 1969; 36 
FR 2508, Feb. 5, 1971; 41 FR 42929, Nov. 1, 1976; 61 FR 26109, May 24, 
1996; 73 FR 30491, May 28, 2008]



Sec. 21.3043  Suspension of program; child.

    For an eligible person who suspends his program due to conditions 
determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs to have been beyond his 
or her control the period of eligibility may, upon his request, be 
extended by the number of months and days intervening the date the 
suspension began and the date the reason for suspension ceased to exist. 
The burden of proof is on the eligible person to establish that 
suspension of a program was due to conditions beyond his or her control. 
The period of suspension shall be considered to have ended as of the 
date of the person's first available opportunity to resume training 
after the condition which caused it ceased to exist. The following 
circumstances may be considered as beyond the eligible person's control:
    (a) While in active pursuit of a program of education he or she is 
appointed by the responsible governing body of an established church, 
officially charged with the selection and designation of missionary 
representatives, in keeping with its traditional practice, to serve the 
church in an official missionary capacity and is thereby prevented from 
pursuit of his or her program of studies.
    (b) Immediate family or financial obligations beyond his or her 
control require the eligible person to take employment, or otherwise 
preclude pursuit of his or her program.
    (c) Unavoidable conditions arising in connection with the eligible 
person's employment which preclude pursuit of his or her program.
    (d) Pursuit of his or her program is precluded because of the 
eligible person's own illness or illness or death in his or her 
immediate family.

[[Page 235]]

    (e) Active duty, including active duty for training in the Armed 
Forces.

[41 FR 47929, Nov. 1, 1976]



Sec. 21.3044  Entitlement.

    (a) Limitations on entitlement. Each eligible person in entitled to 
educational assistance not in excess of 45 months, or the equivalent 
thereof in part-time training. The Department of Veterans Affairs will 
not authorize an extension of entitlement except as provided in 
paragraph (c) of this section. The period of entitlement when added to 
education or training received under any or all of the laws cited in 
Sec. 21.4020 will not exceed 48 months of full-time educational 
assistance. The period of entitlement will not be reduced by any period 
during which employment adjustment allowance was paid after the eligible 
person completes a period of rehabilitation and reaches a point of 
employability.
    (b) Continuous pursuit is not required. The 45-month period of 
entitlement is any 45 months within the period of eligibility. The 
eligible person is not required to pursue his or her program for 45 
consecutive months.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511(a))

    (c) Exceeding the 45 months limitation. The 45 months limitation may 
be exceeded only in the following cases:
    (1) Where no charge against the entitlement is made based on a 
course or courses pursued by a spouse or surviving spouse under the 
special assistance for the educationally disadvantaged program (See 
Sec. 21.3344(d); or
    (2) Where special restorative training authorized under Sec. 21.3300 
exceeds 45 months.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3541(b), 3533(b))

[49 FR 48692, Dec. 14, 1984, as amended at 61 FR 26109, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.3045  Entitlement charges.

    VA will make record-purpose charges against an eligible person's 38 
U.S.C. chapter 35 entitlement only when required by this section. 
Charges for institutional training will be based upon the principle that 
an eligible person who trains full time for 1 day should be charged 1 
day of entitlement.
    (a) No entitlement charge for eligible persons receiving tutorial 
assistance. VA will make no charge against the entitlement of an 
eligible person for tutorial assistance received in accordance with 
Sec. 21.4236.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3492, 3533(b))

    (b) Entitlement charges for elementary and secondary education. (1) 
When an eligible spouse or surviving spouse is pursuing a course leading 
to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate as described 
in Sec. 21.3344, there are two sets of circumstances which will always 
result in VA's making no charge against his or her entitlement. These 
are as follows:
    (i) Either the eligible spouse or surviving spouse completed 
training during the period beginning on October 1, 1980, and ending on 
August 14, 1989, and remained continuously enrolled from October 1, 
1980, through the time the spouse or surviving spouse either completed 
training or August 14, 1989, whichever is earlier; or
    (ii) The eligible spouse or surviving spouse completed training 
before August 15, 1989, and received educational assistance based upon 
the tuition and fees charged for the course.
    (2) When an eligible spouse or surviving spouse is pursuing a course 
leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate as 
described in Sec. 21.3344, the following circumstances will always 
result in VA's making a charge against his or her entitlement unless the 
provisions of paragraph (d) of this section would exempt the spouse or 
surviving spouse from receiving an entitlement charge.
    (i) The spouse or surviving spouse elects to receive dependents' 
educational assistance at the rate described in Sec. 21.3131(a), and
    (ii) Either was not pursuing a course leading to a secondary school 
diploma or equivalency certificate on October 1, 1980, or has not 
remained continuously enrolled in such a course since October 1, 1980.
    (3) When an eligible person pursues refresher, remedial or 
deficiency training before August 15, 1989, the following provisions 
govern the charge against the entitlement.

[[Page 236]]

    (i) VA will not make a charge against the entitlement of an eligible 
spouse or surviving spouse.
    (ii) VA will make a charge against the entitlement of an eligible 
child.
    (4) The following provisions apply to an eligible person for 
training received after August 14, 1989. When he or she is pursuing a 
course leading to a secondary school diploma or equivalency certificate 
or refresher, remedial or deficiency training.
    (i) VA will make no charge against the entitlement of an eligible 
person for the first five months of full time pursuit (or its equivalent 
in part-time pursuit).
    (ii) VA will make a charge against the entitlement of an eligible 
person for pursuit in excess of the pursuit described in paragraph 
(b)(4)(i) unless the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section would 
exempt the eligible person from receiving an entitlement charge.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511(a), 3533(a); Pub. L. 100-689, Pub. L. 102-
127)(Oct. 10, 1991)

    (c) Other courses for which entitlement will be charged. Except when 
the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section are met, VA will make 
a charge against the period of entitlement of--
    (1) An eligible person for pursuit of a program of apprenticeship or 
other on-job training;
    (2) A spouse or surviving spouse for pursuit of a correspondence 
course; or
    (3) An eligible person for the pursuit of any course not described 
in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3534)

    (d) Exemption from entitlement charge. (1) VA will not make a charge 
against the entitlement of an eligible person for the pursuit of any 
course or courses when the requirements of paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (ii) 
of this section are met, by VA finding that the eligible person--
    (i) Had to discontinue pursuit of the course or courses as a result 
of being--
    (A) Ordered, in connection with the Persian Gulf War by orders dated 
before September 11, 2001, to serve on active duty under 10 U.S.C. 688, 
12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304, or under former 10 U.S.C. 
672(a), 672(d), 672(g), 673, or 673(b) (redesignated effective December 
1, 1994, as 10 U.S.C. 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, and 12304, 
respectively);
    (B) Ordered, by orders dated after September 10, 2001, to serve on 
active duty under 10 U.S.C. 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 
12304; or
    (C) Involuntarily ordered, by orders dated after September 10, 2001, 
to full-time National Guard duty under 32 U.S.C. 502(f).
    (ii) Failed to receive credit or training time toward completion of 
the eligible person's approved educational, professional or vocational 
objective as a result of having to discontinue, for a reason described 
in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, his or her course pursuit.
    (2) The period for which VA will not make a charge against 
entitlement shall not exceed the portion of the period of enrollment in 
the course or courses for which the eligible person failed to receive 
credit or with respect to which the eligible person lost training time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511(a)(2); sec. 103(e), Pub. L. 107-103, 115 
Stat. 980)

    (e) Determining entitlement charge. The provisions of this paragraph 
apply to all courses except those courses for which VA is not making a 
charge against the eligible person's entitlement, apprenticeship or 
other on-job training, correspondence courses, and courses offered 
solely through independent study.
    (1) After making any adjustments required by paragraph (e)(3) of 
this section, VA will make a charge against entitlement--
    (i) On the basis of total elapsed time (one day for each day of 
pursuit) if the eligible person is pursuing the program of education on 
a full-time basis,
    (ii) On the basis of a proportionate rate of elapsed time, if the 
eligible person is pursuing a program of education on a three-quarter, 
one-half or less than one-half time basis. For the purpose of this 
computation, training time which is less that one-half, but more than 
one-quarter time, will be treated as though it were one-quarter time 
training.

[[Page 237]]

    (2) VA will compute elapsed time from the commencing date of 
enrollment to date of discontinuance. If the eligible person changes his 
or her training time after the commencing date of enrollment, VA will--
    (i) Divide the enrollment period into separate periods of time 
during which the eligible person's training time remains constant; and
    (ii) Compute the elapsed time separately for each time period.
    (3) An eligible person may concurrently enroll in refresher, 
remedial or deficiency training for which paragraph (b)(3) or (b)(4)(i) 
of this section requires no charge against entitlement and in a course 
or courses for which paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(4)(ii) or (c) of this 
section requires a charge against entitlement. When this occurs, VA will 
charge entitlement for the concurrent enrollment based only on pursuit 
of the courses described in paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(4)(ii) or (c) of 
this section, measured in accordance with Secs. 21.4270 through 21.4275 
of this part, as appropriate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3533(a); Pub. L. 100-689)

    (f) Entitlement charge for pursuit solely by independent study. For 
enrollments in terms, quarters, or semesters that begin after June 30, 
1993, VA will make charges against the entitlement of an eligible person 
in the manner prescribed by paragraph (e) of this section, if he or she 
is pursuing a program of education solely by independent study. For all 
other enrollments where the eligible person is pursuing a program of 
education solely by independent study, the computation will be made as 
though the eligible person's training were one-quarter time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482(b), 3532(a))

    (g) Entitlement charge for apprenticeship or other on-job training. 
For each month that an eligible person is paid a monthly educational 
assistance allowance while undergoing apprenticeship or other on-job 
training, including months in which the eligible person fails to 
complete 120 hours of training, VA will make a record-purpose charge 
against 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 entitlement, if any, as follows:
    (1) For training pursued before October 1, 2005, VA will reduce 
chapter 35 entitlement by one month for each month of benefits paid.
    (2) For training pursued on or after October 1, 2005, VA will reduce 
chapter 35 entitlement proportionately based on the percentage rate 
(rounded to the nearest percentage) determined by dividing the amount of 
the training assistance paid for the month by the monthly educational 
assistance payable for full-time enrollment in an educational 
institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3534, 3687; sec. 102, Pub L. 108-454, 118 Stat. 
3600)

    (h) Entitlement charge for correspondence courses. The charge 
against entitlement of a spouse or surviving spouse for pursuit of a 
course exclusively by correspondence will be 1 month for each of the 
following amounts paid as an educational assistance allowance:
    (1) $788.00, paid after June 30, 2004, and before October 1, 2004;
    (2) $803.00, paid after September 30, 2004, and before October 1, 
2005;
    (3) $827.00, paid after September 30, 2005, and before October 1, 
2006;
    (4) $860.00, paid after September 30, 2006, and before October 1, 
2007;
    (5) $881.00, paid after September 30, 2007, and before October 1, 
2008; and
    (6) $915.00, paid after September 30 2008.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3534(b), 3564, 3686(a))

    (i) Overpayment cases. VA will make a charge against entitlement for 
an overpayment only if the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy, is 
waived and is not recovered, or is compromised.
    (1) If the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy or is waived and 
is not recovered, the charge against entitlement will be at the 
appropriate rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment 
(exclusive of interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs 
and marshal fees).
    (2) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
less than the amount of interest, administrative costs of collection, 
court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement will be at 
the appropriate rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment 
(exclusive

[[Page 238]]

of interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal 
fees).
    (3) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
equal to or greater than the amount of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement 
will be determined by--
    (i) Subtracting from the sum paid in the compromise offer the amount 
attributable to interest, administrative costs of collection, court 
costs and marshal fees,
    (ii) Subtracting the remaining amount of the overpayment balance 
determined in paragraph (i)(3)(i) of this section from the amount of the 
original overpayment (exclusive of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees),
    (iii) Dividing the result obtained in paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of this 
section by the amount of the original debt (exclusive of interest, 
administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal fees), and
    (iv) Multiplying the percentage obtained in paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of 
this section by the amount of the entitlement otherwise chargeable for 
the period of the original overpayment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3471, 3532)

    (j) Interruption to conserve entitlement. An eligible person may not 
interrupt a certified period of enrollment for the purpose of conserving 
entitlement. An educational institution may not certify a period of 
enrollment for a fractional part of the normal term, quarter or 
semester, if the eligible person is enrolled for the term, quarter or 
semester. VA will make a charge against entitlement for the entire 
period of certified enrollment, if the eligible person is otherwise 
eligible for benefits, except when benefits are interrupted under any of 
the following conditions:
    (1) Enrollment is actually terminated;
    (2) The eligible person cancels his or her enrollment, and does not 
negotiate an educational benefits check for any part of the certified 
period of enrollment;
    (3) The eligible person interrupts his or her enrollment at the end 
of any term, quarter, or semester within the certified period of 
enrollment, and does not negotiate a check for educational benefits for 
the succeeding term, quarter, or semester;
    (4) The eligible person requests interruption or cancellation for 
any break when a school was closed during a certified period of 
enrollment, and VA continued payments under an established policy based 
upon an Executive Order of the President or an emergency situation. 
Whether the eligible person negotiated a check for educational benefits 
for the certified period is immaterial.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511)

    (k) Education loan after otherwise applicable delimiting date--
spouse or surviving spouse. VA will make a charge against the 
entitlement of a spouse or surviving spouse who receives an education 
loan pursuant to Sec. 21.4501(c) at the rate of 1 day for each day of 
entitlement that would have been used had the spouse or surviving spouse 
been in receipt of educational assistance allowance for the period for 
which the loan was granted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512)

[55 FR 28024, July 9, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 29799, July 7, 1992; 58 
FR 26240, May 3, 1993; 61 FR 26109, May 24, 1996; 62 FR 55760, Oct. 28, 
1997; 63 FR 67778, Dec. 9, 1998; 66 FR 32227, June 14, 2001; 68 FR 
34320, June 9, 2003; 69 FR 62207, Oct. 25, 2004; 73 FR 2423, Jan. 15, 
2008; 73 FR 79647, Dec. 30, 2008]



Sec. 21.3046  Periods of eligibility; spouses and surviving spouses.

    This section states how VA will compute the beginning date, the 
ending date and the length of a spouse's or surviving spouse's period of 
eligibility. The period of eligibility of a spouse computed under the 
provisions of paragraph (a) of this section will be recomputed under the 
provisions of paragraph (b) of this section if her or his status changes 
to that of surviving spouse.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(b))

    (a) Beginning date of eligibility period-spouses. (1) If the 
permanent total rating is effective before December 1, 1968, the 
beginning date of the 10-year period of eligibility is December 1, 1968.

[[Page 239]]

    (2) The beginning date of eligibility--
    (i) Shall be determined as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section when--
    (A) The permanent total rating is effective after November 30, 1968, 
or the notification to the veteran of the rating was after that date, 
and
    (B) Eligibility does not arise under Sec. 21.3021(a)(3)(ii) of this 
part.
    (ii) For spouses for whom VA made a final determination of 
eligibility before October 28, 1986, shall be--
    (A) The effective date of the rating, or
    (B) The date of notification, whichever is more advantageous to the 
spouse.
    (iii) For spouses for whom VA made a final determination of 
eligibility after October 27, 1986, shall be--
    (A) The effective date of the rating, or
    (B) The date of notification, or
    (C) Any date between the dates specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(iii) 
(A) and (B) of this section as chosen by the eligible spouse.
    (iv) May not be changed once a spouse has chosen it as provided in 
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (3) If eligibility arises under Sec. 21.3021(a)(3)(ii) of this part, 
the beginning date of the 10-year eligibility period is--
    (i) December 24, 1970, or
    (ii) The date the member of the Armed Forces on whose service 
eligibility is based was so listed by the Secretary concerned, whichever 
last occurs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (b) Beginning date of eligibility period-surviving spouses. (1) If 
VA determines before December 1, 1968, that the veteran died of a 
service-connected disability, the beginning date of the 10-year period 
is December 1, 1968.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512)

    (2) If the veteran's death occurred before December 1, 1968, but VA 
does not determine that the veteran died of a service-connected 
disability until after November 30, 1968, the beginning date of the 10-
year period is the date on which VA determines that the veteran died of 
a service-connected disability.
    (3) If the veteran's death occurred before December 1, 1968, while a 
total, service-connected disability evaluated as permanent in nature was 
in existence, the beginning date of the 10-year period is December 1, 
1968.
    (4) If the veteran's death occurred after November 30, 1968, and VA 
makes a final decision concerning the surviving spouse's eligibility for 
dependents' educational assistance before October 28, 1986, the 
beginning date of the 10-year period is--
    (i) The date of death of the veteran who dies while a total, 
service-connected disability evaluated as permanent in nature was in 
existence, or
    (ii) The date on which VA determines that the veteran died of a 
service-connected disability.
    (5) If the veteran's death occurred after November 30, 1968, and VA 
makes a final decision concerning the surviving spouse's eligibility for 
dependents educational assistance after October 27, 1986, VA will 
determine the beginning date of the 10-year period as follows.
    (i) If the surviving spouse's eligibility is based on the veteran's 
death while a total, service-connected disability evaluated as permanent 
in nature was in existence, the beginning date of the 10-year period is 
the date of death.
    (ii) If the surviving spouse's eligibility is based on the veteran's 
death from a service-connected disability, the surviving spouse will 
choose the beginning date of the 10-year period. That date will be no 
earlier than the date of death and no later than the date of the VA 
determination that the veteran's death was due to a service-connected 
disability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(b); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (6) Once a surviving spouse has chosen a beginning date of 
eligibility as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, the 
surviving spouse may not revoke that choice.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(b); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (c) Ending date of eligibility period--(1) Spouses. (i) If on or 
after December 27, 2001, VA makes a determination of eligibility for a 
spouse, the period of eligibility cannot exceed 10 years. The

[[Page 240]]

eligibility period can be extended only as provided in paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section and Sec. 21.3047.
    (ii) If before December 27, 2001, VA made a determination of 
eligibility for a spouse, the eligibility period has no ending date 
unless the spouse changes his or her program of education. If on or 
after December 27, 2001, the spouse changes his or her program of 
education, the eligibility period cannot exceed 10 years. The beginning 
date of the eligibility period is determined as provided in paragraph 
(a) of this section. The 10-year eligibility period can be extended only 
as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section and Sec. 21.3047.
    (iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this 
section, if eligibility arises before October 24, 1972, educational 
assistance will not be afforded later than October 23, 1982, based on a 
course or program of correspondence, apprentice, or other on-the-job 
training, approved under the provisions of Sec. 21.4256, Sec. 21.4261, 
or Sec. 21.4262, except that VA may award educational assistance beyond 
October 23, 1982, if the eligible spouse qualifies for the extended 
period of eligibility as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section 
and Sec. 21.3047.
    (2) Surviving spouses. (i) For surviving spouses, the period of 
eligibility cannot exceed 10 years and can be extended only as provided 
in paragraph (c)(3) of this section and Sec. 21.3047.
    (ii) If eligibility arises before October 24, 1972, educational 
assistance will not be afforded later than October 23, 1982, based on a 
course or program of correspondence, apprentice, or other on-the-job 
training approved under the provisions of Sec. 21.4256, Sec. 21.4261, or 
Sec. 21.4262, except that VA may award educational assistance beyond 
October 23, 1982, if the eligible surviving spouse qualifies for an 
extended period of eligibility as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section and Sec. 21.3047.
    (iii) The eligibility period for a surviving spouse is not reduced 
by any earlier period during which the surviving spouse was eligible for 
educational assistance under this chapter as a spouse.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512; sec. 108(c)(4), Pub. L. 107-103, 115 Stat. 
985)

    (3) Extensions due to certain orders dated after September 10, 2001. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, if a spouse or 
surviving spouse, during the eligibility period otherwise applicable to 
such individual under this section, serves on active duty pursuant to an 
order to active duty dated after September 10, 2001, issued under 10 
U.S.C. 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304, or is 
involuntarily ordered by an order dated after September 10, 2001, to 
full-time National Guard duty under 32 U.S.C. 502(f), VA will grant the 
individual an extension of the ending date of his or her eligibility 
period. The extension will equal the length of the period of such active 
duty plus four months.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512; sec. 303(b), Pub. L. 108-183, 117 Stat. 
2659)

    (d) Extension to ending date. (1) The ending date of a spouse's 
period of eligibility may be extended when the spouse is enrolled and 
eligibility ceases for one of the following reasons:
    (i) The veteran is no longer rated permanently and totally disabled;
    (ii) The spouse is divorced from the veteran without fault on the 
spouse's part; or
    (iii) The spouse no longer is listed in any of the categories of 
Sec. 21.3021(a)(3)(ii) of this part.
    (2) If the spouse is enrolled in a school operating on a quarter or 
semester system, VA will extend the period of eligibility to the end of 
the quarter or semester, regardless of whether the spouse has reached 
the midpoint of the quarter, semester or term.
    (3) If the spouse is enrolled in a school not operating on a quarter 
or semester system, VA will extend the period of eligibility to the 
earlier of the following:
    (i) The end of the course, or
    (ii) 12 weeks.
    (4) If the spouse is enrolled in a course pursued exclusively by 
correspondence, VA will extend the period of eligibility to whichever of 
the following will result in the lesser expenditure:
    (i) The end of the course, or
    (ii) The total additional amount of instruction that--

[[Page 241]]

    (A) $2,206 provides during the period July 1, 2004, through 
September 30, 2004;
    (B) $2,248 provides during the period October 1, 2004, through 
September 30, 2005;
    (C) $2,316 provides during the period October 1, 2005, through 
September 30, 2006;
    (D) $2,408 provides during the period October 1, 2006, through 
September 30, 2007;
    (E) $2,467 provides during the period October 1, 2007, through 
September 30, 2008; or
    (F) $2,562 provides after September 30, 2008.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511(b))

    (5) VA will not extend the period of eligibility when the spouse is 
pursuing training in a training establishment as defined in 
Sec. 21.4200(c) of this part.
    (6) An extension may not--
    (i) Exceed maximum entitlement, or
    (ii) Extend beyond the delimiting date specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section or Sec. 21.3047, as appropriate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511(b), 3512(b), 3532, 3586)

[54 FR 33886, Aug. 17, 1989, as amended at 57 FR 29799, July 7, 1992; 57 
FR 60735, Dec. 22, 1992; 62 FR 51784, Oct. 3, 1997; 62 FR 59579, Nov. 4, 
1997; 69 FR 62207, Oct. 25, 2004; 73 FR 2424, Jan. 15, 2008; 73 FR 
79647, Dec. 30, 2008]



Sec. 21.3047  Extended period of eligibility due to physical or mental
disability.

    (a) General. (1) An eligible spouse or surviving spouse shall be 
granted an extension of the applicable period of eligibility as 
otherwise determined by Sec. 21.3046 provided the eligible spouse or 
surviving spouse:
    (i) Applies for the extension within the appropriate time limit;
    (ii) Was prevented from initiating or completing the chosen program 
of education within the otherwise applicable period of eligibility 
because of a physical or mental disability that did not result from the 
willful misconduct of the eligible spouse or surviving spouse;
    (iii) Provides VA with any requested evidence tending to show that 
the requirement of paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section has been met; 
and
    (iv) Is otherwise eligible for payment of educational assistance for 
the training pursuant to 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.
    (2) In determining whether the eligible spouse or surviving spouse 
was prevented from initiating or completing the chosen program of 
education because of a physical or mental disability, VA will consider 
the following:
    (i) It must be clearly established by medical evidence that such a 
program of education was medically infeasible.
    (ii) An eligible spouse or surviving spouse who is disabled for a 
period of 30 days or less will not be considered as having been 
prevented from initiating or completing a chosen program, unless the 
evidence establishes that the eligible spouse or surviving spouse was 
prevented from enrolling or reenrolling in the chosen program of 
education, or was forced to discontinue attendance, because of the short 
disability.
    (iii) VA will not consider the disabling effects of chronic 
alcoholism to be the result of willful misconduct and will consider 
those disabling effects as physical or mental disabilities.
    (b) Commencing date. The eligible spouse or surviving spouse shall 
elect the commencing date of an extended period of eligibility. The date 
chosen--
    (1) Must be on or after the original date of expiration of 
eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.3046(c); and
    (2) Must be on or before the ninetieth day following the date on 
which the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's application for an 
extension was approved by VA, if the eligible spouse or surviving spouse 
is training during the extended period of eligibility in a course not 
organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis; or
    (3) Must be on or before the first ordinary term, quarter, or 
semester following the ninetieth day after the eligible spouse's or 
surviving spouse's application for an extension was approved by VA if 
the eligible spouse or surviving spouse is training during the extended 
period of eligibility in a course organized on a term, quarter, or 
semester basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(b))

    (c) Length of extended periods of eligibility. An eligible spouse's 
or surviving spouse's extended period of eligibility

[[Page 242]]

shall be for the length of time that the individual was prevented from 
initiating or completing his or her chosen program of education. This 
shall be determined as follows:
    (1) If the eligible spouse or surviving spouse is in training in a 
course organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis, his or her 
extended period of eligibility shall contain the same number of days as 
the number of days from the date during the eligible spouse's or 
surviving spouse's original period of eligibility that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earliest of the following 
dates:
    (i) The commencing date of the ordinary term, quarter, or semester 
following the day the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's training 
became medically feasible;
    (ii) The ending date of the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's 
period of eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.3046(c); or
    (iii) The date the eligible spouse or surviving spouse resumed 
training.
    (2) If the eligible spouse or surviving spouse is training in a 
course not organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis, his or her 
extended period of eligibility shall contain the same number of days 
from the date during the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's 
original period of eligibility that his or her training became medically 
infeasible to the earlier of the following dates:
    (i) The date the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's training 
became medically feasible; or
    (ii) The ending date of the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's 
period of eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.3046.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(b))

(Paperwork requirements were approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget under control number 2900-0573)

[62 FR 51784, Oct. 3, 1997]

                               Counseling

    Source: 61 FR 26109, May 24, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 21.3100  Counseling.

    (a) Purpose of counseling. The purpose of counseling is to assist:
    (1) In selecting an educational or training objective;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3520)

    (2) In developing a suitable program of education or training;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3520)

    (3) In selecting an educational institution or training 
establishment appropriate for the attainment of the educational or 
training objective;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3561(a))

    (4) In resolving any personal problems which are likely to interfere 
with successful pursuit of a program;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3561(a))

    (5) In selecting an employment objective for the eligible person 
that would be likely to provide the eligible person with satisfactory 
employment opportunities in light of his or her circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3520, 3561(a))

    (b) Availability of counseling. Counseling assistance is available 
for--
    (1) Identifying and removing reasons for academic difficulties which 
may result in interruption or discontinuance of training; or
    (2) In considering changes in career plans, and making sound 
decisions about the changes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3520, 3561(a))

    (c) Provision of counseling. VA shall provide counseling as needed 
for the purposes identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section 
upon the request of the eligible person.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3520, 3561(a))



Sec. 21.3102  Required counseling.

    (a) Child. The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational 
Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will provide counseling and assist in 
preparing the educational plan only if the eligible child or his or her 
parent or guardian requests assistance, except that counseling is 
required for an eligible child if--

[[Page 243]]

    (1) The eligible child may require specialized vocational training 
or special restorative training; or
    (2) The eligible child has reached the compulsory school attendance 
age under State law, but has neither reached his or her 18th birthday, 
nor completed secondary schooling. See Sec. 21.3040(a).
    (b) Spouse or surviving spouse. Counseling is required for a spouse 
or surviving spouse only if he or she desires specialized vocational 
training.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3520, 3536, 3541, 3561)

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.3103  Failure to cooperate.

    VA will not act further on an eligible person's application for 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 when counseling is required for 
him or her and the eligible person--
    (a) Fails to report;
    (b) Fails to cooperate in the counseling process; or
    (c) Does not complete counseling to the extent required under 
Sec. 21.3102.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3536, 3541, 3561(a))



Sec. 21.3104  Special training.

    (a) Initial counseling. A counseling psychologist or vocational 
rehabilitation counselor in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 
Division will counsel an eligible person with a disability who is a 
child, spouse, or surviving spouse before referring the case to the 
Vocational Rehabilitation Panel (established under Sec. 21.60) for 
consideration as to the child's, spouse's or surviving spouse's need for 
a course of specialized vocational training or special restorative 
training. After consulting with the panel, and considering the panel's 
report, the counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation 
counselor will determine if the child, spouse, or surviving spouse needs 
a course of specialized vocational training or special restorative 
training, and where need is found to exist will prescribe a course which 
is suitable to accomplish the goals of 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3536, 3540-3543, 3561(a))

    (b) Counseling after special restorative training. When an eligible 
person completes or discontinues a course of special restorative 
training without having selected an objective and a program of 
education, a counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation 
counselor in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division will 
provide additional counseling to assist him or her in selecting a 
program of education suitable to accomplish the purposes of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 35.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3561)

[61 FR 26109, May 24, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 2424, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3105  Travel expenses.

    (a) General. VA shall determine and pay the necessary expense of 
travel to and from the place of counseling for an eligible person who is 
required to receive counseling as provided under 38 U.S.C. 111 (a), (d), 
(e), and (g).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111 (a), (d), (e), and (g))

    (b) Restriction. VA will not pay the necessary cost of travel to and 
from the place of counseling when counseling is not required, but is 
provided as a result of a voluntary request by the eligible person.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

                                Payments



Sec. 21.3130  Educational assistance.

    (a) Approval of a program of education. VA will approve a program of 
education selected by an eligible person if:
    (1) The program is described in Sec. 21.3021 (h) and (i) or (j);
    (2) The individual is not already qualified for the objective of the 
program of education;
    (3) The proposed educational institution or training establishment 
is in compliance with all the requirements of 38 U.S.C. chapters 35 and 
36; and
    (4) It does not appear that the enrollment in or pursuit of such 
person's program of education would violate any provision of 38 U.S.C. 
chapters 35 and 36.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3521)


[[Page 244]]


    (b) Payments. VA will pay educational assistance at the rate 
specified in Sec. 21.3131 (subject to the reductions required by 
Sec. 21.3132) while the eligible person is pursuing an approved program 
of education or training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3521, 3532)

    (c) No payment for excessive training. (1) VA will make no payment 
for:
    (i) Training in an apprenticeship or other on-job training program 
in excess of the number of hours approved by the State approving agency 
or VA; or
    (ii) Lessons completed in a correspondence course in excess of the 
number approved by the State approving agency.
    (2) A school's standards of progress may permit a student to repeat 
a course or portion of a course in which he or she has done poorly. VA 
considers the repeated courses to be part of the program of education. 
VA will make no payment for courses or training if the courses or 
training are not part of the eligible person's program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(5), 3521)

    (d) Courses precluded. VA may not pay educational assistance:
    (1) For pursuit of a course if approval of the enrollment in the 
course is precluded by Sec. 21.4252;
    (2) For training in a foreign country unless the training is in the 
Philippines or is approved pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 21.4260;
    (3) For pursuit of a course offered by open-circuit television, 
unless the eligible person's pursuit meets the requirements of 
Sec. 21.4233(c); or
    (4) For pursuit of a course offered by independent study, unless the 
course is accredited, meets the requirements of Sec. 21.4253, and leads 
to a standard college degree.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3523)

    (e) Commencing date. In determining the commencing date of an award 
of educational assistance, VA will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4131.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113)

[61 FR 26109, May 24, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 2424, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3131  Rates--educational assistance allowance--
38 U.S.C. chapter 35.

    (a) Rates. Except as provided in Sec. 21.3132, educational 
assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 is payable at the 
following monthly rates--
    (1) For training pursued after June 30, 2004, and before October 1, 
2004:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of course                        Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:
    Full time..........................  $788.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  592.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  394.00
    Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\  394.00
     time \1\.
    \1/4\ time or less \1\.............  197.00
Cooperative training (other than farm    788.00
 cooperative) (full time only).
Apprenticeship or on-job (full time
 only): \2\
    First six months...................  574.00
    Second six months..................  429.00
    Third six months...................  285.00
    Fourth six months and thereafter...  144.00
Farm cooperative:
    Full time..........................  636.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  477.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  319.00
Correspondence.........................  55 percent of the established
                                          charge for the number of
                                          lessons completed by the
                                          eligible spouse or surviving
                                          spouse and serviced by the
                                          school--Allowance paid
                                          quarterly. \3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing
  independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or
  her program before the designated completion time, his or her award
  will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed
  $394.00 or $197.00, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum
  allowance is not initially authorized.
\2\ See footnote 5 of Sec. 21.4270(c) for measurement of full time and
  Sec. 21.3132(c) for proportionate reduction in award for completion
  of less than 120 hours per month.
\3\ Established charge means the charge for the course or courses
  determined on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan
  offered by the institution and approved by the appropriate State
  approving agency or the actual cost to the eligible spouse or
  surviving spouse, whichever is less. VA considers the continuity of an
  enrollment broken when there are more than 6 months between the
  servicing of the lessons.


[[Page 245]]


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a), 3542(a), 3687(b)(2), (d))

    (2) For training pursued after September 30, 2004, and before 
October 1, 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of course                        Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:
    Full time..........................  $803.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  603.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  401.00
    Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\  401.00
     time \1\.
    \1/4\ time or less \1\.............  200.75
Cooperative training (other than farm    803.00
 cooperative) (full time only).
Apprenticeship or on-job (full time
 only): \2\
    First six months...................  585.00
    Second six months..................  438.00
    Third six months...................  291.00
    Fourth six months and thereafter...  147.00
Farm cooperative:
    Full time..........................  648.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  486.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  325.00
Correspondence.........................  55 percent of the established
                                          charge for the number of
                                          lessons completed by the
                                          eligible spouse or surviving
                                          spouse and serviced by the
                                          school--Allowance paid
                                          quarterly. \3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing
  independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or
  her program before the designated completion time, his or her award
  will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed
  $401.00 or $200.75, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum
  allowance is not initially authorized.
\2\ See footnote 5 of Sec. 21.4270(c) for measurement of full time and
  Sec. 21.3132(c) for proportionate reduction in award for completion
  of less than 120 hours per month.
\3\ Established charge means the charge for the course or courses
  determined on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan
  offered by the institution and approved by the appropriate State
  approving agency or the actual cost to the eligible spouse or
  surviving spouse, whichever is less. VA considers the continuity of an
  enrollment broken when there are more than 6 months between the
  servicing of the lessons.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a), 3542(a), 3687(b)(2), (d))

    (3) For training pursued after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of course                        Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:
    Full time..........................  $827.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  621.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  413.00
    Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\  413.00
     time \1\.
    \1/4\ time or less \1\.............  206.75
Cooperative training (other than farm    827.00
 cooperative) (full time only).
Apprenticeship or on-job (full time
 only): \2\
    First six months...................  650.00
    Second six months..................  507.00
    Third six months...................  366.00
    Fourth six months and thereafter...  151.00
Farm cooperative:
    Full time..........................  667.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  500.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  334.00
Correspondence.........................  55 percent of the established
                                          charge for the number of
                                          lessons completed by the
                                          eligible spouse or surviving
                                          spouse and serviced by the
                                          school--Allowance paid
                                          quarterly.\3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing
  independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or
  her program before the designated completion time, his or her award
  will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed
  $413.00 or $206.75, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum
  allowance is not initially authorized.
\2\ See footnote 5 of Sec. 21.4270(c) for measurement of full time and
  Sec. 21.3132(c) for proportionate reduction in award for completion
  of less than 120 hours per month.
\3\ Established charge means the charge for the course or courses
  determined on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan
  offered by the institution and approved by the appropriate State
  approving agency or the actual cost to the eligible spouse or
  surviving spouse, whichever is less. VA considers the continuity of an
  enrollment broken when there are more than 6 months between the
  servicing of the lessons.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a), 3542(a), 3687(b)(2), (d))

    (4) For training pursued after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

[[Page 246]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of course                        Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:
    Full time..........................  $860.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  645.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  429.00
    Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\  429.00
     time \1\.
    \1/4\ time or less \1\.............  215.00
Cooperative training (other than farm    860.00
 cooperative) (full time only).
Apprenticeship or on-job (full time
 only): \2\
    First six months...................  676.00
    Second six months..................  527.00
    Third six months...................  380.00
    Fourth six months and thereafter...  157.00
Farm cooperative:
    Full time..........................  693.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  520.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  347.00
Correspondence.........................  55 percent of the established
                                          charge for the number of
                                          lessons completed by the
                                          eligible spouse or surviving
                                          spouse and serviced by the
                                          school--Allowance paid
                                          quarterly.\3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing
  independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or
  her program before the designated completion time, his or her award
  will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed
  $429.00 or $215.00, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum
  allowance is not initially authorized.
\2\ See footnote 5 of Sec. 21.4270(c) for measurement of full time and
  Sec. 21.3132(c) for proportionate reduction in award for completion
  of less than 120 hours per month.
\3\ Established charge means the charge for the course or courses
  determined on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan
  offered by the institution and approved by the appropriate State
  approving agency or the actual cost to the eligible spouse or
  surviving spouse, whichever is less. VA considers the continuity of an
  enrollment broken when there are more than 6 months between the
  servicing of the lessons.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a), 3542(a), 3687(b)(2), (d))

    (5) For training pursued after September 30, 2007, and before 
January 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of course                        Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:
    Full time..........................  $881.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  661.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  439.00
    Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\  439.00
     time \1\.
    \1/4\ time or less \1\.............  220.25
Cooperative training (other than farm    881.00
 cooperative) (full time only).
Apprenticeship or on-job (full time
 only): \2\
    First six months...................  692.00
    Second six months..................  540.00
    Third six months...................  389.00
    Fourth six months and thereafter...  160.00
Farm cooperative:
    Full time..........................  710.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  533.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  355.00
Correspondence.........................  55 percent of the established
                                          charge for the number of
                                          lessons completed by the
                                          eligible spouse or surviving
                                          spouse and serviced by the
                                          school--Allowance paid
                                          quarterly. \3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing
  independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or
  her program before the designated completion time, his or her award
  will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed
  $439.00 or $220.25, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum
  allowance is not initially authorized.
\2\ See footnote 5 of Sec. 21.4270(c) for measurement of full time and
  Sec. 21.3132(c) for proportionate reduction in award for completion
  of less than 120 hours per month.
\3\ Established charge means the charge for the course or courses
  determined on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan
  offered by the institution and approved by the appropriate State
  approving agency or the actual cost to the eligible spouse or
  surviving spouse, whichever is less. VA considers the continuity of an
  enrollment broken when there are more than 6 months between the
  servicing of the lessons.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a), 3542(a), 3687(b)(2), (d))

    (6) For training pursued after December 31, 2007, and before October 
1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of course                        Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:
    Full time..........................  $881.00

[[Page 247]]

 
    \3/4\ time.........................  661.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  439.00
    Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\  439.00
     time \1\.
    \1/4\ time or less \1\.............  220.25
Cooperative training (other than farm    881.00
 cooperative) (full time only).
Apprenticeship or on-job (full time
 only): \2\
    First six months...................  641.00
    Second six months..................  480.00
    Third six months...................  317.00
    Fourth six months and thereafter...  160.00
Farm cooperative:
    Full time..........................  710.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  533.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  355.00
Correspondence.........................  55 percent of the established
                                          charge for the number of
                                          lessons completed by the
                                          eligible spouse or surviving
                                          spouse and serviced by the
                                          school--Allowance paid
                                          quarterly.\3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing
  independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or
  her program before the designated completion time, his or her award
  will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed
  $439.00 or $220.25, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum
  allowance is not initially authorized.
\2\ See footnote 5 of Sec. 21.4270(c) for measurement of full time and
  Sec. 21.3132(c) for proportionate reduction in award for completion
  of less than 120 hours per month.
\3\ Established charge means the charge for the course or courses
  determined on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan
  offered by the institution and approved by the appropriate State
  approving agency or the actual cost to the eligible spouse or
  surviving spouse, whichever is less. VA considers the continuity of an
  enrollment broken when there are more than 6 months between the
  servicing of the lessons.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a), 3542(a), 3687(b)(2), (d))

    (7) For training pursued after September 30, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of course                        Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional:
    Full time..........................  $915.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  686.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  456.00
    Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\  456.00
     time \1\.
    \1/4\ time or less \1\.............  227.75
Cooperative training (other than farm    915.00
 cooperative) (full time only).
Apprenticeship or on-job (full time
 only): \2\
    First six months...................  666.00
    Second six months..................  499.00
    Third six months...................  329.00
    Fourth six months and thereafter...  166.00
Farm cooperative:
    Full time..........................  737.00
    \3/4\ time.........................  553.00
    \1/2\ time.........................  368.00
Correspondence.........................  55 percent of the established
                                          charge for the number of
                                          lessons completed by the
                                          eligible spouse or surviving
                                          spouse and serviced by the
                                          school--Allowance paid
                                          quarterly. \3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 pursuing
  independent study on a less than one-half-time basis completes his or
  her program before the designated completion time, his or her award
  will be recomputed to permit payment of tuition and fees not to exceed
  $456.00 or $227.75, as appropriate, per month, if the maximum
  allowance is not initially authorized.
\2\ See footnote 5 of Sec. 21.4270(c) for measurement of full time and
  Sec. 21.3132(c) for proportionate reduction in award for completion
  of less than 120 hours per month.
\3\ Established charge means the charge for the course or courses
  determined on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan
  offered by the institution and approved by the appropriate State
  approving agency or the actual cost to the eligible spouse or
  surviving spouse, whichever is less. VA considers the continuity of an
  enrollment broken when there are more than 6 months between the
  servicing of the lessons.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a), 3542(a), 3687(b)(2), (d))

    (b) Less than half time. The monthly rate for an eligible person who 
is pursuing an institutional course on less than one-half time basis may 
not exceed the monthly rate of the cost of the course computed on basis 
of the total cost for tuition and fees which the school requires 
similarly circumstanced individuals enrolled in the same course to pay. 
``Cost of the

[[Page 248]]

course'' does not include the cost of books or supplies which the 
student is required to purchase at his or her own expense.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(a)(2))

    (c) Courses leading to a secondary school diploma or equivalency 
certificate. The monthly rate of Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance payable for an eligible person enrolled in a course leading 
to a secondary school diploma or equivalency certificate shall be the 
rate for institutional training stated in paragraph (a) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(d), 3533)

    (d) Payments made to eligible persons in the Republic of the 
Philippines or to certain Filipinos. When the eligible person is 
pursuing training at an institution located in the Republic of the 
Philippines or when an eligible child's entitlement is based on the 
service of a veteran in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, or as a 
Philippine Scout as defined in Sec. 3.40 (b), (c), or (d) of this 
chapter, payments of educational assistance allowance made after 
December 31, 1994, will be made at the rate of 50 cents for each dollar 
authorized.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(d), 3565)

[61 FR 26110, May 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 67778, Dec. 9, 1998; 66 
FR 32227, June 14, 2001; 68 FR 34321, June 9, 2003; 68 FR 37206, June 
23, 2003; 69 FR 62207, Oct. 25, 2004; 73 FR 79647, Dec. 30, 2008]



Sec. 21.3132  Reductions in survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance.

    The monthly rates established in Sec. 21.3131 shall be reduced as 
stated in this section whenever the circumstances described in this 
section arise.
    (a) No educational assistance allowance for some incarcerated 
eligible persons. VA will pay no educational assistance allowance to an 
eligible person who:
    (1) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local penal institution 
for conviction of a felony; and
    (2) Is enrolled in a course:
    (i) For which there are no tuition or fees, or charges for books, 
supplies, and equipment; or
    (ii) For which tuition and fees are being paid by a Federal program 
(other than one administered by VA) or by a State or local program, and 
the eligible person is incurring no charge for the books, supplies, and 
equipment necessary for the course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(e))

    (b) Reduced educational assistance allowance for some incarcerated 
eligible persons--felony conviction. (1) VA will pay a reduced 
educational assistance allowance to an eligible person who:
    (i) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local penal institution 
for conviction of a felony; and
    (ii) Is enrolled in a course:
    (A) For which the eligible person pays some (but not all) of the 
charges for tuition and fees; or
    (B) For which a Federal program (other than one administered by VA) 
or a State or local program pays all the charges for tuition and fees, 
but which requires the eligible person to pay for books, supplies, and 
equipment.
    (2) The monthly rate of educational assistance allowance payable to 
such an eligible person who is pursuing a course on a half-time or 
greater basis shall be the lesser of the following:
    (i) The monthly rate of the portion of the tuition and fees that the 
eligible person must pay plus the monthly rate of the charge to the 
eligible person for the cost of necessary supplies, books, and 
equipment; or
    (ii) The monthly rate stated in Sec. 21.3131.
    (3) The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to such an 
eligible person who is pursuing the course on a less than half-time 
basis or on a one quarter-time basis shall be the lowest of the 
following:
    (i) The monthly rate of the tuition and fees charged for the course;
    (ii) The monthly rate of tuition and fees which the eligible person 
must pay plus the monthly rate of the charge to the eligible person for 
the cost of necessary supplies, books, and equipment; or
    (iii) The monthly rate stated in Sec. 21.3131.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482(g))


[[Page 249]]


    (c) Reduction in training assistance allowance. (1) For any month in 
which an eligible person pursuing an apprenticeship or on-job training 
program fails to complete 120 hours of training, VA shall reduce the 
rate specified in Sec. 21.3131(a) proportionally. In this computation VA 
shall round the number of hours worked to the nearest multiple of eight.
    (2) For the purpose of this paragraph hours worked include only:
    (i) The training hours the eligible person worked; and
    (ii) All hours of the eligible person's related training which 
occurred during the standard workweek and for which the eligible person 
received wages.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3687(b)(3))

    (d) Mitigating circumstances. (1) VA will not pay benefits to any 
eligible person for a course from which the eligible person withdraws or 
receives a nonpunitive grade which is not used in computing the 
requirements for graduation unless the provisions of this paragraph are 
met.
    (i) The eligible person withdraws because he or she is ordered to 
active duty; or
    (ii) All of the following criteria are met:
    (A) There are mitigating circumstances;
    (B) The eligible person submits a description of the circumstances 
in writing to VA either within one year from the date VA notifies the 
eligible person that he or she must submit the mitigating circumstances 
or at a later date if the eligible person is able to show good cause why 
the one-year time limit should be extended to the date on which he or 
she submitted the description of the mitigating circumstances; and
    (C) The eligible person submits evidence supporting the existence of 
mitigating circumstances within one year of the date that evidence is 
requested by VA, or at a later date if the eligible person is able to 
show good cause why the one-year time limit should be extended to the 
date on which he or she submitted the evidence supporting the existence 
of mitigating circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 102-127)(Aug. 1, 1990)

    (2) The following circumstances are representative of those which 
the Department of Veterans Affairs considers to be mitigating provided 
they prevent the eligible person from pursuing the program of education 
continuously. This list is not all inclusive.
    (i) An illness of the eligible person,
    (ii) An illness or death in the eligible person's family,
    (iii) An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the 
eligible person's employment,
    (iv) An unavoidable change in the eligible person's conditions of 
employment,
    (v) Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of 
the eligible person which require him or her to suspend pursuit of the 
program of education to obtain employment,
    (vi) Discontinuance of a course by a school,
    (vii) Unanticipated active duty for training,
    (viii) Unanticipated difficulties in caring for the eligible 
person's child or children.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (3) If the eligible child fails to complete satisfactorily a course 
of special restorative training or if the eligible person fails to 
complete satisfactorily a course under section 3533, Title 38 U.S.C., 
without fault, the Department of Veterans Affairs will consider the 
circumstances which caused the failure to be mitigating. This will be 
the case even if the circumstances were not so severe as to preclude 
continuous pursuit of a program of education.
    (4) In the first instance of a withdrawal after May 31, 1989, from a 
course or courses for which the eligible person received educational 
assistance under title 38 U.S.C. or under chapter 1606, title 10 U.S.C., 
VA will consider that mitigating circumstances exist with respect to 
courses totaling not more than six semester hours or the equivalent. 
Eligible persons to whom the provisions of this subparagraph apply are

[[Page 250]]

not subject to the reporting requirement found in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) 
of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)(4); Pub. L. 100-689)

    (5) If an eligible person withdraws from a course during a drop-add 
period, VA will consider the circumstances which caused the withdrawal 
to be mitigating. Eligible persons who withdraw from a course during a 
drop-add period are not subject to the reporting requirement found in 
paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.3132, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.3133  Payment procedures.

    (a) Release of payments and payment procedures. In determining 
whether payments of educational assistance allowance may be made in a 
lump sum, in advance, for an interval or if a certification is required 
from an eligible person before a payment may be made, VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4138.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (b) Payee. (1) VA will pay an educational assistance allowance to 
the eligible person if he or she has attained majority and has no known 
legal disability.
    (2) If an eligible person has not attained majority, VA will pay an 
educational assistance allowance directly to an eligible person, a 
relative, or some other person for the use and benefit of the eligible 
person notwithstanding a legal disability on the part of the eligible 
person when VA determines:
    (i) The best interest of the eligible person would be served;
    (ii) Undue delay in payment would be avoided; or
    (iii) Payment would otherwise not be feasible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(4), 3501(c), 3531(a), 5502)

    (c) Payment of accrued benefits. Educational assistance remaining 
due and unpaid at the date of the eligible person's death is payable 
under the provisions of Sec. 3.1000 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121)

    (d) Tutorial assistance. An individual who is otherwise eligible to 
receive benefits under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance program may receive supplemental monetary assistance to 
provide tutorial services. In determining whether VA will pay the 
individual this assistance, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4236.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3492, 3533(b))

    (e) Offsets: 38 U.S.C. chapter 35, compensation, pension and 
dependency and indemnity compensation. Payment of dependents' 
educational assistance will be subject to offset of amounts of pension, 
compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation paid over the same 
period on behalf of a child based on school attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3562)

    (f) Final payment. VA may withhold final payment until VA receives 
proof of continued enrollment and adjusts the eligible person's account.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680)

[61 FR 26111, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.3135  Reduction or discontinuance dates for awards of 
educational assistance allowance.

    The reduction or discontinuance date of an award of educational 
assistance will be as stated in this section. If more than one basis for 
reduction or discontinuance is involved, the earliest date will control.
    (a) Ending date of course. Educational assistance allowance will be 
discontinued on the ending date of the course or period of enrollment as 
certified by the school.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3531, 3680(a))

    (b) Ending date of eligibility. Educational assistance allowance 
will be discontinued on the ending date of the

[[Page 251]]

eligible person's eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.3041, 
Sec. 21.3042, Sec. 21.3043, or Sec. 21.3046.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512)

    (c) General reduction or discontinuance dates. Educational 
assistance allowance will be reduced or discontinued on the date 
specified in Sec. 21.4135.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482(g), 3531, 3671(g), 3672(a), 3680, 3683, 3690, 
5112, 5113, 6103, 6104, 6105)

    (d) Divorce. If the veteran and eligible spouse divorce, the 
discontinuance date for the eligible spouse's award of educational 
assistance will be:
    (1) The end of the quarter or semester if the school is operated on 
a quarter or semester system, and the divorce was without fault on the 
eligible spouse's part;
    (2) The end of the course or a 12-week period, whichever is earlier, 
if the school does not operate on a quarter or semester system, and the 
divorce was without fault on the eligible spouse's part; or
    (3) In all other instances, the date the divorce decree becomes 
final.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(a)(1)(D), 3511(b))

    (e) Remarriage or other relationship of spouse or surviving spouse. 
(1) If an eligible surviving spouse remarries, the date of 
discontinuance of his or her award of educational assistance allowance 
will be the last date of attendance before remarriage.
    (2) If a spouse or surviving spouse begins a relationship by living 
with another person and holding himself or herself out openly to the 
public to be the spouse of the other person, the date of discontinuance 
of his or her award of educational assistance allowance will be the last 
date of the month before the spouse's or surviving spouse's relationship 
began.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(3), 3501(a)(1)(B))

    (f) Entrance on active duty (Sec. 21.3042). If an eligible person 
enters on active duty, VA will terminate his or her educational 
assistance allowance on the day before the day of entrance on active 
duty. Brief periods of active duty for training, if the school permits 
such an absence without interruption of training, will not result in 
termination of the allowance under this paragraph.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501(d))

    (g) Eligible stepchild ceases to be a stepchild or stepchild ceases 
to be a member of the veteran's household. (1) If the child ceases to be 
the veteran's stepchild because the veteran and the stepchild's natural 
or adoptive parent divorce, the eligibility ending date is as follows:
    (i) If the child ceases to be the veteran's stepchild while the 
child is not in training, the ending date of the child's period of 
eligibility is the date on which the child ceases to be the veteran's 
stepchild.
    (ii) If the child ceases to be the veteran's stepchild while the 
child is training in a school organized on a term, semester, or quarter 
basis, the ending date of the child's eligibility is the last day of the 
term, semester, or quarter during which the child ceases to be the 
veteran's stepchild.
    (iii) If the child ceases to be the veteran's stepchild while the 
child is training in a school not organized on a term, semester, or 
quarter basis, the ending date of the child's eligibility is the end of 
the course, or 12 weeks from the date on which the child ceases to be 
the veteran's stepchild, whichever is earlier.
    (2) If the stepchild ceases to be a member of the veteran's 
household, he or she is no longer eligible. For purposes of this 
paragraph, VA considers a stepchild a member of the veteran's household 
even when the stepchild is temporarily not living with the veteran, so 
long as the actions and intentions of the stepchild and veteran 
establish that normal family ties have been maintained during the 
temporary absence. VA will determine the stepchild's eligibility ending 
date as follows:
    (i) If the stepchild ceases to be a member of the veteran's 
household while the stepchild is not in training, the eligibility ending 
date is the date on which the stepchild ceases to be a member of the 
veteran's household.
    (ii) If the stepchild ceases to be a member of the veteran's 
household while the stepchild is training in a school organized on a 
term, semester,

[[Page 252]]

or quarter basis, the ending date of the stepchild's eligibility is the 
last day of the term, semester, or quarter during which the stepchild 
ceases to be a member of the veteran's household.
    (iii) If the stepchild ceases to be a member of the veteran's 
household while the stepchild is training in a school not organized on a 
term, semester, or quarter basis, the ending date of the stepchild's 
eligibility is the end of the course, or 12 weeks from the date on which 
the stepchild ceases to be a member of the veteran's household. See 
Sec. 21.3041(f).


(Authority: 38 U.S C. 101(4)(a), 3501)

    (h) Veteran no longer rated permanently and totally disabled. (1) If 
the veteran on whose service an eligible person's eligibility is based 
is no longer permanently and totally disabled, VA will discontinue the 
educational assistance allowance--
    (i) On the last date of the quarter or semester during which VA 
rated the veteran as no longer permanently and totally disabled if the 
eligible person's educational institution is organized on a quarter or 
semester basis; or
    (ii) On the earlier of the following dates when the eligible 
person's educational institution is not organized on a quarter or 
semester basis:
    (A) The last date of the course;
    (B) The end of a 12-week period beginning on the date VA rated the 
veteran as being no longer permanently and totally disabled.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3511(b), 3512(a)(6)(A))

    (i) Serviceperson is removed from ``missing status'' listing. (1) If 
the serviceperson on whose service an eligible person's eligibility is 
based is removed from the ``missing status'' listing, VA will 
discontinue the educational assistance allowance--
    (i) On the last date of the quarter or semester during which the 
serviceperson was removed from the ``missing status'' listing if the 
eligible person's educational institution is organized on a quarter or 
semester basis; or
    (ii) On the earlier of the following dates when the eligible 
person's educational institution is not organized on a quarter or 
semester basis:
    (A) The last date of the course;
    (B) The end of a 12-week period beginning on the date the 
serviceperson was removed from the ``missing status'' listing.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a)(6)(A))

    (j) Fugitive felons. (1) VA will not award educational assistance 
allowance to an otherwise eligible person for any period after December 
26, 2001, during which the--
    (i) Eligible person is a fugitive felon; or
    (ii) Veteran from whom eligibility is derived is a fugitive felon.
    (2) The date of discontinuance of an award of educational assistance 
allowance to an eligible person is the later of--
    (i) The date of the warrant for the arrest of the felon; or
    (ii) December 27, 2001.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

[61 FR 26111, May 24, 1996, as amended at 70 FR 25786, May 16, 2005; 73 
FR 30491, May 28, 2008]

                      Special Restorative Training



Sec. 21.3300  Special restorative training.

    (a) Purpose of special restorative training. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs may prescribe special restorative training where needed 
to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability for 
the purpose of enabling an eligible person to pursue a program of 
education, special vocational program or other appropriate goal. Medical 
care and treatment or psychiatric treatment are not included.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3540 through 3543)

    (b) Eligible persons. VA may prescribe special restorative training 
for an eligible person who is a child, spouse, or surviving spouse 
except for a spouse whose qualification as an eligible person is under 
Sec. 21.3021(a)(3)(ii). The special restorative training must begin 
after December 26, 2001, for a spouse or surviving spouse.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501, 3540, 3541, 3543; sec. 109, Pub. L. 107-103, 
115 Stat. 986)


[[Page 253]]


    (c) Special restorative training courses. The counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor, after consulting 
with the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel, may prescribe for special 
restorative training purposes courses such as--
    (1) Speech and voice correction or retention,
    (2) Language retraining,
    (3) Speech (lip) reading,
    (4) Auditory training,
    (5) Braille reading and writing,
    (6) Training in ambulation,
    (7) One-hand typewriting,
    (8) Nondominant handwriting,
    (9) Personal, social and work adjustment training,
    (10) Remedial reading, and
    (11) Courses at special schools for mentally and physically disabled 
or
    (12) Courses provided at facilities which are adapted or modified to 
meet special needs of disabled students.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3540, 3541, 3543)

    (d) Duration of special restorative training. VA may provide special 
restorative training in excess of 45 months where an additional period 
of time is needed to complete the training. Entitlement, including any 
authorized in excess of 45 months, may be expended through an 
accelerated program requiring a rate of payment for tuition and fees in 
excess of--
    (1) $247.00 a month for the period beginning July 1, 2004, and 
ending September 30, 2004;
    (2) $251.00 a month for the period beginning October 1, 2004, and 
ending September 30, 2005;
    (3) $258.00 a month for the period beginning October 1, 2005, and 
ending September 30, 2006;
    (4) $268.00 a month for the period beginning October 1, 2006, and 
ending September 30, 2007;
    (5) $274.00 a month for the period beginning October 1, 2007, and 
ending September 30, 2008; and
    (6) $284.00 a month for months after September 30, 2008.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3541(b), 3542)

    (e) Special restorative training precluded in Department of Veterans 
Affairs facilities. Special restorative training will not be provided in 
Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3543(b))

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42725, Oct. 24, 1984; 
50 FR 19934, May 13, 1985; 63 FR 67779, Dec. 9, 1998; 66 FR 32228, June 
14, 2001; 68 FR 34322, June 9, 2003; 69 FR 62208, Oct. 25, 2004; 73 FR 
2424, Jan. 15, 2008; 73 FR 79650, Dec. 30, 2008]



Sec. 21.3301  Need.

    (a) Determination of need. When special restorative training has 
been requested or is being considered for an eligible person with a 
disability who is a child, spouse, or surviving spouse, a counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor will obtain all 
information necessary to determine the need for and feasibility of 
special restorative training. After the counseling psychologist or 
vocational rehabilitation counselor completes this task, he or she will 
refer the case to the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel. The panel will 
consider whether--
    (1) There exists a handicap which will interfere with pursuit of a 
program of education;
    (2) The period of special restorative training materially will 
improve the child's, spouse's, or surviving spouse's ability to:
    (i) Pursue a program of education,
    (ii) Pursue a program of specialized vocational training,
    (iii) Obtain continuing employment in a sheltered workshop, or
    (iv) Adjust in his or her family or community;
    (3) The special restorative training may be pursued concurrently 
with a program of education;
    (4) Training will affect adversely the child's, spouse's, or 
surviving spouse's mental or physical condition;
    (5) In the case of a child, whether it is in the best interest of 
the child to begin special restorative training after his or her 14th 
birthday; and
    (6) The Department of Veterans Affairs:
    (i) Has considered assistance available under provisions of State-
Federal programs for education of individuals with disabilities; and

[[Page 254]]

    (ii) Has determined that it is in the eligible person's interest to 
receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501, 3540, 3541(a), 3543)

    (b) Report. The Vocational Rehabilitation Panel will prepare a 
written report of its findings and recommendations as to the need for 
assistance and the types of assistance which should be provided. The 
report will be sent to the counseling psychologist or vocational 
rehabilitation counselor.
    (c) Development and implementation. Following consultation with the 
panel and receipt of the panel's report, the counseling psychologist or 
vocational rehabilitation counselor will determine the need for and 
feasibility of special restorative training. If this determination is 
affirmative, the counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation 
counselor will prepare an individualized written plan comparable to a 
plan for an extended evaluation under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31. In the case 
of an eligible person who is a spouse or surviving spouse, or a child 
who has attained majority under laws applicable in his or her State of 
residence, the plan will be developed jointly with the spouse or 
surviving spouse, or the child, respectively. In the case of an eligible 
person who has a guardian or has not attained majority under laws 
applicable in his or her State of residence, the plan will be developed 
jointly with the eligible person and his or her parent or guardian (see 
Sec. 21.3021(d)).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501, 3541(a))

    (d) Notification of disallowance. When an eligible person, or a 
parent or guardian on behalf of an eligible person, has requested 
special restorative training, and the counseling psychologist or 
vocational rehabilitation counselor finds that this training is not 
needed or will not materially improve the eligible person's condition, 
VA will inform the eligible person, except that VA will inform his or 
her parent or guardian (see Sec. 21.3021(d)) if the eligible person has 
a guardian or has not attained majority under laws applicable in his or 
her State of residence, in writing of the finding and of his or her 
appeal rights.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501, 3540, 3543, 5104)

    (e) Reentrance after interruption. The case of an eligible person 
shall be referred to the panel for consideration of whether the eligible 
person may be permitted reentrance into special restorative training 
following interruption. The panel will recommend approval to the 
Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
(VRC) if there is a reasonable expectation that the purpose of special 
restorative training will be accomplished. See Sec. 21.3306.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501, 3540, 3543)

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42725, Oct. 24, 1984; 
73 FR 2424, Jan. 15, 2008; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.3302  Special restorative training agreements and reports.

    (a) Agreements to provide training. The Department of Veterans 
Affairs may make agreements with public or private educational 
institutions or others to provide suitable and necessary special 
restorative training for an eligible person.
    (b) Tuition charge. When a customary tuition charge is not 
applicable, the agreement will include the fair and reasonable amounts 
charged for the training provided to the eligible person.
    (c) Reports. Each educational institution or other provider of a 
course of special restorative training must report promptly the eligible 
person's enrollment in, interruption of, or termination of the course of 
special restorative training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3543, 3680, 3684)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 2900-0014, 
2900-0073, and 2900-0156)

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 73 FR 2425, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3303  Extent of training.

    (a) Length of special restorative training. Ordinarily, special 
restorative training may not exceed 12 months. When the counseling 
psychologist or

[[Page 255]]

vocational rehabilitation counselor, after consulting with the 
Vocational Rehabilitation Panel, determines that more than 12 months of 
training is necessary, he or she will refer the program to the Director, 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service for prior approval. 
Where the plan for a program of special restorative training itself (not 
in combination with the program of education) will require more than 45 
months (or its equivalent in accelerated payments) the plan will be 
included in the recommendation to the Director, Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment Service for approval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3543(b))

    (b) Ending dates of eligibility. (1) No child may receive special 
restorative training after reaching the end of his or her eligibility 
period as determined under Sec. 21.3041.
    (2) No spouse or surviving spouse may receive special restorative 
training after reaching the end of his or her eligibility period as 
determined under Secs. 21.3046 and 21.3047.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512)

    (c) Full-time training. An eligible person will pursue special 
restorative training on a full-time basis.
    (1) Full-time training requires training for:
    (i) That amount of time per week which commonly is required for a 
full-time course at the educational institution when, based on medical 
findings, the Department of Veterans Affairs determines that the 
eligible person's physical or mental condition permits training for that 
amount of time, or
    (ii) The maximum time per week permitted by the eligible person's 
disability, as determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, based 
on medical findings, if the disability precludes the weekly training 
time stated in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
    (2) If the hours per week that can reasonably be devoted to 
restorative training will not of themselves equal the time required by 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the course will be supplemented with 
subject matter which will contribute toward the objective of the program 
of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542, 3543)

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42726, Oct. 24, 1984; 
73 FR 2425, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3304  Assistance during training.

    (a) General. A counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation 
counselor will provide the professional and technical assistance needed 
by the eligible person in pursuing special restorative training. The 
assistance will be timely, sustained and personal.
    (b) Adjustments in the training situation. The counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor must be continually 
aware of the eligible person's progress. At frequent intervals he or she 
will determine whether the eligible person is progressing 
satisfactorily. When the counseling psychologist or vocational 
rehabilitation counselor determines that adjustments are needed in the 
course or in the training situation, he or she will act immediately to 
bring about the adjustments in accordance with the following:
    (1) When the eligible person or his or her instructor indicates 
dissatisfaction with elements of the program, the counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor, through personal 
discussion with the eligible person or his or her instructor or both, 
will, if possible, correct the difficulty through such means as making 
minor adjustments in the course or by persuading the eligible person to 
give more attention to performance.
    (2) When major difficulties cannot be corrected, the counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor will prepare a 
report of pertinent facts and recommendations for action in consultation 
with the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel.
    (3) Action will be taken to terminate the eligible person's course 
at the proper time so that his or her entitlement may be conserved when 
the counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor 
determines that:
    (i) The eligible person is progressing much faster than anticipated, 
and

[[Page 256]]

    (ii) The eligible person's course may be terminated with 
satisfactory results before the time originally planned.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3520, 3541, 3543, 3561)

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42726, Oct. 24, 1984; 
73 FR 2425, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3305  ``Interrupted'' status.

    (a) Special restorative training should be uninterrupted. An 
eligible person once entered into special restorative training should 
pursue his or her course to completion without interruption. Wherever 
possible, continuous training shall be provided for each eligible 
person, including training during the summer, except where, because of 
his or her physical condition or other good reason, it would not be to 
his or her best interest to pursue training. As long as the eligible 
person is progressing satisfactorily toward overcoming the effects of 
his or her disability(ies), the eligible person will be continued in his 
or her course of training without accounting for days of nonattendance 
within the authorized enrollment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3541)

    (b) Interrupting special restorative training. Special restorative 
training will be interrupted as necessary under the following 
conditions:
    (1) During summer vacations or periods when no instruction is given 
before and after summer sessions.
    (2) During a prolonged period of illness or medical infeasibility.
    (3) When the eligible person voluntarily abandons special 
restorative training.
    (4) When the eligible person fails to make satisfactory progress in 
the special restorative training course.
    (5) When the eligible person is no longer acceptable to the 
institution because of failure to maintain satisfactory conduct or 
progress in accordance with the rules of the institution.
    (6) When the eligible person's progress is materially retarded 
because of his or her negligence, lack of application or misconduct.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3541, 3543(b))

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 73 FR 2425, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3306  Reentrance after interruption.

    When a course of special restorative training has been interrupted 
and the eligible person presents himself or herself for reentrance, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs will act as follows:
    (a) Reentrance without corrective action. A counseling psychologist 
or vocational rehabilitation counselor will approve reentrance when 
special restorative training was interrupted:
    (1) For a scheduled vacation period, such as a summer break,
    (2) For a short period of illness, or
    (3) For other reasons which permit reentrance in the same course of 
special restorative training without corrective action.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3543(b))

    (b) Consultation with Vocational Rehabilitation Panel. (1) A 
counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor will 
consult with the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel when special 
restorative training was interrupted--
    (i) By reason of failure to maintain satisfactory conduct or 
progress, or
    (ii) For any other reason, which requires corrective action, such as 
changes of place of training, change of course, personal adjustment, 
etc.
    (2) If the counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation 
counselor determines that the conditions which caused the interruption 
can be overcome, he or she will approve the necessary adjustment.
    (3) The counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation 
counselor will make a finding of infeasibility if--
    (i) All efforts to effect proper adjustment in the case have failed; 
and
    (ii) There is substantial evidence, resolving any reasonable doubt 
in favor of the eligible person (as discussed in Sec. 3.102 of this 
chapter), that additional efforts will be unsuccessful.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3541, 3543(b))

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42726, Oct. 24, 1984; 
73 FR 2425, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3307  ``Discontinued'' status.

    (a) Placement in ``discontinued'' status. If reentrance from 
interrupted status

[[Page 257]]

into a program of special restorative training is not approved under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.3306, a counseling psychologist or vocational 
rehabilitation counselor will place the case in discontinued status.
    (b) Notification. In any case of discontinuance the Department of 
Veterans Affairs will:
    (1) Notify the eligible person of the action taken, except that if 
the eligible person has a guardian or has not attained majority under 
laws applicable in his or her State of residence, VA will notify his or 
her parent or guardian (see Sec. 21.3021(d)) of the action taken.
    (2) Inform the eligible person of his or her potential right to a 
program of education, except that if the eligible person has a guardian 
or has not attained majority under laws applicable in his or her State 
of residence, VA will inform his or her parent or guardian (see 
Sec. 21.3021(d)) of the eligible person's potential right to a program 
of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3501, 3543(b))

    (c) Effect of discontinuance. An eligible person who has been placed 
in discontinued status is precluded from any further pursuit of special 
restorative training until a Department of Veterans Affairs counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor in the Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment Division determines that the cause of the 
discontinuance has been removed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3543(b))

[48 FR 37973, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42726, Oct. 24, 1984; 
73 FR 2426, Jan. 15, 2008]

                 Payments; Special Restorative Training



Sec. 21.3330  Payments.

    (a) Payments will be made to the person designated to receive the 
payments under the provisions of Sec. 21.3133(b).
    (b) VA will pay special training allowance only for the period of 
the eligible person's approved enrollment as certified by the counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor. In no event, 
however, will VA pay such allowance for any period during which:
    (1) The eligible person is not pursuing the prescribed course of 
special restorative training that has been determined to be full-time 
training with respect to his or her capacities; or
    (2) An educational assistance allowance is paid.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

    (c) The provisions of Sec. 21.3133(e) apply to the payment of 
special restorative training allowance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3562)

[30 FR 15646, Dec. 18, 1965, as amended at 31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966; 50 
FR 21606, May 28, 1985; 61 FR 26112, May 24, 1996; 73 FR 2426, Jan. 15, 
2008]



Sec. 21.3331  Commencing date.

    The commencing date of an authorization of a special training 
allowance will be the date of entrance or reentrance into the prescribed 
course of special restorative training, or the date the counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor approved the course 
for the eligible person whichever is later. See also Sec. 21.4131.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

[49 FR 42726, Oct. 24, 1984, as amended at 61 FR 26112, May 24, 1996; 73 
FR 2426, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3332  Discontinuance dates.

    VA will discontinue special training allowance as provided in this 
section on the earliest date of the following:
    (a) The ending date of the course.
    (b) The ending date of the period of enrollment as certified by the 
counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor.
    (c) The ending date of the period of eligibility.
    (d) The expiration of the eligible person's entitlement.
    (e) Date of interruption of course as determined by the counseling 
psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor under Sec. 21.3305.

[[Page 258]]

    (f) Date of discontinuance under the applicable provisions of 
Sec. 21.4135.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3543(b))

[50 FR 21606, May 28, 1985, as amended at 61 FR 26112, May 24, 1996; 73 
FR 2426, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.3333  Rates.

    (a) Rates. Special training allowance is payable at the following 
monthly rates, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (1) For special restorative training pursued after June 30, 2004, 
and before October 1, 2004:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Course               Monthly rate     Accelerated charges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special restorative training...         $788.00  If costs for tuition
                                                  and fees average in
                                                  excess of $247.00 per
                                                  month, rate may be
                                                  increased by such
                                                  amount in excess of
                                                  $247.00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

    (2) For special restorative training pursued after September 30, 
2004, and before October 1, 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Course               Monthly rate     Accelerated charges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special restorative training...         $803.00  If costs for tuition
                                                  and fees average in
                                                  excess of $251.00 per
                                                  month, rate may be
                                                  increased by such
                                                  amount in excess of
                                                  $251.00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

    (3) For special restorative training pursued after September 30, 
2005, and before October 1, 2006:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Course               Monthly rate     Accelerated charges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special restorative training...         $827.00  If costs for tuition
                                                  and fees average in
                                                  excess of $258.00 per
                                                  month, rate may be
                                                  increased by such
                                                  amount in excess of
                                                  $258.00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

    (4) For special restorative training pursued after September 30, 
2006, and before October 1, 2007:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Course               Monthly rate     Accelerated charges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special restorative training...         $860.00  If costs for tuition
                                                  and fees average in
                                                  excess of $268.00 per
                                                  month, rate may be
                                                  increased by such
                                                  amount in excess of
                                                  $268.00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)


[[Page 259]]


    (5) For special restorative training pursued after September 30, 
2007, and before October 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Course               Monthly rate     Accelerated charges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special restorative training...         $881.00  If costs for tuition
                                                  and fees average in
                                                  excess of $274.00 per
                                                  month, rate may be
                                                  increased by such
                                                  amount in excess of
                                                  $274.00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

    (6) For special restorative training pursued after September 30, 
2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Course               Monthly rate     Accelerated charges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special restorative training...         $915.00  If costs for tuition
                                                  and fees average in
                                                  excess of $284.00 per
                                                  month, rate may be
                                                  increased by such
                                                  amount in excess of
                                                  $284.00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

    (b) Accelerated charges. (1) VA may pay the additional monthly rate 
if the eligible person, or his or her parent or guardian (see 
Sec. 21.3021(d)) if the eligible person has a guardian or has not 
attained majority under laws applicable in his or her State of 
residence, concurs in having his or her period of entitlement reduced by 
1 day for each--
    (i) $26.27 that the special training allowance exceeds the basic 
monthly rate of $803.00 for the period July 1, 2004, through September 
30, 2004;
    (ii) $26.77 that the special training allowance exceeds the basic 
monthly rate of $803.00 for the period October 1, 2004, through 
September 30, 2005;
    (iii) $27.57 that the special training allowance exceeds the basic 
monthly rate of $827.00 for the period October 1, 2005, through 
September 30, 2006;
    (iv) $28.67 that the special training allowance exceeds the basic 
monthly rate of $860.00 for the period October 1, 2006, through 
September 30, 2007;
    (v) $29.37 that the special restorative training allowance exceeds 
the basic monthly rate of $881.00 for the period October 1, 2007, 
through September 30, 2008; and
    (vi) $30.50 that the special restorative training allowance exceeds 
the basic monthly rate of $915.00 for months after September 30, 2008.
    (2) VA will:
    (i) Charge fractions of more than one-half day as 1 day;
    (ii) Disregard fractions of one-half or less; and
    (iii) Record charges when the eligible child is entered into 
training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3542)

    (c) Payments made to eligible persons in the Republic of the 
Philippines or to certain Filipinos. When the eligible person is 
pursuing training at an institution located in the Republic of the 
Philippines or when an eligible child's entitlement is based on the 
service of a veteran in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, or as a 
Philippine Scout as defined in Sec. 3.40(b), (c), or (d) of this 
chapter, payments of special training allowance made after December 31, 
1994, will be made at the rate of 50 cents for each dollar authorized.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3532(d), 3542, 3565)

[35 FR 9814, June 16, 1970, as amended at 48 FR 37975, Aug. 22, 1983; 50 
FR 19934, May 13, 1985; 57 FR 29799, July 7, 1992; 61 FR 29295, June 10, 
1996; 63 FR 67779, Dec. 9, 1998; 66 FR 32228, June 14, 2001; 68 FR 
34322, June 9, 2003; 68 FR 37206, June 23, 2003; 69 FR 62209, Oct. 25, 
2004; 73 FR 2426, Jan. 15, 2008; 73 FR 79651, Dec. 30, 2008; 74 FR 3436, 
Jan. 21, 2009]

                     Special Assistance and Training



Sec. 21.3344  Special assistance for the educationally disadvantaged.

    (a) Enrollment. VA may approve the enrollment of an eligible person 
in an appropriate course or courses at the secondary school level. This 
approval

[[Page 260]]

may be made only if the eligible person--
    (1) Has not received a secondary school diploma (or an equivalency 
certificate);
    (2) Needs additional secondary school education, remedial, 
refresher, or deficiency courses, to qualify for admission to an 
appropriate educational institution in a State in order to pursue a 
program of education; and
    (3) Is to pursue the course or courses in a State.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3491(a), 3533)

    (b) Measurement. VA will measure remedial, deficiency, or refresher 
courses offered at the secondary school level as provided in 
Secs. 21.4270(a)(2) and 21.4272(k).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3533)

    (c) Educational assistance. VA will authorize educational assistance 
at the monthly rates specified in Sec. 21.3131.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3491(a), 3533)

    (d) Entitlement charge. The provisions of Sec. 21.3045 will 
determine whether VA will make a charge against the period of the 
entitlement of the eligible person because of enrollment in a course 
under the provisions of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3533)

    (e) Certifications. (1) Certifications of the eligible person's need 
for deficiency or remedial courses in basic English language skills and 
mathematics skills may be made by:
    (i) A VA counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation 
counselor in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division;
    (ii) The educational institution administering the course; or
    (iii) The educational institution where the student has applied for 
admission.
    (2) Certification of need for other refresher, remedial or 
deficiency course requirements are to be made by the educational 
institution--
    (i) Administering the course which the eligible person is planning 
to enter; or
    (ii) Where the eligible person has applied for admission.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3533)

    (f) Basic skills. Basic English language courses or mathematics 
courses will be authorized when it is found by accepted testing methods 
that the eligible person is lacking in basic reading, writing, speaking, 
or essential mathematics.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3533)

[61 FR 26112, May 24, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 2426, Jan. 15, 2008]



       Subpart D_Administration of Educational Assistance Programs

    Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141 note, ch. 1606; 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 30, 
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and as noted in specific sections.

    Source: 31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, unless otherwise noted.

                             Administrative



Sec. 21.4001  Delegations of authority.

    (a) Except as otherwise provided, authority is delegated to the 
Under Secretary for Benefits and to supervisory or adjudicative 
personnel within the jurisdiction of the Education Service, designated 
by him or her to make findings and decisions under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 34 
and 36 and the applicable regulations, precedents and instructions, as 
to programs authorized by these paragraphs.
    (b) Authority is delegated to the Under Secretary for Benefits and 
the Director, Education Service, to enter into agreements for the 
reimbursement of State approving agencies under Sec. 21.4153.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

    (c) Authority is delegated to the Director, Education Service, to 
exercise the functions required of the Secretary for:
    (1) Waiver of penalties for conflicting interests as provided by 
Sec. 21.4005;
    (2) Actions otherwise required of State approving agencies under 
Sec. 21.4150(c);
    (3) Approval of courses under Sec. 21.4250(c)(2).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(c))


[[Page 261]]


    (d) The Under Secretary for Benefits is delegated responsibility for 
obtaining evidence of voluntary compliance for vocational 
rehabilitation, education and special restorative training to implement 
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964. Authority is delegated to him or her 
and his or her designee to take any necessary action as to programs of 
vocational rehabilitation, education or special restorative training 
under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 31, 34, 35 and 36 for the purpose of securing 
evidence of voluntary compliance directly or through the agencies to 
whom the Secretary has delegated responsibility for various schools or 
training establishments to implement Secs. 18.1 through 18.13 of this 
chapter.
    (e) The Under Secretary for Benefits is delegated responsibility for 
obtaining evidence of voluntary compliance from recognized national 
organizations whose representatives are afforded space and office 
facilities in facilities under his or her jurisdiction.
    (f) The Under Secretary for Benefits is delegated responsibility to 
enter into an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission to utilize, 
where appropriate, its services and facilities, consistent with its 
available resources, to carry out investigations and make determinations 
as to enrollment of an eligible veteran or eligible person in any course 
offered by an institution which utilizes advertising, sales, or 
enrollment practices of any type which are erroneous, deceptive, or 
misleading either by actual statement, omission, or intimation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3696)

    (g) Authority is delegated to the Director, Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment Service to exercise the functions required 
of the Secretary for approval of courses under Sec. 21.4250(c)(1).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 40 FR 31759, July 29, 1975; 48 
FR 37975, Aug. 22, 1983; 50 FR 46764, Nov. 13, 1985; 61 FR 26112, May 
24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4002  Finality of decisions.

    (a) The decision of a duly constituted agency of original 
jurisdiction on which an action was predicated will be final and binding 
upon all field offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs as to 
conclusions based on evidence on file at that time and will not be 
subject to revision on the same factual basis except by duly constituted 
appellate authorities or except as provided in Sec. 21.4003. (See 
Secs. 19.192 and 19.183 of this chapter.)
    (b) Current determinations of line of duty, character of discharge, 
relationship, and other pertinent elements of eligibility for a program 
of education or special restorative training, made by either an 
adjudicative activity or an insurance activity by application of the 
same criteria and based on the same facts are binding one upon the other 
in the absence of clear and unmistakable error.

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 48 FR 37976, Aug. 22, 1983]



Sec. 21.4003  Revision of decisions.

    The revision of a decision on which an action was predicated will be 
subject to the following sections:
    (a) Clear and unmistakable error, Sec. 3.105(a) of this chapter;
    (b) Difference of opinion, Sec. 3.105(b) of this chapter;
    (c) Character of discharge, Sec. 3.105(c) of this chapter;
    (d) Severance of service connection, Sec. 3.105(d) of this chapter;
    (e) Veteran no longer totally and permanently disabled, 
Sec. 21.4135(o).



Sec. 21.4005  Conflicting interests.

    For the purposes of this section, a person will be considered to be 
an ``officer'' of the State approving agency or VA when he or she has 
authority to exercise supervisory authority, and ``educational 
institution'' includes an organization or entity offering licensing or 
certification tests.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3683, 3689)

    (a) A conflict of interest can cause the dismissal of a VA or State 
approving agency officer or employee and other adverse consequences. (1) 
An officer or employee of VA will be immediately dismissed from his or 
her office or employment, if while such an officer or employee he or she 
has owned any interest in, or received any wages, salary, dividends, 
profits, gratuities, or

[[Page 262]]

services from any educational institution operated for profit--
    (i) In which a veteran or eligible person was pursuing a course of 
education under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, 
35, or 36; or
    (ii) Offering a licensing or certification test that is approved for 
payment of educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, or 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 to veterans, reservists, or eligible 
individuals who take that test.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) or (c) of this section, 
VA will discontinue payments under Sec. 21.4153 to a State approving 
agency when the Secretary finds that any individual who is an officer or 
employee of a State approving agency has, while he or she was such an 
officer or employee, owned any interest in, or received any wages, 
salary, dividends, profits, gratuities, or services from any educational 
institution operated for profit--
    (i) In which a veteran or eligible person was pursuing a course of 
education or training under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 
30, 32, 33, 35, or 36; or
    (ii) Offering a licensing or certification test that is approved for 
payment of educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, or 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 to veterans, reservists, or eligible 
individuals who take that test.
    (3) VA will not discontinue payments to a State approving agency 
under paragraph (a)(2) of this section if the State approving agency, 
after learning that it has any officer or employee described in that 
paragraph, acts without delay to end the employment of that individual.
    (4) If VA discontinues payments to a State approving agency pursuant 
to paragraph (a)(2) of this section, VA will not resume these payments 
while such an individual is an officer or employee of the:
    (i) State approving agency;
    (ii) State Department of Veterans Affairs; or
    (iii) State Department of Education.
    (5) A State approving agency will not approve any course offered by 
an educational institution operated for profit and, if any such course 
has been approved, will disapprove each such course, if it finds that 
any officer or employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the 
State approving agency owns an interest in, or receives any wages, 
salary, dividends, profits, gratuities, or service from, such 
educational institution.
    (6) If a State approving agency finds that any officer or employee 
of VA or of the State approving agency owns an interest in, or receives 
wages, salary, dividends, profits, gratuities, or services from an 
organization or entity, operated for profit, that offers licensing or 
certification tests, the State approving agency:
    (i) Will not approve any licensing or certification test that 
organization or entity offers; and
    (ii) Will withdraw approval of any licensing or certification test 
that organization or entity offers.
    (7) The Secretary may, after reasonable notice, and public hearings 
if requested, waive in writing the application of this paragraph in the 
case of any officer or employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs or 
of a State approving agency, if it is found that no detriment will 
result to the United States or to veterans or eligible persons by reason 
of such interest or connection of such officer or employee.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3683, 3689)

    (b) Waiver. (1) Where a request is made for waiver of application of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, it will be considered that no 
detriment will result to the United States or to veterans or eligible 
persons by reason of such interest or connection of such officer or 
employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, if the officer or 
employee:
    (i) Acquired his or her interest in the educational institution by 
operation of law, or before the statute became applicable to the officer 
or employee, and his or her interest has been disposed of and his or her 
connection discontinued, or
    (ii) Meets all of the following conditions:

[[Page 263]]

    (A) His or her position involves no policy determinations, at any 
administrative level, having to do with matters pertaining to payment of 
educational assistance allowance, or special training allowance.
    (B) His or her position has no relationship with the processing of 
any veteran's or eligible person's application for education or 
training.
    (C) His or her position precludes him or her from taking any 
adjudicative action on individual applications for education or 
training.
    (D) His or her position does not require him or her to perform 
duties involved in the investigation of irregular actions on the part of 
educational institutions or veterans or eligible persons in connection 
with 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 32, 33, 35 or 36.
    (E) His or her position is not connected with the processing of 
claims by, or payments to, schools, or their students enrolled under the 
provisions of 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 32, 33, 
35 or 36.
    (F) His or her position is not connected in any way with the 
inspection, approval, or supervision of educational institutions 
desiring to train veterans or eligible persons or to offer a licensing 
or certification test; or with the processing of claims by or making 
payments to veterans and eligible persons for taking an approved 
licensing or certification test.
    (2) Where a request is made for waiver of application of paragraph 
(a) (2) of this section, it will be considered that no detriment will 
result to the United States or to veterans or eligible persons by reason 
of such interest or connection of such officer or employee of a State 
approving agency, if the officer or employee:
    (i) Acquired his or her interest in the educational institution by 
operation of law, or before the statute became applicable to the officer 
or employee, and his or her interest has been disposed of and his or her 
connection discontinued, or
    (ii) Meets all of the following conditions:
    (A) His or her position does not require him or her to perform 
duties involved in the investigation of irregular actions on the part of 
educational institutions or veterans or eligible persons in connection 
with 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 32, 33, 35 or 36.
    (B) His or her work is not connected in any way with the inspection, 
approval, or supervision of educational institutions desiring to train 
veterans or eligible persons, or desiring to offer licensing or 
certification tests to veterans or elegible persons.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3683, 3689)

    (c) Authority. (1) Authority is delegated to the Director, Education 
Service, and to the facility head in the cases of VA employees under his 
or her jurisdiction, to waive the application of paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section in the case of any VA employee who meets the criteria of 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and to deny requests for a waiver 
which do not meet those criteria. If the circumstances warrant, a waiver 
request may be submitted to the Secretary for a decision.
    (2) Authority is delegated to the Director, Education Service, in 
cases of State approving agency employees to waive the application of 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section in the case of anyone who meets the 
criteria of paragraph (b)(2) of this section, and to deny requests for a 
waiver which do not meet those criteria. If the circumstances warrant, a 
waiver request may be submitted to the Secretary for a decision.
    (3) Authority is reserved to the Secretary to waive the requirement 
of paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) of this section in the case of an officer 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs or a State approving agency and in 
the case of any employee of either who does not meet the criteria of 
paragraph (b) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3683)

    (d) Notice when VA does not grant a requested waiver. When VA has 
denied a request for waiver of application of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) 
of this section, VA will immediately notify the State approving agency 
and the educational institution:

[[Page 264]]

    (1) That the approval of courses or licensing and certification 
tests offered by the educational institution must be withdrawn;
    (2) The reasons for the withdrawal of approval; and
    (3) The conditions that will permit the courses or such tests to be 
approved again.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3683, 3689(d))

    (e) Notice to veterans, reservists, and eligible individuals. (1) 
The veteran or eligible person will be notified in writing sent to his 
or her latest address of record when, in circumstances involving a 
finding of conflicting interests:
    (i) The course or courses are disapproved by the State approving 
agency, or
    (ii) The State approving agency fails to disapprove the course or 
courses within 15 days after the date of written notice to the agency, 
and no waiver has been requested, or
    (iii) Waiver has been denied.
    (2) The veteran or eligible person will be informed that he or she 
may apply for enrollment in an approved course in another educational 
institution, but that in the absence of such transfer, educational 
assistance allowance payments will be discontinued effective the date of 
discontinuance of the course, or the 30th day following the date of such 
letter, whichever is earlier.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3683, 3690, 5104)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 43 FR 3707, Jan. 27, 1978; 51 FR 
16315, May 2, 1986; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 72 FR 16967, Apr. 5, 2007; 
74 FR 14666, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4006  False or misleading statements.

    (a) Payments may not be based on false statements. Except as 
provided in this section payments may not be authorized based on a claim 
where it is found that the school or any person has willfully submitted 
a false or misleading claim, or that the veteran or eligible person with 
the complicity of the school or other person has submitted such a claim. 
A complete report of the facts will be made to the State approving 
agency, and if in order to the Attorney General of the United States.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3690)

    (1) Where it is determined prior to payment that a certification or 
claim is false or misleading, payment will be authorized for only that 
portion of the claim to which entitlement is established on the basis of 
other evidence of record.
    (2) When the Department of Veterans Affairs discovers that a 
certification or claim is false after it has released payment, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs will establish an overpayment for only 
that portion of the claim to which the claimant was not entitled.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3690)

    (b) Effect of false statements on subsequent payments. A claimant's 
false or misleading statements are not a bar to payments based on 
further training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3690)

    (c) Forfeiture. The provisions of this section do not apply when 
forfeiture of all rights has been or may be declared under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4007.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 6103)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 38 FR 14932, June 7, 1973; 48 FR 
37976, Aug. 22, 1983; 74 FR 14666, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4007  Forfeiture.

    The rights of a veteran or eligible person to receive educational 
assistance allowance or special training allowance are subject to 
forfeiture under the provisions of Secs. 3.900, 3.901 (except paragraph 
(c)), 3.902 (except paragraph (c)), 3.903, 3.904, 3.905 and 19.2 of this 
chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 6103, 6104 and 6105)

[54 FR 4286, Jan. 30, 1989]



Sec. 21.4008  Prevention of overpayments.

    (a) Prevention of overpayments to veterans and eligible persons 
enrolled in educational institutions. When approval of a course may be 
withdrawn, and overpayments may exist or may be created, VA

[[Page 265]]

may suspend further payments to veterans and eligible persons enrolled 
in the educational institution offering the course until the question of 
withdrawing approval is resolved. See Sec. 21.4210.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 
3690(b))

    (b) Prevention of overpayments to veterans and eligible persons 
taking licensing and certification tests. When approval of a licensing 
or certification test may be withdrawn, and overpayments may exist or 
may be created, VA may suspend payments to veterans and eligible persons 
taking that test until the question of withdrawing approval is resolved. 
See Sec. 21.4210.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 
3690(b))

[72 FR 16968, Apr. 5, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 14666, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4009  Waiver or recovery of overpayments.

    For the purposes of this section, ``educational institution'' 
includes an organization or entity offering licensing or certification 
tests.
    (a) General. (1) The amount of the overpayment of educational 
assistance allowance or special training allowance paid to a veteran or 
eligible person constitutes a liability of that veteran or eligible 
person.
    (2) The amount of the overpayment of educational assistance 
allowance or special training allowance paid to a veteran or eligible 
person constitutes a liability of the education institution if the 
Department of Veterans Affairs determines that the overpayment was made 
as the result of willful or negligent:
    (i) Failure of the educational institution to report, as required by 
Secs. 21.4203 and 21.4204, discontinuance or interruption of a course by 
a veteran, reservist or eligible person, or
    (ii) False certification by the educational institution.
    (3) If it appears that the falsity or misrepresentation was 
deliberate, the Department of Veterans Affairs may not pursue 
administrative collection pending a determination whether the matter 
should be referred to the Department of Justice for possible civil or 
criminal action. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs may recover 
the amount of the overpayment from the educational institution by 
administrative collection procedure when the Department of Veterans 
Affairs determines the false certification or misrepresentation resulted 
from an administrative error or a misstatement of fact and that no 
criminal or civil action is warranted.
    (4) If the Department of Veterans Affairs recovers any part of the 
overpayment from the educational institution, it may reimburse the 
educational institution, if the Department of Veterans Affairs 
subsequently collects the overpayment from a veteran or eligible person. 
The reimbursement--
    (i) Will be made when the total amount collected from the 
educational institution and from the veterans and eligible persons (less 
any amount applied toward marshal fees, court costs, administrative cost 
of collection and interest) exceeds the total amount for which the 
educational institution is liable, and
    (ii) Will be equal to the excess.
    (5) This paragraph does not preclude the imposition of any civil or 
criminal liability under this or any other law.
    (b) Reporting. (1) If a school is required to make periodic or other 
certifications, the Department of Veterans Affairs may consider the 
following in determining whether a school is potentially liable for an 
overpayment:
    (i) The school's failure to report, or to report timely facts which 
resulted in an overpayment, or
    (ii) The school's submission of an incorrect certification as to 
fact.
    (2) In either instance the Department of Veterans Affairs will 
consider other pertinent factors such as:
    (i) Allowing for occasional clerical error or occasional 
administrative error:
    (ii) The school's past reliability in reporting;
    (iii) The adequacy of the school's reporting system; and
    (iv) The extent of noncompliance with reporting requirements.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685)


[[Page 266]]


    (c) Committee on School Liability. (1) Each VA Regional Processing 
Office shall have a Committee on School Liability. For the purposes of 
this section, the Manila Regional Office is considered the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction for educational institutions located 
in the Philippines.
    (2) The Secretary delegates to each Committee on School Liability, 
and to any panel that the chairperson of the Committee may designate and 
draw from the Committee, the authority to find whether an educational 
institution is liable for an overpayment.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

    (d) Initial decision. (1) The Education Officer of the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction, or the Service Center Manager when 
the Manila Regional Office is considered the VA Regional Processing 
Office of jurisdiction, will decide whether there is evidence that would 
warrant a finding that an educational institution is potentially liable 
for an overpayment.
    (2) Following each finding of potential liability, the Finance 
Officer of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction will notify 
the educational institution in writing of VA's intent to apply the 
liability provisions of paragraph (a) of this section. The notice will--
    (i) Identify the students who were overpaid;
    (ii) Identify the veterans and eligible persons who took the 
licensing or certification test and were overpaid;
    (iii) Set out in the case of each student, or in the case of each 
veteran or eligible person who took the test, the educational 
institution's actions or omissions which resulted in the finding that 
the educational institution was potentially liable for the overpayment; 
and
    (iv) State that VA will determine liability on the basis of the 
evidence of record unless the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction receives additional evidence or a request for a hearing 
within 30 days of the date the educational institution received the 
notice.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

    (e) Hearings. An educational institution is entitled to a hearing 
before a panel drawn from the Committee on School Liability before a 
decision is made as to whether it is liable for an overpayment. Every 
hearing will be preceded by a prehearing conference unless the 
conference is waived by the educational institution. The Committee on 
School Liability will consider all evidence and testimony presented at 
the hearing.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

    (f) Extent of liability. Waiver of collection of an overpayment as 
to a veteran, reservist, or eligible person will not relieve the 
educational institution of liability for the overpayment. Recovery in 
whole or in part from the veteran, reservist, or eligible person will 
limit such liability accordingly. If an overpayment has been recovered 
from the educational institution and the veteran, reservist, or eligible 
person subsequently repays the amount in whole or in part, the amount 
repaid will be reimbursed to the educational institution.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

    (g) Notice to educational institution. The educational institution 
shall be notified in writing of the decision of the Committee on School 
Liability. If the educational institution is found liable for an 
overpayment, the educational institution also will be notified of the 
right to appeal the decision to the Central Office School Liability 
Appeals Board within 60 days from the date of the letter to the 
educational institution containing notice of the decision. The 60-day 
time limit may be extended to 90 days at the discretion of the 
chairperson of the Committee on School Liability. The appeal must be in 
writing setting forth fully the alleged errors of fact and law. If an 
appeal is not received within the 60-day

[[Page 267]]

time limit, the Committee decision is final.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

    (h) Appeals. An appeal will be forwarded to Central Office where it 
will be considered by the School Liability Appeals Board. The Board's 
decision will serve as authority for instituting collection proceedings, 
if appropriate, or for discontinuing collection proceedings instituted 
on the basis of the original decision of the Committee on School 
Liability in any case where the Board reverses a decision made by the 
Committee that the educational institution is liable.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

    (i) Review. Review by the School Liability Appeals Board is limited 
to the issues raised by the educational institution and shall be on the 
record and not de novo in character. The Board may affirm, modify or 
reverse a decision of the Committee on School Liability or may remand an 
appeal for further consideration by the appropriate Committee on School 
Liability. If new and material evidence is discovered while the School 
Liability Appeals Board is considering a case, the Board may remand the 
case to the appropriate Committee on School Liability.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

    (j) Finality of decisions. The School Liability Appeals Board has 
authority to act for the Secretary in deciding appeals concerning an 
educational institution's liability for an overpayment. There is no 
right of additional administrative appeal of a decision of the School 
Liability Appeals Board.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3685, 3689(d))

[32 FR 4533, Mar. 25, 1967, as amended at 44 FR 15492, Mar. 14, 1979; 48 
FR 37976, Aug. 22, 1983; 49 FR 35630, Sept. 11, 1984; 51 FR 16316, May 
2, 1986; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 61 FR 26112, May 24, 1996; 62 FR 
55760, Oct. 28, 1997; 71 FR 28586, May 17, 2006; 72 FR 16968, Apr. 5, 
2007; 74 FR 14666, Mar. 31, 2009]

                                 General



Sec. 21.4020  Two or more programs.

    (a) Limit on training under two or more programs. The aggregate 
period for which any person may receive assistance under two or more of 
the following laws may not exceed 48 months (or the part-time 
equivalent):
    (1) Part VII or VIII, Veterans Regulations numbered 1(a), as 
amended:
    (2) Title II of the Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952;
    (3) The War Orphans' Educational Assistance Act of 1956;
    (4) 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36;
    (5) 10 U.S.C. chapters 106a, 1606, and 1607;
    (6) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 
1981,
    (7) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980, and
    (8) The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 16166(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3695(a))

    (b) Limit on combining assistance received under Chapter 31 with 
assistance under another program. No person may receive assistance under 
Chapter 31, Title 38 U.S.C. in combination with any provisions of law 
listed in paragraph (a) of this section in excess of 48 months (or the 
part-time equivalent) unless the Department of Veterans Affairs 
determines that additional months of benefits under Chapter 31 are 
necessary to accomplish the purpose of the veteran's rehabilitation 
program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 16166(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3695(b))

[48 FR 37976, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 51 FR 16316, May 2, 1986; 57 
FR 29800, July 7, 1992; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 74 FR 14666, Mar. 31, 
2009]



Sec. 21.4022  Nonduplication--programs administered by VA.

    A veteran, reservist, or eligible individual, who is eligible for 
educational assistance allowance or subsistence allowance under more 
than one of the provisions of law listed in this section, whether based 
on his or her own service or the service of another person,

[[Page 268]]

cannot receive such benefits concurrently. The individual must choose 
under which program he or she will receive benefits for the particular 
period(s) during which education or training is to be pursued. The 
individual may choose to receive benefits under another program (other 
than 38 U.S.C. chapter 33) at any time, but not more than once in a 
calendar month. The individual may choose to receive benefits under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 33 at any time, but not more than once during a certified 
term, quarter, or semester.
    (a) 38 U.S.C. 30 (Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty);
    (b) 38 U.S.C. 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program);
    (c) 38 U.S.C. 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance);
    (d) 38 U.S.C. 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
    (e) 38 U.S.C. 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance);
    (f) 10 U.S.C. 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve);
    (g) 10 U.S.C. 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program);
    (h) 10 U.S.C. 106a (Educational Assistance Test Program);
    (i) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981 
(Pub. L. 96-342, 10 U.S.C. 2141 note);
    (j) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-449), 5 U.S.C. 5661 
note);
    (k) The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 
(Pub. L. 99-399).

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 16166(b); 38 U.S.C. 3322, 3681)

[74 FR 14666, Mar. 31, 2009]

               Payments; Educational Assistance Allowance



Sec. 21.4131  Commencing dates.

    VA will determine under this section the commencing date of an award 
or increased award of educational assistance provided pursuant to 
subpart C or G. When more than one paragraph in this section applies, VA 
will award educational assistance using the latest of the applicable 
commencing dates.
    (a) Entrance or reentrance including change of program or 
educational institution: individual eligible under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32. 
When an eligible veteran or servicemember enters or reenters into 
training (including a reentrance following a change of program or 
educational institution), the commencing date of his or her award of 
educational assistance will be determined as follows:
    (1) For other than licensing or certification tests. (i) If the 
award is the first award of educational assistance for the program of 
education the veteran or servicemember is pursuing, the commencing date 
of the award of educational assistance is the latest of:
    (A) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section;
    (B) One year before the date of claim as determined by 
Sec. 21.1029(b);
    (C) The effective date of the approval of the course, or one year 
before the date VA receives the approval notice, whichever is later; or
    (ii) If the award is the second or subsequent award of educational 
assistance for the program of education the veteran or servicemember is 
pursuing, the effective date of the award of educational assistance is 
the later of--
    (A) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section; or
    (B) The effective date of the approval of the course, or one year 
before the date VA receives the approval notice, whichever is later.
    (2) For licensing or certification tests. VA will award educational 
assistance for the cost of a licensing or certification test only when 
the veteran or servicemember takes such test--
    (i) While the test is approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36;
    (ii) While the veteran or servicemember is eligible for educational 
assistance under subpart G; and
    (iii) No more than one year before the date VA receives a claim for 
reimbursement of the cost of the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672, 3689, 5110, 5113)

    (b) Certification by school--the course or subject leads to a 
standard college degree. (1) When the student enrolls in a course 
offered by independent study, the commencing date of the award or 
increased award of educational assistance will be the date the student 
began pursuit of the course according to the

[[Page 269]]

regularly established practices of the educational institution.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4) and (b)(5) of 
this section when a student enrolls in a resident course or subject, the 
commencing date of the award or increased award of educational 
assistance will be the first scheduled date of classes for the term, 
quarter or semester in which the student is enrolled.
    (3) When the student enrolls in a resident course or subject whose 
first scheduled class begins after the calendar week when, according to 
the school's academic calendar, classes are scheduled to commence for 
the term, quarter, or semester, the commencing date of the award or 
increased award of educational assistance allowance will be the actual 
date of the first class scheduled for that particular course or subject.
    (4) When a student enrolls in a resident course or subject, the 
commencing date of the award will be the date the student reports to the 
school provided that--
    (i) The published standards of the school require the student to 
register before reporting, and
    (ii) The published standards of the school require the student to 
report no more than 14 days before the first scheduled date of classes 
for the term, quarter or semester for which the student has registered, 
and no later than the first scheduled date of classes for the term, 
quarter or semester for which the student has registered.
    (5) When the student enrolls in a resident course or subject and the 
first day of classes is more than 14 days after the date of 
registration, the commencing date of the award or the increased award of 
educational assistance will be the first day of classes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3481(a), 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Certification by school or establishment--course does not lead 
to a standard college degree. (1) Residence school: See paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (2) Correspondence school: Date first lesson sent or date of 
affirmance whichever is later.
    (3) Job training: First date of employment in training position.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3481, 3687)

    (d) Entrance or reentrance including change of program or 
educational institution: individual eligible under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35. 
When a person eligible to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 35 enters or reenters into training (including a reentrance 
following a change of program or educational institution), the 
commencing date of his or her award of educational assistance will be 
determined as follows:
    (1) For other than licensing or certification tests. (i) If the 
award is the first award of educational assistance for the program of 
education the eligible person is pursuing, the commencing date of the 
award of educational assistance is the latest of:
    (A) The beginning date of eligibility as determined under 
Sec. 21.3041 or under Sec. 21.3046(a) or (b), whichever is applicable;
    (B) One year before the date of claim as determined by 
Sec. 21.1029(b);
    (C) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section;
    (D) The effective date of the approval of the course, or one year 
before the date VA receives the approval notice, whichever is later; or
    (ii) If the award is the second or subsequent award of educational 
assistance for that program, the effective date of the award of 
educational assistance is the later of--
    (A) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section; or
    (B) The effective date of the approval of the course, or one year 
before the date VA receives the approval notice, whichever is later.
    (2) For licensing or certification tests. VA will award educational 
assistance for the cost of a licensing or certification test only when 
the eligible person takes such test--
    (i) While the test is approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36;
    (ii) While he or she is eligible for educational assistance under 
subpart C; and

[[Page 270]]

    (iii) No more than one year before the date VA receives a claim for 
reimbursement of the cost of the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512, 3672, 3689, 5110, 5113)

    (e) Adjusted effective date for award of educational assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 based on an original claim. When determining 
the commencing date under Sec. 21.4131(d)(1), the Secretary will 
consider an eligible person's application for Survivors' and Dependents' 
Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 as having been filed 
on his or her eligibility date if--
    (1) The eligibility date is more than 1 year before the date of the 
initial rating decision that establishes either:
    (i) The veteran's death is service-connected, or
    (ii) The veteran has a P&T disability;
    (2) The eligible person files his or her original application for 
benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 with VA within 1 year of the initial 
rating decision;
    (3) The eligible person claims educational assistance for pursuit of 
an approved program of education for a period that is more than 1 year 
before the date VA receives his or her original claim;
    (4) VA either:
    (i) Received the original application on or after November 1, 2000; 
or
    (ii) Received the original application and, as of November 1, 2000, 
either--
    (A) Had not acted on it; or
    (B) Had denied it in whole or in part, but the claimant remained 
entitled to pursue available administrative and judicial remedies as to 
the denial; and
    (5) The eligible person would have been eligible to educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 if he or she had filed a claim on 
his or her eligibility date.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113; Pub. L. 106-419, 114 Stat. 1832)

    (f) Liberalizing laws and Department of Veterans Affairs issues. In 
accordance with facts found, but not earlier than the effective date of 
the act or administrative issue.
    (g) Correction of military records. Eligibility of a veteran or 
eligible person may arise as the result of correction or modification of 
military records under 10 U.S.C. 1552, or a change, correction or 
modification of a discharge or dismissal under 10 U.S.C. 1553, or other 
competent military authority. In these cases the commencing date of 
educational assistance allowance will be in accordance with the facts 
found, but not earlier than the date the change, correction or 
modification was made by the service department.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3462(b), 3501(d))

    (h) Individuals in a penal institution. If a veteran or eligible 
person is paid a reduced rate of educational assistance or no 
educational assistance under Sec. 21.3132 (a) or (b) or Sec. 21.5139, 
the rate will be increased or benefits will commence effective the 
earlier of the following dates:
    (1) The date the tuition and fees are no longer being paid under 
another Federal program, or a State or local program, or
    (2) The date of the release from the prison or jail.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482(g), 3532(e))

    (i) Fugitive felons. An award of educational assistance allowance to 
an otherwise eligible veteran or person will begin effective the date 
the warrant for the arrest of the felon is cleared by--
    (1) Arrest;
    (2) Surrendering to the issuing authority;
    (3) Dismissal; or
    (4) Court documents (dated after the warrant for the arrest of the 
felon) showing the individual is no longer a fugitive.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

    (j) [Reserved]

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 39 FR 43220, Dec. 11, 1974; 41 
FR 47929, Nov. 1, 1976; 46 FR 62060, Dec. 22, 1981; 48 FR 37977, 37978, 
Aug. 22, 1983; 49 FR 5113, Feb. 10, 1984; 50 FR 48581, Nov. 26, 1985; 51 
FR 16318, May 2, 1986; 54 FR 28677, July 7, 1989; 57 FR 40614, Sept. 4, 
1992; 61 FR 6782, Feb. 22, 1996; 61 FR 26113, May 24, 1996; 64 FR 23772, 
May 4, 1999; 66 FR 38938, July 26, 2001; 70 FR 25786, May 16, 2005; 72 
FR 16968, Apr. 5, 2007; 72 FR 35661, June 29, 2007; 73 FR 30491, May 28, 
2008]

[[Page 271]]



Sec. 21.4135  Discontinuance dates.

    The effective date of reduction or discontinuance of educational 
assistance allowance will be as specified in this section. If more than 
one type of reduction or discontinuance is involved, the earliest date 
will control.
    (a) Death of veteran or eligible person. (1) If the veteran or 
eligible person receives an advance payment pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3680(d) and dies before the period covered by the advance payment ends, 
the discontinuance date of educational assistance shall be the last date 
of the period covered by the advance payment.
    (2) In all other cases if the veteran or eligible person dies while 
pursuing a program of education, the discontinuance date of educational 
assistance shall be the last date of attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (b) Election to receive educational assistance under the Montgomery 
GI Bill--Active Duty. If a veteran makes a valid election, as provided 
in Sec. 21.7045(d), to receive educational assistance under the 
Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty in lieu of educational assistance under 
the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program, the 
discontinuance date of educational assistance under the Post-Vietnam Era 
Veterans' Educational Assistance Program shall be the date on which the 
election was made pursuant to procedures described in 
Sec. 21.7045(d)(2).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C(c)(1))

    (c)-(d) [Reserved]
    (e) Course discontinued; course interrupted; course terminated; 
course not satisfactorily completed or withdrawn from. (1) If the 
individual receives all nonpunitive grades, or withdraws from all 
courses other than because of being ordered to active duty, and no 
mitigating circumstances are found, VA will terminate the individual's 
educational assistance allowance effective the first date of the term in 
which the withdrawal occurs.
    (2) If the individual withdraws from all other courses other than 
courses in paragraph (e)(3) of this section and with mitigating 
circumstances, or withdraws from all courses such that a punitive grade 
is or will be assigned for those courses:
    (i) Residence training: Last date of attendance.
    (ii) Independent study: Official date of change in status under the 
practices of the institution.
    (3) If the individual withdraws from correspondence, flight, farm 
cooperative, cooperative or job training, benefits will be terminated 
effective:
    (i) Correspondence training: Date last lesson is serviced.
    (ii) Flight training: Date of last instruction.
    (iii) Job training: Date of last training.
    (iv) Farm cooperative training: Date of last class attendance.
    (v) Cooperative training: Date of last training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (f) Discontinued by VA (Secs. 21.4215, 21.4216). If VA discontinues 
payments of educational assistance as provided by Secs. 21.4215(d) and 
21.4216, the effective date of discontinuance will be as follows:
    (1) The date on which payments first were suspended by the Director 
of a VA facility as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if the discontinuance were 
preceded by such a suspension.
    (2) End of the month in which the decision to discontinue is 
effective pursuant to Sec. 21.4215(d), if the Director of a VA facility 
did not suspend payments prior to the discontinuance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3690)

    (g) Unsatisfactory progress, conduct or attendance Sec. 21.4277. The 
date the veteran's or eligible person's enrollment is discontinued by 
the school or the date determined under Sec. 21.4277, whichever is 
earlier.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3474, 3524)

    (h) Required certifications not received after certification of 
enrollment (Secs. 21.4203 and 21.4204). (1) If required certification of 
attendance of a veteran or eligible person enrolled in a course not 
leading to a standard college degree is not timely received, payments 
will be terminated date of last certification. If

[[Page 272]]

certification is later received, adjustment will be made based on facts 
found.
    (2) If verification of enrollment and certificate of delivery of the 
check is not received within 60 days, in the case of an advance payment, 
the actual facts will be determined and adjustment made, if required, on 
the basis of facts found. If student failed to enroll, termination will 
be effective the beginning date of the enrollment period.
    (i) False or misleading statements. See Sec. 21.4006.
    (j) Disapproval by State approving agency (Sec. 21.4259(a)). If a 
State approving agency disapproves a course, the date of discontinuance 
of payments to those receiving educational assistance while enrolled in 
the course will be as follows:
    (1) The date on which payments first were suspended by the Director 
of a VA facility as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if disapproval were 
preceded by such a suspension.
    (2) End of the month in which disapproval is effective or notice of 
disapproval is received in the Department of Veterans Affairs, whichever 
is later, provided that the Director of a Department of Veterans Affairs 
facility did not suspend payments prior to the disapproval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(a), 3690)

    (k) Disapproval by Department of Veterans Affairs (Secs. 21.4215, 
21.4259(c)). If VA disapproves a course, the date of discontinuance of 
payments to those receiving educational assistance while enrolled in the 
course will be as follows:
    (1) Date on which payments first were suspended by the Director of a 
VA facility as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if disapproval were preceded by 
such a suspension.
    (2) End of the month in which disapproval occurred, provided that 
the Director of a Department of Veterans Affairs facility did not 
suspend payments prior to the disapproval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3671(b), 3672(a), 3690)

    (l) Conflicting interests (not waived) (Sec. 21.4005). Thirty days 
after date of letter notifying veteran or eligible person, unless 
terminated earlier for other reason.
    (m) Incarceration in prison or penal institution for conviction of a 
felony. (1) The provisions of this paragraph apply to a veteran or 
eligible person whose educational assistance must be discontinued or who 
becomes restricted to payment of educational assistance allowance at a 
reduced rate under Sec. 21.3132(a) or (b) or Sec. 21.5139.
    (2) The reduced rate or discontinuance will be effective the latest 
of the following dates.
    (i) The first day on which all or part of the veteran's or eligible 
person's tuition and fees were paid by a Federal, State or local 
program,
    (ii) The date the veteran or eligible person is incarcerated in 
prison or penal institution, or
    (iii) The commencing date of the award as determined by 
Sec. 21.4131.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482(g), 3532(e))

    (n) Fugitive felons: veterans eligible under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32. 
VA will not award educational assistance allowance to an otherwise 
eligible veteran for any period after December 26, 2001, during which 
the veteran is a fugitive felon. The date of discontinuance of an award 
of educational assistance allowance to a veteran who is a fugitive felon 
is the later of--
    (1) The date of the warrant for the arrest of the felon; or
    (2) December 27, 2001.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

    (o) [Reserved]
    (p) Error; payee's or administrative. (1) Effective date of award or 
day preceding act, whichever is later, but not prior to the date 
entitlement ceased, on an erroneous award based on an act of commission 
or omission by a payee or with his or her knowledge.
    (2) Date of last payment on an erroneous award based solely on 
administrative error by VA or error in judgment by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b)(10) and 5113)

    (q) Fraud; forfeiture resulting (Sec. 21.4007). Beginning date of 
award or day preceding date of fraudulent act whichever is later.

[[Page 273]]

    (r) Treasonable acts or subversive activities; forfeiture 
(Sec. 21.4007). Beginning date of award or date preceding date of 
commission of treasonable act or subversive activities for which 
convicted, whichever is later.
    (s) Reduction in rate of pursuit of course (Sec. 21.4270). (1) VA 
will reduce an individual's educational assistance allowance effective 
the first date of the term in which the individual reduces training by 
withdrawing from part of a course, if the reduction occurs at the 
beginning of the term.
    (2) VA will reduce an individual's educational assistance allowance 
effective the earlier of the end of the month or end of the term in 
which an individual reduces training by withdrawing from part of a 
course when:
    (i) The reduction does not occur at the beginning of the term;
    (ii) The individual received a lump-sum payment for the quarter, 
semester, term or other enrollment period during which he or she reduced 
training; and
    (iii) There are mitigating circumstances, or the individual receives 
a punitive grade for the portion of the course from which he or she 
withdrew.
    (3) VA will reduce an individual's educational assistance allowance 
effective the date on which an individual reduces training when:
    (i) The reduction does not occur at the beginning of the term;
    (ii) The individual did not receive a lump-sum payment for the 
quarter, semester, term or other enrollment period during which he or 
she reduced training; and
    (iii) There are mitigating circumstances, or the individual receives 
a punitive grade for the portion of the course from which he or she 
withdrew.
    (4) If the individual reduces training by withdrawing from a part of 
a course and the withdrawal does not occur because the individual was 
ordered to active duty; there are no mitigating circumstances; and the 
individual receives a nonpunitive grade from that portion of the course 
from which he or she withdrew; VA will reduce the individual's 
educational assistance effective the later of the following:
    (i) The first date of enrollment of the term in which the reduction 
occurs; or
    (ii) December 1, 1976. See paragraphs (e) and (w) of this section 
also.
    (5) An individual who enrolls in several subjects and reduces his or 
her rate of pursuit by completing one or more of them while continuing 
training in others, may receive an interval payment based on the 
subjects completed, if the requirements of Sec. 21.4138(f) of this part 
are met. If those requirements are not met, VA will reduce the 
individual's educational assistance allowance effective the date the 
subject or subjects were completed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113, 3680)

    (t) Change in law or Department of Veterans Affairs issue, or 
interpretation. See Sec. 3.114(b) of this chapter.
    (u) Except as otherwise provided. On basis of facts found.
    (v) [Reserved]
    (w) Nonpunitive grade assigned without a withdrawal from courses. 
(1) If an individual receives a nonpunitive grade for a particular 
course for any reason other than a withdrawal from it, VA will reduce 
the individual's educational assistance allowance effective the last 
date of attendance when mitigating circumstances are found.
    (2) If an individual receives a nonpunitive grade in a particular 
course for any reason other than a withdrawal from it, and there are no 
mitigating circumstances, VA will reduce his or her educational 
assistance effective the later of the following:
    (i) The first date of enrollment for the term in which the grade 
applies, or
    (ii) December 1, 1976. See paragraphs (e) and (s) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)(4))

    (x) Independent study course loses accreditation. Except as 
otherwise provided in Sec. 21.4252(g), if the veteran or eligible person 
is enrolled in a course offered in whole or in part by independent 
study, and the course loses its accreditation (or the educational 
institution offering the course loses its accreditation), the date of 
reduction or discontinuance will be the effective date of the withdrawal 
of accreditation by the accrediting agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672, 3676, 3680A(a))


[[Page 274]]


    (y)-(aa) [Reserved]

    Cross Reference: Special restorative training. See Sec. 21.3332.

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.4135, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.4136  Withdrawals or nonpunitive grades may result in nonpayment.

    (a) General. VA will not pay benefits to an individual for a course 
from which the individual withdraws or receives a nonpunitive grade 
which is not used in computing the requirements for graduation unless:
    (1) The individual withdraws because he or she is ordered to active 
duty; or
    (2) All of the following criteria are met:
    (i) There are mitigating circumstances;
    (ii) The individual submits a description of the circumstances in 
writing to VA either within one year from the date VA notifies the 
individual that he or she must submit the mitigating circumstances or at 
a later date if the individual is able to show good cause why the one-
year time limit should be extended to the date on which he or she 
submitted the description of the mitigating circumstances; and
    (iii) The individual submits evidence supporting the existence of 
mitigating circumstances within one year of the date that evidence is 
requested by VA, or at a later date if the individual is able to show 
good cause why the one-year time limit should be extended to the date on 
which he or she submitted the evidence supporting the existence of 
mitigating circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (b) Representative mitigating circumstances. The following 
circumstances, which are not all inclusive, are representative of those 
that VA considers to be mitigating provided they prevent the individual 
from pursuing the program of education continuously:
    (1) An illness of the individual;
    (2) An illness or death in the individual's family;
    (3) An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the 
individual's employment;
    (4) An unavoidable change in the individual's conditions of 
employment;
    (5) Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of 
the individual that require him or her to suspend pursuit of the program 
of education to obtain employment;
    (6) Discontinuance of the course by the school;
    (7) Unanticipated active duty for training;
    (8) Unanticipated difficulties in caring for the individual's child 
or children.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (c) Failure to complete a course for the educationally 
disadvantaged. If the individual fails to satisfactorily complete a 
course under 38 U.S.C. 3491(a) without fault, VA will consider the 
circumstances that caused the failure to be mitigating. This will be the 
case even if the circumstances were not so severe as to preclude 
continuous pursuit of a program of education.
    (d) Withdrawals after May 31, 1989. In the first instance of a 
withdrawal after May 31, 1989, from a course or courses for which the 
individual received educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32, 
VA will consider that mitigating circumstances exist with respect to 
courses totaling not more than six semester hours or the equivalent, and 
paragraphs (a)(2)(ii) and (a)(2)(iii) of this section will not apply.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)(3))

    (e) Withdrawals during a drop-add period. If the individual 
withdraws from a course during a drop-add period, VA will consider the 
circumstances that caused the withdrawal to be mitigating, and 
paragraphs (a)(2)(ii) and (a)(2)(iii) of this section will not apply.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

[31 FR 8292, June 14, 1966]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.4136, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.

[[Page 275]]



Sec. 21.4138  Certifications and release of payments.

    For the purposes of this section, the Manila Regional Office is 
considered the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction for 
educational assistance allowance claims processed under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 35 for educational institutions located in the Philippines.
    (a) Advance payments. (1) VA will make payments of educational 
assistance in advance when:
    (i) The veteran, servicemember, reservist, or eligible person has 
specifically requested such a payment;
    (ii) The student is enrolled for half time or more;
    (iii) The educational institution at which the veteran, 
servicemember, reservist, or eligible person is accepted or enrolled has 
agreed to and can satisfactorily carry out the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 
3680(d)(4)(B) and (C) and (5) pertaining to receipt, delivery, or return 
of checks and certifications of delivery and enrollment;
    (iv) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction has not acted under paragraph (a)(4) of this section to 
prevent advance payments being made to the veteran's, servicemember's, 
reservist's, or eligible person's educational institution;
    (v) There is no evidence in the veteran's, servicemember's, 
reservist's, or eligible person's claim file showing that he or she is 
not eligible for an advance payment;
    (vi) The period for which the veteran, servicemember, reservist, or 
eligible person has requested a payment either--
    (A) Is preceded by an interval of nonpayment of 30 days or more; or
    (B) Is the beginning of a school year that is preceded by a period 
of nonpayment of 30 days or more; and
    (vii) The educational institution or the veteran, servicemember, 
reservist, or eligible person has submitted the certification required 
by Sec. 21.7151.
    (2) The amount of the advance payment to a veteran, reservist, or 
eligible person is the educational assistance for the month or fraction 
thereof in which the term or course will begin plus the educational 
assistance for the following month. The amount of the advance payment to 
a servicemember is the amount payable for the entire term, quarter, or 
semester, as applicable.
    (3) VA will mail advance payments to the educational institution for 
delivery to the veteran, servicemember, reservist, or eligible person. 
The educational institution will not deliver the advance payment check 
more than 30 days in advance of the first date of the period for which 
VA makes the advance payment.
    (4) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction may direct that advance payments not be made to individuals 
attending an educational institution if:
    (i) The educational institution demonstrates an inability to comply 
with the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section;
    (ii) The educational institution fails to provide adequately for the 
safekeeping of the advance payment checks before delivery to the 
veteran, servicemember, reservist, or eligible person or return to VA; 
or
    (iii) The Director determines, based on compelling evidence, that 
the educational institution has demonstrated its inability to discharge 
its responsibilities under the advance payment program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(d))

    (b) Lump-sum payments. A lump-sum payment is a payment of all 
educational assistance due for an entire quarter, semester, or term. VA 
will make a lump-sum payment to:
    (1) A veteran or servicemember pursuing a program of education at 
less than the half-time rate under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30;
    (2) A servicemember pursuing a program of education at the half-time 
rate or greater under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, provided that VA did not 
make an advance payment to the servicemember for the term for which a 
lump-sum payment would otherwise be due; and
    (3) An eligible person pursuing a program of education at less than 
the half-time rate under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(c), 3680(f))

    (c)-(d) [Reserved]

[[Page 276]]

    (e) Other payments. An individual must be pursuing a program of 
education in order to receive payments. To ensure that this is the case 
the provisions of this paragraph must be met.
    (1) VA will pay educational assistance to an individual (other than 
one pursuing a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training or a 
correspondence course, one who qualifies for an advance payment or one 
who qualifies for a lump-sum payment) only after--
    (i) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment 
as provided in Sec. 21.4203; and
    (ii) VA has received from the individual a verification of the 
individual's enrollment or verification of pursuit and continued 
enrollment, as appropriate. Generally, this verification will be 
required monthly, resulting in monthly payments.
    (2) VA will pay educational assistance to an individual pursuing a 
program of apprenticeship or other on-job training only after--
    (i) The training establishment has certified his or her enrollment 
in the training program as provided in Sec. 21.4203; and
    (ii) VA has received from the individual and the training 
establishment a certification of hours worked.
    (3) VA will pay educational assistance to an individual who is 
pursuing a correspondence course only after--
    (i) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment;
    (ii) VA has received from the individual a certification as to the 
number of lessons completed and serviced by the educational institution; 
and
    (iii) VA has received from the educational institution a 
certification or an endorsement on the individual's certificate, as to 
the number of lessons completed by the individual and serviced by the 
educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113, 3680(b), 3680(g))

    (f) Payment for intervals and temporary school closings. VA may 
authorize payment for an interval or for a temporary school closing that 
occurs within a certified enrollment period. If a school closing that is 
or may be temporary occurs during an interval, VA will apply any 
applicable provisions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(5) of this 
section concerning intervals and in paragraph (f)(6) of this section 
concerning temporary school closings. For the purposes of this 
paragraph, interval means a period without instruction between 
consecutive school terms, quarters, or semesters or a period without 
instruction between a summer term and a term, quarter, or semester. (See 
definitions of divisions of the school year in Sec. 21.4200(b).)
    (1) Payment for intervals. In determining whether a student will be 
paid for an interval, VA will first review the provisions of paragraph 
(f)(2) of this section. If none of the provisions apply, VA will review 
the provisions of paragraphs (f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(5) of this section 
to determine if payments may be made for the interval. In determining 
the length of a summer term, VA will disregard a fraction of a week 
consisting of 3 days or less, and will consider 4 days or more to be a 
full week.
    (2) Restrictions on payment for intervals. VA will make no payment 
for an interval if:
    (i) The student is training at less than the half-time rate on the 
last day of training during the term, quarter, semester, or summer term 
preceding the interval;
    (ii) The student is on active duty;
    (iii) The student requests, prior to authorization of an award or 
prior to negotiating the check, that no benefits be paid for the 
interval period;
    (iv) The student's entitlement applicable to such payment will be 
exhausted by receipt of such payment, and it is to the advantage of the 
student not to receive payment;
    (v) The interval occurs between school years at a school that is not 
organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis,
    (vi) The student withdraws from all courses in the term, quarter, 
semester, or summer session preceding the interval, or discontinues 
training before the scheduled start of an interval in a school not 
organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis; or
    (vii) The student receives an accelerated payment for the term, 
quarter, semester, or summer session preceding the interval.

[[Page 277]]

    (3) Payment for interval between periods of enrollment at different 
schools. If the student transfers from one approved school for the 
purpose of enrolling in and pursuing a similar course at the second 
school, VA may make payments for an interval that does not exceed 30 
days. If the student does not enroll in a similar course at the second 
school, VA may not make payments for the interval.
    (4) Payment for intervals that occur at the same school. (i) If the 
student remains enrolled at the same school, VA may make payment for an 
interval which does not exceed 8 weeks and which occurs between:
    (A) Semesters or quarters,
    (B) A semester or quarter and a term that is at least as long as the 
interval,
    (C) A semester or quarter and a summer term that is at least as long 
as the interval,
    (D) Consecutive terms (other than semesters or quarters) provided 
that both terms are at least as long as the interval, or
    (E) A term and summer term provided that both the term and the 
summer term are at least as long as the interval.
    (ii) If the student remains enrolled at the same school, VA may make 
payment for an interval that does not exceed 30 days and that occurs 
between summer sessions within a summer term.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (5) Payment for intervals that occur between overlapping 
enrollments. (i) If a student is enrolled in overlapping enrollment 
periods whether before or after an interval (either at the same or 
different schools), VA will determine whether the student is entitled to 
payment for the interval between the overlapping enrollment periods, and 
what dates the interval and enrollment periods will be considered to 
begin and end, as follows:
    (A) By treating the ending date of each enrollment period as though 
it were the student's last date of training before the interval,
    (B) By treating the beginning date of each enrollment period as 
though it were the student's first date of training after the interval,
    (C) By examining the interval payment that would be made to the 
student on the basis of the various combinations of beginning and ending 
dates, and
    (D) By choosing the ending date and beginning date that result in 
the highest payment rate as the start and finish of the interval for VA 
measurement purposes.
    (ii) VA will not reduce the interval rate of payment as a result of 
training the student may take during the interval, but VA will increase 
the interval rate of payment if warranted by such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (6) Payment for temporary school closings. VA may authorize payment 
for temporary school closings that are due to emergencies (including 
strikes) or established policy based upon an Executive Order of the 
President. If a school closing that is or may be temporary occurs in 
whole or in part during an interval, VA will first review the provisions 
of paragraphs (f)(2) through (f)(5) of this section to determine if 
payment may be continued during the interval.
    (i) If payment would not be inconsistent with the provisions of 
paragraphs (f)(2) through (f)(5) of this section, a determination to 
authorize payment for a period of a temporary school closing, or to not 
authorize payment if, in the judgment of the VA official specified in 
this paragraph, either the school closing will not be temporary or 
payment would not otherwise be in accord with this section, or both, 
will be made by:
    (A) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction if:
    (1) The reason for the school closing does not result in the closing 
of a school or schools in the jurisdiction of the Director of another VA 
Regional Processing Office, and
    (2) If the reason for the closing is a strike, the strike has lasted 
30 days or less and is not anticipated to last more than 30 days.
    (B) The Director, Education Service if:
    (1) The reason for the school closing results in the closing of 
schools in the jurisdiction of more than one Director of a VA Regional 
Processing Office, or

[[Page 278]]

    (2) The reason for the closing is a strike and the strike lasts, or 
is anticipated to last, more than 30 days.
    (ii) A school that disagrees with a decision made under paragraph 
(f)(6) of this section may request an administrative review. The review 
request must be submitted in writing and received by the Director of the 
VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction within one year of the 
date of VA's letter notifying the school of the decision. A review of 
the decision will include the evidence of record and any other pertinent 
evidence the school may wish to submit. The affirmation or reversal of 
the initial decision based on an administrative review is final. The 
review will be conducted by the--
    (A) Director, Education Service, if the Director of the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction made the initial decision to continue 
or discontinue payments.
    (B) Under Secretary for Benefits, if the Director, Education 
Service, made the initial decision to continue or discontinue payments.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512, 3680(a))

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0604)

[43 FR 35295, Aug. 9, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 62497, Oct. 31, 1979; 46 
FR 20673, Apr. 7, 1981; 48 FR 37982, Aug. 22, 1983; 54 FR 33888, Aug. 
17, 1989; 57 FR 24367, June 9, 1992; 64 FR 52651, Sept. 30, 1999; 68 FR 
34328, June 9, 2003; 68 FR 35178, June 12, 2003; 73 FR 65263, Nov. 3, 
2008]



Sec. 21.4145  Work-study allowance.

    (a) Eligibility. (1) A veteran or reservist pursuing a program of 
education under either 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32 or 33 or 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606 at a rate of three-quarter time or full time is eligible to 
receive a work-study allowance.
    (2) An eligible person is eligible to receive a work-study allowance 
when-
    (i) The eligible person is pursuing a program of education under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 35 on at least a three-quarter-time basis;
    (ii) The eligible person is pursuing a program of education in a 
State; and
    (iii) The eligible person is not pursuing a program of special 
restorative training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537)

    (b) Selection criteria. Whenever feasible, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs will give priority in selection for this allowance to 
veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 30 percent or 
more. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall consider the following 
additional selection criteria:
    (1) Need of the veteran, reservist, or eligible person to augment 
his or her educational assistance allowance;
    (2) Availability to the veteran, reservist, or eligible person of 
transportation to the place where his or her services are to be 
performed;
    (3) Motivation of the veteran, reservist, or eligible person; and
    (4) Compatibility of the work assignment to the veteran's, 
reservist's, or eligible person's physical condition.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537, 5101(a))

    (c) Utilization. Work-study services may be utilized in connection 
with:
    (1) Outreach services program as carried out under the supervision 
of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee;
    (2) Preparation and processing of necessary papers and other 
documents at educational institutions or regional offices or facilities 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
    (3) Hospital and domiciliary care and medical treatment at VA 
facilities;
    (4) For a reservist training under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, 
activities relating to the administration of 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 at 
Department of Defense facilities, Coast Guard facilities, or National 
Guard facilities; and
    (5) Any other appropriate activity of VA.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537)

    (d) Rate of payment. In return for the veteran's, reservist's, or 
eligible person's agreement to perform services for VA totaling not more 
than 25 hours times the number of weeks contained in an enrollment 
period, VA will pay

[[Page 279]]

an allowance in an amount equal to the higher of:
    (1) The hourly minimum wage in effect under section 6(a) of the Fair 
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)) times the number of hours 
the veteran, reservist, or eligible person has agreed to work; or
    (2) The hourly minimum wage under comparable law of the State in 
which the services are to be performed times the number of hours the 
veteran, reservist, or eligible person has agreed to work.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537)

    (e) Payment in advance. VA will pay in advance an amount equal to 
the lesser of the following:
    (1) 40 percent of the total amount payable under the contract; or
    (2) An amount equal to 50 times the applicable minimum hourly wage 
in effect on the date the contract is signed.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537)

    (f) Veteran, reservist, or eligible person reduces rate of training. 
In the event the veteran, reservist, or eligible person reduces his or 
her training to less than three-quarter-time before completing an 
agreement, the veteran, reservist, or eligible person, with the approval 
of the Director of the VA field station, or designee, may be permitted 
to complete the portions of an agreement in the same or immediately 
following term, quarter, or semester in which the veteran, reservist, or 
eligible person ceases to be a three-quarter-time student.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537)

    (g) Veteran, reservist, or eligible person terminates training. (1) 
If the veteran, reservist, or eligible person terminates all training 
before completing an agreement, the Director of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs facility or designee:
    (i) May permit him or her to complete the portion of the agreement 
represented by the money the Department of Veterans Affairs has advanced 
to the veteran, reservist, or eligible person for which he or she has 
performed no services, but
    (ii) Will not permit him or her to complete that portion of an 
agreement for which no advance has been made.
    (2) The veteran, reservist, or eligible person must complete the 
portion of an agreement in the same or immediately following term, 
quarter or semester in which the veteran, reservist, or eligible person 
terminates training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537)

    (h) Indebtedness for unperformed service. (1) If the veteran, 
reservist, or eligible person has received an advance for hours of 
unperformed service, and the Department of Veterans Affairs has evidence 
that he or she does not intend to perform that service, the advance:
    (i) Will be a debt due the United States, and
    (ii) Will be subject to recovery the same as any other debt due the 
United States.
    (2) The amount of indebtedness for each hour of unperformed service 
shall equal the hourly wage that formed the basis of the contract.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3104(a)(4), 3241(a), 
3323(a), 3485, 3537)

    (i) Survey. The Department of Veterans Affairs will conduct an 
annual survey of its regional offices to determine the number of 
veterans, reservists, or eligible persons whose services can be utilized 
effectively.
    (ii) [Reserved]


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3485)

[38 FR 12214, May 10, 1973, as amended at 48 FR 37983, Aug. 22, 1983; 61 
FR 26113, May 24, 1996; 74 FR 14667, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4146  Assignments of benefits prohibited.

    (a) General. Section 5301(a), Title 38 U.S.C., provides that 
payments of benefits due or to become due under the laws administered by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs shall not be assigned, except to the 
extent specifically authorized by law. No law specifically authorizes 
assignments of educational assistance allowances payable under 38 U.S.C. 
chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, or

[[Page 280]]

36, or 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, and therefore none shall be made.
    (b) Designating an attorney-in-fact. In any case where a payee of an 
educational assistance allowance has designated the address of an 
attorney-in-fact as the payee's address for the purpose of receiving his 
or her benefit check and has executed a power of attorney giving the 
attorney-in-fact authority to negotiate such benefit check, such action 
shall be deemed to be an assignment and is prohibited.
    (c) Arrangements amounting to an assignment. Payments may be made to 
a post office box address or a bank address only if the educational 
institution (other than an organization or entity offering a licensing 
or certification test) attests that it has not entered into an 
assignment agreement with the student, and is not the attorney-in-fact 
of the student with power to negotiate an educational assistance check 
on behalf of the student and is not otherwise able to control the 
proceeds of the benefits check. Such statements shall be subject to 
review and when determined to be false, may be cause for creation of an 
overpayment to the account of the veteran or other eligible person, for 
which the educational institution (other than an organization or entity 
offering a licensing or certification test) may be liable under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4009.
    (d) Correspondence school addresses. A request by a veteran or other 
eligible person to send the benefit check payable to him or her at an 
address which is an educational institution primarily engaged in 
correspondence course instruction will be presumed not to be the actual 
address of the veteran or other eligible person and will not be honored. 
Benefits checks will not be sent to the veteran or other eligible person 
in that event until a new address is provided designating the 
individual's mailing address.
    (e) Referral to Committee on Educational Allowances. When the 
evidence of record indicates that an educational institution has 
violated the terms of this section, the matter will be referred to the 
facility Committee on Educational Allowances as provided in 
Secs. 21.4210(g) and 21.4212.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5301(a))

[43 FR 35296, Aug. 9, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 62498, Oct. 31, 1979; 61 
FR 26114, May 24, 1996; 63 FR 35831, July 1, 1998; 72 FR 16969, Apr. 5, 
2007; 74 FR 14667, Mar. 31, 2009]

                        State Approving Agencies



Sec. 21.4150  Designation.

    (a) The Chief Executive of each State is requested to create or 
designate a State department or agency as the State approving agency for 
his State, for the purpose of assuming the responsibilities delegated to 
the State under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36, or if the law of the State 
provides otherwise, to indicate the agency provided by such law (38 
U.S.C. 3671(a)).
    (b) The Chief Executive of each State will notify the Department of 
Veterans Affairs of any change in the designation of a State approving 
agency.
    (c) The provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36 and the sections in this 
part which refer to the State approving agency will be deemed to refer 
to VA:
    (1) With respect to a State, when that State:
    (i) Does not have and fails or declines to create or designate a 
State approving agency, or
    (ii) Fails to enter into an agreement as provided in Sec. 21.4153; 
and
    (2) When VA has approval, disapproval, or suspension authority 
(under paragraphs (d), (e), (f), or (g) of this section, Sec. 21.4152, 
or as otherwise provided by law).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3671(b)(1))

    (d) Any function, power or duty otherwise required to be exercised 
by a State, or by an officer or agency of a State, will, with respect to 
the Republic of Philippines, be exercised by the station head.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3561(b))

    (e) The Secretary shall act as State approving agency for programs 
of apprenticeship, the standards for which have been approved by the 
Secretary of Labor pursuant to section 50a of title 29 U.S.C. as a 
national apprenticeship program for operation in more than

[[Page 281]]

one State and the training establishment is a carrier directly engaged 
in interstate commerce which provides such training in more than one 
State.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(c))

    (f) Approval of a course of education offered by any agency or 
instrumentality of the Federal Government shall be under the authority 
of the Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(b))
    (g) Approval under 38 U.S.C. 3689 of a licensing or certification 
test offered by any agency or instrumentality of the Federal government 
will be under the authority of the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689)


    Cross Reference: Course and licensing and certification test 
approval; jurisdiction and notices. See Sec. 21.4250.

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 35 FR 9815, June 16, 1970; 37 FR 
6679, Apr. 1, 1972; 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989; 54 FR 49756, Dec. 1, 
1989; 72 FR 16969, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.4151  Cooperation.

    (a) The Department of Veterans Affairs and the State approving 
agencies will take cognizance of the fact that definite duties, 
functions and responsibilities are conferred upon each of them. To 
assure that programs of education are administered effectively and 
efficiently, the cooperation of the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
the State approving agencies is essential.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3673(a))

    (b) State approving agency responsibilities. State approving 
agencies are responsible for:
    (1) Inspecting and supervising schools within the borders of their 
respective States;
    (2) Determining those courses which may be approved for the 
enrollment of veterans and eligible persons;
    (3) Ascertaining whether a school at all times complies with its 
established standards relating to the course or courses which have been 
approved;
    (4) Determining those licensing and certification tests that may be 
approved for cost reimbursement to veterans and eligible persons;
    (5) Ascertaining whether an organization or entity offering an 
approved licensing or certification test complies at all times with the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3689; and
    (6) Under an agreement with VA rendering services and obtaining 
information necessary for the Secretary's approval or disapproval under 
chapters 30 through 36, title 38 U.S.C. and chapters 107 and 1606, title 
10 U.S.C., of courses of education offered by any agency or 
instrumentality of the Federal Government within the borders of their 
respective States.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672, 3673, 3674, 3689)

    (c) The Department of Veterans Affairs will furnish State approving 
agencies with copies of such Department of Veterans Affairs 
informational and instructional material as may aid them in carrying out 
the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3673(b))

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 37 FR 6679, Apr. 1, 1972; 54 FR 
49756, Dec. 1, 1989; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 72 FR 16969, Apr. 5, 
2007]



Sec. 21.4152  Control by agencies of the United States.

    (a) Control of educational institutions and State agencies generally 
prohibited. No department, agency, or officer of the United States will 
exercise any supervision or control over any State approving agency or 
State educational agency, or any educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3682; Pub. L. 100-323)

    (b) Authority retained by VA. The provisions of paragraph (a) of 
this section do not restrict authority conferred on VA
    (1) To define full-time training in certain courses.
    (2) To determine whether overcharges were made by a school and to 
disapprove the school for enrollment of veterans or eligible persons not 
previously enrolled. See Sec. 21.4210(d).
    (3) To determine whether the State approving agencies under the 
terms of contract or reimbursement agreements are complying with the 
standards and provisions of the law.

[[Page 282]]

    (4) To examine the records and accounts of schools which are 
required to be made available for examination by duly authorized 
representatives of the Federal Government. See Secs. 21.4209 and 
21.4263.
    (5) To disapprove schools, courses, or licensing or certification 
tests for reasons stated in the law and to approve schools, courses, or 
licensing or certification tests notwithstanding lack of State approval.

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 54 FR 49756, Dec. 1, 1989; 61 FR 
29296, June 10, 1996; 63 FR 35831, July 1, 1998; 72 FR 16969, Apr. 5, 
2007]



Sec. 21.4153  Reimbursement of expenses.

    For the purposes of this section, other than paragraph (d)(4) of 
this section, ``educational institution'' includes an organization or 
entity offering licensing or certification tests.
    (a) Expenses will be reimbursed under contract--(1) Scope of 
contracts. (i) If a State or local agency requests payment for service 
contemplated by law, and submits information prescribed in paragraph (e) 
of this section, VA will negotiate a contract or agreement with the 
State or local agency to pay (subject to available funds and acceptable 
annual evaluations) reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the 
State or local agency in--
    (A) Determining the qualifications of educational institutions and 
training establishments to furnish programs of education to veterans and 
eligible persons,
    (B) Supervising educational institutions and training 
establishments, and
    (C) Furnishing any other services VA may request in connection with 
the law governing VA education benefits.
    (ii) VA will take into account the results of annual evaluations 
carried out under Sec. 21.4155 of this part when negotiating the terms 
and conditions of the contract or agreement.
    (2) Reimbursable supervision. Supervision will consist of the 
services required:
    (i) To determine that the programs are furnished in accordance with 
the law and with any other reasonable criteria as may be imposed by the 
State, and
    (ii) To disapprove any programs which fail to meet the law and the 
established criteria.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674, 3689)

    (b) Reimbursement. The Under Secretary for Benefits and the 
Director, Education Service, are authorized to enter into agreements 
necessary to fulfill the purpose of paragraph (a) of this section. See 
Sec. 21.4001(b).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

    (c) Reimbursable expenses. Reimbursement may be made from the funds 
provided in the existing contract with the State approving agency under 
the provisions of this section. No reimbursement may be authorized for 
expenses incurred by any individual who is not an employee of the State 
approving agency.
    (1) Salaries. Salaries for which reimbursement may be authorized 
under a contract:
    (i) Will not be in excess of the established rate of pay for other 
employees of the State with comparable or equivalent duties and 
responsibilities,
    (ii) Will be limited to the actual salary expense incurred by the 
State, and
    (iii) Will include the basic salary rate plus fringe benefits, such 
as social security, retirement, and health, accident, or life insurance, 
that are payable to all similarly circumstanced State employees.
    (2) Travel. (i) Reimbursement will be made under the terms of the 
contract for travel of personnel engaged in activities in connection 
with the inspection, approval or supervision of educational 
institutions, including--
    (A) Travel of personnel attending training sessions sponsored by VA 
and the State approving agencies.
    (B) Expenses of attending out-of-State meetings and conferences only 
if the Director, Education Service, authorizes the travel.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674; Pub. L. 100-323)

    (ii) Travel expenses for which reimbursement may be authorized under 
a contract will be limited to:
    (A) Expenses allowable under applicable State laws or travel 
regulations of the State or agency;

[[Page 283]]

    (B) Expenses for travel actually performed by employees specified 
under the terms of the contract and;
    (C) Either actual expenses for transportation, meals, lodging and 
local telephone calls, or the regular State or agency per diem 
allowance.
    (iii) All claims for travel expenses payable under the terms of a 
contract must be supported by factual vouchers and all transportation 
allowances must be supported by detailed claims which can be checked 
against work assignments in the office of the State approving agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674)

    (3) Administrative expenses. In determining the allowance for 
administrative expenses for which payment may be authorized, VA will 
apply the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3674(b). In making that application, 
VA will determine reimbursable salary cost pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674(b))

    (4) Subcontracts. The State approving agency may also be reimbursed 
for work performed by a subcontractor provided:
    (i) The work has a direct relationship to the requirements of 10 
U.S.C. chapter 1606, or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, 35, or 36; and


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3674)

    (ii) The Contracting Officer has approved the subcontract in 
advance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. 95-902)

    (d) Nonreimbursable expenses. The Department of Veterans Affairs 
will not provide reimbursement under reimbursement contracts for:
    (1) Expenditures other than salaries and travel of personnel 
required to perform the services specified in the contract and 
Department of Veterans Affairs regulations.
    (2) Supplies, equipment, printing, postage, telephone services, 
rentals, and other miscellaneous items or a service furnished directly 
or indirectly.
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the 
salaries and travel of personnel while attending training sessions, or 
when they are engaged in activities other than those in connection with 
the inspection, approval, or supervision of educational institutions.
    (4) The supervision of educational institutions which do not have 
veterans or eligible persons enrolled.
    (5) Expenses incurred in the administration of an educational 
program which are costs properly chargeable as tuition costs, such as 
the development of course material or individual educational programs, 
teacher training or teacher improvement activities, expenses of 
coordinators, or administrative costs, such as those involving selection 
and employment of teachers. (This does not preclude reimbursement for 
expenses of the State agency incurred in the development of standards 
and criteria for the approval of courses under the law.)
    (6) Expenses of a State approving agency for inspecting, approving 
or supervising courses when the agency is responsible for establishing, 
conducting or supervising those courses.
    (7) Any expense for supervision or other services to be covered by 
contract which are already being reimbursed or paid from tuition funds 
under this law.
    (e) Agency operating plan. A request by a State approving agency for 
reimbursement under the law will be subject to the requirements of 41 
CFR 8-7.5101-8 as to ``Equal Opportunity''. The request will be 
accompanied by the proposed plan of operation and the specific duties 
and responsibilities of all personnel for which reimbursement of 
salaries and travel expense is required.
    (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs will determine personnel 
requirements for which the Department of Veterans Affairs provides 
reimbursement on the basis of estimated workloads agreed upon between 
the Department of Veterans Affairs and the State agency. Agreements are 
subject to review and adjustment.
    (2) Workloads will be determined upon three factors:
    (i) Inspection and approval visits,
    (ii) Supervisory visits, and
    (iii) Special visits at the request of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

[[Page 284]]

    (f) Contract compliance. Reimbursement under each contract or 
agreement is conditioned upon compliance with the standards and 
provisions of the contract and the law. If the Contracting Officer 
determines that the State has failed to comply with the standards or 
provisions of the law or with terms of the reimbursement contract, he or 
she will withhold reimbursement for claimed expenses under the contract. 
If the State disagrees, the State may request the Contracting Officer to 
reconsider his or her decision or may initiate action under the Disputes 
clause of the contract. See 48 CFR 801.602.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674)

    (g) Contract disputes. The State approving agency reimbursement 
contract is subject to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. Disputes 
arising under, or relating to, the contract will be resolved in 
accordance with the disputes article of the contract and with 
appropriate procurement regulations.


(Authority: 41 U.S.C. 602)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 40 FR 42880, Sept. 17, 1975; 43 
FR 35296, Aug. 9, 1978; 44 FR 62498, Oct. 31, 1979; 48 FR 37983, Aug. 
22, 1983; 51 FR 16316, May 2, 1986; 54 FR 49757, Dec. 1, 1989; 61 FR 
20728, May 8, 1996; 61 FR 26114, May 24, 1996; 72 FR 16969, Apr. 5, 
2007; 74 FR 14667, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4154  Report of activities.

    (a) State approving agencies must report their activities. Each 
State approving agency entering into a contract or agreement under 
Sec. 21.4153 of this part must submit a report of its activities to VA. 
The report may be submitted monthly or quarterly by the State approving 
agency as provided in the contract or agreement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674; Pub. L. 100-323)

    (b) Content of the report. The report:
    (1) Shall be in the form prescribed by the Secretary;
    (2) Shall detail the activities of the State approving agencies 
under the agreement or contract during the preceding month or quarter, 
as appropriate;
    (3) May include, at the option of the State approving agency, a 
cumulative report of its activities from the beginning of the fiscal 
year to date;
    (4) Shall describe the services performed and the determination made 
in supervising and ascertaining the qualifications of educational 
institutions in connection with the programs of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs; and
    (5) Shall include other information as the Secretary may prescribe.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0051)

[49 FR 26227, June 27, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 49757, Dec. 1, 1989; 57 
FR 28087, June 24, 1992; 72 FR 16969, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.4155  Evaluations of State approving agency performance.

    (a) Annual evaluations required. (1) VA shall conduct in conjunction 
with State approving agencies an annual evaluation of each State 
approving agency. The evaluation shall be based on standards developed 
by VA with State approving agencies. VA shall provide each State 
approving agency an opportunity to comment upon the evaluation.
    (2) VA shall take into account the result of the annual evaluation 
of a State approving agency when negotiating the terms and conditions of 
a contract or agreement as provided in Sec. 21.4153(a) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674A(a); Pub. L. 100-323)

    (b) Development of a training curriculum. (1) VA shall cooperate 
with State approving agencies in developing and implementing a uniform 
national curriculum, to the extent practicable, for--
    (i) Training new employees of State approving agencies, and
    (ii) Continuing the training of the employees of the State approving 
agencies.
    (2) VA with the State approving agencies shall sponsor the training 
and continuation of training provided by this paragraph.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674A; Pub. L. 100-323)


[[Page 285]]


    (c) Development, adoption and application of qualification and 
performance standards for employees of State approving agencies. (1) VA 
shall:
    (i) Develop with the State approving agencies prototype 
qualification and performance standards;
    (ii) Prescribe those standards for State approving agency use in the 
development of qualification and performance standards for State 
approving agency personnel carrying out approval responsibilities under 
a contract or agreement as provided in Sec. 21.4153(a) of this part; and
    (iii) Review the prototype qualification and performance standards 
with the State approving agencies no less frequently than once every 
five years.
    (2) In developing and applying standards described in paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section, a State approving agency may take into 
consideration the State's merit system requirements and other local 
requirements and conditions. However, no State approving agency may 
develop, adopt or apply qualification or performance standards that do 
not meet the requirements of paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
    (3) The qualification and performance standards adopted by the State 
approving agency shall describe a level of qualification and performance 
which shall equal or exceed the level of qualification and performance 
described in the prototype qualification and performance standards 
developed by VA with the State approving agencies. The State approving 
agency may amend or modify its adopted qualification and performance 
standards annually as circumstances may require.
    (4) VA shall provide assistance in developing these standards to a 
State approving agency that requests it.
    (5) After November 19, 1989, each State approving agency carrying 
out a contract or agreement with VA under Sec. 21.4153(a) shall:
    (i) Apply qualification and performance standards based on the 
standards developed under this paragraph, and
    (ii) Make available to any person, upon request, the criteria used 
to carry out its functions under a contract or agreement entered into 
under Sec. 21.4153(a) of this part.
    (6) A State approving agency may not apply these standards to any 
person employed by the State approving agency on May 20, 1988, as long 
as that person remains in the position in which the person was employed 
on that date.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3674 A(b); Pub. L. 100-323)

[54 FR 49757, Dec. 1, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 29296, June 10, 1996]

                                 Schools



Sec. 21.4200  Definitions.

    The definitions in this section apply to this subpart, except as 
otherwise provided. The definitions of terms defined in this section 
also apply to subparts C, G, H, K, L, and P if they are not otherwise 
defined for purposes of those subparts.
    (a) School, educational institution, institution. The terms school, 
educational institution and institution mean:
    (1) A vocational school or business school;
    (2) A junior college, teachers' college, college, normal school, 
professional school, university, or scientific or technical institution;
    (3) A public or private elementary school or secondary school;
    (4) A training establishment as defined in paragraph (c) of this 
section;
    (5) Any entity other than an institution of higher learning, that 
provides training for completion of a State-approved alternative teacher 
certification program; or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452)

    (6) Any private entity that offers, either directly or indirectly 
under an agreement with another entity, a course or courses to fulfill 
requirements for the attainment of a license or certificate generally 
recognized as necessary to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment in 
a profession or vocation in a high technology occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452, 3501(a)(6), 3689(d))

    (b) Divisions of the school year. (1) Ordinary School Year is 
generally a period of 2 semesters or 3 quarters which is not less than 
30 nor more than 39 weeks in total length.

[[Page 286]]

    (2) Term, any regularly established division of the ordinary school 
year under which the school operates.
    (3) Quarter, a division of the ordinary school year, usually a 
period from 10 to 13 weeks long.
    (4) Semester, a division of the ordinary school year, usually a 
period from 15 to 19 weeks long.
    (5) Summer term, the whole of the period of instruction at a school 
which takes place between ordinary school years. A summer term may be 
divided into several summer sessions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (6) Summer session, any division of a summer term.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (c) Training establishment. The term training establishment means 
any establishment providing apprentice or other training on-the-job, 
including those under the supervision of a college, university, any 
State department of education, any State apprenticeship agency, any 
State board of vocational education, any joint apprenticeship committee, 
the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training established in accordance with 
29 U.S.C. chapter 4C, or any agency of the Federal government authorized 
to supervise such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(e), 3501(a)(9))

    (d) External degree. This term means a standard college degree given 
by an accredited college or university based on satisfactory completion 
of a prescribed program of independent study. The program may require 
occasional attendance for a workshop or seminar and may include some 
regular residence course work.
    (e) Standard college degree. The term means an associate or higher 
degree awarded by:
    (1) An institution of higher learning that is accredited as a 
collegiate institution by a recognized regional or national accrediting 
agency; or
    (2) An institution of higher learning that is a candidate for 
accreditation, as that term is used by the regional or the national 
accrediting agencies; or
    (3) An institution of higher learning upon completion of a course 
which is accredited by an agency recognized to accredit specialized 
degree-level programs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452)

    (f) Undergraduate college degree. The term means a college or 
university degree obtained through the pursuit of unit subjects which 
are below the graduate level. Included are associate degrees, bachelors' 
degrees and first professional degrees.
    (g) Standard class session. The term standard class session means 
the time an educational institution schedules for class each week in a 
regular quarter or semester for one quarter or one semester hour of 
credit. It is not less than 1 hour (or one 50-minute period) of academic 
instruction, 2 hours (or two 50-minute periods) of laboratory 
instruction, or 3 hours (or three 50-minute periods) of workshop 
training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(c))

    (h) Institution of higher learning. This term means:
    (1) A college, university, or similar institution, including a 
technical or business school, offering postsecondary level academic 
instruction that leads to an associate or higher degree if the school is 
empowered by the appropriate State education authority under State law 
to grant an associate or higher degree.
    (2) When there is no State law to authorize the granting of a 
degree, a school which:
    (i) Is accredited for degree programs by a recognized accrediting 
agency, or
    (ii) Is a recognized candidate for accreditation as a degree-
granting school by one of the national or regional accrediting 
associations and has been licensed or chartered by the appropriate State 
authority as a degree-granting institution.
    (3) A hospital offering medical-dental internships or residencies 
approved in accordance with Sec. 21.4265(a) without regard to whether 
the hospital grants a post-secondary degree.
    (4) An educational institution which:
    (i) Is not located in a State,
    (ii) Offers a course leading to a standard college degree or the 
equivalent, and

[[Page 287]]

    (iii) Is recognized as an institution of higher learning by the 
secretary of education (or comparable official) of the country in which 
the educational institution is located.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452)

    (i) Audited course. The term means any credit course which a student 
attends as a listener only with a prior understanding between school 
officials and the student that such attendance will not result in credit 
being granted toward graduation. See Sec. 21.4252(i).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)(3))

    (j) Nonpunitive grade. The term means any grade assigned for pursuit 
of a course, whether upon completion of the course or at the time of 
withdrawal from the course, which has the effect of excluding the course 
from any consideration in determining progress toward fulfillment of 
requirements for graduation. No credit toward the school's requirements 
for graduation is granted for such a grade, nor does the grade affect 
any other criteria for graduation by the policies of the school, such as 
a grade point average. Therefore, it has the same effect as an audited 
course. See Sec. 21.4135(e).
    (k) Punitive grade. The term means a grade assigned for pursuit of a 
course which is used in determining the student's overall progress 
toward completion of the school's requirements for graduation. Unlike 
the nonpunitive grade, the punitive grade does affect the criteria to be 
met by the student for graduation, i.e., it is a factor in computing the 
student's grade average or grade point average, for example. For this 
reason it is not the same as an audited course, since it does have an 
effect upon the student's ability to meet the school's criteria for 
graduation. See Sec. 21.4135(e).
    (l) Drop-add period. The term means a reasonably brief period at the 
beginning of a term, not to exceed 30 days, officially designated by a 
school for unrestricted enrollment changes by students.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)(4))

    (m) Normal commuting distance. Two locations that are within 55 
miles of each other are within normal commuting distance. Furthermore, a 
branch, extension or additional facility of a school located more than 
55 miles from the school's main campus or parent facility will be 
considered within normal commuting distance only if:
    (1) School records show that, prior to the establishment of the 
additional teaching site, at least 20 students or 5 percent of the 
enrollment, whichever is the lesser, on the main campus or parent 
facility were regularly commuting from the area where the additional 
teaching site is located; or
    (2) Other comparable evidence clearly shows that students commute 
regularly between the two locations.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689(c))

    (n) Enrollment. This term means the state of being on that roll, or 
file of a school which contains the names of active students.
    (o) Pursuit of a program of education. (1) This term means to work, 
while enrolled, toward the objective of a program of education. This 
work must be in accordance with approved institution policy and 
regulations and applicable criteria of Title 38 U.S.C.; must be 
necessary to reach the program's objective; and must be accomplished 
through:
    (i) Resident courses,
    (ii) Independent study courses,
    (iii) Correspondence courses,
    (iv) An apprenticeship or other on-the-job training program,
    (v) Flight courses,
    (vi) A farm cooperative course,
    (vii) A cooperative course, or
    (viii) A graduate program of research in absentia.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs will consider a veteran or 
eligible person who qualifies under Sec. 21.4138 for payment during an 
interval or school closing, or who qualifies for payment but whose work 
is interrupted by a holiday vacation as defined in Sec. 21.7020(b)(16), 
to be in pursuit of a program of education during the interval, school 
closing or holiday vacation.
    (p) Enrollment period. (1) This term means an interval of time 
during which a veteran or eligible person:
    (i) Is enrolled in an educational institution; and

[[Page 288]]

    (ii) Is pursuing his or her program of education.
    (2) This term applies to each unit course or subject in the 
veteran's or eligible person's program of education.
    (q) Attendance. This term means the presence of a veteran or 
eligible person:
    (1) In the class where the approved course is being taught in which 
he or she is enrolled;
    (2) At a training establishment; or
    (3) Any other place of instruction, training or study designated by 
the educational institution or training establishment where the veteran 
or eligible person is enrolled and is pursuing a program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(g))

    (r) In residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour basis. This 
term means study at a site or campus of a college or university, or off-
campus at an official resident center, requiring pursuit of regularly 
scheduled weekly class instruction at the rate of one standard class 
session per week throughout a standard quarter or semester for one 
quarter- or one semester-hour credit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(c))

    (s) Deficiency course. This term means any secondary level course or 
subject not previously completed satisfactorily which is specifically 
required for pursuit of a post-secondary program of education.
    (t) Remedial course. This term means a special course designed to 
overcome a deficiency at the elementary or secondary level in a 
particular area of study, or a handicap, such as in speech.
    (u) Refresher course. This term means a course at the elementary or 
secondary level to review or update material previously covered in a 
course that has been satisfactorily completed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3491(a)(2))

    (v) Reservist. The term reservist means a member of the Selected 
Reserve of the Ready Reserve of any of the reserve components (including 
the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard 
of the United States) of the Armed Forces who is eligible to receive 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 or 10 U.S.C. chapter 
1606.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002)

    (w) Alternative teacher certification program. The term alternative 
teacher certification program, for the purposes of determining whether 
an entity offering such a program is a school, educational institution, 
or institution as defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, means a 
program leading to a teacher's certificate that allows individuals with 
a bachelor's degree or graduate degree to obtain teacher certification 
without enrolling in an institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(c))

    (x) State. The term State has the same meaning as provided in 
Sec. 3.1(i) of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(20))

    (y) Pilot certificate. A pilot certificate is a pilot certificate 
issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The term means a pilot's 
license as that term is used in 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 and 38 U.S.C. 
chapters 30 and 32.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(b))

    (z) Proprietary educational institution. The term proprietary 
educational institution (including a proprietary profit or proprietary 
nonprofit educational institution) means an educational institution 
that:
    (1) Is not a public educational institution;
    (2) Is in a State; and
    (3) Is legally authorized to offer a program of education in the 
State where the educational institution is physically located.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e))

    (aa) High technology industry: The term high technology industry 
includes the following industries:
    (1) Biotechnology;
    (2) Life science technologies;
    (3) Opto-electronics;
    (4) Computers and telecommunications;
    (5) Electronics;

[[Page 289]]

    (6) Computer-integrated manufacturing;
    (7) Material design;
    (8) Aerospace;
    (9) Weapons;
    (10) Nuclear technology; and
    (11) Any other identified advanced technologies in the biennial 
Science and Engineering Indicators report published by the National 
Science Foundation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A, 3452(c), 3501(a)(6))

    (bb) Employment in a high technology industry. Employment in a high 
technology industry means employment in a high technology occupation 
specific to a high technology industry.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A)

    (cc) High technology occupation. The term high technology occupation 
means an occupation that leads to employment in a high technology 
industry. These occupations consist of:
    (1) Life and physical scientists;
    (2) Engineers;
    (3) Mathematical specialists;
    (4) Engineering and science technicians;
    (5) Computer specialists; and
    (6) Engineering, scientific, and computer managers.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A, 3452(c), 3501(a)(6))

    (dd) Computer specialists. The term computer specialists includes 
the following occupations:
    (1) Database, system, and network administrators;
    (2) Database, system, and network developers;
    (3) Computer and network engineers;
    (4) Systems analysts;
    (5) Programmers;
    (6) Computer, database, and network support specialists;
    (7) All computer scientists;
    (8) Web site designers;
    (9) Computer and network service technicians;
    (10) Computer and network electronics specialists; and
    (11) All certified professionals, certified associates and certified 
technicians in the information technology field.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A, 3452(c), 3501(a)(6))

    (ee) Certification test. The term certification test means a test an 
individual must pass in order to receive a certificate that provides an 
affirmation of an individual's qualifications in a specified occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(b), 3501(a)(5), 3689)

    (ff) Licensing test. The term licensing test means a test offered by 
a State, local, or Federal agency, the passing of which is a means, or 
part of a means, to obtain a license. That license must be required by 
law in order for the individual to practice an occupation in the 
political jurisdiction of the agency offering the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(b), 3501(a)(5), 3689)

    (gg) Organization or entity offering a licensing or certification 
test. (1) The term organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test means:
    (i) An organization or entity that causes a licensing test to be 
given and that will issue a license to an individual who passes the 
test;
    (ii) An organization or entity that causes a certification test to 
be given and that will issue a certificate to an individual who passes 
the test; or
    (iii) An organization or entity that administers a licensing or 
certification test for the organization or entity that will issue a 
license or certificate, respectively, to the individual who passes the 
test, provided that the administering organization or entity can provide 
all required information and certifications under Sec. 21.4268 to the 
State approving agency and to VA.
    (2) This term does not include:
    (i) An organization or entity that develops and/or proctors a 
licensing or certification test but does not issue the license or 
certificate; or
    (ii) An organization or entity that administers a test but does not 
issue the license or certificate if that administering organization or 
entity cannot provide all required information and certifications under 
Sec. 21.4268 to the State approving agency and to VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(b), 3501(a)(5), 3689)

    (hh) Tuition assistance top-up. The term tuition assistance top-up 
means a

[[Page 290]]

payment of basic educational assistance to meet all or a portion of the 
charges of an educational institution for the education or training of a 
servicemember that are not met by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned under 10 U.S.C. 2007(a) or (c).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b))

    (ii) VA Regional Processing Office. The term VA Regional Processing 
Office means a VA office where claims for educational assistance under 
38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 32, and 35 and 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 are allowed 
or disallowed.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3685, 3689)

    (jj) [Reserved]
    (kk) Fugitive felon. The term fugitive felon means an individual 
identified as such by Federal, State, or local law enforcement officials 
and who is a fugitive by reason of--
    (1) Fleeing to avoid prosecution for an offense, or an attempt to 
commit an offense, which is a felony under the laws of the place from 
which the person flees;
    (2) Fleeing to avoid custody or confinement after conviction for an 
offense, or an attempt to commit an offense, which is a felony under the 
laws of the place from which the person flees; or
    (3) Violating a condition of probation or parole imposed for 
commission of a felony under Federal or State law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

    (ll) Felony. The term felony means a major crime or offense defined 
as such under the law of the place where the offense was committed or 
under Federal law. It includes a high misdemeanor under the laws of a 
State which characterizes as high misdemeanors offenses that would be 
felony offenses under Federal law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.4200, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.4201  Restrictions on enrollment; percentage of students
receiving financial support.

    (a) General. Except as otherwise provided in this section the 
Department of Veterans Affairs shall not approve an enrollment in any 
course for an eligible veteran, not already enrolled, for any period 
during which more than 85 percent of the students enrolled in the course 
are having all or part of their tuition, fees or other charges paid for 
them by the educational institution or by VA under title 38, U.S.C., or 
under title 10, U.S.C. This restriction may be waived in whole or in 
part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (b) Affected schools. The requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section apply to all courses not otherwise exempt or waived offered by 
all educational institutions, regardless of whether the institution is 
degree-granting, proprietary profit, proprietary nonprofit, 
eleemosynary, public and/or tax-supported.
    (c) Affected courses. (1) The following courses or programs are 
exempt from the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section:
    (i) Any farm cooperative course; and
    (ii) Any course offered by a flying club established, organized and 
operated pursuant to regulations of a military department of the Armed 
Forces as nonappropriated sundry fund activities which are governmental 
instrumentalities.
    (2) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section apply to the 
enrollment of a serviceperson in a course leading to a high school 
diploma, equivalency certificate, or a refresher, remedial or deficiency 
course, but they do not apply to the enrollment of a veteran in such a 
course.
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the 
provisions of paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to an approved 
course which:
    (i) Is offered under contract with the Department of Defense,
    (ii) Is on or immediately adjacent to a military base, or a facility 
of the National Guard (including the Air National Guard) or the Selected 
Reserve,

[[Page 291]]

    (iii) Has been approved by the State approving agency of the State:
    (A) Where the base is located or
    (B) Where the parent school is located if the course is oftered 
overseas, and
    (iv) Is available only to:
    (A) Military personnel and their dependents, or
    (B) Military personnel, their dependents and civilian employees of a 
base located in a State, or
    (C) Persons authorized by the base commander to attend the course 
provided the base is located outside the United States.
    (D) In the case of a course offered on or immediately adjacent to a 
facility of the National Guard or the Selected Reserve, members of the 
National Guard, members of the Selected Reserve and their dependents.
    (4) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section generally do not 
apply to a course when the total number of veterans, eligible persons, 
and reservists receiving assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 31, 32, 
33, 35 and 36, and 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, who are enrolled in the 
educational institution offering the course, equals 35 percent or less 
of the total student enrollment at the educational institution (computed 
separately for the main campus and any branch or extension of the 
institution). However, the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section 
will apply to such a course when--


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (i) The course is a course of Special Assistance for the 
Educationally Disadvantaged and a serviceperson enrolls in it, or
    (ii) The Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs facility of 
jurisdiction has reason to believe that the enrollment of veterans and 
eligible persons in the course may exceed 85 percent of the total 
student enrollment in the course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (d) Applications for exemptions. No applications are required for 
any exemptions except that found in paragraph (c)(4) of this section. To 
obtain an exemption as stated in paragraph (c)(4) of this section 
schools must submit reports as required in paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (e) Computing the 85-15 percent ratio--(1) Determining when separate 
computations are required. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this 
section and in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, an 85-15 percent ratio 
must be computed for each course of study or curriculum leading to a 
separately approved educational or vocational objective. Computations 
will not be made for unit subjects, unless only one unit subject is 
approved by the State approving agency to be offered at a separate 
branch or extension of a school. Courses or curricula which are offered 
at separately approved branches or extensions, as well as courses or 
curricula leading to a secondary school diploma or equivalency 
certificate offered at any branch or extention, must have an 85-15 
percent ratio computed separately from the same course offered at the 
parent institution. The count of students attending the branch may not 
be added to those attending the parent institution even for the same 
courses or curricula. However, the count of those attending courses or 
curricula offered at an additional facility, as opposed to a branch or 
extension, must be added to those attending the same course at the 
parent institution. Pursuit of a course or curriculum that varies in any 
way from a similar course, although it may have the same designation as 
the other similar course or curriculum, will require a separate 85-15 
percent computation. A course or curriculum will be considered to vary 
from another if there are different attendance requirements, required 
unit subjects are different, required completion length is different, 
etc.
    (i) Separate courses for computation purposes in institutions of 
higher learning will be determined by general curriculum only until the 
point at which it is reasonable to assume a major field would be 
declared and after that point by specific curriculum.
    (A) General 2-year curricula at 2-year institutions of higher 
learning, general

[[Page 292]]

curricula such as AA (Associate of Arts) or AS (Associate of Science) 
degrees with no major specified, will require separate computations for 
each curriculum. Terminal 2-year courses (i.e., AAS (Associate of 
Applied Science), dental technology or auto mechanics certificate) and 
other associate degree courses where a field is specified must be 
computed separately for each objective.
    (B) Students attending 4-year institutions of higher learning and 
graduate schools may be counted in general curricula such as BA 
(Bachelor of Art) and BS (Bachelor of Science) only until the normal 
point at which the school requires the student to declare a major 
subject. Then the 85-15 percent computation must be made for each 
specific curriculum, i.e., BS (Bachelor of Science) in electrical 
engineering, MA (Master of Arts) in English, etc.
    (ii) NCD (noncollege degree) courses must be computed separately by 
approved vocational objective. If several curricula lead to the same 
coded vocational objective, each must meet the 85-15 percent requirement 
separately, unless it can be shown that two or more courses are 
identical in all respects (scheduling, hours devoted to each unit 
subject, etc.). Branch or extension courses will be computed separately 
from courses at the parent facility. Courses offered on a full- and 
part-time basis which are identical in length and content will be 
combined for computing the ratio.
    (2) Assigning students to each part of the ratio. Notwithstanding 
the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the following students 
will be considered to be nonsupported provided VA is not furnishing them 
with educational assistance under title 38, U.S.C., or under title 10, 
U.S.C.:
    (i) Students who are not veterans or reservists, and are not in 
receipt of institutional aid.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (ii) All graduate students in receipt of institutional aid.
    (iii) Students in receipt of any Federal aid (other than Department 
of Veterans Affairs benefits).
    (iv) Undergraduates and non-college degree students receiving any 
assistance provided by an institution, if the institutional policy for 
determining the recipients of such aid is equal with respect to veterans 
and nonveterans alike.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (3) Calculation. (i) To determine if the requirement of paragraph 
(a) of this section has been met for all courses except flight courses 
the full-time equivalent, nonsupported students as defined by paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section will be compared to the full-time equivalent 
students enrolled in the course. If the full-time equivalent, 
nonsupported students do not equal at least 15 percent of the total 
full-time enrollment, the 85-15 percent requirement has not been met for 
the course. If a non-Department of Veterans Affairs student in a 
correspondence course has not completed a lesson nor made a payment 
toward the cost of the course during the 6-month period immediately 
prior to the computation, the student will not be counted in computing 
the 85-15 percent ratio.
    (ii) The 85-15 percent ratio for flight courses shall be computed by 
comparing the number of hours of training received by or tuition charged 
to nonsupported students in the preceding 30 days to the total number of 
hours of training received by or tuition charged to all students in the 
same period. All approved courses offered under 14 CFR parts 141 and 142 
at a flight school will be considered to be one course for the purpose 
of making this computation. Similarly, all other approved courses 
offered at a flight school will be considered to be one course for the 
purpose of making this computation. In this computation hours of 
training or tuition charges for students enrolled--
    (A) In the recreational pilot certification course and the private 
pilot certification course will be excluded;
    (B) In a ground instructor certification course will be included;
    (C) In courses approved under 14 CFR part 141, other than a ground 
instructor certification course, will be actual hours of logged 
instructional flight

[[Page 293]]

time or the charges for those hours; and
    (D) In courses not approved under 14 CFR part 141, such as courses 
offered by flight simulator or courses for navigator or flight engineer, 
shall include ground training time or charges; actual logged 
instructional flight time or charges; and instructional time in a flight 
simulator or charges for that training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (f) Reports. (1) Schools must submit to VA all calculations needed 
to support the exemption found in paragraph (c)(4) of this section. If 
the school is organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis, it shall 
make that submission no later than 30 days after the beginning of the 
first term for which the school wants the exemption to apply. If the 
school is not organized on a term, quarter or semester basis, it shall 
make that submission no later than 30 days after the beginning of the 
first calendar quarter for which the school wishes the exemption to 
apply. A school having received an exemption found in paragraph (c)(4) 
of this section shall not be required to certify that 85 percent or less 
of the total student enrollment in any course is receiving Department of 
Veterans Affairs assistance:


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (i) Unless the Director of the VA facility of jurisdiction has 
reason to believe that the enrollment of eligible veterans and eligible 
persons in a specific course may exceed 85 percent of the total 
enrollment in a specific course, or
    (ii) Until such time as the total number of veterans, eligible 
persons and reservists receiving assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 
31, 32, 33, 35 and 36, and 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, who are enrolled in 
the educational institution offering the course, equals more than 35 
percent of the total student enrollment at the educational institution 
(computed separately for the main campus and any branch or extension of 
the institution). At that time the procedures contained in paragraph 
(f)(2) of this section shall apply.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (2) The school must submit all calculations made under paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section to the Department of Veterans Affairs according 
to these time limits.
    (i) If the school is organized on a term, quarter or semester basis, 
the calculations must be submitted no later than 30 days after the 
beginning of each regular school term (excluding summer sessions), or 
before the beginning date of the next term, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) If a school is not organized on a term, quarter or semester 
basis, reports must be received by the Department of Veterans Affairs no 
later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (g) Effect of the 85-15 percent ratio on processing new enrollments. 
(1) The Department of Veterans Affairs will process new enrollments of 
eligible veterans (and servicepersons where this provision applies to 
them), in a course on the basis of the school's submission of the most 
recent computation showing that:
    (i) The 85-15 percent ratio is satisfactory, or
    (ii) The course is exempt under paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
    (2) Except for those enrollments with a beginning date before or the 
same as the date the school completed the most recent computation, no 
benefits will be paid under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30, 32, 33, or 36, when that computation establishes that the 
course:


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (i) Neither has a satisfactory 85-15 percent ratio, nor
    (ii) Is exempt under paragraph (c)(4) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))


[[Page 294]]


    (3) If a school fails to submit a timely computation, no benefits 
will be paid for:
    (i) The enrollment of a serviceperson in a course leading to a 
secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate if the enrollment 
has beginning dates beyond the expiration of the allowable computation 
period, or
    (ii) The enrollment of a veteran in any course to which the 
provisions of paragraph (a) of this section apply if the enrollment has 
beginning dates beyond the expiration of the allowable computation 
period.
    (4) Enrollments with later beginning dates may be processed only 
after the school certifies that:
    (i) The proper ratio has been reestablished for the course, or
    (ii) The course is exempt from the requirement under paragraph 
(c)(4) of this section.
    (5) When a school shows a reestablished 85-15 percent ratio, each 
new veteran enrollment or enrollment of a serviceperson in a course 
leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate 
which is submitted after reestablishment must be individually computed 
into the ratio to ensure that the 85 percent limitation is not again 
immediately exceeded. The Department of Veterans Affairs will require 
individual computations until:
    (i) The end of the term for which the ratio was reestablished, or
    (ii) The end of the calendar quarter during which the ratio was 
reestablished if the school is not operated on a term, quarter or 
semester basis.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

    (6) Once a student is properly enrolled in a course which either 
meets the 85-15 percent requirement or which is exempt pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section, such a student may not have benefits for 
that course terminated because the 85-15 percent requirement 
subsequently is not met or because the course loses its exemption, as 
long as the student's enrollment remains continuous. A student enrolled 
in an institution organized on a term basis need not attend summer 
sessions in order to maintain continuous enrollment. An enrollment may 
also be considered continuous if a ``break'' in enrollment is wholly due 
to circumstances beyond the student's control such as serious illness.
    (h) Waivers. Schools which desire a waiver of the provisions of 
paragraph (a) of this section for a course where the number of full-time 
equivalent students receiving VA education benefits equals or exceeds 85 
percent of the total full-time equivalent enrollment in the course may 
apply for a waiver to the Director, Education Service, through the 
Director of the VA facility of jurisdiction. When applying, a school 
must submit sufficient information to allow the Director, Education 
Service, to judge the merits of the request against the criteria shown 
in this paragraph. This information and any other pertinent information 
available to VA shall be considered in relation to these criteria:
    (1) Availability of comparable alternative educational facilities 
effectively open to veterans in the vicinity of the school requesting a 
waiver.
    (2) Status of the school requesting a waiver as a developing 
institution primarily serving a disadvantaged population. The school 
should enclose a copy of its notice from the Department of Education 
that the school is eligible to be considered for a grant under the 
Strengthening Institutions Program or the Special Needs Program, if 
applicable. Otherwise the school should submit data sufficient to allow 
the Director, Education Service, to judge whether the school is similar 
to institutions which the Department of Education considers to be 
eligible to apply for a grant under these programs. The pertinent 
criteria and data categories are published in Title 34, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Chapter VI, part 624, subpart A; part 625, subpart A; and 
part 626, subpart A. The requirements of those criteria that a school be 
a ``public or nonprofit'' institution need not be met.
    (3) Previous compliance history of the school, including such 
factors as false or deceptive advertising complaints, enrollment 
certification timeliness and accuracy, and amount of school liability 
indebtedness to VA.

[[Page 295]]

    (4) General effectiveness of the school's program in providing 
educational and employment opportunities to the particular veteran 
population it serves. Factors to be considered should include the 
percentage of veteran-students completing the entire course, ratio of 
educational and general expenditures to full-time equivalency 
enrollment, etc.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d))

[44 FR 62498, Oct. 31, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 37985, Aug. 22, 1983; 
51 FR 16316, May 2, 1986; 52 FR 45634, Dec. 1, 1987; 54 FR 4285, Jan. 
30, 1989; 54 FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989; 55 FR 28027, July 9, 1990; 57 FR 
29800, July 7, 1992; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 61 FR 26114, May 24, 
1996; 61 FR 29296, June 10, 1996; 62 FR 55760, Oct. 28, 1997; 63 FR 
34129, June 23, 1998; 74 FR 14667, Mar. 31, 2009; 74 FR 17907, Apr. 20, 
2009]



Sec. 21.4202  Overcharges; restrictions on enrollments.

    (a)-(b) [Reserved]
    (c) Restrictions; proprietary schools. Enrollment will not be 
approved for any veteran or eligible person under the provisions of 
Chapter 34 or 35 respectively, in any proprietary school of which the 
veteran or eligible person is an official authorized to sign 
certificates of enrollment or monthly certificates of attendance, an 
owner or an officer.

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 32 FR 13403, Sept. 23, 1967; 37 
FR 6679, Apr. 1, 1972; 39 FR 43221, Dec. 11, 1974; 43 FR 35300, Aug. 9, 
1978; 48 FR 37987, Aug. 22, 1983; 49 FR 5115, Feb. 10, 1984; 63 FR 
35831, July 1, 1998]



Sec. 21.4203  Reports--requirements.

    (a) General. All the reports required by this paragraph shall be in 
a form specified by the Secretary.
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section each 
educational institution, veteran and eligible person shall report 
without delay such information on enrollment, entrance, reentrance, 
change in the hours of credit or attendance, pursuit, interruption and 
termination of attendance of each veteran or eligible person enrolled in 
an approved course as the Secretary may require and using a form 
specified by the Secretary. See paragraphs (b) through (h) of this 
section.
    (2) An educational institution may delay in reporting the enrollment 
or reenrollment of a veteran or an eligible person until the end of the 
term, quarter, or semester when--
    (i) The veteran or eligible person is enrolled in a program of 
independent study;
    (ii) The veteran or eligible person is pursuing the program on a 
less than half-time basis;
    (iii) The educational institution has asked the Director of the VA 
facility of jurisdiction in writing for permission to delay in making 
the report; and
    (iv) The Director of the VA facility of jurisdiction has determined 
that it is not feasible for the educational institution to monitor 
interruption or termination of the veteran's or eligible person's 
pursuit of the program.
    (3) An educational institution which disagrees with a decision of a 
Director of a VA facility as to whether it may delay reporting 
enrollments or reenrollments as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section may ask to have that decision reviewed by the Director, 
Education Service. That request must be made in writing to the Director 
of the VA facility within one year of the date of the letter notifying 
the educational institution of the original decision.
    (4) An educational institution which, under paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, is delaying the reporting of the enrollment or reenrollment of 
a veteran shall provide the veteran with notice of the delay at the time 
that the veteran enrolls or reenrolls.
    (5) In addition, educational institutions must--


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3685; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (i) Verify enrollment for each veteran and eligible person receiving 
an advance payment; and
    (ii) Verify the delivery of advance payment check and education loan 
check for each veteran and eligible person receiving an advance payment 
or loan.
    (6) Nothing in this section or in any section in 38 CFR part 21 
shall be construed as requiring any institution of

[[Page 296]]

higher learning to maintain daily attendance records for any course 
leading to a standard college degree.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(d), 3684, 3685, 3698; Pub. L. 95-202, Pub. L. 
96-466; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (b) Certifications of enrollment. All the reports required by this 
paragraph shall be in a form specified by the Secretary.
    (1) VA requires that educational institutions report all entrances 
and reentrances on a certification of enrollment.
    (2) All educational institutions, regardless of the way in which 
they are organized, must clearly specify the course in which the veteran 
or eligible person is enrolled.
    (3) Schools organized on a term, quarter or semester basis--
    (i) May report enrollment for the term, quarter, semester, ordinary 
school year plus the following summer term.
    (ii) May not report enrollment for a period that exceeds the 
ordinary school year plus the following summer term.
    (iii) Must report the dates for the break between terms if--
    (A) The certification covers two or more terms, and a term ends and 
the following term does not begin in the same or the next calendar 
month;
    (B) The veteran or eligible person elects not to be paid for the 
intervals between terms;
    (C) The certification covers two or more summer sessions; or
    (D) The certification covers at least one summer session and at 
least one term which is not a standard semester or quarter.
    (iv) Must submit a separate enrollment certification for each term, 
quarter or semester if the student--
    (A) Is a veteran or eligible person pursuing a program on a less 
than half-time basis, or
    (B) Is a serviceperson.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3684(a); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (v) Where a veteran or an eligible person, who is pursing a course 
leading to a standard college degree, transfers between consecutive 
school terms from one approved institution to another approved 
institution, for the purpose of enrolling in, and pursuing, a similar 
course at the second institution, the veteran or eligible person shall, 
for the purpose of entitlement to the payment of educational assistance 
allowance be considered to be enrolled at the first institution during 
the interval, if the interval does not exceed 30 days, following the 
termination date of the school term of the first institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (c) Nonpunitive grade. A school may assign a nonpunitive grade for a 
course or subject in which the veteran or eligible person is enrolled 
even though the veteran or eligible person does not withdraw from the 
course or subject. When this occurs, the school must report the 
assignment of the nonpunitive grade in a form specified by the Secretary 
in time for VA to receive it before the earlier of the following dates 
is reached:
    (1) Thirty days from the date on which the school assigns the grade, 
or
    (2) Sixty days from the last day of the enrollment period for which 
the nonpunitive grade is assigned.
    (d) Interruptions, terminations and changes in hours of credit or 
attendance. When a veteran or eligible person interrupts or terminates 
his or her training for any reason, including unsatisfactory conduct or 
progress, or when he or she changes the number of hours of credit or 
attendance, this fact must be reported to VA by the school in a form 
specified by the Secretary.
    (1) If the change in status or change in number of hours of credit 
of attendance occurs on a day other than one indicated by paragraph 
(d)(2) or (3) of this section, the school will initiate a report of the 
change in time for the VA to receive it within 30 days of the date on 
which the change occurs. If the course in which the veteran or eligible 
person is enrolled does not lead to a standard college degree, and 
attendance must be certified for the course, the school may include the 
information on the monthly certification of attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3684(a), 1788(a); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (2) If the enrollment of the veteran or eligible person has been 
certified by the school for more than one term,

[[Page 297]]

quarter or semester and the veteran or eligible person interrupts or 
terminates his or her training at the end of a term, quarter or semester 
within the certified period of enrollment, the school shall report the 
change in status to the Department of Veterans Affairs in time for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to receive the report within 30 days of 
the last officially scheduled registration date for the next term, 
quarter or semester.
    (3) If the change in status or change in the number of hours of 
credit or attendance occurs during the 30 days of a drop-add period, the 
school must report the change in status or change in the number of hours 
of credit or attendance to the Department of Veterans Affairs in time 
for the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive the report within 30 
days from the last date of drop-add period or 60 days from the first day 
of the enrollment period, whichever occurs first.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3684(a))

    (e) Correspondence courses. Where the course in which a veteran is 
enrolled under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 or a spouse or surviving spouse is 
enrolled under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 is pursued exclusively by 
correspondence, the school will report by an endorsement on the 
veteran's or eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's certification the 
number of lessons completed by the veteran, spouse or surviving spouse 
and serviced by the school. Such reports will be submitted quarterly in 
a form specified by the Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (f) Certification. All reports required by this paragraph must be in 
a form specified by the Secretary.
    (1) Courses not leading to a standard college degree. (i) Except as 
provided in this paragraph VA requires that a certification of 
attendance be submitted monthly for each veteran or eligible person 
enrolled in a course not leading to a standard college degree. The fact 
that the course may be pursued on a quarter, semester or term basis will 
not relieve the veteran or eligible person and the school of this 
requirement. Unless exempted by this paragraph this requirement also 
applies to courses measured on a credit-hour basis. This requirement 
does not apply to--
    (A) Courses measured on a credit-hour basis pursuant to footnote 6 
of Sec. 21.4270(a),
    (B) A course pursued on a less than one-half-time basis,
    (C) A course pursued by a serviceperson while on active duty, or
    (D) A correspondence course which must meet the requirements of 
paragraph (e) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)(2), 3688(a)(7); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (2) Courses leading to a standard college degree. Schools which have 
veterans or eligible persons enrolled in courses which lead to a 
standard college degree are not required to submit periodic 
certifications for students enrolled in such courses. Certifications 
are, however, required under paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (h) of this 
section.
    (3) Apprentice or other on-the-job training. A certification of 
attendance must be submitted monthly during the period of enrollment in 
the same manner as certifications required in paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section.
    (g) Flight training courses. Where the course consists exclusively 
of flight training, the school will report by an endorsement on the 
veteran's certification the type and number of hours of actual flight 
training received by, and the cost thereof to, the veteran. Such reports 
may be submitted monthly.
    (h) Unsatisfactory progress, conduct or attendance. At times the 
unsatisfactory progress, conduct or attendance of a veteran or eligible 
person is caused by or results in his or her interruption or termination 
of training. If this occurs, the interruption or termination shall be 
reported in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. If the 
veteran or eligible person continues in training despite unsatisfactory 
progress, conduct, or despite having failed to meet the regularly 
prescribed standards of attendance at the school, the school must report 
the fact of his or her unsatisfactory progress, conduct or attendance to 
VA within the time limit allowed by paragraph (h) (1) and (2) of this 
section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3474, 3524)


[[Page 298]]


    (1) A veteran's or eligible person's progress may become 
unsatisfactory according to the regularly prescribed standards and 
practices of the school as a result of the grades he or she receives The 
school shall report such unsatisfactory progress to VA in time for VA to 
receive it before the earlier of the following dates is reached:
    (i) Thirty days from the date on which the school official, who is 
responsible for determining whether a student is making progress, first 
received the final grade report which establishes that the veteran 
either is not progressing satisfactorily, or
    (ii) Sixty days from the last day of the enrollment period during 
which the veteran or eligible person earned the grades that caused him 
or her not to meet the satisfactory progress standards.
    (2) If the unsatisfactory progress, conduct or attendance of the 
veteran or eligible person is caused by any factors other than the 
grades which he or she receives, the school shall report the 
unsatisfactory progress, conduct or attendance to VA in time for VA to 
receive it within 30 days of the date on which the progress, conduct or 
attendance of the veteran or eligible person becomes unsatisfactory. See 
also Sec. 21.4277.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3474, 3524)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0354)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.4203, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.4204  Periodic certifications.

    Educational assistance allowance is payable on the basis of a 
required certification concerning the pursuit of a course during the 
reporting period.
    (a) Reports by eligible persons. An eligible person enrolled in a 
course which leads to a standard college degree, excepting eligible 
persons pursuing the course on a less than half-time basis, must verify 
each month his or her continued enrollment in and pursuit of his or her 
courses. In the case of an eligible person who completed, interrupted or 
terminated his or her course, any communication from the student or 
other authorized person notifying VA of the eligible person's completion 
of course as scheduled or earlier termination date, will be accepted to 
terminate payments accordingly. Reports by other eligible persons will 
be submitted in accordance with Sec. 21.4203 (e), (f) or (g).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1780(g), 3103)

    (b) Requirements. The certifications required by Sec. 21.4203 and 
paragraph (a) of this section will include a report on the following 
items when applicable:
    (1) Continued enrollment in and pursuit of the course.
    (2) Conduct and progress. See Sec. 21.4277.
    (3) Date of interruption or termination of training.
    (4) Changes in number of semester hours or clock hours of 
attendance.
    (5) Any other changes or modifications in the course as certified at 
enrollment.
    (c) Term, quarter, or semester. For a course which does not lead to 
a standard college degree, if a school organized on a term, quarter, or 
semester basis has reported enrollment:
    (1) For the ordinary school year or the complete course, the 
periodic certification will show the intervals between terms, quarters, 
or semesters as absences.
    (2) By term, quarter, or semester, the periodic certification will 
not cover the intervals between terms, quarters, or semesters.
    (d) Year-round courses. The periodic certifications will show any 
vacation period or interval between periods of instruction as absences. 
The periodic certification will not cover the period between school 
years.
    (e) Farm cooperative courses. The monthly certification will cover 
only those periods of classroom instruction

[[Page 299]]

which are included in the prescheduled institutional portion of the 
course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3684(a))

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0465)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 32 FR 3452, Mar. 2, 1967; 35 FR 
9816, June 16, 1970; 38 FR 14936, June 7, 1973; 39 FR 31903, Sept. 3, 
1974; 41 FR 47929, Nov. 1, 1976; 49 FR 8609, Mar. 8, 1984; 54 FR 33889, 
Aug. 17, 1989; 54 FR 37108, Sept. 7, 1989; 57 FR 24367, June 9, 1992; 61 
FR 26114, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4206  Reporting fee.

    VA may pay annually to each educational institution furnishing 
education or each joint apprenticeship training committee acting as a 
training establishment under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 
30, 32, 33, 35 or 36 a reporting fee for required reports or 
certifications. The reporting fee will be paid as soon as feasible after 
the end of the calendar year.
    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section the 
reporting fee will be computed for each calendar year by multiplying 
$7.00 by the number of eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, 35 or 36 
during that calendar year.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3684(c))

    (b) In computing the reporting fee VA will not count a veteran or 
servicemember whose only receipt of educational assistance under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30 during a calendar year was tuition assistance top-up.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3684(c))

    (c) An additional $4 will be paid to those institutions which have 
delivered to the veteran or eligible person at registration the 
educational assistance check representing an advance payment, or which 
have delivered educational loan checks in accordance with the provisions 
of subpart F. If an institution delivers both an advance payment check 
and educational loan check(s) to the same veteran or eligible person 
within 1 calendar year, it shall receive only one additional $4 fee. In 
order to receive this fee, the institution shall submit to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs a certification of delivery of each 
check. If an advance payment check is not delivered within 30 days after 
commencement of the student's program, the check is to be returned to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. If an education loan check is not 
delivered within 30 days of the date the educational institution 
received it, the check shall be returned to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3684(c))

    (d) No reporting fee payable to an educational institution under 
this section shall be subject to offset by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs against any liability of the educational institution for any 
overpayment which the Department of Veterans Affairs has 
administratively determined to exist unless the liability of the 
educational institution was not contested by the educational institution 
or was upheld by a final decree of a court of appropriate jurisdiction.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3684(c))

    (e) Before payment of a reporting fee the Department of Veterans 
Affairs will require an educational institution to certify that:
    (1) It has exercised reasonable diligence in determining whether it 
or any course offered by it approved for the enrollment of veterans or 
eligible persons meets all of the applicable requirements of chapter 
1606 of title 10 U.S.C. or chapters 30, 32, 33, 35 and 36 of title 38, 
U.S.C.; and
    (2) It will, without delay, report any failure to meet any 
requirement to the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3684(c))

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0073)

[32 FR 13404, Sept. 23, 1967, as amended at 40 FR 31762, July 29, 1975; 
44 FR 62501, Oct. 31, 1979; 48 FR 37988, Aug. 22, 1983; 51 FR 16317, May 
2, 1986; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 72 FR 16970, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 FR 
14668, Mar. 31, 2009]

[[Page 300]]



Sec. 21.4209  Examination of records.

    (a) Availability of records. Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, an educational institution, including for purposes of this section 
an organization or entity offering a licensing or certification test, 
must make the following records and accounts available to authorized 
Government representatives:
    (1) Records and accounts pertaining to veterans or eligible persons 
who received educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, 35, or 36;
    (2) Other students' records necessary for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to ascertain institutional compliance with the requirements of 
these chapters; and
    (3) The records of other individuals who took a licensing or 
certification test that VA believes are necessary to ascertain whether 
the veterans and eligible persons taking such test were reimbursed the 
correct amount.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3241, 3323(a), 3689, 3690)

    (b) Type of records. Each educational institution must upon request 
of duly authorized representatives of the Government make available for 
examination all appropriate records and accounts, including but not 
limited to:
    (1) Records and accounts which are evidence of tuition and fees 
charged to and received from or on behalf of all veterans, reservists, 
and eligible persons and from other students similarly circumstanced;
    (2) Records of previous education or training of veterans, 
reservists, and eligible persons at the time of admission as students 
and records of advance credit, if any, granted by the educational 
institution at the time of admission;
    (3) Records of the veteran's, reservists's, or eligible person's 
grades and progress;
    (4) Records of all advertising, sales or enrollment materials as 
required by Sec. 21.4252(h) and section 3696(b), title 38 U.S.C.;
    (5) Records and computations showing compliance with the 
requirements of Sec. 21.4201 regarding the 85-15 percent ratio of 
students for each course; and
    (6) Records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the 
requirements of Sec. 21.4252(e) pertaining to the time necessary to 
complete a correspondence course.
    (7) Records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the 
requirements of Sec. 21.4268.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3241, 3323(a), 3689, 3690)

    (c) Noncollege degree, apprentice, and other on-the-job. The 
educational institution having veterans, servicemembers, reservists, 
and/or eligible persons enrolled in a course that does not lead to a 
standard college degree must make available, in addition to the records 
and accounts required in paragraph (b) of this section, the records of 
leave, absences, class cuts, makeup work, and tardiness. Each training 
establishment that has enrolled veterans under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 
or 33, reservists under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, or eligible persons 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 must also make available payroll records.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3241, 3323(a), 3690)

    (d) Nonaccredited courses. The educational institution having 
veterans or eligible persons enrolled in nonaccredited courses must make 
available, in addition to the records and accounts required in 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section the following:
    (1) Records of interruptions for unsatisfactory conduct or 
attendance.
    (2) Records of refunds of tuition, fees and other charges made to a 
veteran or eligible person who fails to enter the course or withdraws or 
is discontinued prior to completion of the course.
    (e) Nonavailability. Failure to make such records available as 
provided in this section will be grounds for discontinuing the payment 
of educational assistance allowance or special training allowance.
    (f) Retention of records. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) 
of this section, an educational institution must keep records and 
accounts, including those pertaining to students not receiving benefits 
from VA, as described

[[Page 301]]

in this section, pertaining to each period of enrollment of a veteran, 
reservist, or eligible person. If those records are not available 
electronically, the paper records must be kept intact and in good 
condition at the educational institution for at least 3 years following 
the end of each enrollment period. If the records are stored 
electronically, the paper records may be stored at another site. The 
electronic records must be easily accessible at the educational 
institution for at least 3 years following the end of each enrollment 
period.
    (2) An organization or entity offering a licensing or certification 
test must keep records and accounts intact and in good condition that 
are needed to show that veterans and eligible persons have been paid 
correctly for taking licensing or certification tests. The organization 
or entity must keep those records, at a site mutually agreed on, for at 
least 3 years following the date of the test.
    (3) An educational institution will not be required under this 
section to retain records for longer than 3 years unless the educational 
institution receives from the Government Accountability Office or VA not 
later than 30 days before the end of the 3-year period a written request 
for longer retention.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3241, 3323(a), 3689, 3690)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0696)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 38 FR 14936, June 7, 1973; 43 FR 
35300, Aug. 9, 1978; 48 FR 37988, Aug. 22, 1983; 51 FR 16317, May 2, 
1986; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 61 FR 26114, May 24, 1996; 72 FR 16970, 
Apr. 5, 2007; 74 FR 14668, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4210  Suspension and discontinuance of educational assistance
payments, and of enrollments or reenrollments for pursuit of approved
courses.

    (a) Overview; explanation of terms used in Secs. 21.4210 through 
21.4216. (1) VA may pay educational assistance to a reservist under 10 
U.S.C. chapter 1606 for the reservist's pursuit of a course approved in 
accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36. VA may pay 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32 or 35 to a veteran or 
eligible person for the individual's pursuit of a course approved in 
accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36; or if the 
individual has taken a licensing or certification test approved in 
accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36. VA may pay 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 to a veteran or 
servicemember for the individual's pursuit of a course approved in 
accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36; if the 
individual has taken a licensing or certification test approved in 
accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36 or if the 
individual is entitled to be paid benefits (tuition assistance top-up) 
to meet all or a portion of an educational institution's charges for 
education or training that the military department concerned has not 
covered under tuition assistance. VA may pay educational assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 to an eligible individual or, as appropriate, 
to the individual's institution of higher learning on his or her behalf, 
for the individual's pursuit of a course or program of education if the 
course or program of education is offered by an institution of higher 
learning and approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in accordance with the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36; if the individual has taken a 
licensing or certification test approved in accordance with the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36, or if an individual is entitled to 
be paid educational assistance to meet all or a portion of the 
institution of higher learning's established charges that the military 
department concerned has not covered by tuition assistance under 10 
U.S.C. 2007(a) or (c). Except for tuition assistance top-up, where 
courses do not need to be approved, a State approving agency designated 
by VA, or in some instances VA, approves the course or test for payment 
purposes. Notwithstanding such approval, VA, as provided in paragraphs 
(b), (c), and (d) of this section, may suspend, discontinue, or deny 
payment of benefits to any or all otherwise eligible individuals for 
pursuit of a course or training approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36, and 
for taking a licensing or certification

[[Page 302]]

test approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36.
    (2) For the purposes of this section and the purposes of 
Secs. 21.4211 through 21.4216, except as otherwise expressly stated to 
the contrary--
    (i) The term ``course'' includes an apprenticeship or other on-job 
training program;
    (ii) The term ``educational institution'' includes a training 
establishment, or organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test; and
    (iii) Reference to action suspending, discontinuing, or otherwise 
denying enrollment or reenrollment means such action with respect to 
providing educational assistance under the chapters listed in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3452, 3471, 3690)

    (b) Denial of payment in individual cases. (1) VA may deny payment 
of educational assistance to a specific individual for pursuit of a 
course or courses if, following an examination of the individual's case, 
VA has credible evidence affecting that individual that--
    (i) The course fails to meet any of the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606, or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, 35, or 36; or
    (ii) The educational institution offering the individual's course 
has violated any of those requirements of law.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689, 3690)

    (2) VA may deny payment of educational assistance to a specific 
individual for taking a licensing or certification test if, following an 
examination of the individual's case, VA has credible evidence affecting 
that individual that--
    (i) The test fails to meet any of the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 
3689; or
    (ii) The organization or entity offering the individual's test has 
violated any of the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3689.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689)

    (c) Notice in individual cases. Except as provided in paragraph (e) 
of this section, when VA denies payment of educational assistance to an 
individual under paragraph (b) of this section, VA will provide 
concurrent written notice to the individual. The notice shall state--
    (1) The adverse action;
    (2) The reasons for the action; and
    (3) The individual's right to an opportunity to be heard thereon in 
accordance with part 19 of this title.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3690)

    (d) Actions affecting groups. (1) The Director of the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction may:
    (i) Suspend payments of educational assistance to all veterans, 
servicemembers, reservists, or eligible persons already enrolled in a 
course;
    (ii) Disapprove all further enrollments or reenrollments of 
individuals seeking VA educational assistance for pursuit of the course 
(except for enrollments and reenrollments of servicemembers seeking to 
be paid benefits (tuition assistance top-up) to meet all or a portion of 
an educational institution's charges for education or training that the 
military department concerned has not covered under tuition assistance); 
and
    (iii) Suspend payments of educational assistance to all veterans, 
servicemembers, or eligible persons who may take a licensing or 
certification test after a date that the Director may determine.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (d)(3) and (i) of this section, 
the decision to act as described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
must be based on evidence of a substantial pattern of veterans, 
servicemembers, reservists, or eligible persons enrolled in the course 
or taking the test receiving educational assistance to which they are 
not entitled because:
    (i) One or more of the course approval requirements of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 36 are not met, including the course approval requirements 
specified in Secs. 21.4253, 21.4254, 21.4261, 21.4262, 21.4263, 21.4264, 
and 21.4268; or
    (ii) The educational institution offering the course has violated 
one or more

[[Page 303]]

of the recordkeeping or reporting requirements of 10 U.S.C. chapter 
1606, or of 38 U.S.C. chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, and 36. These violations 
may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (A) Willful and knowing submission of false reports or 
certifications concerning students or courses of education;
    (B) Failure to report to VA a veteran's, servicemember's, 
reservist's, or eligible person's reduction, discontinuance, or 
termination of education or training; or
    (C) Submission of improper or incorrect reports in such number, 
manner, or period of time as to indicate negligence on its part, 
including failure to maintain an adequate reporting or recordkeeping 
system.
    (3) The Director also may make a decision to take the action 
described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section when the Director has 
evidence that one or more prohibited assignments of benefits have 
occurred at an educational institution as a result of that educational 
institution's policy. This decision may be made regardless of whether 
there is a substantial pattern of erroneous payments at the educational 
institution. See Sec. 21.4146.
    (4) The Director may disapprove the enrollment of all individuals 
not already enrolled in an educational institution (which for the 
purposes of this paragraph does not include a training establishment) 
when the Director finds that the educational institution:
    (i) Has charged or received from veterans, servicemembers, 
reservists, or eligible persons an amount for tuition and fees in excess 
of the amount similarly circumstanced nonveterans are required to pay 
for the same course; or
    (ii) Has instituted a policy or practice with respect to the payment 
of tuition, fees, or other established charges that substantially denies 
to veterans, servicemembers, reservists, or other eligible persons the 
benefits of advance payment of educational assistance authorized to such 
individuals under Sec. 21.4138(a), Sec. 21.7140(a), Sec. 21.7640(d), or 
Sec. 21.9680; or
    (iii) Has used erroneous, deceptive, or misleading practices as set 
forth in Sec. 21.4252(h).


(Authority: 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3680A(d), 3684, 3685, 3689, 3690, 3696, 5301)

    (e) Actions that must accompany a mass suspension of educational 
assistance payments or suspension of approval of enrollments and 
reenrollments in a course or educational institution. (1) The Director 
of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction may suspend payment 
of educational assistance and may suspend approval of new enrollments 
and reenrollments as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, only 
after:
    (i) The Director notifies in writing the State approving agency 
concerned and the educational institution of any failure to meet the 
approval requirements and any violation of recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements; and
    (ii) The educational institution--
    (A) Refuses to take corrective action; or
    (B) Does not take corrective action within 60 days (or 90 days if 
permitted by the Director).
    (2) Not less than 30 days before the Director acts to make a mass 
suspension of payments of educational assistance and/or suspend approval 
of new enrollments and reenrollments, the Director will, to the maximum 
extent feasible, provide written notice to each veteran, servicemember, 
reservist, and eligible person enrolled in the affected courses. The 
notice will:
    (i) State the Director's intent to suspend payments and/or suspend 
approval of new enrollments and reenrollments unless the educational 
institution takes corrective action;
    (ii) Give the reasons why the Director intends to suspend payments 
and/or suspend approval of new enrollments and reenrollments; and
    (iii) State the date on which the Director intends to suspend 
payments and/or suspend approval of new enrollments and reenrollments.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3690)

    (3) If VA receives a claim for educational assistance for the taking 
by

[[Page 304]]

an individual of a licensing or certification test, and the individual 
took the licensing or certification test during a period when payment 
for taking such test was suspended, the Director will inform the 
individual in writing of the fact of the suspension and the reasons why 
payments were suspended.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689, 3690)

    (f) Actions in cases indicating submission of false, misleading, or 
fraudulent claims or statements. The Director of the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction will take the following action, as 
indicated, that may be in addition to suspending payments or further 
approval of enrollments or reenrollments in a course or educational 
institution.
    (1) If the Director has evidence indicating that an educational 
institution has willfully submitted a false or misleading claim, or that 
a veteran, servicemember, reservist, eligible person, or other person, 
with the complicity of an educational institution, has submitted such a 
claim, the Director will make a complete report of the facts of the case 
to the appropriate State approving agency and to the Office of Inspector 
General for appropriate action.
    (2) If the Director believes that an educational institution has 
submitted a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim or written statement 
within the meaning of the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (31 U.S.C. 
3801-3812) or that a veteran, servicemember, reservist, eligible person, 
or other person, with the complicity of an educational institution, has 
submitted such a claim or made such a written statement, the Director 
will follow the procedures in part 42 of this title.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812; 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 
3241(a), 3323(a), 3689, 3690)

    (g) Referral to the Committee on Educational Allowances. The 
Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction will refer 
the following matters to the Committee on Educational Allowances as 
provided in Sec. 21.4212:
    (1) A suspension under paragraph (d) of this section of payments of 
educational assistance to all veterans, servicemembers, reservists, or 
eligible persons already enrolled in a course;
    (2) A disapproval under paragraph (d) of this section of all further 
enrollments or reenrollments of individuals seeking VA educational 
assistance for pursuit of the course (except for enrollments and 
reenrollments of servicemembers seeking to be paid tuition assistance 
top-up benefits to meet all or a portion of an educational institution's 
charges for education or training that the military department concerned 
has not covered under tuition assistance); and
    (3) A suspension under paragraph (d) of this section of payments of 
educational assistance to all veterans, servicemembers, or eligible 
persons who may take a licensing or certification test after a date that 
the Director has determined.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689, 3690)

    (h) Withdrawal of referral to Committee on Educational Allowances. 
(1) If, following a suspension of payments and/or of approval of 
enrollments or reenrollments, the Director of the VA Regional Processing 
Office of jurisdiction determines that the conditions which justified 
the suspension have been corrected, and the State approving agency has 
not withdrawn or suspended approval of the course(s) or test(s), the 
Director may resume payments to and/or approval of enrollments or 
reenrollments of the affected veterans, servicemembers, reservists, or 
eligible persons. If the case has already been referred to the Committee 
on Educational Allowances under paragraph (g) of this section at the 
time such action is taken, the Director will advise the Committee that 
the original referral is withdrawn.
    (2) If, following a referral to the Committee on Educational 
Allowances, the Director finds that the State approving agency will 
suspend or withdraw approval, the Director may, if otherwise 
appropriate, advise the Committee that the original referral is 
withdrawn.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3690)

    (i) This section does not apply to disapproval of courses based on 
conflicts of interests. VA will disapprove courses when required by 
Sec. 21.4005(d) without

[[Page 305]]

applying the provisions of paragraphs (a) through (h) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 
3683(b))

[63 FR 35831, July 1, 1998, as amended at 72 FR 16971, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14668, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4211  Composition, jurisdiction, and duties of Committee
on Educational Allowances.

    (a) Authority. (1) 38 U.S.C. 3690 authorizes VA to discontinue 
educational benefits to veterans, servicemembers, reservists, or 
eligible persons when VA finds that:
    (i) The program of education or course in which such individuals are 
enrolled fails to meet a requirement of 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, 
35, or 36, or 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, or the regulations in this part; 
or
    (ii) An educational institution has violated any such statute or 
regulation, or fails to meet such a statutory or regulatory requirement.
    (2) This authority does not extend to enrollments and reenrollments 
of individuals seeking to be paid tuition assistance top-up benefits to 
meet all or a portion of an educational institution's charges for 
education or training that the military department concerned has not 
covered under tuition assistance.
    (3) 38 U.S.C. 3689 and 3690 further authorize VA to deny payment to 
servicemembers or veterans for licensing or certification tests when VA 
finds that either the test or the organization or entity offering the 
test fails to meet a requirement of 38 U.S.C. 3689 or the applicable 
regulations of this part.
    (4) Sections 21.4210 through 21.4216 implement the authority 
discussed in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) of this section.
    (5) Each VA Regional Processing Office shall have a Committee on 
Educational Allowances. For the purposes of this section, the Manila 
Regional Office is considered the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction for educational institutions located in the Philippines. 
The Committee's findings of fact and recommendations will be provided to 
the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office.
    (6) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs delegates to each Director of 
a VA Regional Processing Office the authority to suspend or discontinue 
payment of educational benefits, to disapprove enrollments or 
reenrollments, or to deny payment of benefits for tests.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034(a), 3323(a), 
3241(a), 3689(d), 3690)

    (b) Purpose. (1) The Committee on Educational Allowances is 
established to assist the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office 
of jurisdiction in deciding in a specific case whether--
    (i) Educational assistance should be discontinued to all individuals 
enrolled in any course or courses an educational institution offers; and
    (ii) If appropriate, whether approval of all further enrollments or 
reenrollments in the course or courses an educational institution offers 
should be denied to veterans, servicemembers, reservists, or other 
eligible persons pursuing those courses under programs VA administers; 
or
    (iii) Payment should be denied to all servicemembers and veterans 
for taking a specific licensing or certification test.
    (2) A Director's decision described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section must be based on a finding that the educational institution is 
not meeting, or has violated, a requirement of 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 
33, 35, or 36, or 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, or the regulations in this 
part.
    (3) The function of the Committee on Educational Allowances is to 
develop facts and recommend action to be taken on the basis of the facts 
found. A hearing before the Committee is not in the nature of a trial in 
a court of law. Instead, it is an administrative inquiry designed to 
create a full and complete record upon which a recommendation can be 
made as to whether the Director should discontinue payment of 
educational benefits and/or deny approval of new enrollments or 
reenrollments. Both the interested educational institution and VA 
Regional Counsel, or designee, representing VA, will be afforded the 
opportunity to present to

[[Page 306]]

the Committee any evidence, argument, or other material considered 
pertinent.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3241(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (c) Jurisdiction. The Committee on Educational Allowances will 
consider only those cases which are referred in accordance with 
Secs. 21.4210(g) and 21.4212.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3241(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (d) Committee members. The Committee on Educational Allowances will 
consist of three employees of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction, at least one of whom is familiar with the adjudication of 
claims for benefits administered by the Veterans Benefits 
Administration. The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction will designate a Chairperson. In the event that any member 
becomes unable to serve for any reason, the Director may appoint a 
replacement member. Before the Committee resumes its proceedings, the 
new member will be given an opportunity to apprise himself or herself of 
the actions and testimony already taken by the Committee.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3241(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (e) Duties and responsibilities of the Committee. (1) The function 
of the Committee on Educational Allowances is to make recommendations to 
the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction in 
connection with specific cases referred for consideration as provided in 
Secs. 21.4210(g) and 21.4212.
    (2) The performance of this function will include:
    (i) Hearing testimony or argument from witnesses or representatives 
of educational institutions and VA, as appropriate, when such persons 
appear personally before the Committee;
    (ii) Receiving and reviewing all the evidence, testimony, briefs, 
statements, and records included in each case; and
    (iii) Furnishing the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office 
of jurisdiction a written statement setting forth specifically the 
question or questions considered, a summation of the essential facts of 
record, recommendations as to issues referred for consideration by the 
Committee, and the basis therefor. In any case where there is not 
unanimity, both the majority and the minority views and recommendations 
will be furnished.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3241(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

[63 FR 35833, July 1, 1998, as amended at 72 FR 16972, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14669, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4212  Referral to Committee on Educational Allowances.

    (a) Form and content of referral to Committee. When the Director of 
the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction refers a case to the 
Committee on Educational Allowances, as provided in Sec. 21.4210(g), the 
referral will be in writing and will--
    (1) State the approval, reporting, recordkeeping, or other criteria 
of statute or regulation which the Director has cause to believe the 
educational institution has violated;
    (2) Describe the substantial pattern of veterans, servicemembers, 
reservists, or eligible persons receiving educational assistance to 
which they are not entitled which the Director has cause to believe 
exists, if applicable;
    (3) Outline the nature of the evidence relied on by the Director in 
reaching the conclusions of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
section;
    (4) Describe the Director's efforts to obtain corrective action and 
the results of those efforts; and
    (5) Ask the Committee on Educational Allowances to perform the 
functions described in Secs. 21.4211, 21.4213, and 21.4214 and to 
recommend to the Director whether educational assistance payable to 
individuals pursuing the courses in question should be discontinued; 
approval of new enrollments should be denied; and/or payment to 
individuals for licensing or certification tests should be denied, as 
appropriate.
    (b) Notice of the referral. (1) At the time of referral the Director 
will--
    (i) Send notice of the referral, including a copy of the referral 
document, by

[[Page 307]]

certified mail to the educational institution. The notice will include 
statements that the Committee on Educational Allowances will conduct a 
hearing; that the educational institution has the right to appear before 
the Committee and be represented at the hearing to be scheduled; and 
that, if the educational institution intends to appear at the hearing, 
it must notify the Committee within 60 days of the date of mailing of 
the notice;
    (ii) Provide an information copy of the notice and referral document 
to the State approving agency of jurisdiction; and
    (iii) Place a copy of the notice and referral document on display at 
the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction for review by any 
interested party or parties.
    (2) The Director will provide a copy of the notice and referral 
document to the VA Regional Counsel, or designee, of jurisdiction, who 
will represent VA before the Committee on Educational Allowances.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

[63 FR 35834, July 1, 1998, as amended at 72 FR 16972, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14669, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4213  Notice of hearing by Committee on Educational Allowances.

    (a) Content of hearing notice. In any case referred to the Committee 
on Educational Allowances for consideration, a hearing will be held. If, 
as provided in Sec. 21.4212(b), the educational institution has timely 
notified the Committee of its intent to participate in the hearing, the 
educational institution will be notified by certified letter from the 
Chairperson of the date when the hearing will be held. This hearing 
notification will inform the educational institution of--
    (1) The time and place of the hearing;
    (2) The matters to be considered;
    (3) The right of the educational institution to appear at the 
hearing with representation by counsel, to present witnesses, to offer 
testimony, to present arguments, and/or to submit a written statement or 
brief; and
    (4) The complete hearing rules and procedures.
    (b) Expenses connected with hearing. The notice also will inform the 
educational institution that VA will not pay any expenses incurred by 
the educational institution resulting from its participation in the 
hearing, including the expenses of counsel or witnesses on behalf of the 
educational institution.
    (c) Publication of hearing notice. Notice of the hearing will be 
published in the Federal Register, which will constitute notice to any 
interested individuals, and will indicate that, while such individuals 
may attend and observe the hearing, they may not participate unless 
called as witnesses by VA or the educational institution.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

[63 FR 35834, July 1, 1998, as amended at 72 FR 16972, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14669, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4214  Hearing rules and procedures for Committee on 
Educational Allowances.

    (a) Rule 1. The Chairperson of the Committee on Educational 
Allowances will be in charge of the proceedings, will administer oaths 
or affirmations to witnesses, and will be responsible for the official 
conduct of the hearing. A majority of the members of the Committee will 
constitute a quorum. No party to the proceedings may conduct a voir dire 
of the Committee members.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (b) Rule 2. At the opening of the hearing, the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Educational Allowances will inform the educational 
institution of the purpose of the hearing, the nature of the evidence of 
record relating to the asserted failures or violations, and the 
applicable provisions of law and VA regulations. The Chairperson will 
advise the VA Regional Counsel, or designee, representing VA, that the 
Committee on Educational Allowances will entertain any relevant evidence 
or witnesses which VA Counsel presents to the Committee and which would 
substantiate a decision by the Committee to recommend that the Director 
of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction take an adverse 
action on the issues submitted for its review. The

[[Page 308]]

educational institution will be advised of its right to present any 
evidence, relevant to the issues submitted for the Committee's review, 
by oral or documentary evidence; to submit rebuttal evidence; to present 
and cross-examine witnesses; and to make such statements as may be 
appropriate on its behalf for a true and full disclosure of the facts. 
VA Counsel will be allowed to cross-examine any witnesses offered by the 
educational institution and to reply to any written briefs or arguments 
submitted to the Committee.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (c) Rule 3. Any testimony or evidence, either oral or written, which 
the Committee on Educational Allowances deems to be of probative value 
in deciding the question at issue will be admitted in evidence. While 
irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence, testimony, or 
arguments should be excluded, reasonable latitude will be permitted with 
respect to the relevancy, materiality, and competency of evidence. In 
most instances the evidence will consist of official records of the 
educational institution and VA, and these documents may be attested to 
and introduced by affidavit; but the introduction of oral testimony by 
the educational institution or by VA will be allowed, as appropriate, in 
any instance where the educational institution or VA Counsel desires. 
VA, however, will neither subpoena any witness on behalf of the 
educational institution for such purposes nor bear any expenses in 
connection with the appearance of such witness. In instances where the 
evidence reasonably available consists of signed written statements, 
secondary or hearsay evidence, etc., such evidence may be introduced 
into the record and will be given the weight and consideration which the 
circumstances warrant.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (d) Rule 4. A verbatim stenographic or recorded transcript of the 
hearing will be made. This transcript will become a permanent part of 
the record, and a copy will be furnished to the educational institution 
and the VA Counsel at the conclusion of the proceeding, unless 
furnishing of the copy of the transcript is waived by the educational 
institution.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (e) Rule 5. The Chairperson of the Committee on Educational 
Allowances will identify all exhibits in the order of introduction or 
receipt (numerically for VA exhibits and alphabetically for exhibits 
introduced by the educational institution). All such original exhibits 
or documents shall be attached to the original of the transcript. VA 
shall make photocopies or certified copies and attach them to the copy 
of the transcript furnished to the educational institution and the VA 
Counsel. The original transcript will accompany the Committee's 
recommendation to the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction along with all exhibits, briefs, or written statements 
received by the Committee during the course of the proceedings. Such 
documents should be clearly marked to indicate which were received into 
evidence and relied upon by the Committee in making its recommendations.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (f) Rule 6. The Committee on Educational Allowances, at its 
discretion, may reasonably limit the number of persons appearing at the 
hearing, including any affected individuals presented as witnesses by VA 
or the educational institution.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (g) Rule 7. Any person who is presented to testify will be required 
to be duly placed under oath or affirmation by the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Educational Allowances. If an official of the educational 
institution desires to present a statement personally, the individual 
will be required to be placed under oath or affirmation. The Chairperson 
will advise each witness that the Committee understands that he or she 
is voluntarily appearing

[[Page 309]]

before the Committee; that any testimony or statement given will be 
considered as being completely voluntary; and that no one has authority 
to require the individual to make any statement or answer any question 
against his or her will before the Committee, except that a person 
called as a witness on behalf of either VA or the educational 
institution must be willing to submit to cross-examination with respect 
to testimony given. Each witness will also be advised that his or her 
testimony or statement, if false, even though voluntary, may subject him 
or her to prosecution under Federal statutes.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (h) Rule 8. Any member of the Committee on Educational Allowances 
may question any witness presented to testify at the hearing or either a 
representative of the educational institution or the VA Counsel 
concerning matters that are relevant to the question at issue. 
Generally, questioning by a Committee member will be limited to the 
extent of clarifying information on the facts and issues involved.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (i) Rule 9. If the educational institution fails to timely notify 
the Committee of its intent to participate in a hearing or if a 
representative of the educational institution is scheduled to appear for 
a hearing but, without good cause, fails to appear either in person or 
by writing, the Committee will proceed with the hearing and will review 
the case on the basis of the evidence of record which shall be presented 
by the VA Counsel.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (j) Rule 10. Any objection by an authorized representative of the 
educational institution or the VA Counsel on a ruling by the Chairperson 
of the Committee on Educational Allowances regarding the admissibility 
of testimony or other evidence submitted will be made a matter of 
record, together with the substance in brief of the testimony intended 
or other evidence concerned. If the other evidence concerned is in the 
form of an affidavit or other document, it may be accepted for filing as 
a future reference if it is later ruled admissible as part of the record 
of the hearing.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (k) Rule 11. Objections relating to the jurisdiction or membership 
of the Committee on Educational Allowances or the constitutionality of 
statutes or the constitutionality of, or statutory authority for, VA 
regulations, are not before the Committee for decision. The time of the 
Committee will not be used to hear arguments in this regard. However, 
any such matters outside the province of the Committee may be the 
subject of a brief or a letter for consideration by the VA Office of 
General Counsel upon completion of the hearing. The ruling of such 
authority upon such issues will be obtained and included in the record 
before the Committee's recommendations are submitted to the Director of 
the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction. If the VA General 
Counsel's ruling on such legal issues necessitates reopening the 
proceeding, that shall be done before the Committee makes its 
recommendations to the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (l) Rule 12. The hearing will be open to the public.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (m) Rule 13. The hearing will be conducted in an orderly manner with 
dignity and decorum. The conduct of members of the Committee on 
Educational Allowances, the VA Counsel, and any representatives of the 
educational institution shall be characterized by appropriate 
impartiality, fairness, and cooperation. The Chairperson of the 
Committee shall take such action as may be necessary, including 
suspension of the hearing or the removal of the offending person from 
the

[[Page 310]]

hearing room for misbehavior, disorderly conduct, or the persistent 
disregard of the Chairperson's ruling. Where this occurs, the 
Chairperson will point out that the Committee is entitled to every 
possible consideration in order that the case may be presented clearly 
and fully, which may be accomplished only through observance of orderly 
procedures.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (n) Rule 14. The Chairperson of the Committee on Educational 
Allowances will conduct the hearing proceedings in such a manner that 
will protect from disclosure information which tends to disclose or 
compromise investigative sources or methods or which would violate the 
privacy of any individual. The salient facts, which form the basis of 
charges, may be disclosed and discussed without revealing the source.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (o) Rule 15. At the close of the hearing, the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Educational Allowances shall inform the appropriate 
representative of the educational institution that the arguments and the 
evidence presented will be given careful consideration; and that notice 
of the decision of the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction, together with the Committee's recommendations, will be 
furnished to the educational institution and the VA Counsel at the 
earliest possible time. The Chairperson will also indicate that notice 
of the Director's decision will be published in the Federal Register for 
the information of all other interested persons.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (p) Rule 16. In making its findings of facts and recommendations, 
the Committee on Educational Allowances will consider only questions 
which are referred to it by the Director of the VA Regional Processing 
Office of jurisdiction as being at issue and which are within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

[63 FR 35834, July 1, 1998, as amended at 72 FR 16972, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14669, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4215  Decision of Director of VA Regional Processing Office
of jurisdiction.

    (a) Decision. The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction will render a written decision on the issue or issues of 
discontinuance or denial that were the subject of the Committee on 
Educational Allowances proceedings.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (b) Basis of decision. (1) The decision of the Director of the VA 
Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction will be based upon all 
admissible evidence of record, including--
    (i) The recommendations of the Committee on Educational Allowances;
    (ii) The hearing transcript and the documents admitted in evidence; 
and
    (iii) The ruling on legal issues referred to appropriate authority.
    (2) The decision will clearly describe the evidence and state the 
facts on which the decision is based and, in the event that the decision 
differs from the recommendations of the Committee on Educational 
Allowances, will give the reasons and facts relied upon by the Director 
in deciding not to follow the Committee majority's recommendations.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (c) Correction of deficiencies. If the Director of the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction believes that the record provided for 
review is incomplete or for any reason should be reopened, before 
rendering a decision he or she will order VA staff to gather any 
additional necessary evidence and will notify the educational 
institution that it may comment upon the new evidence added. The 
Director will then notify the educational institution as to whether the 
matter will be resubmitted

[[Page 311]]

to the Committee on Educational Allowances for further proceedings, on 
the basis of the new circumstances. If the matter is referred back to 
the Committee, the Director will defer a decision until he or she has 
received the Committee's new recommendations based upon all of the 
evidence of record.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (d) Effective date. If the decision of the Director of the VA 
Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction is adverse to the educational 
institution, the decision shall indicate specifically the effective date 
of each adverse action covered by the decision.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

    (e) Notification of decision. (1) The Director of the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction shall send a copy of the decision to 
the educational institution by certified mail, return receipt requested. 
A copy of the decision also will be provided by regular mail to the 
institution's legal representative of record, if any. If the decision is 
adverse to the educational institution, the Director will enclose a 
notice of the educational institution's right to have the Director, 
Education Service review the decision.
    (2) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction will also send a copy of the decision to:
    (i) The State approving agency; and
    (ii) VA Counsel.
    (3) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction shall post a copy of the decision at the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction. A copy of the decision shall be 
published in the Federal Register.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

[63 FR 35836, July 1, 1998, as amended at 72 FR 16973, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14669, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4216  Review of decision of Director of VA Regional Processing
Office of jurisdiction.

    (a) Decision is subject to review by the Director, Education 
Service. At the request of the educational institution the Director, 
Education Service will review a decision of a Director of a VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction to discontinue payments; to disapprove 
new enrollments or reenrollments; or to deny payment of benefits for 
licensing or certification tests. This review will be based on the 
evidence of record when the Director of the VA Regional Processing 
Office of jurisdiction made that decision. It will not be de novo in 
nature and no hearing on the issue will be held. When reviewing a 
decision to deny payment for licensing or certification tests, the 
Director, Education Service may seek the advice of the Professional 
Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee established under 38 
U.S.C. 3689(e).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), (e), 3690; Pub. L. 122 Stat. 2375)

    (b) Authority of Director, Education Service. The Director, 
Education Service has the authority to affirm, reverse, or remand the 
original decision. In the case of such a review, the reviewing 
official's decision, other than a remand, shall become the final 
Department decision on the issue presented.
    (c) Notice of decision of Director, Education Service is required. 
Notice of the reviewing official's decision will be provided to the 
interested parties and published in the Federal Register, in the same 
manner as is provided in Sec. 21.4215(e) for decisions of the Director 
of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction, for the 
information of all concerned.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C 3034(a), 3241(a), 3323(a), 
3689(d), 3690)

[63 FR 35836, July 1, 1998, as amended at 72 FR 16973, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 
FR 14669, Mar. 31, 2009]

                          Programs of Education



Sec. 21.4232  Specialized vocational training--38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

    (a) Eligibility requirements for specialized vocational training. 
(1) The Department of Veterans Affairs may provide a program of a 
specialized course of vocational training to an eligible person who:

[[Page 312]]

    (i) Is not in need of special restorative training, and
    (ii) Requires specialized vocational training because of a mental or 
physical handicap.
    (2) The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) will:
    (i) After consulting with the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel, 
determine whether such a course is in the best interest of the eligible 
person; and
    (ii) Deny the application for the program when the course is not in 
the eligible person's best interest.
    (3) Both the CP or VRC and the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel will 
assist in developing the program, if the CP or VRC has previously 
determined that the course is in the eligible person's best interest.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3521, 3536; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (4) The Department of Veterans Affairs may authorize specialized 
vocational training for an eligible child only if the child has passed 
his or her 14th birthday at the time training is to begin.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3536)

    (b) Program objective. The objective of a program of specialized 
vocational training will be designated as a vocational objective.
    (c) Special assistance. When needed, special assistance will be 
provided under Sec. 21.4276.
    (d) Length of specialized vocational training. When the program of 
specialized vocational training will exceed 45 months, the CP or VRC 
will refer the program to the Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment Service for prior approval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3543(b))

[48 FR 37989, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42726, Oct. 24, 1984; 
54 FR 33889, Aug. 17, 1989; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.4233  Combination.

    An approved program may consist of a combination of courses with 
instruction offered by a school alternating with instruction in a 
business or industrial establishment (a cooperative course); courses 
offered by two schools concurrently; or courses offered through class 
attendance and by television concurrently. A farm cooperative program 
may be approved which consists of a combination of institutional 
agricultural courses and concurrent agricultural employment (see 
Sec. 21.4264). A school may contract the actual training to another 
school or entity, provided the course is approved by the State approving 
agency having approval jurisdiction of the school or entity which 
actually provides the training.
    (a) Cooperative courses. A full-time program of education consisting 
of phases of school instruction alternated with training in a business 
or industrial establishment with such training being strictly 
supplemental to the school instruction may be approved. Alternating 
periods may be a part-day in school and a part-day on job or may be such 
periods which alternate on a daily, weekly, monthly or on a term basis. 
For purposes of approval the school offering the course must submit to 
the State approving agency, with its application, statements of fact 
showing at least the following:
    (1) That the alternate in-school periods of the course are at least 
as long as the alternate periods in the business or industrial 
establishment; in determining this relationship between the two 
components of the course, training received in a business or industrial 
establishment during a vacation or officially scheduled school break 
period shall be excluded from the calculation; where the course is 
approved as continuous part-time work and part-time study in 
combination, it shall be measured on the basis of the ratio which each 
portion of the training bears to full time as defined in Sec. 21.4270(c) 
of this part. The institutional portion must be at least equivalent to 
one-half time training and must be combined with a job training portion 
sufficient for the combined training to equal full time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482(a)(2) and 3532(b))

    (2) That the course is set up as a cooperative course in the school 
catalog or other literature of the school;
    (3) That the school itself arranges with the employer's 
establishment for providing the alternate on-job periods

[[Page 313]]

of training on such basis that the on-job portion of the course will be 
training in a real and substantial sense and will supplement the in-
school portion of the course;
    (4) That the school arranges directly with the employer's 
establishment for placing the individual student in that establishment 
and exercises supervision and control over the student's activities at 
the establishment to an extent that assures training in a true sense to 
the student; and
    (5) That the school grants credit for the on-job portion of the 
course for completion of a part of the work required for granting a 
degree or diploma.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482(a)(2) and 3532(b))

    (b) Concurrent enrollment. Where a veteran or eligible person cannot 
successfully schedule his or her complete program at one school, a 
program of concurrent enrollment may be approved. When requesting such a 
program the veteran or eligible person must show that his or her 
complete program of education or training is not available at the school 
in which he or she will pursue the major portion of his or her program 
(the primary school), or that it cannot be scheduled successfully within 
the period in which he or she plans to complete his or her program.
    (1) If VA measures the courses pursued at both institutions on 
either a clock-hour basis or a credit-hour basis, VA will measure the 
veteran's or eligible person's enrollment by adding together the units 
of measurement in the second school to the units of measurement for the 
courses in the primary institution. The standard for full time will be 
the full-time standard for the courses at the primary institution.
    (2) Where the standards for measurement of the courses pursued 
concurrently in the two schools are different, VA will measure the 
veteran's or eligible person's enrollment by converting the units of 
measurement for courses in the second school to the equivalent in value 
expressed in units of measurement required for the courses in the 
program of education which the veteran or eligible person is pursuing at 
the primary institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688)

    (3) If the provisions of paragraph (b)(2) of this section require VA 
to convert clock hours to credit hours, it will do so by--
    (i) Dividing the number of credit hours which VA considers to be 
full-time at the educational institution whose courses are measured on a 
credit-hour basis by the number of clock hours which are full-time at 
the educational institution whose courses are measured on a clock-hour 
basis; and
    (ii) Multiplying each clock hour of attendance by the decimal 
determined in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section. VA will drop all 
fractional hours.
    (4) If the provisions of paragraph (b)(2) of this section require VA 
to convert credit hours to clock hours, it will do so by--
    (i) Dividing the number of clock hours which VA considers to be 
full-time at the educational institution whose courses are measured on a 
clock-hour basis by the number of credit hours which are full-time at 
the educational institution whose courses are measured on a credit-hour 
basis; and
    (ii) Multiplying each credit hour by the number determined in 
paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section. VA will drop all fractional hours.
    (5) Periodic certifications of training will be required from the 
veteran and each of the schools where concurrent enrollment is approved 
in a course which does not lead to a standard college degree and to 
which the measurement provisions of Sec. 21.4270(b), of this part do not 
apply. (See Secs. 21.4203 and 21.4204.)


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688)

    (c) Television. (1) A course offered by open-circuit television is 
an independent study course. In order for an eligible person to receive 
educational assistance while pursuing such a course, the course must 
meet all the requirements for independent study found in Sec. 21.4267.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3523, 3680A)


[[Page 314]]


    (2) Closed circuit telecast. Instruction offered through closed 
circuit telecast which requires regular classroom attendance is to be 
recognized to the same extent as regular classroom and/or laboratory 
instruction.
    (d) Farm cooperative course. A program of education consisting of 
institutional agricultural courses pursued by an eligible person who is 
concurrently engaged in agricultural employment which is relevant to 
such institutional course may be approved if the course meets the 
requirements of Sec. 21.4264.
    (e) Contract. All or part of the program of education of a school 
may be provided by another school or entity under contract. Such school 
or entity actually providing the training must obtain approval of the 
course from the State approving agency in the State having jurisdiction 
of that school or entity. If the course is a course of flight training, 
the school or entity actually providing the training must also obtain 
approval of the course from the Federal Aviation Administration. 
Measurement of the course and payment of an allowance will be 
appropriate for the course as offered by the school or entity actually 
providing the training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3002(8), 3034(d), 3241(b), 
3323(a), 3452(c), 3501(a)(6), 3675, 3676)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.4233, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.4234  Change of program.

    (a) Definition. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, a change of program consists of a change in the educational, 
professional, or vocational objective for which the veteran, reservist, 
or eligible person entered training.
    (2) VA does not consider any of the following to be changes of 
program:
    (i) A change in the type of courses needed to attain a vocational 
objective;
    (ii) A change in the individual's educational, professional or 
vocational objective following the successful completion of the 
immediately preceding program of education;
    (iii) A return to the individual's prior program of education 
following a change of program if the individual resumes training in the 
program without any loss of credit or standing in that program;
    (iv) An enrollment in a new program of education when that program 
leads to a vocational, educational or professional objective in the same 
general field as the immediately preceding program of education; or


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3691)

    (v) An enrollment or reenrollment of a servicemember seeking to be 
paid tuition assistance top-up benefits to meet all or a portion of an 
educational institution's charges for education or training that the 
military department concerned has not covered under tuition assistance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3691)

    (b) Application. A veteran, reservist, or eligible person may 
request a change of program by any form of communication. However, if 
the veteran, reservist, or eligible person does not furnish sufficient 
information to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to process the 
request, the Department of Veterans Affairs will furnish the prescribed 
form for a change of program to him or her for completion.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3691)

    (c) Optional change of program. A spouse or surviving spouse 
eligible to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 
may make one optional change of program if his or her previous course 
was not interrupted due to his or her own misconduct, neglect, or lack 
of application.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3691)

    (d) Other changes of program. (1) The following changes of program 
may not be made solely at the option of the veteran, reservist, or 
eligible person. The

[[Page 315]]

Department of Veterans Affairs must approve them before paying 
educational assistance allowance:
    (i) A second or subsequent change of program made by a veteran or 
eligible person other than a child receiving educational assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35,
    (ii) An initial change of program made by a veteran or eligible 
spouse or surviving spouse if the first program was interrupted or 
discontinued due to his or her own misconduct, neglect or lack of 
application, or
    (iii) Any change of program made by a child receiving educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs will approve a change of 
program listed in paragraph (d)(1) of this section if:
    (i) The program of education which the veteran, reservist, or 
eligible person proposes to pursue is suitable to his or her aptitudes, 
interests and abilities,
    (ii) In any instance where the veteran, reservist, or eligible 
person has interrupted, or failed to progress in his or her program due 
to his or her own misconduct, neglect or lack of application, there is a 
reasonable likelihood with respect to the program the veteran, 
reservist, or eligible person proposes to pursue that there will not be 
a recurrence of such an interruption or failure to progress, and
    (iii) In the case of an eligible child receiving educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 the new program meets the criteria 
applicable to final approval of an original application. See 
Sec. 21.4230.
    (3) The Department of Veterans Affairs may approve a third or 
subsequent change of program if applicable conditions of paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section are met and the additional change or changes are 
necessitated by circumstances beyond the control of the veteran, 
reservist, or eligible person. Circumstances beyond the control of the 
veteran, reservist, or eligible person include, but are not limited to:
    (i) The course being discontinued by the school when no other 
similar course leading to the same objective is available within normal 
commuting distance.
    (ii) Unexpected financial difficulties preventing completion of the 
last program because of the overall cost of the program needed to reach 
the objective, or
    (iii) The veteran, reservist, or eligible person being required to 
relocate because of health reasons in an area where training for the 
last objective is not available within normal commuting distance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3691)

    (4) Notwithstanding any provision of any other paragraph of this 
section, if a third or subsequent change of program occurs after May 31, 
1991, VA will apply only the applicable provisions of paragraph (d)(2) 
of this section. If the applicable provisions of paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section are met, VA will approve the change of program. VA will not 
apply any of the provisions of paragraph (d)(3) of this section in 
determining whether the change of program should be approved.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241, 3323(a), 3691)

    (e) Adjustments; transfers. A change in courses or places of 
training will not be considered a change of objective in the following 
instances:
    (1) The pursuit of the first program is a prerequisite for entrance 
into and pursuit of a second program.
    (2) A transfer from one school to another when the program at the 
second school leads to the same educational, professional or vocational 
objective, and does not involve a material loss of credit, or increase 
training time.
    (3) Revision of a program which does not involve a change of 
objective or material loss of credit nor loss of time originally planned 
for completion of the veteran's or eligible person's program. For 
example, an eligible person enrolled for a bachelor of science degree 
may show a professional objective such as chemist, teacher or engineer. 
His or her objective for purposes of this paragraph shall be considered 
to be ``bachelor degree'' and any change of courses will be considered 
only an adjustment in the program, not a change, so long as the subjects 
he or she pursues lead to the bachelor degree and

[[Page 316]]

there is no extension of time in the attaining of that degree.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 510(h), 16136(b), 16166(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 
3241, 3323(a), 3691)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 2900-0074 
and 2900-0099)

    Cross Reference: Counseling. See Sec. 21.4100.

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 34 FR 845, Jan. 18, 1969; 39 FR 
34036, Sept. 23, 1974; 39 FR 45237, Dec. 31, 1974; 45 FR 67093, Oct. 9, 
1980; 57 FR 29027, June 30, 1992; 57 FR 40614, Sept. 4, 1992; 60 FR 
32272, June 21, 1995; 61 FR 6783, Feb. 22, 1996; 72 FR 16973, Apr. 5, 
2007; 74 FR 14669, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4235  Programs of education that include flight training.

    VA will use the provisions of this section to determine whether an 
individual may be paid educational assistance for pursuit of flight 
training. See Sec. 21.4263 for approval of flight courses for VA 
training.
    (a) Eligibility. A veteran or servicemember who is otherwise 
eligible to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 or 
32, or a reservist who is eligible for expanded benefits under 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606 as provided in Sec. 21.7540(b), may receive educational 
assistance for flight training in an approved course provided that the 
individual meets the requirements of this paragraph. Except when 
enrolled in a ground instructor certification course or when pursuing 
flight training under paragraph (f) of this section, the individual 
must--
    (1) Possess a valid private pilot certificate or higher pilot 
certificate such as a commercial pilot certificate;
    (2) If enrolled in a course other than an Airline Transport Pilot 
(ATP) course, hold a second-class medical certificate on the first day 
of training and, if that course began before October 1, 1998, hold that 
certificate continuously during training; and
    (3) If enrolled in an ATP certification course, hold a first-class 
medical certificate on the first day of training and, if that course 
began before October 1, 1998, hold that certificate continuously during 
training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(b))

    (b) Approval of program. VA may approve the individual's program of 
education as described on the individual's application if:
    (1) The flight courses that constitute the program of education meet 
Federal Aviation Administration standards for such courses and the 
Federal Aviation Administration and the State approving agency approve 
them; and
    (2) The flight training included in the program--
    (i) Is generally accepted as necessary for the attainment of a 
recognized vocational objective in the field of aviation; or
    (ii) Is given by an educational institution of higher learning for 
credit toward a standard college degree that the individual is pursuing.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3002(3)(A), 3034(a), 
3202(2)(A), 3241(a), 3241(b), 3452(b), 3680A(a)(3))

    (c) Pursuit of flight courses. (1) VA will pay educational 
assistance to an eligible individual for an enrollment in a commercial 
pilot certification course leading to Federal Aviation Administration 
certification for a particular category even if the individual has a 
commercial pilot certificate issued by the Federal Aviation 
Administration for a different category, since each category represents 
a different vocational objective.
    (2) VA will pay educational assistance to an eligible individual for 
an enrollment in an instrument rating course only if the individual 
simultaneously enrolls in a course required for a commercial pilot 
certificate for the category for which the instrument rating course is 
pursued or if, at the time of enrollment in the instrument rating 
course, the individual has a commercial pilot certificate issued by the 
Federal Aviation Administration for such category. The enrollment in an 
instrument rating course alone does not establish that the individual is 
pursuing a vocational objective, as required for VA purposes, since that 
rating equally may be applied to an individual's private pilot 
certificate, only evidencing an intent to pursue a non-vocational 
objective.

[[Page 317]]

    (3) VA will pay educational assistance to an eligible individual for 
an enrollment in a flight course other than an instrument rating course 
or a ground instructor course, including courses leading to an aircraft 
type rating, only if the individual has a commercial pilot certificate 
issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for the category to which 
the particular course applies.
    (4) VA will pay educational assistance to an eligible individual for 
an enrollment in a ground instructor certificate course, even though the 
individual does not have any other flight certificate issued by the 
Federal Aviation Administration, since the Federal Aviation 
Administration does not require a flight certificate as a prerequisite 
to ground instructor certification and ground instructor is a recognized 
vocational objective.
    (5) VA will not pay an eligible individual for simultaneous 
enrollment in more than one flight course, except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3002(3)(A), 3034(a), 
3202(2)(A), 3241(a), 3241(b), 3452(b), 3680A(a)(3))

    (d) Some individuals are already qualified for a flight course 
objective. (1) The provisions of Secs. 21.5230(a)(4), 21.7110(b)(4), and 
21.7610(b)(4), prohibiting payment of educational assistance for 
enrollment in a course for whose objective the individual is already 
qualified, apply to enrollments in flight courses.
    (2) A former military pilot with the equivalent of a commercial 
pilot certificate and an instrument rating may obtain a commercial pilot 
certificate and instrument rating from the Federal Aviation 
Administration without a flight exam within 12 months of release from 
active duty. Therefore, VA will consider such a veteran to be already 
qualified for the objectives of a commercial pilot certification course 
and an instrument rating course if begun within 12 months of the 
individual's release from active duty.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3241(b), 
3471(4))

    (e) Some flight courses are refresher training. The provisions of 
Secs. 21.5230(c), 21.7020(b)(26), 21.7122(b), 21.7520(b)(20), and 
21.7610(b)(4) that provide limitations on payment for refresher training 
that is needed to update an individual's knowledge and skill in order to 
cope with technological advances while he or she was on active duty 
service apply to flight training.
    (1) An individual who held a Federal Aviation Administration 
certificate before or during active duty service may have surrendered 
that certificate or the Federal Aviation Administration may have 
canceled it. The individual may receive the equivalent of the number of 
months of educational assistance necessary to complete the course that 
will qualify him or her for the same grade certificate.
    (2) A reservist is not eligible for refresher training unless he or 
she has had prior active duty.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3002(3)(A), 3034(a)(3), 
3202(2)(A), 3241(a), 3241(b))

    (f) Flight training at an institution of higher learning. (1) An 
individual who is eligible for educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, or 35 is exempt from the 
provisions of paragraphs (a)(2) through (d) of this section when his or 
her courses include flight training that is part of a program of 
education that leads to a standard college degree.
    (2) An individual described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section may 
pursue courses that may result in the individual eventually receiving 
recreational pilot certification or private pilot certification, 
provided that the courses also lead to a standard college degree.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3002(3)(A), 3034(a)(3), 
3202(2)(A), 3241(a), 3241(b))

[63 FR 34129, June 23, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 12118, Mar. 8, 2000]



Sec. 21.4236  Tutorial assistance.

    (a) Enrollment. A veteran or eligible person may receive 
supplemental monetary assistance to provide tutorial services if he or 
she:

[[Page 318]]

    (1) Is pursuing a post-secondary educational program on a half-time 
or more basis at an educational institution, and
    (2) Has a deficiency in a subject which is indispensable to the 
satisfactory pursuit of an approved program of education.
    (b) Approval. The Department of Veterans Affairs will grant approval 
when:
    (1) The educational institution certifies that:
    (i) Individualized tutorial assistance is essential to correct a 
deficiency in a specified subject or subjects required as a part of, or 
which is prerequisite to, or which is indispensable to the satisfactory 
pursuit of an approved program of education;
    (ii) The tutor selected:
    (A) Is qualified, and
    (B) Is not the parent, spouse, child, brother or sister of the 
veteran or eligible person; and
    (iii) The charges for this assistance do not exceed the customary 
charges for such tutorial assistance; and
    (2) The assistance is furnished on an individual basis.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(h); 38 U.S.C. 3019, 3234, 3314, 3492, 
3533(b))

    (c) Limits on tutorial assistance. (1) VA will authorize the cost of 
tutorial assistance in an amount not to exceed $100 per month.
    (2) The total amount of all tutorial assistance provided under this 
section will not exceed $1200.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(h); 38 U.S.C. 3019, 3314, 3492, 3533(b))

    (d) Entitlement charge. VA will make no charge against the veteran's 
or eligible person's entitlement to educational assistance for any 
amount of tutorial assistance authorized.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(h); 38 U.S.C. 3019, 3314, 3492, 3533(b))

[48 FR 37989, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 50 FR 19935, May 13, 1985; 55 
FR 28027, July 9, 1990; 61 FR 26114, May 24, 1996; 74 FR 14670, Mar. 31, 
2009]

                                 Courses



Sec. 21.4250  Course and licensing and certification test approval; 
jurisdiction and notices.

    (a) General. The statements made in this paragraph are subject to 
exceptions found in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (1) If an educational institution offers a resident course in a 
State, only the State approving agency for the State where the course is 
being offered may approve the course for VA training. If the State 
approving agency chooses to approve a resident course (other than a 
flight course) not leading to a standard college degree, it must also 
approve the class schedules of that course.
    (2) If an educational institution with a main campus in a State 
offers a resident course not located in a State, only the State 
approving agency for the State where the educational institution's main 
campus is located may approve the course for VA training. If the State 
approving agency chooses to approve a resident course (other than a 
flight course) not leading to a standard college degree, it must also 
approve the class schedules of that course.
    (3) If an educational institution offers a course by independent 
study or by correspondence, only the State approving agency for the 
State where the educational institution's main campus is located may 
approve the course for VA training.
    (4) If a training establishment offers a program of apprenticeship 
or other on-job training, only the State approving agency for the State 
where the training will take place may approve the course for VA 
training.
    (5) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of this section, if a 
State or political subdivision of a State offers a licensing test, only 
the State approving agency for the State where the license will be valid 
may approve the test for VA payment.
    (6)(i) If an organization or entity offers a licensing or 
certification test and applies for approval of that test, only the State 
approving agency for the State where the organization or entity has its 
headquarters may approve the test and the organization or entity

[[Page 319]]

offering the test for VA payment. This approval will be valid wherever 
the test is given.
    (ii) If the organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test does not apply for approval, and a State or political 
subdivision of a State requires that an individual take the test in 
order to obtain a license, the State approving agency for the State 
where the license will be valid may approve the test for VA payment. 
This approval will be valid for the purpose of VA payment only if the 
veteran takes the test in the State or political subdivision of the 
State where the license is valid.
    (7) A course approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36 will be deemed to 
be approved for purposes of 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.
    (8) Any course that was approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 (as in 
effect before February 1, 1965), or under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 before 
March 3, 1966, and was not or is not disapproved for failure to meet any 
of the requirements of the applicable chapters, will be deemed to be 
approved for purposes of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36.
    (9) VA may make tuition assistance top-up payments of educational 
assistance to an individual to meet all or a portion of an educational 
institution's charges for education or training that the military 
department concerned has not covered under tuition assistance, even 
though a State approving agency has not approved the course in which the 
individual was enrolled.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b), 3313(e), 3315, 3670, 3672(a))

    (b) State approving agencies. Approval by State approving agencies 
will be in accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 36 and 
such regulations and policies as the agency may adopt not in conflict 
therewith.
    (1) Notice of approval. (i) Each State approving agency must provide 
to VA:
    (A) A list of schools specifying which courses it has approved;
    (B) A list of licensing and certification tests and organizations 
and entities offering these tests that it has approved; and
    (C) Any other information that it and VA may determine to be 
necessary.
    (ii) The lists and information must be provided on paper or 
electronically as VA may require.
    (2) Notice of suspension of approval or disapproval. Each State 
approving agency will notify the Department of Veterans Affairs of the 
suspension of approval or disapproval of any course or licensing or 
certification test previously approved and will set forth the reasons 
for such suspension of approval or disapproval. See Sec. 21.4259.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(a))

    (3) Failure to act. If notice has been furnished that the State 
approving agency does not intend to act on the application of a school, 
the school may request approval by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (c) Department of Veterans Affairs approval. (1) The Director, 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service may approve special 
restorative training in excess of 12 months to overcome or lessen the 
effects of a physical or mental disability to enable an eligible child 
to pursue a program of education under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.
    (2) The Director, Education Service may approve--
    (i) A course of education offered by any agency of the Federal 
Government authorized under other laws to offer such a course;
    (ii) A course of education to be pursued under 10 U.S.C. chapter 
1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, 35, or 36 offered by a school 
located in the Canal Zone, Guam or Samoa;
    (iii) Except as provided in Sec. 21.4150(d) as to the Republic of 
the Philippines, a course of education to be pursued under 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 offered by an 
institution of higher learning not located in a State;
    (iv) Any course in any other school in accordance with the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36;
    (v) Any program of apprenticeship the standards for which have been 
approved by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to section 50a of Title 29 
U.S.C. as a national apprenticeship program for operation in more than 
one State and for which the training establishment is a carrier directly 
engaged in

[[Page 320]]

interstate commerce and providing training in more than one State; and
    (vi) Any licensing or certification test and any organization or 
entity offering such a test if--
    (A) The organization or entity is an agency of the Federal 
government;
    (B) The headquarters of the organization or entity offering the test 
is not located in a State; or
    (C) The State approving agency that would, under paragraph (a)(5) or 
(a)(6) of this section, have approval jurisdiction for the test has 
declined to perform the approval function for licensing or certification 
tests and the organizations or entities offering these tests.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3241, 3314, 3323(a), 3476, 
3523, 3672, 3673, 3689)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0051)

    Cross Reference: Designation. See Sec. 21.4150.

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 35 FR 9816, June 16, 1970; 41 FR 
30640, July 26, 1976; 44 FR 54707, Sept. 21, 1979; 48 FR 37990, Aug. 22, 
1983; 51 FR 16317, May 2, 1986; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996; 62 FR 55760, 
Oct. 28, 1997; 72 FR 16973, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 FR 14670, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4251  Minimum period of operation requirement for educational
institutions.

    The provisions of this section do not apply to licensing or 
certification tests or to the organizations or entities offering those 
tests. For information on the minimum period of operation requirement 
that applies to licensing or certification tests, see Sec. 21.4268.
    (a) Definitions. The following definitions apply to the terms used 
in this section. The definitions in Sec. 21.4200 apply to the extent 
that no definition is included in this paragraph.
    (1) Control. The term control (including the term controlling) means 
the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the 
direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through 
the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
    (2) Person. The term person means an individual, corporation, 
partnership, or other legal entity.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e))

    (b) Some educational institutions must be in operation for 2 years. 
Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, when a proprietary 
educational institution offers a course not leading to a standard 
college degree, VA may not approve an enrollment in that course if the 
proprietary educational institution--
    (1) Has been operating for less than 2 years;
    (2) Offers the course at a branch or extension and the branch or 
extension has been operating for less than 2 years; or
    (3) Offers the course following either a change in ownership or a 
complete move outside its original general locality, and the educational 
institution does not retain substantially the same faculty, student 
body, and courses as before the change in ownership or the move outside 
the general locality unless the educational institution, after such 
change or move, has been in operation for at least 2 years.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e) and (g))

    (c) Exception to the 2-year operation requirement. Notwithstanding 
the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, VA may approve the 
enrollment of a veteran, servicemember, reservist, or eligible person in 
a course not leading to a standard college degree approved under this 
subpart if it is offered by a proprietary educational institution that--
    (1) Offers the course under a contract with the Department of 
Defense or the Department of Transportation; and
    (2) Gives the course on or immediately adjacent to a military base, 
Coast Guard station, National Guard facility, or facility of the 
Selected Reserve.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e) and (g))

    (d) Operation for 2 years. VA will consider, for the purposes of 
paragraph (b)

[[Page 321]]

of this section, that a proprietary educational institution (or a branch 
or extension of such an educational institution) will be deemed to have 
been operating for 2 years when the educational institution (or a branch 
or extension of such an educational institution)--
    (1) Has been operating as an educational institution for 24 
continuous months pursuant to the laws of the State(s) in which it is 
approved to operate and in which it is offering the training; and
    (2) Has offered courses continuously for at least 24 months 
inclusive of normal vacation or holiday periods, or periods when the 
institution is closed temporarily due to a natural disaster that 
directly affected the institution or the institution's students.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e) and (g))

    (e) Move outside the same general locality. A proprietary 
educational institution (or a branch or extension thereof) will be 
deemed to have moved to a location outside the same general locality of 
the original location when the new location is beyond normal commuting 
distance of the original location, i.e., 55 miles or more from the 
original location.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e))

    (f) Change of ownership. (1) A change of ownership of a proprietary 
educational institution occurs when--
    (i) A person acquires operational management and/or control of the 
proprietary educational institution and its educational activities; or
    (ii) A person ceases to have operational management and/or control 
of the proprietary educational institution and its educational 
activities.
    (2) Transactions that may cause a change of ownership include, but 
are not limited to the following:
    (i) The sale of the educational institution;
    (ii) The transfer of the controlling interest of stock of the 
educational institution or its parent corporation;
    (iii) The merger of 2 or more educational institutions; and
    (iv) The division of one educational institution into 2 or more 
educational institutions.
    (3) VA considers that a change in ownership of an educational 
institution does not include a transfer of ownership or control of the 
institution, upon the retirement or death of the owner, to:
    (i) The owner's parent, sibling, spouse, child, spouse's parent or 
sibling, or sibling's or child's spouse; or
    (ii) An individual with an ownership interest in the institution who 
has been involved in management of the institution for at least 2 years 
preceding the transfer.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e))

    (g) Substantially the same faculty, student body, and courses. VA 
will determine whether a proprietary educational institution has 
substantially the same faculty, student body, and courses following a 
change of ownership or move outside the same general locality by 
applying the provisions of this paragraph.
    (1) VA will consider that the faculty remains substantially the same 
in an educational institution when faculty members who teach a majority 
of the courses after the move or change in ownership, were so employed 
by the educational institution before the move or change in ownership.
    (2) VA will consider that the courses remain substantially the same 
at an educational institution when:
    (i) Faculty use the same instructional methods during the term, 
quarter, or semester after the move or change in ownership as were used 
before the move or change in ownership; and
    (ii) The courses offered after the move or change in ownership lead 
to the same educational objectives as did the courses offered before the 
move or change in ownership.
    (3) VA considers that the student body remains substantially the 
same at an educational institution when, except for those students who 
have graduated, all, or a majority of the students enrolled in the 
educational institution on the last day of classes before the move or 
change in ownership are

[[Page 322]]

also enrolled in the educational institution after the move or change in 
ownership.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e) and (f)(1))

[65 FR 81741, Dec. 27, 2000, as amended at 72 FR 16974, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.4252  Courses precluded; erroneous, deceptive, or misleading
practices.

    (a) Bartending and personality development. Enrollment will not be 
approved in any bartending or personality development course.
    (b) Avocational and recreational. Enrollment will not be approved in 
any course which is avocational or recreational in character or the 
advertising for which contains significant avocational or recreational 
themes. The courses identified in paragraphs (b)(1), (2), and (3) of 
this section are presumed to be avocational or recreational in character 
and require justification for their pursuit.
    (1) Any photography course or entertainment course, or
    (2) Any music course, instrumental or vocal, public speaking course, 
or course in dancing, sports or athletics, such as horseback riding, 
swimming, fishing, skiing, golf, baseball, tennis, bowling, sports 
officiating, or other sport or athletic courses, except courses of 
applied music, physical education, or public speaking which are offered 
by institutions of higher learning for credit as an integral part of a 
program leading to an educational objective, or
    (3) Any other type of course which the Department of Veterans 
Affairs determines to be avocational or recreational.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3523(a), 3680A(b))

    (4) To overcome the presumption that a course is avocational or 
recreational in character, the veteran or eligible person will be 
required to establish that the course will be of bona fide use in the 
pursuit of his or her present or contemplated business or occupation.
    (c) Flight training. The Department of Veterans Affairs may approve 
an enrollment in any of the following types of courses of flight 
training if an institution of higher learning offers the course for 
credit toward the standard college degree the veteran or eligible person 
is pursuing. The Department of Veterans Affairs otherwise will not 
approve an enrollment in:
    (1) A course of flight training to obtain a private pilot's license 
or equivalent level training; or
    (2) Any course of flight training under Chapter 35.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(f); 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3241(b), 3323(a), 
3523(b), 3680A(b))

    (d) Courses by radio. Enrollment in such courses will not be 
approved.
    (e) Correspondence courses. (1) VA will not approve the enrollment 
of an individual under 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606 or 38 U.S.C. Chapter 30, 
32, or 35 in a correspondence course or the correspondence portion of a 
correspondence-residence course unless the course is accredited and 
meets the requirements of Secs. 21.4253, 21.4256, and 21.4279, as 
appropriate.
    (2) VA will not approve the enrollment of an eligible child under 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 35 in a correspondence course or the correspondence 
portion of a correspondence-residence course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3534(b))

    (f) Alternative teacher certification program. VA will not approve 
the enrollment of an eligible person under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 in an 
alternative teacher certification program unless that program is offered 
by an institution of higher learning as defined in Sec. 21.4200(h).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(c), 3501(a)(6))

    (g) Independent study. (1) Effective October 29, 1992, VA may pay 
educational assistance to a veteran who is enrolled in a nonaccredited 
course or unit subject offered entirely or partly by independent study 
only if--
    (i) Successful completion of the nonaccredited course or unit 
subject is required in order for the veteran to complete his or her 
program of education; and the veteran--
    (A) Was receiving educational assistance on October 29, 1992, for 
pursuit of the program of education of which the

[[Page 323]]

nonaccredited independent study course or unit subject forms a part, and
    (B) Has remained continuously enrolled in that program of education 
from October 29, 1992, to the date the veteran enrolls in the 
nonaccredited independent study course or unit subject; or
    (ii) Was enrolled in and receiving educational assistance for the 
nonaccredited independent study course or unit subject on October 29, 
1992, and remains continuously enrolled in that course or unit subject.
    (2) Whether or not the veteran is enrolled will be determined by the 
regularly prescribed standards and practices of the educational 
institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A; sec. 313(b), Pub. L. 102-568, 106 Stat. 
4331-4332)

    (h) Erroneous, deceptive, or misleading practices. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, ``educational institution'' includes an organization 
or entity offering licensing or certification tests.
    (1) If an educational institution uses advertising, sales, 
enrollment practices, or candidate handbooks that are erroneous, 
deceptive, or misleading by actual statement, omission, or intimation, 
VA will not approve:
    (i) An enrollment in any course such an educational institution 
offers; and
    (ii) Payment of educational assistance as reimbursement to a veteran 
or eligible person for taking a licensing or certification test that the 
educational institution offers.
    (2) VA will use the services and facilities of the Federal Trade 
Commission, where appropriate, under an agreement:
    (i) To carry out investigations; and
    (ii) To decide whether an educational institution uses advertising, 
sales, or enrollment practices, or candidate handbooks, described in 
paragraph (h)(1) of this section.
    (3) Any educational institution offering courses approved for the 
enrollment of veterans, reservists, and/or eligible persons, or offering 
licensing or certification tests approved for payment of educational 
assistance as reimbursement to veterans or eligible persons who take the 
tests, must maintain a complete record of all advertising, sales 
materials, enrollment materials, or candidate handbooks (and copies of 
each) that the educational institution or its agents have used during 
the preceding 12-month period. The State approving agency and VA may 
inspect this record. The materials in this record shall include but are 
not limited to:
    (i) Any direct mail pieces,
    (ii) Brochures,
    (iii) Printed literature used by sales people,
    (iv) Films, video cassettes and audio tapes disseminated through 
broadcast media,
    (v) Material disseminated through print media,
    (vi) Tear sheets,
    (vii) Leaflets,
    (viii) Handbills,
    (ix) Fliers, and
    (x) Any sales or recruitment manuals used to instruct sales 
personnel, agents or representatives of the educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689, 3696)

    (i) Audited courses. The school's certifications shall exclude 
courses which are being audited by the veteran or eligible person, since 
no educational assistance allowances shall be paid for such courses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (j) Nonpunitive graded courses. The school shall report any course 
for which a nonpunitive grade is assigned and no payment shall be 
authorized for such a course. If payment has already been made, in whole 
or in part, by the Department of Veterans Affairs at the time the grade 
is assigned, an overpayment shall be created against the account of the 
student for such a course, unless the Department of Veterans Affairs 
determines there are mitigating circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (k) Courses with suspended approval. When a State approving agency 
has suspended the approval of a course for new enrollments, new 
enrollments in the course shall not be approved until

[[Page 324]]

the suspense is lifted. If the State approving agency does not lift the 
suspense, but disapproves the course instead, new enrollments beginning 
on or after the date the suspense was effective shall not be approved. 
See Sec. 21.4259.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(a))

    (l) Courses taken by a nonmatriculated student who is pursuing a 
degree. The provisions of this paragraph apply to veterans and eligible 
persons who are pursuing a degree, but who have not matriculated. The 
Department of Veterans Affairs considers a student to have matriculated 
when he or she has been formally admitted to a college or university as 
a degree-seeking student.
    (1) Some colleges or universities admit students provisionally, 
pending receipt of test results or transcripts. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs may approve such a veteran's or eligible person's 
enrollment in a course or subject only if the veteran or eligible person 
matriculates during the first two terms, quarters or semesters following 
his or her admission.
    (2) The first portion of the courses leading to a single degree may 
be offered at one college or university. The remaining courses are not 
offered at the college or university, but are offered at a second 
college or university which grants the degree based upon the combined 
credits earned by the student. If the student is not required to 
matriculate during the portion of the program offered at the first 
college or university, VA may approve an enrollment in a course or 
subject that is part of that portion of the program only when the 
certifications described in either paragraph (l)(2)(i) or (ii) of this 
section are made.
    (i) The college or university granting the degree certifies 
concurrently with the student's enrollment in the first portion of the 
program, that
    (A) Full credit will be granted for the subjects taken in the 
portion of the curriculum offered at the first college or university;
    (B) In the last 5 years at least three students who have completed 
the first part of the program have been accepted into the second part of 
the program;
    (C) At least 90 percent of those who have applied for admission to 
the second part of the program, after successfully completing the first 
part, have been admitted;
    (D) The student will be required to matriculate during the first two 
terms, quarters or semesters following his or her admission to the 
second part of the program.
    (ii) The college or university offering the first part of the 
program:
    (A) Certifies to the appropriate State approving agency that as a 
result of an agreement between that college or university and the 
college or university offering the second part of the program, all of 
the courses taken by the veteran or eligible person in the first part of 
the program, will be accepted by the college or university offering the 
second part of the program without any loss of credit in partial 
fulfillment of the requirements for an associate or higher degree. This 
certification may be made once for each program for which an agreement 
exists.
    (B) Certifies to VA that the veteran or eligible person has stated 
to an appropriate official of the college or university offering the 
first part of the program that he or she is pursuing the program.
    (3) The first portion of the subjects or courses in a baccalaureate 
program beyond those necessary for an associate degree may be given at a 
2-year college, while the remainder may be offered at a 4-year college 
or university. When the college or university does not require the 
student to matriculate while pursuing the additional study at the 2-year 
college, VA may approve an enrollment in a course offered in the program 
at the 2-year college only if the certifications described in either 
paragraph (l)(3)(i) or (ii) of this section are made.
    (i) The college or university granting the baccalaureate degree 
certifies that:
    (A) Full credit is granted for the course upon the student's 
transfer to the college or university granting the baccalaureate degree,
    (B) The courses taken at the 2-year college will be acceptable in 
partial fulfillment for the baccalaureate degree, and
    (C) The student will be required to matriculate during the first two 
terms, quarters or semesters following his or

[[Page 325]]

her admission to the college or university granting the baccalaureate 
degree.
    (ii) Either the 2-year college or the college or university granting 
the baccalaureate degree:
    (A) Certifies to the appropriate State approving agency that as a 
result of agreement between the 2-year college and the college or 
university offering the baccalaureate degree all of the courses pursued 
beyond the associate degree will be accepted without any loss of credit 
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree. 
This certification may be made once for each program for which an 
agreement exists.
    (B) Certifies to VA that the veteran or eligible person is enrolled 
in courses covered by the agreement.
    (4) Except as provided in paragraphs (l)(1), (2), and (3) of this 
section, the Department of Veterans Affairs will not approve a veteran's 
or eligible person's enrollment in a course or subject if the veteran or 
eligible person:
    (i) Is pursuing a degree, and
    (ii) Is not matriculated.
    (5) Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a State approving agency 
from including more restrictive matriculation requirements in its 
approval criteria.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452)

    (m) Courses offered under contract. VA may not approve the 
enrollment of a veteran, servicemember, reservist, or eligible person in 
a course as a part of a program of education offered by any educational 
institution if the educational institution or entity providing the 
course under contract has not obtained a separate approval for the 
course in the same manner as for any other course as required by 
Sec. 21.4253, Sec. 21.4254, Sec. 21.4256, Sec. 21.4257, Sec. 21.4260, 
Sec. 21.4261, Sec. 21.4263, Sec. 21.4264, Sec. 21.4265, Sec. 21.4266, or 
Sec. 21.4267, as appropriate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(f) and (g))

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 2900-0073, 
2900-0156, and 2900-0682)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 32 FR 13404, Sept. 23, 1967; 35 
FR 9817, June 16, 1970; 40 FR 31763, July 29, 1975; 43 FR 35302, Aug. 9, 
1978; 45 FR 31063, June 12, 1980; 48 FR 14379, Apr. 4, 1983; 48 FR 
37991, Aug. 22, 1983; 49 FR 5116, Feb. 10, 1984; 49 FR 8439, Mar. 7, 
1984; 51 FR 19331, May 29, 1986; 55 FR 28028, July 9, 1990; 61 FR 6783, 
Feb. 22, 1996; 61 FR 26114, May 24, 1996; 61 FR 29296, June 10, 1996; 65 
FR 81742, Dec. 27, 2000; 72 FR 16974, Apr. 5, 2007; 74 FR 14670, Mar. 
31, 2009]



Sec. 21.4253  Accredited courses.

    (a) General. A course may be approved as an accredited course if it 
meets one of the following requirements:
    (1) The course has been accredited and approved by a nationally 
recognized accrediting agency or association. ``Candidate for 
accreditation'' status is not a basis for approval of a course as 
accredited.
    (2) Credit for such course is approved by the State department of 
education for credit toward a high school diploma.
    (3) The course is conducted under the Act of February 23, 1917 (20 
U.S.C. 11 et seq.).
    (4) The course is accepted by the State department of education for 
credit for a teacher's certificate or teacher's degree.
    (5) The course is approved by the State as meeting the requirement 
of regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
under sections 1819(f)(2)(A)(i) and 1919(f)(2)(A)(i) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C.1395i-3(f)(2)(A)(i) and 1396r(f)(2)(A)(i)).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3675(a))

    (b) Course objective. Any curriculum offered by an educational 
institution which is a member of one of the nationally recognized 
accrediting agencies or associations and which leads to a degree, 
diploma, or certificate will be accepted as an accredited course when

[[Page 326]]

approved as such by the State approving agency. Any curriculum 
accredited by one of the specialized nationally recognized accrediting 
agencies or associations and which leads to a degree, diploma, or 
certificate will also be accepted as an accredited course when approved 
as such by the State approving agency. Approval of the individual 
subjects, required or elective, which are designated as a part of a 
degree curriculum will not be necessary. Such approval may include 
noncredit subjects that are prescribed as a required part of the 
curriculum. The course objective may be educational (high school diploma 
or a standard college degree) or it may be vocational or professional 
(an occupation).
    (c) Accrediting agencies. A nationally recognized accrediting agency 
or association is one that appears on the list published by the 
Secretary of Education as required by 38 U.S.C. 3675(a). The State 
approving agencies may use the accreditation of these accrediting 
agencies or associations for approval of the course specifically 
accredited and approved by the agency or association.
    (d) School qualification. A school desiring to enroll veterans or 
eligible persons in accredited courses will make application for 
approval of such courses to the State approving agency. The State 
approving agency may approve the application of the school when the 
school and its accredited courses are found to have met the following 
criteria and additional reasonable criteria established by the State 
approving agency:
    (1) The institution (other than an elementary or secondary school) 
has submitted to the State approving agency copies of its catalog or 
bulletin which are certified as true and correct in content and policy 
by an authorized representative, and the publication shall:
    (i) State with specificity the requirements of the institution with 
respect to graduation;
    (ii) Include institution policy and regulations relative to 
standards of progress required of the student by the institution (this 
policy will define the grading system of the institution, the minimum 
grades considered satisfactory, conditions for interruption for 
unsatisfactory grades or progress, a description of the probationary 
period, if any, allowed by the institution, conditions of reentrance for 
those students dismissed for unsatisfactory progress, and a statement 
regarding progress records kept by the institution and furnished the 
student);
    (iii) Include institution policy and regulations relating to student 
conduct and conditions for dismissal for unsatisfactory conduct; and
    (iv) Include any attendance standards of the institution if the 
institution has and enforces such standards.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3675(a), 3676(b))

    (2) Adequate records are kept by the school to show the progress of 
each veteran or eligible person. The records must be sufficient to show 
continued pursuit at the rate for which enrolled and the progress being 
made. They must include final grade in each subject for each term, 
quarter, or semester; record of withdrawal from any subject to include 
the last date of attendance for a resident course; and record of 
reenrollment in subjects from which there was a withdrawal; and may 
include such records as attendance for resident courses, periodic grades 
and examination results.
    (3) The school maintains a written record of previous education and 
training of the veteran or eligible person which clearly indicates that 
appropriate credit has been given by the school for previous education 
and training, with the training period shortened proportionately. The 
record must be cumulative in that the results of each enrollment period 
(term, quarter or semester) must be included so that it shows each 
subject undertaken and the final result, i.e., passed, failed, 
incomplete or withdrawn.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3675(b))

    (4) The school enforces a policy relative to standards of conduct 
and progress required of the student. The school policy relative to 
standards of progress must be specific enough to determine the point in 
time when educational benefits should be discontinued, pursuant to 38 
U.S.C. 3474 when the veteran or eligible person ceases to make 
satisfactory progress. The policy must include the grade or grade point

[[Page 327]]

average that will be maintained if the student is to graduate. For 
example, a 4-year college may require a 1.5 grade point average the 
first year, a 1.75 average at mid-year the second year, and a cumulative 
average of 2.0 thereafter on the basis of 4.0 for an A.
    (5) If the school has a standard of attendance, it maintains records 
of attendance for veterans and eligible persons enrolled in resident 
courses which are adequate to show the student meets the school's 
standard of attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3474, 3675)

    (6) The accredited courses, the curriculum of which they form a 
part, and the instruction connected with those courses are consistent in 
quality, content, and length with similar courses in public educational 
institutions and other private educational institutions in the State 
with recognized accepted standards.
    (7) There is in the educational institution offering the course 
adequate space, equipment, instructional material, and instructor 
personnel to provide training of good quality.
    (8) The educational and experience qualifications of directors, and 
administrators of the educational institution offering the courses, and 
instructors teaching the courses for which approval is sought, are 
adequate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3675(b), 3676(c)(1), (2), (3))

    (e) College level. Under the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, any course at college level approved by the State approving 
agency as an accredited course will be accepted by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs as an accredited course when all of the following 
conditions are met:
    (1) The college or university is accredited by a nationally 
recognized regional accrediting agency listed by the Secretary of 
Education or the course is accredited at the college level by a 
specialized accrediting agency or association recognized by the 
Secretary of Education; and


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3675)

    (2) The course has entrance requirements of not less than the 
requirements applicable to the college level program of the school; and
    (3) Credit for the course is awarded in terms of standard semester 
or quarter hours or by recognition at completion by the granting of a 
standard college degree.
    (f) Courses not leading to a standard college degree. Any course in 
a school approved by the State approving agency will be accepted as an 
accredited course when all of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The course or the school offering such course is accredited by 
the appropriate accrediting agency; and
    (2) The course offers training in the field for which the 
accrediting agency is recognized and at a level for which it is 
recognized; and
    (3) The course leads to a high school diploma or a vocational 
objective.

(Paperwork requirements in Sec. 21.4253(d)(1) were approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget under control number 2900-0568)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 38 FR 14938, June 7, 1973; 40 FR 
33825, Aug. 12, 1975; 43 FR 35302, Aug. 9, 1978; 48 FR 37992, Aug. 22, 
1983; 50 FR 43135, Oct. 24, 1985; 60 FR 32272, June 21, 1995; 61 FR 
6783, Feb. 22, 1996; 62 FR 35424, July 1, 1997; 65 FR 81742, Dec. 27, 
2000; 73 FR 1077, Jan. 7, 2008]



Sec. 21.4254  Nonaccredited courses.

    (a) General. Nonaccredited courses are courses which are not 
approved as accredited courses and which are offered by a public or 
private, profit or nonprofit, educational institution. These include 
nonaccredited courses offered by extension centers or divisions, or 
vocational or adult education departments of institutions of higher 
learning.
    (b) Application. Any school desiring to enroll veterans or eligible 
persons in nonaccredited courses will submit a written application to 
the appropriate State approving agency for approval of such courses (38 
U.S.C. 3676(a)). Such application will be accompanied by not less than 
two copies of the current catalog or bulletin which is certified as true 
and correct in content and policy by an authorized owner or official of 
the school and will include the following:

[[Page 328]]

    (1) Identifying data, such as volume number, and date of 
publication;
    (2) Names of the school and its governing body, officials, and 
faculty;
    (3) A calendar of the school showing legal holidays, beginning and 
ending date of each quarter, term, or semester, and other important 
dates;
    (4) School policy and regulations on enrollment with respect to 
enrollment dates and specific entrance requirements for each course;
    (5) School policy and regulations relative to leave, absences, class 
cuts, makeup work, tardiness, and interruptions for unsatisfactory 
attendance;
    (6) School policy and regulations relative to standards of progress 
required of the student. This policy will define the grading system of 
the school, the minimum grades considered satisfactory conditions for 
interruption for unsatisfactory grades or progress, and a description of 
the probationary period, if any, allowed by the school, and conditions 
of reentrance for those students dismissed for unsatisfactory progress. 
A statement will be made regarding progress records kept by the school 
and furnished the student;
    (7) School policy and regulations relating to student conduct and 
conditions for dismissal for unsatisfactory conduct;
    (8) Detailed schedule of fees, charges for tuition, books, supplies, 
tools, student activities, laboratory fees, service charges, rentals, 
deposits, and all other charges;
    (9) Policy and regulations relative to the refund of the unused 
portion of tuition, fees, and other charges in the event the student 
does not enter the course, or withdraws, or is discontinued therefrom;
    (10) A description of the available space, facilities, and 
equipment;
    (11) A course outline for each course for which approval is 
requested, showing subjects or units in the course, type of work, or 
skill to be learned, and approximate time and clock hours to be spent on 
each subject or unit; and
    (12) Policy and regulations relative to granting credit for previous 
education and training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676(b))

    (c) Approval criteria. The appropriate State approving agency may 
approve the application of such school when the school and its 
nonaccredited courses are found upon investigation to have met the 
following criteria:
    (1) The courses, curriculum, and instruction are consistent in 
quality, content, and length with similar recognized accepted standards.
    (2) There is in the school adequate space, equipment, instructional 
material, and instructor personnel to provide training of good quality.
    (3) Educational and experience qualifications of directors, 
administrators, and instructors are adequate.
    (4) The school maintains a written record of the previous education 
and training of the veteran or eligible person and clearly indicates 
that appropriate credit has been given for previous education and 
training, with the training period shortened proportionately, and the 
veteran or eligible person and the Department of Veterans Affairs so 
notified.
    (5) A copy of the course outline, schedule of tuition, fees, and 
other charges, regulations pertaining to absences, grading policy, and 
rules of operation and conduct will be furnished the veteran or eligible 
person upon enrollment.
    (6) Upon completion of training, the veteran or eligible person is 
given a certificate by the school indicating the approved course and 
indicating that training was satisfactorily completed.
    (7) Adequate records as prescribed by the State approving agency are 
kept to show attendance and progress or grades, and satisfactory 
standards relating to attendance, progress, and conduct are enforced.
    (8) The school complies with all local, city, county, municipal, 
State, and Federal regulations, such as fire codes, building, and 
sanitation codes. The State approving agency may require such evidence 
of compliance as it deemed necessary.
    (9) The school is financially sound and capable of fulfilling its 
commitments for training.
    (10) The school does not utilize advertising of any type which is 
erroneous or misleading, either by actual statement, omission, or 
intimation. The

[[Page 329]]

school will not be deemed to have met this requirement until the State 
approving agency:
    (i) Has ascertained from the Federal Trade Commission whether the 
Commission has issued an order to the school to cease and desist from 
any act or practice, and
    (ii) Has, if such an order has been issued, given due weight to that 
fact.
    (11) The school does not exceed its enrollment limitations as 
established by the State approving agency.
    (12) The school administrators, directors, owners, and instructors 
are of good reputation and character.
    (13) The school either: (i) Has and maintains a policy for the pro 
rata refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees and charges if the 
veteran or eligible person fails to enter the course or withdraws or is 
discontinued from it before completion, or
    (ii) Has obtained a waiver of this requirement. See Sec. 21.4255.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676)

    (14) Such additional reasonable criteria as may be deemed necessary 
by the State approving agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676(c))

    (d) Limitations on course approval. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this section, a State approving agency shall not approve a 
nonaccredited course if it is to be pursued in whole or in part by 
independent study.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676(e))

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 33 FR 9546, June 29, 1968; 47 FR 
42733, Sept. 29, 1982; 61 FR 6783, Feb. 22, 1996]



Sec. 21.4255  Refund policy; nonaccredited courses.

    (a) Acceptable refund policy. A refund policy meets the requirements 
of Sec. 21.4254(c)(13), if it provides that the amount charged for 
tuition, fees, and other charges for a portion of the course does not 
exceed the approximate pro rata portion of the total charges for 
tuition, fees, and other charges that the length of the completed 
portion of the course bears to the total length. The school may make 
provision for refund within the following limitations:
    (1) Registration fee. An established registration fee in an amount 
not to exceed $10 need not be subject to proration. Where the 
established registration fee is more than $10, the amount in excess of 
$10 will be subject to proration.
    (2) Breakage fee. Where the school has a breakage fee, it may 
provide for the retention of only the exact amount of the breakage, with 
the remaining part, if any, to be refunded.
    (3) Consumable instructional supplies. Where the school makes a 
separate charge for consumable instructional supplies, as distinguished 
from laboratory fees, the exact amount of the charges for supplies 
consumed may be retained but any remaining part must be refunded.
    (4) Books, supplies and equipment. (i) A veteran or eligible person 
may retain or dispose of books, supplies and equipment at his or her 
discretion when:
    (A) He or she purchased them from a bookstore or other source, and
    (B) Their cost is separate and independent from the charge made by 
the school for tuition and fees.
    (ii) The school will make a refund in full for the amount of the 
charge for unissued books, supplies and equipment when:
    (A) The school furnishes the books, supplies and equipment.
    (B) The school includes their cost in the total charge payable to 
the school for the course.
    (C) The veteran or eligible person withdraws or is discontinued 
before completing the course.
    (iii) The veteran or eligible person may dispose of issued items at 
his or her discretion even if they were included in the total charges 
payable to the school for the course.
    (5) Tuition and other charges. Where the school either has or adopts 
an established policy for the refund of the unused portion of tuition, 
fees, and other charges subject to proration, which is more favorable to 
the veteran or eligible person than the approximate pro rata basis as 
provided in this paragraph, such established policy will be applicable. 
Otherwise, the school may charge a sum which does not vary more than 10 
percent from the exact pro rata portion of such tuition, fees, and other

[[Page 330]]

charges that the length of the completed portion of the course bears to 
its total length. The exact proration will be determined on the ratio of 
the number of days of instruction completed by the student to the total 
number of instructional days in the course.
    (6) Prompt refund. In the event that the veteran, spouse, surviving 
spouse or child fails to enter the course or withdraws or is 
discontinued therefrom at any time prior to completion of the course, 
the unused portion of the tuition, fees and other charges paid by the 
individual shall be refunded promptly. Any institution which fails to 
forward any refund due within 40 days after such a change in status, 
shall be deemed, prima facie, to have failed to make a prompt refund, as 
required by this paragraph.
    (b) Waiver. (1) An educational institution may apply through the 
appropriate State approving agency to the Director of the VA facility of 
jurisdiction for a waiver of the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section as they apply to a veteran or eligible person. The State 
approving agency shall forward the application to the Director along 
with its recommendations. The Director shall consider the 
recommendations and shall grant a waiver only when he or she finds that 
the educational institution:
    (i) Is a college, university, or similar institution offering post-
secondary level academic instruction leading to an associate or higher 
degree;
    (ii) Is operated by an agency of a State or a unit of local 
government;
    (iii) If operated by an agency of a State, is located within that 
State;
    (iv) If operated by a unit of local government, is located within 
the boundaries of the area over which that unit has taxing jurisdiction;
    (v) Is a candidate for accreditation by a regional accrediting 
agency; and
    (vi) Charges the veteran or eligible person no more than $120 per 
quarter, $180 per semester or $360 per school year in tuition, fees and 
other charges for the course.
    (2) If an educational institution disagrees with a decision of a 
Director of a VA facility, it may ask that the Director, Education 
Service review the decision. In reviewing the decision the Director must 
consider the evidence of record. He or she may not grant a waiver unless 
all the criteria of paragraph (b)(1) of this section are met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676(d))

[47 FR 42733, Sept. 29, 1982]



Sec. 21.4256  Correspondence programs and courses.

    (a) Approval of correspondence programs and courses. (1) An 
educational institution desiring to enroll veterans under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 or 32, spouses and/or surviving spouses under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 35, and/or reservists under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 in a program 
of education to be pursued exclusively by correspondence, or in the 
correspondence portion of a combination correspondence-residence course, 
may have the program or course approved only when the educational 
institution meets the requirements of Secs. 21.4252(e), 21.4253, and 
21.4279, as applicable.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))


(The information collection requirements in this section have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0575)
    (2) The application of an educational institution for approval of a 
program of education to be pursued exclusively by correspondence or the 
correspondence portion of a combined correspondence-residence course 
must demonstrate that the program or course is satisfactory in all 
elements. The educational institution must certify to the State 
approving agency that at least 50 percent of those pursuing the program 
or course require six months or more to complete it. For applications 
for approval that are pending approval by the State approving agency on 
February 2, 1995, and for applications received by the State approving 
agency after that date, the required certification shall be based on the 
experience of students who completed the program or course during the 
six-month period immediately preceding the educational institution's 
application for approval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))

    (3) State approving agencies have the authority to review 
periodically the length of time needed to complete each

[[Page 331]]

approved correspondence program or approved correspondence-residence 
course in order to determine whether the program or course should 
continue to be approved. In implementing this authority, a State 
approving agency will examine the results over a prior two-year period 
reasonably related to the date on which such a review is conducted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))

    (b) Enrollment agreement. (1) An educational institution offering a 
program of education to be pursued exclusively by correspondence must 
enter into an enrollment agreement with the veteran, spouse, surviving 
spouse, or reservist who wishes to receive educational assistance from 
VA while pursuing the program. The enrollment agreement shall disclose 
fully the obligations of the institution and the veteran, spouse, 
surviving spouse, or reservist, and shall display in a prominent place 
on the agreement the conditions for affirmance, termination, refund, and 
payment of the educational assistance by VA.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3686(a)(1), 3686(b))

    (2) A copy of the agreement shall be given to the veteran, spouse, 
surviving spouse, or reservist when it is signed.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3686(b))

    (3) The agreement shall not be effective unless the veteran, spouse, 
surviving spouse, or reservist after the expiration of 10 days after the 
agreement is signed, shall have signed and submitted to VA a written 
statement, with a signed copy to the institution, specifically affirming 
the agreement.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3686(b))


(The information collection requirements in this section have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0576)
    (c) Mandatory refund policy. (1) Upon notification of the 
educational institution by the veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or 
reservist of an intention not to affirm the enrollment agreement, any 
fees paid by the individual shall be returned promptly in full to him or 
her.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3686(c))

    (2) Upon termination of enrollment under an affirmed enrollment 
agreement for training in the accredited course by the veteran, spouse, 
surviving spouse, or reservist, without having completed any lessons, a 
registration fee not in excess of 10 percent of the tuition for the 
course or $50, whichever is less, may be charged him or her. When the 
individual terminates the agreement after completion of less than 25 
percent of the lessons of the course, the institution may retain the 
registration fee plus 25 percent of the tuition. When the individual 
terminates the agreement after completing 25 percent but less than 50 
percent of the lessons, the institution may retain the registration fee 
plus 50 percent of the tuition for the course. If 50 percent or more of 
the lessons are completed, no refund of tuition is required.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3686(c))

    (3) Where the school either has or adopts an established policy for 
the refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees, and other charges 
subject to proration, which is more favorable to the veteran, spouse, 
surviving spouse, or reservist than the pro rata basis as provided in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, such established policy will be 
applicable.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3686(c))

    (4) Any institution that fails to forward any refund due to the 
veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or reservist within 40 days after 
receipt of a notice of termination or disaffirmance, shall be deemed, 
prima facie, to have failed to make a prompt refund as required by this 
section.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3686(c))

[62 FR 63849, Dec. 3, 1997]

[[Page 332]]



Sec. 21.4257  Cooperative courses.

    A cooperative course may be approved when the course meets the 
requirement of Sec. 21.4233(a).



Sec. 21.4258  Notice of approval.

    (a) General; letter of approval and other notice of approval 
requirements. The State approving agency, upon determining that an 
educational institution, training establishment, or organization or 
entity offering a licensing or certification test has complied with all 
the requirements for approval will--
    (1) Notify by letter, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, 
each such educational institution, training establishment, or 
organization or entity offering a licensing or certification test; and
    (2) Furnish VA an official copy of the letter, any attachments, and 
any subsequent amendments. In addition, the State approving agency will 
furnish VA a copy of each such--
    (i) Educational institution's approved catalog or bulletin;
    (ii) Training establishment's application requesting approval; or
    (iii) Organization's or entity's candidate handbook.
    (b) Contents of letter of approval. The letter of approval will 
include the following:
    (1) For an educational institution: (i) Date of the letter and 
effective date of approval of courses;
    (ii) Proper address and name of the educational institution;
    (iii) Authority for approval and conditions of approval, referring 
specifically to the approved catalog or bulletin;
    (iv) Name of each course approved, except that a State approving 
agency, in lieu of listing the name of each course approved at an 
institution of higher learning, may identify approved courses by 
reference to page numbers in the school catalog or bulletin;
    (v) Where applicable, enrollment limitations, such as maximum number 
of students authorized and student-teacher ratio;
    (vi) Signature of responsible official of State approving agency; 
and
    (vii) Such other fair and reasonable provisions as are considered 
necessary by the appropriate State approving agency.
    (2) For a training establishment: (i) Date of the letter and 
effective date of approval of the apprentice or other on-the-job 
training;
    (ii) Proper address and name of the training establishment;
    (iii) Authority for approval and conditions of approval;
    (iv) Name of the approved program of apprenticeship or other on-the-
job training;
    (v) Where applicable, enrollment limitations, such as maximum number 
of trainees authorized;
    (vi) Such other fair and reasonable provisions as are considered 
necessary by the appropriate State approving agency; and
    (vii) Signature of responsible official of State approving agency.
    (3) For an organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test:
    (i) Date of the letter and effective date of approval of test(s);
    (ii) Proper name of the organization or entity offering the 
licensing or certification test(s);
    (iii) Name of each test approved indicating whether it is a 
licensing test or certification test;
    (iv) Where applicable, enrollment limitations such as maximum 
numbers authorized and test taker-test proctor ratio; and
    (v) Signature of responsible official of State approving agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672, 3678, 3689)

    (c) Compliance with equal opportunity laws. (1) The State approving 
agency shall solicit assurance of compliance with:
    (i) Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964,
    (ii) Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972, as amended,
    (iii) Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
    (iv) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and
    (v) All Department of Veterans Affairs regulations adopted to carry 
out these laws.
    (2) The State approving agency shall solicit this assurance from:
    (i) Proprietary vocational, trade, technical, or other institutions 
and

[[Page 333]]

such schools not a part of a public elementary or secondary school.
    (ii) All other educational institutions which the Department of 
Education has not determined to be in compliance with the equal 
opportunity laws listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (3) Whenever a State approving agency forwards to VA a Notice of 
Approval for a course offered by an institution described in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section, it shall also forward the institution's signed 
statement of compliance with these equal opportunity laws.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0051)

(20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.; 29 U.S.C. 794; 38 U.S.C. 501, 3671; 42 U.S.C. 
2000d, 6101 et seq.; 38 CFR parts 18, 18a, 18b)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 32 FR 3979, Mar. 11, 1967; 32 FR 
13405, Sept. 23, 1967; 51 FR 26158, July 21, 1986; 72 FR 16974, Apr. 5, 
2007]



Sec. 21.4259  Suspension or disapproval.

    (a) The appropriate State approving agency, after approving any 
course or licensing or certification test:
    (1) May suspend the approval of a course for new enrollments, or 
approval of a licensing or certification test, for a period not to 
exceed 60 days to allow the institution to correct any deficiencies, if 
the evidence of record establishes that the course or licensing or 
certification test fails to meet any of the requirements for approval.
    (2) Will immediately disapprove the course or licensing or 
certification test, if any of the requirements for approval are not 
being met and the deficiency cannot be corrected within a period of 60 
days.
    (3) Upon suspension or disapproval, the State approving agency will 
notify the educational institution by certified or registered letter 
with a return receipt secured (38 U.S.C. 3679). It is incumbent upon the 
State approving agency to determine the conduct of courses and to take 
immediate appropriate action in each case in which it is found that the 
conduct of a course in any manner fails to comply with the requirements 
for approval.
    (b) Each State approving agency will immediately notify VA of each 
course, or licensing or certification test, that it has suspended or 
disapproved.
    (c) The Department of Veterans Affairs will suspend approval for or 
disapprove courses or licensing or certification tests under conditions 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section where it functions for the 
State approving agency. See Sec. 21.4150(c).
    (d) The Department of Veterans Affairs will immediately notify the 
State approving agency in each case of Department of Veterans Affairs 
suspension or disapproval of any school under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0051)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3679, 3689)

[41 FR 30640, July 26, 1976, as amended at 72 FR 16975, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.4260  Courses in foreign countries.

    (a) Approval of postsecondary courses in foreign countries. (1) In 
order to be approved a postsecondary course offered in a foreign country 
must meet all the provisions of this paragraph. A course offered by a 
foreign medical school (other than one located in Canada) must also meet 
all of the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section.
    (i) The educational institution offering the course is an 
institution of higher learning, and
    (ii) The course leads to a standard college degree or its 
equivalent.
    (2) For the purpose of this paragraph, a degree is the equivalent of 
a standard college degree when the program leading to the degree has the 
same entrance requirements as one leading to a degree granted by a 
public degree-granting institution of higher learning in that country.
    (b) Approval of courses offered by a foreign medical school. In 
addition to meeting all the criteria stated in paragraph (a) of this 
section, a course offered by a foreign medical school (other than one 
located in Canada) must also meet all of the following criteria:
    (1) The school satisfies the criteria for listing as a medical 
school in the World Directory of Medical Schools

[[Page 334]]

published by the World Health Organization (WHO).
    (2) The evaluating bodies (such as medical associations or 
educational agencies) whose views are considered relevant by the 
Director, Education Service, and which are located in the same country 
as the school--
    (i) Recognize the school as a medical school, and
    (ii) Approve the school.
    (3) The school provides, and in the normal course requires its 
students to complete, a program of clinical and classroom instruction at 
least 32 months long. This program must be--
    (i) Supervised closely by members of the school's faculty, and
    (ii) Provided either.
    (A) Outside the United States in facilities adequately equipped and 
staffed to afford students comprehensive clinical and classroom medical 
instruction, or
    (B) Inside the United States, through a training program for foreign 
medical students which has been approved by all the medical licensing 
boards and evaluating bodies whose views are considered relevant by the 
Director, Education Service.
    (4) The school has graduated classes during each of the two 12-month 
periods immediately preceding the date on which VA receives the school's 
application for approval of its courses.
    (5) The Director, Education Service, shall withdraw approval of any 
course when the course or the school offering it fails to meet any of 
the approval criteria in this section or in Chapter 36, Title 38 U.S.C.
    (6) In making the decisions required by this paragraph, the 
Director, Education Service, may consult with the Secretary of 
Education. The Director may review any information about a foreign 
medical school which the Secretary may make available.
    (c) Approval of enrollments in foreign courses. (1) Except as 
provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs will approve the enrollment of a veteran or eligible person in a 
course offered by an educational institution not located in a State 
when--
    (i) The eligible person, serviceperson, veteran, or reservist meets 
the eligibility and entitlement requirements of either Secs. 21.3040 
through 21.3046, Secs. 21.5040 and 21.5041, Secs. 21.7040 through 
21.7045, or Sec. 21.7540, as appropriate;
    (ii) The eligible person's, serviceperson's, veteran's, or 
reservist's program of education meets the requirements of either 
Sec. 21.3021(h), Sec. 21.5230, Sec. 21.7020(b)(23), or 
Sec. 21.7520(b)(17), as appropriate; and
    (iii) The course meets the requirements of this section and all 
other applicable VA regulations.
    (2) VA may deny or discontinue the payment of educational assistance 
allowance to a veteran, serviceperson, eligible person or reservist 
pursuing a course in an institution of higher learning not located in a 
State when VA finds that the veteran's, serviceperson's, eligible 
person's, or reservist's enrollment is not in his or her best interest 
or the best interest of the Federal Government.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3687)

[52 FR 13239, Apr. 22, 1987, as amended at 61 FR 29296, June 10, 1996]



Sec. 21.4261  Apprentice courses.

    (a) General. An apprentice course is any training on-the-job course 
which has been established as an apprentice course by a training 
establishment as defined in Sec. 21.4200(c) and which has been approved 
as an apprentice course by the State approving agency.
    (b) Application. Any training establishment desiring to furnish a 
course of apprentice training will submit a written application to the 
appropriate State approving agency setting forth the following:
    (1) Title and description of the specific job objective for which 
the veteran or eligible person is to be trained;
    (2) The length of the training period;
    (3) A schedule listing various operations for major kinds of work or 
tasks to be learned and showing for each job operations or work, tasks 
to be performed, and the approximate length of time to be spent on each 
operation or task;
    (4) The number of hours of supplemental related instruction 
required; and
    (5) Any additional information required by the State approving 
agency.

[[Page 335]]

    (c) Approval criteria. The appropriate State approving agency may 
approve a course of apprentice training when the training establishment 
and its apprentice courses are found upon investigation to have met the 
following criteria:
    (1) The standards of apprenticeship published by the Secretary of 
Labor pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 50a;
    (2) A signed copy of the training agreement for each veteran or 
eligible person, making reference to the training program and wage 
schedule as approved by the State approving agency, is provided to the 
veteran or eligible person and the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
the State approving agency by the employer; and
    (3) The course meets such other reasonable criteria as may be 
established by the State approving agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3687)

    (d) Promotion. As funding permits, Department of Veterans Affairs 
employees will promote the development of apprenticeships. They will:
    (1) Visit employers and joint apprenticeship committees,
    (2) Coordinate their efforts with activities of any State approving 
agencies that may choose to promote the development of apprenticeships, 
and
    (3) Avoid duplicating the efforts of others by coordinating their 
promotional efforts with similar activities of the Department of Labor 
and State employment security agencies as provided by written agreements 
covering these activities, including utilization of disabled veterans' 
outreach program specialists.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(d))

[32 FR 13405, Sept. 23, 1967, as amended at 33 FR 9546, June 29, 1968; 
38 FR 14938, June 7, 1973; 47 FR 42731, Sept. 29, 1982]



Sec. 21.4262  Other training on-the-job courses.

    (a) General. An ``other training on-the-job'' course is any training 
on the job which does not qualify as an apprentice course, as defined in 
Sec. 21.4261, but which otherwise meets the requirements of paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (b) Application. Any training establishment desiring to furnish a 
course of other training on-the-job will submit to the appropriate State 
approving agency a written application setting forth the following:
    (1) Title and description of the specific job objective for which 
the veteran or eligible person is to be trained;
    (2) The length of the training period;
    (3) A schedule listing various operations for major kinds of work or 
tasks to be learned and showing for each job operations or work, tasks 
to be performed, and the approximate length of time to be spent on each 
operation or task;
    (4) The number of hours of supplemental related instruction 
required;
    (5) The entrance wage or salary paid by the training establishment 
to employees already trained in the kind of work for which the veteran 
or eligible person is to be trained;
    (6) A certification that the wages to be paid the veteran or 
eligible person upon entrance into training are not less than wages paid 
nonveterans in the same training position and are at least 50 percent of 
the wages paid for the job for which he or she is to be trained, and 
will be increased in regular periodic increments until, not later than 
the last full month of the scheduled training period they will be at 
least 85 percent of the wages paid for the job for which the veteran or 
eligible person is being trained;
    (7) A certification that there is reasonable certainty that the job 
for which the veteran or eligible person is to be trained will be 
available to him or her at the end of the training period; and
    (8) Any additional information required by the State approving 
agency.
    (c) Approval criteria. The appropriate State approving agency may 
approve the application submitted under paragraph (b) of this section, 
when the training establishment and its courses are found upon 
investigation to have met the criteria outlined in this paragraph. 
Approval will not be granted for training in occupations which require a 
relatively short period of experience for a trainee to obtain and hold 
employment at the market wage in the occupation. This includes 
occupations such as automobile service station attendant or manager, 
soda fountain attendant, food service worker, salesman,

[[Page 336]]

window washer, building custodian or other unskilled or common labor 
positions as well as clerical positions for which on-the-job training is 
not the normal method of procuring qualified personnel.
    (1) The job which is the objective of the training is one in which 
progression and appointment to the next higher classification are based 
upon skills learned through organized and supervised training on-the-job 
and not on such factors as length of service and normal turnover;
    (2) The training content of the course is adequate to qualify the 
veteran or eligible person for appointment to the job for which he or 
she is to be trained;
    (3) The job customarily requires a period of training of not less 
than 6 months and not more than 2 years of full-time training;
    (4) The length of the training period is not longer than that 
customarily required by the training establishments in the community to 
provide the veteran or eligible person with the required skills, arrange 
for the acquiring of job knowledge, technical information, and other 
facts which the veteran or eligible person will need to learn in order 
to become competent on the job for which he or she is being trained;
    (5) Provision is made for related instruction for the individual 
veteran or eligible person who may need it;
    (6) There is in the training establishment adequate space, 
equipment, instructional material, and instructor personnel to provide 
satisfactory training on-the-job;
    (7) Adequate records are kept to show the progress made by each 
veteran or eligible person toward his or her job objective;
    (8) The veteran or eligible person is not already qualified by 
training and experience for the job;
    (9) The requirements of paragraphs (b)(6) and (7) of this section 
are met;
    (10) A signed copy of the training agreement for each veteran or 
eligible person, including the training program and wage schedule as 
approved by the State approving agency, is provided to the veteran or 
eligible person and the Department of Veterans Affairs and the State 
approving agency by the employer; and
    (11) The course meets such other reasonable criteria as may be 
established by the State approving agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3677)

    (d) Promotion. As funding permits, Department of Veterans Affairs 
employees will promote the development of on-the-job training courses. 
They will:
    (1) Visit employers,
    (2) Coordinate their efforts with activities of any State approving 
agencies that may choose to promote the development of on-the-job 
training courses, and
    (3) Avoid duplicating the efforts of others by coordinating their 
promotional efforts with similar activities of the Department of Labor 
and State employment security agencies as provided by written agreements 
covering these activities, including utilization of disabled veterans' 
outreach program specialists.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(d))

[32 FR 13405, Sept. 23, 1967, as amended at 33 FR 9546, June 29, 1968; 
35 FR 9817, June 16, 1970; 38 FR 14939, June 7, 1973; 45 FR 51778, Aug. 
5, 1980; 47 FR 42731, Sept. 29, 1982; 60 FR 32272, June 21, 1995]



Sec. 21.4263  Approval of flight training courses.

    (a) A flight school or institution of higher learning are the only 
entities that can offer flight courses. A State approving agency may 
approve a flight course only if a flight school or an institution of 
higher learning offers the course. A State approving agency may not 
approve a flight course if an individual instructor offers it. The 
provisions of Sec. 21.4150 shall determine the proper State approving 
agency for approving a flight course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3032(d), 3241(b), 3671, 3672, 
3676)

    (b) Definition of flight school. A flight school is a school, other 
than an institution of higher learning, or is an entity, such as an aero 
club; is located in a State; and meets one of the following sets of 
requirements:

[[Page 337]]

    (1) The Federal Aviation Administration has issued the school or 
entity either a pilot school certificate or a provisional pilot school 
certificate specifying each course the school is approved to offer under 
14 CFR part 141;
    (2) The entity is either a flight training center or an air carrier 
that does not have a pilot school certificate or provisional pilot 
school certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration under 
14 CFR part 141, but pursuant to a grant of exemption letter issued by 
the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 CFR part 61 is permitted to 
offer pilot training by a flight simulator instead of an actual 
aircraft; or
    (3) The Federal Aviation Administration has issued the school or 
entity a training center certificate under 14 CFR part 142.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3452(c))

    (c) Aero club courses. An aero club, established, formed, and 
operated under authority of service department regulations as a 
nonappropriated sundry fund activity, is an instrumentality of the 
Federal government. Consequently, VA has exclusive jurisdiction over 
approval of flight courses offered by such aero clubs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3671, 3672)

    (d) Approval of flight training as part of a degree program. A State 
approving agency may approve a flight training course that is part of a 
program of education leading to a standard college degree provided the 
course and program meet the requirements of Sec. 21.4253 or 
Sec. 21.4254, as appropriate. The institution of higher learning 
offering the course need not be a flight school.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3675, 3676)

    (e) Approval of flight training courses that are not part of a 
degree program. A flight course is subject to the same approval 
requirements as any other course. In addition, the State approving 
agency must apply the following provisions to the approval of flight 
courses:
    (1) The Federal Aviation Administration must approve the course; and
    (2)(i) The course must meet the requirements of 14 CFR part 63 or 
141, and a flight school described in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(3) of this 
section must offer it; or
    (ii) The course must meet the requirements of 14 CFR part 61, and 
either be offered--
    (A) By a flight school described in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section; or
    (B) In whole or in part by a flight simulator pursuant to a grant of 
exemption letter issued by the Federal Aviation Administration to the 
flight school offering the course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(b), 3676, 3680A)

    (f) Application of 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e)(2) to flight training. 
Notwithstanding the fact that the Federal Aviation Administration will 
permit flight schools to conduct training at a base other than the main 
base of operations if the requirements of either 14 CFR 141.91 or 14 CFR 
142.17 are met, the satellite base is considered under 38 U.S.C. 
3680A(e)(2) to be a branch of the principal school, and must meet the 
requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3680A(e)(2).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3241(b), 
3680A))

    (g) Providing a flight course under contract between schools or 
entities. When a school or entity offers all or part of a flight course 
under a contract with another school or entity, the State approving 
agency must apply Sec. 21.4233 in the following manner:
    (1) The requirements of Sec. 21.4233(e) must be met for all 
contracted flight instruction, instruction by flight training device, 
flight simulator instruction, and ground school training. Ground school 
training may be given through a ground school facility operated jointly 
by two or more flight schools in the same locality; and
    (2) The responsibility for providing the instruction lies with the 
flight school. The degree of affiliation between the flight school and 
the entity or other school that actually does the instructing must be 
such that all charges for instruction are made by,

[[Page 338]]

and paid to, one entity having jurisdiction and control over both the 
flight and ground portions of the program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3032(d), 3241(b))

    (h) Nonaccredited courses--(1) Application of Sec. 21.4254 to flight 
training. The provisions of Sec. 21.4254 are applicable to approval of 
flight training courses.
    (2) Additional instruction requirements. The State approving agency 
will apply the following additional requirements to a flight course:
    (i) All flight instruction, instruction by flight training device, 
flight simulator instruction, preflight briefings and postflight 
critiques, and ground school training in a course must be given by the 
flight school or under suitable arrangements between the school and 
another school or entity such as a local community college.
    (ii) All ground school training connected with the course must be in 
residence under the direction and supervision of a qualified instructor 
providing an opportunity for interaction between the students and the 
instructor. Simply making provision for having an instructor available 
to answer questions does not satisfy this requirement.
    (3) A flight school must keep at a minimum the following records for 
each eligible veteran, servicemember, or reservist pursuing flight 
training:
    (i) A copy of his or her private pilot certificate;
    (ii) Evidence of completion of any prior training that may be a 
prerequisite for the course;
    (iii) A copy of the medical certificate required by paragraph (a)(2) 
of this section for the courses being pursued and copies of all medical 
certificates (expired or otherwise) needed to support all periods of 
prior instruction received at the current school;
    (iv) A daily flight log or copy thereof;
    (v) A permanent ground school record;
    (vi) A progress log;
    (vii) An invoice of flight changes for individual flights or flight 
lessons for training conducted on a flight simulator or advanced flight 
training device;
    (viii) Daily flight sheets identifying records upon which the 85-15 
percent ratio may be computed;
    (ix) A continuous meter record for each aircraft;
    (x) An invoice or flight tickets signed by the student and 
instructor showing hour meter reading, type of aircraft, and aircraft 
identification number;
    (xi) An accounts receivable ledger;
    (xii) Individual instructor records;
    (xiii) Engine log books;
    (xiv) A record for each student above the private pilot level 
stating the name of the course in which the student is currently 
enrolled and indicating whether the student is enrolled under 14 CFR 
part 61, part 63, part 141, or part 142;
    (xv) Records of tuition and accounts which are evidence of tuition 
charged and received from all students; and
    (xvi) If training is provided under 14 CFR part 141, the records 
required by that part, or if training is provided under 14 CFR part 142, 
the records required by that part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3671, 3672, 3676, 3690(c))

    (i) Hourly limitations. A flight course approved pursuant to 
paragraph (e) of this section shall be approved only for those hours of 
instruction generally considered necessary for a student to obtain an 
identified vocational objective. This requirement is met only if the 
number of hours approved does not exceed the maximum set forth in 
paragraph (i)(1) through (3) of this section. Flight instruction may 
never be substituted for ground training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3202(2), 3452(b))

    (1) Flight or flight simulator instruction. Except as provided in 
paragraph (i)(4) of this section, the maximum number of hours of flight 
instruction or flight simulator instruction which may be approved for a 
flight course shall not exceed the number determined by this paragraph.
    (i) The maximum number of hours of solo flight instruction shall not 
exceed the minimum number of hours required for the course provided by 
FAA regulations.

[[Page 339]]

    (ii) The maximum number of hours of dual flight instruction shall 
not exceed the lesser of--
    (A) The number of hours of dual flight instruction in the course 
outline approved by the FAA, or
    (B) 120% of the minimum number of hours of dual flight instruction 
required for the course by FAA regulations.
    (iii) The maximum number of hours of instruction by flight simulator 
or flight training device that a State approving agency may approve is 
the maximum number of hours of instruction by flight simulator or flight 
training device permitted by 14 CFR part 61 for that course when:
    (A) A course is offered in whole or in part by flight simulator or 
flight training device conducted by a training center certificated under 
14 CFR part 142; and
    (B) 14 CFR part 61 contains a maximum number of hours of instruction 
by flight simulator or flight training device that may be credited 
toward the requirements of the rating or certificate that is the 
objective of the course.
    (iv) If a course is offered in whole or in part by flight simulator 
or flight training device, and the course is not described in paragraph 
(i)(1)(iii) of this section, either because the course is offered by a 
flight training center with a grant of exemption letter, or because 14 
CFR part 61 does not contain a maximum number of hours of instruction by 
flight simulator or flight training device, the maximum number of hours 
of instruction by flight simulator or flight training device that may be 
approved may not exceed the number of hours in the Federal Aviation 
Administration-approved outline.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(g); 38 U.S.C. 3032(f), 3231(f))

    (2) Ground school. The ground training portion of a flight course 
may include two forms of ground training instruction, ground school and 
preflight briefings and postflight critiques. The minimum hours for 
ground training, as specified in 14 CFR part 141, appendixes C through J 
refer only to ground school and not to preflight briefings and 
postflight critiques. If the ground school training consists of units 
using kits containing audiovisual equipment, quizzes and examinations, 
the maximum number of units approved shall not exceed the number on the 
course outline approved by the FAA. For all other ground school 
training, the number of hours of training shall not exceed the number of 
hours on the course outline approved by the FAA.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3202(2), 3452(b))

    (3) Preflight briefings and postflight critiques. Hours spent in 
preflight briefings and postflight critiques need not be approved by the 
FAA.
    (i) If these hours are on the FAA-approved outline, the maximum 
number of hours of preflight briefings and postflight critiques shall 
not exceed the number of hours on the outline exclusive of the preflight 
briefings and post-flight critiques which are attributable to solo 
flying hours that exceed the minimum number of solo flying hours for the 
course in 14 CFR part 141.
    (ii) If these hours are not on the FAA-approved outline, they may 
not be approved unless the State approving agency finds that the 
briefings and critiques are an integral part of the course and do not 
precede or follow solo flying hours which exceed the minimum number of 
solo flying hours for the course in 14 CFR part 141. The maximum number 
of hours of preflight briefings and postflight critiques which may be 
approved for these courses may not, when added together, exceed 25 
percent of the approved hours of flight instruction.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(f)(4); 16136(c), 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 
3032(f)(4), 3202(2), 3231(f)(4), 3452(b))

    (4) Waiver of limitation in approvable course hours. (i) Flight 
schools that wish to have a greater number of hours of dual flight 
instruction approved than are permitted by paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this 
section, may seek an administrative review of their approval by the 
Director, Education Service. Requests for such a review should be made 
in writing to the Director of the VA facility having jurisdiction over 
the flight school. The request should--
    (A) State the reasons why the flight school believes that the 
approval

[[Page 340]]

should extend to a greater number of hours, and
    (B) Include any evidence tending to show that the greater number of 
hours should be approved.
    (ii) The Director, Education Service shall base her or his decision 
upon the evidence submitted, the recommendation of the Director of the 
VA facility, and, if appropriate, the recommendation of the State 
approving agency having jurisdiction over the flight school.
    (iii) The limit on the number of hours of solo flight instruction 
found in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this section may not be waived.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(f)(4); 38 U.S.C. 3032(f)(4), 3231(f)(4))

    (j) Charges. The appropriate State approving agency shall approve 
charges for tuition and fees for each flight course exclusive of charges 
for tuition and fees for solo flying hours which exceed the maximum 
permitted under paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this section and for preflight 
briefings and postflight critiques which precede or follow the excess 
solo hours.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672)

    (1) The approved charges for tuition and fees shall be based upon 
the charges for tuition and fees which similarly circumstanced 
nonveterans enrolled in the same flight course are required to pay. 
Charges for books, supplies and lodging may not be reimbursed.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(c), 3690(a)(1))

    (2) For the ground school portion of ground training, the State 
approving agency should approve group charges or unit prices if audio-
visual equipment is used. For the preflight briefings and postflight 
critiques, the State approving agency should approve individual 
instructor rates for individual training flights. An average charge per 
hour based upon total hours and cost of all training given on the ground 
may not be approved.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(c), 3690(a)(1))

    (3) A veteran, servicemember or reservist or group (all or part of 
whom are veterans, servicemembers or reservists) owning an airplane may 
lease it to an approved flight school and have exclusive use of the 
aircraft for flight training. The aircraft should meet the requirements 
prescribed for all airplanes to be used in the course, and should be 
shown in the approval by the State approving agency. The leasing 
arrangement should not result in charges for flight instruction for 
those owning the airplane greater than charges made to others not 
leasing an aircraft to the school.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(c), 3690(a)(1))

    (4) If membership in a flight club entitles a veteran, servicemember 
or reservist to flight training at less than the standard rate, his or 
her educational allowance will be based on the reduced rate. No payments 
will be made for the cost of joining the flight club, since it is not a 
charge for the flight course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(c), 3690(a)(1))

    (k) Substitute aircraft. Except for minor substitutions a veteran, 
servicemember or reservist enrolled in a flight course may train only in 
the aircraft approved for that course. If a particular aircraft is not 
available for some compelling reason, the veteran, servicemember or 
reservist may be permitted to train in an aircraft different from that 
approved for the particular course, provided the aircraft substituted 
will adequately meet the training requirements for this particular phase 
of the course. Substitutions should be explained on the monthly 
certifications of flight training. If this shows that the charge for the 
substituted aircraft is different from the charge approved for the 
regular aircraft, the reimbursement will be based on the lesser charge. 
When substitution becomes the practice rather than the exception, VA 
will suspend payments and notify the veterans, servicemembers, 
reservists and the school. VA will refer the matter to the

[[Page 341]]

State approving agency for appropriate action.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 16136(c); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3672(a))

    (l) Enrollment limitations. A flight course must meet the 85-15 
percent ratio requirement set forth in Sec. 21.4201 before VA may 
approve new enrollments in the course. The contracted portion of a 
flight course must meet all the requirements of Sec. 21.4201 for each 
subcontractor.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(d), 3241(c), 3680A(d))

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0613)

[45 FR 51778, Aug. 5, 1980, as amended at 48 FR 37992, Aug. 22, 1983; 57 
FR 29801, July 7, 1992; 59 FR 21938, Apr. 28, 1994; 61 FR 20728, May 8, 
1996; 63 FR 34130, June 23, 1998; 67 FR 12474, Mar. 19, 2002]



Sec. 21.4264  Farm cooperative courses.

    (a) Description of a farm cooperative course. A farm cooperative 
course is an institutional agricultural course. It provides training on 
a reduced basis to those engaged in farming, compared to other types of 
training. Part-time benefits are provided for students whose farming 
operation will not permit them to attend class at least 10 hours per 
week.
    (b) Farm cooperative students must be farmers. In order to receive 
educational assistance allowance an eligible person must be engaged 
concurrently in agricultural employment for an average of at least 40 
hours per week. This agricultural employment must be relevant to the 
farm cooperative course.
    (c) Acceptable class schedules. (1) The institutional portion of a 
farm cooperative course:
    (i) May be on a term, quarter or semester basis, or
    (ii) May consist of courses which:
    (A) Are offered during at least 44 weeks of the year, and
    (B) Require a minimum of 5 clock hours per week.
    (2) The time involved in field trips and individual and group 
instruction, sponsored and conducted by the educational institution 
offering farm cooperative courses may be counted toward meeting the 
clock-hour requirements. See Sec. 21.4270(c) of this part for 
measurement of farm cooperative courses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482, 3532)

    (d) Application. (1) Any school desiring to enroll spouses or 
children in farm cooperative courses:
    (i) Will submit to the appropriate State approving agency a written 
application for approval in accordance with Sec. 21.4253 or Sec. 21.4254 
as appropriate; and
    (ii) Must submit statements of fact showing at least the following:
    (A) That the course is set up in the school catalog or other 
literature of the school;
    (B) That the agricultural course is offered concurrently with 
agricultural employment; and
    (C) That the school itself verifies on a continuing basis that 
students are engaged for an average of at least 40 hours per week in 
suitable agricultural employment which is relevant to the institutional 
agricultural course offered by the school and is in an area consistent 
with their institutional training program.
    (2) For the purposes of this paragraph suitable agricultural 
employment must include employment on a farm or other agricultural 
establishment where the basic activity is either:
    (i) The cultivation of the ground such as the raising and harvesting 
of crops including fruits, vegetables and pastures, or
    (ii) The feeding, breeding and managing of livestock, including 
poultry and other specialized farming.
    (3) The Department of Veterans Affairs does not consider employment 
in training establishments which are engaged primarily in the 
processing, distribution or sale of agricultural products or 
combinations thereof, such as dairy processing plants, grain elevators, 
packing plants, hatcheries, stockyards or florists shops to be suitable 
agricultural employment.
    (e) Approval criteria. The appropriate State approving agency may 
approve the school's application when the agency finds upon 
investigation that the school and its courses have met the following 
conditions:

[[Page 342]]

    (1) The criteria specified in Sec. 21.4253 or Sec. 21.4254, as 
appropriate; and
    (2) The requirements of paragraph (d) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482, 3532)

[46 FR 16101, Mar. 11, 1981, as amended at 54 FR 33890, Aug. 17, 1989; 
61 FR 26115, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4265  Practical training approved as institutional training
or on-job training.

    (a) Medical-dental internships and residencies. (1) Medical 
residencies (other than residencies in podiatric medicine), dental 
residencies, and osteopathic internships and residencies may be approved 
and recognized as institutional courses only when an appropriate 
accrediting agency accredits and approves them as leading to 
certification for a recognized professional objective.
    (2) The appropriate accrediting agencies are:
    (i) The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, or 
where the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has 
delegated accrediting authority, the appropriate Residency Review 
Committee,
    (ii) The American Osteopathic Association, and
    (iii) The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental 
Association.
    (3) These residency programs--
    (i) Must lead to certification by an appropriate Specialty or 
Subspecialty Board, the American Osteopathic Association, or the 
American Dental Association; and
    (ii) Will not be approved to include a period of practice following 
completion of the education requirements even though the accrediting 
agency requires the practice.
    (4) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, no other 
medical or dental residency or osteopathic internship or residency will 
be approved or recognized as institutional training.
    (5) A residency in podiatric medicine may be approved and recognized 
as institutional training only when it has been approved by the Council 
on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

    (b) Nursing courses. (1) Courses for the objective of registered 
nurse or registered professional nurse will be assessed as institutional 
training when they are provided in autonomous schools of nursing, 
hospital schools of nursing, or schools of nursing established in other 
schools or departments of colleges and universities, if they are 
accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or if they meet 
the requirements of the licensing body of the State in which the school 
is located. The hospital or fieldwork phase of a nursing course, 
including a course leading to a degree in nursing, will be assessed as 
an institutional course when the hospital or fieldwork phase is an 
integral part of the course, the completion thereof is a prerequisite to 
the successful completion of the course, the student remains enrolled in 
the school during the period, and the training is under the direction 
and supervision of the school.
    (2) Courses offered by schools which lead to the objective of 
practical nurse, practical trained nurse, or licensed practical nurse 
will be assessed as institutional training including both the academic 
subjects and the clinical training if the clinical training is offered 
by an affiliated or cooperating hospital and the student is enrolled in 
and supervised by the school during the period of such clinical 
training. Also they must be accredited by a nationally recognized 
accrediting agency or meet the requirements of the licensing body of the 
State in which the school is located.
    (3) Except for enrollment in a nurse's aide course approved pursuant 
to Sec. 21.4253(a)(5), VA shall not approve an enrollment in a 
nonaccredited nursing course which does not meet the licensing 
requirements of the State where the course is offered.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452, 3688)

    (c) Medical and dental specialty courses. (1) Required clinical 
training included in a school course given in an affiliated hospital, 
clinic, laboratory,

[[Page 343]]

or medical center as a part of a medical or dental specialty course 
whether accredited or nonaccredited offered by a school such as X-ray 
technician, medical technician, medical records administrator, physical 
therapist or dental technician shall be assessed as institutional 
training provided:
    (i) The student remains enrolled in the course during the clinical 
period;
    (ii) The clinical training is;
    (a) An integral part of the course;
    (b) A prerequisite to the successful completion of the course; and
    (c) Under the direction and supervision of the school; and
    (iii) The course includes substantial technical or professional 
training and does not consist of training preliminarily directed to 
clerical, administrative, secretarial, or receptionist duties.
    (2) Medical and dental specialty courses offered in hospitals, 
clinics, laboratories, or medical centers which are accredited as 
institutional courses by a nationally recognized accrediting agency will 
be assessed as institutional training.
    (3) Clinical training included in a school course given in a 
physician's office or a dentist's office, also called externship, will 
be recognized as part of the institutional training if the course is 
accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency and meets the 
other requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section. If the course is 
not so accredited such practical or on-the-job training or experience in 
a physician's office may not be included unless the program is approved 
as a cooperative course.
    (4) Nonaccredited courses offered in hospitals, clinics, 
laboratories, or medical centers will be considered on-the-job training 
when the courses meet the requirements of Sec. 21.4262.
    (d) Medical and dental assistants courses for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. A course prescribed by the Secretary for full-time 
physicians' assistants or for full-time expanded-function auxiliaries 
(formerly referred to as dentists' assistants) may be approved as 
institutional training, if the course is conducted at Department of 
Veterans Affairs facilities or in facilities operated by hospitals, 
medical schools, or medical installations pursuant to a contract with 
the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7407)

    (e) Professional training courses. (1) Any non-medically related 
professional internship program, such as a clinical pastoral course, 
will be recognized as an institutional course when it is accredited as 
an institutional course by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, 
and
    (2) The approved facility for such a course must be the institution 
or other facility where the training is given.
    (f) Other practical training courses. (1) Other off-campus job 
experience included in a school course, variously described by schools 
as internship, residency, practicum, externship, et cetera, may be 
included as a part of a cooperative program when the course meets the 
requirements of Sec. 21.4233(a).
    (2) However, such off-campus courses may be considered as resident 
institutional training only if all of the following conditions are met. 
The course is:
    (i) Accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or is 
offered by a school that is accredited by one of the regional 
accrediting associations;
    (ii) A part of the approved curriculum of the school;
    (iii) Directly supervised by the school;
    (iv) Measured in the same unit as other courses;
    (v) Required for graduation; and
    (vi) Has a planned program of activities described in the school's 
official publication which is approved by the State approving agency and 
which is institutional in nature as distinguished from training on-the-
job. The description shall include at least:
    (A) A unit subject description;
    (B) A provision for an assigned instructor;
    (C) A statement that the planned program of activities is controlled 
by the school, not by the officials of the job establishment;
    (D) A requirement that class attendance on at least a weekly basis 
be regularly scheduled to provide for interaction between instructor and 
student;

[[Page 344]]

    (E) A statement that appropriate assignments are required for 
completion of the course;
    (F) A grading system similar to the system used for other resident 
subjects offered by the school; and
    (G) A schedule of time required for the training which demonstrates 
that the student shall spend at least as much time in preparation and 
training as is normally required by the school for its other resident 
courses.
    (g) Nonaccredited courses. Any nonaccredited internship program not 
given in a school will be recognized as other on-the-job training when 
it meets the requirements of Sec. 21.4262 and when the program is 
required for licensure by the State in which it is offered. (See 
Sec. 21.4275 for measurement.)

[41 FR 26683, June 29, 1976, as amended at 43 FR 25429, June 13, 1978; 
49 FR 39545, Oct. 9, 1984; 54 FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989; 61 FR 6783, Feb. 
22, 1996]



Sec. 21.4266  Approval of courses at a branch campus or extension.

    (a) Definitions. The following definitions apply to the terms used 
in this section.
    (1) Administrative capability means the ability to maintain all 
records and accounts that Sec. 21.4209 requires.
    (2) Certifying official means a representative of an educational 
institution designated to provide VA with the reports and certifications 
that Secs. 21.4203, 21.4204, 21.5810, 21.5812, 21.7152, and 21.7652 
require.
    (3) Main campus means the location where the primary teaching 
facilities of an educational institution are located. If an educational 
institution has only one teaching location, that location is its main 
campus. If it is unclear which of the educational institution's teaching 
facilities is primary, the main campus is the location of the primary 
office of its Chief Executive Officer.
    (4) Branch campus means a location of an educational institution 
that--
    (i) Is geographically apart from and operationally independent of 
the main campus of the educational institution;
    (ii) Has its own faculty, administration and supervisory 
organization; and
    (iii) Offers courses in education programs leading to a degree, 
certificate, or other recognized education credential.
    (5) Extension means a location of an educational institution that is 
geographically apart from and is operationally dependent on the main 
campus or a branch campus of the educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3675, 3676, 3684)

    (b) State approving agency jurisdiction. (1) The State approving 
agency for the State where a residence course is being taught has 
jurisdiction over approval of that course for VA education benefit 
purposes.
    (2) The fact that the location where the educational institution is 
offering the course may be temporary will not serve to change 
jurisdictional authority.
    (3) The fact that the main campus of the educational institution may 
be located in another State from that in which the course is being 
taught will not serve to change jurisdictional authority.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672)

    (c) Approving a course offered by a branch campus or an extension of 
an educational institution. Before approving a course or a program of 
education offered at a branch campus or an extension of an educational 
institution, the State approving agency must ensure that--
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, each 
location where the course or program is offered has administrative 
capability; and
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, each 
location where the course or program is offered has a certifying 
official on site.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672)

    (d) Exceptions to the requirement that administrative capability 
exist at each location. (1) A State approving agency may approve a 
course or program offered by a branch campus that does not have its own 
administrative capability if--
    (i) The main campus of the educational institution within the same 
State maintains a centralized recordkeeping system that includes all

[[Page 345]]

records and accounts that Sec. 21.4209 requires for each student 
attending the branch campus without administrative capability. These 
records may be originals, certified copies, or in an electronically 
formatted record keeping system; and
    (ii) The main campus can identify the records of students at the 
branch campus for which it maintains centralized records.
    (2) The State approving agency may approve a course or program 
offered by an extension that does not have its own administrative 
capability if--
    (i) The extension and the main campus or branch campus it is 
dependent on are located within the same State;
    (ii) The main campus or branch campus the extension is dependent on 
has administrative capability for the extension; and
    (iii) The State approving agency combines the approval of the 
course(s) offered by the extension with the approval of the courses 
offered by the main campus or branch campus the extension is dependent 
on.
    (e) Combined approval. The State approving agency may combine the 
approval of courses offered by an extension of an educational 
institution with the approval of the main campus or the branch campus 
that the extension is dependent on, if the extension is within the same 
State as the campus it is dependent on. Combining the approval of 
courses offered by an extension, with the approval of courses offered by 
the main campus or branch campus the extension is dependent on, does not 
negate the minimum period of operation requirements in Sec. 21.4251 for 
courses that do not lead to a standard college degree offered by an 
extension of a proprietary educational institution. The State approving 
agency will list the extension and courses approved on the notice of 
approval sent to the educational institution pursuant to Sec. 21.4258 of 
this part.
    (f) Exceptions to the requirement that each location where the 
course or program is offered must have a certifying official on site. 
Exceptions to the requirement in paragraph (c) of this section, that 
each location with an approved course or program of education must have 
a certifying official on site, will be permitted for--
    (1) Extensions of an educational institution when the State 
approving agency combines the approval of the courses offered by the 
extension with a branch campus or main campus. (See paragraph (e) of 
this section.)
    (2) Educational institutions with more than one campus within the 
same State if the main campus--
    (i) Maintains a centralized recordkeeping system. (See paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section.);
    (ii) Has administrative capability for the branch campus (or branch 
campuses) within the same State; and
    (iii) Centralizes its certifying official function at the main 
campus.
    (3) Educational institutions with multi-state campuses when an 
educational institution wants to centralize its certifying official 
function into one or more locations if:
    (i) The educational institution submits all required reports and 
certifications that Secs. 21.4203, 21.4204, 21.5810, 21.5812, 21.7152, 
and 21.7652 require via electronic submission through VA's Internet-
based education certification application;
    (ii) The educational institution designates an employee, at each 
teaching location of the educational institution that does not have a 
certifying official present, to serve as a point-of-contact for 
veterans, servicemembers, reservists, or other eligible persons; the 
certifying official(s); the State approving agency of jurisdiction; and 
VA. The designated employee must have access (other than to transmit 
certifications) to VA's Internet-based education certification 
application to provide certification information to veterans, 
servicemembers, reservists, or other eligible persons, State approving 
agency representatives, and VA representatives;
    (iii) Each certifying official uses the VA facility code for the 
location that has administrative capability for the teaching location 
where the student is training when submitting required reports and 
certifications to VA; and
    (iv) Each certifying official has full access to the administrative 
records and accounts that Sec. 21.4209 requires for

[[Page 346]]

each student attending the teaching location(s) for which the certifying 
official has been designated responsibility. These records may be 
originals, certified copies, or in an electronically formatted record 
keeping system.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0073)

[72 FR 20427, Apr. 25, 2007]



Sec. 21.4267  Approval of independent study.

    (a) Overview. Except as provided in Secs. 21.4252(g), 21.7120(d), 
and 21.7622(f), VA may not pay educational assistance for a 
nonaccredited course which is offered in whole or in part by independent 
study. Hence, it is necessary to differentiate independent study from 
similar courses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014, 3523, 3672, 3676(e), 3680A(a))

    (b) Definition of independent study. (1) VA considers a course to be 
offered entirely by independent study when--
    (i) It consists of a prescribed program of study with provision for 
interaction between the student and the regularly employed faculty of 
the institution of higher learning. The interaction may be personally or 
through use of communications technology, including mail, telephone, 
videoconferencing, computer technology (to include electronic mail), and 
other electronic means;
    (ii) It is offered without any regularly scheduled, conventional 
classroom or laboratory sessions; and
    (iii) It is not a course listed in paragraph (c), (d), or (e) of 
this section.
    (2) VA considers a course to be offered in part by independent study 
when--
    (i) It is not classified as one of the three types of courses listed 
in paragraph (c) of this section;
    (ii) It has some weeks when standard class sessions are scheduled; 
and
    (iii) It consists of independent study as defined in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section during those weeks when there are no regularly 
scheduled class sessions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3523, 3676(e), 3680A(a))

    (c) Scope of independent study. VA does not consider any of the 
following courses to be courses offered by independent study.
    (1) A cooperative course as defined in Sec. 21.4233(a);
    (2) A farm cooperative course; or
    (3) A course approved as a correspondence course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676(e), 3680A(a))

    (d) Undergraduate resident training. VA considers the following 
undergraduate courses to be resident training.
    (1) A course which meets the requirements for resident institutional 
training found in Sec. 21.4265(f);
    (2) A course which requires regularly scheduled, standard class 
sessions at least once every two weeks and which has a total number of 
class sessions equal to the number of credit hours awarded for the 
course, times the number of weeks in a standard quarter or semester, as 
applicable;
    (3) A course of student teaching; and
    (4) Flight training which is an integral part of a standard 
undergraduate college degree.
    (e) Graduate resident training. VA considers a graduate course to be 
resident training if the course--
    (1) Is offered through regularly scheduled, conventional classroom 
or laboratory sessions; or
    (2) Consists of research (either on campus or in absentia) necessary 
for the preparation of the student's--
    (i) Master's thesis,
    (ii) Doctoral dissertation, or
    (iii) Similar treatise which is prerequisite to the degree being 
pursued; or
    (3) Consists of a combination of training as described in paragraphs 
(e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676(e), 3680A(a))

    (f) Course approval. A State approving agency may approve a course 
offered by independent study or a combination of independent study and 
resident training only if the course--

[[Page 347]]

    (1) Is accredited;
    (2) Meets the requirements of Sec. 21.4253; and
    (3) Either--
    (i) Leads to a standard college degree; or
    (ii) For courses approved on or after December 27, 2001, leads to a 
certificate that reflects educational attainment offered by an 
institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672, 3675, 3680A(a)(4))

    (g) Remedial and deficiency courses. Remedial and deficiency courses 
offered by independent study cannot be approved.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672, 3675, 3680A(a)(4))

[61 FR 6783, Feb. 22, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 40280, July 28, 1997; 73 
FR 2426, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.4268  Approval of licensing and certification tests.

    (a) Authority to approve licensing and certification tests. (1) 
Except for approval of the licensing and certification tests and the 
organizations or entities offering these tests that, as provided in 
Sec. 21.4250(c)(2), are VA's responsibility, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs delegates to each State approving agency the authority, within 
the respective State approving agency's jurisdiction provided in 
Sec. 21.4250(a), to approve licensing and certification tests and to 
approve the organizations or entities offering licensing and 
certification tests.
    (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs delegates to the Under 
Secretary for Benefits, and to personnel the Under Secretary for 
Benefits may designate within the Education Service of the Veterans 
Benefits Administration, the authority to approve the licensing and 
certification tests and the organizations or entities offering these 
tests that, as provided in Sec. 21.4250(c)(2)(vi), are VA's 
responsibility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3689(a)(2))

    (b) Approval of tests. (1) If an organization or entity wants a 
licensing or certification test that it offers to be approved for 
payment of educational assistance, it must apply for approval to the 
State approving agency having jurisdiction over the locality where the 
organization or entity has its headquarters. The application must be in 
the form the State approving agency requires.
    (2) In order to be approved for payment of educational assistance to 
veterans and eligible persons, a licensing or certification test must 
meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, and the 
organization or entity offering the test must meet the requirements of 
paragraph (c) of this section and, if appropriate, the requirements of 
paragraph (d) of this section.
    (i) The State approving agency may approve a licensing or 
certification test only if--
    (A) The test is required under Federal, State, or local law or 
regulation for an individual to enter into, maintain, or advance in 
employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or profession; or
    (B) The State approving agency decides that the test is generally 
accepted, in accordance with relevant government, business, or industry 
standards, employment policies, or hiring practices, as attesting to a 
level of knowledge or skill required to qualify to enter into, maintain, 
or advance in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or 
profession.
    (ii) If a State or political subdivision of a State offers a 
licensing or certification test, the State approving agency will deem 
the test to have met the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.
    (3) In considering whether the test is generally accepted, a State 
approving agency may consider the following:
    (i) The nature and number of the entities that recognize the 
certificate awarded to candidates who pass the test;
    (ii) The degree to which employers in the relevant industry accept 
the certification test;
    (iii) Whether major employers in an industry require that their 
employees obtain the certificate awarded to candidates who pass the 
test;
    (iv) The percentage of people employed in the vocation or profession 
who have taken the test and obtained the certificate; or

[[Page 348]]

    (v) Any other reasonable criterion that the State approving agency 
believes will clarify whether the test is generally accepted.
    (4) Generally, if a State approving agency approves a certification 
test, VA will consider that the test is approved for any veteran or 
eligible person even if he or she takes the test at a location outside 
the State where the organization or entity offering the test has its 
headquarters. However, a certification test approval is valid only in 
the State where the State approving agency has jurisdiction if--
    (i) A State licensing agency recognizes the certification test as 
meeting a requirement for a license and has sought approval for that 
test; and
    (ii) The State approving agency for the State where the licensing 
agency is located approves that test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689)

    (c) Approval of organizations or entities offering licensing or 
certification tests. An organization or entity must meet the 
requirements of this paragraph and, if a nongovernmental organization, 
of paragraph (d) of this section, in order for the State approving 
agency to approve a licensing or certification test that the 
organization or entity offers for payment of educational assistance to 
veterans and eligible persons who take the test. The organization or 
entity must--
    (1) Maintain appropriate records with respect to all candidates who 
take the test for a period of not less than three years from the date 
the organization or entity administers the test to the candidates;
    (2) Promptly issue notice of the results of the test to the 
candidate for the license or certificate;
    (3) Have a process to review complaints submitted against the 
organization or entity with respect to the test or the process for 
obtaining a license or certificate required for a vocation or 
profession;
    (4) Give to the State approving agency the following information:
    (i) A description of the licensing or certification test that the 
organization or entity offers, including the purpose of the test, the 
vocational, professional, governmental, and other entities that 
recognize the test, and the license or certificate issued upon passing 
the test;
    (ii) The requirements to take the test, including the amount of the 
fee charged for the test and any prerequisite education, training, 
skills, or other certification; and
    (iii) The period for which the license or certificate is awarded is 
valid, and the requirements for maintaining or renewing the license or 
certificate; and
    (5) Agree to give the following information to VA at VA's request:
    (i) The amount of the fee a candidate pays to take a test;
    (ii) The results of any test a candidate takes; and
    (iii) Personal identifying information of any candidate who applies 
for reimbursement from VA for a test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689(c))

    (d) Approval of nongovernmental organizations or entities offering 
certification tests. (1) In addition to complying with the requirements 
of paragraph (c) of this section, a nongovernmental organization or 
entity must meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section 
before a certification test it offers can be approved for payment of 
educational assistance to veterans and eligible persons who take the 
test. Except as provided in paragraphs (d)(3) and (d)(4) of this 
section, the organization or entity--
    (i) Certifies to the State approving agency that the licensing or 
certification test offered by the organization or entity is generally 
accepted, in accordance with relevant government, business, or industry 
standards, employment policies, or hiring practices, as attesting to a 
level of knowledge or skill required to qualify to enter into, maintain, 
or advance in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or 
profession;
    (ii) Is licensed, chartered, or incorporated in a State and has 
offered the test for a minimum of two years before the date on which the 
organization or entity first submits to the State approving agency an 
application for approval under this section;
    (iii) Employs, or consults with, individuals with expertise or 
substantial experience with respect to all areas of

[[Page 349]]

knowledge or skill that are measured by the test and that are required 
for the license or certificate issued; and
    (iv) Has no direct financial interest in--
    (A) The outcome of the test; or
    (B) An organization that provides the education or training of 
candidates for licenses or certificates required for a vocation or 
profession.
    (2) At the request of the State approving agency, the organization 
or entity seeking approval for a licensing or certification test must 
give such information to the State approving agency as the State 
approving agency decides is necessary to perform an assessment of--
    (i) The test the organization or entity conducts as compared to the 
level of knowledge or skills that a license or certificate attests; and
    (ii) The applicability of the test over such periods of time as the 
State approving agency decides is appropriate.
    (3) The provisions of paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section will not 
prevent the approval of a test if the organization or entity has offered 
a reasonably related test for at least two years.
    (4) The provisions of paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section will not 
prevent the approval of a test if the organization or entity--
    (i) Offers a sample test or preparatory materials to a candidate for 
the test but does not otherwise provide preparatory education or 
training to the candidate; or
    (ii) Has a financial interest in an organization that provides 
preparatory education or training of a candidate for a test, but that 
test is advantageous in but not required for practicing a vocation or 
profession.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689(c))

    (e) Notice of approval and withdrawal of approval. The State 
approving agency must provide notice of an approval of a test as 
required in Sec. 21.4250(b). If the State approving agency wishes to 
withdraw approval of a test, it must follow the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4259.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689(d))

    (f) A decision to disapprove a test or an organization or entity 
offering a test may be reviewed. (1) If an organization or entity 
offering a test disagrees with a State approving agency's decision to 
disapprove a test or to disapprove the organization or entity offering 
the test, it may seek a review of the decision from the Director, 
Education Service. If the Director, Education Service has acted as the 
State approving agency, the organization or entity may seek a review of 
the decision from the Under Secretary for Benefits.
    (2) The organization or entity must make its request for a review in 
writing to the State approving agency. The State approving agency must 
receive the request within 90 days of the date of the notice to the 
organization or entity that the test or the organization or entity is 
disapproved.
    (3) The review will be based on the evidence of record at the time 
the State approving agency made its initial decision. It will not be de 
novo in character.
    (4) The Director, Education Service or the Under Secretary for 
Benefits may seek the advice of the Professional Certification and 
Licensure Advisory Committee, established under 38 U.S.C. 3689(e), as to 
whether the State approving agency's decision should be reversed.
    (5) The decision of the Director, Education Service or the Under 
Secretary for Benefits is the final administrative decision. It will not 
be subject to further administrative review.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0697)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689)

[72 FR 16975, Apr. 5, 2007]

                    Assessment and Pursuit of Courses



Sec. 21.4270  Measurement of courses.

    (a) Measurement of trade, technical, and high school courses. Trade, 
technical, high school, and high school preparatory courses shall be 
measured as stated in this paragraph.
    (1) Trade and technical courses. (i) Except as provided in paragraph 
(b) of this section, if shop practice is an integral part of a trade or 
technical course not leading to a standard college degree--

[[Page 350]]

    (A) A full-time enrollment is 22 clock hours per week (exclusive of 
supervised study) with not more than 2\1/2\ hours rest period allowance;
    (B) A three-quarter-time enrollment is 16 through 21 clock hours per 
week (exclusive of supervised study) with not more than 2 hours rest 
period allowance;
    (C) A one-half-time enrollment is 11 through 15 clock hours per week 
(exclusive of supervised study) with not more than 1\1/4\ hours rest 
period allowance;
    (D) A less than one-half-time but more than one-quarter-time 
enrollment is 6 through 10 clock hours per week (exclusive of supervised 
study) with not more than \3/4\ hour rest period allowance; and
    (E) A quarter-time enrollment is 1 through 5 clock hours per week 
(exclusive of supervised study).
    (ii) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, if theory 
and class instruction constitute more than 50 percent of the required 
hours in a trade or technical course not leading to a standard college 
degree, enrollments will be measured as follows. In measuring net 
instruction there will be included customary intervals not to exceed 10 
minutes between classes. Shop practice and rest periods are excluded. 
Supervised instruction periods in a school's shops and the time involved 
in field trips and group instruction may be included in computing the 
clock hour requirements.
    (A) A full-time enrollment is 18 clock hours net instruction per 
week (exclusive of supervised study);
    (B) A three-quarter-time enrollment is 13 through 17 clock hours net 
instruction per week (exclusive of supervised study);
    (C) A one-half-time enrollment is 9 through 12 clock hours net 
instruction per week (exclusive of supervised study);
    (D) A less than one-half-time but more than one-quarter-time 
enrollment is 5 through 8 clock hours net instruction per week 
(exclusive of supervised study); and
    (E) A quarter-time enrollment is 1 through 4 clock hours net 
instruction per week (exclusive of supervised study).
    (2) High school courses. If a student is pursuing high school 
courses at a rate which would result in an accredited high school 
diploma in four ordinary school years, VA considers him or her to be 
enrolled full time. Otherwise, for high school enrollments, training 
time will be determined as follows. (For the purpose of this paragraph, 
a unit is not less than one hundred and twenty 60-minute hours or the 
equivalent of study in any subject in one academic year.)
    (i) A full-time enrollment is 18 clock hours net instruction per 
week or four units per year or the equivalent;
    (ii) A three-quarter-time enrollment is 13 through 17 clock hours 
net instruction per week or three units per year or the equivalent;
    (iii) A one-half-time enrollment is 9 through 12 clock hours net 
instruction per week or two units per year or the equivalent;
    (iv) A less than one-half-time but more than one-quarter-time 
enrollment is 5 through 8 clock hours net instruction per week or one 
unit per year or the equivalent; and
    (v) A one-quarter-time enrollment is 1 through 4 clock hours net 
instruction per week.
    (3) Elementary school. For a high school preparatory course pursued 
at the elementary school level--
    (i) A full-time enrollment is 18 clock hours net instruction per 
week;
    (ii) A three-quarter-time enrollment is 13 through 17 clock hours 
net instruction per week;
    (iii) A one-half-time enrollment is 9 through 12 clock hours net 
instruction per week;
    (iv) A less than one-half-time but more than one-quarter-time 
enrollment is 5 through 8 clock hours net instruction per week; and
    (v) A one-quarter-time enrollment is 1 through 4 clock hours per 
week.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(a))

    (b) Measurement of non-college degree courses offered by 
institutions of higher learning. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if a student is enrolled in a course 
which is not leading to a standard college degree and which is offered 
by an institution of higher learning, VA will

[[Page 351]]

measure his or her enrollment in the same manner as collegiate 
undergraduate courses are measured according to the provisions of 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, if a student is enrolled in a course not leading to a standard 
college degree which is offered on a standard quarter- or semester-hour 
basis by an educational institution which is not an institution of 
higher learning, VA shall measure his or her enrollment in the same 
manner as collegiate undergraduate courses are measured according to the 
provisions of paragraph (c) of this section, provided that the 
educational institution requires at least the same minimum number of 
hours of weekly attendance as are required by paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section for courses offered on a clock-hour basis. If the educational 
institution does not require at least the same minimum number of hours 
of weekly attendance as are required in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, VA will not apply the provisions of paragraph (c) of this 
section, but will measure the course according to the criteria in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(a)(7))

    (c) Undergraduate, graduate, professional, and on-the-job training 
courses. Collegiate graduate, professional and on-the-job training 
courses shall be measured as stated in this table. This shall be used 
for measurement of collegiate undergraduate courses subject to all the 
measurement criteria of Sec. 21.4272. Clock hours and sessions mentioned 
in this table mean clock hours and class sessions per week.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3482, 3532, 3677, 3687, 3688)

                                                                         Courses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    Less than \1/2\
         Kind of school             Kind of course         Full time          \3/4\ time          \1/2\ time        more than \1/4\   \1/4\ time or less
                                                                                                                         time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collegiate undergraduate........  Standard            14 semester hours   10 through 13       7 through 9         4 through 6         1 through 3
                                   collegiate          or equivalent \2\.  semester hours or   semester hours or   semester hours or   semester hours or
                                   courses including                       equivalent.         equivalent.         equivalent.         equivalent.
                                   cooperative and
                                   external degree
                                   programs \1\.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collegiate graduate.............  Standard            14 semester hours   10 through 13       7 through 9         4 through 6         1 through 3
                                   collegiate          or equivalent or    semester hours or   semester hours as   semester hours or   semester hours or
                                   graduate courses    as certified by a   as certified by a   certified by a      as certified by a   as certified by a
                                   including law and   responsible         responsible         responsible         responsible         responsible
                                   external degree     official of the     official of the     official of the     official of the     official of the
                                   programs \1\.       school \2\.         school.             school.             school.             school.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional nonaccredited......  Law only \3\......  12 class sessions   9 through 11 class  6 through 8 class   4 through 5 class   1 through 3 class
                                                       per week.           sessions per week.  sessions per week.  sessions per week.  sessions per
                                                                                                                                       week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional accredited and       Internships and     As established by   As established by   As established by   As established by   As established by
 equivalent.                       residencies:        accrediting         accrediting         accrediting         accrediting         accrediting
                                   Medical, Dental,    association.        association or      association or      association or      association or
                                   Osteopathic.                            entity offering     entity offering     entity offering     entity offering
                                                                           the internship or   the internship or   the internship or   the internship or
                                                                           residency.          residency.          residency.          residency
                                  Nursing, X-ray,     18 clock hours or   13 through 17       9 through 12 clock  5 through 8 clock   1 through 4 clock
                                   medical             14 semester         clock hours or 10   hours or 7          hours or 4          hours or less
                                   technology,         hours, as           through 13          through 9           through 6           than 4 semester
                                   medical records     appropriate.        semester hours,     semester hours,     semester hours,     hours, as
                                   librarian,                              as appropriate.     as appropriate.     as appropriate.     appropriate.
                                   physical therapy
                                   \4\.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Training establishment..........  Apprentice or       Standard workweek.  ..................  Full time only....  ..................
                                   other on-the-job
                                   \5\.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 352]]

 
Agricultural....................  Farm Cooperative    10 clock hours net  7 clock hours net   5 clock hours net   ..................  No provision.
                                   \6\.                instruction \7\.    instruction.        instruction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Cooperative courses may be measured on a full-time basis only.
\2\ When the institution certifies that all undergraduate students enrolled for a minimum of 12 or 13 semester hours or the equivalent are charged full-
  time tuition, or considered full time for other administrative purposes, such minimum hours will establish the criteria for full-time measurement.
  When 12 hours is properly certified as full time, VA will measure 9 through 11 hours as \3/4\ time, 6 through 8 hours as \1/2\ time, 4 through 5 hours
  as less than \1/2\ time and more than \1/4\ time, and 1 through 3 hours as \1/4\ time or less. VA will measure all other undergraduate courses as
  indicated in the table for undergraduate or professional courses, as appropriate, but when 13 credit hours or the equivalent is certified as full
  time, \3/4\ time will be 10 through 12 hours. When, in accordance with Sec. 21.4273(a), a responsible official of a school certifies that a lesser
  number of hours constitute full time, \3/4\ time, \1/2\ time, less than \1/2\ time and more than \1/4\ time, or \1/4\ time or less, VA will accept the
  certification for measurement purposes.
To meet criteria for full-time measurement in standard collegiate courses which include required noncredit deficiency courses, in the absence of a
  certification under Sec. 21.4272(k), VA will convert the noncredit deficiency courses on the basis of the applicable measurement criteria, as
  follows: 18 or 22 clock hours, 4 ``Carnegie Units,'' or 12, 13, or 14 (as appropriate) semester hours equal full time. The credit-hour equivalent of
  such noncredit courses may constitute any portion of the required hours for full-time measurement.
\3\ Class sessions measured on basis of not less than 50 minutes of classroom instruction. Supervised study periods, class breaks and rest periods are
  excluded.
\4\ Supervised study must be excluded.
\5\ Full-time training will consist of the number of hours which constitute the standard workweek of the training establishment, but not less than 30
  hours unless a lesser number of hours is established as the standard workweek for the particular establishment through bona fide collective bargaining
  between employers and employees.
\6\ In measuring net instruction there will be included customary intervals not to exceed 10 minutes between classes. Shop practice and rest periods are
  excluded. Supervised instruction periods in school's shops in farm cooperative programs and the time involved in field trips and individual and group
  instruction may be included in computing the clock hour requirements.
\7\ For full-time training the 440 clock hours a year may be prescheduled to provide not less than 80 clock hours in any 3-month period.


[44 FR 62503, Oct. 31, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 73479, Nov. 5, 1980; 48 
FR 37992, Aug. 22, 1983; 50 FR 21605, May 28, 1985; 50 FR 43135, Oct. 
24, 1985; 54 FR 48549, Dec. 1, 1988; 54 FR 33891, Aug. 17, 1989; 57 FR 
29804, July 7, 1992; 57 FR 35628, Aug. 10, 1992; 61 FR 6784, Feb. 22, 
1996; 62 FR 55760, Oct. 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.4271  [Reserved]



Sec. 21.4272  Collegiate course measurement.

    VA will measure a college level course in an institution of higher 
learning on a credit-hour basis provided all the conditions under 
paragraph (a) or (b) of this section are met. See also Sec. 21.4273.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688)

    (a) Degree courses--accredited or candidate. VA will measure a 
degree course on a credit-hour basis when--
    (1) An institution of higher learning offers the course; and
    (2) A nationally recognized accrediting association either--
    (i) Accredits the institution of higher learning, or
    (ii) Recognizes the institution as a candidate for accreditation; 
and
    (3) The credits earned in the course can be applied towards an 
associate, baccalaureate or higher degree which is--
    (i) Appropriate to the level of the institution of higher learning's 
accreditation, or
    (ii) Appropriate to the level of the institution of higher 
learning's candidacy for accreditation; and
    (4) The course is offered on a semester-hour or quarter-hour basis, 
and
    (5) The degree to which the course credits are applicable either--
    (i) Is granted by the institution of higher learning offering the 
course,
    (ii) Is a part of a concurrent enrollment as described in 
Sec. 21.4233(b), or
    (iii) Is being pursued by a nonmatriculated student as provided in 
Sec. 21.4252(l)(1), (2) or (3).
    (b) Degree courses--nonaccredited. VA will measure on a credit-hour 
basis a degree course which does not meet the requirements of paragraph 
(a) of this section when--
    (1) The course is offered on a semester- or quarter-hour basis, and
    (2) The course leads to an associate, baccalaureate, or higher 
degree, which is granted by the school offering the degree under 
authority specifically

[[Page 353]]

conferred by a State education agency, and
    (3) The school will furnish a letter from a State university or 
letters from three schools that are full members of a nationally 
recognized accrediting association. In each letter the State university 
or accredited school must certify either:
    (i) That credits have been accepted on transfer at full value 
without reservation, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a 
baccalaureate or higher degree for at least three students within the 
last 5 years, and that at least 40 percent of the subjects within each 
curriculum, for which credit-hour measurement is sought, has been 
accepted without reservation by the certifying State university or 
accredited school, or
    (ii) That in the last 5 years at least three students, who have 
received a baccalaureate or higher degree as a result of having 
completed the nonaccredited course, have been admitted without 
reservation into a graduate or advanced professional program offered by 
the certifying State university or accredited school.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Course measurement general. When an undergraduate course 
qualifies for credit-hour measurement, VA will measure it according to 
the table contained in Sec. 21.4270(c) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(a); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (e)-(f) [Reserved]
    (g) Course measurement; nonstandard terms. (1) When a term is not a 
standard semester or quarter as defined in Sec. 21.4200(b), the 
Department of Veterans Affairs will determine the equivalent for full-
time training by:
    (i) Multiplying the credits to be earned in the term by 18 if credit 
is granted in semester hours, or by 12 if credit is granted in quarter 
hours, and
    (ii) Dividing the product by the number of whole weeks in the term.
    (2) In determining whole weeks for this formula VA will--
    (i) Determine the number of days from the beginning to the end of 
the term as certified by the educational institution, substracting any 
vacation period of 7 days or more;
    (ii) Divide the number of days in the term by 7;
    (iii) Disregard a remainder of 3 days or less, and
    (iv) Consider 4 days or more to be a whole week.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

    (3) The quotient resulting from the use of the formula is called 
equivalent credit hours. VA treats equivalent credit hours as credit 
hours for measurement purposes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

    (h)-(i) [Reserved]
    (j) Course measurement; credit course taken under special 
circumstances. If a course is acceptable for credit, but the educational 
institution does not award credit to the veteran or eligible person 
because he or she has not met college entrance requirements or for some 
other valid reason, the Department of Veterans Affairs will measure the 
course as though it were pursued for credit, provided the veteran or 
eligible person performs all of the work prescribed for other students 
who are enrolled for credit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

    (k) Course measurement; noncredit courses. (1) Except for courses 
leading to a secondary school diploma or equivalent, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs will measure noncredit courses given by an institution 
of higher learning on a quarter- or semester-hour basis if the 
institution considers them to be the equivalent, for other 
administrative purposes, of undergraduate courses that lead to a 
standard college degree at the institution of higher learning.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall measure other noncredit 
courses under the appropriate criteria of Sec. 21.4270.
    (3) Where a school requires a veteran or eligible person to pursue 
noncredit deficiency, remedial or refresher courses in order to meet 
scholastic or entrance requirements, the school will certify the credit-
hour equivalent of the noncredit deficiency, remedial or

[[Page 354]]

refresher courses in addition to the credit hours for which the veteran 
or eligible person is enrolled. The Department of Veterans Affairs will 
measure the course on the total of the credit hours and credit-hour 
equivalency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 32 FR 13407, Sept. 23, 1967; 41 
FR 47930, Nov. 1, 1976; 43 FR 35307, Aug. 9, 1978; 43 FR 49982, Oct. 26, 
1978; 48 FR 37992, Aug. 22, 1983; 50 FR 21605, May 28, 1985; 51 FR 6412, 
Feb. 24, 1986; 54 FR 13065, Mar. 30, 1989; 54 FR 33894, Aug. 17, 1989; 
61 FR 6784, Feb. 22, 1996; 72 FR 16977, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.4273  Collegiate graduate.

    (a) In residence. (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs will 
measure a nonaccredited graduate or advanced professional course (other 
than a law course) as provided in Sec. 21.4272. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs will measure a nonaccredited law course as stated in 
Sec. 21.4274.
    (2) An accredited graduate or advanced professional course, 
including law as specified in Sec. 21.4274, pursued in residence at an 
institution of higher learning will be measured in accordance with 
Sec. 21.4272 unless it is the established policy of the school to 
consider less than 14 semester hours or the equivalent as full-time 
enrollment, or the course includes research, thesis preparation, or a 
comparable prescribed activity beyond that normally required for the 
preparation of ordinary classroom assignments. In either case a 
responsible official of the school will certify that the veteran or 
eligible person is pursuing the course full, three-quarter, one-half, 
less than one-half but more than one-quarter, or one quarter or less 
time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

    (b) In absentia. A responsible official of the school will certify a 
program of research pursued by a veteran or eligible person in absentia 
as full, three-fourths, one-half, less than one-half but more than one-
quarter, or one-quarter or less time, and the activity will be assessed 
by the Department of Veterans Affairs accordingly when:
    (1) The research activity is defined and organized so as to enable 
the certifying official to evaluate the time required for its successful 
pursuit, and
    (2) The time certified for the research activity is independent of 
the time devoted to any employment situation in which the veteran or 
eligible person might be engaged.
    (c) Undergraduate or combination. If a graduate student is enrolled 
in both graduate and undergraduate courses concurrently, or solely in 
undergraduate courses, VA will measure such an enrollment using the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4272 or the graduate school's assessment of 
training time, whichever will result in a higher monthly rate for the 
veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3668(b); Pub. L. 102-568)

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 31 FR 8293, June 14, 1966; 32 FR 
4411, Mar. 23, 1967; 50 FR 21606, May 28, 1985; 61 FR 28755, June 6, 
1996]



Sec. 21.4274  Law courses.

    (a) Accredited. A law course in an accredited law school leading to 
a standard professional law degree will be assessed as provided in 
Sec. 21.4273(a).
    (b) Nonaccredited. A law course leading to a professional law 
degree, completion of which will satisfy State educational requirements 
for admission to legal practice, pursued in a nonaccredited law school 
which requires for admission to the course at least 60 standard semester 
units of credit or the equivalent in quarter units of credit, will be 
assessed on the basis of 12 class sessions per week for full-time 
attendance. If the course does not meet these requirements it will be 
assessed on the basis of clock hours of attendance per week.

[36 FR 18304, Sept. 11, 1971, as amended at 38 FR 19371, July 20, 1973; 
41 FR 47931, Nov. 1, 1976]



Sec. 21.4275  Practical training courses; measurement.

    (a) Medical and dental residencies and osteopathic internships and 
residencies. VA will measure medical and dental residencies, and 
osteopathic internships and residencies as provided in

[[Page 355]]

Sec. 21.4270(c) of this part if they are accredited and approved in 
accordance with Sec. 21.4265(a) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3688(b); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (b) Nursing courses. (1) Courses for the objective of registered 
nurse or registered professional nurse will be measured on the basis of 
credit hours or clock hours of attendance, whichever is appropriate. The 
clock hours of attendance may include academic class time, clinical 
training, and supervised study periods.
    (2) Courses offered by schools which lead to the objective of 
practical nurse, practical trained nurse, or licensed practical nurse 
will be measured on credit hours or clock hours of attendance per week 
whichever is appropriate.
    (c) Medical and dental specialty courses. (1) Medical and dental 
specialty courses offered by a school whether accredited or 
nonaccredited, shall be measured on the basis of credit hours or clock 
hours of attendance, whichever is appropriate.
    (2) Medical and dental specialty courses offered in hospitals, 
clinics, laboratories or medical centers which are accredited by a 
nationally recognized accrediting agency shall be measured on the basis 
of clock hours of attendance per week.
    (d) Medical and dental assistants courses for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. Programs approved in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4265(d) will be measured on a clock-hour basis as appropriate in 
accordance with Sec. 21.4270, however, the program will be regarded as 
full-time instructional training: Provided, The combined total of the 
classroom and other formal instruction portion of the program and on-
job-training portion of the program requires 30 or more clock hours of 
attendance per week.
    (e) Professional training courses. Nonmedically related professional 
training courses, such as the clinical pastoral course, shall be 
measured in semester hours of attendance or clock hours of attendance 
per week, whichever is appropriate.
    (f) Other practical training courses. These courses will be measured 
in semester hours of credit or clock hours of attendance per week, 
whichever is appropriate, if approved under Sec. 21.4265(f). (See 
Sec. 21.4265 for approval.)

[41 FR 26684, June 29, 1976, as amended at 43 FR 25429, June 13, 1978; 
49 FR 39545, Oct. 9, 1984; 54 FR 33894, Aug. 17, 1989]



Sec. 21.4277  Discontinuance: unsatisfactory progress, conduct
and attendance.

    (a) Satisfactory pursuit of program. Entitlement to benefits for a 
program of education is subject to the requirement that the veteran or 
eligible person, having commenced the pursuit of such program, continues 
to maintain satisfactory progress. If the veteran or eligible person 
does not maintain satisfactory progress, educational benefits will be 
discontinued by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Progress is 
unsatisfactory if the veteran or eligible person does not satisfactorily 
progress according to the regularly prescribed standards and practices 
of the institution he or she is attending.
    (b) Satisfactory conduct. Entitlement to a program of education is 
subject to the requirement that the veteran or eligible person, having 
commenced the pursuit of such program, continues to maintain 
satisfactory conduct in accordance with the regularly prescribed 
standards and practices of the institution in which he or she is 
enrolled. If the veteran or eligible person will no longer be retained 
as a student or will not be readmitted as a student by the institution 
in which he or she is enrolled, educational benefits will be 
discontinued, unless further development establishes that the action of 
the school is of a retaliatory nature. See Sec. 21.4253.
    (c) Satisfactory attendance. Entitlement to benefits for a program 
of education is subject to the requirement that the veteran or eligible 
person, having commenced the pursuit of such program, continues to 
maintain satis- factory attendance in accordance with the regularly 
prescribed standards and practices of the institution in which he or she 
is enrolled. If the veteran or eligible person will no longer be 
retained as a student or will not be readmitted as a student by the 
institution in

[[Page 356]]

which he or she is enrolled, educational benefits will be discontinued.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3474, 3524)

    Cross Reference. Reports--requirements. See Sec. 21.4203.

[48 FR 37994, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 57 FR 29804, July 7, 1992]



Sec. 21.4278  Reentrance after discontinuance.

    (a) Conditions permitting reentrance after discontinuance. A veteran 
or eligible person may be reentered following discontinuance because of 
unsatisfactory conduct, progress or attendance only when either of the 
following sets of conditions exist:
    (1) The veteran or eligible person is resuming enrollment at the 
same educational institution in the same program of education and the 
educational institution has--
    (i) Approved the veteran's or eligible person's reenrollment, and
    (ii) Certified it to the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
    (2) All of the following exist:
    (i) The cause of unsatisfactory conduct, progress or attendance has 
been removed,
    (ii) VA determines that the program which the veteran or eligible 
person now proposes to pursue is suitable to his or her aptitudes, 
interests and abilities, and
    (iii) If a proposed change of program is involved, the change meets 
the requirements for approval under Secs. 21.4234, 21.5232, 21.7114 and 
21.7614 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3474 and 3524)

    (b) Programs which may be reentered after discontinuance. Reentrance 
may be for the same program, for a revised program or for an entirely 
different program depending on the cause of the discontinuance and the 
removal of that cause.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3474 and 3524)

    Cross Reference: Counseling. See Sec. 21.4100.

[45 FR 67093, Oct. 9, 1980, as amended at 57 FR 29804, July 7, 1992]



Sec. 21.4279  Combination correspondence-residence program.

    (a) Requirements for pursuit. A program of education may be pursued 
partly in residence and partly by correspondence for the attainment of a 
predetermined and identified objective under the following conditions:
    (1) The correspondence and residence portions are pursued 
sequentially; that is, not concurrently.
    (2) It is the practice of the institution to permit a student to 
pursue a part of his or her course by correspondence in partial 
fulfillment of the requirements for the attainment of the specified 
objective.
    (3) The total credit established by correspondence does not exceed 
the maximum for which the institution will grant credit toward the 
specified objective.
    (4) The educational institution offering the course is accredited by 
an agency recognized by the Secretary of Education; and
    (5) The State approving agency has approved the correspondence-
residence course and has verified compliance with the requirement of 38 
U.S.C. 3672(e) and Sec. 21.4256(a) that at least 50 percent of those 
pursuing the correspondence-residence course require six months or more 
to complete it.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))


(The information collection requirements in this section have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0575)

    (b) Payment for pursuit of a correspondence-residence program. The 
rate of educational assistance payable to a spouse or surviving spouse 
under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 for the residence portion of a 
correspondence-residence course or program shall be computed as set 
forth in Secs. 21.3131(a) and 21.4270.
    (1) The charges for that portion of the course or program pursued 
exclusively by correspondence will be in accordance with Sec. 21.3131(a) 
with 1 month entitlement charged for each $404 of cost reimbursed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3534)

    (2) The charges for the residence portion of the program must be 
separate

[[Page 357]]

from those for the correspondence portion.

[38 FR 7394, Mar. 21, 1973, as amended at 39 FR 45237, Dec. 31, 1974; 43 
FR 35308, Aug. 9, 1978; 50 FR 19936, May 13, 1985; 61 FR 29296, June 10, 
1996; 62 FR 63850, Dec. 3, 1997]



Sec. 21.4280  [Reserved]

Subpart E [Reserved]



                        Subpart F_Education Loans

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3537, 3698, 3699, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 21.4500  Definitions.

    (a) General. These definitions shall be applicable for subpart F of 
part 21.
    (b) Education loan. A loan made by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to an eligible spouse or surviving spouse pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3512(f) and 3698.
    (c) Academic year. The 9 month period usually from August or 
September to May or June, which includes generally two semesters or 
three quarters.
    (d) Loan period. (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs will make 
loans normally for a quarter, semester, summer term or two consecutive 
quarters.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs may grant a loan to an 
eligible spouse or surviving spouse attending a course not organized on 
a term, quarter or semester basis if the course requires at least 6 
months at the full-time rate to complete. A loan will be granted for not 
more than 6 months at a time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698)

    (i) The Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs facility of 
jurisdiction may waive the requirement that such a course must take at 
least 6 months to complete. Such a waiver of the length of the course 
shall be granted by the Director only if a school requests one for a 
course and the Director finds that:
    (A) During the previous 2 years at least 75 percent of the students 
enrolled in the course completed it.
    (B) During the previous 2 years at least 75 percent of the persons 
completing the course found employment in the occupational category for 
which the course is designed to provide training.
    (C) The default rate on all Department of Veterans Affairs education 
loans ever made to students at the educational institution does not 
exceed 5 percent or 5 cases, whichever is greater.
    (D) The default rate on all loans ever made to students pursuant to 
loan programs administered by the Department of Education does not 
exceed 5 percent or five cases, whichever is greater.
    (E) The course is at least 3 months long.
    (F) The course is approved for full-time attendance only.
    (G) No more than 35 percent of the students attending the course are 
receiving educational assistance from the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
    (H) The Field Director for the region in which the Department of 
Veterans Affairs facility is located concurs in the waiver.
    (ii) If a school disagrees with a decision of a Director of a 
Department of Veterans Affairs facility, it may, within 1 year from the 
date of the letter from the Director informing the school of the 
decision, request that the decision be reviewed by the Director, 
Education Service. The Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
facility shall forward all requests to the Director, Education Service, 
who shall consider all evidence submitted by the school. He or she has 
the authority to affirm or reverse a decision of a Department of 
Veterans Affairs facility, but shall not grant a waiver if the 
requirements of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section are not met.
    (iii) A waiver will remain in effect until the date on which the 
course fails to meet one of the requirements of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of 
this section. A school which has received a waiver for a course must 
notify the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs facility of 
jurisdiction within 30 days of the date on which one of those 
requirements is not met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698(c))

    (e) Total amount of financial resources. This term means the total 
of the following:

[[Page 358]]

    (1) The annual adjusted effective income of the eligible spouse or 
surviving spouse, less Federal income taxes paid or payable by the 
veteran or other eligible person with respect to such income, as 
described in paragraph (h) of this section.
    (2) The amount of cash assets of the eligible spouse or surviving 
spouse, as described in Sec. 21.4502(b)(2).
    (3) The amount of financial assistance received by the eligible 
spouse or surviving spouse under the provisions of Title IV of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
    (4) Educational assistance received or receivable for the loan 
period by the eligible spouse or surviving spouse under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 35. This amount shall be exclusive of an education loan.
    (5) Financial assistance received by the eligible spouse or 
surviving spouse under any scholarship or grant other than the one 
specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (6) Department of Veterans Affairs work-study allowance received or 
receivable by the eligible spouse or surviving spouse under 38 
U.S.C.3537.
    (f) Actual cost of attendance. The term actual cost of attendance 
means:
    (1) The actual charge per student for tuition, fees, and books;
    (2) An allowance for commuting (this allowance will be based on 
22.5 cents per mile for distances not exceeding normal commuting 
distance);
    (3) An allowance for other expenses reasonably related to attendance 
at the institution at which the eligible spouse or surviving spouse is 
enrolled; and
    (4) A room and board allowance that shall be determined as follows:
    (i) If the educational institution actually provides the eligible 
spouse or surviving spouse with room and board, the allowance shall 
equal the actual charges to him or her for room and board;
    (ii) If the educational institution provides some students with room 
and board, but does not provide room and board for the eligible spouse 
or surviving spouse, the room and board allowance shall equal either the 
actual expenses incurred by the eligible spouse or surviving spouse for 
room and board, or the amount for room and board that the educational 
institution would have charged the eligible spouse or surviving spouse, 
had the educational institution provided him or her with room and board, 
whichever is less; and
    (iii) If the educational institution does not provide any students 
with room and board, the room and board allowance shall equal either the 
actual expenses incurred by the eligible spouse or surviving spouse for 
room and board or the amount the eligible spouse or surviving spouse 
would have been charged for room and board had he or she been provided 
room and board by the nearest State college or State university that 
provides room and board, whichever is less.
    (g) Loan fee. This shall be a fee collected by discounting the 
amount of any loan granted to an eligible spouse or surviving spouse by 
an appropriate amount. The fee shall be collected for each separate loan 
authorized. The amount of the fee shall be 3 percent of the total loan 
amount.
    (h) Annual adjusted effective income. This income shall include:
    (1) Nontaxable income for the student only for the current tax year 
in which the application for the education loan is received by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes income from sources such 
as Department of Veterans Affairs compensation and pension, disability 
retirement, unemployment compensation, welfare payments, social security 
benefits, etc.
    (2) Adjusted gross income (wages, salary, dividends, interest, 
rental, business, etc.) for the student only for the current tax year in 
which the application for the education loan is received by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, less:
    (i) Authorized deductions for exemptions;
    (ii) Itemized or standard deduction, whichever is greater;
    (iii) Mandatory withholdings such as Federal and State income taxes, 
social security taxes, etc.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698(b))

    (i) School term. This phrase means:
    (1) In the case of an institution of higher learning operating on a 
quarter system, three consecutive quarters within an ordinary school 
year;

[[Page 359]]

    (2) In the case of an institution of higher learning operating on a 
semester system, two consecutive semesters within an ordinary school 
year; or
    (3) In the case of an educational institution not an institution of 
higher learning or in the case of an institution of higher learning not 
operating on a quarter or semester system, a period of 9 to 11 months 
provided:
    (i) The program of education is divided into segments, and
    (ii) At least one segment is completed prior to or during the 9 to 
11-month period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1682A(e), (repealed, Pub. L. 100-689, section 
124(a)))

[40 FR 31764, July 29, 1975, as amended at 44 FR 62505, Oct. 31, 1979; 
48 FR 37995, Aug. 22, 1983; 54 FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989; 61 FR 26115, May 
24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4501  Eligibility.

    (a) General. Any eligible spouse or surviving spouse shall be 
eligible to receive an education loan if he or she meets the criteria of 
this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698)

    (b) Eligibility criteria. To qualify for an education loan--
    (1) The eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's delimiting period as 
determined by Sec. 21.3046 (a), (b), or (d), or Sec. 21.3047 must have 
expired;
    (2) The eligible spouse or surviving spouse must--
    (i) Have financial resources that may reasonably be expected to be 
expended for education needs and which are insufficient to meet the 
actual costs of attendance;
    (ii) Execute a promissory note payable to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, as provided by Sec. 21.4504;
    (iii) Have unused entitlement provided under 38 U.S.C. 3511;
    (iv) During the term, quarter, or semester for which the loan is 
granted, be enrolled on a full-time basis in pursuit of the approved 
program of education in which he or she was enrolled on the date his or 
her eligibility expired under Sec. 21.3046 (a), (b), or (d), or 
Sec. 21.3047; and
    (v) Have been enrolled in a program of education on a full-time 
basis--
    (A) On the date his or her period of eligibility expired under 
Sec. 21.3046 (a), (b), or (d), or Sec. 21.3047; or
    (B) On the last date of the ordinary term, semester or quarter 
preceding the date his or her eligibility expired under Sec. 21.3046 
(a), (b), or (d), or Sec. 21.3047, if the delimiting date fell during a 
school break or summer term.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698)

    (c) Limitations. The period for which a loan may be granted shall 
not extend beyond the earliest of the following dates:
    (1) Two years after the expiration of the period of eligibility as 
determined by Sec. 21.3046(a), (b), or (d), or Sec. 21.3047;
    (2) The date on which the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's 
entitlement is exhausted; or
    (3) The date on which the eligible spouse or surviving spouse 
completes the approved program of education which he or she was pursuing 
on the date the delimiting period determined by Sec. 21.3046 (a), (b), 
or (d), or Sec. 21.3047 expired.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698)

    (d) Exclusions. No eligible spouse or surviving spouse shall be 
authorized an education loan if he or she has defaulted on a previous 
education loan and there is a remaining unliquidated payment due VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698)

[61 FR 26115, May 24, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51785, Oct. 3, 1997]



Sec. 21.4502  Applications.

    (a) General. An eligible spouse or surviving spouse shall make an 
application for an education loan in the manner prescribed and upon the 
forms prescribed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department 
of Veterans Affairs must receive the application no later than the last 
date of the term, quarter, semester, or 6-month period to which all or 
part of the loan will apply. The application shall be certified by the 
school as to the date required from the school by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3471)


[[Page 360]]


    (b) Information. The application shall provide the Department of 
Veterans Affairs with the following information and such other 
information as may be reasonable upon specific request:
    (1) A statement of nontaxable income for the student for the current 
tax year in which the application is received by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs; as well as a statement of adjusted gross income for 
the student for the current tax year in which the application for an 
education loan is received by the Department of Veterans Affairs less 
authorized deductions for exemptions, itemized or standard deduction, 
whichever is greater, and mandatory withholdings such as Federal and 
State income taxes, social security taxes, etc.
    (2) The amount of all funds of the eligible spouse or surviving 
spouse on hand on the date of the application including cash on hand, 
money in a bank or savings and loan association account, and 
certificates of deposit.
    (3) The full amount of the tuition for the course to be paid by the 
eligible spouse or surviving spouse during the period for which the loan 
is sought.
    (4) The amount of reasonably anticipated expenses for room and board 
to be expended by the eligible spouse or surviving spouse during the 
period for which the loan is sought, including a reasonable amount, not 
to exeed 22.5 cents per mile, for commuting normal distances to classes 
if the student does not reside on campus. Applications may also provide 
the Department of Veterans Affairs with a statement of the amount of 
charges for room and board which the school would have made had the 
school provided the eligible spouse or surviving spouse with room and 
board. If the school does not provide room and board, the application 
may provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with a statement of 
charges for room and board which the eligible spouse or surviving spouse 
would have received had he or she been provided room and board at the 
nearest State college or State university which provides room and board.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3698(b))

    (5) The anticipated reasonable cost of books and supplies required 
for the courses to be taken during the period for which the loan is 
sought.

[40 FR 31764, July 29, 1975, as amended at 44 FR 62507, Oct. 31, 1979; 
48 FR 37996, Aug. 22, 1983; 49 FR 8920, Mar. 9, 1984; 61 FR 26116, May 
24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4503  Determination of loan amount.

    (a) General. The amount of the education loan shall be computed by:
    (1) Determining the total amount of financial resources of the 
eligible spouse or surviving spouse, as defined in Sec. 21.4500(e), 
which may be reasonably expected to be expended for education needs in 
any academic year or other loan period.
    (2) Subtracting the available resources determined in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section from the actual cost of attendance, as defined in 
Sec. 21.4500(f), to obtain the net amount by which costs exceed the 
resources available for education needs. If the available resources and 
the costs are equal, or if the resources exceed the costs, no loan will 
be authorized.
    (b) Amount. A loan shall be authorized in the amount of the excess 
of cost over available resources as determined in paragraph (a) of this 
section subject to the following limitations:
    (1) If the costs exceed the available resources by $50 or less no 
loan shall be granted.
    (2) The aggregate of the amounts any eligible spouse or surviving 
spouse may borrow for an education loan may not exceed $2,500 in any one 
academic year. It also may not exceed an amount determined by 
multiplying the number of months of educational assistance to which the 
eligible spouse or surviving spouse would be entitled were it not for 
the expiration of his or her delimiting period under 38 U.S.C. 3511 
times $376.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698)

    (3) If a student is enrolled in a course organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, no single loan shall be authorized at one 
time for a period that is longer than two consecutive quarters. If a 
student is enrolled in a course not organized on a term, quarter or 
semester basis, no single loan shall be

[[Page 361]]

authorized at one time for a period that is longer than 6 months.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3698)

    (4) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall pay the following 
maximum amounts for these loan periods:
    (i) $1,250 for any semester.
    (ii) $830 for any term of 8 weeks or more leading to a standard 
college degree which is not part of the normal academic year or for a 
quarter.
    (iii) $1660 for two consecutive quarters.
    (iv) $270 per month for a course not leading to a standard college 
degree if less than 6 months long.
    (v) $1660 for a 6-month loan period based on a course not leading to 
a standard college degree which is 6 or more months long.
    (vi) $270 per month for a loan period of less than 6 months based on 
a course not leading to a standard college degree which is 6 or more 
months long.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698(b))

    (5) No amount authorized will be paid by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs until the eligible spouse or surviving spouse is certified as 
being enrolled and actually pursuing the course.
    (6) An eligible spouse or surviving spouse may receive more than one 
loan covering separate loan periods, subject to paragraphs (b)(3) and 
(b)(7) of this section.
    (7) If the spouse or surviving spouse has a material change in 
economic circumstances subsequent to the original application for a 
loan, he or she may reapply for an increase in an authorized loan or for 
a loan, if otherwise qualified, if no loan was originally granted. 
However, the Department of Veterans Affairs will not decrease or revoke 
a loan once granted, absent fraud in the application.

[40 FR 31765, July 29, 1975, as amended at 48 FR 37996, Aug. 22, 1983; 
49 FR 8439, Mar. 7, 1984; 50 FR 19936, May 13, 1985; 61 FR 26116, May 
24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4504  Promissory note.

    (a) General. The agreement by VA to loan money pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3512(f) and 3698 to any eligible spouse or surviving spouse shall be in 
the form of a promissory note which shall include:
    (1) The full amount of the loan.
    (2) Agreement to pay a fee not to exceed 3 percent for an insurance 
fund against defaults.
    (3) A note or other written obligation providing for repayment of 
the principal amount, and interest on the loan in annual installments 
over a period beginning 9 months after the date on which the borrower 
first ceases to be at least a half-time student and ending:
    (i) For loans of $600 or more, 10 years and 9 months after such 
date, or
    (ii) For loans of less than $600, 1 year and 7 months after such 
date for the first $50 of the loan plus 1 additional month for each 
additional $5 of the loan.
    (4) A provision for prepayment of all or part of the loan, without 
penalty, at the option of the borrower.
    (b) Interest. The promissory note shall advise the student that the 
loan shall bear interest on the unpaid balance of the loan at a rate 
comparable to, but not in excess of, the rate of interest charged 
students at such time on loans insured by the Secretary of Education, 
Department of Education, under part B of Title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965. The rate shall be determined as of the date the 
agreement is executed and shall be a fixed amount.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3698)

    (c) Security. The loan shall be made without security and without 
endorsement.
    (d) Default. Whenever VA determines that a default, in whole or in 
part, has occurred on any such loan the eligible spouse or surviving 
spouse shall be notified that the amount of the default shall be 
recovered from the eligible spouse or surviving spouse concerned in the 
same manner as other debt due the United States. Once a default has 
occurred, the eligible spouse's or surviving spouse's subsequent 
reentrance into training at the half-time or greater rate shall not be 
the basis for rescinding the default. A default may only be rescinded 
when VA has been led

[[Page 362]]

to create the default as a result of a mistake of fact or law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3698 (e)(1))

    (e) Death or disability. If the eligible spouse or surviving spouse 
dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled, even though he or she 
ceases to be permanently and totally disabled subsequent to the granting 
of the loan, the remaining liability of such person for an educational 
loan shall be discharged.
    (f) Fraud. Material misrepresentation of fact by the eligible spouse 
or surviving spouse, including omissions of relevant information, shall 
render the loan agreement null and void. The deferred payment provisions 
of the agreement shall not apply in such a case and the full amount of 
any loan balance shall become due and payable immediately. The amount 
due shall be recovered from the eligible spouse or surviving spouse in 
the same manner as any other debt due the United States.
    (g) Signature. An eligible spouse or surviving spouse may sign both 
the loan application and the promissory note required and payment of the 
amounts authorized will be made to such person, notwithstanding his or 
her minority, unless the person has a legal guardian. In such cases the 
legal guardian must sign and will be paid the loan amounts.

[40 FR 31765, July 29, 1975, as amended at 48 FR 37997, Aug. 22, 1983; 
52 FR 5963, Feb. 27, 1987; 52 FR 7276, Mar. 10, 1987; 61 FR 26116, May 
24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4505  Check delivery.

    (a) General. Education loans by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
shall be made by a check payable to the eligible spouse or surviving 
spouse and shall be mailed promptly to the educational institution in 
which the eligible spouse or surviving spouse is enrolled for delivery 
by the educational institution.
    (b) Delivery and certification. (1) The educational institution, 
electing to participate in this program, shall deliver an education loan 
check to the eligible spouse or surviving spouse and shall certify the 
fact of delivery to the Department of Veterans Affairs immediately upon 
delivery. If the delivery is not made within 30 days after the 
institution receives the check, it shall return the check to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (2) The Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs facility of 
jurisdiction may direct that education loan checks be sent directly to 
spouses or surviving spouses when:
    (i) The educational institution demonstrates an inability to comply 
with these requirements; or
    (ii) The educational institution fails to provide adequately for the 
safekeeping of the checks prior to the delivery to the student or return 
to the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
    (iii) The educational institution elects not to participate in this 
program; or
    (iv) There is compelling evidence that the institution is unable to 
discharge its responsibilities under this program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3698)

[44 FR 62508, Oct. 31, 1979, as amended at 61 FR 26116, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.4507  Advertising.

    (a) General. No educational institution or training establishment 
shall include a statement in advertisements or brochures intended to 
solicit students as to the availability of education loans from the 
Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible spouses and surviving 
spouses, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) Form. The statement which is permitted shall be as follows: 
``Certain eligible spouses and surviving spouses may qualify for a 
maximum educational loan of $2,500 per academic year from the Department 
of Veterans Affairs depending upon need. Applications for such loans 
shall be made to the Department of Veterans Affairs on forms prescribed 
by it.''

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(f), 3696, 3698(b))

[44 FR 62510, Oct. 31, 1979, as amended at 61 FR 26116, May 24, 1996]

Subparts F-1--F-3 [Reserved]

[[Page 363]]



  Subpart G_Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Under 38 
                            U.S.C. Chapter 32

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 32, 36, and as noted in specific 
sections.

    Source: 45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, unless otherwise noted.

                             Administrative



Sec. 21.5001  Administration of benefits: 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32.

    (a) Delegation of authority. Except as otherwise provided, authority 
is delegated to the Under Secretary for Benefits and to supervisory or 
administrative personnel within the jurisdiction of the Education 
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, designated by him or her to 
make findings and decisions under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32 and the 
applicable regulations, precedents, and instructions, as to the program 
authorized by subpart G of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

    (b) Administrative provisions. In administering benefits payable 
under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32, VA will apply the following sections:
    (1) Section 21.4002--Finality of decisions;
    (2) Section 21.4003 (except paragraphs (d) and (e))--Revision of 
decisions;
    (3) Section 21.4005--Conflicting interests;
    (4) Section 21.4006--False or misleading statements;
    (5) Section 21.4007--Forfeiture;
    (6) Section 21.4008--Prevention of overpayments; and
    (7) Section 21.4009--Overpayments; waiver or recovery.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241(a), 3680, 3683, 3685, 3690, 6103)

[61 FR 29029, June 7, 1996]

                                 General



Sec. 21.5020  Post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance.

    Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32 provides for a participatory program for 
educational assistance benefits to eligible veterans and servicepersons. 
The intent of the Congress for this program is stated in 38 U.S.C. 3201.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3201)

[61 FR 29029, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 21.5021  Definitions.

    For the purposes of subpart G and payment of benefits under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 32, the following definitions apply (see also 
Secs. 21.1029 and 21.4200):
    (a) Veteran--means anyone whose service meets the requirements of 
Sec. 21.5040.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(1))

    (b) Active duty--means full-time duty in the Armed Forces or as a 
commissioned officer of the regular or Reserve Corps of the Public 
Health Service or of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. It does not include any period during which an 
individual:
    (1) Was assigned full-time by the Armed Forces to a civilian 
institution for a course of education which was substantially the same 
as established courses offered to civilians,
    (2) Served as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies,
    (3) Served under the provisions of section 511(d) of Title 10, 
United States Code, pursuant to an enlistment in the military reserve or 
national guard,
    (4) Served in an excess leave without pay status, or
    (5) Served in a status specified in Sec. 3.15 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202)

    (c) State--means each of the several States, territories and 
possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Canal Zone.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(20))

    (d) School, educational institution, institution. The terms, school, 
educational institution, and institution mean--
    (1) Any vocational school, business school, correspondence school, 
junior college, teacher's college, college, normal school, professional 
school, university or scientific or technical institution;

[[Page 364]]

    (2) Any public or private elementary school or secondary school 
which offers courses for adults; and
    (3) An entity, other than an institution of higher learning, that 
provides training required for completion of a State-approved 
alternative teacher certification program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(2), 3452(c))

    (e) Participant--means a person who is participating in the 
educational benefits program established under Chapter 32. This 
includes:
    (1) A person who has enrolled in and is making contributions by 
monthly payroll deduction to the fund.
    (2) Those individuals who have contributed to the fund and have not 
disenrolled (i.e., users or potential users of benefits).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202)

    (3) A person who has enrolled in and is having monthly contributions 
to the fund made for him or her by the Secretary of Defense.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

    (4) A person who has made a lump-sum contribution to the fund in 
lieu of or in addition to monthly contributions deducted from his or her 
military pay.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3222)

    (5) Those individuals who have contributed to the fund and--
    (i) Have been automatically disenrolled as provided in 
Sec. 21.5060(b)(3) of this part,
    (ii) Whose funds have been transferred to the Treasury Department as 
provided in Sec. 21.5064(b)(4)(iii) of this part, and
    (iii) Who are found to have qualified for an extended period of 
eligibility as provided in Sec. 21.5042 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232;, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (f) Fund--means that trust fund account established to maintain 
dollar contributions of the participant (and contributions, if any, from 
the Department of Defense).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3222)

    (g) Suspends--means a participant stops contributing to the fund 
(temporarily or permanently).
    (h) Disenrolls--means a participant terminates participation and 
forfeits any entitlement to benefits except for a refund of his or her 
contributions previously made.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221)

    (i) Hardship or other good reasons--means circumstances considered 
to be such by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans 
Affairs when referring to suspension or disenrollments, such as illness 
of the participant or a member of his or her immediate family, 
unexpected personal expense, etc.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221(b))

    (j) Benefit period means:
    (1) For a course leading to a standard college degree:
    (i) The entire enrollment period certified by the school; or
    (ii) That period of time from the beginning of an enrollment period 
until the end of the individual's delimiting period; or
    (iii) That period of time from the beginning of an enrollment period 
to the date on which the individual's contributions in the fund are 
exhausted, whichever is the shortest.
    (2) For a residence course not leading to a standard college degree 
or for a correspondence course that period of time from the beginning of 
the enrollment period as certified by the school or the date the school 
last certified on the quarterly certification of attendance, whichever 
is later, to:
    (i) The end of the enrollment period;
    (ii) The end of the quarter to be certified;
    (iii) The last date of the individual's delimiting period; or
    (iv) The date on which the individual's contributions to the fund 
are exhausted, whichever occurs first.
    (3) [Reserved]
    (4) For apprenticeship and other on-job training that period of time 
from the beginning date of training or the date last certified on the 
monthly certification of training to--
    (i) The end of the month to be certified;

[[Page 365]]

    (ii) The last date of the veteran's delimiting period;
    (iii) The date on which the veteran's entitlement is exhausted, 
whichever occurs first.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (k) Benefit payment. The term benefit payment means any educational 
assistance allowance paid under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32 to a veteran for 
pursuit of a program of education during a benefit period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231, 3232, 3452(b), 3689)

    (l) Spouse--means a person of the opposite sex who is the wife or 
husband of the participant, and whose marriage to the participant meets 
the requirements of Sec. 3.1(j) of this chapter.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

    (m) Surviving spouse--means a person of the opposite sex who is a 
widow or widower of the participant, and whose marriage to the 
participant meets the requirements of Sec. 3.1(j) or Sec. 3.52 of this 
chapter.
    (n) Child--(1) for the purposes of Sec. 21.5067(a) this term means a 
natural child, step-child or adopted child of the participant regardless 
of age or marital status.
    (2) For all other purposes this term means a person whose 
relationship to the participant meets the requirements of Sec. 3.57 or 
Sec. 3.58 of this chapter.
    (o) Parent--means a person whose relationship to the participant 
meets the requirements of Sec. 3.59 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3224)

    (p) Training establishment. The term training establishment means 
any establishment providing apprentice or other training on-the-job, 
including those under the supervision of a college, university, any 
State department of education, any State apprenticeship agency, any 
State board of vocational education, any joint apprenticeship committee, 
the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training established in accordance with 
29 U.S.C. chapter 4C, or any agency of the Federal government authorized 
to supervise such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, 3452(e))

    (q) Program of education--means--
    (1) Any curriculum or combination of subjects or unit courses 
pursued at a school which is generally accepted as necessary to meet 
requirements for a predetermined and identified educational, 
professional or vocational objective;
    (2) Subjects or unit courses which fulfill requirements for more 
than one predetermined and identified objective if all objectives 
pursued are generally recognized as being related to a single career 
field;
    (3) Any unit course or subject or combination of courses or 
subjects, pursued by an individual at an educational institution, 
required by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration as a 
condition to obtaining financial assistance under the provisions of 15 
U.S.C. 636;
    (4) A full-time program of apprenticeship or other training on-the-
job approved as provided in Sec. 21.4261 or Sec. 21.4262 as appropriate; 
or
    (5) A licensing or certification test, the passing of which 
demonstrates an individual's possession of the knowledge or skill 
required to enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a 
predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided that VA or 
a State approving agency has approved the test and the licensing or 
credentialing organization or entity that offers the test as provided in 
38 U.S.C. 3689.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(2), 3452(b), 3689)

    (r) Educational objective--An educational objective is one that 
leads to the awarding of a diploma, degree or certificate which is 
generally recognized as reflecting educational attainment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(2), 3452(b))

    (s) Professional or vocational objective--A professional or 
vocational objective is one that leads to an occupation. It may include 
educational objectives essential to prepare for the chosen occupation. 
When a program of education

[[Page 366]]

consists of a series of courses not leading to an educational objective, 
these courses must be generally accepted as necessary for attainment of 
a designated professional or vocational objective.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(2))

    (t) Deficiency course--The term deficiency course means any 
secondary level course or subject not previously completed 
satisfactorily which is specifically required for pursuit of a post-
secondary program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241; Pub. L. 100-689)

    (u) Refresher course--The term refresher course means--
    (1) Either a course at the elementary or secondary level to review 
or update material previously covered in a course that has been 
satisfactorily completed, or
    (2) A course which permits an individual to update knowledge and 
skills or be instructed in the technological advances which have 
occurred in the individual's field of employment during and since the 
individual's active military service and which is necessary to enable 
the individual to pursue an approved program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241(a); Pub. L. 100-689, Pub. L. 101-237).

    (v) Disabling effects of chronic alcoholism. (1) The term disabling 
effects of chronic alcoholism means alcohol-induced physical or mental 
disorders or both, such as habitual intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, 
amnesia, dementia, and other like manifestations of chronic alcoholism 
which, in the particular case--
    (i) Have been medically diagnosed as manifestations of alcohol 
dependency or chronic alcohol abuse, and
    (ii) Are determined to have prevented commencement or completion of 
the affected individual's chosen program of education.
    (2) A diagnosis of alcoholism, chronic alcoholism, alcohol-
dependency, chronic alcohol abuse, etc., in and of itself, does not 
satisfy the definition of this term.
    (3) Injury sustained by a veteran as a proximate and immediate 
result of activity undertaken by the veteran while physically or 
mentally unqualified to do so due to alcoholic intoxication is not 
considered a disabling effect of chronic alcoholism.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3232, 3462; Pub. L. 100-689)

    (w) Continuous service means--
    (1) Active duty served without interruption. A complete separation 
from active duty service will interrupt the continuity of active duty 
service.
    (2) Time lost while on active duty will not interrupt the continuity 
of service. Time lost includes, but is not limited to, excess leave, 
noncreditable time and not-on-duty time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232(a); Pub. L. 101-237)

    (x) Persian Gulf War. The term ``Persian Gulf War'' means the period 
beginning on August 2, 1990, and ending on the date thereafter 
prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(33))

    (y) Alternative teacher certification program. The term alternative 
teacher certification program for the purposes of determining whether an 
entity offering such a program is a school, educational institution or 
institution, as defined in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, means a 
program leading to a teacher certificate that allows individuals with a 
bachelor's degree or graduate degree to obtain teacher certification 
without enrolling in an institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(2), 3452(c))

    (z) Certification test. The term certification test means a test an 
individual must pass in order to receive a certificate that provides an 
affirmation of an individual's qualifications in a specified occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, 3452(b), 3501(a)(5), 3689)

    (aa) Licensing test. The term licensing test means a test offered by 
a State, local, or Federal agency, the passing of which is a means, or 
part of a means, to obtain a license. That license must be required by 
law in order for the individual to practice an occupation in the

[[Page 367]]

political jurisdiction of the agency offering the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, 3452(b), 3689)

    (bb) Organization or entity offering a licensing or certification 
test. (1) The term organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test means:
    (i) An organization or entity that causes a licensing test to be 
given and that will issue a license to an individual who passes the 
test;
    (ii) An organization or entity that causes a certification test to 
be given and that will issue a certificate to an individual who passes 
the test; or
    (iii) An organization or entity that administers a licensing or 
certification test for the organization or entity that will issue a 
license or certificate, respectively, to an individual who passes the 
test, provided that the administering organization or entity can provide 
all required information and certifications under Sec. 21.4268 to the 
State approving agency and to VA.
    (2) This term does not include:
    (i) An organization or entity that develops and/or proctors a 
licensing or certification test, but does not issue the license or 
certificate;
    (ii) An organization or entity that administers a test but does not 
issue the license or certificate, if that administering organization or 
entity cannot provide all required information and certifications under 
Sec. 21.4268 to the State approving agency and to VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, 3452(b), 3689)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 51743, Nov. 17, 1982; 52 FR 
3429, Feb. 4, 1987; 53 FR 34495, Sept. 7, 1988; 55 FR 31581, Aug. 3, 
1990; 57 FR 38614, Aug. 26, 1992; 58 FR 34369, June 25, 1993; 61 FR 
1526, Jan. 22, 1996; 65 FR 5786, Feb. 7, 2000; 72 FR 16977, Apr. 5, 
2007]



Sec. 21.5022  Eligibility under more than one program.

    (a) Concurrent benefits under more than one program. (1) An 
individual cannot receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
32 concurrently with benefits under--
    (i) 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty);
    (ii) 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment);
    (iii) 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill);
    (iv) 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance);
    (v) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve);
    (vi) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance 
Program);
    (vii) 10 U.S.C. chapter 106a (Educational Assistance Test Program);
    (viii) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 
1981 (Pub. L. 96-342, 10 U.S.C. 2141 note);
    (ix) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-449, 5 U.S.C. 5561 
note); or
    (x) The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 
(Pub. L. 99-399).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3322(a), 3681(b), 3695)

    (2) If an individual is eligible for benefits under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 32 and one or more of the programs listed in (a)(1)(i) through 
(a)(1)(x) of this section, he or she must specify under which program he 
or she is claiming benefits. The individual may choose to receive 
benefits under another program (other than 38 U.S.C. chapter 33) at any 
time, but not more than once in a calendar month. The individual may 
choose to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 at any time, but 
not more than once during a certified term, quarter, or semester.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3033(a), 3322(a))

    (b) Total eligibility under more than one program. (1) No one may 
receive a combination of educational assistance benefits under 38 U.S.C. 
Chapter 32 and any of the following provisions of law for more than 48 
months (or part-time equivalent):
    (i) 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty);
    (ii) 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill);
    (iii) 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance);
    (iv) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve);
    (v) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program);
    (vi) 10 U.S.C. chapter 106a (Educational Assistance Test Program);

[[Page 368]]

    (vii) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 
1981 (Pub. L. 96-342, 10 U.S.C. 2141 note);
    (viii) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-449, 5 U.S.C. 5561 
note); or
    (ix) The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 
(Pub. L. 99-399).
    (2) No one may receive assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 in 
combination with assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32 in excess of 48 
months (or the part-time equivalent) unless VA determines that 
additional months of benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 are necessary 
to accomplish the purposes of a rehabilitation program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3231, 3323(a))

[51 FR 12852, Apr. 16, 1986; 51 FR 16517, May 5, 1986, as amended at 53 
FR 34495, Sept. 7, 1988; 57 FR 38614, Aug. 26, 1992; 61 FR 29029, June 
7, 1996; 74 FR 14670, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.5023  Nonduplication; Federal programs.

    An individual may not receive educational assistance allowance under 
38 U.S.C. Chapter 32, if the individual is:
    (a) On active duty and is pursuing a course of education which is 
being paid for, in whole or in part, by the Armed Forces (or by the 
Department of Health and Human Services in the case of the Public Health 
Service), or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3681)

    (b) Attending a course of education or training paid for, in whole 
or in part, under the Government Employees' Training Act.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3681)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 51744, Nov. 17, 1982; 61 FR 
7217, Feb. 27, 1996]

                         Claims and Applications



Sec. 21.5030  Applications, claims, and time limits.

    (a) To become a participant an individual must apply to his or her 
Service Department on forms prescribed by the Service Department and/or 
the Secretary of Defense.
    (b) Rules and regulations of the applicable Service Department and/
or the Department of Defense shall determine if the application is 
timely.
    (c) The provisions of the following sections shall apply to claims 
for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32:
    (1) Section 21.1029--Definitions.
    (2) Section 21.1030--Claims.
    (3) Section 21.1031--VA responsibilities when a claim is filed.
    (4) Section 21.1032--Time Limits

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232, 3241, 3471; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 48 FR 3368, Jan. 25, 1983; 53 FR 
34495, Sept. 7, 1988; 64 FR 23772, May 4, 1999]

                               Eligibility



Sec. 21.5040  Basic eligibility.

    (a) Individuals not on active duty. Whether an individual has basic 
eligibility under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32 for educational assistance 
depends upon when he or she entered the military service, the length of 
that service, and the character of that service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202).

    (b) Service requirements for all individuals not on active duty. (1) 
An individual not on active duty:
    (i) Must have entered the military service after December 31, 1976, 
and before July 1, 1985;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (ii) Must not have and except as provided in paragraph (g) of this 
section must not have had basic eligibility under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 34;
    (iii) Must have received an unconditional discharge or release under 
conditions other than dishonorable from any period of service upon which 
eligibility is based;
    (iv) Must either have:
    (A) Served on active duty for a least 181 continuous days, or
    (B) Been discharged or released from active duty for a service-
connected disability.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs will consider that the 
veteran has an unconditional discharge or release if:
    (i) The individual was eligible for complete separation from active 
duty on the date a discharge or release was issued to him or her, or

[[Page 369]]

    (ii) The provisions of Sec. 3.13(c) of this chapter are met.
    (3) The provisions of Sec. 3.12 of this chapter as to character of 
discharge and Sec. 3.13 of this chapter as to conditional discharges are 
applicable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202)

    (c) Additional active duty service requirements for some individuals 
not on active duty--Chapter 32. (1) Unless exempted by paragraph (d) of 
this section, persons who originally enlist in a regular component of 
the Armed Forces after September 7, 1980, or who enter on active duty 
after October 16, 1981 (either as an enlisted member or an officer) to 
be eligible under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32, must first complete the shorter 
of:
    (i) 24 continuous months of active duty, or
    (ii) The full period for which the individual was called or ordered 
to active duty.
    (2) For the purpose of paragraph (c)(1) of this section the 
Department of Veterans Affairs considers that an enlisted person 
originally enlisted in a regular component of the Armed Forces on the 
date he or she entered on active duty even through he or she may have 
signed a delayed-entry contract on an earlier date.
    (3) In computing time served for the purpose of this paragraph, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs will exclude any period during which the 
individual is not entitled to credit for service as specified in 
Sec. 3.15 of this chapter. However, those periods will be included in 
determining if the service was continuous.
    (d) Individuals exempt from additional active duty requirements. (1) 
An individual who originally enlists in a regular component of the Armed 
Forces after September 7, 1980, or who enters on active duty after 
October 16, 1981 (either as an enlisted member or officer), will be 
eligible to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32 based upon the 
ensuing period of active duty, and is exempt from the provisions of 
paragraph (c) of this section if he or she subsequently:
    (i) Is discharged or released from active duty:
    (A) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (hardship discharge), or
    (B) Under 10 U.S.C. 1171 (early-out discharge), or
    (C) For a disability incurred in or aggravated in line of duty; or
    (ii) Is found by Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-
connected disability which gives the individual basic entitlement to 
disability compensation as described in Sec. 3.4(b) of this chapter. 
Once the Department of Veterans Affairs makes this finding, the 
exemption will continue to apply even if the disability subsequently 
improves and becomes noncompensable.
    (2) An individual who enters on a period of active duty after 
October 16, 1981, is also exempt from the provisions of paragraph (c) of 
this section if he or she:
    (i) Previously completed a continuous period of active duty of at 
least 24 months, or
    (ii) Was discharged or released from a previous period of active 
duty under 10 U.S.C. 1171 (early-out discharge).
    (3) In computing time served for the purpose of this paragraph, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs will exclude any period during which the 
individual is not entitled to credit for service as specified in 
Sec. 3.15 of this chapter. However, those periods will be included in 
determining if the service was continuous.
    (e) Savings provision. An individual may become a participant and 
establish basic eligibility under the provisions of this section based 
upon a period of active duty service which began before October 16, 
1981. He or she would not lose the basic eligibility based upon that 
period of service if, following a release from active duty, the 
individual reenters on active duty after October 16, 1981, and fails to 
meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section or qualify for an 
exemption under paragraph (d) of this section. He or she will receive a 
refund of any contributions he or she may make to the fund during the 
second period of active duty. See Sec. 21.5065.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, 5303A)

    (f) Individuals on active duty. To establish basic eligibility under 
38 U.S.C.

[[Page 370]]

Chapter 32 for educational assistance an individual on active duty:
    (1) Must have entered into military service after December 31, 1976, 
and before July 1, 1985.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, Pub. L. 96-466, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (2) Must have served on active duty for a period of 181 or more 
continuous days after December 31, 1976, and
    (3) If not enrolled in a course, courses or a program of education 
leading to a secondary school diploma or equivalency certificate, must 
have completed the lesser of the following two periods of active duty:


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(b))

    (i) The individual's first obligated period of active duty which 
began after December 31, 1976, or
    (ii) The individual's period of active duty which began after 
December 31, 1976, and which is 6 years in length,
    (4) If enrolled in a course, courses or a program of education 
leading to a seondary school diploma or equivalency certificate, the 
individual:
    (i) Must be an enlisted member of the Armed Forces,
    (ii) Must be a participant
    (iii) Must be training during the last 6 months of his or her first 
period of active duty, or any time thereafter, and
    (5) If he or she originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, must 
have completed at least 24 months of his or her original enlistment


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(b), 10 U.S.C. 977)

    (g) Election to receive educational assistance allowance under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 32 instead of 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606. An individual who 
serves in the Selected Reserves may not receive credit for that service 
under both 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32 and 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606. If he or she 
wishes to receive educational assistance based upon this service, the 
veteran must elect the chapter under which he or she will receive 
benefits.
    (1) This election must be in writing and submitted to VA.
    (2) If a veteran elects to receive educational assistance under 38 
U.S.C. Chapter 32, and negotiates an educational assistance check which 
is based upon the period of service for which the election was made, the 
election is irrevocable. Negotiation of an educational assistance check 
provided under either 38 U.S.C. chapter 32 or 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, 
but based upon a period of service which preceded the period for which 
an election was made, will not serve to make the election irrevocable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221(f); Pub. L. 101-237)

[48 FR 36577, Aug. 12, 1983, as amended at 51 FR 12852, Apr. 16, 1986; 
53 FR 34496, Sept. 7, 1988; 57 FR 38614, Aug. 26, 1992; 61 FR 20728, May 
8, 1996; 61 FR 29029, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 21.5041  Periods of entitlement.

    (a) Ten-year delimiting period. Except as provided in Sec. 21.5042 
no educational assistance shall be afforded an eligible individual under 
chapter 32 beyond the date of 10 years after the later of the following:
    (1) His or her last discharge or release from a period of active 
duty of 90 days or more of continuous service; or
    (2) His or her last discharge or release from a period of active 
duty of any length when the eligible individual is discharged or 
released--
    (i) For a service-connected disability;
    (ii) For a medical condition which preexisted such service and which 
VA determines is not service-connected;
    (iii) For hardship; or
    (iv) Involuntarily for convenience of the government after October 
1, 1987, as a result of a reduction in force, as determined by the 
Secretary of the military department concerned in accordance with 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary 
of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not 
operating as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 101-
237)

    (b) Use of entitlement. The individual--
    (1) May use his or her entitlement at anytime during the 10-year 
period after the last discharge or release from active duty or other 
period as provided pursuant to Sec. 21.5042 of this part;

[[Page 371]]

    (2) Is not required to use his or her entitlement in consecutive 
months.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232, Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)

[53 FR 34496, Sept. 7, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 38614, Aug. 26, 1992]



Sec. 21.5042  Extended period of eligibility.

    (a) General. A veteran shall be granted an extension of the 
applicable delimiting period, as otherwise determined by Sec. 21.5041 of 
this part provided--
    (1) The veteran applies for an extension.
    (2) The veteran was prevented from initiating or completing the 
chosen program of education within the otherwise applicable delimiting 
period because of a physical or mental disability that did not result 
from the willful misconduct of the veteran. VA will not consider the 
disabling effects of chronic alcoholism to be the result of willful 
misconduct. See Sec. 21.5021(v).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3232, 3462; Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-689)

    (b) Application. The veteran must apply for the extended period of 
eligibility in time for VA to receive the application by the later of 
the following dates:
    (1) One year from the last date of the delimiting period otherwise 
applicable to the veteran under Sec. 21.5401 of this part, or
    (2) One year from the termination date of the period of the 
veteran's mental or physical disability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (c) Qualifying period of disability. (1) A veteran's extended period 
of eligibility shall be based on the period of time that the veteran 
himself or herself was prevented by reason of physical or mental 
disability, not the result of the veteran's willful misconduct, from 
initiating or completing his or her chosen program of education.
    (2) VA will not consider the disabling effects of chronic alcoholism 
to be the result of willful misconduct provided the last date of the 
time limit for filing a claim for the extension determined under 
Sec. 21.5030(c)(3) of this part occurs after November 17, 1988.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105; Pub. L. 100-689)

    (3) Evidence must be presented which clearly establishes that the 
veteran's disability made pursuit of his or her program medically 
infeasible during the veteran's original period of eligibility as 
determined by Sec. 21.5041 of this part. A period of disability 
following the end of the original disability period will not be a basis 
for extension.
    (4) VA will not consider a veteran who is disabled for a period of 
30 days or less as having been prevented from enrolling or reenrolling 
in the chosen program of education or was forced to discontinue 
attendance, because of the short disability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (d) Commencing date. The veteran shall elect the commencing date of 
an extended period of eligibility. The date chosen--
    (1) Must be on or after the original date of expiration of 
eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.5041 of this part, and
    (2) Must be on or before the 90th day following the date on which 
the veteran's application for an extension was approved by VA, if the 
veteran is training during the extended period of eligibility in a 
course not organized on a term, quarter or semester basis, or
    (3) Must be on or before the first day of the first ordinary term, 
quarter or semester following the 90th day after the veteran's 
application for an extension was approved by VA if the veteran is 
training during the extended period of eligibility in a course organized 
on a term, quarter or semester basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (4) For a veteran whose entitlement to an extended period of 
eligibility is dependent upon the disabling effects of chronic 
alcoholism, may not begin before November 18, 1988.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3232; Pub. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-689)

    (e) Determining the length of extended periods of eligibility. A 
veteran's extended period of eligibility shall be

[[Page 372]]

based upon the qualifying period of disability, and determined as 
follows:
    (1) If the veteran is in training in a course organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of eligibility 
shall contain the same number of days as the number of days from the 
date during the veteran's original delimiting period that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earliest of the following 
dates:
    (i) The commencing date of the ordinary term, quarter or semester 
following the day the veteran's training became medically feasible,
    (ii) The veteran's delimiting date as determined by Sec. 21.5041 of 
this part, or
    (iii) The date the veteran resumed training.
    (2) If the veteran is training in a course not organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of eligibility 
shall contain the same number of days as the number of days from the 
date during the veteran's original delimiting period that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earlier of the following 
dates:
    (i) The date the veteran's training became medically feasible, or
    (ii) The veteran's delimiting date as determined by Sec. 21.5041 of 
this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (f) Discontinuance. If the veteran is pursuing a course on the date 
an extended period of eligibility expires (as determined under this 
section), VA will discontinue the educational assistance allowance 
effective the day before the end of the extended period of eligibility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

[53 FR 34496, Sept. 7, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 31582, Aug. 3, 1990]

                              Participation



Sec. 21.5050  Application requirements for participation.

    (a) An individual, who is otherwise eligible to become a 
participant, must apply to the Service Department under which he or she 
serves upon forms prescribed by the Service Department and/or Secretary 
of Defense.
    (b) No application to participate may be made before entry upon 
active duty.
    (c) Each application must be submitted in time to permit the Service 
Department to make the required deduction from the individual's military 
pay for at least 1 month before the applicant's discharge or release 
from active duty.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221)



Sec. 21.5052  Contribution requirements.

    (a) Minimum period of participation. Each individual who agrees to 
participate must do so for a minimum period of 12 consecutive months, 
unless the participant:
    (1) Is allowed to disenroll for hardship reasons;
    (2) Is permitted to suspend participation for hardship reasons;
    (3) Is discharged or released from active duty;
    (4) Otherwise ceases to be legally eligible to participate; or
    (5) Elects to make a lump-sum contribution which, when taken 
together with his or her other contributions, equals the equivalent of 
at least 12 months' participation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221, 3222)

    (b) Amount of monthly contribution. The individual shall specify the 
amount of his or her contribution to the fund.
    (1) The contribution shall be at least $25 per month but not more 
than $100 per month.
    (2) The contribution shall be evenly divided by five. See 
Sec. 21.5292 for contributions made furing the 1-year pilot program.
    (c) Amount of total contribution. An individual may contribute for 
the number of months required to reach a total contribution of $2,700.
    (d) Changing the monthly contribution. An individual may increase or 
decrease the amount of the monthly contribution, but may not do so more 
than once a month.
    (e) Prohibition against contributing. An individual may not make 
contributions to the fund after the date of his or her discharge. The VA 
does not consider the return of an unnegotiated refund check to be a 
contribution. A person

[[Page 373]]

who returns a refund check remains continuously eligible for benefits.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3222)

    (f) Lump-sum contribution. After September 30, 1980 an individual 
may make a lump-sum contribution or contributions in place of or in 
addition to monthly contributions.
    (1) A lump-sum contribution:
    (i) Must be evenly divisible by five,
    (ii) Must, when taken together with any monthly contributions the 
participant may have made or may agree to make, equal or exceed 12 
months' participation, and
    (iii) Must not exceed $2,700 when taken together with any monthly 
contributions the participant may have made or may agree to make.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs will consider the lump-sum 
contributions to have been made by monthly deductions from the 
participant's military pay at the rate of $100 per month unless the 
participant specifies a different rate which must be
    (i) No lower than $25 per month,
    (ii) No higher than $100 per month, and
    (iii) Evenly divisible by five.
    (3) If otherwise eligible to make contributions, a participant:
    (i) May make a lump-sum contribution to cover any period of his or 
her active duty. This may entail a retroactive period, including one 
which--
    (A) Begins after December 31, 1976, and before October 1, 1980, or
    (B) Although made after October 27, 1986, includes all or part of 
the period beginning on July 1, 1985, and ending on October 27, 1986.


(Authority: Pub. L. 99-576, sec. 309(c))

    (ii) May make a lump-sum contribution which has the effect of 
increasing the amount of a monthly contribution the participant made 
previously, but the payment cannot have the effect of increasing the 
monthly contribution to an amount greater than $100;
    (iii) May make a lump-sum payment to cover a period for which he or 
she previously obtained a refund;
    (iv) May not make a lump-sum payment to cover a period during which 
the participant was not on active duty or will not be on active duty.
    (4) A participant may make as many lump-sum contributions as he or 
she desires, but he or she may not make more than one lump-sum 
contribution per month.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3222(d)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 51744, Nov. 17, 1982; 48 FR 
50530, Nov. 2, 1983; 53 FR 617, Jan. 11, 1988; 53 FR 34496, Sept. 7, 
1988]



Sec. 21.5053  Restoration of contributions (Persian Gulf War).

    (a) Restoration of contributions when no entitlement is charged. If 
the provisions of Sec. 21.5072(i) require that a veteran's entitlement 
not be charged for a payment or payments he or she received, the amount 
of the veteran's contributions which were included in the payment or 
payments will be restored to the fund by the Department of Defense.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3235; Pub. L. 102-127) (Oct. 10, 1991)

    (b) Restored contributions are treated like other contributions. VA 
will treat contributions which have been restored under paragraph (a) of 
this section as though the veterans had contributed them for all 
purposes including--
    (1) Computing the veteran's monthly rates and benefit payments under 
Sec. 21.5138, and
    (2) Determining any refund which may become due the veteran under 
Secs. 21.5064 and 21.5065.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3235; Pub. L. 102-127) (Oct. 10, 1991)

[58 FR 34369, June 25, 1993]



Sec. 21.5054  Dates of participation.

    (a) General. An individual may participate after December 31, 1976. 
An individual was not eligible for benefits before July 1, 1977, unless 
discharged after January 1, 1977, for a service-connected condition. The 
first date on which an individual on active duty enrolled in a course, 
courses or a program of education leading to a secondary school diploma 
or equivalency certificate may receive benefits is subject to

[[Page 374]]

the eligibility requirements of Sec. 21.5040(f)(4) and (5).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231 (a) and (b))

    (b) Termination of right to begin participation. (1) Except as 
provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, no individual on active 
duty in the Armed Forces may initially enroll after June 30, 1985.
    (2) An initial enrollment occurs when a serviceperson who has never 
contributed to the fund--
    (i) First makes a lump-sum payment to the fund, or
    (ii) First authorizes an allotment to VA for deposit in the fund. 
See 32 CFR 59.3(b)(10).
    (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, any individual on active duty in the Armed Forces who was 
eligible to enroll on June 30, 1985, may enroll at any time during the 
period beginning on October 28, 1986, and ending on March 31, 1987.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221(a), Pub. L. 99-576, sec. 309(c); Pub. L. 99-
576)

[51 FR 2695, Jan. 21, 1986; 51 FR 12321, Apr. 10, 1986, as amended at 53 
FR 34496, Sept. 7, 1988]



Sec. 21.5058  Resumption of participation.

    (a) General. An eligible individual, who remains otherwise eligible, 
may resume active contribution to the fund, if he or she has:
    (1) Voluntarily elected to suspend following completion of minimum 
participation;
    (2) Suspended at any time for reasons of hardship; or
    (3) Received a discharge or release from active duty after 
participation and reenlisted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221)

    (b) Disenrollment in order to participate in other educational 
programs. A person who elects to disenroll in order to receive 
educational assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 or to 
receive an officer adjustment benefit payable under sec. 207, Pub. L. 
101-366, 104 Stat. 442, may not reenroll if he or she has negotiated a 
check under the provisions of law governing the program elected in lieu 
of the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program. A 
person who elects to disenroll in order to receive educational 
assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty, as provided in 
Sec. 21.7045, may not reenroll.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018A, 3018B, 3018C, 3202(l), 3222)

    (c) Reenrollment permitted following some disenrollments. (1) Except 
as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who has 
disenrolled may reenroll, but will have to qualify again for minimum 
participation as described in Sec. 21.5052(a).
    (2) If a person does reenroll, he or she may ``repurchase'' 
entitlement by tendering previously refunded contributions which he or 
she received upon disenrollment, subject to the conditions of 
Sec. 21.5052(f).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221, 3222)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 29474, June 2, 1981; 47 FR 
51745, Nov. 17, 1982; 51 FR 12853, Apr. 16, 1986; 58 FR 38058, July 15, 
1993; 58 FR 40468, July 28, 1993; 61 FR 7217, 7218, Feb. 27, 1996; 61 FR 
29029, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 21.5060  Disenrollment.

    (a) Voluntary disenrollment. (1) An individual may disenroll at 
anytime after the initial 12 months of participation.
    (2) At any time within the initial 12 months of participation, an 
individual may elect to disenroll for reasons of personal hardship only.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221(a), (b))

    (b) Nonvoluntary disenrollment. The Department of Veterans Affairs 
shall disenroll automatically an individual who meets any of the 
following sets of conditions:
    (1) The individual is discharged or released from his or her initial 
obligated period of active service and:
    (i) The discharge or release is under dishonorable conditions, or
    (ii) A statutory bar to benefits administered by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs exists for the individual;
    (2) The individual participated only after completion of the initial 
or subsequent period of active service; is discharged or released and:
    (i) The discharge or release is under dishonorable conditions, or

[[Page 375]]

    (ii) A statutory bar to benefits exists for the individual; or
    (3) The individual has not utilized all of his or her entitlement to 
benefits within the 10-year period stated in Sec. 21.5041, and at the 
end of one year thereafter has not filed a claim for educational 
assistance allowance as provided in Sec. 21.5030(c).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 3225, 3232)

    Cross Reference: Refunds without disenrollment. See Sec. 21.5065.

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 59247, Dec. 4, 1981; 51 FR 
12853, Apr. 16, 1986; 58 FR 31910, June 7, 1993; 61 FR 29030, June 7, 
1996]



Sec. 21.5062  Date of disenrollment.

    An individual will be disenrolled effective:
    (a) The date the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Service 
Department determines he or she has ceased to be legally entitled to 
participate; or
    (b) The date the individual negotiates the check which represents a 
refund of his or her remaining contributions to the fund, whichever is 
earlier.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221(d))



Sec. 21.5064  Refund upon disenrollment.

    (a) General. A disenrolled individual will be refunded all 
contributions made by him or her to the fund. He or she will be 
ineligible to receive benefits under Secs. 21.5130 and 21.5138, unless 
the individual reenrolls as a participant and agrees to participate in a 
new period of 12 consecutive months as provided in Sec. 21.5058. The 
amount of the contributions refunded upon disenrollment shall be limited 
to the amount of his or her contributions not utilized to receive 
benefits as of the date of disenrollment, less any outstanding debts 
resulting from overpayments of educational assistance allowance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3223)

    (b) Effective date of refund. The date upon which the refund of 
contributions, if any, will be made shall be determined as follows:
    (1) If an individual voluntarily disenrolls from the program before 
discharge or release from active duty, VA will refund the individual's 
unused contributions:
    (i) On the date of the participant's discharge or release from 
active duty; or
    (ii) Within 60 days of VA's receipt of notice of the individual's 
discharge or disenrollment; or
    (iii) As soon as possible after VA's receipt of notice indicating 
that an earlier refund is needed due to hardship or for other good 
reasons.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3223(b), 3232)

    (2) If an individual voluntarily disenrolls from the program after 
discharge or release from active duty under other than dishonorable 
conditions, his or her contributions shall be refunded within 60 days of 
receipt by VA of an application for a refund from the individual.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(1)(A), 3223(c), 3232(b))

    (3) If an individual is disenrolled because he or she is discharged 
or released from active duty under dishonorable conditions, the 
individual's contributions remaining in the fund shall be refunded:
    (i) On the date of the individual's discharge or release from active 
duty; or
    (ii) Within 60 days of receipt of notice by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs of the individual's discharge or release, whichever is 
the later.
    (4) If an individual is disenrolled because he or she has not 
utilized all of his or her entitlement to benefits within the 10-year 
delimiting period, the individual's contributions remaining in the fund 
shall be refunded.
    (i) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall notify the individual 
that the delimiting period has expired and shall state the amount of 
unused contributions.
    (ii) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall make the refund only 
if the individual requests it.
    (iii) If VA does not receive a request within 1 year from the date 
that the individual is notified of his or her entitlement to a refund, 
VA will presume that the individual's whereabouts is unknown. The funds 
on deposit for that

[[Page 376]]

individual will be transferred in accordance with the provisions of 
section 1322(a), Title 31, United States Code.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 3223, 3232; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 51 FR 46655, Dec. 24, 1986; 53 FR 
617, Jan. 11, 1988; 53 FR 34497, Sept. 7, 1988; 58 FR 38058, July 15, 
1993; 61 FR 29030, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 21.5065  Refunds without disenrollment.

    (a) Refunds made without disenrollment following a discharge or 
release under dishonorable conditions--(1) A discharge or release under 
dishonorable conditions may result in a partial refund of contributions. 
If an individual who would have been eligible, but for the fact of his 
or her reenlistment, for the award of a discharge or release under 
conditions other than dishonorable at the time he or she completed an 
obligated period of service, later receives a discharge or release under 
dishonorable conditions, the Department of Veterans Affairs may refund a 
portion of his or her contribution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 3223)

    (2) Amount of refund. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall 
refund to the individual all of his or her remaining contributions made 
to the fund after the individual completed the obligated period of 
service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 3223)

    (3) Date of refund. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall refund 
all monies due the individual:
    (i) On the date of the individual's discharge or release from active 
duty; or
    (ii) Within 60 days of receipt by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
of notice of the individual's discharge or release, whichever is later.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 3223, 3232)

    (b) Refunds made without disenrollment following a short period of 
active duty. (1) An individual who has contributed to the fund during 
more than one period of active duty may be required to receive a refund 
of those contributions made during the most recent period of active 
duty. When an individual who meets all the criteria in paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section is discharged, the Department of Veterans Affairs will 
refund all contributions he or she made during the most recent period of 
active duty unless the individual meets one or more of the criteria 
stated in either paragraph (b)(4) or (5) of this section. If he or she 
meets one of those criteria, the contributions will not be refunded 
unless the individual voluntarily disenrolls.
    (2) Unless a compulsory refund is prohibited by paragraph (b)(4) or 
(5) of this section, the Department of Veterans Affairs will refund all 
contributions made by an individual during the most recent period of 
active duty when the individual:
    (i) Completed at least one period of active duty before the most 
recent one during which he or she established entitlement to Post-
Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance;
    (ii) Reentered on his or her most recent period of active duty after 
October 16, 1981;
    (iii) Contributed to the fund during his or her most recent period 
of active duty; and
    (iv) Is discharged.
    (3) The circumstances which prohibit an automatic refund of monies 
contributed during the individual's most recent period of active duty do 
not relate only to the most recent period of active duty which began 
after October 16, 1981, but also the individual's prior periods of 
active duty regardless of whether they began before, after or on October 
16, 1981.
    (4) Meeting one or more of the following criteria concerning periods 
of active duty before the most recent one will be sufficient to prohibit 
a compulsory refund of contributions made during the most recent period 
of active duty. The individual:
    (i) Before the most recent period of active duty began, completed at 
least one continuous period of active duty of at least 24 months, or
    (ii) Was discharged or released under 10 U.S.C. 1171 (early-out 
discharge) from any period of active duty before the most recent one.

[[Page 377]]

    (5) Meeting one or more of the following criteria concerning the 
most recent period of active duty will be sufficient to prohibit a 
compulsory refund of contributions made during the most recent period of 
active duty. The individual:
    (i) For the most recent period of active duty completes 24 months of 
continuous active duty, or the full period for which the individual was 
called or ordered to active duty, whichever is shorter; or
    (ii) Is discharged or released from the most recent period of active 
duty under 10 U.S.C. 1171 (early-out discharge) or 1173 (hardship 
discharge); or
    (iii) Is discharged or released from the most recent period of 
active duty for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty; or
    (iv) Has a service-connected disability which give him or her basic 
entitlement to disability compensation as described in Sec. 3.4(b) of 
this chapter.
    (6) In computing time served for the purpose of this paragraph, the 
individual is not entitled for credit for service as specified in 
Sec. 3.15 of this chapter. However, those periods will be included in 
determining if the service was continuous.
    (7) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall refund all monies due 
the individual:
    (i) On the date of the individual's discharge or release from active 
duty; or
    (ii) Within 60 days of receipt of notice by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs of the individual's discharge or release, whichever is 
later.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202, 3223, 3232, 5303A)

    (c) Refunds following an election under Sec. 21.5040(b). If a 
veteran described in Sec. 21.5040(h) makes an election to have a period 
of service credited toward his or her eligibility and entitlement under 
10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606, he or she will be required to receive a refund 
of any contributions he or she made to the fund during that period of 
service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221(f); Pub. L. 101-237)

[48 FR 36578, Aug. 12, 1983, as amended at 57 FR 38614, Aug. 26, 1992; 
61 FR 20728, May 8, 1996]



Sec. 21.5066  Suspension of participation.

    An individual may suspend participation in the program without 
disenrolling. If the individual suspends participation, he or she may 
resume participation at any time thereafter while on active duty.
    (a) An individual may suspend participation any time after 12 months 
of participation.
    (b) An individual who has participated for less than 12 consecutive 
months may not suspend unless the Secretary of Defense determines that 
the reason for the suspension is due to a personal hardship.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221)



Sec. 21.5067  Death of participant.

    (a) Disposition of unused contributions. If an individual dies, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs shall pay the amount of his or her unused 
contributions to the fund to the living person or persons in the order 
listed in this paragraph.
    (1) The beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the individual 
under the individual's Servicemen's Group Life Insurance policy;
    (2) The surviving spouse of the individual;
    (3) The surviving child or children of the individual, in equal 
shares;
    (4) The surviving parent or parents of the individual in equal 
shares.
    (b) Payments to the individual's estate. If none of the persons 
listed in paragraph (a) of this section is living, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall pay the amount of the individual's unused 
contributions to the fund to the individual's estate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3224)

    (c) Payments of accrued benefits. Educational assistance remaining 
due and unpaid at the date of the veteran's death is payable under the 
provisions of Sec. 3.1000 of this chapter. For this purpose accrued 
benefits include the portion of the benefit represented by the 
individual's contribution as well as the portion included by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121)

[47 FR 51745, Nov. 17, 1982]

[[Page 378]]

                               Entitlement



Sec. 21.5070  Entitlement.

    A participant is entitled to a monthly benefit for periods of time 
during which the individual is enrolled in, and satisfactorily pursuing, 
an approved program of education. The amount of the benefit will vary 
from individual to individual and, in some instances, from month to 
month as provided in Sec. 21.5138.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231)



Sec. 21.5071  Months of entitlement allowed.

    (a) Entitlement based on monthly contributions. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs will credit an individual with 1 month of entitlement 
for each month he or she contributes to the fund up to a maximum of 36 
months or its equivalent in part-time training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231)

    (b) Entitlement based on lump-sum contributions. If an individual 
elects to make a lump-sum contribution, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs will credit an individual with 1 month of entitlement for:
    (1) Every $100 included in the lump sum, or
    (2) Every amount included in the lump sum which:
    (i) Is at least $25 but no more than $100,
    (ii) Is evenly divisible by five, and
    (iii) Is specifically designated by the individual at the time he or 
she makes the contribution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3222(d))

    (c) Entitlement based on both monthly and lump-sum contributions. 
(1) If the individual makes both monthly and lump-sum contributions, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs will:
    (i) Compute the entitlement due to each type of contribution 
separately under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, and
    (ii) Will combine the results of the computations to determine the 
individual's total entitlement.
    (2) In no event will an individual's entitlement exceed 36 months or 
its equivalent in part-time training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3222(d), 3231)

[47 FR 51745, Nov. 17, 1982, as amended at 48 FR 50530, Nov. 2, 1983]



Sec. 21.5072  Entitlement charge.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs shall determine the entitlement 
charge for each payment in the same manner for all individuals 
regardless of whether they are on active duty. Unless the circumstances 
described in paragraph (i) of this section apply to a servicemember or 
veteran, VA will use paragraphs (a) through (h) of this section to 
determine an entitlement charge.
    (a) General. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (i) of 
this section, VA will make a charge against entitlement as follows:
    (i) The Department of Veterans Affairs will charge an individual who 
is a full-time student 1 month's entitlement for each monthly benefit 
paid to him or her.
    (ii) The Department of Veterans Affairs will charge an individual 
who is other than a full-time student 1 month's entitlement for each sum 
of money paid equivalent to what the individual would have been paid had 
he or she been a full-time student for 1 month.
    (2) When the computation results in a period of time other than a 
full month, the entitlement charge will be prorated.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231)

    (b) Secondary school program. (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs 
will make no charge against the entitlement of an individual:
    (i) Who is pursuing a course, courses or a program of education 
leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate, and
    (ii) Whose educational assistance allowance is the monthly rate of 
the tuition and fees being charged to him or her for the course.
    (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs will make a charge (in the 
same manner as for any other residence training) against the entitlement 
of an individual who:

[[Page 379]]

    (i) Is pursuing a course, courses or a program of education leading 
to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate, and
    (ii) Elects to receive educational assistance allowance calculated 
according to Sec. 21.5136.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3491)

    (c) Correspondence training courses. (1) A charge against the period 
of entitlement for a program consisting exclusively of correspondence 
training will be made on the basis of 1 month for each sum of money paid 
equivalent to the dollar value of a month of entitlement as determined 
under Sec. 21.5138(a)(2)(viii), which is paid to the individual as an 
educational assistance allowance for this training. When computation 
results in a period of time other than a full month, the charge will be 
prorated.
    (2) If the individual is contributing to the fund at the same time 
that benefits are being used or subsequently contributes a sum or sums, 
the entitlement charges will not be recomputed. Thus, if the monthly 
rate arrived at by applying the formula is determined to be $150 at the 
time a benefit program for correspondence training is computed, the 
individual will be charged 1 month of entitlement for each $150 paid. If 
a different monthly rate is computed at the time of a subsequent payment 
for such training, no adjustment will be made in the entitlement charged 
for the previous payment(s) even though the value of each month's 
entitlement may vary from payment to payment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(c))

    (d) Apprenticeship or other on-job training. (1) The VA will 
determine the entitlement charge for a veteran in apprenticeship or 
other on-job training as stated in this paragraph.
    (2) The entitlement charge will be--
    (i) 75 percent of a month for those months for which the veteran's 
monthly payment is based upon 75 percent of the monthly benefit 
otherwise payable to him or her;
    (ii) 55 percent of a month for those months for which the veteran's 
monthly payment is based upon 55 percent of the monthly benefit 
otherwise payable to him or her; and
    (iii) 35 percent of a month for those months for which the veteran's 
monthly payment is based upon 35 percent of the monthly benefit 
otherwise payable to him or her.
    (3) The charge against the veteran's entitlement will be prorated 
if--
    (i) The veteran's enrollment period ends in the middle of a month,
    (ii) The veteran's monthly rate is reduced in the middle of a month, 
or
    (iii) The veteran's monthly payment is reduced because he or she 
worked less than 120 hours during the month. In this instance the number 
of hours worked will be rounded to the nearest multiple of eight, and 
the entitlement charge will be reduced proportionately.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3233(c); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (e) Cooperative training. VA will make a charge against entitlement 
of 80 percent of a month for each month for which a veteran is paid 
educational assistance allowance at the cooperative training rate as 
provided in Sec. 21.5138(a). If the veteran is paid for a partial month 
of training, the entitlement charge will be prorated.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(d); Pub. L. 100-689)

    (f) Training while the veteran is incarcerated. If the veteran must 
be paid educational assistance allowance at a reduced rate because he or 
she is incarcerated as provided in Sec. 21.5139 of this part, VA will 
make a charge against entitlement of one month for each amount of 
educational assistance allowance paid to the veteran which is the 
equivalent of one month's benefits as provided in Sec. 21.5138 of this 
part for the appropriate type of training pursued.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(e); Pub. L. 100-689)

    (g) Tutorial assistance. If an individual is paid tutorial 
assistance as provided in Sec. 21.5141 of this part, the following 
provisions will apply.
    (1) There will be no charge to entitlement for the first $600 of 
tutorial assistance paid to an individual.
    (2) VA will make a charge against the period of entitlement for each 
amount of tutorial assistance paid to the individual in excess of $600 
that is equal to

[[Page 380]]

the amount of monthly educational assistance the individual is otherwise 
eligible to receive for full-time pursuit of a residence course as 
provided in Sec. 21.5138(c) of this part. When the amount of tutorial 
assistance paid to the individual in excess of $600 is less than the 
amount of monthly educational assistance the individual is otherwise 
eligible to receive, the entitlement charge will be prorated.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3234; Pub. L. 100-689)

    (h) Flight training courses. (1) A charge against the period of 
entitlement for pursuit of a flight training course will be one month 
for each sum of money paid equivalent to the dollar value of a month of 
entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.5138(a)(5)(viii). When this 
computation results in a period of time other than a full month, the 
charge will be prorated.
    (2) If the individual is contributing to the fund at the same time 
that benefits are being used or subsequently contributes a sum or sums, 
the entitlement charges will not be recomputed. Thus, if the monthly 
rate arrived at under Sec. 21.5138(a)(5)(viii) is $150 at the time 
educational assistance allowance is paid for a period of flight 
training, the individual will be charged one month of entitlement for 
each $150 paid. If a different monthly rate is computed at the time of a 
subsequent payment for such training, no adjustment will be made in the 
entitlement charged for the previous payment(s) even though the value of 
each month's entitlement may vary from payment to payment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(f); Pub. L. 102-16)(Apr. 1, 1991)

    (i) Entitlement charge may be omitted for course discontinuance due 
to orders to, or changing, active duty in certain instances. VA will 
make no charge against the entitlement of a servicemember or veteran for 
a payment of educational assistance when--
    (1)(i) A veteran not serving on active duty had to discontinue 
course pursuit as a result of being ordered, in connection with the 
Persian Gulf War by orders dated before September 11, 2001, to serve on 
active duty under 10 U.S.C. 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 
12304, or former 10 U.S.C. 672(a), 672(d), 672(g), 673, or 673b 
(redesignated effective December 1, 1994, as 10 U.S.C. 12301(a), 
12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, and 12304, respectively); or
    (ii) A veteran not serving on active duty had to discontinue course 
pursuit as a result of being ordered, by orders dated after September 
10, 2001, to serve on active duty under 10 U.S.C. 688, 12301(a), 
12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304; or
    (iii) A servicemember serving on active duty had to discontinue 
course pursuit as a result of being ordered, in connection with the 
Persian Gulf War by orders dated before September 11, 2001, to a new 
duty location or assignment or to perform an increased amount of work; 
or
    (iv) A servicemember serving on active duty had to discontinue 
course pursuit as a result of being ordered, by orders dated after 
September 10, 2001, to a new duty location or assignment or to perform 
an increased amount of work; and
    (2) The veteran or servicemember failed to receive credit or lost 
training time toward completion of his or her educational, professional, 
or vocational objective as a result of having to discontinue course 
pursuit as described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(a)(5)(B)(i); sec. 2, Pub. L. 102-127, 105 
Stat. 619-620; sec. 103, Pub. L. 107-103, 115 Stat. 979-980)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 51745, Nov. 17, 1982; 48 FR 
50530, Nov. 2, 1983; 52 FR 3429, Feb. 4, 1987; 53 FR 34497, Sept. 7, 
1988; 55 FR 31582, Aug. 3, 1990; 58 FR 31910, June 7, 1993; 58 FR 34369, 
June 25, 1993; 58 FR 34526, June 28, 1993; 73 FR 2426, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.5076  Entitlement charge--overpayment cases.

    (a) Overpayment cases. VA will make a charge against an individual's 
entitlement of an overpayment of educational assistance allowance only 
if:
    (1) The overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy; or
    (2) VA waives the overpayment and does not recover it; or
    (3) The overpayment is compromised.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231)


[[Page 381]]


    (b) Debt discharged in bankruptcy or is waived. If the overpayment 
is discharged in bankruptcy or is waived and is not recovered, the 
entitlement charge will be at the appropriate rate for the elapsed 
period covered by the overpayment (exclusive of interest, administrative 
costs of collection, court costs and marshal fees).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231; Pub. L. 94-502)

    (c) Overpayment is compromised. (1) If the overpayment is 
compromised and the compromise offer is less than the amount of 
interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal 
fees, the charge against entitlement will be at the appropriate rate for 
the elapsed period covered by the overpayment (exclusive of interest, 
administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal fees).
    (2) If the overpayment is compromised and compromise offer is equal 
to or greater than the amount of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement 
will be determined by--
    (i) Subtracting from the sum paid in the compromise offer the amount 
attributable to interest, administrative costs of collection, court 
costs and marshal fees.
    (ii) Subtracting the remaining amount of the overpayment balance 
determined in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section from the amount of the 
original overpayment (exclusive of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees),
    (iii) Dividing the result obtained in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this 
section by the amount of the original debt (exclusive of interest, 
administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal fees), and
    (iv) Multiplying the percentage obtained in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of 
this section by the amount of the entitlement otherwise chargeable for 
the period of the original overpayment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 52 FR 45181, Nov. 25, 1987]



Sec. 21.5078  Interruption to conserve entitlement.

    (a) Interruption to conserve entitlement generally prohibited. No 
one may interrupt a certified period of enrollment for the purpose of 
conserving entitlement. A school may not certify a period of enrollment 
for a fractional part of the normal term, quarter or semester if the 
individual actually is enrolled and is pursuing his or her program of 
education for the entire term, quarter or semester.
    (b) Exceptions. The Department of Veterans Affairs will charge 
entitlement for the entire period of enrollment certified if the 
individual otherwise is eligible for benefits, except when benefits are 
interrupted under any of the following conditions:
    (1) Enrollment actually is terminated.
    (2) Enrollment is canceled and the individual has not negotiated an 
educational benefits check for any part of the certified period of 
enrollment.
    (3) The individual:
    (i) Interrupts his or her enrollment at the scheduled end of any 
term, quarter, semester or school year within the certified period of 
enrollment; and
    (ii) Has not negotiated any check for educational benefits for the 
succeeding term, quarter, semester or school year.
    (4) The individual requests interruption or cancellation for any 
break when a school was closed during a certified period of enrollment 
and payments were continued under an established policy based upon an 
Executive order of the President or due to an emergency situation. This 
exception applies whether or not the individual has negotiated a check 
for educational benefits for the certified period.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3680)

                               Counseling



Sec. 21.5100  Counseling.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of counseling is:
    (1) To assist in selecting an objective:
    (2) To develop a suitable program of education or training; and
    (3) To resolve any personal problems which are likely to interfere 
with the successful pursuit of a program.

[[Page 382]]

    (b) Availability of counseling. Counseling assistance in available 
for--
    (1) Identifying and removing reasons for academic difficulties which 
may result in interruption or discontinuance of training, or
    (2) In considering changes in career plans, and making sound 
decisions about the changes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3697A(a))

    (c) Optional counseling. VA shall provide counseling as needed for 
the purposes identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section upon 
request of the individual. VA shall take appropriate steps (including 
individual notification where feasible) to acquaint all participants 
with the availability and advantages of counseling services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3697A(a) and (b))

    (d) Required counseling. (1) In any case in which VA has rated the 
veteran as being incompetent, VA must provide counseling as described in 
38 U.S.C. 3697A prior to selection of a program of education or 
training. The counseling will follow the veteran's initial application 
for benefits or any communication from the veteran or guardian 
indicating that the veteran wishes to change his or her program. This 
requirement that counseling be provided is met when--
    (i) The veteran has had one or more personal interviews with the 
counselor;
    (ii) The counselor has jointly developed with the veteran 
recommendations for selecting a program;
    (iii) These recommendations have been reviewed with the veteran.
    (2) The veteran may follow the recommendations developed in the 
course of counseling, but is not required to do so.
    (3) VA will take no further action on a veteran's application for 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32 unless he or she--
    (i) Reports for counseling;
    (ii) Cooperates in the counseling process; and
    (iii) Completes counseling to the extent required under paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3697A(c))

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 51746, Nov. 17, 1982; 53 FR 
34497, Sept. 7, 1988; 58 FR 31911, June 7, 1993; 61 FR 29030, June 7, 
1996; 61 FR 36629, July 12, 1996]



Sec. 21.5103  Travel expenses.

    (a) General. VA shall determine and pay the necessary expense of 
travel to and from the place of counseling for a veteran who is required 
to receive counseling as provided under 38 U.S.C. 111 (a), (d), (e), and 
(g).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111(a), (d), (e), and (g))

    (b) Restriction. VA will not pay the necessary cost of travel to and 
from the place of counseling when counseling is not required, but is 
provided as a result of a voluntary request by the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

[61 FR 29030, June 7, 1996]

               Payments; Educational Assistance Allowance



Sec. 21.5130  Payments; educational assistance allowance.

    VA will apply the following sections in administering benefits 
payable under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32:
    (a) Section 21.4131--Commencing dates (except paragraph (d)).
    (b) Section 21.4135--Discontinuance dates.
    (c) Section 21.4138 (except paragraph (b)--Certifications and 
release of payments.
    (d) Section 21.4146--Assignments of benefits prohibited.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241(a))

    (e) Section 21.4136(k) (except paragraph (k)(3))--Mitigating 
circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241(a), 3680(a))

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 32024, June 19, 1981; 53 FR 
617, Jan. 11, 1988; 55 FR 31582, Aug. 3, 1990; 57 FR 38612, Aug. 26, 
1992; 61 FR 29030, June 7, 1996; 63 FR 35836, July 1, 1998; 64 FR 23772, 
May 4, 1999; 65 FR 5786, Feb. 7, 2000]

[[Page 383]]



Sec. 21.5131  Educational assistance allowance.

    (a) General. Statements in this section concerning payments of 
educational assistance allowance assume that the veteran or 
servicemember:
    (1) Is eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
32;
    (2) Has remaining entitlement; and
    (3) Has not passed the 10-year delimiting date and any applicable 
extension to that date.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241)

    (b) Payment of educational assistance allowance for pursuit of 
programs of education and other courses. (1) VA will pay educational 
assistance allowance at the rate specified in Sec. 21.5136 or 
Sec. 21.5138 while the veteran or servicemember is pursuing:
    (i) An approved program of education;
    (ii) A refresher or deficiency course; or
    (iii) Special education or training which is necessary to enable the 
veteran or servicemember to pursue an approved program of education.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, VA will not 
pay educational assistance allowance for pursuit of any course unless 
the course is:
    (i) Part of the veteran's or servicemember's program of education;
    (ii) A refresher or deficiency course; or
    (iii) Special education or training which is necessary to enable the 
veteran or servicemember to pursue an approved program of education.
    (3) VA may withhold a payment until it receives verification or 
certification of the veteran's or servicemember's continued enrollment 
and adjusts accordingly the veteran's or servicemember's account.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241)

    (c) Payment for taking a licensing or certification test. VA will 
pay educational assistance allowance to an eligible veteran or 
servicemember who takes an approved licensing or certification test and 
applies, in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 21.1030(b), for that 
assistance. VA will not pay educational assistance for a licensing or 
certification test that neither a State approving agency nor VA has 
approved.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689)

[72 FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.5132  Criteria used in determining benefit payments.

    (a) Training time. The amount of benefit payment to an individual in 
all types of training except cooperative training, correspondence 
training and apprenticeship and other on-job training depends on whether 
VA determines that the individual is a full-time student, three-quarter-
time student, half-time student or one-quarter-time student.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3688; Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-689)

    (b) Contributions. The amount of benefit payment to an individual 
also depends on:
    (1) The amount the individual has contributed to the fund.
    (2) The amount the Secretary of Defense has contributed to the fund 
for the individual.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 51746, Nov. 17, 1982; 48 FR 
3369, Jan. 25, 1983; 52 FR 3429, Feb. 4, 1987; 53 FR 34498, Sept. 7, 
1988; 55 FR 31582, Aug. 3, 1990; 61 FR 29030, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 21.5133  Certifications and release of payments.

    A veteran or servicemember must be pursuing a program of education 
in order to receive payment of educational assistance allowance under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 32. To ensure that this is the case, the provisions of 
this section must be met when a veteran or servicemember is seeking such 
payment.
    (a) General. VA will pay educational assistance to a veteran or 
servicemember (other than one pursuing a program of apprenticeship, 
other on-job training, or a correspondence course; one seeking 
reimbursement for taking an approved licensing or certification test; or 
one who qualifies for an advance payment) only after:

[[Page 384]]

    (1) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment 
as provided in Sec. 21.5200(d) of this part; and
    (2) VA has received from the individual a verification of the 
enrollment. Generally, this verification will be required monthly, 
resulting in monthly payments.
    (b) Apprenticeship and other on-job training. VA will pay 
educational assistance to a veteran pursuing a program of apprenticeship 
or other on-job training only after--
    (1) The training establishment has certified his or her enrollment 
in the training program as provided in Sec. 21.5200(d); and
    (2) VA has received from the veteran and the training establishment 
a certification of hours worked. Generally, this certification will be 
required monthly, resulting in monthly payments.
    (c) Correspondence training. VA will pay educational assistance to a 
veteran or servicemember who is pursuing a correspondence course or the 
correspondence portion of a combined correspondence-residence course 
only after--
    (1) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment;
    (2) VA has received from the veteran or servicemember a 
certification as to the number of lessons completed and serviced by the 
educational institution; and
    (3) VA has received from the educational institution a certification 
or an endorsement on the veteran's or servicemember's certificate, as to 
the number of lessons completed by the veteran or servicemember and 
serviced by the educational institution. Generally, this certification 
will be required quarterly, resulting in quarterly payments.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0465)

(38 U.S.C. 3680(g), 3689)

[57 FR 38612, Aug. 26, 1992, as amended at 72 FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.5134  Restrictions on paying benefits to servicepersons.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs may not pay benefits to a 
serviceperson (other than one enrolled in a course, courses or a program 
of education leading to a secondary school diploma or an equivalency 
certificate) unless he or she:
    (a) Has completed 3 months of contributions to the fund or has made 
a lump-sum payment which is the equivalent of at least 3 months of 
contributions to the fund;
    (b) Has agreed either to have a monthly deduction from his or her 
military pay, or has made a lump-sum contribution to the fund, or both, 
so that the 12 months participation requirement of Sec. 21.5052(a) of 
this part will be met; and
    (c) Is serving on active duty in an enlistment period subsequent to 
the initial period of active duty defined in Sec. 21.5040(b)(3) of this 
part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3221, 3231, Pub. L. 94-502)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 51746, Nov. 17, 1982; 54 FR 
49977, Dec. 4, 1989]



Sec. 21.5135  Advance payments.

    VA will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4138(a) in making advance 
payments to veterans and servicemembers.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3680)

[64 FR 52652, Sept. 30, 1999]



Sec. 21.5136  Benefit payments--secondary school program.

    (a) Restrictions on payments. (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs 
may authorize benefits to qualified enlisted servicepersons for a 
course, courses or program of education leading to a secondary school 
diploma or an equivalency certificate without charge to entitlement. 
Payments may be made only if:
    (i) The individual has contributed to the fund for at least 1 month, 
and
    (ii) The training is received while the individual is serving:
    (A) The last 6 months of his or her first enlistment after December 
31, 1976; or
    (B) At any time after completing his or her first enlistment.
    (2) An individual who is not on active duty must have been an 
enlisted serviceperson while he or she was on active duty in order to 
receive benefits while

[[Page 385]]

enrolled in a course, courses or program of education leading to a 
secondary school diploma or an equivalency certificate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(b))

    (b) Monthly rate. An individual pursuing a course, courses or a 
program of education leading to a secondary school diploma or an 
equivalency certificate will receive one of two monthly rates.
    (1) Unless the individual notifies the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to the contrary, the monthly rate of his or her educational 
assistance allowance will be based upon his or her tuition and fees. The 
Department of Veterans Affairs will make no charge against the 
entitlement of the individual who is receiving benefits at this monthly 
rate. The monthly rate will be the rate of tuition and fees being 
charged to the individual for the course, not to exceed:
    (i) $376 for full-time training.
    (ii) $283 for three-quarter time training.
    (iii) $188 for half-time training.
    (iv) $94 for quarter-time training.
    (2) The individual may elect to receive educational assistance 
allowance at the monthly rate provided in Sec. 21.5138. The Department 
of Veterans Affairs will make an appropriate charge against the 
individual's entitlement if such an election is made.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3491)

    (c) Method of payment. (1) If the individual's educational 
assistance allowance is based upon the rate as determined in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, payment shall be made in a lump sum for the 
term, quarter or semester at the beginning of the month in which 
training begins.
    (2) If the individual elects to have his or her educational 
assistance allowance computed as provided in Sec. 21.5138, payment will 
be made in the same manner as for any other residence training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241)

[47 FR 51746, Nov. 17, 1982, as amended at 50 FR 19933, May 13, 1985]



Sec. 21.5137  Benefit payments and charges against entitlement for 
taking an approved licensing or certification test.

    (a) Benefit payments. The amount of educational assistance allowance 
VA will pay to a veteran or servicemember for taking an approved 
licensing or certification test, if the veteran or servicemember is 
entitled to receive such benefit payments, will be the lowest of the 
following:
    (1) The fee the organization or entity offering the test charges for 
taking the test;
    (2) $2,000; or
    (3) The total remaining amount of the veteran's or servicemember's 
contributions to the fund and the contributions the Secretary of Defense 
has made to the fund on behalf of the veteran or servicemember.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3222, 3231, 3232(c), 3452(b), 3689)

    (b) Charge against entitlement. For educational assistance allowance 
paid for taking an approved licensing or certification test, VA will 
make a charge against the veteran's or servicemember's entitlement by 
dividing the amount paid under paragraph (a) of this section by the 
monthly amount as calculated under Sec. 21.5138(c). The calculation will 
assume that the veteran or servicemember is a full-time student.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232(c), 3452(b), 3689)

[72 FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.5138  Computation of benefit payments and monthly rates.

    Except as provided in Secs. 21.5136(b)(1) and 21.5137(a), for 
purposes of this subpart VA will compute benefit payments and monthly 
rates as provided in this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231, 3233, 3241, 3491, 3680, 3689)

    (a) Computation of entitlement factor. (1) For residence training, 
VA will compute an entitlement factor as follows:

(i) Enter the number of full months in the applicable   (1) ___
 benefit period.
(ii) Enter the number of full days   (a)
 in excess of the number of full
 months.

[[Page 386]]

 
(iii) Divide line a by 30. Enter the quotient.........  (2) ___
                                    --------------------
(iv)      Total (lines 1 and 2).......................  (3) ___
(v) Multiply line 3 by 1 for a full-time student; by    (4) ___
 .75 for a three-quarter time student; by .5 for a
 half-time student; or by .25 for a one-quarter time
 student. Enter the result.
(This is the entitlement factor.)
 

    (2) For correspondence training, VA will compute an entitlement 
factor as follows:

(i) Enter the amount of the          (b)
 individual's contributions
 remaining in the fund.
(ii) Enter the individual's          (c)
 remaining months of entitlement.
(iii) Divide line b by line c. Enter the quotient.....  (5) ___
(iv) Enter two times the amount in line 5.............  (6) ___
(v) Enter the amount of the          (d)
 contributions, if any, remaining
 in the fund which the Secretary of
 Defense contributed for the
 individual.
(vi) Enter the individual's          (e)
 remaining months of entitlement.
(vii) Divide line d by line e. Enter the quotient.....  (7) ___
                                    --------------------
(viii)      Total (lines 5, 6 and 7)..................  (8) ___
(ix) Enter the correspondence charges certified by the  (9) ___
 school.
(x) Divide line 9 by line 8. Enter the quotient.......  (10) ___
(This is the entitlement factor.)
 

    (3) For apprenticeship and other on-job training, VA will compute an 
entitlement factor as follows:

(i) Enter the number of full days in the applicable     (1) ___
 benefit period. (Enter 30 if the benefit period is a
 full month.).
(ii) Divide line 1 by 30. Enter the quotient:.........  (2) ___
(iii) Multiply line 2 by .75 if the veteran is in the   (3) ___
 first six months of training; by .55 if the veteran
 is in the second six months of training; by .35 if
 the veteran is in a subsequent month of training; and
 by a pro-rated fraction if one of the veteran's first
 two six-month periods of training ends during the
 benefit period. Enter the result.
(This is the entitlement factor.)
 


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231, 3233; Pub. L. 96-466, Pub. L. 97-306, Pub. 
L. 99-576)

    (4) For cooperative training, VA will compute an entitlement factor 
as follows:

(i) Enter the number of full months in the applicable   (1) ___
 benefit period.
(ii) Enter the number of full days in excess of the     (a) ___
 number of full months.
(iii) Divide line a by 30. Enter the quotient.........  (2) ___
(iv) Total lines 1 and 2..............................  (3) ___
(v) Multiply line 3 by .80. Enter the result..........  (4) ___
(This is the entitlement factor.)
 


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231; Pub. L. 100-689)

    (5) For flight training, VA will compute an entitlement factor as 
follows:

(i) Enter the amount of the           (a) ___
 individual's contributions
 remaining in the fund.
(ii) Enter the individual's           (b) __
 remaining months of entitlement.
 


(iii) Divide line a by line b. Enter the      (1) __
 quotient.
(iv) Enter two times the amount in line 1...  (2) __
 


(v) Enter the amount of the           (c) __            ................
 contributions, if any, remaining in
 the fund which the Secretary of
 Defense contributed for the
 individual.
(vi) Enter the individual's           (d) __            ................
 remaining months of entitlement.
 


(vii) Divide line c by line d. Enter the       (3) __
 quotient.
(viii) Total (lines 1, 2 and 3)..............  (4) __
 


(ix) Enter the charges for flight     (e) __
 training certified by the school.
 


(x) Multiply line e by .60..................  (5) __
(xi) Divide line 5 by line 4. Enter the       (6) __
 quotient. (This is the entitlement factor.)
 


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(f))

    (b) Computation of benefit payment. Under this section, VA will 
compute benefit payments as follows:

(1) Enter the entitlement factor...  (f)
(2) Enter the amount of the          (g)
 individual's contributions
 remaining in the fund.
(3) Multiply line f by line g.       (h)
 Enter the result.
(4) Enter the remaining months of    (i)
 the individual's entitlement.
(5) Divide line h by line i. Enter the quotient.......  (11) ___
(This is the individual's portion.)
(6) Enter two times the amount in line 11.............  (12) ___

[[Page 387]]

 
(This is the Department of Veterans Affairs's portion
 of benefit payments for training completed before
 January 1, 1982. The Secretary of Defense will
 contribute this portion of the benefit payment for
 training that occurs after December 31, 1981.)
(7) Enter the amount of the          (j)
 additional contributions, if any,
 remaining in the fund which the
 Secretary of Defense contributed
 for the individual.
(8) Multiply line f by line j.       (k)
 Enter the result.
(9) Enter the individual's           (l)
 remaining months of entitlement.
(10) Divide line k by line 1. Enter the quotient......  (13) ___
(This is the Department of Defense's portion for
 training completed before January 1, 1982. For
 training completed after December 31, 1981, this is
 the second part of the Department of Defense's
 portion.) (38 U.S.C. 3231)
(11) Total (add lines 11, 12 and 13)..................  (14) ___
(12) If the veteran is in an apprenticeship or other    (15) ___
 on-job training and fails to complete 120 hours of
 training in a month, reduce the amount on line 14
 proportionately. In this computation round the number
 of hours worked to the nearest multiple of eight.
 Enter the result.
(13) If the veteran is pursuing certain courses which   (16) ___
 do not lead to a standard college degree, has
 excessive absences, and incurred those absences
 before December 18, 1989, reduce the amount on line
 14 sufficiently to avoid paying for any excessive
 absence. Enter the result.
 


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3233 (1989), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)(2) (1974); Pub. L. 
101-237)

(14) The benefit payment is either--
(i) The amount shown on line 14 unless the veteran is in apprenticeship
 or other on-job training and has failed to complete 120 hours of
 training in a month during the benefit period in which case the benefit
 payment is the amount shown on line 15, or the veteran is pursuing
 certain courses which do not lead to a standard college degree in which
 case the benefit payment is the amount shown on line 16, or
 


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3233; Pub. L. 99-576)

(ii) The total amount of the remaining contributions in the fund made by
 the individual and the VA and the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the
 individual, whichever is less.
 


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231; Pub. L. 94-502)

    (c) Monthly rates. Under this section, VA will compute the monthly 
rates of payment for individuals in residence training by repeating the 
calculations in paragraphs (b)(1) through (11) of this section except 
that instead of entering the entitlement factor on line f, paragraph 
(b)(1), VA will enter 1 for a full-time student, .75 for a three-quarter 
time student, .5 for a half-time student, or .25 for a one-quarter time 
student.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 32024, June 19, 1981; 47 FR 
51747, Nov. 17, 1982; 48 FR 3369, Jan. 25, 1983; 48 FR 50530, Nov. 2, 
1983; 52 FR 3429, Feb. 4, 1987; 53 FR 34498, Sept. 7, 1988; 55 FR 31582, 
Aug. 3, 1990; 57 FR 38615, Aug. 26, 1992; 58 FR 31911, June 7, 1993; 72 
FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.5139  Computation of benefit payments for incarcerated 
individuals.

    Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 21.5138, some incarcerated 
individuals may have their educational assistance allowance terminated 
or reduced. The provisions of this section shall not apply in the case 
of any individual who is pursuing a program of education while residing 
in a halfway house or participating in a work-release program in 
connection with that individual's conviction of a felony.
    (a) No educational assistance allowance payable to some incarcerated 
individuals. VA will pay no educational assistance allowance to an 
individual who--
    (1) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State or local penal institution 
for conviction of a felony, and
    (2) Is enrolled in a course where his or her tuition and fees are 
being paid by a Federal program (other than one administered by VA) or 
by a State or local program, and
    (3) Has incurred no expenses for supplies, books or equipment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(e))


[[Page 388]]


    (b) Reduced educational assistance allowance for some incarcerated 
individuals. (1) VA will pay a reduced educational assistance allowance 
to a veteran who--
    (i) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State or local penal institution 
of conviction of a felony, and
    (ii) Is enrolled in a course--
    (A) For which the individual pays some (but not all) of the charges 
for tuition and fees, or
    (B) For which a Federal program (other than one administered by VA) 
or a State or local program pays all the charges for tuition and fees, 
but which requires the individual to pay for books, supplies and 
equipment.
    (2) The monthly rate of educational assistance allowance payable to 
such an individual shall be the lesser of the following:
    (i) The monthly rate determined by adding the tuition and fees that 
the veteran must pay and the charge to the veteran for the cost of 
necessary supplies, books and equipment and prorating the total on a 
monthly basis, or
    (ii) The monthly rate for the individual as determined by 
Sec. 21.5138(c) of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231(e))

[55 FR 31583, Aug. 3, 1990]



Sec. 21.5141  Tutorial assistance.

    An individual who is otherwise eligible to receive benefits under 
the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program may 
receive supplemental monetary assistance to provide tutorial services. 
In determining whether VA will pay the individual this assistance, VA 
will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4236.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3234, 3492)

[61 FR 29030, June 7, 1996]

                        State Approving Agencies



Sec. 21.5150  State approving agencies.

    In administering chapter 32, title 38, United States Code, VA will 
apply the provisions of the following sections:
    (a) Section 21.4150 (except par. (e))--Designation;
    (b) Section 21.4151--Cooperation;
    (c) Section 21.4152--Control by agencies of the United States;
    (d) Section 21.4153--Reimbursement of expenses;
    (e) Section 21.4154--Report of activities;
    (f) Section 21.4155--Evaluations of State approving agency 
performance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3670-3674, 3674A; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 
100-323)

[55 FR 12483, Apr. 4, 1990, as amended at 61 FR 1526, Jan. 22, 1996]

                                 Schools



Sec. 21.5200  Schools.

    In the administration of benefits payable under the provisions of 
chapter 32, title 38, U.S.C., the Department of Veterans Affairs will 
apply the following sections:
    (a) Section 21.4200--Definitions (with the exception of paragraph 
(a)).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (b) Section 21.4201--Restrictions on enrollment; percentage of 
students receiving financial support.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3473(d))

    (c) Section 21.4202--Overcharges; restrictions on enrollments.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3690)

    (d) Section 21.4203--Reports--Requirements.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3684; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (e) Section 21.4204 (except paragraphs (a) and (e))-Periodic 
certifications.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3684)

    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) Section 21.4206--Reporting fee.
    (h) Section 21.4209--Examination of records.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3690; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (i) Section 21.4210--Suspension and discontinuance of educational 
assistance payments and of enrollments or reenrollments for pursuit of 
approved courses.
    (j) Section 21.4211--Composition, jurisdiction, and duties of 
Committee on Educational Allowances.

[[Page 389]]

    (k) Section 21.4212--Referral to Committee on Educational 
Allowances.
    (l) Section 21.4213--Notice of hearing by Committee on Educational 
Allowances.
    (m) Section 21.4214--Hearing rules and procedures for Committee on 
Educational Allowances.
    (n) Section 21.4215--Decision of Director of VA facility of 
jurisdiction.
    (o) Section 21.4216--Review of decision of Director of VA facility 
of jurisdiction.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3241(a), 3690)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 53 FR 34499, Sept. 7, 1988; 57 FR 
38613, Aug. 26, 1992; 61 FR 1526, Jan. 22, 1996; 61 FR 29030, June 7, 
1996; 63 FR 35836, July 1, 1998; 72 FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]

                          Programs of Education



Sec. 21.5230  Programs of education.

    (a) Approving the selected program of education. Except as provided 
in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, VA will approve a program of 
education for a veteran or servicemember under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32, 
only if--
    (1) The program meets the definition of a program of education 
stated in Sec. 21.5021(q);
    (2) Except for a program consisting of a licensing or certification 
test, the program has an objective as described in Sec. 21.5021(r) or 
(s);
    (3) Any courses, subjects, or licensing or certification tests in 
the program are approved for VA training; and
    (4) Except for a program consisting of a licensing or certification 
test designed to help the veteran or servicemember maintain employment 
in a vocation or profession, the veteran or servicemember is not already 
qualified for the objective of the program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3202(2), 3689(b))

    (b) Programs which include secondary school training. VA may approve 
the enrollment of a veteran or servicemember in a refresher, remedial, 
deficiency or other preparatory or special educational assistance course 
when the veteran or eligible servicemember needs the course in order to 
pursue an approved program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241(a)(2))

    (c) Refresher training for those already qualified. The refresher 
training referred to in paragraph (b) of this section includes training 
in a course or courses for which the veteran is already qualified 
provided the course or courses permit the veteran to update knowledge 
and skills or to be instructed in the technological advances which have 
occurred in the veteran's field of employment. The relevant field of 
employment may have been pursued either before, during or after the 
veteran's active duty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241(a)(2); Pub. L. 100-689)

[55 FR 31583, Aug. 3, 1990, as amended at 72 FR 16978, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.5231  Combination.

    In the administration of benefits payable under chapter 32, title 
38, U.S.C., the Department of Veterans Affairs will apply 
Sec. 21.4233(b), (c), and (e).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 61 FR 7218, Feb. 27, 1996]



Sec. 21.5232  Change of program.

    In determining whether a change of program of education may be 
approved for the payments of educational assistance, VA will apply 
Sec. 21.4234 of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3691; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 101-366) (June 
1, 1991)

[58 FR 46866, Sept. 3, 1993]

                                 Courses



Sec. 21.5250  Courses.

    (a) In administering benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32, VA 
and, where appropriate, the State approving agencies shall apply the 
following sections.
    (1) Section 21.4250 (except paragraph (c)(1))--Course and licensing 
and certification test approval; jurisdiction and notices.

[[Page 390]]

    (2) Section 21.4251--Minimum period of operation requirement for 
educational institutions.
    (3) Section 21.4252--Courses precluded; erroneous, deceptive, or 
misleading practices.
    (4) Section 21.4253--Accredited courses.
    (5) Section 21.4254--Nonaccredited courses.
    (6) Section 21.4255--Refund policy; nonaccredited courses.
    (7) Section 21.4256--Correspondence programs and courses.
    (8) Section 21.4257--Cooperative courses.
    (9) Section 21.4258--Notice of approval.
    (10) Section 21.4259--Suspension or disapproval.
    (11) Section 21.4260--Courses in foreign countries.
    (12) Section 21.4261--Apprentice courses.
    (13) Section 21.4262--Other training on-the-job courses.
    (14) Section 21.4265--Practical training approved as institutional 
training or on-job training.
    (15) Section 21.4266--Courses offered at subsidiary branches or 
extensions.
    (16) Section 21.4267--Approval of independent study.
    (17) Section 21.4268--Approval of licensing and certification tests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3473, 3476, 3672, 3675, 3676, 3678, 3679, 
3686, 3689)

    (b) Flight courses. In administering benefits payable for flight 
training under chapter 32, title 38, U.S.C., VA and the State approving 
agencies will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4263 of this part. 
Educational assistance allowance is payable only for flight training 
undertaken by a veteran or serviceperson after March 31, 1991.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241; Pub. L. 102-16)(Apr. 1, 1991)

[58 FR 31911, June 7, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 1526, Jan. 22, 1996; 61 
FR 7218, Feb. 27, 1996; 72 FR 16979, Apr. 5, 2007]

                    Assessment and Pursuit of Course



Sec. 21.5270  Assessment and pursuit of course.

    In the administration of benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
32, VA shall apply the following sections.
    (a) Section 21.4270 (except those portions of the paragraph and 
footnotes dealing with farm cooperative training)--Measurement of 
courses. For the purpose of benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32 
that training identified in Sec. 21.4270 as less than one-half and more 
than one-quarter time will be treated as one-quarter-time training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3688; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. 
L. 100-689)

    (b) [Reserved]
    (c) Section 21.4272--Collegiate course measurement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3688)

    (d) Section 21.4273--Collegiate graduate.
    (e) Section 21.4274--Law courses.
    (f) Section 21.4275--Practical training courses; measurement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3688)

    (g) Section 21.4277--Discontinuance; unsatisfactory progress, 
conduct, and attendance.
    (h) Section 21.4278--Reentrance after discontinuance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3474)

    (i) Section 21.4279--Combination correspondence-residence program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3688)

    (j) [Reserved]


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3241, 3473)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 53 FR 34499, Sept. 7, 1988; 55 FR 
31584, Aug. 3, 1990; 61 FR 7218, Feb. 27, 1996; 62 FR 55760, Oct. 28, 
1997]

                  Educational Assistance Pilot Program



Sec. 21.5290  Educational Assistance Pilot Program.

    (a) Purpose. The Educational Assistance Pilot Program is designed to 
encourage enlistments and reenlistments

[[Page 391]]

in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342; 94 Stat. 1115)

    (b) Outline of program. This program allows some individuals:
    (1) To participate while making contributions at a rate less than 
that prescribed in Sec. 21.5052(b), and/or
    (2) To transfer entitlement allowed in Sec. 21.5071 to a spouse or 
child.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

[47 FR 51747, Nov. 17, 1982]



Sec. 21.5292  Reduced monthly contribution for certain individuals.

    (a) Qualifying for reduced monthly contributions. Some individuals 
can become participants while making no contributions. To qualify for 
this portion of the pilot program the individual must:
    (1) Enlist or reenlist in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps 
after November 30, 1980, and before October 1, 1981;
    (2) Elect or have elected to participate in the Post-Vietnam Era 
Educational Assistance Program; and
    (3) Be chosen for the pilot program by the Secretary of Defense or 
his or her designee.


(Authority: Sec. 903 Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

    (b) Monthly contributions made by the Secretary of Defense. (1) The 
Secretary of Defense may pay $75 per month as the monthly contribution 
otherwise required under Sec. 21.5052(b) for an individual described in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (2) The individual will not be required to make a contribution for 
any month to the extent that the contribution otherwise required by 
Sec. 21.5052(b) for that month is paid by the Secretary of Defense.
    (3) The amount paid by the Secretary of Defense shall be deposited 
in the fund.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342; 94 Stat. 1115)

    (c) Restrictions on monthly contributions. The Secretary of Defense 
may not make a payment under the pilot program on behalf of any person 
for any month:
    (1) Before the month in which the person enlisted or reenlisted in 
the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps, or
    (2) Before December 1980.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

    (d) Refunds. If an individual participating in the pilot program 
disenrolls, any monthly contributions made by the Secretary of Defense 
will be returned to the Secretary of Defense rather than refunded to the 
individual.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342; 94 Stat. 1115)

    (e) Application of sections to this portion of the pilot program. 
(1) The following sections apply to this portion of the pilot program 
with amendments as noted:
    (i) In Sec. 21.5021(e) a participant includes someone whose 
contributions are being made by the Secretary of Defense.
    (ii) In Sec. 21.5052(b) the Secretary of Defense may make 
contributions to the fund and may designate the amount of the 
contribution.
    (iii) In Sec. 21.5052(d) the Secretary of Defense may increase or 
decrease the amount of the contribution.
    (iv) In Secs. 21.5064 and 21.5065 monthly contributions made by the 
Secretary of Defense will be returned to him or her instead of being 
refunded to the veteran.
    (v) In Sec. 21.5071 the Department of Veterans Affairs will also 
credit the individual with 1 month of entitlement for each month the 
Secretary of Defense contributes to the fund on his or her behalf.
    (vi) In Sec. 21.5138 the references to the individual's 
contributions include those contributions made on the individual's 
behalf by the Secretary of Defense.
    (2) Except as amended in paragraph (e)(1) of this section 
Secs. 21.5001 through 21.5041 and Secs. 21.5050 through 21.5270

[[Page 392]]

apply without change to this portion of the pilot program. See 
Sec. 21.5296.


(Authority: Pub. L., 96-342, sec. 903; 38 U.S.C. 3232, 3698(a)(2); Pub. 
L. 97-35, Pub. L. 99-576)

[47 FR 51747, Nov. 17, 1982, as amended at 49 FR 2109, Jan. 18, 1984; 53 
FR 34499, Sept. 7, 1988; 61 FR 29030, June 7, 1996]



Sec. 21.5294  Transfer of entitlement.

    (a) Qualifying for a transfer of entitlement. Some participants may 
transfer their entitlement to their spouse or child. To qualify for this 
portion of the pilot program the individual must:
    (1) After June 30, 1981 and before October 1, 1981, reenlist in the 
Army;
    (2) Be a participant;
    (3) Possess a critical military specialty as determined by the 
Secretary of Defense; and
    (4) Be chosen for his portion of the pilot program by the Secretary 
of Defense or his or her designee.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342; 94 Stat. 1115)

    (b) Persons who may receive transferred entitlement. An individual 
meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section may transfer 
entitlement earned under Sec. 21.5071 for the purpose of allowing 
another person to receive educational assistance allowance. Entitlement 
may be transferred only:
    (1) To a spouse or child of the participant,
    (2) To one person at a time,
    (3) If the participant is not receiving educational assistance 
allowance, and
    (4) When the participant states in writing to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs that the entitlement should be transferred.


(Authority: Sec. 903(c), Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

    (c) Educational assistance allowance. (1) The individual must 
specify in writing to the Department of Veterans Affairs the period of 
time he or she wishes the spouse or child to receive educational 
assistance allowance on the basis of the transfer of entitlement. The 
Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay educational assistance 
allowance to a spouse or child for training completed either before or 
after the period specified by the participant.
    (2) The commencing date of an award of educational assistance 
allowance to a spouse or child will be the earlier of the following 
dates:
    (i) The date of the spouse's or child's entrance or reentrance under 
Sec. 21.4131;
    (ii) The first day of the period authorized by the participant for 
the transfer of entitlement.
    (3) The ending date of an award of educational assistance allowance 
to a spouse or child will be the earliest of the following dates:
    (i) The ending date of the spouse's or child's course or period of 
enrollment as certified by the school or training establishment;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3233; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (ii) The ending date of the participant's eligibility as determined 
under Sec. 21.5041;
    (iii) The ending date specified in Sec. 21.4135;
    (iv) The date of the death of the participant on whom the spouse's 
or child's entitlement is based;
    (v) The last day of the period authorized by the participant for the 
transfer of entitlement.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

    (d) Application of VA regulations to this portion of the pilot 
program. (1) Sections 21.5030 (a) and (b), 21.5040, 21.5041 and 21.5050 
through 21.5067 and Sec. 21.5145 apply to the individual who is 
participating in this portion of the pilot program, but they do not 
apply to the individual's spouse or child, per se.


(Authority: Pub. L. 96-342, sec. 903; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (2) The following sections apply to this portion of the pilot 
program with amendments as noted:
    (i) In Sec. 21.5022 the entitlement used by the spouse or child 
counts toward the 48-month limitation on receiving benefits under more 
than one program which is imposed on the individual.
    (ii) In Sec. 21.5072 the charge against the individual's entitlement 
will be made on the basis of payments made to the individual's spouse or 
child.
    (iii) In Sec. 21.5100 the individual's spouse or child may request 
counseling, but an incompetent spouse or

[[Page 393]]

child is not required to be counseled before selecting a program of 
education.


(Authority: Pub. L. 96-342, sec. 903, Pub. L. 97-306, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (iv) In Secs. 21.5132 through 21.5138 references to payment to the 
individual apply equally to payment to the spouse or child.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342; Pub. L. 97-306, 96 Stat. 1429)

    (3) Except as amended in paragraph (d)(2) of this section the 
following sections apply without change to this portion of the pilot 
program:
    (i) Sections 21.5001 through 21.5023,
    (ii) Section 21.5030(c),
    (iii) Sections 21.5070 through 21.5130,
    (iv) Section 21.5131, and
    (v) Sections 21.5132 through 21.5300.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

    (4) Section 21.5131 (a) and (b) does not apply to this portion of 
the pilot program.


(Authority: Sec. 903, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1115)

[47 FR 51748, Nov. 17, 1982; 48 FR 50530, Nov. 2, 1983; 49 FR 2110, Jan. 
18, 1984; 53 FR 34499, Sept. 7, 1988; 72 FR 16979, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.5296  Extended period of eligibility.

    (a) General. A veteran shall be granted an extension of the 
applicable delimiting period, as otherwise determined by Sec. 21.5041 
provided--
    (1) The veteran applies for an extension.
    (2) The veteran was prevented from initiating or completing the 
chosen program of education within the otherwise applicable delimiting 
period because of a physical or metal disability that did not result 
from the willful misconduct of the veteran. VA will not consider the 
disabling effects of chronic alcoholism to be the result of willful 
misconduct.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3232; Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-689)

    (b) Application. (1) Only the veteran may apply for an extended 
period of eligibility pursuant to this section. A spouse or child to 
whom entitlement may be or has been transferred may not apply for, nor 
receive, an extension based upon disability of either the veteran or the 
spouse or child.
    (2) The veteran must apply for the extended period of eligibility in 
time for VA to receive the application by the later of the following 
dates:
    (i) One year from the last date of the delimiting period otherwise 
applicable to the veteran under Sec. 21.5041, or
    (ii) One year from the termination date of the period of the 
veteran's mental or physical disability.
    (3) No application for an extended period of eligibility should be 
submitted and none will be processed during any period when the veteran 
has transferred entitlement to a spouse or child, since eligibility 
cannot be fully determined as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this 
section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (c) Qualifying period of disability. A veteran's extended period of 
eligibility shall be based on the period of time that the veteran 
himself or herself was prevented by reason of physical or mental 
disability, not the result of the veteran's willful misconduct, from 
initiating or completing his or her chosen program of education. VA will 
not consider the disabling effects of chronic alcoholism to be the 
result of willful misconduct.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3232; Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-689)

    (1) Evidence must be presented which clearly establishes that the 
veteran's disability made pursuant of his or her program medically 
infeasible during the veteran's original period of eligibility as 
determined by Sec. 21.5041. A period of disability following the end of 
the original disability period will not be a basis for extension.
    (2) VA will not consider a veteran who is disabled for a period of 
30 days or less as having been prevented from enrolling or reenrolling 
in the chosen program of education or was forced to discontinue 
attendance, because of the short disability.
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, a 
veteran's transfer of entitlement to a spouse or child

[[Page 394]]

during a period for which the veteran's disability prevented his or her 
pursuit of a program of education will not affect the veteran's 
entitlement to an extension of eligibility under this section.
    (4) Since the act of entitlement transfer to a spouse or child 
indicates that the veteran did not intend to personally use his or her 
educational assistance during the specified transfer period, a veteran 
who becomes disabled after transferring entitlement will not be entitled 
to an extended period of eligibility based on any period of the 
disability which coincides with the specified transfer period unless--
    (i) The transferee or transferees did not use any entitlement during 
this period, and
    (ii) The veteran can clearly demonstrate that, notwithstanding his 
or her decision to transfer entitlement, the veteran would have used the 
entitlement during all or part of the transfer period and was prevented 
from doing so solely by reason of his or her disability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (d) Commencing date. The veteran shall elect the commencing date of 
an extended period of eligibility. The date chosen--
    (1) Must be on or after the original date of expiration of 
eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.5041 of this part, and
    (2) Must be on or before the 90th day following the date on which 
the veteran's application for an extension was approved by VA, if the 
veteran is training during the extended period of eligibility in a 
course not organized on a term, quarter or semester basis, or
    (3) Must be on or before the first day of the first ordinary term, 
quarter or semester following the 90th day after the veteran's 
application for an extension was approved by VA if the veteran is 
training during the extended period of eligibility in a course organized 
on a term, quarter or semester basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (e) Determining the length of extended periods of eligibility. A 
veteran's extended period of eligibility shall be based on the 
qualifying period of disability, and determined as follows:
    (1) If the veteran is in training in a course organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of eligibility 
shall contain the same number of days as the number of days from the 
date during the veteran's original delimiting period that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earliest of the following 
dates:
    (i) The commencing date of the ordinary term, quarter or semester 
following the day the veteran's training became medically feasible,
    (ii) The veteran's delimiting date as determined by Sec. 21.5041 of 
this part, or
    (iii) The date the veteran resumed training.
    (2) If the veteran is training in a course not organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of eligibility 
shall contain the same number of days as the number of days from the 
date during the veteran's original delimiting period that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earlier of the following 
dates:
    (i) The date the veteran's training became medically feasible, or
    (ii) The veteran's delimiting date as determined by Sec. 21.5041 of 
this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (f) Discontinuance. If the veteran is pursuing a course on the date 
an extended period of eligibility expires (as determined under this 
section), VA will discontinue the educational assistance allowance 
effective the day before the end of the extended period of eligibility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (g) No transfer of entitlement for use during the extended period of 
eligibility. (1) The veteran may only transfer entitlement to a spouse 
or child for use during the original period of eligibility as determined 
by Sec. 21.5041 of this part.
    (2) If the veteran has established an extended period of eligibility 
with VA, only the veteran may use remaining entitlement during that 
period.
    (3) If the veteran transfers his or her entitlement after having 
received an extension of eligibility, but before the last day of the 
delimiting period as determined by Sec. 21.5041 of this part, the

[[Page 395]]

eligibility of the spouse or child to use entitlement ends on the 
veteran's otherwise applicable delimiting date as determined by 
Sec. 21.5041 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232; Pub. L. 99-576)

[53 FR 34499, Sept. 7, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 31584, Aug. 3, 1990]



              Subpart H_Educational Assistance Test Program

    Authority: 10 U.S.C. ch. 107; 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3695, 5101, 5113, 
5303A; 42 U.S.C. 2000; sec. 901, Pub. L. 96-342, 94 Stat. 1111-1114, 
unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 51 FR 27026, July 29, 1986, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 21.5701  Establishment of educational assistance test program.

    (a) Establishment. The Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force have 
established an educational assistance test program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141(a))

    (b) Purpose. The purpose of this program is to encourage enlistments 
and reenlistments for service on active duty in the Armed Forces of the 
United States during the period from October 1, 1980, through September 
30, 1981.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141(a))

    (c) Funding. The Department of Defense is bearing the costs of this 
program. Participants in the program do not bear any of the costs.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141(a))



Sec. 21.5703  Overview.

    This program provides subsistence allowance and educational 
assistance to selected veterans and servicemembers and, in some cases, 
to dependents of these veterans and servicemembers.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141(b))



Sec. 21.5705  Transfer of authority.

    The Secretary of Defense delegates the authority to administer the 
benefit payment portion of this program to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs and his or her designees. See Sec. 21.5901.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141(b))

                                 General



Sec. 21.5720  Definitions.

    For the purpose of regulations in the Secs. 21.5700, 21.5800 and 
21.5900 series and payment of benefits under the educational assistance 
and subsistence allowance program, the following definitions apply:
    (a) Veteran. This term means a person who--
    (1) Is not on active duty.
    (2) Served as a member of the Air Force, Army, Navy or Marine Corps.
    (3) Enlisted or reenlisted after November 30, 1980, and before 
October 1, 1981, specifically for benefits under the provisions of 10 
U.S.C. 2141 through 2149; Pub. L. 96-342; and
    (4) Meets the eligibility requirements for the program as stated in 
Sec. 21.5740.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141(a))

    (b) Accredited institution. This term means a civilian college or 
university or a trade, technical or vocational school in the United 
States (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) that--
    (1) Provides education on a postsecondary level (including 
accredited programs conducted at overseas locations) and
    (2) Is accredited by--
    (i) A nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, or
    (ii) An accrediting agency or association recognized by the 
Secretary of Education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143(c))

    (c) Dependent child. This means an unmarried legitimate child 
(including an adopted child or a stepchild) who either--
    (1) Has not passed his or her 21st birthday; or
    (2) Is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical 
incapacity that existed before his or her 21st birthday and is, or was 
at the time of the veteran's or servicemember's death, in fact, 
dependent on him or her for over one-half of his or her support; or
    (3) Has not passed his or her 23rd birthday; is enrolled in a full-
time course of study in an institution of

[[Page 396]]

higher learning aproved by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of 
Education, as the case may be; and is, or was at the time of the 
veteran's or servicemember's death, in fact, dependent upon him or her 
for over one half of his or her support.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 1072(2)(D), 2147(d)(1))

    (d) Surviving spouse. The term means a widow or widower who is not 
remarried.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147(d)(2))

    (e) Servicemember. This term means anyone who--
    (1) Meets the eligibility requirements for the program, and
    (2) Is on active duty in the Air Force, Army, Navy or Marine Corps.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)

    (f) Spouse. This term means a person of the opposite sex who is the 
husband or wife of the veteran or servicemember.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147)

    (g) Divisions of the school year. (1) Standard academic year is a 
period of 2 standard semesters or 3 standard quarters. It is 9 months 
long.
    (2) Standard quarter is a division of the standard academic year. It 
is from 10 to 13 weeks long.
    (3) Standard semester is a division of the standard academic year. 
It is 15 to 19 weeks long.
    (4) Term is either
    (i) Any regularly established division of the standard academic 
year, or
    (ii) The period of instruction which takes place between standard 
academic years.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)

    (h) Full-time training. This term means training at the rate of 12 
or more semester hours per semester, or the equivalent.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

    (i) Part-time training. The term means training at the rate of less 
than 12 semester hours per semester or the equivalent.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

    (j) Enrollment period. This term means an interval of time during 
which an eligible individual--
    (1) Is enrolled in an accredited educational institution; and
    (2) Is pursuing his or her program of education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)



Sec. 21.5725  Obtaining benefits.

    (a) Actions required of the individual. In order to obtain benefits 
under the educational assistance and subsistence allowance program, an 
individual must--
    (1) File a claim for benefits with VA, and
    (2) Ensure that the accredited institution certifies his or her 
enrollment to VA.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2149)

    (b) VA action upon receipt of a claim. Upon receipt of a claim from 
an individual VA shall--
    (1) Determine if the individual, or the veteran upon whose service 
the claim is based, has or had basic eligibility;
    (2) Determine that the eligibility period has not expired;
    (3) Determine that the individual has remaining entitlement;
    (4) Verify that the individual is attending an accredited 
institution;
    (5) Determine whether payments may be made for the course, and
    (6) Make appropriate payments of educational assistance and 
subsistence allowance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142-2149)

                         Claims and Applications



Sec. 21.5730  Applications, claims, and time limits.

    The provisions of subpart B of this part apply with respect to 
claims for educational assistance under the educational program 
described in Sec. 21.5701,

[[Page 397]]

VA actions upon receiving a claim, and time limits connected with 
claims.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141, 2149; 38 U.S.C. 5101, 5102, 5103)

[64 FR 23772, May 4, 1999]

                       Eligibility and Entitlement



Sec. 21.5740  Eligibility.

    (a) Establishing eligibility. To establish eligibility to 
educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. Chapter 107 an individual must--
    (1) Enlist or reenlist for service on active duty as a member of the 
Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps after September 30, 1980 and 
before October 1, 1981 specifically for benefits under the provisions of 
10 U.S.C. 2141 through 2149, Pub. L. 96-342,
    (2) Have graduated from a secondary school,
    (3) Meet other requirements as the Secretary of Defense may consider 
appropriate for the purpose of this chapter and the needs of the Armed 
Forces,
    (4) Meet the service requirements stated in paragraph (b) of this 
section, and
    (5) If a veteran, have been discharged under honorable conditions.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142(b), 38 U.S.C. 5303A)

    (b) Service Requirements. (1) The individual must complete 24 
continuous months of active duty of the enlistment or reenlistment 
described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section; or
    (2) If the enlistment described in paragraph (a) of this section is 
the individual's initial enlistment for service on active duty, the 
individual must--
    (i) Complete 24 continuous months of active duty, or
    (ii) Be discharged or released from active duty--
    (A) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (hardship discharge), or
    (B) Under 10 U.S.C. 1171 (early-out discharge), or
    (C) For a disability incurred in or aggravated in line of duty; or
    (iii) Be found by the VA to have a service-connected disability 
which gives the individual basic entitlement to disability compensation 
as described in Sec. 3.4(b) of this title. Once the VA makes this 
finding, the individual's eligibility will continue notwithstanding that 
the disability becomes noncompensable.
    (3) In computing time served for the purpose of this paragraph, VA 
will exclude any period during which the individual is not entitled to 
credit for service as specified in Sec. 3.15 of this title. However, 
those periods will not interrupt the individual's continuity of service.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142; 38 U.S.C. 5303A)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 54 FR 34984, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 21.5741  Eligibility under more than one program.

    (a) Veterans and servicemembers. A veteran or servicemember who is 
eligible for educational assistance under either 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 or 
34, or subsistence allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 may also be 
eligible for the Educational Assistance Test Program. (See Sec. 21.5824 
for restrictions on duplication of benefits.)
    (b) Spouse, surviving spouse or dependent child. A spouse, surviving 
spouse or dependent child who is eligible to receive educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 31, 32, 34 and 35 may also be 
eligible for the Educational Assistance Test Program. (See Sec. 21.5824 
for restrictions on duplication of benefits.)


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)

    (c) Limitation on benefits. (1) Before March 2, 1984 the 48 month 
limitation on benefits under two or more programs found in 38 U.S.C. 
3695 does not apply to the Educational Assistance Test Program when 
taken in combination with any program authorized under title 38 U.S.C.
    (2) After March 1, 1984 the aggregate period for which any person 
may receive assistance under the Educational Assistance Test Program and 
the provisions of any of the laws listed below may not exceed 48 months 
(or the part-time equivalent thereof):
    (i) Part VII or VIII, Veterans Regulations numbered 1(a) as amended,
    (ii) Title II of the Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952,
    (iii) The War Orphans' Educational Assistance Act of 1956,

[[Page 398]]

    (iv) Chapters 32, 34, 35 and 36 of title 38 U.S.C. and the former 
chapter 33,
    (v) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 
1981.


(Authority: Pub. L. 96-342, 10 U.S.C. 2141 note)

    (vi) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980.
    (3) After October 19, 1984 the aggregate period for which any person 
may receive assistance under the Educational Assistance Test Program and 
any of the laws listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, may not 
exceed 48 months (or the part-time equivalent thereof):
    (i) Chapter 30 of title 38, U.S.C., and
    (ii) Chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S.C.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3695)

[51 FR 27026, July 29, 1986, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996]



Sec. 21.5742  Entitlement.

    (a) Educational assistance. A veteran or servicemember shall be 
entitled to one standard academic year (or the equivalent) of 
educational assistance for each year of service following the first 
enlistment beginning after November 30, 1980 (up to a maximum of four 
years). If the veteran or servicemember completes two years of active 
duty in the term of enlistment, but fails to complete the enlistment or 
fails to complete four years of active duty in an enlistment of more 
than four years, his or her entitlement to educational assistance shall 
be calculated as follows:
    (1) VA shall determine the number of years, months and days in the 
veteran's qualifying period of service by subtracting the entry on duty 
date from the release from active duty date. Any deductible time under 
Sec. 3.15 of this chapter (during the period of service on which 
eligibility is based) will be excluded from the calculation.
    (2) VA shall convert the number of years determined in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section to months by multiplying them by 12.
    (3) VA shall convert the number of days determined in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section to 0 months if there are 14 days or less, and to 
1 month is there are more than 14 days.
    (4) VA shall determine the number of total months by adding the 
number of months determined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
(exclusive of years and days) to the number of months determined in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, and the number of months in paragraph 
(a)(3).
    (5) VA shall multiply the number of total months in paragraph (a)(4) 
of this section by 75.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142(a)(2))

    (b) Subsistence allowance. A veteran or servicemember shall be 
entitled to nine months of subsistence allowance for each standard 
academic year of entitlement to educational assistance. For each period 
of entitlement to educational assistance which is shorter than a 
standard academic year, a veteran or servicemember will be entitled to 
one month of subsistence allowance for each month of entitlement to 
educational assistance. This entitlement shall not exceed nine months.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

[51 FR 27026, July 29, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 29471, Aug. 18, 1986]



Sec. 21.5743  Transfer of entitlement.

    (a) Entitlement may be transferred. (1) A veteran or servicemember 
may transfer all or part of his or her entitlement to educational 
assistance and subsistence allowance to a spouse or dependent child. He 
or she may not transfer entitlement to more than one person at a time.
    (2) The Secretary of the Navy may authorize a member or veteran of 
the Navy or Marine Corps to make a transfer described in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section provided:
    (i) The servicemember or veteran has entitlement to educational 
assistance as provided in Sec. 21.5742;
    (ii) The enlistment that established the servicemember's or 
veteran's entitlement was his or her second reenlistment as a member of 
the Armed Forces;
    (iii) The servicemember or veteran has completed at least four years 
of active service of that second reenlistment; and

[[Page 399]]

    (iv) The servicemember's or veteran's second reenlistment was for a 
period of at least six years.
    (3) No transfer, other than one described in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, may be made until the veteran or servicemember--
    (i) Has completed the enlistment upon which his or her entitlement 
is based or has been discharged for reasons described in 
Sec. 21.5740(b)(2), and
    (ii) Has thereafter reenlisted.
    (4) The servicemember or veteran may revoke at any time a transfer 
described in either paragraph (a) (2) or (3) of this section.
    (5) If a veteran attempts to transfer entitlement after 10 years 
have elapsed from the date he or she has retired, has been discharged or 
has otherwise been separated from active duty, the transfer shall be 
null and void.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147(a), 2148; Pub. L. 99-145)

    (b) Transfer of entitlement upon death of veteran or servicemember. 
(1) A veteran's or servicemember's entitlement to educational assistance 
and subsistence allowance shall be transferred automatically subject to 
provisions of paragraph (b)(2) of this section, provided he or she--
    (i) Completed the enlistment upon which the entitlement is based;
    (ii) Thereafter reenlisted;
    (iii) Never elected not to transfer entitlement; and
    (iv) Dies while on active duty or within 10 years from the date he 
or she retired, was discharged, or was otherwise separated from active 
duty.
    (2) The veteran's or servicemember's entitlement will be transferred 
to--
    (i) The veteran's or servicemember's surviving spouse, or
    (ii) If the veteran or servicemember has no surviving spouse, the 
veteran's or servicemember's dependent children.
    (3) A surviving spouse who receives entitlement under paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section may elect to transfer that entitlement to the 
veteran's or servicemember's dependent children.
    (4) If a servicemember transfers entitlement and then dies, and the 
effective date of the transfer is more than 10 years from the date of 
his or her death, the transfer shall be void. The entitlement will be 
transferred automatically as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147(a))

    (c) Effect of transfer upon educational assistance and subsistence 
allowance: veteran or servicemember living. (1) A person to whom a 
veteran or servicemember transfers entitlement is entitled to 
educational assistance and subsistence allowance in the same manner and 
at the same rate as the person from whom entitlement was transferred.
    (2) The total entitlement transferred to the veteran's or 
servicemember's spouse and children shall not exceed the veteran's or 
servicemember's remaining entitlement. The veteran or servicemember may 
transfer entitlement to only one person at a time.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147)

    (d) Effect of transfer upon educational assistance and subsistence 
allowance: Veteran or servicemember deceased. (1) A person to whom 
entitlement is transferred after the death of a veteran or servicemember 
is entitled to payment of educational assistance and subsistence 
allowance in the manner as the veteran or servicemember. The rate of 
educational assistance and subsistence allowance will be as stated in 
Secs. 21.5820 and 21.5822.
    (2) If entitlement is transferred to more than one person following 
the death of a veteran or servicemember, the total remaining entitlement 
to educational assistance and subsistence allowance of all is equal to 
the total entitlement of the person on whose service entitlement is 
based.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147)

    (e) Revocation of a transfer of entitlement. A surviving spouse who 
has transferred entitlement to a dependent child may revoke the transfer 
by notifying VA in writing. A veteran or servicemember who has 
transferred entitlement may revoke that transfer by notifying VA in 
writing. The veteran, servicemember or surviving spouse may choose the 
effective date of the revocation subject to the following conditions:

[[Page 400]]

    (1) If the person to whom entitlement is transferred never enters 
training, the effective date of the revocation may be any date chosen by 
the veteran, servicemember or surviving spouse who transferred the 
entitlement.
    (2) If the person to whom entitlement is transferred is not in 
training on the date the VA processes the revocation, but he or she has 
trained before that date, the effective date of the revocation may be no 
earlier than the last date that person was in training for which 
educational assistance and subsistence allowance were payable.
    (3) If the person to whom entitlement is transferred is in training 
(for which educational assistance and subsistence allowance are payable) 
on the date the VA processes revocation, the effective date of the 
revocation may be no earlier than--
    (i) The last date of the term, quarter, or semester at the 
accredited institution where that person is enrolled, or
    (ii) If the accredited institution is not organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, the last date of the course or the last date 
of the school year, whichever is earlier.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147)

[51 FR 27026, July 29, 1986, as amended at 53 FR 1779, Jan. 22, 1988]



Sec. 21.5744  Charges against entitlement.

    (a) Charges against entitlement to educational assistance. (1) 
Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section VA will make a 
charge against an individual's entitlement to educational assistance 
of--
    (i) One month for each month of a term, quarter or semester--
    (A) For which the servicemember receives educational assistance, and
    (B) During which the servicemember is a full-time student; and
    (ii) One-half month for each month of a term, quarter or semester--
    (A) For which the individual receives educational assistance, and
    (B) During which the servicemember is a part-time student.
    (2) VA will prorate the entitlement charge if the individual--
    (i) Is a student for only part of a month, or
    (ii) The individual is a full-time student for part of a month and a 
part-time student for part of the same month.
    (3) The charge against entitlement to educational assistance should 
always equal the charge against entitlement to subsistence allowance for 
the same enrollment period.
    (b) Charges against entitlement to subsistence allowance. (1) For 
each individual, except servicemembers, VA will make a charge against an 
individual's entitlement to subsistence allowance of--
    (i) One month for each month the individual is a full-time student 
receiving subsistence allowance; and
    (ii) One-half for each month the individual is a part-time student 
receiving subsistence allowance.
    (2) Even though a servicemember may not receive subsistence 
allowance, VA will make a charge against a servicemember's entitlement 
to subsistence allowance of--
    (i) One month for each month of a term, quarter or semester--
    (A) For which the servicemember received educational assistance and
    (B) During which the servicemember is a full-time student; and
    (ii) One-half month for each month of a term, quarter or semester--
    (A) For which the servicemember received educational assistance, and
    (B) During which the individual is a part-time student.
    (3) VA will prorate the entitlement charge as stated in paragraph 
(b) (1) or (2) of this section during any month for which a 
servicemember receives educational assistance or for which the 
individual receives subsistence allowance--
    (i) For less than a full month, or
    (ii) At the full-time rate for part of a month and at the part-time 
rate for part of the same month.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)



Sec. 21.5745  Period of entitlement.

    (a) Veterans. The period of entitlement of a veteran expires on the 
first day following ten years from the date the veteran retires or is 
discharged or otherwise separated from active duty.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2148; Pub. L. 96-342)


[[Page 401]]


    (b) Spouses, surviving spouses, and dependent children. If the 
veteran's or servicemember's entitlement is transferred, the period of 
entitlement of the spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent child expires 
10 years from--
    (1) The date the veteran retires, is discharged or otherwise 
separated from active duty, or
    (2) If the servicemember dies on active duty, the date of the 
servicemember's death.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2148)

                                 Courses



Sec. 21.5800  Courses.

    (a) Courses permitted. An individual may receive educational 
assistance and subsistence allowance only while receiving instruction in 
a postsecondary course offered at any institution in the United States 
(including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) that is accredited by a nationally 
recognized accrediting agency or association or by an accrediting agency 
or association recognized by the Secretary of Education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)

    (b) Courses precluded. An individual shall receive neither 
educational assistance nor subsistence allowance while pursuing any of 
the following courses:
    (1) A course offered at the secondary level or below;
    (2) A course offered by an institution located outside the United 
States (except in Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands);
    (3) A course offered by a nonaccredited institution; and
    (4) Courses which do not require the student to receive instruction 
at the institution. These include--
    (i) Correspondence courses,
    (ii) Combination correspondence--residence courses, and
    (iii) Courses offered through independent study.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143)

                             Certifications



Sec. 21.5810  Certifications of enrollment.

    (a) Enrollment certifications. An individual who wishes to receive 
educational assistance and subsistence allowance shall ensure that the 
accredited institution he or she is attending certifies the individual's 
enrollment to VA.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141)

    (b) Content of certification. The certification should include--
    (1) The number of credit hours or clock hours in which the 
individual is enrolled;
    (2) The amount of the cost of tuition, fees, books, laboratory fees, 
and shop fees for consumable materials used as part of classroom or 
laboratory instruction which the individual will incur during the period 
of enrollment; and
    (3) The beginning and ending dates of the period of enrollment.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)

    (c) Length of certification. A school should not certify more than 
one term, quarter or semester at a time.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0073)



Sec. 21.5812  Reports of withdrawals and terminations of attendance
and changes in training time.

    (a) Reports of withdrawals and terminations of attendance. (1) An 
individual shall report to VA facility of jurisdiction whenever he or 
she withdraws from school or terminates his or her attendance. He or she 
shall report the last day of attendance. The individual may request that 
the school verify this information.
    (2) The report shall include--
    (i) The date of withdrawal or last date of attendance, as 
appropriate; and
    (ii) The amount of educational expenses actually incurred by the 
individual during the period of enrollment before the date of 
withdrawal, or if the individual does not formally withdraw when he or 
she stops attending the

[[Page 402]]

amount of educational expenses actually incurred by the individual 
during the period of enrollment before the last date of attendance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141)

    (b) Reports of changes in training. (1) An individual shall report 
to the VA field station of jurisdiction each time the individual 
increases or decreases the number of credit hours or clock hours of 
training in which he or she is enrolled or otherwise alters the duration 
of the enrollment.
    (2) The report shall include--
    (i) The new number of credit hours or clock hours in which the 
individual is enrolled;
    (ii) The amount of educational expenses, enumerated in 
Sec. 21.5810(b)(2), which the individual will incur during the revised 
period of enrollment; and
    (iii) The effective date of the change in the number of credit hours 
or clock hours, including any revision in the term of the enrollment.
    (3) The individual or VA may ask the school to verify the 
individual's reports of changes in training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0156)



Sec. 21.5816  False or fraudulent claims.

    Each individual, or school officer or official shall be subject to 
civil penalties or criminal penalties, or both, under applicable Federal 
law for submitting a false or fraudulent report, revision to a report, 
or verification of accuracy of a report used to support an individual's 
claim, even though the report or verification is provided gratuitously 
or voluntarily to VA.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3729-3731, 18 U.S.C. 1001)

       Payments--Educational Assistance and Subsistence Allowance



Sec. 21.5820  Educational assistance.

    (a) Educational assistance. Educational assistance will be paid to 
cover the educational expenses incurred by an eligible servicemember, 
veteran, spouse, surviving spouse or dependent child while attending an 
accredited institution. Educational assistance payments will be made to 
the eligible individual.
    (1) The educational expenses are limited to--
    (i) Tuition,
    (ii) Fees,
    (iii) Cost of books,
    (iv) Laboratory fees, and
    (v) Shop fees for consumable materials used as part of classroom or 
laboratory instruction.
    (2) Educational expenses may not exceed those normally incurred by 
students at the same educational institution who are not eligible for 
benefits from the educational assistance test program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143(a))

    (b) Amount of educational assistance. (1) The amount of educational 
assistance will be adjusted annually by regulation. For the 2003-04 
standard academic year the amount of this assistance may not exceed 
$4,219.
    (2) The amount of educational assistance payable to a servicemember, 
veteran, spouse or dependent child of a living servicemember or veteran 
for an enrollment period will be the lesser of the following:
    (i) The total charges for educational expenses the eligible 
individual incurs during the enrollment period, or
    (ii) For the 2003-04 standard academic year an amount determined by:
    (A) Multiplying the number of whole months in the enrollment period 
by $468.78 for a full-time student or by $234.39 for a part-time 
student;
    (B) Multiplying any additional days in the enrollment period by 
$15.63 for a full-time student or by $7.81 for a part-time student; and
    (C) Adding the two results. If the enrollment period is as long as 
or longer than the standard academic year, this amount will be decreased 
by 2 cents for a full-time student and decreased by 1 cent for a part-
time student.
    (3) The amount of educational assistance payable to each surviving 
spouse or dependent child of a deceased servicemember or veteran for an 
enrollment period will be the lesser of the following:
    (i) The total charges for educational expenses the eligible 
individual incurs during the enrollment period, or

[[Page 403]]

    (ii) For the 2003-04 standard academic year an amount determined by:
    (A) Multiplying the number of whole months in the enrollment period 
by $468.78 for a full-time student or by $234.39 for a part-time 
student;
    (B) Multiplying any additional days in the enrollment period by 
$15.63 for a full-time student or by $7.81 for a part-time student; and
    (C) Adding the two results. If the enrollment period is as long as 
or longer than a standard academic year, this amount will be decreased 
by 2 cents for a full-time student and decreased by 1 cent for a part-
time student; and
    (D) Dividing the amount determined in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(C) of 
this section by the number of the deceased veteran's dependents 
receiving educational assistance for that enrollment period. If one or 
more dependents is receiving educational assistance for part of the 
enrollment period, the amount calculated in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(C) will 
be prorated on a daily basis. The amount for each day when more than one 
dependent is receiving educational assistance will be divided by the 
number of dependents receiving educational assistance on that day. The 
total amount for the days when only one dependent is receiving 
educational assistance will not be divided.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143, 2145)

    (c) Time of educational assistance payments. VA will make payments 
of educational assistance at the end of the first month of each 
semester, quarter or term in which the individual is entitled to such a 
payment, provided VA receives a timely enrollment certification. If VA 
receives the enrollment certification so late that payment cannot be 
made at the end of the month in which the individual is enrolled, VA 
will make payment as soon as practicable.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143)

[51 FR 27026, July 29, 1986]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.5820, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.5822  Subsistence allowance.

    (a) Subsistence allowance. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, VA will pay subsistence allowance to a veteran, spouse, 
surviving spouse or dependent child during any period for which he or 
she is entitled to educational assistance. No subsistence allowance is 
payable to:
    (1) A servicemember, even if he or she is entitled to educational 
assistance, or
    (2) A spouse or dependent child of a servicemember, even if the 
spouse or dependent child is entitled to educational assistance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144(a))

    (b) Amount of subsistence allowance. (1) The following rules govern 
the amount of subsistence allowance payable to veterans and to spouses 
and dependent children of veterans who are alive during the period for 
which subsistence allowance is payable. As stated in paragraph (a) of 
this section, these amounts are payable only for periods during which 
the veterans, spouses or dependent children are entitled to educational 
assistance.
    (i) If a person is pursuing a course of instruction on a full-time 
basis, his or her subsistence allowance is $1,051 per month for training 
pursued during the 2003-04 academic year.
    (ii) If a person is pursuing a course of instruction on other than a 
full-time basis, his or her subsistence allowance is $525.50 per month 
for training pursued during the 2003-04 academic year.
    (iii) If a person does not pursue a course of instruction for a 
complete month VA will prorate the subsistence allowance for that month 
on the basis of 1/30th of the monthly rate for each day the person is 
pursuing the course.
    (2) The following rules govern the amount of subsistence allowance 
payable to surviving spouses and dependent children of deceased veterans 
and servicemembers.
    (i) VA will determine the monthly rate of subsistence allowance 
payable to a person for a day during which he or she is pursuing a 
course of instruction full-time during the 2003-04 academic year by 
dividing $1,051 per month by the number of the deceased

[[Page 404]]

veteran's dependents pursuing a course of instruction on that day.
    (ii) VA will determine the monthly rate of subsistence allowance 
payable to a person for a day during which he or she is pursuing a 
course of instruction on other than a full-time basis during the 2003-04 
academic year by dividing $525.50 per month by the number of the 
deceased veteran's dependents pursuing a course of instruction on that 
day.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144, 2145)

    (iii) The total amount of subsistence allowance payable to a person 
for a month is the sum of the person's daily rates for the month.
    (c) Time of subsistence allowance payments. VA will make payments of 
subsistence allowance on the first day of the month following the month 
for which subsistence allowance is due, provided that VA receives a 
timely enrollment certification. If VA receives the enrollment 
certification so late that payment cannot be made on the first day of 
the month following the month for which subsistence allowance is due, VA 
will make payment as soon as practicable.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

[51 FR 27026, July 29, 1986]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.5822, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.5824  Nonduplication: Federal programs.

    (a) Duplication of some benefits prohibited. An individual who is 
receiving educational assistance under programs authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 or 36 may not receive concurrently either 
educational assistance or subsistence allowance under the Secs. 21.5700, 
21.5800 and 21.5900 series of regulations for the same program of 
education, but may receive them sequentially.
    (b) Debts may result from duplication. (1) If an individual receives 
benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 or 36 for training, 
and he or she has previously received educational assistance or 
subsistence allowance (or both) under Secs. 21.5700, 21.5800, 21.5900 
series of regulations the amount of the benefits received under 38 
U.S.C. Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34 or 35 shall not constitute a debt due the 
United States.
    (2) If an individual receives benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 34, 
and had signed an agreement with the Department of Defense to waive 
those benefits in return for receiving benefits under the educational 
assistance test program:
    (i) Any benefits already paid under the educational assistance test 
program will constitute a debt due the United States, and
    (ii) No further benefits under the educational assistance test 
program will be paid to the individual or to anyone to whom entitlement 
may be transferred.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141)



Sec. 21.5828  False or misleading statements.

    (a) False statements. An individual who attempts to obtain 
educational assistance or subsistance allowance or both through 
submission of false or misleading statements is subject to civil 
penalties or criminal penalties or both under applicable Federal law.


(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3729-3731; 18 U.S.C. 1001)

    (b) Effect of false statements on subsequent payments. A 
determination that false or misleading statements have been made will 
not constitute a bar to payments based on training to which the false or 
misleading statements do not apply.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141, 2144)



Sec. 21.5830  Payment of educational assistance.

    (a) Timing and release of payments. VA will pay educational 
assistance to the individual on the last day of the calendar month 
during which the individual enters or reenters training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143)

    (b) Period covered by payments. The payments cover those expenses, 
listed in Sec. 21.5820(a) incurred for the period beginning on the 
commencing date of the individual's subsistence allowance and

[[Page 405]]

ending on the ending date of the individual's subsistence allowance. See 
Sec. 21.5831.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143)



Sec. 21.5831  Commencing date of subsistence allowance.

    The commencing date of an award or increased award of subsistence 
allowance will be determined by this section
    (a) Entrance or reentrance. Latest of the following dates:
    (1) Date certified by school or establishment under paragraph (b) or 
(c) of this section.
    (2) Date 1 year before the date of receipt of the application or 
enrollment certification.
    (3) Date of reopened application under paragraph (d) of this 
section.
    (4) In the case of a spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent child, 
the date that transfer of eligibility and entitlement to the individual 
was effective.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

    (b) Certification by the school-course leads to a standard college 
degree. The date of registration or the date of reporting where the 
student is required by the school's published standard to report in 
advance of registration, but not later than the date the individual 
first reports for classes.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

    (c) Certification by school or establishment-course does not lead to 
a standard college degree. First date of class attendance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144(a))

    (d) Reopened application after abandonment. Date of receipt in VA of 
application or enrollment certification, whichever is later.
    (e) Increase due to increased training time. The date the school 
certifies the individual became a full-time student.
    (f) Liberalizing laws and administrative issues. In accordance with 
facts found, but not earlier than the effective date of the act or 
administrative issue.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

    (g) Correction of military records. When a veteran becomes eligible 
following corection or modification of military records under 10 U.S.C. 
1552 or change, correction or modification of a discharge or dismissal 
under 10 U.S.C. 1553; or other competent military authority, the 
commencing date of subsistence allowance will be in accordance with the 
facts found, but not earlier than the date the change, correction or 
modification was made by the service department.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2142)



Sec. 21.5834  Discontinuance dates: General.

    (a) Educational assistance. Although educational assistance is paid 
only once in a term, quarter, or semester, VA may discontinue it under 
the circumstances stated in Sec. 21.5835. The discontinuance may cause 
an overpayment. (See also Sec. 21.5838.) If the individual dies during 
an enrollment period, the provisions of Sec. 21.5835(a) will apply, even 
if other types of discontinuances are involved. In all other cases where 
more than one type of reduction or discontinuance is involved, the 
earliest date found in Sec. 21.5835 will control.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143)

    (b) Subsistance allowance. The effective date of a reduction or 
discontinuance of subsistence allowance will be as specified in 
Sec. 21.5835. If more than one type of discontinuance is involved, the 
earliest date will control.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)



Sec. 21.5835  Specific discontinuance dates.

    The following rules will govern reduction and discontinuance dates 
for educational assistance and subsistence allowance.
    (a) Death of individual. If an individual dies--
    (1) VA will discontinue educational assistance effective the last 
day of the most recent term, quarter, semester or enrollment period of 
which the individual received educational assistance.

[[Page 406]]

    (2) VA will discontinue subsistence allowance effective the 
individual's last date of attendance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

    (b) Lump-sum payment. When a servicemember accepts a lump-sum 
payment in lieu of educational assistance, VA will discontinue 
educational assistance effective the date on which he or she elects to 
receive the lump-sum payment.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2146)

    (c) Reduction due to decreased training time. (1) If a decrease in 
an individual's training time requires a decrease in educational 
assistance, the decrease is effective the end of the month in which the 
individual become a part-time student or the end of the term, whichever 
is earlier.
    (2) When an individual decreases his or her training time from full-
time to part-time, VA will decrease his or her subsistence allowance 
effective the end of the month in which the individual became a part-
time student, or the end of the term, whichever is earlier.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143, 2144)

    (d) Course discontinued, interrupted, terminated or withdrawn from. 
If an individual withdraws, discontinues, ceases to attend, interrupts 
or terminates all courses, VA will discontinue educational assistance 
and subsistence allowance effective the last date of attendance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143)

    (e) False claim. VA will discontinue educational assistance and 
subsistence allowance effective the first day of the term for which the 
false claim is submitted.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141)

    (f) Withdrawal of accreditation. If an accrediting agency withdraws 
accreditation from a course in which an individual is enrolled, VA will 
discontinue educational assistance and subsistence allowance effective 
the end of the month in which the accrediting agency withdrew 
accreditation, or the end of the term, whichever is earlier.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143(c), 2144)

    (g) Remarriage of surviving spouse. VA will discontinue educational 
assistance and subsistence allowance effective the last date of 
attendance before the date on which the surviving spouse remarries.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147(d))

    (h) Divorce. If entitlement has been transferred to the veteran's or 
servicemember's spouse, and the spouse is subsequently divorced from the 
veteran or servicemember, the spouse's award of educational assistance 
and subsistence allowance will end on the last date of attendance before 
the divorce decree becomes final.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147(d))

    (i) Revocation of transfer. If a veteran or servicemember revokes a 
transfer of entitlement, the spouse's or dependent child's award of 
educational assistance will end on the effective date of the revocation. 
See Sec. 21.5743(e).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147)

    (j) Dependent child ceases to be dependent: veteran or servicemember 
living. If a veteran or servicemember is living and has transferred 
entitlement to his or her dependent child who is not incapable of self 
support due to physical or mental incapacity, VA will discontinue the 
dependent child's award of educational assistance and subsistence 
allowance whenever the child does not meet the definition of a dependent 
child found in Sec. 21.5720(c). The effective date of discontinuance is 
the earliest of the following:
    (1) The child's 21st birthday, if on that date--
    (i) The veteran or servicemember is not providing over one-half the 
child's support, or
    (ii) The child is not enrolled in a full-time course of study in an 
institution of higher learning approved by the Secretary of Defense or 
the Secretary of Education, as the case may be;
    (2) The date, following the child's 21st birthday, on which the 
veteran or

[[Page 407]]

servicemember stops providing over one-half the child's support;
    (3) The date, following the child's 21st birthday, on which he or 
she is no longer enrolled in a full-time course of study in an 
institution of higher learning approved by the Secretary of Defense or 
the Secretary of Education, as the case may be;
    (4) The child's 23rd birthday;
    (5) the date the child marries.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147(d))

    (k) Dependent child ceases to be dependent: veteran or servicemember 
deceased. If a veteran or servicemember is deceased and his or her 
dependent child is not incapable of self support due to physical or 
mental incapacity, VA will discontinue the dependent child's award of 
educational assistance whenever the child does not meet the definition 
of a dependent child found in Sec. 21.5720(c). The effective date of 
discontinuance is the earliest of the following:
    (1) The day after the child's 21st birthday, if on that date the 
child is not enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution 
of higher learning approved by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary 
of Education, as the case may be;
    (2) The date following the child's 21st birthday on which he or she 
is no longer enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution 
of higher learning approved by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary 
of Education, as the case may be;
    (3) The child's 21st birthday; or
    (4) The date the child marries.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2147(d))



Sec. 21.5838  Overpayments.

    (a) Educational assistance. If an individual receives educational 
assistance but the educational assistance must be discontinued according 
to Sec. 21.5835, the amount of educational assistance attributable to 
the portion of the term, quarter or semester following the effective 
date of discontinuance shall constitute a debt due the United States.
    (1) The amount of the debt is equal to the product of--
    (i) The number of days the individual was entitled to receive 
subsistence allowance during the enrollment period for which educational 
assistance was paid, divided by the total number of days in that 
enrollment period, and
    (ii) The amount of educational assistance provided for that 
enrollment period.
    (2) Nothing in this method of calculation shall change the fact that 
the number of months of educational assistance to which the individual 
remains entitled shall always be the same as the number of months of 
subsistence allowance to which the individual is entitled.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2143)

    (b) Subsistence allowance. If an individual receives subsistence 
allowance under any of the following conditions, the amount of that 
subsistence allowance shall constitute a debt due the United States 
unless the debt is waived as provided by Secs. 1.955 through 1.970 of 
this chapter.
    (1) Subsistence allowance received for courses pursued while on 
active duty;
    (2) Subsistence allowance received for courses which are precluded 
under Sec. 21.5800(b);
    (3) Subsistence allowance received by a person who is not eligible 
for educational assistance under Sec. 21.5740;
    (4) Subsistence allowance received by an individual who has 
exhausted all entitlement provided under Sec. 21.5742;
    (5) Subsistence allowance received by an individual for a period 
before the commencing date determined by Sec. 21.5831.
    (6) Subsistence allowance received by an individual for a period 
following a discontinuance date determined by Sec. 21.5835.
    (7) Subsistence allowance received by an individual in excess of the 
part-time rate for a period following a reduction date determined by 
Sec. 21.5835.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144)

                         Measurement of Courses



Sec. 21.5870  Measurement of courses.

    (a) Credit hour measurement: undergraduate, standard term. An 
individual who enrolls in a standard quarter or semester for 12 
undergraduate credit

[[Page 408]]

hours is a full-time student. An individual who enrolls in a standard 
quarter or semester for less than 12 undergraduate credit hours is a 
part-time student.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144(c))

    (b) Credit hour measurement: Undergraduate, nonstandard term. (1) If 
an individual enrolls in a nonstandard term, quarter or semester, and 
the school measures the course on a credit-hour basis, VA will determine 
whether that individual is a full-time student by--
    (i) Multiplying the credits earned in the term by 18 if credit is 
granted in semester hours, or by 12 if credit is granted in quarter 
hours, and
    (ii) Dividing the product by the number of whole weeks in the term.
    (2) In determining whole weeks VA will--
    (i) Divide the number of days in the term by 7;
    (ii) Disregard a remainder of 3 days or less, and
    (iii) Consider 4 days or more to be a whole week.
    (3) If the number obtained by using the formula in paragraphs (b)(1) 
and (2) of this section is 12 or more, the individual is a full-time 
student. If that number is less than 12, the individual is a part-time 
student.
    (c) Credit hour measurement: graduate. (1) If it is the established 
policy of a school to consider less than 12 credit hours to be full-time 
for graduate students, VA will accept the statement of a responsible 
school offical as to whether the student is a full-time or part-time 
student. If the school does not have such a policy, VA will measure the 
student's enrollment according to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and 
(b) of this section.
    (2) VA will measure undergraduate courses required by the school 
according to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, 
even though the individual is enrolled as a graduate student. If the 
individual is taking both graduate and undergraduate courses, the school 
will report the credit-hour equivalent of the graduate work. VA will 
first measure the undergraduate courses according to the provisions of 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and combine the result with the 
credit-hour equivalent of the graduate work in order to determine the 
extent of training.
    (d) Clock hour measurement. (1) If an individual enrolls in a course 
measured in clock hours and shop practice is an integral part of the 
course, he or she is a full-time student when enrolled in 22 clock hours 
or more per week with not more than a 2\1/2\ hour rest period allowance 
per week. For all other enrollments the individual is a part-time 
student. VA will exclude supervised study in determining the number of 
clock hours in which the individual is enrolled.
    (2) If an individual enrolls in a course measured in clock hours and 
theory and class instruction predominate in the course, he or she is a 
full-time student enrolled in 18 clock hours or more per week. He or she 
is a part-time student when enrolled in less than 18 clock hours per 
week. Customary intervals not to exceed 10 minutes between classes will 
be included in measuring net instruction. Shop practice, rest periods, 
and supervised study are excluded. Supervised instruction periods in 
schools' shops and the time involved in field trips and individual and 
group instruction may be included in computing the clock hour 
requirements.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144(c))

                             Administrative



Sec. 21.5900  Administration of benefits program--chapter 107,
title 10 U.S.C.

    In administering benefits payable under Chapter 107, Title 10 U.S.C, 
VA will be bound by the provisons of the Secs. 21.5700, 21.5800 and 
21.5900 series of regulations.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144(c))



Sec. 21.5901  Delegations of authority.

    (a) General delegation of authority. Except as otherwise provided, 
authority is delegated to the Under Secretary for Benefits and to 
supervisory or adjudication personnel within the jurisdiction of the 
Education Service of VA, designated by him or her to make findings and 
decisions under 10 U.S.C.

[[Page 409]]

chapter 107 and the applicable regulations, precedents and instructions 
concerning the program authorized by these regulations.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2144(c))

    (b) Delegation of authority concerning the Civil Rights Act of 1984. 
The Under Secretary for Benefits is delegated the responsibility to 
obtain evidence of voluntary compliance with title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 from educational institutions and from recognized 
national organizations whose representatives are afforded space and 
office facilities under his or her jurisdiction. See part 18 of this 
title.


(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2000)

[51 FR 27026, July 29, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997]



   Subpart I_Temporary Program of Vocational Training for Certain New 
                           Pension Recipients

    Authority: Pub. L. 98-543, 38 U.S.C. 501 and chapter 15, sections 
specifically cited, unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, unless otherwise noted.
    Note: This subpart includes regulations governing the determination 
of eligibility, and the services which may be provided to veterans under 
this program. The numbering of the regulations follows the numbering of 
regulations under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 to the extent possible. 
Additional regulations affecting this program are found in part 3 and 
part 17, Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations.

                                 General



Sec. 21.6001  Temporary vocational training program for certain
pension recipients.

    This program provides certain veterans awarded pension with an 
evaluation and, if feasible, with vocational training, employment 
assistance and other services to enable them to achieve a vocational 
goal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524, Pub. L. 100-687).

[55 FR 17271, Apr. 24, 1990]



Sec. 21.6005  Definitions.

    (a) Temporary program. The term temporary program means the program 
of vocational training for certain pension recipients authorized by 
section 1524, chapter 15, title 38 U.S.C.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524, Pub. L. 100-687).

    (b) Program period. The term program period means the period 
beginning on February 1, 1985, and ending on December 31, 1992.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(4); Pub. L. 102-291).

    (c) Qualified veteran. The term qualified veteran means--
    (1) A veteran awarded disability pension during the program period; 
or
    (2) A veteran who was awarded disability pension prior to the 
beginning of the program period on February 1, 1985, has been 
continuously in receipt of pension since that time, and is in receipt of 
pension on the date his or her claim for assistance under the vocational 
training program is received by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a), Pub. L. 100-687).

    (d) Program participant. The term program participant means a 
qualified veteran as defined in paragraph (c) of this section who, 
following an evaluation in which VA finds achievement of a vocational 
goal is reasonably feasible for the veteran, elects to participate in a 
vocational training program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a), Pub. L. 100-687).

    (e) Vocational training program. The term vocational training 
program means vocationally oriented services and assistance of the kind 
provided under chapter 31 of the title 38 U.S.C. and such other services 
and assistance of the kind provided under that chapter as are necessary 
to enable the veteran to prepare for, and participate in, vocational 
training or employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (f) Employment assistance. The term employment assistance means 
employment counseling and placement and postplacement services, and 
personal and work adjustment training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(d)(3))


[[Page 410]]


    (g) Program of employment services. The term program of employment 
services is used when the veteran's entire program is limited to 
employment assistance as that term is defined in paragraph (f) of this 
section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4))

    (h) Job development. The term job development means comprehensive 
professional services to assist the individual veteran to actually 
obtain a suitable job, and not simply the solicitation of jobs on behalf 
of the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(3)).

    (i) Institution of higher learning. The term institution of higher 
learning shall have the same definition as is provided in 
Sec. 21.4200(a) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (j) Other terms. The following terms shall have the same meaning or 
explanation provided in Sec. 21.35 of this part.
    (1) Vocational goal.
    (2) Program of education.
    (3) Rehabilitation to the point of employability.
    (4) Counseling psychologist.
    (5) Vocational rehabilitation specialist.
    (6) School, educational institution or institution.
    (7) Training establishment.
    (8) Rehabilitation facility.
    (9) Workshop.
    (10) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524)

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17271, Apr. 24, 1990; 57 
FR 28086, June 24, 1992; 58 FR 41637, Aug. 5, 1993; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 
2016]



Sec. 21.6010  Applicability of rules and administrative procedures 
under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 31.

    (a) General. Title 38 U.S.C., section 1524(b)(2)(A) provides, in 
part, that a vocational training program shall consist of vocationally 
oriented services and assistance of the kind provided service-disabled 
veterans under chapter 31, Title 38 U.S.C., and other services and 
assistance of the kind provided under that chapter as are necessary to 
enable the veteran to prepare for and participate in vocational training 
or employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2)(A))

    (b) Applicable chapter 31 rules--general. The rules and procedures 
in force for administration of the chapter 31 program (Secs. 21.1-
21.430) are deemed to be applicable to administration of this program in 
so far as their use shall not conflict with 38 U.S.C. 1524 or the rules 
under this subpart. Where a particular grouping of chapter 31 rules are 
generally applicable, without modification, the rules under this subpart 
will be deemed to incorporate the chapter 31 rules. The chapter 31 rules 
may be read as written, but terms such as chapter 31 and service-
connected disability shall be understood to read chapter 15 and 
disabilities whenever used. References in the chapter 31 rules to 
benefits (subsistence allowances, loans) or eligibility (dependents, 
service-connection, serious employment handicap) are to be considered 
inapplicable to this program and do not confer benefits or rights not 
provided by 38 U.S.C. 1524.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524)



Sec. 21.6015  Claims and elections.

    (a) Claims by veterans under age 45 for whom participation in an 
evaluation is required. A veteran under age 45 who is awarded pension 
during the program period will be scheduled for an evaluation to 
determine whether achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably 
feasible, unless it is determined that the veteran is unable to 
participate in an evaluation for reasons beyond his or her control. If 
VA, as a result of the evaluation, determines that achievement of a 
vocational goal is reasonably feasible, the veteran may elect to pursue 
a vocational training prgoram. To make this election, the veteran must 
file a claim, in a form prescribed by VA, for services under this 
temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b); Pub. L. 100-687, Pub. L. 100-687, Pub. L. 
101-237).

    (b) Claims by qualified veterans for whom participation in an 
evaluation is not required. Qualified veterans in the following 
categories will be provided

[[Page 411]]

an evaluation if they request assistance under the temporary program, 
and are found to have good employment potential. These veterans include:
    (1) Veterans age 45 and more who are awarded pension during the 
program period;
    (2) Veterans awarded pension prior to the beginning of the program 
period on February 1, 1985, who meet the conditions contained in 
Sec. 21.6005(c) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b), Pub. L. 100-687, Pub. L. 101-237).

    (c) Filing a claim. A veteran in one of the categories identified in 
paragraph (b) of this section must file a claim in the form prescribed 
by VA in order to be considered for an evaluation of his or her ability 
to achieve a vocational goal through participation in this temporary 
program. The veteran's claim is considered a request for both the 
evaluation, and if achievement of a vocational goal is found reasonably 
feasible, for participation in the vocational training program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524, Pub. L. 100-687).

    (d) Claims following failure to timely pursue a vocational training 
program. (1) If a veteran for whom achievement of a vocational goal is 
found reasonably feasible does not undertake a vocational training 
program within the time limits specified in Sec. 21.32, he or she must 
file an original or reopened claim, as appropriate, in a form prescribed 
by VA in order to be considered for such services to determine if 
achievement of the previous vocational goal or a new vocational goal is 
reasonably feasible.
    (2) If a veteran has been placed in discontinued case status by the 
VA, he or she must file a new claim in a form prescribed by the VA to 
reopen the case.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (e) Informal claims. Informal claims shall be governed by Sec. 21.31 
of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a))

    (f) Time limit. The time limit for making a claim to pursue a 
vocational training program shall be governed by Sec. 21.32 of this 
part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17271, Apr. 24, 1990; 56 
FR 21448, May 9, 1991]



Sec. 21.6021  Nonduplication--38 U.S.C., chapters 30, 31, 32, 34 and 35.

    (a) Election between this temporary program and chapter 31 required. 
A service-disabled veteran awarded VA pension who is offered a 
vocational training program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 15 and is also 
eligible for such assistance under chapter 31, must elect which benefit 
he or she will receive. The veteran may reelect at any time if he or she 
is still eligible for the benefit desired.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2); Pub. L. 100-687).

    (b) VA educational assistance programs. A veteran who is eligible 
under this program may receive an educational assistance allowance under 
chapter 30, 32, 34 or 35 if he or she is otherwise eligible under one of 
these programs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (c) Prior training under VA programs. If a veteran has pursued an 
educational or training program under chapter 30, 32, 34 or 35, or a 
vocational rehabilitation program under chapter 31, the training 
received in the earlier program shall be considered, to the extent 
feasible, in determining the character and duration of the services to 
be furnished under this program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (d) Other prior training. If a veteran has pursued other significant 
training under non-VA programs or on his or her own, such training will 
be considered in determining the character and duration of services to 
be furnished.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (e) Not limited by use of other entitlement. The number of months of 
services provided under this program are not subject to the provisions 
of Sec. 21.4020 of

[[Page 412]]

this part which limit the aggregate months of VA benefits to be 
provided.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990]

                     Basic Eligibility Requirements



Sec. 21.6040  Eligibility for vocational training and employment
assistance.

    (a) Basic eligibility requirements. A veteran may be provided 
vocational training, employment assistance and related services to 
achieve a vocational goal under this program, if the following basic 
requirements are met:
    (1) The veteran is a qualified veteran as described in 
Sec. 21.6005(c) of this part;
    (2) The veteran participates in a VA evaluation of his or her 
rehabilitation potential to determine whether achievement of a 
vocational goal is reasonably feasible;
    (3) Achievement of a vocational goal is found reasonably feasible, 
following evaluation by VA;
    (4) The veteran elects to pursue a vocational training program;
    (5) The veteran and VA develop and agree to an Individualized 
Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) identifying the vocational goal and 
the means through which this goal will be achieved.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(1))

    (b) Eligibility for employment assistance. (1) As provided in this 
paragraph, a veteran who is a participant in this program shall be 
eligible to receive counseling, placement, postplacement, work and 
personal adjustment services furnished under Sec. 21.6060(a)(2) of this 
part for a period not to exceed 18 months. These services are further 
described in Secs. 21.140(d)(2), 21.250(a), (b)(2), (c)(3), and (4), and 
21.252, 21.254, 21.256, 21.257, and 21.258 of this part.
    (2) The participants who qualify for the services described in 
paragraph (a) of this section include a veteran who:
    (i) Has completed a vocational rehabilitation training program;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(3))

    (ii) Undertakes a vocational training program, but voluntarily 
terminates training. If VA determines the veteran to be employable at 
the time participation in training ends, the veteran shall be deemed to 
have completed the vocational training program and may be provided the 
employment services described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section if he 
or she requests such assistance;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(3))

    (iii) Does not require a vocational training program because VA 
determines as a result of an evaluation that he or she already possesses 
the training necessary for suitable employment and is able to achieve a 
vocational goal without further training; and


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (iv) Has been a prior participant in a vocational training program, 
is currently employable, but needs employment assistance to obtain 
employment in a suitable occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (3) The 18-month period of employment services allowed under this 
section shall begin upon the date that a veteran under paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section completes the vocational training program or 
in the case of a veteran under paragraphs (b)(2)(ii), (iii), and (iv) of 
this section is found to be employable. If a veteran has been provided 
such services and obtains suitable employment, but is later found to 
require additional services of this kind, the veteran may be provided 
such additional services during any portion of the original 18-month 
period remaining.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b); Pub. L. 100-687).

    (c) Eligibility if pension is terminated. A qualified veteran for 
whom a program of vocational training has been found reasonably feasible 
shall remain eligible for the temporary program, subject to the rules of 
this subpart and section 1524 of 38 U.S.C. ch. 15, even if his or her 
pension award is subsequently terminated, except when the veteran's

[[Page 413]]

award of VA pension was the result of fraud or administrative error.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a); Pub. L. 100-687).

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990]



Sec. 21.6042  Entry, reentry and completion.

    (a) Dates of entry. A veteran found eligible under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.6040 of this part may not begin pursuit of a vocational training 
program before February 1, 1985, or later than December 31, 1992, except 
under the following circumstances:
    (1) The veteran receives a pension award less than 120 days before 
December 31, 1992;
    (2) Illness or other circumstance beyond the veteran's control 
prevent earlier entry.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4); Pub. L. 102-291)

    (b) Entry precluded. In no event may a veteran begin a vocational 
training program after August 1, 1993.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4); Pub. L. 100-687; Pub. L. 102-291)

    (c) Reentry. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section are also applicable to veterans reentering a vocational training 
program following a redetermination of eligibility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4); Pub. L. 102-291)

    (d) Final termination of services. No veteran may receive assistance 
under this temporary program after January 31, 1998.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4); Pub. L. 100-687; Pub. L. 102-291)

    (e) Provision of vocational training and services during the period 
beginning February 1, 1992 and ending May 20, 1992. The provision of a 
vocational training program (including related evaluations and other 
related services) to a veteran under the provisions of subpart I of this 
part, and related determinations during the period beginning February 1, 
1992, and ending May 20, 1992, is ratified.


(Authority: Pub. L. 102-291)

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990; 58 
FR 41637, Aug. 5, 1993]

                               Evaluation



Sec. 21.6050  Participation of eligible veterans in an evaluation.

    (a) Veterans under age 45. A veteran under age 45 awarded pension 
during the program period shall be provided an evaluation of his or her 
rehabilitation potential to determine whether achievement of a 
vocational goal is reasonably feasible. The veteran must report for and 
participate in the evaluation unless the failure to do so is for reasons 
beyond the veteran's control. Failure to report for and participate in 
the evaluation, for reasons other than those beyond the veteran's 
control, will result in suspension of the veteran's pension under 
Sec. 3.342 of this chapter. See Sec. 21.6056.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(1), Pub. L. 101-237)

    (b) Evaluating other qualified veterans. An evaluation shall be 
accorded each qualified veteran as described in Sec. 21.6005(c) of this 
part who seeks to become a program participant provided VA first 
determines the veteran has good potential for achieving employment. 
Failure to choose to participate in an evaluation shall have no adverse 
effect upon the veteran's continued receipt of pension under Sec. 3.342 
of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(2); Pub. L. 100-687)

    (c) Notice to eligible veteran. (1) A qualified veteran under age 45 
awarded pension during the program period for whom participation in an 
evaluation is not clearly precluded by reasons beyond the veteran's 
control shall be sent a notice at the time he or she is awarded pension. 
The notice will inform the veteran of the provisions of this temporary 
program, the conditions under which participation in an evaluation is 
required, and the consequences of nonparticipation.

[[Page 414]]

    (2) A qualified veteran age 45 or older awarded pension during the 
program period will be informed of the provisions of this temporary 
program and the procedure for requesting an evaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a); Pub. L. 100-687, Pub. L. 101-237)

    (d) Scheduling the evaluation. (1) An evaluation will be arranged as 
promptly as practicable for each qualified veteran:
    (i) Under age 50 who is sent the notice required under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section; and
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) Other qualified veterans identified in Sec. 21.6005(c) who are 
found to have good employment potential under Sec. 21.6054.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a); Pub. L. 100-687)

    (e) Followup of qualified veterans who do not complete an 
evaluation. The case of each qualified veteran under age 45 awarded 
pension during the program period for whom an evaluation was not 
scheduled or who does not complete an evaluation shall be reviewed for 
followup action by Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) staff 
as provided in Secs. 21.197(c)(4) and 21.198(d).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a); Pub. L. 100-687, Pub. L. 101-237)

    (f) Limitation on the number of evaluations. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section, the number of 
evaluations which may be provided under this temporary program is 
subject to the limitations contained in Sec. 21.6059 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990; 56 
FR 21448, May 9, 1991]



Sec. 21.6052  Evaluations.

    (a) Scope and nature of evaluation. The scope and nature of the 
evaluation under this program shall be the same as for an evaluation of 
the reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal under the 
procedures described for chapter 31 benefits. See Sec. 21.50(b)(5) and 
Sec. 21.53 (d) and (f).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(1)(2))

    (b) Specific services which may be provided in the course of 
evaluation in determining the reasonable feasibility of achieving a 
vocational goal. The following specific services may be provided as a 
part of the evaluation of reasonable feasibility of achieving a 
vocational goal, as appropriate:
    (1) Assessment of feasibility by a Counseling Psychologist (CP) or 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC);
    (2) Review of feasibility assessment and of need for special 
services by the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel;
    (3) Provision of medical and other diagnostic services;
    (4) Evaluation of employability, for a period not to exceed 30 days, 
by professional staff of an educational or rehabilitation facility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (c) Responsibility for evaluation. All determinations as to the 
reasonable feasibility of vocational training and entitlement to 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. 1524 shall be made by a CP or VRC in the 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.6054  Criteria for determining good employment potential.

    (a) Determining good employment potential. Before scheduling an 
evaluation of feasibility to pursue a vocational goal for a qualified 
veteran under Sec. 21.6005(c)(2), VA will first determine whether the 
veteran has good potential for achieving employment if provided a 
vocational training or employment program. This determination shall be 
made on the basis of the information of record, including information 
submitted by the veteran at the time of the veteran's request to 
participate in this temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(2); Pub. L. 100-687).


[[Page 415]]


    (b) Criteria. The criteria contained in paragraphs (c) and (d) of 
this section are to be applied by Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment professional staff members to determine whether information 
of record supports a determination that a veteran age 50 or older has 
good potential for employment. Any reasonable doubt shall be resolved in 
the veteran's favor.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(2))

    (c) Indicators of good potential for employment. Indicators of good 
potential for employment include one or more of the following:
    (1) A period of stable employment prior to the onset of disability.
    (2) Strong motivation to return to the work force.
    (3) Successful pursuit of education or training.
    (4) Cooperation in treatment of disabling conditions.
    (5) Stabilization of medical conditions or substance abuse problems.
    (6) Participation in therapeutic work programs.
    (7) Evidence of recent sustained job-seeking.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (d) Contraindications of good potential for employment. 
Contraindications of good potential for employment include one or more 
of the following:
    (1) A lifelong history of unstable employment with long periods of 
employment before the onset of disability.
    (2) Being out of the labor market for five years or more preceding 
the evaluation.
    (3) Unsuccessful pursuit of education or training.
    (4) Noncooperation in the treatment of disability.
    (5) Need for an additional period of medical care or treatment 
before training would be feasible.
    (6) Nonparticipation in prescribed or recommended therapeutic work 
programs.
    (7) Failure of previous vocational rehabilitation programs to 
achieve employability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(2))

    (e) Negative determinations. If VA does not find good employment 
potential, VA will notify the veteran that he or she is not eligible to 
receive an evaluation. Since this finding will preclude program 
participation, the veteran will be informed of his or her appellate 
rights as described in Sec. 21.59 of this part.
    (1) If the determination cannot be made on the evidence of record, 
VA shall advise the veteran and may provide him or her with an 
opportunity to submit additional information within a reasonable time.
    (2) A veteran's disagreement with a negative finding shall be 
considered evidence of motivation for employment, and may, when 
considered in relation to other information, provide a basis for finding 
that good employment potential exists;
    (3) If the final VA determination, following a review of a contested 
negative finding, is that good potential for achieving employment does 
not exist, a personal interview will be scheduled, and the reasons for 
VA's determination shall be discussed with the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(2))


[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990]



Sec. 21.6056  Cooperation of the veteran in an evaluation.

    (a) Cooperation of the veteran. The cooperation of the veteran is 
essential to a successful evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation and 
the steps in the process shall be explained to the veteran, and the 
importance of his or her cooperation shall be stressed. If the veteran 
does not cooperate in the initiation or completion of the evaluation, 
the Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
(VRC) shall make a reasonable effort through counseling to secure the 
veteran's cooperation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3))

    (b) Consequences of noncooperation when evaluation is required. If 
the veteran fails to report for or cooperate in a required evaluation 
and the CP or VRC has made a reasonable effort to secure his or her 
participation, VA

[[Page 416]]

shall take appropriate action, including discontinuance of the 
evaluation under the provisions of Sec. 21.364 of this part. If the 
veteran's case is discontinued under Sec. 21.364 of this part, the 
Veterans Service Center will be notified. The Veterans Service Center 
also will be informed if the reason for discontinuance is subsequently 
removed and the evaluation process is resumed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(1))

    (c) Consequences of noncooperation when evaluation is not required. 
If the veteran fails to report for or cooperate in an optional 
evaluation and the CP or VRC has made a reasonable effort to secure the 
veteran's participation, VA shall take appropriate action, including 
discontinuance of the evaluation under the provisions of Sec. 21.364 of 
this part. The evaluation may be resumed if the reason for the 
discontinuance is removed and the veteran is otherwise eligible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(2))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 71 FR 28586, May 17, 2006; 81 
FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.6058  Consequences of evaluation.

    (a) Eligible veteran may choose to participate. If VA finds, based 
on the evaluation, that achievement of a vocational goal by the veteran 
is reasonably feasible, the veteran shall be offered and may elect to 
pursue a vocational training program. If the veteran elects to pursue 
such a program, the program shall be designed in consultation with the 
veteran in order to meet the veteran's individual needs, and shall be 
set forth in an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) under 
the provisions of Sec. 21.84 of this part or an Individualized 
Employment Assistance Plan (IEAP) under Sec. 21.88 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (b) Veteran ineligible to participate. A veteran for whom 
achievement of a vocational goal is not found reasonably feasible shall 
be notified of this finding and be informed of his or her appellate 
rights as described in Sec. 21.59 of this part. The veteran shall be 
provided the assistance described in Sec. 21.50(b)(9) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))



Sec. 21.6059  Limitations on the number of evaluations.

    (a) Number of evaluations. No more than 3,500 evaluations of the 
reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal may be given 
during any 12-month period, beginning on February 1, 1985, and each 
subsequent February 1 during the program period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3); Pub. L. 100-227)

    (b) Cases counted as evaluation. An evaluation is deemed to be 
countable against the 3,500 limit permitted during each 12-month period 
when the following conditions are met:
    (1) The veteran is provided one or more personal interviews by a 
Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
(VRC); and
    (2) A determination of the reasonable feasibility of achieving a 
vocational goal is made by the CP or VRC.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3); Pub. L. 100-227)

    (c) Cases not counted as evaluations. Computation of the number of 
evaluations which may be provided in a 12-month period shall exclude 
cases in which:
    (1) The veteran under age 45 awarded pension during the program 
period is unable to participate for reasons beyond his or her control;
    (2) Review of available information does not indicate a good 
potential for employment of other qualified veterans.
    (3) The veteran either fails to keep a scheduled appointment to 
complete the evaluation or withdraws the claim for an evaluation, or
    (4) The veteran who has completed an evaluation requires or requests 
a reevaluation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3); Pub. L. 100-227, Pub. L. 101-237)

    (d) Priority. If a veteran below age 45 for whom an evaluation is 
required

[[Page 417]]

cannot be provided an evaluation during a particular 12-month period 
because of the limitation on the number of evaluations, the veteran will 
be given first priority for evaluation during the following 12-month 
period, or first available subsequent 12-month period, if otherwise 
eligible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3), Pub. L. 101-237)

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990; 56 
FR 21448, May 9, 1991; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]

             Services and Assistance to Program Participants



Sec. 21.6060  Services and assistance.

    (a) General. VA may provide to program participants:
    (1) Vocationally oriented services and assistance of the kind 
provided veterans under chapter 31, title 38 U.S.C.;
    (2) Employment assistance during the 18 month period following 
completion of a vocational training program, including:
    (i) Educational, vocational, psychological, employment and personal 
adjustment counseling;
    (ii) Placement services to effect suitable placement in employment, 
and post-placement services to attempt to insure satisfactory adjustment 
in employment; and
    (iii) Personal adjustment and work adjustment training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (3) Such other services and assistance of the kind provided veterans 
under chapter 31, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, 
as are necessary to enable the veteran to prepare for, and participate 
in, vocational training or employment.
    (b) Services and assistance not provided. VA will not provide to a 
participant under this program any:
    (1) Loan;
    (2) Subsistence allowance;
    (3) Automobile adaptive equipment of the kind provided eligible 
veterans under 38 U.S.C., chapter 39 or chapter 31;
    (4) Training at an institution of higher learning in a program of 
education that is not predominantly vocational in content;
    (5) Employment adjustment allowance;
    (6) Room and board in a special rehabilitation facility for a period 
in excess of 30 days;
    (7) Independent living services, except those which are 
indispensable to the pursuit of the vocational training program during 
the period of rehabilitation to the point of employability under 
Sec. 21.6160 of this part; or
    (8) Period of extended evaluation under 38 U.S.C. 3106(e).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

                          Duration of Training



Sec. 21.6070  Basic duration of a vocational training program.

    (a) Basic duration of a vocational training program. The duration of 
a vocational training program may not exceed 24 calendar months of full-
time training except as provided in Sec. 21.6072 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Responsibility for estimating the duration of a vocational 
training program. The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational 
Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) is responsible for estimating the time 
needed by the veteran to complete a vocational training program. The 
estimate is made in consultation with the veteran and the vocational 
rehabilitation specialist during the preparation of the IWRP.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (c) Duration of training prescribed must meet general requirements 
for entry into the occupation selected. The veterans will be provided 
training for a period sufficient for the veteran to reach the level 
generally recognized as necessary for entry into employment in a 
suitable occupational objective. Where a particular degree, diploma or 
certificate is generally necessary for entry into employment, the 
veteran may be trained to that level.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (d) When duration of the training period may be expanded beyond the 
entry

[[Page 418]]

level. If the amount of training the particular veteran needs in order 
to qualify for employment in a particular occupation will exceed the 
amount generally needed for employment in that occupation, VA may 
provide the necessary additional training under one or more of the 
following conditions:
    (1) Training requirements for employment in the area in which the 
veteran lives or will seek employment exceed those generally needed for 
employment;
    (2) The veteran is preparing for a type of work in which he or she 
will be at a definite disadvantage in competing with nondisabled persons 
for a job or business, and the additional training will offset the 
competitive disadvantage;
    (3) The choice of a feasible occupation is limited and additional 
training will enhance the veteran's employability in one of the feasible 
occupations; or
    (4) The number of employment opportunities within a feasible 
occupation is restricted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (e) Estimating the duration of the training period needed. The CP or 
VRC, in estimating duration of the training period needed, must 
determine that:
    (1) The proposed vocational training program must be one which, when 
pursued full-time by a nondisabled person, would not normally require 
more than 24 calendar months of pursuit for successful completion;
    (2) The program of training and other services needed by the 
veteran, based upon VA's evaluation, will not exceed 24 calendar months, 
if training is pursued on a full-time basis, or 36 calendar months if 
pursued on a less than full-time basis. In making this determination the 
following criteria will be applied:
    (i) The number of actual months and days of the period during which 
the veteran will pursue the training program will be counted;
    (ii) Days of authorized leave and other periods during which the 
veteran wlll not be pursuing training, such as periods between terms 
will also be counted;
    (iii) The period of evaluation prior to determination of reasonable 
feasibility will be excluded but the actual number of months and days 
needed to evaluate and improve rehabilitation potential during the 
training program will be included;
    (iv) The time required, as determined in months and days under 
paragraph (e)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section, will be the total 
period that would be required for the veteran to accomplish the 
vocational program under consideration;
    (v) If the total period the veteran requires exceeds 24 calendar 
months, when pursued on a full-time basis, and an extension of the basic 
training period may not be approved under Sec. 21.6072 of this part, 
another suitable vocational goal must be selected for which training can 
be completed within that period.
    (3) If the veteran's vocational training program would require more 
than 36 calendar months when pursued on a less than full-time basis, the 
program must be reevaluated to select a vocational goal for which a 
suitable vocational training program can be completed within that 
period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (f) Effect of change in the vocational goal on duration of training 
period. The veteran's vocational goal may be changed during the program 
in accordance with Sec. 21.94 (a) through (d) of this part. The extent 
to which such changes may be made is limited by the following 
considerations:
    (1) A change of the vocational goal from one field or occupational 
family to another field or occupational family may only be approved 
before the end of the first 24 months of training, whether training is 
pursued on a full-time or a less than full-time basis; and
    (2) A change from one occupational objective to another within the 
same field or occupational family shall not be considered a change in 
the vocational goal identified in the veteran's IWRP.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]

[[Page 419]]



Sec. 21.6072  Extending the duration of a vocational training program.

    (a) Extension of the duration of a vocational training program. An 
extension of a vocational training program as formulated in the IWRP may 
only be approved to enable the veteran to achieve a vocational goal 
identified before the end of the first 24 calendar months of the 
program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Maximum number of months for which a program for new 
participants may be approved. If a veteran had never participated in 
this temporary program of vocational training, the originally planned 
period of training may be extended to a total period consisting of the 
number of months necessary to attain the vocational goal, but in no case 
will a program be extended for:
    (1) More than 24 calendar months beyond the originally planned 
period; or
    (2) A period which, when added to the originally planned period, 
totals more than 48 months, as provided in Sec. 21.6074(c) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (c) Maximum number of months by which a program may be extended for 
prior participants in the temporary program. (1) A veteran who has 
previously participated in this program, but who was not rehabilitated 
to the point of employability, may be provided additional training under 
this program to complete the prior vocational goal or a different 
vocational goal, subject to the same provisions as apply to new 
participants;
    (2) If a finding of prior rehabilitation to the point of 
employability is set aside to enable a veteran to pursue a program of 
on-job training or work experience, including the provision of employer 
incentives under Sec. 21.256 of this part, the number of months for 
which assistance may be authorized under this program shall be 
established as provided in Sec. 21.256 of this part to the extent 
consistent with the rules of this section;
    (3) If the determination of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability has been set aside under Sec. 21.6284 (a) or (b) of this 
part, additional training may be provided subject to the same provisions 
as apply to new participants.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (d) Who may authorize an extension to a vocational training program. 
(1) The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) may authorize an 
extension of up to 3 calendar months of full-time or up to 6 calendar 
months of less than full-time training to the period of an existing 
vocational training program, if the VRS determines that the additional 
time is needed to successfully complete training and the following 
conditions are met:
    (i) The veteran is in rehabilitation to the point of employability 
status under Sec. 21.190 of this part;
    (ii) The veteran has completed more than half of the prescribed 
training;
    (iii) The veteran is making satisfactory progress;
    (iv) The extension is necessary to complete training;
    (v) Training can be completed with 3 months of full-time training or 
not more than 6 calendar months of less than full-time training; and
    (vi) The extension plus the original program period will not result 
in a program of vocational training greater than 36 total calendar 
months;
    (2) The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) may approve any other extensions of the vocational 
training program, except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, if it is determined that the additional time is needed and the 
conditions for extension under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section 
are met;
    (3) The VR&E Officer must also concur in an extension of the 
vocational training program beyond 24 months when paragraphs (a) through 
(c) of this section are met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.6074  Computing the period of vocational training program
participation.

    (a) Computing the participation period. The number of months and 
days used in a vocational training program shall

[[Page 420]]

be computed on the basis of calendar months and days during which the 
program participant is receiving services under the plan developed in 
accordance with Sec. 21.6080 of this part, whether training is pursued 
on a full-time or less than full-time basis. Leaves of absence during a 
period of instruction and periods in which the veteran does not pursue 
actual training, such as breaks between periods of instruction, are 
included.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (b) Period of employment services separate. The period during which 
employment services may be provided pursuant to Sec. 21.6040(b) of this 
part is not included in computing the period used for vocational 
training under this program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (c) Limitations. (1) A program participant may receive the services 
necessary to carry out the vocational training program during a maximum 
period of 48 months. The 48-month period begins to run on the day the 
veteran begins to receive the services needed to carry out the 
vocational training program as specified in the IWRP, and ends 48 months 
from that date.
    (2) Employment services which begin before the end of the 48-month 
period may be continued for the period specified in the IEAP, or may be 
provided after the end of the 48 month period if so specified in the 
IWRP or IEAP, subject to the provisions of Sec. 21.6040(b) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2), (3))

               Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan



Sec. 21.6080  Requirement for an individualized written rehabilitation
or employment assistance plan.

    (a) General. An Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) 
and/or Individualized Employment Assistance Plan (IEAP) will be 
developed for each program participant for services under 38 U.S.C. 
1524. These plans shall be developed in the same manner as for chapter 
31 purposes. See Secs. 21.80, 21.84, 21.88, 21.90, 21.92, 21.94 (a) 
through (d), 21.96 and 21.98.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Selecting the type of training to include in the plan. The use 
of on-job training, including non-pay training, a combination of on-job 
and institutional training, or institutional training to accomplish the 
goals of the program should be explored in each case. On-job training, 
or a combination of on-job and institutional training, should generally 
be used:
    (1) When these options are available;
    (2) When these options are as suitable as institutional training for 
accomplishing the goals of the program; and
    (3) The veteran agrees that such training will meet his or her 
needs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (c) Changes in the plan. Any change amending the duration of a 
veteran's plan is subject to provisions governing duration of a 
vocational training program described in Sec. 21.6070 and Sec. 21.6072 
of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (d) Change in the vocational goal after 24 months of training. If a 
veteran seeks to change the vocational goal after receipt of 24 months 
of training and the change is not permitted under Sec. 21.6070(f) of 
this part, the Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) shall inform the veteran that:
    (1) No change of goal may be authorized but training for the 
vocational goal previously established may be continued, if it is still 
reasonably feasible for the veteran to pursue the training under 
appropriate extensions of the program pursuant to Sec. 21.6072 of this 
part;
    (2) If the veteran elects to terminate the planned vocational 
training program, he or she shall be provided assistance, to the extent 
provided under Sec. 21.80(d) of this part, in identifying other 
resources through which the training desired may be secured;
    (3) If the veteran disagrees with the decision, the veteran's case 
shall be

[[Page 421]]

considered under the provisions of Sec. 21.98 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.6082  Completing the plan.

    (a) Completing the plan. If the VA determines that the veteran is 
unable to complete the program within the time limits of the plan after 
training has begun and the conditions for extension are not met, the 
long-range vocational goal of the veteran must be reevaluated, and 
another vocational goal selected which can be completed within the 
limits prescribed in Sec. 21.6054 and Sec. 21.6072 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (b) Employment assistance when training is not completed under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 15. A plan for employment assistance may be implemented 
under Sec. 21.6040(b) of this part even though the veteran's vocational 
training program has not been, or will not be, completed under this 
temporary program, provided the other requirements for participation in 
the program are met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(3))

                               Counseling



Sec. 21.6100  Counseling.

    General. A veteran requesting or being furnished assistance under 
this temporary program shall be provided professional counseling 
services by the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Division 
and other qualified staff as necessary, and in the same manner as such 
services are provided veterans participating in a chapter 31 program. 
See Secs. 21.100, 21.380.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a)(1), (2) and (b)(2))

              Educational and Vocational Training Services



Sec. 21.6120  Educational and vocational training services.

    (a) Purposes. Educational and vocational training services are to be 
provided to a veteran eligible for services and assistance under this 
temporary program to enable the veteran to:
    (1) Become employable in the occupational objective established in 
an IWRP; and
    (2) Receive incidental training necessary to achieve the employment 
objective established in an IEAP.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (b) Selection of courses. VA and the veteran will select 
vocationally oriented courses of study and training, completion of which 
usually results in a diploma, certificate, degree, qualification for 
licensure, or employment. The educational and training services to be 
provided include:
    (1) Remedial, deficiency and refresher training; and
    (2) Training which leads to a vocational objective. All of the forms 
of program pursuit presented in Sec. 21.122 through Sec. 21.132 of this 
part may be authorized. Education and training programs in institutions 
of higher learning are authorized provided the courses are part of a 
program which is predominantly vocational in content. The program of 
education and training shall be considered to be predominantly 
vocational in content if the majority of the instruction offered 
provides the technical skills and knowledge generally regarded as 
specific to, and required for, entry into the vocational goal approved 
for the veteran. Such education and training may generally be authorized 
at an undergraduate or advanced degree level. However the following are 
excluded:
    (i) An associate degree program in which the content of the majority 
of the instruction provided is not vocationally oriented;
    (ii) The first two years of a 4-year baccalaureate degree program;
    (iii) The last two or more years of a 4-year baccalaureate degree 
program except in degree programs with majors in engineering, teaching, 
or other similar degree programs with vocational content which 
ordinarily lead directly to employment in an occupation that is usually 
available to persons holding such a degree; or
    (iv) An advanced degree program, except for a degree program 
required for entry into the veteran's employment

[[Page 422]]

objective, such as a master's degree in social work.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (c) Charges for education and training services. The cost of 
education and training services will be considered in selecting a 
facility when:
    (1) There is more than one facility in the area in which the veteran 
resides which:
    (i) Meets the requirements for approval under Sec. 21.290 through 
Sec. 21.299 of this part;
    (ii) Can provide the education and training services and other 
supportive services specified in the veteran's plan; and
    (iii) Is within reasonable commuting distance; or
    (2) The veteran wishes to train at a suitable facility in another 
area, even though training can be provided at a suitable facility in the 
area in which the veteran resides. See Secs. 21.120, 21.370, 21.372.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2)

    (d) Courses not available. If suitable educational and training 
courses are not available in the area in which the veteran resides, or 
if they are available but not accessible to the veteran, other 
arrangements may be made. Such arrangements may include, but are not 
limited to:
    (1) Relocation of the veteran to another area in which necessary 
services are available, or
    (2) Use of an individual instructor to provide necessary training as 
provided under Sec. 21.146 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

         Evaluation and Improvement of Rehabilitation Potential



Sec. 21.6140  Evaluation and improvement of rehabilitation potential.

    (a) General. The services described in paragraph (d) of this section 
may be used to:
    (1) Evaluate rehabilitation potential;
    (2) Provide a basis for planning:
    (i) A program of services and assistance to improve the veteran's 
potential for vocational rehabilitation; or
    (ii) A vocational training program; and
    (3) Reevaluate the vocational training potential of a veteran 
participating in a rehabilitation program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(a))

    (b) Periods during which evaluation and improvement services may be 
provided. Services described in paragraph (d) of this section may be 
provided during:
    (1) An evaluation or reevaluation;
    (2) Rehabilitation to the point of employability;
    (3) Employment services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (c) Duration of services. The duration of services needed to improve 
rehabilitation potential, furnished on a full-time basis either as a 
preliminary part of the period of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability or as the total program, may not exceed 9 months. If these 
services are furnished on a less than full-time basis the duration will 
be for the period necessary, but may not exceed the equivalent of 9 
months of full-time training. See Sec. 21.6310.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (d) Scope of services. Evaluation and improvement services include:
    (1) Diagnostic services;
    (2) Personal and work adjustment training;
    (3) Medical care and treatment;
    (4) Independent living services indispensable to pursuing a 
vocational training program;
    (5) Language training, speech and voice correction, training in 
ambulation, and one-hand typewriting;
    (6) Orientation, adjustment, mobility and related services; and
    (7) Other appropriate services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (e) Applicability of chapter 31 rules. the provisions of Sec. 21.140 
of this part are not applicable to this temporary program. The 
provisions of Sec. 21.142 through Sec. 21.156 of this part are 
applicable, subject to provisions of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

[[Page 423]]

                       Independent Living Services



Sec. 21.6160  Independent living services.

    (a) Services must be part of a vocational training program. 
Independent living services may be provided as a part of a veteran's 
IWRP when such services are indispensable to the achievement of the 
vocational goal, but may not be provided as the sole program of 
rehabilitation for the veteran, since a vocational training program for 
the veteran must be found reasonably feasible before the IWRP is 
prepared.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Independent living services which may be furnished under this 
program. The independent living services which may be furnished include:
    (1) Training in independent living skills;
    (2) Health management programs;
    (3) Identification of appropriate housing accommodations; and
    (4) Personal care service for a transitional period not to exceed 
two months.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (c) Coordination with other VA elements and other Federal, State, 
and local programs. Provision of independent living services and 
assistance will generally require extensive coordination with other VA 
and non-VA programs. The resources of VA medical centers shall be 
utilized as prescribed in Sec. 21.6242 of this part. If appropriate 
arrangements cannot be made to provide these services through VA medical 
centers, other governmental and private nonprofit programs may be used 
to secure necessary services if the facility or individual providing 
services meets the requirements of Sec. 21.294 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 523, 1524(b))

    (d) Applicability of chapter 31 rules. Neither Sec. 21.160 nor 
Sec. 21.162 of this part are applicable to provision of independent 
living services under this program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

                           Case Status System



Sec. 21.6180  Case status system.

    (a) General. The case status system used in administering benefits 
under the chapter 31 program, as provided in Sec. 21.180 through 
Sec. 21.198 of this part, will be utilized in a similar manner in this 
program subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Limitations of applicability of chapter 31 rules. (1) The 
provisions of Sec. 21.180(e)(2) and (3), Sec. 21.188, and Sec. 21.192 of 
this part are not applicable to this temporary program;
    (2) Other incidental references to service-connected disability 
Chapter 31, extended evaluation status, or independent living status or 
other services precluded under Sec. 21.6060(b) of this part, found in 
Sec. 21.180 to Sec. 21.198 of this part, are not for application to this 
temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 8189, Feb. 27, 1989]

                                Supplies



Sec. 21.6210  Supplies.

    (a) Purpose of furnishing supplies. Supplies are furnished to enable 
a veteran to pursue training, obtain and maintain employment and achieve 
the goals of his or her program.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Definition. The term supplies includes books, tools and other 
supplies and equipment which VA determines are necessary for the 
veteran's vocational training program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (c) Periods during which supplies may be furnished. Supplies may be 
furnished to a veteran receiving:
    (1) An evaluation or reevaluation;
    (2) Rehabilitation to the point of employability; or
    (3) Employment services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))


[[Page 424]]


    (d) Applicability of 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 regulations. The 
provisions of Sec. 21.210 of this part are not applicable to veterans in 
this temporary program. The provisions of Sec. 21.212 through 
Sec. 21.224 of this part are applicable to veterans pursuing vocational 
training and employment under this program in a similar manner as under 
chapter 31, except the portions thereof noted as follows:
    (1) Section 21.216(a)(3) of this part pertaining to special 
modifications, including automobile adaptive equipment;
    (2) Section 21.220(a)(1) of this part pertaining to advancements 
from the revolving fund loan;
    (3) Section 21.222(b)(x) of this part pertaining to a veteran 
discontinued from an independent living services program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

                      Medical and Related Services



Sec. 21.6240  Medical treatment, care and services.

    (a) General. A participant in a vocational training program or 
receiving employment assistance shall be furnished medical treatment, 
care and services which VA determines are necessary to develop, carry 
out and complete the veteran's plan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Scope of services. The services which may be furnished include 
the medical treatment, care and dental services described in part 17 of 
this chapter. In addition, the following services may be authorized even 
if not included or described in part 17:
    (1) Prosthetic appliances, eyeglasses, and other corrective or 
assistive devices;
    (2) Services to a veteran's family as necessary for the effective 
rehabilitation of the veteran;
    (3) Special services (including services related to blindness and 
deafness) including:
    (i) Language training, speech and voice correction, training in 
ambulation, and one-hand typewriting;
    (ii) Orientation, adjustment, mobility and related services; and
    (iii) Telecommunications, sensory and other technical aids and 
devices.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (c) Periods of eligibility. A veteran is eligible for the services 
described in paragraph (b) of this section during:
    (1) Evaluation;
    (2) Rehabilitation to the point employability;
    (3) Employment services; and
    (4) Other periods, to the extent that services are needed to begin 
or continue in any of the periods described in paragraphs (c)(1) through 
(3) of this section. Such periods include, but are not limited to, those 
when services are needed to facilitate reentry into training following:
    (i) Interruption; or
    (ii) Discontinuance because of illness or injury.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))



Sec. 21.6242  Resources for provision of medical treatment,
care and services.

    (a) General. VA medical centers are the primary resources for the 
provision of medical treatment, care and services for program 
participants which may be authorized under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.6240 of this part. The availability of necessary services in VA 
facilities shall be ascertained in each case.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Hospital care and medical services. Hospital care and medical 
services provided to program participants shall only be furnished in 
facilities over which VA has direct jurisdiction, except as authorized 
on a contract or fee basis under the provisions of part 17 of this 
chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    Cross References: See Sec. 17.30(1) Hospital care. Sec. 17.30(m) 
Medical services.

    (c) Provisions of Sec. 21.240 and Sec. 21.242. The provisions of 
Secs. 21.240 and 21.242 of this part are not applicable to this 
temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

[[Page 425]]

                          Financial Assistance



Sec. 21.6260  Financial assistance.

    (a) Direct financial assistance prohibited. The provisions of 
Sec. 21.260 and Sec. 21.264 through Sec. 21.276 of this part are not 
applicable to veterans pursuing training and employment under this 
temporary program, except as indicated in paragraph (b) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2)(B)(ii))

    (b) Training costs. The provisions of Sec. 21.262 of this part 
pertaining to reimbursement for training costs will be followed to 
reimburse vendors for servics provided under this temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(d))

                      Entering Vocational Training



Sec. 21.6282  Effective dates of induction into and termination 
of vocational training.

    (a) Induction. Subject to the limitations set forth in Sec. 21.6042 
of this part, the date a veteran is inducted into vocational training 
shall be the earlier of:
    (1) The date of the facility requires the veteran to report for 
prescribed activities; or
    (2) The date the program begins at the faciliity providing services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Termination. A veteran's training program shall be terminated 
under the provisions of Sec. 21.6180. of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))



Sec. 21.6284  Reentrance into a training program.

    (a) Reentrance into rehabilitation to the point of employability 
following a determination of rehabilitation. A veteran in a vocational 
training program under this temporary program who has been found 
rehabilitated under provisions of Sec. 21.196 of this part may be 
provided an additional period of training or services only if the 
following conditions are met and the veteran is otherwise eligible.
    (1) Current facts, including any relevant medical findings, 
establish that the veteran's disability has worsened to the extent that 
he or she is precluded from performing the duties of the occupation for 
which the veteran previously was found rehabilitated; or
    (2) The occupation for which the veteran previously was found 
rehabilitated under this temporary program is found to be unsuitable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (b) Reentrance into rehabilitation to the point of employability 
during a period of employment services. A finding of rehabilitation to 
the point of employability by VA may be set aside during a period of 
employment services and an additional period of training and related 
services provided if any of the conditions in paragraph (a) of this 
section or one of the following conditions are met and the veteran is 
otherwise eligible:
    (1) The services originally given to the veteran are now inadequate 
to make the veteran employable in the occupation for which he or she 
pursued training;
    (2) Experience during the period of employment services has 
demonstrated that employment in the objective or field for which the 
veteran was rehabilitated to the point of employability should not 
reasonably have been expected at the time the program was originally 
developed; or
    (3) The veteran, because of technological change which occurred 
subsequent to the declaration of rehabilitation to the point of 
employability, is no longer able:
    (i) To perform the duties of the occupation for which he or she 
trained, or in a related occupation; or
    (ii) To secure employment in the occupation for which he or she 
trained, or in a related occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(3))

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 8189, Feb. 27, 1989]



Sec. 21.6290  Training resources

    (a) Applicable 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 provisions. The provisions of 
Sec. 21.290 through Sec. 21.299 are applicable to veterans pursuing 
vocational training and employment under this program in the

[[Page 426]]

same manner as under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31, except as specified in 
paragraph (b).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Limitations. The provisions of Sec. 21.294(b)(1)(i) and (ii) of 
this part pertaining to independent living services are not applicable 
to this temporary program. The provisions of Sec. 21.294(b)(1)(iii) of 
this part pertaining to authorization of independent living services as 
a part of an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) are 
applicable to this temporary program to the extent provided under 
Sec. 21.6160 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

                             Rate of Pursuit



Sec. 21.6310  Rate of pursuit.

    (a) General requirements. A veteran should pursue a vocational 
training program at a rate which is consistent with his or her ability 
to successfully pursue training, considering:
    (1) Effects of his or her disability;
    (2) Family responsibilities;
    (3) Travel;
    (4) Reasonable adjustment to training; and
    (5) Other circumstances which affect the veteran's ability to pursue 
training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (b) Continuous pursuit. A veteran should pursue a program of 
vocational training with as little interruption as necessary, 
considering the factors described in paragraph (a) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (c) Responsibility for determining the rate of pursuit. VR&E staff, 
in consultation with the veteran, will determine the rate and continuity 
of pursuit of training. Consultation with the medical consultant and the 
Vocational Rehabilitation Panel should be utilized as necessary. This 
determination will be made in the course of developing the plan, but may 
be changed later, as necessary to enable the veteran to complete his or 
her training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (d) Measurement of training time used. The rate of pursuit shall be 
measured on the basis of the provisions of Sec. 21.310 of this part. A 
veteran may not pursue training on a less than half-time basis as 
measured under Sec. 21.310 of this part, except for brief periods, after 
which training must be resumed on a half-time or greater basis. Brief 
periods are limited to all or part of a semester, term or quarter, or up 
to 90 days in a course not conducted on a semester, term, or quarter 
basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1))

    (e) Reduced work tolerance. The provisions of Sec. 21.312 of this 
part are not applicable to this temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (f) Pursuit of training under special circumstances. The provisions 
of Sec. 21.314 of this part are not applicable to this temporary 
program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

                        Authorization of Services



Sec. 21.6320  Authorization of services under Chapter 31 rules.

    (a) General. Sections 21.320 through 21.334 of this part are not 
applicable to a veteran pursuing a vocational training program except as 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (b) Applicable rule. Section 21.326 of this part pertaining to the 
beginning and ending dates of a period of employment services is 
applicable to veterans under this temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

                            Leaves of Absence



Sec. 21.6340  Leaves of absence.

    (a) General. VA may approve leaves of absence under vertain 
conditions. During approved leaves of absence, a ceteran shall be 
considered to be pursuing training for purposes of computing the 
duration of a vocational training program under Secs. 21.6070 through 
21.6074. Leave may only be authorized for a veteran during a period

[[Page 427]]

of rehabilitation to the point of employability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (b) Purpose. The purpose of the leave system is to enable the 
veteran to maintain his or her status as an active participant and avoid 
interruption or discontinuance of training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b)(2))

    (c) Applicability of chapter 31 rules. The provisions of Sec. 21.340 
of this part are not applicable to this temporary program. The 
provisions of Sec. 21.342 through Sec. 21.350 of this part are 
applicable except for Sec. 21.346 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

                  Satisfactory Conduct and Cooperation



Sec. 21.6362  Satisfactory conduct and cooperation.

    The provisions of Sec. 21.362 and Sec. 21.364 of this part are 
applicable to veterans pursuing vocational training under this program 
in the same manner as under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524)

                         Transportation Services



Sec. 21.6370  Authorization of transportation services.

    (a) General. VA shall authorize transportation services necessary 
for a veteran to pursue a vocational training program under this 
temporary program. Transportation services include:
    (1) Transportation for evaluation, reevaluation or counseling 
authorized under Sec. 21.376 of this part;
    (2) Inter- and intraregional travel which may be authorized under 
Sec. 21.370 (except for (b)(2)(iii)(B)) and Sec. 21.372 of this part;
    (3) Special transportation allowance authorized under Sec. 21.154 of 
this part;
    (4) Commuting to and from training and seeking employment as 
authorized under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (b) Reimbursement. Payment of transportation services authorized by 
VA shall normally be made in arrears and in the same manner as tuition, 
fees and other services authorized under this program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (c) Transportation payment. A veteran may be reimbursed for the 
costs of commuting to and from training and seeking employment if he or 
she requests such assistance and VA determines after careful examination 
of the veteran's situation, and subject to the limitation contained in 
paragraph (d) of this section, that the veteran would be unable to 
pursue training without such assistance. VA may:
    (1) Reimburse the facility at which the veteran is training if the 
facility provides transportation or related services;
    (2) Reimburse the veteran for his or her actual commuting expense.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (d) Limitations. Payment of commuting expenses may not be made for 
any period:
    (1) Except during the period of training and the first three months 
of employment services;
    (2) When a program participant is employed;
    (3) In which a program participant is eligible for, and entitled to, 
payment of commuting costs through other VA and non-VA programs;
    (4) In which it becomes feasible for the veteran to commute to 
school with family, friends or fellow students.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (e) Amount which may be paid. VA will reimburse the veteran for his 
or her actual cost, not to exceed $70 per month. Necessary supportive 
documentation must be submitted with each request for reimbursement. 
Payment will be made monthly or at longer intervals as may be agreed to 
in the IWRP.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

    (f) Nonduplication. A veteran eligible for reimbursement of 
transportation services under this section and Sec. 21.154

[[Page 428]]

of this part may only receive the benefit provided under Sec. 21.154 of 
this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524(b))

                    Additional Applicable Regulations



Sec. 21.6380  Additional applicable Chapter 31 regulations.

    The following regulations are applicable to veterans pursuing the 
vocational training under this program in the same manner as they apply 
to 38 U.S.C. chapter 31: Sec. 21.380, Sec. 21.390, Sec. 21.400, 
Sec. 21.402, Sec. 21.412, Sec. 21.414 (except (d) and (e)), Sec. 21.420, 
and Sec. 21.430 (except (a)) of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524)

                         Delegation of Authority



Sec. 21.6410  Delegation of authority.

    (a) General. Authority is delegated to the Under Secretary for 
Benefits and to supervisory or non-supervisory personnel within the 
jurisdiction of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, to 
make findings and decisions under 38 U.S.C. 1524 and the applicable 
regulations, precedents and instructions pertaining to this program. See 
Sec. 2.6(b).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

    (b) Applicability of Secs. 21.412 and 21.414. The provisions of 
Secs. 21.412 and 21.414 (except for (d) and (e)) are applicable to this 
temporary program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

              Coordination With the Veterans Service Center



Sec. 21.6420  Coordination with the Veterans Service Center.

    It is the responsibility of the VR&E Division to inform the Veterans 
Service Center in writing of the following changes in the veteran's 
circumstances contained in the following paragraphs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524, Pub. L. 101-237)

    (a) Evaluation. (1) The date an evaluation being provided a veteran 
under age 45, who is required to participate in such evaluation, is 
suspended because of unsatisfactory conduct or cooperation; and
    (2) The date the evaluation is resumed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524, Pub. L. 101-237)

    (b) Income information. Any information relating to income from work 
or training which may affect the veteran's continued entitlement to 
pension, including participation in:
    (1) A work adjustment program, incentive or therapeutic work 
program, vocational training in a rehabilitation facility, or employment 
in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop;
    (2) On-job training;
    (3) The work portion of a cooperative or combination program;
    (4) Internships; and
    (5) Full- or part-time employment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524)

    (c) Dependency changes. Information regarding dependency changes if 
the case manager learns of such changes in the normal course of 
performing his or her duties.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524)

    (d) Information to determine if the veteran's permanent and total 
disability rating is protected under Sec. 3.343. The information 
provided by the case manager includes:
    (1) The employment was within the scope of the vocational goal 
identified in the veteran's individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation, or in a related field, and the employment secured by the 
veteran requires the use of the training or services furnished under the 
rehabilitation plan.
    (2) Employment was secured not later than one year after the date 
the veteran's eligibility for counseling expired. A veteran's 
eligibility for counseling expires on the date employment services are 
terminated by VA or the veteran completes rehabilitation to the point of 
employability and terminates program participation, whichever is later; 
and
    (3) The veteran maintained his or her employment for 12 consecutive 
months.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1524, Pub. L. 101-237)

[53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 21449, May 9, 1991; 71 
FR 28586, May 17, 2006]

[[Page 429]]



  Subpart J_Temporary Program of Vocational Training and Rehabilitation

    Authority: Pub. L. 98-543, sec. 111; 38 U.S.C. 1163; Pub. L. 100-
687, sec. 1301, unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986, unless otherwise noted. 
Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988.



Sec. 21.6501  Overview.

    (a) Purpose. The temporary program for trial work periods and 
vocational rehabilitation is intended to test the extent to which a 
veteran, who has been awarded a VA compensation rating of total 
disability by reason of inability to secure or follow a substantially 
gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disability, may 
benefit from vocational rehabilitation services which may be authorized 
under 33 U.S.C. chapter 31, and 38 U.S.C. 1163. See Secs. 3.340 and 
3.341 of this title.
    (b) Chapter 31 evaluations. All veterans participating in this 
temporary program are to be evaluated to determine whether:
    (1) They are eligible for and entitled to receive assistance under 
chapter 31; and
    (2) Achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163; Pub. L. 100-687).

    (c) Applicability of chapter 31 provisions. The provisions of 
Secs. 21.1 through 21.430, generally applicable to veterans eligible for 
benefits under chapter 31, apply except as added to or modified by the 
provisions of the following sections. Participants not found eligible 
for chapter 31 benefits may nevertheless receive counseling services 
under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(2) and placement and postplacement services 
under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(5).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163)

[51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986. Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, 
as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990]



Sec. 21.6503  Definitions.

    (a) Program period. The term program period means the period 
beginning on February 1, 1985, and ending December 31, 1992.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(a)(2)(B); Pub. L. 102-291)

    (b) Qualified veteran. The term qualified veteran means a veteran 
who has a service-connected disability, or service-connected 
disabilities, not rated as total, but who has been awarded a rating of 
total disability by reason of inability to secure or follow a 
substantially gainful occupation as a result of such disability or 
disabilities. Such a rating is referred to as an IU (individual 
unemployability) rating. See Secs. 3.340, 3.341, and 4.16 of this title.
    (c) Receives an IU rating. The phrase receives an IU rating refers 
to the date of the rating decision authorizing total disability 
compensation based upon individual unemployability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(a)(2)(A))

[51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986. Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, 
as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990; 58 FR 41637, Aug. 5, 1993]



Sec. 21.6505  Participation in the temporary program.

    Participation in this temporary program of trial work periods and 
vocational rehabilitation is limited to qualified veterans.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(a)(2)(A)).

[55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990]



Sec. 21.6507  Special benefits for qualified veterans under test 
program.

    (a) Protection of IU rating under 38 CFR 3.343(c)(2). The total 
disability rating of any qualified veteran who begins to engage in a 
substantially gainful occupation during the program period is protected 
from reduction by VA on the basis of the veteran's having secured and 
followed a substantially gainful occupation under the provisions of 
Sec. 3.343(c)(2) of this title.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(a))

    (b) Counseling and employment services for qualified veterans. 
During the program period, VA will make the counseling services 
described in 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(2), and the placement and postplacement 
services described in 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(5), available to each

[[Page 430]]

qualified veteran for whom achievement of a vocational goal is 
reasonably feasible. These services will be made available regardless of 
the veteran's entitlement to or desire to participate in a vocational 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31. See Sec. 21.6519.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(b))



Sec. 21.6509  Notice to qualified veterans.

    (a) At the time notice is provided to a qualified veteran of an 
award of an IU rating, VA shall provide the veteran with an additional 
statement. These statements shall contain the following information:
    (1) Notice of the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1163;
    (2) Information explaining the purposes and availability of, as well 
as eligibility requirements and procedures for pursuing a vocational 
rehabilitation program under Chapter 31; and
    (3) A summary description of the scope of services and assistance 
available under that chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(c)(1)).

    (b) Opportunity for evaluation. After providing the notice required 
under paragraph (a) of this section, VA shall offer the veteran the 
opportunity for an evaluation under Sec. 21.50 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(c); Pub. L. 100-687).

    (c) Evaluation. The term evaluation hereinafter shall be understood 
to mean the same evaluation accorded in an initial evaluation and an 
extended evaluation as those terms are described in Secs. 21.50 and 
21.57 of this part.
    (d) Responsible staff member. The evaluation or reevaluation will be 
provided by a Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselor (VRC) in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) 
Division.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(c)).

[55 FR 17273, Apr. 24, 1990, as amended at 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Secs. 21.6511-21.6513  [Reserved]



Sec. 21.6515  Formulation of rehabilitation plan.

    (a) Formulation of plan. Following an evaluation, the Counseling 
Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will 
formulate an IWRP (individualized written rehabilitation plan) or an 
IEAP (individualized employment assistance plan) for each participating 
qualified veteran for whom achievement of a vocational goal is 
reasonably feasible. These plans shall be prepared in accordance with 
Sec. 21.84 (IWRP) or Sec. 21.88 (IEAP).
    (b) Existing plan. If the veteran already has undertaken a 
rehabilitation program under Chapter 31, a new plan shall not be 
developed unless circumstances indicate that the existing plan should be 
modified or replaced.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(c); Pub. L. 100-687).

[51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986. Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, 
and amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]



Sec. 21.6517  [Reserved]



Sec. 21.6519  Eligibility of qualified veterans for employment 
and counseling services.

    (a) General. A qualified veteran for whom vocational rehabilitation 
and achievenment of a vocational goal are reasonably feasible may be 
provided the employment and counseling services to which he or she may 
be entitled under chapter 31. If the qualified veteran is not eligible 
for such assistance under chapter 31, he or she may be provided, 
nevertheless, the counseling, placement and postplacement services 
provided under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(2) and (5). The specific services which 
may be authorized are discussed in Secs. 21.100, 21.252 and 21.254(a).
    (b) Services under other VA and non-VA programs. Veterans being 
provided counseling, placement and postplacement services under 
Secs. 21.100, 21.252, and 21.254(a) will also be aided in identifying 
services of other VA and non-VA programs which may be of assistance in 
securing employment. All elements of a program of these services shall 
be incorporated in the IEAP.
    (c) Veteran elects counseling, placement and postplacement services. 
If a qualified veteran elects not to undertake the IWRP and is otherwise 
eligible for counseling, placement and postplacement services under 38 
U.S.C.

[[Page 431]]

3104(a)(2) and (5), he or she may be provided those services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(b)).

    (d) Duration of services under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a) (2) and (5). The 
services provided under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(2) and (5), are limited to an 
18-month period of employment assistance as described in Sec. 21.73.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(b))

[51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986. Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, 
as amended at 55 FR 17273, Apr. 24, 1990]



Sec. 21.6521  Employment of qualified veterans.

    (a) Provisions of the IEAP (Individualized Employment Assistance 
Plan). Each IEAP of a qualified veteran shall require that the:
    (1) Case manager maintain close contact with qualified veterans who 
become employed to help assure adjustment to employment;
    (2) Veteran discuss any plan to leave employment during the trial 
work period with the case manager.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(c))

    (b) Coordination with the Veterans Service Center. The VR&E Division 
will inform the Veterans Service Center in writing upon employment of 
the participating qualified veteran during a program of either 
vocational rehabilitation services or counseling and employment services 
and when such employment has continued for 12 consecutive months. See 
Sec. 3.343(c)(2) of this title.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163(a))

[51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986. Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, 
as amended at 71 FR 28587, May 17, 2006]



Sec. 21.6523  Entry and reentry into a program of counseling and
employment services under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a) (2) and (5).

    (a) Dates of entry. A qualified veteran, not eligible to receive 
Chapter 31 benefits, may not enter or pursue a program of counseling and 
employment services under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a) (2) and (5), before February 
1, 1985, or later than December 31, 1992.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163; Pub. L. 100-687; Pub. L. 102-291)

    (b) Reentry. The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section are 
also applicable to veterans being provided additional counseling and 
employment services following a redetermination of eligibility and 
entitlement to such services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1163; Pub. L. 100-687; Pub. L. 102-291)

[51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986. Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, 
as amended at 55 FR 17273, Apr. 24, 1990; 58 FR 41637, Aug. 5, 1993]



Sec. 21.6525  [Reserved]



Subpart K_All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (Montgomery 
                          GI Bill_Active Duty)

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), chs. 30, 36, and as noted in specific 
sections.

    Source: 53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 21.7000  Establishment of educational assistance program.

    (a) Establishment. An educational assistance program for certain 
veterans and servicemembers is established.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3001(1); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Purpose. The purpose of this program is as stated in 38 U.S.C. 
3001.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3001)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28383, July 11, 1990; 61 
FR 26116, May 24, 1996]

                               Definitions



Sec. 21.7020  Definitions.

    For the purposes of regulations from Sec. 21.7000 through 
Sec. 21.7499 and the payment of basic educational assistance and 
supplemental educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, the 
following definitions apply.
    (a) Definitions of participants--(1) Servicemember. The term 
servicemember means anyone who:

[[Page 432]]

    (i) Meets the eligibility requirements of Sec. 21.7042 or 
Sec. 21.7044, and
    (ii) Is on active duty with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, 
Coast Guard, Public Health Service or National Oceanographic and 
Atmospheric Administration.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3016; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (2) Veteran. The term veteran means anyone who--
    (i) Meets the eligibility requirements of Sec. 21.7042, 
Sec. 21.7044, or Sec. 21.7045, and
    (ii) Is not on active duty. The term veteran includes an individual 
who is actively participating in the Selected Reserve.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Other definitions--(1) Active duty.
    (i) The term active duty means--
    (A) Full-time duty in the Armed Forces, other than active duty for 
training,
    (B) Full-time duty (other than for training purposes) as a 
commissioned officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public 
Health Service,
    (C) Full-time duty as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, and
    (D) Authorized travel to or from such duty or service.
    (ii) The term active duty does not include any period during which 
an individual:
    (A) Was assigned full time by the Armed Forces to a civilian 
institution for a course of education which was substantially the same 
as established courses offered to civilians,
    (B) Served as a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, 
or
    (C) Served under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 511(d) pursuant to an 
enlistment in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, or as a 
Reserve for service in the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force 
Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(21), 3002(6); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (iii) When referring to individuals who, before November 30, 1989, 
had never served on active duty (as that term is defined by Sec. 3.6b of 
this title), the term ``active duty'' when used in this subpart includes 
full-time National Guard duty first performed after November 29, 1989, 
by a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air 
National Guard of the United States in the servicemember's status as a 
member of the National Guard of a State for the purpose of organizing, 
administering, recruiting, instructing or training the National Guard.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(7); Pub. L. 101-510, sec. 563(b)) (Nov. 5, 
1990)

    (iv) When referring to individuals who, before June 30, 1985, had 
never served on active duty (as that term is defined by Sec. 3.6(b) of 
this chapter) and who made the election described in Sec. 21.7042(a)(7) 
or (b)(10), the term active duty when used in this subpart includes 
full-time National Guard duty under title 32, U.S. Code first performed 
after June 30, 1985, by a member of the Army National Guard of the 
United States or the Air National Guard of the United States for the 
purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or 
training the National Guard.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(7); sec. 107, Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 
3329-3330)

    (2) Attendance The term attendance means the presence of a veteran 
or servicemember--
    (i) In the class where the approved course is being taught in which 
he or she is enrolled, or
    (ii) At a training establishment, or
    (iii) Any other place of instruction, training or study designated 
by the educational institution or training establishment where the 
veteran or servicemember is enrolled and is pursuing a program of 
education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(g))

    (3) Audited course. The term audited course has the same meaning as 
provided in Sec. 21.4200(i) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (4) Basic educational assistance. The term basic educational 
assistance means a monetary benefit payable to all individuals who meet 
basic requirements for eligibility under chapter 30, title 38

[[Page 433]]

U.S.C., for pursuit of a program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(1); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (5) Break in service. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5)(ii) 
of this section, the term break in service means a period of more than 
90 days between the date when an individual is released from active duty 
or otherwise receives a complete separation from active duty service and 
the date he or she reenters on active duty.
    (ii) A period during which an individual is assigned full time by 
the Armed Forces to a civilian institution for a course of education 
substantially the same as established courses offered to civilians is 
not a break in service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3021)

    (6) Continuous active duty. (i) The term continuous active duty 
means active duty served without interruption. An interruption in 
service will only be found when the individual receives a complete 
separation from active duty.
    (ii) A period during which an individual on active duty is assigned 
full time by the Armed Forces to a civilian institution for a course of 
education substantially the same as established courses offered to 
civilians will not interrupt the continuity of the individual's active 
duty.
    (iii) If an individual, during an obligated period of active-duty 
service, is separated from active duty to pursue a course of education 
at a service academy or a post-secondary school preparatory to 
enrollment at a service academy, no interruption in service will be 
found and the individual's service will be considered continuous active-
duty service, provided he or she--
    (A) Commences pursuit of a course of education at a service academy 
or post-secondary school,
    (B) Fails to complete the course of education, and
    (C) Immediately reenters on a period of active duty.
    (iv) An individual who is discharged or released from active duty 
for a reason stated in paragraph (b)(6)(iv) of this section after 
serving not more than 12 months of an obligated period of active duty, 
and who subsequently reenlists or reenters on a period of active duty, 
will not be considered to have an interruption in service. Except as 
provided in paragraph (b)(6)(vi) of this section, the individual's 
service during the two periods will be considered continuous active-duty 
service for the aggregate length of the two service periods. However, 
the individual's discharge or release from the earlier obligated period 
of service must have been:
    (A) For a service-connected disability;
    (B) For hardship;
    (C) For a medical condition which preexisted such active-duty 
service and is not service connected;
    (D) For a physical or mental condition not characterized as a 
disability and not resulting from the individual's own willful 
misconduct which interfered with the individual's performance of duty as 
determined by the Secretary concerned; or
    (E) Involuntary, for the convenience of the Government as a result 
of a reduction in force as determined by the Secretary concerned.
    (v) VA will not consider an individual to have an interruption of 
service when he or she:
    (A) Serves a period of active duty without interruption (without a 
complete separation from active duty), as an enlisted member or warrant 
officer;
    (B) While serving on such active duty is assigned to officer 
training school; and
    (C) Following successful completion of the officer training school 
is discharged to accept, without a break in service, a commission as an 
officer in the Armed Forces for a period of active duty.
    (vi) If the second period of active-duty service referred to in 
paragraph (b)(6)(iv) or (b)(6)(v) of this section is of such nature or 
character that, when aggregated with the earlier period of service 
referred to in that paragraph, it would cause the individual to be 
divested of entitlement to educational assistance otherwise established 
by the earlier period of active duty, the two periods of service will 
not be aggregated and will not be considered a single period of 
continuous active duty.
    (vii) Time lost will not be considered to interrupt the continuity 
of service. For the purpose of this section, ``time

[[Page 434]]

lost'' includes excess leave, noncreditable time and not-on-duty time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012)

    (7) Cost of course. The term cost of course means the total cost for 
tuition and fees for a course which an educational institution charges 
to nonveterans whose circumstances are similar to veterans enrolled in 
the same course. Cost of course does not include the cost of supplies 
which the student is required to purchase at his or her own expense.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (8) Deficiency course. The term deficiency course means any 
secondary level course or subject not previously completed 
satisfactorily which is specifically required for pursuit of a 
postsecondary program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (9) Dependent. The term dependent means:
    (i) A spouse as defined in Sec. 3.50(a) of this chapter,
    (ii) A child who meets the requirements of Sec. 3.57 of this 
chapter, or
    (iii) A parent who meets the requirements of Sec. 3.59 of this 
chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (10) Divisions of the school year. The term divisions of the school 
year has the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(b) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (11) Drop-add period. The term drop-add period has the same meaning 
as provided in Sec. 21.4200(1) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (12) Educational assistance. The term educational assistance means 
basic educational assistance, supplemental educational assistance, and 
all additional amounts payable, commonly called kickers.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (13) Educational objective. An educational objective is one that 
leads to the awarding of a diploma, degree or certificate which reflects 
educational attainment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3452(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (14) Enrollment. The term enrollment has the same meaning as 
provided in Sec. 21.4200(n) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (15) Enrollment period. The term enrollment period has the same 
meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(p) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (16) Holiday vacation. The term holiday vacation means a customary, 
reasonable vacation period connected with a Federal or State legal 
holiday which is identified as a holiday vacation in the educational 
institution's approved literature. Generally, VA will interpret a 
reasonable period as not more than one calendar week at Christmas and 
one calendar week at New Year's and shorter periods of time in 
connection with other legal holidays.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (17) In residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour basis. The 
term in residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour basis has the 
same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(r) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (18) Institution of higher learning. The term institution of higher 
learning has the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(h) of this 
part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (19) Mitigating circumstances. (i) The term mitigating circumstances 
means circumstances beyond the veteran's or servicemember's control 
which prevent him or her from continuously pursuing a program of 
education. The following circumstances are representative of those which 
VA considers to be mitigating. This list is not all-inclusive.

[[Page 435]]

    (A) An illness of the veteran or servicemember,
    (B) An illness or death in the veteran's or servicemember's family,
    (C) An unavoidable change in the veteran's conditions of employment,
    (D) An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the 
veteran's employment,
    (E) Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of 
the veteran which require him or her to suspend pursuit of the program 
of education to obtain employment.
    (F) Discontinuance of the course by the educational institution,
    (G) Unanticipated active duty for training,
    (H) Unanticipated difficulties in caring for the veteran's or 
eligible person's child or children.
    (ii) In the first instance of a withdrawal after May 31, 1989, from 
a course or courses for which the veteran received educational 
assistance under title 38, U.S. Code, VA will consider that mitigating 
circumstances exist with respect to courses totaling not more than six 
semester hours or the equivalent.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a)(1); Pub. L. 100-689) (June 1, 1989)

    (20) Nonpunitive grade. The term nonpunitive grade has the same 
meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(j) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (21) Normal commuting distance. The term normal commuting distance 
has the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(m) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (22) Professional or vocational objective. A professional or 
vocational objective is one that leads to an occupation. It may include 
educational objectives essential to prepare for the chosen occupation. 
When a program consists of a series of courses not leading to an 
educational objective, these courses must be directed toward attainment 
of a designated professional or vocational objective.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (23) Program of education. A program of education--
    (i) Is any unit course or subject or combination of courses or 
subjects which is pursued by a veteran or servicemember at an 
educational institution, and which is required by the Secretary of the 
Small Business Administration as a condition to obtaining financial 
assistance under the provisions of 15 U.S.C. 636; or
    (ii) Is a combination of subjects or unit courses pursued at an 
educational institution. The combination generally is accepted as 
necessary to meet requirements for a predetermined educational, 
professional or vocational objective. It may consist of subjects or 
courses which fulfill requirements for more than one objective if all 
objectives pursued are generally recognized as being related to a single 
career field;
    (iii) Includes an approved full-time program of apprenticeship or of 
other on-job training;
    (iv) Effective November 30, 1999, includes a preparatory course for 
a test that is required or used for admission to--
    (A) An institution of higher education; or
    (B) A graduate school; and
    (v) Includes a licensing or certification test, the passing of which 
demonstrates an individual's possession of the knowledge or skill 
required to enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a 
predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided that VA or 
a State approving agency has approved the test and the licensing or 
credentialing organization or entity that offers the test as provided in 
38 U.S.C. 3689.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3452(b), 3689)

    (24) Punitive grade. The term punitive grade has the same meaning as 
provided in Sec. 21.4200(k) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (25) Pursuit. (i) The term pursuit means to work, while enrolled, 
towards the objective of a program of education. This work must be in 
accordance with approved institutional policy and regulations, and 
applicable criteria of title 38 U.S.C.; must be necessary to

[[Page 436]]

reach the program's objective; and must be accomplished through--
    (A) Resident courses (including teacher training courses and similar 
courses which VA considers to be resident training),
    (B) Independent study courses,
    (C) Correspondence courses,
    (D) An apprenticeship or other on-job training program,
    (E) A graduate program of research in absentia,
    (F) Medical-dental internships and residencies, nursing courses and 
other medical-dental specialty courses,
    (G) A flight training course beginning on or after September 30, 
1990, or
    (H) A licensing or certification test taken on or after March 1, 
2001.
    (ii) VA will consider a veteran who qualifies for payment during an 
interval between terms or school closing, or who qualifies for payment 
during a holiday vacation to be in pursuit of a program of education 
during the interval, school closing, or holiday vacation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002, 3034, 3452, 3680(g), 3689; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (26) Refresher course. The term ``refresher course'' means--
    (i) Either a course at the elementary or secondary level to review 
or update material previously covered in a course that has been 
satisfactorily completed, or
    (ii) A course which permits an individual to update knowledge and 
skills or be instructed in the technological advances which have 
occurred in the individual's field of employment during and since the 
period of the individual's active military service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a))

    (27) Remedial course. The term remedial course means a course 
designed to overcome a deficiency at the elementary or secondary level 
in a particular area of study, or a handicap, such as in speech.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 38 U.S.C. 3491(a)(2); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (28) Secretary. The term Secretary means the Secretary of Defense 
with respect to members of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary of a military department, and the Secretary of 
Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating 
as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(5); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (29) School, educational institution, institution. The terms school, 
educational institution, and institution mean--
    (i) Any vocational school, correspondence school, business school, 
junior college, teachers' college, college, normal school, professional 
school, university or scientific or technical institution;
    (ii) Any public or private elementary school or secondary school 
which offers courses for adults, provided that the courses lead to an 
objective other than an elementary school diploma, a high school diploma 
or their equivalents; and
    (iii) An entity, other than an institution of higher learning, that 
provides training required for completion of a State-approved 
alternative teacher certification program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(7); sec. 107, Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 
3329-3330)

    (30) School year. The term school year means generally a period of 2 
semesters or 3 quarters which is not less than 30 nor more than 39 weeks 
in total length.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (31) Selected Reserve. The term Selected Reserve means the Selected 
Reserve of the Ready Reserve of any of the reserve components (including 
the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard 
of the United States) of the Armed Forces, as required to be maintained 
under section 268(b), 10 U.S.C.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(4); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (32) Standard class session. The term standard class session has the 
same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(g) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034; 3688(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (33) Standard college degree. The term standard college degree has 
the same

[[Page 437]]

meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(e) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (34) Supplemental educational assistance. The term supplemental 
educational assistance means a benefit payable to a veteran or 
servicemember as a supplement to his or her basic educational assistance 
for pursuit of a program of education under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(2); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (35) Established charge. The term established charge means the 
lesser of--
    (i) The charge for the correspondence course or courses determined 
on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan offered by the 
educational institution and approved by the appropriate State approving 
agency, or
    (ii) The actual cost to the servicemember or veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3686(a)(1))

    (36) Date of affirmance. The term date of affirmance means the date 
(after the expiration of ten days after a veteran or servicemember signs 
an enrollment agreement for a correspondence course), on which the 
veteran or servicemember signs and submits to VA a written agreement 
affirming the enrollment agreement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3686)

    (37) Training establishment. The term training establishment means 
any establishment providing apprentice or other training on-the-job, 
including those under the supervision of a college, university, any 
State department of education, any State apprenticeship agency, any 
State board of vocational education, any joint apprenticeship committee, 
the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training established in accordance with 
29 U.S.C. chapter 4C, or any agency of the Federal government authorized 
to supervise such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002, 3452)

    (38) Disabling effects of chronic alcoholism. (i) The term disabling 
effects of chronic alcoholism means alcohol-induced physical or mental 
disorders or both, such as habitual intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, 
amnesia, dementia, and other like manifestations of chronic alcoholism 
which, in the particular case--
    (A) Have been medically diagnosed as manifestations of alcohol 
dependency or chronic alcohol abuse, and
    (B) Are determined to have prevented commencement or completion of 
the affected individual's chosen program of education.
    (ii) A diagnosis of alcoholism, chronic alcoholism, alcohol-
dependency, chronic alcohol abuse, etc., in and of itself, does not 
satisfy the definition of this term.
    (iii) Injury sustained by a veteran as a proximate and immediate 
result of activity undertaken by the veteran while physically or 
mentally unqualified to do so due to alcoholic intoxication is not 
considered a disabling effect of chronic alcoholism.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3031(d); Pub. L. 100-689) (Nov. 18, 1988)

    (39) Cooperative course. The term cooperative course means a full-
time program of education which consists of institutional courses and 
alternate phases of training in a business or industrial establishment 
with the training in the business of industrial establishment being 
strictly supplemental to the institutional portion.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002, 3482(a); Pub. L. 100-689) (Jan. 1, 1989)

    (40) Open period. The term ``open period'' means a period of time 
beginning on December 1, 1988, and ending on June 30, 1989.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018; Pub. L. 100-689) (Nov. 18, 1988)

    (41) Persian Gulf War. The term ``Persian Gulf War'' means the 
period beginning on August 2, 1990, and ending on the date thereafter 
prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(33); Pub. L. 102-25)

    (42) Continuously enrolled. The term continuously enrolled means 
being in an enrolled status at an educational institution for each day 
during the school year, and for consecutive school years. Continuity of 
enrollment is not broken

[[Page 438]]

by holiday vacations; vacation periods; periods during the school year 
between terms, quarters, or semesters; or by nonenrollment during 
periods of enrollment outside the school year (e.g., summer sessions).


(Authority: Sec. 313(b), Pub. L. 102-568, 106 Stat. 4333)

    (43) Alternative teacher certification program. The term alternative 
teacher certification program, for the purposes of determining whether 
an entity offering such a program is a school, educational institution 
or institution as defined in paragraph (b)(29)(iii) of this section, 
means a program leading to a teacher's certificate that allows 
individuals with a bachelor's degree or graduate degree to obtain 
teacher certification without enrolling in an institution of higher 
learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3452(c))

    (44) Date of election. The term date of election means:
    (i) For an election that must be made in the form and manner 
determined by the Secretary of Defense, the date determined by the 
Secretary of Defense; and
    (ii) For an election that must be submitted to VA, the date VA 
receives the written election.
    (45) Institution of higher education. The term institution of higher 
education means either:
    (i) An educational institution, located in a State, that--
    (A) Admits as regular students only persons who have a high school 
diploma, or its recognized equivalent, or persons who are beyond the age 
of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the educational 
institution is located;
    (B) Offers postsecondary level academic instruction that leads to an 
associate or baccalaureate degree; and
    (C) Is empowered by the appropriate State education authority under 
State law to grant an associate or baccalaureate degree, or where there 
is no State law to authorize the granting of a degree, is accredited for 
associate or baccalaureate degree programs by a recognized accrediting 
agency; or
    (ii) An educational institution, not located in a State, that--
    (A) Offers a course leading to an undergraduate standard college 
degree or the equivalent; and
    (B) Is recognized as an institution of higher education by the 
secretary of education (or comparable official) of the country or other 
jurisdiction in which the educational institution is located.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3))

    (46) Graduate school. The term graduate school means either:
    (i) An educational institution, located in a State, that--
    (A) Admits as regular students only persons who have a baccalaureate 
degree or the equivalent in work experience;
    (B) Offers postsecondary level academic instruction that leads to a 
master's degree, doctorate, or professional degree; and
    (C) Is empowered by the appropriate State education authority under 
State law to grant a master's degree, doctorate, or professional degree, 
or, where there is no State law to authorize the granting of a degree, 
is accredited for master's degree, doctorate, or professional degree 
programs by a recognized accrediting agency; or
    (ii) An educational institution, not located in a State, that--
    (A) Offers a course leading to a master's degree, doctorate, or 
professional degree; and
    (B) Is recognized as an institution of higher education by the 
secretary of education (or comparable official) of the country or other 
jurisdiction in which the educational institution is located.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3)).

    (47) High technology industry. The term high technology industry has 
the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(aa).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A, 3452(c), 3501(a)(6))

    (48) Employment in a high technology industry. Employment in a high 
technology industry has the same meaning as provided in 
Sec. 21.4200(bb).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A)


[[Page 439]]


    (49) High technology occupation. The term high technology occupation 
has the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(cc).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A, 3452(c), 3501(a)(6))

    (50) Computer specialist. The term computer specialist has the same 
meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(dd).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A, 3452(c), 3501(a)(6))

    (51) Accelerated payment. An accelerated payment is a lump sum 
payment of a maximum of 60 percent of the charged tuition and fees for 
an individual's enrollment for a term, quarter, or semester in an 
approved program of education leading to employment in a high technology 
industry. In the case of a program of education not offered on a term, 
quarter, or semester basis, the accelerated payment is a lump sum 
payment of a maximum of 60 percent of the charged tuition and fees for 
the entire such program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A)

    (52) Certification test. The term certification test means a test 
that an individual must pass in order to receive a certificate that 
provides an affirmation of an individual's qualifications in a specified 
occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3452(b), 3689)

    (53) Licensing test. The term licensing test means a test offered by 
a State, local, or Federal agency, the passing of which is a means, or 
part of a means, to obtain a license. That license must be required by 
law in order for the individual to practice an occupation in the 
political jurisdiction of the agency offering the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3452(b), 3689)

    (54) Organization or entity offering a licensing or certification 
test. (i) The term organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test means:
    (A) An organization or entity that causes a licensing test to be 
given and that will issue a license to an individual who passes the 
test;
    (B) An organization or entity that causes a certification test to be 
given and that will issue a certificate to an individual who passes the 
test; or
    (C) An organization or entity that administers a certification test 
for the organization or entity that will issue a certificate to an 
individual who passes the test, provided that the administering 
organization or entity can provide all required information and 
certifications under Sec. 21.4268 to the State approving agency and to 
VA.
    (ii) This term does not include:
    (A) An organization or entity that develops and/or proctors a 
licensing or certification test, but does not issue the license or 
certificate; or
    (B) An organization or entity that administers a test but does not 
issue the license or certificate, if that administering organization or 
entity cannot provide all required information and certifications under 
Sec. 21.4268 to the State approving agency and to VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3452(b), 3689)

    (55) Tuition assistance top-up. The term tuition assistance top-up 
means a payment of basic educational assistance to meet all or a portion 
of the charges of an educational institution for the education or 
training of a servicemember that are not met by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned under 10 U.S.C. 2007(a) or (c).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b))

    (56) Fugitive felon. The term fugitive felon has the same meaning as 
provided in Sec. 21.4200(kk).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

    (57) Felony. The term felony has the same meaning as provided in 
Sec. 21.4200(ll).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

    (58) Transferor. The term transferor means an individual, who is--
    (i) Entitled to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI 
Bill--Active Duty program based on his or her own active duty service; 
and
    (ii) Approved by the service department to transfer a portion of his 
or her entitlement to his or her dependent or dependents.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

[[Page 440]]

    (59) Transferee. The term transferee means an individual to whom 
entitlement has been transferred.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)


[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28383, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20130, May 2, 1991; 57 FR 15023, Apr. 24, 1992; 58 FR 26241, May 3, 
1993; 59 FR 24051, May 10, 1994; 61 FR 6785, Feb. 22, 1996; 61 FR 29297, 
June 10, 1996; 62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997; 64 FR 23772, May 4, 1999; 65 
FR 5786, Feb. 7, 2000; 65 FR 67266, Nov. 9, 2000; 66 FR 39279, July 30, 
2001; 68 FR 34328, June 9, 2003; 68 FR 35179, June 12, 2003; 70 FR 
25787, May 16, 2005; 71 FR 75674, Dec. 18, 2006; 72 FR 16979, Apr. 5, 
2007]

                         Claims and Applications



Sec. 21.7030  Applications, claims, and time limits.

    The provisions of subpart B of this part apply with respect to 
claims for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA actions 
upon receiving a claim, and time limits connected with claims.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018B, 3034(a), 3471, 5101, 5102, 5103)

[64 FR 23773, May 4, 1999]



Sec. 21.7032  Time limits for making elections.

    (a) Scope of this section. The provisions of this section are 
applicable to certain elections to receive educational assistance under 
38 U.S.C. ch. 30. For time limits governing formal and informal claims 
for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30, see Sec. 21.1033.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018B)

    (b) Time limit for completing certain elections. An individual who 
seeks to establish eligibility to receive educational assistance under 
Sec. 21.7045 must--
    (1) Within one year of the date of the VA letter or other written 
notice to the individual indicating that additional evidence is needed 
in order to complete the claim, submit that evidence to VA. This time 
limit may be extended if the individual is able to show good cause for 
an extension of the period to the date on which he or she actually 
submits the additional evidence; and
    (2) Submit the $1,200 VA is required pursuant to Sec. 21.7045(c)(2) 
to collect before educational assistance can be awarded. A delay in 
submitting the $1,200 may result in a later effective date for the award 
to the individual, and in no event will VA accept payment of the $1,200 
from the individual after the last date of eligibility as determined by 
Sec. 21.7050 or Sec. 21.7051. See Sec. 21.7131(l).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018B)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 11671, Mar. 20, 1991; 58 
FR 63530, Dec. 2, 1993; 61 FR 6785, Feb. 22, 1996; 64 FR 23773, May 4, 
1999; 72 FR 16980, Apr. 5, 2007]

                               Eligibility



Sec. 21.7040  Categories of basic eligibility.

    Eligibility for basic educational assistance can be established by:
    (a) Some individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces or 
who first enter on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces after 
June 30, 1985, and
    (b) Some individuals who are eligible for educational assistance 
allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28384, July 11, 1990]



Sec. 21.7042  Basic eligibility requirements.

    An individual must meet the requirements of this section, 
Sec. 21.7044, or Sec. 21.7045 in order to be eligible for basic 
educational assistance. This section requires an individual to complete 
certain academic requirements before applying for educational 
assistance. If the individual applies before completing those 
requirements, VA will disallow the application. However, the 
individual's premature application will not prevent the individual from 
establishing eligibility at a later time by applying for educational 
assistance again after having completed those academic requirements. In 
determining whether

[[Page 441]]

an individual has met the service requirements of this section, VA will 
exclude any period during which the individual is not entitled to credit 
for service for the periods of time specified in Sec. 3.15.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012, 3018(b), 3018A)

    (a) Eligibility based solely on active duty. An individual may 
establish eligibility for basic educational assistance based on service 
on active duty under the following terms, conditions and requirements.
    (1) The individual must after June 30, 1985, either--
    (i) First become a member of the Armed Forces, or
    (ii) First enter on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces;
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, the 
individual must--
    (i) If his or her obligated period of active duty is three years or 
more, serve at least three years of continuous active duty in the Armed 
Forces; or
    (ii) If his or her obligated period of active duty is less than 
three years, serve at least two years of continuous active duty in the 
Armed Forces;
    (3) The individual, before applying for educational assistance, must 
either--
    (i) Complete the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or an 
equivalency certificate), or
    (ii) Successfully complete (or otherwise receive academic credit 
for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program of education 
leading to a standard college degree; and


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3016)

    (4) After completing the service requirements of this paragraph the 
individual must--
    (i) Continue on active duty, or
    (ii) Be discharged from service with an honorable discharge, or
    (iii) Be released after service on active duty characterized by the 
Secretary concerned as honorable service, and
    (A) Be placed on the retired list, or
    (B) Be transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps 
Reserve, or
    (C) Be placed on the temporary disability retired list, or
    (iv) Be released from active duty for further service in a reserve 
component of the Armed Forces after service on active duty characterized 
by the Secretary concerned as honorable service.
    (5) An individual who does not meet the requirements of paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section is eligible for basic educational assistance when 
he or she is discharged or released from active duty--
    (i) For a service-connected disability, or
    (ii) For a medical condition which preexisted service on active duty 
and which VA determines is not service connected, or
    (iii) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (hardship discharge), or
    (iv) For convenience of the government--
    (A) After completing at least 20 continuous months of active duty of 
an obligated period of active duty that is less than three years, or
    (B) After completing 30 continuous months of active duty of an 
obligated period of active duty that is at least three years, or
    (v) Involuntarily for the convenience of the government as a result 
of a reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect 
to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, or
    (vi) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized 
as a disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011)

    (6) An individual whose active duty meets the definition of that 
term found in Sec. 21.7020(b)(1)(iv), and who wishes to become entitled 
to basic educational assistance, must have elected to do so

[[Page 442]]

before July 9, 1997. For an individual electing while on active duty, 
this election must have been made in the manner prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense. For individuals not on active duty, this election 
must have been submitted in writing to VA.


(Authority: Sec. 107(b), Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 3329-3330)

    (b) Eligibility based on active duty service and service in the 
Selected Reserve. An individual may establish eligibility for basic 
educational assistance based on a combination of service on active duty 
and service in the Selected Reserve under the following terms, 
conditions and requirements.
    (1) The individual must, after June 30, 1985, either--
    (i) First become a member of the Armed Forces, or
    (ii) First enter on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces;
    (2) The individual, before applying for educational assistance, must 
either--
    (i) Complete the requirements of a high school diploma (or an 
equivalency certificate),
    (ii) Successfully complete (or otherwise receive academic credit 
for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program of education 
leading to a standard college degree;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012, 3016)

    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(6) of this section, the 
individual must serve at least two years of continuous active duty in 
the Armed Forces characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable 
service.
    (4) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(7) of this section, after 
completion of active duty service, the individual must serve at least 
four continuous years of service in the Selected Reserve. An individual 
whose release from active duty service occurs after December 17, 1989, 
must begin this service in the Selected Reserve within one year from the 
date of his or her release from active duty. During this period of 
service in the Selected Reserve the individual must satisfactorily 
participate in training as prescribed by the Secretary concerned.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012(a)(1); Pub. L. 100-689, Pub. L. 101-237)

    (5) The individual must, after completion of all service described 
in this paragraph
    (i) Be discharged from service with an honorable discharge, or
    (ii) Be placed on the retired list, or
    (iii) Be transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the 
Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service in the 
Selected Reserve characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable 
service, or
    (iv) Continue on active duty, or
    (v) Continue in the Selected Reserve.
    (6) An individual is exempt from serving two years on active duty as 
provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section when the individual is 
discharged or released from the Armed Forces during those two years--
    (i) For a service-connected disability, or
    (ii) For a medical condition which preexisted such service on active 
duty and which VA determines is not service connected, or
    (iii) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (hardship discharge), or
    (iv) In the case of an individual discharged or released after 20 
months of such service, for the convenience of the Government, or
    (v) Involuntarily, for convenience of the Government as a result of 
a reduction in force as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect 
to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, or
    (vi) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized 
as a disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when

[[Page 443]]

it is not operating as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-
689, Pub. L. 101-510) (Oct. 19, 1984)

    (7) An individual is exempt from serving four years in the Selected 
Reserve as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section when--
    (i) After completion of the active duty service required by this 
paragraph the individual serves a continuous period of service in the 
Selected Reserve and is discharged or released from service in the 
Selected Reserve--
    (A) For a service-connected disability, or
    (B) For a medical condition which preexisted the individual's 
becoming a member of the Selected Reserve and which VA determines is not 
service connected, or
    (C) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (hardship discharge), or
    (D) After a minimum of 30 months of such service for the convenience 
of the Government, or
    (E) Involuntarily for the convenience of the Government as a result 
of a reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect 
to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, or
    (F) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as 
a disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-
689, Pub. L. 101-510) (Oct. 19, 1984)

    (ii) The individual is obligated at the beginning of the two years 
active duty described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section to serve the 
four years in the Selected Reserve as described in subparagraph (b)(4) 
of this section, and during the two years of active duty service he or 
she is discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces--
    (A) For a service-connected disability;
    (B) For a medical condition which preexisted that period of active 
duty and which VA determines is not service connected; or
    (C) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as 
a disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012(b)(1)(B)(i))

    (iii) Before completing four years service in the Selected Reserve, 
the individual ceases to be a member of the Selected Reserve during the 
period beginning on October 1, 1991, and ending on September 30, 1999, 
by reason of the inactivation of the individual's unit of assignment or 
by reason of involuntarily ceasing to be designated as a member of the 
Selected Reserve pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 268(b). However, this exemption 
from the four-year service requirement does not apply to a reservist who 
ceases to be a member of the Selected Reserve under adverse conditions 
as characterized by the Secretary of the military department concerned, 
or to a reservist who after having involuntarily ceased to be a member 
of the Selected Reserve is involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces 
under adverse conditions as characterized by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(b)(1); 38 U.S.C. 3012(b)(1)(B); sec. 4421(b) 
and (c), Pub. L. 102-484, 106 Stat. 2718)

    (8) For purposes of determining continuity of Selected Reserve 
service, the Secretary concerned may prescribe by regulation a maximum 
period of time

[[Page 444]]

during which the individual is considered to have continuous service in 
the Selected Reserve even though he or she--
    (i) Is unable to locate a unit of the Selected Reserve of the 
individual's Armed Force that the individual is eligible to join or that 
has a vacancy, or
    (ii) Is not attached to a unit of the Selected Reserve for any 
reason prescribed by the Secretary concerned by regulation other than 
those stated in paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section.
    (9) Any decision as to the continuity of an individual's service in 
the Selected Reserve made by the Department of Defense or the Department 
of Transportation under regulations described in paragraph (b)(8) of 
this section shall be binding upon VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 100-689) (July 
1, 1985, Oct. 1, 1987)

    (10) An individual whose active duty meets the definition of that 
term found in Sec. 21.7020(b)(1)(iv), and who wishes to become entitled 
to basic educational assistance, must have elected to do so before July 
9, 1997. For an individual electing while on active duty, this election 
must have been made in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of 
Defense. For individuals not on active duty, this election must have 
been submitted in writing to VA.


(Authority: Sec. 107(b), Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 3329-3330)

    (c) Eligibility based on withdrawal of election not to enroll. As 
stated in paragraph (f) of this section, a veteran or servicemember who 
elects not to enroll in this educational assistance program is generally 
not eligible for educational assistance. However, such a person may 
establish eligibility by meeting the requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) The individual must withdraw an election not to enroll. Only 
someone who meets the provisions of this subparagraph may make this 
withdrawal. Such a withdrawal is irrevocable. The withdrawal may only be 
made during the period beginning on December 1, 1988, and ending on June 
30, 1989, by a servicemember who--
    (i) Must have first become a member of the Armed Forces or first 
entered on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces during the period 
beginning July 1, 1985, and ending June 30, 1988;
    (ii) As of the day of withdrawal of the election must have served 
continuously on active duty without a break in service since the date 
the individual first became a member of the Armed Forces or first 
entered on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces;
    (iii) Must be serving on active duty on the day he or she withdraws 
the election;
    (iv) Withdraws the election in the form prescribed by the Secretary 
of Defense or in the case of the Coast Guard by the Secretary of 
Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating 
as a service in the Navy.
    (2) The individual must continue to serve the period of service that 
the individual was obligated to serve on December 1, 1988.
    (3) The individual must:
    (i) Complete the period of service that he or she was obligated to 
serve on December 1, 1988, which will include completion of a period of 
extension or reenlistment if an individual's initial obligated period of 
service was scheduled to end after November 30, 1988, but he or she 
extended an enlistment or reenlisted before December 1, 1988; or
    (ii) Before completing the period of service he or she was obligated 
to serve on December 1, 1988, have been discharged or released from 
active duty for--
    (A) A service-connected disability, or
    (B) A medical condition which preexisted that period of service and 
which the Secretary determines is not service connected, or
    (C) Hardship (10 U.S.C. 1173); or
    (iii) Before completing the period of service he or she was 
obligated to serve on December 1, 1988, have been--
    (A) Discharged or released from active duty for the convenience of 
the Government after completing not less than 20 months of that period 
of service if such period was less than three years, or 30 months, if 
that period was at least three years;
    (B) Involuntarily discharged or released from active duty for the 
convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force as 
determined by the Secretary concerned in accordance

[[Page 445]]

with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense; or
    (C) Discharged or released from active duty for a physical or mental 
condition that was not characterized as a disability and did not result 
from the individual's own willful misconduct but did interfere with the 
individual's performance of duty, as determined by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary of Defense (or by the Secretary of Transportation for 
the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service of 
the Navy).
    (4) Before applying for educational assistance, the individual--
    (i) Must complete the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or 
an equivalency certificate) or
    (ii) Successfully complete (or otherwise receive academic credit 
for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program of education 
leading to a standard college degree.
    (5) Upon completion of the period of service he or she was obligated 
to serve on December 1, 1988, the individual must--
    (i) Be discharged from service with an honorable discharge, be 
placed on the retired list, be transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet 
Marine Corps Reserve, or be placed on the temporary disability retired 
list; or
    (ii) Continue on active duty; or
    (iii) Be released from active duty for further service in a reserve 
component of the Armed Forces after service on active duty characterized 
by the Secretary concerned as honorable service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018; Pub. L. 102-16) (Mar. 22, 1991)

    (d) Dual eligibility. (1) An individual who has established 
eligibility under paragraph (a) of this section through serving at least 
two years of continuous active duty of an obligated period of active 
duty of less than three years, as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, may attempt to establish eligibility under paragraph (b) of 
this section through service in the Selected Reserve. If this veteran 
fails to establish eligibility under paragraph (b) of this section, he 
or she will retain eligibility established under paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (2) An individual must elect, in writing, whether he or she wishes 
service in the Selected Reserve to be credited towards establishing 
eligibility under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 or under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 
when:
    (i) The individual:
    (A) Is a veteran who has established eligibility for basic 
educational assistance through meeting the provisions of paragraph (b) 
of this section; and
    (B) Also is a reservist who has established eligibility for benefits 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 through meeting the requirements of 
Sec. 21.7540; or
    (ii) The individual is a member of the National Guard or Air 
National Guard who has established eligibility for basic educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 through activation under a 
provision of law other than 32 U.S.C. 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505.
    (3) An election under this paragraph (d) to have Selected Reserve 
service credited towards eligibility for payment of educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 or under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 is 
irrevocable when the veteran either negotiates the first check or 
receives the first payment by electronic funds transfer of the 
educational assistance elected.
    (4) If a veteran is eligible to receive educational assistance under 
both 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 and 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, he or she may 
receive educational assistance alternately or consecutively under each 
of these chapters to the extent that the educational assistance is based 
on service not irrevocably credited to one or the other chapter as 
provided in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(3) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16132, 38 U.S.C. 3033(c))

    (e) Eligibility to receive educational assistance while serving a 
qualifying period of active duty. (1) An individual on active duty who 
does not have sufficient active duty service to establish eligibility 
under paragraph (a) of this section, nevertheless is eligible to receive 
basic educational assistance when he or she
    (i) After June 30, 1985, either--
    (A) First becomes a member of the Armed Forces, or

[[Page 446]]

    (B) First enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces;
    (ii) Has completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma 
(or an equivalency certificate) before beginning training;
    (iii) Serves at least two years of continuous active duty in the 
Armed Forces; and
    (iv) Remains on active duty.
    (2) Subject to paragraph (e)(3) of this section, VA will consider an 
individual to have met the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section 
when he or she--
    (i) Has met the active duty requirements of paragraph (b) of this 
section;
    (ii) Is committed to serve 4 years in the Selected Reserve; and
    (iii) Before beginning the training for which he or she wishes to 
receive educational assistance--
    (A) Has completed the requirements of a high school diploma (or 
equivalency certificate), or
    (B) Has successfully completed the equivalent of 12 semester hours 
or the equivalent in a program of education leading to a standard 
college degree.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012, 3016)

    (3) An individual who establishes basic eligibility under this 
paragraph shall lose that eligibility if, upon discharge or release from 
active duty, he or she is unable to establish eligibility under any of 
the other paragraphs of this section. The effective date for that loss 
of eligibility is the date the veteran was discharged or released from 
active duty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012, 3016; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (f) Restrictions on establishing eligibility. (1) An individual who, 
after June 30, 1985, first becomes a member of the Armed Forces or first 
enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces, may elect not to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30. This election 
must be made at the time the individual initially enters on active duty 
as a member of the Armed Forces. An individual who makes such an 
election is not eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 
30 unless he or she withdraws the election as provided in paragraph (c) 
of this section or in Sec. 21.7045(b) or (c) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018, 3018A; Pub. L. 100-689, Pub. L. 101-510) 
(Nov. 5, 1990)

    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(4) of this section, an 
individual is not eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 if after December 31, 1976, he or she receives a commission 
as an officer in the Armed Forces upon graduation from:
    (i) The United States Military Academy;
    (ii) The United States Naval Academy;
    (iii) The United States Air Force Academy; or
    (iv) The United States Coast Guard Academy.
    (3) Except as provided in this paragraph and in paragraph (f)(4) of 
this section, an individual who after December 31, 1976, receives a 
commission as an officer in the Armed Forces upon completion of a 
program of educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107 (the Senior 
Reserve Officers' Training Corps program) is not eligible for 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30. This bar to 
eligibility under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 does not apply to an individual 
who entered active duty after September 30, 1996, and received--
    (i) $2,000 or less in educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107 
for at least one year of the individual's participation in that program 
of educational assistance; or
    (ii) $3,400 or less in educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107 
for at least one year of the individual's participation in that program 
of educational assistance. This provision applies to payment of 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 for months after 
December 31, 2001.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011(c), 3012(d))

    (4) Paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of this section do not apply to a 
veteran who has met the requirements for educational assistance under 
paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section before receiving a commission 
in the Armed Forces upon graduation from the United States Military 
Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force 
Academy, the

[[Page 447]]

United States Coast Guard Academy; or upon completion of a program of 
educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107 (the Senior Reserve Officers 
Training Corps Scholarship Program).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012, 3018)

    (g) Reduction in basic pay. (1) Except as elsewhere provided in this 
paragraph, the basic pay of any individual described in paragraph (a), 
(b), or (c) of this section shall be reduced by $100 for each of the 
first 12 months that the individual is entitled to basic pay. If the 
individual does not serve 12 months, it shall be reduced by $100 for 
each month that the individual is entitled to basic pay.
    (2) The basic pay of an individual who withdraws an election not to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 as described in 
paragraph (c) of this section shall be reduced by
    (i) $1,200, or
    (ii) In the case of an individual whose discharge or release from 
active duty prevents the reduction of the individual's basic pay by 
$1,200, an amount less than $1,200.
    (3) The basic pay of any individual who makes the election described 
in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and who does not withdraw that 
election will not be subject to the reduction described in either 
paragraph (g)(1) or paragraph (g)(2) of this section.
    (4) The individual who makes the election described in either 
paragraph (a)(7) or (b)(10) of this section shall have his or her basic 
pay reduced by $1,200 in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of 
Defense. To the extent that basic pay is not so reduced before the 
individual's discharge or release from active duty, VA will collect from 
the individual an amount equal to the difference between $1,200 and the 
total amount of the reductions described in this paragraph. If the basic 
pay of an individual is not reduced and/or VA does not collect from the 
individual an amount equal to the difference between $1,200 and the 
total amount of the pay reductions, that individual is ineligible for 
educational assistance.


(Authority: Sec. 107(b)(3), Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 3329-3330)

    (5) If through administrative error, or other reason--
    (i) The basic pay of an individual described in paragraph (a)(1) 
through (a)(6), (b)(1) through (b)(9), (c), or (d) of this section is 
not reduced as provided in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this section, 
the failure to make the reduction will have no effect on his or her 
eligibility, but will negate or reduce the individual's entitlement to 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 determined as provided 
in Sec. 21.7073 for an individual described in paragraph (c) of this 
section;
    (ii) The basic pay of an individual, described in paragraph (a)(7) 
or (b)(10) of this section, is not reduced as described in paragraph 
(g)(4) of this section and/or VA does not collect from the individual an 
amount equal to the difference between $1,200 and the total amount of 
the pay reductions described in paragraph (g)(4) of this section, that 
individual is ineligible for educational assistance. If the failure to 
reduce the individual's basic pay and/or the failure to collect from the 
individual was due to administrative error on the part of the Federal 
government or any of its employees, the individual may be considered for 
equitable relief depending on the facts and circumstances of the case. 
See Sec. 2.7 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002, 3011, 3012, 3018)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0594)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.7042, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.7044  Persons with eligibility under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.

    Certain individuals with 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 eligibility may 
establish eligibility for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
30. This section requires an individual to complete certain academic 
requirements before applying for educational assistance. If the 
individual applies before completing those requirements, VA will 
disallow the application. However, the

[[Page 448]]

individual's premature application will not prevent the individual from 
establishing eligibility at a later time by applying for educational 
assistance again after having completed those academic requirements. In 
determining whether an individual has met the service requirements of 
this section, VA will exclude any period during which the individual is 
not entitled to credit for service for periods of time specified in 
Sec. 3.15.
    (a) Eligibility based solely on active duty. An individual may 
establish eligibility for basic educational assistance based on service 
on active duty under the following terms, conditions, and requirements--
    (1) The individual must have met the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 34, as in effect on December 31, 1989, establishing eligibility 
for educational assistance allowance under that chapter;
    (2) As of December 31, 1989, the individual must have entitlement 
remaining for educational assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
34;
    (3) The individual, before applying for educational assistance, 
must:
    (i) Complete the requirements for a secondary school diploma or an 
equivalency certificate; or
    (ii) Successfully complete (or otherwise receive academic credit 
for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program of education 
leading to a standard college degree;
    (4) After June 30, 1985--
    (i) The individual must serve at least three years continuous active 
duty in the Armed Forces, or
    (ii) The individual must be discharged or released from active 
duty--
    (A) For a service-connected disability, or
    (B) For a medical condition which preexisted the individual's 
service on active duty and which VA determines is not service connected, 
or
    (C) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (Hardship discharge), or
    (D) For the convenience of the Government provided the individual 
completes at least 30 months of active duty, or
    (E) Involuntarily for convenience of the government as a result of a 
reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned in accordance with regulations

prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of 
Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating 
as a service in the Navy, or
    (F) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as 
a disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy;
    (5) Upon completion of the requisite active duty service the 
individual must either--
    (i) Continue on active duty, or
    (ii) Be discharged from active duty with an honorable discharge, or
    (iii) Be released after service on active duty characterized by the 
Secretary concerned as honorable service and
    (A) Be placed on the retired list, or
    (B) Be transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps 
Reserve, or
    (C) Be placed on the temporary disability retired list, or
    (iv) Be released from active duty for further service in a reserve 
component of the Armed Forces after service on active duty characterized 
by the Secretary concerned as honorable service; and
    (6) The individual must have been on active duty at any time during 
the period beginning on October 19, 1984, and ending on July 1, 1985, 
and continued on active duty without a break in service; or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011)

    (7) Effective December 27, 2001, an individual must meet the 
following requirements. He or she--
    (i) Was not on active duty on October 19, 1984;
    (ii) Reenlists or reenters on a period of active duty after October 
19, 1984; and
    (iii) Serves at least three years of continuous active duty in the 
Armed

[[Page 449]]

Forces after June 30, 1985. The individual is not required to serve 
three years if he or she is honorably discharged or released from active 
duty for one of the reasons shown in paragraphs (a)(4)(ii)(A) through 
(a)(4)(ii)(F) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011(a)(1))

    (b) Eligibility based on combined active duty service and service in 
the Selected Reserve. An individual may establish eligibility for basic 
educational assistance based on a combination of service on active duty 
and service in the Selected Reserve under the following terms, 
conditions and requirements.
    (1) The individual must have met the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 34, as in effect on December 31, 1989, establishing eligibility 
for educational assistance allowance under that chapter;
    (2) As of December 31, 1989, the individual must have entitlement 
remaining for educational assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
34;
    (3) The individual, before applying for educational assistance, 
must:
    (i) Complete the requirements for a secondary school diploma or an 
equivalency certificate; or
    (ii) Successfully complete (or otherwise receive academic credit 
for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program of education 
leading to a standard college degree.
    (4) The individual either--
    (i) Must have been on active duty on October 19, 1984, must have 
served without a break in service from October 19, 1984, through June 
30, 1985, and after June 30, 1985--
    (A) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, must 
serve at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces 
characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service, and
    (B) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(6) of this section, after 
completion of this active duty service, must serve at least four 
continuous years service in the Selected Reserve, during which the 
individual must participate satisfactorily in training as prescribed by 
the Secretary concerned; or
    (ii) Effective December 27, 2001, must not have been on active duty 
on October 19, 1984, must reenlist or reenter on a period of active duty 
after October 19, 1984, and after June 30, 1985--
    (A) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, must 
serve at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces 
characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service, and
    (B) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(6) of this section, after 
completion of this active duty service, must serve at least four 
continuous years service in the Selected Reserve, during which the 
individual must participate satisfactorily in training as prescribed by 
the Secretary concerned.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012(a)(1))

    (5) The individual also must--
    (i) Be discharged from service with an honorable discharge, or
    (ii) Be placed on the retired list, or
    (iii) Be transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the 
Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service in the 
Selected Reserve characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable 
service, or
    (iv) Continue on active duty, or
    (v) Continue in the Selected Reserve.
    (6) An individual is exempt from serving two years on active duty as 
provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section when he or she is 
discharged or released during those two years--
    (i) For a service-connected disability, or
    (ii) For a medical condition which preexisted such service on active 
duty and which VA determines is not service-connected, or
    (iii) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (hardship discharge), or
    (iv) For convenience of the government provided the individual 
completes at least 20 months of active duty, or
    (v) Involuntarily, for the convenience of the government as a result 
of a reduction in force as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect 
to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, or
    (vi) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized 
as a

[[Page 450]]

disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-
689, Pub. L. 101-510) (Oct. 19, 1984)

    (7) An individual is exempt from serving four years in the Selected 
Reserve as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section when--
    (i) After completion of the active duty required by this paragraph 
he or she serves a continuous period of service in the Selected Reserve, 
and
    (A) Is discharged for a service-connected disability, or
    (B) Is discharged for a medical condition which preexisted the 
individual's becoming a member of the Selected Reserve and which VA 
determines is not service connected, or
    (C) Is discharged for hardship, or
    (D) Is discharged or released after a minimum of 30 months service 
in the Selected Reserve for convenience of the Government, or
    (E) Is discharged involuntarily for the convenience of the 
government as a result of a reduction in force, as determined by the 
Secretary of the military department concerned in accordance with 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary 
of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not 
operating as a service in the Navy, or
    (F) Is discharged for a physical or mental condition that was not 
characterized as a disability and did not result from the individual's 
own willful misconduct but did interfere with the individual's 
performance of duty, as determined by the Secretary of each military 
department in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of 
Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast 
Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy; or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 100-
689, Pub. L. 101-510) (Oct. 19, 1984)

    (ii) The individual is obligated at the beginning of the two years 
active duty described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section to serve the 
four years in the Selected Reserve as described in paragraph (b)(4) of 
this section, and during the two years of active duty service he or she 
is discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces--
    (A) For a service-connected disability, or
    (B) For a medical condition which preexisted that period of active 
duty and which VA determines is not service connected, or
    (iii) Before completing four years service in the Selected Reserve 
the individual ceases to be a member of the Selected Reserve during the 
period beginning on October 1, 1991, and ending on September 30, 1999, 
by reason of the inactivation of the individual's unit of assignment or 
by reason of involuntarily ceasing to be designated as a member of the 
Selected Reserve pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 268(b). However, this exemption 
from the four years service requirement does not apply to a reservist 
who ceases to be a member of the Selected Reserve under adverse 
conditions as characterized by the Secretary of the military department 
concerned, or to a reservist who after having involuntarily ceased to be 
a member of the Selected Reserve is involuntarily separated from the 
Armed Forces under adverse conditions as characterized by the Secretary 
of the military department concerned.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(b)(1); sec. 4421(b) and (c), Pub. L. 102-
484, 106 Stat. 2718)

    (8) A veteran who has completed the active duty service required by 
this paragraph and has made a commitment (as determined by the Secretary 
concerned) to serve four continuous years in the Selected Reserve may 
pursue a program of education with basic educational assistance while 
performing the required Selected Reserve service.
    (9) For the purpose of determining continuity of Selected Reserve 
service,

[[Page 451]]

the Secretary concerned may prescribe by regulation a maximum period of 
time during which the individual is considered to have continuous 
service in the Selected Reserve even through he or she--
    (i) Is unable to locate a unit of the Selected Reserve of the 
individual's Armed Force that the individual is eligible to join or that 
has a vacancy, or
    (ii) Is not attached to a unit of the Selected Reserve for any 
reason prescribed by the Secretary concerned by regulation other than 
those stated in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph.
    (10) Any decision as to the continuity of an individual's service in 
the Selected Reserve made by the Department of Defense or the Department 
of Transportation under regulations described in paragraph (b) (8) or 
(9) of this section shall be binding upon VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012, 3016; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 100-689) 
(July 1, 1985)

    (11) The individual must have been on active duty at any time during 
the period beginning on October 19, 1984, and ending on July 1, 1985, 
and continued on active duty without a break in service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012(a)(1)(B))

    (c) Restrictions on establishing eligibility. Except as provided in 
paragraph (d) of this section, an individual, who would otherwise be 
eligible for educational assistance under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this 
section, is not eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 
30, if after December 31, 1976, he or she receives a commission as an 
officer in the Armed Forces--
    (1) Upon graduation from--
    (i) The United States Military Academy, or
    (ii) The United States Naval Academy, or
    (iii) The United States Air Force Academy, or
    (iv) The Coast Guard Academy; or
    (2) Upon completion of a program of educational assistance under 10 
U.S.C. 2107 (the Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship Program).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Exception to restrictions on establishing eligibility. Paragraph 
(c) of this section does not apply to a veteran who has met the 
requirements for educational assistance under paragraph (a) or (b) of 
this section before receiving a commission as an officer in the Armed 
Forces upon graduation from the United States Military Academy, the 
United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the 
Coast Guard Academy; or upon completion of a program of educational 
assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107 (the Reserve Officers Training Corps 
Scholarship Program).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012, 3018)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28384, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20132, May 2, 1991; 57 FR 29026, June 30, 1992; 59 FR 24050, 24051, 
May 10, 1994; 61 FR 6786, Feb. 22, 1996; 61 FR 26116, May 24, 1996; 62 
FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997; 65 FR 20745, Apr. 18, 2000; 65 FR 67266, Nov. 
9, 2000; 68 FR 34329, June 9, 2003; 73 FR 2427, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.7045  Eligibility based on involuntary separation, voluntary
separation, or participation in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' 
Educational Assistance Program.

    An individual who fails to meet the eligibility requirements found 
in Sec. 21.7042 or Sec. 21.7044 nevertheless will be eligible for 
educational assistance as provided in this subpart if he or she meets 
the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section; paragraphs 
(a) and (c) of this section; or paragraph (d) or (e) of this section.
    (a) Service requirements. The individual must meet one of the 
following sets of service requirements.
    (1) The individual--
    (i) If not a member of the Coast Guard, must be on active duty or 
full-time National Guard duty either on September 30, 1990, or after 
November 29, 1993, or if a member of the Coast Guard, must be on active 
duty after September 30, 1994, and
    (ii) After February 2, 1991, must be involuntarily separated, as 
that term is defined in 10 U.S.C. 1141, with an honorable discharge; or
    (2) The individual must--
    (i) Be separated from active military, naval, or air service with an 
honorable discharge, and

[[Page 452]]

    (ii) Receive voluntary separation incentives under 10 U.S.C. 1174a 
or 1175.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 1141; 38 U.S.C. 3018A)

    (b) Additional requirements for those individuals voluntarily 
separated after October 23, 1992, or involuntarily separated. An 
individual who meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section; or an individual who meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) 
of this section and who either was not a member of the Coast Guard and 
was separated after October 22, 1992, or who was a member of the Coast 
Guard and was separated after September 30, 1994, must meet the 
following additional requirements in order to establish eligibility for 
educational assistance:
    (1) Required election. (i) If, under Sec. 21.7042(f), the individual 
elected not to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30, he 
or she must irrevocably withdraw that election and make an election to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30. The withdrawal 
and the election must be made:
    (A) Before the involuntary or voluntary separation as the case may 
be, and
    (B) Pursuant to procedures which the Secretary of the military 
department concerned provides in accordance with regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary of Defense or which the Secretary of Transportation 
provides with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a 
service in the Navy; and
    (ii) If the individual is a participant (as defined in 
Sec. 21.5021(e)) in the educational program provided in 38 U.S.C. ch. 
32, the individual must make an irrevocable election to receive 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 rather than under 38 
U.S.C. ch. 32. Such an election must be made:
    (A) Before the individual is involuntarily or voluntarily separated 
as the case may be, and
    (B) Pursuant to procedures which the Secretary of the military 
department concerned provides in accordance with regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary of Defense or which the Secretary of Transportation 
provides with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a 
service in the Navy; or
    (iii) If the individual is not described in either paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) or (b)(1)(ii) of this section, he or she must make an 
irrevocable election to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
ch. 30. This election must be made:
    (A) Before the individual is involuntarily or voluntarily separated 
as the case may be, and
    (B) Pursuant to procedures which the Secretary of the military 
department concerned provides in accordance with regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary of Defense or which the Secretary of Transportation 
provides with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a 
service in the Navy.
    (2) Reduction in basic pay. The basic pay of anyone who makes one of 
the irrevocable elections described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
is required by 38 U.S.C. 3018B to be reduced by $1,200.
    (i) If for any reason the basic pay of an individual who received an 
involuntary separation is not so reduced by $1,200, the failure to make 
the reduction will not affect the individual's eligibility for 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30.
    (ii) If the individual is voluntarily separated, such reduction of 
the individual's basic pay by $1,200 is a precondition to establishing 
eligibility. Hence, educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 may 
not be paid to such an individual when the reduction does not occur.
    (3) Educational requirement. (i) Before the date on which VA 
receives the individual's application for educational assistance under 
subpart K of this part, the individual must have:
    (A) Successfully completed the requirements of a secondary school 
diploma (or equivalency certificate); or
    (B) Successfully completed (or otherwise received academic credit 
for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program of education 
leading to a standard college degree.
    (ii) If a veteran's application for educational assistance is denied 
due to failure to meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this 
section at the time of his or her application for educational 
assistance, the veteran may

[[Page 453]]

reapply if the requirements are subsequently met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018B)

    (c) Additional requirements for individuals who are voluntarily 
discharged before October 23, 1992. If an individual meets the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section and is voluntarily 
discharged before October 23, 1992, he or she must also meet the 
following requirements in order to establish eligibility for educational 
assistance.
    (1) Required election. (i) If, under Sec. 21.7042(f), the individual 
elected not to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30, he 
or she must irrevocably withdraw that election and make an election to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30. The withdrawal 
and the new election must be made:
    (A) Before October 23, 1993, and
    (B) In the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs; and
    (ii) If the individual is a participant (as defined in 
Sec. 21.5021(e)) in the educational program provided in 38 U.S.C. ch. 
32, the individual must make an irrevocable election to receive 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 rather than under 38 
U.S.C. ch. 32. Such an election must be made:
    (A) Before October 23, 1993, and
    (B) In the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs.
    (iii) If the individual is not described in either paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, he or she must make an irrevocable 
election to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30. This 
election must be made:
    (A) Before October 23, 1993, and
    (B) In the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs.
    (2) $1,200 collection. VA must collect $1,200 from the individual 
before awarding educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30. 
Collection of $1,200 is a precondition to establishing eligibility.
    (3) Educational requirement. (i) Before the date on which VA 
receives the individual's application for educational assistance under 
subpart K of this part, the individual must have:
    (A) Successfully completed the requirements of a secondary school 
diploma (or equivalency certificate); or
    (B) Successfully completed (or otherwise received academic credit 
for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program of education 
leading to a standard college degree.
    (ii) If a veteran's application for educational assistance under 
subpart K of this part is denied due to failure to meet the requirements 
of paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section at the time of his or her 
application for educational assistance, the veteran will be permitted to 
apply at a later date.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018B)

    (d) Alternate eligibility requirements for participants in the Post-
Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program--(1) Making an 
election. To receive educational assistance under the authority of 
paragraph (d) of this section, a veteran or servicemember must--
    (i) Have elected to do so before October 9, 1997;
    (ii) Have been a participant (as that term is defined in 
Sec. 21.5021(e)) in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance Program on October 9, 1996;
    (iii) Have been on active duty on October 9, 1996; and
    (iv) Receive an honorable discharge.
    (2) Election. The election to receive educational assistance payable 
under this subpart in lieu of educational assistance payable under the 
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program is 
irrevocable. The election must have been made before October 9, 1997, 
pursuant to procedures provided by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense or provided by the Secretary of Transportation with 
respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the 
Navy.
    (3) $1,200 collection. An individual who has made the election 
described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section shall have his or her 
basic pay reduced by $1,200 in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of 
Defense. To the extent that basic pay is not so reduced before the 
individual's discharge or release from active duty, VA will collect from

[[Page 454]]

the individual an amount equal to the difference between $1,200 and the 
total amount of the reductions. Reduction in basic pay by $1,200 or 
collection of $1,200 is a precondition to establishing eligibility.
    (4) Educational requirement. Before applying for benefits that may 
be payable as the result of making a valid election, an individual must 
have--
    (i) Completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or 
equivalency certificate); or
    (ii) Successfully completed the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a 
program of education leading to a standard college degree.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C)

    (e) Alternate eligibility requirements for former participants in 
the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program--(1) 
Definition. For the purpose of this paragraph a participant is a veteran 
or servicemember who:
    (i) Had enrolled in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance Program, contributed to the fund described in 
Sec. 21.5021(f), and either--
    (A) Is making contributions by monthly payroll deduction to that 
fund;
    (B) Has some or all of the contributions remaining in that fund;
    (C) Has disenrolled, and received a refund of contributions; or
    (D) Has used all of his or her entitlement to benefits under the 
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program; or
    (ii) Had enrolled in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance Program, and has had the Secretary of Defense make 
contributions to the fund described in Sec. 21.5021(f) for him or her.
    (2) Making an election. To receive educational assistance under 
authority of this paragraph, a veteran or servicemember must:
    (i) Have elected before November 1, 2001, to receive educational 
assistance payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in lieu of educational 
assistance payable under the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance Program;
    (ii) Have been a participant in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' 
Educational Assistance Program on or before October 9, 1996;
    (iii) Have served continuously on active duty since October 9, 1996, 
through at least April 1, 2000;
    (iv) Receive an honorable discharge when discharged or released from 
the period of active duty during which the servicemember made the 
election described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (3) Election. The election to receive educational assistance payable 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in lieu of educational assistance payable 
under the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program is 
irrevocable. The election must have been made before November 1, 2001, 
pursuant to procedures provided by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned.
    (4) $2,700 collection. (i) An individual who has made the election 
described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section must have his or her basic 
pay reduced by $2,700 in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned. To the extent that basic pay is not so 
reduced before the individual's discharge or release from active duty, 
the Secretary of the military department concerned will collect from the 
individual an amount equal to the difference between $2,700 and the 
amount that the individual's basic pay has been reduced. The individual 
may choose how the $2,700 is to be collected. The Secretary of the 
military department concerned, according to the choice the individual 
makes, will collect this amount--
    (A) From the individual; or
    (B) By reducing the individual's retired or retainer pay.
    (ii) The individual must pay $2,700 to the Secretary of the military 
department concerned, as provided for by that Secretary, during an 18-
month period beginning on the date the individual made the election 
described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (iii) Educational assistance under authority of paragraph (e) of 
this section to an individual who was discharged or released from active 
duty before the Secretary of the military department concerned had 
collected the full $2,700 described in paragraph (e)(4) of this

[[Page 455]]

section is not payable until that Secretary either--
    (A) Collects in full the $2,700; or
    (B) Has made the first reduction in retired or retainer pay for the 
purpose of the $2,700 payment described in paragraph (e)(4) of this 
section. Thus, a veteran who is making the $2,700 payment through having 
retired or retainer pay reduced may be eligible before the Secretary of 
the military department concerned collects the full $2,700.
    (5) Educational requirement. Before applying for benefits that may 
be payable as the result of making a valid election, an individual must 
have--
    (i) Completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or 
equivalency certificate); or
    (ii) Successfully completed the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a 
program of education leading to a standard college degree.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C(e))


[61 FR 6786, Feb. 22, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 29297, June 10, 1996; 65 
FR 5787, Feb. 7, 2000; 65 FR 20745, Apr. 18, 2000; 68 FR 34329, June 9, 
2003]



Sec. 21.7046  Eligibility for supplemental educational assistance.

    The Secretary concerned, pursuant to regulations prescribed by that 
Secretary, has the discretion to provide for the payment of supplemental 
educational assistance to certain veterans and servicemembers eligible 
for basic educational assistance.
    (a) Service requirements: eligibility based only on active duty 
service. The Secretary concerned may authorize supplemental educational 
assistance to an individual who is eligible for basic educational 
assistance under Sec. 21.7042 or Sec. 21.7044 of this part based solely 
on active duty service only if the individual meets the provisions of 
this paragraph.
    (1) An individual may establish eligibility for supplemental 
educational assistance by serving five or more consecutive years of 
active duty in the Armed Forces in addition to the years counted to 
qualify the individual for basic educational assistance without a break 
in any such service.
    (2) After completion of the service described in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section the individual must either--
    (i) Continue on active duty without a break,
    (ii) Be discharged from service with an honorable discharge,
    (iii) Be placed on the retired list,
    (iv) Be transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps 
Reserve,
    (v) Be placed on the temporary disability retired list, or
    (vi) Be released from active duty for further service in a reserve 
component of the Armed Forces after service on active duty characterized 
by the Secretary concerned as honorable service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3021(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Service requirements: eligibility based on service in the 
Selected Reserve. The Secretary concerned (pursuant to regulations which 
he or she may prescribe) has the discretion to authorize supplemental 
educational assistance to an individual who is eligible for basic 
educational assistance under Sec. 21.7042 or Sec. 21.7044 of this part 
through consideration of additional active duty service and additional 
service in the Selected Reserve only if the individual meets the 
provisions of this paragraph.
    (1) The individual must serve--
    (i) Two or more consecutive years of active duty in the Armed Forces 
in addition to the years on active duty counted to qualify the 
individual for basic educational assistance, and
    (ii) Four or more consecutive years of duty in the Selected Reserve 
in addition to the years of duty in the Selected Reserve counted to 
qualify the individual for basic educational assistance.
    (2) The individual after completion of the service described in 
paragraph (b)(1) must--
    (i) Be discharged from service with an honorable discharge, or
    (ii) Be placed on the retired list, or
    (iii) Be transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps 
Reserve, or
    (iv) Be placed on the temporary disability retired list, or
    (v) Continue on active duty, or
    (vi) Continue in the Selected Reserve.

[[Page 456]]

    (3) The Secretary concerned may prescribe by regulation a maximum 
period of time during which the individual is considered to have 
continuous service in the Selected Reserve even though he or she is 
unable to locate a unit of the Selected Reserve of the individual's 
Armed Force that the individual is eligible to join or that has a 
vacancy.
    (4) The Secretary concerned may prescribe by regulation a maximum 
period of time during which the individual is considered to have 
continuous service in the Selected Reserve even though he or she is not 
attached to a unit of the Selected Reserve for any reason (also to be 
prescribed by the Secretary concerned by regulation) other than those 
stated in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (5) Any decision as to the continuity of an individual's service in 
the Selected Reserve made by the Department of Defense or the Department 
of Transportation under regulations described in paragraph (b) (3) or 
(4) of this section shall be binding upon VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3021(a); Pub. L. 98-525)



Sec. 21.7050  Ending dates of eligibility.

    The ending date of eligibility will be determined as follows:
    (a) Ten-year time limitation. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs 
(c), (d), and (e) of this section and in Sec. 21.7051, VA will not 
provide basic educational assistance or supplemental educational 
assistance to a veteran or servicemember beyond 10 years from the later 
of--
    (i) The date of the veteran's last discharge or release from a 
period of active duty of 90 days or more of continuous service;
    (ii) The date of the veteran's last discharge or release from a 
shorter period of active duty if the discharge or release is--
    (A) For a service-connected disability, or
    (B) For a medical condition which preexisted such service and which 
VA determines is not service-connected, or
    (C) For hardship, or
    (D) Involuntary, for the convenience of the government after October 
1, 1987, as a result of a reduction in force, as determined by the 
Secretary of the military department concerned, in accordance with 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary 
of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not 
operating as a service in the Navy;
    (iii) The date on which the veteran meets the requirement for four 
years service in the Selected Reserve found in Secs. 21.7042(b) and 
21.7044(b); or
    (iv) December 27, 2001, for individuals who become eligible for 
educational assistance under Sec. 21.7044(a)(7) or (b)(4)(ii).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(a), (e), (g))

    (2) In determining whether a veteran was discharged or released from 
active duty for a medical condition which preexisted that active duty, 
VA will be bound by a decision made by a competent military authority.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(a), 3031(g))

    (b) Reduction of ten-year eligibility period. (1) Except as provided 
in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a veteran who had eligibility for 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 34 and who is eligible for 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 as provided in 
Sec. 21.7044 of this part shall have his or her ten-year period of 
eligibility reduced by the number of days he or she was not on active 
duty during the period beginning on January 1, 1977, and ending on June 
30, 1985.
    (2) A veteran's ten-year period of eligibility shall not be reduced 
by any period in 1977 before the veteran began serving on active duty 
when the veteran qualified for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
ch. 34 through service on active duty which--
    (i) Commenced within 12 months of January 1, 1977, and
    (ii) Resulted from a contract with the Armed Forces in a program 
such as the DEP (Delayed Enlistment Program) or an ROTC (Reserve 
Officers' Training Corps) program for which a person enlisted in, or was 
assigned to, a reserve component before January 1, 1977.


(Authority: 3031(e))

    (c) Time limit for some members of the Army and Air National Guard. 
(1) If a veteran or servicemember establishes

[[Page 457]]

eligibility for the educational assistance payable under this subpart by 
making the election described in Sec. 21.7042(a)(7) or (b)(10), VA will 
not provide basic educational assistance or supplemental educational 
assistance to that veteran or servicemember beyond 10 years from the 
later of:
    (i) The date determined by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, as 
appropriate; or
    (ii) The effective date of the election described in 
Sec. 21.7042(a)(7) or (b)(10), as appropriate.
    (2) The effective date of election is the date on which the election 
is made pursuant to the procedures described in Sec. 21.7045(d)(2).


(Authority: Sec. 107(b)(3), Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 3329-3330)

    (d) Individual is eligible due to combining active duty as an 
enlisted member or warrant officer with active duty as a commissioned 
officer. If a veteran would not be eligible but for the provisions of 
Sec. 21.7020(b)(6)(v), VA will not pay basic educational assistance or 
supplemental educational assistance to that veteran beyond 10 years 
after the veteran's last discharge or release from a period of active 
duty of 90 days or more of continuous service, or November 30, 2009, 
whichever is later.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011(f), 3031(a)).

    (e) Some veterans have a later ending date. (1) The ending date of 
the eligibility period of a veteran described in paragraph (e)(2) of 
this section is the later of:
    (i) November 1, 2010; or
    (ii) 10 years after the date of the veteran's last discharge from a 
period of active duty of 90 days or more.
    (2) The ending date of a veteran's eligibility period will be the 
date described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the veteran would 
have been prevented from establishing eligibility by one or more of the 
former requirements described in paragraphs (e)(2)(i) through (e)(2)(iv) 
of this section and the veteran is enabled to establish eligibility by 
the removal of the statutory bases for those requirements. (For the 
purposes of this paragraph, the applicable provisions of those former 
requirements appear in the July 1, 2002 revision of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, title 38.)
    (i) A period of active duty other than the initial period was used 
to establish eligibility. The veteran was enabled to establish 
eligibility by the removal of the former eligibility requirement in 38 
CFR 21.7042(a)(2)(ii), 21.7042(a)(5)(iv)(A), and 21.7042(a)(5)(iv)(B), 
revised as of July 1, 2002, that a veteran had to use his or her initial 
period of active duty to establish eligibility for educational 
assistance;
    (ii) High school education eligibility criterion met after the 
qualifying period of active duty. The veteran was enabled to establish 
eligibility by the removal of the former eligibility requirement in 38 
CFR 21.7042(a)(3), 21.7042(b)(2), and 21.7042(c)(4), revised as of July 
1, 2002, that before completing the period of active duty used to 
establish eligibility for educational assistance, a veteran had to 
complete the requirements for a secondary school diploma (or an 
equivalency certificate) or successfully complete (or otherwise receive 
academic credit for) 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in a program 
of education leading to a standard college degree;
    (iii) High school education eligibility criterion met after October 
29, 1994. The veteran was enabled to establish eligibility by the 
removal of the former eligibility requirement in 38 CFR 21.7042(a)(6), 
21.7042(b)(11), and 21.7044(b)(13), revised as of July 1, 2002, that 
certain veterans meet the requirements for a secondary school diploma 
(or an equivalency certificate) before October 29, 1994, in order to 
establish eligibility for educational assistance;
    (iv) High school education eligibility criterion for veterans 
formerly eligible under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 met after January 1, 1990. 
The veteran was enabled to establish eligibility by the removal of the 
former eligibility requirement in 38 CFR 21.7044(a)(3) and 
21.7044(b)(3), revised as of July 1, 2002, that, as one of the two ways 
that certain veterans could meet the educational criteria for 
establishing eligibility for educational assistance, the veteran must 
before January 1, 1990, meet the requirements

[[Page 458]]

for a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031 note; secs. 102(e), 103(e), Pub. L. 106-419, 
114 Stat. 1825; 1826-27)

    (f) Correction of military records. A veteran may become eligible 
for educational assistance as the result of a correction of military 
records under 10 U.S.C. 1552, or change, correction or modification of a 
discharge or dismissal under 10 U.S.C. 1553, or other corrective action 
by competent military authority. When this occurs, the VA will not 
provide educational assistance later than 10 years from the date his or 
her dismissal or discharge was changed, corrected or modified (except as 
provided in Sec. 21.7051 of this part).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(e))

    (g) Periods excluded. VA will not include in computing the 10-year 
period of eligibility for educational assistance under this section, any 
period during which the veteran after his or her last discharge or 
release from active duty--
    (1) Was captured and held as a prisoner of war by a foreign 
government or power, or
    (2) Immediately following the veteran's release from this detention 
during which he or she was hospitalized at a military, civilian or VA 
medical facility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (h) Time limitation for a spouse eligible for transferred 
entitlement. (1) Unless the transferor dies while on active duty, the 
ending date of the eligibility period for a spouse, who is eligible for 
transferred entitlement under Sec. 21.7080, is the earliest of the 
following dates:
    (i) The transferor's ending date of eligibility as determined under 
this section;
    (ii) The ending date the transferor specified, if the transferor 
specified the period for which the transfer was effective; or
    (iii) The effective date of the transferor's revocation of transfer 
of entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.7080(g)(2).
    (2) If the transferor dies while on active duty, the ending date of 
the eligibility period for a spouse, who is eligible for transferred 
entitlement under Sec. 21.7080, is the earliest of the following dates:
    (i) The date 10 years from the transferor's date of death;
    (ii) The ending date the transferor specified, if the transferor 
specified the period for which the transfer was effective; or
    (iii) The effective date of the transferor's revocation of transfer 
of entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.7080(g)(2).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (i) Time limitation for a child eligible for transferred 
entitlement. (1) Unless the transferor dies while on active duty, the 
ending date of the eligibility period for a child, who is eligible for 
transferred entitlement under Sec. 21.7080 is the earliest of the 
following dates:
    (i) The transferor's ending date of eligibility as determined under 
this section;
    (ii) The ending date the transferor specified, if the transferor 
specified the period for which the transfer was effective;
    (iii) The effective date of the transferor's revocation of transfer 
of entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.7080(g)(2); or
    (iv) The day the child attains age 26.
    (2) If the transferor dies while on active duty, the ending date of 
the eligibility period for a child, who is eligible for transferred 
entitlement under Sec. 21.7080, is the earliest of the following dates:
    (i) The date 10 years from the transferor's date of death;
    (ii) The ending date the transferor specified, if the transferor 
specified the period for which the transfer was effective;
    (iii) The effective date of the transferor's revocation of transfer 
of entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.7080(g)(2); or
    (iv) The day the child attains age 26.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28384, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20133, May 2, 1991; 57 FR 15024, Apr. 24, 1992; 61 FR 6787, Feb. 22, 
1996; 65 FR 5787, Feb. 7, 2000; 66 FR 39280, July 30, 2001; 68 FR 34330, 
June 9, 2003; 71 FR 75674, Dec. 18, 2006; 73 FR 2427, Jan. 15, 2008]

[[Page 459]]



Sec. 21.7051  Extended period of eligibility.

    (a) Period of eligibility may be extended. VA shall grant an 
extension of the applicable delimiting period, as otherwise determined 
by Sec. 21.7050 of this part provided:
    (1) The veteran applies for an extension within the time specified 
in Sec. 21.1033(c).
    (2) The veteran was prevented from initiating or completing the 
chosen program of education within the otherwise applicable eligibility 
period because of a physical or mental disability that did not result 
from the veteran's willful misconduct. VA will not consider the 
disabling effects of chronic alcoholism to be the result of willful 
misconduct. (See Sec. 21.7020(b)(38)) It must be clearly established by 
medical evidence that such a program of education was medically 
infeasible. VA will not consider a veteran who is disabled for a period 
of 30 days or less as having been prevented from initiating or 
completing a chosen program, unless the evidence establishes that the 
veteran was prevented from enrolling or reenrolling in the chosen 
program or was forced to discontinue attendance, because of the short 
disability.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3031(d); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 100-689) 
(Nov. 18, 1988)

    (b) Commencing date. The veteran shall elect the commencing date of 
an extended period of eligibility. The date chosen--
    (1) Must be on or after the original date of expiration of 
eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.7050 of this part, and
    (2) Must either be--
    (i) On or before the 90th day following the date on which the 
veteran's application for an extension was approved by VA, if the 
veteran is training during the extended period of eligibility in a 
course not organized on a term, quarter or semester basis, or
    (ii) On or before the commencing date of the first ordinary term, 
quarter or semester following the 90th day after the veteran's 
application for an extension was approved by VA, if the veteran is 
training during the extended period of eligibility in a course organized 
on a term, quarter or semester basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Length of extended periods of eligibility. A veteran's extended 
period of eligibility shall be for the length of time that the 
individual was prevented from initiating or completing his or her chosen 
program of education. This shall be determined as follows:
    (1) If the veteran is in training in a course organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of eligibility 
shall contain the same number of days as the number of days from the 
date during the veteran's original eligibility period that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earliest of the following 
date.
    (i) The commencing date of the ordinary term, quarter or semester 
following the day the veteran's training became medically infeasible,
    (ii) The last date of the veteran's delimiting date as determined by 
Sec. 21.7050 of this part, or
    (iii) The date the veteran resumed training.
    (2) If the veteran is training in a course not organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of eligibility 
shall contain the same number of days as the number of days from the 
date during the veteran's original delimiting period that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earlier of the following 
dates:
    (i) The date the veteran's training became medically feasible, or
    (ii) The veteran's delimiting date as determined by Sec. 21.7050 of 
this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 20133, May 2, 1991; 64 
FR 23773, May 4, 1999; 72 FR 16980, Apr. 5, 2007]

                               Entitlement



Sec. 21.7070  Entitlement.

    An eligible servicemember or veteran is entitled to a monthly 
benefit for periods of time during which he or she is

[[Page 460]]

enrolled in, and satisfactorily pursuing, an approved program of 
education.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014; Pub. L. 98-525)



Sec. 21.7072  Entitlement to basic educational assistance.

    The provisions of this section apply to all veterans and 
servicemembers except to those to whom Sec. 21.7073 applies.
    (a) Most individuals are entitled to 36 months of assistance. Except 
as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section and in 
Sec. 21.7073, a veteran or servicemember who is eligible for basic 
educational assistance is entitled to 36 months of basic educational 
assistance (or the equivalent thereof in part-time educational 
assistance).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013; Pub. L. 98-525) (Nov. 18, 1988).

    (b) Entitlement: individual discharged for service-connected 
disability, a medical condition which preexisted service, hardship, or 
involuntarily for the convenience of the Government as a result of a 
reduction in force. (1) Except as provided in Sec. 21.7073, when the 
provisions of paragraph (b) of this section are met, an eligible 
individual is entitled to one month of basic educational assistance (or 
equivalent thereof in part-time basic educational assistance) for each 
month of the individual's continuous active duty service that is after 
June 30, 1985, and that, in the case of an individual who had no 
previous eligibility under 38 U.S.C. ch. 34, is part of the individual's 
qualifying obligated period of active duty. In the case of a veteran to 
whom the definition of continuous active duty found in either 
Sec. 21.7020(b)(6)(iii) or Sec. 21.7020(b)(6)(iv) applies, the length of 
the continuous active duty will be the aggregate length of the periods 
of active duty referred to in those paragraphs. Except as provided in 
Sec. 21.7073, VA will apply paragraph (b) of this section when the 
individual:
    (i) Establishes eligibility through meeting the eligibility 
requirements of Sec. 21.7042 or Sec. 21.7044,
    (ii) Serves less than 36 months of continuous active duty service 
after June 30, 1985 (or less than 24 continuous months of a qualifying 
obligated period of active duty service after June 30, 1985, if his or 
her qualifying obligated period of active duty is less than 3 years), 
and
    (iii) Is discharged or released from active duty either--
    (A) For a service-connected disability, or
    (B) For a medical condition which preexisted the individual's 
service on active duty and which VA determines is not service connected,
    (C) Under 10 U.S.C. 1173 (hardship discharge), or
    (D) Involuntarily for convenience of the government as a result of a 
reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect 
to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, 
or;
    (E) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as 
a disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011(f), 3013(a))

    (2) Entitlement will be calculated in whole months.
    (3) The following types of time lost are not countable in 
determining the extent of a veteran's or servicemember's entitlement:
    (i) Excess leave,
    (ii) Noncreditable time, and
    (iii) Not-on-duty time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Entitlement based on service in the Selected Reserve. (1) Except 
as provided in Sec. 21.7073, when the provisions of paragraph (c) of 
this section are met, an individual is entitled to one month of basic 
educational assistance (or the equivalent thereof in part-time basic 
educational assistance) for each month of the individual's active duty 
service that is after June 30, 1985, and that, in

[[Page 461]]

the case of an individual who had no previous eligibility under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 34, is part of the individual's qualifying obligated 
period of active duty. An individual is entitled to one month of basic 
educational assistance (or the equivalent thereof in part-time basic 
educational assistance) for each four months served by the individual in 
the Selected Reserve after June 30, 1985 (other than a month in which 
the individual serves on active duty). Except as provided in 
Sec. 21.7073, VA will apply the provisions of paragraph (c) of this 
section when the individual--
    (i) Establishes eligibility through meeting the eligibility 
requirements of Sec. 21.7042 or Sec. 21.7044, and
    (ii) Bases his or her eligibility upon a combination of service on 
active duty and service in the Selected Reserve as described in 
Sec. 21.7042(b) and Sec. 21.7044(b).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013(b))

    (2) Entitlement will be calculated in whole months.
    (3) The following types of time lost are not countable in 
determining the extent of a veteran's or servicemember's entitlement:
    (i) Excess leave,
    (ii) Noncreditable time, and
    (iii) Not-on-duty time.
    (4) A veteran described in this paragraph is not entitled to any 
basic educational assistance for service in the Selected Reserve in 
excess of the number of months of service in the Selected Reserve which 
is evenly divisible by four.
    (5) VA will consider a veteran to be entitled to 36 months of basic 
educational assistance when he or she--
    (i) Initially enters on active duty after June 30, 1985;
    (ii) Is attempting to establish eligibility through service in the 
Selected Reserve;
    (iii) Has completed the active duty service required in Sec. 21.7042 
of this part; and
    (iv) Is participating in the Selected Reserve, but has not 
participated for the length of time required in Sec. 21.7042 of this 
part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Entitlement affected by failure to complete required Selected 
Reserve service. If a veteran attempts to establish eligibility through 
a combination of active duty service and service in the Selected 
Reserves, but fails to do so, his or her entitlement shall be the number 
of months to which he or she is entitled on the basis of his or her 
active duty service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011, 3012; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) Repayment of an education loan affects entitlement. A period of 
service counted for the purpose of repayment under section 902 of the 
Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981, of an education loan may 
not also be counted for the purposes of determining the number of months 
of the veteran's or servicemember's entitlement to basic educational 
assistance. Therefore, in determining a veteran's or servicemember's 
entitlement, VA will--
    (1) Determine his or her entitlement as provided in paragraph (a), 
(b), (c) or (d) of this section, as appropriate, and
    (2) Subtract from the figure determined in paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section the number of months of service counted for the purposes of 
repayment of an educational loan under section 902 of the Department of 
Defense Authorization Act, 1981.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3033(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (f) Limitation on entitlement. Except as provided in Sec. 21.7076(e) 
and Sec. 21.7135(s) of this part no one is entitled to more than 36 
months of full-time basic educational assistance (or its equivalent in 
part-time educational assistance).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013(c), 3013(f); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 102-
127)(Oct. 10, 1991)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 20134, May 2, 1991; 58 
FR 26241, May 3, 1993; 59 FR 24052, May 10, 1994; 61 FR 6788, Feb. 22, 
1996; 68 FR 34330, June 9, 2003]

[[Page 462]]



Sec. 21.7073  Entitlement for some individuals who establish 
eligibility during the open period or who establish eligibility
before involuntary separation.

    (a) Individuals who establish eligibility during the open period. 
(1) The provisions of this paragraph apply to a veteran or servicemember 
who:
    (i) Establishes eligibility by withdrawing an election not to enroll 
as provided in Sec. 21.7042(c);
    (ii) Has less than $1,200 deducted from his or her military pay; and
    (iii) Before completing the period of service which the individual 
was obligated to serve on December 1, 1988, the individual:
    (A) Is discharged or released from active duty for a service-
connected disability, a medical condition which preexisted that service, 
or hardship; or
    (B) For a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as 
a disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but did interfere with the individual's performance of duty, 
as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the 
Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy.
    (C) Is discharged or released from active duty for the convenience 
of the Government after completing not less than 20 months of that 
period of service, if that period was less than three years, or 30 
months, if that period was at least three years; or
    (D) Is involuntarily discharged or released from active duty for 
convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force, as 
determined by the Secretary concerned in accordance with regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of 
Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating 
as a service in the Navy.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018(b)(3))

    (2) A veteran described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section is 
entitled to a number of months of basic educational assistance (or 
equivalent thereof in part-time basic educational assistance) equal to 
the lesser of:
    (i) A number of months determined by multiplying 36 by a fraction 
the numerator of which is the amount by which the basic pay of the 
individual has been reduced as provided in Sec. 21.7042(e)(2) and the 
denominator of which is $1,200, or
    (ii) The number of months the veteran has served on continuous 
active duty after June 30, 1985.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013(c))

    (b) Individuals who establish eligibility following involuntary 
separation. (1) The provisions of this paragraph apply to a veteran who 
establishes eligibility by meeting the provisions of Sec. 21.7045 of 
this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018A)

    (2) A veteran described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is 
entitled to a number of months of basic educational assistance (or 
equivalent thereof in part-time basic educational assistance) equal to 
the lesser of--
    (i) 36 months, or
    (ii) The number of months the veteran served on active duty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013)

[59 FR 24053, May 10, 1994, as amended at 65 FR 67266, Nov. 9, 2000]



Sec. 21.7074  Entitlement to supplemental educational assistance.

    In determining the entitlement of a veteran or servicemember who is 
eligible for supplemental educational assistance VA shall--
    (a) Calculate the veteran's or servicemember's entitlement to basic 
educational assistance on the day he or she establishes eligibility for 
supplemental educational assistance, and
    (b) Credit the veteran or servicemember with the same number of 
months and days entitlement to supplemental educational assistance as 
the number calculated in paragraph (a) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3023; Pub. L. 98-525)

[[Page 463]]



Sec. 21.7075  Entitlement to tuition assistance top-up.

    An individual who is entitled to educational assistance under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30 is also entitled to 36 months of tuition assistance 
top-up. This entitlement is parallel to, and does not replace, the 
entitlement to educational assistance available under Sec. 21.7072. If 
the individual receives tuition assistance top-up, VA will make a charge 
against both the entitlement under Sec. 21.7072 and the entitlement 
under this section. The charge will be as described in 
Sec. 21.7076(b)(10).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013, 3014(b), 3032)

[72 FR 16980, Apr. 5, 2007, as amended at 72 FR 35662, June 29, 2007]



Sec. 21.7076  Entitlement charges.

    (a) Overview. VA will make charges against entitlement as stated in 
this section.
    (1) Charges will be made against the entitlement the veteran or 
servicemember has to educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 
as the assistance is paid.
    (2) There will be a charge (for record purposes only) against the 
remaining entitlement, under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34, of an individual who 
is receiving the educational assistance under Sec. 21.7137 of this part. 
The record-purpose charges against entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
34 will not count against the 48 months of total entitlement under both 
38 U.S.C. chapters 30 and 34 to which the veteran or servicemember may 
be entitled. (See Sec. 21.4020(a) of this part).
    (3) Generally, VA will base those entitlement charges on the 
principle that a veteran or servicemember who trains full time for one 
day should be charged one day of entitlement. However, this general 
principle does not apply to a veteran or servicemember who:
    (i) Is pursuing correspondence training;
    (ii) Is pursuing flight training;
    (iii) Is pursuing an apprenticeship or other on-job training;
    (iv) Is paid an accelerated payment;
    (v) Is receiving educational assistance for taking an approved 
licensing or certification test; or
    (vi) Is receiving tuition assistance top-up.
    (4) The provisions of this section apply to:
    (i) Veterans and servicemembers training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30; 
and
    (ii) Veterans training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 who make a valid 
election under Sec. 21.21 of this part to receive educational assistance 
equivalent to that paid to veterans under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013, 3014(b), 3014A, 3689)

    (b) Determining entitlement charge. This paragraph states how VA 
generally will determine the charge against the entitlement of a 
servicemember or veteran who is receiving educational assistance. 
However, when the circumstances described in paragraph (e) apply to a 
servicemember or veteran, VA will use that paragraph to determine an 
entitlement charge instead of this paragraph.
    (1) Except for those pursuing correspondence training, flight 
training, apprenticeship or other on-job training; those receiving 
tuition assistance top-up; those receiving educational assistance for 
taking an approved licensing or certification test; those receiving 
tutorial assistance; and those receiving an accelerated payment, VA will 
make a charge against entitlement:
    (i) On the basis of total elapsed time (one day for each day of 
pursuit) if the servicemember or veteran is pursuing the program of 
education on a full-time basis,
    (ii) On the basis of a proportionate rate of elapsed time, if the 
veteran or servicemember is pursuing the program of education on a 
three-quarter, one-half or less than one-half time basis. For the 
purpose of this computation, training time which is less than one-half, 
but more than one-quarter time, will be treated as though it were one-
quarter time training.
    (2) VA will compute elapsed time from the commencing date of the 
award to date of discontinuance. If the veteran or servicemember changes 
his or her training time after the commencing date of the award, VA 
will--
    (i) Divide the enrollment period into separate periods of time 
during which the veteran's or servicemember's training time remains 
constant, and.

[[Page 464]]

    (ii) Compute the elapsed time separately for each time period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013)

    (3) For each month that a veteran is paid a monthly educational 
assistance allowance while undergoing apprenticeship or other on-job 
training, VA will make a charge against 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 entitlement 
of--
    (i) .75 of a month in the case of payments made during the first six 
months of the veteran's pursuit of the program of apprenticeship or 
other on-job training,
    (ii) .55 of a month in the case of payments made during the second 
six months of the veteran's pursuit of the program of apprenticeship or 
other on-job training, and
    (iii) .35 of a month in the case of payments made following the 
first twelve months of the veteran's pursuit of apprenticeship or other 
on-job training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032(c))

    (4) For each month that a veteran is paid a monthly educational 
assistance allowance while undergoing apprenticeship or other on-job 
training, including any month in which the veteran fails to complete 120 
hours of training, VA will make a record-purpose charge against 38 
U.S.C. chapter 34 entitlement, if any, as follows:
    (i) For training that occurs before October 1, 2005, VA will reduce 
38 U.S.C. chapter 34 entitlement by one month for each month of benefits 
paid.
    (ii) For training that occurs on or after October 1, 2005, VA will 
reduce 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 entitlement proportionately based on the 
percentage rate (rounded to the nearest percentage) determined by 
dividing the amount of the training assistance paid for the month by the 
monthly educational assistance payable for full-time enrollment in an 
educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(e), 3032(c), 3687; sec. 102, Pub. L. 108-454, 
118 Stat. 3600)

    (5) When a veteran or servicemember is pursuing a program of 
education by correspondence, VA will make a charge against entitlement 
for each payment made to him or her. The charge--
    (i) Will be made in months and decimal fractions of a month, and
    (ii) Will be determined by dividing the amount of the payment by an 
amount equal to the rate of educational assistance otherwise applicable 
to him or her for full-time training (disregarding in the case of a 
servicemember the cost of course comparison).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032(d))

    (6) When a veteran or servicemember is pursuing a program of 
education partly in residence and partly by correspondence, VA will make 
a charge against entitlement--
    (i) For the residence portion of the program as provided in 
paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of this section, and
    (ii) For the correspondence portion of the program as provided in 
paragraph (b)(5) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032(c), 3032(d))

    (7) When a veteran or servicemember is paid an accelerated payment, 
VA will make a charge against entitlement for each accelerated payment 
made to him or her. The charge--
    (i) Will be made in months and decimal fractions of a month; and
    (ii) Will be determined by dividing the amount of the accelerated 
payment by an amount equal to the rate of basic educational assistance 
otherwise applicable to him or her for full-time institutional training. 
If the rate of basic educational assistance increases during the 
enrollment period, VA will charge entitlement for the periods covered by 
the initial rate and the increased rate, respectively.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A)

    (8) If an individual is paid tutorial assistance as provided in 
Sec. 21.7141, the following provisions will apply.
    (i) There will be no charge to entitlement for the first $600 of 
tutorial assistance paid to an individual under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30.
    (ii) VA will make a charge against the period of entitlement of one 
month for each amount of tutorial assistance paid under 38 U.S.C. ch. 
30, to the individual in excess of $600 that is equal to

[[Page 465]]

the amount of monthly educational assistance the individual is otherwise 
eligible to receive for full-time pursuit of a residence course as 
provided in Secs. 21.7136, 21.7137 and 21.7138, as appropriate. When the 
amount of tutorial assistance paid to the individual in excess of $600 
is less than the amount of monthly educational assistance the individual 
is otherwise eligible to receive, the entitlement charge will be 
prorated.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3019; Pub. L. 100-689) (Nov. 18, 1988)

    (9) When a veteran or servicemember is pursuing a program of 
education through flight training, VA will make a charge against 
entitlement for each payment made to him or her. The charge--
    (i) Will be made in months and decimal fractions of a month, and
    (ii) Will be determined by dividing the amount of the payment by an 
amount equal to the rate of basic educational assistance otherwise 
applicable to him or her for full-time institutional training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(f))

    (10) When a servicemember receives tuition assistance top-up, VA 
will make a charge against his or her entitlement as established under 
Sec. 21.7072 equal to the number of months and days determined by 
dividing the total amount paid by an amount equal to the servicemember's 
monthly rate of basic educational assistance as calculated under 
Sec. 21.7136. VA will make a charge against his or her tuition 
assistance top-up entitlement as established under Sec. 21.7075 by 
subtracting from that entitlement the total number of months and days in 
the term, quarter, or semester for which the servicemember received 
tuition assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b))

    (11) When a veteran or servicemember receives educational assistance 
for taking an approved licensing or certification test, VA will make a 
charge against his or her entitlement equal to the number of months and 
days determined by dividing the total amount paid by an amount equal to 
the servicemember's monthly rate of basic educational assistance as 
calculated under Sec. 21.7136, excluding any additional ``kicker'' that 
may be paid under Sec. 21.7136(g).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032(f)(2))

    (c) Overpayment cases. VA will make a charge against entitlement for 
an overpayment only if the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy; is 
waived, and is not recovered; or is compromised.
    (1) If the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy or is waived and 
is not recovered, the charge against entitlement will be at the 
appropriate rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment 
(exclusive of interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs 
and marshal fees).
    (2) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
less than the amount of interest, administrative costs of collection, 
court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement will be at 
the appropriate rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment 
(exclusive of interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs 
and marshal fees).
    (3) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
equal to or greater than the amount of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement 
will be determined by--
    (i) Subtracting the portion of the debt attributable to interest, 
administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal fees from 
the compromise offer,
    (ii) Subtracting the amount determined in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of 
this section from the amount of the original debt (exclusive of 
interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal 
fees),
    (iii) Dividing the result obtained in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this 
section by the amount of the original debt (exclusive of interest, 
administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal fees), and
    (iv) Multiplying the percentage obtained in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of 
this

[[Page 466]]

section by the amount of the entitlement which represents the whole 
overpaid period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Interruption to conserve entitlement. A veteran may not 
interrupt a certified period of enrollment for the purpose of conserving 
entitlement. An educational institution may not certify a period of 
enrollment for a fractional part of the normal term, quarter or 
semester, if the veteran or servicemember is enrolled for the entire 
term, quarter or semester. VA will make a charge against entitlement for 
the entire period of certified enrollment, if the veteran or 
servicemember is otherwise eligible for educational assistance, except 
when educational assistance is interrupted under any of the following 
conditions:
    (1) Enrollment is terminated;
    (2) The veteran or servicemember cancels his or her enrollment, and 
does not negotiate an educational assistance check for any part of the 
certified period of enrollment;
    (3) The veteran or servicemember interrupts his or her enrollment at 
the end of any term, quarter or semester within the certified period of 
enrollment, and does not negotiate a check for educational assistance 
for the succeeding term, quarter or semester;
    (4) The veteran or servicemember requests interruption or 
cancellation for any break when a school was closed during a certified 
period of enrollment, and VA continued payments under an established 
policy based upon an Executive Order of the President or an emergency 
situation. Whether the veteran or servicemember negotiated a check for 
educational assistance for the certified period is immaterial.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) No entitlement charge for some individuals. When the criteria 
described in this paragraph are met, VA will make no charges against 
entitlement as described in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (1) VA will make no charge against an individual's entitlement when 
the individual--
    (i) Either--
    (A) While not serving on active duty, had to discontinue pursuit of 
a course or courses as a result of being ordered, in connection with the 
Persian Gulf War, to serve on active duty under section 672 (a), (d), or 
(g), 673, 673b, or 688 of title 10, U.S. Code; or
    (B) While serving on active duty, had to discontinue pursuit of a 
course or courses as a result of being ordered, in connection with the 
Persian Gulf War, to a new duty location or assignment or to perform an 
increased amount of work.
    (ii) Failed to receive credit or lost training time toward 
completion of the individual's approved educational, professional or 
vocational objective as a result of having to discontinue his or her 
course pursuit.
    (2) The period for which receipt of educational assistance allowance 
is not charged against the entitlement of an individual described in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall not exceed the portion of the 
period of enrollment in the course or courses for which the individual 
failed to receive credit or with respect to which the individual lost 
training time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3013(f); Pub. L. 102-127)(Oct. 10, 1991))

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28385, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20134, May 2, 1991; 56 FR 26035, June 6, 1991; 56 FR 31332, July 10, 
1991; 57 FR 15024, Apr. 24, 1992; 58 FR 26241, May 3, 1993; 68 FR 35179, 
June 12, 2003; 72 FR 16980, Apr. 5, 2007; 73 FR 65264, Nov. 3, 2008]

  Transfer of Entitlement to Basic Educational Assistance to Dependents



Sec. 21.7080  Transfer of entitlement.

    An individual entitled to educational assistance under the 
Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty (38 U.S.C. chapter 30) program based on 
his or her own active duty service, and who is approved by a service 
department to transfer a portion of his or her entitlement, may transfer 
up to a total of 18 months of his or her entitlement to a dependent (or 
among dependents). A transferor may not transfer an amount of 
entitlement that is greater than the entitlement he or she has 
available.
    (a) Application of sections in subpart K to individuals in receipt 
of transferred entitlement. In addition to the rules in

[[Page 467]]

this section, the following sections apply to a dependent in the same 
manner as they apply to the individual from whom entitlement was 
transferred.
    (1) Definitions. Section 21.7020--Definitions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (2) Claims and Applications. Section 21.7030--Applications, claims, 
and time limits.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (3) Eligibility. (i) Section 21.7050--Ending dates of eligibility, 
only paragraphs (h) and (i); and
    (ii) Section 21.7051--Extended period of eligibility, except that 
extensions to dependents are subject to the transferor's right to revoke 
transfer at any time and that VA may only extend a child's ending date 
to the date the child attains age 26.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (4) Entitlement. (i) Section 21.7070--Entitlement;
    (ii) Section 21.7075--Entitlement to tuition assistance top-up; and
    (iii) Section 21.7076--Entitlement charges.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (5) Counseling. (i) Section 21.7100--Counseling; and
    (ii) Section 21.7103--Travel expenses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (6) Programs of Education. (i) Section 21.7110--Selection of program 
of education;
    (ii) Section 21.7112--Programs of education combining two or more 
types of courses; and
    (iii) Section 21.7114--Change of program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (7) Courses. (i) Section 21.7120--Courses included in programs of 
education;
    (ii) Section 21.7122--Courses precluded; and
    (iii) Section 21.7124--Overcharges.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (8) Payments--Educational Assistance. (i) Section 21.7130--
Educational Assistance;
    (ii) Section 21.7131--Commencing dates, except for paragraphs (d), 
(g), (l), (m), (n), (o), and (p) of Sec. 21.7131;
    (iii) Section 21.7133--Suspension or discontinuance of payments;
    (iv) Section 21.7135--Discontinuance dates, except for paragraphs 
(q), (s) and (u) of Sec. 21.7135;
    (v) Section 21.7139--Conditions which result in reduced rates or no 
payment, except for paragraph (c) of Sec. 21.7139. VA will apply the 
rules in paragraph (d) of Sec. 21.7139 to dependents, who are on active 
duty;
    (vi) Section 21.7140--Certifications and release of payments;
    (vii) Section 21.7141--Tutorial assistance;
    (viii) Section 21.7142--Accelerated payments;
    (ix) Section 21.7143--Nonduplication of educational assistance; and
    (x) Section 21.7144--Overpayments, except that the dependent and 
transferor are jointly and severally liable for any amount of 
overpayment of educational assistance to the dependent.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (9) Pursuit of courses. (i) Section 21.7150--Pursuit;
    (ii) Section 21.7151--Advance payment and accelerated payment 
certifications;
    (iii) Section 21.7152--Certification of enrollment;
    (iv) Section 21.7153--Progress and conduct;
    (v) Section 21.7154--Pursuit and absences;
    (vi) Section 21.7156--Other required reports;
    (vii) Section 21.7158--False, late, or missing reports; and
    (viii) Section 21.7159--Reporting fee.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (10) Course Assessment. (i) Section 21.7170--Course measurement; and
    (ii) Section 21.7172--Measurement of concurrent enrollments.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)


[[Page 468]]


    (11) State approving agencies. Section 21.7200--State approving 
agencies.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (12) Approval of courses. (i) Section 21.7220--Course approval; and
    (ii) Section 21.7222--Courses and enrollments which may not be 
approved.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (13) Administrative. (i) Section 21.7301--Delegations of authority;
    (ii) Section 21.7302--Finality of decisions;
    (iii) Section 21.7303--Revision of decisions;
    (iv) Section 21.7305--Conflicting interests;
    (v) Section 21.7307--Examination of records;
    (vi) Section 21.7310--Civil rights; and
    (vii) Section 21.7320--Procedural protection; reduction following 
loss of dependent.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (b) Proof of transfer of entitlement option. An individual 
transferring entitlement, or the dependent to whom entitlement is 
transferred, must submit to VA--
    (1) A copy of DD Form 2366-2, entitled ``Montgomery GI Bill Act of 
1984 (MGIB) Transferability Program''; or
    (2) Any other document issued and signed by the transferor's service 
department that shows the transferor is authorized to transfer 
entitlement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (c) Eligible dependents. (1) An individual transferring entitlement 
under this section may transfer entitlement to--
    (i) The individual's spouse;
    (ii) One or more of the individual's children; or
    (iii) A combination of the individuals referred to in paragraphs 
(c)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section.
    (2) A spouse must meet the definition of spouse in Sec. 3.50(a) of 
this chapter.
    (3) A child must meet the definition of child in Sec. 3.57 of this 
chapter. The transferor must make the required designation shown in 
Sec. 21.7080(e)(1) before the child attains age 23.
    (4) A stepchild, who meets VA's definition of child in Sec. 3.57 of 
this chapter and is temporarily not living with the transferor, remains 
a member of the transferor's household if the actions and intentions of 
the stepchild and transferor establish that normal family ties have been 
maintained during the temporary absence.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (d) Timeframe during which an individual may transfer entitlement. 
An individual approved by his or her service department to transfer 
entitlement may do so at any time after such approval up until the 
transferor's ending date of eligibility as determined under 
Sec. 21.7050.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (e) Designating dependents, designating the amount to transfer, and 
period of transfer. (1) An individual transferring entitlement under 
this section must--
    (i) Designate the dependent or dependents to whom such entitlement 
is being transferred;
    (ii) Designate the number of months of entitlement to be transferred 
to each dependent; and
    (iii) Specify the beginning date and ending date of the period for 
which the transfer is effective for each dependent.
    (2) VA will accept the transferor's designations as shown on a copy 
of DD Form 2366-2, Montgomery GI Bill Act of 1984 Transferability 
Program, or on any document signed by the transferor that shows the 
information required in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (e)(1)(iii) of this 
section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (f) Maximum months of entitlement transferable. (1) The maximum 
amount of entitlement a transferor may transfer is the lesser of--
    (i) Eighteen months of his or her entitlement; or
    (ii) The amount of entitlement he or she has available.
    (2) Subject to the limitations in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, 
the transferor may transfer up to the maximum amount of transferable 
entitlement--
    (i) To one dependent; or

[[Page 469]]

    (ii) Divided among his or her designated dependents in any manner he 
or she chooses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (g) Revocation of transferred entitlement. (1) A transferor may 
revoke any unused portion of transferred entitlement any time by 
submitting a written notice to both the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
and the Secretary of the service department that initially approved the 
transferor to transfer entitlement. VA will accept a copy of the written 
notice addressed to the service department as sufficient written 
notification to VA.
    (2) The revocation will be effective the later of--
    (i) The date VA receives the notice of revocation; or
    (ii) The date the service department concerned receives the notice 
of revocation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (h) Modifying a transfer of entitlement. (1) A transferor may modify 
the designations he or she made under paragraph (e) of this section at 
any time. Any modification made will apply only to any unused 
transferred entitlement. The transferor must submit a written notice to 
both the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the service 
department that initially approved the transferor to transfer 
entitlement. VA will accept a copy of the written notice addressed to 
the service department as sufficient written notification to VA.
    (2) The modification will be effective the later of--
    (i) The date VA receives the notice of modification; or
    (ii) The date the service department concerned receives the notice 
of modification.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (i) Entitlement charge to transferor. VA will reduce the 
transferor's entitlement at the rate of 1 month of entitlement for each 
month of transferred entitlement used by the dependents.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (j) Secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate). Children, 
who have attained age 18, and spouses may use transferred entitlement to 
pursue and complete the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or 
equivalency certificate).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (k) Rate of payment of educational assistance. VA will apply the 
rules in Sec. 21.7136 or Sec. 21.7137 (and the rules in Sec. 21.7138 
when applicable) to determine the educational assistance rate that would 
apply to the transferor. VA will pay the dependent the monthly rate of 
educational assistance that would be payable to the transferor except 
that VA will--
    (1) Exclude the transferor's kicker for service in the Selected 
Reserve (Secs. 21.7136(g) and 21.7137(e)) if the transferor is eligible 
for such kicker;
    (2) Include the dependent's Selected Reserve kicker, if the 
dependent is eligible for a kicker from the Selected Reserve based on 
the dependent's own Selected Reserve service; and
    (3) Disregard the fact that either the transferor or the dependent 
is on (or both are on) active duty and pay the veteran rate rather than 
the rate applicable to individuals on active duty.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131; 38 U.S.C. 3020(h))

    (l) Restriction on payment of educational assistance to a dependent 
pursuing an on-the-job training or apprenticeship program while 
transferor is on active duty. A dependent is not entitled to educational 
assistance for training pursued in an on-the-job training or 
apprenticeship program during periods the transferor is on active duty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3020(h))

    (m) Transferor fails to complete required service contract that 
afforded participation in the transferability program. (1) The 
dependents are not eligible for transferred entitlement if the 
transferor fails to complete the amount of active duty service he or she 
agreed to serve in the Armed Forces in order to participate in the 
transferability program, unless the transferor did not complete the 
active duty service due to--
    (i) His or her death;

[[Page 470]]

    (ii) A service-connected disability;
    (iii) A medical condition which preexisted such service on active 
duty and which the Secretary of VA determines is not service-connected;
    (iv) A hardship; or
    (v) A physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a 
disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct, but that did interfere with the individual's performance of 
duty, as determined by the Secretary of each service department.
    (2) VA will treat all payments of educational assistance to 
dependents as overpayments if the transferor does not complete the 
required service unless the transferor does not complete the required 
service due to one of the reasons stated in paragraphs (m)(1)(i) through 
(v) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020, 38 U.S.C. 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii))

    (n) Dependent is eligible for educational assistance under this 
section and is eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 based on his or her own active duty service. Dependents 
eligible for payment of educational assistance through transferred 
entitlement and who are eligible for payment under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 
based on their own active service--
    (1) May receive educational assistance payable under this section 
and educational assistance payable based on their own active duty 
service for the same course.
    (2) Are not subject to the 48 months limit on training provided for 
in Sec. 21.4020 when combining transferred entitlement with their own 
entitlement earned under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 as long as the only 
educational assistance paid is under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30. If the 
dependent is awarded educational assistance under another program listed 
in Sec. 21.4020 (other than 38 U.S.C. chapter 30), the 48 months limit 
on training will apply.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020, 3033, 3034(a), 3695)

[71 FR 75675, Dec. 18, 2006]

                               Counseling



Sec. 21.7100  Counseling.

    A veteran or servicemember may receive counseling from VA before 
beginning training and during training.
    (a) Purpose. The purpose of counseling is
    (1) To assist in selecting an objective;
    (2) To develop a suitable program of education;
    (3) To select an educational institution appropriate for the 
attainment of the educational objective;
    (4) To resolve any personal problems which are likely to interfere 
with the successful pursuit of a program; and
    (5) To select an employment objective for the veteran that would be 
likely to provide the veteran with satisfactory employment opportunities 
in light of his or her personal circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3463; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Required counseling. (1) In any case in which VA has rated the 
veteran as being incompetent, the veteran must be counseled before 
selecting a program of education or training. The requirement that 
counseling be provided is met when--
    (i) The veteran has had one or more personal interviews with the 
counselor;
    (ii) The counselor has jointly developed with the veteran 
recommendations for selecting a program; and
    (iii) These recommendations have been reviewed with the veteran.
    (2) The veteran may follow the recommendations developed in the 
course of counseling, but is not required to do so.
    (3) VA will take no further action on a veteran's application for 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 when he or she--
    (i) Fails to report;
    (ii) Fails to cooperate in the counseling process; or
    (iii) Does not complete counseling to the extent required under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

[[Page 471]]

    (4) Counseling is not required for any other individual eligible for 
educational assistance established under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032, 3463; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (c) Availability of counseling. Counseling is available for--
    (1) Identifying and removing reasons for academic difficulties which 
may result in interruption or discontinuance of training, or
    (2) In considering changes in career plans and making sound 
decisions about the changes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3463; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Provision of counseling. VA shall provide counseling as needed 
for the purposes identified in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section 
upon request of the individual. In addition, VA shall provide counseling 
as needed for the purposes identified in paragraph (b) of this section 
following the veteran's request for counseling, the veteran's initial 
application for benefits or any communication from the veteran or 
guardian indicating that the veteran wishes to change his or her 
program. VA shall take appropriate steps (including individual 
notification where feasible) to acquaint all participants with the 
availability and advantages of counseling services.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3463; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28385, July 11, 1990]



Sec. 21.7103  Travel expenses.

    (a) Travel for veterans and servicemembers. (1) Except as provided 
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, VA shall determine and pay the 
necessary cost of travel to and from the place of counseling for 
individuals who are required to receive counseling if--
    (i) VA determines that the individual is unable to defray the cost 
based upon his or her annual declaration and certification; or
    (ii) The individual has a compensable service-connected disability.
    (2) VA shall not pay for the travel expenses for a veteran who is 
not residing in a State.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

    (b) Travel for attendants. (1) VA will authorize payment of travel 
expenses for an attendant while the individual is traveling when--
    (i) The individual, because of a severe disability requires the 
services of an attendant when traveling, and
    (ii) VA is paying the necessary cost of the individual's travel on 
the basis of the criteria stated in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (2) VA will not pay the attendant a fee for travel expenses if he or 
she is a relative as defined in Sec. 21.374 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

    (c) Payment of travel expenses prohibited for most veterans. VA 
shall not pay for any costs of travel to and from the place of 
counseling for anyone who requests counseling under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 
30.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

    Cross Reference: 21.374, Authorization for travel of attendants.

[55 FR 28385, July 11, 1990]

                          Programs of Education



Sec. 21.7110  Selection of a program of education.

    (a) Payments of educational assistance are usually based on pursuit 
of a program of education. In order to receive educational assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, a veteran or servicemember must--
    (1) Be pursuing an approved program of education;
    (2) Be pursuing refresher or deficiency courses;
    (3) Be pursuing other preparatory or special education or training 
courses necessary to enable the veteran or servicemember to pursue an 
approved program of education;
    (4) Have taken an approved licensing or certification test, for 
which he or she is requesting reimbursement; or
    (5) Be an individual who has taken a course for which the individual 
received tuition assistance provided

[[Page 472]]

under a program administered by the Secretary of a military department 
under 10 U.S.C. 2007(a) or (c), for which the individual is requesting 
tuition assistance top-up.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014, 3023, 3034, 3689)

    (b) Approval of a program of education. VA will approve a program of 
education under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 that a veteran or servicemember 
selects if:
    (1) It meets the definition of a program of education found in 
Sec. 21.7020(b)(23);
    (2) Except for a program consisting of a licensing or certification 
test, has an objective as described in Sec. 21.7020(b)(13) or (22);
    (3) The courses, subjects, or licensing or certification tests in 
the program are approved for VA training; and
    (4) Except for a program consisting of a licensing or certification 
test designed to help the veteran or servicemember maintain employment 
in a vocation or profession, the veteran or servicemember is not already 
qualified for the objective of the program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3034, 3471, 3689)

[72 FR 16980, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.7112  Programs of education combining two or more types of
courses.

    (a) Concurrent enrollment. (1) When a veteran or servicemember 
cannot successfully schedule his or her complete program at one 
educational institution, VA may approve a program of concurrent 
enrollment. When requesting such a program, the veteran or servicemember 
must show that his or her complete program of education is not available 
at the educational institution in which he or she will pursue the major 
portion of his or her program (the primary educational institution), or 
that it cannot be scheduled successfully within the period in which he 
or she plans to complete his or her program. When the standards for 
measurement of the courses pursued concurrently in the two educational 
institutions are different, the concurrent enrollment shall be measured 
by converting the measurement of courses being pursued at the second 
educational institution under the standard applicable to such 
institution to its equivalent measurement under the standard required 
for full-time courses applicable to the primary educational institution. 
For a complete discussion of measurement of concurrent enrollments see 
Sec. 21.7172 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688; Pub. L. 99-576)

    (2) The veteran or servicemember must submit the monthly 
certification of attendance and pursuit. Each educational institution 
where concurrent enrollment is approved must either endorse that 
certification, or submit a separate certification showing the veteran's 
or servicemember's enrollment and pursuit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Courses offered under contract. In administering benefits 
payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, the VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4233(e) of this part in the same manner as they are applied 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Television. In determining whether a veteran or servicemember 
may pursue all or part of a program of education under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
30 by television, VA will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4233(c).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a))

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28386, July 11, 1990; 62 
FR 40280, July 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7114  Change of program.

    In determining whether a veteran or servicemember may change his or 
her program of education under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30, VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4234 of this part. VA will not consider programs 
of education a veteran or servicemember may have pursued under 38 U.S.C. 
ch. 34 or 36 before January 1, 1990, if he or she wishes to change 
programs of education under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3691; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 101-366) (June 
1, 1991)

[57 FR 29027, June 30, 1992]

[[Page 473]]

                                 Courses



Sec. 21.7120  Courses included in programs of education.

    (a) General. Generally, VA will approve, and will authorize payment 
of educational assistance, for the individual's enrollment in any course 
or subject which a State approving agency has approved as provided in 
Sec. 21.7220 of this part and which forms a part of a program of 
education as defined in Sec. 21.7020(b)(23) of this part. Restrictions 
on this general rule are stated in Sec. 21.7222(b) of this part, 
however.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3452; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Avocational and recreational courses are restricted. (1) VA will 
not pay educational assistance for an enrollment in any course--
    (i) Which is avocational or recreational in character, or
    (ii) The advertising for which contains significant avocational or 
recreational themes.
    (2) VA presumes that the following courses are avocational or 
recreational in character unless the veteran or servicemember justifies 
their pursuit to VA as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. The 
courses are:
    (i) Any photography course or entertainment course, or
    (ii) Any music course, instrumental or vocal, public speaking course 
or courses in dancing, sports or athletics, such as horseback riding, 
swimming, fishing, skiing, golf, baseball, tennis, bowling, sports 
officiating, or other sport or athletic courses, except courses of 
applied music, physical education, or public speaking which are offered 
by institutions of higher learning for credit as an integral part of a 
program leading to an educational objective, or
    (iii) Any other type of course which VA determines to be avocational 
or recreational.
    (3) To overcome the presumption that a course is avocational or 
recreational in character, the veteran or servicemember must establish 
that the course will be of bona fide use in the pursuit of his or her 
present or contemplated business or occupation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3473; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Flight training. (1) VA may pay educational assistance for an 
enrollment in a flight training course--
    (i) When an institution of higher learning offers the course for 
credit toward the standard college degree the veteran or servicemember 
is pursuing; or
    (ii) When--
    (A) A flight school is offering the course,
    (B) The State approving agency and the Federal Aviation 
Administration have approved the course,
    (C) The course of flight training is generally accepted as necessary 
to attain a recognized vocational objective in the field of aviation 
which the veteran or servicemember is pursuing, and
    (D) The training for which payment is made occurred after September 
29, 1990.
    (2) VA will not pay educational assistance for an enrollment in a 
flight training course which the veteran or servicemember is pursuing as 
ancillary training for a vocation other than aviation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(f))

    (d) Independent study. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section, effective October 29, 1992, VA may pay educational 
assistance to a veteran or servicemember who is enrolled in a 
nonaccredited course or unit subject offered entirely or partly by 
independent study only if--
    (i) Successful completion of the nonaccredited course or unit 
subject is required in order for the veteran or servicemember to 
complete his or her program of education,
    (ii) On October 29, 1992, the veteran or servicemember was receiving 
educational assistance for pursuit of the program of education of which 
the nonaccredited independent study course or unit subject forms a part, 
and
    (iii) The veteran or servicemember has remained continuously 
enrolled in the program of education of which the nonaccredited 
independent study course or unit subject forms a part

[[Page 474]]

from October 29, 1992, to the date of enrollment by the veteran or 
servicemember in the nonaccredited independent study course or unit 
subject.
    (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, VA may pay educational assistance to a veteran or servicemember 
for enrollment in a course or unit subject offered by independent study 
which, though part of an approved program of education, is not required 
in order for the veteran or servicemember to complete the program of 
education (i.e., an elective) when--
    (i) The veteran or servicemember was enrolled in and receiving 
educational assistance for the course or unit subject on October 29, 
1992, and
    (ii) The veteran or servicemember remains continuously enrolled in 
the course or unit subject.
    (3) Whether or not the veteran or servicemember is enrolled will be 
determined by the regularly prescribed standards and practices of the 
educational institution offering the course or unit subject.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014, 3034, 3076, 3680A(a); sec. 313(b), Pub. L. 
102-568, 106 Stat. 4333)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 53 FR 3207, Feb. 4, 1988; 57 
FR 15024, Apr. 24, 1992; 61 FR 6788, Feb. 22, 1996; 61 FR 29297, June 
10, 1996]



Sec. 21.7122  Courses precluded.

    (a) Unapproved courses. The provisions of this section which refer 
to a State approving agency will be deemed to refer to VA with respect 
to a State when that State does not have and fails or declines to create 
or designate a State approving agency; or fails to enter into an 
agreement as provided in Sec. 21.4153 (see Sec. 21.4150(c)). Except for 
payment of tuition assistance top-up, VA will not pay educational 
assistance for:
    (1) An enrollment in any course that a State approving agency has 
not approved;
    (2) A new enrollment in a course while a State approving agency has 
suspended the course for new enrollments;
    (3) Any period within an enrollment in a course if the period occurs 
after the date a State approving agency disapproves the course; or
    (4) Taking a licensing or certification test after the date a State 
approving agency disapproves the test. See Sec. 21.7220.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b), 3034, 3672)

    (b) Courses outside a program of education. VA will not pay 
educational assistance for an enrollment in any course that is not part 
of a program of education unless the veteran or servicemember is 
enrolled in:
    (1) A refresher course (including a course which will permit the 
veteran or servicemember to update knowledge and skills or be instructed 
in the technological advances which have occurred in the veteran's or 
servicemember's field of employment);
    (2) A deficiency course;
    (3) A preparatory, special education, or training course necessary 
to enable the veteran or servicemember to pursue an approved program of 
education; or
    (4) A course for which the veteran or servicemember is seeking 
tuition assistance top-up.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3014(b), 3034, 3452(b))

    (c) Erroneous, deceptive, misleading practices. (1) VA will not pay 
educational assistance for:
    (i) An enrollment in any course offered by an educational 
institution that uses advertising, sales, or enrollment practices that 
are erroneous, deceptive, or misleading by actual statement, omission, 
or intimation.
    (ii) Taking a licensing or certification test if the organization or 
entity offering the test uses advertising or sales practices, or 
candidate handbooks, that are erroneous, deceptive, or misleading by 
actual statement, omission, or intimation.
    (2) VA will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4252(h) in making these 
payment decisions.


(Authority: 3034, 3689(d), 3696)

    (d) Restrictions on enrollment: percentage of students receiving 
financial support. Except as otherwise provided VA shall not approve an 
enrollment in any

[[Page 475]]

course for a veteran or servicemember, not already enrolled for any 
period during which more than 85 percent of the students enrolled in the 
course are having all or part of their tuition, fees or other charges 
paid for them by the educational institution or by VA pursuant to title 
38, United States Code. This restriction may be waived in whole or in 
part. In determining which courses to apply this restriction to and 
whether to waive this restriction, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4201 of this part to enrollments under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in 
the same manner as it does to enrollments under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3473(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) Other courses. VA shall not pay educational assistance for--
    (1) An enrollment in an audited course (see Sec. 21.4252(i));
    (2) An enrollment in a course for which the veteran or servicemember 
received a nonpunitive grade in the absence of mitigating circumstances 
(see Sec. 21.4252(j));
    (3) New enrollments in a course where approval has been suspended by 
a State approving agency;
    (4) An enrollment in certain courses being pursued by 
nonmatriculated students as provided in Sec. 21.4252(l);
    (5) Except as provided in Sec. 21.4252(j), an enrollment in a course 
from which the veteran or servicemember withdrew without mitigating 
circumstances;
    (6) An enrollment in a course offered by a proprietary school when 
the veteran or servicemember is an official of the school authorized to 
sign certificates of enrollment or monthly certificates of attendance or 
monthly certifications of pursuit, an owner of the school, or an 
operator of the school;
    (7) Except as provided in Sec. 21.7120(d), an enrollment in a 
nonaccredited independent study course;
    (8) An enrollment in a course offered under contract for which VA 
approval is prohibited by Sec. 21.4252(m); or
    (9) Taking a licensing or certification test after the date the 
State approving agency suspends approval of the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3002(3), 3034, 3672(a), 3676, 3680(a), 3680A(a), 
3680A(f), 3680(g), 3689(d))


[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28386, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20135, May 2, 1991; 61 FR 6788, Feb. 22, 1996; 65 FR 81742, Dec. 27, 
2000; 72 FR 16981, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.7124  Overcharges.

    (a) Overcharges by educational institutions may result in the 
disapproval of enrollments. VA may disapprove an educational institution 
for further enrollments when the educational institution charges or 
receives from a veteran or servicemember tuition and fees that exceed 
the established charges that the educational institution requires from 
similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the same course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3690(a))

    (b) Overcharges by organizations or entities offering licensing or 
certification tests may result in disapproval of tests. VA may 
disapprove an organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test when the organization or entity offering the test 
charges or receives from a veteran or servicemember fees that exceed the 
established fees that the organization or entity requires from similarly 
circumstanced nonveterans taking the same test.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689(d), 3690(a))

[72 FR 16981, Apr. 5, 2007]

                    Payments--Educational Assistance



Sec. 21.7130  Educational assistance.

    VA will pay educational assistance to an eligible veteran or 
servicemember while he or she is pursuing approved courses in a program 
of education at the rates specified in Secs. 21.7136, 21.7137 and 
21.7139 of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3022, 3032; Pub. L. 98-525)



Sec. 21.7131  Commencing dates.

    VA will determine under this section the commencing date of an award 
or increased award of educational assistance. When more than one 
paragraph

[[Page 476]]

in this section applies, VA will award educational assistance using the 
latest of the applicable commencing dates.
    (a) Entrance or reentrance including change of program or 
educational institution. When an eligible veteran or servicemember 
enters or reenters into training (including a reentrance following a 
change of program or educational institution), the commencing date of 
his or her award of educational assistance will be determined as 
follows:
    (1) For other than licensing or certification tests. (i) If the 
award is the first award of educational assistance for the program of 
education the veteran or servicemember is pursuing, the commencing date 
of the award of educational assistance is the latest of:
    (A) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section;
    (B) One year before the date of claim as determined by 
Sec. 21.1029(b);
    (C) The effective date of the approval of the course;
    (D) One year before the date VA receives approval notice for the 
course; or
    (E) November 1, 2000, if paragraph (p) of this section applies to 
the individual.
    (ii) If the award is the second or subsequent award of educational 
assistance for the program of education the veteran or servicemember is 
pursuing, the effective date of the award of educational assistance is 
the later of--
    (A) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section; or
    (B) The effective date of the approval of the course, or one year 
before the date VA receives the approval notice, whichever is later.
    (2) For licensing or certification tests. VA will award educational 
assistance for the cost of a licensing or certification test only when 
the veteran or servicemember takes such test--
    (i) While the test is approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36;
    (ii) While the veteran or servicemember is eligible for educational 
assistance under this subpart; and
    (iii) No more than one year before the date VA receives a claim for 
reimbursement of the cost of the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014, 3023, 3034, 3672, 3689, 5110, 5113)

    (b) Certification by school--the course or subject leads to a 
standard college degree. (1) When the student enrolls in a course 
offered by independent study, the commencing date of the award or 
increased award of educational assistance will be the date the student 
began pursuit of the course according to the regularly established 
practices of the educational institution.
    (2) When a student enrolls in a resident course or subject, the 
commencing date of the award or increased award of educational 
assistance will be the first scheduled date of classes for the term, 
quarter or semester in which the student is enrolled, except as provided 
in paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4), and (b)(5) of this section.
    (3) When the student enrolls in a resident course or subject whose 
first scheduled class begins after the calendar week when, according to 
the school's academic calendar, classes are scheduled to commence for 
the term, quarter, or semester, the commencing date of the award or 
increased award of educational assistance allowance will be the actual 
date of the first class scheduled for that particular course or subject.
    (4) When a student enrolls in a resident course or subject, the 
commencing date of the award will be the date of reporting provided 
that--
    (i) The published standards of the school require the student to 
register before reporting, and
    (ii) The published standards of the school require the student to 
report no more than 14 days before the first scheduled date of classes 
for the term, quarter or semester for which the student has registered.
    (5) When the student enrolls in a resident course or subject and the 
first day of classes is more than 14 days after

[[Page 477]]

the date of registration, the commencing date of the award or the 
increased award of educational assistance will be the first day of 
classes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014, 3023; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Certification by educational institution or training 
establishment--course does not lead to a standard college degree. (1) 
When a veteran or servicemember enrolls in a course which does not lead 
to a standard college degree and which is offered in residence, the 
commencing date of the award of educational assistance will be as stated 
in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (2) When a veteran or servicemember enrolls in a course which is 
offered by correspondence, the commencing date of the award of 
educational assistance shall be the later of--
    (i) The date the first lesson was sent, or
    (ii) The date of affirmance.
    (3) When a veteran enrolls in a program of apprenticeship or other 
on-the-job training, the commencing date of the award of educational 
assistance shall be the first date of employment in the training 
position.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014, 3023; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (d) Individual is eligible due to combining active duty as an 
enlisted member or warrant officer with active duty as a commissioned 
officer. If a veteran served in the Armed Forces both as an enlisted 
member or warrant officer and as a commissioned officer, and that 
service was such that he or she is eligible only through application of 
Sec. 21.7020(b)(6)(v), the commencing date of the award of educational 
assistance will be no earlier than November 30, 1999.


(Authority: Sec. 702(c), Pub. L. 106-117, 113 Stat. 1583)

    (e) Increase for a dependent. A veteran who was eligible for 
educational assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 on December 
31, 1989, is entitled to additional educational assistance for 
dependents. No other veteran or servicemember is eligible for additional 
educational assistance. The effective date for the additional 
educational assistance is determined as follows.
    (1) The veteran may acquire one or more dependents before he or she 
enters or reenters a program of education. When this occurs, the 
following rules apply.
    (i) The effective date of the increase will be the date of entrance 
or reentrance if--
    (A) VA receives the claim for the increase within 1 year of the date 
of entrance or reentrance, and
    (B) VA receives necessary evidence within 1 year of its request, or 
the veteran shows that good cause exists for VA's not receiving the 
necessary evidence within 1 year of its request. See Sec. 21.7032.
    (ii) The effective date of the increase will be the date the VA 
receives notice of the dependent's existence if--
    (A) VA receives the claim for the increase more than 1 year after 
the date of entrance or reentrance, and
    (B) VA receives notice of the dependent's existence if evidence is 
received either within 1 year of VA request, or the veteran shows that 
there is good cause to extend the one-year time limit to the date on 
which VA received notice of the dependent's existence.
    (iii) The effective date will be the date VA receives all necessary 
evidence, if that evidence is received more than 1 year from the date VA 
requests it, unless the veteran is able to show that there is good cause 
to extend the one-year time limit to the date on which VA received 
notice of the dependent's existence. If the veteran shows good cause, 
the provisions of paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(B) of this section will apply.
    (2) If the veteran acquires a dependent after he or she enters or 
reenters a program of education, the increase will be effective on the 
latest of the following dates:
    (i) Date of the veteran's marriage, or birth of his or her child, or 
his or her adoption of a child, if the evidence of the event is received 
within 1 year of the event.
    (ii) Date notice is received of the dependent's existence if 
evidence is received either within 1 year of the VA request, or the 
veteran shows that there is good cause to extend the one-

[[Page 478]]

year time limit to the date on which VA received notice of the 
dependent's existence.
    (iii) The date VA receives evidence if this date is more than 1 year 
after the VA request, and the veteran is not able to show that there is 
good cause to extend the one-year time limit to the date on which VA 
received notice of the dependent's existence.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5110(n))

(See Sec. 3.667 of this chapter as to effective dates with regard to 
children age 18 and older who are attending school)

    (f) Liberalizing laws and VA issues. When a liberalizing law or VA 
issue affects the commencing date of a veteran's or servicemember's 
award of educational assistance, that commencing date shall be in 
accordance with facts found, but not earlier than the effective date of 
the act or administrative issue.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (g) Correction of military records (Sec. 21.7050(b)). The 
eligibility of a veteran may arise because the nature of the veteran's 
discharge or release is changed by appropriate military authority. In 
these cases the commencing date of educational assistance will be in 
accordance with facts found, but not earlier than the date the nature of 
the discharge or release was changed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (h) Individuals in a penal institution. If a veteran or a 
servicemember is paid a reduced rate of educational assistance under 
Sec. 21.7139 (c) and (d) of this part, the rate will be increased or 
assistance will commence effective the earlier of the following dates:
    (1) The date the tuition and fees are no longer being paid under 
another Federal program or a State or local program, or
    (2) The date of the release from the prison or jail.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3482(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (i) Commitment to service in the Selected Reserve. If a veteran has 
established eligibility to educational assistance through two years' 
active duty service, and he or she establishes entitlement to an 
increased monthly rate through commitment to serve four years in the 
Selected Reserve, the effective date of the increase is the date on 
which he or she--
    (1) Is committed to serve four years in the Selective Reserve, and
    (2) Is attached to a unit of the Selected Reserve.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (j) Increase due a servicemember due to monetary contributions. (1) 
If a servicemember is contributing additional amounts as provided in 
Sec. 21.7136(h), and is enrolled in an educational institution operated 
on a term, quarter, or semester basis, the monthly rate payable to the 
servicemember will increase on the first day of the term, quarter, or 
semester following the term, quarter, or semester in which the 
servicemember made the contribution(s).
    (2) If a servicemember is contributing additional amounts as 
provided in Sec. 21.7136(h), and is enrolled in an educational 
institution not operated on a term, quarter, or semester basis, the 
monthly rate payable to the servicemember will increase on the first day 
of the enrollment period following the enrollment period in which the 
servicemember made the contribution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011(e), 3012(f))

    (k) Increase (``kicker'') due to service in the Selected Reserve. If 
a veteran is entitled to an increase (``kicker'') in the monthly rate of 
basic educational assistance because he or she has met the requirements 
of Sec. 21.7136(g) or Sec. 21.7137(e), the effective date of that 
increase (``kicker'') will be the latest of the following dates:
    (1) The commencing date of the veteran's award as determined by 
paragraphs (a) through (j) of this section;
    (2) The first date on which the veteran is entitled to the increase 
(``kicker'') as determined by the Secretary of the military department 
concerned; or
    (3) February 10, 1996.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131)

    (l) Eligibility established under Sec. 21.7042 (a)(7) or (b)(10). 
This paragraph must be

[[Page 479]]

used to establish the effective date of an award of educational 
assistance when the veteran or servicemember has established eligibility 
under either Sec. 21.7042 (a)(7) or (b)(10). The commencing date of an 
award of educational assistance for such a veteran or servicemember is 
the latest of the following:
    (1) The commencing date as determined by paragraphs (a) through (c) 
and (f) through (j) of this section;
    (2) The date of election provided that--
    (i) The servicemember initiated the $1,200 reduction in basic pay 
required by Sec. 21.7042(g)(4) and the full $1,200 was collected through 
that pay reduction;
    (ii) Within one year of the date of election VA both collected from 
the veteran $1,200 or the difference between $1,200 and the amount 
collected through a reduction in the veteran's military pay, as provided 
in Sec. 21.7042(g)(4), and received from the veteran any other evidence 
necessary to establish a valid election; or
    (iii) VA received from the veteran $1,200 or the difference between 
$1,200 and the amount collected through a reduction in the veteran's 
military pay and any other evidence necessary to establish a valid 
election within one year of the date VA requested the money and/or the 
evidence.
    (3) If applicable, the date VA collected the difference between 
$1,200 and the amount by which the servicemember's military pay was 
reduced, if the provisions of paragraph (l)(2)(ii) or (l)(2)(iii) of 
this section are not met; or
    (4) If applicable, the date VA collected $1,200, if the provisions 
of paragraph (l)(2)(ii) or (l)(2)(iii) of this section are not met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5113; sec. 107, Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 3329-
3330)

    (m) Eligibility established under 21.7045(d). This paragraph must be 
used to establish the effective date of an award of educational 
assistance when the veteran or servicemember has established eligibility 
under Sec. 21.7045(d). The commencing date of an award of educational 
assistance for such a veteran or servicemember is the latest of the 
following:
    (1) The commencing date as determined by paragraphs (a) through (c) 
and (f) through (j) of this section;
    (2) The date of election provided that--
    (i) The servicemember initiated the $1,200 reduction in basic pay 
required by Sec. 21.7045(d)(3) and the full $1,200 was collected through 
that pay reduction;
    (ii) Within one year of the date of election VA both collected from 
the veteran $1,200 or the difference between $1,200 and the amount 
collected through a reduction in the veteran's military pay, as provided 
in Sec. 21.7045(d)(3), and received from the veteran any other evidence 
necessary to establish a valid election; or
    (iii) VA received from the veteran $1,200 or the difference between 
$1,200 and the amount collected through a reduction in the veteran's 
military pay and any other evidence necessary to establish a valid 
election within one year of the date VA requested the money and/or the 
evidence.
    (3) If applicable, the date VA collected the difference between 
$1,200 and the amount by which the servicemember's military pay was 
reduced, if the provisions of paragraph (m)(2)(ii) or (m)(2)(iii) of 
this section are not met; or
    (4) If applicable, the date VA collected $1,200, if the provisions 
of paragraph (m)(2)(ii) or (m)(2)(iii) of this section are not met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C(a), (b), 5113)

    (n) Eligibility established under Sec. 21.7045(c). The effective 
date of an award of educational assistance when the veteran has 
established eligibility under Sec. 21.7045(c) is as follows:
    (1) If the veteran is not entitled to receive educational assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. ch. 32 on the date he or she made a valid election to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30, the effective 
date of the award of educational assistance will be the latest of the 
following.
    (i) The commencing date as determined by paragraphs (a) through (c) 
and (f) through (j) of this section; or
    (ii) October 23, 1992, provided that VA received the $1,200 required 
to be collected pursuant to Sec. 21.7045(c)(2) and

[[Page 480]]

any other evidence necessary to establish that the election is valid 
before the later of:
    (A) October 23, 1993; or
    (B) One year from the date VA requested the $1,200 or the evidence 
necessary to establish a valid election; or
    (iii) The date VA received the $1,200 required to be collected 
pursuant to Sec. 21.7045(c)(2) and all other evidence needed to 
establish that the election is valid, if the provisions of paragraph 
(n)(1)(ii) of this section are not met.
    (2) If the veteran is entitled to receive educational assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. ch. 32 on the date he or she made a valid election to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30, the effective 
date of the award of educational assistance will be the latest of the 
following:
    (i) The commencing date as determined by paragraphs (a) through (c) 
and (f) through (j) of this section; or
    (ii) The date on which the veteran made a valid election to receive 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 provided that VA 
received the $1,200 required to be collected pursuant to 
Sec. 21.7045(c)(2) and any other evidence necessary to establish that 
the election is valid before the later of:
    (A) One year from the date VA received the valid election; or
    (B) One year from the date VA requested the $1,200 or the evidence 
necessary to establish a valid election; or
    (iii) The date VA received the $1,200 required to be collected 
pursuant to Sec. 21.7045(c)(2) and all other evidence needed to 
establish that the election is valid, if the provisions of paragraph 
(n)(2)(ii) of this section are not met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018B)

    (o) Eligibility established under Sec. 21.7045(e). This paragraph 
must be used to establish the effective date of an award of educational 
assistance when the veteran or servicemember has established eligibility 
under Sec. 21.7045(e). The commencing date of an award of educational 
assistance for such a veteran or servicemember is the later of the 
following:
    (1) The commencing date as determined by paragraphs (a) through (c) 
and (f) through (k) of this section; or
    (2) The date on which--
    (i) The servicemember's basic pay is reduced by $2,700;
    (ii) The Secretary of the military department concerned collected 
the difference between $2,700 and the amount by which the military 
department concerned reduced the veteran's basic pay following the 
veteran's election under Sec. 21.7045(e), provided that this collection 
was accomplished through a method other than reducing the veteran's 
retired or retainer pay; or
    (iii) The Secretary of the military department concerned first 
reduced the veteran's retired or retainer pay in order to collect the 
difference between $2,700 and the amount by which the military 
department concerned reduced the veteran's basic pay following the 
election under Sec. 21.7045(e).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3018C(e))

    (p) Eligibility established due to changes to Secs. 21.7042 and 
21.7044. The commencing date of educational assistance will be no 
earlier than November 1, 2000, if a veteran would have been prevented 
from establishing eligibility by one or more of the former requirements 
described in paragraphs (p)(1) through (p)(4) of this section and the 
veteran is enabled to establish eligibility due to the removal of the 
statutory bases for those requirements. (For the purposes of this 
paragraph, the applicable provisions of those former requirements appear 
in the July 1, 2002 revision of the Code of Federal Regulations, title 
38.)
    (1) A period of active duty other than the initial period was used 
to establish eligibility. The veteran was enabled to establish 
eligibility by the removal of the former eligibility requirement in 38 
CFR 21.7042(a)(2)(ii), 21.7042(a)(5)(iv)(A), and 21.7042(a)(5)(iv)(B), 
revised as of July 1, 2002, that a veteran had to use his or her initial 
period of active duty to establish eligibility for educational 
assistance.


(Authority: Sec. 102(e), Pub. L. 106-419, 114 Stat. 1825)

    (2) High school education eligibility criterion met after the 
qualifying period of active duty. The veteran was enabled to establish 
eligibility by the removal of the former eligibility requirement in 38 
CFR 21.7042(a)(3), 21.7042(b)(2), and

[[Page 481]]

21.7042(c)(4), revised as of July 1, 2002, that before completing the 
period of active duty used to establish eligibility for educational 
assistance, a veteran had to complete the requirements for a secondary 
school diploma (or an equivalency certificate) or successfully complete 
(or otherwise receive academic credit for) 12 semester hours (or the 
equivalent) in a program of education leading to a standard college 
degree.


(Authority: Sec. 103(e), Pub. L. 106-419, 114 Stat. 1826-27)

    (3) High school education eligibility criterion met after October 
29, 1994. The veteran was enabled to establish eligibility by the 
removal of the former eligibility requirement in 38 CFR 21.7042(a)(6), 
21.7042(b)(11), and 21.7044(b)(13), revised as of July 1, 2002, that 
certain veterans meet the requirements for a secondary school diploma 
(or an equivalency certificate) before October 29, 1994, in order to 
establish eligibility for educational assistance.


(Authority: Sec. 103(e), Pub. L. 106-419, 114 Stat. 1826-27)

    (4) High school education eligibility criterion for veterans 
formerly eligible under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 met after January 1, 1990. 
The veteran was enabled to establish eligibility by the removal of the 
former eligibility requirement in 38 CFR 21.7044(a)(3) and 
21.7044(b)(3), revised as of July 1, 2002, that, as one of the two ways 
that certain veterans could meet the educational criteria for 
establishing eligibility, the veteran must before January 1, 1990, meet 
the requirements for a secondary school diploma (or equivalency 
certificate).


(Authority: Sec. 103(e), Pub. L. 106-419, 114 Stat. 1826-27)

    (q) Fugitive felons. (1) An award of educational assistance 
allowance to an otherwise eligible veteran may begin effective the date 
the warrant for the arrest of the felon is cleared by--
    (i) Arrest;
    (ii) Surrendering to the issuing authority;
    (iii) Dismissal; or
    (iv) Court documents (dated after the warrant) showing the veteran 
is no longer a fugitive.
    (2) An award of educational assistance allowance to a dependent who 
is otherwise eligible to transferred entitlement may begin effective the 
date the warrant is cleared by--
    (i) Arrest;
    (ii) Surrendering to the issuing authority;
    (iii) Dismissal; or
    (iv) Court documents (dated after the warrant) showing the 
individual is no longer a fugitive.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

    (r) Spouse eligible for transferred entitlement. If a spouse is 
eligible for transferred entitlement under Sec. 21.7080, the commencing 
date of the award of educational assistance will be no earlier than the 
latest of the following dates:
    (1) The date the Secretary of the service department concerned 
approves the transferor to transfer entitlement;
    (2) The date the transferor completes 6 years of service in the 
Armed Forces;
    (3) The date the transferor specified in his or her designation of 
transfer; or
    (4) The date the spouse first meets the definition of spouse in 
Sec. 3.50(a) of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (s) Child eligible for transferred entitlement. If a child is 
eligible for transferred entitlement under Sec. 21.7080, the commencing 
date of the award of educational assistance will be no earlier than the 
latest of the following dates:
    (1) The date the Secretary of the service department concerned 
approves the transferor to transfer entitlement;
    (2) The date the transferor completes 10 years of service in the 
Armed Forces;
    (3) The date the transferor specified in his or her designation of 
transfer;
    (4) The date the child first meets the definition of child in 
Sec. 3.50(a) of this chapter;
    (5) Either--
    (i) The date the child completes the requirements of a secondary 
school diploma (or equivalency certificate); or

[[Page 482]]

    (ii) The date the child attains age 18.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)


[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28386, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 11672, Mar. 20, 1991; 57 FR 40615, Sept. 4, 1992; 61 FR 6788, Feb. 
22, 1996; 62 FR 55519, Oct. 27, 1997; 63 FR 34132, June 23, 1998; 64 FR 
23773, May 4, 1999; 65 FR 5788, Feb. 7, 2000; 66 FR 38939, July 26, 
2001; 66 FR 39280, July 30, 2001; 66 FR 42586, Aug. 13, 2001; 68 FR 
34331, June 9, 2003; 70 FR 25787, May 16, 2005; 71 FR 75677, Dec. 18, 
2006; 72 FR 16981, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.7133  Suspension or discontinuance of payments.

    VA may suspend or discontinue payments of educational assistance. In 
doing so, VA will apply Secs. 21.4210 through 21.4216.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3690)

[63 FR 35837, July 1, 1998]



Sec. 21.7135  Discontinuance dates.

    The effective date of reduction or discontinuance of educational 
assistance will be as stated in this section. Reference to reduction of 
educational assistance due to the loss of a dependent only applies to 
veterans who were eligible to receive educational assistance allowance 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 on December 31, 1989. No other veteran or 
servicemember will have his or her educational assistance reduced due to 
a loss of a dependent. If more than one type of reduction or 
discontinuance is involved, the earliest date will control.
    (a) Death of veteran or servicemember. (1) If the veteran or 
servicemember receives an advance payment pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3680(d) 
and dies before the period covered by the advance payment ends, the 
discontinuance date of educational assistance shall be the last date of 
the period covered by the advance payment.
    (2) In all other cases if the veteran or servicemember dies while 
pursuing his or her program of education, the discontinuance date of 
educational assistance shall be the last date of attendance.
    (b) Death of dependent. When a veteran's dependent dies, and the 
veteran has been receiving additional educational assistance based on 
the dependent, the effective date of reduction of the veteran's 
educational assistance shall be the last day of the month in which the 
death occurs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Divorce. If the veteran becomes divorced, the effective date of 
reduction of his or her educational assistance is the last day of the 
month in which the divorce occurs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Dependent child. If the veteran's award of educational 
assistance must be reduced because his or her dependent child ceases to 
be dependent, the effective date of reduction will be as follows.
    (1) If the veteran's child marries, the effective date of reduction 
will be the last day of the month in which the marriage occurs.
    (2) If the veteran's child reaches age 18, the effective date of 
reduction will be the day preceding the dependent child's 18th birthday.
    (3) If the veteran is receiving additional educational assistance 
based on a child's school attendance between the child's 18th and 23rd 
birthdays, the effective date of reduction of the veteran's educational 
assistance will be the last day of the month in which the dependent 
child stops attending school, or the day before the dependent child's 
23rd birthday, whichever is earlier.
    (4) If the veteran is receiving additional educational assistance 
because his or her child is helpless, the effective date of reduction 
will be the last day of the month following 60 days after VA notifies 
the veteran that the dependent child's helplessness has ceased.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b) 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) Course discontinued; course interrupted; course terminated; 
course not satisfactorily completed or withdrawn from. (1) If the 
veteran or servicemember, for reasons other than being called or ordered 
to active duty, withdraws from all courses or receives all nonpunitive 
grades, and in either case there are no mitigating circumstances, VA 
will terminate or reduce educational assistance effective the first date 
of the term

[[Page 483]]

in which the withdrawal occurs or the first date of the term for which 
nonpunitive grades are assigned.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 102-127)(Aug. 1, 1990))

    (2) If the veteran or servicemember withdraws from all courses with 
mitigating circumstances or withdraws from all courses such that a 
punitive grade is or will be assigned for those courses or the veteran 
withdraws from all courses because he or she is ordered to active duty, 
VA will terminate educational assistance for--
    (i) Residence training: last date of attendance; and
    (ii) Independent study: official date of change in status under the 
practices of the educational institution.
    (3) When a veteran or servicemember withdraws from a correspondence 
course, VA will terminate educational assistance effective the date the 
last lesson is serviced.
    (4) When a veteran or servicemember withdraws from an apprenticeship 
or other on-the-job training, VA will terminate educational assistance 
effective the date of last training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (5) When a veteran or servicemember withdraws from a flight course, 
VA will terminate educational assistance effective the date of last 
instruction.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(f))

    (f) Reduction in the rate of pursuit of the course. If the veteran 
or servicemember reduces the rate of training by withdrawing from part 
of a course, but continues training in part of the course, the 
provisions of this paragraph apply.
    (1) If the reduction in the rate of training occurs other than on 
the first date of the term, VA will reduce the veteran's or 
servicemember's educational assistance effective the date on which the 
withdrawal occurs when either:
    (i) A nonpunitive grade is assigned for the part of the course from 
which he or she withdraws; and
    (A) The veteran or servicemember withdraws because he or she is 
ordered to active duty; or
    (B) The withdrawal occurs with mitigating circumstances; or
    (ii) A punitive grade is assigned for the part of the course from 
which the reservist withdraws.
    (2) VA will reduce educational assistance effective the first date 
of the enrollment in which the reduction occurs when--
    (i) The reduction occurs on the first date of the term; or
    (ii) The veteran or servicemember--
    (A) Receives a nonpunitive grade for the part of the course from 
which he or she withdraws; and
    (B) Withdraws without mitigating circumstances; and
    (C) Does not withdraw because he or she is ordered to active duty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(a))

    (3) A veteran or servicemember, who enrolls in several subjects and 
reduces his or her rate of pursuits by completing one or more of them 
while continuing training in the others, may receive an interval payment 
based on the subjects completed if the requirements of Sec. 21.7140(d) 
are met. If those requirements are not met, VA will reduce the 
individual's educational assistance effective the date the subject or 
subjects were completed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a), 5113(b))

    (g) End of course or period of enrollment. If a veteran's or 
servicemember's course or period of enrollment ends, the effective date 
of reduction or discountinuance of his or her award of educational 
assistance will be the ending date of the course or period of enrollment 
as certified by the educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(b), 3680; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (h) Nonpunitive grade. (1) If the veteran or servicemember does not 
withdraw, but nevertheless receives a nonpunitive grade in a particular 
course, VA will reduce his or her educational assistance effective the 
first date of enrollment for the term in which the

[[Page 484]]

grade applies, when no mitigating circumstances are found.
    (2) If an individual does not withdraw, but nevertheless receives a 
nonpunitive grade in a particular course, VA will reduce his or her 
educational assistance effective the last date of attendance when 
mitigating circumstances are found.
    (3) If an individual receives a nonpunitive grade through 
nonattendance in a particular course, VA will reduce the individual's 
educational assistance effective the last date of attendance when 
mitigating circumstances are found.
    (4) If an individual receives a nonpunitive grade through 
nonattendance in a particular course, VA will reduce the individual's 
educational assistance effective the first date of enrollment in which 
the grade applies, when no mitigating circumstances are found.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (i) Discontinued by VA. If VA discontinues payment to a veteran or 
servicemember following the procedures stated in Secs. 21.4215(d) and 
21.4216, the date of discontinuance of payment of educational assistance 
will be--
    (1) Date on which payments first were suspended by the Director of a 
VA facility as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if the discontinuance was 
preceded by such a suspension.
    (2) End of the month in which the decision to discontinue, made by 
VA under Sec. 21.7133 or Sec. 21.4215(d), is effective, if the Director 
of a VA facility did not suspend payments before the discontinuance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (j) Disapproval by State approving agency. If a State approving 
agency disapproves a course in which a veteran or servicemember is 
enrolled, the date of discontinuance of payment of educational 
assistance will be--
    (1) Date on which payments first were suspended by the Director of a 
VA Regional Processing Office as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if 
disapproval was preceded by such a suspension.
    (2) End of the month in which disapproval is effective or VA 
receives notice of the disapproval, whichever is later, provided that 
the Director of a VA Regional Processing Office did not suspend payments 
before the disapproval


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3672(a), 3690; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (k) Disapproval by VA. If VA disapproves a course in which a veteran 
or servicemember is enrolled, the effective date of discontinuance of 
payment of educational assistance will be--
    (1) The date on which the Director of a VA Regional Processing 
Office first suspended payments, as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if such a 
suspension preceded the disapproval.
    (2) The end of the month in which the disapproval occurred, provided 
that the Director of a VA Regional Processing Office did not suspend 
payments before the disapproval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3671(b), 3672(a), 3690; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (l) Unsatisfactory progress, conduct or attendance. If a veteran's 
or servicemember's progress, conduct or attendance is unsatisfactory, 
his or her educational assistance shall be discontinued effective the 
earlier of the following:
    (1) The date the educational institution discontinues the veteran's 
or servicemember's enrollment, or
    (2) The date on which the veteran's or servicemember's progress, 
conduct or attendance becomes unsatisfactory according to the 
educational institution's regularly established standards of progress, 
conduct or attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3474)

    (m) Required certifications not received after certification of 
enrollment. If VA does not timely receive the veteran's or 
servicemember's certification of attendance or does not timely receive 
the educational institution's endorsement of the certification or the 
educational institution's certification of attendance or pursuit, VA 
will assume that the veteran or servicemember has withdrawn. VA will 
apply the provisions of paragraph (e) of this section. VA considers the 
receipt of a certificate of attendance to be timely if it is

[[Page 485]]

received within 60 days of the last day of the month for which 
attendance is to be certified.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (n) False or misleading statements. If educational assistance is 
paid as the result of false or misleading statements, see Sec. 21.7158:


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3690; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (o) Conflicting interests (not waived). If an educational 
institution and VA have conflicting interests as provided in 
Sec. 21.4005 and Sec. 21.7305, and VA does not grant the veteran a 
waiver, the date of discontinuance shall be 30 days after the date of 
the letter notifying the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3683, Pub. L. 98-525)

    (p) Incarceration in prison or penal institution for conviction of a 
felony. (1) The provisions of this paragraph apply to a veteran or 
servicemember whose educational assistance must be discontinued or who 
becomes restricted to payment of educational assistance at a reduced 
rate under Sec. 21.7139 (c) and (d).
    (2) The reduced rate or discontinuance will be effective the latest 
of the following dates:
    (i) The first day on which all or part of the veteran's or 
servicemember's tuition and fees were paid by a Federal, State or local 
program.
    (ii) The date the veteran or servicemember is incarcerated in prison 
or penal institution, or
    (iii) The comencing date of the award as determined by Sec. 21.7131.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3482(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (q) Active duty. If a veteran reenters on active duty, the effective 
date of reduction of his or her award of educational assistance shall be 
the day before the veteran's entrance on active duty. (This reduction 
does not apply to brief periods of active duty for training if the 
educational institution permits absence for active duty for training 
without considering the veteran's pursuit of a program of education to 
be interrupted).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032)

    (r) Record-purpose charge against entitlement under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 34 equals entitlement that remained on December 31, 1989. An 
individual, who is receiving basic educational assistance at the rates 
stated in Sec. 21.7137(a), will have his or her award reduced to the 
rates found in Sec. 21.7136(a) effective the date the total of the 
individual's record-purpose charges against his or her entitlement under 
38 U.S.C. chapter 34 equals the entitlement to that benefit which the 
individual had on December 31, 1989.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 30159(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (s) Exhaustion of entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30. (1) If an 
individual who is enrolled in an educational institution regularly 
operated on the quarter or semester system exhausts his or her 
entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, the discontinuance date shall be 
the last day of the quarter or semester in which entitlement is 
exhausted.
    (2) If an individual who is enrolled in an educational institution 
not regularly operated on the quarter or semester system exhausts his or 
her entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 after more than half of the 
course is completed, the discontinuance date shall be the earlier of the 
following:
    (i) The last day of the course, or
    (ii) 12 weeks from the day the entitlement is exhausted.
    (3) If an individual who is enrolled in an educational institution 
not regularly operated on the quarter or semester system exhausts his or 
her entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 before completing the major 
portion of the course, the discontinuance date will be the date the 
entitlement is exhausted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(e); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (t) Eligibility expires. If the veteran is pursuing a course on the 
date of expiration of eligibility as determined under Sec. 21.7050 or 
Sec. 21.7051 VA will discontinue educational assistance effective the 
day preceding the end of the eligibility period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a); Pub. L. 98-525)


[[Page 486]]


    (u) Veteran fails to participate satisfactorily in the Selected 
Reserve. If a veteran is attempting to establish eligibility through 
service on active duty combined with service in the Selected Reserve, 
and he or she fails to participate satisfactorily in the Selected 
Reserve before completing the required service in the Selected Reserve, 
the effective date of reduction of the award of educational assistance 
will be the date the Secretary determines that he or she failed to 
participate satisfactorily.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3012; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (v) Error-payee's or administrative. (1) When an act of commission 
or omission by a payee or with his or her knowledge results in an 
erroneous award of educational assistance, the effective date of the 
reduction or discontinuance will be the effective date of the award, or 
the day before the act, whichever is later, but not before the date on 
which the award would have ended had the act not occurred.
    (2) When VA, the Department of Defense, or the Department of 
Transportation makes an administrative error or an error in judgment 
that is the sole cause of an erroneous award, VA must reduce or 
terminate the award effective the date of last payment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113)

    (w) Forfeiture for fraud. If a veteran's or servicemember's 
educational assistance must be forfeited due to fraud, the effective 
date of discontinuance shall be the later of--
    (1) The effective date of the award, or
    (2) The day before the date of the fraudulent act.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 6103; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (x) Forfeiture for treasonable acts or subversive activities. If a 
veteran's or servicemember's educational assistance must be forfeited 
due to treasonable acts or subversive activities, the effective date of 
discontinuance shall be the later of--
    (1) The effective date of the award, or
    (2) The date before the date the veteran or servicemember committed 
the treasonable act or subversive activities for which he or she was 
convicted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 6104, 6105; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (y) Change in law or VA issue or interpretation. If there is a 
change in applicable law or VA issue, or in the Department of Veterans 
Affairs's application of the law or VA issue, VA will use the provisions 
of Sec. 3.114(b) of this chapter to determine the date of discontinuance 
of the veteran's or servicemember's educational assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112, 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (z) Independent study course loses accreditation. Except as 
otherwise provided in Sec. 21.7120(d), if the veteran or servicemember 
is enrolled in a course offered in whole or in part by independent 
study, and the course loses its accreditation (or the educational 
institution offering the course loses its accreditation), the date of 
reduction or discontinuance will be the effective date of the withdrawal 
of accreditation by the accrediting agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014, 3034, 3676, 3680A(a))

    (aa) Fugitive felons. (1) VA will not award educational assistance 
allowance to an otherwise eligible veteran for any period after December 
26, 2001, during which the veteran is a fugitive felon. The date of 
discontinuance of an award of educational assistance allowance to a 
veteran who is a fugitive felon is the later of--
    (i) The date of the warrant for the arrest of the felon; or
    (ii) December 27, 2001.
    (2) VA will not award educational assistance allowance to a 
dependent who is otherwise eligible to transferred entitlement if the 
dependent is a fugitive felon or if the veteran who transferred the 
entitlement is a fugitive felon. The date of discontinuance of an award 
of educational assistance allowance to a dependent is the later of--
    (i) The date of the warrant; or
    (ii) December 27, 2001.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5313B)

    (bb) Reduction following loss of increase (``kicker'') for Selected 
Reserve

[[Page 487]]

service. If a veteran is entitled to an increase (``kicker'') in the 
monthly rate of basic educational assistance as provided in 
Sec. 21.7136(g) or Sec. 21.7137(e), due to service in the Selected 
Reserve, and loses that entitlement, the effective date for the 
reduction in the monthly rate payable is the date, as determined by the 
Secretary of the military department concerned, that the veteran is no 
longer entitled to the increase (``kicker'').


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131)

    (cc) Except as otherwise provided. If a veteran's or servicemember's 
educational assistance must be discontinued for any reason other than 
those stated in the other paragraphs of this section, VA will determine 
the date of discontinuance of educational assistance on the basis of 
facts found.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(a), 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (dd) Dependent exhausts transferred entitlement. The discontinuance 
date of an award of educational assistance to a dependent, who exhausts 
the entitlement transferred to him or her is the date he or she exhausts 
the entitlement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (ee) Transferor revokes transfer of entitlement. If the transferor 
revokes a transfer of entitlement, the dependent's date of 
discontinuance is the effective date of the revocation of transfer as 
determined under Sec. 21.7080(g)(2).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (ff) Transferor fails to complete additional active duty service 
requirement. VA will discontinue each award of educational assistance 
given to a dependent, effective the first date of each such award when--
    (1) The transferor fails to complete the additional active duty 
service requirement that afforded him or her the opportunity to transfer 
entitlement to educational assistance; and
    (2) The service department discharges the transferor for a reason 
other than one of the reasons stated in Sec. 21.7080(m)(1).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3020)

    (gg) Spouse eligible for transferred entitlement and transferor 
divorce. If a spouse eligible for transferred entitlement and the 
transferor divorce, the spouse's discontinuance date is the date of the 
divorce.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(31), 103, 3020)

    (hh) Child eligible for transferred entitlement marries. If a child 
eligible for transferred entitlement marries, the date of discontinuance 
is the date the child marries.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(4), 3020)

    (ii) Stepchild eligible for transferred entitlement no longer member 
of transferor's household. If a stepchild eligible for transferred 
entitlement ceases to be a member of the transferor's household, the 
date of discontinuance is the date the stepchild was no longer a member 
of the transferor's household. See Sec. 21.7080(c)(4).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(4), 3020)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28386, July 11, 1990; 57 
FR 15024, Apr. 24, 1992; 58 FR 26242, May 3, 1993; 61 FR 6788, Feb. 22, 
1996; 61 FR 26116, May 24, 1996; 62 FR 55519, Oct. 27, 1997; 63 FR 
35837, July 1, 1998; 64 FR 38577, July 19, 1999; 64 FR 51901, Sept. 27, 
1999; 66 FR 38939, July 26, 2001; 66 FR 42586, Aug. 13, 2001; 70 FR 
25787, May 16, 2005; 71 FR 75677, Dec. 18, 2006; 72 FR 16981, Apr. 5, 
2007]



Sec. 21.7136  Rates of payment of basic educational assistance.

    The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to a veteran or 
servicemember depends in part upon the service requirements he or she 
met to establish eligibility for that educational assistance.
    (a) Service requirements for higher rates. The monthly rate of basic 
educational assistance payable to a veteran or servicemember shall be 
the rate stated in paragraph (b) of this section when--
    (1) The veteran has established eligibility for educational 
assistance under Sec. 21.7045; or

[[Page 488]]

    (2) The veteran has established eligibility under Sec. 21.7042, and 
one of the following sets of circumstances exist.
    (i) The veteran's qualifying obligated period of active duty is at 
least three years; or
    (ii) The veteran's qualifying obligated period of active duty is at 
least two years and less than three years and either the veteran has 
served or is committed to serve in the Selected Reserve for a period of 
at least four years, or the veteran was committed to serve in the 
Selected Reserve for a period of at least four years but failed to 
complete four years service for one of the reasons stated in 
Sec. 21.7042(b)(7)(i) or (iii); or
    (iii) The veteran's qualifying obligated period of active duty is at 
least two years and less than three years and--
    (A) The basic educational assistance is payable for training 
received after August 31, 1993;
    (B) The veteran's continuous active duty service beginning on the 
date of the commencement of his or her qualifying obligated period of 
active duty is at least three years and upon completion of that 
continuous period of active duty the veteran either--
    (1) Continues on active duty; or
    (2) Is discharged from active duty with an honorable discharge; or
    (3) Is released after service on active duty characterized by the 
Secretary concerned as honorable service and is placed on the retired 
list, transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps 
Reserve, placed on the temporary disability retired list; or
    (4) Is released from active duty for further service in a reserve 
component of the Armed Forces after service on active duty characterized 
by the Secretary concerned as honorable service.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(a))

    (b) Rates. (1) Except as elsewhere provided in this section or in 
Sec. 21.7139, basic educational assistance is payable to a veteran whose 
service is described in paragraph (a) of this section at the following 
monthly rates:
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Monthly
                          Training                               rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time..................................................     $1034.00
\3/4\ time.................................................       775.50
\1/2\ time.................................................       517.00
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time...................       517.00
\1/4\ time.................................................       258.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Monthly
                          Training                               rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time..................................................     $1075.00
\3/4\ time.................................................       806.25
\1/2\ time.................................................       537.50
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time...................       537.50
\1/4\ time.................................................       268.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (iii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2007, and before 
August 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Monthly
                          Training                               rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time..................................................     $1101.00
\3/4\ time.................................................       825.75
\1/2\ time.................................................       550.50
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time...................       550.50
\1/4\ time.................................................       275.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (2) If a veteran's service is described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, basic educational assistance is payable to the veteran for 
pursuit of apprenticeship or other on-job training at the following 
monthly rates:
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $878.90
Second six months of training...............................      672.10
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      465.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $913.75
Second six months of training...............................      698.75
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      483.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 489]]


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (iii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2007, and before 
January 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $935.85
Second six months of training...............................      715.65
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      495.45
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (iv) For training that occurs after December 31, 2007, and before 
August 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $825.75
Second six months of training...............................      605.55
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      385.35
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (3) If a veteran's service is described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, the monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to the 
veteran for pursuit of a cooperative course is--
    (i) $1034.00 for training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and 
before October 1, 2006;
    (ii) $1075.00 for training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and 
before October 1, 2007; and
    (iii) $1101.00 for training that occurs after September 30, 2007, 
and before August 1, 2008.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (c) Rates for some veterans whose qualifying obligated period of 
active duty is less than three years. If a veteran has established 
eligibility under Sec. 21.7042, but the veteran's service is not 
described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the monthly rate of 
educational assistance payable to the veteran will be determined by this 
paragraph.
    (1) Except as elsewhere provided in this section or in Sec. 21.7139, 
basic educational assistance is payable to a veteran at the following 
monthly rates:
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time...................................................     $840.00
\3/4\ time..................................................      630.00
\1/2\ time..................................................      420.00
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time....................      420.00
\1/4\ time or less..........................................      210.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time...................................................     $873.00
\3/4\ time..................................................      654.75
\1/2\ time..................................................      436.50
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time....................      436.50
\1/4\ time or less..........................................      218.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (iii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2007, and before 
August 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time...................................................     $894.00
\3/4\ time..................................................      670.50
\1/2\ time..................................................      447.00
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time....................      447.00
\1/4\ time or less..........................................      223.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (2) Basic educational assistance is payable to a veteran for pursuit 
of apprenticeship or other on-job training at the following monthly 
rates:
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $714.00
Second six months of training...............................      546.00
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      378.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $742.05
Second six months of training...............................      567.45
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      392.85
------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 490]]


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (iii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2007, and before 
January 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $759.90
Second six months of training...............................      581.10
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      402.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (iv) For training that occurs after December 31, 2007, and before 
August 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Monthly
                       Training period                           rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First six months of training................................     $670.50
Second six months of training...............................      491.70
Remaining pursuit of training...............................      312.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032(c))

    (3) The monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to a 
veteran for pursuit of a cooperative course is
    (i) $840.00 for training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and 
before October 1, 2006;
    (ii) $873.00 for training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and 
before October 1, 2007; and
    (iii) $894.00 for training that occurs after September 30, 2007, and 
before August 1, 2008.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (d) Increase in basic educational assistance rates (``kicker''). The 
Secretary concerned may increase the amount of basic educational 
assistance payable to an individual who has a skill or specialty which 
the Secretary concerned designates as having a critical shortage of 
personnel or for which it is difficult to recruit. The amount of the 
increase is set by the Secretary concerned, but (except as provided in 
paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section)--
    (1) For individuals, who first become members of the Armed Forces 
before November 29, 1989, (other than those pursuing cooperative 
training before October 9, 1996, or apprenticeship or other on-job 
training) it may not exceed:
    (i) $400 per month for full-time training,
    (ii) $300 per month for three-quarter-time training,
    (iii) $200 per month for one-half-time training, or for training 
which is less than one-half, but more than one-quarter-time, or
    (iv) $100 per month for one-quarter-time training or less.
    (2) For individuals, who become members of the Armed Forces during 
the period beginning November 29, 1989 and ending September 30, 1998 
(other than those pursuing cooperative training before October 9, 1996, 
or apprenticeship or other on-job training), it may not exceed:
    (i) $700 per month for full-time training,
    (ii) $525 per month for three-quarter-time training,
    (iii) $350 per month for one-half-time training or for training 
which is less than one-half, but more than one-quarter-time, or
    (iv) $175 per month for one-quarter-time training or less.
    (3) For individuals, who first become members of the Armed Forces 
after September 30, 1998, (other than those pursuing apprenticeship or 
other on-job training), it may not exceed:
    (i) $950.00 per month for full-time training,
    (ii) $712.50 per month for three-quarter-time training,
    (iii) $475.00 per month for one-half-time training or for training 
which is less than one-half, but more than one-quarter-time, or
    (iv) $237.50 per month for one-quarter-time training or less.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032)

    (4) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
before November 29, 1989, and who are pursuing an apprenticeship or 
other on-job training, the increase may not exceed the rates shown 
below:
    (i) During the first 6 months of training the increase may not 
exceed $300 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $340 per month.

[[Page 491]]

    (ii) During the second 6 months of training the increase may not 
exceed $220 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $260 per month.
    (iii) During the remaining months of training the increase may not 
exceed $140 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $180 per month.
    (5) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
during the period beginning November 29, 1989, and ending September 30, 
1998, and who are pursuing an apprenticeship or other on-job training, 
the increase may not exceed the rates shown below:
    (i) During the first 6 months of training the increase may not 
exceed $525 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $595 per month.
    (ii) During the second 6 months of training the increase may not 
exceed $385 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $455 per month.
    (iii) During the remaining months of training the increase may not 
exceed $245 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $315 per month.
    (6) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
after September 30, 1998, and who are pursuing apprenticeship or other 
on-job training, the increase may not exceed the rates shown below:
    (i) During the first 6 months of training the increase may not 
exceed $712.50 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $807.50 per month.
    (ii) During the second 6 months of training the increase may not 
exceed $522.50 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $617.50 per month.
    (iii) During the remaining months of training the increase may not 
exceed $332.50 per month, except that during the period October 1, 2005, 
through December 31, 2007, for training that occurs during that period, 
the increase may not exceed $427.50 per month.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032; sec. 103, Pub. L. 108-454, 118 Stat. 
3600)

    (7) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
before November 29, 1989, and who are pursuing cooperative training, it 
may not exceed $320 per month for training received before October 9, 
1996.
    (8) For individuals who first become members of the Armed Forces 
after November 28, 1989, and who are pursuing cooperative training, it 
may not exceed $560 per month for training received before October 9, 
1996.


(Authority: Sec. 108(a)(2), Pub. L. 100-689, 102 Stat. 4170; Sec. 5(a), 
Pub. L. 102-83, 105 Stat. 406)

    (e) Less than one-half-time training and rates for servicemembers. 
Except as provided in paragraph (g) or (h) of this section, the monthly 
rate for a veteran who is pursuing a course on a less than one-half-time 
basis or the monthly rate for a servicemember who is pursuing a program 
of education is the lesser of:
    (1) The monthly rate stated in either paragraph (b) or (c) of this 
section (as determined by the veteran's or servicemember's initial 
obligated period of active duty) plus any additional amounts that may be 
due under paragraph (d) or (f) of this section, or
    (2) The monthly rate of the cost of the course. If there is no cost 
for the course, educational assistance is not payable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015, 3032)

    (f) Increase in basic educational assistance rates (``kicker'') for 
those eligible under Sec. 21.7045. A veteran who formerly was eligible 
to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 32, and becomes 
eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 as described 
in Sec. 21.7045(b)(1)(ii), (c)(1)(ii), (d), or (e),

[[Page 492]]

may receive an increase in basic educational assistance allowance 
(kicker). The increase will be determined as follows.
    (1) The basis of the increase will be that portion of the amount of 
money--
    (i) Which remains in the VEAP fund after the veteran has been paid 
all assistance due him or her under 38 U.S.C. ch. 32 and refunded all of 
his or her contributions to the VEAP fund, and--
    (ii) Which represents the Secretary of Defense's additional 
contributions for the veteran as stated in Sec. 21.5132(b)(3) of this 
part.
    (2) For a student pursuing a program of education by residence 
training--
    (i) VA will determine the monthly rate of the increase by dividing 
the amount of money described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section by the 
number of months of entitlement to educational assistance under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30 which the veteran has at the time his eligibility for 
benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 is first established;
    (ii) VA will use the monthly rate of the increase determined in 
paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section if the veteran is pursuing his or 
her program full time;
    (iii) VA will multiply the monthly rate determined by paragraph 
(f)(2)(i) of this section by .75 for a student pursuing his or her 
program three-quarter time;
    (iv) VA will multiply the monthly rate determined by paragraph 
(f)(2)(i) of this section by .5 for a student pursuing his or her 
program half time; and
    (v) VA will multiply the monthly rate determined by paragraph 
(f)(2)(i) of this section by .25 for a student pursuing his or her 
program less than one-half time.
    (3) For a veteran pursuing cooperative training VA will multiply the 
rate determined by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section by .8 for 
training received before October 9, 1996.
    (4) For a veteran pursuing a program of apprenticeship or other on-
job training--
    (i) During periods before October 1, 2005, and after December 31, 
2007, VA will multiply the monthly rate determined by paragraph 
(f)(2)(i) of this section--
    (A) By .75 for a veteran in the first six months of pursuit of 
training,
    (B) By .55 for a veteran in the second six months of pursuit of 
training, or
    (C) By .35 for a veteran in the remaining months of pursuit of 
training.
    (ii) During the period beginning October 1, 2005, and ending 
December 31, 2007, VA will multiply the monthly rate determined by 
paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section--
    (A) By .85 for a veteran in the first six months of pursuit of 
training,
    (B) By .65 for a veteran in the second six months of pursuit of 
training, or
    (C) By .45 for a veteran in the remaining months of pursuit of 
training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(e); sec. 103, Pub. L. 108-454, 118 Stat. 
3600)

    (g) Increase (``kicker'') in basic educational assistance rates 
payable for service in the Selected Reserve. (1) The Secretary of the 
service department concerned may increase the amount of basic 
educational assistance payable under paragraph (b), (c), (d), (e), or 
(f) of this section, as appropriate. The increase (``kicker'') is 
payable to an individual, who has a skill or specialty in which there is 
a critical shortage of personnel or for which it is difficult to 
recruit, or, in the case of critical units, retain personnel, if the 
individual:
    (i) Establishes eligibility for education under Secs. 21.7042(a), 
21.7045, or 21.7080; and
    (ii) Meets the criteria of Sec. 21.7540(a)(1) with respect to 
service in the Selected Reserve.
    (2) The Secretary of the military department concerned--
    (i) Will, for such an increase (``kicker''), set an amount of the 
increase (``kicker'') for full-time training, but the increase 
(``kicker'') may not exceed $350 per month; and
    (ii) May set the amount of the increase (``kicker'') payable, for an 
individual pursuing a program of education less than full time or 
pursuing a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training, at an 
amount less than the amount described in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this 
section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(i)(2))

    (h) Increase in monthly rates due to contributions. Effective May 1, 
2001, a servicemember who establishes eligibility under Sec. 21.7042(a), 
(b), or (c) may

[[Page 493]]

contribute up to $600 to the Secretary of the military department 
concerned in multiples of $20.
    (1) VA will increase the monthly rate provided in paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (b)(4) and (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this section by:
    (i) $5 for every $20 an individual pursuing a program of education 
full time has contributed;
    (ii) $3.75 for every $20 an individual pursuing a program of 
education three-quarter time has contributed;
    (iii) $2.50 for every $20 an individual pursuing a program of 
education half time or less than one-half time but more than one-quarter 
time has contributed; and
    (iv) $1.25 for every $20 an individual pursuing a program of 
education one-quarter time has contributed.
    (2) If a veteran is pursuing apprenticeship or other on-job 
training--
    (i) During periods before October 1, 2005, and after December 31, 
2007, VA will increase the veteran's monthly educational assistance that 
is otherwise payable--
    (A) During the first 6 months of pursuit of training, by $3.75 for 
every $20 the veteran contributed,
    (B) During the second 6 months of pursuit of training, by $2.75 for 
every $20 the veteran contributed, or
    (C) During the remaining months of the veteran's pursuit of 
training, by $1.75 for every $20 the veteran contributed.
    (ii) During the period beginning October 1, 2005, and ending 
December 31, 2007, VA will increase the veteran's monthly educational 
assistance that is otherwise payable--
    (A) During the first 6 months of pursuit of training, by $4.25 for 
every $20 the veteran contributed,
    (B) During the second 6 months of pursuit of training, by $3.25 for 
every $20 the veteran contributed, or
    (C) During the remaining months of the veteran's pursuit of 
training, by $2.25 for every $20 the veteran contributed.
    (3) VA will increase the monthly rate provided in paragraphs (b)(9) 
or (c)(9) of this section by $5 for every $20 the veteran has 
contributed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(g); sec. 103, Pub. L. 108-454, 118 Stat. 
3600)


[55 FR 28386, July 11, 1990]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.7136, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.7137  Rates of payment of basic educational assistance for
individuals with remaining entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.

    (a) Minimum rates. (1) Except as elsewhere provided in this section, 
basic educational assistance is payable to individuals with remaining 
entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 at the following monthly rates:
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time...................................................     $1222.00     $1258.00     $1289.00       $16.00
\3/4\ time..................................................       917.00       943.50       967.00        12.00
\1/2\ time..................................................       611.00       629.00       644.50         8.50
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time....................       611.00       611.00       611.00            0
\1/4\ time or less..........................................       305.50       305.50       305.50            0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

[[Page 494]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time...................................................     $1263.00     $1299.00     $1330.00       $16.00
\3/4\ time..................................................       947.75       974.25       997.75        12.00
\1/2\ time..................................................       631.50       649.50       665.00         8.50
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time....................       631.50       631.50       631.50            0
\1/4\ time or less..........................................       315.75       315.75       315.75            0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (iii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2007, and before 
August 1, 2008:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time...................................................     $1289.00     $1325.00     $1356.00       $16.00
\3/4\ time..................................................       967.25       993.75      1017.25        12.00
\1/2\ time..................................................       644.50       662.50       678.00         8.50
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time....................       644.50       644.50       644.50            0
\1/4\ time or less..........................................       322.25       322.25       322.25            0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (2) For veterans pursuing apprenticeship or other on-job training, 
basic educational assistance is payable for training at the following 
monthly rates:
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st six months of pursuit of program........................      $995.35     $1009.38     $1021.70        $5.95
2nd six months of pursuit of program........................       738.73       749.78       758.88         4.55
3rd six months of pursuit of program........................       495.90       503.78       509.85         3.15
Remaining pursuit of program................................       480.60       488.03       494.78         3.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st six months of pursuit of program........................     $1030.20     $1044.23     $1056.55        $5.95
2nd six months of pursuit of program........................       765.38       776.43       785.53         4.55
3rd six months of pursuit of program........................       514.35       522.23       528.30         3.15
Remaining pursuit of program................................       499.05       506.48       513.23         3.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (iii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2007 and before 
January 1, 2008:

[[Page 495]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st six months of pursuit of program........................     $1052.30     $1066.33     $1078.65        $5.95
2nd six months of pursuit of program........................       782.28       793.33       802.43         4.55
3rd six months of pursuit of program........................       526.05       533.93       540.00         3.15
Remaining pursuit of program................................       510.75       518.18       524.93         3.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (iv) For training that occurs after December 31, 2007, and before 
August 1, 2008:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Monthly rate
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Additional
                          Training                                 No          One          Two        for each
                                                               dependents   dependent    dependents   additional
                                                                                                      dependent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st six months of pursuit of program........................      $928.50      $940.88      $951.75        $5.25
2nd six months of pursuit of program........................       661.93       671.28       678.98         3.85
3rd six months of pursuit of program........................       409.15       415.28       420.00         2.45
Remaining pursuit of program................................       397.25       403.03       408.28         2.45
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (3) The monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to a 
veteran who is pursuing a cooperative course is the rate stated in the 
following tables:
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005, and before 
October 1, 2006:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Monthly rate
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Additional
                                          One         Two      for each
            No dependents              dependent  dependents  additional
                                                               dependent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1222.00.............................   $1258.00    $1289.00      $16.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2006, and before 
October 1, 2007:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Monthly rate
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Additional
                                          One         Two      for each
            No dependents              dependent  dependents  additional
                                                               dependent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1263.00.............................   $1299.00    $1330.00      $16.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (iii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2007, and before 
August 1, 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Monthly rate
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Additional
                                          One         Two      for each
            No dependents              dependent  dependents  additional
                                                               dependent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1289.00.............................   $1325.00    $1356.00      $16.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (b) Less than one-half-time training. Except as provided in 
paragraph (d) of this section, the monthly rate of basic educational 
assistance for a veteran who is pursuing a course on a less than one-
half-time basis is the lesser of:
    (1) The monthly rate in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or
    (2) The monthly rate of the cost of the course. If there is no cost 
for the course, educational assistance is not payable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (c) Rates for servicemembers. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of 
this section, the monthly rate of basic educational assistance for a 
servicemember may not exceed the lesser of:
    (1) The monthly rate stated in paragraph (a) of this section; or
    (2) The monthly rate of the cost of the course. If there is no cost 
for the

[[Page 496]]

course, educational assistance is not payable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015)

    (d) Increase (``kicker'') in basic educational assistance rates for 
service in the Selected Reserve. (1) The Secretary of the service 
department concerned may increase the amount of basic educational 
assistance payable under paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section, as 
appropriate. The increase (``kicker'') is payable to an individual who 
has a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of 
personnel or for which it is difficult to recruit, or, in the case of 
critical units, retain personnel, if the individual:
    (i) Establishes eligibility for educational assistance under 
Sec. 21.7044(a) or Sec. 21.7080;
    (ii) Meets the criteria of Sec. 21.7540(a)(1) with respect to 
service in the Selected Reserve.
    (2) The Secretary of the military department concerned--
    (i) Will, for such an increase, set the amount of the increase 
(``kicker'') payable for full-time training, but the increase 
(``kicker'') may not exceed $350 per month;
    (ii) May set the amount of the ``kicker'' payable, for a veteran 
pursuing a program of education less than full time or pursuing an 
apprenticeship or other on-job training, at an amount less than the 
amount described in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(i)(2))

    (e) Concurrent benefits. VA may pay additional educational 
assistance to a veteran for a dependent concurrently with additional 
pension or compensation for the same dependent.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(d), Pub. L. 98-525)

    (f) Two veteran cases. VA may pay additional educational assistance 
to a veteran for a spouse who is also a veteran. This will not bar the 
payment of additional educational assistance or subsistence allowance 
under Sec. 21.260 of this part to the spouse for the veteran. If the 
veteran is paid additional educational assistance for a child, that will 
not bar payment of additional educational assistance or subsistence 
allowance under Sec. 21.260 of this part to the spouse for the same 
child.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting 
Sec. 21.7137, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.



Sec. 21.7138  Rates of supplemental educational assistance.

    In addition to basic educational assistance, a veteran or 
servicemember who is eligible for supplemental educational assistance 
and entitled to it shall be paid supplemental educational assistance at 
the rate described in this section unless a lesser rate is required by 
Sec. 21.7139 of this part.
    (a) Rates for veterans. (1) Except for a veteran pursuing 
apprenticeship or other on-job training, the rate of supplemental 
educational assistance payable to a veteran is at least the rate stated 
in this table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Training                           Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time.................................  $300.
\3/4\ time................................  225.
\1/2\ time................................  150.
Less than \1/2\ but more than \1/4\ time..  150 See paragraph (c).
\1/4\ time or less........................  75 See paragraph (c).
Cooperative...............................  240.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(d), 3022, 3032(d); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 
100-689) (Jan. 1, 1989)

    (2) For a veteran pursuing apprenticeship or other on-job training 
the rate of supplemental educational assistance payable to a veteran is 
as provided in this table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Training period                       Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First 6 months of pursuit of program......  $225.00
Second 6 months of pursuit of program.....  165.00
Remaining pursuit of program..............  105.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(c), 3032(c); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (b) Increase in supplemental educational assistance rates 
(``kicker''). The Secretary concerned may increase the amount of 
supplemental educational assistance payable to an individual

[[Page 497]]

who has a skill or specialty which the Secretary concerned designates as 
having a critical shortage of personnel or for which it is difficult to 
recruit. The amount of the increase is set by the Secretary concerned, 
but--
    (1) For an individual other than one pursuing an apprenticeship or 
other on-job training or cooperative training it may not exceed--


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032(d)) (Jan. 1, 1989)

    (i) $300 per month for full-time training.
    (ii) $225 per month for three-quarter-time training,
    (iii) $150 per month for one-half-time training and for training 
which is less than one-half-time, but more than one-quarter-time, or
    (iv) $75 per month for one-quarter-time training or less.
    (2) For an individual pursuing an apprenticeship or other on-job 
training it may not exceed--
    (i) $225 per month for the first six months of training,
    (ii) $165 per month for the second six months of training, and
    (iii) $105 per month for the remaining months of training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3022(b), 3032(c); Pub. L. 99-576)

    (3) For an individual pursuing cooperative training, it may not 
exceed $240 per month.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3022(b), 3032(d)) (Jan. 1, 1989)

    (c) Rates of supplemental educational assistance for less than one-
half-time training and for servicemembers. The monthly rate of 
supplemental educational assistance payable to a veteran who is training 
less than half-time or to a servicemember is determined as follows:
    (1) The monthly rate of the veteran's or servicemember's basic 
educational assistance determined as provided in Secs. 21.7136(e) and 
21.7137(b), (c) and (d) of this part.
    (2) If the monthly rate of basic educational assistance equals or is 
greater than the monthly rate of the cost of the course, no supplemental 
educational assistance is payable.
    (3) If the monthly rate of basic educational assistance is less than 
monthly rate of the cost of the course, the monthly rate of supplemental 
educational assistance is the lesser of--
    (i) The monthly rate provided in paragraph (a) of this section, plus 
the monthly rate provided in paragraph (b) of this section, if 
appropriate, or
    (ii) The difference between the monthly rate of the cost of the 
course and the monthly rate of the veteran's or servicemember's basic 
educational assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3022, 3032; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28388, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20136, May 2, 1991; 71 FR 75678, Dec. 18, 2006]



Sec. 21.7139  Conditions which result in reduced rates or no payment.

    The monthly rates established in Secs. 21.7136, 21.7137 and 21.7138 
shall be reduced as stated in this section whenever the circumstances 
described in this section arise.
    (a) Withdrawals and nonpunitive grades. Withdrawal from a course or 
receipt of a nonpunitive grade affects payments to a veteran or 
servicemember. VA will not pay benefits to a veteran or servicemember 
for pursuit of a course from which the veteran or servicemember 
withdraws or receives a nonpunitive grade which is not used in computing 
requirements for graduation unless the provisions of this paragraph are 
met.
    (1) The veteran withdraws because he or she is ordered to active 
duty; or
    (2) All of the following exist.
    (i) There are mitigating circumstances; and
    (ii) The veteran or servicemember submits a description of the 
mitigating circumstances in writing to VA within one year from the date 
VA notifies the veteran or servicemember that he or she must submit a 
description of the mitigating circumstances, or at a later date if the 
veteran or servicemember is able to show good cause why the one-year 
time limit should be extended to the date on which he or she submitted 
the description of the mitigating circumstances; and

[[Page 498]]

    (iii) The veteran or servicemember submits evidence supporting the 
existence of mitigating circumstances within one year of the date that 
evidence is requested by VA, or at a later date if the veteran or 
servicemember is able to show good cause why the one-year time limit 
should be extended to the date on which he or she submitted the evidence 
supporting the existence of mitigating circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 102-
127)(Aug. 1, 1990)

    (b) No educational assistance for some incarcerated veterans or 
servicemembers. VA will pay no educational assistance to a veteran or 
servicemember, who--
    (1) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State or local penal institution 
for conviction of a felony, and
    (2) Is enrolled in a course--
    (i) For which there are no tuition and fees, or
    (ii) For which tuition and fees are being paid by a Federal program 
(other than one administered by the VA) or by a State or local program, 
and
    (3) Is incurring no charge for the books, supplies and equipment 
necessary for the course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3482(g))

    (c) Reduced educational assistance for some incarcerated 
servicemembers. (1) VA will pay reduced educational assistance to a 
servicemember who--
    (i) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State or local penal institution 
for conviction of a felony, and
    (ii) Is enrolled in a course where his or her tuition and fees are 
being paid for entirely or partly by a Federal program (other than one 
administered by VA) or by a State or local program, and
    (iii) If all the tuition and fees are paid for by such a program, 
must buy books, supplies or equipment for the course.
    (2) The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to a 
servicemember described in this paragraph shall equal the lowest of the 
following:
    (i) The monthly rate of the portion of the tuition and fees that are 
not paid by a Federal program (other than one administered by VA) or a 
State or local program plus the monthly rate of any charges to the 
servicemember for the cost of necessary supplies, books and equipment;
    (ii) The monthly rate of the portion of the tuition and fees paid by 
the servicemember plus the monthly rate of the portion of tuition and 
fees paid by the Federal, State or local program; or
    (iii) The monthly rate found in Sec. 21.7136(e) or Sec. 21.7137(c), 
as appropriate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3482(g))

    (d) Reduced educational assistance for some incarcerated veterans. 
(1) VA will pay reduced educational assistance to a veteran who--
    (i) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State or local penal institution 
for conviction of a felony, and
    (ii) Is enrolled in a course for which the veteran pays some (but 
not all) of the charges for tuition and fees, or for which a Federal 
program (other than one administered by VA) or a State or local program 
pays all the charges for tuition and fees, but which requires the 
veteran to pay for books, supplies and equipment.
    (2) The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to such a 
veteran who is pursuing the course on a one-half time or greater basis 
shall be the lesser of the following:
    (i) The monthly rate of the portion of the tuition and fees that are 
not paid by a Federal program (other than one administered by VA) or a 
State or local program plus the monthly rate of the charge to the 
veteran for the cost of necessary supplies, books and equipment, or
    (ii) If the veteran has remaining entitlement under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 34, monthly rate stated in Sec. 21.7137(a) for a veteran with no 
dependents and the increase provided in Sec. 21.7137(d) or (e), if 
appropriate, plus the monthly rate stated in Sec. 21.7138 (a) and (b) 
for a veteran if the veteran is entitled to supplemental educational 
assistance, or
    (iii) If the veteran has no entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34, 
the monthly rate stated in Sec. 21.7136 (a) or (b), as appropriate, and 
the increase provided in Sec. 21.7136(d), (f), or (g), if appropriate, 
plus the monthly rate stated in Sec. 21.7138 (a) and (b) for a veteran 
if the veteran is entitled to supplemental educational assistance.

[[Page 499]]

    (3) The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to such a 
veteran who is pursuing the course on a less than one-half time basis or 
on a one-quarter time basis shall be the lowest of the following:
    (i) The monthly rate of the tuition and fees charged for the course,
    (ii) The monthly rate of the tuition and fees which the veteran must 
pay plus the monthly rate of the charge to the veteran for the cost of 
necessary supplies, books and equipment, or
    (iii) The monthly rate determined by Sec. 21.7136(e) or 
Sec. 21.7137(b), as appropriate, plus the monthly rate stated in 
Sec. 21.7138(c) if the veteran is entitled to supplemental educational 
assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3482(g))

    (e) Payment for correspondence courses. The amount of payment due a 
veteran or servicemember who is pursuing a correspondence course or the 
correspondence portion of a correspondence-residence course is 55 
percent of the established charge which the educational institution 
requires nonveterans to pay for the lessons that the veteran or 
servicemember has had completed and serviced and for which payment is 
due.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3686(a)(2))

    (f) Failure to work sufficient hours of apprenticeship and other on-
job training. (1) For any month in which an eligible veteran pursuing an 
apprenticeship or other on-job training program fails to complete 120 
hours of training, VA will reduce proportionally--
    (i) The rates specified in Secs. 21.7136(b)(2), (c)(2), (d)(4) 
through (d)(6), (f)(4), and (h)(2) and 21.7137(a)(2); and
    (ii) Any increase (``kicker'') set by the Secretary of the service 
department concerned as described in Secs. 21.7136(g) and 21.7137(d).
    (2) In making the computations required by paragraph (g)(1) of this 
section, VA will round the number of hours worked to the nearest 
multiple of eight.
    (3) For the purpose of this paragraph ``hours worked'' include 
only--
    (i) The training hours the veteran worked, and
    (ii) All hours of the veteran's related training which occurred 
during the standard workweek and for which the veteran received wages. 
(See Sec. 21.4270(c), footnote 5, as to the requirements for full-time 
training.)


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3687(b)(3)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28388, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 11672, Mar. 20, 1991; 57 FR 15025, Apr. 24, 1992; 58 FR 26242, May 3, 
1993; 60 FR 32272, June 21, 1995; 62 FR 55520, Oct. 27, 1997; 71 FR 
75678, Dec. 18, 2006; 73 FR 65269, Nov. 3, 2008]



Sec. 21.7140  Certifications and release of payments.

    (a) Advance payments and lump-sum payments. VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4138(a) and (b) in making advance payments and 
lump-sum payments to veterans and servicemembers.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034 and 3680)

    (b) Accelerated payments. VA will apply the provisions of 
Secs. 21.7151(a), (c), and 21.7154(d) in making accelerated payments.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A)

    (c) Other payments. Except for an individual who is seeking tuition 
assistance top-up, an individual must be pursuing a program of education 
in order to receive payments of educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30. To ensure that this is the case, the provisions of this 
paragraph must be met.
    (1) VA will pay educational assistance to a veteran or servicemember 
(other than one pursuing a program of apprenticeship, other on-job 
training, or a correspondence course; one seeking tuition assistance 
top-up;, one seeking reimbursement for taking an approved licensing or 
certification test; one who qualifies for an advance payment; one who 
qualifies for an accelerated payment; or one who qualifies for a lump 
sum payment) only after:
    (i) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment 
as provided in Sec. 21.7152; and
    (ii) VA has received from the individual a verification of the 
enrollment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(g), 3689)


[[Page 500]]


    (2) VA will pay educational assistance to a veteran pursuing a 
program of apprenticeship or other on-job training only after--
    (i) The training establishment has certified his or her enrollment 
in the training program as provided in Sec. 21.7152; and
    (ii) VA has received from the veteran and the training establishment 
a certification of hours worked.
    (3) VA will pay educational assistance to a veteran or servicemember 
who is pursuing a correspondence course only after-
    (i) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment;
    (ii) VA has received from the veteran or servicemember a 
certification as to the number of lessons completed and serviced by the 
educational institution; and
    (iii) VA has received from the educational institution a 
certification or an endorsement on the veteran's or servicemember's 
certificate, as to the number of lessons completed by the veteran or 
servicemember and serviced by the educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(b))

    (4) VA will pay educational assistance to a veteran or servicemember 
as reimbursement for taking an approved licensing or certification test 
only after the veteran or servicemember has submitted to VA a copy of 
the veteran's or servicemember's official test results and, if not 
included in the results, a copy of another official form (such as a 
receipt or registration form) that together must include:
    (i) The name of the test;
    (ii) The name and address of the organization or entity issuing the 
license or certificate;
    (iii) The date the veteran or servicemember took the test; and
    (iv) The cost of the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3689)

    (5) VA will pay educational assistance for tuition assistance top-up 
only after the individual has submitted to VA a copy of the form(s) that 
the military service with jurisdiction requires for tuition assistance 
and that had been presented to the educational institution, covering the 
course or courses for which the claimant wants tuition assistance top-
up. If the form(s) submitted did not contain the amount of tuition 
assistance charged to the individual, VA may delay payment until VA 
obtains that information from the educational institution. Examples of 
these forms include:
    (i) DA Form 2171, Request for Tuition Assistance--Army Continuing 
Education System;
    (ii) AF Form 1227, Authority for Tuition Assistance--Education 
Services Program;
    (iii) NAVMC 10883, Application for Tuition Assistance, and either 
NAVEDTRA 1560/5, Tuition Assistance Authorization or NAVMC (page 2), 
Tuition Assistance Authorization;
    (iv) Department of Homeland Security, USCG CG-4147, Application for 
Off-Duty Assistance; and
    (v) Request for Top-Up: eArmyU Program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5101(a))

    (d) Payment for intervals and temporary school closings. In 
administering 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4138(f) when determining whether an individual is entitled to 
payment for an interval or temporary school closing.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680)

    (e) Payee. (1) VA will make payment to the veteran or servicemember 
or to a duly appointed fiduciary. The VA will make direct payment to the 
veteran or servicemember even if he or she is a minor.
    (2) The assignment of educational assistance is prohibited. In 
administering this provision, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4146 to 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680)

    (f) Limitations on payments. VA will not apportion educational 
assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680)

    (g) Payments of accrued benefits. Educational assistance remaining 
due and unpaid at the date of the servicemember's or veteran's death is

[[Page 501]]

payable under the provisions of Sec. 3.1000 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 2900-0695 
and 2900-0698)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28388, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20136, May 2, 1991; 56 FR 31332, July 10, 1991; 57 FR 15025, Apr. 24, 
1992; 61 FR 26117, May 24, 1996; 62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997; 64 FR 
52652, Sept. 30, 1999; 68 FR 35180, June 12, 2003; 72 FR 16982, Apr. 5, 
2007; 73 FR 65269, Nov. 3, 2008]



Sec. 21.7141  Tutorial assistance.

    An individual who is otherwise eligible to receive benefits under 
the Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty may receive supplemental monetary 
assistance to provide tutorial services. In determining whether VA will 
pay the individual this assistance, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4236.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3019, 3492)

[61 FR 26117, May 24, 1996]



Sec. 21.7142  Accelerated payments, payment of tuition assistance 
top-up, and licensing or certification test reimbursement.

    (a) Amount of accelerated payment. An accelerated payment will be 
the lesser of--
    (1) The amount equal to 60 percent of the charged tuition and fees 
for the term, quarter, or semester (or the entire program of education 
for those programs not offered on a term, quarter, or semester basis), 
or
    (2) The aggregate amount of basic educational assistance to which 
the individual remains entitled under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 at the time 
of the payment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A)

    (b) Amount of tuition assistance top-up. The amount of tuition 
assistance top-up VA will pay to an individual for a course is the 
lowest of the following:
    (1) All of the charges of the educational institution for the 
individual's education or training that the Secretary of the military 
department concerned has not paid under 10 U.S.C. 2007(a) or 2007(c);
    (2) That portion of the charges of the educational institution for 
the individual's education that the Secretary of the military department 
concerned has not paid under 10 U.S.C. 2007(a) or 2007(c) and for which 
the individual has stated to VA that he or she wishes to receive 
payment;
    (3) An amount VA will determine by multiplying the individual's 
remaining months and days of entitlement to educational assistance as 
provided under Sec. 21.7072 or Sec. 21.7073 by the individual's monthly 
rate of basic educational assistance as provided under Sec. 21.7136 or 
Sec. 21.7137, as appropriate;
    (4) An amount VA will determine by multiplying the individual's 
remaining months and days of entitlement to tuition assistance top-up as 
provided under Sec. 21.7075 by the individual's monthly rate of basic 
educational assistance as provided under Sec. 21.7136 or Sec. 21.7137, 
as appropriate; or
    (5) An amount VA will determine by--
    (i) Dividing the total number of days from the date on which the 
individual became eligible for educational assistance under the 
Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty by the number of days in the term during 
which the individual took the course or course for which he or she wants 
tuition assistance top-up; and
    (ii) Multiplying the result by the amount stated in paragraph (b)(1) 
or (b)(2) of this section, as appropriate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b))

    (c) Amount of reimbursement for taking a licensing or certification 
test. The amount of educational assistance VA will pay as reimbursement 
for taking an approved licensing or certification test is the lowest of 
the following:
    (1) The fee that the licensing or certification organization 
offering the test charges for taking the test;
    (2) $2,000; or
    (3) An amount VA will determine by multiplying the veteran's or 
servicemember's remaining months and days of entitlement to educational 
assistance as provided under Sec. 21.7072 or Sec. 21.7073 by the 
veteran's or servicemember's monthly rate of basic educational 
assistance as provided

[[Page 502]]

under Sec. 21.7136 or Sec. 21.7137, as appropriate.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3032(f))

[72 FR 16982, Apr. 5, 2007, as amended at 72 FR 35662, June 29, 2007]



Sec. 21.7143  Nonduplication of educational assistance.

    (a) Payments of educational assistance shall not be duplicated. (1) 
Except for receipt of a Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve kicker 
provided under 10 U.S.C. 16131(i), a veteran is barred from concurrently 
receiving educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 and--
    (i) 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment);
    (ii) 38 U.S.C. chapter 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance);
    (iii) 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill);
    (iv) 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance);
    (v) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve);
    (vi) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance 
Program);
    (vii) 10 U.S.C. chapter 106a (Educational Assistance Test Program);
    (viii) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 
1981 (Pub. L. 96-342, 10 U.S.C. 2141 note);
    (ix) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-449, 5 U.S.C. 5561 
note); or
    (x) The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 
(Pub. L. 99-399).
    (b) If an individual is eligible for benefits under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 and one or more of the programs listed in paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(x) of this section, he or she must specify 
under which program he or she is claiming benefits. The individual may 
choose to receive benefits under another program (other than 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 33) at any time, but not more than once in a calendar month. The 
individual may choose to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 at 
any time, but not more than once during a certified term, quarter, or 
semester.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3033(a), 3681(b))

    (c) Nonduplication--Federal program. Payment of educational 
assistance is prohibited to an otherwise eligible veteran or 
servicemember--
    (1) For a unit course or courses which are being paid for entirely 
or partly by the Armed Forces during any period he or she is on active 
duty;
    (2) For a unit course or courses which are being paid for entirely 
or partly by the Department of Health and Human Services during any 
period that he or she is on active duty with the Public Health Service; 
or
    (3) For a unit course or courses which are being paid for entirely 
or partly by the United States under the Government Employees' Training 
Act.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3681)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28389, July 11, 1990; 57 
FR 15025, Apr. 24, 1992; 58 FR 46867, Sept. 3, 1993; 61 FR 20729, May 8, 
1996. Redesignated at 68 FR 35180, June 12, 2003, as amended at 74 FR 
14670, Mar. 31, 2009]



Sec. 21.7144  Overpayments.

    (a) Prevention of overpayments. In administering benefits payable 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4008. See Sec. 21.7133.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3690(b))

    (b) Liability for overpayments. (1) The amount of the overpayment of 
educational assistance paid to a veteran or servicemember constitutes a 
liability of that veteran or servicemember.
    (2) The amount of the overpayment of educational assistance paid to 
a veteran or servicemember constitutes a liability of the educational 
institution if VA determines that the overpayment was made as the result 
of willful or negligent:
    (i) False certification by the educational institution; or
    (ii) Endorsement of a veteran's or servicemember's false 
certification of his or her actual attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3685)

    (c) Recovery of overpayments. In determining whether an overpayment 
should be recovered from an educational institution, VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4009 (except paragraph

[[Page 503]]

(a)(1)) to overpayments of educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3685)

    Cross Reference: Entitlement charges. See Sec. 21.7076(c).

[62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997. Redesignated at 68 FR 35180, June 12, 
2003.]

                           Pursuit of Courses



Sec. 21.7150  Pursuit.

    Except for a veteran or servicemember seeking tuition assistance 
top-up or reimbursement for taking an approved licensing or 
certification test, the veteran's or servicemember's educational 
assistance depends upon his or her pursuit of a program of education. 
Verification of this pursuit is accomplished by various certifications.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(b))

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 72 FR 16982, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.7151  Advance payment and accelerated payment certifications.

    All certifications required by this paragraph shall be in a form and 
shall contain such information as specified by the Secretary.
    (a) Certification needed before an advance payment can be made. In 
order for a veteran or service member to receive an advance payment of 
educational assistance, the application or other document must be signed 
by the veteran or the enrollment certification must be signed by an 
authorized official of the educational institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(d))

    (b) Advance payments. All verifications required by this paragraph 
shall be in a form and shall contain such information as specified by 
the Secretary.
    (1) For each individual receiving an advance payment an educational 
institution must--
    (i) Verify enrollment for the individual; and
    (ii) Verify the delivery of the advance payment check to the 
individual.
    (2) Once the educational institution has initially verified the 
enrollment of the individual, the individual, not the educational 
institution, must make subsequent verifications in order to release 
further payment for that enrollment as provided in Sec. 21.7154(a) of 
this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(d))

    (c) Accelerated payments. (1) A veteran or servicemember is eligible 
for an accelerated payment only if--
    (i) The veteran or servicemember submits a signed statement to the 
school or to VA that states ``I request accelerated payment'';
    (ii) The veteran or servicemember is enrolled in a course or program 
of education or training beginning on or after October 1, 2002;
    (iii) The veteran is enrolled in an approved program as defined in 
Sec. 21.4200 (aa);
    (iv) The charged tuition and fees for the term, quarter, or semester 
(or entire program for those programs not offered on a term, quarter or 
semester basis) divided by the number of months (and fractions thereof) 
in the enrollment period, exceeds the amount equal to 200 percent of the 
monthly rate of basic educational assistance allowance otherwise payable 
under Sec. 21.7136 or Sec. 21.7137, as applicable;
    (v) The veteran or servicemember requesting the accelerated payment 
has not received an advance payment under Sec. 21.7140(a) for the same 
enrollment period; and
    (vi) The veteran or servicemember has submitted all certifications 
required under Sec. 21.7154(d) for any previous accelerated payment he 
or she received.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(5) of this section, VA will 
make the accelerated payment directly to the educational institution, in 
the veteran's or servicemember's name, for delivery to the veteran or 
servicemember if:
    (i) The educational institution submits the enrollment certification 
required under Sec. 21.7152 before the actual start of the term, quarter 
or semester (or the start of the program for a program not offered on a 
term, quarter or semester basis); and
    (ii) The educational institution at which the veteran or 
servicemember is accepted or enrolled agrees to--

[[Page 504]]

    (A) Provide for the safekeeping of the accelerated payment check 
before delivery to the veteran or servicemember;
    (B) Deliver the payment to the veteran or servicemember no earlier 
than the start of the term, quarter or semester (or the start of the 
program if the program is not offered on a term, quarter or semester 
basis);
    (C) Certify the enrollment of the veteran or servicemember and the 
amount of tuition and fees therefor; and
    (D) Certify the delivery of the accelerated payment to the veteran 
or servicemember.
    (3) VA will make accelerated payments directly to the veteran or 
servicemember if the enrollment certification required under 
Sec. 21.7152 is submitted on or after the first day of the enrollment 
period. VA will electronically deposit the accelerated payment in the 
veteran's or servicemember's bank account unless--
    (i) The veteran or servicemember does not have a bank account; or
    (ii) The veteran or servicemember objects to payment by electronic 
funds transfer.
    (4) VA must make the accelerated payment no later than the last day 
of the month immediately following the month in which VA receives a 
certification from the educational institution regarding--
    (i) The veteran's or servicemember's enrollment in the program of 
education; and
    (ii) The amount of the charged tuition and fees for the term, 
quarter or semester (or for a program that is not offered on a term, 
quarter, or semester basis, the entire program).
    (5) The Director of the VA field station of jurisdiction may direct 
that accelerated payments not be made in advance of the first day of the 
enrollment period in the case of veterans or servicemembers attending an 
educational institution that demonstrates its inability to discharge its 
responsibilities for accelerated payments. In such a case, the 
accelerated payment will be made directly to the veteran or 
servicemember as provided in paragraph (a)(3).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0636)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A)

[55 FR 28390, July 11, 1990, as amended at 68 FR 35180, June 12, 2003]



Sec. 21.7152  Certification of enrollment.

    Except as stated in Sec. 21.7140, the educational institution must 
certify the veteran's or servicemember's enrollment before he or she may 
receive educational assistance.
    (a) Educational institutions must certify most enrollments. VA does 
not, as a condition of payment of tuition assistance top-up or advance 
payment, require educational institutions to certify the enrollments of 
veterans or servicemembers who either are seeking tuition assistance 
top-up or, in the cases described in Sec. 21.7151, are seeking an 
advance payment. VA does not require organizations or entities offering 
a licensing or certification test to certify the fact that the veteran 
or servicemember took the test. In all other cases the educational 
institution must certify the veteran's or servicemember's enrollment 
before he or she may receive educational assistance. This certification 
must be in a form specified by the Secretary and contain such 
information as the Secretary may specify.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b), 3031, 3034, 3482(g), 3680, 3687, 3689, 
5101(a))

    (b) Length of the enrollment period covered by the enrollment 
certification. (1) Educational institutions organized on a term, quarter 
or semester basis generally shall report enrollment for the term, 
quarter, semester, ordinary school year or ordinary school year plus 
summer term. If the certification covers two or more terms, the 
educational institution will report the dates for the break between 
terms if a term ends and the following term does not begin in the same 
or the next calendar month or if the veteran elects not be paid for the 
intervals between terms. The educational institution

[[Page 505]]

must submit a separate enrollment certification for each term, quarter 
or semester when the certification is for--
    (i) A servicemember, or
    (ii) A veteran who--
    (A) Is training on a less than one-half time basis, or
    (B) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State or local prison or jail for 
conviction of a felony.
    (2) Educational institutions organized on a year-round basis will 
report enrollment for the length of the course. The certification will 
include a report of the dates during which the educational institution 
closes for any intervals designated in its approval data as breaks 
between school years.
    (3) When a veteran enrolls in independent study leading to a 
standard college degree, the educational institution's certification 
will include--
    (i) The enrollment date, and
    (ii) The ending date for the period being certified. If the 
educational institution has no prescribed maximum time for completion, 
the certification must include an ending date based on the educational 
institution's estimate for completion.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3684; Pub. L. 98-525)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0073)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28390, July 11, 1990; 61 
FR 6790, Feb. 22, 1996; 72 FR 16983, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.7153  Progress and conduct.

    (a) Satisfactory pursuit of program. In order to receive educational 
assistance for pursuit of a program of education, an individual must 
maintain satisfactory progress. VA will discontinue educational 
assistance if the individual does not maintain satisfactory progress. 
Progress is unsatisfactory if the individual does not satisfactorily 
progress according to the regularly prescribed standards of the 
educational institution he or she is attending.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3474; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Satisfactory conduct. In order to receive educational assistance 
for pursuit of a program of education, an individual must maintain 
satisfactory conduct according to the regularly prescribed standards and 
practices of the educational institution in which he or she is enrolled. 
If the individual will be no longer retained as a student or will not be 
readmitted as a student by the educational institution in which he or 
she is enrolled, VA will discontinue educational assistance, unless 
further development establishes that the educational institution's 
action is retaliatory.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3474; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Satisfactory attendance. In order to receive educational 
assistance for pursuit of a program of education, an individual must 
maintain satisfactory attendance. VA will discontinue educational 
assistance if the individual does not maintain satisfactory attendance. 
Attendance is unsatisfactory if the individual does not attend according 
to the regularly prescribed standards of the educational institution in 
which he or she is enrolled.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3474)

    (d) Reentrance after discontinuance. (1) An individual may be 
reentered following discontinuance because of unsatisfactory attendance, 
conduct or progress when either of the following sets of conditions 
exists:
    (i) The individual resumes enrollment at the same educational 
institution in the same program of education and the educational 
institution has both approved the individual's reenrollment and 
certified it to VA; or
    (ii) VA determines that--
    (A) The cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, conduct or progress 
has been removed, and
    (B) The program which the individual now proposes to pursue is 
suitable to his or her aptitudes, interests and abilities.
    (2) Reentrance may be for the same program, for a revised program, 
or for an entirely different program depending on the cause of the 
discontinuance and the removal of that cause.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3474)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 15025, Apr. 24, 1992]

[[Page 506]]



Sec. 21.7154  Pursuit and absences.

    Except as provided in this section, an individual must submit a 
verification to VA each month of his or her enrollment during the period 
for which the individual is to be paid. This verification shall be in a 
form prescribed by the Secretary.
    (a) Exceptions to the monthly verification requirement. An 
individual does not have to submit a monthly verification as described 
in the introductory text of this section when the individual--
    (1) Is enrolled in a correspondence course;
    (2) Has received a lump-sum payment for the training completed 
during a month; or
    (3) Has received an advance payment for the training completed 
during a month.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A, 3034, 3684)

    (4) Has received an accelerated payment for the enrollment period.
    (b) Items to be reported on all monthly verifications. (1) The 
monthly verification for all veterans and servicemembers will include a 
report on the following items when applicable:
    (i) Continued enrollment in and actual pursuit of the course;
    (ii) The individual's unsatisfactory conduct, progress, or 
attendance;
    (iii) The date of interruption or termination of training;
    (iv) Changes in the number of credit hours or in the number of clock 
hours of attendance other than those described in Sec. 21.7156(a);
    (v) Nonpunitive grades; and
    (vi) Any other changes or modifications in the course as certified 
at enrollment.
    (2) The verification of enrollment must--
    (i) Contain the information required for release of payment;
    (ii) If required or permitted by the Secretary to be submitted on 
paper, be signed by the veteran or servicemember on or after the final 
date of the reporting period, or if permitted by the Secretary to be 
submitted by telephone in a manner designated by the Secretary, be 
submitted in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary on or after 
the final date of the reporting period; and
    (iii) If submitted on paper, clearly show the date on which it was 
signed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3684; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576)

    (c) Additional requirements for apprenticeships and other on-job 
training programs. (1) When a veteran is pursuing an apprenticeship or 
other on-job training he or she must certify training monthly by 
reporting the number of hours worked.
    (2) The information provided by the veteran must be verified by the 
training establishment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a))

    (d) Additional requirements for individuals receiving an accelerated 
payment. (1) When an individual receives an accelerated payment as 
provided in Sec. 21.7151(c) and (d), he or she must certify the 
following information within 60 days of the end of the term, quarter or 
semester (or entire program when the program is not offered on a term, 
quarter, or semester basis) for which the accelerated payment was made:
    (i) The course or program was successfully completed, or if the 
course was not completed--
    (A) The date the veteran or servicemember last attended; and
    (B) An explanation why the course was not completed;
    (ii) If the veteran or servicemember increased or decreased his or 
her training time--
    (A) The date the veteran or servicemember increased or decreased 
training time; and
    (B) The number of credit/clock hours pursued before and after each 
such change in training time; and
    (iii) The accelerated payment was received and used.
    (2) VA will establish an overpayment equal to the amount of the 
accelerated payment if the required certifications in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section are not timely received.
    (3) VA will determine the amount of the overpayment of benefits for 
courses not completed in the following manner--
    (i) For a veteran or servicemember who does not complete the full 
course,

[[Page 507]]

courses, or program for which the accelerated payment was made, and who 
does not substantiate mitigating circumstances for not completing, VA 
will establish an overpayment equal to the amount of the accelerated 
payment.
    (ii) For a veteran or servicemember who does not complete the full 
course, courses, or program for which the accelerated payment was made, 
but who substantiates mitigating circumstances for not completing, VA 
will prorate the amount of the accelerated payment to which he or she is 
entitled based on the number of days from the beginning date of the 
enrollment period through the date of last attendance. VA will determine 
the prorated amount by dividing the accelerated payment amount by the 
number of days in the enrollment period, and multiplying the result by 
the number of days from the beginning date of the enrollment period 
through the date of last attendance. The result of this calculation will 
equal the amount the individual is due. The difference between the 
accelerated payment and the amount the individual is due will be 
established as an overpayment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014A(g))


(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 2900-0465 
and 2900-0636)

[55 FR 28390, July 11, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 15026, Apr. 24, 1992; 
57 FR 24368, June 9, 1992; 61 FR 26117, May 24, 1996; 63 FR 14038, Mar. 
24, 1998; 68 FR 35180, June 12, 2003]



Sec. 21.7156  Other required reports.

    (a) Reports from veterans and servicemembers. (1) A veteran or 
servicemember enrolled full time in a program of education for a 
standard term, quarter, or semester must report without delay to VA:
    (i) A change in his or her credit hours or clock hours of attendance 
if that change would result in less than full-time enrollment;
    (ii) Any change in his or her pursuit that would result in less than 
full-time enrollment; and
    (iii) Any interruption or termination of his or her attendance.
    (2) A veteran or servicemember not described in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section must report without delay to VA:
    (i) Any change in his or her credit hours or clock hours of 
attendance;
    (ii) Any change in his or her pursuit; and
    (iii) Any interruption or termination of his or her attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680(g))

    (b) Interruptions, terminations, or changes in hours of credit or 
attendance. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
an educational institution must report without delay to VA each time a 
veteran or servicemember:
    (i) Interrupts or terminates his or her training for any reason; or
    (ii) Changes his or her credit hours or clock hours of attendance.
    (2) An educational institution does not need to report a change in a 
veteran's or servicemember's hours of credit or attendance when:
    (i) The veteran or servicemember is enrolled full time in a program 
of education for a standard term, quarter, or semester before the 
change;
    (ii) The veteran or servicemember continues to be enrolled full time 
after the change; and
    (iii) The tuition and fees charged to the servicemember have not 
been adjusted as a result of the change.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3684)

    (3) If the change in status or change in number of credit hours or 
clock hours of attendance occurs on a day other than one indicated by 
paragraph (b)(4) or (b)(5) of this section, the educational institution 
will initiate a report of the change in time for VA to receive it within 
30 days of the date on which the change occurs.
    (4) If the educational institution has certified the veteran's or 
servicemember's enrollment for more than one term, quarter or semester 
and the veteran or servicemember interrupts his or her training at the 
end of a term, quarter or semester within the certified enrollment 
period, the educational institution shall report the change in status to 
VA in time for VA to receive the report within 30 days of

[[Page 508]]

the last officially scheduled registration date for the next term, 
quarter or semester.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a), 3684)

    (5) If the change in status or change in the number of hours of 
credit or attendance occurs during the 30 days of a drop-add period, the 
educational institution must report the change in status or change in 
the number of hours of credit or attendance to VA in time for VA to 
receive the report within 30 days from the last date of the drop-add 
period or 60 days from the first day of the enrollment period, whichever 
occurs first.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3684)

    (c) Nonpunitive grades. (1) An educational institution may assign a 
nonpunitive grade for a course or subject in which the veteran or 
servicemember is enrolled even though the veteran or eligible person 
does not withdraw from the course or subject. When this occurs, the 
educational institution must report the assignment of the nonpunitive 
grade in a form prescribed by the Secretary in time for VA to receive it 
before the earlier of the following dates is reached:
    (i) Thirty days from the date on which the educational institution 
assigns the grade, or
    (ii) Sixty days from the last day of the enrollment period for which 
the nonpunitive grade is assigned.
    (2) If the veteran or servicemember is enrolled in a course which 
does not lead to a standard college degree and for which a monthly 
certification of attendance is required, the educational institution may 
use the monthly certification of attendance to report nonpunitive grades 
provided VA will receive the report within the time period stated in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3684)

    (d) Attendance records. Nothing in this section or in any section in 
38 CFR part 21 shall be construed as requiring any institution of higher 
learning to maintain daily attendance records for any course leading to 
a standard college degree.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3685)

(The information collection requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
under control numbers 2900-0465 and 2900-0156, respectively)

[55 FR 28391, July 11, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 15026, Apr. 24, 1992; 
63 FR 14038, Mar. 24, 1998]



Sec. 21.7158  False, late, or missing reports.

    (a) Veteran. Payments may not be based on false or misleading 
statements, claims or reports. VA will apply the provisions of 
Secs. 21.4006 and 21.4007 of this part to a veteran or servicemember or 
any other person who submits false or misleading claims, statements or 
reports in connection with benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 
in the same manner as they are applied to people who make similar false 
or misleading claims for benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 or 
36.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680, 3690, 6103; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Educational institution or training establishment. (1) VA may 
hold an educational institution or training establishment liable for 
overpayments which result from the educational institution's or training 
establishment's willful or negligent failure to report excessive 
absences from a course or discontinuance or interruption of a course by 
a veteran or servicemember or from willful or negligent false 
certification by the educational institution or training establishment. 
See Sec. 21.7144(b).
    (2) If an educational institution or training establishment 
willfully and knowingly submits a false report or certification, VA may 
disapprove that institution's or establishment's courses

[[Page 509]]

for further enrollments and may discontinue educational assistance to 
veterans and servicemembers already enrolled. In doing so, VA will apply 
Secs. 21.4210 through 21.4216.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3690)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28391, July 11, 1990; 61 
FR 26117, May 24, 1996; 63 FR 35837, July 1, 1998]



Sec. 21.7159  Reporting fee.

    In determining the amount of the reporting fee payable to 
educational institutions or joint apprenticeship training committees 
acting as training establishments for furnishing required reports, VA 
will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4206 of this part in the same 
manner as they are in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 
36.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3684; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 99-576)

[55 FR 28391, July 11, 1990]

                            Course Assessment



Sec. 21.7170  Course measurement.

    In administering benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA 
will apply the following sections:
    (a) Sec. 21.4270 (except paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) and those 
portions of paragraph (c) and footnotes dealing with farm cooperative 
training)--Measurement of courses;
    (b) Sec. 21.4272--Collegiate course measurement;
    (c) Sec. 21.4273--Collegiate graduate;
    (d) Sec. 21.4274--Law courses; and
    (e) Sec. 21.4275--Practical training courses; measurement.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688)

[62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7172  Measurement of concurrent enrollments.

    (a) Conversion of units of measurement required. Where a veteran 
enrolls concurrently in courses offered by two schools and the standards 
for the measurement of the courses pursued concurrently in the two 
schools are different, VA will measure the veteran's enrollment by 
converting the units of measurement for courses in the second school to 
their equivalent in units of measurement required for the courses in the 
program of education which the veteran is pursuing at the primary 
institution. This conversion will be accomplished as follows:
    (1) If VA measures the courses at the primary institution on a 
credit-hour basis (including a course which does not lead to a standard 
college degree, which is being measured on a credit-hour basis), and VA 
measures the courses at the second school on a clock-hour basis, the 
clock hours will be converted to credit hours.
    (2) If VA measures the courses pursued at the primary institution on 
a clock-hour basis, and VA measures the courses pursued at the second 
school on a credit-hour basis, VA will convert the credit hours to clock 
hours to determine the veteran's training time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688)

    (3) If VA measures the courses pursued at the primary institution on 
a clock-hour basis, and
    (i) VA measures the courses pursued at the second school on a mixed 
basis, the courses pursued at the second school which VA can measure on 
credit-hour basis for at least one program at the second school will be 
converted to clock hours and the resulting clock hours added to 
determine the veteran's training time; or
    (ii) VA measures the courses pursued at the second school on a 
credit-hour basis, VA will convert the credit hours to clock hours to 
determine the veteran's training time.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688)

    (b) Conversion of clock hours to credit hours. If the provisions of 
paragraph (a) of this section require VA to convert clock hours to 
credit hours, it will do so by--
    (1) Dividing the number of credit hours which VA considers to be 
full-time at the educational institution whose courses are measured on a 
credit-hour basis by the number of clock hours which are full-time at 
the educational institution whose courses are measured on a clock-hour 
basis; and
    (2) Multiplying each clock hour of attendance by the decimal 
determined in

[[Page 510]]

paragraph (b)(1) of this section. VA will drop all fractional hours.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688)

    (c) Conversion of credit hours to clock hours. If the provisions of 
paragraph (a) of this section require VA to convert credit hours to 
clock hours, it will do so by--
    (1) Dividing the number of clock hours which VA considers to be 
full-time at the educational institution whose courses are measured on a 
clock-hour basis by the number of credit hours which are full-time at 
the educational institution whose courses are measured on a credit-hour 
basis; and
    (2) Multiplying each credit hour by the number determined in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section. VA will drop all fractional hours.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688)

    (d) Both courses measured on a credit hour basis or both courses 
measured on a clock hour basis. If VA measures the courses pursued at 
both institutions on a credit hour basis or on a clock hour basis, VA 
will measure the veteran's enrollment by adding together the units of 
measurement for the courses at the second school and the units of 
measurement for the courses at the primary institution. The standard for 
full time will be the full-time standard for the courses at the primary 
institution.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3688)

[55 FR 28392, July 11, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 15026, Apr. 24, 1992; 
61 FR 6790, Feb. 22, 1996; 62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997]

                        State Approving Agencies



Sec. 21.7200  State approving agencies.

    State approving agencies have the same general responsibilities for 
approving courses for training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 as they do for 
approving courses for training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34. Accordingly, 
in administering 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA will apply the provisions of 
the following sections in the same manner, as they are applied for the 
administration of 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 36.
    (a) Section 21.4150 (except paragraph (e))--Designation,
    (b) Section 21.4151--Cooperation,
    (c) Section 21.4152--Control by agencies of the United States,
    (d) Section 21.4153--Reimbursement of expenses;
    (e) Section 21.4154--Report of activities; and
    (f) Section 21.4155--Evaluation of State approving agency 
performance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3670, 3671, 3672, 3673, 3674, 3674A; Pub. L. 
98-525, Pub. L. 100-323)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 49760, Dec. 1, 1989]

                           Approval of Courses



Sec. 21.7220  Course approval.

    (a) Courses must be approved. (1) A course of education, including 
the class schedules of a resident course not leading to a standard 
college degree, offered by an educational institution must be approved 
by--
    (i) The State approving agency for the State in which the 
educational institution is located, or
    (ii) The State approving agency which has appropriate approval 
authority, or
    (iii) VA, where appropriate. In determining when it is appropriate 
for VA to approve a course, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4250(b)(3) and (c) of this part.
    (2) A course approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36 is approved for the 
purposes of 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 unless it is one of the types of 
courses listed in Sec. 21.7222 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3672; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Course approval criteria. In administering benefits payable 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA and, where appropriate, the State 
approving agencies, shall apply the following sections.
    (1) Section 21.4250 (except paragraph (c)(1))--Jurisdiction for 
course and licensing and certification test approval and approval 
notices;
    (2) Section 21.4251--Minimum period of operation requirement for 
educational institutions;
    (3) Section 21.4253 (except that portion of paragraph (f)(3) which 
permits approval of a course leading to a high school diploma)--
Accredited courses;

[[Page 511]]

    (4) Section 21.4254--Nonaccredited courses;
    (5) Section 21.4255--Refund policy--nonaccredited courses;
    (6) Section 21.4258--Notice of approval;
    (7) Section 21.4259--Suspension or disapproval;
    (8) Section 21.4260--Courses in foreign countries;
    (9) Section 21.4265--Practical training approved as institutional 
training or on-job training;
    (10) Section 21.4266--Courses offered at subsidiary branches or 
extensions;
    (11) Section 21.4267--Approval of independent study; and
    (12) Section 21.4268--Approval of licensing and certification tests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3476, 3672, 3675, 3676, 3678, 3679, 3680A, 
3689)

    (c) Flight training. VA and the State approving agencies shall apply 
the provisions of Sec. 21.4263 when approving flight training under 38 
U.S.C. ch. 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28392, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20136, May 2, 1991; 57 FR 15026, Apr. 24, 1992; 61 FR 6790, Feb. 22, 
1996; 63 FR 34131, June 23, 1998; 72 FR 16983, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 21.7222  Courses and enrollments which may not be approved.

    The Secretary may not approve an enrollment by a veteran or 
servicemember in, and a State approving agency may not approve for 
training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30--
    (a) A bartending or personality development course;
    (b) A flight training course unless the course meets the 
requirements of Sec. 21.4263.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(d))

    (c) A course offered by radio;
    (d) A course, or a combination of courses consisting of 
institutional agricultural courses and concurrent agricultural 
employment commonly called a farm cooperative course; or
    (e) Any independent study program except--
    (1) An accredited independent study program (including open circuit 
television) leading to a standard college degree;
    (2) Enrollments in an independent study course after December 26, 
2001, in a program leading to a certificate that reflects educational 
attainment offered by an institution of higher learning; or
    (3) As provided for in Sec. 21.7120(d).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3676, 3680A)

[53 FR 1757, Jan. 22, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 28392, July 11, 1990; 56 
FR 20136, May 2, 1991; 56 FR 26035, June 6, 1991; 57 FR 15026, Apr. 24, 
1992; 61 FR 6791, Feb. 22, 1996; 73 FR 2427, Jan. 15, 2008]



Sec. 21.7280  Death benefit.

    (a) Overview. VA will pay a death benefit under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 
when an individual's death meets the criteria of this section; the 
individual is survived by someone described in this section; and the 
amount of educational assistance paid or payable to the individual is 
less than the amount reduced from the individual's basic pay.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3017; Pub. L. 100-689) (July 1, 1985)

    (b) Necessary criteria for death benefit. VA may pay a death benefit 
under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30 only if--
    (1) The individual either--
    (i) Dies while on active duty, or
    (ii) Dies after October 28, 1992, and his or her date of death is 
within one year after the date of his or her last discharge or release 
from active duty; and
    (2) The death of the individual is service connected. In determining 
if the death is service connected, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 3.312 of this chapter; and
    (3) Either--
    (i) At the time of the individual's death he or she is entitled to 
basic educational assistance through having met the eligibility 
requirements of Sec. 21.7042, or
    (ii) At the time of the individual's death he or she is on active 
duty with the Armed Forces and but for the minimum service requirements 
of Sec. 21.7042(a)(2) or Sec. 21.7042(b)(3) or (4) or the educational 
requirements of Sec. 21.7042(a)(3) or Sec. 21.7042(b)(2) or both would 
be entitled to basic educational

[[Page 512]]

assistance through having met the eligibility requirements of 
Sec. 21.7042.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3017(a))

    (c) Payee. (1) VA shall pay a death benefit to the living person or 
persons in the order listed in this paragraph.
    (i) The beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the individual 
under the individual's Servicemen's Group Life Insurance Policy,
    (ii) The surviving spouse of the individual,
    (iii) The surviving child or children of the individual, in equal 
shares,
    (iv) The surviving parent or parents of the individual in equal 
shares.
    (2) If none of the persons listed in this paragraph is living, VA 
shall not pay a death benefit under this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3017(a)(2); Pub. L. 100-689) (July 1, 1985)

    (d) Amount of death benefit. (1) The amount of any payment made 
under this section shall be equal to--
    (i) The amount reduced from the individual's basic pay as provided 
in Sec. 21.7042(f) less--
    (ii) The total of--
    (A) The amount of educational assistance that has been paid to the 
individual under 38 U.S.C. ch. 30, and
    (B) The amount of accrued benefits paid or payable with respect to 
the individual.
    (2) VA shall pay no death benefit when the amount determined by 
subparagraph (1) of this paragraph is zero or less than zero.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3017 (b) and (c); Pub. L. 100-689) (July 1, 1985)

[56 FR 20136, May 2, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 15026, Apr. 24, 1992; 61 
FR 6791, Feb. 22, 1996]

                             Administrative



Sec. 21.7301  Delegations of authority.

    (a) General delegation of authority. Except as otherwise provided, 
authority is delegated to the Under Secretary for Benefits of VA, and to 
supervisory or adjudication personnel within the jurisdiction of the 
Education Service of VA designated by him or her, to make findings and 
decisions under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 and the applicable regulations, 
precedents and instructions concerning the program authorized by that 
chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a))

    (b) Other delegations of authority. In administering benefits 
payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA shall apply Sec. 21.4001(b), 
(c)(1) and (2) and (f) of this part in the same manner as those 
paragraphs are applied in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 3034, 3696; Pub. L. 98-525)



Sec. 21.7302  Finality of decisions.

    (a) Agency decisions generally are binding. The decision of a VA 
facility of original jurisdiction on which an action is based--
    (1) Will be final,
    (2) Will be binding upon all field offices of the VA as to 
conclusions based on evidence on file at that time, and
    (3) Will not be subject to revision on the same factual grounds 
except by duly constituted appellate authorities or except as provided 
in Sec. 21.7303 of this part. (See Secs. 19.192 and 19.193 of this 
chapter).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511)

    (b) Decisions of an activity within VA. Current determinations of 
line of duty and other pertinent elements of eligibility for a program 
of education made by either an Adjudicative activity or an Insurance 
activity by application of the same criteria and based on the same facts 
are binding one upon the other in the absence of clear and unmistakable 
error.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511)

    (c) Character of discharge determinations. (1) A determination of 
the character of a veteran's discharge made by a competent military or 
naval authority or by the Coast Guard is binding upon VA.
    (2) Any determination of the character of a veteran's discharge made 
by VA in connection with the veteran's eligibility for a benefit other 
than educational assistance under 38 U.S.C.

[[Page 513]]

chapter 30, shall not affect his or her eligibility for educational 
assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3011(a), 3012(a); Pub. L. 98-525)



Sec. 21.7303  Revision of decisions.

    The revision of a decision on which an action was predicated is 
subject to the following sections:
    (a) Clear and unmistakable error, Sec. 3.105(a) of this chapter; and
    (b) Difference of opinion, Sec. 3.105(b) of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511; Pub. L. 98-525)



Sec. 21.7305  Conflicting interests.

    In administering benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA 
will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4005.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3036)

[62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7307  Examination of records.

    In administering benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, VA 
will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4209.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3690)

[62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7310  Civil rights.

    (a) Delegation of authority concerning Federal equal opportunity 
laws. The Under Secretary for Benefits is delegated the responsibility 
to obtain evidence of voluntary compliance with Federal equal 
opportunity laws from educational institutions and from recognized 
national organizations whose representatives are afforded space and 
office facilities under his or her jurisdiction. See part 18 of this 
chapter. These equal opportunity laws are:
    (1) Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964;
    (2) Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972, as amended;
    (3) Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and
    (4) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
    (b) Role of State approving agencies. In obtaining evidence from 
educational institutions of compliance with Federal equal opportunity 
laws, the Under Secretary for Benefits may use the State approving 
agencies as provided in Sec. 21.4258(d).

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2000)

[62 FR 55761, Oct. 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7320  Procedural protection; reduction following loss 
of dependent.

    (a) Notice of reduction required when a veteran loses entitlement to 
additional educational assistance for a dependent. Except as provided in 
paragraph (b) of this section, VA will not reduce an award of 
educational assistance following the veteran's loss of a dependent 
unless:
    (1) VA has notified the veteran of the adverse action; and
    (2) VA has provided the veteran with a period of 60 days in which to 
submit evidence for the purpose of showing that the educational 
assistance should not be reduced.
    (b) No advance notice required in certain situations. When the 
reduction is based solely on written, factual, unambiguous information 
as to dependency or marital status provided by the veteran or his or her 
fiduciary with knowledge or notice that the information would be used to 
determine the monthly rate of educational assistance allowance:
    (1) VA will not send either an advance or a prereduction notice as 
stated in paragraph (a) of this section; but
    (2) VA will send notice of the adverse action contemporaneous with 
the reduction in educational assistance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112, 5113)

[58 FR 63530, Dec. 2, 1993]



  Subpart L_Educational Assistance for Members of the Selected Reserve

    Authority: 10 U.S.C. ch. 1606; 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 512, ch. 36, and as 
noted in specific sections.

    Source: 53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 21.7500  Establishment and purpose of educational assistance
program.

    An educational assistance program for certain members of the 
Selected Reserve is established to encourage

[[Page 514]]

membership in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

                               Definitions



Sec. 21.7520  Definitions.

    For the purposes of regulations from Sec. 21.7500 through 
Sec. 21.7999, governing the administration and payment of educational 
assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, the Selected Reserve 
Educational Assistance Program, the following definitions apply. (See 
also additional definitions in Sec. 21.1029).
    (a) Definitions of participants--(1) Reservist. The term reservist 
means a member of the Selected Reserve who is eligible for educational 
assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606.
    (2) Selected Reserve. The term Selected Reserve means the Selected 
Reserve of the Ready Reserve of any of the reserve components (including 
the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard 
of the United States) of the Armed Forces of the United States, as 
required to be maintained under section 268(b), 10 U.S.C.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Other definitions--(1) Attendance. The term attendance means the 
presence of a reservist--
    (i) In the class where the approved course in which he or she is 
enrolled is taught;
    (ii) At a training establishment; or
    (iii) In any other place of instruction, training, or study 
designated by the educational institution or training establishment 
where the reservist is enrolled and is pursuing a program of education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(c)(1), 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3474; sec. 
705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642, Pub. L. 101-
189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (2) Audited course. The term audited course has the same meaning as 
provided in Sec. 1.4200(i) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b) 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (3) Deficiency course. The term deficiency course means any 
secondary level course or subject not previously completed 
satisfactorily which is specifically required for pursuit of a post-
secondary program of education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (4) Divisions of the school year. The term divisions of the school 
year has the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(b) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-55)

    (5) Drop-add period. The term drop-add period has the same meaning 
as provided in Sec. 21.4200(l) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (6) Educational assistance. The term educational assistance means 
the monthly payment made to members of the Selected Reserve for pursuit 
of a program of education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (7) Educational objective. An approvable educational objective is 
one that leads to the awarding of an associated degree, a bachelor's 
degree or the equivalent.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (8) Enrollment. The term enrollment means the state of being on that 
roll or file of an educational institution which contains the names of 
active students.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (9) Enrollment period. The term enrollment period has the same 
meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(p) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (10) In residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour basis. The 
term in residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour basis has the 
same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(r) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688(c); Pub. L. 98-525)


[[Page 515]]


    (11) Independent study. The term independent study has the same 
meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4267(b) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (12) Independent study-resident training. The term independent 
study-resident training means:
    (i) The state of being enrolled concurrently in one or more 
undergraduate courses or subjects offered by independent study as 
defined in paragraph (b)(11) of this section and one or more courses or 
subjects offered by resident training as defined by paragraph (b)(22) of 
this section, or
    (ii) The state of being enrolled in one or more undergraduate level 
subjects which
    (A) Do not meet the requirements of either paragraphs (b)(22)(i), 
(b)(22)(ii) or (b)(22)(iii) of this section,
    (B) Have some weeks when standard class sessions are scheduled, and
    (C) Consist of independent study as defined in paragraph (b)(11) of 
this section during those weeks when there are no regularly scheduled 
standard class sessions.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (13) Institution of higher learning. The term institution of higher 
learning means
    (i) A college, university or similar institution, including a 
technical or business school, offering postsecondary level academic 
instruction that leads to an associate or higher degree, if the 
educational institution is empowered by the appropriate State education 
authority under State law to grant an associate or higher degree.
    (ii) When there is no state law to authorize the granting of a 
degree, an educational institution which
    (A) Is accredited for degree programs by a recognized accrediting 
agency, or
    (B) Is a recognized candidate for accreditation as a degree-granting 
school by one of the national or regional accrediting associations and 
has been licensed or chartered by the appropriate State authority as a 
degree-granting institution.
    (iii) A hospital offering educational programs at the postsecondary 
level without regard to whether the hospital grants a postsecondary 
degree.
    (iv) An educational institution which
    (A) Is not located in a State,
    (B) Offers a course leading to a standard college degree or the 
equivalent, and
    (C) Is recognized as an institution of higher learning by the 
secretary of education (or comparable official) of the country in which 
the educational institution is located.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (14) Mitigating circumstances. (i) Mitigating circumstances are 
circumstances beyond the reservist's control which prevent him or her 
from continuously pursuing a program of education. The following 
circumstances are representative of those which VA considers to be 
mitigating. This list is not all-inclusive.
    (A) An illness of the reservist;
    (B) An illness or death in the reservist's family;
    (C) An unavoidable change in the reservist's conditions of 
employment;
    (D) An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the 
reservist's employment;
    (E) Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of 
the reservist which require him or her to suspend pursuit of the program 
of education to obtain employment;
    (F) Discontinuance of the course by the educational institution;
    (G) Unanticipated active duty for training; and
    (H) Unanticipated difficulties in providing for child care for the 
reservist's child or children.
    (ii) If a reservist withdraws from a course during a drop-add 
period, VA will consider the circumstances which caused the withdrawal 
to be mitigating.
    (iii) In the first instance of a withdrawal after May 31, 1989, from 
a course or course for which the reservist received educational 
assistance under chapter 1606, title 10, U.S. Code, VA will consider 
that mitigating circumstances exist with respect to courses totaling not 
more than six semester hours or the equivalent. In determining whether a 
withdrawal is the first instance of withdrawal, VA will

[[Page 516]]

not consider courses dropped during an educational institution's drop-
add period as provided in paragraph (b)(14)(ii) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3680(a)(1); Pub. L. 100-689)(June 1, 1989)

    (15) Nonpunitive grade. The term nonpunitive grade has the same 
meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(j) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (16) Normal commuting distance. The term normal commuting distance 
has the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(m) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (17) Program of education. A program of education--
    (i) Is any unit course or subject or combination of unit courses or 
subjects pursued by a reservist at an educational institution, required 
by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration as a condition 
to obtaining financial assistance under the provisions of 15 U.S.C. 636; 
or
    (ii) Is a combination of subjects or unit courses pursued at an 
educational institution, which combination is generally accepted as 
necessary to meet requirements for a predetermined educational, 
professional, or vocational objective. It may consist of subjects or 
courses which fulfill requirements for more than one objective if all 
objectives pursued are generally recognized as being related to a single 
career field; and
    (iii) Includes an approved full-time program of apprenticeship or of 
other on-job training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131; 38 U.S.C. 3452(b); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 
98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; secs. 642(a), (b), (d), 645, Pub. L. 101-
189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (18) Punitive grade. The term punitive grade has the same meaning 
provided in Sec. 21.4200(k) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (19) Pursuit. (i) The term pursuit means work, while enrolled, 
toward the objective of a program of education. This work must be in 
accordance with approved institutional policy and regulations, and with 
applicable criteria of 10 U.S.C. and 38 U.S.C.; must be necessary to 
reach the program's objective; and must be accomplished through--
    (A) Resident courses;
    (B) Independent study;
    (C) Correspondence courses;
    (D) An apprenticeship or other on-job training program; or
    (E) Flight courses.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C 2131, 2136; 38 U.S.C. 3680(g); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. 
L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; secs. 642, 645, Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1456-1458)

    (ii) VA will consider a reservist who qualifies for payment during 
an interval, school closing, or holiday vacation to be in pursuit of a 
program of education during the interval, school closing, or holiday 
vacation.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(g); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. 
L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642(c), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1457-1458)

    (20) Refresher course. The term refresher course means either:
    (i) A course at the elementary or secondary level to review or 
update material previously covered in a course that has been 
satisfactorily completed; or
    (ii) A course which permits an individual to update knowledge and 
skills or be instructed in the technological advances which have 
occurred in the reservist's field of employment since his or her entry 
on active duty and which is necessary to enable the individual to pursue 
an approved program of education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(b), (c); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 
Stat. 2565; secs. 642(a), (b), (d), 645(a), (b), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1456-1458))

    (21) Remedial course. The term remedial course means a course 
designed to overcome a deficiency at the elementary or secondary level 
in a particular area of study, or a handicap, such as in speech.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3491(a)(2); Pub. L. 98-525)


[[Page 517]]


    (22) Resident training. The term resident training means--
    (i) A course or subject, leading to a standard college degree, 
offered in residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour basis;
    (ii) A course of subject leading to a standard college degree at the 
undergraduate level which requires regularly scheduled, weekly classroom 
or laboratory sessions but does not require them in sufficient number to 
meet the provision of paragraph (23)(i) of this section,
    (iii) A course or subject leading to standard college degree at the 
undergraduate level which
    (A) Would qualify as a course under paragraph (b)(22)(i) of this 
section except that it does not have weekly class instruction,
    (B) Requires pursuit of standard class sessions for each credit at a 
rate not less frequent than every 2 weeks,
    (C) Requires monthly pursuit of a total number of standard class 
sessions which, during the month, is required by a course meeting the 
provisions of paragraph (b)(22)(i) of this section,
    (D) Is considered by the institution offering it as fully equivalent 
to a course described in paragraph (b)(22)(i) of this section including 
payment of tuition and fees; the awarding of academic credit for the 
purpose of meeting graduation requirements; and the transfer of credits 
to a course meeting the provision of paragraph (b)(22)(i) of this 
section, and
    (E) Together with all other similar courses offered by the 
institution of higher learning, has an enrollment representing less than 
50 percent of persons at that institution receiving educational 
assistance under either chapter 31, 32, 34, 35 or 36 of title 38 U.S.C.,
    (iv) The hospital or fieldwork phase of a course with the objective 
of registered professional nurse or registered nurses, including a 
course leading to a degree in nursing when--
    (A) The hospital or fieldwork phase of the course is an integral 
part of the course,
    (B) The completion of the hospital or fieldwork course is a 
prerequisite to the successful completion of the course,
    (C) The student remains enrolled in the institution of higher 
learning during the hospital or fieldwork phase, and
    (D) The training is under the direct supervision of the institution 
of higher learning.
    (v) The clinical training portion of a course leading to the 
objective of practical nurse, practical trained nurse, or licensed 
practical nurse when--
    (A) The clinical training is offered by an affiliated or cooperating 
hospital,
    (B) The student is enrolled in and supervised by the institution of 
higher learning during the clinical training, and
    (C) The course is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting 
agency or meets the requirements of the licensing body of the State in 
which the institution of higher learning is located.
    (vi) An off-campus job experience included in a course offered by an 
institution of higher learning is resident training only if the course 
is--
    (A) Accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or is 
offered by a school that is accredited by one of the regional 
accrediting agencies;
    (B) A part of the approved curriculum of the institution of higher 
learning;
    (C) Directly supervised by the institution of higher learning;
    (D) Measured in the same unit as other courses;
    (E) Required for graduation; and
    (F) Has a planned program of activities described in the institution 
of higher learning's official publication which is approved by the State 
approving agency and which is institutional in nature as distinguished 
from training on-the-job. The description shall include at least a unit 
subject description; a provision for an assigned instructor; a statement 
that the planned program of activities is controlled by the institution 
of higher learning, not by the officials of the job establishment; a 
requirement that class attendance on at least a weekly basis be 
regularly scheduled to provide for interaction between instructor and 
student; a statement that appropriate assignments are required for 
completion of the course; a grading system similar to

[[Page 518]]

the system used for other resident subjects offered by the institution 
of higher learning; and a schedule of time required for the training 
which demonstrates that the student shall spend at least as much time in 
preparation and training as is normally required by the institution of 
higher learning for its other resident courses.
    (vii) A course including student teaching, or
    (viii) A flight training course when included as a creditable part 
of an undergraduate course leading to a standard college degree.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (23) School, educational institution, institution. The terms school, 
educational institution, and institution mean:
    (i) A vocational school or business school;
    (ii) A junior college, teachers' college, college, normal school, 
professional school, university, or scientific or technical institution;
    (iii) A public or private elementary school or secondary school 
which offers courses for adults, provided that the courses lead to an 
objective other than an elementary school diploma, a high school 
diploma, or their equivalents; or
    (iv) Any entity, other than an institution of higher learning, that 
provides training required for completion of a State-approved 
alternative teacher certification program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(a), (c); 38 U.S.C. 3002, 3452)

    (24) School year. The term school year means generally a period of 2 
semesters or 3 quarters which is not less than 30 nor more than 39 weeks 
in total length.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (25) Standard class session. The term standard class session has the 
same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(g) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (26) Standard college degree. The term standard college degree has 
the same meaning as provided in Sec. 21.4200(e) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (27) State. The term State has the same meaning as provided in 
Sec. 21.1021(c) of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(20); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (28) Vocational or professional objective. A vocational or 
professional objective is one that leads to an occupation. It may 
include educational objectives essential to prepare for the chosen 
occupation, but not include any educational objectives beyond the 
bachelor's degree. When a program of education consists of series of 
courses not leading to an educational objective, these courses must be 
pursued at an institution of higher learning and must be required for 
attainment of a designated vocational or professional objective.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (29) Disabling effects of chronic alcoholism. (i) The term disabling 
effects of chronic alcoholism means alcohol-induced physical or mental 
disorders or both, such as habitual intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, 
amnesia, dementia, and other like manifestations of chronic alcoholism 
which, in the particular case,--
    (A) Have been medically diagnosed as manifestations of alcohol 
dependency or chronic alcohol abuse; and
    (B) Are determined to have prevented commencement or completion of 
the affected individual's chosen program of education.
    (ii) A diagnosis of alcoholism, chronic alcoholism, alcohol-
dependency, chronic alcohol abuse, etc., in and of itself, does not 
satisfy the definition of this term.
    (iii) Injury sustained by a reservist as a proximate and immediate 
result of activity undertaken by the reservist while physically or 
mentally unqualified to do so due to alcoholic intoxication is not 
considered a disabling effect of chronic alcoholism.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 105, 3031(d); Pub. L. 100-689)(Nov. 18, 1988)


[[Page 519]]


    (30) Cooperative course. The term cooperative course means a full-
time program of education which consists of institutional courses and 
alternate phases of training in a business or industrial establishment 
with the training in the business or industrial establishment being 
strictly supplemental to the institutional portion.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(e); 38 U.S.C. 3686; sec. 642(b), (d), Pub. L. 
101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (31) Established charge. The term established charge means the 
lesser of--
    (i) The charge for the correspondence course or courses determined 
on the basis of the lowest extended time payment plan offered by the 
educational institution and approved by the appropriate State approving 
agency; or
    (ii) The actual charge to the reservist.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(f); sec. 642(b), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1456-1458)

    (32) Training establishment. The term training establishment means 
any establishment providing apprentice or other on-job training, 
including those under the supervision of a college, university, any 
State department of education, any State apprenticeship agency, any 
State board of vocational education, any joint apprenticeship committee, 
the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training established in accordance with 
29 U.S.C. chapter 4C, or any agency of the Federal government authorized 
to supervise such training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(d), 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3452(e); sec. 642(b), 
(d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (33) Continuously enrolled. The term continuously enrolled means 
being in an enrolled status at an educational institution for each day 
during the ordinary school year, and for consecutive school years. 
Consequently, continuity of enrollment is not broken by holiday 
vacations, vacation periods, periods during the school year between 
terms, quarters, or semesters, or by nonenrollment during periods of 
enrollment outside the ordinary school year (e.g., summer sessions).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b))

    (34) Persian Gulf War. The term ``Persian Gulf War'' means the 
period beginning on August 2, 1990, and ending on the date thereafter 
prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(33))

    (35) Alternative teacher certification program. The term alternative 
teacher certification program, for the purposes of determining whether 
an entity offering such a program is a school, educational institution, 
or institution as defined in paragraph (b)(23)(iv) of this section, 
means a program leading to a teacher's certificate that allows 
individuals with a bachelor's degree or graduate degree to obtain 
teacher certification without enrolling in an institution of higher 
learning.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3452(c))

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 57105, Dec. 3, 1992; 58 
FR 51782, Oct. 5, 1993; 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 FR 29300, June 10, 
1996; 64 FR 23773, May 4, 1999; 65 FR 5788, Feb. 7, 2000]

                         Claims and Applications



Sec. 21.7530  Applications, claims, and time limits.

    The provisions of subpart B of this part apply with respect to 
claims for educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, VA 
actions upon receiving a claim, and time limits connected with claims.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3472)

[64 FR 23773, May 4, 1999]

                               Eligibility



Sec. 21.7540  Eligibility for educational assistance.

    (a) Basic eligibility requirements. A reservist must meet the 
requirements for a secondary school diploma (or an equivalency 
certificate) before applying for educational assistance. VA will decide 
whether a reservist met those requirements before applying for 
educational assistance. If the reservist applies before completing the 
requirements, VA will disallow the application. A reservist's premature 
application will not prevent the reservist from establishing eligibility 
at a later time by applying for educational assistance

[[Page 520]]

again after having completed the academic requirements. The Armed Forces 
will decide whether a reservist has met all the other eligibility 
criteria needed in order to receive educational assistance pursuant to 
10 U.S.C. chapter 1606. To be eligible a reservist:
    (1) Shall:
    (i) Enlist, reenlist, or extend an enlistment as a Reserve for 
service in the Selected Reserve so that the total period of obligated 
service is at least six years from the date of such enlistment, 
reenlistment, or extension; or
    (ii) Be appointed as, or be serving as, a reserve officer and agree 
to serve in the Selected Reserve for a period of not less than six years 
in addition to any other period of obligated service in the Selected 
Reserve to which the person may be subject;
    (2) Must complete his or her initial period of active duty for 
training;
    (3) Must be participating satisfactorily in the Selected Reserve;
    (4) Must not have elected to have his or her service in the Selected 
Reserve credited toward establishing eligibility to benefits provided 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30; and
    (5) Must have met the requirements for a secondary school diploma 
(or an equivalency certificate) before applying for educational 
assistance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16132; 38 U.S.C. 3033(c))

    (b) Eligibility requirements for expanded benefits. (1) A reservist 
shall be eligible to pursue all types of training described in subpart L 
of this part regardless of whether he or she has received a 
baccalaureate degree or equivalent evidence of completion of study if--
    (i) After September 30, 1990, he or she takes one of the actions 
described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this section;
    (ii) The reservist meets the criteria of paragraphs (a)(2) through 
(a)(4) of this section; and
    (iii) The reservist does not have his or her eligibility limited as 
described in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) A reservist shall be eligible to pursue all types of training 
described in subpart L of this part except the training described in 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section if--
    (i) After June 30, 1985, but not after September 30, 1990, he or she 
takes one of the actions described in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this 
section;
    (ii) The reservist has not received a baccalaureate degree or the 
equivalent evidence of completion of study;
    (iii) The reservist meets all the other eligibility criteria of 
paragraph (a) of this section; and
    (iv) The reservist does not have his or her eligibility limited by 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (3) The types of training which a reservist described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section may pursue, but which may not be pursued by a 
reservist described in paragraph (b)(2), are:
    (i) A course which is offered by an educational institution which is 
not an institution of higher learning (to determine if a nursing course 
is offered by an institution of higher learning, see Sec. 21.7622(f));
    (ii) A correspondence course;
    (iii) An accredited independent study course leading to a standard 
college degree. (See Sec. 21.7622(f) concerning enrollment in a 
nonaccredited independent study course after October 28, 1992);
    (iv) An accredited independent study course leading to a certificate 
that reflects educational attainment from an institution of higher 
learning. This provision applies to enrollment in an independent study 
course that begins on or after December 27, 2001. (See Sec. 21.7622(f) 
concerning enrollment in a nonaccredited independent study course after 
October 28, 1992);
    (v) A refresher, remedial or deficiency course;
    (vi) A cooperative course;
    (vii) An apprenticeship or other on-job training; and
    (viii) A flight course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131, 16132, 16136; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-
525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; 38 U.S.C. 3680A)

    (c) Limitations on establishing eligibility. (1) An individual must 
elect in writing whether he or she wishes service in the Selected 
Reserve to be credited towards establishing eligibility under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 or under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 when:

[[Page 521]]

    (i) The individual is a reservist who is eligible for basic 
educational assistance provided under 38 U.S.C. 3012, and has 
established eligibility to that assistance partially through service in 
the Selected Reserve; or
    (ii) The individual is a member of the National Guard or Air 
National Guard who has established eligibility for basic educational 
assistance provided under 38 U.S.C. 3012 through activation under a 
provision of law other than 32 U.S.C. 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 
followed by service in the Selected Reserve.
    (2) An election under this paragraph (c) to have Selected Reserve 
service credited towards eligibility for payment of educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 or under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 is 
irrevocable when the reservist either negotiates the first check or 
receives the first payment by electronic funds transfer of the 
educational assistance elected.
    (3) If a reservist is eligible to receive educational assistance 
under both 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 and 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, he or she 
may receive educational assistance alternately or consecutively under 
each of these chapters to the extent that the educational assistance is 
based on service not irrevocably credited to one or the other chapter as 
provided in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16132; 38 U.S.C. 3033(c))

    (d) Dual eligibility. An individual who has established eligibility 
for basic educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 solely 
through service on active duty may establish eligibility for educational 
assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 by meeting the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16132(d), 16134)

(The information collection requirements in this section have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0594)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 9628, Mar. 7, 1991; 57 
FR 57106, Dec. 3, 1992; 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 FR 29301, June 10, 
1996; 63 FR 45718, Aug. 27, 1998; 68 FR 59731, Oct. 17, 2003; 71 FR 
1497, Jan. 10, 2006]



Sec. 21.7550  Ending dates of eligibility.

    (a) Time limit on eligibility--(1) Reservists who become eligible 
before October 1, 1992. Except as provided in Sec. 21.7551 and 
paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section, if the reservist 
becomes eligible for educational assistance before October 1, 1992, the 
period of eligibility expires effective the earlier of the following 
dates:
    (i) The last day of the 10-year period beginning on the date the 
reservist becomes eligible for educational assistance; or
    (ii) The date the reservist is separated from the Selected Reserve.
    (2) Reservists who become eligible after September 30, 1992. Except 
as provided in Sec. 21.7551 and paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of 
this section, if a reservist becomes eligible for educational assistance 
after September 30, 1992, the period of eligibility expires effective 
the earlier of the following dates:
    (i) The last day of the 14-year period beginning on the date the 
reservist becomes eligible for educational assistance; or
    (ii) The date the reservist is separated from the Selected Reserve.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133)

    (b) Extension due to active duty orders. If the reservist serves on 
active duty pursuant to an order to active duty issued under section 
12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of title 10, U.S. Code, 
the period of this active duty plus four months shall not be considered 
in determining the time limit on eligibility found in paragraph (a) of 
this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133)

    (c) Completion of term of program. (1) If a reservist is enrolled in 
an educational institution regularly operated on the quarter or semester 
system, and the reservist's period of eligibility as defined in 
paragraph (a) of this section would expire during a quarter or semester, 
the period of eligibility shall be extended to the end of the quarter or 
semester.

[[Page 522]]

    (2) If a reservist is enrolled in an educational institution not 
regularly operated on the quarter or semester system, and the 
reservist's period of eligibility as defined in paragraph (a) of this 
section would expire after a major portion of the course is completed, 
the period of eligibility shall be extended until the earlier of the 
following occurs:
    (i) The end of the course, or
    (ii) 12 weeks from the date on which the reservist's eligibility 
otherwise would have expired.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(b)(1); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Discharge for disability. In the case of a reservist separated 
from the Selected Reserve because of a disability which was not the 
result of the individual's own willful misconduct and which was incurred 
on or after the date on which the reservist became entitled to education 
assistance, the reservist's period of eligibility expires effective the 
last day of the--
    (1) 10-year period beginning on the date the reservist becomes 
eligible for educational assistance if the reservist became eligible 
before October 1, 1992; or
    (2) 14-year period beginning on the date the reservist becomes 
eligible for educational assistance if the reservist becomes eligible 
after September 30, 1992.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133)

    (e) Unit deactivated. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3) or 
(e)(4) of this section, the period of eligibility of a reservist, 
eligible for educational assistance under this subpart, who ceases to 
become a member of the Selected Reserve during the period beginning 
October 1, 1991, and ending December 31, 2001, under either of the 
conditions described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section will expire on 
the date--
    (i) 10 years after the date the reservist becomes eligible for 
educational assistance if the reservist became eligible before October 
1, 1992; or
    (ii) 14 years after the date the reservist becomes eligible for 
educational assistance if the reservist becomes eligible after September 
30, 1992.
    (2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (e)(1) of this section 
for ceasing to be a member of the Selected Reserve are:
    (i) The deactivation of the reservist's unit of assignment; and
    (ii) The reservist's involuntarily ceasing to be designated as a 
member of the Selected Reserve pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 10143(a).
    (3) The provisions of paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section 
do not apply if the reservist ceases to be a member of the Selected 
Reserve under adverse conditions, as characterized by the Secretary of 
the military department concerned. The expiration of such a reservist's 
period of eligibility will be on the date the reservist ceases, under 
adverse conditions, to be a member of the Selected Reserve.
    (4) A reservist's period of eligibility will expire if he or she is 
a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces and (after having 
involuntarily ceased to be a member of the Selected Reserve) is 
involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces under adverse conditions, 
as characterized by the Secretary of the military department concerned. 
The expiration of such a reservist's period of eligibility will be on 
the date the reservist is involuntarily separated under adverse 
conditions from the Armed Forces.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 57106, Dec. 3, 1992; 58 
FR 51783, Oct. 5, 1993; 61 FR 29302, June 10, 1996; 68 FR 59731, Oct. 
17, 2003; 71 FR 1498, Jan. 10, 2006; 71 FR 24582, Apr. 26, 2006]



Sec. 21.7551  Extended period of eligibility.

    (a) Period of eligibility may be extended. VA shall grant an 
extension of a delimiting period determined by Sec. 21.7550(a) of this 
part provided:
    (1) The individual applies for an extension within the time period 
specified in Sec. 21.1033(c) of subpart B.
    (2) The individual was prevented from initiating or completing the 
chosen program of education within the otherwise applicable eligibility 
period, because of a physical or mental disability, which is not the 
result of the reservist's own willful misconduct, and

[[Page 523]]

which was incurred in or aggravated by service in the Selected Reserve. 
VA will not consider the disabling effects of chronic alcoholism to be 
the result of willful misconduct. (See Sec. 21.7520(b)(29)). Evidence 
must establish that such a program of education was medically 
infeasible. VA will not grant a reservist an extension for a period of 
disability which was 30 days or less unless the evidence establishes 
that the reservist was prevented from enrolling or reenrolling in the 
chosen program, or was forced to discontinue attendance, because of the 
short disability.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(b)(2), 38 U.S.C. 105, 3031(d); Pub. L. 98-
525, Pub. L. 100-689)(Nov. 18, 1988)

    (b) Commencing date. The reservist shall elect the commencing date 
of an extended period of eligibility. The date chosen--
    (1) Must be on or after the original date of expiration of 
eligibility as determined by Sec. 21.7550(a) of this part, and
    (2) Must either be--
    (i) On or before the 90th day following the date on which the 
reservist's application for an extension was approved by VA if the 
reservist is training during the extended period of eligibility in a 
course not organized on a term, quarter or semester basis, or
    (ii) On or before the first day of a term, quarter or semester 
within an ordinary school year following the 90th day after the 
reservist's application for an extension was approved in VA, if the 
reservist is training during the extended period of eligibility in a 
course organized on a term, quarter or semester basis.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(b)(2), 38 U.S.C. 3031(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Length of extended period of eligibility. A reservist's extended 
period of eligibility shall be for the length of time that the reservist 
was prevented from initiating or completing his or her chosen program of 
education, except that it must end when the reservist is separated from 
the Selected Reserve. VA shall determine the length of time the 
reservist was prevented from initiating or completing his or her chosen 
program of education as follows:
    (1) If the reservist is in training in a course organized on a term, 
quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of eligibility 
shall contain the same number of days as the number of days from the 
date during the reservist's original eligibility period that his or her 
training became medically infeasible to the earliest of the following 
dates:
    (i) The commencing date of the ordinary term, quarter or semester 
following the day the reservist's training became medically infeasible,
    (ii) The last date of the reservist's delimiting date as determined 
by Sec. 21.7550(a) of this part, or
    (iii) The date the reservist resumed training.
    (2) If the reservist is training in a course not organized on a 
term, quarter or semester basis, his or her extended period of 
eligibility shall contain the same number of days as the number of days 
from the date during the reservist's original delimiting period that his 
or her training became medically infeasible to the earlier of the 
following dates:
    (i) The date the reservist's training became medically feasible, or
    (ii) The reservist's delimiting date as determined by 
Sec. 21.7550(a)(1) of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(b)(2), 38 U.S.C. 3031(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 57106, Dec. 3, 1992; 71 
FR 1498, Jan. 10, 2006]

                               Entitlement



Sec. 21.7570  Entitlement.

    Except as provided in Sec. 21.7576(e) each reservist is entitled to 
a maximum of 36 months of educational assistance (or its equivalent in 
part-time educational assistance) under this program, but is also 
subject to the provisions of Sec. 21.4020 (a) and (b).

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(c); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 102-127) (Oct. 
10, 1991)

[58 FR 51783, Oct. 5, 1993]



Sec. 21.7576  Entitlement charges.

    (a) Overview. VA will make charges against entitlement as stated in 
this section. Charges are based upon the

[[Page 524]]

principle that a reservist who trains full time for one day should be 
charged one day of entitlement, except for those pursuing:
    (1) Flight training;
    (2) Correspondence training;
    (3) Cooperative training; or
    (4) Apprenticeship or other on-job training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(c); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 
2565; sec. 642(a), (b), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (b) Determining entitlement charge. This paragraph states how VA 
will generally determine the charge against the entitlement of a 
reservist who is receiving educational assistance. However, when the 
circumstances described in paragraph (e) of this section apply to a 
reservist, VA will use that paragraph to determine an entitlement charge 
instead of this paragraph.
    (1) Except for those pursuing flight training, correspondence 
training, cooperative training, apprenticeship or other on-job training, 
VA will make a charge against entitlement--
    (i) On the basis of total elapsed time (one day for each day of 
pursuit for which the reservist is paid educational assistance) if the 
reservist is pursuing the program of education on a full-time basis; or
    (ii) On the basis of a proportionate rate of elapsed time, if the 
reservist is pursuing the program of education on a three-quarter, one-
half, or one-quarter-time basis.
    (2) VA will compute elapsed time from the commencing date of the 
award of educational assistance to the date of discontinuance. If the 
reservist changes his or her training time after the commencing date of 
the award, VA will--
    (i) Divide the enrollment period into separate periods of time 
during which the reservist's training time remains constant; and
    (ii) Compute the elapsed time separately for each time period.
    (3) For each month that a reservist is paid a monthly educational 
assistance allowance while undergoing apprenticeship or other on-job 
training, VA will make a charge against entitlement of--
    (i) .75 of a month in the case of payments made during the first six 
months of the reservist's pursuit of the program of apprenticeship or 
other on-job training;
    (ii) .55 of a month in the case of payments made during the second 
six months of the reservist's pursuit of the program of apprenticeship 
or other on-job training; and
    (iii) .35 of a month in the case of payments made following the 
first twelve months of the reservist's pursuit of the program of 
apprenticeship or other on-job training.
    (4) When a reservist is pursuing a program of education by 
correspondence, VA will make a charge against entitlement for each 
payment made to him or her. The charge will be made in months and 
decimal fractions of a month, as determined by dividing the amount of 
the payment by an amount equal to the rate stated in Sec. 21.7636(a)(1) 
as the rate otherwise applicable to the reservist for full-time 
training.
    (5) When a reservist is pursuing a program of education partly in 
residence and partly by correspondence, VA will make a charge against 
entitlement--
    (i) For the residence portion of the program as provided in 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section; and
    (ii) For the correspondence portion of the program as provided in 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
    (6) When a reservist is pursuing a program of education through 
cooperative training, VA will make a charge against entitlement of .8 of 
a month for each month in which the reservist is receiving payment at 
the rate for cooperative training. If the reservist is pursuing 
cooperative training for a portion of a month, VA will make a charge 
against entitlement on the basis of total elapsed time (.8 of a day for 
each day of pursuit).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(c), (d); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 
Stat. 2565; sec. 642(b), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (7) When a reservist is pursuing a program of education through 
flight training, VA will make a charge against entitlement at the rate 
of one month for each amount equal to the monthly rate stated in 
Sec. 21.7636(a)(1) as

[[Page 525]]

applicable for the month in which the training occurred.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(c))

    (c) Overpayment cases. VA will make a charge against entitlement for 
an overpayment only if the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy; is 
waived and is not recovered; or is compromised.
    (1) If the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy or is waived and 
is not recovered, the charge against entitlement will be at the 
appropriate rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment 
(exclusive of interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs 
and marshal fees).
    (2) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
less than the amount of interest, administrative costs of collection, 
court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement will be at 
the appropriate rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment 
(exclusive of interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs 
and marshal fees).
    (3) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
equal to or greater than the amount of interest administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement 
will be determined by--
    (i) Subtracting from the sum paid in the compromise offer the amount 
attributable to interest, administrative costs of collection, court 
costs and marshal fees,
    (ii) Subtracting the remaining amount of the overpayment balance 
determined in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section from the amount of the 
original overpayment (exclusive of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees),
    (iii) Dividing the result obtained in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this 
section by the amount of the original overpayment (exclusive of 
interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal 
fees), and
    (iv) Multiplying the percentage obtained in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of 
this section by the amount of the entitlement otherwise chargeable for 
the period of the original overpayment.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Interruption to conserve entitlement. A reservist may not 
interrupt a certified period of enrollment for the purpose of conserving 
entitlement. An institution of higher learning may not certify a period 
of enrollment for a fractional part of the normal term, quarter or 
semester if the reservist is enrolled for the entire term, quarter or 
semester. VA will make a charge for the entire period of certified 
enrollment, if the reservist is otherwise eligible for educational 
assistance, except when educational assistance is interrupted under any 
of the following conditions:
    (1) Enrollment is terminated;
    (2) The reservist cancels his or her enrollment, and does not 
negotiate an educational assistance check for any part of the certified 
period of enrollment;
    (3) The reservist interrupts his or her enrollment at the end of any 
term, quarter or semester within the certified period of enrollment, and 
does not negotiate a check for educational assistance for the succeeding 
term, quarter or semester; and
    (4) The reservist requests interruption or cancellation for any 
break when an institution of higher learning was closed during a 
certified period of enrollment, and VA continued payments under an 
established policy based upon an Executive Order of the President or an 
emergency situation. In such a case entitlement will be restored unless 
the reservist negotiated a check for educational assistance for the 
certified period and does not repay the amount received.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) No entitlement charge for some reservists. When the criteria 
described in this paragraph are met, there is an exception to the 
charges against entitlement described in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (1) VA will make no charge against a reservist's entitlement when 
the reservist--
    (i) While not serving on active duty, had to discontinue pursuit of 
a course

[[Page 526]]

or courses as a result of being ordered to serve on active duty under 
sections 12301(a),(d),(g), 12302, or 12304 of title 10, U. S. Code; and
    (ii) Failed to receive credit or lost training time toward 
completion of the reservist's approved educational, professional or 
vocational objective as a result of having to discontinue his or her 
course pursuit.
    (2) The period for which receipt of educational assistance allowance 
is not charged against a reservist's entitlement shall not exceed the 
portion of the period of enrollment in the course or courses for which 
the reservist failed to receive credit or with respect to which the 
reservist lost training time.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(c)(3))

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 58 FR 51783, Oct. 5, 1993; 61 
FR 29302, June 10, 1996; 68 FR 59731, Oct. 17, 2003]

                               Counseling



Sec. 21.7600  Counseling.

    A reservist may receive counseling from VA before beginning training 
and during training.
    (a) Purpose. The purpose of counseling is--
    (1) To assist in selecting an objective;
    (2) To develop a suitable program of education;
    (3) To select an institution of higher learning appropriate for the 
educational or training objective;
    (4) To resolve any personal problems which are likely to interfere 
with the successful pursuit of a program; and
    (5) To select an employment objective for the reservist that would 
be likely to provide the reservist with satisfactory employment 
opportunities in light of his or personal circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 16136(b), 3233; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Required counseling. (1) In any case in which the Department of 
Veterans Affairs has rated the reservist as being incompetent, the 
reservist must be counseled before selecting a program of education. The 
requirement that counseling be provided is met when--
    (i) The reservist has had one or more personal interviews with the 
counselor;
    (ii) The counselor and the reservist have jointly developed 
recommendations for selecting a program of education; and
    (iii) The counselor has reviewed the recommendations with the 
reservist.
    (2) The veteran may follow the recommendations developed in the 
course of counseling, but is not required to do so.
    (3) The Department of Veterans Affairs will take no further action 
on a reservist's application for assistance under this chapter when he 
or she--
    (i) Fails to report for counseling;
    (ii) Fails to cooperate in the counseling process; or
    (iii) Does not complete counseling to the extent required under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3967(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. 
L. 99-576)

    (c) Availability of counseling. Counseling is available for
    (1) Identifying and removing reasons for academic difficulties which 
may result in interruption of discontinuance of training, or
    (2) Considering changes in career plans and making sound decisions 
about the changes.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3967(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Provision of counseling. The Department of Veterans Affairs 
shall provide counseling as needed for the purposes identified in 
paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section upon request of the reservist. In 
addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall provide counseling as 
needed for the purposes identified in paragraph (b) of this section 
following the reservist's request for counseling, the reservist's 
initial application for benefits or any communication from the reservist 
or guardian indicating that the reservist wishes to change his or her 
program. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall take appropriate steps 
(including individual notification where feasible) to acquaint

[[Page 527]]

reservists with the availability and advantages of counseling services.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3967(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. 
L. 99-576)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 9628, Mar. 7, 1991]



Sec. 21.7603  Travel expenses.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay for any costs of 
travel to and from the place of counseling for anyone who requests 
counseling under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or for whom counseling is 
required under that chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111)

[56 FR 9628, Mar. 7, 1991, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996]

                          Programs of Education



Sec. 21.7610  Selection of a program of education.

    (a) General requirement. An individual must be pursuing an approved 
program of education in order to receive educational assistance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Approval of a program of education. VA will approve a program of 
education selected by a reservist for payment of educational assistance 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 if--
    (1) The program accords with the definition of a program of 
education found in Sec. 21.7520(b)(17) of this part,
    (2) It has an educational, professional or vocational objective (as 
defined in Sec. 21.7520(b)(7) and (28) of this part), and
    (3) The courses and subjects in the program are approved for VA 
purposes as provided in Sec. 21.7720 of this part.
    (4) The reservist is not already qualified for the objective of the 
program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 1671; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996]



Sec. 21.7612  Programs of education combining two or more types of 
courses.

    An approved program may consist of courses offered by two 
educational institutions concurrently, or courses offered through class 
attendance and by television concurrently. An educational institution 
may contract the actual training to another educational institution, 
provided the course is approved by the State approving agency having 
approval jurisdiction over the educational institution actually 
providing the training.
    (a) Concurrent enrollment. When a reservist cannot schedule his or 
her complete program at one educational institution, VA may approve a 
program of concurrent enrollment. When requesting such a program, the 
reservist must show that his or her complete program of education is not 
available at the educational institution in which he or she will pursue 
the major portion of his or her program (the primary educational 
institution), or that it cannot be scheduled within the period in which 
he or she plans to complete his or her program. A reservist who is 
limited in the types of courses he or she may pursue, as provided in 
Sec. 21.7540 (b)(2) and (b)(3), may pursue courses only at an 
institution of higher learning. If such a reservist cannot complete his 
or her program at one institution of higher learning, VA may approve a 
concurrent enrollment only if both the educational institutions the 
reservist enrolls in are institutions of higher learning.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(c), 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(g); sec. 
705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642, Pub. L. 101-
189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (b) Television. In determining whether a reservist may pursue all or 
part of a program of education by television, VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4233(c).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680A)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 
FR 29303, June 10, 1996; 62 FR 40280, July 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7614  Changes of program.

    In determining whether a change of program of education may be 
approved for the payments of educational assistance, VA will apply 
Sec. 21.4234 of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3691; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 
101-366) (June 1, 1991)

[58 FR 50846, Sept. 29, 1993]

[[Page 528]]

                                 Courses



Sec. 21.7620  Courses included in programs of education.

    (a) General. Generally, VA will approve, and will authorize payment 
of educational assistance for the reservist's enrollment in any course 
or subject which a State approving agency has approved as provided in 
Sec. 21.7720 of this part, and which forms a part of a program of 
education as defined in Sec. 21.7520(b)(17). Restrictions on this 
general rule are stated in the other paragraphs in this section and in 
Sec. 21.7722(b) of this part, however.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Flight training. (1) VA may pay educational assistance for an 
enrollment in a flight training course when--
    (i) An institution of higher learning offers the course for credit 
toward the standard college degree the reservist is pursuing; or
    (ii) When:
    (A) The reservist is eligible to pursue flight training as provided 
in Sec. 21.7540(b)(1) and (b)(3);
    (B) The State approving agency has approved the course;
    (C) A flight school is offering the course;
    (D) The reservist's training meets the requirements of 
Sec. 21.4263(b)(1);
    (E) The reservist meets the requirements of Sec. 21.4263(a); and
    (F) The training for which payment is made occurs after September 
29, 1990.
    (2) VA will not pay educational assistance for an enrollment in a 
flight training course when the reservist is pursuing an ancillary 
flight objective.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131, 16136(c)(1); 38 U.S.C. 3034)

    (c) Independent study. (1) VA will pay educational assistance to a 
reservist who is limited in the types of courses he or she may pursue, 
as provided in Sec. 21.7540(b)(2) and (b)(3), for an enrollment in any 
course or unit subject offered by independent study only when the 
reservist is enrolled concurrently in one or more courses or unit 
subjects offered by resident training.
    (2) Only a reservist who meets the requirements of 
Sec. 21.7540(b)(1) may be paid educational assistance for an enrollment 
in an independent study course or unit subject without a simultaneous 
enrollment in a course or unit subject offered by resident training. The 
independent study course or unit subject must be accredited and lead to 
a standard college degree. Beginning with enrollments on or after 
December 27, 2001, a reservist may receive educational assistance for an 
independent study course that leads to a certificate. The certificate 
must reflect educational attainment and must be offered by an 
institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(a)(4))

    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this section and 
subject to the restrictions found in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 
effective October 29, 1992, VA may pay educational assistance to a 
reservist who is enrolled in a nonaccredited course or unit subject 
offered entirely or partly by independent study only if--
    (i) Successful completion of the nonaccredited course or unit 
subject is required in order for the reservist to complete his or her 
program of education and the reservist:
    (A) Was receiving educational assistance on October 29, 1992, for 
pursuit of the program of education of which the nonaccredited 
independent study course or unit subject forms a part; and
    (B) Has remained continuously enrolled in the program of education 
of which the nonaccredited independent study course or unit subject 
forms a part from October 29, 1992, to the date the reservist enrolls in 
the nonaccredited independent study course or unit subject; or
    (ii)(A) Was enrolled in and receiving educational assistance for the 
nonaccredited independent study course or unit subject on October 29, 
1992; and
    (B) Remains continuously enrolled in that course or unit subject.
    (4) Whether or not the reservist is enrolled will be determined by 
the regularly prescribed standards and practices of the educational 
institution offering the course or unit subject.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680A(a)(4); sec. 313(b), Pub. 
L. 102-568, 106 Stat. 4332)


[[Page 529]]


    (d) Graduate study. VA will pay educational assistance for an 
enrollment in a course or subject leading to a graduate degree or 
certificate when the training occurs after November 29, 1993.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(c))

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 29303, June 10, 1996; 
68 FR 59731, Oct. 17, 2003]



Sec. 21.7622  Courses precluded.

    (a) Unapproved courses. VA will not pay educational assistance for 
an enrollment in any course which has not been approved by a State 
approving agency or by VA when that agency acts as a State approving 
agency. VA will not pay educational assistance for a new enrollment in a 
course when a State approving agency has suspended the approval of the 
course for new enrollments, nor for any period within any enrollment 
after the date that the State approving agency disapproves a course. See 
Sec. 21.7720 of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3672; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Courses not part of a program of education. VA will not pay 
educational assistance for an enrollment in any course which is not part 
of a program of education.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Erroneous, deceptive, misleading practices. VA will not pay 
educational assistance for an enrollment in any courses offered at an 
educational institution that uses advertising, sales, or enrollment 
practices that are erroneous, deceptive, or misleading by actual 
statement, omission, or intimation. VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4252(h) in making these decisions with regard to enrollments 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3696)

    (d) Avocational and recreational. (1) VA will not pay educational 
assistance for an enrollment in any course--
    (i) Which is avocational or recreational in character, or
    (ii) The advertising for which contains significant avocational or 
recreational themes.
    (2) VA presumes that the following courses are avocational or 
recreational in character unless the reservist justifies their pursuit 
to VA as provided in paragraph (3) of this section. The courses are:
    (i) Any photography course or entertainment course; or
    (ii) Any music course, instrumental or vocal, public speaking 
course, or course in dancing, sports or athletics, such as horseback 
riding, swimming, fishing, skiing, golf, baseball, tennis, bowling, 
sports officiating, or other sport or athletic courses, except courses 
of applied music, physical education, or public speaking which are 
offered by institutions of higher learning for credit as an integral 
part of a program leading to an educational objective; or
    (iii) Any other type of course which VA determines to be avocational 
or recreational.
    (3) To overcome a presumption that a course is avocational or 
recreational in character, the reservist must establish that the course 
will be of bona fide use in the pursuit of his or her present or 
contemplated business or occupation.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3473(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) Mitigating circumstances. The reservist is not entitled to 
receive payment of educational assistance from VA for a course from 
which the reservist withdraws or receives a nonpunitive grade which is 
not used in computing the requirements for graduation unless--
    (1) There are mitigating circumstances, and
    (2) The reservist submits the circumstances in writing to VA within 
1 year from the date VA notifies the reservist that he or she must 
submit the mitigating circumstances.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (f) Other courses. (1) A reservist who is limited in the types of 
courses he or she may pursue, as provided in Sec. 21.7540(b)(2) and 
(b)(3), may not receive any educational assistance for pursuit of any of 
the types of training listed in Sec. 21.7540(b)(3).

[[Page 530]]

    (2) VA will not consider the hospital or field work phase of a 
nursing course, including a course leading to a degree in nursing, to be 
provided by an institution of higher learning unless--
    (i) The hospital or fieldwork phase is an integral part of the 
course;
    (ii) Completion of the hospital or fieldwork phase of the course is 
a prerequisite to the successful completion of the course;
    (iii) The student remains enrolled in the institution of higher 
learning during the hospital or fieldwork phase of the course; and
    (iv) The training is under the direction and supervision of the 
institution of higher learning.
    (3) A reservist who is limited in the types of courses he or she may 
pursue, as provided in Sec. 21.7540(b)(2) and (b)(3), may not receive 
educational assistance for an enrollment in a course pursued after the 
reservist has completed the course of instruction required for the award 
of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent evidence of completion of 
study, unless the reservist is pursuing a course or courses leading to a 
graduate degree or graduate certificate. Such a reservist may receive 
educational assistance while pursuing a course or courses leading to a 
graduate degree or graduate certificate (subject to the restrictions in 
Sec. 21.7620(d)). Equivalent evidence of completion of study may 
include, but is not limited to, a copy of the reservist's transcript 
showing that he or she has received passing grades in all courses needed 
to obtain a baccalaureate degree at the institution of higher learning 
which he or she has been attending.
    (4) No reservist may receive payment of educational assistance from 
VA for:
    (i) An audited course (see Sec. 21.4252(i));
    (ii) A new enrollment in a course during a period when approval has 
been suspended by a State approving agency or VA;
    (iii) Pursuit of a course by a nonmatriculated student except as 
provided in Sec. 21.4252(l);
    (iv) An enrollment in a course at an educational institution for 
which the reservist is an official of such institution authorized to 
sign certificates of enrollment under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606;
    (v) A new enrollment in a course which does not meet the veteran-
nonveteran ratio requirement as computed under Sec. 21.4201;
    (vi) Except as provided in Sec. 21.7620(c), an enrollment in a 
nonaccredited independent study course; or
    (vii) An enrollment in a course offered under contract for which VA 
approval is prohibited by Sec. 21.4252(m).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(c), 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3672(a), 3676, 
3680(a), 3680A(f), 3680A(g); Sec. 642, Public Law 101-189, 103 Stat. 
1458)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 
FR 29304, June 10, 1996; 62 FR 55762, Oct. 28, 1997; 65 FR 81743, Dec. 
27, 2000]



Sec. 21.7624  Overcharges and restrictions on enrollments.

    (a) Overcharges. VA may disapprove an educational institution for 
further enrollments when the educational institution charges or receives 
from a reservist tuition and fees that exceed the established charges 
which the educational institution requires from similarly circumstanced 
nonreservists enrolled in the same course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136; 38 U.S.C. 3690; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-
525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; secs. 642 (c), (d), 645(a)(1), Pub. L. 101-
189, 103 Stat. 1457-1458)

    (b) Restriction on enrollments. The provisions of Sec. 21.4210(b) 
apply to any determination by VA as to whether to impose restrictions on 
approval of enrollments and whether to discontinue payments to 
reservists already enrolled at an educational institution.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136; 38 U.S.C. 3690(b); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 
98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; secs. 642 (c), (d), 645(a)(1), Pub. L. 101-
189, 103 Stat. 1457-1458)

[61 FR 29304, June 10, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 35837, July 1, 1998]

                    Payments--Educational Assistance



Sec. 21.7630  Educational assistance.

    VA will pay educational assistance pursuant to 10 U.S.C. chapter 
1606 to an eligible reservist while he or she is pursuing approved 
courses in a program of

[[Page 531]]

education at the rates specified in Sec. 21.7636 and Sec. 21.7639.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996]



Sec. 21.7631  Commencing dates.

    VA will determine the commencing date of an award or increased award 
of educational assistance under this section. When more than one 
paragraph in this section applies, VA will award educational assistance 
using the latest of the applicable commencing dates.
    (a) Entrance or reentrance including change of program or 
educational institution. When an eligible reservist enters or reenters 
into training (including a reentrance following a change of program or 
educational institution), the commencing date of his or her award of 
educational assistance will be determined as follows:
    (1) If the award is the first award of educational assistance for 
the program of education the reservist is pursuing, the commencing date 
of the award of educational assistance is the latest of:
    (i) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section;
    (ii) One year before the date of claim as determined by 
Sec. 21.1029(b);
    (iii) The effective date of the approval of the course, or one year 
before the date VA receives the approval notice whichever is later; or
    (2) If the award is the second or subsequent award of educational 
assistance for the program of education the reservist is pursuing, the 
effective date of the award of educational assistance is the later of--
    (i) The date the educational institution certifies under paragraph 
(b) or (c) of this section; or
    (ii) The effective date of the approval of the course, or one year 
before the date VA receives the approval notice, whichever is later.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3672, 5103)

    (b) Certification by educational institution--course or subject 
leads to a standard college degree. (1) When a student enrolls in a 
course offered by independent study, the commencing date of the award or 
increased award of educational assistance will be the date the student 
began pursuit of the course according to the regularly established 
practices of the educational institution.
    (2) When a student enrolls in a resident course or subject, the 
commencing date of the award will be the date of reporting provided 
that--
    (i) The published standards of the school require the student to 
register before reporting,
    (ii) The published standards of the school require the student to 
report no more than 14 days before the first scheduled date of classes 
for the term, quarter or semester for which the student has registered, 
and
    (iii) The first scheduled class for the course or subject in which 
the student is enrolled begins during the calendar week when, according 
to the school's academic calendar, classes are generally scheduled to 
commence for the term.
    (3) When a student enrolls in a resident course or subject whose 
first scheduled class begins after the calendar week when, according to 
the school's academic calendar, classes are scheduled to commence for 
the term, quarter, or semester, the commencing date of the award or 
increased award of educational assistance allowance will be the actual 
date of the first class scheduled for the particular course or subject.
    (4) When a student enrolls in a resident course or subject and 
neither the provisions of paragraph (b)(2) nor (b)(3) of this section 
apply to the enrollment, the commencing date of the award or increased 
award of educational assistance will be the first scheduled date of 
classes for the term, quarter, or semester in which the student is 
enrolled.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b)).

    (c) Certification by educational institution--course does not lead 
to a standard college degree. (1) When a reservist enrolls in a course 
which does not lead to a standard college degree and which is offered in 
residence, the commencing date of the award of educational assistance 
will be as stated in paragraph (b) of this section.

[[Page 532]]

    (2) When a reservist enrolls in a course which is offered by 
correspondence, the commencing date of the award of educational 
assistance shall be the later of--
    (i) The date the first lesson was sent, or
    (ii) The date of affirmance in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 3686.
    (3) When a reservist enrolls in a program of apprenticeship or other 
on-job training, the commencing date of the award of educational 
assistance shall be the first date of employment in the training 
position.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b))

    (d) Liberalizing laws and VA issues. When a liberalizing law or VA 
issue affects the commencing date of a reservist's award of educational 
assistance, that commencing date shall be in accordance with facts 
found, but not earlier than the effective date of the act or 
administrative issue.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) Individuals in a penal institution. If a reservist is paid a 
reduced rate of educational assistance under Sec. 21.7639 (d), (e), (f), 
(g) and (h) of this section, the rate will be increased or assistance 
will commence effective the earlier of the following dates:
    (1) The date the tuition and fees are no longer being paid under 
another Federal program or a State or local program, or
    (2) The date of the release from the prison or jail.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3482(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) Increase (``kicker'') in amount payable. If a reservist is 
entitled to an increase (``kicker'') in the monthly rate of educational 
assistance because he or she has met the requirements of 
Sec. 21.7636(b), the effective date of that increase (``kicker'') will 
be the latest of the following dates:
    (1) The commencing date of the reservist's award as determined by 
paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section; or
    (2) The first date on which the reservist is entitled to the 
increase (``kicker'') as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned; or
    (3) February 10, 1996.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 11311, Mar. 20, 1996; 
61 FR 29304, June 10, 1996; 62 FR 55520, Oct. 27, 1997; 64 FR 23773, May 
4, 1999; 66 FR 38939, July 26, 2001]



Sec. 21.7633  Suspension or discontinuance of payments.

    VA may suspend or discontinue payments of educational assistance. In 
doing so, VA will apply Secs. 21.4210 through 21.4216.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3690)

[63 FR 35837, July 1, 1998]



Sec. 21.7635  Discontinuance dates.

    The effective date of reduction or discontinuance of educational 
assistance will be as stated in this section. If more than one type of 
reduction or discontinuance is involved, the earliest date will control.
    (a) Death of reservist. (1) If the reservist receives an advance 
payment and dies before the end of the period covered by the advance 
payment, the discontinuance date of educational assistance shall be the 
last date of the period covered by the advance payment.
    (2) In all other cases if the reservist dies while pursuing a 
program of education, the discontinuance date of educational assistance 
shall be the last date of attendance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3680(e))

    (b) Course discontinued--course interrupted--course terminated--
course not satisfactorily completed or withdrawn from. (1) If the 
reservist, for reasons other than being called or ordered to active 
duty, withdraws from all courses or receives all nonpunitive grades, and 
in either case there are no mitigating circumstances VA will terminate 
or reduce educational assistance effective the first date of the term in 
which the withdrawal occurs or the first date of the term for which 
grades are assigned.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 102-127) 
(Aug. 1, 1990)


[[Page 533]]


    (2) If the reservist withdraws from all courses with mitigating 
circumstances or withdraws from all courses such that a punitive grade 
is or will be assigned for those courses or the reservist withdraws from 
all courses because he or she is ordered to active duty, VA will 
terminate educational assistance for--
    (i) Residence training: last date of attendance; and
    (ii) Independent study: official date of change in status under the 
practices of the institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. 
L. 102-127) (Aug. 1, 1990)

    (3) When a reservist withdraws from a correspondence course, VA will 
terminate educational assistance effective the date the last lesson is 
serviced.
    (4) When a reservist withdraws from an apprenticeship or other on-
job training, VA will terminate educational assistance effective the 
date of last training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. 
L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642 (c), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1457-1458)

    (5) When a reservist withdraws from flight training, VA will 
terminate educational assistance effective the date of last instruction.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. 
L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642 (c), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1457-1458)

    (c) Reduction in the rate of pursuit of the course. If the reservist 
reduces the rate of training by withdrawing from part of a course, but 
continues training in part of the course, the provisions of this 
paragraph apply.
    (1) If the reduction in the rate of training occurs other than on 
the first date of the term, VA will reduce the reservist's educational 
assistance effective on the date the reduction occurred when--
    (i) A nonpunitive grade is assigned for the part of the course from 
which he or she withdraws, and
    (A) The reservist withdraws because he or she is ordered to active 
duty, or
    (B) The withdrawal occurs with mitigating circumstances; or
    (ii) A punitive grade is assigned for the part of the course from 
which the reservist withdraws.
    (2) VA will reduce educational assistance effective the first date 
of the enrollment in which the reduction occurs when--
    (i) The reduction occurs on the first date of the term, or
    (ii) The reservist--
    (A) Receives a nonpunitive grade for the part of the course from 
which he or she withdraws, and
    (B) Withdraws without mitigating circumstances, and
    (C) Does not withdraw because he or she is ordered to active duty.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); Pub. L. 102-127) 
(Aug. 1, 1990)

    (3) A reservist, who enrolls in several subjects and reduces his or 
her rate of pursuit by completing one or more of them while continuing 
training in the others, may receive an interval payment based on the 
subjects completed if the requirements of Sec. 21.4138(f) are met. If 
those requirements are not met, VA will reduce the reservist's 
educational assistance effective the date the subject or subjects were 
completed.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 
100-689)

    (d) Nonpunitive grade. (1) If the reservist receives a nonpunitive 
grade in a particular course, for any reason other than a withdrawal 
from it, VA will reduce his or her educational assistance effective the 
first date of enrollment for the term in which the grade applies when no 
mitigating circumstances are found.
    (2) If the reservist receives a nonpunitive grade for a particular 
course for any reason other than a withdrawal from it, VA will reduce 
the reservist's educational assistance effective the last date of 
attendance when mitigating circumstances are found.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680; Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. L. 
100-689)(Nov. 18, 1988)

    (e) Discontinued by VA. If VA discontinues payment to a reservist 
following the procedures stated in Sec. 21.4211(d) and

[[Page 534]]

(g), the date of discontinuance of payment of educational assistance 
will be--
    (1) The date on which payments first were suspended by the Director 
of a VA facility as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if the discontinuance was 
preceded by suspension.
    (2) The end of the month in which the decision to discontinue, made 
by VA under Sec. 21.7633 or Sec. 21.4211(d) and (g), is effective, if 
the Director of a VA facility did not suspend payments before the 
discontinuance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3690; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (f) Disapproved by State approving agency. If a State approving 
agency disapproves a course in which a reservist is enrolled, the date 
of discontinuance of payment of educational assistance will be--
    (1) The date on which payments first were suspended by the Director 
of a VA facility as provided in Sec. 21.4210 if disapproval was preceded 
by such a suspension.
    (2) The end of the month in which disapproval is effective or VA 
receives notice of the disapproval, whichever is later, provided that 
the Director of a VA facility did not suspend payments before the 
disapproval.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), 38 U.S.C. 3672(a), 3690; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (g) Disapproval by VA. If VA disapproves a course in which a 
reservist is enrolled, the effective date of discontinuance of payment 
of educational assistance will be--
    (1) The date on which the Director of a VA facility first suspended 
payments, as provided in Sec. 21.4210 of this part, if such a suspension 
preceded the disapproval.
    (2) The end of the month in which the disapproval occurred, provided 
that the Director of a VA facility did not suspend payments before the 
disapproval.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), 38 U.S.C. 3671(b), 3672(a), 3690; Pub. 
L. 98-525)

    (h) Unsatisfactory progress. If a reservist's progress is 
unsatisfactory, his or her educational assistance shall be discontinued 
effective the earlier of the following:
    (1) The date the educational institution discontinues the 
reservist's enrollment, or
    (2) The date on which the reservist's progress becomes 
unsatisfactory according to the educational institution's regularly 
established standards of progress.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), 38 U.S.C. 3474; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (i) False or misleading statements. If educational assistance is 
paid as the result of false or misleading statements, see Sec. 21.7658 
of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3690; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (j) Conflicting interests (not waived). If an institution of higher 
learning and VA have conflicting interests as provided in Sec. 21.4005 
and Sec. 21.7805 of this part, and VA does not grant the waiver, the 
date of discontinuance shall be 30 days after the date of the letter 
notifying the reservist.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3683; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (k) Incarceration in prison or penal institution for conviction of a 
felony. (1) The provisions of this paragraph apply to a reservist whose 
educational assistance must be discontinued or who becomes restricted to 
payment of educational assistance at a reduced rate under 
Sec. 21.7639(d) of this part.
    (2) The reduced rate or discontinuance will be effective the latest 
of the following dates:
    (i) The first day on which all or part of the reservist's tuition 
and fees were paid by a Federal, State or local program,
    (ii) The date the reservist is incarcerated in prison or penal 
institution, or
    (iii) The commencing date of the award as determined by Sec. 21.7631 
of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3482(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (l) Exhaustion of entitlement. If a reservist exhausts his or her 36 
months of entitlement, the discontinuance date

[[Page 535]]

shall be the date the entitlement is exhausted.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(c); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (m) End of eligibility period. If the reservist's eligibility period 
ends while the reservist is receiving educational assistance, the date 
of discontinuance shall be the date on which eligibility ends as 
determined by Sec. 21.7550 and Sec. 21.7551 of this part.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16133; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (n) Required certifications not received after certification of 
enrollment. (1) If VA does not timely receive a required certification 
of attendance for a reservist enrolled in a course not leading to a 
standard college degree, VA will terminate payments effective the last 
date of the last period for which a certification of the reservist's 
attendance was received. If VA later receives the certification, VA will 
make any adjustment on the basis of facts found.
    (2) In the case of an advance payment, if VA does not receive 
verification of enrollment and certificate of delivery of the check 
within 60 days of the first day of the term, quarter, semester, or 
course for which the advance payment was made, VA will determine the 
actual facts and make an adjustment, if required. If the reservist 
failed to enroll, termination will be effective the beginning date of 
the enrollment period.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(d); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (o) Receipt of financial assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107. If the 
reservist receives financial assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107, the 
effective date for discontinuance of payment of educational assistance 
shall be the first date for which the reservist receives such 
assistance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16134; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (p) Failure to participate satisfactorily in required training in 
Selected Reserve. If the reservist fails to participate satisfactorily 
in required training in the Selected Reserve, VA will discontinue 
payment of educational assistance allowance effective the first date 
certified by the Department of Defense or the Department of 
Transportation as the date on which the reservist fails to participate 
satisfactorily as a member of the Selected Reserve.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16134; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (q) Error-payee's or administrative. (1) When an act of commission 
or omission by a payee or with his or her knowledge results in an 
erroneous award of educational assistance, the effective date of the 
reduction or discontinuance will be the effective date of the award, or 
the day before the act, whichever is later, but not before the last date 
on which the reservist was entitled to payment of educational 
assistance.
    (2) When an administrative error or error in judgment by VA, the 
Department of Defense, or the Department of Transportation is the sole 
cause of an erroneous award, the award will be reduced or terminated 
effective the date of last payment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(b), 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (r) Completion of baccalaureate instruction. If a reservist who is 
limited in the types of courses he or she may pursue, as provided in 
Sec. 21.7540 (b)(2) and (b)(3), completes a course of instruction 
required for the award of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent 
evidence of completion of study (see Sec. 21.7622(f)), VA will 
discontinue educational assistance effective the day after the date upon 
which the required course of instruction was completed.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 
2565; secs. 642 (a), (b), (d), 645(a), (b), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 
1456-1458)

    (s) Forfeiture for fraud. If a reservist must forfeit his or her 
educational assistance due to fraud, the date of discontinuance of 
payment of educational assistance will be the later of--
    (1) The effective date of the award, or
    (2) The day before the date of the fraudulent act.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 6103, Pub. L. 98-525)

    (t) Forfeiture for treasonable acts or subversive activities. If a 
reservist must

[[Page 536]]

forfeit his or her educational assistance due to treasonable acts or 
subversive activities, the date of discontinuance of payment of 
educational assistance will be the later of--
    (1) The effective date of the award, or
    (2) The day before the date the reservist committed the treasonable 
act or subversive activities for which he or she was convicted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 6104, 6105; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (u) Change in law or VA issue or interpretation. If there is a 
change in applicable law or VA issue, or in the Department of Veterans 
Affairs's application of the law or VA issue, VA will use the provisions 
of Sec. 3.114(b) of this chapter to determine the date of discontinuance 
of the reservist's educational assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112, 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (v) Independent study course loses accreditation. If the reservist 
is enrolled in a course offered in whole or in part by independent 
study, and the course loses its accreditation (or the educational 
institution offering the course loses its accreditation), the date of 
reduction or discontinuance will be the effective date of the withdrawal 
of accreditation by the accrediting agency, unless the provisions of 
Sec. 21.7620 (c)(3) or (c)(4) apply.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136; 38 U.S.C. 3680A(a)(4))

    (w) [Reserved]
    (x) Reduction following loss of increase (``kicker''). If a 
reservist is entitled to an increase (``kicker'') in the monthly rate of 
basic educational assistance as provided in Sec. 21.7636(b) and loses 
that entitlement, the effective date for the reduction in the monthly 
rate payable is the date, as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned, that the reservist is no longer entitled to the 
increase (``kicker'').


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131)

    (y) Election to receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30. VA shall terminate educational assistance effective the 
first date for which the reservist received educational assistance 
when--
    (1) The service that formed a basis for establishing eligibility for 
educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 included a period of 
active duty as described in Sec. 21.7020(b)(1)(iv); and
    (2) The reservist subsequently made an election, as described in 
Sec. 21.7042(a)(7) or (b)(10), to become entitled to basic educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.


(Authority: Sec. 107, Pub. L. 104-275, 110 Stat. 3329-3330)

    (z) Except as otherwise provided. If the reservist's educational 
assistance must be discontinued for any reason other than those stated 
in the other paragraphs of this section, VA will determine the date of 
discontinuance of payment of educational assistance on the basis of 
facts found.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5112(a), 5113; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 57106, Dec. 3, 1992; 58 
FR 51783, Oct. 5, 1993; 61 FR 29304, June 10, 1996; 62 FR 55520, Oct. 
27, 1997; 63 FR 35837, July 1, 1998; 65 FR 5788, Feb. 7, 2000; 65 FR 
61101, Oct. 16, 2000; 66 FR 38939, July 26, 2001; 72 FR 39563, July 19, 
2007]



Sec. 21.7636  Rates of payment.

    (a) Monthly rate of educational assistance. (1) Except as otherwise 
provided in this section or in Sec. 21.7639, basic educational 
assistance is payable at the following monthly rates.
    (i) For training that occurs after September 30, 2004, and before 
October 1, 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Training                           Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time..............................................          $288.00
\3/4\ time.............................................           216.00
\1/2\ time.............................................           143.00
\1/4\ time.............................................            72.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) For training that occurs after September 30, 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Training                           Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full time..............................................          $297.00
\3/4\ time.............................................           222.00
\1/2\ time.............................................           147.00
\1/4\ time.............................................            74.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 537]]

    (2)(i) The monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to a 
reservist for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training full time is 
payable at the following rates.
    (A) For training which occurs after September 30, 2004, and before 
October 1, 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Training                           Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First 6 months of pursuit of training..................          $216.00
Second 6 months of pursuit of training.................           158.40
Remaining pursuit of training..........................           100.80
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) For training which occurs after September 30, 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Training                           Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First 6 months of pursuit of training..................          $252.45
Second 6 months of pursuit of training.................           193.05
Remaining pursuit of training..........................           133.65
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Full-time training will consist of the number of hours which 
constitute the standard workweek of the training establishment, but not 
less than 30 hours unless a lesser number of hours is established as the 
standard workweek for the particular establishment through bona fide 
collective bargaining between employers and employees.
    (3) The monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to a 
reservist for pursuit of a cooperative course is as follows:
    (i) For full-time training that occurs after September 30, 2004, and 
before October 1, 2005, the rate payable is the rate stated in paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section.
    (ii) For full-time training that occurs after September 30, 2005, 
the rate payable is the rate stated in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this 
section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), (c); sec. 8203(b), Pub. L. 105-178, 112 
Stat. 493-494)

    (b) Increase (``kicker'') in educational assistance rates. (1) The 
Secretary of the military department concerned may increase the amount 
of educational assistance stated in paragraph (a) of this section that 
is payable to a reservist who has a skill or specialty in which there is 
a critical shortage of personnel or for which it is difficult to 
recruit, or, in the case of critical units, retain personnel.
    (2) The Secretary of the military department concerned--
    (i) Will set the amount of the increase (``kicker'') for full-time 
training, but the increase (``kicker'') may not exceed $350 per month; 
and
    (ii) May set the amount of the increase (``kicker'') payable, for a 
reservist pursuing a program of education less than full time or 
pursuing an apprenticeship or other on-job training, at an amount less 
than the amount described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(i)(1))

    (c) Limitations on payments. VA may withhold final payment until VA 
receives proof of the reservist's enrollment and adjusts the reservist's 
account.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(g))

[61 FR 29305, June 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27964, May 22, 1997; 62 
FR 55520, Oct. 27, 1997; 62 FR 66278, Dec. 18, 1997; 64 FR 26297, May 
14, 1999; 65 FR 59127, Oct. 4, 2000; 65 FR 60499, Oct. 11, 2000; 66 FR 
38937, July 26, 2001; 67 FR 6655, Feb. 13, 2002; 68 FR 42978, July 21, 
2003; 69 FR 62205, Oct. 25, 2004; 72 FR 39563, July 19, 2007]



Sec. 21.7639  Conditions which result in reduced rates or no payment.

    The payment of educational assistance at the monthly rates 
established in Sec. 21.7636 shall be subject to reduction, whenever the 
circumstances described in this section arise.
    (a) Withdrawals and nonpunitive grades. (1) Withdrawal from a course 
or receipt of a nonpunitive grade affects payments to a reservist. VA 
will not pay benefits to a reservist for pursuit of a course from which 
the reservist withdraws or receives a nonpunitive grade which is not 
used in computing requirements for graduation unless the provisions of 
this paragraph are met.
    (i) The reservist withdraws because he or she is ordered to active 
duty; or
    (ii) Both of the following exist.
    (A) There are mitigating circumstances, and
    (B) The reservist submits a description of the circumstances in 
writing to VA either within one year from the date VA notifies the 
reservist that he or she must submit the mitigating circumstances, or at 
a later date if the reservist is able to show good cause why

[[Page 538]]

the one-year time limit should be extended to the date on which he or 
she submitted the description of the mitigating circumstances.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3471, 3680(a), 5101, 5113; 
Pub. L. 102-127) (Aug. 1, 1990))

    (2) If VA considers that mitigating circumstances exist because the 
reservist withdrew during a drop-add period or because the withdrawal 
constitutes the first withdrawal of no more than six credits after May 
31, 1989, the reservist is not subject to the reporting requirement 
found in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16130(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(a)) (June. 1, 1989)

    (b) No education assistance for some incarcerated reservists. VA 
will pay no educational assistance to reservists who are incarcerated 
and who are training less than one-half time. In addition, VA will pay 
no educational assistance to a reservist who--
    (1) Is incarcerated in Federal, State or local penal institution for 
conviction of a felony, and
    (2) Is enrolled in a course--
    (i) For which there are no tuition and fees, or
    (ii) For which tuition and fees are being paid by a Federal program 
(other than one administered by VA) or by a State or local program, and
    (3) Is incurring no charge for the books, supplies and equipment 
necessary for the course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3482(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Reduced educational assistance for some incarcerated reservists. 
(1) VA will pay reduced educational assistance to a reservist who--
    (i) Is incarcerated in a Federal, State or local penal institution 
for conviction of a felony, and
    (ii) Is enrolled in a course--
    (A) For which the reservist pays some (but not all) of the charges 
for tuition and fees, or
    (B) For which a Federal program (other than one administered by VA) 
or a State or local program pays all the charges for tuition and fees, 
but for which the reservist must pay for books, supplies and equipment.
    (2) The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to such a 
reservist is the lesser of the following:
    (i) The monthly rate of the portion of tuition and fees that are not 
paid by a Federal program (other than one administered by VA) or a State 
or local program plus the monthly rate of any charges to the reservist 
for the cost of necessary supplies, books and equipment, or
    (ii) The monthly rate as stated in Sec. 21.7636(a) and any increase 
payable under Sec. 21.7636(b).
    (3) In determining the monthly rate stated in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of 
this paragraph, VA will--
    (i) Add the portion of tuition and fees that are not paid by a 
Federal program (other than one administered by VA) for the reservist's 
enrollment period to the total cost to the reservist for the cost of 
necessary supplies, books and equipment, and
    (ii) Divide the figure obtained in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this 
paragraph by the number of months and fractions of a month in the 
reservist's enrollment period.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(i)(1), 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3482(g))

    (d)(1) A reservist pursuing only independent study and whose 
enrollment begins after June 30, 1993, shall be paid educational 
assistance on the basis of his or her training time.
    (2) No payments may be made to a reservist who is limited in the 
types of courses he or she may pursue, as provided in Sec. 21.7540(b)(2) 
and (b)(3), and who is pursuing independent study unless he or she is 
concurrently pursuing one or more courses offered through resident 
training at an institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131; 10 U.S.C. 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3532, 3532 
note, 3680; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; secs. 
642, 645 (a), (b), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 1457-1458)

    (e) Payment for correspondence courses. A reservist who is pursuing 
a correspondence course or the correspondence portion of a 
correspondence-residence course shall be paid 55 percent of

[[Page 539]]

the established charge which the educational institution requires 
nonreservists to pay for the lessons--
    (1) Which the reservist has completed;
    (2) Which the educational institution has serviced; and
    (3) For which payment is due.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(f); sec. 642 (b), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1456-1458)

    (f) Failure to work sufficient hours of apprenticeship and other on-
job training. (1) For any calendar month in which a reservist pursuing 
an apprenticeship or other on-job training program fails to complete 120 
hours of training, VA will reduce proportionally--
    (i) The rates specified in Sec. 21.7636(a)(2); and
    (ii) Any increase set by the Secretary of the military department 
concerned as described in Sec. 21.7636(b).
    (2) In making the computations required by paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section, VA will round the number of hours worked to the nearest 
multiple of eight.
    (3) For the purpose of this paragraph, hours worked include only--
    (i) The training hours the reservist worked; and
    (ii) All hours of the reservist's related training which occurred 
during the standard workweek and for which the reservist received wages. 
(See Sec. 21.7636(a)(2)(ii) as to the requirements for full-time 
training.)


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(d)(2), 16131(i)(1); sec. 642 (b), (d), Pub. 
L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (g) Flight training course. A reservist who is pursuing a flight 
training course shall be paid 60 percent of the established charge for 
tuition and fees (other than tuition and fees charged for or 
attributable to solo flying hours) which the flight school requires 
similarly circumstanced nonreservists enrolled in the same course to 
pay.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(g))

    (h) Membership in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. A 
reservist may not receive educational assistance for any period for 
which he or she receives financial assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107 as a 
member of the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16134)

    (i) Course not offered by an institution of higher learning or not 
leading to an identifiable educational, professional, or vocational 
objective. A reservist who is limited in the types of courses he or she 
may pursue, as described in Sec. 21.7540(b)(2) and (b)(3), may not 
receive educational assistance for instruction in a program of education 
unless it is offered at an institution of higher learning. The 
instruction must lead to an identifiable educational, professional, or 
vocational objective, but does not have to lead to a standard college 
degree.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(b), 2136(b); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 
98 Stat. 2565, 2567; secs. 642 (b)(1), (c), (d), 645(a), (b), Pub. L. 
101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 57107, Dec. 3, 1992; 58 
FR 51783, Oct. 5, 1993; 58 FR 65930, Dec. 17, 1993; 61 FR 29305, June 
10, 1996; 61 FR 29482, June 11, 1996; 62 FR 55521, Oct. 27, 1997; 62 FR 
55762, Oct. 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7640  Release of payments.

    (a) Payments are dependent upon certifications, reports, and 
verifications of pursuit. When certifications, reports, or verifications 
of pursuit are mentioned in this paragraph, the certifications, reports, 
and verifications of pursuit are to be made in the form prescribed by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    (1) VA will pay educational assistance to a reservist who is 
pursuing a standard college degree only after the educational 
institution has certified his or her enrollment.
    (2) VA will pay educational assistance to a reservist who is 
pursuing a course not leading to a standard college degree (other than a 
correspondence course, a course of flight training, or an apprenticeship 
or other on-job training) only after:
    (i) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment 
in the form prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
    (ii) VA has received a report by the reservist, which report is 
endorsed by the educational institution, of--

[[Page 540]]

    (A) Each day of absence that occurred before December 18, 1989; or
    (B) A verification of pursuit from the reservist of training that 
occurred on or after December 18, 1989.
    (3) VA will pay educational assistance to a reservist pursuing a 
program of apprenticeship or other on-job training only after:
    (i) The training establishment has certified his or her enrollment 
in the training program in the form prescribed by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs; and
    (ii) VA has received certification by the reservist and the training 
establishment of the reservist's hours worked.
    (4) VA will pay educational assistance to a reservist who is 
pursuing a correspondence course only after:
    (i) The educational institution has certified his or her enrollment 
in the form prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
    (ii) VA has received a certification by the reservist, which 
certification is endorsed by the educational institution, as to the 
number of lessons completed and serviced by the educational institution.
    (5) VA will pay educational assistance to a reservist who is 
pursuing a flight course only after:
    (i) The educational institution certifies the reservist's enrollment 
in the form prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
    (ii) VA has received a report by the reservist of the flight 
training the reservist has completed, which report is endorsed by the 
educational institution.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (b) Payment for intervals and temporary school closings. In 
administering 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4138(f) when determining whether a reservist is entitled to 
payment for an interval or temporary school closing.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (c) Payee. (1) VA will make payment to the reservist or to a duly 
appointed fudiciary. VA will make direct payment to the reservist even 
if he or she is a minor.
    (2) The assignment of educational assistance is prohibited. In 
administering this provision, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4146 (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this part to 10 U.S.C. chapter 
1606 in a manner not inconsistent with the way in which they are applied 
in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 36.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680, 5301(a))

    (d) Advance payments. VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4138(a) in making advance payments to reservists.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680)

    (e) Frequency of payment. Except as provided in Sec. 21.4138(a), VA 
shall pay educational assistance in the month following the month for 
which training occurs. VA may withhold payment to a reservist who is 
enrolled in a course not leading to a standard college degree for any 
month until the reservist's attendance has been reported for that month. 
VA may withhold final payment in all cases until it both receives 
certification that the reservist pursued his or her course, and makes 
any necessary adjustments.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(g))

    (f) Apportionments prohibited. VA will not apportion educational 
assistance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0073)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 
FR 29306, June 10, 1996; 61 FR 29482, June 11, 1996; 64 FR 52652, Sept. 
30, 1999; 72 FR 39564, July 19, 2007; 73 FR 65269, Nov. 3, 2008]



Sec. 21.7642  Nonduplication of educational assistance.

    (a) Payments of educational assistance shall not be duplicated. A 
reservist is barred from receiving educational assistance concurrently 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 and any of the following provisions of 
law--
    (1) 38 U.S.C. 30 (Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty);
    (2) 38 U.S.C. 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment);

[[Page 541]]

    (3) 38 U.S.C. 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance);
    (4) 38 U.S.C. 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill);
    (5) 38 U.S.C. 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance);
    (6) 10 U.S.C. 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program);
    (7) 10 U.S.C. 106a (Educational Assistance Test Program);
    (8) Section 903 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981 
(Pub. L. 96-342, 10 U.S.C. 2141 note);
    (9) The Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-449, 5 U.S.C. 5561 
note); or
    (10) The Omnibus Diplomatic Security Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-399).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3033(a), 3241(a), 3322(a), 
3681)

    (b) When paragraph (a) of this section applies, the reservist must 
choose which benefit he or she wishes to receive. The reservist may 
choose to receive benefits under another program (other than 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 33) at any time, but not more than once in a calendar month. The 
reservist may choose to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 at 
any time, but not more than once during a certified term, quarter, or 
semester.
    (c) Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship program. 
Educational assistance may not be provided to a reservist receiving 
financial assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2107 as a member of the Senior 
Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship program.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16134; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Nonduplication--Federal program. Payment of educational 
assistance is prohibited to an otherwise eligible reservist--
    (1) For a unit course or courses which are being paid for entirely 
or partly by the Armed Forces during any period he or she is on active 
duty;
    (2) For a unit course or courses which are being paid for entirely 
or partly by the Department of Health and Human Services during any 
period that he or she is on active duty with the Public Health Service; 
or
    (3) For a unit course or courses which are being paid for entirely 
or partly bythe United States under the Government Employees' Training 
Act.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3681; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (e) Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 
1992. A reservist may not receive educational assistance under the 
Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve program during the period for which 
benefits are payable under the Service Members Occupational Conversion 
and Training Act of 1992.


(Authority: Sec. 4492(a), Pub. L. 102-484, 106 Stat. 2765-2766)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 9628, Mar. 7, 1991; 61 
FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 FR 29307, June 10, 1996; 74 FR 14671, Mar. 31, 
2009]



Sec. 21.7644  Overpayments.

    (a) Prevention of overpayments. In administering benefits payable 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, VA will apply the provisions of 
Secs. 21.4008 and 21.4009 of this part in the same manner as they are 
applied in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 36. See 
Sec. 21.7633.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3690(b); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Penalties are not overpayments. The Secretary concerned may 
require a refund from an individual who fails to participate 
satisfactorily in required training as a member of the Selected Reserve. 
This refund is subject to waiver by the Secretary. However, this 
refund--
    (1) Is not an overpayment for VA purposes, and
    (2) Is not subject to waiver by VA under Sec. 1.957 of this chapter.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16135; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Liability for overpayments. (1) The amount of the overpayment of 
educational assistance paid to a reservist constitutes a liability of 
that reservist unless--
    (i) The overpayment is waived as provided in Sec. 1.957 of this 
chapter, or
    (ii) The overpayment results from an administrative error or an 
error in judgment. See Sec. 21.7635(o) of this part.

[[Page 542]]

    (2) The amount of the overpayment of educational assistance paid to 
a reservist constitutes as liability of the educational institution if 
VA determines that the overpayment was made as the result of--
    (i) Willful or negligent false certification by the educational 
institution, or
    (ii) Willful or negligent failure to certify excessive absences from 
a course, or discontinuance or interruption of a course by the 
reservist.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3685; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (d) Waiver of recovery of overpayments. (1) Except as stated in 
paragraph (b) of this section in determining whether an overpayment 
should be waived or recovered from a reservist, VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 1.957 of this chapter.
    (2) In determining whether an overpayment should be recovered from 
an educational institution, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4009(a)(2), (3), (4), and (5), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), 
(h), (i), and (j) of this part to overpayments of educational assistance 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 in the same manner as they are applied to 
overpayments of educational assistance allowance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapters 34 and 36.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3685, 5302; Pub. L. 98-525)

    Cross Reference: Entitlement charges. See Sec. 21.7576(c) of this 
part offering training to veterans and servicemembers under 38 U.S.C. 
ch. 34.

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996]

                 Pursuit of Course and Required Reports



Sec. 21.7650  Pursuit.

    The reservist is entitled to educational assistance only for actual 
pursuant of a program of educational. Verification is accomplished by 
various certifications.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(a); Pub. L. 98-525)



Sec. 21.7652  Certification of enrollment and verification of pursuit.

    As stated in Sec. 21.7640 of this part, the educational institution 
must certify the reservist's enrollment before he or she may receive 
educational assistance. Nothing in this section or in any section in 
part 21 shall be construed as requiring any institution of higher 
learning to maintain daily attendance records for any course leading to 
a standard college degree.
    (a) Content of certification of entrance or reentrance. The 
certification of entrance or reentrance must clearly specify:
    (1) The course;
    (2) The starting and ending dates of the enrollment period;
    (3) The credit hours or clock hours being pursued by the reservist;
    (4) The amount of tuition, fees and the cost of books, supplies and 
equipment charged to a reservist who is incarcerated in a Federal, State 
or local prison or jail for conviction of a felony; and
    (5) Such other information as the Secretary may find is necessary to 
determine the reservist's monthly rate of educational assistance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3482(g), 3680; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Length of the enrollment period covered by the enrollment 
certification. (1) Educational institutions organized on a term, quarter 
or semester basis generally shall report enrollment for the term, 
quarter, semester, ordinary school year or ordinary school year plus 
summer term. If the certification covers two or more terms, the 
educational institution will report the dates for the break between 
terms if a term ends and the following term does not begin in the same 
or the next calendar month, or if the reservist elects not to be paid 
for the intervals between terms. The educational institution must submit 
a separate enrollment certification for each term, quarter or semester 
when the certification is for a reservist who is incarcerated in a 
Federal, State or local prison or jail for conviction of a felony.
    (2) Educational institutions organized on a year-round basis will 
report enrollment for the length of the course. The certification will 
include a report of the dates during which the educational institution 
closes for any interval designated in its approval data as breaks 
between school years.

[[Page 543]]

    (3) When a reservist enrolls in independent study leading to a 
standard college degree concurrently with resident training, the 
educational institution's certification will include--
    (i) The enrollment date, and
    (ii) The ending date for the period being certified. If the 
educational institution has not prescribed maximum time for completion 
of the independent study portion of the enrollment, the certification 
must include an ending date for the independent study based on the 
educational institution's estimate for completion.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3684; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Verification of pursuit. (1) A reservist who is pursuing a 
course leading to a standard college degree must have his or her 
continued enrollment in and pursuit of the course verified for the 
entire enrollment period. Verification of continued enrollment will be 
made at least once a year and in the last month of enrollment if the 
enrollment period ends more than 3 months after the last verification. 
In the case of a reservist who completed, interrupted or terminated his 
or her course, any communication from the reservist or other authorized 
person notifying the VA of the reservist's completion of a course as 
scheduled or an earlier termination date, will be accepted to terminate 
payments accordingly.
    (2) The verification of pursuit will also include a report on the 
following items when applicable:
    (i) Continued enrollment in and pursuit of the course,
    (ii) Conduct and progress (See Sec. 21.7653(c)),
    (iii) Date of interruption or termination of training (See 
Sec. 21.7656(a)),
    (iv) Changes in number of credit hours or clock hours of attendance 
(See Sec. 21.7656(a)), and
    (v) Any other changes or modifications in the course as certified at 
enrollment.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680(g); Pub. L. 98-525)

[52 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 29482, June 11, 1996]



Sec. 21.7653  Progress, conduct, and attendance.

    (a) Satisfactory pursuit of program. In order to receive educational 
assistance for pursuit of a program of education, a reservist must 
maintain satisfactory progress. Progress is unsatisfactory if the 
reservist does not satisfactorily progress according to the regulatory 
prescribed standards of the educational institution he or she is 
attending.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3474; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Satisfactory conduct. In order to receive educational assistance 
for pursuit of a program of education, a reservist must maintain 
satisfactory conduct according to the regularly prescribed standards and 
practices of the educational institution in which he or she is enrolled. 
If the reservist will no longer be retained as a student or will not be 
readmitted as a student by the educational institution in which he or 
she is enrolled, the VA will discontinue educational assistance, unless 
further development establishes that the educational institution's 
action is retaliatory.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3474; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (c) Satisfactory attendance. In order to receive educational 
assistance for pursuit of a program of education, a reservist must 
maintain satisfactory course attendance. VA will discontinue educational 
assistance if the reservist does not maintain satisfactory course 
attendance. Attendance is unsatisfactory if the reservist does not 
attend according to the regularly prescribed standards of the 
educational institution in which he or she is enrolled.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3474; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 
98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642 (c), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1457-1458)

    (d) Reports. At times the unsatisfactory progress, conduct, or 
course attendance of a reservist is caused by or results in his or her 
interruption or termination of training. If this occurs, the 
interruption or termination shall be reported in accordance with 
Sec. 21.7656(a). If the reservist continues in

[[Page 544]]

training despite making unsatisfactory progress, the fact of his or her 
unsatisfactory progress must be reported to VA within the time allowed 
by paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of this section.
    (1) A reservist's progress may become unsatisfactory as a result of 
the grades he or she receives. The educational institution shall report 
such unsatisfactory progress to VA in time for VA to receive it before 
the earlier of the following dates is reached:
    (i) Thirty days from the date on which the school official who is 
responsible for determining whether a student is making progress first 
receives the final grade report which establishes that the reservist is 
not progressing satisfactorily; or
    (ii) Sixty days from the last day of the enrollment period during 
which the reservist earned the grades that caused him or her to meet the 
unsatisfactory progress standards.
    (2) If the unsatisfactory progress of the reservist is caused solely 
by any factors other than the grades which he or she receives, the 
educational institution shall report the unsatisfactory progress in time 
for VA to receive it within 30 days of the date on which the progress of 
the reservist becomes unsatisfactory.
    (3) The educational institution shall report the unsatisfactory 
conduct or attendance of the reservist to VA in time for VA to receive 
it within 30 days of the date on which the conduct or attendance of the 
reservist becomes unsatisfactory.
    (e) Reentrance after discontinuance. In order for a reservist to 
receive educational assistance following discontinuance for 
unsatisfactory progress, conduct, or attendance, the provisions of this 
paragraph must be met.
    (1) The reservist's subsequent reentrance into a program of 
education may be for the same program, for a revised program, or for an 
entirely different program, depending on the cause of the discontinuance 
and removal of that cause.
    (2) A reservist may reenter following discontinuance because of 
unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress when either of the 
following sets of conditions exists:
    (i) The reservist resumes enrollment at the same educational 
institution in the same program of education and the educational 
institution has both approved the reservist's reenrollment and certified 
it to VA; or
    (ii) In all other cases, VA determines that--
    (A) The cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress 
in the previous program has been removed and is not likely to recur; and
    (B) The program which the reservist now proposes to pursue is 
suitable to his or her aptitudes, interests, and abilities.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3474; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 
98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642 (c), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1457-1458)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0552)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 29307, June 10, 1996]



Sec. 21.7654  Pursuit and absences.

    Except as provided in this section, a reservist must submit a 
verification to VA each month of his or her enrollment during the period 
for which the reservist is to be paid. This verification shall be in a 
form prescribed by the Secretary.
    (a) Exceptions to the monthly verification requirement. A reservist 
does not have to submit a monthly verification as described in the 
introductory text of this section when the reservist--
    (1) Is enrolled in a correspondence course; or
    (2) Has received an advance payment for the training completed 
during a month.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(a), (g))
    (b) Items to be reported on all monthly verifications. (1) The 
monthly verification for all reservists will include a report on the 
following items when applicable:
    (i) Continued enrollment in and actual pursuit of the course;
    (ii) The date of interruption or termination of training;

[[Page 545]]

    (iii) Except as provided in Sec. 21.7656(a), changes in the number 
of credit hours or in the number of clock hours of attendance;
    (iv) Nonpunitive grades; and
    (v) Any other changes or modifications in the course as certified at 
enrollment.
    (2) The verification of enrollment must:
    (i) Contain the information required for release of payment;
    (ii) If required or permitted by the Secretary to be submitted on 
paper, be signed by the reservist on or after the final date of the 
reporting period, or if permitted by the Secretary to be submitted by 
telephone or electronically in a manner designated by the Secretary, be 
submitted in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary on or after 
the final date of the reporting period; and
    (iii) If submitted on paper, clearly show the date on which it was 
signed.
    (c) Additional requirements for apprenticeships and other on-job 
training programs. (1) When a reservist is pursuing an apprenticeship or 
other on-job training, he or she must monthly certify training by 
reporting the number of hours worked.
    (2) The information provided by the reservist must be verified by 
the training establishment.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(a); sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. 
L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642(c), (d), Pub. L. 101-189, 103 
Stat. 1457-1458)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0597)

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3680(g))

[61 FR 29308, June 10, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 61101, Oct. 16, 2001]



Sec. 21.7656  Other required reports.

    (a) Reports from reservists. (1) A reservist enrolled full time in a 
program of education for a standard term, quarter, or semester must 
report without delay to VA:
    (i) A change in his or her credit hours or clock hours of attendance 
if that change would result in less than full-time enrollment;
    (ii) Any change in his or her pursuit that would result in less than 
full-time enrollment; and
    (iii) Any interruption or termination of his or her attendance.
    (2) A reservist not described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
must report without delay to VA:
    (i) Any change in his or her credit hours or clock hours of 
attendance;
    (ii) Any change in his or her pursuit; and
    (iii) Any interruption or termination of his or her attendance.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3684)

    (b) Interruptions, terminations or changes in hours of credit or 
attendance. When a reservist interrupts or terminates his or her 
training for any reason, including unsatisfactory conduct or progress, 
or when he or she changes the number of hours of credit or attendance, 
the educational institution must report this fact to VA.
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, an 
educational institution must report without delay to VA each time a 
reservist:
    (i) Interrupts or terminates his or her training for any reason; or
    (ii) Changes his or her credit hours or clock hours of attendance.
    (2) An educational institution does not need to report a change in a 
reservist's hours of credit or attendance when:
    (i) The reservist is enrolled full time in a program of education 
for a standard term, quarter, or semester before the change; and
    (ii) The reservist continues to be enrolled full time after the 
change.
    (3) If the change in status or change in number of credit hours or 
clock hours of attendance occurs on a day other than one indicated by 
paragraph (b)(4) or (b)(5) of this section, the educational institution 
will initiate a report of the change in time for VA to receive it within 
30 days of the date on which the change occurs.
    (4) If the educational institution has certified the reservist's 
enrollment for more than one term, quarter or semester and the reservist 
interrupts his or

[[Page 546]]

her training at the end of a term, quarter or semester within the 
certified enrollment period, the educational institution shall report 
the change in status to VA in time for VA to receive the report within 
30 days of the last officially scheduled registration date for the next 
term, quarter or semester.
    (5) If the change in status or change in the number of hours of 
credit or attendance occurs during the 30 days of a drop-add period, the 
educational institution must report the change in status or change in 
the number of hours of credit or attendance to VA in time for VA to 
receive the report within 30 days from the last date of the drop-add 
period or 60 days from the first day of the enrollment period, whichever 
occurs first.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3684.)

    (c) Nonpunitive grades. An educational institution may assign a 
nonpunitive grade for a course or subject in which the reservist is 
enrolled even though the reservist does not withdraw from the course or 
subject. When this occurs, the educational institution must report the 
assignment of the nonpunitive grade in time for VA to receive it before 
the earlier of the following dates is reached:
    (1) 30 days from the date on which the educational institution 
assigns the grade, or
    (2) 60 days from the last day of the enrollment period for which the 
nonpunitive grade is assigned.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3684; Pub. L. 98-525)


(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 
2900-0612 and 2900-0597)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 65 FR 61101, Oct. 16, 2001]



Sec. 21.7658  False, late, or missing reports.

    (a) Reservist. Payments may not be based on false or misleading 
statements, claims or reports. VA will apply the provisions of 
Secs. 21.4006 and 21.4007 of this part to a reservist or any other 
person who submits false or misleading claims, statements or reports in 
connection with benefits payable under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 in the 
same manner as they are applied to people who make similar false or 
misleading claims for benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 34 or 36.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3680, 3690, 6103; Pub. L. 98-
525)

    (b) Educational institution or training establishment. (1) VA may 
hold an educational institution liable for overpayments which result 
from a willful or negligent:
    (i) Failure of the educational institution to report, excessive 
absences from a course or discontinuance or interruption of a course by 
a reservist; or
    (ii) False certification by the educational institution. See 
Sec. 21.7644(c).
    (2) If an educational institution or training establishment 
willfully and knowingly submits a false report or certification, VA may 
disapprove that institution's or establishment's courses for further 
enrollments and may discontinue educational assistance to reservists 
already enrolled. In doing so, VA will apply Secs. 21.4210 through 
21.4216.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3690)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 63 
FR 35837, July 1, 1998]



Sec. 21.7659  Reporting fee.

    In determining the amount of the reporting fee payable to 
educational institutions for furnishing required reports, VA will apply 
the provisions of Sec. 21.4206.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3684)

[62 FR 55762, Oct. 28, 1997]

                            Course Assessment



Sec. 21.7670  Measurement of courses leading to a standard, 
undergraduate college degree.

    Except as provided in Sec. 21.7672, VA will measure a reservist's 
courses as stated in this section.
    (a) Fourteen semester hours are full time. Unless 12 or 13 semester 
hours are full time as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section, or unless paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section apply to

[[Page 547]]

measurement of the reservist's enrollment VA will measure a reservist's 
enrollment as follows:
    (1) 14 or more semester hours or the equivalent are full-time 
training,
    (2) 10 through 13 semester hours or the equivalent are three-
quarter-time training;
    (3) 7 through 9 semester hours or the equivalent are half-time 
training; and
    (4) 1 through 6 semester hours or the equivalent are less than half-
time training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. 
L. 100-689)(Nov. 18, 1988)

    (b) Thirteen semester hours are full time. (1) VA will consider that 
13 semester hours or the equivalent are full-time training when the 
educational institution certifies that all undergraduate students 
enrolled for 13 semester hours or the equivalent are
    (i) Charged full-time tuition, or
    (ii) Considered full-time for other administrative purposes.
    (2) When 13 semester hours or the equivalent are full-time 
training--
    (i) 10 through 12 semester hours or the equivalent are three-
quarter-time training;
    (ii) 7 through 9 semester hours or the equivalent are half-time 
training; and
    (iii) 1 through 6 semester hours or the equivalent are less than 
half-time training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. 
L. 100-689)(Nov. 18, 1988)

    (c) Twelve semester hours are full time. (1) VA will consider that 
12 semester hours or the equivalent are full-time training when the 
educational institution certifies that all undergraduate students 
enrolled for 12 semester hours or the equivalent are--
    (i) Charged full-time tuition, or
    (ii) Considered full time for other administrative purposes.
    (2) When 12 semester hours or the equivalent are full-time 
training--
    (i) 9 through 11 semester hours or the equivalent are three-quarter-
time training;
    (ii) 6 through 8 semester hours or the equivalent are half-time 
training; and
    (iii) 1 through 5 semester hours or the equivalent are less than 
half-time training.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688(a); Pub. L. 98-525, Pub. 
L. 100-689)

    (d) Other requirements. Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
section, in administering benefits payable under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, 
VA shall apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4272.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 56 FR 9629, Mar. 7, 1991; 57 
FR 57107, Dec. 3, 1992; 61 FR 29308, June 10, 1996; 62 FR 55762, Oct. 
28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7672  Measurement of courses not leading to a standard college
degree.

    (a) Overview. (1) Courses not leading to a standard college degree 
may be measured on either a clock-hour basis, or a credit-hour basis or 
a combination of both. Factors which the Department of Veterans Affairs 
must include in determining the proper basis for measurement include 
whether the courses are accredited; whether the course could be credited 
toward a standard college degree; and whether the course is offered on a 
standard quarter or semester-hour basis.
    (2) In determining which is the correct basis for measuring a 
reservist's enrollment, VA will first examine whether credit-hour 
measurement is appropriate, as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (3) If it is not appropriate to measure a reservist's enrollment on 
a credit-hour basis, VA will measure the enrollment on a clock-hour 
basis as described in paragraph (c) of this section.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3688(b))

    (b) Credit-hour measurement--standard method. (1) When all the 
conditions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section are met, the Department 
of Veterans Affairs will--
    (i) Measure the reservist's enrollment in the same manner as 
collegiate undergraduate courses are measured in Sec. 21.7670 (a), (b), 
and (c).

[[Page 548]]

    (ii) Apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4272(g) if one or more of the 
reservist's courses are offered during a nonstandard term.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3688)

    (2) For new enrollments beginning on or after July 1, 1993, when a 
course is offered by an institution of higher learning in residence on a 
standard quarter- or semester-hour basis, VA will measure a reservist's 
enrollment in a course not leading to a standard college degree on the 
same credit-hour basis as courses leading to a standard undergraduate 
degree, as provided in Sec. 21.7670.
    (3) For new enrollments beginning on or after July 1, 1993, when a 
course is offered in residence on a standard quarter- or semester-hour 
basis by an educational institution which is not an institution of 
higher learning, VA also will measure on a credit-hour basis as provided 
in Sec. 21.7670 a reservist's enrollment in a course not leading to a 
standard college degree, provided that the educational institution 
requires at least the same number of clock-hours of attendance as 
required in paragraph (c) of this section. If the educational 
institution does not require at least the same number of clock-hours of 
attendance as required in paragraph (c) of this section, VA will not 
apply the provisions of Sec. 21.7670, but will measure the course 
according to paragraph (c) of this section.
    (4) VA will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4272(g) to new 
enrollments beginning on or after July 1, 1993, if one or more of the 
reservist's courses are offered during a nonstandard term.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3688(a)(7))

    (c) Clock-hour measurement. The provisions of this paragraph apply 
to all enrollments in courses not leading to a standard college degree. 
If VA concludes that the courses in which a reservist is enrolled do not 
qualify for credit-hour measurement, VA shall measure those courses as 
follows. (Supervised study shall be excluded from measurement of all 
courses to which this paragraph applies).
    (1) If shop practice is an integral part of the course--
    (i) Full-time training shall be 22 clock hours attendance with not 
more than 2\1/2\ hours rest period allowance;
    (ii) Three-quarter-time training shall be 16 through 21 clock hours 
attendance with not more than 2 hours rest period allowance;
    (iii) Half-time training shall be 11 through 15 clock hours 
attendance with not more than 1\1/4\ hours rest period allowance; and
    (iv) One-quarter-time training shall be 1 through 10 clock hours 
attendance. For attendance of 6 through 10 clock hours, there shall be 
not more than one quarter hour rest period allowance. For attendance of 
1 through 5 clock hours, there shall be no rest period allowance.
    (2) If theory and class instruction predominates--
    (i) Full-time training is 18 clock hours net instruction;
    (ii) Three-quarter-time training is 13 through 17 clock hours net 
instruction;
    (iii) Half-time training is 9 through 12 clock hours net 
instruction; and
    (iv) Less than half-time training is 1 through 8 clock hours net 
instruction. In measuring net instruction for this paragraph there will 
be included customary intervals not to exceed 10 minutes between 
classes: however, supervised study must be excluded.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3688)

[56 FR 9629, Mar. 7, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 46985, Oct. 14, 1992; 61 
FR 29308, June 10, 1996; 61 FR 29482, June 11, 1996]



Sec. 21.7673  Measurement of concurrent enrollments.

    (a) Conversion of units of measurement required. Where a reservist 
enrolls concurrently in courses offered by two schools and the standards 
for measurement of the courses pursued concurrently in the two schools 
are different, the Department of Veterans Affairs will measure the 
reservist's enrollment by converting the units of measurement for 
courses in the second school to their equivalent in units of measurement 
required for the courses in the program of education which the reservist 
is pursuing at the primary institution. This conversion will be 
accomplished as follows:
    (1) If VA measures the course at the primary institution on a 
credit-hour

[[Page 549]]

basis (including a course which does not lead to a standard college 
degree, which is being measured on a credit-hour basis as provided in 
Sec. 21.7672(b)), and VA measures the courses at the second school on a 
clock-hour basis, the clock hours will be converted to credit hours.
    (2) If VA measures the courses pursued at the primary institution on 
a clock-hour basis, and VA measures the courses pursued at the second 
school on a credit-hour basis, including courses which qualify for 
credit-hour measurement on the basis of Sec. 21.7672(b), VA will convert 
the credit hours to clock hours to determine the reservist's training 
time.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3688)

    (b) Conversion of clock hours to credit hours. If the provisions of 
paragraph (a) of this section require the Department of Veteran Affairs 
to convert clock hours, it will do so by--
    (1) Dividing the number of credit hours which the Department of 
Veterans Affairs considers to be full-time at the educational 
institution whose courses are measured on a credit-hour basis by the 
number of clock hours which are full-time at the educational institution 
whose courses are measured on a clock-hour basis; and
    (2) Multiplying each clock hour of attendance by the decimal 
determined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs will drop all fractional hours.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688)

    (c) Conversion of credit hours to clock hours. If the provisions of 
paragraph (a) of this section require the Department of Veterans Affairs 
to convert credit hours to clock hours, it will do so by--
    (1) Dividing the number of clock hours which the Department of 
Veterans Affairs considers to be full-time at the educational 
institution whose courses are measured on a clock-hour basis by the 
number of credit hours which are full-time at the educational 
institution whose courses are measured on a credit-hour basis; and
    (2) Multiplying each credit hour by the number determined in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The Department of Veterans Affairs 
will drop all fractional hours.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688)

    (d) Standards for measurement the same. If VA measures the courses 
pursued at both institutions on either a clock-hour basis or a credit-
hour basis, VA will measure the reservist's enrollment by adding 
together the units of measurement for the courses in the second school 
and the units of measurement for courses in the primary institution. The 
standard for full time will be the full-time standard for the courses at 
the primary institution.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3688)

[56 FR 9632, Mar. 7, 1991, as amended at 61 FR 29310, June 10, 1996]



Sec. 21.7674  Measurement of practical training courses.

    (a) Nursing courses. (1) Courses for the objective of registered 
nurse or registered professional nurse will be measured on the basis of 
credit hours or clock hours of attendance, whichever is appropriate. The 
clock hours of attendance may include academic class time, clinical 
training, and supervised study periods.
    (2) Courses offered by institutions of higher learning which lead to 
the objective of practical nurse, practical trained nurse, or licensed 
practical nurse will be measured on credit hours or clock hours of 
attendance per week whichever is appropriate.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688; Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Medical and dental assistants courses for VA. Programs approved 
in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 21.7720(b)(9) will be measured 
on a clock-hour basis as provided in Sec. 21.7672. However, the program 
will be regarded as full-time institutional training, provided the 
combined total of the classroom and other formal instruction portion of 
the program and the on-the-job portion of the program requires 30 or 
more clock hours of attendance per week.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3688; Pub. L. 98-525)


[[Page 550]]


    (c) Other practical training courses. These courses will be measured 
in semester hours of credit or clock hours of attendance per week, 
whichever is appropriate.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b) 38 U.S.C. 3688; Pub. L. 98-525

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 29310, June 10, 1996]

                        State Approving Agencies



Sec. 21.7700  State approving agencies.

    VA and State approving agencies have the same general 
responsibilities for approving courses for training under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606 (or 10 U.S.C. chapter 106 as in effect before December 1, 
1994) as they do for approving courses for training under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 or 32. Accordingly, in administering 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 
(or 10 U.S.C. chapter 106 as in effect before December 1, 1994), VA will 
apply the provisions of the following sections:
    (a) Sec. 21.4150--Designation,
    (b) Sec. 21.4151--Cooperation,
    (c) Sec. 21.4152--Control by agencies of the United States,
    (d) Sec. 21.4153--Reimbursement of expenses,
    (e) Section 21.4154--Report of activities,

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3670 through 3676)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 48844, Nov. 23, 1990; 
61 FR 29310, June 10, 1996]

                           Approval of Courses



Sec. 21.7720  Course approval.

    (a) Courses must be approved. (1) A course of education offered by 
an educational institution must be approved by--
    (i) The State approving agency for the State in which the 
educational institution is located; or
    (ii) The State approving agency which has appropriate approval 
authority; or
    (iii) VA, where appropriate.
    (2) In determining when approval authority rests with the State 
approving agency or VA, the provisions of Sec. 21.4250 (b)(3), 
(c)(2)(i), (c)(2)(ii), (c)(2)(iii), and (c)(2)(iv) apply.
    (3) A course approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36 is approved for 
purposes of 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 (or 10 U.S.C. chapter 106 as in 
effect before December 1, 1994).


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(c), 2136(b); 16131(c)(1), 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 
3672; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; sec. 642, 
Pub. L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

    (b) Course approval criteria. In administering benefits payable 
under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 (or 10 U.S.C. chapter 106 as in effect 
before December 1, 1994), VA and, where appropriate, the State approving 
agencies, shall apply the following sections:
    (1) Sec. 21.4250 (except paragraph (c)(1))--Approval of courses;
    (2) Sec. 21.4251--Period of operation of course;
    (3) Sec. 21.4253 (except those portions of paragraphs (b) and (f) 
that permit approval of a course leading to a high school diploma)--
Accredited courses;
    (4) Sec. 21.4254--Nonaccredited courses;
    (5) Sec. 21.4255--Refund policy; nonaccredited courses;
    (6) Sec. 21.4258--Notice of approval;
    (7) Sec. 21.4259--Suspension or disapproval;
    (8) Sec. 21.4260--Courses in foreign countries;
    (9) Sec. 21.4261--Apprentice courses;
    (10) Sec. 21.4262--Other training on-the-job courses;
    (11) Sec. 21.4265--Practical training approved as institutional 
training or on-job training;
    (12) Sec. 21.4266--Courses offered at subsidiary branches or 
extensions; and
    (13) Sec. 21.4267--Approval of independent study.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(c)(1), 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3670 through 
3676)

[61 FR 29310, June 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 55762, Oct. 28, 1997]



Sec. 21.7722  Courses and enrollments which may not be approved.

    (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not approve an enrollment 
by a reservist in, and a State approving agency may not approve for 
training under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 (or 10 U.S.C. chapter 106 as in 
effect before December 1, 1994):

[[Page 551]]

    (1) A bartending or personality development course;
    (2) A course offered by radio;
    (3) Except for enrollments in a nurse's aide course approved 
pursuant to Sec. 21.4253(a)(5), an institutional course for the 
objective of nurse's aide or a nonaccredited nursing course which does 
not meet the licensing requirements in the State where the course is 
offered; or
    (4) Effective October 29, 1992, a nonaccredited course or unit 
subject offered entirely or partly by independent study. However, see 
Secs. 21.7620(c) and 21.7622(f) concerning payment of educational 
assistance to reservists enrolled in such a course.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(c)(1), 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 3452)

    (b) A State approving agency (or VA when acting as a State approving 
agency) may approve the following courses for training under 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606 (or 10 U.S.C. chapter 106 as in effect before December 1, 
1994), but VA may not approve an enrollment in any of these courses by a 
reservist who is limited in the types of courses he or she may pursue, 
as provided in Sec. 21.7540 (b)(2) and (b)(3):
    (1) A correspondence course;
    (2) A cooperative course;
    (3) An apprenticeship or other on-job training program;
    (4) A nursing course offered by an autonomous school of nursing;
    (5) A medical or dental specialty course not offered by an 
institution of higher learning;
    (6) A refresher, remedial, or deficiency course; or
    (7) A course or combination of courses consisting solely of 
independent study.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2131(c), 2136(b), 16131(c)(1), 16136(b); 38 U.S.C. 
3670 through 3676; sec. 705(a)(1), Pub. L. 98-525, 98 Stat. 2565, 2567; 
sec. 642, Pub. L. 101-189, 103 Stat. 1456-1458)

[61 FR 29310, June 10, 1996]

                             Administrative



Sec. 21.7801  Delegation of authority.

    (a) General delegation of authority. Except as otherwise provided, 
authority is delegated to the Under Secretary for Benefits of VA, and to 
supervisory or adjudication personnel within the jurisdiction of the 
Education Service of VA designated by the Under Secretary for Benefits 
to make findings and decisions under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 and the 
applicable regulations, precedents and instructions concerning the 
program authorized by that chapter to the extent that the program is 
administered by VA.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 512(a); Pub. L. 98-525)

    (b) Other delegations of authority. In administering benefits 
payable under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, VA shall apply Sec. 21.4001(b), 
(c)(1), (2), and (3) (in part), and (f) in the same manner as those 
paragraphs are applied in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapter 34.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 512(a); 3696; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 
FR 29483, June 11, 1996]



Sec. 21.7802  Finality of decisions.

    (a) Agency decisions generally are binding. The decision of the VA 
facility of original jurisdiction on which an action is based--
    (1) Will be final,
    (2) Will be binding upon all facilities of VA as to conclusions 
based on evidence on file at that time, and
    (3) Will not be subject to revision on the same factual grounds 
except by duly constituted appellate authorities or except as provided 
in Sec. 21.7803. (See Secs. 19.192 and 19.193 of this chapter).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511)

    (b) Decisions of an Activity within the VA. Current determinations 
of pertinent elements of eligibility for a program of education made by 
a VA adjudicative activity by application of the same criteria and based 
on the same facts are binding one upon the other in the absence of clear 
and unmistakable error.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511)

    (c) Determinations of satisfactory participation. A determination 
made by a

[[Page 552]]

competent military or naval authority or by the Coast Guard as to 
whether or not an individual is participating satisfactorily in required 
training as a member of the Selected Reserve is binding upon VA.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16134; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 29483, June 11, 1996]



Sec. 21.7803  Revision of decisions.

    The revision of a decision on which an action was predicated is 
subject to the following sections:
    (a) Clear and unmistakable error, Sec. 3.105(a) of this chapter; and
    (b) Difference of opinion, Sec. 3.105(b) of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511)



Sec. 21.7805  Conflicting interests.

    In administering benefits payable under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, VA 
will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4005 in the same manner as they are 
applied in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 36.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3683; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996; 61 
FR 29483, June 11, 1996]



Sec. 21.7807  Examination of records.

    In administering benefits payable under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, VA 
will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4209 in the same manner as they are 
applied in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 36.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b), 38 U.S.C. 3690; Pub. L. 98-525)

[53 FR 34740, Sept. 8, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 20729, May 8, 1996]



Subpart M_Vocational Training and Rehabilitation for Certain Children of 
Vietnam Veterans and Veterans with Covered Service in Korea_Spina Bifida 
                        and Covered Birth Defects

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 512, 1151 note, ch. 18, 5112, and as 
noted in specific sections.

    Source: 67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, unless otherwise noted.

                                 General



Sec. 21.8010  Definitions and abbreviations.

    (a) Program-specific definitions and abbreviations. For the purposes 
of this subpart:
    Covered birth defect means the same as defined at Sec. 3.815(c)(3) 
of this title.
    Eligible child means, as appropriate, either an individual as 
defined at Sec. 3.814(c)(3) of this title who suffers from spina bifida, 
or an individual as defined at Sec. 3.815(c)(2) of this title who has a 
covered birth defect other than a birth defect described in 
Sec. 3.815(a)(2).
    Employment assistance means employment counseling, placement and 
post-placement services, and personal and work adjustment training.
    Institution of higher education has the same meaning that 
Sec. 21.4200 provides for the term institution of higher learning.
    Program of employment services means the services an eligible child 
may receive if the child's entire program consists only of employment 
assistance.
    Program participant means an eligible child who, following an 
evaluation in which VA finds the child's achievement of a vocational 
goal is reasonably feasible, elects to participate in a vocational 
training program under this subpart.
    Spina bifida means the same as defined at Sec. 3.814(c)(4) of this 
title.
    Veteran with covered service in Korea means a veteran defined at 
Sec. 3.814(c)(2) of this title.
    Vietnam veteran means, in the case of a child suffering from spina 
bifida, the same as defined at Sec. 3.814(c)(1) or Sec. 3.815(c)(1) of 
this title and, in the case of a child with a covered birth defect, the 
same as defined at Sec. 3.815(c)(1) of this title.
    Vocational training program means the vocationally oriented training 
services, and assistance, including placement and post-placement 
services, and personal and work-adjustment training that VA finds 
necessary to enable an

[[Page 553]]

eligible child to prepare for and participate in vocational training or 
employment. A vocational training program may include a program of 
education offered by an institution of higher education only if the 
program is predominantly vocational in content.
    VR&E refers to the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment activity 
(usually a division) in a Veterans Benefits Administration regional 
office, the staff members of that activity in the regional office or in 
outbased locations, and the services that activity provides.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 1802, 1804, 1811-1812, 1814, 1821, 1831)

    (b) Other terms and abbreviations. The following terms and 
abbreviations have the same meaning or explanation that Sec. 21.35 
provides:
    (1) CP (Counseling psychologist);
    (2) Program of education;
    (3) Rehabilitation facility;
    (4) School, educational institution, or institution;
    (5) Training establishment;
    (6) Vocational goal;
    (7) VRC (Vocational rehabilitation counselor); and
    (8) Workshop.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1811, 1814, 1831)

[67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, as amended at 76 FR 4250, Jan. 25, 2011]



Sec. 21.8012  Vocational training program for certain children of 
Vietnam veterans and veterans with covered service in Korea--spina
bifida and covered birth defects.

    VA will provide an evaluation to an eligible child to determine the 
child's potential for achieving a vocational goal. If this evaluation 
establishes that it is feasible for the child to achieve a vocational 
goal, VA will provide the child with the vocational training, employment 
assistance, and other related rehabilitation services authorized by this 
subpart that VA finds the child needs to achieve a vocational goal, 
including employment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1812, 1814, 1821)

[67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, as amended at 76 FR 4250, Jan. 25, 2011]



Sec. 21.8014  Application.

    (a) Filing an application. To participate in a vocational training 
program, the child of a Vietnam veteran or veteran with covered service 
in Korea (or the child's parent or guardian, an authorized 
representative, or a Member of Congress acting on behalf of the child) 
must file an application. An application is a request for an evaluation 
of the feasibility of the child's achievement of a vocational goal and, 
if a CP or VRC determines that achievement of a vocational goal is 
feasible, for participation in a vocational training program. The 
application may be in any form, but it must:
    (1) Be in writing over the signature of the applicant or the person 
applying on the child's behalf;
    (2) Provide the child's full name, address, and VA claim number, if 
any, and the parent Vietnam veteran or veteran with covered service in 
Korea's full name and Social Security number or VA claim number, if any; 
and
    (3) Clearly identify the benefit sought.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(a), 1821, 1832, 5101)

    (b) Time for filing. For a child claiming eligibility based on 
having spina bifida, an application under this subpart may be filed at 
any time after September 30, 1997. For a child claiming eligibility 
based on a covered birth defect, an application under this subpart may 
be filed at any time after November 30, 2001. (The Office of Management 
and Budget has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control number 2900-0579)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1811, 1811 note, 1812, 1814, 1831)

[67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, as amended at 76 FR 4250, Jan. 25, 2011]



Sec. 21.8015  Notification by VA of necessary information or evidence
when a claim is filed; time for claimant response and VA action;
and VA's duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.

    The provisions of Secs. 21.32 and 21.33 of subpart A of this part 
also apply to

[[Page 554]]

claims for benefits and services under this subpart.

[74 FR 31857, July 6, 2009]



Sec. 21.8016  Nonduplication of benefits.

    (a) Election of benefits--chapter 35. An eligible child may not 
receive benefits concurrently under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 and under this 
subpart. If the child is eligible for both benefits, he or she must 
elect in writing which benefit to receive.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(e)(1), 1814, 1834)

    (b) Reelections of benefits--chapter 35. An eligible child receiving 
benefits under this subpart or under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 may change his 
or her election at any time. A reelection between benefits under this 
subpart and under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 must be prospective, however, and 
may not result in an eligible child receiving benefits under both 
programs for the same period of training.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(e)(1), 1814, 1834)

    (c) Length of benefits under multiple programs--chapter 35. The 
aggregate period for which an eligible child may receive assistance 
under this subpart and under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 together may not 
exceed 48 months of full-time training or the part-time equivalent.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(e)(2), 1814)

    (d) Nonduplication of benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1804 and 1814. An 
eligible child may only be provided one program of vocational training 
under this subpart.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814, 1834)

[67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, as amended at 76 FR 4250, Jan. 25, 2011]

                     Basic Entitlement Requirements



Sec. 21.8020  Entitlement to vocational training and employment
assistance.

    (a) Basic entitlement requirements. Under this subpart, for an 
eligible child to receive vocational training, employment assistance, 
and related rehabilitation services and assistance to achieve a 
vocational goal (to include employment), the following requirements must 
be met:
    (1) A CP or VRC must determine that achievement of a vocational goal 
by the child is reasonably feasible; and
    (2) The child and VR&E staff members must work together to develop 
and then agree to an individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation identifying the vocational goal and the means to achieve 
this goal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b), 1814)

    (b) Services and assistance. An eligible child may receive the 
services and assistance described in Sec. 21.8050(a).
    (1) The following sections in subpart A of this part apply to the 
provision of these services and assistance in a manner comparable to 
their application for a veteran under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program:
    (i) Section 21.250(a) and (b)(2);
    (ii) Section 21.252;
    (iii) Section 21.254;
    (iv) Section 21.256 (not including paragraph (e)(2));
    (v) Section 21.257; and
    (vi) Section 21.258.
    (2) For purposes of this subpart, the requirements for application 
of Sec. 21.257(e)(1) and (2) are deemed met for an individual in a self-
employment program regardless of whether the individual is described in 
Sec. 21.257(b), if the individual has been determined by VA to have 
limitations affecting employability arising from the effects of the 
individual's spina bifida and/or other covered birth defect(s) which are 
so severe as to necessitate selection of self-employment as the only 
reasonably feasible vocational goal for the individual.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814)

    (c) Requirements to receive employment services and assistance. VA 
will provide employment services and assistance under paragraph (b) of 
this section only if the eligible child:
    (1) Has achieved a vocational objective;
    (2) Has voluntarily ceased vocational training under this subpart, 
but the case manager finds the child has attained sufficient skills to 
be employable; or
    (3) VA determines during evaluation that the child already has the 
skills necessary for suitable employment and

[[Page 555]]

does not need additional training, but to secure suitable employment the 
child does need the employment assistance that paragraph (b) of this 
section describes.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814)

    (d) Additional employment services and assistance. If an eligible 
child has received employment assistance and becomes suitably employed, 
but VA later finds the child needs additional employment services and 
assistance, VA may provide the child with these services and assistance 
if, and to the extent, the child has remaining program entitlement.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814)

    (e) Program entitlement usage--(1) Basic entitlement period. An 
eligible child will be entitled to receive 24 months of full-time 
training, services, and assistance (including employment assistance) or 
the part-time equivalent, as part of a vocational training program.
    (2) Extension of basic entitlement period. VA may extend the basic 
24-month entitlement period, not to exceed another 24 months of full-
time program participation, or the part-time equivalent, if VA 
determines that:
    (i) The extension is necessary for the child to achieve a vocational 
goal identified before the end of the basic 24-month entitlement period; 
and
    (ii) The child can achieve the vocational goal within the extended 
period.
    (3) Principles for charging entitlement. VA will charge entitlement 
usage for training, services, or assistance (but not the initial 
evaluation, as described in Sec. 21.8032) furnished to an eligible child 
under this subpart on the same basis as VA would charge for similar 
training, services, or assistance furnished a veteran in a vocational 
rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31. VA may charge 
entitlement at a half-time, three-quarter-time, or full-time rate based 
upon the child's training time using the rate-of-pursuit criteria in 
Sec. 21.8310. The provisions concerning reduced work tolerance under 
Sec. 21.312, and those relating to less-than-half-time training under 
Sec. 21.314, do not apply under this subpart.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814)

[67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, as amended at 75 FR 3170, Jan. 20, 2010]



Sec. 21.8022  Entry and reentry.

    (a) Date of program entry. VA may not enter a child into a 
vocational training program or provide an evaluation or any training, 
services, or assistance under this subpart before the date VA first 
receives an application for a vocational training program filed in 
accordance with Sec. 21.8014.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1151 note, 1804, 1811, 1811 note, 1812, 1814)

    (b) Reentry. If an eligible child interrupts or ends pursuit of a 
vocational training program and VA subsequently allows the child to 
reenter the program, the date of reentrance will accord with the facts, 
but may not precede the date VA receives an application for the 
reentrance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814, 1832)

[67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, as amended at 76 FR 4250, Jan. 25, 2011]

                               Evaluation



Sec. 21.8030  Requirement for evaluation of child.

    (a) Children to be evaluated. The VR&E Division will evaluate each 
child who:
    (1) Applies for a vocational training program; and
    (2) Has been determined to be an eligible child as defined in 
Sec. 21.8010.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(a), 1814)

    (b) Purpose of evaluation. The evaluation has two purposes:
    (1) To ascertain whether achievement of a vocational goal by the 
child is reasonably feasible; and
    (2) If a vocational goal is reasonably feasible, to develop an 
individualized plan of integrated training, services, and assistance 
that the child needs to prepare for and participate in vocational 
training or employment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814)

[[Page 556]]



Sec. 21.8032  Evaluations.

    (a) Scope and nature of evaluation. The scope and nature of the 
evaluation under this program will be comparable to an evaluation of the 
reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal for a veteran 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 and Secs. 21.50(b)(3) and 21.53(b) and (d).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(a), 1814)

    (b) Specific services to determine the reasonable feasibility of 
achieving a vocational goal. As a part of the evaluation of reasonable 
feasibility of achieving a vocational goal, VA may provide the following 
specific services, as appropriate:
    (1) Assessment of feasibility by a CP or VRC;
    (2) Review of feasibility assessment and of need for special 
services by the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel;
    (3) Provision of medical, testing, and other diagnostic services to 
ascertain the child's capacity for training and employment; and
    (4) Evaluation of employability by professional staff of an 
educational or rehabilitation facility, for a period not to exceed 30 
days.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(a), 1814)

    (c) Responsibility for evaluation. A CP or VRC will make all 
determinations as to the reasonable feasibility of achieving a 
vocational goal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(a), (b), 1814)

[67 FR 72565, Dec. 6, 2002, as amended at 72 FR 14043, Mar. 26, 2007]

             Services and Assistance to Program Participants



Sec. 21.8050  Scope of training, services, and assistance.

    (a) Allowable training, services, and assistance. VA may provide to 
vocational training program participants:
    (1) Vocationally oriented training, services, and assistance, to 
include:
    (i) Training in an institution of higher education if the program is 
predominantly vocational; and
    (ii) Tuition, fees, books, equipment, supplies, and handling 
charges.
    (2) Employment assistance including:
    (i) Vocational, psychological, employment, and personal adjustment 
counseling;
    (ii) Services to place the individual in suitable employment and 
post-placement services necessary to ensure satisfactory adjustment in 
employment; and
    (iii) Personal adjustment and work adjustment training.
    (3) Vocationally oriented independent living services only to the 
extent that the services are indispensable to the achievement of the 
vocational goal and do not constitute a significant portion of the 
services to be provided.
    (4) Other vocationally oriented services and assistance of the kind 
VA provides veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program, except as 
paragraph (c) of this section provides, that VA determines the program 
participant needs to prepare for and take part in vocational training or 
in employment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (b) Vocational training program. VA will provide either directly or 
by contract, agreement, or arrangement with another entity, and at no 
cost to the beneficiary, the vocationally oriented training, other 
services, and assistance that VA approves for the individual child's 
program under this subpart. Authorization and payment for approved 
services will be made in a comparable manner to that VA provides for 
veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (c) Prohibited services and assistance. VA may not provide to a 
vocational training program participant any:
    (1) Loan;
    (2) Subsistence allowance;
    (3) Automobile adaptive equipment;
    (4) Training at an institution of higher education in a program of 
education that is not predominantly vocational in content;
    (5) Employment adjustment allowance;
    (6) Room and board (other than for a period of 30 days or less in a 
special rehabilitation facility either for purposes of an extended 
evaluation or to improve and enhance vocational potential);
    (7) Independent living services, except those that are incidental to 
the

[[Page 557]]

pursuit of the vocational training program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                     Duration of Vocational Training



Sec. 21.8070  Basic duration of a vocational training program.

    (a) Basic duration of a vocational training program. The duration of 
a vocational training program, as paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of 
Sec. 21.8020 provide, may not exceed 24 months of full-time training, 
services, and assistance or the part-time equivalent, except as 
Sec. 21.8072 allows.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d), 1814)

    (b) Responsibility for estimating the duration of a vocational 
training program. While preparing the individualized written plan of 
vocational rehabilitation, the CP or VRC will estimate the time the 
child needs to complete a vocational training program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (c) Duration and scope of training must meet general requirements 
for entry into the selected occupation. The child will receive training, 
services, and assistance, as Sec. 21.8120 describes, for a period that 
VA determines the child needs to reach the level employers generally 
recognize as necessary for entry into employment in a suitable 
occupational objective.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (d) Approval of training beyond the entry level. To qualify for 
employment in a particular occupation, the child may need training that 
exceeds the amount a person generally needs for employment in that 
occupation. VA will provide the necessary additional training under one 
or more of the following conditions:
    (1) Training requirements for employment in the child's vocational 
goal in the area where the child lives or will seek employment exceed 
those job seekers generally need for that type of employment;
    (2) The child is preparing for a type of employment in which he or 
she will be at a definite disadvantage in competing with nondisabled 
persons and the additional training will offset the competitive 
disadvantage;
    (3) The choice of a feasible occupation is limited, and additional 
training will enhance the child's employability in one of the feasible 
occupations; or
    (4) The number of employment opportunities within a feasible 
occupation is restricted.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (e) Estimating the duration of the training period. In estimating 
the length of the training period the eligible child needs, the CP or 
VRC must determine that:
    (1) The proposed vocational training would not normally require a 
person without a disability more than 24 months of full-time pursuit, or 
the part-time equivalent, for successful completion; and
    (2) The program of training and other services the child needs, 
based upon VA's evaluation, will not exceed 24 months or the part-time 
equivalent. In calculating the proposed program's length, the CP or VRC 
will follow the procedures in Sec. 21.8074(a).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d), 1814)

    (f) Required selection of an appropriate vocational goal. If the 
total period the child would require for completion of an initial 
vocational training program in paragraph (e) of this section is more 
than 24 months, or the part-time equivalent, the CP or VRC must work 
with the child to select another suitable initial vocational goal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d)(2), 1814)



Sec. 21.8072  Authorizing training, services, and assistance beyond
the initial individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation.

    (a) Extension of the duration of a vocational training program. VA 
may authorize an extension of a vocational training program when 
necessary to provide additional training, services, and assistance to 
enable the child to achieve the vocational or employment goal identified 
before the end of the child's basic entitlement period, as stated in the 
individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation under 
Sec. 21.8080. A

[[Page 558]]

change from one occupational objective to another in the same field or 
occupational family meets the criterion for prior identification in the 
individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d)(2), (e)(2), 1814)

    (b) Extensions for prior participants in the program. (1) Except as 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section provides, VA may authorize additional 
training, limited to the use of remaining program entitlement including 
any allowable extension, for an eligible child who previously 
participated in vocational training under this subpart. The additional 
training must:
    (i) Be designed to enable the child to complete the prior vocational 
goal or a different vocational goal; and
    (ii) Meet the same provisions as apply to training for new 
participants.
    (2) An eligible child who has previously achieved a vocational goal 
in a vocational training program under this subpart may not receive 
additional training under paragraph (b)(1) of this section unless a CP 
or VRC sets aside the child's achievement of that vocational goal under 
Sec. 21.8284.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b) through (e), 1814)

    (c) Responsibility for authorizing a program extension. A CP or VRC 
may approve extensions of the vocational training program the child is 
pursuing up to the maximum program limit of 48 months if the CP or VRC 
determines that the child needs the additional time to successfully 
complete training and obtain employment, and the following conditions 
are met:
    (1) The child has completed more than half of the planned training; 
and
    (2) The child is making satisfactory progress.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d)(2), 1814)



Sec. 21.8074  Computing the period for vocational training program
participation.

    (a) Computing the participation period. To compute the number of 
months and days of an eligible child's participation in a vocational 
training program:
    (1) Count the number of actual months and days of the child's:
    (i) Pursuit of vocational education or training;
    (ii) Receipt of extended evaluation-type services and training, or 
services and training to enable the child to prepare for vocational 
training or employment, if a veteran in a 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program 
would have received a subsistence allowance while receiving the same 
type of services and training; and
    (iii) Receipt of employment and post-employment services (any period 
of employment or post-employment services is considered full-time 
program pursuit).
    (2) Do not count:
    (i) The initial evaluation period;
    (ii) Any period before the child enters a vocational training 
program under this subpart;
    (iii) Days of authorized leave; and
    (iv) Other periods during which the child does not pursue training, 
such as periods between terms.
    (3) Convert part-time training periods to full-time equivalents.
    (4) Total the months and days under paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) of 
this section. This sum is the period of the child's participation in the 
program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d), 1814)

    (b) Consistency with principles for charging entitlement. 
Computation of the program participation period under this section will 
be consistent with the principles for charging entitlement under 
Sec. 21.8020.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d), 1814)

        Individualized Written Plan of Vocational Rehabilitation



Sec. 21.8080  Requirement for an individualized written plan of
vocational rehabilitation.

    (a) General. A CP or VRC will work in consultation with each child 
for whom a vocational goal is feasible to develop an individualized 
written plan of vocational rehabilitation services and assistance to 
meet the child's vocational training needs. The CP or VRC will develop 
this individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation in a 
manner comparable to the rules governing the development of an 
individualized written rehabilitation plan (IWRP) for

[[Page 559]]

a veteran for 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 purposes, as Secs. 21.80, 21.84, 
21.88, 21.90, 21.92, 21.94 (a) through (d), and 21.96 provide.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b), 1814)

    (b) Selecting the type of training to include in the individualized 
written plan of vocational rehabilitation. If training is necessary, the 
CP or VRC will explore a range of possibilities, to include paid and 
unpaid on-job training, institutional training, and a combination of on-
job and institutional training to accomplish the goals of the program. 
Generally, an eligible child's program should include on-job training, 
or a combination of on-job and institutional training, when this 
training:
    (1) Is available;
    (2) Is as suitable as using only institutional training for 
accomplishing the goals of the program; and
    (3) Will meet the child's vocational training program needs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b), (c), 1814)



Sec. 21.8082  Inability of child to complete individualized written
plan of vocational rehabilitation or achieve vocational goal.

    (a) Inability to timely complete an individualized written plan of 
vocational rehabilitation or achieve identified goal. After a vocational 
training program has begun, the VR&E case manager may determine that the 
eligible child cannot complete the vocational training program described 
in the child's individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation 
within the time limits of the individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation or cannot achieve the child's identified vocational goal. 
Subject to paragraph (b) of this section, VR&E may assist the child in 
revising or selecting a new individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation or goal.
    (b) Allowable changes in the individualized written plan of 
vocational rehabilitation or goal. Any change in the eligible child's 
individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation or vocational 
goal is subject to the child's continuing eligibility under the 
vocational training program and the provisions governing duration of a 
vocational training program in Secs. 21.8020(e) and 21.8070 through 
21.8074.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d), 1804(e), 1814)

    (c) Change in the individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation or vocational goal. (1) The individualized written plan 
of vocational rehabilitation or vocational goal may be changed under the 
same conditions as provided for a veteran under Sec. 21.94 (a) through 
(d), and subject to Sec. 21.8070 (d) through (f), if:
    (i) The CP or VRC determines that achievement of a vocational goal 
is still reasonably feasible and that the new individualized written 
plan of vocational rehabilitation or goal is necessary to enable the 
eligible child to prepare for and participate in vocational training or 
employment; and
    (ii) Reentrance is authorized under Sec. 21.8284 in a case when the 
child has completed a vocational training program under this subpart.
    (2) A CP or VRC may approve a change of vocational goal from one 
field or occupational family to another field or occupational family if 
the child can achieve the new goal:
    (i) Before the end of the basic 24-month entitlement period that 
Sec. 21.8020(e)(1) describes; or
    (ii) Before the end of any allowable extension under 
Secs. 21.8020(e)(2) and 21.8072 if the new vocational goal in another 
field or occupational family was identified during the basic 24-month 
entitlement period.
    (3) A change from one occupational objective to another in the same 
field or occupational family does not change the planned vocational 
goal.
    (4) The child must have sufficient remaining entitlement to pursue 
the new individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation or 
goal, as Sec. 21.8020 provides.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(d), 1814)

    (d) Assistance if child terminates planned program before 
completion. If the eligible child elects to terminate the planned 
vocational training program, he or she will receive the assistance that 
Sec. 21.80(d) provides in identifying

[[Page 560]]

other resources through which to secure the desired training or 
employment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                               Counseling



Sec. 21.8100  Counseling.

    An eligible child requesting or receiving services and assistance 
under this subpart will receive professional counseling by VR&E and 
other qualified VA staff members, and by contract counseling providers, 
as necessary, in a manner comparable to VA's provision of these services 
to veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program, as Secs. 21.100 and 
21.380 provide.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1803(c)(8), 1804(c), 1814)

              Vocational Training, Services, and Assistance



Sec. 21.8120  Vocational training, services, and assistance.

    (a) Purposes. An eligible child may receive training, services, and 
assistance to enable the child to prepare for and participate in 
vocational training or employment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b), (c), 1814)

    (b) Training permitted. VA and the child will select vocationally 
oriented courses of study and training, completion of which usually 
results in a diploma, certificate, degree, qualification for licensure, 
or direct placement in employment. The educational and training services 
to be provided include:
    (1) Remedial, deficiency, and refresher training; and
    (2) Training that leads to an identifiable vocational goal. Under 
this program, VA may authorize all forms of programs that Secs. 21.122 
through 21.132 describe. This includes education and training programs 
in institutions of higher education. VA may authorize the education and 
training at an undergraduate or graduate degree level, only if the 
degree program is predominantly vocational in nature. For an eligible 
child to participate in a graduate degree program, the graduate degree 
must be a requirement for entry into the child's vocational goal. For 
example, a master's degree is required to engage in social work. The 
program of training is predominantly vocational in content if the 
majority of the instruction provides the technical skills and knowledge 
employers generally regard as specific to, and required for, entry into 
the child's vocational goal.
    (c) Cost of education and training services. The CP or VRC will 
consider the cost of training in selecting a facility when:
    (1) There is more than one facility in the area in which the child 
resides that:
    (i) Meets the requirements for approval under Secs. 21.290 through 
21.298 (except as provided by Sec. 21.8286(b)),
    (ii) Can provide the training, services and other supportive 
assistance the child's individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation specifies, and
    (iii) Is within reasonable commuting distance; or
    (2) The child wishes to train at a suitable facility in another 
area, even though a suitable facility in the area where the child lives 
can provide the training. In considering the costs of providing training 
in this case, VA will use the provisions of Sec. 21.120 (except 
21.120(a)(3)), Sec. 21.370 (however, the words ``under Sec. 21.282'' in 
Sec. 21.370(b)(2)(iii)(B) do not apply), and Sec. 21.372 in a manner 
comparable to that for veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b), (c), 1814)

    (d) Accessible courses not locally available. If suitable vocational 
training courses are not available in the area in which the child lives, 
or if they are available but not accessible to the child, VA may make 
other arrangements. These arrangements may include, but are not limited 
to:
    (1) Transportation of the child, but not the child's family, 
personal effects, or household belongings, to another area where 
necessary services are available; or
    (2) Use of an individual instructor to provide necessary training in 
a manner comparable to that for veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 
program, as Sec. 21.146 describes.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b), (c), 1814)

[[Page 561]]

           Evaluation and Improvement of Vocational Potential



Sec. 21.8140  Evaluation and improvement of vocational potential.

    (a) General. A CP or VRC may use the services that paragraph (d) of 
this section describes to:
    (1) Evaluate vocational training and employment potential;
    (2) Provide a basis for planning:
    (i) A program of services and assistance to improve the eligible 
child's preparation for vocational training and employment; or
    (ii) A vocational training program;
    (3) Reevaluate the vocational training feasibility of an eligible 
child participating in a vocational training program; and
    (4) Remediate deficiencies in the child's basic capabilities, 
skills, or knowledge to give the child the ability to participate in 
vocational training or employment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(b), 1814)

    (b) Periods when evaluation and improvement services may be 
provided. A CP or VRC may authorize the services described in paragraph 
(d) of this section, except those in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, 
for delivery during:
    (1) An initial or extended evaluation; or
    (2) Pursuit of a vocational training program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (c) Duration of services. The duration of services needed to improve 
vocational training and employment potential, furnished on a full-time 
basis either as a preliminary part or all of a vocational training 
program, may not exceed 9 months. If VA furnishes these services on a 
less than full-time basis, the duration will be for the period 
necessary, but may not exceed the equivalent of 9 months of full-time 
training.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (d) Scope of services. Evaluation and improvement services include:
    (1) Diagnostic services;
    (2) Personal and work adjustment training;
    (3) Referral for medical care and treatment pursuant to Secs. 17.900 
through 17.905 of this title for the spina bifida, covered birth 
defects, or related conditions;
    (4) Vocationally oriented independent living services indispensable 
to pursuing a vocational training program;
    (5) Language training, speech and voice correction, training in 
ambulation, and one-hand typewriting;
    (6) Orientation, adjustment, mobility and related services; and
    (7) Other appropriate services to assist the child in functioning in 
the proposed training or work environment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (e) Applicability of chapter 31 rules on special rehabilitation 
services. The provisions of Sec. 21.140 do not apply to this subpart. 
Subject to the provisions of this subpart, the following provisions 
apply to the vocational training program under this subpart in a manner 
comparable to that for veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program: 
Sec. 21.142(a) and (b); Sec. 21.144; Sec. 21.146; Sec. 21.148(a) and 
(c); Sec. 21.150 other than paragraph (b); Sec. 21.152 other than 
paragraph (b); Sec. 21.154 other than paragraph (b); and Sec. 21.156.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                                Supplies



Sec. 21.8210  Supplies.

    (a) Purpose of furnishing supplies. VA will provide the child with 
the supplies that the child needs to pursue training, to obtain and 
maintain employment, and otherwise to achieve the goal of his or her 
vocational training program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (b) Types of supplies. VA may provide books, tools, and other 
supplies and equipment that VA determines are necessary for the child's 
vocational training program and are required by similarly circumstanced 
veterans pursuing such training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (c) Periods during which VA may furnish supplies. VA may provide 
supplies to an eligible child receiving:
    (1) An initial or extended evaluation;

[[Page 562]]

    (2) Vocational training, services, and assistance to reach the point 
of employability; or
    (3) Employment services.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (d) Other rules. The provisions of Secs. 21.212 through 21.224 apply 
to children pursuing a vocational training program under this subpart in 
a comparable manner as VA provides supplies to veterans under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 31, except the following portions:
    (1) Section 21.216(a)(3) pertaining to special modifications, 
including automobile adaptive equipment;
    (2) Section 21.220(a)(1) pertaining to advancements from the 
revolving fund loan;
    (3) Section 21.222(b)(1)(x) pertaining to discontinuance from an 
independent living services program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                              Program Costs



Sec. 21.8260  Training, services, and assistance costs.

    The provisions of Sec. 21.262 pertaining to reimbursement for 
training and other program costs apply, in a comparable manner as 
provided under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program for veterans, to 
payments to facilities, vendors, and other providers for training, 
supplies, and other services they deliver under this subpart.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    Vocational Training Program Entrance, Termination, and Resources



Sec. 21.8280  Effective date of induction into a vocational training
program.

    Subject to the limitations in Sec. 21.8022, the date an eligible 
child is inducted into a vocational training program will be the date 
the child first begins to receive training, services, or assistance 
under an individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), (d), 1814)



Sec. 21.8282  Termination of a vocational training program.

    A case manager may terminate a vocational training program under 
this subpart for cause, including lack of cooperation, failure to pursue 
the individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation, fraud, 
administrative error, or finding that the child no longer has a covered 
birth defect. An eligible child for whom a vocational goal is reasonably 
feasible remains eligible for the program subject to the rules of this 
subpart unless the child's eligibility for or entitlement to a 
vocational training program under this subpart resulted from fraud or 
administrative error or unless VA finds the child no longer has a 
covered birth defect. The effective date of termination will be the 
earliest of the following applicable dates:
    (a) Fraud. If an eligible child establishes eligibility for or 
entitlement to benefits under this subpart through fraud, VA will 
terminate the award of vocational training and rehabilitation as of the 
date VA first began to pay benefits.
    (b) Administrative error. If an eligible child who is not entitled 
to benefits under this subpart receives those benefits through VA 
administrative error, VA will terminate the award of benefits as of the 
first day of the calendar month beginning at least 60 days after 
notifying the child of the proposed termination. This 60-day period may 
not result in the entrance of the child into a new quarter, semester, or 
other term of training unless VA has already obligated payment for the 
training.
    (c) Change in status as an eligible child with a covered birth 
defect. If VA finds that a child no longer has a covered birth defect, 
VA will terminate the award of benefits effective the last day of the 
month in which such determination becomes final.
    (d) Lack of cooperation or failure to pursue individualized written 
plan of vocational rehabilitation. If reasonable VR&E efforts to 
motivate an eligible child do not resolve a lack of cooperation or 
failure to pursue an individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation, VA will terminate the award of benefits as of the first 
day of the calendar month beginning at least 60 days after notifying the 
child of the proposed termination. This 60-day period may not result in 
the entrance of the child into a new quarter, semester, or

[[Page 563]]

other term of training. VA will deobligate payment for training in the 
new quarter, semester, or other term of training.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814)



Sec. 21.8284  Additional vocational training.

    VA may provide an additional period of training or services under a 
vocational training program to an eligible child who has completed 
training for a vocational goal and/or been suitably employed under this 
subpart, if the child is otherwise eligible and has remaining program 
entitlement as provided in Sec. 21.8072(b), only under one of the 
following conditions:
    (a) Current facts, including any relevant medical findings, 
establish that the child's disability has worsened to the extent that he 
or she can no longer perform the duties of the occupation which was the 
child's vocational goal under this subpart;
    (b) The occupation that was the child's vocational goal under this 
subpart is now unsuitable;
    (c) The vocational training program services and assistance the 
child originally received are now inadequate to make the child 
employable in the occupation which he or she sought to achieve;
    (d) Experience has demonstrated that VA should not reasonably have 
expected employment in the objective or field for which the child 
received vocational training program services and assistance; or
    (e) Technological change that occurred after the child achieved a 
vocational goal under this subpart now prevents the child from:
    (1) Performing the duties of the occupation for which VA provided 
training, services, or assistance, or in a related occupation; or
    (2) Securing employment in the occupation for which VA provided 
training, services, or assistance, or in a related occupation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)



Sec. 21.8286  Training resources.

    (a) Applicable 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 resource provisions. The 
provisions of Sec. 21.146 and Secs. 21.290 through 21.298 apply to 
children pursuing a vocational training program under this subpart in a 
comparable manner as for veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 
program, except as paragraph (b) of this section specifies.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (b) Limitations. The provisions of Sec. 21.294(b)(1)(i) and 
(b)(1)(ii) pertaining to independent living services do not apply to 
this subpart. The provisions of Sec. 21.294(b)(1)(iii) pertaining to 
authorization of independent living services as a part of an 
individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation apply to 
children under this subpart in a comparable manner as for veterans under 
the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program only to the extent Sec. 21.8050 allows.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                             Rate of Pursuit



Sec. 21.8310  Rate of pursuit.

    (a) General requirements. VA will approve an eligible child's 
pursuit of a vocational training program at a rate consistent with his 
or her ability to successfully pursue training, considering:
    (1) Effects of his or her disability;
    (2) Family responsibilities;
    (3) Travel;
    (4) Reasonable adjustment to training; and
    (5) Other circumstances affecting the child's ability to pursue 
training.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (b) Continuous pursuit. An eligible child should pursue a program of 
vocational training with as little interruption as necessary, 
considering the factors in paragraph (a) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (c) Responsibility for determining the rate of pursuit. VR&E staff 
members will consult with the child when determining the rate and 
continuity of pursuit of a vocational training program. These staff 
members will also confer with the medical consultant and the Vocational 
Rehabilitation Panel described in Secs. 21.60 and 21.62, as necessary. 
This rate and continuity of pursuit determination will occur during

[[Page 564]]

development of the individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation, but may change later, as necessary to enable the child 
to complete training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (d) Measurement of training time used. VA will measure the rate of 
pursuit in a comparable manner to rate of pursuit measurement under 
Sec. 21.310 for veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                        Authorization of Services



Sec. 21.8320  Authorization of services.

    The provisions of Sec. 21.326, pertaining to the commencement and 
termination dates of a period of employment services, apply to children 
under this subpart in a manner comparable to that provided for veterans 
under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program. References in that section to an 
individualized employment assistance plan or IEAP are considered as 
referring to the child's individualized written plan of vocational 
rehabilitation under this subpart.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                            Leaves of Absence



Sec. 21.8340  Leaves of absence.

    (a) Purpose of leave of absence. The purpose of the leave system is 
to enable the child to maintain his or her status as an active program 
participant.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (b) Basis for leave of absence. The VR&E case manager may grant the 
child leaves of absence for periods during which the child fails to 
pursue a vocational training program. For prolonged periods of absence, 
the VR&E case manager may approve leaves of absence only if the case 
manager determines the child is unable to pursue a vocational training 
program through no fault of the child.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (c) Effect on entitlement. During a leave of absence, VA suspends 
the running of the basic 24-month period of entitlement, plus any 
extensions thereto, until the child resumes the program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                  Satisfactory Conduct and Cooperation



Sec. 21.8360  Satisfactory conduct and cooperation.

    The provisions for satisfactory conduct and cooperation in 
Secs. 21.362 and 21.364, except as otherwise provided in this section, 
apply to children under this subpart in a manner comparable to the way 
they apply to veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program. If an 
eligible child fails to meet these requirements for satisfactory conduct 
or cooperation, the VR&E case manager will terminate the child's 
vocational training program. VA will not grant an eligible child 
reentrance to a vocational training program unless the reasons for 
unsatisfactory conduct or cooperation have been removed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                         Transportation Services



Sec. 21.8370  Authorization of transportation services.

    (a) General. VA authorizes transportation services necessary for an 
eligible child to pursue a vocational training program. The sections in 
subpart A of this part that are referred to in this paragraph apply to 
children under this subpart in a manner comparable to the way they apply 
to veterans under the 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 program. Transportation 
services include:
    (1) Transportation for evaluation or counseling under Sec. 21.376;
    (2) Intraregional travel under Sec. 21.370 (except that assurance 
that the child meets all basic requirements for induction into training 
will be determined without regard to the provisions of Sec. 21.282) and 
interregional travel under Sec. 21.372;
    (3) Special transportation allowance under Sec. 21.154; and
    (4) Commuting to and from training and while seeking employment, 
subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)


[[Page 565]]


    (b) Reimbursement. For transportation services that VA authorizes, 
VA will normally pay in arrears and in the same manner as tuition, fees, 
and other services under this program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (c) Payment for commuting expenses for training and seeking 
employment. VA may pay for transportation during the period of 
vocational training and the first 3 months the child receives employment 
services. VA may reimburse the child's costs, not to exceed $200 per 
month, of commuting to and from training and seeking employment if he or 
she requests this assistance and VA determines, after careful 
examination of the child's situation and subject to the limitations in 
paragraph (d) of this section, that the child would be unable to pursue 
training or employment without this assistance. VA may:
    (1) Reimburse the facility at which the child is training if the 
facility provided transportation or related services; or
    (2) Reimburse the child for his or her actual commuting expense if 
the child paid for the transportation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (d) Limitations. Payment of commuting expenses under paragraph 
(a)(4) of this section may not be made for any period when the child:
    (1) Is gainfully employed;
    (2) Is eligible for, and entitled to, payment of commuting costs 
through other VA and non-VA programs; or
    (3) Can commute to school with family, friends, or fellow students.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (e) Documentation. VA must receive supportive documentation with 
each request for reimbursement. The individualized written plan of 
vocational rehabilitation will specify whether VA will pay monthly or at 
a longer interval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

    (f) Nonduplication. If a child is eligible for reimbursement of 
transportation services both under this section and under Sec. 21.154, 
the child will receive only the benefit under Sec. 21.154.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0580)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)

                    Additional Applicable Regulations



Sec. 21.8380  Additional applicable regulations.

    The following regulations are applicable to children in this program 
in a manner comparable to that provided for veterans under the 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 31 program: Secs. 21.380, 21.412, 21.414 (except (c), (d), and 
(e)), 21.420, and 21.430.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804, 1814, 5112)

                         Delegation of Authority



Sec. 21.8410  Delegation of authority.

    The Secretary delegates authority for making findings and decisions 
under 38 U.S.C. 1804 and 1814 and the applicable regulations, 
precedents, and instructions for the program under this subpart to the 
Under Secretary for Benefits and to VR&E supervisory or non-supervisory 
staff members.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512(a), 1804, 1814)

Subparts N-O [Reserved]



                       Subpart P_Post-9/11 GI Bill

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 512, chs. 33, 36 and as noted in 
specific sections.

    Source: 74 FR 14671, Mar. 31, 2009, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 21.9500  Introduction.

    An educational assistance program is established for individuals who 
served on active duty after September 10, 2001. This educational 
assistance program is effective August 1, 2009.

(Authority: Pub. L. 110-252, 122 Stat. 2357, 2378)

                               Definitions



Sec. 21.9505  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this subpart (governing the administration and 
payment

[[Page 566]]

of educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33) the following 
definitions apply. (See also additional definitions in Secs. 21.1029 and 
21.4200).
    Academic year means the period of time beginning August 1st of each 
calendar year and ending July 31st of the subsequent calendar year.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a))

    Active duty means full-time duty in the regular components of the 
Armed Forces or under a call or order to active duty under 10 U.S.C. 
688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304. Active duty does not 
include--
    (1) Full-time National Guard Duty performed under 32 U.S.C. orders;
    (2) Any period during which the individual--
    (i) Was assigned full-time by the Armed Forces to a civilian 
institution to pursue a program of education that was substantially the 
same as programs of education offered to civilians;
    (ii) Served as a cadet or midshipmen at one of the service 
academies; or
    (iii) Served under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 12103(d) pursuant to 
an enlistment in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army 
Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or 
Coast Guard Reserve;
    (3) A period of service--
    (i) Required by an officer pursuant to an agreement under 10 U.S.C. 
2107(b);
    (ii) Required by an officer pursuant to an agreement under 10 U.S.C. 
4348, 6959, or 9348;
    (iii) That was terminated because the individual is considered a 
minor by the Armed Forces, was erroneously enlisted, or received a 
defective enlistment agreement; or
    (iv) Counted for purposes of repayment of an education loan under 10 
U.S.C. chapter 109; or
    (4) A period of Selected Reserve service used to establish 
eligibility under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 or 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606 or 
1607.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(21)(A), 3301(1), 3311(d), 3322(b) and (c))

    Advance payment means an amount of educational assistance payable 
under Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(ii) or (b)(2)(ii) for the month or fraction of 
the month in which the individual's quarter, semester, or term will 
begin plus the amount for the following month.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(d))

    Course means a unit of instruction required for an approved program 
of education that provides an individual with the knowledge and skills 
necessary to meet the requirements of the selected educational, 
professional, or vocational objective.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c))

    Distance learning means the pursuit of a program of education via 
distance education as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1003(7).


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1003(7); 38 U.S.C. 3323(c))

    Educational assistance means the monetary benefit payable under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 33 to, or on behalf of, individuals who meet the 
eligibility requirements for pursuit of an approved program of education 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313)

    Enrollment period means a term, quarter, or semester during which 
the institution of higher learning offers instruction.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(g))

    Entry level and skill training means--
    (1) Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training for 
members of the Army;
    (2) Recruit Training (Boot Camp) and Skill Training (``A'' School) 
for members of the Navy;
    (3) Basic Military Training and Technical Training for members of 
the Air Force;
    (4) Recruit Training and Marine Corps Training (School of Infantry 
Training) for members of the Marine Corps; and
    (5) Basic Training for members of the Coast Guard.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3301(2))


[[Page 567]]


    Established charges means the actual charge for tuition and fees 
that similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the program of 
education are required to pay.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313(h))

    Fees means any mandatory charges (other than tuition, room, and 
board) that are applied by the institution of higher learning for 
pursuit of an approved program of education. Fees include, but are not 
limited to, health premiums, freshman fees, graduation fees, and lab 
fees. Fees do not include those charged for a study abroad course(s) 
unless the course(s) is a mandatory requirement for completion of the 
approved program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3323(c))

    Institution of higher learning (IHL) means a college, university, or 
similar institution, including a technical or business school, offering 
postsecondary level academic instruction that leads to an associate or 
higher degree if the school is empowered by the appropriate State 
education authority under State law to grant an associate or higher 
degree. When there is no State law to authorize the granting of such a 
degree, the school may be recognized as an institution of higher 
learning if it is accredited for degree programs by a recognized 
accrediting agency. Such term shall also include a hospital offering 
educational programs at the postsecondary level without regard to 
whether the hospital grants a postsecondary degree. Such term shall also 
include an educational institution that offers courses leading to a 
standard college degree or its equivalent, and is not located in a State 
but is recognized as an educational institution by the secretary of 
education (or comparable official) of the country or other jurisdiction 
in which the institution is located.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3313(b), 3323(a), 3452(f))

    Interval means a period of time between regularly scheduled 
individual terms, semesters, or quarters.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a)(1), 3323(a), 3680)

    Lump sum payment means an amount of educational assistance paid for 
the entire term, quarter, or semester.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c))

    Mitigating circumstances means circumstances beyond the individual's 
control that prevent him or her from continuously pursuing a program of 
education. The following circumstances are representative of those that 
VA considers to be mitigating. This list is not all-inclusive.
    (1) An illness or mental illness of the individual;
    (2) An illness or death in the individual's family;
    (3) An unavoidable change in the individual's conditions of 
employment;
    (4) An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the 
individual's employment;
    (5) Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of 
the individual that require him or her to suspend pursuit of the program 
of education to obtain employment;
    (6) Discontinuance of the course by the educational institution;
    (7) Unanticipated active duty for training; or
    (8) Unanticipated difficulties in caring for the individual's child 
or children.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a)(1))

    Program of education means a curriculum or combination of courses 
pursued at an institution of higher learning that are accepted as 
necessary to meet the requirements for a predetermined and identified 
educational, professional, or vocational objective. Such term also means 
any curriculum or combination of courses pursued at an institution of 
higher learning that are accepted as necessary to meet the requirements 
for more than one predetermined and identified educational, 
professional, or vocational objective if all the objectives pursued are 
generally recognized as being reasonably related to a single career 
field. The curriculum or combination of courses pursued must be listed 
in the institution of higher learning's catalog and included in the 
approval notice provided by the

[[Page 568]]

State approving agency to VA in accordance with Sec. 21.4258(b)(iv).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3301, 3323(a), 3452(b))

    Pursuit means to work, during a certified enrollment period, towards 
the objective of a program of education. This work must be in accordance 
with approved institutional policy and applicable criteria of Title 38, 
U.S.C., and must be necessary to reach the program's objective.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(g))

    Rate of pursuit means the measurement obtained by dividing the 
number of credit hours (or the equivalent credit hours as determined in 
Sec. 21.9750) an individual is enrolled in, including credit hours (or 
the equivalent) applied to refresher, remedial, and deficiency courses, 
by the number of credit hours (or the equivalent credit hours) 
considered to be full-time training at the institution of higher 
learning. The resulting percentage (rounded to the nearest hundredth) 
will be the individual's rate of pursuit not to exceed 100 percent. For 
the purpose of this subpart, VA will consider any rate of pursuit higher 
than 50 percent to be more than one-half time training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323, 3680)

    Transferor means an individual who is entitled to educational 
assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on his or her own active 
duty service and who is approved by the military department to transfer 
all or a portion of his or her entitlement to one or more dependents.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

                         Claims and Applications



Sec. 21.9510  Claims, VA's duty to assist, and time limits.

    The provisions of subpart B of this part apply to claims filed for 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 with respect to VA's 
responsibilities upon receipt of claim, VA's duty to assist claimants in 
obtaining evidence, and time limits.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c), 5101, 5102, 5103, 5103A)

                               Eligibility



Sec. 21.9520  Basic eligibility.

    An individual may establish eligibility for educational assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 based on active duty service after September 
10, 2001, if he or she--
    (a) Serves a minimum of 90 aggregate days excluding entry level and 
skill training (to determine when entry level and skill training may be 
included in the total creditable length of service, see Sec. 21.9640(a)) 
and, after completion of such service,--
    (1) Continues on active duty;
    (2) Is discharged from service with an honorable discharge;
    (3) Is released from service characterized as honorable and placed 
on the retired list, temporary disability retired list, or transferred 
to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve;
    (4) Is released from service characterized as honorable for further 
service in a reserve component; or
    (5) Is discharged or released from service for--
    (i) A medical condition that preexisted such service and is not 
determined to be service-connected;
    (ii) Hardship, as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned; or
    (iii) A physical or mental condition that interfered with the 
individual's performance of duty but was not characterized as a 
disability and did not result from the individual's own misconduct;
    (b) Serves a minimum of 30 continuous days and, after completion of 
such service, is discharged under other than dishonorable conditions due 
to a service-connected disability; or
    (c)(1) After meeting the minimum service requirements in paragraph 
(a) or (b) of this section--
    (i) An individual makes an irrevocable election to receive benefits 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 by relinquishing eligibility under either 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30, or 10 U.S.C. chapter 106a, 1606, or 1607;
    (ii) A member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 and who is making contributions 
towards such educational assistance under 38

[[Page 569]]

U.S.C. 3011(b) or 3012(c) makes an irrevocable election to receive 
benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33; or
    (iii) A member of the Armed Forces who made an election not to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in accordance 
with 38 U.S.C. 3011(c)(1) or 3012(d)(1) makes an irrevocable election to 
receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33.
    (2) An individual may make an irrevocable election to receive 
benefits under this chapter by properly completing VA Form 22-1990, 
submitting a transfer-of-entitlement designation under this chapter to 
the Department of Defense, or submitting a written statement that 
includes the following--
    (i) Identification information (including name, social security 
number, and address);
    (ii) If applicable, an election to receive benefits under chapter 33 
in lieu of benefits under one of the applicable chapters listed in 
paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section (e.g., ``I elect to receive benefits 
under the Post-9/11-GI Bill in lieu of benefits under the Montgomery GI 
Bill--Active Duty (chapter 30) program.'');
    (iii) The date the individual wants the election to be effective 
(e.g., ``I want this election to take effect on August 1, 2009.''). An 
election request for an effective date prior to August 1, 2009, will 
automatically be effective August 1, 2009; and
    (iv) An acknowledgement that the election is irrevocable (e.g., ``I 
understand that my election is irrevocable and may not be changed.'').

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0154)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3311; Pub. L. 110-252, Stat. 2375-2376)



Sec. 21.9525  Eligibility for increased and supplemental educational
assistance.

    (a) Increased assistance for members with critical skills or 
specialty. The Secretary of the military department concerned, pursuant 
to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, may increase the 
amount of educational assistance payable under Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(ii) or 
(b)(2)(ii) to an individual who has a skill or specialty in which there 
is a critical shortage of personnel, for which there is difficulty 
recruiting, or, in the case of critical units, for which there is 
difficulty in retaining personnel.
    (b) Supplemental assistance for members serving additional service. 
The Secretary of the military department concerned, pursuant to 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, may supplement the 
amount of educational assistance payable under Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(ii) or 
(b)(2)(ii) to an individual who meets the following service 
requirements.
    (1) Individuals with active duty service only. Supplemental 
educational assistance may be offered to an individual who serves 5 or 
more consecutive years on active duty in the Armed Forces in addition to 
the years counted to qualify for educational assistance, without a break 
in such service, and--
    (i) Continues on active duty without a break;
    (ii) Is discharged from service with an honorable discharge;
    (iii) Is placed on the retired list;
    (iv) Is transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps 
Reserve;
    (v) Is placed on the temporary disability retired list; or
    (vi) Is released from active duty for further service in a reserve 
component of the Armed Forces after service on active duty characterized 
by the Secretary concerned as honorable service.
    (2) Individuals with Selected Reserve service. (i) Supplemental 
educational assistance may be offered to an individual who--
    (A) Serves 2 or more consecutive years on active duty in the Armed 
Forces in addition to the years on active duty counted to qualify for 
educational assistance;
    (B) Serves 4 or more consecutive years of duty in the Selected 
Reserve in addition to the years of duty in the Selected Reserve counted 
to qualify the individual for educational assistance; and
    (C) After completion of such service--
    (1) Is discharged from service with an honorable discharge;
    (2) Is placed on the retired list;

[[Page 570]]

    (3) Is transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps 
Reserve;
    (4) Is placed on the temporary disability retired list;
    (5) Continues on active duty; or
    (6) Continues in the Selected Reserve.
    (ii) The Secretary concerned may, pursuant to regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary of Defense, determine the maximum period of time during 
which the individual is considered to have continuous service in the 
Selected Reserve even though the individual--
    (A) Is unable to locate a unit of the Selected Reserve for which he 
or she is eligible;
    (B) Is unable to locate a unit of the Selected Reserve that has a 
vacancy; or
    (C) For any other reason other than those stated in paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section.
    (iii) Any decision as to the continuity of an individual's service 
in the Selected Reserve made by the Secretary of Defense will be binding 
upon VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3021, 3022, 3023, 3316)



Sec. 21.9530  Eligibility time limit.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this 
section, an individual's period of eligibility for educational 
assistance will terminate effective 15 years from the date of the last 
discharge or release from active duty of at least--
    (1) 90 continuous days; or
    (2) 30 continuous days if the individual is released for a service-
connected disability.
    (b) In the case of an individual who establishes eligibility and 
does not meet one of the service requirements specified in paragraph (a) 
of this section, the individual's period of eligibility for educational 
assistance will terminate effective 15 years from the date of discharge 
for the last period of service used to meet the minimum service 
requirements for eligibility as stated in Sec. 21.9520.
    (c) Amendment of military records. If an individual's eligibility 
for educational assistance is established as a result of a correction of 
military records under 10 U.S.C. 1552, a change, correction, or 
modification of a discharge or dismissal under 10 U.S.C. 1553, or other 
corrective action by a competent military authority, the individual's 
period of eligibility will terminate effective 15 years from the date of 
the change, correction, modification, or other corrective action.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3311(c), 3321)

    (d) Time limit for spouse using transferred entitlement. (1) Unless 
the transferor dies while on active duty, the ending date of the 
spouse's period of eligibility for entitlement transferred under 
Sec. 21.9570 is the earliest of the following--
    (i) The transferor's ending date as determined under this section;
    (ii) The ending date specified by the transferor, if the transferor 
specified the period for which the transfer was effective; or
    (iii) The effective date of the transferor's revocation of 
transferred entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.9570(f).
    (2) If the transferor dies while on active duty, the ending date of 
the spouse's period of eligibility is the earliest of the following--
    (i) The date 15 years from the transferor's date of death;
    (ii) The ending date specified by the transferor, if the transferor 
specified the period for which the transfer was effective; or
    (iii) The effective date of the transferor's revocation of 
transferred entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.9570(f).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (e) Time limit for child using transferred entitlement. (1) The 
ending date of the child's period of eligibility for entitlement 
transferred under Sec. 21.9570 is the earliest of the following--
    (i) The ending date specified by the transferor, if the transferor 
specified the period for which the transfer was effective;
    (ii) The effective date of the transferor's revocation of 
transferred entitlement as determined under Sec. 21.9570(f); or
    (iii) The day the child turns 26.
    (2) [Reserved]

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

[[Page 571]]



Sec. 21.9535  Extended period of eligibility.

    VA will extend an individual's period of eligibility in accordance 
with the following provisions.
    (a) Disability extension. (1) VA will grant an extension of the 
period of eligibility, as determined in Sec. 21.9530 (except for 
paragraphs (d) and (e)) provided--
    (i) The individual applies for the extension within the time 
specified in Sec. 21.1033(c); and
    (ii) The medical evidence clearly establishes that the individual 
was prevented from initiating or completing the chosen program of 
education within the original period of eligibility because of a 
physical or mental disability that did not result from the individual's 
willful misconduct. VA will not consider the disabling effects of 
chronic alcoholism to be the result of willful misconduct. VA will not 
consider an individual's disability for a period of 30 days or less as 
having prevented the individual from initiating or completing a chosen 
program, unless the evidence establishes that the individual was 
prevented from enrolling or reenrolling in the chosen program or was 
forced to discontinue attendance due to the short-term disability.
    (2) Length of extension. An individual's extended period of 
eligibility shall be for the length of time that the individual was 
prevented from initiating or completing his or her chosen program of 
education. This will be determined as follows--
    (i) If the individual is pursuing a program of education organized 
on a term, quarter, or semester basis, his or her extended period of 
eligibility shall contain the same number of days as the number of days 
from the date the individual was prevented from initiating or completing 
training during his or her original period of eligibility to the 
earliest of--
    (A) The beginning date of the ordinary term, quarter, or semester 
following the day the individual's training became medically feasible;
    (B) The last date of the individual's original period of eligibility 
as determined in Sec. 21.9530; or
    (C) The date the individual resumed training.
    (ii) If the individual is pursuing a program of education that is 
not organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis, his or her extended 
period of eligibility will contain the same number of days as the number 
of days from the date the individual was prevented from initiating or 
completing training during his or her original period of eligibility to 
the earliest of--
    (A) The date the individual's training became medically feasible; or
    (B) The last date of the individual's original period of eligibility 
as determined in Sec. 21.9530.
    (b) Forcibly detained extension. (1) VA will grant an extension of 
the period of eligibility, as determined in Sec. 21.9530, equal to the 
period of time the individual--
    (i) Was captured and forcibly detained by a foreign government or 
power, and
    (ii) Was hospitalized at a military, civilian, or medical facility 
immediately following release from the foreign government or power.
    (2) [Reserved]

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3321)

                               Entitlement



Sec. 21.9550  Entitlement.

    (a) Subject to the provisions of Sec. 21.4020 and this section, an 
eligible individual is entitled to a maximum of 36 months of educational 
assistance (or its equivalent in part-time educational assistance) under 
38 U.S.C. chapter 33.
    (b)(1) An individual who, as of August 1, 2009, has used entitlement 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, but retains unused entitlement under that 
chapter, makes an irrevocable election to receive educational assistance 
under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 instead of educational 
assistance under the provisions of chapter 30, will be limited to one 
month (or partial month) of entitlement under chapter 33 for each month 
(or partial month) of unused entitlement under chapter 30 (including any 
months of chapter 30 entitlement previously transferred to a dependent 
that the individual has revoked).
    (2) An individual, who as of August 1, 2009, was eligible under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30, had not used any entitlement

[[Page 572]]

under that program, was making contributions towards chapter 30, or was 
a servicemember who would have been eligible for chapter 30 if he or she 
had not declined participation, will receive 36 months of entitlement 
under chapter 33.
    (c) Except as provided in Secs. 21.9560(d), 21.9570(m), and 
21.9635(o), no individual is entitled to more than 36 months of full-
time educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3312(a), 3323(a), 3695; Pub. L. 110-252, 
122 Stat. 2377)



Sec. 21.9555  Entitlement to supplemental educational assistance.

    In determining the entitlement of an individual who is eligible for 
supplemental educational assistance, VA will--
    (a) Calculate the individual's entitlement to 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 
educational assistance on the day he or she establishes eligibility for 
supplemental educational assistance; and
    (b) Credit the individual with the same number of months and days of 
entitlement to supplemental educational assistance as the number 
calculated in paragraph (a) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3023, 3316)



Sec. 21.9560  Entitlement charges.

    (a) Overview. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) through (f) of 
this section, VA will base entitlement charges on the principle that an 
eligible individual who is paid educational assistance for one day of 
full-time pursuit should be charged one day of entitlement.
    (b) Determining entitlement charge. (1) VA will make a charge 
against entitlement as follows:
    (i) Full-time pursuit. If the individual is pursuing a program of 
education on a full-time basis, the entitlement charge will be one of 
the following--
    (A) During any period for which VA pays established charges to the 
institution of higher learning on the individual's behalf, the 
entitlement charge will be one day for each day of the certified 
enrollment period;
    (B) During any period for which VA does not pay established charges 
to the institution of higher learning on the individual's behalf but 
pays a monthly housing allowance to the individual, the entitlement 
charge will be one day for each day of the certified enrollment period 
and/or interval period for which the individual receives the monthly 
housing allowance; or
    (C) During any period for which VA does not pay established charges 
to the institution of higher learning on the individual's behalf or a 
monthly housing allowance to the individual but makes a lump sum payment 
to the individual for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational 
costs, VA will make an entitlement charge of 1 day for every $41.67 
paid, with any remaining amount rounded to the nearest amount evenly 
divisible by $41.67.
    (ii) Less than full-time pursuit. If the individual is pursuing a 
program of education on a less than a full-time basis, the entitlement 
charge will be one of the following--
    (A) During any period for which VA pays established charges to the 
institution of higher learning on the individual's behalf, the 
individual will be charged a percentage of a day for each day of the 
certified enrollment period determined by dividing the number of course 
hours the individual is pursuing by the number of course hours required 
for full-time pursuit (rounded to the nearest hundredth);
    (B) During any period for which VA does not pay established charges 
to the institution of higher learning on the individual's behalf but 
pays a monthly housing allowance to the individual, the individual will 
be charged a percentage of a day for each day of the certified 
enrollment period and/or interval period for which the individual 
receives the monthly housing allowance determined by dividing the number 
of course hours the individual is pursuing by the number of course hours 
required for full-time pursuit (rounded to the nearest hundredth); or
    (C) During any period for which VA does not pay established charges 
to the institution of higher learning on the individual's behalf or a 
monthly housing allowance to the individual but makes a lump sum payment 
to the individual for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational 
costs, VA will make an entitlement charge of 1

[[Page 573]]

day for every $41.67 paid, with any remaining amount rounded to the 
nearest amount evenly divisible by $41.67.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313)

    (2) If the individual changes his or her rate of pursuit after the 
beginning date of the award, VA will--
    (i) Divide the certified enrollment period into separate periods of 
time so that the individual's rate of pursuit is constant within each 
period; and
    (ii) Compute the rate of pursuit separately for each time period.
    (c) Individuals eligible for, or in receipt of, educational 
assistance other than that authorized under chapter 33. If an individual 
elected 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 by relinquishing educational assistance 
under another program but receives educational assistance for a program 
of education that is approved under the relinquished chapter but not 
approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33, VA will make a charge against 
entitlement equivalent to the entitlement charge--
    (1) That would be made under the provisions of Sec. 21.7076, if the 
individual relinquished eligibility under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30;
    (2) That would be made under the provisions of Sec. 21.7576 if the 
individual relinquished eligibility under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606; or
    (3) That would be made under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1607 if the 
individual relinquished eligibility under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1607.
    (d) No entitlement charge. VA will not make a charge against an 
individual's entitlement--
    (1) For an approved licensing or certification test as provided 
under Sec. 21.9665; or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3315)

    (2) For tutorial assistance as provided under Sec. 21.9685; or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3314)

    (3) For the rural relocation benefit as provided under Sec. 21.9660; 
or


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3318)

    (4) For pursuit of a course or courses when the individual--
    (i) Had to discontinue the course or courses as a result of being 
ordered to--
    (A) Active duty service under 10 U.S.C. 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 
12301(g), 12302, or 12304; or
    (B) A new duty location or assignment or to perform an increased 
amount of work; and
    (ii) Did not receive credit or lost training time for any portion of 
the period of enrollment in the course or courses for which the eligible 
individual was pursuing to complete his or her approved educational, 
professional, or vocational objective as a result of having to 
discontinue pursuit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3312(c))

    (e) Interruption to conserve entitlement. An individual may not 
interrupt a certified period of enrollment for the purpose of conserving 
entitlement. An institution of higher learning may not certify a period 
of enrollment for a fractional part of the normal term, quarter, or 
semester if the individual is enrolled for the entire term, quarter, or 
semester. VA will make a charge against entitlement for the entire 
period of certified enrollment, if the individual is otherwise eligible 
for educational assistance, except when educational assistance is 
interrupted for any of the following conditions:
    (1) Enrollment is terminated;
    (2) The individual cancels his or her enrollment and does not 
negotiate a check or receive a direct deposit for educational assistance 
provided under this chapter for any part of the certified period of 
enrollment;
    (3) The individual interrupts his or her enrollment at the end of 
any term, quarter, or semester within a certified period of enrollment 
and does not negotiate a check or receive a direct deposit for 
educational assistance provided under this chapter for the succeeding 
term, quarter, or semester; or
    (4) The individual requests interruption or cancellation for any 
break when a school was closed during a certified period of enrollment, 
and VA continued payments under an established policy based upon an 
Executive Order of the President or an emergency situation regardless of 
whether or not the individual negotiated a check or

[[Page 574]]

received a direct deposit for educational assistance provided under this 
chapter for any part of the certified enrollment period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c))

    (f) Overpayment cases. VA will make a charge against entitlement for 
an overpayment only if the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy, is 
waived and not recovered, or is compromised.
    (1) If the overpayment is discharged in bankruptcy or is waived and 
not recovered, the charge against entitlement will be the appropriate 
rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment (exclusive of 
interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal 
fees).
    (2) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
less than the amount of interest, administrative costs of collection, 
court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement will be at 
the appropriate rate for the elapsed period covered by the overpayment 
(exclusive of interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs 
and marshal fees).
    (3) If the overpayment is compromised and the compromise offer is 
equal to or greater than the amount of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, court costs and marshal fees, the charge against entitlement 
will be determined by--
    (i) Subtracting from the sum paid in the compromise offer the amount 
attributable to interest, administrative costs of collection, court 
costs and marshal fees;
    (ii) Subtracting the remaining amount of the overpayment balances as 
determined in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section from the amount of the 
original overpayment (exclusive of interest, administrative costs of 
collection, course costs and marshal fees);
    (iii) Dividing the result obtained in paragraph (f)(3)(ii) of this 
section from the amount of the original overpayment (exclusive of 
interest, administrative costs of collection, court costs and marshal 
fees); and
    (iv) Multiplying the percentage obtained in paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of 
this section by the amount of entitlement otherwise chargeable for the 
period of the original overpayment.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 38 U.S.C. 3323(a), 3685)

  Transfer of Entitlement to Basic Educational Assistance to Dependents



Sec. 21.9570  Transfer of entitlement.

    An individual entitled to educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 33 based on his or her own active duty service, and who is 
approved by a service department to transfer entitlement, may transfer 
up to a total of 36 months of his or her entitlement to a dependent (or 
among dependents). A transferor may not transfer an amount of 
entitlement that is greater than the entitlement he or she has available 
at the time of transfer.
    (a) Application of sections in subpart P to individuals in receipt 
of transferred entitlement. In addition to the rules in this section, 
the following sections apply to a dependent in the same manner as they 
apply to the individual from whom entitlement was transferred.
    (1) Definitions. Section 21.9505--Definitions.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (2) Claims and applications. Section 21.9510--Claims, VA's duty to 
assist, and time limits.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (3) Eligibility.
    (i) Section 21.9530--Eligibility time limit, paragraphs (d) and (e) 
only; and
    (ii) Section 21.9535--Extended period of eligibility, except that 
extensions to dependents are subject to the transferor's right to revoke 
or modify transfer at any time and that VA may only extend a child's 
ending date to the date the child attains age 26.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (4) Entitlement.
    (i) Section 21.9550--Entitlement;
    (ii) Section 21.9555--Entitlement to supplemental educational 
assistance;

[[Page 575]]

    (iii) Section 21.9560--Entitlement charges.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (5) Counseling.
    (i) Section 21.9580--Counseling;
    (ii) Section 21.9585--Travel expenses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (6) Approved programs of education and courses.
    (i) Section 21.9590--Approved programs of education and courses;
    (ii) Section 21.9600--Overcharges.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (7) Payments--Educational assistance.
    (i) Section 21.9620--Educational assistance;
    (ii) Section 21.9625--Beginning dates, except for paragraphs (e) and 
(h);
    (iii) Section 21.9630--Suspension or discontinuance of payments;
    (iv) Section 21.9635--Discontinuance dates, except for paragraphs 
(n) and (o);
    (v) Section 21.9640--Rates of payment of educational assistance;
    (vi) Section 21.9650--Increase in educational assistance;
    (vii) Section 21.9655--Rates of supplemental educational assistance;
    (viii) Section 21.9660--Rural relocation benefit;
    (ix) Section 21.9665--Reimbursement for licensing or certification 
tests;
    (x) Section 21.9670--Work-study allowance;
    (xi) Section 21.9675--Conditions that result in reduced rates or no 
payment;
    (xii) Section 21.9680--Certifications and release of payments;
    (xiii) Section 21.9685--Tutorial assistance;
    (xiv) Section 21.9690--Nonduplication of educational assistance;
    (xv) Section 21.9695--Overpayments, except that the dependent and 
transferor are jointly and severally liable for any amount of 
overpayment of educational assistance to the dependent; and


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (xvi) Section 21.9700--Yellow Ribbon Program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3317)

    (8) Pursuit of courses.
    (i) Section 21.9710--Pursuit;
    (ii) Section 21.9715--Advance payment certification;
    (iii) Section 21.9720--Certification of enrollment;
    (iv) Section 21.9725--Progress and conduct;
    (v) Section 21.9735--Other required reports;
    (vi) Section 21.9740--False, late, or missing reports; and
    (vii) Section 21.9745--Reporting fee.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (9) Course assessment. Section 21.9750--Course measurement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (10) Administrative. Section 21.9770--Administrative.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (b) Eligible dependents. (1) An individual transferring entitlement 
under this section may transfer entitlement to:
    (i) The individual's spouse;
    (ii) One or more of the individual's children; or
    (iii) A combination of the individuals referred to in paragraphs 
(b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section.
    (2) A spouse must meet the definition of spouse in Sec. 3.50(a) of 
this chapter at the time of transfer.
    (3) A child must meet the definition of child in Sec. 3.57 of this 
chapter at the time of transfer. The transferor must make the required 
designation shown in Sec. 21.9570(d)(1) before the child attains the age 
of 23.
    (4) A stepchild, who meets VA's definition of child in Sec. 3.57 of 
this chapter at the time of transfer and who is temporarily not living 
with the transferor, remains a member of the transferor's household if 
the actions and intentions of the stepchild and transferor establish 
that normal family ties have been maintained during the temporary 
absence.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (c) Timeframe during which an individual may transfer entitlement. 
An individual approved by his or her military department to transfer 
entitlement may do so at any time while serving as

[[Page 576]]

a member of the Armed Forces, subject to the transferor's 15-year period 
of eligibility as provided in Sec. 21.9530.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (d) Designating dependents; designating the amount to transfer; and 
period of transfer. (1) An individual transferring entitlement under 
this section must:
    (i) Designate the dependent or dependents to whom such entitlement 
is being transferred;
    (ii) Designate the number of months of entitlement to be transferred 
to each dependent; and
    (iii) Specify the beginning date and ending date of the period for 
which the transfer is effective for each dependent.
    (2) VA will accept the transferor's designations as shown on any 
document signed by the transferor that shows the information required in 
paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (d)(1)(iii) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (e) Maximum months of entitlement transferable. (1) The maximum 
amount of entitlement a transferor may transfer is the lesser of:
    (i) Thirty-six months of his or her entitlement; or
    (ii) The maximum amount authorized by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned; or
    (iii) The amount of entitlement he or she has available at the time 
of transfer.
    (2) The transferor may transfer up to the maximum amount of 
transferable entitlement:
    (i) To one dependent; or
    (ii) Divided among his or her designated dependents in any manner he 
or she chooses.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (f) Revocation of transferred entitlement. (1) A transferor may 
revoke any unused portion of transferred entitlement at any time by 
submitting a written notice to both the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
and the Secretary of the military department concerned that initially 
approved the transfer of entitlement. VA will accept a copy of the 
written notice addressed to the military department as sufficient 
written notification to VA.
    (2) The revocation will be effective the later of--
    (i) The date VA receives the notice of revocation; or
    (ii) The date the military department concerned receives the notice 
of revocation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (g) Modifying a transfer of entitlement. (1) A transferor may modify 
the designations he or she made under paragraph (d) of this section at 
any time. Any modification made will apply only with respect to unused 
transferred entitlement. The transferor must submit a written notice to 
both the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the military 
department concerned that initially approved the transfer of 
entitlement. VA will accept a copy of the written notice addressed to 
the military department as sufficient written notification to VA.
    (2) The modification will be effective the later of--
    (i) The date VA receives the notice of modification; or
    (ii) The date the military department concerned receives the notice 
of modification.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (h) Prohibition on treatment of transferred entitlement as marital 
property. Entitlement transferred under this section may not be treated 
as marital property, or the asset of a marital estate, subject to 
division in a divorce or other civil proceeding.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (i) Entitlement charge to transferor. VA will reduce the 
transferor's entitlement at the rate of 1 month of entitlement for each 
month of transferred entitlement used by a dependent or dependents.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (j) Secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate). Children 
who have reached age 18 and spouses may use transferred entitlement to 
pursue and

[[Page 577]]

complete the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency 
certificate).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (k) Rate of payment of educational assistance. VA will apply the 
rules in Sec. 21.9640 (and Secs. 21.9650 and 21.9655 when applicable) to 
determine the educational assistance rate that would apply to the 
transferor. VA will pay the dependent and/or the dependent's institution 
of higher learning (or school, educational institution, or institution 
as defined in Sec. 21.4200(a) if the dependent is using transferred 
entitlement to pursue and complete the requirements of a secondary 
school diploma or equivalency certificate) the amounts of educational 
assistance payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 in the same manner and at 
the same rate as if the transferor were enrolled in the dependent's 
program of education, except that VA will--
    (1) Disregard the fact that either the transferor or the dependent 
child is (or both are) on active duty, and pay the veteran rate to a 
dependent child;
    (2) Pay the veteran rate to a surviving spouse; and
    (3) Proportionally adjust the payment amounts, other than the book 
stipend, a dependent would otherwise receive under Sec. 21.9640 if the 
dependent's months of entitlement will exhaust during the certified 
enrollment period, by--
    (i) Determining the amount of established charges the dependent 
would otherwise be eligible to receive for the entire enrollment period, 
then dividing this amount by the number of days in the dependent's 
quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, to determine the dependent's 
daily rate, then determining the actual amount of established charges to 
be paid by multiplying the dependent's daily rate by his or her 
remaining months and days of entitlement to educational assistance as 
provided under Sec. 21.9570; and
    (ii) Discontinuing the dependent's monthly housing allowance 
effective as of the date the dependent's months and days of entitlement 
exhausts.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (l) Transferor fails to complete required service contract that 
afforded participation in the transferability program. (1) Dependents 
are not eligible for transferred entitlement if the transferor fails to 
complete the amount of service he or she agreed to serve in the Armed 
Forces in order to participate in the transferability program, unless--
    (i) The transferor did not complete the service due to:
    (A) His or her death;
    (B) A medical condition that preexisted such service on active duty 
and that the Secretary of the military department concerned determines 
is not service-connected;
    (C) A hardship, as determined by the Secretary of the military 
concerned; or
    (D) A physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a 
disability and did not result from the individual's own willful 
misconduct but interfered with the individual's performance of duty, as 
determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned; or
    (ii) The transferor is considered to have completed his or her 
service agreement as a result of being discharged for--
    (A) A disability; or
    (B) A reduction in force.
    (2) VA will treat all payments of educational assistance to 
dependents as overpayments if the transferor does not complete the 
required service unless the transferor does not complete the required 
service due to one of the reasons stated in paragraph (l)(1)(i) of this 
section or the transferor was not discharged for one of the reasons 
stated in paragraph (l)(1)(ii) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3311(c)(4), 3319)

    (m) Dependent is eligible for educational assistance under this 
section and is eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 33 based on his or her own service. Dependents who are eligible 
for payment of educational assistance through transferred entitlement 
and are eligible for payment under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 based on their 
own active service:
    (1) May receive educational assistance payable under this section 
and educational assistance payable based

[[Page 578]]

on their own active duty service for the same course; and
    (2) Are not subject to the 48 months limit on training provided for 
in Sec. 21.4020 when combining transferred entitlement with their own 
entitlement earned under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 as long as the only 
educational assistance paid is under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33. If the 
dependent is awarded educational assistance under another program listed 
in Sec. 21.4020 (other than 38 U.S.C. chapter 33), the 48 months limit 
on training will apply.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3319, 3322, 3323(a), 3695)

                               Counseling



Sec. 21.9580  Counseling.

    An individual may receive counseling from VA before beginning 
training and during training. VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.7100 to beneficiaries under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 in the same 
manner as they are applied to individuals under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3697A)



Sec. 21.9585  Travel expenses.

    VA will not pay for any costs of travel to and from the place of 
counseling regardless of whether the individual requests educational and 
vocational counseling or whether the counseling is required.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111, 3323(c))

               Approved Programs of Education and Courses



Sec. 21.9590  Approved programs of education and courses.

    (a) Payments of educational assistance are based on pursuit of a 
program of education. In order to receive educational assistance under 
38 U.S.C. chapter 33, an eligible individual must--
    (1) Be pursuing an approved program of education;
    (2) Be pursuing refresher, remedial, or deficiency courses as these 
courses are defined in Sec. 21.7020(b);
    (3) Be pursuing other preparatory or special education or training 
courses necessary to enable the individual to pursue an approved program 
of education;
    (4) Have taken an approved licensing or certification test, for 
which he or she is requesting reimbursement; or
    (5) Be an individual who has taken a course for which the individual 
received tuition assistance provided under a program administered by the 
Secretary of a military department under 10 U.S.C. 2007(a) or (c), for 
which the individual is requesting educational assistance for the amount 
of established charges not covered by military tuition assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313, 3323(a), 3689)

    (b) Approval of the selected program of education. Subject to 
paragraph (a), VA will approve a program of education under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 33 selected by the individual if:
    (1) The program meets the definition of a program of education in 
Sec. 21.9505;
    (2) Except for a program consisting of a licensing or certification 
test, the program has an educational, vocational, or professional 
objective as described in Sec. 21.7020(b)(13) or (22);
    (3) The courses, subjects, or licensing or certification tests in 
the program are approved for VA training; and
    (4) Except for a program consisting of a licensing or certification 
test designed to help the individual maintain employment in a vocation 
or profession, the individual is not already qualified for the objective 
of the program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3471, 3689)

    (c) Change of program. In determining whether an individual may 
change his or her selected program of education, VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4234.
    (d) Programs not authorized under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33. If an 
individual elected to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 by 
relinquishing eligibility under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, or 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 1606 or 1607, and the eligible individual requests educational 
assistance for a program of education that is not authorized to be 
available to the individual under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 
33, but is available

[[Page 579]]

under the chapter the individual relinquished, VA will provide 
educational assistance at the rate payable under the provisions of the 
relinquished chapter to the eligible individual for pursuit of any 
program of education that meets the approval criteria under--
    (1) 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, if the individual was eligible under that 
chapter;
    (2) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1606, if the individual was eligible under 
that chapter; or
    (3) 10 U.S.C. chapter 1607, if the individual was eligible under 
that chapter.

(Authority: Pub. L. 110-252, 122 Stat. 2377)



Sec. 21.9600  Overcharges.

    (a) Overcharges by educational institutions may result in the 
disapproval of enrollments. VA may disapprove an institution of higher 
learning for further enrollments if the institution of higher learning 
charges an individual, or receives from an individual, an amount for 
tuition and fees that exceeds the established charges that the 
institution of higher learning requires from similarly circumstanced 
individuals enrolled in the same course.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3690(a))

    (b) Overcharges by organizations or entities offering licensing or 
certification tests may result in disapproval of tests. VA may 
disapprove an organization or entity offering a licensing or 
certification test when the organization or entity offering the test 
charges an individual, or receives from an individual, an amount for 
fees that exceeds the established fees that the organization or entity 
requires from similarly circumstanced individuals taking the same test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3689(d), 3690(a))

                    Payments--Educational Assistance



Sec. 21.9620  Educational assistance.

    VA will pay educational assistance for an eligible individual's 
pursuit of an approved program of education. The eligible individual 
and/or the individual's educational institution will receive payment 
amounts in accordance with the formulas listed in Sec. 21.9640. The 
maximum amounts of tuition and fees payable for the upcoming academic 
year under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 will be published in the ``Notices'' 
section of the Federal Register by the first of August of each calendar 
year. The maximum amounts payable may also be obtained by visiting the 
GI Bill Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov or by calling VA's customer 
service department toll-free at 1-888-442-4551. The maximum amounts 
payable, as published, will be effective for each term, quarter, or 
semester that begins during the academic year.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313, 3314, 3315, 3316, 3317)



Sec. 21.9625  Beginning dates.

    VA will determine the beginning date of an award or increased award 
of educational assistance under this section, but in no case will the 
beginning date be earlier than August 1, 2009. When more than one 
paragraph in this section applies, VA will award educational assistance 
using the latest of the applicable beginning dates.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313, 3316, 3323(a), 5110, 5111, 5113)

    (a) Entrance or reentrance including change of program or 
institution of higher learning. When an eligible individual enters or 
reenters into training (including a reentrance following a change of 
program or institution of higher learning), the beginning date of his or 
her award of educational assistance will be determined as follows:
    (1) For other than a licensing or certification test. (i) If the 
award is an award for the first period of enrollment for which the 
eligible individual began pursuing his or her program of education, the 
beginning date will be the latest of--
    (A) The date the institution of higher learning certifies under 
paragraph (b) or (c) of this section;
    (B) One year before the date of claim as determined by 
Sec. 21.1029(b);
    (C) The effective date of the approval of the program of education; 
or
    (D) One year before the date VA receives approval notice for the 
program of education.
    (ii) If the award is an award for a second or subsequent period of 
enrollment

[[Page 580]]

for which the eligible individual is pursuing a program of education, 
the effective date of the award will be the latest of--
    (A) The date the institution of higher learning certifies under 
paragraph (b) or (c) of this section;
    (B) The effective date of the approval of the program of education; 
or
    (C) One year before the date VA receives the approval notice for the 
program of education.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3313, 3316, 3323(a), 3672, 5103)

    (2) For a licensing or certification test. VA will award educational 
assistance for the cost of a licensing or certification test only when 
the eligible individual takes such test on or after August 1, 2009--
    (i) While the test is approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36;
    (ii) While the individual is eligible for educational assistance 
under this subpart; and
    (iii) No more than one year before the date VA receives a claim for 
reimbursement of the cost of the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3315, 3323(a), 3452(b), 3689)

    (b) Certification for program of education that leads to a standard 
college degree. (1) When the individual enrolls in a course offered by 
independent study or distance learning, the beginning date of the award 
or increased award of educational assistance will be the date the 
eligible individual begins pursuit of the course according to the 
regularly established practices of the institution of higher learning.
    (2) When the individual enrolls in a resident course, the beginning 
date of the award or increased award of educational assistance will be 
the first scheduled date of classes for the term, quarter, or semester 
in which the eligible individual is enrolled, except as provided in 
paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4), and (b)(5) of this section.
    (3) When the individual enrolls in a resident course whose first 
scheduled class begins after the calendar week when, according to the 
school's academic calendar, classes are scheduled to begin for the term, 
quarter, or semester, the beginning date of the award or increased award 
of educational assistance allowance will be the actual date of the first 
class scheduled for that particular course.
    (4) When the individual enrolls in a resident course, the beginning 
date of the award will be the date of reporting provided that--
    (i) The published standards of the school require the eligible 
individual to register before reporting; and
    (ii) The published standards of the school require the eligible 
individual to report no more than 14 days before the first scheduled 
date of classes for the term, quarter, or semester for which the 
eligible individual has registered.
    (5) When the eligible individual enrolls in a resident course and 
the first day of classes is more than 14 days after the date of 
registration, the beginning date of the award or increased award of 
educational assistance will be the first day of classes.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313, 3316, 3323)

    (c) Certification for program of education that does not lead to a 
standard college degree. (1) When an eligible individual enrolls at an 
institution of higher learning for a program of education that is 
offered in residence but that does not lead to a standard college 
degree, the beginning date of the award of educational assistance will 
be as stated in paragraph (b) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313(b), 3323)

    (2) When an eligible individual enrolls at an institution of higher 
learning for a program of education that is offered by correspondence, 
the beginning date of the award of educational assistance will be the 
later of--
    (i) The date the first lesson was sent, or
    (ii) The date of affirmance (as defined in Sec. 21.7020(b)(36)).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313, 3316, 3323)

    (d) Liberalizing laws and VA issues. When a liberalizing law or VA 
issue affects the beginning date of an eligible individual's award of 
educational assistance, the beginning date will be adjusted in 
accordance with the facts

[[Page 581]]

found, but not earlier than the effective date of the act or 
administrative issue.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c), 5113)

    (e) Correction of military records. As determined in Sec. 21.9530, 
the eligibility of a veteran may arise because the nature of the 
veteran's discharge or release is changed by appropriate military 
authority. In these cases, the beginning date of the veteran's 
educational assistance will be in accordance with facts found, but not 
earlier than the date the nature of the discharge or release was 
changed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C.3323(c))

    (f) Individuals in a penal institution. If an eligible individual is 
not receiving, or is receiving a reduced rate, of educational assistance 
under Sec. 21.9675 (based on incarceration in a Federal, State, local, 
or other penal institution or correctional facility due to a felony 
conviction), the rate will be increased or assistance will begin 
effective the earlier of the following:
    (1) The date the tuition and fees are no longer being paid under a 
Federal (other than one administered by VA), State, or local program; or
    (2) The date the individual is released from the penal institution 
or correctional facility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3482(g))

    (g) Increase (``kicker'') based on critical skills or specialty. If 
an eligible individual is entitled to an increase (``kicker'') in the 
monthly rate of educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. 3316, the 
effective date of that increase ('kicker'') will be the later of--
    (1) The beginning date of an eligible individual's award as 
determined by paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section; or
    (2) The first date on which the eligible individual is entitled to 
the increase (``kicker'') as determined by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(i); 38 U.S.C. 3015(d), 3316(a))

    (h) Increase in percentage of maximum amount payable based on length 
of active duty service requirements. If an eligible individual is 
entitled to an increase in the percentage of the maximum amount of 
educational assistance payable as a result of meeting additional length 
of active duty service requirements, the effective date of that increase 
will be the later of--
    (1) The beginning date of the eligible individual's award as 
determined by paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section; or
    (2) The first day of the term, quarter, or semester following the 
term, quarter, or semester in which the eligible individual becomes 
entitled to an increase in the percentage of the maximum amount payable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3311, 3313)

    (i) Spouse eligible for transferred entitlement. If a spouse is 
eligible for transferred entitlement under Sec. 21.9570, the beginning 
date of the award of educational assistance will be no earlier than the 
latest of the following dates--
    (1) The date the Secretary of the military department concerned 
approves the transferor to transfer entitlement;
    (2) The date the transferor completes 6 years of service in the 
Armed Forces;
    (3) The date the transferor specified in his or her designation of 
transfer; or
    (4) The date the spouse first meets the definition of spouse in 
Sec. 3.50(a) of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (j) Child eligible for transferred entitlement. If a child is 
eligible for transferred entitlement under Sec. 21.9570, the beginning 
date of the award of educational assistance will be no earlier than the 
latest of the following dates--
    (1) The date the Secretary of the service department concerned 
approves the transferor to transfer entitlement;
    (2) The date the transferor completes 10 years of service in the 
Armed Forces;
    (3) The date the transferor specified in his or her designation of 
transfer;
    (4) The date the child first meets the definition of child in 
Sec. 3.57 of this chapter; or
    (5) Either--

[[Page 582]]

    (i) The date the child completes the requirements of a secondary 
school diploma (or equivalency certificate); or
    (ii) The date the child attains age 18.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (k) Change in active duty status. If an individual is released or 
discharged from active duty during a certified period of enrollment, VA 
will begin paying--
    (1) Tuition and fees using the provisions of Sec. 21.9640(b) or (c), 
whichever is applicable, effective the first day of the enrollment 
period following the enrollment period during which the individual was 
discharged;
    (2) The monthly housing allowance beginning the 1st day of the month 
following the date the individual was discharged; and
    (3) The book stipend beginning the first day of the enrollment 
period following the enrollment period during which the individual was 
discharged.
    (l) Election to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33. If an 
individual makes an election to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
33 in lieu of benefits under 10 U.S.C. chapter 106a, 1606, or 1607, or 
38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in accordance with 38 CFR 21.9520(c), VA will begin 
paying benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 effective the later of the 
following--
    (1) August 1, 2009;
    (2) The date the individual became eligible for educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33;
    (3) One year before the date the valid election request was 
received; or
    (4) The effective date of the election as requested by the claimant.



Sec. 21.9630  Suspension or discontinuance of payments.

    VA may suspend or discontinue payment of educational assistance in 
accordance with Secs. 21.4210 through 21.4216.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3690)



Sec. 21.9635  Discontinuance dates.

    The effective date of a reduction or discontinuance of educational 
assistance will be as stated in this section. If more than one type of 
reduction or discontinuance is involved, VA will reduce or discontinue 
educational assistance using the earliest of the applicable dates.
    (a) Death of eligible individual. (1) If the eligible individual 
receives a lump sum payment under Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(iii), (b)(2)(iii), 
(c)(1)(ii), or (c)(2)(ii) and dies before the end of the period covered 
by the lump sum payment, the discontinuance date of educational 
assistance for the purpose of that lump sum payment will be the last 
date of the period covered by the lump sum payment.
    (2) If the institution of higher learning receives a lump sum 
payment for established charges on behalf of an eligible individual and 
the individual dies before the end of the period covered by the lump sum 
payment, the discontinuance date for the purpose of that lump sum 
payment will be the last date of the period covered by the lump sum 
payment. The institution of higher learning will be required to return 
to VA any portion of the established charges paid by VA that would 
normally be refunded to a similarly circumstanced individual according 
to the regularly established practices of the institution of higher 
learning.
    (3) If the eligible individual receives an advance payment of the 
monthly housing allowance pursuant to Sec. 21.9680(b)(2) and dies before 
the period covered by the advance payment ends, the discontinuance date 
of educational assistance shall be the last date of the period covered 
by the advance payment.
    (4) For all other payments, if the eligible individual dies while 
pursuing a program of education, the discontinuance date of educational 
assistance will be the end of the month during which the individual last 
attended.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(d), 3680(e))

    (b) First instance of withdrawal of course. In the first instance of 
a withdrawal from a course or courses for which the eligible individual 
received educational assistance, VA will consider mitigating 
circumstances to exist with respect to the withdrawal of a course or 
courses totaling no more than six semester hours or the equivalent. In 
determining whether a withdrawal is the first instance of withdrawal, VA 
will not consider a course

[[Page 583]]

or courses dropped during an institution of higher learning's drop-add 
period in accordance with Sec. 21.4200(l). If mitigating circumstances 
are considered to exist in accordance with this paragraph, VA will 
terminate or reduce educational assistance effective the end of the 
month during which the withdrawal occurred.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a)(1))

    (c) Withdrawal or unsatisfactory completion of all courses. (1) If 
the eligible individual, for reasons other than being called or ordered 
to active duty service, withdraws from all courses or receives all 
nonpunitive grades and, in either case, there are no mitigating 
circumstances, VA will terminate educational assistance effective the 
first date of the term in which the withdrawal occurs or the first date 
of the term for which nonpunitive grades are assigned.
    (2) If the eligible individual withdraws from all courses with 
mitigating circumstances or withdraws from all courses for which a 
punitive grade is or will be assigned, VA will terminate educational 
assistance for--
    (i) Residence training effective the last date of attendance; and
    (ii) Independent study or distance learning effective on the 
official date of change in status under the practices of the institution 
of higher learning.
    (3) When an eligible individual withdraws from an approved 
correspondence course offered by an institution of higher learning, VA 
will terminate educational assistance effective the date the last lesson 
was serviced.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323, 3680(a))

    (d) Reduction in the rate of pursuit of a program of education. If 
the eligible individual reduces the rate of pursuit by withdrawing from 
one or more courses in a program of education but continues training in 
one or more courses, VA will apply the provisions of this paragraph.
    (1) If the reduction in the rate of pursuit occurs other than on the 
first date of the term, VA will reduce the eligible individual's 
educational assistance effective the end of the month during which the 
reduction occurred when the circumstances in either paragraphs (d)(1)(i) 
or (d)(1)(ii) apply--
    (i) A nonpunitive grade is assigned for the course from which the 
eligible individual withdraws and the withdrawal occurs with mitigating 
circumstances.
    (ii) A punitive grade is assigned for the course from which the 
eligible individual withdraws.
    (2) VA will reduce educational assistance effective the first date 
of the enrollment in which the reduction occurs when--
    (i) The reduction occurs on the first date of the term; or
    (ii) A nonpunitive grade is assigned for the course from which the 
eligible individual withdraws, and--
    (A) The eligible individual does not withdraw because he or she is 
called to active duty service, or in the case of an individual serving 
on active duty, he or she is not ordered to a new duty location or 
assignment, or is not ordered to perform an increased amount of work, 
and
    (B) The withdrawal occurs without mitigating circumstances.
    (3) An eligible individual enrolled in several courses within a 
program of education, who reduces his or her rate of pursuit by 
completing one or more of the courses while continuing training in 
others, may receive an interval payment based on the total number of 
enrolled courses he or she completed if the requirements of 
Sec. 21.9680(b)(5) are met. If those requirements are not met, VA will 
reduce the eligible individual's educational assistance effective the 
end of the month during which the individual completed each course (or 
courses).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a))

    (e) End of course or period of enrollment. If an eligible 
individual's course or period of enrollment ends, the effective date of 
reduction or discontinuance of the individual's award of educational 
assistance will be the ending date of the course or period of enrollment 
as certified by the institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a))

    (f) Nonpunitive grade. (1) If an eligible individual does not 
officially withdraw

[[Page 584]]

from a particular course and the individual receives a nonpunitive grade 
for that course, VA will reduce the individual's educational assistance 
effective the first date of enrollment for the term in which the grade 
applies unless mitigating circumstances are found.
    (2) If an eligible individual does not officially withdraw from a 
particular course and the individual receives a nonpunitive grade for 
that course, VA will reduce the individual's educational assistance 
effective the end of the month during which the student last attended 
when mitigating circumstances are found.
    (3) If an eligible individual receives an incomplete grade for a 
course or courses, VA will delay creating an overpayment for such course 
or courses to allow the individual an opportunity to complete the course 
or courses. However, if the incomplete grade is not replaced with a 
punitive grade, VA will reduce the individual's educational assistance 
in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) or (2) of this section effective the 
earliest of--
    (i) The last date permitted by the IHL to complete the course;
    (ii) The date the IHL permanently assigns a nonpunitive grade;
    (iii) One year from the date the incomplete grade was assigned.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680)

    (g) Discontinued by VA. If VA discontinues payment to an eligible 
individual following procedures stated in Sec. 21.4210(d) and (g), the 
discontinuance date of payment of educational assistance will be--
    (1) The date the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction first suspended payments provided in Sec. 21.4210, if the 
discontinuance was preceded by suspension; or
    (2) The end of the month during which VA made the decision to 
discontinue payments under Sec. 21.9630 or Sec. 21.4210(d) and (g), if 
the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction did 
not suspend payments before the discontinuance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3690)

    (h) Disapproved by State approving agency. If a State approving 
agency disapproves a program of education in which an eligible 
individual is enrolled, the discontinuance date of payment of 
educational assistance will be--
    (1) The date the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction first suspended payments provided in Sec. 21.4210 if 
disapproval was preceded by such a suspension; or
    (2) The end of the month in which the disapproval is effective or VA 
receives notice of the disapproval, whichever is later, provided the 
Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction did not 
suspend payments before the disapproval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3672(a), 3690)

    (i) Disapproval by VA. If VA disapproves a program of education in 
which an eligible individual is enrolled, the discontinuance date of 
educational assistance will be--
    (1) The date the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction first suspended payments, as provided in Sec. 21.4210, if 
such suspension preceded the disapproval; or
    (2) The end of the month in which the disapproval occurred, provided 
that the Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction 
did not suspend payments before the disapproval.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3671(b), 3672(a), 3690)

    (j) Unsatisfactory progress. If an eligible individual's progress is 
unsatisfactory, his or her educational assistance will be discontinued 
effective the earlier of the following:
    (1) The end of the month during which the institution of higher 
learning discontinues the eligible individual's enrollment; or
    (2) The end of the month during which the eligible individual's 
progress becomes unsatisfactory according to the institution of higher 
learning's regularly established standards of progress, conduct, or 
attendance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3474)

    (k) False or misleading statements. Payments may not be based on 
false or misleading statements, claims, or reports. If educational 
assistance is paid

[[Page 585]]

as the result of an individual submitting false or misleading 
statements, claims, or reports, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4006 and 21.4007 in the same manner as they apply to veterans 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C 3034(a), 3323(a), 3690)

    (l) Conflicting interests (not waived). If a conflict of interest 
exists between an officer or employee of VA and an institution of higher 
learning, or an officer or employee of a State approving agency and an 
institution of higher learning, as provided in Sec. 21.4005, and VA does 
not grant a waiver, the discontinuance date of educational assistance 
will be 30 days after the date of the letter notifying the eligible 
individual of the conflicting interests.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3683)

    (m) Incarceration in prison or other penal institution due to 
conviction of a felony. (1) The provisions of this paragraph apply to an 
eligible individual whose educational assistance must be discontinued or 
who becomes restricted to payment of educational assistance at a reduced 
rate under Sec. 21.9675(c) (based on incarceration in a Federal, State, 
local, or other penal institution or correctional facility due to a 
felony conviction).
    (2) The reduced rate or discontinuance will be effective the latest 
of the following--
    (i) The first day of the enrollment period for which all or part of 
the eligible individual's tuition and fees were paid by a Federal (other 
than one administered by VA), State, or local program;
    (ii) The first day of the enrollment period in which the eligible 
individual is incarcerated in a Federal, State, local, or other penal 
institution or correctional facility; or
    (iii) The beginning date of the award as determined by Sec. 21.9625.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3482(g))

    (n) Reduction or termination due to active duty status. (1) The 
discontinuance date for an eligible individual who reduces or terminates 
training as a result of being called or ordered to serve on active duty 
under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of 
title 10, U.S.C., or in the case of an individual serving on active 
duty, being ordered to a new duty location or assignment or to perform 
an increased amount of work is--
    (i) For established charges, the last date of the certified 
enrollment period,
    (ii) For the monthly housing allowance, the end of the month during 
which the reduction or withdrawal occurred, and
    (iii) For the ``book stipend'', the last date of the period covered 
by the book stipend payment.
    (2) This reduction does not apply to brief periods of active duty 
for training if the institution of higher learning permits absence for 
active duty for training without considering the individual's pursuit of 
a program of education to be interrupted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313(e))

    (o) Exhaustion of entitlement. (1) If an individual enrolled in an 
institution of higher learning that regularly operates on the quarter or 
semester system exhausts his or her entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
33, the effective discontinuance date will be the last day of the 
quarter or semester in which the entitlement is exhausted.
    (2) If an individual enrolled in an institution of higher learning 
that does not regularly operate on the quarter or semester system 
exhausts his or her entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 after the 
individual has completed more than half of the course, the ending date 
will be the earlier of the following--
    (i) The last day of the course, or
    (ii) 12 weeks from the day the entitlement is exhausted.
    (3) If an individual enrolled in an institution of higher learning 
that does not regularly operate on the quarter or semester system 
exhausts his or her entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 before the 
individual has completed more than half of the course, the effective 
ending date will be the date the entitlement was exhausted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3031(f), 3312, 3321)

    (p) End of period of eligibility. If an eligible individual is 
enrolled in an institution of higher learning on the date of

[[Page 586]]

expiration of his or her period of eligibility as determined under 
Sec. 21.9530, the effective ending date will be the day preceding the 
end of the period of eligibility.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3321)

    (q) Required verifications not received after certification of 
enrollment. (1) If VA does not receive the required verification of 
attendance in a timely manner for an eligible individual enrolled in a 
course or courses at an institution of higher learning in a program of 
education not leading to a standard college degree, VA will terminate 
payments effective the last date of the last period for which 
verification of the eligible individual's attendance was received. If VA 
later receives the verification, VA will make any adjustment on the 
basis of the facts found.
    (2) If VA does not receive verification of enrollment within 60 days 
of the first day of the term, quarter, semester, or course for which the 
advance payment was made, VA will determine the actual facts and make an 
adjustment, if required. If the eligible individual failed to enroll, VA 
will terminate the award of educational assistance effective the 
beginning date of the enrollment period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680)

    (r) Administrative or payee error. (1) When an administrative error 
or error in judgment by VA, the Department of Defense, or the Department 
of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not 
operating as a service in the Navy, is the sole cause of an erroneous 
award, the award will be reduced or terminated effective the date of 
last payment.
    (2) When a payee receives an erroneous award of educational 
assistance as the result of providing false information or withholding 
information necessary to determine eligibility to the award, the 
effective date of the reduction or discontinuance will be the effective 
date of the award, or the day before the act, whichever is later. The 
date of the reduction or discontinuance will not be before the last date 
on which the individual was entitled to payment of educational 
assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c), 5112(b), 5113)

    (s) Forfeiture for fraud. If an eligible individual must forfeit his 
or her educational assistance due to fraud, the ending date of payment 
of educational assistance will be the later of--
    (1) The effective date of the award; or
    (2) The day before the date of the fraudulent act.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c), 5112, 6103)

    (t) Forfeiture for treasonable acts or subversive activities. If an 
eligible individual must forfeit his or her educational assistance due 
to treasonable acts or subversive activities, the ending date of payment 
of educational assistance will be the later of--
    (1) The effective date of the award; or
    (2) The day before the date the individual committed the treasonable 
act or subversive activities for which the individual was convicted.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c), 6104, 6105)

    (u) Change in law or VA issue or interpretation. If there is a 
change in the applicable law or VA issue, or in VA's application of the 
law or issue, VA will use the provisions of Sec. 3.114(b) of this 
chapter to determine the ending date of the eligible individual's 
educational assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c), 5112, 5113)

    (v) Reduction following the loss of increase (``kicker'') for 
Selected Reserve service. If an eligible individual is entitled to an 
increase (``kicker'') in the monthly rate of educational assistance due 
to service in the Selected Reserve and loses that entitlement, the 
effective date for the reduction in the monthly rate payable is the date 
that the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that 
the eligible individual is no longer eligible to the increase 
(``kicker'').


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131; 38 U.S.C. 3316(a))

    (w) Receipt of educational assistance allowance under another 
educational assistance program. An individual in receipt of educational 
assistance under this

[[Page 587]]

chapter who is also eligible for educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. 
chapter 106a, 1606, or 1607, or under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 31, 32, or 
35, or the Hostage Relief Act of 1980, may choose to receive educational 
assistance under another program. VA will terminate educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 effective the first day of the 
enrollment period during which the individual requested to receive 
educational assistance under 10 U.S.C. chapter 106a, 1606, or 1607, or 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30, 31, 32, or 35, or the Hostage Relief Act of 
1980.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3322(a))

    (x) Independent study course loses accreditation. If the eligible 
individual is enrolled in a course offered in whole or in part by 
independent study, and the course loses its accreditation (or the 
institution of higher learning offering the course loses its 
accreditation), the date of reduction or discontinuance will be the 
effective date of the withdrawal of accreditation by the accrediting 
agency.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3676, 3680A(a))

    (y) Dependent exhausts transferred entitlement. The ending date of 
an award of educational assistance to a dependent who exhausts the 
entitlement transferred to him or her is the date he or she exhausts the 
entitlement.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (z) Transferor revokes transfer of entitlement. If the transferor 
revokes a transfer of unused entitlement, the date of discontinuance for 
the dependent's entitlement is the effective date of the revocation of 
transfer as determined under Sec. 21.9570.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (aa) Transferor fails to complete additional active duty service 
requirement. VA will discontinue each award of educational assistance 
given to a dependent, effective the first date of each such award when--
    (1) The transferor fails to complete the additional active duty 
service requirement that afforded him or her the opportunity to transfer 
entitlement of educational assistance; and
    (2) The military department discharges the transferor for a reason 
other than one of the reasons stated in Sec. 21.9570.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319)

    (bb) Other reasons for discontinuance. If an eligible individual's 
educational assistance must be discontinued for any reason other than 
those stated in paragraphs (a) through (aa) of this section, VA will 
determine the ending date of educational assistance based on the facts 
found.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c), 5112(a), 5113)



Sec. 21.9640  Rates of payment of educational assistance.

    VA will determine the amount of educational assistance payable under 
38 U.S.C. chapter 33 as provided in this section.
    (a) Percentage of maximum amounts payable. Except as provided in 
paragraph (d) of this section, VA will apply the applicable percentage 
of the maximum amounts payable under this section for pursuit of an 
approved program of education, in accordance with the following table--

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Percentage
Aggregate length of creditable active duty service after 09/  of maximum
                           10/01                               amounts
                                                               payable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least 36 months \1\.....................................          100
At least 30 continuous days (Must be discharged due to               100
 service-connected disability).............................
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months \1\............           90
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months \1\............       80 \3\
At least 18 months, but less than 24 months \2\............       70 \3\
At least 12 months, but less than 18 months \2\............           60
At least 6 months, but less than 12 months \2\.............           50
At least 90 days, but less than 6 months \2\...............           40
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes entry level and skill training.
\2\ Excludes entry level and skill training.

[[Page 588]]

 
\3\ If the service requirements are met at both the 80 and 70 percentage
  level, the maximum percentage of 70 must be applied to amounts
  payable.



(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3311, 3313)

    (b) Maximum amounts payable for training at more than one-half time. 
An individual, other than one on active duty, who is pursuing a program 
of education at more than one-half time (at a rate of pursuit greater 
than 50 percent) and who--
    (1) Is enrolled at an institution of higher learning located in the 
United States, or at a branch of such institution that is located 
outside the United States, may receive--
    (i) A lump sum amount for established charges paid directly to the 
institution of higher learning for the entire quarter, semester, or 
term, as applicable. The amount payable will be the sum of the lower 
amount of tuition as determined in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) and the lower 
amount of fees as determined in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B) of this section.
    (A) The amount of tuition payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of tuition charged by the institution of 
higher learning; or
    (2) The maximum amount of tuition regularly charged per credit hour 
to full-time undergraduate in-State students by the public institution 
of higher learning having the highest rate of regularly-charged tuition 
per credit hour in the State in which the individual is enrolled or, if 
the individual is enrolled at a branch located outside the United 
States, in the State where the main campus of the institution of higher 
learning is located, multiplied by the number of credit hours in which 
the individual is enrolled.
    (B) The amount of fees payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of fees charged by the institution of higher 
learning; or
    (2) The maximum amount of fees regularly charged full-time 
undergraduate in-State students in a term, quarter, or semester by the 
public institution of higher learning having the highest rate of 
regularly-charged fees in a term, quarter, or semester in the State in 
which the individual is enrolled or, if the individual is enrolled at a 
branch located outside the United States, in the State where the main 
campus of the institution of higher learning is located.
    (C) The lesser amount of paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) or (B) of this 
section, divided by the number of days in the individual's quarter, 
semester, or term, as applicable, to determine the individual's daily 
rate which will then be multiplied by the individual's remaining months 
and days of entitlement to educational assistance in accordance with 
Sec. 21.4020 and Sec. 21.9635(o);
    (ii) Except for individuals pursuing a program of education offered 
entirely through distance learning, a monthly housing allowance. The 
monthly housing allowance will be equal to the monthly amount of the 
basic allowance for housing payable under 37 U.S.C. 403 for a member of 
the military with dependents in pay grade E-5 using the ZIP code area in 
which all, or a majority, of the primary institution of higher learning 
in which the individual is enrolled is located or, if the individual is 
only pursuing distance learning courses at the primary institution of 
higher learning, the ZIP code area in which all, or a majority of the 
institution of higher learning in which the individual is enrolled in 
one or more resident courses is located; and
    (iii) An amount for books, supplies, equipment, and other 
educational costs (referred to as the ``book stipend'') payable as a 
lump sum for each quarter, semester, or term. The maximum amount payable 
to an eligible individual with remaining entitlement is based on pursuit 
of twenty-four credit hours (the minimum number of credit hours 
generally considered to be full-time training at the undergraduate level 
for an academic year). An individual may receive an amount for each 
credit hour pursued up to twenty-four credit hours (or the equivalent 
number of credit hours if enrollment is reported in clock hours) in a 
single academic year. The lump sum payment for each quarter, semester, 
or term is equal to--
    (A) $41.67 ($1,000 divided by 24 credit hours); multiplied by--

[[Page 589]]

    (B) The number of credit hours (or the equivalent number of credit 
hours if enrollment is reported in clock hours) taken by the individual 
in the quarter, semester, or term, up to a cumulative total of twenty-
four credit hours for the academic year.
    (2) Is enrolled at an institution of higher learning not located in 
the United States, may receive--
    (i) A lump sum amount for established charges paid directly to the 
institution of higher learning for the entire quarter, semester, or 
term, as applicable. The amount payable will be the sum of the lower 
amount of tuition as determined in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) and the lower 
amount of fees as determined in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) of this section. 
Prior to comparing the amounts in paragraph ((b)(2)(i)(A) and in 
paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) of this section, foreign currency must be 
converted into United States dollars using the foreign exchange 
conversion rate as published by the Federal Reserve effective on the 
first day of the month of July that precedes the beginning date of the 
individual's enrollment period.
    (A) The amount of tuition payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of tuition charged by the institution of 
higher learning (converted into United States dollars); or
    (2) The average (i.e., unweighted arithmetic mean) amount of tuition 
per credit hour regularly charged full-time undergraduate in-State 
students by public institutions of higher learning throughout the United 
States as published by VA for the relevant academic year.
    (B) The amount of fees payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of fees charged by the institution of higher 
learning (converted into United States dollars); or
    (2) The average (i.e., unweighted arithmetic mean) amount of fees 
regularly charged full-time undergraduate in-State students per term, 
quarter, or semester by the public institutions of higher learning 
throughout the United States as published by VA for the relevant 
academic year.
    (C) The lesser amount of paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) or (B) of this 
section, divided by the number of days in the individual's quarter, 
semester, or term, as applicable, to determine the individual's daily 
rate which will then be multiplied by the individual's remaining months 
and days of entitlement to educational assistance in accordance with 
Sec. 21.4020 and Sec. 21.9635(o);
    (ii) Except for individuals pursuing a program of education offered 
entirely through distance learning, a monthly housing allowance. The 
monthly housing allowance will be equal to the average (i.e., unweighted 
arithmetic mean) monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing 
payable under 37 U.S.C. 403 for a member of the military with dependents 
in pay grade E-5 residing in the United States; and
    (iii) An amount for books, supplies, equipment, and other 
educational costs (referred to as the ``book stipend'') payable as a 
lump sum for each quarter, semester, or term. The maximum amount payable 
to an eligible individual with remaining entitlement is based on pursuit 
of twenty-four credit hours (the minimum number of credit hours 
generally considered to be full-time training at the undergraduate level 
for an academic year). An individual may receive an amount for each 
credit hour pursued up to twenty-four credit hours (or the equivalent 
number of credit hours if enrollment is reported in clock hours) in a 
single academic year. The lump sum payment for each quarter, semester, 
or term is equal to--
    (A) $41.67 ($1,000 divided by 24 credit hours); multiplied by--
    (B) The number of credit hours (or the equivalent number of credit 
hours if enrollment is reported in clock hours) taken by the individual 
in the quarter, semester, or term, up to a cumulative total of twenty-
four credit hours for the academic year.
    (c) Maximum amounts payable for training at one-half time or less. 
An individual, other than one on active duty, who is pursuing a program 
of education at one-half time or less (at a rate of pursuit of 50 
percent or less) and who--
    (1) Is enrolled at an institution of higher learning located in the 
United States, or at a branch of such institution that is located 
outside the United States, may receive--

[[Page 590]]

    (i) A lump sum amount for established charges paid directly to the 
institution of higher learning for the entire quarter, semester, or 
term, as applicable. The amount payable will be the sum of the lower 
amount of tuition as determined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) and the lower 
amount of fees as determined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(B) of this section.
    (A) The amount of tuition payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of tuition charged by the institution of 
higher learning that similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the 
individual's program of education would be required to pay; or
    (2) The maximum amount of tuition regularly charged per credit hour 
to full-time undergraduate in-State students by the public institution 
of higher learning having the highest rate of regularly-charged tuition 
per credit hour in the State in which the individual is enrolled or, if 
the individual is enrolled at a branch located outside the United 
States, in the State where the main campus of the institution of higher 
learning is located, multiplied by the number of credit hours in which 
the individual is enrolled.
    (B) The amount of fees payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of fees charged by the institution of higher 
learning that similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the 
individual's program of education would be required to pay; or
    (2) The maximum amount of fees regularly charged full-time 
undergraduate in-State students per term, quarter, or semester by the 
public institution of higher learning having the highest rate of 
regularly-charged fees per term, quarter or semester, in the State in 
which the individual is enrolled or, if the individual is enrolled at a 
branch located outside the United States, in the State where the main 
campus of the institution of higher learning is located.
    (C) The lesser amount of paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) or (B) of this 
section, divided by the number of days in the individual's quarter, 
semester, or term, as applicable, to determine the individual's daily 
rate which will then be multiplied by the individual's remaining months 
and days of entitlement to educational assistance in accordance with 
Sec. 21.4020 and Sec. 21.9635(o);
    (ii) An amount for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational 
costs (referred to as the ``book stipend'') payable as a lump sum for 
the certified enrollment period. The maximum amount payable to an 
eligible individual with remaining entitlement is based on pursuit of 
twenty-four credit hours (the minimum number of credit hours generally 
considered to be full-time training at the undergraduate level for an 
academic year). An individual may receive an amount for each credit hour 
pursued up to twenty-four credit hours (or the equivalent number of 
credit hours if enrollment is reported in clock hours) in a single 
academic year. The lump sum payment for each quarter, semester, or term 
is equal to--
    (A) $41.67 ($1,000 divided by 24 credit hours); multiplied by--
    (B) The number of credit hours (or the equivalent number of credit 
hours if enrollment is reported in clock hours) taken by the individual 
in the quarter, semester, or term; multiplied by--
    (C) The percentage equal to the individual's rate of pursuit as 
determined by dividing the number of credit hours the individual is 
pursuing by the number of credit hours required for full-time pursuit.
    (2) Is enrolled in an institution of higher learning not located in 
the United States, may receive--
    (i) A lump sum amount for established charges paid directly to the 
institution of higher learning for the entire quarter, semester, or 
term, as applicable. The amount payable will be the sum of the lower 
amount of tuition as determined in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) and the lower 
amount of fees as determined in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B) of this section. 
Prior to comparing the amounts in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) and in 
paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B) of this section, foreign currency must be 
converted into United States dollars using the foreign exchange 
conversion rate as published by the Federal Reserve effective on the 
first day of the month of

[[Page 591]]

July that precedes the beginning date of the individual's enrollment 
period.
    (A) The amount of tuition payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of tuition charged by the institution of 
higher learning (converted into United States dollars); or
    (2) The average (i.e., arithmetic mean) amount of tuition per credit 
hour regularly charged full-time undergraduate in-State students by 
public institutions of higher learning throughout the United States as 
published by VA for the relevant academic year.
    (B) The amount of fees payable is the lesser of--
    (1) The actual amount of fees charged by the institution of higher 
learning (converted into United States dollars); or
    (2) The average (i.e., arithmetic mean) amount of fees regularly 
charged full-time undergraduate in-State students per term, quarter, or 
semester by the public institutions of higher learning throughout the 
United States as published by VA for the relevant academic year.
    (C) The lesser amount of paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) or (B) of this 
section, divided by the number of days in the individual's quarter, 
semester, or term, as applicable, to determine the individual's daily 
rate which will then be multiplied by the individual's remaining months 
and days of entitlement to educational assistance in accordance with 
Sec. 21.4020 and Sec. 21.9635(o);
    (ii) An amount for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational 
costs (referred to as the ``book stipend'') payable as a lump sum for 
the certified enrollment period. The maximum amount payable to an 
eligible individual with remaining entitlement is based on pursuit of 
twenty-four credit hours (the minimum number of credit hours generally 
considered to be full-time training at the undergraduate level for an 
academic year). An individual may receive an amount for each credit hour 
pursued up to twenty-four credit hours (or the equivalent number of 
credit hours if the individual's enrollment is reported in clock hours) 
in a single academic year. The lump sum payment for each quarter, 
semester, or term is equal to--
    (A) $41.67 ($1,000 divided by 24); multiplied by
    (B) The number of credit hours (or the equivalent number of credit 
hours if the individual's enrollment is reported in clock hours) taken 
by the individual in the quarter, semester, or term, up to a cumulative 
total of twenty-four credit hours for the academic year; multiplied by--
    (C) The percentage equal to the individual's rate of pursuit as 
determined by dividing the number of credit hours the individual is 
pursuing by the number of credit hours required for full-time pursuit.
    (d) Amounts payable for individuals on active duty. Individuals on 
active duty who are pursuing a program of education may receive a lump 
sum amount for established charges paid directly to the institution of 
higher learning for the entire quarter, semester, or term, as 
applicable. The amount payable will be the lowest of--
    (1) The established charges that similarly circumstanced nonveterans 
enrolled in the individual's program of education would be required to 
pay;
    (2) That portion of the established charges not covered by military 
tuition assistance under 10 U.S.C. 2007(a) or (b) for which the 
individual has stated to VA that he or she wishes to receive payment.
    (3) The lesser amount of paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this section, 
divided by the number of days in the individual's quarter, semester, or 
term, as applicable, to determine the individual's daily rate which will 
then be multiplied by the individual's remaining months and days of 
entitlement to educational assistance in accordance with Sec. 21.4020 
and Sec. 21.9635(o);
    (e) Publication of educational assistance rates. VA will publish the 
maximum amounts of tuition and fees payable for the upcoming academic 
year in the ``Notices'' section of the Federal Register and on the GI 
Bill Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov by the first of August of each 
calendar year. The maximum amounts payable, as published, will be 
effective for each term,

[[Page 592]]

quarter, or semester that begins during the academic year.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3313, 3323(c))



Sec. 21.9645  Refund of basic contribution to chapter 30.

    (a)(1) An individual who makes an irrevocable election to receive 
educational assistance under this chapter by relinquishing eligibility 
under chapter 30 will be entitled to receive a refund of the amount 
contributions paid under 38 U.S.C. 3011(b) or 3012(c), up to $1,200, if 
the individual, as of the date of the individual's election, meets the 
requirements for entitlement to educational assistance under this 
chapter and meets one of the following requirements as of August 1, 
2009--
    (i) He or she is eligible for basic educational assistance under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30 and has remaining entitlement under that chapter;
    (ii) He or she is eligible for basic educational assistance under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30 but has not used any entitlement under that chapter; 
or
    (iii) He or she is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible to 
receive educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 because he or 
she has met the requirements of Sec. 21.7042(a) or (b) and is making 
contributions as provided in Sec. 21.7042(g).
    (2) Individuals are not entitled to a refund of any portion of 
additional contributions, of up to $600, paid towards educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in accordance with the provisions 
of Sec. 21.7136(h).
    (b) Amount of refund. The amount of any payment made under this 
section to the individual who made the contributions will be equal to 
the total amount of contributions toward basic educational assistance 
made by the individual as provided in Sec. 21.7042(g) multiplied by the 
fraction with--
    (1) A numerator equal to--
    (i) The number of months of entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 
remaining to the individual at the time of the election and the number 
of months, if any, of transferred entitlement under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 
that the individual revoked; or
    (ii) 36 for individuals making contributions in accordance with 
Sec. 21.9645(a)(iii); and
    (2) A denominator equal to 36.
    (c) Timing of Payment. The amount payable under this section will 
only be paid to the individual who made the contributions as an increase 
to the monthly housing allowance payable under Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(ii) or 
(b)(2)(ii) at the time his or her entitlement exhausts.

(Authority: Pub. L. 110-252, Stat. 2377-2378)



Sec. 21.9650  Increase in educational assistance.

    The Secretary of the military department concerned may increase the 
amount of basic educational assistance payable to an individual who has 
a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of personnel, 
for which there is difficulty recruiting, or, in the case of critical 
units, for which there is difficulty retaining personnel, as determined 
by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
    (a) Chapter 33 increase (``kicker'') amount. (1) The amount of the 
increase is set by the Secretary of the military department concerned, 
but the amount of any such increase may not exceed--
    (i) $950.00 per month for full-time training; or
    (ii) A percentage of the full-time training amount under paragraph 
(a)(i) of this section based on the individual's rate of pursuit of 
training.
    (2) The increase (``kicker'') amount payable under paragraph (a) of 
this section will only be paid to the individual as part of the monthly 
housing allowance if the individual is entitled to receive a monthly 
housing allowance under Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(ii) or (b)(2)(ii) for that 
term, quarter, or semester.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(d)(1), 3313(c), 3316(a))

    (b) Chapter 30 increase (``kicker'') amount. (1) If an individual is 
eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 by reason 
of an irrevocable election to relinquish eligibility under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 21.9520(c) and, on 
the date of such election, the individual is also entitled to an 
increase (``kicker'') of the amount of educational assistance under 38 
U.S.C. 3015(d), the individual remains entitled

[[Page 593]]

to that increase under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33.
    (2) The increase (``kicker'') amount is set by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned, but the amount of any such increase may 
not exceed--
    (i) $950.00 per month for full-time training; or
    (ii) A percentage of the full-time training amount under paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section based on the individual's rate of pursuit of 
training.
    (3) The increase (``kicker'') amount payable under paragraph (b) of 
this section will be paid to the individual as a lump sum in an amount 
for the entire quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, based on the 
monthly amount to which the individual was entitled at the time of the 
election of chapter 33.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3015(d); Pub. L. 110-252, Stat. 2378)

    (c) Chapter 1606 increase (``kicker'') amount. (1) If an individual 
is eligible for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 by 
reason of an irrevocable election to relinquish eligibility under 10 
U.S.C. chapter 1606 in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 21.9520(c) 
and, on the date of such election, the individual is also entitled to an 
increase (``kicker'') of the amount of educational assistance under 10 
U.S.C. 16131(i), the individual remains entitled to that increase 
(``kicker'') under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33.
    (2) The increase (``kicker'') amount is set by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned, but the amount of any such increase may 
not exceed--
    (i) $350.00 per month for full-time training; or
    (ii) A percentage of the full-time training amount under paragraph 
(c)(2)(i) of this section based on the individual's rate of pursuit of 
training.
    (3) The increase (``kicker'') amount payable under paragraph (c) of 
this section will be paid to the individual as a lump sum in an amount 
for the entire quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, based on the 
monthly amount to which the individual was entitled at the time of the 
election of chapter 33.


(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16131(i); Pub. L. 110-252, Stat 2378)

[74 FR 14671, Mar. 31, 2009; 74 FR 17907, Apr. 20, 2009]



Sec. 21.9655  Rates of supplemental educational assistance.

    In addition to basic educational assistance, an individual who is 
eligible for supplemental educational assistance and entitled to it will 
be paid supplemental educational assistance at the rate described in 
this section unless a lesser rate is required by Sec. 21.9675.
    (a) Individuals eligible for supplemental educational assistance 
under chapter 33. (1) The monthly amount of supplemental educational 
assistance payable to an individual whose initial eligibility for 
educational assistance is acquired under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 is set by 
the Secretary of the military department concerned, but may not exceed 
$300 per month for full-time training. Individuals pursuing training at 
less than full-time will receive a percentage of the amount set by the 
Secretary of the military department concerned based on the individual's 
rate of pursuit of training.
    (2) The increase payable under paragraph (a) of this section will 
only be paid to the individual as part of the monthly housing allowance 
if the individual is entitled to receive a monthly housing allowance 
under Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(ii) or (b)(2)(ii) for that term, quarter, or 
semester.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3316)

    (b) Individuals who were eligible for supplemental educational 
assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30. (1) An individual who is eligible 
for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 by reason of an 
irrevocable election under Sec. 21.9520(c) and was entitled to 
supplemental educational assistance under subchapter III of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 30 remains entitled to such additional amount under chapter 33.
    (2) The amount of the increase is set by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned, but may not exceed $300 per month for 
full-time training. Individuals pursuing training at

[[Page 594]]

less than full-time will receive a percentage of the amount set by the 
Secretary of the military department concerned based on the individual's 
rate of pursuit of training.
    (3) The supplemental increase amount payable under paragraph (b) of 
this section will be paid to the individual as a lump sum in an amount 
for the entire quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, based on the 
monthly amount to which the individual was entitled at the time of the 
election of chapter 33.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3021; Pub. L. 110-252, 122 Stat. 2378)



Sec. 21.9660  Rural relocation benefit.

    An individual eligible for educational assistance under this chapter 
is entitled to receive a one-time payment of $500 if the individual--
    (a) Resides in a county (or similar entity utilized by the Bureau of 
the Census) with less than 7 persons per square mile (as determined by 
the most recent decennial Census); and
    (b) Either--
    (1) Physically relocates at least 500 miles in order to pursue a 
program of education for which the individual receives educational 
assistance under this chapter; or
    (2) Travels by air to physically attend an institution of higher 
learning for pursuit of an approved program of education under this 
chapter if no other land-based method of transportation is available due 
to an absence of roads or other infrastructure; and
    (3) Has provided documentation required in Sec. 21.9680(c).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3318)



Sec. 21.9665  Reimbursement for licensing or certification tests.

    An eligible individual is entitled to receive reimbursement for 
taking one licensing or certification test. The amount of educational 
assistance VA will pay as reimbursement for an approved licensing or 
certification test taken on or after August 1, 2009, is the lesser of 
the following:
    (a) The fee that the licensing or certification organization 
offering the test charges for taking the test; or
    (b) $2,000.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3315)



Sec. 21.9670  Work-study allowance.

    An eligible individual pursuing a program of education under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 33 at a rate of pursuit of at least 75 percent may 
receive a work-study allowance in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4145.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3485)



Sec. 21.9675  Conditions that result in reduced rates or no payment.

    The payment rates as established in Secs. 21.9640 and 21.9655 will 
be reduced in accordance with this section whenever the circumstances 
described in this section arise.
    (a) Withdrawals and nonpunitive grades. Except as provided in this 
paragraph, VA will not pay educational assistance for an eligible 
individual's pursuit of a course from which the eligible individual 
withdraws or receives a nonpunitive grade that is not used in computing 
the requirements for graduation. VA may pay educational assistance for a 
course from which the eligible individual withdraws or receives a 
nonpunitive grade if--
    (1) The individual withdraws because he or she is ordered to active-
duty service or, in the case of an individual serving on active duty, he 
or she is ordered to a new duty location or assignment, or ordered to 
perform an increased amount of work; or
    (2) There are mitigating circumstances, and
    (i) The eligible individual submits a description of the mitigating 
circumstances in writing to VA within one year from the date VA notifies 
the eligible individual that a description is needed, or at a later date 
if the eligible individual is able to show good cause why the one-year 
time limit should be extended to the date on which he or she submitted 
the description of the mitigating circumstances; and
    (ii) The eligible individual submits evidence supporting the 
existence of mitigating circumstances within one year of the date VA 
requested the evidence, or at a later date if the eligible individual is 
able to show good cause why the one-year time limit should be

[[Page 595]]

extended to the date on which he or she submitted the evidence 
supporting the existence of mitigating circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a))

    (b) No educational assistance for some incarcerated individuals. VA 
will not pay educational assistance to an eligible individual who is 
incarcerated in a Federal, State, local, or other penal institution or 
correctional facility due to a felony conviction and has incurred no 
expenses for books, supplies, or equipment if--
    (1) The individual is enrolled in a course for which there is no 
tuition and fees;
    (2) The individual is enrolled in a course and the tuition and fees 
for the course are being paid in full by a Federal (other than one 
administered by VA), State, or local program.
    (c) Reduced educational assistance for some incarcerated 
individuals. (1) VA will reduce the amount of educational assistance 
paid to an eligible individual who is incarcerated in a Federal, State, 
local, or other penal institution or correctional facility due to a 
felony conviction if--
    (i) The individual is enrolled in a course for which the tuition and 
fees are paid entirely by a Federal (other than one administered by VA), 
State, or local program, but the individual is required to purchase 
books, supplies, or equipment for the course; or
    (ii) The individual is enrolled in a course for which the tuition 
and fees are paid partially by a Federal (other than one administered by 
VA), State, or local program, whether or not the individual is required 
to purchase books, supplies, or equipment for the course.
    (2) The amount of educational assistance payable for pursuit of an 
approved program of education by an eligible individual, as described in 
this paragraph, will be the lesser of the following--
    (i) The amount equal to any portion of tuition and fees charged for 
the course that are not paid by a Federal (other than one administered 
by VA), State, or local program plus an amount equal to any charges to 
the eligible individual for the cost of necessary books, supplies, and 
equipment; or
    (ii) The amount of tuition and fees otherwise payable to the 
individual based on the individual's length of creditable service as 
determined in Sec. 21.9640(a) and the individual's rate of pursuit, plus 
an amount equal to any charges to the eligible individual for the cost 
of necessary books, supplies, and equipment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3482(g))

    (d) No educational assistance for certain enrollments. VA will not 
pay educational assistance for--
    (1) An enrollment in an audited course (See Sec. 21.4252(i));
    (2) A new enrollment in a course during a period when the approval 
has been suspended by a State approving agency or VA;
    (3) An enrollment in a course by a nonmatriculated student except as 
provided in Sec. 21.4252(l);
    (4) An enrollment in a course certified to VA by the individual 
taking the course;
    (5) A new enrollment in a course which does not meet the veteran-
nonveteran ratio requirement as computed under Sec. 21.4201; and
    (6) An enrollment in a course offered under contract for which VA 
approval is prohibited by Sec. 21.4252(m).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3034(a), 3323(a))



Sec. 21.9680  Certifications and release of payments.

    (a) Payee. (1) VA will make payment of the appropriate amount of 
established charges (including top-up payments), as determined under 
Sec. 21.9640, directly to the institution of higher learning as a lump 
sum payment for the entire quarter, semester, or term, as applicable.
    (2) VA will make all other payments to the eligible individual or a 
duly appointed fiduciary. VA will make direct payment to the eligible 
individual even if he or she is a minor.
    (3) The assignment of educational assistance is prohibited. In 
administering this provision, VA will apply the provisions of 
Sec. 21.4146 to 38 U.S.C. chapter 33.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3313(g), 3323(a), 3680, 5301)


[[Page 596]]


    (b) Payments. (1) VA will pay educational assistance for an eligible 
individual's enrollment in an approved program (other than one seeking 
tuition assistance top-up, one seeking reimbursement for taking an 
approved licensing or certification test, or one who qualifies for an 
advance payment of the monthly housing allowance) only after the 
educational institution has certified the individual's enrollment as 
provided in Sec. 21.9720.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(g), 3689)


(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0073)

    (2) Advance payments. VA will apply the provisions of this section 
in making advance payments of the monthly housing allowance to eligible 
individuals.
    (i) VA will make payments of the monthly housing allowance in 
advance when:
    (A) The eligible individual has specifically requested such a 
payment;
    (B) The individual is enrolled at a rate of pursuit greater than 
half-time;
    (C) The institution of higher learning at which the eligible 
individual is accepted or enrolled has agreed to and can satisfactorily 
carry out the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3680(d)(4)(B), (d)(4)(C), and 
(d)(5) pertaining to receipt, delivery, and return of checks, and 
certifications of delivery and enrollment;
    (D) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction has not acted under paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section to 
prevent advance payments being made to the eligible individual's 
institution of higher learning;
    (E) There is no evidence in the eligible individual's claim file 
showing that he or she is not eligible for an advance payment;
    (F) The period for which the eligible individual has requested a 
payment either--
    (1) Is preceded by an interval of nonpayment of 30 days or more; or
    (2) Is the beginning of a school year that is preceded by a period 
of nonpayment of 30 days or more; and
    (G) The institution of higher learning or the eligible individual 
has submitted the certification required by Sec. 21.9715.
    (ii) The amount of the advance payment to an eligible individual is 
the amount payable for the monthly housing allowance for the month or 
fraction thereof in which the term or course will begin plus the amount 
of the monthly housing allowance for the following month.
    (iii) VA will mail advance payments to the institution of higher 
learning for delivery to the eligible individual. The institution of 
higher learning will not deliver the advance payment check more than 30 
days in advance of the first date of the enrollment period for which VA 
makes the advance payment.
    (iv) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction may direct that advance payments not be made to individuals 
attending an institution of higher learning if:
    (A) The institution of higher learning demonstrates an inability to 
comply with the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section;
    (B) The institution of higher learning fails to provide adequately 
for the safekeeping of the advance payment checks before delivery to the 
eligible individual or return to VA; or
    (C) The Director determines, based on compelling evidence, that the 
institution of higher learning has demonstrated its inability to 
discharge its responsibilities under the advance payment program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034, 3323, 3680)

    (3) Lump sum payments. VA will make a lump sum payment for the 
entire quarter, semester, or term:
    (i) To an institution of higher learning, on behalf of an eligible 
individual, for the appropriate amount of established charges;
    (ii) To an eligible individual for the appropriate amount for books, 
supplies, equipment, and other educational costs; and
    (iii) To an eligible individual entitled to the $500 rural 
relocation benefit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3313, 3318, 3323(a), 3680(f))

    (4) VA will pay educational assistance for tuition assistance top-up 
only

[[Page 597]]

after the individual has submitted to VA a copy of the form(s) that the 
military service with jurisdiction requires for tuition assistance and 
that had been presented to the educational institution, covering the 
course or courses for which the eligible individual wants tuition 
assistance top-up. If the form(s) submitted do not contain the amount of 
tuition assistance charged to the individual, VA may delay payment until 
VA obtains that information from the educational institution. Examples 
of these forms include:
    (i) DA Form 2171, Request for Tuition Assistance--Army Continuing 
Education System;
    (ii) AF Form 1227, Authority for Tuition Assistance--Education 
Services Program;
    (iii) NAVMC 10883, Application for Tuition Assistance, and either 
NAVEDTRA 1560/5, Tuition Assistance Authorization, or NAVMC (page 2), 
Tuition Assistance Authorization;
    (iv) Department of Homeland Security, USCG CG-4147, Application for 
Off-Duty Assistance; and
    (v) Request for Top-Up: eArmyU Program.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5101(a))


(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0698)

    (5) VA will pay educational assistance to an eligible individual as 
reimbursement for taking an approved licensing or certification test 
only after the eligible individual has submitted to VA a copy of his or 
her official test results and, if not included in the results, a copy of 
another official form (such as a receipt or registration form) that 
together must include:
    (i) The name of the test;
    (ii) The name and address of the organization or entity issuing the 
license or certificate;
    (iii) The date the eligible individual took the test; and
    (iv) The cost of the test.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3689)


(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0695)

    (6) Payment for intervals and temporary school closings. VA may 
authorize payment of the monthly housing allowance (as increased under 
Secs. 21.9650(a) and 21.9655(a), if applicable) for an interval or for a 
temporary school closing that occurs within a certified enrollment 
period. If a school closing that is or may be temporary occurs during an 
interval, VA will apply any applicable provisions in paragraphs 
(b)(5)(i) through (b)(5)(v) of this section concerning intervals and in 
paragraph (5)(vi) of this section concerning temporary school closings. 
For the purposes of this paragraph, interval means a period without 
instruction between consecutive school terms, quarters, or semesters or 
a period without instruction between a summer term and a term, quarter, 
or semester. (See definitions of divisions of the school year in 
Sec. 21.4200(b).)
    (i) Payment for intervals. In determining whether a student will be 
paid for an interval, VA will first review the provisions of paragraph 
(b)(5)(ii) of this section. If none of the provisions apply, VA will 
review the provisions of paragraphs (b)(5)(iii), (iv), and (v) of this 
section to determine if payments may be made for the interval. In 
determining the length of a summer term, VA will disregard a fraction of 
a week consisting of 3 days or less, and will consider 4 days or more to 
be a full week.
    (ii) Restrictions on payment for intervals. VA will make no payment 
for an interval if--
    (A) The individual's rate of pursuit is one-half time or less on the 
last day of the certified enrollment period preceding the interval;
    (B) The individual is on active duty;
    (C) The individual requests, prior to authorization of an award or 
prior to negotiating a check or receiving a direct deposit for 
educational assistance, that no benefits be paid for the interval 
period;

[[Page 598]]

    (D) The individual's entitlement applicable to such payment will be 
exhausted by receipt of such payment, and it is to the advantage of the 
individual not to receive payment;
    (E) The interval occurs between school years at a school that is not 
organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis; or
    (F) The individual withdraws from all courses in the term, quarter, 
semester, or summer session preceding the interval, or discontinues 
training before the scheduled start of an interval in an institution of 
higher learning not organized on a term, quarter, or semester basis.
    (iii) Payment for intervals between periods of enrollment at 
different schools. If the individual transfers from one approved school 
for the purpose of enrolling in and pursuing a similar program of 
education at the second school, VA may make payments for an interval 
that does not exceed 30 days. If the student does not enroll in a 
similar program of education at the second school, VA may not make 
payments for the interval.
    (iv) Payment for intervals that occur at the same school. (A) If the 
individual remains enrolled at the same school, VA may make payment for 
an interval which does not exceed 8 weeks and which occurs between:
    (1) Semesters or quarters,
    (2) A semester or quarter and a term that is at least as long as the 
interval,
    (3) A semester or quarter and a summer term that is at least as long 
as the interval,
    (4) Consecutive terms (other than semesters or quarters) provided 
that both terms are at least as long as the interval, or
    (5) A term and summer term provided that both the term and the 
summer term are at least as long as the interval.
    (B) If the individual remains enrolled at the same school, VA may 
make payment for an interval that does not exceed 30 days and that 
occurs between summer sessions within a summer term.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680)

    (v) Payment for intervals that occur between overlapping 
enrollments. (A) If a student is enrolled in overlapping enrollment 
periods whether before or after an interval (either at the same or 
different schools), VA will determine whether the student is entitled to 
payment for the interval between the overlapping enrollment periods, and 
which dates the interval and enrollment periods will be considered to 
begin and end, as follows:
    (1) By treating the ending date of each enrollment period as though 
it were the individual's last date of training before the interval,
    (2) By treating the beginning date of each enrollment period as 
though it were the individual's first date of training after the 
interval,
    (3) By examining the interval payment that would be made to the 
individual on the basis of the various combinations of beginning and 
ending dates, and
    (4) By choosing the ending date and beginning date that result in 
the highest payment rate as the start and finish of the interval for VA 
measurement purposes.
    (B) VA will not reduce the interval rate of payment as a result of 
training the individual may take during the interval, but VA will 
increase the interval rate of payment if warranted by such training.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a))

    (vi) Payment for temporary school closings. VA may authorize payment 
for temporary school closings that are due to emergencies (including 
strikes) or established policy based upon an Executive Order of the 
President. If a school closing that is or may be temporary occurs in 
whole or in part during an interval, VA will first review the provisions 
of paragraph (b)(5)(ii) through (v) of this section to determine if 
payment may be continued during the interval.
    (A) If payment would not be inconsistent with the provisions of 
paragraph (b)(5)(ii) through (v) of this section, a determination to 
authorize payment for a period of a temporary school closing, or to not 
authorize payment if it appears that either the school closing will not 
be temporary or payment would not otherwise be in accord with this 
section, or both, will be made by:

[[Page 599]]

    (1) The Director of the VA Regional Processing Office of 
jurisdiction if:
    (i) The reason for the school closing does not result in the closing 
of a school or schools in the jurisdiction of the Director of another VA 
Regional Processing Office, and
    (ii) If the reason for the closing is a strike, and the strike 
lasts, or is anticipated to last, 30 days or less.
    (2) The Director of Education Service if:
    (i) The reason for the school closing results in the closing of 
schools in the jurisdiction of more than one Director of a VA Regional 
Processing Office, or
    (ii) The reason for the closing is a strike, and the strike lasts, 
or is anticipated to last, more than 30 days.
    (B) A school that disagrees with a decision made under paragraph 
(b)(5)(vi) of this section may request an administrative review. The 
review request must be submitted in writing and received by the Director 
of the VA Regional Processing Office of jurisdiction within one year of 
the date of VA's letter notifying the school of the decision. A review 
of the decision will include the evidence of record and any other 
pertinent evidence the school may wish to submit. The affirmation or 
reversal of the initial decision based on an administrative review is 
final. The review will be conducted by the--
    (1) Director, Education Service, if the Director of the VA Regional 
Processing Office of jurisdiction made the initial decision to continue 
or discontinue payments; or
    (2) Under Secretary for Benefits, if the Director, Education 
Service, made the initial decision to continue or discontinue payments.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512, 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(a))

    (c) Rural relocation benefit. VA will make the $500 rural relocation 
benefit payment after--
    (1) The educational institution has certified the individual's 
enrollment as provided in Sec. 21.9680;
    (2) The individual has provided--
    (i) Request for benefit. An individual must submit a request for the 
rural relocation benefit in writing;
    (ii) Proof of residence. (A) An individual must provide proof of his 
or her place of residence by submitting any of the following documents 
bearing his or her name and current address:
    (1) DD Form 214, Certification of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty; or
    (2) The most recent Federal income tax return; or
    (3) The most recent State income tax return; or
    (4) Rental/lease agreement; or
    (5) Mortgage document; or
    (6) Current real property assessment; or
    (7) Voter registration card.
    (B) An individual using entitlement granted under Sec. 21.9570 who, 
because he or she resides with the transferor or, in the case of a 
child, a parent, cannot provide any of the documents in paragraph 
(c)(2)(ii) of this section, may submit any document in paragraphs 
(c)(2)(ii)(A)(2) through (7) of this section bearing the name and 
current address of the transferor or, in the case of a child, a parent 
as proof of residence; and
    (iii) Proof of relocation. An individual traveling by air must 
provide an airline receipt for travel with a departure and destination 
airport within reasonable distance from the home of residence and the 
institution of higher learning, respectively; and
    (3) VA has determined that the individual resided in a county (or 
similar entity utilized by the Bureau of the Census) with less than 
seven persons per square mile based on the most recent decennial census 
prior to relocation, and either:
    (i) If traveling by land, physically relocated at least 500 miles, 
confirmed by means of a commonly available internet search engine for 
mapping upon entering the individual's resident address provided in 
paragraph (c)(2) as the beginning point and the address of the 
institution of higher learning as the ending point; or
    (ii) If traveling by air, was unable to travel to the institution of 
higher learning by land due to the absence of road or other 
infrastructure.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3318)


[[Page 600]]


    (d) Apportionments prohibited. VA will not apportion educational 
assistance.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680)

    (e) Accrued benefits. Educational assistance remaining due and 
unpaid on the date of the individual's death is payable under the 
provisions of Sec. 3.1000 of this chapter.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5121)



Sec. 21.9685  Tutorial Assistance.

    (a) An individual who is eligible to receive benefits under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 33 may receive additional monetary assistance for 
tutorial services. VA will pay the individual this assistance if the 
tutorial assistance is necessary for the eligible individual to complete 
his or her program of education successfully, and the individual--
    (1) Is enrolled in and pursuing a postsecondary program of education 
at a rate of pursuit of at least 50 percent at an institution of higher 
learning; and
    (2) The professor or other person teaching, leading, or giving the 
course certifies that--
    (i) Tutorial assistance is essential to correct a deficiency of the 
individual in such course; and
    (ii) The course is required as part of, or is prerequisite or 
indispensable to the satisfactory pursuit of, an approved program of 
education.
    (b) Limits on tutorial assistance. (1) VA will authorize the cost of 
tutorial assistance in an amount not to exceed $100 per month.
    (2) The total amount of all tutorial assistance provided under this 
section will not exceed $1,200.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0171)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3314, 3323(a), 3492)



Sec. 21.9690  Nonduplication of educational assistance.

    (a) Except for receipt of a Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty kicker 
provided under 38 U.S.C. 3015(d) or a Montgomery GI Bill-Selected 
Reserve kicker provided under 10 U.S.C. 16131(i), an eligible individual 
is barred from receiving educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
33 concurrently with educational assistance provided under--
    (1) 10 U.S.C. 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve);
    (2) 10 U.S.C. 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program);
    (3) 10 U.S.C. 106a (Section 901, Educational Assistance Test 
Program);
    (4) 38 U.S.C. 30 (Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty);
    (5) 38 U.S.C. 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program);
    (6) 38 U.S.C. 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational 
Assistance);
    (7) 38 U.S.C. 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 
Assistance); or
    (8) Hostage Relief Act of 1980.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3322, 3323(a), 3681; section 901, Pub. L. 
96-342)

    (b) An individual who is eligible for educational assistance under 
more than one program listed in paragraph (a) of this section must 
specify in writing which benefit he or she wishes to receive. The 
eligible individual may choose to receive payment under another 
educational assistance program at any time, but may not change which 
benefit he or she will receive more than once during a term, quarter, or 
semester.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3322, 3323(a), 3681)

    (c) Nonduplication--Federal program. Payment of educational 
assistance is prohibited to an otherwise eligible reservist--
    (1) For a unit course or courses that are being paid for entirely or 
partly by the Armed Forces during any period in which he or she is on 
active duty service; or
    (2) For a unit course or courses that are being paid for entirely or 
partly by the United States under the Government Employees' Training 
Act.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3681)



Sec. 21.9695  Overpayments.

    (a) Prevention of overpayments. In administering educational 
assistance payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33, VA will apply the 
provisions of Secs. 21.4008 and 21.4009 to eligible individuals and,

[[Page 601]]

when appropriate, to institutions of higher learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3690(b))

    (b) Liability for overpayments. (1) An overpayment of educational 
assistance paid to an eligible individual constitutes a liability of 
that individual unless--
    (i) The overpayment was waived as provided in Secs. 1.957 and 1.962 
of this chapter, or
    (ii) The overpayment results from an administrative error or an 
error in judgment. See Sec. 21.9635(r).
    (2) An overpayment of educational assistance paid to the institution 
of higher learning on behalf of an eligible individual constitutes a 
liability of the individual unless the individual never attended the 
term, quarter, or semester certified by the institution of higher 
learning. If the individual never attended the term, quarter, or 
semester certified by the institution of higher learning, the 
institution must return to VA all educational assistance received under 
the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 on behalf of the individual for 
such term, quarter, or semester.
    (3) The amount of the overpayment of educational assistance paid to 
the eligible individual, or paid to the institution of higher learning 
on behalf of the eligible individual, constitutes a liability of the 
institution of higher learning if VA determines that the overpayment is 
the result of willful or negligent--
    (i) False certification by the institution of higher learning; or
    (ii) Failure to certify excessive absences from a course, 
discontinuance of a course, or interruption of a course by the eligible 
individual.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3685)

    (iii) In determining whether an overpayment resulting from the 
actions listed in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section should 
be recovered from an institution of higher learning, VA will apply the 
provisions of Sec. 21.4009 (except paragraph (a)(1)) to overpayments of 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33.
    (4) VA will determine the amount of an overpayment as follows--
    (i) For an individual who does not complete one or more courses in 
the certified period of enrollment for which he or she received payment, 
and who does not substantiate mitigating circumstances for not 
completing such course or courses, VA will establish an overpayment 
equal to the amount of educational assistance paid for the course or 
courses not completed during that certified period of enrollment.
    (ii) For an individual who does not complete one or more courses in 
the certified period of enrollment, but who substantiates mitigating 
circumstances for not completing such course or courses, VA will prorate 
the amount of educational assistance to which he or she is entitled.
    (A) VA will determine the prorated amount of the established charges 
by dividing the amount the individual was paid for the course or courses 
not completed by the number of days in the certified enrollment period, 
and multiplying the result by the number of days from the beginning date 
of the enrollment period through the last date of attendance. The result 
of this calculation will equal the amount the individual is due. The 
difference between the amount of educational assistance paid and the 
amount of educational assistance the individual is due for the course or 
courses not completed will be established as an overpayment.
    (B) VA will determine the prorated amount of the monthly housing 
allowance by determining the amount the individual was entitled to while 
enrolled and subtracting that amount from the total amount paid. The 
difference between the amount of the monthly housing allowance paid and 
the amount of the monthly housing allowance the individual is due will 
be established as an overpayment.
    (C) Individuals who have substantiated mitigating circumstances will 
not be charged an overpayment for the lump sum payment for books, 
supplies, equipment, and other educational costs (``book stipend'').


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323, 3685, 5302)

[[Page 602]]



Sec. 21.9700  Yellow Ribbon Program.

    (a) Establishment. The ``Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement 
Program'', known as the ``Yellow Ribbon Program,'' permits an 
institution of higher learning (IHL), at the IHL's option, to enter into 
an agreement with VA to allow the two parties to provide matching funds 
to cover a portion of the outstanding amount of established charges not 
covered under 38 U.S.C. chapter 3313(c)(1)(A).
    (b) Eligible individuals. This program is only available to 
individuals entitled to the 100 percent educational assistance rate 
(based on service requirements) as shown in the chart in Sec. 21.9640(a) 
or to their designated dependents using entitlement transferred under 
Sec. 21.9570, who are pursuing training at an eligible IHL.
    (c) Eligible IHLs. This program is only available at IHLs located in 
the United States or at a branch of such IHL that is located outside the 
United States.
    (d) Agreements. VA will enter into an agreement with an eligible IHL 
located in the United States seeking to participate in the Yellow Ribbon 
Program based on a general agreement format developed by VA in which the 
IHL must agree to--
    (1) Provide contributions to eligible individuals who apply for such 
program at that institution (in a manner prescribed by the institution) 
on a first-come-first-served basis, regardless of the rate at which the 
individual is pursuing training (i.e., full-time versus less than full-
time), during the academic year;
    (2) Provide contributions during the current academic year and all 
subsequent academic years in which the IHL participates in the Yellow 
Ribbon Program and the student maintains satisfactory progress, conduct, 
and attendance according to the regularly prescribed standards of the 
institution;
    (3) Limit contributions made on behalf of a participant to funds 
under the unrestricted control of the IHL (e.g., a scholarship sent 
directly to an IHL on behalf of an individual or specific group of 
individuals from a third party may not be included in Yellow Ribbon 
Program contributions). Funds received directly or indirectly from 
Federal sources may not be counted toward contributions;
    (4) State the maximum number of individuals for whom contributions 
will be made during the academic year;
    (5) State the manner (whether by direct grant, scholarship, or 
otherwise) contributions will be made under the Yellow Ribbon Program;
    (6) State the maximum dollar amount of contributions that may be 
provided on behalf of any particular individual during the academic year 
regardless of the rate at which the individual is pursuing training. 
IHLs may specify different contributions amounts--
    (i) Based on student status (i.e. , undergraduate, graduate, 
doctoral), or
    (ii) For each subelement of the institution (i.e., college or 
professional school). The maximum amount specified for each subelement 
of the IHL will apply to all programs and disciplines offered under such 
subelement.
    (7) Provide the maximum amount of contributions payable toward the 
unmet established charges to all participating individuals during each 
term, quarter, or semester the individual is enrolled if the IHL's total 
contribution toward the individual's unmet established charges for the 
term, quarter, or semester, do not exceed the maximum dollar amount 
payable during the academic year as specified in paragraph (d)(6) of 
this section.
    (e) Centralized Agreements. IHLs with multiple campuses may enter 
into a single Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement if all participating 
branches and extensions--
    (1) Are listed in the agreement;
    (2) Are subject to the authority of the authorizing official signing 
the Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement; and
    (3) Have a certifying official or other employee who meets the 
requirements of Sec. 21.4266(f)(3)(ii) and who has access to the terms 
of the Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement.
    (f) Matching Contributions. VA will match each dollar provided by 
the school on behalf of an individual; however, the combined amount of 
contributions under the Yellow Ribbon Program may not exceed the 
remaining

[[Page 603]]

amount of established charges not covered under 38 U.S.C. chapter 
3313(c)(1)(A).
    (g) Outreach. The most current list of colleges and universities 
participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program will be available at VA's GI 
Bill Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov. The list will include 
specific information on each school's agreement with VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3317)

                           Pursuit of Courses



Sec. 21.9710  Pursuit.

    Except for an eligible individual seeking tuition assistance top-up 
or reimbursement for taking an approved licensing or certification test, 
an individual's educational assistance depends upon his or her pursuit 
of a program of education. Verification of this pursuit is accomplished 
by various certifications.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3323(c))



Sec. 21.9715  Advance payment certification.

    All certifications required by this section shall be in a form 
specified by the Secretary and shall contain such information as 
specified by the Secretary. An advance payment under this chapter is 
only permissible to an individual whose rate of pursuit is greater than 
half-time, and who is entitled to the monthly housing allowance as 
provided in Sec. 21.9640(b)(1)(ii) or (b)(2)(ii).
    (a) Certification needed before an advance payment can be made. In 
order for an individual to receive an advance payment of the monthly 
housing allowance, an application or other document must be signed by 
the individual or the enrollment certification must be signed by an 
authorized official of the institution of higher learning.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(d))

    (b) Advance payments. All verifications required by this paragraph 
shall be in a form specified by the Secretary and shall contain such 
information as specified by the Secretary.
    (1) For each eligible individual receiving an advance payment, an 
institution of higher learning must--
    (i) Verify enrollment for the individual; and
    (ii) Verify the delivery of the advance payment check to the 
individual.
    (2) Once the institution of higher learning has initially verified 
the enrollment of the individual, the individual, not the institution of 
higher learning, must make subsequent verifications in order to release 
further payment for that enrollment as provided in Sec. 21.9730.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680(d))



Sec. 21.9720  Certification of enrollment.

    Except as stated in Sec. 21.9680, an institution of higher learning 
must certify an eligible individual's enrollment before he or she may 
receive educational assistance.
    (a) Institutions of higher learning must certify most enrollments. 
VA does not, as a condition of payment of tuition assistance top-up or 
advance payment, require institutions of higher learning to certify the 
enrollments of eligible individuals who either are seeking tuition 
assistance top-up or, in the cases described in Sec. 21.9715, are 
seeking an advance payment. VA does not require organizations or 
entities offering a licensing or certification test to certify that the 
eligible individual took the test. In all other cases, the institution 
of higher learning must certify the eligible individual's enrollment 
before he or she may receive educational assistance. This certification 
must be in a form specified by the Secretary and contain such 
information as specified by the Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3014(b), 3031, 3034(a), 3323(a), 3482(g), 3680, 
3687, 3689, 5101(a))

    (b) Length of the enrollment period covered by the enrollment 
certification. (1) Institutions of higher learning that offer courses on 
a term, quarter, or semester basis will report enrollment for the term, 
quarter, semester, ordinary school year, or ordinary school year plus 
summer term. If the certification covers two or more terms, the 
institution of higher learning will report each term, quarter, or 
semester separately.
    (2) Institutions of higher learning organized on a year-round basis 
that do not offer courses on a term, quarter, or

[[Page 604]]

semester basis will report enrollment for the length of the course. The 
certification will include a report of the dates during which the 
institution of higher learning closes for any intervals designated in 
its approval data as breaks between school years.
    (3) When an eligible individual enrolls in a distance learning 
program leading to a standard college degree, the institution of higher 
learning's certification will include--
    (i) The enrollment date; and
    (ii) The ending date for the period being certified. If the 
institution of higher learning has no prescribed maximum time for 
completion, the certification must include an ending date based on the 
educational institution's estimate for completion.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3684)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0073)



Sec. 21.9725  Progress and conduct.

    (a) Satisfactory pursuit of program. In order to receive payments of 
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 for pursuit of a 
program of education, an individual must maintain satisfactory progress. 
VA will discontinue payments of educational assistance if the individual 
does not maintain satisfactory progress. Progress is unsatisfactory if 
the individual does not satisfactorily progress according to the 
regularly prescribed standards of the institution of higher learning he 
or she is attending.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3474)

    (b) Satisfactory conduct. In order to receive educational assistance 
for pursuit of a program of education, an individual must maintain 
satisfactory conduct according to the regularly prescribed standards and 
practices of the institution of higher learning in which he or she is 
enrolled. If the individual will no longer be retained as a student or 
will not be readmitted as a student by the institution of higher 
learning in which he or she is enrolled, VA will discontinue educational 
assistance, unless further development establishes that the institution 
of higher learning's action is wrongfully retaliatory in nature.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3474)

    (c) Satisfactory attendance. In order to receive educational 
assistance for pursuit of a program of education, an individual must 
maintain satisfactory attendance. VA will discontinue educational 
assistance if the individual does not maintain satisfactory attendance. 
Attendance is unsatisfactory if the individual does not attend according 
to the regularly prescribed standards of the institution of higher 
learning in which he or she is enrolled.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3474)

    (d) Reentrance after discontinuance. (1) An eligible individual may 
be reentered following discontinuance because of unsatisfactory 
attendance, conduct, or progress when either:
    (i) The individual resumes enrollment at the same institution of 
higher learning in the same program of education and the institution of 
higher learning has both approved the individual's reenrollment and 
certified it to VA; or
    (ii) VA determines that--
    (A) The cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, conduct or progress 
has been removed, and
    (B) The program that the individual now proposes to pursue is 
suitable to his or her aptitudes, interests, and abilities.
    (2) Reentrance may be for the same program, a revised program, or an 
entirely different program depending on the cause of the discontinuance 
and the removal of that cause.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3474)



Sec. 21.9735  Other required reports.

    VA will apply the provisions of Sec. 21.7156 to individuals and 
institutions of higher learning under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 as those 
provisions are applied to veterans and educational institutions under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 30.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a))

[[Page 605]]



Sec. 21.9740  False, late, or missing reports.

    (a) Eligible individual. Payments may not be based on false or 
misleading statements, claims or reports. VA will apply the provisions 
of Secs. 21.4006 and 21.4007 to any individual who submits false or 
misleading claims, statements, or reports in connection with benefits 
payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 in the same manner as they are 
applied to people who make similar false or misleading claims for 
benefits payable under 38 U.S.C. chapter 36.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3680, 3690, 6103)

    (b) Institution of higher learning. (1) VA may hold an institution 
of higher learning liable for overpayments that result from the 
institution of higher learning's willful or negligent failure to report 
excessive absences from a course, discontinuance of a course, or 
interruption of a course by an individual or from willful or negligent 
false certification by the institution of higher learning. See 
Sec. 21.9695(b).
    (2) If an institution of higher learning willfully and knowingly 
submits a false report or certification, VA may disapprove that 
institution of higher learning's programs of education for further 
enrollments and may discontinue educational assistance to eligible 
individuals already enrolled. In doing so, VA will apply Secs. 21.4210 
through 21.4216.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3690)



Sec. 21.9745  Reporting fee.

    In determining the amount of the reporting fee payable to 
institutions of higher learning for furnishing required reports, VA will 
apply the provisions of Sec. 21.4206 in the same manner as they are 
applied in the administration of 38 U.S.C. chapter 36.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3323(a), 3684)

                            Course Assessment



Sec. 21.9750  Course measurement.

    VA will calculate an individual's rate of pursuit of an approved 
program of education during the individual's period of enrollment in 
accordance with this section. For the purpose of this chapter, VA will 
consider any rate of pursuit higher than 50 percent to be more than one-
half time training.
    (a) Measurement of courses reported in credit hours. If the courses 
are measured in credit hours, then the number of credit hours the 
individual is taking in a term, quarter, or semester will be divided by 
the minimum number of credit hours considered to be full-time pursuit in 
a term, quarter, or semester at the institution of higher learning as 
provided in paragraph (c) of this section. The resulting percentage will 
be the individual's rate of pursuit.
    (b) Measurement of courses reported in clock hours. If the courses 
are measured in clock hours, VA will--
    (1) Convert the clock hours to equivalent credit hours by--
    (i) Adding the total number of clock hours pursued during the term, 
quarter or semester;
    (ii) Dividing the sum of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section by the 
total number of weeks in the term; and
    (iii) Multiplying the result of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section 
rounded to the nearest hundredth by--
    (A) If the institution of higher learning measures courses using 
both credit and clock hours, the decimal determined by dividing the 
number of credit hours considered full-time at the institution by the 
number of clock hours considered full-time at the institution.
    (B) If the institution of higher learning only measures courses 
using clock hours, the decimal determined by dividing 14 credit hours by 
the number of clock hours considered full-time at the institution.
    (2) Divide the result of paragraph (b)(1) rounded to the nearest 
hundredth by the minimum number of credit hours considered to be full-
time pursuit in a term, quarter, or semester as provided in paragraph 
(c) of this section. The resulting percentage will be the individual's 
rate of pursuit.
    (c) Fourteen credit hours are full-time unless the institution of 
higher learning certifies that all undergraduate students enrolled for 
13 credit hours, or for 12 credit hours, are charged full-time tuition 
or are considered full-time for other administrative purposes.

[[Page 606]]

    (d) High school courses. If an individual using transferred 
entitlement is eligible for pursuit of a secondary school diploma or 
equivalency certificate, VA will determine the rate of pursuit in 
accordance with this paragraph. For individuals pursuing high school 
courses measured in--
    (1) Credit hours, VA will use the formula in paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (2) Clock hours, VA will use the formula in paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (3) Units, VA will convert the units to credit hours as follows--
    (i) Divide the total number of units required for the program of 
education by 4 (the number of ordinary school years generally required 
for completion);
    (ii) Round the result of paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section to the 
nearest whole number.
    (iii) Multiply the result of paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section 
by:
    (A) 1.0 to determine the number of units required for a rate of 
pursuit equal to 100 percent. This number is equivalent to 14 credit 
hours;
    (B) .75 to determine the number of units required for a rate of 
pursuit equal to 75 percent. An individual will be considered to be 
enrolled in 10.5 credit hours for any number of units equal to or 
greater than the number determined in this paragraph but less than the 
number determined in paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(A) of this section;
    (C) .50 to determine the number of units required for a rate of 
pursuit equal to 50 percent. An individual will be considered to be 
enrolled in 7 credit hours for any number of units equal to or greater 
than the number determined in this paragraph but less than the number 
determined in paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B) of this section;
    (D) .25 to determine the number of units required for a rate of 
pursuit equal to 25 percent. An individual will be considered to be 
enrolled in 3.5 credit hours for any number of units up to the number 
determined in paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(C) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3319(h))

                    Approval of Programs of Education



Sec. 21.9765  Program of education approval.

    VA may provide educational assistance for pursuit of a program of 
education offered by an institution of higher learning if that program 
of education is approved under 38 U.S.C. chapter 30 in accordance with 
Secs. 21.7220 and 21.7222.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3034(a), 3313(b), 3323(a))

                             Administrative



Sec. 21.9770  Administrative.

    In administering chapter 33, VA will apply the sections noted in 
paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section. For the purpose of 
application, the term ``veteran'' as used in these sections is deemed to 
mean ``an eligible individual under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33,'' and the term 
``38 U.S.C chapter 30'' as used in these sections is deemed to mean ``38 
U.S.C. chapter 33''.
    (a) Section 21.7301--Delegations of authority;
    (b) Section 21.7302--Finality of decisions;
    (c) Section 21.7303--Revision of decisions;
    (d) Section 21.7305--Conflicting interests;
    (e) Section 21.7307--Examination of records; and
    (f) Section 21.7310--Civil rights.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 511, 512(a), 3034(a), 3323(a), 3690, 3696)



PART 23_NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS
OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE--
Table of Contents



                         Subpart A_Introduction

Sec.
23.100  Purpose and effective date.
23.105  Definitions.
23.110  Remedial and affirmative action and self-evaluation.
23.115  Assurance required.
23.120  Transfers of property.
23.125  Effect of other requirements.
23.130  Effect of employment opportunities.
23.135  Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance 
          procedures.
23.140  Dissemination of policy.

[[Page 607]]

                           Subpart B_Coverage

23.200  Application.
23.205  Educational institutions and other entities controlled by 
          religious organizations.
23.210  Military and merchant marine educational institutions.
23.215  Membership practices of certain organizations.
23.220  Admissions.
23.225  Educational institutions eligible to submit transition plans.
23.230  Transition plans.
23.235  Statutory amendments.

     Subpart C_Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and 
                         Recruitment Prohibited

23.300  Admission.
23.305  Preference in admission.
23.310  Recruitment.

 Subpart D_Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or 
                          Activities Prohibited

23.400  Education programs or activities.
23.405  Housing.
23.410  Comparable facilities.
23.415  Access to course offerings.
23.420  Access to schools operated by LEAs.
23.425  Counseling and use of appraisal and counseling materials.
23.430  Financial assistance.
23.435  Employment assistance to students.
23.440  Health and insurance benefits and services.
23.445  Marital or parental status.
23.450  Athletics.
23.455  Textbooks and curricular material.

Subpart E_Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Employment in Education 
                    Programs or Activities Prohibited

23.500  Employment.
23.505  Employment criteria.
23.510  Recruitment.
23.515  Compensation.
23.520  Job classification and structure.
23.525  Fringe benefits.
23.530  Marital or parental status.
23.535  Effect of state or local law or other requirements.
23.540  Advertising.
23.545  Pre-employment inquiries.
23.550  Sex as a bona fide occupational qualification.

                          Subpart F_Procedures

23.600  Notice of covered programs.
23.605  Enforcement procedures.

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688.

    Source: 65 FR 52865, 52889, Aug. 30, 2000, unless otherwise noted.



                         Subpart A_Introduction



Sec. 23.100  Purpose and effective date.

    The purpose of these Title IX regulations is to effectuate Title IX 
of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (except sections 904 and 
906 of those Amendments) (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 
1688), which is designed to eliminate (with certain exceptions) 
discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity 
receiving Federal financial assistance, whether or not such program or 
activity is offered or sponsored by an educational institution as 
defined in these Title IX regulations. The effective date of these Title 
IX regulations shall be September 29, 2000.



Sec. 23.105  Definitions.

    As used in these Title IX regulations, the term:
    Administratively separate unit means a school, department, or 
college of an educational institution (other than a local educational 
agency) admission to which is independent of admission to any other 
component of such institution.
    Admission means selection for part-time, full-time, special, 
associate, transfer, exchange, or any other enrollment, membership, or 
matriculation in or at an education program or activity operated by a 
recipient.
    Applicant means one who submits an application, request, or plan 
required to be approved by an official of the Federal agency that awards 
Federal financial assistance, or by a recipient, as a condition to 
becoming a recipient.
    Designated agency official means Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Resolution Management.
    Educational institution means a local educational agency (LEA) as 
defined by 20 U.S.C. 8801(18), a preschool, a private elementary or 
secondary school, or an applicant or recipient that is an institution of 
graduate higher education, an institution of undergraduate higher 
education, an institution of professional education, or an institution 
of vocational education, as defined in this section.

[[Page 608]]

    Federal financial assistance means any of the following, when 
authorized or extended under a law administered by the Federal agency 
that awards such assistance:
    (1) A grant or loan of Federal financial assistance, including funds 
made available for:
    (i) The acquisition, construction, renovation, restoration, or 
repair of a building or facility or any portion thereof; and
    (ii) Scholarships, loans, grants, wages, or other funds extended to 
any entity for payment to or on behalf of students admitted to that 
entity, or extended directly to such students for payment to that 
entity.
    (2) A grant of Federal real or personal property or any interest 
therein, including surplus property, and the proceeds of the sale or 
transfer of such property, if the Federal share of the fair market value 
of the property is not, upon such sale or transfer, properly accounted 
for to the Federal Government.
    (3) Provision of the services of Federal personnel.
    (4) Sale or lease of Federal property or any interest therein at 
nominal consideration, or at consideration reduced for the purpose of 
assisting the recipient or in recognition of public interest to be 
served thereby, or permission to use Federal property or any interest 
therein without consideration.
    (5) Any other contract, agreement, or arrangement that has as one of 
its purposes the provision of assistance to any education program or 
activity, except a contract of insurance or guaranty.
    Institution of graduate higher education means an institution that:
    (1) Offers academic study beyond the bachelor of arts or bachelor of 
science degree, whether or not leading to a certificate of any higher 
degree in the liberal arts and sciences;
    (2) Awards any degree in a professional field beyond the first 
professional degree (regardless of whether the first professional degree 
in such field is awarded by an institution of undergraduate higher 
education or professional education); or
    (3) Awards no degree and offers no further academic study, but 
operates ordinarily for the purpose of facilitating research by persons 
who have received the highest graduate degree in any field of study.
    Institution of professional education means an institution (except 
any institution of undergraduate higher education) that offers a program 
of academic study that leads to a first professional degree in a field 
for which there is a national specialized accrediting agency recognized 
by the Secretary of Education.
    Institution of undergraduate higher education means:
    (1) An institution offering at least two but less than four years of 
college-level study beyond the high school level, leading to a diploma 
or an associate degree, or wholly or principally creditable toward a 
baccalaureate degree; or
    (2) An institution offering academic study leading to a 
baccalaureate degree; or
    (3) An agency or body that certifies credentials or offers degrees, 
but that may or may not offer academic study.
    Institution of vocational education means a school or institution 
(except an institution of professional or graduate or undergraduate 
higher education) that has as its primary purpose preparation of 
students to pursue a technical, skilled, or semiskilled occupation or 
trade, or to pursue study in a technical field, whether or not the 
school or institution offers certificates, diplomas, or degrees and 
whether or not it offers full-time study.
    Recipient means any State or political subdivision thereof, or any 
instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof, any public 
or private agency, institution, or organization, or other entity, or any 
person, to whom Federal financial assistance is extended directly or 
through another recipient and that operates an education program or 
activity that receives such assistance, including any subunit, 
successor, assignee, or transferee thereof.
    Student means a person who has gained admission.
    Title IX means Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Public 
Law 92-318, 86 Stat. 235, 373 (codified as amended at 20 U.S.C. 1681-
1688) (except sections 904 and 906 thereof), as amended by section 3 of 
Public Law 93-568, 88

[[Page 609]]

Stat. 1855, by section 412 of the Education Amendments of 1976, Public 
Law 94-482, 90 Stat. 2234, and by Section 3 of Public Law 100-259, 102 
Stat. 28, 28-29 (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688).
    Title IX regulations means the provisions set forth at Secs. 23.100 
through 23.605.
    Transition plan means a plan subject to the approval of the 
Secretary of Education pursuant to section 901(a)(2) of the Education 
Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 1681(a)(2), under which an educational 
institution operates in making the transition from being an educational 
institution that admits only students of one sex to being one that 
admits students of both sexes without discrimination.

[65 FR 52865, 52889, 52890, Aug. 30, 2000]



Sec. 23.110  Remedial and affirmative action and self-evaluation.

    (a) Remedial action. If the designated agency official finds that a 
recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of sex in an 
education program or activity, such recipient shall take such remedial 
action as the designated agency official deems necessary to overcome the 
effects of such discrimination.
    (b) Affirmative action. In the absence of a finding of 
discrimination on the basis of sex in an education program or activity, 
a recipient may take affirmative action consistent with law to overcome 
the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation therein 
by persons of a particular sex. Nothing in these Title IX regulations 
shall be interpreted to alter any affirmative action obligations that a 
recipient may have under Executive Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., 
p. 339; as amended by Executive Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 
684; as amended by Executive Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 
803; as amended by Executive Order 12086, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as 
amended by Executive Order 12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264.
    (c) Self-evaluation. Each recipient education institution shall, 
within one year of September 29, 2000:
    (1) Evaluate, in terms of the requirements of these Title IX 
regulations, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof 
concerning admission of students, treatment of students, and employment 
of both academic and non-academic personnel working in connection with 
the recipient's education program or activity;
    (2) Modify any of these policies and practices that do not or may 
not meet the requirements of these Title IX regulations; and
    (3) Take appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any 
discrimination that resulted or may have resulted from adherence to 
these policies and practices.
    (d) Availability of self-evaluation and related materials. 
Recipients shall maintain on file for at least three years following 
completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (c) of this 
section, and shall provide to the designated agency official upon 
request, a description of any modifications made pursuant to paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section and of any remedial steps taken pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.



Sec. 23.115  Assurance required.

    (a) General. Either at the application stage or the award stage, 
Federal agencies must ensure that applications for Federal financial 
assistance or awards of Federal financial assistance contain, be 
accompanied by, or be covered by a specifically identified assurance 
from the applicant or recipient, satisfactory to the designated agency 
official, that each education program or activity operated by the 
applicant or recipient and to which these Title IX regulations apply 
will be operated in compliance with these Title IX regulations. An 
assurance of compliance with these Title IX regulations shall not be 
satisfactory to the designated agency official if the applicant or 
recipient to whom such assurance applies fails to commit itself to take 
whatever remedial action is necessary in accordance with Sec. 23.110(a) 
to eliminate existing discrimination on the basis of sex or to eliminate 
the effects of past discrimination whether occurring prior to or 
subsequent to the submission to the designated agency official of such 
assurance.
    (b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial 
assistance extended to provide real property or

[[Page 610]]

structures thereon, such assurance shall obligate the recipient or, in 
the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during 
which the real property or structures are used to provide an education 
program or activity.
    (2) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide 
personal property, such assurance shall obligate the recipient for the 
period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property.
    (3) In all other cases such assurance shall obligate the recipient 
for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended.
    (c) Form. (1) The assurances required by paragraph (a) of this 
section, which may be included as part of a document that addresses 
other assurances or obligations, shall include that the applicant or 
recipient will comply with all applicable Federal statutes relating to 
nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: Title IX of the 
Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1681-1683, 1685-
1688).
    (2) The designated agency official will specify the extent to which 
such assurances will be required of the applicant's or recipient's 
subgrantees, contractors, subcontractors, transferees, or successors in 
interest.



Sec. 23.120  Transfers of property.

    If a recipient sells or otherwise transfers property financed in 
whole or in part with Federal financial assistance to a transferee that 
operates any education program or activity, and the Federal share of the 
fair market value of the property is not upon such sale or transfer 
properly accounted for to the Federal Government, both the transferor 
and the transferee shall be deemed to be recipients, subject to the 
provisions of Secs. 23.205 through 23.235(a).



Sec. 23.125  Effect of other requirements.

    (a) Effect of other Federal provisions. The obligations imposed by 
these Title IX regulations are independent of, and do not alter, 
obligations not to discriminate on the basis of sex imposed by Executive 
Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339; as amended by Executive 
Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 684; as amended by Executive 
Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 803; as amended by Executive 
Order 12087, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as amended by Executive Order 
12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264; sections 704 and 855 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295m, 298b-2); Title VII of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); the Equal Pay Act of 1963 
(29 U.S.C. 206); and any other Act of Congress or Federal regulation.
    (b) Effect of State or local law or other requirements. The 
obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or 
alleviated by any State or local law or other requirement that would 
render any applicant or student ineligible, or limit the eligibility of 
any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, to practice any 
occupation or profession.
    (c) Effect of rules or regulations of private organizations. The 
obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or 
alleviated by any rule or regulation of any organization, club, athletic 
or other league, or association that would render any applicant or 
student ineligible to participate or limit the eligibility or 
participation of any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, in any 
education program or activity operated by a recipient and that receives 
Federal financial assistance.



Sec. 23.130  Effect of employment opportunities.

    The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not 
obviated or alleviated because employment opportunities in any 
occupation or profession are or may be more limited for members of one 
sex than for members of the other sex.



Sec. 23.135  Designation of responsible employee and adoption 
of grievance procedures.

    (a) Designation of responsible employee. Each recipient shall 
designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with 
and carry out its responsibilities under these Title IX regulations, 
including any investigation of any complaint communicated to such 
recipient alleging its noncompliance

[[Page 611]]

with these Title IX regulations or alleging any actions that would be 
prohibited by these Title IX regulations. The recipient shall notify all 
its students and employees of the name, office address, and telephone 
number of the employee or employees appointed pursuant to this 
paragraph.
    (b) Complaint procedure of recipient. A recipient shall adopt and 
publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable 
resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that 
would be prohibited by these Title IX regulations.



Sec. 23.140  Dissemination of policy.

    (a) Notification of policy. (1) Each recipient shall implement 
specific and continuing steps to notify applicants for admission and 
employment, students and parents of elementary and secondary school 
students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and 
employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding 
collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient, 
that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational 
programs or activities that it operates, and that it is required by 
Title IX and these Title IX regulations not to discriminate in such a 
manner. Such notification shall contain such information, and be made in 
such manner, as the designated agency official finds necessary to 
apprise such persons of the protections against discrimination assured 
them by Title IX and these Title IX regulations, but shall state at 
least that the requirement not to discriminate in education programs or 
activities extends to employment therein, and to admission thereto 
unless Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 do not apply to the recipient, and 
that inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and these Title IX 
regulations to such recipient may be referred to the employee designated 
pursuant to Sec. 23.135, or to the designated agency official.
    (2) Each recipient shall make the initial notification required by 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section within 90 days of September 29, 2000 or 
of the date these Title IX regulations first apply to such recipient, 
whichever comes later, which notification shall include publication in:
    (i) Newspapers and magazines operated by such recipient or by 
student, alumnae, or alumni groups for or in connection with such 
recipient; and
    (ii) Memoranda or other written communications distributed to every 
student and employee of such recipient.
    (b) Publications. (1) Each recipient shall prominently include a 
statement of the policy described in paragraph (a) of this section in 
each announcement, bulletin, catalog, or application form that it makes 
available to any person of a type, described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, or which is otherwise used in connection with the recruitment 
of students or employees.
    (2) A recipient shall not use or distribute a publication of the 
type described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that suggests, by 
text or illustration, that such recipient treats applicants, students, 
or employees differently on the basis of sex except as such treatment is 
permitted by these Title IX regulations.
    (c) Distribution. Each recipient shall distribute without 
discrimination on the basis of sex each publication described in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and shall apprise each of its 
admission and employment recruitment representatives of the policy of 
nondiscrimination described in paragraph (a) of this section, and shall 
require such representatives to adhere to such policy.



                           Subpart B_Coverage



Sec. 23.200  Application.

    Except as provided in Secs. 23.205 through 23.235(a), these Title IX 
regulations apply to every recipient and to each education program or 
activity operated by such recipient that receives Federal financial 
assistance.



Sec. 23.205  Educational institutions and other entities controlled
by religious organizations.

    (a) Exemption. These Title IX regulations do not apply to any 
operation of an educational institution or other entity that is 
controlled by a religious organization to the extent that application of 
these Title IX regulations

[[Page 612]]

would not be consistent with the religious tenets of such organization.
    (b) Exemption claims. An educational institution or other entity 
that wishes to claim the exemption set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section shall do so by submitting in writing to the designated agency 
official a statement by the highest-ranking official of the institution, 
identifying the provisions of these Title IX regulations that conflict 
with a specific tenet of the religious organization.



Sec. 23.210  Military and merchant marine educational institutions.

    These Title IX regulations do not apply to an educational 
institution whose primary purpose is the training of individuals for a 
military service of the United States or for the merchant marine.



Sec. 23.215  Membership practices of certain organizations.

    (a) Social fraternities and sororities. These Title IX regulations 
do not apply to the membership practices of social fraternities and 
sororities that are exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), the active membership 
of which consists primarily of students in attendance at institutions of 
higher education.
    (b) YMCA, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls. These 
Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of the 
Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the Young Women's Christian 
Association (YWCA), the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire 
Girls.
    (c) Voluntary youth service organizations. These Title IX 
regulations do not apply to the membership practices of a voluntary 
youth service organization that is exempt from taxation under section 
501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), and the 
membership of which has been traditionally limited to members of one sex 
and principally to persons of less than nineteen years of age.



Sec. 23.220  Admissions.

    (a) Admissions to educational institutions prior to June 24, 1973, 
are not covered by these Title IX regulations.
    (b) Administratively separate units. For the purposes only of this 
section, Secs. 23.225 and 23.230, and Secs. 23.300 through 23.310, each 
administratively separate unit shall be deemed to be an educational 
institution.
    (c) Application of Secs. 23.300 through .310. Except as provided in 
paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 
apply to each recipient. A recipient to which Secs. 23.300 through 
23.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission or 
recruitment in violation of Secs. 23.300 through 23.310.
    (d) Educational institutions. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of 
this section as to recipients that are educational institutions, 
Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 apply only to institutions of vocational 
education, professional education, graduate higher education, and public 
institutions of undergraduate higher education.
    (e) Public institutions of undergraduate higher education. 
Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 do not apply to any public institution of 
undergraduate higher education that traditionally and continually from 
its establishment has had a policy of admitting students of only one 
sex.



Sec. 23.225  Educational institutions eligible to submit transition
plans.

    (a) Application. This section applies to each educational 
institution to which Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 apply that:
    (1) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 
23, 1972; or
    (2) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 
23, 1965, but thereafter admitted, as regular students, students of the 
sex not admitted prior to June 23, 1965.
    (b) Provision for transition plans. An educational institution to 
which this section applies shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in 
admission or recruitment in violation of Secs. 23.300 through 23.310.



Sec. 23.230  Transition plans.

    (a) Submission of plans. An institution to which Sec. 23.225 applies 
and that is composed of more than one administratively separate unit may 
submit either a single transition plan applicable to

[[Page 613]]

all such units, or a separate transition plan applicable to each such 
unit.
    (b) Content of plans. In order to be approved by the Secretary of 
Education, a transition plan shall:
    (1) State the name, address, and Federal Interagency Committee on 
Education Code of the educational institution submitting such plan, the 
administratively separate units to which the plan is applicable, and the 
name, address, and telephone number of the person to whom questions 
concerning the plan may be addressed. The person who submits the plan 
shall be the chief administrator or president of the institution, or 
another individual legally authorized to bind the institution to all 
actions set forth in the plan.
    (2) State whether the educational institution or administratively 
separate unit admits students of both sexes as regular students and, if 
so, when it began to do so.
    (3) Identify and describe with respect to the educational 
institution or administratively separate unit any obstacles to admitting 
students without discrimination on the basis of sex.
    (4) Describe in detail the steps necessary to eliminate as soon as 
practicable each obstacle so identified and indicate the schedule for 
taking these steps and the individual directly responsible for their 
implementation.
    (5) Include estimates of the number of students, by sex, expected to 
apply for, be admitted to, and enter each class during the period 
covered by the plan.
    (c) Nondiscrimination. No policy or practice of a recipient to which 
Sec. 23.225 applies shall result in treatment of applicants to or 
students of such recipient in violation of Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 
unless such treatment is necessitated by an obstacle identified in 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section and a schedule for eliminating that 
obstacle has been provided as required by paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section.
    (d) Effects of past exclusion. To overcome the effects of past 
exclusion of students on the basis of sex, each educational institution 
to which Sec. 23.225 applies shall include in its transition plan, and 
shall implement, specific steps designed to encourage individuals of the 
previously excluded sex to apply for admission to such institution. Such 
steps shall include instituting recruitment programs that emphasize the 
institution's commitment to enrolling students of the sex previously 
excluded.



Sec. 23.235  Statutory amendments.

    (a) This section, which applies to all provisions of these Title IX 
regulations, addresses statutory amendments to Title IX.
    (b) These Title IX regulations shall not apply to or preclude:
    (1) Any program or activity of the American Legion undertaken in 
connection with the organization or operation of any Boys State 
conference, Boys Nation conference, Girls State conference, or Girls 
Nation conference;
    (2) Any program or activity of a secondary school or educational 
institution specifically for:
    (i) The promotion of any Boys State conference, Boys Nation 
conference, Girls State conference, or Girls Nation conference; or
    (ii) The selection of students to attend any such conference;
    (3) Father-son or mother-daughter activities at an educational 
institution or in an education program or activity, but if such 
activities are provided for students of one sex, opportunities for 
reasonably comparable activities shall be provided to students of the 
other sex;
    (4) Any scholarship or other financial assistance awarded by an 
institution of higher education to an individual because such individual 
has received such award in a single-sex pageant based upon a combination 
of factors related to the individual's personal appearance, poise, and 
talent. The pageant, however, must comply with other nondiscrimination 
provisions of Federal law.
    (c) Program or activity or program means:
    (1) All of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs 
(c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section, any part of which is extended 
Federal financial assistance:
    (i)(A) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or

[[Page 614]]

    (B) The entity of such State or local government that distributes 
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State 
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the 
case of assistance to a State or local government;
    (ii)(A) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, 
or a public system of higher education; or
    (B) A local educational agency (as defined in section 8801 of title 
20), system of vocational education, or other school system;
    (iii)(A) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private 
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
    (1) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, 
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
    (2) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing 
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and 
recreation; or
    (B) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate 
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case 
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole 
proprietorship; or
    (iv) Any other entity that is established by two or more of the 
entities described in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this 
section.
    (2)(i) Program or activity does not include any operation of an 
entity that is controlled by a religious organization if the application 
of 20 U.S.C. 1681 to such operation would not be consistent with the 
religious tenets of such organization.
    (ii) For example, all of the operations of a college, university, or 
other postsecondary institution, including but not limited to 
traditional educational operations, faculty and student housing, campus 
shuttle bus service, campus restaurants, the bookstore, and other 
commercial activities are part of a ``program or activity'' subject to 
these Title IX regulations if the college, university, or other 
institution receives Federal financial assistance.
    (d)(1) Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be construed to 
require or prohibit any person, or public or private entity, to provide 
or pay for any benefit or service, including the use of facilities, 
related to an abortion. Medical procedures, benefits, services, and the 
use of facilities, necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman or to 
address complications related to an abortion are not subject to this 
section.
    (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a penalty 
to be imposed on any person or individual because such person or 
individual is seeking or has received any benefit or service related to 
a legal abortion. Accordingly, subject to paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied 
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, 
extracurricular, research, occupational training, employment, or other 
educational program or activity operated by a recipient that receives 
Federal financial assistance because such individual has sought or 
received, or is seeking, a legal abortion, or any benefit or service 
related to a legal abortion.



     Subpart C_Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and 
                         Recruitment Prohibited



Sec. 23.300  Admission.

    (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied 
admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any 
recipient to which Secs. 23.300 through Secs. 23.310 apply, except as 
provided in Secs. 23.225 and Secs. 23.230.
    (b) Specific prohibitions. (1) In determining whether a person 
satisfies any policy or criterion for admission, or in making any offer 
of admission, a recipient to which Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 apply 
shall not:
    (i) Give preference to one person over another on the basis of sex, 
by ranking applicants separately on such basis, or otherwise;
    (ii) Apply numerical limitations upon the number or proportion of 
persons of either sex who may be admitted; or
    (iii) Otherwise treat one individual differently from another on the 
basis of sex.
    (2) A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other 
criterion for admission that has a disproportionately adverse effect on 
persons on the

[[Page 615]]

basis of sex unless the use of such test or criterion is shown to 
predict validly success in the education program or activity in question 
and alternative tests or criteria that do not have such a 
disproportionately adverse effect are shown to be unavailable.
    (c) Prohibitions relating to marital or parental status. In 
determining whether a person satisfies any policy or criterion for 
admission, or in making any offer of admission, a recipient to which 
Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 apply:
    (1) Shall not apply any rule concerning the actual or potential 
parental, family, or marital status of a student or applicant that 
treats persons differently on the basis of sex;
    (2) Shall not discriminate against or exclude any person on the 
basis of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery 
therefrom, or establish or follow any rule or practice that so 
discriminates or excludes;
    (3) Subject to Sec. 23.235(d), shall treat disabilities related to 
pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom 
in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary 
disability or physical condition; and
    (4) Shall not make pre-admission inquiry as to the marital status of 
an applicant for admission, including whether such applicant is ``Miss'' 
or ``Mrs.'' A recipient may make pre-admission inquiry as to the sex of 
an applicant for admission, but only if such inquiry is made equally of 
such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are not 
used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX 
regulations.



Sec. 23.305  Preference in admission.

    A recipient to which Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 apply shall not 
give preference to applicants for admission, on the basis of attendance 
at any educational institution or other school or entity that admits as 
students only or predominantly members of one sex, if the giving of such 
preference has the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in 
violation of Secs. 23.300 through 23.310.



Sec. 23.310  Recruitment.

    (a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment. A recipient to which Secs. 23.300 
through 23.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in the 
recruitment and admission of students. A recipient may be required to 
undertake additional recruitment efforts for one sex as remedial action 
pursuant to Sec. 23.110(a), and may choose to undertake such efforts as 
affirmative action pursuant to Sec. 23.110(b).
    (b) Recruitment at certain institutions. A recipient to which 
Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 apply shall not recruit primarily or 
exclusively at educational institutions, schools, or entities that admit 
as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if such actions 
have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of 
Secs. 23.300 through 23.310.



 Subpart D_Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or 
                          Activities Prohibited



Sec. 23.400  Education programs or activities.

    (a) General. Except as provided elsewhere in these Title IX 
regulations, no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from 
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to 
discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, 
occupational training, or other education program or activity operated 
by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance. Sections 
23.400 through 23.455 do not apply to actions of a recipient in 
connection with admission of its students to an education program or 
activity of a recipient to which Secs. 23.300 through 23.310 do not 
apply, or an entity, not a recipient, to which Secs. 23.300 through 
23.310 would not apply if the entity were a recipient.
    (b) Specific prohibitions. Except as provided in Secs. 23.400 
through 23.455, in providing any aid, benefit, or service to a student, 
a recipient shall not, on the basis of sex:
    (1) Treat one person differently from another in determining whether 
such person satisfies any requirement or condition for the provision of 
such aid, benefit, or service;
    (2) Provide different aid, benefits, or services or provide aid, 
benefits, or services in a different manner;

[[Page 616]]

    (3) Deny any person any such aid, benefit, or service;
    (4) Subject any person to separate or different rules of behavior, 
sanctions, or other treatment;
    (5) Apply any rule concerning the domicile or residence of a student 
or applicant, including eligibility for in-state fees and tuition;
    (6) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against any person by providing 
significant assistance to any agency, organization, or person that 
discriminates on the basis of sex in providing any aid, benefit, or 
service to students or employees;
    (7) Otherwise limit any person in the enjoyment of any right, 
privilege, advantage, or opportunity.
    (c) Assistance administered by a recipient educational institution 
to study at a foreign institution. A recipient educational institution 
may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, 
fellowships, or other awards established by foreign or domestic wills, 
trusts, or similar legal instruments, or by acts of foreign governments 
and restricted to members of one sex, that are designed to provide 
opportunities to study abroad, and that are awarded to students who are 
already matriculating at or who are graduates of the recipient 
institution; Provided, that a recipient educational institution that 
administers or assists in the administration of such scholarships, 
fellowships, or other awards that are restricted to members of one sex 
provides, or otherwise makes available, reasonable opportunities for 
similar studies for members of the other sex. Such opportunities may be 
derived from either domestic or foreign sources.
    (d) Aids, benefits or services not provided by recipient. (1) This 
paragraph (d) applies to any recipient that requires participation by 
any applicant, student, or employee in any education program or activity 
not operated wholly by such recipient, or that facilitates, permits, or 
considers such participation as part of or equivalent to an education 
program or activity operated by such recipient, including participation 
in educational consortia and cooperative employment and student-teaching 
assignments.
    (2) Such recipient:
    (i) Shall develop and implement a procedure designed to assure 
itself that the operator or sponsor of such other education program or 
activity takes no action affecting any applicant, student, or employee 
of such recipient that these Title IX regulations would prohibit such 
recipient from taking; and
    (ii) Shall not facilitate, require, permit, or consider such 
participation if such action occurs.



Sec. 23.405  Housing.

    (a) Generally. A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, apply 
different rules or regulations, impose different fees or requirements, 
or offer different services or benefits related to housing, except as 
provided in this section (including housing provided only to married 
students).
    (b) Housing provided by recipient. (1) A recipient may provide 
separate housing on the basis of sex.
    (2) Housing provided by a recipient to students of one sex, when 
compared to that provided to students of the other sex, shall be as a 
whole:
    (i) Proportionate in quantity to the number of students of that sex 
applying for such housing; and
    (ii) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.
    (c) Other housing. (1) A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, 
administer different policies or practices concerning occupancy by its 
students of housing other than that provided by such recipient.
    (2)(i) A recipient which, through solicitation, listing, approval of 
housing, or otherwise, assists any agency, organization, or person in 
making housing available to any of its students, shall take such 
reasonable action as may be necessary to assure itself that such housing 
as is provided to students of one sex, when compared to that provided to 
students of the other sex, is as a whole:
    (A) Proportionate in quantity; and
    (B) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.
    (ii) A recipient may render such assistance to any agency, 
organization, or person that provides all or part of such housing to 
students of only one sex.

[[Page 617]]



Sec. 23.410  Comparable facilities.

    A recipient may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower 
facilities on the basis of sex, but such facilities provided for 
students of one sex shall be comparable to such facilities provided for 
students of the other sex.



Sec. 23.415  Access to course offerings.

    (a) A recipient shall not provide any course or otherwise carry out 
any of its education program or activity separately on the basis of sex, 
or require or refuse participation therein by any of its students on 
such basis, including health, physical education, industrial, business, 
vocational, technical, home economics, music, and adult education 
courses.
    (b)(1) With respect to classes and activities in physical education 
at the elementary school level, the recipient shall comply fully with 
this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one 
year from September 29, 2000. With respect to physical education classes 
and activities at the secondary and post-secondary levels, the recipient 
shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in 
no event later than three years from September 29, 2000.
    (2) This section does not prohibit grouping of students in physical 
education classes and activities by ability as assessed by objective 
standards of individual performance developed and applied without regard 
to sex.
    (3) This section does not prohibit separation of students by sex 
within physical education classes or activities during participation in 
wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and other 
sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact.
    (4) Where use of a single standard of measuring skill or progress in 
a physical education class has an adverse effect on members of one sex, 
the recipient shall use appropriate standards that do not have such 
effect.
    (5) Portions of classes in elementary and secondary schools, or 
portions of education programs or activities, that deal exclusively with 
human sexuality may be conducted in separate sessions for boys and 
girls.
    (6) Recipients may make requirements based on vocal range or quality 
that may result in a chorus or choruses of one or predominantly one sex.



Sec. 23.420  Access to schools operated by LEAs.

    A recipient that is a local educational agency shall not, on the 
basis of sex, exclude any person from admission to:
    (a) Any institution of vocational education operated by such 
recipient; or
    (b) Any other school or educational unit operated by such recipient, 
unless such recipient otherwise makes available to such person, pursuant 
to the same policies and criteria of admission, courses, services, and 
facilities comparable to each course, service, and facility offered in 
or through such schools.



Sec. 23.425  Counseling and use of appraisal and counseling materials.

    (a) Counseling. A recipient shall not discriminate against any 
person on the basis of sex in the counseling or guidance of students or 
applicants for admission.
    (b) Use of appraisal and counseling materials. A recipient that uses 
testing or other materials for appraising or counseling students shall 
not use different materials for students on the basis of their sex or 
use materials that permit or require different treatment of students on 
such basis unless such different materials cover the same occupations 
and interest areas and the use of such different materials is shown to 
be essential to eliminate sex bias. Recipients shall develop and use 
internal procedures for ensuring that such materials do not discriminate 
on the basis of sex. Where the use of a counseling test or other 
instrument results in a substantially disproportionate number of members 
of one sex in any particular course of study or classification, the 
recipient shall take such action as is necessary to assure itself that 
such disproportion is not the result of discrimination in the instrument 
or its application.
    (c) Disproportion in classes. Where a recipient finds that a 
particular class contains a substantially disproportionate number of 
individuals of one

[[Page 618]]

sex, the recipient shall take such action as is necessary to assure 
itself that such disproportion is not the result of discrimination on 
the basis of sex in counseling or appraisal materials or by counselors.



Sec. 23.430  Financial assistance.

    (a) General. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section, in providing financial assistance to any of its students, a 
recipient shall not:
    (1) On the basis of sex, provide different amounts or types of such 
assistance, limit eligibility for such assistance that is of any 
particular type or source, apply different criteria, or otherwise 
discriminate;
    (2) Through solicitation, listing, approval, provision of 
facilities, or other services, assist any foundation, trust, agency, 
organization, or person that provides assistance to any of such 
recipient's students in a manner that discriminates on the basis of sex; 
or
    (3) Apply any rule or assist in application of any rule concerning 
eligibility for such assistance that treats persons of one sex 
differently from persons of the other sex with regard to marital or 
parental status.
    (b) Financial aid established by certain legal instruments. (1) A 
recipient may administer or assist in the administration of 
scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance 
established pursuant to domestic or foreign wills, trusts, bequests, or 
similar legal instruments or by acts of a foreign government that 
require that awards be made to members of a particular sex specified 
therein; Provided, that the overall effect of the award of such sex-
restricted scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial 
assistance does not discriminate on the basis of sex.
    (2) To ensure nondiscriminatory awards of assistance as required in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, recipients shall develop and use 
procedures under which:
    (i) Students are selected for award of financial assistance on the 
basis of nondiscriminatory criteria and not on the basis of availability 
of funds restricted to members of a particular sex;
    (ii) An appropriate sex-restricted scholarship, fellowship, or other 
form of financial assistance is allocated to each student selected under 
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section; and
    (iii) No student is denied the award for which he or she was 
selected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section because of the 
absence of a scholarship, fellowship, or other form of financial 
assistance designated for a member of that student's sex.
    (c) Athletic scholarships. (1) To the extent that a recipient awards 
athletic scholarships or grants-in-aid, it must provide reasonable 
opportunities for such awards for members of each sex in proportion to 
the number of students of each sex participating in interscholastic or 
intercollegiate athletics.
    (2) A recipient may provide separate athletic scholarships or 
grants-in-aid for members of each sex as part of separate athletic teams 
for members of each sex to the extent consistent with this paragraph (c) 
and Sec. 23.450.



Sec. 23.435  Employment assistance to students.

    (a) Assistance by recipient in making available outside employment. 
A recipient that assists any agency, organization, or person in making 
employment available to any of its students:
    (1) Shall assure itself that such employment is made available 
without discrimination on the basis of sex; and
    (2) Shall not render such services to any agency, organization, or 
person that discriminates on the basis of sex in its employment 
practices.
    (b) Employment of students by recipients. A recipient that employs 
any of its students shall not do so in a manner that violates 
Secs. 23.500 through 23.550.



Sec. 23.440  Health and insurance benefits and services.

    Subject to Sec. 23.235(d), in providing a medical, hospital, 
accident, or life insurance benefit, service, policy, or plan to any of 
its students, a recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, or 
provide such benefit, service, policy, or plan in a manner that would 
violate Secs. 23.500 through 23.550 if it were provided to employees of 
the recipient. This section shall not prohibit a recipient from 
providing any benefit or service that may be used by a different 
proportion of students of one sex than of

[[Page 619]]

the other, including family planning services. However, any recipient 
that provides full coverage health service shall provide gynecological 
care.



Sec. 23.445  Marital or parental status.

    (a) Status generally. A recipient shall not apply any rule 
concerning a student's actual or potential parental, family, or marital 
status that treats students differently on the basis of sex.
    (b) Pregnancy and related conditions. (1) A recipient shall not 
discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its 
education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular 
activity, on the basis of such student's pregnancy, childbirth, false 
pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, unless the 
student requests voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the 
program or activity of the recipient.
    (2) A recipient may require such a student to obtain the 
certification of a physician that the student is physically and 
emotionally able to continue participation as long as such a 
certification is required of all students for other physical or 
emotional conditions requiring the attention of a physician.
    (3) A recipient that operates a portion of its education program or 
activity separately for pregnant students, admittance to which is 
completely voluntary on the part of the student as provided in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, shall ensure that the separate portion is 
comparable to that offered to non-pregnant students.
    (4) Subject to Sec. 23.235(d), a recipient shall treat pregnancy, 
childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery 
therefrom in the same manner and under the same policies as any other 
temporary disability with respect to any medical or hospital benefit, 
service, plan, or policy that such recipient administers, operates, 
offers, or participates in with respect to students admitted to the 
recipient's educational program or activity.
    (5) In the case of a recipient that does not maintain a leave policy 
for its students, or in the case of a student who does not otherwise 
qualify for leave under such a policy, a recipient shall treat 
pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and 
recovery therefrom as a justification for a leave of absence for as long 
a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student's 
physician, at the conclusion of which the student shall be reinstated to 
the status that she held when the leave began.



Sec. 23.450  Athletics.

    (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from 
participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from 
another person, or otherwise be discriminated against in any 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics offered 
by a recipient, and no recipient shall provide any such athletics 
separately on such basis.
    (b) Separate teams. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 
(a) of this section, a recipient may operate or sponsor separate teams 
for members of each sex where selection for such teams is based upon 
competitive skill or the activity involved is a contact sport. However, 
where a recipient operates or sponsors a team in a particular sport for 
members of one sex but operates or sponsors no such team for members of 
the other sex, and athletic opportunities for members of that sex have 
previously been limited, members of the excluded sex must be allowed to 
try out for the team offered unless the sport involved is a contact 
sport. For the purposes of these Title IX regulations, contact sports 
include boxing, wrestling, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and 
other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily 
contact.
    (c) Equal opportunity. (1) A recipient that operates or sponsors 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics shall 
provide equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes. In 
determining whether equal opportunities are available, the designated 
agency official will consider, among other factors:
    (i) Whether the selection of sports and levels of competition 
effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of members of both 
sexes;
    (ii) The provision of equipment and supplies;
    (iii) Scheduling of games and practice time;

[[Page 620]]

    (iv) Travel and per diem allowance;
    (v) Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring;
    (vi) Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors;
    (vii) Provision of locker rooms, practice, and competitive 
facilities;
    (viii) Provision of medical and training facilities and services;
    (ix) Provision of housing and dining facilities and services;
    (x) Publicity.
    (2) For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unequal 
aggregate expenditures for members of each sex or unequal expenditures 
for male and female teams if a recipient operates or sponsors separate 
teams will not constitute noncompliance with this section, but the 
designated agency official may consider the failure to provide necessary 
funds for teams for one sex in assessing equality of opportunity for 
members of each sex.
    (d) Adjustment period. A recipient that operates or sponsors 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the 
elementary school level shall comply fully with this section as 
expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one year from 
September 29, 2000. A recipient that operates or sponsors 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the 
secondary or postsecondary school level shall comply fully with this 
section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than three 
years from September 29, 2000.



Sec. 23.455  Textbooks and curricular material.

    Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be interpreted as 
requiring or prohibiting or abridging in any way the use of particular 
textbooks or curricular materials.



Subpart E_Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Employment in Education 
                    Programs or Activities Prohibited



Sec. 23.500  Employment.

    (a) General. (1) No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded 
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to 
discrimination in employment, or recruitment, consideration, or 
selection therefor, whether full-time or part-time, under any education 
program or activity operated by a recipient that receives Federal 
financial assistance.
    (2) A recipient shall make all employment decisions in any education 
program or activity operated by such recipient in a nondiscriminatory 
manner and shall not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or 
employees in any way that could adversely affect any applicant's or 
employee's employment opportunities or status because of sex.
    (3) A recipient shall not enter into any contractual or other 
relationship which directly or indirectly has the effect of subjecting 
employees or students to discrimination prohibited by Secs. 23.500 
through 23.550, including relationships with employment and referral 
agencies, with labor unions, and with organizations providing or 
administering fringe benefits to employees of the recipient.
    (4) A recipient shall not grant preferences to applicants for 
employment on the basis of attendance at any educational institution or 
entity that admits as students only or predominantly members of one sex, 
if the giving of such preferences has the effect of discriminating on 
the basis of sex in violation of these Title IX regulations.
    (b) Application. The provisions of Secs. 23.500 through 23.550 apply 
to:
    (1) Recruitment, advertising, and the process of application for 
employment;
    (2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, consideration for and award of 
tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, application of nepotism 
policies, right of return from layoff, and rehiring;
    (3) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation, and changes in 
compensation;
    (4) Job assignments, classifications, and structure, including 
position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists;
    (5) The terms of any collective bargaining agreement;
    (6) Granting and return from leaves of absence, leave for pregnancy, 
childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, leave for persons 
of either sex to care for children or dependents, or any other leave;

[[Page 621]]

    (7) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or 
not administered by the recipient;
    (8) Selection and financial support for training, including 
apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related 
activities, selection for tuition assistance, selection for sabbaticals 
and leaves of absence to pursue training;
    (9) Employer-sponsored activities, including social or recreational 
programs; and
    (10) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.



Sec. 23.505  Employment criteria.

    A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other 
criterion for any employment opportunity that has a disproportionately 
adverse effect on persons on the basis of sex unless:
    (a) Use of such test or other criterion is shown to predict validly 
successful performance in the position in question; and
    (b) Alternative tests or criteria for such purpose, which do not 
have such disproportionately adverse effect, are shown to be 
unavailable.



Sec. 23.510  Recruitment.

    (a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment and hiring. A recipient shall not 
discriminate on the basis of sex in the recruitment and hiring of 
employees. Where a recipient has been found to be presently 
discriminating on the basis of sex in the recruitment or hiring of 
employees, or has been found to have so discriminated in the past, the 
recipient shall recruit members of the sex so discriminated against so 
as to overcome the effects of such past or present discrimination.
    (b) Recruitment patterns. A recipient shall not recruit primarily or 
exclusively at entities that furnish as applicants only or predominantly 
members of one sex if such actions have the effect of discriminating on 
the basis of sex in violation of Secs. 23.500 through 23.550.



Sec. 23.515  Compensation.

    A recipient shall not make or enforce any policy or practice that, 
on the basis of sex:
    (a) Makes distinctions in rates of pay or other compensation;
    (b) Results in the payment of wages to employees of one sex at a 
rate less than that paid to employees of the opposite sex for equal work 
on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and 
responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions.



Sec. 23.520  Job classification and structure.

    A recipient shall not:
    (a) Classify a job as being for males or for females;
    (b) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority 
lists, career ladders, or tenure systems based on sex; or
    (c) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority 
systems, career ladders, or tenure systems for similar jobs, position 
descriptions, or job requirements that classify persons on the basis of 
sex, unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the 
positions in question as set forth in Sec. 23.550.



Sec. 23.525  Fringe benefits.

    (a) ``Fringe benefits'' defined. For purposes of these Title IX 
regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, 
life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any 
profit-sharing or bonus plan, leave, and any other benefit or service of 
employment not subject to the provision of Sec. 23.515.
    (b) Prohibitions. A recipient shall not:
    (1) Discriminate on the basis of sex with regard to making fringe 
benefits available to employees or make fringe benefits available to 
spouses, families, or dependents of employees differently upon the basis 
of the employee's sex;
    (2) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a fringe benefit 
plan that does not provide for equal periodic benefits for members of 
each sex and for equal contributions to the plan by such recipient for 
members of each sex; or
    (3) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a pension or 
retirement plan that establishes different optional or compulsory 
retirement ages based on sex or that otherwise discriminates in benefits 
on the basis of sex.

[[Page 622]]



Sec. 23.530  Marital or parental status.

    (a) General. A recipient shall not apply any policy or take any 
employment action:
    (1) Concerning the potential marital, parental, or family status of 
an employee or applicant for employment that treats persons differently 
on the basis of sex; or
    (2) Which is based upon whether an employee or applicant for 
employment is the head of household or principal wage earner in such 
employee's or applicant's family unit.
    (b) Pregnancy. A recipient shall not discriminate against or exclude 
from employment any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of 
pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or 
recovery therefrom.
    (c) Pregnancy as a temporary disability. Subject to Sec. 23235(d), a 
recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, 
termination of pregnancy, recovery therefrom, and any temporary 
disability resulting therefrom as any other temporary disability for all 
job-related purposes, including commencement, duration, and extensions 
of leave, payment of disability income, accrual of seniority and any 
other benefit or service, and reinstatement, and under any fringe 
benefit offered to employees by virtue of employment.
    (d) Pregnancy leave. In the case of a recipient that does not 
maintain a leave policy for its employees, or in the case of an employee 
with insufficient leave or accrued employment time to qualify for leave 
under such a policy, a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, 
false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom as a 
justification for a leave of absence without pay for a reasonable period 
of time, at the conclusion of which the employee shall be reinstated to 
the status that she held when the leave began or to a comparable 
position, without decrease in rate of compensation or loss of 
promotional opportunities, or any other right or privilege of 
employment.



Sec. 23.535  Effect of state or local law or other requirements.

    (a) Prohibitory requirements. The obligation to comply with 
Secs. 23.500 through 23.550 is not obviated or alleviated by the 
existence of any State or local law or other requirement that imposes 
prohibitions or limits upon employment of members of one sex that are 
not imposed upon members of the other sex.
    (b) Benefits. A recipient that provides any compensation, service, 
or benefit to members of one sex pursuant to a State or local law or 
other requirement shall provide the same compensation, service, or 
benefit to members of the other sex.



Sec. 23.540  Advertising.

    A recipient shall not in any advertising related to employment 
indicate preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based 
on sex unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the 
particular job in question.



Sec. 23.545  Pre-employment inquiries.

    (a) Marital status. A recipient shall not make pre-employment 
inquiry as to the marital status of an applicant for employment, 
including whether such applicant is ``Miss'' or ``Mrs.''
    (b) Sex. A recipient may make pre-employment inquiry as to the sex 
of an applicant for employment, but only if such inquiry is made equally 
of such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are 
not used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX 
regulations.



Sec. 23.550  Sex as a bona fide occupational qualification.

    A recipient may take action otherwise prohibited by Secs. 23.500 
through 23.550 provided it is shown that sex is a bona fide occupational 
qualification for that action, such that consideration of sex with 
regard to such action is essential to successful operation of the 
employment function concerned. A recipient shall not take action 
pursuant to this section that is based upon alleged comparative 
employment characteristics or stereotyped characterizations of one or 
the other sex, or upon preference based on sex of the recipient, 
employees, students, or other persons, but nothing contained in this 
section shall prevent a recipient from considering an employee's sex in 
relation to employment in a locker room or toilet

[[Page 623]]

facility used only by members of one sex.



                          Subpart F_Procedures



Sec. 23.600  Notice of covered programs.

    Within 60 days of September 29, 2000, each Federal agency that 
awards Federal financial assistance shall publish in the Federal 
Register a notice of the programs covered by these Title IX regulations. 
Each such Federal agency shall periodically republish the notice of 
covered programs to reflect changes in covered programs. Copies of this 
notice also shall be made available upon request to the Federal agency's 
office that enforces Title IX.



Sec. 23.605  Enforcement procedures.

    The investigative, compliance, and enforcement procedural provisions 
of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) (``Title 
VI'') are hereby adopted and applied to these Title IX regulations. 
These procedures may be found at 38 CFR 18.6 through 18.11.

[65 FR 52890, Aug. 30, 2000]



PART 25_UNIFORM RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION
FOR FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS--Table of Contents



    Authority: Sec. 213, Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property 
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, Pub. L. 91-646, 84 Stat. 1894 (42 
U.S.C. 4601) as amended by the Surface Transportation and Uniform 
Relocation Assistance Act of 1987, Title IV of Pub. L. 100-17, 101 Stat. 
246-256 (42 U.S.C. 4601 note).



Sec. 25.1  Uniform relocation

    Regulations and procedures for complying with the Uniform Relocation 
Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 
91-646, 84 Stat. 1894, 42 U.S.C. 4601), as amended by the Surface 
Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (Title IV 
of Pub. L. 100-17, 101 Stat. 246-255, 42 U.S.C. 4601 note) are set forth 
in 49 CFR part 24.

[52 FR 48022, Dec. 17, 1987]



PART 26_ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
(VA) ACTIONS--Table of Contents



Sec.
26.1  Issuance and purpose.
26.2  Applicability and scope.
26.3  Definitions.
26.4  Policy.
26.5  Responsibilities.
26.6  Environmental documents.
26.7  VA environmental decision making and documents.
26.8  Assistance to applicants.
26.9  Information on and public participation in VA environmental 
          process.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a; E.O. 11514, March 5, 1970, as 
amended by E.O. 11991, May 24, 1977.

    Source: 51 FR 37182, Oct. 20, 1986, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 26.1  Issuance and purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to implement the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a), in 
accordance with regulations promulgated by the Council of Environmental 
Quality (CEQ Regulations, 40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and Executive Order 
11514, March 5, 1970, as amended by Executive Order 11991, May 24, 1977. 
This part shall provide guidance to officials of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) on the application of the NEPA process to 
Department activities.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)

[51 FR 37182, Oct. 20, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 26.2  Applicability and scope.

    This part applies to VA, its administrations and staff offices.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)

[51 FR 37182, Oct. 20, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 26.3  Definitions.

    (a) United States means all States, territories, and possessions of 
the United States and all waters and air space subject to the 
territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The territories and 
possessions of the United States include the Commonwealth of

[[Page 624]]

Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Trust 
Territory of the Pacific Islands.
    (b) VA elements, for the purposes of this part, means the Veterans 
Health Services and Research Administration (VHS&RA), the Veterans 
Benefits Administration (VBA), the National Cemetery Administration 
(NCS), and the Office of Facilities.
    (c) Other terms used in this part are defined in CEQ Regulations, 40 
CFR part 1508.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)

[51 FR 37182, Oct. 20, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 26.4  Policy.

    (a) VA must act with care in carrying out its mission of providing 
services for veterans to ensure it does so consistently with national 
environmental policies. Specifically, VA shall ensure that all practical 
means and measures are used to protect, restore, and enhance the quality 
of the human environment; to avoid or minimize adverse environmental 
consequences, consistently with other national policy considerations; 
and to attain the following objectives:
    (1) Achieve the fullest possible use of the environment, without 
degradation, or undesirable and unintended consequences;
    (2) Preserve historical, cultural, and natural aspects of our 
national heritage, while maintaining, where possible, an environment 
that supports diversity and variety and individual choice;
    (3) Achieve a balance between the use and development of resources, 
within the sustained capacity of the ecological system involved; and,
    (4) Enhance the quality of renewable resources while working toward 
the maximum attainable recycling of nonrenewable resources.
    (b) VA elements shall:
    (1) Interpret and administer the policies, regulations, and public 
laws of the United States in accordance with the policies set forth in 
the NEPA and CEQ Regulations;
    (2) Prepare concise and clear environmental documents which shall be 
supported by documented environmental analyses;
    (3) Integrate the requirements of NEPA with Department planning and 
decision-making procedures;
    (4) Encourage and facilitate involvement by affected agencies, 
organizations, interest groups and the public in decisions which affect 
the quality of the human environment; and,
    (5) Consider alternatives to the proposed actions which are 
encompassed by the range of alternatives discussed in relevant 
environmental documents, and described in the environmental impact 
statement.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)

[51 FR 37182, Oct. 20, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 26.5  Responsibilities.

    (a) The Director of the Office of Environmental Affairs shall:
    (1) Be responsible to coordinate and provide guidance to VA elements 
on all environmental matters;
    (2) Assist in the preparation of environmental documents by VA 
elements; and, where more than one VA element, or Federal, State, or 
local agency is involved, assign the lead VA element or propose the lead 
Federal, State or local agency to prepare the environmental documents;
    (3) Recommend appropriate actions to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs on those environmental matters for which the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs has final approval authority;
    (4) Assist in resolution of disputes concerning environmental 
matters within VA, and among VA and other Federal, State and local 
agencies;
    (5) Coordinate preparation of VA comments on draft and final 
environmental impact statements of other agencies;
    (6) Serve as the VA's principal liaison to the CEQ, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Management and Budget, 
and other Federal, State, and local agencies on VA environmental 
actions; and
    (7) Prepare appropriate supplemental guidance on implementation of 
these regulations.
    (b) VA General Counsel shall provide legal advice and assistance in 
meeting the requirement of NEPA, the CEQ Regulations and these 
regulations.

[[Page 625]]

    (c) The heads of each VA element shall:
    (1) Adopt procedures to ensure that decisions are made in accordance 
with NEPA, the CEQ Regulations and these regulations; and
    (2) Be responsible to prepare environmental documents relating to 
programs and proposed actions by their elements, when required by these 
regulations.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)



Sec. 26.6  Environmental documents.

    (a) Environmental Impact Statements. The head of each VA element 
shall include a detailed written statement ``in every recommendation or 
report on proposals for legislation and other major Federal actions 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environmental.'' NEPA 
102(2), 42 U.S.C. 4332(2) see CEQ Regulations, 40 CFR part 1502. An 
environmental impact statement shall be prepared in accordance with the 
following procedures:
    (1) Typical Classes of Action Which Normally Do Require 
Environmental Impact Statements: (i) Proposed legislation (CEQ 
Regulation, 40 CFR 1508.17);
    (ii) Acquisition of land in excess of 10 acres for development of a 
VA medical center facility;
    (iii) Acquisition of land in excess of 50 acres for development of a 
VA national cemetery; and
    (iv) Promulgation of policies which substantially alter agency 
programs and which have a significant effect on the quality of the human 
environmental.
    (2) Specific Criteria for Typical Classes of Action Which Normally 
Do Require Environmental Impact Statements: (i) Probable significant 
degradation of historic or cultural resources, park lands, prime 
farmlands, designated wetlands or ecologically critical areas;
    (ii) An increase in average daily vehicle traffic volume of at least 
20 percent on access roads to the site or the major roadway network;
    (iii) Probable conflict with Federal, State, or local environmental 
protection laws or requirements;
    (iv) Probable threat or hazard to the public, or the involvement of 
highly uncertain risks to the environment;
    (v) Similarity to previous actions that required an environmental 
impact statement; and
    (vi) Probable conflict with, or significant effect on, local or 
regional zoning or comprehensive land use plans.
    (b) Categorical Exclusions. A categorical exclusion is a ``category 
of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no 
such effect in procedures adopted by a Federal Agency in implementation 
of these regulations . . . and for which, therefore, neither an 
environmental assessment (see subparagraph (c), infra) or an 
environmental impact statement is required.'' CEQ Regulations, 40 CFR 
1508.4.
    (1) Typical classes of action which normally do not require either 
an Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment:
    (i) Repair, replacement, and new installation of primary or 
secondary electrical distribution systems;
    (ii) Repair, replacement, and new installation of components such as 
windows, doors, roofs; and site elements such as sidewalks, patios, 
fences, retaining walls, curbs, water distribution lines, and sewer 
lines which involve work totally within VA property boundaries;
    (iii) Routine VA grounds and facility maintenance activities;
    (iv) Procurement activities for goods and services for routing 
facility operations maintenance and support;
    (v) Interior construction or renovation;
    (vi) New construction of 75,000 gross square feet or less;
    (vii) Development of 20 acres of land or less within an existing 
cemetery, or development on acquired land of five acres or less;
    (viii) Actions which involve support or ancillary appurtenances for 
normal operation;
    (ix) Leases, licenses, permits, and easements;
    (x) Reduction in force resulting from workload adjustments, reduced 
personnel or funding levels, skill imbalances or other similar causes;
    (xi) VA policies, actions and studies which do not significantly 
affect the quality of the human environment;

[[Page 626]]

    (xii) Preparation of regulations, directives, manuals or other 
guidance that implement, but do not substantially change, the 
regulations, directives, manuals, or other guidance of higher 
organizational levels or another Federal agency; and
    (xiii) Actions, activities, or programs that do not require 
expenditure of Federal funds.
    (2) Specific criteria for typical classes of action which normally 
do not require either an Environmental Impact Statement or an 
Environmental Assessment:
    (i) Minimal or no effect on the environment;
    (ii) No significant change to existing environmental conditions;
    (iii) No significant cumulative environmental impact; and
    (iv) Similarity to Actions previously assessed with a finding of no 
significant impact.
    (3) Extraordinary circumstances that must be considered by a VA 
element before categorically excluding a particular Department action:
    (i) Greater scope or size than normally experienced for a particular 
categorical exclusion;
    (ii) Actions in highly populated or congested areas;
    (iii) Potential for degradation, although slight, or existing poor 
environmental conditions;
    (iv) Use of unproven technology;
    (v) Potential presence of an endangered species, archeological 
remains, or other protected resources; or
    (vi) Potential presence of hazardous or toxic substances.
    (c) Environmental assessments. If the proposed action is not covered 
by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, the responsible official (head 
of the VA element) will prepare an environmental assessment (CEQ 
Regulations, 40 CFR 1508.9). Based on the environmental assessment, the 
official shall determine whether it is necessary to prepare an 
environmental impact statement, or to prepare a finding of no 
significant impact (CEQ Regulations, 40 CFR 1508.13).
    (1) Typical classes of action which normally do require 
Environmental Assessments, but not necessarily Environmental Impact 
Statements:
    (i) Acquisition of land of 10 acres or less for development of a VA 
medical facility;
    (ii) Acquisition of land from 5 to 50 acres for development of a VA 
national cemetery; and,
    (iii) New construction in excess of 75,000 gross square feet;
    (2) Specific criteria for typical classes of action which normally 
do require an Environmental Assessment:
    (i) Potential minor degradation of environmental quality;
    (ii) Potential cumulative impact on environmental quality;
    (iii) Presence of hazardous or toxic substances;
    (iv) Potential violation of pollution abatement laws;
    (v) Potential impact on protected wildlife or vegetation;
    (vi) Potential effects on designated prime farmlands, wetlands, 
floodplains, or ecologically critical areas;
    (vii) Alteration of stormwater runoff and retention;
    (viii) Potential dislocation of persons or residences;
    (ix) Potential increase of average daily vehicle traffic volume on 
access roads to the site by 10 percent or more but less than 20 percent, 
or which alters established traffic patterns in terms of location and 
direction;
    (x) Potential threat or hazard to the public, or highly uncertain 
risks to the environment;
    (xi) Potential conflicts with Federal, State, or local environmental 
protection laws or requirements;
    (xii) Potential conflict with, or significant impact on, official 
local or regional zoning or comprehensive land use plans; and,
    (xiii) Overloading of public utilities with insufficient capacity to 
provide reliable service and for average and peak periods.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)

[51 FR 37182, Oct. 20, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 26.7  VA environmental decision making and documents.

    (a) Relevant environmental documents shall accompany other decision 
documents as they proceed through the decision-making process.

[[Page 627]]

    (b) The major decision points for VA actions, by which time the 
necessary environmental documents must be completed, are as follows:
    (1) Leases. Prior to execution of lease agreement.
    (2) Grants. Prior to notification of grant award.
    (3) Policy. Prior to final approval of a policy which substantially 
alters agency programs and which affects the human environment.
    (4) Legislative proposals. Included in any recommendation or report 
to Congress on a legislative proposal which would affect the 
environment. The document must be available in time for Congressional 
hearings and deliberations.
    (5) Major, minor, minor miscellaneous delegated projects, and non-
recurring maintenance projects. Prior to contract award for working 
drawings or prior to in-house initiation of working drawings. If the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs or designee makes a finding of compelling 
need, working drawings may commence prior to completion of the 
environmental compliance process. However, this will not preclude 
completion of environmental compliance prior to construction.
    (6) Land acquisition for development. Prior to the Secretary's 
acceptance of custody and accountability (for Federal lands), or 
acceptance of offer to donate or contract for purchase (for private 
lands).
    (c) Where emergency circumstances make it necessary to take an 
action with significant environmental impact without observing the 
provisions of these regulations, VA must act in accordance with CEQ 
Regulations, 40 CFR 1506.11.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)

[51 FR 37182, Oct. 20, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 34987, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 26.8  Assistance to applicants.

    (a) The CEQ Regulations (40 CFR 1501.2(d)) provide for advising of 
private applicants or other non-Federal groups when VA involvement in a 
particular action is reasonably foreseeable. Such foreseeable actions 
involve application to a VA element by private persons, States, and 
local agencies and pertain primarily to permits, leases, requests for 
financial assistance, grants, and related actions involving the use of 
VA real property.
    (b) VA involvement may be reasonably foreseeable when the following 
actions are initiated by non-Federal groups:
    (1) Easements and rights-of-way on VA land;
    (2) Petroleum, grazing, and timber leases;
    (3) Permits, license, and other use agreements or grants of real 
property for use by non-VA groups; and,
    (4) Application for grants-in-aid for acquisition, construction, 
expansion or improvement of state veterans' health care facilities or 
cemeteries.
    (c) Public notices or other means used to inform or solicit 
applicants for permits, leases, or related actions will describe the 
environmental documents, studies or information foreseeably required for 
later action by VA elements and will advise of the assistance available 
to applicants by VA element.
    (d) When VA owned land is leased or otherwise provided to non-VA 
groups, VA element affected will initiate the NEPA process pursuant to 
these regulations.
    (e) When VA grant funds are requested by a State agency, VA element 
affected will initiate the NEPA process and ensure compliance with VA 
environmental program. The environmental documents prepared by the grant 
applicant shall assure full compliance with State and local regulations 
as well as NEPA before the proposed action is approved.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)



Sec. 26.9  Information on and public participation in VA environmental
process.

    (a) During the preparation of environmental documents, the 
responsible VA element shall include the participation of environmental 
agencies, applicants, State and local governments and the public to the 
extent practicable and in conformance with CEQ Regulations. Information 
or status reports on environmental documents shall be provided to 
interested persons upon request.

[[Page 628]]

    (b) Notice of availability or filing requirements vary, depending on 
the type of environmental documents requested. Specific requirements and 
procedures are defined for each VA element.
    (c) For those actions relating specifically to the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, the Office of Environmental Affairs, or a VA element, 
information is available by writing to the Director, Office of 
Environmental Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370a)



PART 36_LOAN GUARANTY--Table of Contents



 Subpart A_Guaranty of Loans to Veterans to Purchase Manufactured Homes 
                  and Lots, Including Site Preparation

Sec.
36.4201  Applicability of the Sec. 36.4200 series.
36.4202  Definitions.

                           general provisions

36.4203  Eligibility of the veteran for the manufactured home loan 
          benefit under 38 U.S.C. 3712.
36.4204  Loan purposes, maximum loan amounts and terms.
36.4205  Computation of guaranty.
36.4206  Underwriting standards, occupancy, and non-discrimination 
          requirements.
36.4207  Manufactured home standards.
36.4208  Manufactured home location standards.
36.4209  Reporting requirements.
36.4210  Joint loans.
36.4211  Amortization--prepayment.
36.4212  Interest rates and late charges.
36.4213  Capacity of parties.
36.4214  Geographical limits.
36.4215  Maintenance of records.
36.4217  Delivery of notice.
36.4218  Payment in full; termination of guaranty.
36.4219  Incorporation by reference.
36.4220  Substantive and procedural requirements; waiver.
36.4221  Delegation of authority.
36.4222  Hazard insurance.
36.4223  Interest rate reduction refinancing loan.
36.4224  Refinancing existing manufactured home loan including purchase 
          of lot.
36.4225  Authority to close manufactured home loans on the automatic 
          basis.
36.4226  Withdrawal of authority to close manufactured home loans on the 
          automatic basis.
36.4227  Advertising and solicitation requirements.

                    financing manufactured home units

36.4231  Warranty requirements.
36.4232  Allowable fees and charges; manufactured home unit.
36.4234  Title and lien requirements.

               combination and manufactured home lot loans

36.4251  Loans to finance the purchase of manufactured homes and the 
          cost of necessary site preparation.
36.4252  Loans for purchase or refinancing of a manufactured home.
36.4253  Title and lien requirements.
36.4254  Fees and charges.
36.4255  Loans for the acquisition of a lot.

              servicing, liquidation of security and claim

36.4275  Events constituting default and acceptability of partial 
          payments.
36.4276  Advances and other charges.
36.4277  Release of security.
36.4278  Servicing procedures for holders
36.4279  Extensions and reamortizations.
36.4280  Reporting of defaults.
36.4281  Refunding of loans in default.
36.4282  Legal proceedings (notice of repossession).
36.4283  Foreclosure or repossession.
36.4284  Computation of guaranty claims.
36.4285  Subrogation and indemnity.
36.4286  Partial or total loss of guaranty.
36.4287  Substitution of trustees.

  Subpart B_Guaranty or Insurance of Loans to Veterans With Electronic 
                                Reporting

36.4300  Applicability and qualified mortgage status.
36.4301  Definitions.
36.4302  Computation of guaranties or insurance credits.
36.4303  Reporting requirements.
36.4304  Deviations; changes of identity.
36.4305  Partial disbursement.
36.4306  Refinancing of mortgage or other lien indebtedness.
36.4307  Interest rate reduction refinancing loan.
36.4308  Joint loans.
36.4309  Transfer of title by borrower or maturity by demand or 
          acceleration.
36.4310  Amortization.
36.4311  Prepayment.
36.4312  Interest rates.
36.4313  Charges and fees.
36.4314  Advances and other charges.
36.4315  Loan modifications.
36.4316  Acceptability of partial payments.
36.4317  Servicer reporting requirements.
36.4318  Servicer tier ranking--temporary procedures.

[[Page 629]]

36.4319  Servicer loss-mitigation options and incentives.
36.4320  Refunding of loans in default.
36.4321  Service of process.
36.4322  Loan termination.
36.4323  Election to convey security.
36.4324  Guaranty claims; subsequent accounting.
36.4325  Computation of indebtedness.
36.4326  Subrogation and indemnity.
36.4327  Release of security.
36.4328  Partial or total loss of guaranty or insurance.
36.4329  Hazard insurance.
36.4330  Substitution of trustees.
36.4331  Capacity of parties to contract.
36.4332  Geographical limits.
36.4333  Maintenance of records.
36.4335  Delivery of notice.
36.4336  [Reserved]
36.4337  Conformance of loan instruments.
36.4338  Supplementary administrative action.
36.4339  Eligibility of loans; reasonable value requirements.
36.4340  Underwriting standards, processing procedures, lender 
          responsibility, and lender certification.
36.4341  Death or insolvency of holder.
36.4342  Qualification for designated fee appraisers.
36.4343  Restriction on designated appraisers.
36.4345  Delegation of authority.
36.4346  Cooperative loans.
36.4347  Lender Appraisal Processing Program.
36.4348  Servicer Appraisal Processing Program.
36.4349  Waivers, consents, and approvals; when effective.
36.4350  Servicing procedures for holders.
36.4351  Minimum property and construction requirements.
36.4352  Authority to close loans on the automatic basis.
36.4353  Withdrawal of authority to close loans on the automatic basis.
36.4354  Estate of veteran in real property.
36.4355  Loans, first, second, or unsecured.
36.4356  Tax, special assessment and other liens.
36.4357  Combination residential and business property.
36.4358  [Reserved]
36.4359  Supplemental loans.
36.4360  Condominium loans--general.
36.4361  Acceptable ownership arrangements and documentation.
36.4362  Rights and restrictions.
36.4363  Miscellaneous legal requirements.
36.4364  Documentation and related requirements--flexible condominiums 
          and condominiums with offsite facilities.
36.4365  Appraisal requirements.
36.4367  Requirement of construction warranty.
36.4368  Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in housing 
          certification requirements.
36.4369  Correction of structural defects.
36.4370  Advertising and solicitation requirements.
36.4375  Insured loan and insurance account.
36.4377  Transfer of insured loans.
36.4378  Debits and credits to insurance account under Sec. 36.4320.
36.4379  Payment of insurance.
36.4380  Reports of insured institutions.
36.4390  Purpose.
36.4391  Applicability.
36.4392  Certification requirements.
36.4393  Complaint and hearing procedure.

  Subpart C_Assistance to Eligible Individuals in Acquiring Specially 
                             Adapted Housing

36.4400  Authority.
36.4401  Definitions.
36.4402  Grant types.
36.4403  Subsequent use.
36.4404  Eligibility for assistance.
36.4405  Grant approval.
36.4406  Reimbursement of costs and disbursement of grant funds.
36.4407  Guaranteed and direct loans.
36.4408  Submission of proof to the Secretary.
36.4409  Delegations of authority.
36.4410  Supplementary administrative action.
36.4411  Annual adjustments to the aggregate amount of assistance 
          available.
36.4412  Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program.

                         Subpart D_Direct Loans

36.4500  Applicability and qualified mortgage status.
36.4501  Definitions.
36.4502  Use of guaranty entitlement.
36.4503  Amount and amortization.
36.4504  Loan closing expenses.
36.4505  Maturity of loan.
36.4506  Recasting.
36.4507  Refinancing of mortgage or other lien indebtedness.
36.4508  Transfer of property by borrower.
36.4509  Joint loans.
36.4510  Prepayment, acceleration, and liquidation.
36.4511  Advances after loan closing.
36.4512  Taxes and insurance.
36.4513  Foreclosure and liquidation.
36.4514  Eligibility requirements.
36.4515  Estate of veteran in real property.
36.4516  Lien requirements.
36.4517  Incorporation by reference.
36.4518  Supplementary administrative action.
36.4519  Eligible purposes and reasonable value requirements.

[[Page 630]]

36.4520  Delegation of authority.
36.4521  Minimum property and construction requirements.
36.4522  Waivers, consents, and approvals.
36.4523  Geographical limits.
36.4524  Sale of loans.
36.4525  Requirement of a construction warranty.
36.4526  Issuance of fund reservation commitments.
36.4527  Direct housing loans to Native American veterans on trust 
          lands.

   Subpart E_Sale of Loans, Guarantee of Payment, and Flood Insurance

36.4600  Sale of loans, guarantee of payment.
36.4700  Authority, purpose, and scope.
36.4701  Definitions.
36.4702  Requirement to purchase flood insurance where available.
36.4703  Exemptions.
36.4704  Escrow requirement.
36.4705  Required use of standard flood hazard determination form.
36.4706  Forced placement of flood insurance.
36.4707  Determination fees.
36.4708  Notice of special flood hazards and availability of Federal 
          disaster relief assistance.
36.4709  Notice of servicer's identity.

Appendix A to Part 36--Sample Form of Notice of Special Flood Hazards 
          and Availability of Federal Disaster Relief Assistance

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501 and 3720.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 36 appear at 61 FR 
7217, Feb. 27, 1996.



 Subpart A_Guaranty of Loans to Veterans to Purchase Manufactured Homes 
                  and Lots, Including Site Preparation

    Source: Sections 36.4201 through 36.4287 appear at 36 FR 1253, Jan. 
27, 1971, unless otherwise noted.

    Note: Those requirements, conditions, or limitations which are 
expressly set forth in 38 U.S.C. 3712 and are not restated herein must 
be taken into consideration in conjunction with the Sec. 36.4200 series.



Sec. 36.4201  Applicability of the Sec. 36.4200 series.

    The Sec. 36.4200 series shall be applicable to each loan entitled to 
guaranty under 38 U.S.C. 3712 on or after the date of publication 
thereof in the Federal Register.



Sec. 36.4202  Definitions.

    Wherever used in 38 U.S.C. 3712 or the Sec. 36.4200 series, unless 
the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this section shall 
have the meaning herein stated.
    Automatic lender. A lender that may process a loan or assumption 
without submitting the credit package to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for underwriting review. Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3702(d) there are 
two categories of lenders who may process loans automatically: (1) 
Entities such as banks, savings and loan associations, and mortgage and 
loan companies that are subject to examinations by an agency of the 
United States or any State and (2) lenders approved by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs pursuant to standards established by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3702(d))

    Credit package. Any information, report of verifications used by a 
lender, holder or authorized servicing agent to determine the 
creditworthiness of an applicant for a Department of Veterans Affairs 
guaranteed loan or the assumer of such a loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710 and 3714)

    Date of first uncured default. The due date of the earliest payment 
not fully satisfied by the proper application or available credits or 
deposits.
    Default. Failure of a borrower to comply with the terms of a loan 
agreement.
    Guaranty. The obligation of the United States, assumed by virtue of 
38 U.S.C. 3712, to repay a specified percentage of a loan upon default 
of the primary debtor, which guaranty payment shall be made after 
liquidation of the security for the loan and an accounting with the 
Secretary.
    Holder. The lender or any subsequent assignee or transferee of the 
guaranteed obligation or the authorized servicing agent of the lender or 
of the assignee or transferee if the obligation has been assigned or 
transferred.
    Indebtedness. The unpaid principal and interest plus any other 
amounts allowable under the terms of a loan including those authorized 
by statute

[[Page 631]]

and consistent with the Sec. 36.4200 series, which have been paid and 
debited to the loan account. Unpaid late charges may not be included in 
the indebtedness.
    Lender. The payee or assignee or transferee of an obligation at the 
time it is guaranteed. This term also includes any sole proprietorship, 
partnership, or corporation and the owners, officers, and employees of a 
sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation engaged in the 
origination, procurement, transfer, servicing, or funding of a loan 
which is guaranteed by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3704(d), 3712(g))

    Lien. Any interest in, or power over, real or personal property, 
reserved by the vendor, or created by the parties or by operation of 
law, chiefly or solely for the purpose of assuring the payment of the 
purchase price, or a debt, and irrespective of the identity of the party 
in whom title to the property is vested, including but not limited to 
mortgages, deeds with a defeasance therein or collaterally, deeds of 
trust, security deeds, security instruments, mechanics' liens, lease-
purchase contracts, conditional sales contracts, consignments.
    Loan. Unpaid principal balance plus unpaid earned interest due under 
the terms of the obligation.
    Lot. A parcel of land acceptable to the Secretary as a manufactured 
home site.
    Manufactured home. A movable dwelling unit designed and constructed 
for year-round occupancy on land by a single family, which dwelling unit 
contains permanent eating, cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities. A 
double-wide manufactured home is a movable dwelling designed for 
occupancy by one family consisting of (1) two or more units intended to 
be joined together horizontally when located on a site, but capable of 
independent movement or (2) a unit having a section or sections which 
unfold along the entire length of the unit.
    Manufacturer's invoice. A document, issued by a manufacturer and 
provided with a manufactured home to a retail dealer, acceptable in form 
and content to the Secretary which indicates the wholesale (base) price 
at the factory of the manufactured home model or series including any 
furnishings, equipment and accessories installed by the manufacturer, 
net of all rebates to the dealer. The following certification or a 
reasonable facsimile thereof, signed by an authorized representative of 
the manufacturer, must appear on the invoice:
    ``The undersigned certifies that the manufacturer's invoice price 
shown on this invoice reflects the dealer's cost at point of 
manufacture, exclusive of any and all freight or transportation charges, 
net of any and all discounts, bonuses, refunds, rebates (including 
volume rebates), prizes or anything of value which will inure to the 
benefit of the dealer at the time of purchase or at any future date.''
    Necessary site preparation. Those improvements essential to render a 
manufactured home site acceptable to the Secretary including, but not 
limited to, the installation of utility connections, sanitary facilities 
and paving, and the construction of a suitable pad.
    New manufactured home. A manufactured home which, at the time of 
purchase by the veteran-borrower, has not been previously occupied and 
was manufactured less than 1 year prior to the date of application to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs for loan guaranty.


(Authority: Sec. 406, Pub. L. 97-306)

    Reasonable value means that figure which represents the amount a 
reputable and qualified appraiser, unaffected by personal interest, 
bias, or prejudice, would recommend to a prospective purchaser as a 
proper price or cost in the light of prevailing conditions.
    Repossession--repossessed means recovery or acquisition of such 
physical control of property (pursuant to the provisions of the security 
instrument or as otherwise provided by law) as to make further legal or 
other action unnecessary in order to obtain actual possession of the 
property or to dispose of the same by sale or otherwise.
    Resale means sale of the property by the holder to a third party for 
the purpose of liquidating the security for the loan after having 
acquired the property by repossession, public or private sale, or by any 
other means.

[[Page 632]]

    Secretary. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or any employee of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs authorized to act in the Secretary's 
stead.
    Servicing agent. An agent designated by the loan holder as the 
entity to collect installments on the loan and/or perform other 
functions as necessary to protect the interests of the holder.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)


Used manufactured home. A manufactured home which has been previously 
occupied or which was manufactured more than 1 year prior to date of 
loan application.
    Wholesale (base) price list. The price list(s) as periodically 
amended, published and distributed by a home manufacturer to all retail 
dealers in a given marketing area, quoting the actual wholesale (base) 
price at the factory for specific models or series of manufactured 
homes, itemized options, itemized furniture, and specialty items offered 
for sale to such dealers during a specified period of time. All such 
wholesale (base) prices shall exclude any costs of trade association 
fees or charges, discounts, refunds, rebates, prizes, loan discount 
points or other financing charges, or anything else of more than a 
nominal value of $10 which will inure to the benefit of a dealer and/or 
home purchaser at any date, as required to be disclosed in the 
manufacturer's invoice. Each price list and amendment shall be retained 
by the manufacturer for a minimum period of six years from the date of 
publication to be available to VA and other Federal agencies upon 
request.

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 40 FR 13212, Mar. 25, 1975; 43 
FR 37197, Aug. 22, 1978; 44 FR 22723, Apr. 17, 1979; 48 FR 40227, Sept. 
6, 1983; 50 FR 13193, Apr. 3, 1985; 54 FR 34988, Aug. 23, 1989; 55 FR 
37471, Sept. 12, 1990; 58 FR 29114, May 19, 1993; 58 FR 37858, July 14, 
1993]

                           general provisions



Sec. 36.4203  Eligibility of the veteran for the manufactured home 
loan benefit under 38 U.S.C. 3712.

    (a) To be eligible for the manufactured home loan benefit a veteran 
must have loan guaranty entitlement for manufactured home purposes 
available for use. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 36.4205(e), 
the Secretary may exclude the amount of guaranty entitlement used for 
any guaranteed manufactured home loan provided:
    (1) The property which served as security for the loan has been 
disposed of by the veteran, or has been destroyed by fire or other 
natural hazard; and
    (2)(i) The loan has been repaid in full or the Secretary has been 
released from liability as to the loan, or if the Secretary has suffered 
a loss on said loan, such loss has been paid in full; or
    (ii) A veteran-transferee has agreed to assume the outstanding 
balance on the loan and consented to the use of his or her entitlement 
to the extent the entitlement of the veteran-transferor had been used 
originally, and the veteran-transferee otherwise meets the requirements 
of 38 U.S.C. chapter 37.
    (3) In a case in which the veteran still owns a property purchased 
with a VA-guaranteed loan, the Secretary may, one time only, restore 
entitlement if:
    (i) The loan has been repaid in full, or, if the Secretary has 
suffered a loss on the loan, the loss has been paid in full; or
    (ii) The Secretary has been released from liability as to the loan 
and, if the Secretary has suffered a loss on the loan, the loss has been 
paid in full.
    (4) The Secretary may, in any case involving circumstances deemed 
appropriate, waive either or both of the requirements set forth in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)(i) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3702, 3712)


The Secretary may, in any case involving circumstances deemed 
appropriate, waive either or both of the requirements set forth in 
paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section.
    (b) A veteran may use his or her remaining home loan guaranty 
entitlement for any purpose authorized by 38 U.S.C. 3710, 3711, or 3712 
except that a veteran who has purchased a manufactured home unit may not 
purchase a second manufactured home unit until the unit which secured 
the first loan has been disposed of by the veteran or has been destroyed 
by fire or other natural hazard.

[[Page 633]]

    (c) The available entitlement of a veteran will be determined by the 
Secretary as of the date of receipt of an application for guaranty of a 
manufactured home loan or loan report. Such date of receipt shall be the 
date the application or loan report is date stamped into the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility derived from the most recent period of 
service (1) shall cancel any unused entitlement derived from any earlier 
period of service, and (2) shall be reduced by the amount by which 
entitlement from service during any earlier period has been used to 
obtain a direct, guaranteed, or insured loan:
    (i) On property which the veteran owns at the time of application; 
or
    (ii) As to which the Secretary has incurred actual liability or 
loss, unless in the event of loss or the incurrence and payment of such 
liability by the Secretary the resulting indebtedness of the veteran to 
the United States has been paid in full.

Provided, That if the Secretary issues or has issued a certificate of 
commitment covering the loan described in the application for guaranty 
or in the loan report, the amount and percentage of guaranty 
contemplated by the certificate of commitment shall not be subject to 
reduction if the loan has been or is closed on a date which is not later 
than the expiration date of the certificate of commitment, 
notwithstanding that the Secretary in the meantime and prior to the 
issuance of the evidence of guaranty shall have incurred actual 
liability or loss on a direct, guaranteed, or insured loan previously 
obtained by the borrower. For the purposes of this paragraph, the 
Secretary will be deemed to have incurred actual loss on a guaranteed or 
insured loan if the Secretary has paid a guaranty or insurance claim 
thereon and the veteran's resultant indebtedness to the Government has 
not been paid in full, and to have incurred actual liability on a 
guaranteed or insured loan if the Secretary is in receipt of a claim on 
the guaranty or insurance or is in receipt of a notice of default. In 
the case of a direct loan, the Secretary will be deemed to have incurred 
an actual loss if the loan is in default.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(b)(1) and (2) and (c)(4))

[44 FR 22723, Apr. 17, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 40227, Sept. 6, 1983; 
49 FR 28243, July 11, 1984; 60 FR 38257, July 26, 1995]



Sec. 36.4204  Loan purposes, maximum loan amounts and terms.

    (a) A manufactured home loan may be guaranteed if the loan is for 
one of the following purposes;
    (1) To purchase a lot on which to place a manufactured home already 
owned by the veteran;
    (2) To purchase a single-wide manufactured home;
    (3) To purchase a single-wide manufactured home and a lot on which 
to place such home;
    (4) To purchase a double-wide manufactured home;
    (5) To purchase a double-wide manufactured home and lot on which to 
place such home;
    (6) To refinance an existing loan, including a previously refinanced 
purchase money loan, that was made for the purchase of and is secured by 
a manufactured home and to purchase a lot on which the manufactured home 
is or will be placed; or
    (7) To refinance in accordance with Sec. 36.4223 an existing 
manufactured home loan guaranteed, insured or made under paragraphs 
(a)(1) through (6) of this section provided the amount of the loan to 
refinance does not exceed an amount equal to 95 percent of the 
reasonable value of the manufactured home securing the loan, as 
determined by the Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1))

    (b) In the case of a loan to purchase a new manufactured home unit 
only, the loan amount shall not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 
95 percent of the purchase price of the property securing the loan or 
the amount computed in paragraph (c), of this section, provided the 
total loan amount does not exceed 145 percent of the manufacturer's 
invoice.
    (c) For all manufactured home loans, the maximum loan amount is as 
follows:

[[Page 634]]

    (1) In the case of a loan to purchase a new manufactured home unit 
only, the loan amount is to be computed as the sum of:
    (i) One hundred twenty-five (125) percent of the figure produced by 
this computation:
    Subtract from the manufacturer's invoice cost the manufacturer's 
invoice cost of any components (furnishings, accessories, equipment) 
removed from the unit by the dealer. To the remainder add the dealer's 
cost for any components added by such dealer. The sum so obtained shall 
be the figure to be multiplied by the specified percentage; and
    (ii) One hundred (100) percent of the actual amount of fees and 
charges permitted in Sec. 36.4232.
    (2) A loan to purchase a lot upon which a manufactured home owned by 
the veteran will be placed is limited to the reasonable value of a 
developed lot or the reasonable value plus such amount determined by the 
Secretary to be appropriate to cover the cost of necessary site 
preparation for an undeveloped lot.
    (3) The maximum loan amount for a used manufactured home may not 
exceed the reasonable value as established by the Secretary, plus:
    (i) Actual fees or charges for required recordation of documents;
    (ii) The amount of any documentary stamp taxes levied on the 
transactions;
    (iii) The amount of State and local taxes levied on the 
transactions; and
    (iv) The premium for customary physical damage insurance and 
vendor's single interest coverage on the manufactured home for an 
initial policy term not to exceed one year.
    (4) In the case of an interest rate reduction refinancing loan (38 
U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F)) the maximum loan may not exceed the sum of:
    (i) The balance of the VA loan being refinanced;
    (ii) Closing costs as authorized by Sec. 36.4232 or Sec. 36.4254, as 
appropriate; and
    (iii) Allowable discounts, provided that:
    (A) The loan application is submitted to the Secretary for prior 
approval;
    (B) The amount of discount is disclosed to the Secretary and the 
veteran prior to the issuance of the certificate of commitment by the 
Secretary. This certificate of commitment shall specify the discount to 
be paid by the veteran, and this discount may not be increased once the 
commitment has been issued without the approval of the Secretary;
    (C) The discount has been determined by the Secretary to be 
reasonable in amount; and
    (5) For a loan to refinance a purchase money lien on a manufactured 
home and to purchase a lot (38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(G)) on which the 
manufactured home is or will be placed:
    (i) The loan must be secured by the same manufactured home which 
must be owned and occupied by the veteran as the veteran's home; and
    (ii) The amount of the loan may not exceed an amount equal to the 
sum of:
    (A) The purchase price of the lot, not to exceed the reasonable 
value thereof, as authorized by Sec. 36.4252;
    (B) The amount determined by the Secretary to be appropriate to 
cover the cost of necessary preparation of the lot;
    (C) The balance of the loan being refinanced; and
    (D) Closing costs, as authorized by Sec. 36.4232 or Sec. 36.4254, as 
appropriate, and a reasonable discount with respect to that portion of 
the loan used to refinance the existing purchase money lien.
    (iii) Allowable discounts may be charged to the veteran on the 
portion of the loan used to refinance the existing purchase money lien 
provided:
    (A) The loan application is submitted to the Secretary for prior 
approval;
    (B) The amount of discount to be paid on the unit portion of the 
loan is disclosed to the Secretary and the veteran prior to the issuance 
of the certificate of commitment by the Secretary. The certificate of 
commitment shall specify the discount to be paid by the veteran on the 
unit portion of the loan, and this discount may not be increased once 
the commitment has been issued without the approval of the Secretary; 
and
    (C) The discount on the unit portion of the loan has been determined 
by the Secretary to be reasonable in amount.
    (6) All powers of the Secretary under paragraphs (c) (4) and (5) of 
this section, except the authority to revise the

[[Page 635]]

discount after the commitment is issued, are hereby delegated to those 
officials designated by Sec. 36.4221(b). The power of the Secretary to 
approve an increase in the discount on the unit portion of the loan 
after the commitment is issued is delegated to those officials 
designated by Sec. 36.4220(a).
    (d) The loan amount in an individual case shall not exceed the 
following:
    (1) In the case of a loan to purchase a new manufactured home unit 
only, the loan amount shall not exceed the sum of the following:
    (i) 120 percent of the figure produced by the following computation:

Subtract from the manufacturer's invoice cost the manufactuer's invoice 
cost of any components (furnishings, accessories, equipment) removed 
from the unit by the dealer. To the remainder add the dealer's cost for 
any components added by such dealer. The sum so obtained shall be the 
figure to be multiplied by the specified percentage.
    (ii) 100 percent of the actual amount of fees and charge permitted 
in Sec. 36.4232.
    (2) In the case of a loan to purchase a new manufactured home unit 
plus the cost of necessary site preparation where the veteran owns the 
lot, the loan amount shall be limited to the amount determined in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section plus such costs of necessary site 
preparation as are approved by the Secretary.
    (3) In the case of a loan to purchase a new manufactured home unit 
plus the purchase of an undeveloped lot on which to place such home plus 
the cost of necessary site preparation, the loan amount shall be limited 
to the amount determined in paragraph (d)(1) of this section plus the 
reasonable value of the undeveloped lot as determined by the Secretary 
plus such costs of necessary site preparation as are approved by the 
Secretary.
    (4) In the case of a loan to purchase a new manufactured home unit 
plus the cost of a suitably developed lot on which to place such home, 
the loan amount shall be limited to the amount determined in paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section plus the reasonable value of the developed lot as 
determined by the Secretary.
    (5) In the case of a loan to purchase a lot upon which will be 
placed a manufactured home owned by the veteran the loan is limited to 
the reasonable value of a developed lot or the reasonable value plus 
such amount as is determined by the Secretary to be appropriate to cover 
the cost of necessary site preparation for an undeveloped lot.
    (6) In the case of a used manufactured home the maximum loan may not 
exceed the reasonable value as established by the Secretary, plus;
    (i) Actual fees or charges for required recordation of documents;
    (ii) The amount of any documentary stamp taxes levied on the 
transaction;
    (iii) The amount of State and local taxes levied on the transaction; 
and
    (iv) The premium for customary physical damage insurance and 
vendor's single interest coverage on the manufactured home for an 
initial policy term of not to exceed 5 years.
    (7) In the case of an interest rate reduction refinancing loan (38 
U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F)) the maximum loan may not exceed:
    (i) The balance of the Department of Veterans Affairs loan being 
refinanced;
    (ii) Closing costs as authorized by Sec. 36.4232 or Sec. 36.4254, as 
appropriate; and
    (iii) Allowable discounts provided:
    (A) The loan application is submitted to the Secretary for prior 
approval;
    (B) The amount of discount is disclosed to the Secretary and the 
veteran prior to the issuance of the certificate of commitment by the 
Secretary. Said certificate of commitment shall specify the discount to 
be paid by the veteran, and this discount may not be increased once the 
commitment has been issued without the approval of the Secretary;
    (C) The discount has been determined by the Secretary to be 
reasonable in amount; and
    (D) All powers of the Secretary under this paragraph (d)(7) of this 
section, except the authority to revise the discount after the 
commitment is issued, are hereby delegated to those officials designated 
by Sec. 36.4221(b). The power of the Secretary to approve an increase in 
the discount after the commitment is issued is delegated to those 
officials designated by Sec. 36.4220(a).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712 (a)(4) and (g))


[[Page 636]]


    (8) In the case of a loan to refinance a purchase money lien on a 
manufactured home and to buy a lot (38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(G)) on which 
the manufactured home is or will be placed:
    (i) The loan must be secured by the same manufactured home which 
must be owned and occupied by the veteran as the veteran's home; and
    (ii) The amount of the loan may not exceed an amount equal to the 
sum of:
    (A) The purchase price, not to exceed the reasonable value of the 
lot, as authorized by Sec. 36.4252,
    (B) The amount determined by the Secretary to be appropriate to 
cover the cost of necessary preparation of the lot,
    (C) The balance of the loan being refinanced, and
    (D) Closing costs, as authorized by Sec. 36.4232 or Sec. 36.4254, as 
appropriate, and a reasonable discount with respect to that portion of 
the loan used to refinance the existing purchase money lien.
    (iii) Allowable discounts may be charged to the veteran on the 
portion of the loan used to refinance the existing purchase money lien 
provided:
    (A) The loan application is submitted to the Secretary for prior 
approval;
    (B) The amount of discount to be paid on the unit portion of the 
loan is disclosed to the Secretary and the veteran prior to the issuance 
of the certificate of commitment by the Secretary. The certificate of 
commitment shall specify the discount to be paid by the veteran on the 
unit portion of the loan, and this discount may not be increased once 
the commitment has been issued without the approval of the Secretary;
    (C) The discount on the unit portion of the loan has been determined 
by the Secretary to be reasonable in amount; and
    (D) All powers of the Secretary under paragraph (d)(8) of this 
section, except the authority to revise the discount after the 
commitment is issued, are hereby delegated to those officials designated 
by Sec. 36.4221(b). The power of the Secretary to approve an increase in 
the discount on the unit portion of the loan after the commitment is 
issued is delegated to those officials designated by Sec. 36.4220(a).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712 (a)(1)(G), (a)(5) and (g))

    (d) A loan for any of the purposes described in paragraphs (a)(1) 
through (6) of this section may include an amount determined by the 
Secretary to be appropriate to cover the cost of necessary preparation 
of a lot already owned or to be acquired by the veteran, including the 
costs of installing utility connections and sanitary facilities, of 
paving, and of constructing a suitable pad for the manufactured home.

    (e) The maximum permissible loan terms shall not exceed;
    (1) 20 years and 32 days in the case of a loan to purchase a single-
wide manufactured home or a single-wide manufactured home and lot;
    (2) 15 years and 32 days in the case of a loan to purchase a lot on 
which to place a manufactured home already owned by the veteran;
    (3) 23 years and 32 days in the case of a loan to purchase a double-
wide manufactured home, or 25 years and 32 days in the case of a loan to 
purchase a double-wide manufactured home and lot; or
    (4) In the case of a used manufactured home the maximum term set 
forth in paragraph (c)(1) or (3) of this section or the remaining 
physical life expectancy of the unit as established by the Secretary, 
whichever is less.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1) and (2), (d)(1), (e)(4)(B))

    (f) An itemized list of all items included in the manufactured home 
loan as enumerated in Sec. 36.4232 shall be provided to both the 
purchaser and the Secretary. At the time of loan origination an 
independent fee inspection shall be conducted to assure that all items 
included in the loan amount are accounted for and in place. A similar 
inspection will be conducted in the event of repossession immediately 
prior to repossession. The costs of the fee inspections may be included 
in the loan amount or the claim amount and

[[Page 637]]

charged to the borrower pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 36.4232 (a) 
and (b).

(The information collection requirements contained in Sec. 36.4204(f) 
were approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control 
number 2900-0516)

    (g) The cost of the transaction which cannot be paid from the 
proceeds of the loan must be paid by the veteran in cash from the 
veteran's own resources. Except for interest rate reduction refinancing 
loans pursuant to paragraph (a)(7) of this section or loans to refinance 
a manufactured home and to buy a lot pursuant to paragraph (a)(8) of 
this section, closing costs and prepaid items incident to the real 
estate portion of any manufactured home loan must be paid in cash and 
may not be included in the loan amount.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712 (a)(4), (a)(5), (g))

[48 FR 40227, Sept. 6, 1983, as amended at 54 FR 34988, Aug. 23, 1989; 
58 FR 37858, July 14, 1993]



Sec. 36.4205  Computation of guaranty.

    (a) The amount of guaranty in respect to a loan guaranteed under 38 
U.S.C. 3712 shall be forty (40) percent of the original principal amount 
of the loan or $20,000, whichever is less. With respect to a loan 
guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F), the dollar amount of guaranty 
may not exceed the original dollar amount of guaranty on the loan being 
refinanced. With respect to a loan guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 
3712(a)(1)(G), the dollar amount of guaranty previously used to obtain a 
manufactured unit loan may be transferred pursuant to Sec. 36.4224(b) 
for use in refinancing the unit when simultaneously acquiring a lot.
    (b) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of Sec. 36.4203, the 
following formulas will determine the amount of guaranty entitlement 
which remains available to an eligible veteran after prior use of 
entitlement:
    (1) If a veteran previously secured a nonrealty (business) loan, the 
amount of nonrealty entitlement used is doubled and subtracted from 
$36,000. The sum remaining is the amount of available entitlement for 
use not to exceed $20,000 for manufactured home purposes.
    (2) If a veteran previously secured a realty (home) loan, the amount 
of realty (home) loan entitlement used is subtracted from $36,000. The 
sum remaining is the amount of available entitlement for use not to 
exceed $20,000 for manufactured home purposes.
    (3) If a veteran previously secured a manufactured home loan, the 
amount of entitlement used for manufactured home purposes is subtracted 
from $36,000. The sum remaining is the amount of available entitlement 
for use for home loan purposes only. To determine the amount of 
additional entitlement available for manufactured home purposes, the 
amount of entitlement previously used for manufactured home purposes is 
subtracted from $20,000. Except for manufactured home loans to be 
obtained pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F) or (G), the sum remaining 
is the amount of available entitlement for use for manufactured home 
purposes.
    (c) For the purpose of computing the remaining guaranty benefit to 
which a veteran is entitled, manufactured home and manufactured home lot 
loans guaranteed prior to October 1, 1978, shall be taken into 
consideration as if made subsequent thereto, and the veteran's 
entitlement will be reduced by the amount of the Secretary's guaranty 
issued in the particular loan transaction.
    (d) A guaranty is reduced or increased pro rata with any deduction 
or increase in the amount of the guaranteed indebtedness, but in no 
event will the amount payable on a guaranty exceed the amount of the 
original guaranty or the percentage of the indebtedness corresponding to 
that of the original guaranty.
    (e) The amount of any guaranty for a manufactured home or 
manufactured home lot loan shall be charged against the original or 
remainder of the borrower's guaranty benefit available for manufactured 
home purposes. Complete or partial liquidation, by payment or otherwise, 
of the veteran's guaranteed indebtedness does not increase the remainder 
of the guaranty benefit, if any, otherwise available to the veteran. 
When the maximum guaranty available legally to a veteran for 
manufactured home purposes shall

[[Page 638]]

have been granted, no further guaranty for manufactured home purposes 
shall be available to the veteran.
    (f)(1) The amount of guaranty entitlement, available and unused, of 
an eligible unremarried surviving spouse (whose eligibility does not 
result from his or her own service) is determinable in the same manner 
as in the case of any veteran, and any entitlement which the decedent 
(who was his or her spouse) used shall be disregarded. A certificate as 
to the eligibility of such surviving spouse, issued by the Secretary, 
shall be a condition precedent to the guaranty or insurance of any loan 
made to a surviving spouse in such capacity.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3701(a)(2), 3712(c)(4))

    (2) For the purpose of obtaining an interest rate reduction 
refinancing loan purusant to 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F), an unmarried 
surviving spouse who was a co-obligor under an existing Department of 
Veterans Affairs guaranteed loan shall be considered to be eligible for 
the 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F) benefit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(4)(C))

    (g) Any evidence of guaranty issued by the Secretary in respect to 
such loan shall be conclusive evidence of the eligibility of the loan 
for guaranty and of the amount of such guaranty, Provided, however, That 
the Secretary may establish against the original lender, defenses based 
on fraud or material misrepresentation and that the Secretary may by 
regulations in force at the date of such issuance establish partial 
defenses to the amount payable on the guaranty.

[44 FR 22724, Apr. 17, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 43669, Aug. 31, 1981; 
48 FR 40228, Sept. 6, 1983; 58 FR 37859, July 14, 1993]



Sec. 36.4206  Underwriting standards, occupancy, and non-
discrimination requirements.

    (a) Except for refinancing loans pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3712(a)(1)(F), no loan shall be guaranteed unless the terms of repayment 
bear a proper relationship to the veteran's present and anticipated 
income and expenses, and the veteran is a satisfactory credit risk, as 
determined by use of the standards in Sec. 36.4337 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712)

    (b) Use of the standards in Sec. 36.4337 of this part for 
underwriting manufactured home loans will be waived only in 
extraordinary circumstances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712)

    (c) The lender responsibilities contained in Sec. 36.4337 of this 
part and the certification required and penalties to be assessed under 
Sec. 36.4337A of this part against lenders making false certifications 
also apply to lenders originating VA guaranteed manufactured home loans 
under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 3712.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712)

    (d) No loan shall be guaranteed pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1) 
unless:
    (1) The veteran certifies, in such form as the Secretary shall 
prescribe, that he or she will personally occupy the property as his or 
her home or, if the veteran is on active duty status as a member of the 
Armed Forces and is for that reason unable to occupy the property, the 
veteran's spouse must certify that he or she will personally occupy the 
property as his or her home. For the purposes of this section, the words 
personally occupy the property as his or her home mean that the veteran 
as of the date of his or her certification actually lives in the 
property personally as his or her residence or actually intends upon 
completion of the loan and acquisition of the manufactured home to move 
into the home personally within a reasonable time and to utilize the 
home as his or her residence.
    (2) The veteran certifies, in such form as the Secretary shall 
prescribe that:
    (i) Neither the veteran, nor anyone authorized to act for the 
veteran, will refuse to sell or rent, after the making of a bona fide 
offer, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise 
make unavailable or deny the dwelling or property covered by this loan 
to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial 
status, or national origin;
    (ii) The veteran recognizes that any restrictive covenant on the 
property

[[Page 639]]

relating to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or 
national origin is illegal and void and any such covenant is 
specifically disclaimed; and
    (iii) The veteran understands that civil action for preventive 
relief may be brought by the Attorney General of the United States in 
any appropriate U.S. district court against any person responsible for a 
violation of the applicable law.

[46 FR 43670, Aug. 31, 1981, as amended at 56 FR 9855, Mar. 8, 1991; 58 
FR 37859, July 14, 1993]



Sec. 36.4207  Manufactured home standards.

    To qualify for purchase with a guaranteed loan a manufactured home 
must:
    (a) Meet the following dimensional requirements.
    (1) A single-wide unit must be a minimum of ten (10) feet wide and 
have a minimum floor area of four hundred (400) square feet.
    (2) A double-wide unit, when assembled, must be a minimum of twenty 
(20) feet wide and have a minimum floor area of seven hundred (700) 
square feet.
    (b) Be so constructed as to be towed on its own chassis and 
undercarriage and/or independent undercarriage;
    (c) Contain living facilities for year around occupancy by one 
family, including permanent provisions for heat, sleeping, cooking, and 
sanitation; and
    (d) Comply with the specifications in effect at the time the loan is 
made that are prescribed by the Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(h)(1))

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 40 FR 13213, Mar. 25, 1975; 44 
FR 22725, Apr. 17, 1979; 56 FR 9855, Mar. 8, 1991]



Sec. 36.4208  Manufactured home location standards.

    (a) Any rental site on which a manufactured home to be purchased 
with a guaranteed loan will be placed must qualify as an acceptable 
rental site as follows:
    (1) Be located within a manufactured home park or subdivision which 
is acceptable to the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
    (2) Be a site which is not within a manufactured home park or 
subdivision provided that (i) the site is determined by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs to be an acceptable rental site, or (ii) in the 
absence of a determination by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
respect to such site the manufactured home purchaser and the dealer 
certify to the Secretary as follows:
    (A) Placement of the manufactured home on the site or lot is not a 
violation of zoning laws or other local requirements applicable to 
manufactured homes;
    (B) The site or lot is served by water and sanitary facilities which 
are approved by the local public authority and which are acceptable to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs;
    (C) The site or lot is served by an all-weather street or road;
    (D) The site or lot is not known to be subject to conditions that 
may be hazardous to the health or safety of the manufactured home 
occupants or that may endanger the manufactured home; and
    (E) The site is free from, and the location of the manufactured home 
thereon will not substantially contribute to, adverse scenic or 
environmental conditions.
    (b) No manufactured home purchased with a guaranteed loan may be 
placed on a lot owned by an eligible veteran or on a lot to be purchased 
or improved with the proceeds of a guaranteed manufactured home loan 
unless the lot owned or to be so purchased or improved is determined by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs to be an acceptable manufactured home 
site.
    (c) A manufactured home park or subdivision which is not approved by 
the Federal Housing Administration will be acceptable to the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of 38 U.S.C. 3712 if the Secretary 
determines that the park or subdivision, whether existing or proposed, 
(1) is designed to encourage the maintenance and development of 
manufactured home sites which will be free from, and not substantially 
contribute to, adverse scenic and environmental conditions, and (2) 
complies otherwise with the applicable standards for planning,

[[Page 640]]

construction, and general acceptability prescribed by the Secretary.

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 55 FR 37472, Sept. 12, 1990; 
56 FR 9855, Mar. 8, 1991]



Sec. 36.4209  Reporting requirements.

    (a) Each loan proposed for guaranty under 38 U.S.C. 3712 shall, 
unless otherwise provided in the Sec. 36.4200 series, be submitted to 
the Secretary for approval prior to closing. The Secretary upon 
determining any such proposed loan to be eligible for guaranty will 
issue a certificate of commitment.
    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, a 
certificate of commitment shall entitle the holder to the issuance of 
the evidence of guaranty upon the ultimate actual payment of the full 
proceeds of the loan for the purposes described in the original report 
and upon the submission within 60 days thereafter of a supplemental 
report showing such fact and:
    (1) That the loan conforms to the terms of the certificate of 
commitment;
    (2) The identity of all property purchased therewith, including the 
itemized list required by Sec. 36.4204(f);
    (3) That all property purchased with the proceeds of the loan has 
been encumbered as required by the Sec. 36.4200 series;
    (4) In respect to any property purchased with the loan proceeds as 
to which the Secretary issued a certificate of reasonable value which 
was conditioned upon completion of any construction, repairs, 
alterations or improvements not inspected and approved subsequent to 
completion by a compliance inspector designated by the Secretary that 
such construction, repairs, alterations or improvements have been 
completed according to the plans and specifications upon which such 
reasonable value was based; and
    (5) That the loan conforms otherwise to the applicable provisions of 
38 U.S.C. chapter 37 and Sec. 36.4200 series.
    (c) A deviation of more than five (5) percent between the estimates 
upon which the certificate of commitment was issued and the report of 
final payment of the proceeds of the loan, or a change in the identity 
of the property acquired by the veteran with the loan proceeds will 
invalidate the certificate of commitment, unless such deviation or 
change is approved by the Secretary.
    (d) Upon the failure of the lender to report in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this section, the certificate of commitment shall have 
no further effect; Provided, nevertheless, That if the loan otherwise 
meets the requirements of this section, said certificate of commitment 
may be given effect by the Secretary, notwithstanding the report is 
received after the date otherwise required.
    (e) Subject to compliance with the regulations concerning guaranty 
of manufactured home loans to veterans, the Certificate of Guaranty will 
be issuable within the available entitlement of the veteran on the basis 
of the loan reported, except for refinancing loans for interest rate 
reductions. No certificate of commitment shall be issued, and no loan 
shall be guaranteed, unless the lender, the veteran, and the loan are 
shown to be eligible; nor shall guaranty be issued on any manufactured 
home loan unless the Secretary determines that there has been compliance 
by the veteran with the certification requirements of 38 U.S.C. 
3712(e)(5).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(4), (c)(2), (e)(5))

    (f) Any amount of the loan that is disbursed for an ineligible 
purpose shall be excluded in computing the amount of guaranty.
    (g) Approval by the Secretary pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3712(c)(1) is 
required before a lender may close manufactured home loans or 
manufactured home lot loans on the automatic basis. Evidence of guaranty 
will be issuable if the loan closed on the automatic basis is reported 
to the Secretary within 60 days of full disbursement, and upon 
certification of the lender that no default exists thereunder which has 
continued for more than 30 days and that the loan complies with 
paragraphs (b)(2), (3), (4), and (5), (e), and (f) of this section. Upon 
the failure of the lender to report in accordance with this paragraph 
the loan will not be eligible for guaranty unless the lender submits 
with the report a certification that the

[[Page 641]]

loan is not in default and an explanation as to why the loan was not 
timely reported.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712 (c)(1) and (g))

    (h) With respect to any loan for which a commitment was made on or 
after March 1, 1988, the Secretary must be notified whenever the holder 
receives knowledge of disposition of a manufactured home and/or lot 
securing a Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed loan.
    (1) If the seller applies for prior approval of the assumption of 
the loan, then:
    (i) A holder (or its authorized servicing agent) who is an automatic 
lender must examine the creditworthiness of the purchaser and determine 
compliance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3714. The creditworthiness 
review must be performed by the party that has automatic authority. If 
both the holder and its servicing agent are automatic lenders, then they 
must decide between themselves which one will make the determination of 
creditworthiness, whether the loan is current and whether there is a 
contractual obligation to assume the loan, as required by 38 U.S.C. 
3714. If the actual loan holder does not have automatic authority and 
its servicing agent is an automatic lender, then the servicing agent 
must make the determinations required by 38 U.S.C. 3714 on behalf of the 
holder. The actual holder will remain ultimately responsible for any 
failure of its servicing agent to comply with the applicable law and 
Department of Veterans Affairs regulations.
    (A) If the assumption is approved and the transfer of the security 
is completed, then the notice required by this paragraph shall consist 
of the credit package (unless previously provided in accordance with 
paragraph (h)(1)(i)(B) of this section) and a copy of the executed deed, 
bill of sale, transfer of equity agreement, and/or assumption agreement 
as required by the VA office of jurisdiction. The notice shall be 
submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs receipt for the funding fee provided for in 
Sec. 36.4232(e)(3) or Sec. 36.4254(d)(3) of this part.
    (B) If the application for assumption is disapproved, the holder 
shall notify the seller and the purchaser that the decision may be 
appealed to the Department of Veterans Affairs office of jurisdiction 
within 30 days. The holder shall make available to that Department of 
Veterans Affairs office all items used by the holder in making the 
holder's decision in case the decision is appealed to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. If the application remains disapproved after 60 days 
(to allow time for appeal to and review by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs) then the holder must refund $50 of any fee previously collected 
under the provisions of Sec. 36.4275(a)(3)(iii) of this part. If the 
application is subsequently approved and the sale is completed, then the 
holder (or its authorized servicing agent) shall provide the notice 
described in paragraph (h)(1)(i)(A) of this section.
    (C) In performing the requirements of paragraphs (h)(1)(i)(A) or 
(h)(1)(i)(B) of this section the holder must complete its examination of 
the creditworthiness of the prospective purchaser and advise the seller 
of its decision no later than 45 days after the date of receipt by the 
holder of a complete application package for the approval of the 
assumption. The 45-day period may be extended by an interval not to 
exceed the time caused by delays in processing of the application which 
are documented as beyond the control of the holder, such as employers or 
depositories not responding to requests for verifications, which were 
timely forwarded, or followups on those requests.
    (ii) If neither the holder nor its authorized servicing agent is an 
automatic lender, the notice to the Department of Veterans Affairs shall 
include:
    (A) Advice regarding whether the loan is current or in default;
    (B) A copy of the purchase contract; and
    (C) A complete credit package developed by the holder which the 
Secretary may use for determining the creditworthiness of the purchaser.
    (D) The notice and documents required by this section must be 
submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs office of jurisdiction 
no later than 35 days after the date of receipt

[[Page 642]]

by the holder of a complete application package for the approval of the 
assumption, subject to the same extensions as provided in paragraph 
(h)(1)(i) of this section. If the assumption is not automatically 
approved by the holder or its authorized agent pursuant to the automatic 
authority provisions, $50 of any fee collected in accordance with 
Sec. 36.4275(a)(3)(iii) of this part must be refunded. If the Department 
of Veterans Affairs does not approve the assumption, the holder will be 
notified and an additional $50 of any fee collected under 
Sec. 36.4275(a)(3)(iii) of this part must be refunded following 
expiration of the 30-day appeal period set out in paragraph (h)(1)(i)(B) 
of this section. If such an appeal is made to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, then the review will be conducted at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs office of jurisdiction by an individual who was not involved in 
the original disapproval decision. If the application for assumption is 
approved and the transfer of the security is completed, then the holder 
(or its authorized servicing agent) shall provide the notice required in 
paragraph (h)(1)(i)(A) of this section.
    (2) If the seller fails to notify the holder before disposing of 
property securing the loan, the holder shall notify the Secretary within 
60 days after learning of the transfer. Such notice shall advise whether 
or not the holder intends to exercise its option to immediately 
accelerate the loan or whether an opportunity will be extended to the 
transferor and transferee to apply for retroactive approval of the 
assumption under the terms of this paragraph


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0516)

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 44 FR 22725, Apr. 17, 1979; 46 
FR 43670, Aug. 31, 1981; 55 FR 37472, Sept. 12, 1990; 58 FR 37859, July 
14, 1993]



Sec. 36.4210  Joint loans.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the prior 
approval of the Secretary is required in respect to any manufactured 
home loan to be made to two or more borrowers who become jointly and 
severally liable, or jointly liable therefor, and who will acquire an 
undivided interest in the property to be purchased or who will otherwise 
share in the proceeds of the loan, or in respect to any loan to be made 
to an eligible veteran whose interest in the property owned, or to be 
acquired with the loan proceeds, is an undivided interest only. The 
amount of the guaranty shall be computed in such cases only on that 
portion of the loan allocable to the eligible veteran which, taking into 
consideration all relevant factors, represents the proper contribution 
of the veteran to the transaction. Such loans shall be secured to the 
extent required by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 and the regulations concerning 
guaranty of manufactured home loans to veterans.
    (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, 
the joinder of the spouse of a veteran-borrower in the ownership of 
property shall not require prior approval or preclude the issuance of a 
guaranty based upon the entire amount of the loan. If both spouses be 
eligible veterans, either or both, within permissible maxima, may 
utilize available guaranty entitlement.
    (c) For the purpose of determining the rights and the liabilities of 
the Secretary with respect to a loan subject to paragraph (a) of this 
section, credits legally applicable to the entire loan shall be applied 
as follows:
    (1) Prepayments made expressly for credit to that portion of the 
indebtedness allocable to the veteran shall be applied to such portion 
of the indebtedness. All other payments shall be applied ratably to 
those portions of the loan allocable respectively to the veteran and to 
the other debtors.
    (2) Proceeds of the sale or other liquidation of the security shall 
be applied ratably to the respective portions of the loan, such portion 
of the proceeds as represents the interest of the veteran being applied 
to that portion of the loan allocable to such veteran.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[44 FR 22725, Apr. 17, 1979, as amended at 55 FR 37473, Sept. 12, 1990]



Sec. 36.4211  Amortization--prepayment.

    (a) To be eligible for guaranty under 38 U.S.C. 3712 a loan shall be 
amortized

[[Page 643]]

fully within the term of the loan in accordance with any generally 
recognized plan of amortization requiring approximately equal monthly 
payments. The loan shall not be payable on demand or at sight or 
presentation, or at a time not specified or computable from the language 
in the evidence of indebtedness, or on a renewal basis at the option of 
the holder. The first payment may be deferred not longer than 2 months 
from the date the loan is closed.
    (b) No guaranteed loan security instrument shall contain any 
provision giving the holder a right to declare the loan due or otherwise 
to declare a default if the holder ``shall feel insecure'' or upon the 
occurrence of any similar condition at the holder's option, without 
regard to any act or omission by the debtor.
    (c) The debtor shall have the right, without penalty or fee, to 
prepay all or not less than one installment of the indebtedness at any 
time. Credit for any partial prepayment made on other than an 
installment due date may be postponed to the next installment due date. 
The holder and the debtor may agree at any time that any prepayment not 
previously applied in satisfaction of matured installments shall be 
reapplied for the purpose of curing or preventing any subsequent 
default. Any prepayment in full of the indebtedness (unpaid principal 
balance plus earned interest) shall be credited on the date received. In 
determining the amount required to prepay the indebtedness in full the 
holder of the loan shall exclude all unearned interest or discount.
    (d) Subject to paragraph (a) of this section any amounts which under 
the terms of a loan do not become due and payable on or before the last 
maturity date permissible for loans of its class under the limitations 
contained in Sec. 36.4204 shall automatically fall due on such date.



Sec. 36.4212  Interest rates and late charges.

    (a) In guaranteeing or insuring loans under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, 
the Secretary may elect to require that such loans either bear interest 
at a rate that is agreed upon by the veteran and the lender, or bear 
interest at a rate not in excess of a rate established by the Secretary. 
The Secretary may, from time to time, change that election by publishing 
a notice in the Federal Register. Provided, however, that the interest 
rate of a loan for the purpose of an interest rate reduction under 38 
U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F) must be less than the interest rate of the VA loan 
being refinanced. This paragraph (a) does not apply in the case of an 
adjustable rate mortgage being refinanced with a fixed rate loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3712)

    (b) For loans bearing an interest rate agreed upon by the veteran 
and the lender, the veteran may pay reasonable discount points in 
connection with the loan. The discount points may not be included in the 
loan amount, except for interest rate reduction refinancing loans under 
38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3712)

    (c) The rate of interest in instruments securing the indebtedness 
for all loans may be expressed in terms of add-on or discount.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710, 3712)

    (d) Interest in excess of the rate reported by the lender when 
requesting evidence of guaranty or insurance shall not be payable on any 
advance, or in the event of any delinquency or default; Provided, that a 
late charge not in excess of an amount equal to 4 percent of any 
installment paid more than 15 days after due date shall not be 
considered a violation of this limitation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712)

    (e) Adjustable rate mortgage loans which comply with the 
requirements of this paragraph are eligible for guaranty.
    (1) Interest rate index. Changes in the interest rate charged on an 
adjustable rate mortgage must correspond to changes in the weekly 
average yield on one year (52 week) Treasury bills adjusted to a 
constant maturity. Yields on one year Treasury bills at ``constant 
maturity'' are interpolated by the United States Treasury from the daily 
yield curve. This curve, which relates the yield on the security to its 
time to

[[Page 644]]

maturity, is based on the closing market bid yields on actively traded 
one year Treasury bills in the over-the-counter market. The weekly 
average one year constant maturity Treasury bill yields are published by 
the Federal Reserve Board of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal 
Reserve Statistical Release Report H.15 (519) is released each Monday. 
These one year constant maturity Treasury bill yields are also published 
monthly in the Federal Reserve Bulletin, published by the Federal 
Reserve Board of the Federal Reserve System, as well as quarterly in the 
Treasury Bulletin, published by the Department of the Treasury.
    (2) Frequency of interest rate changes. Interest rate adjustments 
must occur on an annual basis, except that the first adjustment may 
occur not sooner than 12 months nor later than 18 months from the date 
of the borrower's first mortgage payment. The adjusted rate will become 
effective the first day of the month following the adjustment date; the 
first monthly payment at the new rate will be due on the first day of 
the following month. To set the new interest rate, the lender will 
determine the change between the initial (i.e., base) index figure and 
the current index figure. The initial index figure shall be the most 
recent figure available before the date of mortgage loan origination. 
The current index figure shall be the most recent index figure available 
30 days before the date of each interest rate adjustment.
    (3) Method of rate changes. Interest rate changes may only be 
implemented through adjustments to the borrower's monthly payments.
    (4) Initial rate and magnitude of changes. The initial contract 
interest rate of an adjustable rate mortgage shall be agreed upon by the 
lender and the veteran. The rate must be reflective of adjustable rate 
lending. Annual adjustments in the interest rate shall be set at a 
certain spread or margin over the interest rate index prescribed in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Except for the initial rate, this 
margin shall remain constant over the life of the loan. Annual 
adjustments to the contract interest rate shall correspond to annual 
changes in the interest rate index, subject to the following conditions 
and limitations:
    (i) No single adjustment to the interest rate may result in a change 
in either direction of more than one percentage point from the interest 
rate in effect for the period immediately preceding that adjustment. 
Index changes in excess of one percentage point may not be carried over 
for inclusion in an adjustment in a subsequent year. Adjustments in the 
effective rate of interest over the entire term of the mortgage may not 
result in a change in either direction of more than five percentage 
points from the initial contract interest rate.
    (ii) At each adjustment date, changes in the index interest rate, 
whether increases or decreases, must be translated into the adjusted 
mortgage interest rate, rounded to the nearest one-eighth of one 
percent, up or down. For example, if the margin is 2 percent and the new 
index figure is 6.06 percent, the adjusted mortgage interest rate will 
be 8 percent. If the margin is 2 percent and the new index figure is 
6.07 percent, the adjusted mortgage interest rate will be 8\1/8\ 
percent.
    (5) Pre-loan disclosure. The lender shall explain fully and in 
writing to the borrower, no later than on the date upon which the lender 
provides the prospective borrower with a loan application, the nature of 
the obligation taken. The borrower shall certify in writing that he or 
she fully understands the obligation and a copy of the signed 
certification shall be placed in the loan folder and included in the 
loan submission to VA. Such lender disclosure must include the following 
items:
    (i) The fact that the mortgage interest rate may change, and an 
explanation of how changes correspond to changes in the interest rate 
index;
    (ii) Identification of the interest rate index, its source of 
publication and availability;
    (iii) The frequency (i.e., annually) with which interest rate levels 
and monthly payments will be adjusted, and the length of the interval 
that will precede the initial adjustment; and
    (iv) A hypothetical monthly payment schedule that displays the 
maximum potential increases in monthly payments to the borrower over the 
first

[[Page 645]]

five years of the mortgage, subject to the provisions of the mortgage 
instrument.
    (6) Annual disclosure. At least 25 days before any adjustment to a 
borrower's monthly payment may occur, the lender must provide a notice 
to the borrower which sets forth the date of the notice, the effective 
date of the change, the old interest rate, the new interest rate, the 
new monthly payment amount, the current index and the date it was 
published, and a description of how the payment adjustment was 
calculated. A copy of the annual disclosure shall be made a part of the 
lender's permanent record on the loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3707, 3712)

[60 FR 38257, July 26, 1995]



Sec. 36.4213  Capacity of parties.

    Nothing in the Sec. 36.4200 series shall be construed to relieve any 
lender of responsibility for any loss caused by lack of legal capacity 
of any person to contract, sell, convey or encumber, or by the existence 
of other legal disability or defects invalidating or rendering 
unenforceable in whole or in part either the loan obligation or the 
security therefor.



Sec. 36.4214  Geographical limits.

    The site for any manufactured home purchased with a guaranteed loan 
must be located within the United States of America, which for the 
purposes of 38 U.S.C. 3712 comprises the several States, the Territories 
and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands.

[46 FR 43670, Aug. 31, 1981, as amended at 48 FR 1717, Jan. 14, 1983]



Sec. 36.4215  Maintenance of records.

    (a) The holder shall maintain a record of the amounts of payments 
received on the obligation and disbursements chargable thereto and the 
dates thereof. This record shall be maintained until the Secretary 
ceases to be liable as guarantor of the loan. For the purpose of any 
accounting with the Secretary or computation of claim against the 
Secretary, any holder who fails to maintain such record shall be 
presumed to have received on the dates due all sums which by the terms 
of the contract are payable prior to date of claim, and the burden of 
going forward with evidence and of ultimate proof of the contrary shall 
be on such holder.
    (b) The lender shall retain copies of all loan origination records 
on VA guaranteed loan for at least one year from the date of loan 
closing. Loan origination records include the loan application, 
including any preliminary application, verifications of employment and 
deposit, all credit reports, including preliminary credit reports, 
copies of each sales contract and addendums, letters of explanation for 
adverse credit items, discrepancies and the like, direct references from 
creditors, correspondence with employers, appraisal reports, reports on 
other inspections of the property, and all closing papers and documents.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1), 3712(g))

    (c) The Secretary has the right to inspect, examine, or audit, at a 
reasonable time and place, the records or accounts of a lender or holder 
pertaining to loans guaranteed by the Secretary.

(Recordkeeping requirements contained in Sec. 36.4215 were approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control number 2900-0515)

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 40 FR 13214, Mar. 25, 1975; 55 
FR 34913, Aug. 27, 1990]



Sec. 36.4217  Delivery of notice.

    Any notice required by the Sec. 36.4200 series to be given the 
Secretary must be in writing or such other communications medium as may 
be approved by an official designated in Sec. 36.4221(b) and delivered, 
by mail or otherwise, to the VA office at which the guaranty was issued, 
or to any changed address of which the holder has been given notice. 
Such notice must plainly identify the case by setting forth the name of 
the original veteran-obligor and the file number assigned to the case by 
the Secretary, if available, or otherwise the name and serial number of 
the veteran. If mailed, the notice shall be by certified mail when so 
provided by the

[[Page 646]]

Sec. 36.4200 series. This section does not apply to legal process. (See 
Sec. 36.4282.)

[58 FR 29114, May 19, 1993]



Sec. 36.4218  Payment in full; termination of guaranty.

    Upon full satisfaction of a guaranteed loan by payment or otherwise 
the instrument evidencing the guaranty shall be returned to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs office issuing the same with the holder's 
cancellation or endorsement of release thereon.



Sec. 36.4219  Incorporation by reference.

    Department of Veterans Affairs regulations issued under 38 U.S.C. 
3712, and in effect on the date of any loan which is submitted and 
accepted or approved for a guaranty thereunder, shall govern the rights, 
duties, and liabilities of the parties to such loan and any provisions 
of the loan instruments inconsistent with such regulations are hereby 
amended and supplemented to conform thereto.



Sec. 36.4220  Substantive and procedural requirements; waiver.

    (a) Notwithstanding any requirement, condition, or limitation stated 
in or imposed by the regulations concerning the guaranty of manufactured 
home loans to veterans, the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the 
Director, Loan Guaranty Service, within the limitations and conditions 
prescribed by the Secretary, is hereby authorized, if the Under 
Secretary for Benefits or Director, Loan Guaranty Service finds the 
interests of the Government are not adversely affected, to relieve undue 
prejudice to a debtor, holder, or other person, which might otherwise 
result, provided no such action may be taken which would impair the 
vested rights of any person affected thereby. If such requirement, 
condition, or limitation is of an administrative or procedural (not 
substantive) nature, any employee designated in Sec. 36.4221 is hereby 
authorized to grant similar relief if the designated employee finds the 
failure or error of the lender was due to misunderstanding or mistake 
and that the interests of the Government are not adversely affected. 
Provisions of the regulations considered to be of an administrative or 
procedural (nonsubstantive) nature are limited to the following:
    (1) The requirement in Sec. 36.4209(b) that a lender originating a 
loan under a certificate of commitment report the loan for issuance of 
guaranty evidence within 60 days following actual payment of the full 
proceeds of the loan. In such cases it is not necessary that a finding 
be made that the loan is not in default.
    (2) The requirements in Sec. 36.4209(h) of this part concerning the 
giving of notice in assumption cases under 38 U.S.C. 3714.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

    (3) The requirement in Sec. 36.4279 that a holder promptly forward 
an advice of the terms of any agreement effecting a reamortization or 
extension of a loan.
    (4) The requirement in Sec. 36.4280 concerning the giving of notice 
of default.
    (5) The requirement in Sec. 36.4280 that a holder give 30 days 
advance notice of its intention to foreclose or repossess the security.
    (6) The requirement in Sec. 36.4282 that a holder give notice of 
repossession of personal property within 10 days after such repossession 
has occurred.
    (7) The requirement in Sec. 36.4210(a) that a lender obtain the 
prior approval of the Secretary before closing a joint loan if the 
lender or class of lenders is approved by the Secretary to close loans 
on the automatic basis pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3712(c)(1).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(c)(1))

    (b) No waiver, consent, or approval required or authorized by the 
regulations concerning guaranty of loans to veterans shall be valid 
unless in writing signed by the Secretary or the employee designated in 
Sec. 36.4221.

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 46 FR 43670, Aug. 31, 1981; 49 
FR 13352, Apr. 4, 1984; 55 FR 37473, Sept. 12, 1990; 61 FR 28058, June 
4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4221  Delegation of authority.

    (a) Except as hereinafter provided, each employee of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs heretofore or hereafter appointed to, or lawfully 
filling, any position designated in paragraph (b) of this section is 
hereby delegated

[[Page 647]]

authority, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law, to 
exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with respect to the 
guaranty of manufactured home loans and the rights and liabilities 
arising therefrom, including but not limited to the adjudication and 
allowance, disallowance, and compromise of claims; the collection or 
compromise of amounts due, in money or other property; the extension, 
rearrangement, or acquisition of loans; the management and disposition 
of secured and unsecured notes and other property; and those functions 
expressly or impliedly embraced within paragraphs (2) to (6), inclusive, 
of 38 U.S.C. 3720(a). Incidental to the exercise and performance of the 
powers and functions hereby delegated, each such employee is authorized 
to execute and deliver (with or without acknowledgment) for, and on 
behalf of, the Secretary, evidence of guaranty and such certificates, 
forms, conveyances, and other instruments as may be appropriate in 
connection with the acquisition, ownership, management, sale, transfer, 
assignment, encumbrance, rental, or other disposition of real or 
personal property, or of any right, title, or interest therein, 
including, but not limited to, contracts of sale, installment contracts, 
deeds, leases, bills of sale, assignments, and releases; and to approve 
disbursements to be made for any purpose authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 
37.
    (b) Designated positions:

Under Secretary for Benefits.
Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
Director, Regional Office.
Director, Medical and Regional Office Center.
Director, VA Regional Office and Insurance Center.
Loan Guaranty Officer.
Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer.


The authority hereby delegated to employees of the positions designated 
in this paragraph may, with the approval of the Under Secretary for 
Benefits, be redelegated.
    (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed (1) to authorize any 
such employee to exercise the authority vested in the Secretary under 38 
U.S.C. 501 or 3715(b) or to sue, or enter appearance for and on behalf 
of the Secretary, or confess judgment against the Secretary in any court 
without prior authorization; or (2) to include the authority to exercise 
those powers delegated to the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the 
Director, Loan Guaranty Service, under Sec. 36.4220: Provided, That 
anything in the regulations concerning guaranty of loans to veterans to 
the contrary notwithstanding, any evidence of guaranty issued on or 
after January 27, 1971 by any of the employees designated in paragraph 
(b) of this section or by any employee designated an authorized agent or 
a loan guaranty agent shall be deemed to have been issued by the 
Secretary, subject to the defenses reserved in 38 U.S.C. 3721.
    (d) Each Regional Office, regional office and insurance center, and 
Medical and Regional Office Center shall maintain and keep current a 
cumulative list of all employees of that Office or Center who, since May 
1, 1980, have occupied the positions of Director, Loan Guaranty Officer 
and Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer. This list will include each 
employee's name, title, date the employee assumed the position, and the 
termination date, if applicable, of the employee's tenure in such 
position. The list shall be available for public inspection and copying 
at the Regional Office, or Center, during normal business hours.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3720(a)(5))

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 40 FR 13214, Mar. 25, 1975; 44 
FR 16014, Mar. 16, 1979; 45 FR 21243, Apr. 1, 1980; 46 FR 43671, Aug. 
31, 1981; 49 FR 13352, Apr. 4, 1984; 61 FR 28058, June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4222  Hazard insurance.

    (a) The holder shall require insurance policies to be procured and 
maintained in an amount sufficient to protect the security against risks 
or hazards to which it may be subjected to the extent customary in the 
locality. The costs of such required insurance coverage may be paid for 
by the veteran. Only the costs for one year may be included in the loan 
amount.
    (1) Flood insurance will be required on any manufactured home, 
building or personal property securing a loan at any time during the 
term of the loan that such security is located in an area

[[Page 648]]

identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special 
flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made available under 
the National Flood Insurance Act, as amended. The amount of flood 
insurance must be at least equal to the lesser of the outstanding 
principal balance of the loan or the maximum limit of coverage available 
for the particular type of property under the National Flood Insurance 
Act, as amended. The Secretary cannot guarantee a loan for the 
acquisition or construction of property located in an area identified by 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood hazards 
unless the community in which such area is situated is then 
participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.


(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4106(a))

    (2) Broad Lender's Protection Insurance or its equivalent is 
required to protect against loss for any items missing from the 
manufactured home at time of repossession and to cover repossession 
expenses including, but not limited to, breakdown and transport charges, 
permit and export fees, and an amount, limited by the Secretary, of 
unpaid park rent.
    (b) All monies under such policies covering payment of insured 
losses shall be applied to restoration of the security or to the loan 
balance.

[58 FR 37859, July 14, 1993, as amended at 62 FR 5531, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4223  Interest rate reduction refinancing loan.

    (a) A veteran may refinance [38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F)] an existing 
Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed loan to reduce the interest 
rate payable on the Department of Veterans Affairs loan provided the 
following requirements are met:
    (1) The loan application must be submitted to the Secretary for 
prior approval unless the veteran is not charged a discount, in which 
case the loan application may be processed on the automatic basis;
    (2) The loan must be secured by the same real property and/or 
personal property as the loan being refinanced and the veteran must own 
the manufactured home and/or manufactured home lot securing the loan; 
and
    (i) Presently occupy or have previously occupied the manufactured 
home, a manufactured home on the lot securing the loan, or the 
manufactured home and the lot securing the loan as his or her home and 
must certify in such form as the Secretary shall prescribe that the 
veteran presently or has previously so occupied the manufactured home or 
a manufactured home on the lot; or
    (ii) When a veteran is on Active Duty status as a member of the 
Armed Forces and is unable to occupy the manufactured home or a 
manufactured home on the lot securing the loan as a home because of such 
status, the veteran's spouse must occupy or must have previously 
occupied the manufactured home or a manufactured home on the lot as the 
spouse's home and must certify such occupancy in such form as the 
Secretary shall prescribe.
    (3) The amount of the refinancing loan may not exceed an amount 
equal to the sum of the balance of the loan being refinanced and such 
closing costs as authorized in Sec. 36.4232 or Sec. 36.4254, as 
appropriate, and a discount not to exceed 2 percent of the loan amount;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3712)

    (4) The dollar amount of the guaranty of the 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F) 
loan may not exceed the greater of the original guaranty amount of the 
loan being refinanced, or 25 percent of the loan; and


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3712)

    (5) The term of the refinancing loan 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F) may not 
exceed the original term of the loan being refinanced.
    (b) Notwithstanding any other regulatory provision, the interest 
rate reduction refinancing loan may be guaranteed without regard to the 
amount of guaranty entitlement for manufactured home purposes available 
for use by the veteran, and the amount of the veteran's remaining 
guaranty entitlement for manufactured home purposes shall not be charged 
for an interest rate reduction refinancing loan. The interest rate 
reduction refinancing

[[Page 649]]

loan will be guaranteed with the entitlement used by the veteran to 
obtain the loan being refinanced. The veteran's loan guaranty 
entitlement used originally for a purpose as enumerated in 38 U.S.C. 
3712(a)(1)(A) through (E) or (G) and subsequently transferred for use on 
an interest rate reduction refinancing loan (38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F)) 
shall be eligible for restoration when the interest rate reduction 
refinancing loan or subsequent interest rate reduction refinancing loan 
on the same property meets the requirements of Sec. 36.4203(a).
    (c) Title to the security which is refinanced for the purpose of an 
interest rate reduction must be in conformity with Sec. 36.4234, and/or 
Sec. 36.4253, as appropriate.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F) and (4))

[46 FR 43671, Aug. 31, 1981, as amended at 48 FR 40229, Sept. 6, 1983; 
58 FR 37860, July 14, 1993; 60 FR 38258, July 26, 1995; 61 FR 7415, Feb. 
28, 1996]



Sec. 36.4224  Refinancing existing manufactured home loan including
purchase of lot.

    (a) A veteran may refinance (38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(G)) an existing 
purchase money lien on a manufactured home owned and occupied by the 
veteran as his or her home in conjunction with a loan to acquire a 
suitable lot on which that manufactured home is or will be located 
provided the following requirements are met.
    (1) The loan application must be submitted to the Secretary for 
prior approval;
    (2) The loan must be secured by the same manufactured home which is 
being refinanced and the real property on which the manufactured home is 
or will be located.
    (3) The amount of the loan may not exceed an amount equal to the sum 
of the balance of the loan being refinanced; the purchase price, not to 
exceed the reasonable value of the lot, as authorized in Sec. 36.4252; 
the costs of necessary site preparation of the lot as determined by the 
Secretary; a reasonable discount as authorized in Sec. 36.4204(d)(8) 
with respect to that portion of the loan used to refinance the existing 
purchase money lien on the manufactured home, and closing costs as 
authorized in Sec. 36.4232 or Sec. 36.4254, as appropriate.
    (b) If the loan being refinanced was guaranteed by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, the portion of the loan made for the purpose of 
refinancing an existing purchase money manufactured home loan may be 
guaranteed without regard to the outstanding guaranty entitlement 
available for use by the veteran, and the veteran's guaranty entitlement 
shall not be charged as a result of any guaranty provided for the 
refinancing portion of the loan. For the purposes enumerated in 38 
U.S.C. 3702(b) the refinancing portion of the loan shall be considered 
to have been obtained with the guaranty entitlement used to obtain the 
VA-guaranteed loan being refinanced. Guaranty for the refinancing loan 
shall be computed by first applying to the loan a combined total of the 
guaranty entitlement used to obtain the VA-guaranteed loan being 
refinanced and second any additional guaranty entitlement available to 
the veteran for manufactured home purposes, up to a maximum of $20,000 
or forty (40) percent of the original principal amount of the loan, 
whichever is less.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(G) and (5))

[48 FR 40229, Sept. 6, 1983, as amended at 58 FR 37860, July 14, 1993]



Sec. 36.4225  Authority to close manufactured home loans on the 
automatic basis.

    (a) Supervised lenders of the classes described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d) 
(1) and (2) are authorized by statute to process VA guaranteed 
manufactured home loans on the automatic basis. This category of lenders 
includes any Federal land bank, national bank, State bank, private bank, 
building and loan association, insurance company, credit union or 
mortgage and loan company that is subject to examination and supervision 
by an agency of the United States or of any State or by any State.
    (b) Nonsupervised lenders of the class described in 38 U.S.C. 
3702(d)(3) must apply to the Secretary for authority to process 
manufactured home loans on the automatic basis. The following minimum 
requirements must be met:

[[Page 650]]

    (1) Minimum assets. A minimum of $50,000 of working capital must be 
maintained. Working capital is defined as the excess of current assets 
over current liabilities. Current assets are defined as cash or other 
assets that could readily be converted into cash within 1 year on the 
normal accounting or business cycle. Current liabilities are defined as 
obligations that would be paid within a year on a normal accounting or 
business cycle. The lender's latest financial statements (profit and 
loss statements and balance sheets), audited and certified by a CPA 
(certified public accountant), must accompany the application. If the 
date of the financial statement precedes that of the application by more 
than 6 months, the lender-applicant must also attach a copy of its 
latest internal quarterly report. In addition, the lender-applicant must 
agree that if the application is approved, the applicant will provide 
within 120 days following the end of each of its fiscal years an audited 
financial statement to the Director, Loan Guaranty Service for review.
    (2) Experience. The firm must have been actively engaged in 
originating manufactured home loans for at least the last 2 years. 
Alternately, each principal officer of the firm who is actively involved 
in managing origination functions must have a minimum of 2 recent years' 
total experience in the field of VA manufactured home mortgages in 
managerial functions in either the present company of employment or in 
companies other than that of his or her present employment. In either 
case, every principal officer (president and vice presidents) must 
submit a resume of his or her experience in the mortgage lending field. 
Should the secretary and/or treasurer participate in the management of 
origination functions, they too must submit a resume and meet the 
minimum experience requirement if the company does not meet the 
experience requirement. Should the lender or any of its directors or 
officers ever have been debarred or suspended by any Federal agency or 
department or any of its directors or officers have been a director or 
officer of any other lender or corporation that was so suspended, or if 
the lender-applicant ever had a servicing contract with an investor 
terminated for cause, a statement of the facts must also be submitted. 
Lender-applicants will submit individual requests for each branch office 
they wish to have approved. The parent organization must agree to accept 
full responsibility for the actions of branch offices.
    (3) Underwriter. If it is proposed that all loans to be made by the 
lender will be submitted to its home office for approval or rejection, 
the lender must have at least one full-time designated underwriter in 
its home office. If the loans will be approved or rejected by branch 
managers, the lender must have at least one full-time designated 
underwriter in each branch. In either event, the designated underwriters 
must be identified and a resume on each submitted to VA. The 
underwriters should have at least three years of experience in consumer 
installment finance. If changes in underwriting personnel occur, the 
lender must notify VA.
    (4) Lines of credit. The identity of the source(s) of warehouse 
lines of credit must be revealed to VA and the applicant must agree that 
VA may contact the named source(s) for the purpose of verifying the 
information.
    (5) Secondary market. If the lender-applicant customarily sells the 
manufactured home loans it originates, it must provide a listing of all 
permanent investors to whom the loans are sold, including the investor's 
address, telephone number and names of persons to contact.
    (6) Liaison. The lender-applicant must designate one employee to act 
as liaison on its behalf with the VA. If possible, the lender-applicant 
should select employees other than VA approved underwriters to act as 
liaison. Officers from branch or regional offices should also be 
appointed to act as liaison with local VA offices. The lender must 
notify VA of any changes in liaison personnel.
    (7) Courtesy closing. The lender-applicant must certify to VA that 
it will not close loans on an automatic basis as a courtesy or 
accommodation for other mortgage lenders whether or not such lenders are 
themselves approved to close on an automatic basis. The lender must 
agree that the processing of

[[Page 651]]

forms other than the initial credit application will not be delegated to 
the dealer or developer.
    (8) Subsidiaries/affiliates. A lender approved for automatic 
processing may not close manufactured home loans on the automatic basis 
involving any dealership or manufacturer in which it has a financial 
interest or which it owns, is owned by, or with which it is affiliated. 
This restriction may be eliminated for lenders that can provide 
documentation which demonstrates to VA's satisfaction that (i) the 
lender and the manufacturer and/or dealer are separate entities that 
operate independently for each other, and (ii) the percentage of all VA 
manufactured home loans originated by the lender during at least a one-
year period on which payments are past due 90 days or more is no higher 
than the national average for the same period for all mortgage loans.
    (9) Lender agents. A lender using an agent to perform a portion of 
the work involved in originating and closing a VA guaranteed loan on an 
automatic basis must take full responsibility by certification or 
corporate resolution for all acts, errors and omissions of the agent and 
its employees. Any such acts, errors or omissions will be treated as 
those of the lender and appropriate sanctions may be imposed against the 
lender and its agent.
    (10) Minimum use of automatic authority. If approved, lenders must 
use their automatic authority to the maximum extent possible. Any lender 
with automatic authority who submits a loan on the prior approval basis 
will be required to submit an explanation from the designated 
underwriter as to why the loan was not closed automatically. Such a 
statement will not be needed for loans that must be processed on the 
prior approval basis, e.g., joint loans.
    (11) Probation. Lender-applicants meeting the requirements of this 
section will be approved to close loans on an automatic basis for a 1-
year probationary period. Poor underwriting and/or consistently careless 
processing by the lender during the probationary period will be a basis 
for withdrawal of automatic authority.
    (12) Quality control system. In order to be approved as a 
nonsupervised lender for automatic processing authority, the lender must 
implement a written quality control system which ensures compliance with 
VA requirements. The lender must agree to furnish findings under its 
system to VA on demand. The elements of the quality control system must 
include the following:
    (i) Underwriting policies. Each office of the lender shall maintain 
copies of VA credit standards and all available VA underwriting 
guidelines.
    (ii) Corrective measures. The system should ensure the effective 
corrective measures are taken promptly when deficiencies in loan 
originations are identified by either the lender or VA. Any cases 
involving major discrepancies which are discovered under the system must 
be reported to VA.
    (iii) System integrity. The quality control system should be 
independent of the loan production function.
    (iv) Scope. The review of understanding decisions and certifications 
must include compliance with VA underwriting requirements, sufficiency 
of documentation and soundness of underwriting judgments.
    (c) A lender approved to close loans on the automatic basis who 
subsequently fails to meet the requirements of this section must report 
the circumstances surrounding the deficiency and the remedial action to 
be taken to cure it to VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1803(c)(1), and 1812(g))

    (d) To participate in VA's automatic program nonsupervised lenders 
of the class described in paragraph 3702(d)(3) of title 38 U.S. Code 
shall pay fees as follows:
    (1) $500 for new applications;
    (2) $200 for reinstatement of lapsed or terminated automatic 
authority;
    (3) $100 for each underwriter approval;
    (4) $100 for each agent approval;
    (5) $100 for each regional underwriting office approval;
    (6) A minimum fee of $100 for any other VA administrative action 
pertaining to a lender's participation in ALP;
    (7) $200 annually for certification of home offices;
    (8) $100 annually for certification of regional offices; and

[[Page 652]]

    (9) $100 annually for each agent renewal.
    (e) Supervised lenders of the classes described in paragraphs (d)(1) 
and (d)(2) of 38 U.S. Code 3702 participating in VA's Loan Guaranty 
Program shall pay fees as follows:
    (1) $100 fee for each agent approval; and
    (2) $100 annually for each agent renewal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(g))

    (f) Lenders participating in VA's Lender Appraisal Processing 
Program shall pay a fee of $100 for approval of each staff appraisal 
reviewer.

[56 FR 40559, Aug. 15, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 828, Jan. 9, 1992; 57 
FR 40616, Sept. 4, 1992]



Sec. 36.4226  Withdrawal of authority to close manufactured home loans
on the automatic basis.

    (a)(1) As provided in 38 U.S.C. 3702(e), the authority of any lender 
to close manufactured home loans on the automatic basis may be withdrawn 
by the Secretary at any time upon 30 days notice. The automatic 
processing authority of both supervised and nonsupervised lenders may be 
withdrawn for engaging in practices which are imprudent from a lending 
standpoint or which are prejudicial to the interests of veterans or the 
Government but are of a lesser degree than would warrant complete 
debarment or suspension of the lender from participation in the program.
    (2) Automatic processing authority may be withdrawn for failure to 
meet basic qualifying criteria. For non-supervised lenders, this 
includes lack of a designated underwriter, failure to maintain $50,000 
working capital and/or failure to file required financial statements. 
For supervised lenders this includes loss of status as an entity subject 
to examination and supervision by a Federal or State supervisory agency 
as required by 38 U.S.C. 3702(d). During the 1 year probationary period 
for newly approved automatic lenders, automatic authority may be 
withdrawn based upon poor underwriting or consistently careless 
processing by the lender, as determined by VA.
    (3) Automatic processing authority may also be withdrawn based on 
any of the causes for debarment set forth in 2 CFR parts 180 and 801.
    (b) Authority to close manufactured home loans on the automatic 
basis may also be temporarily withdrawn for a period of time under the 
following schedule.
    (1) Withdrawal for 60 days:
    (i) Automatic loan submissions show deficiencies in credit 
underwriting, such as use of unstable sources of income to qualify the 
borrower, ignoring significant adverse credit items affecting the 
applicant's creditworthiness, etc., after such deficiencies have been 
repeatedly called to the lender's attention;
    (ii) Employment or deposit verifications are handcarried by 
applicants or otherwise improperly permitted to pass through the hands 
of a third party;
    (iii) Automatic loan submissions are consistently incomplete after 
such deficiencies have been repeatedly called to the lender's attention 
by VA; or
    (iv) There are continued instances of disregard of VA requirements 
after they have been called to the lender's attention.
    (2) Withdrawal for 180 days:
    (i) Loans are closed automatically which conflict with VA credit 
standards and which would not have been made by a lender acting 
prudently;
    (ii) The lender fails to disclose to VA significant obligations or 
other information so material to the veteran's ability to repay the loan 
that undue risk to the Government results;
    (iii) Employment or deposit verifications are allowed to be 
handcarried by applicant or otherwise mishandled, resulting in the 
submission of significant misinformation to VA;
    (iv) Substantiated complaints are received that the lender 
misrepresented VA requirements to veterans to the detriment of their 
interests (e.g., veteran was dissuaded from seeking a lower interest 
rate based on lender's incorrect advice that such options were precluded 
by VA requirements);
    (v) Closing documentation shows instances of improper charges to the 
veteran after the impropriety of such charges has been called to the 
lender's attention by Va, or refusal to refund

[[Page 653]]

such charges after notification by VA; or
    (vi) There are other instances of lender actions which are 
prejudicial to the interests of veterans, such as deliberate delays in 
scheduling loan closings.
    (3) Withdrawal for a period from one year to three years:
    (i) The lender fails to properly disburse loans (e.g., loan 
disbursement checks returned due to insufficient funds); or
    (ii) There is involvement by the lender in the improper use of a 
veteran's entitlement (e.g., knowingly permitting the veteran to violate 
occupancy requirements, lender involvement in sale of veteran's 
entitlement).
    (4) A continuation of actions that have led to previous withdrawal 
of automatic authority justifies withdrawal of automatic authority for 
the next longer period of time.
    (5) Withdrawal of automatic processing authority does not prevent a 
lender from processing VA guaranteed manufactured home loans on the 
prior approval basis.
    (6) Action by VA to remove a lender's automatic authority does not 
prevent VA from also taking debarment or suspension action based on the 
same conduct by the lender.
    (7) VA field facilities are authorized to withdraw automatic 
privileges for 60 days, based on any of the violations set forth in 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section, for nonsupervised 
lenders without operations in other stations' jurisdictions. All 
determinations regarding withdrawal of automatic authority for longer 
periods of time or multi-jurisdictional lenders must be made in Central 
Office.
    (c) VA will provide 30 days notice of withdrawal of automatic 
authority in order to enable the lender to either close or obtain prior 
approval for a loan on which processing has begun. There is no right to 
a formal hearing to contest the withdrawal of automatic processing 
privileges. However, if within 15 days after receiving notice the lender 
requests an opportunity to contest the withdrawal, the lender may submit 
in person, in writing, or through a representative, information and 
argument in opposition to the withdrawal.
    (d) If the lender's submission in opposition raises a dispute over 
facts material to the withdrawal of automatic authority, the lender will 
be afforded an opportunity to appear with a representative, submit 
documentary evidence, present witnesses, and confront any witnesses VA 
presents. The Under Secretary for Benefits will appoint a hearing 
officer or panel to conduct the hearing.
    (e) A transcribed record of the proceedings shall be made available 
at cost to the lender, upon request, unless the requirement for a 
transcript is waived by mutual agreement.
    (f) In actions based upon a conviction or civil judgment, or in 
which there is no genuine dispute over material facts, the Under 
Secretary for Benefits shall make a decision on the basis of all the 
information in the administrative record, including any submissions made 
by the lender.
    (g) In actions in which additional proceedings are necessary to 
determine disputed material facts, written findings of fact will be 
prepared by the hearing officer or panel. The Under Secretary for 
Benefits shall base the decision on the facts as found, together with 
any information and argument submitted by the lender and any other 
information in the administrative record.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1803(c)(1), and 1812(g)).

[56 FR 40560, Aug. 15, 1991, as amended at 61 FR 28058, June 4, 1996; 72 
FR 30242, May 31, 2007]



Sec. 36.4227  Advertising and Solicitation Requirements.

    Any advertisement or solicitation in any form (e.g., written, 
electronic, oral) from a private lender concerning manufactured housing 
loans to be guaranteed or insured by the Secretary:
    (a) Must not include information falsely stating or implying that it 
was issued by or at the direction of VA or any other department or 
agency of the United States, and
    (b) Must not include information falsely stating or implying that 
the

[[Page 654]]

lender has an exclusive right to make loans guaranteed or insured by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3704)

[67 FR 9402, Mar. 1, 2002]

                    financing manufactured home units



Sec. 36.4231  Warranty requirements.

    (a) When a new manufactured home purchased with financing guaranteed 
under 38 U.S.C. 3712 is delivered to the veteran-borrower he or she will 
be supplied a written warranty by the manufacturer in the form and 
content prescribed by the Secretary. Such warranty shall be in addition 
to, and not in derogation of, all other rights and privileges which such 
purchaser or owner may have under any other law or instrument, and the 
warranty instrument will so provide. No evidence of guaranty shall be 
issued by the Secretary unless a copy of such warranty duly receipted by 
the purchaser is submitted with the loan papers.
    (b) Any manufactured housing unit properly displaying a 
certification of conformity to all applicable Federal manufactured home 
construction and safety standards pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5415 shall be 
acceptable as security for a VA guaranteed loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712)

    (c) When a used manufactured home is purchased from a manufactured 
home dealer with financing guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3712 the veteran-
borrower must be supplied with a written warranty by the manufactured 
home dealer in the form and content prescribed by the Secretary. Such 
warranty shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, all other 
rights and privileges which such purchaser or owner may have under any 
other law or instrument, and the warranty instrument will so provide. No 
evidence of guaranty shall be issued by the Secretary unless a copy of 
such warranty duly receipted by the purchaser is submitted with the loan 
papers.

[48 FR 40229, Sept. 6, 1983, as amended at 60 FR 38259, July 26, 1995]



Sec. 36.4232  Allowable fees and charges; manufactured home unit.

    (a) Incident to the origination of a guaranteed loan for the 
purchase or refinancing of a manufactured home unit only, no charge 
shall be made against, or paid by, the veteran-borrower without the 
express prior approval of the Secretary except as provided in paragraph 
(e) of this section and as follows:
    (1) Actual fees or charges for required recordation of documents;
    (2) The costs of independent fee inspections for itemized items 
included in the manufactured home loan, as required by Sec. 36.4204(f);
    (3) The amount of any documentary stamp taxes levied on the 
transaction;
    (4) The amount of State and local taxes levied on the transaction;
    (5) The premium for customary physical damage insurance and vendor's 
single interest coverage on the manufactured home for an initial policy 
term of not to exceed one (1) year;
    (6) The premium for insurance against loss for items missing at time 
of repossession and for repossession expenses, unless State law 
prohibits charging borrowers for this coverage, in which case the lender 
is required to pay for the coverage without reimbursement from the 
veteran;
    (7) For the purposes of obtaining a refinancing loan for interest 
rate reduction or a refinancing loan to simultaneously refinance a unit 
and acquire a lot, the cost of a credit report and an appraisal; and


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712 (a)(1)(b), (a)(4)(A) and (g)).

    (8) The actual amount charged for flood zone determinations, 
including a charge for a life-of-the-loan flood zone determination 
service purchased at the time of loan origination, if made by a third 
party who guarantees the accuracy of the determination. A fee may not be 
charged for a flood zone determination made by a Department of Veterans 
Affairs appraiser or for the lender's own determination.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712; 42 U.S.C. 4001 note, 4012a)

    (b) Any charge against the borrower properly made under paragraph 
(a) of

[[Page 655]]

this section may be included in the loan and paid out of the proceeds of 
the loan provided the total loan amount does not exceed 145 percent of 
the manufacturer's invoice.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(g))

    (c)(1) Costs of a credit report (except for 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F) 
or (G) refinancing loans) such additional insurance as the veteran may 
desire, and any other expenses normally charged to a manufactured home 
purchaser under local customs may be paid by the borrower other than 
from the loan proceeds.
    (2) For the purchase of a used manufactured home unit, the fee of a 
Department of Veterans Affairs appraiser and of compliance inspectors 
designated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, except appraisal fees 
incurred for the predetermination of reasonable value requested by 
others than veteran or lender, may be paid by the borrower from other 
than the loan proceeds.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712 (e)(4) and (g))

    (d) Subject to the limitations set forth in this section, the 
following may be included in the loan made for the purchase of a new 
(not used) manufactured home unit and paid out of the proceeds of the 
loan:
    (1) The actual cost of transportation or freight;
    (2) Setup charges for installing the manufactured home on site not 
to exceed $400 for a single-wide manufactured home or $800 for a double-
wide manufactured home.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(g))


If the actual costs exceed the limitations in this section, the veteran 
must certify that any excess cost has been paid in cash from the 
veteran's own resources without borrowing.
    (e)(1) Subject to the limitations set out in paragraph (e)(5) of 
this section, a fee must be paid to the Secretary. A fee of 1 percent of 
the total amount must be paid in a manner prescribed by the Secretary 
before a manufactured home unit loan will be eligible for guaranty. 
Provided, however, that the fee shall be 0.50 percent of the total loan 
amount for interest rate reduction refinancing loans guaranteed under 38 
U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F). All or part of the fee may be paid in cash at loan 
closing or all or part of the fee may be included in the loan without 
regard to the reasonable value of the property or the computed maximum 
loan amount, as appropriate. In computing the fee, the lender shall 
disregard any amount included in the loan to enable the borrower to pay 
such fee.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(a))

    (2) Subject to the limitations set out in paragraph (e)(5) of this 
section, a fee of one-half of one percent of the loan balance must be 
paid to the Secretary in a manner prescribed by the Secretary by a 
person assuming a loan to which section 3714 of chapter 37 of 38 U.S.C. 
applies. The instrument securing such a loan shall contain a provisions 
describing the right of the holder to collect this fee as trustee for 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. The loan holder shall list the 
amount of this fee in every assumption statement provided and include a 
notice that the fee must be paid to the holder immediately following 
loan settlement. The fee must be transmitted to the Secretary within 15 
days of receipt by the holder of notice of the transfer.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714, 3729)

    (3) The lender is required to pay to the Secretary the fee described 
in paragraph (e)(1) of this section within 15 days after loan closing. 
Any lender closing a loan, subject to the limitations set out in 
paragraph (e)(5) of this section, who fails to submit timely payment of 
this fee will be subject to a late charge equal to 4 percent of the 
total fee due. If payment of the 1 percent fee is more than 30 days 
after loan closing, interest will be assessed at a rate set in 
conformity with the Department of Treasury's Fiscal Requirements Manual. 
This interest charge is in addition to the 4 percent late charge, but 
the late charge is not included in the amount on which interest is 
computed. This interest charge is to be calculated on a daily basis 
beginning on the date of closing, although the interest will be assessed 
only on

[[Page 656]]

funding fee payments received more than 30 days after closing.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501)

    (4) The lender is required to pay to the Secretary electronically 
through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system the fees described in 
paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section and any late fees and 
interest due on them. This shall be paid to a collection agent by 
operator-assisted telephone, terminal entry, or central processing unit-
to-central processing unit (CPU-to-CPU) transmission. The collection 
agent will be identified by the Secretary. The lender shall provide the 
collection agent with the following: authorization for payment of the 
funding fee (including late fees and interest) along with the following 
information: VA lender ID number; four-digit personal identification 
number; dollar amount of debit; VA loan number; OJ (office of 
jurisdiction) code; closing date; loan amount; information about whether 
the payment includes a shortage, late charge, or interest; veteran name; 
loan type; sale amount; downpayment; whether the veteran is a reservist; 
and whether this is a subsequent use of entitlement. For all 
transactions received prior to 8:15 p.m. on a workday, VA will be 
credited with the amount paid to the collection agent at the opening of 
business the next banking day.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(a))

    (5) The fee described in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this 
section shall not be collected from a veteran who is receiving 
compensation (or who but for the receipt of retirement pay would be 
entitled to receive compensation) or from a surviving spouse described 
in section 3701(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(b))

(The information collection requirements in this section have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 
2900-0474 and 2900-0516)

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 40 FR 1514, Jan. 8, 1975; 44 
FR 16014, Mar. 16, 1979; 46 FR 43671, Aug. 31, 1981; 47 FR 46700, Oct. 
20, 1982; 49 FR 40230, Sept. 6, 1983; 50 FR 5754, Feb. 12, 1985; 53 FR 
27047, July 18, 1988; 55 FR 37473, Sept. 12, 1990; 58 FR 37860, July 14, 
1993; 60 FR 38259, July 26, 1996; 62 FR 63278, Nov. 28, 1997]



Sec. 36.4234  Title and lien requirements.

    (a) The interest in the manufactured home acquired by the veteran at 
the time of purchase shall be either:
    (1) Legal title evidenced by such document as is customarily issued 
to the purchaser of a manufactured home in the jurisdiction in which the 
manufactured home is initially sited, or
    (2) A full possessory interest convertible into a legal title 
conforming to paragraph (a)(1) of this section upon payment in full of 
the guaranteed loan.
    (b) The loan must be secured by a properly recorded financing 
statement and security agreement or other security instrument that 
creates a first lien on or equivalent security interest in the 
manufactured home and all of the furnishings, equipment, and accessories 
paid for in whole or in part out of the loan proceeds.
    (c) It is the responsibility of the lender that the veteran 
initially obtains an interest in the manufactured home meeting the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and to obtain and retain a 
security interest meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this 
section.

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 46 FR 43671, Aug. 31, 1981; 58 
FR 37860, July 14, 1993]

               combination and manufactured home lot loans



Sec. 36.4251  Loans to finance the purchase of manufactured homes
and the cost of necessary site preparation.

    (a) A loan to finance the purchase of a manufactured home may 
include

[[Page 657]]

funds (or be augmented by a separate loan) to pay all or a part of the 
cost of the necessary site preparation of a lot on which to place the 
manufactured home and the loan shall be eligible for guaranty: Provided, 
that:
    (1) The veteran has, or incident to the transaction will acquire, a 
title to the lot that conforms to Sec. 36.4253(a).
    (2) The loan is secured as required by Sec. 36.4253(d).
    (3) The lot is determined by the Secretary to be an acceptable 
manufactured homesite pursuant to Sec. 36.4208,
    (4) The cost of the necessary site preparation is determined by the 
Secretary to be reasonable.
    (5) The amount of the loan to pay for necessary site preparation 
does not exceed the cost thereof and also does not exceed the reasonable 
value of the developed lot as determined by the Secretary, and
    (6) The loan conforms otherwise to the requirements of the 
Sec. 36.4200 series.
    (b) Notwithstanding that the veteran-borrower's obligation for such 
site preparation be evidenced and secured separately from the obligation 
for purchase of the manufactured home, the obligations together shall 
constitute one loan for the purposes of the Sec. 36.4200 series, 
including computation of the Secretary's guaranty liability.
    (c) The cost of site preparation which will not be paid from the 
proceeds of the loan must be paid by the veteran in cash from the 
veteran's own resources.

[36 FR 3368, Feb. 23, 1971, as amended at 40 FR 13215, Mar. 25, 1975; 48 
FR 40230, Sept. 6, 1983]



Sec. 36.4252  Loans for purchase or refinancing of a manufactured home.

    (a) A loan to purchase a manufactured home may include funds (or be 
augmented by a separate loan) to finance all or part of the cost of 
acquisition by the veteran of a lot on which to place the manufactured 
home and the loan shall be eligible for guaranty: Provided, That:
    (1) The veteran will acquire title to such lot that conforms to the 
requirements of Sec. 36.4253(a),
    (2) The loan is secured as required by Sec. 36.4253(d),
    (3) The lot is determined by the Secretary to be an acceptable 
manufactured homesite pursuant to Sec. 36.4208,
    (4) The portion of the loan allocated to acquisition of the lot does 
not exceed the reasonable value of the lot as determined by the 
Secretary, and
    (5) The loan conforms otherwise to the requirements of the 
Sec. 36.4200 series.
    (b) Notwithstanding that the veteran-borrower's obligation for 
acquisition of the lot be evidenced and secured separately from the 
obligation for purchase of the manufactured home, the obligations 
together (including, where appropriate, that for site preparation) shall 
constitute one loan for the purposes of the Sec. 36.4200 series, 
including computation of the Secretary's guaranty liability.
    (c) The cost of lot acquisition which will not be paid from the 
proceeds of the loan must be paid by the veteran in cash from the 
veteran's own resources.
    (d) For the purpose of this section acquisition of a manufactured 
home lot includes:
    (1) The refinancing of the balance owed by the veteran as purchaser 
under an existing real estate installment contract, and
    (2) The refinancing of existing mortgage loans or other liens which 
are secured of record on a manufactured home lot owned by the veteran.
    (e) A loan to acquire a lot on which to site a manufactured home may 
include funds to refinance an existing loan made for the purchase of and 
secured by a manufactured home on which lot the manufactured home is 
located or will be placed, provided that:
    (1) The veteran will acquire or retain title to such manufactured 
home and lot that conforms to the requirements of Secs. 36.4234 and 
36.4253,
    (2) The loan is secured as required by Sec. 36.4253(g),
    (3) The lot is determined by the Secretary to be an acceptable 
manufactured homesite pursuant to Sec. 36.4208,
    (4) The portion of the loan allocated to the acquisition and 
preparation of the lot does not exceed the reasonable value of the 
developed lot as determined by the Secretary,
    (5) The cost of necessary site preparation is determined by the 
Secretary to be reasonable.

[[Page 658]]

    (6) The portion of the loan allocated to the refinancing of the 
manufactured home does not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the 
balance of the loan being refinanced; a reasonable discount as 
authorized in Sec. 36.4204(d)(8) with respect to that portion of the 
loan used to refinance the existing purchase money lien on the 
manufactured loan, and closing costs as authorized in Sec. 36.4232 or 
Sec. 36.4254, as appropriate,
    (7) The loan conforms otherwise to the requirements of the 
Sec. 36.4200 series,
    (8) The veteran-borrower's obligation for acquisition of the lot and 
for refinancing the existing loan on the manufactured home (including 
site preparation, where appropriate), shall constitute one loan for the 
purposes of the Sec. 36.4200 series, including computation of the 
Secretary's guaranty liability.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(G) or (5))

[36 FR 3368, Feb. 23, 1971, as amended at 40 FR 13215, Mar. 25, 1975; 44 
FR 22725, Apr. 17, 1979; 48 FR 40230, Sept. 6, 1983]



Sec. 36.4253  Title and lien requirements.

    (a) The interest in the realty constituting a manufactured home lot 
acquired by the veteran wholly or in part with the proceeds of a 
guaranteed loan, or in the realty constituting a manufactured home lot 
improved wholly or in part with the proceeds of a guaranteed loan, shall 
not be less than:
    (1) A fee simple estate therein, legal or equitable; or
    (2) A leasehold estate running or renewable at the option of the 
lessee for a period of not less than 14 years from the maturity of the 
loan, or to any earlier date at which the fee simple title will vest in 
the lessee, which is assignable or transferable, if the same be 
subjected to the lien; however, a leasehold estate which is not freely 
assignable and transferable will be considered an acceptable estate if 
it is determined by the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, 
Loan Guaranty Service, (i) that such type of leasehold is customary in 
the area where the property is located, (ii) that a veteran or veterans 
will be prejudiced if the requirement for free assignability is adhered 
to and, (iii) that the assignability and other provisions applicable to 
the leasehold estate are sufficient to protect the interests of the 
veteran and the Government and are otherwise acceptable; or
    (3) A life estate, provided that the remainder and reversionary 
interests are subjected to the lien; or
    (4) A beneficial interest in a revocable Family Living Trust that 
ensures that the veteran, or veteran and spouse, have an equitable life 
estate, provided the lien attaches to any remainder interest and the 
trust arrangement is valid under State law.

The title to such estate shall be such as is acceptable to informed 
buyers, title companies, and attorneys, generally, in the community in 
which the property is situated, except as modified by paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (b) Any such property or estate will not fail to comply with the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by reason of the 
following:
    (1) Encroachments;
    (2) Easements;
    (3) Servitudes;
    (4) Reservations for water, timber, or subsurface rights;
    (5) Right in any grantor or cotenant in the chain of title, or a 
successor of either, to purchase for cash, which right by the terms 
thereof is exercisable only if:
    (i) An owner elects to sell,
    (ii) The option price is not less than the price at which the then 
owner is willing to sell to another, and
    (iii) Exercised within 30 days after notice is mailed by certified 
mail to the address of optionee last known to the then owner of the then 
owner's election to sell, stating the price and the identity of the 
proposed vendee;
    (6) State and local housing agency deed restrictions provided that 
the veteran obtained the property under a State or local political 
subdivision program designed to assist low- or moderate-income 
purchasers, and as a condition the purchaser must agree to one or more 
of the following restrictions:
    (i) If the property is resold within a time period as established by 
local law or ordinance, after the purchaser acquires title, the 
purchaser must first offer the property to the government housing 
agency, or a low- or moderate-income purchaser designated by such 
agency, provided the option to purchase is exercised within 90 days 
after

[[Page 659]]

notice by the purchaser to the agency of intention to sell;
    (ii) If the property is resold within a time period as established 
by local law or ordinance, after the purchaser acquires title, a 
governmental agency may specify a maximum price for the property upon 
resale; or
    (iii) Such other restriction approved by the Secretary designed to 
insure either that a property acquired under such program again be made 
available to low- or moderate-income purchasers, or to prevent a private 
purchaser from obtaining a windfall profit on the resale of such 
property, while assuring that the purchaser has a reasonable opportunity 
to dispose of the property without undue difficulty at a reasonable 
price.

The sale price of a property under any of the restrictions of paragraph 
(b)(6) of this section shall not be less than the lowest of the 
following: The price designated by the owner as the asking price; the 
appraised value of the property; or the original purchase price of the 
property, increased by a factor reflecting all or a reasonable portion 
of the increased costs of housing or the percentage increase in median 
income in the area between the date of original purchase and resale, 
plus the reasonable value or actual costs of any capital improvements 
made by the owner, plus a reasonable real estate commission less the 
cost of necessary repairs required to place the property in saleable 
condition; or other reasonable formula approved by the Secretary. The 
veteran must be fully informed and consent in writing to the deed 
restrictions. A copy of the veteran's consent statement must be 
forwarded with the application for manufactured home loan guaranty or 
the report of a manufactured home loan processed on the automatic basis;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(g))

    (7) A recorded restriction on title designed to provide housing for 
older persons, provided that the restriction is acceptable under the 
provisions of the Fair Housing Act, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 42 
U.S.C. 3601 et seq. The veteran must be fully informed and consent in 
writing to the restrictions. A copy of the veteran's consent statement 
must be forwarded with the application for manufactured home loan 
guaranty or the report of a manufactured home loan processed on the 
automatic basis;


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1), 3712(g))

    (8) Building and use restrictions whether or not enforceable by a 
reverter clause if there has been no breach of the conditions affording 
a right to an exercise of the reverter;
    (9) Violation of a restriction based on race, color, religion, sex, 
handicap, familial status, or national origin, whether or not such 
restriction provides for reversion or forfeiture of title or a lien for 
liquidated damages in the event of a breach;
    (10) Any other covenant, condition, restriction, or limitation 
approved by the Secretary in the particular case. Such approval shall be 
a condition precedent to the guaranty of the loan;
    (c) The following limitations on the quantum or quality of the 
estate or property shall be deemed for the purposes of paragraph (b) of 
this section to have been taken into account in the appraisal of the 
manufactured home lot and determined by the Secretary as not materially 
affecting the reasonable value of such property:
    (1) Building or use restrictions. Provided, (i) no violation exists, 
(ii) the proposed use by a veteran does not presage a violation of a 
condition affording a right of reverter, and (iii) any right of future 
modification contained in the building or use restrictions is not 
exercisable, by its own terms, until at least 10 years following the 
date of the loan.
    (2) Violations of equal opportunity restrictions. Violations of a 
restriction based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial 
status, or national origin, whether or not such restriction provides for 
reversion or forfeiture of title or a lien for liquidated damages in the 
event of a breach.
    (3) Violations of building or use restrictions of record. Violations 
of building or use restrictions of record which have existed for more 
than 1 year, are not the subject of pending or threatened litigation, 
and which do not provide for a reversion or termination of title or

[[Page 660]]

condemnation by municipal authorities or a lien for liquidated damages 
which may be superior to the lien securing the guaranteed loan.
    (4) Easements. (i) Easements for public utilities along one or more 
of the property lines and easements for drainage or irrigation ditches, 
provided the exercise of the rights thereof do not interfere with the 
use of the manufactured home or improvements located on the subject 
property.
    (ii) Mutual easements for joint driveways located partly on the 
subject property and partly on adjoining property, provided the 
agreement is recorded in the public records.
    (iii) Easements for underground conduits which are in place and 
which do not extend under any buildings in the subject property.
    (5) Encroachments. (i) On the subject property by improvements on 
the adjoining property where such encroachments do not exceed 1 foot 
within the subjects boundaries, provided such encroachments do not touch 
any buildings or interfere with the use or enjoyment of any building or 
improvement on the subject property.
    (ii) By hedges or removable fences belonging to subject or adjoining 
property.
    (iii) Not exceeding 1 foot on adjoining property by driveways 
belonging to subject property, provided there exists a clearance of at 
least 8 feet between the buildings on the subject propert and the 
property line affected by the encroachment.
    (6) Variations of lot lines. Variations between the length of the 
subject property lines as shown on the plot plan or other exhibits 
submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs and as shown by the 
record or possession lines, provided such variations do not interfere 
with the current use of any of the improvements on the subject property 
including the manufactured home and do not involve a deficiency of more 
than 2 percent with respect to the length of the front line or more than 
5 percent with respect to the length of any other line.
    (d) In a combination loan (loan to finance the purchase of a 
manufactured home and to finance the purchase of a lot and/or necessary 
site preparation) the total indebtedness of the veteran arising from 
such combination loan transaction must be secured by a first lien or the 
equivalent thereof on the estate of the veteran in the manufactured home 
lot, which real estate security interest shall be in addition to the 
manufactured home security interest required by Sec. 36.4234.
    (e) Tax liens special assessment liens, and ground rents shall be 
disregarded with respect to any requirement that loans shall be secured 
by a lien of specified dignity. With the prior approval of the 
Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits, or Director, Loan Guaranty 
Service, liens retained by nongovernmental entities to secure 
assessments or charges for municipal type services and facilities 
clearly within the public purpose doctrine may be disregarded. In 
determining whether a loan for the purchase or improvement of a 
manufactured home lot is secured by a first lien the Secretary may also 
disregard a superior lien created by a duly recorded covenant running 
with the realty in favor of a private entity to secure an obligation to 
such entity for the homeowner's share of the costs of the management, 
operation, or maintenance of property, services or programs within and 
for the benefit of the development or community in which the veteran's 
realty is located, if the Secretary determines that the interests of the 
veteran-borrower and of the Government will not be prejudiced by the 
operation of such covenant. In respect to any such superior lien created 
after June 6, 1969, the Secretary's determination must have been made 
prior to the recordation of the covenant.
    (f) In the case of a combination loan or a loan to purchase a lot 
upon which a manufactured home owned by the veteran will be placed it 
shall be the responsibility of the lender that the veteran initially 
obtains or has an estate in the land constituting the manufactured home 
lot meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and to 
obtain and retain a security interest thereon meeting the requirements 
of paragraph (d) of this section.
    (g) In the case of a combination loan to purchase a manufactured 
home lot and to refinance an existing purchase money loan on a 
manufactured home

[[Page 661]]

unit which is or will be located on the lot to be purchased, it shall be 
the responsibility of the lender to assure that the veteran obtains or 
retains an estate in the manufactured home and in the land meeting the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and Sec. 36.4234. The 
lender must also obtain and retain a first lien or the equivalent 
thereof on the estate of the veteran in both the manufactured home and 
in the lot on which the manufactured home is located.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c), and 3712 (a)(1)(G), (e)(3) and (g))

[36 FR 3368, Feb. 23, 1971, as amended at 45 FR 55720, Aug. 21, 1980; 47 
FR 49393, Nov. 1, 1982; 48 FR 40231, Sept. 9, 1983; 49 FR 22081, May 25, 
1984; 55 FR 25976, June 26, 1990; 58 FR 37860, July 14, 1993; 61 FR 
28058, June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4254  Fees and charges.

    (a) Except as provided in Sec. 36.4232 fees and charges incident to 
origination of a combination loan or a loan to purchase a lot upon which 
a manufactured home owned by the veteran will be placed which may be 
paid by the veteran shall be limited, with respect to the real estate 
portion of the loan, to reasonable and customary amounts for any of the 
following:
    (1) Fees of the Department of Veterans Affairs appraiser and of 
compliance inspectors designated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
except appraisal fees incurred for the predetermination of reasonable 
value requested by others than veteran or lender,
    (2) Recording fees and recording taxes or other charges incident to 
recordation,
    (3) Credit report,
    (4) That portion of taxes, assessments, and other similar items for 
the current year chargeable to the borrower and an initial deposit 
(lump-sum payment) for any tax and insurance account,
    (5) Survey, if required by lender or veteran,
    (6) Title examination and title insurance, if any,
    (7) The actual amount charged for flood zone determinations, 
including a charge for a life-of-the-loan flood zone determination 
service purchased at the time of loan origination, if made by a third 
party who guarantees the accuracy of the determination. A fee may not be 
charged for a flood zone determination made by a Department of Veterans 
Affairs appraiser or for the lender's own determination, and
    (8) Such other items as may be authorized in advance by the Under 
Secretary for Benefits as appropriate for inclusion under this paragraph 
as proper local variances.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712; 42 U.S.C. 4001 note, 4012a)

    (b) A lender may charge and the veteran may pay a flat charge not 
exceeding one (1) percent of the amount of the loan less the portion 
thereof allocated to the manufactured home: Provided, That such flat 
charge shall be in lieu of all other charges relating to costs of 
origination not expressly specified and allowed in this schedule.
    (c) Except for a refinancing loan pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3712(a)(1)(F) or (G) fees and charges specified in this section may not 
be included in the loan.
    (d)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this 
section and subject to the limitations set out in paragraphs (d)(4) and 
(d)(5) of this section, a fee must be paid to the Secretary. A fee of 1 
percent of the total loan amount must be paid to the Secretary before a 
combination manufactured home and lot loan (or a loan to purchase a lot 
upon which a manufactured home owned by the veteran will be placed) will 
be eligible for guaranty. Provided, however, that the fee shall be 0.50 
percent of the total loan amount for interest rate reduction refinancing 
loans guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3712(a)(1)(F). All or part of such fee 
may be paid in cash at loan closing or all or part of the fee may be 
included in the loan without regard to the reasonable value of the 
property or the computed maximum loan amount, as appropriate. In 
computing the fee, the lender will disregard any amount included in the 
loan to enable the borrower to pay such fee.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(a))

    (2) Subject to the limitations set out in paragraphs (d)(3) and 
(d)(4) of this section, a fee of one-half of one percent

[[Page 662]]

of the loan balance must be paid to the Secretary in a manner prescribed 
by the Secretary by a person assuming a loan to which section 3714 of 
chapter 37 of 38 U.S.C. applies. The instrument securing such a loan 
shall contain a provision describing the right of the holder to collect 
this fee as trustee for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The loan 
holder shall list the amount of this fee in every assumption statement 
provided and include a notice that the fee must be paid to the holder 
immediately following loan settlement. The fee must be transmitted to 
the Secretary within 15 days of receipt by the holder of notice of the 
transfer.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714, 3729)

    (3) The lender is rquired to pay to the Secretary the fee described 
in paragraph (d)(1) of this section within 15 days after loan closing. 
Any lender closing a loan, subject to the limitations set out in 
paragraphs (d)(4) and (d)(5) of this section, who fails to submit timely 
payment of this fee will be subject to a late charge equal to 4 percent 
of the total fee due. If payment of the 1 percent fee is made more than 
30 days after loan closing, interest will be assessed at a rate set in 
conformity with the Department of Treasury's Fiscal Requirements Manual. 
This interest charge is in addition to the 4 percent late charge, but 
the late charge is not included in the amout on which interest is 
computed. This interest charge is to be calculated on a daily basis 
beginning on the date of closing, although the interest will be assessed 
only on funding fee payments received more than 30 days after closing.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501)

    (4) The lender is required to pay to the Secretary electronically 
through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system the fees described in 
paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section and any late fees and 
interest due on them. This shall be paid to a collection agent by 
operator-assisted telephone, terminal entry, or CPU-to-CPU transmission. 
The collection agent will be identified by the Secretary. The lender 
shall provide the collection agent with the following: authorization for 
payment of the funding fee (including late fees and interest) along with 
the following information: VA lender ID number; four-digit personal 
identification number; dollar amount of debit; VA loan number; OJ 
(office of jurisdiction) code; closing date; loan amount; information 
about whether the payment includes a shortage, late charge, or interest; 
veteran name; loan type; sale amount; downpayment; whether the veteran 
is a reservist; and whether this is a subsequent use of entitlement. For 
all transactions received prior to 8:15 p.m. on a workday, VA will be 
credited with the amount paid to the collection agent at the opening of 
business the next banking day.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(a))

    (5) The fee described in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this 
section shall not be collected from a veteran who is receiving 
compensation or who but for the receipt of retirement pay would be 
entitled to receive compensation) or from a surviving spouse described 
in section 3701(b)(2) of title 38 U.S.C.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(b))

    (6) Collection of the loan fee in this paragraph does not apply to 
loans closed prior to August 17, 1984, between October 1, and October 
15, 1987, inclusive, between November 16 and December 20, 1987, 
inclusive, nor to loans closed after September 30, 1989.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(c))

(The information collection requirements in this section have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0474)

[36 FR 3369, Feb. 23, 1971, as amended at 46 FR 43671, Aug. 31, 1981; 47 
FR 46700, Oct. 20, 1982; 48 FR 40231, Sept. 6, 1983; 50 FR 5754, Feb. 
12, 1985; 53 FR 27048, July 18, 1988; 55 FR 37473, Sept. 12, 1990; 60 FR 
38259, July 26, 1995; 61 FR 28058, June 4, 1996; 62 FR 63278, Nov. 28, 
1997]



Sec. 36.4255  Loans for the acquisition of a lot.

    (a) A loan to finance all or part of the cost of acquisition by the 
veteran of a lot on which to place a manufactured home owned by the 
veteran shall be eligible for guaranty, Provided, That:

[[Page 663]]

    (1) The veteran will acquire title to such lot that conforms to the 
requirements of Sec. 36.4253(a),
    (2) The loan is secured as required by Sec. 36.4253(d),
    (3) The lot is determined by the Secretary to be an acceptable 
manufactured homesite pursuant to Sec. 36.4208,
    (4) The portion of the loan allocated to acquisition of the lot does 
not exceed the reasonable value of the lot as determined by the 
Secretary,
    (5) The loan conforms otherwise to the requirements of the 
Sec. 36.4200 series.
    (b) The cost of lot acquisition which will not be paid from the 
proceeds of the loan must be paid by the veteran in cash from his or her 
own resources.
    (c) For the purpose of this section, acquisition of a manufactured 
home lot includes:
    (1) The refinancing of the balance owed by the veteran as purchaser 
under an existing real estate installment contract, and
    (2) The refinancing of existing mortgage loans or other liens which 
are secured of record on a manufactured home lot owned by the veteran.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, and 3712(g))

[40 FR 13215, Mar. 25, 1975, as amended at 48 FR 40231, Sept. 6, 1983]

              servicing, liquidation of security and claim



Sec. 36.4275  Events constituting default and acceptability of partial
payments.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2) and (a)(3) of 
this section, the conveyance of or other transfer of title to property 
by operation of law or otherwise, after the creation of a lien thereon 
to secure a loan which is guaranteed in whole or in part by the 
Secretary, shall not constitute an event of default, or acceleration of 
maturity, elective or otherwise, and shall not of itself terminate or 
otherwise affect the guaranty.
    (1) The Secretary may issue guaranty on loans in which a State, 
Territorial, or local governmental agency provides assistance to a 
veteran for the acquisition of a mobile home or lot. Such loans will not 
be considered ineligible for guaranty if the State, Territorial, or 
local authority, by virtue of its laws or regulations or by virtue of 
Federal law, requires the acceleration of maturity of the loan upon the 
sale or conveyance of the security property to a person ineligible for 
assistance from such authority.
    (2) At the time of application for a loan assisted by a State, 
Territorial, or local governmental agency, the veteran-applicant must be 
fully informed and consent in writing to the housing authority 
restrictions. A copy of the veteran's consent statement must be 
forwarded with the loan application or the report of a loan processed on 
the automatic basis.
    (3) Any housing loan which is financed under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 
and to which section 3714 of that chapter applies, shall include a 
provision in the security instrument that the holder may declare the 
loan immediately due and payable upon transfer of the property securing 
such loan to any transferee unless the acceptability of the assumption 
of the loan is established pursuant to section 3714.
    (i) A holder may not exercise its option to accelerate a loan upon:
    (A) The creation of a lien or other encumbrance subordinate to the 
lender's security instrument which does not relate to a transfer of 
rights of occupancy in the property;
    (B) The creation of a purchase money security interest for household 
appliances;
    (C) A transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death 
of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety;
    (D) The granting of a leasehold interest of three years or less not 
containing an option to purchase;
    (E) A transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower;
    (F) A transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become 
joint owners of the property with the borrower;
    (G) A transfer resulting from a decree of a dissolution of marriage, 
legal separation agreement, or from an incidental property settlement 
agreement by which the spouse of the borrower becomes the sole owner of 
the property. In such a case the borrower shall have the option of 
applying directly to the

[[Page 664]]

Department of Veterans Affairs regional office of jurisdiction for a 
release of liability in accordance with Sec. 36.4285 of this part; or
    (H) A transfer into an inter vivos trust in which the borrower is 
and remains a beneficiary and which does not relate to a transfer of 
rights of occupancy in the property.
    (ii) Any instrument evidencing the loan (i.e., the retail 
installment contract, promissory note and/or mortgage or deed of trust) 
shall bear in a conspicuous position in capital letters on the first 
page of the document in type at least 2\1/2\ times larger in height than 
the regular type on such page the following warning: ``THIS LOAN IS NOT 
ASSUMABLE WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OR 
ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT.'' Due to the difficulty in obtaining some 
commercial type sizes which are exactly 2\1/2\ times larger in height 
than other sizes, minor deviations will be permitted based on 
commercially available type sizes nearest to 2\1/2\ times the size of 
the print on the document. A similar warning in regular size type must 
appear on every assumption statement provided on a loan to which this 
paragraph applies.
    (iii) On any loan to which 38 U.S.C. 3714 applies, the holder may 
charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed the lesser of (A) $300 and the 
actual cost of any credit report required, or (B) any maximum prescribed 
by applicable state law, for processing an application for assumption 
and changing its records. A provision authorizing the collection by the 
holder of this fee shall be contained in the instrument securing the 
loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3704 and 3714)

    (b) The inclusion in the guaranteed obligation of a provision 
contrary to the provisions of this section or Sec. 36.4211 shall not 
impair the right of the holder to payment of the guaranty provided that:
    (1) Default was declared or maturity was accelerated under some 
other provision of the note, mortgage, or other loan instrument, or
    (2) Activation or enforcement of such provision is warranted under 
Sec. 36.4280, or
    (3) The prior approval of the Secretary was obtained.
    (c) If the title to real property or a leasehold interest therein 
which secures a manufactured home loan guaranteed after December 22, 
1970, is restricted against sale or occupancy on the ground of race, 
color, religion, or national origin, by restrictions created and filed 
of record by the borrower subsequent to that date, such action, at the 
election of the holder, shall constitute an event of default entitling 
the holder to declare the unpaid balance of the loan immediately due and 
payable.
    (d) The holder of any guaranteed obligation shall have the right, 
notwithstanding the absence of express provision therefor in the 
instruments evidencing the indebtedness, to accelerate the maturity of 
such obligation at any time after the continuance of any default for the 
period specified in Sec. 36.4280.
    (e) If sufficient funds are tendered to bring a delinquency current 
at any time prior to repossession or foreclosure of the manufactured 
home the holder shall be obligated to accept the funds in payment of the 
delinquency, unless the prior approval of the Secretary is obtained to 
do otherwise.
    (f) A partial payment is a remittance on a loan in default (as 
defined in Sec. 36.4202(c)) of any amount less than the full amount due 
under the terms of the loan and security instruments at the time the 
remittance is tendered.
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, or upon 
the express waiver of the Secretary, the holder shall accept any partial 
payment and either apply it to the obligor's account or identify it with 
the obligor's account and hold it in a special account pending 
disposition. When partial payments held for disposition aggregate a full 
monthly installment, including escrow, they shall be applied to the 
obligor's account.
    (2) A partial payment may be returned to the obligor within 10 
calendar days from date of receipt of such payment, with a letter of 
explanation only if one or more of the following conditions exist:
    (i) The property is wholly or partially tenant-occupied and rental 
payments are not being remitted to the

[[Page 665]]

holder for application to the loan account;
    (ii) The payment is less than one full monthly installment, 
including escrows and late charge, if applicable, unless the lesser 
payment amount has been agreed to under a written repayment plan;
    (iii) The payment is less than 50 percent of the total amount then 
due, unless the lesser payment amount has been agreed to under a written 
repayment plan;
    (iv) The payment is less than the amount agreed to in a written 
repayment plan;
    (v) The amount tendered is in the form of a personal check and the 
holder has previously notified the obligor in writing that only cash or 
certified remittances are acceptable;
    (vi) A delinquency of any amount has continued for at least 6 months 
since the account first became delinquent and no written repayment plan 
has been arranged;
    (vii) Foreclosure and/or repossession has been commenced by the 
taking of the first action required for foreclosure/repossession under 
local law;
    (viii) The holder's lien position would be jeopardized by acceptance 
of the partial payment.
    (3) A failure by the holder to comply with the provisions of this 
paragraph may result in a partial or total loss of guaranty or insurance 
pursuant to Sec. 36.4286(b), but such failure shall not constitute a 
defense to any legal action to terminate the loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c), 3712(g))

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0516)

[45 FR 31064, May 12, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 51386, Oct. 20, 1981; 55 
FR 37474, Sept. 12, 1990]



Sec. 36.4276  Advances and other charges.

    (a) A holder may advance any reasonable amount necessary and proper 
for the maintenance or repair of the security, or for the payment of 
accrued taxes, special assessments or other charges which constitute 
prior liens, or premiums on fire or other hazard insurance against loss 
of or damage to such property and any such advance so made may be added 
to the guaranteed indebtedness. A holder may also advance the one-half 
of one percent funding fee due on a transfer under 38 U.S.C. 3714 when 
this is not paid at the time of transfer. All security instruments for 
loans to which 38 U.S.C. 3714 applies must include a clause authorizing 
an advance for this purpose if it is not paid at the time of transfer.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

    (b) In addition to advances allowable under paragraph (a) of this 
section, the holder may charge against the proceeds of the sale of the 
security; against gross amounts collected; or, in the computation of a 
claim under the guaranty, if lawfully authorized by the loan agreement 
and subject to Sec. 36.4284, any of the following items actually paid:
    (1) Any expense which is reasonably necessary for preservation of 
the security,
    (2) Court costs in a foreclosure or other proper judicial proceeding 
involving the security,
    (3) Other expenses reasonably necessary for collecting the debt, or 
repossession or liquidation of the security, including a reasonable 
sales commission to the dealer or sales broker for resale of the 
security,
    (4) Reasonable trustee's fees or commissions paid incident to the 
sale of real property,
    (5) Reasonable amount for legal services actually performed not to 
exceed 10 percent of the unpaid indebtedness as of the date of the first 
uncured default, or $850 whichever is less. In no event may the combined 
total of the amounts claimed for trustee's fees and legal services 
(paragraphs (b)(4) and (5) of this section) exceed $850.
    (6) The cost of a credit report(s) on the debtor(s), which is (are) 
to be forwarded to the Secretary in connection with the claim,
    (7) Reasonable and customary costs of property inspections,
    (8) Any other expense or fee that is approved in advance by the 
Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720(g))

    (c) In claims filed under Sec. 36.4283(f)(4) of this part, the 
following costs and expenditures actually incurred and paid may be 
included in the computation of the indebtedness:

[[Page 666]]

    (1) Property preservation or repair costs incurred prior to the date 
of the liquidation appraisal, to the extent that they contributed to the 
minimum selling price of the property as determined by the Secretary, 
and subject to the limitation that they do not exceed the actual cost 
incurred by the holder, and,
    (2) Costs of loan termination, including, but not limited to:
    (i) The reasonable and customary expense of transporting the home to 
the site where it will be repaired and/or resold;
    (ii) The cost of the liquidation appraisal;
    (iii) A reasonable amount for legal services actually performed and 
trustee fees, not to exceed a total of $700;
    (iv) Court costs in a foreclosure or other judicial proceeding 
involving the security;
    (v) Any other expenses reasonably necessary for repossession of the 
security or other termination of the loan; and,
    (vi) Any other expense or fee that is approved in advance by the 
Secretary.

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 45 FR 38056, June 6, 1980; 53 
FR 27049, July 18, 1988; 53 FR 34295, Sept. 6, 1988; 55 FR 37474, Sept. 
12, 1990; 58 FR 29114, May 19, 1993; 58 FR 37860, July 14, 1993; 59 FR 
48565, Sept. 22, 1994]



Sec. 36.4277  Release of security.

    (a) Except upon full payment of the indebtedness the holder shall 
not release a lien or other right in or to property held as security for 
a guaranteed loan, or grant a fee or other interest in such property, 
without the prior approval of the Secretary, unless in the opinion of 
the holder such release does not involve a decrease in the value of the 
security in excess of $500: Provided, That the aggregate of the 
reduction in the original value of the security resultant from such 
releases without the Secretary's prior approval does not exceed $500.
    (b) Except upon full payment of the indebtedness or upon the prior 
approval of the Secretary, the holder shall not release a lien under 
paragraph (a) of this section unless the consideration received for the 
release is commensurate with the fair market value of the property 
released and the entire consideration is applied to the indebtedness, or 
if encumbrance on other property is accepted in lieu of that released it 
shall be the holder's duty to acquire such lien on property of 
substantially equal value which is reasonably capable of serving the 
purpose for which the property released was utilized.
    (c) Failure of the holder to comply with the provisions of this 
section shall not in itself affect the validity of the title of a 
purchaser to the property released.
    (d) The holder shall notify the Secretary of any such release or 
substitution of security within 30 days after completion of such 
transaction.
    (e) The release of the personal liability of any obligor on a 
guaranteed obligation resultant from the act or omission of any holder 
without the prior approval of the Secretary shall release the obligation 
of the Secretary as guarantor, except when such act or omission consists 
of
    (1) Failure to establish the debt as a valid claim against the 
assets of the estate of any deceased obligor, provided no lien for the 
guaranteed debt is thereby impaired or destroyed; or
    (2) An election and appropriate prosecution of legally available 
effective remedies with respect to the repossession or the liquidation 
of the security in any case, irrespective of the identity or the 
survival of the original or of any subsequent debtor, if holder shall 
have given such notice as required by Sec. 36.4280 and if, after 
receiving such notice, the Secretary shall have failed to notify the 
holder within 15 days to proceed in such manner as to effectively 
preserve the personal liability of the parties liable, or such of them 
as the Secretary indicates is such notice to the holder; or
    (3) The release of an obligor, or obligors, from liability on an 
obligation secured by a lien on property, which release is an incident 
of and contemporaneous with the sale of such property to an eligible 
veteran who assumed such obligation, which assumed obligation is 
guaranteed on his or her account pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3712; or
    (4) The release of an obligor or obligors as provided in 
Sec. 36.4279.

[[Page 667]]

    (5) The release of an obligor, or obligors, incident to the sale of 
property which the holder is authorized to approve under the provisions 
of 38 U.S.C. 3714.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 53 FR 34295, Sept. 6, 1988; 55 
FR 37474, Sept. 12, 1990]



Sec. 36.4278  Servicing procedures for holders.

    (a) Establishment of loan servicing program. The holder of a loan 
guaranteed or insured by the Secretary shall develop and maintain a loan 
servicing program which follows accepted industry standards for 
servicing of similar type conventional loans. The loan servicing program 
established pursuant to this section may employ different servicing 
approaches to fit individual borrower circumstances and avoid 
establishing a fixed routine. However, it must incorporate each of the 
provisions specified in paragraphs (b) through (l) of this section.
    (b) Procedures for providing information. (1) Loan holders shall 
establish procedures to provide loan information to borrowers, arrange 
for individual loan consultations upon request and maintain controls to 
assure prompt responses to inquiries. One or more of the following means 
of making information readily available to borrowers is required:
    (i) An office staffed with trained servicing personnel with access 
to loan account information located within 200 miles of the property.
    (ii) Toll-free telephone service or acceptance of collect telephone 
calls at an office capable of providing needed information.
    (2) All borrowers must be informed of the system available for 
obtaining answers to loan inquiries, the office from which the needed 
information may be obtained, and reminded of the system at least 
annually.
    (c) Statement for income tax purposes. Within 60 days after the end 
of each calendar year, the holder shall furnish to the borrower a 
statement of the interest paid and, if applicable, a statement of the 
taxes disbursed from the escrow account during the preceding year. At 
the borrower's request, the holder shall furnish a statement of the 
escrow account sufficient to enable the borrower to reconcile the 
account.
    (d) Change of servicing. Whenever servicing of a loan guaranteed or 
insured by the Secretary is transferred from one holder to another, 
notice of such transfer by both the transferor and transferee, the form 
and content of such notice, the timing of such notice, the treatment of 
payments during the period of such transfer, and damages and costs for 
failure to comply with these requirements shall be governed by the 
pertinent provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act as 
administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    (e) Escrow accounts. A holder of a loan guaranteed or insured by the 
Secretary may collect periodic deposits from the borrower for taxes and/
or insurance on the security and maintain a tax and insurance escrow 
account provided such a requirement is authorized under the terms of the 
security instruments. In maintaining such accounts, the holder shall 
comply with the pertinent provisions of the Real Estate Settlement 
Procedures Act.
    (f) System for servicing delinquent loans. In addition to the 
requirements of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act concerning the 
duties of the loan servicer to respond to borrower inquiries, to protect 
the borrower's credit rating during a payment dispute period, and to pay 
damages and costs for noncompliance, holders shall establish a system 
for servicing delinquent loans which ensures that prompt action is taken 
to collect amounts due from borrowers and minimize the number of loans 
in a default status. The holder's servicing system must include the 
following:
    (1) An accounting system which promptly alerts servicing personnel 
when a loan becomes delinquent;
    (2) A collection staff which is trained in techniques of loan 
servicing and counseling delinquent borrowers to advise borrowers how to 
cure delinquencies, protect their equity and credit rating and, if the 
default is insoluble, pursue alternatives to foreclosure;

[[Page 668]]

    (3) Procedural guidelines for individual analysis of each 
delinquency;
    (4) Instructions and appropriate controls for sending delinquent 
notices, assessing late charges, handling partial payments, maintaining 
servicing histories and evaluating repayment proposals;
    (5) Management review procedures for evaluating efforts made to 
collect the delinquency and the response from the borrower before a 
decision is made to initiate action to liquidate a loan;
    (6) Procedures for reporting delinquencies of 90 days or more and 
loan terminations to major consumer credit bureaus as specified by the 
Secretary and for informing borrowers that such action will be taken; 
and,
    (7) Controls to ensure that all notices required to be given to the 
Secretary on delinquent loans are provided timely and in such form as 
the Secretary shall require.
    (g) Collection actions. (1) Holders should employ collection 
techniques which provide flexibility to adapt to the individual needs 
and circumstances of each borrower. A variety of collection techniques 
may be used based on the holder's determination of the most effective 
means of contact with borrowers during various stages of delinquency. 
However, at a minimum, the holder's collection procedures must include 
the following actions:
    (i) A written delinquency notice to the borrower(s) requesting 
immediate payment if a loan installment has not been received within 17 
days after the due date. This notice must be mailed no later than the 
20th day of the delinquency and state the amount of the payment and of 
any late charges that are due.
    (ii) An effort, concurrent with the written delinquency notice, to 
establish contact with the borrower(s) by telephone. When talking with 
the borrower(s), the holder should attempt to determine why payment was 
not made and emphasize the importance of remitting loan installments as 
they come due.
    (iii) A letter to the borrower(s) if payment has not been received 
within 30 days after it is due and telephone contact could not be made. 
This letter should emphasize the seriousness of the delinquency and the 
importance of taking prompt action to resolve the default. It should 
also notify the borrower(s) that the loan is in default, state the total 
amount due and advise the borrower(s) how to contact the holder to make 
arrangements for curing the default.
    (iv) In the event the holder has not established contact with the 
borrower(s) and has not determined the financial circumstances of the 
borrower(s) or established a reason for the default or obtained 
agreement to a repayment plan from the borrower(s), then a face-to-face 
interview with the borrower(s) or a reasonable effort to arrange such a 
meeting is required.
    (2) The holder must provide a valid explanation of any failure to 
perform these collection actions when reporting loan defaults to the 
Secretary. A pattern of such failure may be a basis for sanctions under 
38 CFR 36.4216.
    (h) Conducting interviews with delinquent borrowers. When personal 
contact with the borrower(s) is established, the holder shall solicit 
sufficient information to properly evaluate the prospects for curing the 
default and whether the granting of forbearance or other relief 
assistance would be appropriate. At a minimum, the holder must make a 
reasonable effort to establish the following facts:
    (1) The reason for the default and whether the reason is a temporary 
or permanent condition;
    (2) The present income and employment of the borrower(s);
    (3) The current monthly expenses of the borrower(s) including 
household and debt obligations;
    (4) The current mailing address and telephone number of the 
borrower(s); and,
    (5) A realistic and mutually satisfactory arrangement for curing the 
default.
    (i) Property inspection. (1) The holder shall make an inspection of 
the property securing the loan whenever it becomes aware that the 
physical condition of the security may be in jeopardy. Unless a 
repayment agreement is in effect, a property inspection shall also be 
made:

[[Page 669]]

    (i) Before the 60th day of delinquency or before initiating action 
to liquidate a loan, whichever is earlier; and
    (ii) At least once each month after liquidation proceedings have 
been started unless servicing information shows the property remains 
owner-occupied.
    (2) Whenever a holder obtains information which indicates that a 
property securing a loan is abandoned, it shall make appropriate 
arrangements to protect the property from vandalism and the elements. 
Thereafter, the holder shall schedule inspections at least monthly to 
prevent unnecessary deterioration due to vandalism, or neglect. With 
respect to any loan more than 30 days delinquent, a property abandonment 
must be reported to the Secretary and appropriate action initiated under 
36.4280(e) within 15 days after the holder confirms the property is 
abandoned.
    (j) Collection records. The holder shall maintain individual file 
records of collection action on delinquent loans and make such records 
available to the Secretary for inspection on request. Such collection 
records shall show:
    (1) The dates and content of letters and notices which were mailed 
to the borrower(s);
    (2) Dated summaries of each personal servicing contact and the 
result of same;
    (3) The indicated reason(s) for default; and
    (4) The date and result of each property inspection.
    (k) Reporting to the Secretary. A summary of collection efforts, the 
information obtained through such efforts and the holder's evaluation of 
the reason for the default and prospects for resolution of the default 
must be included in any notice provided to the Secretary pursuant to 
Sec. 36.4280.
    (l) Quality control procedures. No later than 180 days after the 
effective date of this regulation, each loan holder shall establish 
internal controls to periodically assess the quality of the servicing 
performed on loans guaranteed by the Secretary and assure that all 
requirements of this section are being met. Those procedures must 
provide for a review of the holder's servicing activities at least 
annually and include an evaluation of delinquency and foreclosure rates 
on loans in its portfolio which are guaranteed by the Secretary. As part 
of its evaluation of delinquency and foreclosure rates, the holder 
shall:
    (1) Collect and maintain appropriate data on delinquency and 
foreclosure rates to enable the holder to evaluate the effectiveness of 
its collection efforts;
    (2) Determine how its VA delinquency and foreclosure rates compare 
with rates in various reports published by the industry, investors and 
others; and
    (3) Analyze significant variances between its foreclosure and 
delinquency rates and those found in available reports and publications 
and take appropriate corrective action.
    (m) Holders shall provide available statistical data on delinquency 
and foreclosure rates and their analysis of such data to the Secretary 
upon request.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 
2900-0530)

[58 FR 29114, May 19, 1993]



Sec. 36.4279  Extensions and reamortizations.

    (a) Provided the debtor(s) is (are) a reasonable credit risk(s), as 
determined by the holder based upon review of the debtor's (s') 
creditworthiness, including a review of a current credit report(s) on 
the debtor(s), the terms of repayment of any loan may, by written 
agreement between the holder and debtor(s), be extended in the event of 
default, to avoid imminent default, or in any other case where the prior 
approval of the Secretary is obtained. Except with the prior approval of 
the Secretary, no such extension shall set a rate of amortization less 
than that sufficient to fully amortize at least 80 percent of the loan 
balance so extended within the maximum maturity prescribed for loans of 
its class.
    (b) In the event of a partial prepayment pursuant to Sec. 36.4211, 
the balance of the indebtedness may, by written agreement between the 
holder and the debtor(s), be reamortized, provided the reamortization 
schedule will result in full repayment of the loan within the original 
maturity, and provided the debtor(s) is (are) a reasonable credit

[[Page 670]]

risk(s), as determined by the holder based upon review of the debtor's 
(s') creditworthiness, including a review of a current credit report(s) 
on the debtor(s).
    (c) Unless the prior approval of the Secretary has been obtained, 
any extension or reamortization agreed to by a holder which relieves any 
obligor from liability will release the liability of the Secretary under 
the guaranty on the entire loan. However, if such release of liability 
of an obligor results through operation of law by reason of an extension 
or other act of forbearance, the liability of the Secretary as guarantor 
will not be affected thereby, Provided, The required lien is maintained 
and the title holder is and will remain liable for the payment of the 
indebtedness: And further provided, That if such extension or act of 
forbearance will result in the release of the veteran, all delinquent 
installments, plus any foreclosure expenses which may have been 
incurred, shall have been fully paid.
    (d) The holder shall promptly forward to the Secretary an advice of 
the terms of any agreement effecting a reamortization or extension of a 
guaranteed loan, together with cop(y)(ies) of the credit report(s) 
obtained on the debtor(s).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712)

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 53 FR 34295, Sept. 6, 1988]



Sec. 36.4280  Reporting of defaults.

    The holder of any guaranteed loan shall give notice to the Secretary 
within 15 days after any debtor:
    (a) Is in default by reason of nonpayment of two full installments; 
or
    (b) Is in default by failing to comply with any other covenant or 
obligation of such guaranteed loan which failure persists for a 
continuing period of 60 days after demand for compliance therewith has 
been made, except that if the default is due to nonpayment of real 
estate taxes, the notice shall not be required until the failure to pay 
when due has persisted for a continuing period of 120 days.
    (c) In the event any failure of the months or for more than 1 month 
on an extended loan, the holder may then or thereafter give the notice 
in the manner described in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (d) The notice prescribed in paragraph (e) of this section may be 
submitted prior to the time prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section 
in any case where any material prejudice to the rights of the holder or 
to the Secretary or hazard to the security warrants more prompt action.
    (e) Except upon the express waiver of the Secretary, a holder shall 
not begin proceedings in court or give notice of sale under power of 
sale, repossess the security, or accelerate the loan, or otherwise take 
steps to terminate the debtor's rights in the security until the 
expiration of 30 days after delivery by certified mail to the Secretary 
of a notice of intention to take such action; provided, that immediate 
action as required under 38 CFR 36.4278(i) may be taken if the property 
to be affected thereby has been abandoned by the debtor, or has been or 
may be otherwise subjected to extraordinary waste or hazard.
    (f) The notice required under subparagraph (e) of this paragraph 
shall also be provided to the original veteran-borrower and any other 
liable obligors by certified mail within 30 days after such notice is 
provided to the Secretary in all cases in which the current owner of the 
property is not the original veteran-borrower. A failure by the holder 
to make a good faith effort to comply with the provisions of this 
subparagraph may result in a partial or total loss of guaranty pursuant 
to VA Regulation 36.4286(b), but such failure shall not constitute a 
defense to any legal action to terminate the loan. A good faith effort 
will include:
    (1) A search of the holder's automated and physical loan record 
systems to identify the name and current or last address of the original 
veteran and any other liable obligors;
    (2) A search of the holder's automated and physical loan record 
systems to identify sufficient information (e.g., Social Security 
Number) to perform a routine trace inquiry through a major consumer 
credit bureau;
    (3) Conducting the trace inquiry using an in-house credit reporting 
terminal;

[[Page 671]]

    (4) Obtaining the results of the inquiry;
    (5) Mailing the required notices and concurrently providing the 
Secretary with the names and addresses of all obligors identified and 
sent notice; and
    (6) Documentation of the holder's records.

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 58 FR 29116, May 19, 1993]



Sec. 36.4281  Refunding of loans in default.

    Upon receiving a notice of default the Secretary may at any time 
prior to the termination of the borrower's interest in the property 
require the holder upon penalty of otherwise losing the guaranty to 
transfer and assign the loan and the security therefor to the Secretary 
or to another designated by him or her upon receipt of payment of the 
balance of the indebtedness remaining unpaid to the date of such 
assignment. Such assignment may be made without recourse but the 
transferor shall not thereby be relieved from the provisions of 
Sec. 36.4286.

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 55 FR 37474, Sept. 12, 1990]



Sec. 36.4282  Legal proceedings (notice of repossession).

    (a) When the holder institutes suit or otherwise becomes a party in 
any legal or equitable proceeding brought on or in connection with the 
guaranteed indebtedness, or involving title to, or other lien on, the 
security, such holder, within the time that would be required if the 
Secretary were a party to the proceeding, shall deliver to the 
Secretary, by mail or otherwise, by making such delivery to the loan 
guaranty officer at the office which granted the guaranty, or other 
office to which the holder has been notified the file is transferred, a 
copy of every procedural paper filed on behalf of holder, and shall also 
so deliver, as promptly as possible, a copy of each similar pleading 
served on holder or filed in the cause by any other party thereto. 
Notice of, or motion for, continuance and orders thereon are excepted 
from the foregoing.
    (b) A copy of a notice of sale under power by a holder or one acting 
at his or her behest (e.g., trustee or public official) shall be 
similarly delivered to the Secretary at or before the date of first 
publication, posting, or other notice, but in any event, except in 
emergency or when waived by the Secretary, not less than 10 days prior 
to date of sale. Copy of any other notice of sale served on the holder 
or of which he or she has knowledge shall be similarly delivered to the 
Secretary, including any such notice of sale under tax or other superior 
lien or any judicial sale.
    (c) The procedure prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section shall not be applicable in any proceeding to which the Secretary 
is a party, after the Secretary's appearance shall have been entered 
therein by a duly authorized attorney.
    (d) In any legal or equitable proceeding (including probate and 
bankruptcy proceedings) to which the Secretary is a party, original 
process and any other process prior to appearance, proper to be served 
on the Secretary, shall be delivered to the loan guaranty officer of the 
office of the Department of Veterans Affairs having jurisdiction of the 
area in which the court is situated. Within the time required by 
applicable law, or rule of court, the Secretary will cause appropriate 
special or general appearance to be entered in the cause by the 
Secretary's authorized attorney.
    (e) After appearance of the Secretary by attorney, all process and 
notice otherwise proper to serve on the Secretary before or after 
judgment, if served on the Secretary's attorney of record shall have the 
same effect as if the Secretary were personally served within the 
jurisdiction of the court.
    (f) If following a default the holder does not begin appropriate 
action within 30 days after requested in writing by the Secretary to do 
so, or does not prosecute such action with reasonable diligence, the 
Secretary shall have the option to intervene in, or begin and prosecute 
to completion any action or proceeding, in the Secretary's name or in 
the name of the holder, which the Secretary deems necessary or 
appropriate, and may fix a date beyond which no further charges may be 
included in the computation of the guaranty claim. The Secretary shall 
pay, in

[[Page 672]]

advance if necessary, any court costs or other expenses incurred by the 
Secretary, or properly taxed against the Secretary, in any such action 
to which the Secretary is a party, but may charge the same, and also a 
reasonable amount for legal services, against the guaranteed 
indebtedness, or the proceeds of the sale of the security to the same 
extent as the holder (see Sec. 36.4276), or otherwise collect from the 
holder any such expenses incurred by the Secretary because of the 
neglect or failure of the holder to take or complete proper action. The 
rights and remedies herein reserved are without prejudice to any other 
rights, remedies, or defenses, in law or in equity, available to the 
Secretary.
    (g) The holder, no later than 10 days after it has repossessed a 
property, must advise the Secretary of such repossession. The holder 
shall proceed thereafter, within a reasonable time after repossession, 
to terminate the debtors' rights in the property. If it is a legal 
requirement or if the Secretary requires that the debtors' rights be 
terminated by public sale, the holder shall follow the procedures set 
forth in paragraph (b) of this section. Otherwise, the holder shall 
proceed in the manner set forth in Sec. 36.4283(f).

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 47 FR 12965, Mar. 26, 1982; 53 
FR 34296, Sept. 6, 1988]



Sec. 36.4283  Foreclosure or repossession.

    (a) Upon receipt by the Secretary of notice of a judicial or 
statutory sale, or other public sale under power of sale contained in 
the loan instruments, to liquidate any security for a guaranteed loan, 
the Secretary may specify in advance of such sale the minimum amount 
which shall be credited to the indebtedness of the borrower on account 
of the value of the security to be sold, subject to the provisions of 
paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section:
    (1) If a minimum amount has been specified in relation to a sale of 
the property and the holder is the successful bidder at the sale for an 
amount not in excess of such specified amount the holder shall dispose 
of the property in the manner set forth in paragraph (f) and the amount 
realized from the resale of the property shall govern in the final 
accounting for determining the rights and liabilities of the holder and 
the Secretary.
    (2) If a minimum amount has been specified by the Secretary and:
    (i) A third party is the successful bidder at the sale for an amount 
equal to or in excess of that specified, the holder shall credit to the 
indebtedness the net proceeds of the sale.
    (ii) A third party is the successful bidder at the sale for an 
amount less than that specified, the holder shall credit to the 
indebtedness the amount specified less expenses allowable under 
Sec. 36.4276.
    (iii) The holder is the successful bidder at the sale for an amount 
in excess of the specified amount the indebtedness shall be credited 
with the net proceeds of the sale or an amount established in accordance 
with paragraph (f) of this section, whichever is the greater, unless the 
bid in excess of the specified amount was made pursuant to paragraph (d) 
of this section.
    (3) If a minimum amount has not been specified by the Secretary 
under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, and the Secretary advised 
the holder that it did not intend to specify an amount, and the property 
is purchased at the sale by a third party, the holder shall credit 
against the indebtedness the net proceeds of the sale except as provided 
in paragraph (d) of this section. However, if the property is purchased 
at the sale by the holder, the indebtedness will be credited with the 
net proceeds of the sale or an amount established in accordance with 
paragraph (f) of this section, whichever is greater.
    (4) The holder shall notify the Secretary of the results of the sale 
within 10 days after the sale is completed.
    (b) In the event that any real property which is security for a 
guaranteed loan is to be acquired by a holder in a manner other than as 
provided in paragraph (a) or (c) of this section (e.g., by strict 
foreclosure or by the termination without a public sale of the 
purchaser's interest in a land sale contract), the holder shall notify 
the Secretary of the acquisition within 15 days

[[Page 673]]

thereafter and account to the Secretary for the proceeds of the 
liquidation of the security in accordance with paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (c) When a debtor proposes to convey or transfer any property to a 
holder to avoid foreclosure or other judicial, contractual, or statutory 
disposition of the obligation or of the security, the consent of the 
Secretary to the terms of such proposal shall be obtained in advance of 
such conveyance or transfer. If the Secretary consents thereto, the 
holder may acquire the property and account to the Secretary for the 
proceeds of the liquidation of the security in accordance with paragraph 
(f) of this section.
    (d) If a minimum bid is required under applicable State law, or 
decree of foreclosure or order of sale, or other lawful order or decree, 
the holder may bid an amount not exceeding such amount legally required. 
If an amount has been specified by the Secretary and the holder is the 
successful bidder for an amount not exceeding the amount legally 
required, such specified amount shall govern for the purpose of this 
section.
    (e) If the Secretary has specified an amount as provided in this 
section, and the holder learns of any material damage to the property 
occurring prior to the foreclosure sale or to the acceptance of a deed 
in lieu of foreclosure or prior to any other event to which such 
specified amount is applicable, the holder shall promptly advise the 
Secretary of such damage. Also, if the holder acquires or repossesses 
the property and the holder learns of any material damage to it, the 
holder shall promptly advise the Secretary of such damage.
    (f) When the security for a guaranteed loan is acquired by the 
holder through foreclosure or otherwise, the holder shall resell the 
property within a reasonable time and may thereafter submit its claim 
under the guaranty. The Secretary, upon receipt of a notice of 
acquisition, shall determine the current reasonable value of the 
property and advise the holder of the minimum selling price that will be 
acceptable in any accounting with the Secretary upon liquidation of the 
security.
    (1) If the holder resells the property for an amount at least equal 
to the minimum selling price, it shall credit the indebtedness with the 
proceeds of the sale.
    (2) If the holder is unable to resell the property for an amount at 
least equal to the minimum selling price after exposure to the market 
for a reasonable period of time, the holder may submit to the Secretary 
a written advice setting forth the price, terms, conditions and expenses 
of any offer received. The Secretary shall thereupon:
    (i) Assent to the resale of the property upon the terms of such 
offer, in which event the holder will credit the indebtedness with the 
proceeds of the sale, or
    (ii) Review the minimum selling price previously established and, if 
appropriate, provide the holder with a reduced minimum selling price at 
which the property shall be further exposed to the market.
    (3) If the holder resells the property and finances the sale under 
the terms of a new security agreement and note, the Secretary may, 
pursuant to paragraph (f)(3)(iv) of this section, agree to indemnify the 
holder against loss on the new loan.
    (i) The Secretary's maximum liability under the indemnity agreement 
shall be the percentage of the loan originally guaranteed applied to the 
indebtedness as of the date of claim computation as set forth in 
Sec. 36.4284(a), or the amount originally guaranteed, or the amount of 
the Secretary's liability under a preexisting indemnity agreement, 
whichever is less.
    (ii) In the event the proceeds of sale are less than the total 
indebtedness, the Secretary may pay a partial claim for the difference 
between the indebtedness and the proceeds of sale and thereafter agree 
to indemnify the holder for the amount of the maximum liability as of 
the date of claim computation, less the amount of claim paid.
    (iii) Subject to the limitation that the total amount payable under 
an indemnity agreement shall in no event exceed the Secretary's maximum 
liability, the remaining liability will be continued as a percentage of 
the new loan amount increasing or decreasing

[[Page 674]]

pro rata with any increase or decrease in the balance of the loan 
obligation.
    (iv) The Secretary shall execute an indemnity agreement evidencing 
the amount and terms of the indemnity liability, provided:
    (A) The Secretary has determined that resale of the security under 
an indemnity agreement is in the best interest of the Government, and 
the holder has obtained the prior approval of the Secretary;
    (B) The terms of repayment of the proposed loan bear a proper 
relationship to the borrower's present and anticipated income and 
expenses, and the borrower is a satisfactory credit risk;
    (C) The borrower executes an agreement establishing liability to the 
Secretary for the amount of any claim paid under the indemnity 
agreement;
    (D) The term of the proposed loan does not exceed the maximum term 
allowable under Sec. 36.4204(c)(4);
    (E) The interest rate charged the borrower does not exceed the 
maximum rate allowable under Sec. 36.4212 as of the date of closing 
pursuant to the indemnity agreement;
    (F) The holder agrees to comply with VA manufactured home 
regulations as if the original loan had not been terminated.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(g))

    (4) If the holder has not resold the property, it may elect to 
submit its claim under Loan Guaranty within 60 days of the date of the 
Secretary's written advice of the minimum selling price.
    (i) For purposes of computation of a claim submitted pursuant to 
this paragraph, and subject to the limitation that the maximum amount of 
claim payable shall in no event exceed the amount originally guaranteed, 
the amount payable on a claim for the guaranty shall be the percentage 
of the loan originally guaranteed applied to the indebtedness computed 
as of the date the holder acquired the security. Further:
    (A) The minimum selling price determined by the Secretary and 
provided to the holder shall be credited to the indebtedness as proceeds 
of sale; or
    (B) If no minimum selling price is provided then the current 
reasonable value of the property as determined by the Secretary and 
provided to the holder shall be credited to the indebtedness as proceeds 
of sale; and
    The amount payable on the claim shall in no event exceed the 
remaining balance of the indebtedness.
    (ii) Allowable post-acquisition expenditures or costs paid by the 
holder which may be included in the accounting with the Secretary are 
limited to those specified in Sec. 36.4276(c).

    (g) If at the end of 6 months from the date of acquisition the 
holder has been unable to resell the property and no claim has been 
filed pursuant to paragraph (f)(4) of this section, a claim may be 
submitted under the guaranty and the Secretary will pay to the holder 
upon submission of such claim:
    (1) The difference between the appraised value of the property as 
determined by the Secretary and the indebtedness including those costs 
allowable under Sec. 36.4276 and the costs of repossessing the 
manufactured home not to exceed $100, plus any accrued and unpaid 
interest to the applicable cutoff date as set forth in Sec. 36.4284(a) 
at the maximum rate allowable. For loans guaranteed prior to May 8, 
1984, the Secretary will also pay accrued interest at a rate of 6 
percent from such cutoff date to the date of claim but not to exceed 60 
days. For loans guaranteed on or after May 8, 1984, the Secretary will 
pay accrued interest at a rate 4.75 percent below the contract interest 
rate from such cutoff date to the date of claim but not to exceed 90 
days.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(g))

    (2) The amount of the guaranty payable on the total outstanding 
indebtedness as of the applicable cutoff date set forth in 
Sec. 36.4284(a), whichever is less.
    (h) If the property securing the guaranteed loan is acquired by a 
holder pursuant to paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section, or 
Sec. 36.4282(g), the following provisions shall apply:
    (1) The holder's notice to the Secretary after acquisition shall 
state the amount of the successful bid at public sale, or in the event 
of a repossession or a voluntary conveyance, the date of acquisition.

[[Page 675]]

    (2) The holder's notice after acquisition shall also provide 
complete occupancy data. Except with the prior approval of the Secretary 
the holder shall not rent the property to a new tenant nor extend the 
terms of an existing tenancy on other than a month-to-month basis.
    (3) Except with the prior approval of the Secretary, any taxes or 
special assessments which constitute prior liens due and payable after 
acquisition of the property by the holder shall be paid by the holder 
sufficiently in advance of the payment due dates to avoid penalties and 
to take advantage of any discounts. The holder also may include in its 
accounting with the Secretary any expenditures for repairs made that 
were reasonably necessary to properly maintain or refurbish the security 
property, not to exceed $400. Expenditures in excess of $400 shall not 
be made without the prior approval of the Secretary.
    (4) As between the holder and the Secretary, the holder shall be 
responsible for any loss due to damage to or destruction of the 
property, ordinary wear and tear excepted, from the date of repossession 
or acquisition by the holder to the date the property has been 
liquidated.
    (5) The holder shall include as credits in its accounting with the 
Secretary all rentals and other income collected from the property and 
insurance proceeds or refunds subsequent to the date of acquisition by 
the holder.
    (i) Definitions: (1) The terms date of sale or date of acquisition 
as used in this section are defined as the date of the event (e.g., date 
of repossession, date of sale confirmation when required under local 
practice, date of acceptance of deed in case of voluntary conveyance, 
etc.) which fixes the rights of the parties in the property.
    (2) The term property or real property as used in this section shall 
include:
    (i) A leasehold estate therein which at the time of closing the loan 
was of not less duration than that prescribed by Sec. 36.4253, and
    (ii) The rights derived by the holder through a foreclosure sale of 
real estate whether or not such rights constitute an estate in real 
property under local law.
    (j) A claim for the guaranty must include a cop(y)(ies) of a current 
credit report(s) on the debtor(s).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712)

    (k) The provisions of this section shall not be in derogation of any 
rights which the Secretary may have under Sec. 36.4286. The Under 
Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, Loan Guaranty Service, may 
authorize any deviation from the provisions of this section, within the 
limitations prescribed in 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, which may be necessary 
or desirable to accomplish the objectives of this section if such 
deviation is made necessary by reason of any laws or practice in any 
State, Territory, or the District of Columbia: Provided, That no such 
deviation shall impair the rights of any holder not consenting thereto 
with respect to loans made or approved prior to the date the holder is 
notified of such action.


(Information collection requirements contained in paragraph (j) were 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0480)

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 47 FR 12965, Mar. 26, 1982; 49 
FR 22081, May 25, 1984; 53 FR 34296, Sept. 6, 1988; 58 FR 37860, July 
14, 1993; 61 FR 28058, June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4284  Computation of guaranty claims.

    (a) Subject to the limitation that the maximum amount payable shall 
in no event exceed the amount originally guaranteed, the amount payable 
on a claim for the guaranty shall be the percentage of the loan 
originally guaranteed applied to the indebtedness computed as of the 
date of claim but not later than (1) the date of judgment or of decree 
of foreclosure; or (2) in nonjudicial foreclosures, the date of 
publication of the first notice of sale; or (3) in cases in which the 
security is repossessed without a judgment, decree, or foreclosure, the 
date the holder repossesses the security; or (4) if no security is 
available, the date of claim but not more than 6 months after the first 
uncured default. Deposits or other credits or setoffs including any 
escrowed or earmarked funds legally applicable to the indebtedness on 
the

[[Page 676]]

date of the claim computation shall be applied in reduction of the 
indebtedness upon which the claim is based.
    (b) Credits accruing from the proceeds of a sale or other 
disposition of the security shall be reported to the Secretary incident 
to such submission, and the amount payable on the claim shall in no 
event exceed the remaining balance of the indebtedness.
    (c) Any allowable expenditures or costs, paid by the holder, and any 
accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable cutoff date as set forth 
in paragraph (a) of this section at the maximum rate allowable, may be 
deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the property, or may be 
included in the accounting to the Secretary on such loan. For loans 
guaranteed prior to May 8, 1984, the holder may also either deduct from 
sales proceeds, or include in the accounting, accrued interest at a rate 
of 6 percent from such cutoff date to the date of resale or other 
liquidation but not to exceed 60 days. For loans guaranteed on or after 
May 8, 1984, the holder may also either deduct from sales proceeds, or 
include in the accounting, accrued interest at a rate 4.75 percent below 
the contract interest rate from such cutoff date to the date of resale 
or other liquidation but not to exceed 90 days.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3712(g))

    (d) In computing the indebtedness for the purpose of filing a claim 
for payment of a guaranty, or in the event of a transfer of the loan 
under Sec. 36.4281, or other accounting to the Secretary, the holder 
shall not be entitled to treat repayments theretofore made, as 
liquidated damages, or rentals, or otherwise than as payments on the 
indebtedness, notwithstanding any provision in the note, or mortgage, or 
otherwise, to the contrary.
    (e) Appropriate computation of the guaranty, proceeds of 
liquidation, and allowable costs for claims filed under 
Sec. 36.4283(f)(4) are specified in Sec. 36.4276(c).

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 49 FR 22082, May 25, 1984; 58 
FR 37861, July 14, 1993]



Sec. 36.4285  Subrogation and indemnity.

    (a) The Secretary shall be subrogated to the contract and the lien 
or other rights of the holder to the extent of any sum paid on a 
guaranty, which right shall be junior to the holder's rights as against 
the debtor or the encumbered property until the holder shall have 
received the full amount payable under the contract with the debtor 
except that where the holder has entered into a recourse and/or 
repurchase or indemnity agreement with a dealer or servicer or other 
entity and the Department of Veterans Affairs pays a claim under 
guaranty to the holder the Department of Veterans Affairs will not be 
subrogated to any rights the holder may have under the recourse and/or 
repurchase or indemnity agreement. No partial or complete release by a 
creditor shall impair the rights of the Secretary with respect to the 
debtor's obligation.
    (b) The holder, upon request, shall execute, acknowledge, and 
deliver an appropriate instrument tendered the holder for that purpose, 
evidencing any payment received from the Secretary and the Secretary's 
resulting right of subrogation.
    (c) The Secretary may cause the instrument required by paragraph (b) 
of this section to be filed for record in the Office of the Recorder of 
Deeds, or other appropriate office of the proper county, town, or State, 
in accordance with the applicable State law.
    (d) Any amounts paid by the Secretary on account of the liabilities 
of any veteran guaranteed under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3712 shall 
constitute a debt owing to the United States by such veteran.
    (e) Whenever any veteran disposes of residential property securing a 
guaranteed loan obtained under 38 U.S.C. 3712, and for which the 
commitment to make the loan was made prior to March 1, 1988, the 
Secretary, upon application made by such veteran, shall issue to the 
veteran a release relieving him or her of all further liability to the 
Secretary on account of such loan (including liability for any loss 
resulting from any default of the transferee or any subsequent purchaser 
of such property) if the Secretary has determined, after such 
investigation as the Secretary may deem appropriate, that there has been 
compliance with the conditions prescribed in 38 U.S.C.

[[Page 677]]

3713(a). The assumption of full liability for repayment of the loan by 
the transferee of the property must be evidenced by an agreement in 
writing in such form as the Secretary may require. Release of the 
veteran from liability to the Secretary will not impair or otherwise 
affect the Secretary's guaranty on the loan, or the liability of the 
veteran to the holder. Any release of liability granted to a veteran by 
the Secretary shall inure to the spouse of such veteran. The release of 
the veteran from liability to the Secretary will constitute the 
Secretary's prior approval to a release of the veteran from liability on 
the loan by the holder thereof. This release will not result in the 
veteran being entitled to further loan benefits unless the requirements 
of Sec. 36.4203 are met.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3713, 3714)

    (f) If, on or after July 1, 1972, any veteran disposes of 
residential property securing a guaranteed loan obtained by him or her 
under 38 U.S.C. 3712, without securing a release from liability with 
respect to such loan under 38 U.S.C. 3713(a) and a default subsequently 
occurs which results in liability of the veteran to the Secretary on 
account of the loan, the Secretary may relieve the veteran of such 
liability if the Secretary determines that:
    (1) A transferee either immediate or remote is legally liable to the 
Secretary for the debt of the original veteran-borrower established 
after the termination of the loan, and
    (2) The original loan was current at the time such transferee 
acquired the property, and
    (3) The transferee who is liable to the Secretary is found to have 
been a satisfactory credit risk at the time he or she acquired the 
property.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3713(b))

    (g) If a veteran or any other person disposes of residential 
property securing a guaranteed or insured loan for which a commitment 
was made on or after March 1, 1988, and the veteran or other person 
notifies the loan holder in writing before disposing of the property, 
the veteran or other person shall be relieved of all further liability 
to the Secretary with respect to the loan (including liability for any 
loss resulting from any default of the purchaser or any subsequent owner 
of the property) and the application for assumption shall be approved if 
the holder determines that:
    (1) The proposed purchaser is creditworthy;
    (2) The proposed purchaser is contractually obligated to assume the 
loan and the liability to indemnify the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for the amount of any claim paid under the guaranty as a result of a 
default on the loan, or has already done so; and,
    (3) The payments on the loan are current.

Should these requirements be satisfied, the holder may also release the 
selling veteran or other person from liability on the loan. This does 
not apply if the approval for the assumption is granted upon special 
appeal to avoid immediate foreclosure.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3713, 3714)

[36 FR 1253, Jan. 27, 1971, as amended at 36 FR 13032, July 13, 1971; 44 
FR 16015, Mar. 16, 1979; 55 FR 37474, Sept. 12, 1990]



Sec. 36.4286  Partial or total loss of guaranty.

    (a) There shall be no guaranty liability on the part of the 
Secretary in respect to any loan as to which a signature to the note, 
the mortgage or other security instrument is a forgery. Except as to a 
holder who acquired the loan instrument before maturity, for value, and 
without notice, and who has not directly or by agent participated in the 
fraud, or in the misrepresentation hereinafter specified, any willful 
and material misrepresentation or fraud by the lender, or by a holder, 
or the agent of either, in procuring the guaranty shall relieve the 
Secretary of liability, or shall constitute a defense against liability 
on account of the guaranty of the loan in respect to which the willful 
misrepresentation, or the fraud, is practiced: Provided, That if a 
misrepresentation, although material, is not made willfully, or with 
fraudulent intent, it shall have only the consequences prescribed in 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) In taking security required by 38 U.S.C. 3712 and the 
Sec. 36.4200 series, a

[[Page 678]]

holder shall obtain the required lien on real property the title to 
which is such as to be acceptable to prudent lending institutions, 
informed buyers, title companies, and attorneys, generally in the 
community in which the property is situated: Provided, That a title will 
not be unacceptable by reason of any of the limitations on the quantum 
or quality of the property or title stated in Sec. 36.4253. If such 
holder fails in this respect or fails to comply with any of the 
requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3712 and the Sec. 36.4200 series with respect 
to:
    (1) Obtaining and retaining a lien of the dignity prescribed on all 
property upon which a lien is required by 38 U.S.C. 3712 or the 
Sec. 36.4200 series,
    (2) Inclusion of power to substitute trustees,
    (3) The procurement and maintenance of insurance coverage,
    (4) Advice to Secretary as to default,
    (5) Notice of intention to begin action,
    (6) Notice to the Secretary in any suit or action, or notice of 
sale,
    (7) The release, conveyance, substitution, or exchange of security,
    (8) Lack of legal capacity of a party to the transaction incident to 
which the guaranty is granted,
    (9) Failure of the lender to see that any escrowed or earmarked 
account is expended in accordance with the agreement,
    (10) The taking into consideration of limitations upon the quantum 
or quality of the estate or property,
    (11) Any other requirement of 38 U.S.C. 3712 or the Sec. 36.4200 
series which does not by the terms of said section or regulations result 
in relieving the Secretary of all liability with respect to the loan,

no claim on the guaranty shall be paid on account of the loan with 
respect to which such failure occurred, or in respect to which an 
unwillful misrepresentation occurred, until the amount by which the 
ultimate liability of the Secretary would thereby be increased has been 
ascertained. The burden of proof shall be upon the holder to establish 
that no increase of ultimate liability is attributable to such failure 
or misrepresentation. The amount of increased liability of the Secretary 
shall be offset by deduction from the amount of the guaranty otherwise 
payable, or if consequent upon loss of security shall be offset by 
crediting to the indebtedness the amount of the impairment as proceeds 
of the sale of security in the final accounting to the Secretary. To the 
extent the loss resultant from the failure of misrepresentation 
prejudices the Secretary's right of subrogation acceptance by the holder 
of the guaranty payment shall subordinate the holder's right to those of 
the Secretary.
    (c) If after the payment of a guaranty, or after a loan is 
transferred pursuant to Sec. 36.4281, the fraud, misrepresentation, or 
failure to comply with the regulations concerning guaranty of loans to 
veterans as provided in this section is discovered and the Secretary 
determines that an increased loss to the Government resulted therefrom, 
the transferee or person to whom such payment was made shall be liable 
to the Secretary for the amount of the loss caused by such 
misrepresentation or failure.



Sec. 36.4287  Substitution of trustees.

    In jurisdictions in which valid, any deed of trust or mortgage 
securing a guaranteed loan, if it names trustees or confers a power of 
sale otherwise, shall contain a provision empowering any holder of the 
indebtedness to appoint substitute trustees or other person with such 
power to sell, who shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties 
of the trustees, or other person, originally designated.



  Subpart B_Guaranty or Insurance of Loans to Veterans With Electronic 
                                Reporting

    Source: 73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008, unless otherwise noted. 
Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010.



Sec. 36.4300  Applicability and qualified mortgage status.

    (a) Applicability to guaranteed loans. This subpart applies to loans 
serviced by a mortgage servicing industry segment on or after the date 
that VA issues a Federal Register notice making this subpart applicable 
to that segment. This includes loans entitled to an automatic guaranty, 
or otherwise

[[Page 679]]

guaranteed or insured, on or after the date assigned in the Federal 
Register, and loans that were previously guaranteed or insured to the 
extent that no legal rights vested under the regulations are impaired.
    (b) Safe harbor qualified mortgage--(1) Defined. A safe harbor 
qualified mortgage meets the Ability-to-Repay requirements of sections 
129B and 129C of the Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA) regardless of whether 
the loan might be considered a high cost mortgage transaction as defined 
by section 103bb of TILA (15 U.S.C. 1602bb).
    (2) General. Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, any 
guaranteed or insured loan made in compliance with this subpart is a 
safe harbor qualified mortgage.
    (3) Exempted transactions. The following loans are not subject to 
challenge under the ability-to-repay requirements of the Truth-in-
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639C).
    (i) A temporary or ``bridge'' loan with a term of 12 months or less, 
such as a loan to finance the purchase of a new dwelling where the 
consumer plans to sell a current dwelling within 12 months or a loan to 
finance the initial construction of a dwelling;
    (ii) A construction phase of 12 months or less of a construction-to-
permanent loan;
    (iii) An extension of credit made pursuant to a program administered 
by a Housing Finance Agency, as defined under 24 CFR 266.5;
    (iv) An extension of credit made by:
    (A) A creditor designated as a Community Development Financial 
Institution, as defined under 12 CFR 1805.104(h);
    (B) A creditor designated as a Downpayment Assistance through 
Secondary Financing Provider, pursuant to 24 CFR 200.194(a), operating 
in accordance with regulations prescribed by the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development applicable to such persons;
    (C) A creditor designated as a Community Housing Development 
Organization provided that the creditor has entered into a commitment 
with a participating jurisdiction and is undertaking a project under the 
HOME program, pursuant to the provisions of 24 CFR 92.300(a), and as the 
terms community housing development organization, commitment, 
participating jurisdiction, and project are defined under 24 CFR 92.2; 
or
    (D) A creditor with a tax exemption ruling or determination letter 
from the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3); 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-
(1), provided that:
    (1) During the calendar year preceding receipt of the consumer's 
application, the creditor extended credit secured by a dwelling no more 
than 200 times;
    (2) During the calendar year preceding receipt of the consumer's 
application, the creditor extended credit secured by a dwelling only to 
consumers with income that did not exceed the low- and moderate-income 
household limit as established pursuant to section 102 of the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)(20)) and 
amended from time to time by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, pursuant to 24 CFR 570.3;
    (3) The extension of credit is to a consumer with income that does 
not exceed the household limit specified in 12 CFR 1026.43(a)(3); and
    (4) The creditor determines, in accordance with written procedures, 
that the consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the extension of 
credit.
    (v) An extension of credit made pursuant to a program authorized by 
sections 101 and 109 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 
(12 U.S.C. 5211; 5219);
    (c) Interest rate reduction refinancing loans (IRRRLs). (1) Safe 
harbor. A streamlined refinance loan made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(8) and (e) is a safe harbor qualified mortgage, as defined in 
paragraph (b) of this section, if all of the following conditions are 
met:
    (i) The loan being refinanced was originated at least 6 months 
before the date of the new loan's closing date, and the veteran has not 
been more than 30 days past due during such 6-month period;
    (ii) The recoupment period for all fees and charges financed as part 
of the loan or paid at closing does not exceed thirty-six (36) months;

[[Page 680]]

    (iii) The streamlined refinance loan is either exempt from income 
verification requirements pursuant to 38 CFR 36.4307 or the refinance 
loan complies with other income verification requirements pursuant to 38 
CFR 36.4340, as well as the Truth-in-Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639C) and 
its implementing regulations; and
    (iv) All other applicable requirements of this subpart are met.

(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1639C(b)(3)(B)(ii), 38 U.S.C. 3710)
    (2) Rebuttable presumption. A streamlined refinance that does not 
meet all of the requirements of safe harbor in paragraph (c)(1), is a 
qualified mortgage for which there is a presumption that the borrower 
had the ability to repay the loan at the time of consummation, if such 
streamlined refinance, at the time of consummation, satisfies the 
requirements of (c)(1)(iii) and (iv) of this section.
    (d) Effect of indemnification on qualified mortgage status. An 
indemnification demand or resolution of a demand that relates to whether 
the loan satisfied relevant eligibility and underwriting requirements at 
the time of consummation may result from facts that could allow a change 
to qualified mortgage status, but the existence of an indemnification 
does not per se remove qualified mortgage status.

(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1639C(b)(3)(B)(ii), 38 U.S.C. 3710, 3720)
    (e) Restatement. Title 38 U.S.C., chapter 37, is a continuation and 
restatement of the provisions of Title III of the Servicemen's 
Readjustment Act of 1944, and may be considered an amendment to such 
Title III. References to the sections or chapters of title 38 U.S.C., 
shall, where applicable, be deemed to refer to the prior corresponding 
provisions of the law.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 79 FR 26627, May 9, 2014]



Sec. 36.4301  Definitions.

    Whenever used in 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 or subpart F of this part, 
unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this section 
shall have the following meaning:
    A period of more than 180 days. For the purposes of sections 3707 
and 3702(a)(2)(C) of title 38 U.S.C., the term a period of more than 180 
days shall mean 181 or more calendar days of continuous active duty.
    Acquisition and improvement loan. A loan to purchase an existing 
property which includes additional funds for the purpose of installing 
energy conservation improvements or making other alterations, 
improvements, or repairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(1), (4), and (7))

    Alterations. Any structural changes or additions to existing 
improved realty.
    Automatic lender. A lender that may process a loan or assumption 
without submitting the credit package to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for underwriting review. Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3702(d) there are 
two categories of lenders who may process loans automatically:
    (1) Entities such as banks, savings and loan associations, and 
mortgage and loan companies that are subject to examination by an agency 
of the United States or any State and
    (2) Lenders approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant 
to standards established by the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3702(d))

    Compromise sale. A sale to a third party for an amount less than is 
sufficient to repay the unpaid balance on the loan where the holder has 
agreed in advance to release the lien in exchange for the proceeds of 
such sale.
    Condominium. Unless otherwise provided by State law, a condominium 
is a form of ownership where the buyer receives title to a three 
dimensional air space containing the individual living unit together 
with an undivided interest or share in the ownership of common elements.
    Cost. Cost means the entire consideration paid or payable for or on 
account of the application of materials and labor to tangible property.
    Credit package. Any information, reports or verifications used by a 
lender, holder or authorized servicing agent to determine the 
creditworthiness of an

[[Page 681]]

applicant for a Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed loan or the 
assumer of such a loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710 and 3714)

    Date of first uncured default. Date of first uncured default means 
the due date of the earliest payment not fully satisfied by the proper 
application of available credits or deposits.
    Default. Default means failure of a borrower to comply with the 
terms of a loan agreement.
    Designated appraiser. Designated appraiser means a person requested 
by the Secretary to render an estimate of the reasonable value of a 
property, or of a specified type of property, within a stated area for 
the purpose of justifying the extension of credit to an eligible veteran 
for any of the purposes stated in 38 U.S.C. chapter 37. An appraiser on 
a fee basis is not an agent of the Secretary.
    Discharge or release. For purposes of basic eligibility a person 
will be considered discharged or released if the veteran was issued a 
discharge certificate under conditions other than dishonorable (38 
U.S.C. 3702(c)). The term discharge or release includes--
    (1) Retirement from the active military, naval, or air service, and
    (2) The satisfactory completion of the period of active military, 
naval, or air service for which a person was obligated at the time of 
entry into such service in the case of a person who, due to enlistment 
or reenlistment, was not awarded a discharge or release from such period 
of service at the time of such completion thereof and who, at such time, 
would otherwise have been eligible for the award of a discharge or 
release under conditions other than dishonorable.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(18))

    Dwelling. Any building designed primarily for use as a home 
consisting of not more than four family units plus an added unit for 
each veteran if more than one eligible veteran participates in the 
ownership, except that in the case of a condominium housing development 
or project within the purview of 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(6) and Secs. 36.4360 
through 36.4365 of this part the term is limited to a one single-family 
residential unit. Also, a manufactured home, permanently affixed to a 
lot owned by a veteran and classified as real property under the laws of 
the State where it is located.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(a) and (f))

    Economic readjustment. Economic readjustment means rearrangement of 
an eligible veteran's indebtedness in a manner calculated to enable the 
veteran to meet obligations and thereby avoid imminent loss of the 
property which secures the delinquent obligation.
    Energy conservation improvement. An improvement to an existing 
dwelling or farm residence through the installation of a solar heating 
system, a solar heating and cooling system, or a combined solar heating 
and cooling system or through application of a residential energy 
conservation measure as prescribed in 38 U.S.C. 3710(d) or by the 
Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(7))

    Full disbursement. Payment by a lender of the entire proceeds of a 
loan or the purposes described in the report of the lender in respect of 
such loan to the Secretary either:
    (1) By payment to those contracting with the borrower for such 
purposes, or
    (2) By payment to the borrower, or
    (3) By transfer to an account against which the borrower can draw at 
will, or
    (4) By transfer to an escrow account, or
    (5) By transfer to an earmarked account if
    (i) The amount is not in excess of 10 percent of the loan, or
    (ii) The loan is an Acquisition and Improvement loan pursuant to 
Sec. 36.4301, or
    (iii) The loan is one submitted by a lender of the class specified 
in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d) or 3703(a)(2).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

    Graduated payment mortgage loan. A loan for the purpose of acquiring 
a single-family dwelling unit involving a plan for repayment in which a 
portion of the interest due is deferred for a period of time. The 
interest so deferred is

[[Page 682]]

added to the principal balance thus resulting in a principal amount 
greater than at loan origination (negative amortization). The monthly 
payments increase on an annual basis (graduate) for a predetermined 
period of time until the payments reach a level which will fully 
amortize the loan during the remaining loan term.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c) and (d))

    Guaranty. Guaranty means the obligation of the United States, 
assumed by virtue of 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, to repay a specified 
percentage of a loan upon the default of the primary debtor.
    Holder. The lender or any subsequent assignee or transferee of the 
guaranteed obligation or the authorized servicing agent (also referred 
to as ``the servicer'') of the lender or of the assignee or transferee.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

    Home. Home means place of residence.
    Improvements. Any alteration that improves the property for the 
purpose for which it is occupied.
    Insurance. Insurance means the obligation assumed by the United 
States to indemnify a lender to the extent specified in this subpart for 
any loss incurred upon any loan insured under 38 U.S.C. 3703(a)(2).
    Insurance account. Insurance account means the record of the amount 
available to a lender or purchaser for losses incurred on loans insured 
under 38 U.S.C. 3703(a).
    Lender. The payee or assignee or transferee of an obligation at the 
time it is guaranteed or insured. This term also includes any sole 
proprietorship, partnership, or corporation and the owners, officers and 
employees of a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation engaged 
in the origination, procurement, transfer, servicing, or funding of a 
loan which is guaranteed or insured by VA.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1) and 3704(d))

    Lien. Lien means any interest in, or power over, real or personal 
property, reserved by the vendor, or created by the parties or by 
operation of law, chiefly or solely for the purpose of assuring the 
payment of the purchase price, or a debt, and irrespective of the 
identity of the party in whom title to the property is vested, including 
but not limited to mortgages, deeds with a defeasance therein or 
collaterally, deeds of trust, security deeds, mechanics' liens, lease-
purchase contracts, conditional sales contracts, consignments.
    Liquidation sale. Any judicial, contractual or statutory disposition 
of real property, under the terms of the loan instruments and applicable 
law, to liquidate a defaulted loan that is secured by such property. 
This includes a voluntary conveyance made to avoid such disposition of 
the obligation or of the security. This term also includes a compromise 
sale.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3732)

    Lot. A parcel of land acceptable to the Secretary as a manufactured 
home site.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(9))

    Manufactured home. A moveable dwelling unit designed and constructed 
for year-round occupancy by a single family, on land, containing 
permanent eating, cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities. A double-
wide manufactured home is a moveable dwelling designed for occupancy by 
one family and consisting of:
    (1) Two or more units intended to be joined together horizontally 
when located on a site, but capable of independent movement or
    (2) A unit having a section or sections which unfold along the 
entire length of the unit. For the purposes of this section of VA 
regulations, manufactured home/lot loans guaranteed under the purview of 
Secs. 36.4300 through 36.4393 must be for units permanently affixed to a 
lot and considered to be real property under the laws of the State where 
it is located. If the loan is for the purchase of a manufactured home 
and lot it must be considered as one loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(9))

    Net loss (insured loans). Net loss on insured loans means the 
indebtedness, plus any other charges authorized

[[Page 683]]

under Sec. 36.4314, remaining unsatisfied after the liquidation of all 
available security and recourse to all intangible rights of the holder 
against those obligated on the debt.
    Net value. The fair market value of real property, minus an amount 
representing the costs that the Secretary estimates would be incurred by 
VA in acquiring and disposing of the property. The number to be 
subtracted from the fair market value will be calculated by multiplying 
the fair market value by the current cost factor. The cost factor used 
will be the most recent percentage of the fair market value that VA 
calculated and published in the Notices section of the Federal Register 
(it is intended that this percentage will be calculated annually). In 
computing this cost factor, VA will determine the average operating 
expenses and losses (or gains) on resale incurred for properties 
acquired under Sec. 36.4323 which were sold during the preceding fiscal 
year and the average administrative cost to VA associated with the 
property management activity. The final net value derived from this 
calculation will be stated as a whole dollar amount (any fractional 
amount will be rounded up to the next whole dollar). The cost items 
included in the calculation will be:
    (1) Property operating expenses. All disbursements made for payment 
of taxes, assessments, liens, property maintenance and related repairs, 
management broker's fees and commissions, and any other charges to the 
property account excluding property improvements and selling expenses.
    (2) Selling expenses. All disbursements for sales commissions plus 
any other costs incurred and paid in connection with the sale of the 
property.
    (3) Administrative costs. (i) An estimate of the total cost for VA 
of personnel (salary and benefits) and overhead (which may include 
things such as travel, transportation, communication, utilities, 
printing, supplies, equipment, insurance claims and other services) 
associated with the acquisition, management and disposition of property 
acquired under Sec. 36.4323 of this part. The average administrative 
costs will be determined by:
    (A) Dividing the total cost for VA personnel and overhead salary and 
benefits costs by the average number of properties on hand and adjusting 
this figure based on the average holding time for properties sold during 
the preceding fiscal year; and
    (B) Dividing the figure calculated in paragraph (3)(i)(A) of this 
definition by the VBA ratio of personal services costs to total 
obligations.
    (ii) The three cost averages will be added to the average loss (or 
gain) on property sold during the preceding fiscal year (based on the 
average property purchase price) and the sum will be divided by the 
average fair market value at the time of acquisition for properties 
which were sold during the preceding fiscal year to derive the 
percentage to be used in estimating net value.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3732)

    Purchase price. The entire legal consideration paid or payable upon 
or on account of the sale of property, exclusive of acquisition costs, 
or for the cost of materials and labor to be applied to the property.
    Real-estate loan. Any obligation incurred for the purchase of real 
property or a leasehold estate as limited in Secs. 36.4300 through 
36.4393 or for the construction of fixtures or appurtenances thereon or 
for alterations, improvements, or repairs thereon required by 
Secs. 36.4300 through 36.4393 to be secured by a lien on such property 
or is so secured. Loans for the purpose specified in 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(5) (refinancing of mortgage loans or other liens on a dwelling 
or farm residence), loans for the purpose specified in 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(8) (refinancing of a VA guaranteed, insured or direct loan to 
lower the interest rate), loans for the purposes specified in 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(9) (purchase of manufactured homes/lots or the refinancing of 
such loans in order to reduce the interest rate or purchase a lot, in 
States in which manufactured homes, when permanently affixed to a lot, 
are considered real property, and loans to purchase one-family 
residential units in condominium housing developments or projects within 
the purview of 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(6) and

[[Page 684]]

Sec. Sec. 36.4360 through 36.4365 shall also be considered real estate 
loans.
    Reasonable value. Reasonable value means that figure which 
represents the amount a reputable and qualified appraiser, unaffected by 
personal interest, bias, or prejudice, would recommend to a prospective 
purchaser as a proper price or cost in the light of prevailing 
conditions.
    Registered mail. The term registered mail wherever used in the 
regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans shall 
include certified mail.
    Repairs. Any alteration of existing improved realty or equipment 
which is necessary or advisable for protective, safety or restorative 
purposes.
    Repayment plan. A repayment plan is a written executed agreement by 
and between the borrower and the holder to reinstate a loan that is 61 
or more calendar days delinquent, by requiring the borrower to pay each 
month over a fixed period (minimum of three months duration) the normal 
monthly payments plus an agreed upon portion of the delinquency each 
month.
    Repossession. Repossession means recovery or acquisition of such 
physical control of property (pursuant to the provisions of the security 
instrument or as otherwise provided by law) as to make further legal or 
other action unnecessary in order to obtain actual possession of the 
property or to dispose of the same by sale or otherwise.
    Residential property. (1) Any one-family residential unit in a 
condominium housing development within the purview of 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(6) and Secs. 36.4360 through 36.4365;
    (2) Any manufactured home permanently affixed to a lot owned or 
being purchased by a veteran and considered to be real property under 
the laws of the State where it is located;
    (3) Any improved real property (other than a condominium housing 
development or a manufactured home and/or lot) or leasehold estate 
therein as limited by this subpart, the primary use of which is for 
occupancy as a home, consisting of not more than four family units, plus 
an added unit for each eligible veteran if more than one participates in 
the ownership thereof; or
    (4) Any land to be purchased out of the proceeds of a loan for the 
construction of a dwelling, and on which such dwelling is to be erected.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1) and 3710(a))

    Secretary. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or any employee of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs authorized to act in the Secretary's 
stead.
    Servicer. The authorized servicer is either:
    (1) The servicing agent of a holder; or
    (2) The holder itself, if the holder is performing all servicing 
functions on a loan. The servicer is typically the entity reporting all 
loan activity to VA and filing claims under the guaranty on behalf of 
the holder. VA will generally issue guaranty claims and other payments 
to the servicer, who will be responsible for forwarding funds to the 
holder in accordance with its servicing agreement. Incentives under 
Sec. 36.4319 will generally be paid directly to the servicer based on 
its performance under that section and in accordance with its tier 
ranking under Sec. 36.4318.
    Servicing agent. An agent designated by the loan holder as the 
entity to collect installments on the loan and/or perform other 
functions as necessary to protect the interests of the holder.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

    Special forbearance. This is a written agreement executed by and 
between the holder and the borrower where the holder agrees to suspend 
all payments or accept reduced payments for one or more months, on a 
loan 61 or more calendar days delinquent, and the borrower agrees to pay 
the total delinquency at the end of the specified period or enter into a 
repayment plan.
    Total indebtedness: For purposes of 38 U.S.C. 3732(c), the veteran's 
``total indebtedness'' shall be the sum of: the unpaid principal on the 
loan as of the date of the liquidation sale, accrued unpaid interest 
permitted by Sec. 36.4324(a) of this part, and allowable advances/other 
charges permitted to be included

[[Page 685]]

in the guaranty claim by Sec. 36.4314 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4302  Computation of guaranties or insurance credits.

    (a) With respect to a loan to a veteran guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 
3710 the guaranty shall not exceed the lesser of the dollar amount of 
entitlement available to the veteran or--
    (1) 50 percent of the original principal loan amount where the loan 
amount is not more than $45,000; or
    (2) $22,500 where the original principal loan exceeds $45,000, but 
is not more than $56,250; or
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the 
lesser of $36,000 or 40 percent of the original principal loan amount 
where the loan amount exceeds $56,250; or
    (4) The lesser of $60,000 or 25 percent of the original principal 
loan amount where the loan amount exceeds $144,000 and the loan is for 
the purchase or construction of a home or the purchase of a condominium 
unit.
    (b) With respect to an interest rate reduction refinancing loan 
guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i), or (a)(11), the 
dollar amount of guaranty may not exceed the greater of the original 
guaranty amount of the loan being refinanced, or 25 percent of the 
refinancing loan amount.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3710)

    (c) With respect to a loan for an energy efficient mortgage 
guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3710(d), the amount of the guaranty shall be 
in the same proportion as would have been provided if the energy 
efficient improvements were not added to the loan amount, and there 
shall be no additional charge to the veteran's entitlement as a result 
of the increased guaranty amount.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3710)

    (d) An amount equal to 15 percent of the original principal amount 
of each insured loan shall be credited to the insurance account of the 
lender and shall be charged against the guaranty entitlement of the 
borrower: Provided, That no loan may be insured unless the borrower has 
sufficient entitlement remaining to permit such credit.
    (e) Subject to the provisions of Sec. 36.4303(g), the following 
formulas shall govern the computation of the amount of the guaranty or 
insurance entitlement which remains available to an eligible veteran 
after prior use of entitlement:
    (1) If a veteran previously secured a nonrealty (business) loan, the 
amount of nonrealty entitlement used is doubled and subtracted from 
$36,000. The sum remaining is the amount of available entitlement for 
use, except that:
    (i) Entitlement may be increased by up to $24,000 if the loan amount 
exceeds $144,000 and the loan is for purchase or construction of a home 
or purchase of a condominium; and
    (ii) Entitlement for manufactured home loans that are to be 
guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3712 may not exceed $20,000.
    (2) If a veteran previously secured a realty (home) loan, the amount 
of realty (home) loan entitlement used is subtracted from $36,000. The 
sum remaining is the amount of available entitlement for use, except 
that:
    (i) Entitlement may be increased by up to $24,000 if the loan amount 
exceeds $144,000 and the loan is for purchase or construction of a home 
or purchase of a condominium; and
    (ii) Entitlement for manufactured home loans that are to be 
guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3712 may not exceed $20,000.
    (3) If a veteran previously secured a manufactured home loan under 
38 U.S.C. 3712, the amount of entitlement used for that loan is 
subtracted from $36,000. The sum remaining is the amount of available 
entitlement for home loans and the sum remaining may be increased by up 
to $24,000 if the loan amount exceeds $144,000 and the loan is for 
purchase or construction of a home or purchase of a condominium. To 
determine the amount of entitlement available for manufactured home 
loans processed under 38 U.S.C. 3712, the amount of entitlement 
previously used for that purpose is subtracted from $20,000. The sum 
remaining is the amount of available entitlement for

[[Page 686]]

use for manufactured home loan purposes under 38 U.S.C. 3712.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703)

    (f) For the purpose of computing the remaining guaranty or insurance 
benefit to which a veteran is entitled, loans guaranteed prior to 
February 1, 2008 shall be taken into consideration as if made subsequent 
thereto.
    (g) A loan eligible for insurance may be either guaranteed or 
insured at the option of the borrower and the lender, provided that if 
the Secretary is not advised of the exercise of such option at the time 
the loan is reported pursuant to Sec. 36.4303, such loan will not be 
eligible for insurance.
    (h) A guaranty is reduced or increased pro rata with any deduction 
or increase in the amount of the guaranteed indebtedness, but in no 
event will the amount payable on a guaranty exceed the amount of the 
original guaranty, except where the guaranty has been increased under 
Sec. 36.4315, or the percentage of the total indebtedness corresponding 
to that of the original guaranty whichever is less. However, on a 
graduated payment mortgage loan, the percentage of guaranty applicable 
to the original loan amount pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section 
shall apply to the loan indebtedness to the extent scheduled deferred 
interest is added to principal during the graduation period without 
regard to the original maximum dollar amount of guaranty.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(b) and (d))

    (i) The amount of any guaranty or the amount credited to a lender's 
insurance account in relation to any insured loan shall be charged 
against the original or remainder of the guaranty benefit of the 
borrower. Complete or partial liquidation, by payment or otherwise, of 
the veteran's guaranteed or insured indebtedness does not increase the 
remainder of the guaranty benefit, if any, otherwise available to the 
veteran. When the maximum amount of guaranty or insurance legally 
available to a veteran shall have been granted, no further guaranty or 
insurance is available to the veteran.
    (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (i) of this section, 
in computing the aggregate amount of guaranty or insurance housing loan 
entitlement available to a veteran under this chapter, the Secretary may 
exclude the amount of guaranty or insurance housing loan entitlement 
used for any guaranteed, insured, or direct loan under any one of the 
following circumstances:
    (1)(i) The property which secured the loan has been disposed of by 
the veteran or has been destroyed by fire or other natural hazard; and
    (ii) The loan has been repaid in full; or, the Secretary has been 
released from liability as to the loan; or, if the Secretary has 
suffered a loss on such loan, the loss has been paid in full.
    (2) A veteran-transferee has agreed to assume the outstanding 
balance on the loan and consented to the use of the veteran-transferee's 
entitlement, to the extent that the entitlement of the veteran-
transferor had been used originally, in place of the veteran-
transferor's for the guaranteed, insured, or direct loan, and the 
veteran-transferee otherwise meets the requirements of this chapter.
    (3)(i) The loan has been repaid in full; and
    (ii) The loan for which the veteran seeks to use entitlement under 
this chapter is secured by the same property which secured the loan 
referred to in the preceding paragraph (j)(3)(i) of this paragraph.
    (4) In a case not covered by (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this section, the 
Secretary may, one time per veteran, exclude entitlement used if:
    (i) The loan has been repaid in full and, if the Secretary has 
suffered a loss on the loan, the loss has been paid in full; or
    (ii) The Secretary has been released from liability as to the loan 
and, if the Secretary has suffered a loss on the loan, the loss has been 
paid in full.
    (k) The Secretary may, in any case involving circumstances that the 
Secretary deems appropriate, waive one or more of the requirements set 
forth in paragraph (j)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3702(b), 3710)

    (l)(1) The amount of guaranty entitlement, available and unused, of 
an eligible unmarried surviving spouse

[[Page 687]]

(whose eligibility does not result from his or her own service) is 
determinable in the same manner as in the case of any veteran, and any 
entitlement which the decedent (who was his or her spouse) used shall be 
disregarded. A certificate as to the eligibility of such surviving 
spouse, issued by the Secretary, shall be a condition precedent to the 
guaranty or insurance of any loan made to a surviving spouse in such 
capacity.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3701(a))

    (2) An unmarried surviving spouse who was a co-obligor under an 
existing VA guaranteed, insured or direct loan shall be considered to be 
a veteran eligible for an interest rate reduction refinancing loan 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8) or (9)(B)(i).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(e)(3), 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4303  Reporting requirements.

    (a) With respect to loans automatically guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 
3703(a)(1), evidence of the guaranty will be issuable to a lender of a 
class described under 38 U.S.C. 3702(d) if the loan is reported to the 
Secretary not later than 60 days following full disbursement and upon 
the certification of the lender that:
    (1) No default exists thereunder that has continued for more than 30 
days;
    (2) Except for acquisition and improvement loans as defined in 
Sec. 36.4301, any construction, repairs, alterations, or improvements 
effected subsequent to the appraisal of reasonable value, and paid for 
out of the proceeds of the loan, which have not been inspected and 
approved upon completion by a compliance inspector designated by the 
Secretary, have been completed properly in full accordance with the 
plans and specifications upon which the original appraisal was based; 
and any deviations or changes of identity in said property have been 
approved as required in Sec. 36.4304 concerning guaranty or insurance of 
loans to veterans;
    (3) The loan conforms otherwise with the applicable provisions of 38 
U.S.C. chapter 37 and of the regulations concerning guaranty or 
insurance of loans to veterans.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

    (b) Loans made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3703(a), although not entitled 
to automatic insurance thereunder, may, when made by a lender of a class 
described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d)(1), be reported for issuance of an 
insurance credit.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3702(d), 3703(a)(2))

    (c) Each loan proposed to be made to an eligible veteran by a lender 
not within a class described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d) shall be submitted to 
the Secretary for approval prior to closing. Lenders described in 38 
U.S.C. 3702(d) shall have the optional right to submit any loan for such 
prior approval. The Secretary, upon determining any loan so submitted to 
be eligible for a guaranty, or for insurance, will issue a certificate 
of commitment with respect thereto.
    (d) A certificate of commitment shall entitle the holder to the 
issuance of the evidence of guaranty or insurance upon the ultimate 
actual payment of the full proceeds of the loan for the purposes 
described in the original report and upon the submission within 60 days 
thereafter of a supplemental report showing that fact and:
    (1) The identity of any property purchased therewith,
    (2) That all property purchased or acquired with the proceeds of the 
loan has been encumbered as required by the regulations concerning 
guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans,
    (3) Except for acquisition and improvement loans as defined in 
Sec. 36.4301(c), any construction, repairs, alterations, or improvements 
paid for out of the proceeds of the loan, which have not been inspected 
and approved subsequent to completion by a compliance inspector 
designated by the Secretary, have been completed properly in full 
accordance with the plans and specifications upon which the original 
appraisal was based; and that any deviations or changes of identity in 
said property have been approved as required by Sec. 36.4304, and
    (4) That the loan conforms otherwise with the applicable provisions 
of 38

[[Page 688]]

U.S.C. chapter 37 and the regulations concerning guaranty or insurance 
of loans to veterans.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

    (e) Upon the failure of the lender to report in accordance with the 
provisions of paragraph (d) of this section, the certificate of 
commitment shall have no further effect, or the amount of guaranty or 
insurance shall be reduced pro rata, as may be appropriate under the 
facts of the case: Provided, nevertheless, that if the loan otherwise 
meets the requirements of this section, said certificate of commitment 
may be given effect by the Secretary, notwithstanding the report is 
received after the date otherwise required.
    (f) For loans not reported within 60 days, evidence of guaranty will 
be issued only if the loan report is accompanied by a statement signed 
by a corporate officer of the lending institution which explains why the 
loan was reported late. The statement must identify the case or cases in 
issue and must set forth the specific reason or reasons why the loan was 
not submitted on time. Upon receipt of such a statement evidence of 
guaranty will be issued. A pattern of late reporting and the reasons 
therefore will be considered by VA in taking action under Sec. 36.4353.
    (g) Evidence of a guaranty will be issued by the Secretary by 
appropriate endorsement on the note or other instrument evidencing the 
obligation, or by a separate certificate at the option of the lender. 
Notice of credit to an insurance account will be given to the lender. 
Unused certificates of eligibility issued prior to March 1, 1946, are 
void. No certificate of commitment shall be issued and no loan shall be 
guaranteed or insured unless the lender, the veteran, and the loan are 
shown to be eligible. Evidence of guaranty or insurance will not be 
issued on any loan for the purchase or construction of residential 
property unless the veteran, or the veteran's spouse in the case of a 
veteran who cannot occupy the property because of active duty status 
with the Armed Forces, certifies in such form as the Secretary shall 
prescribe that the veteran, or spouse of the active duty veteran, 
intends to occupy the property as his or her home. Guaranty or insurance 
evidence will not be issued on any loan for the alteration, improvement, 
or repair of any residential property or on a refinancing loan unless 
the veteran, or spouse of an active duty servicemember, certifies that 
he or she presently occupies the property as his or her home. An 
exception to this is if the home improvement or refinancing loan is for 
extensive changes to the property that will prevent the veteran or the 
spouse of the active duty veteran from occupying the property while the 
work is being completed. In such a case the veteran or spouse of the 
active duty veteran must certify that he or she intends to occupy or 
reoccupy the property as his or her home upon completion of the 
substantial improvements or repairs. All of the mentioned certifications 
must take place at the time of loan application and closing except in 
the case of loans automatically guaranteed, in which case veterans or, 
in the case of an active duty veteran, the veteran's spouse shall make 
the required certification only at the time the loan is closed.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3704(c))

    (h) Subject to compliance with the regulations concerning guaranty 
or insurance of loans to veterans, the certificate of guaranty or the 
evidence of insurance credit will be issuable within the available 
entitlement of the veteran on the basis of the loan stated in the final 
loan report or certification of loan disbursement, except for 
refinancing loans for interest rate reductions. The available 
entitlement of a veteran will be determined by the Secretary as of the 
date of receipt of an application for guaranty or insurance of a loan or 
of a loan report. Such date of receipt shall be the date the application 
or loan report is date-stamped into VA. Eligibility derived from the 
most recent period of service:
    (1) Shall cancel any unused entitlement derived from any earlier 
period of service, and
    (2) Shall be reduced by the amount by which entitlement from service 
during any earlier period has been used to obtain a direct, guaranteed, 
or insured loan:
    (i) On property which the veteran owns at the time of application, 
or

[[Page 689]]

    (ii) As to which the Secretary has incurred actual liability or 
loss, unless in the event of loss or the incurrence and payment of such 
liability by the Secretary, the resulting indebtedness of the veteran to 
the United States has been paid in full. Provided, that if the Secretary 
issues or has issued a certificate of commitment covering the loan 
described in the application for guaranty or insurance or in the loan 
report, the amount and percentage of guaranty or the amount of the 
insurance credit contemplated by the certificate of commitment shall not 
be subject to reduction if the loan has been or is closed on a date that 
is not later than the expiration date of the certificate of commitment, 
notwithstanding that the Secretary in the meantime and prior to the 
issuance of the evidence of guaranty or insurance shall have incurred 
actual liability or loss on a direct, guaranteed, or insured loan 
previously obtained by the borrower. For the purposes of this paragraph, 
the Secretary will be deemed to have incurred actual loss on a 
guaranteed or insured loan if the Secretary has paid a guaranty or 
insurance claim thereon and the veteran's resultant indebtedness to the 
Government has not been paid in full, and to have incurred actual 
liability on a guaranteed or insured loan if the Secretary is in receipt 
of a claim on the guaranty or insurance or is in receipt of a notice of 
default. In the case of a direct loan, the Secretary will be deemed to 
have incurred an actual loss if the loan is in default. A loan, the 
proceeds of which are to be disbursed progressively or at intervals, 
will be deemed to have been closed for the purposes of this paragraph if 
the loan has been completed in all respects excepting the actual 
``payout'' of the entire loan proceeds.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3702(a), 3710(c))

    (i) Any amounts that are disbursed for an ineligible purpose shall 
be excluded in computing the amount of guaranty or insurance credit.
    (j) Notwithstanding the lender has erroneously, but without intent 
to misrepresent, made certification with respect to paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, the guaranty or insurance will become effective upon the 
curing of such default and its continuing current for a period of not 
less than 60 days thereafter. For the purpose of this paragraph a loan 
will be deemed current so long as the installment is received within 30 
days after its due date.
    (k) No guaranty or insurance commitment or evidence of guaranty or 
insurance will be issuable in respect to any loan to finance a contract 
that:
    (1) Is for the purchase, construction, repair, alteration, or 
improvement of a dwelling or farm residence;
    (2) Is dated on or after June 4, 1969;
    (3) Provides for a purchase price or cost to the veteran in excess 
of the reasonable value established by the Secretary; and
    (4) Was signed by the veteran prior to the veteran's receipt of 
notice of such reasonable value; unless such contract includes, or is 
amended to include, a provision that reads substantially as follows:

    It is expressly agreed that, notwithstanding any other provisions of 
this contract, the purchaser shall not incur any penalty by forfeiture 
of earnest money or otherwise be obligated to complete the purchase of 
the property described herein, if the contract purchase price or cost 
exceeds the reasonable value of the property established by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. The purchaser shall, however, have the 
privilege and option of proceeding with the consummation of this 
contract without regard to the amount of the reasonable value 
established by the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1))

    (l) With respect to any loan for which a commitment was made on or 
after March 1, 1988, the Secretary must be notified whenever the holder 
receives knowledge of disposition of the residential property securing a 
VA-guaranteed loan.
    (1) If the seller applies for prior approval of the assumption of 
the loan, then:
    (i) A holder (or its authorized servicing agent) who is an automatic 
lender must examine the creditworthiness of the purchaser and determine 
compliance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3714. The creditworthiness 
review must be performed by the party that has automatic authority. If 
both the holder and its servicing agent are automatic lenders, then they 
must decide between

[[Page 690]]

themselves which one will make the determination of creditworthiness, 
whether the loan is current and whether there is a contractual 
obligation to assume the loan, as required by 38 U.S.C. 3714. If the 
actual loan holder does not have automatic authority and its servicing 
agent is an automatic lender, then the servicing agent must make the 
determinations required by 38 U.S.C. 3714 on behalf of the holder. The 
actual holder will remain ultimately responsible for any failure of its 
servicing agent to comply with the applicable law and VA regulations.
    (A) If the assumption is approved and the transfer of the security 
is completed, then the notice required by this paragraph (l) shall 
consist of the credit package (unless previously provided in accordance 
with paragraph (l)(1)(i)(B) of this section) and a copy of the executed 
deed and/or assumption agreement as required by VA office of 
jurisdiction. The notice shall be submitted to the Department with the 
VA receipt for the funding fee provided for in Sec. 36.4313(e)(2).
    (B) If the application for assumption is disapproved, the holder 
shall notify the seller and the purchaser that the decision may be 
appealed to the VA office of jurisdiction within 30 days. The holder 
shall make available to that VA office all items used by the holder in 
making the holder's decision in case the decision is appealed to VA. If 
the application remains disapproved after 60 days (to allow time for 
appeal to and review by VA), then the holder must refund $50 of any fee 
previously collected under the provisions of Sec. 36.4313(d)(8). If the 
application is subsequently approved and the sale is completed, then the 
holder (or its authorized servicing agent) shall provide the notice 
described in paragraph (l)(1)(i)(A) of this section.
    (C) In performing the requirements of paragraphs (l)(1)(i)(A) or 
(l)(1)(i)(B) of this section, the holder must complete its examination 
of the creditworthiness of the prospective purchaser and advise the 
seller no later than 45 days after the date of receipt by the holder of 
a complete application package for the approval of the assumption. The 
45-day period may be extended by an interval not to exceed the time 
caused by delays in processing of the application that are documented as 
beyond the control of the holder, such as employers or depositories not 
responding to requests for verifications, which were timely forwarded, 
or follow-ups on those requests.
    (ii) If neither the holder nor its authorized servicing agent is an 
automatic lender, the notice to VA shall include:
    (A) Advice regarding whether the loan is current or in default;
    (B) A copy of the purchase contract; and
    (C) A complete credit package developed by the holder which the 
Secretary may use for determining the creditworthiness of the purchaser.
    (D) The notice and documents required by this section must be 
submitted to the VA office of jurisdiction no later than 35 days after 
the date of receipt by the holder of a complete application package for 
the approval of the assumption, subject to the same extensions as 
provided in paragraph (l)(l)(i) of this section. If the assumption is 
not automatically approved by the holder or its authorized agent, 
pursuant to the automatic authority provisions, $50 of any fee collected 
in accordance with Sec. 36.4313(d)(8) must be refunded. If the 
Department of Veterans Affairs does not approve the assumption, the 
holder will be notified and an additional $50 of any fee collected under 
Sec. 36.4313(d)(8) must be refunded following the expiration of the 30-
day appeal period set out in paragraph (l)(l)(i)(B) of this section. If 
such an appeal is made to the Department of Veterans Affairs, then the 
review will be conducted at the Department of Veterans Affairs office of 
jurisdiction by an individual who was not involved in the original 
disapproval decision. If the application for assumption is approved and 
the transfer of security is completed, then the holder (or its 
authorized servicing agent) shall provide the notice required in 
paragraph (l)(l)(i)(A) of this section.
    (2) If the seller fails to notify the holder before disposing of 
property securing the loan, the holder shall notify the Secretary within 
60 days after learning of the transfer. Such notice shall advise whether 
or not the holder

[[Page 691]]

intends to exercise its option to immediately accelerate the loan and 
whether or not an opportunity will be extended to the transferor and 
transferee to apply for retroactive approval of the assumption under the 
terms of this paragraph (l).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0516)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4304  Deviations; changes of identity.

    A deviation of more than 5 percent between the estimates upon which 
a certificate of commitment has been issued and the report of final 
payment of the proceeds of the loan, or a change in the identity of the 
property upon which the original appraisal was based, will invalidate 
the certificate of commitment unless such deviation or change be 
approved by the Secretary. Any deviation in excess of 5 percent or 
change in the identity of the property upon which the original appraisal 
was based must be supported by a new or supplemental appraisal of 
reasonable value: Provided, That substitution of materials of equal or 
better quality and value approved by the veteran and the designated 
appraiser shall not be deemed a ``change in the identity of the 
property'' within the purview of this section. A deviation not in excess 
of 5 percent will not require the prior approval of the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4305  Partial disbursement.

    In cases where intervening circumstances make it impracticable to 
complete the actual paying out of the loan originally proposed, or 
justify the lender in declining to make further disbursements on a 
construction loan, evidence of guaranty or of insurance of the loan or 
the proper pro rata part thereof will be issuable if the loan is 
otherwise eligible for automatic guaranty or a certificate of commitment 
was issued thereon: Provided,
    (a) A report of the loan is submitted to the Secretary within a 
reasonable time subsequent to the last disbursement, but in no event 
more than 90 days thereafter, unless report of the facts and 
circumstances is made and an extension of time obtained from the 
Secretary.
    (b) There has been no default on the loan, except that the existence 
of a default shall not preclude issuance of a guaranty certificate or 
insurance advice if a certificate of commitment was issued with respect 
to the loan.
    (c) The Secretary determines that a person of reasonable prudence 
similarly situated would not make further disbursements in the situation 
presented.
    (d) There has been full compliance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 37 and of the applicable regulations up to the time of the last 
disbursement.
    (e) In the case of a construction loan when the construction is not 
fully completed, the amount and percentage of the guaranty and the 
amount of the loan for the purposes of insurance or accounting to the 
Secretary shall be based upon such portion of the amount disbursed out 
of the proceeds of the loan which, when added to any other payments made 
by or on behalf of the veteran to the builder or the contractor, does 
not exceed 80 percent of the value of that portion of the construction 
performed (basing value on the contract price) plus the sum, if any, 
disbursed by the lender out of the proceeds of the loan for the land on 
which the construction is situated: And provided further, That the 
lender shall certify as follows:
    (1) Any amount advanced for land is protected by title or lien as 
provided in the regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to 
veterans; and
    (2) No enforceable liens, for any work done or material furnished 
for that part of the construction completed and for which payment has 
been made out of the proceeds of the loan, exist or can come into 
existence.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1) and (d))

[[Page 692]]



Sec. 36.4306  Refinancing of mortgage or other lien indebtedness.

    (a) Any loan for the purpose of refinancing (38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(5)) 
an existing mortgage loan or other indebtedness secured by a lien of 
record on a dwelling or farm residence owned and occupied or to be 
reoccupied if the refinancing loan is for the completion of major 
alterations, repairs or improvements to the property, by an eligible 
veteran as the veteran's home, or in the case of an eligible veteran 
unable to occupy the property because of active duty status in the Armed 
Forces, occupied or to be reoccupied by the veteran's spouse as the 
spouse's home, shall be eligible for guaranty in an amount as computed 
under Sec. 36.4302(a) provided that--
    (1) The amount of the loan may not exceed an amount equal to 90 
percent of the reasonable value of the dwelling or farm residence which 
will secure the loan, as determined by the Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(e)(1))

    (2) The dollar amount of discount, if any, to be paid by the veteran 
is reasonable in amount as determined by the Secretary in accordance 
with Sec. 36.4313(d)(7)(i),
    (3) The loan is otherwise eligible for guaranty.
    (b) [Reserved]
    (c) Nothing shall preclude guaranty of a loan to an eligible veteran 
having home loan guaranty entitlement to refinance under the provisions 
of 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(5) a VA guaranteed or insured (or direct) mortgage 
loan made to him or her which is outstanding on the dwelling or farm 
residence owned and occupied or to be reoccupied after the completion of 
major alterations, repairs, or improvements to the property, by the 
veteran as a home, or in the case of an eligible veteran unable to 
occupy the property because of active duty status in the Armed Forces, 
occupied or to be reoccupied by the veteran's spouse as the spouse's 
home.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(e)(1))

    (d) A refinancing loan may include contractual prepayment penalties, 
if any, due the holder of the mortgage or other lien indebtedness to be 
refinanced.
    (e) [Reserved]
    (f) Nothing in this section shall preclude the refinancing of the 
balance due for the purchase of land on which new construction is to be 
financed through the proceeds of the loan, or the refinancing of the 
balance due on an existing land sale contract relating to a veteran's 
dwelling or farm residence.
    (g) A veteran may refinance (38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(9)(B)(ii)) an 
existing loan that was for the purchase of, and is secured by, a 
manufactured home in order to purchase the lot on which the manufactured 
home is or will be permanently affixed, provided the following 
requirements are met:
    (1) The refinancing of a manufactured home and the purchase of a lot 
must be considered as one loan;
    (2) The manufactured home upon being permanently affixed to the lot 
will be considered real property under the laws of the State where it is 
located;
    (3) The loan must be secured by the same manufactured home which is 
being refinanced and the real property on which the manufactured home is 
or will be located;
    (4) The amount of the loan may not exceed an amount equal to the sum 
of the balance of the loan being refinanced; the purchase price, not to 
exceed the reasonable value of the lot; the costs of the necessary site 
preparation of the lot as determined by the Secretary; a reasonable 
discount as authorized in Sec. 36.4313(d)(6) with respect to that 
portion of the loan used to refinance the existing purchase money lien 
on the manufactured home, and closing costs as authorized in 
Sec. 36.4313; and
    (5) If the loan being refinanced was guaranteed by VA, the portion 
of the loan made for the purpose of refinancing an existing purchase 
money manufactured home loan may be, guaranteed without regard to the 
outstanding guaranty entitlement available for use by the veteran, and 
the veteran's guaranty entitlement shall

[[Page 693]]

not be charged as a result of any guaranty provided for the refinancing 
portion of the loan. For the purposes enumerated in 38 U.S.C. 3702(b), 
the refinancing portion of the loan shall be considered to have been 
obtained with the guaranty entitlement used to obtain VA-guaranteed loan 
being refinanced. The total guaranty for the new loan shall be the sum 
of the guaranty entitlement used to obtain VA-guaranteed loan being 
refinanced and any additional guaranty entitlement available to the 
veteran. However, the total guaranty may not exceed the guaranty amount 
as calculated under Sec. 36.4302(a).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(a), 3710)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4307  Interest rate reduction refinancing loan.

    (a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i), and (a)(11), a 
veteran may refinance an existing VA guaranteed, insured, or direct loan 
to reduce the interest rate payable on the existing loan provided that 
all of the following requirements are met:
    (1) The new loan must be secured by the same dwelling or farm 
residence as the loan being refinanced.
    (2) The veteran owns the dwelling or farm residence securing the 
loan and
    (i) Occupies the dwelling or residence as his or her home; or
    (ii) Previously occupied the dwelling or residence as his or her 
home and certifies, in such form as the Secretary shall require, that he 
or she has previously occupied the dwelling or residence as a home; or
    (iii) In a case in which the veteran is or was unable to occupy the 
residence or dwelling as a home because the veteran was on active duty 
status as a member of the Armed Forces, the spouse of the veteran 
occupies, or previously occupied, the dwelling or residence as the 
spouse's home and certifies to that occupancy in such form as the 
Secretary shall require.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(e)(1))

    (3) The monthly principal and interest payment on the new loan is 
lower than the principal and interest payment on the loan being 
refinanced; or the term of the new loan is shorter than the term of the 
loan being refinanced; or the new loan is a fixed-rate loan that 
refinances a VA-guaranteed adjustable rate mortgage; or the increase in 
the monthly payments on the loan results from the inclusion of energy 
efficient improvements, as provided by Sec. 36.4339(a)(4); or the 
Secretary approves the loan in advance after determining that the new 
loan is necessary to prevent imminent foreclosure and the veteran 
qualifies for the new loan under the credit standards contained in 
Sec. 36.4340.
    (4) The amount of the refinancing loan does not exceed:
    (i) An amount equal to the balance of the loan being refinanced, 
which is not delinquent, except as provided in paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section, plus closing costs authorized by Sec. 36.4313(d) and a discount 
not to exceed 2 percent of the loan amount; or
    (ii) In the case of a loan to refinance an existing VA-guaranteed or 
direct loan and to improve the dwelling securing such loan through 
energy efficient improvements, the amount referred to with respect to 
the loan under paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, plus the amount 
authorized by Sec. 36.4339(a)(4).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3710)

    (5) If the loan being refinanced is delinquent (delinquent means 
that a scheduled monthly payment of principal and interest is more than 
30 days past due), the new loan will be guaranteed only if the Secretary 
approves it in advance after determining that the borrower, through the 
lender, has provided reasons for the loan deficiency, has provided 
information to establish that the cause of the delinquency has been 
corrected, and qualifies for the loan under the credit standards 
contained in Sec. 36.4340. In such cases, the term ``balance of the loan 
being refinanced'' shall include any past due installments, plus 
allowable late charges.
    (6) The dollar amount of guaranty on the 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8) or 
(a)(9)(B)(i) loan does not exceed the greater of the original guaranty 
amount of the loan being refinanced or 25 percent of the new loan.

[[Page 694]]

    (7) The term of the refinancing loan (38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8)) may not 
exceed the original term of the loan being refinanced plus ten years, or 
the maximum loan term allowed under 38 U.S.C. 3703(d)(1), whichever is 
less. For manufactured home loans that were previously guaranteed under 
38 U.S.C. 3712, the loan term, if being refinanced under 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(9)(B)(i), may exceed the original term of the loan but may not 
exceed the maximum loan term allowed under 38 U.S.C. 3703(d)(1).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(e)(1))

    (b) Notwithstanding any other regulatory provision, the interest 
rate reduction refinancing loan may be guaranteed without regard to the 
amount of guaranty entitlement available for use by the veteran, and the 
amount of the veteran's remaining guaranty entitlement, if any, shall 
not be charged for an interest rate reduction refinancing loan. The 
interest rate reduction refinancing loan will be guaranteed with the 
lesser of the entitlement used by the veteran to obtain the loan being 
refinanced or the amount of the guaranty as calculated under 
Sec. 36.4302(a). The veteran's loan guaranty entitlement originally used 
for a purpose as enumerated in 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(1) through (7) and 
(a)(9)(A)(i) and (ii) and subsequently transferred to an interest rate 
reduction refinancing loan (38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8) or (a)(9)(B)(i)) shall 
be eligible for restoration when the interest rate reduction refinancing 
loan or subsequent interest rate reduction refinancing loans on the same 
property meets the requirements of Sec. 36.4302(h).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(a))

    (c) Title to the estate which is refinanced for the purpose of an 
interest rate reduction must be in conformity with Sec. 36.4354.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0601)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i) and (e))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4308  Joint loans.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the prior 
approval of the Secretary is required in respect to any loan to be made 
to two or more borrowers who become jointly and severally liable, or 
jointly liable therefor, and who will acquire an undivided interest in 
the property to be purchased or who will otherwise share in the proceeds 
of the loan, or in respect to any loan to be made to an eligible veteran 
whose interest in the property owned, or to be acquired with the loan 
proceeds, is an undivided interest only, unless such interest is at 
least a 50 percent interest in a partnership. The amount of the guaranty 
or insurance credit shall be computed in such cases only on that portion 
of the loan allocable to the eligible veteran which, taking into 
consideration all relevant factors, represents the proper contribution 
of the veteran to the transaction. Such loans shall be secured to the 
extent required by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 and the regulations concerning 
guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans.
    (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, 
the joinder of the spouse of a veteran-borrower in the ownership of 
residential property shall not require prior approval or preclude the 
issuance of a guaranty or insurance credit based upon the entire amount 
of the loan. If both spouses be eligible veterans, either or both may, 
within permissible maxima, utilize available guaranty or insurance 
entitlement.
    (c) For the purpose of determining the rights and the liabilities of 
the Secretary with respect to a loan subject to paragraph (a) of this 
section, credits legally applicable to the entire loan shall be applied 
as follows:
    (1) Prepayments made expressly for credit to that portion of the 
indebtedness allocable to the veteran (including the gratuity paid 
pursuant to former provisions of law), shall be applied to such portion 
of the indebtedness. All other payments shall be applied ratably to 
those portions of the loan allocable respectively to the veteran and to 
the other debtors.
    (2) Proceeds of the sale or other liquidation of the security shall 
be applied ratably to the respective portions

[[Page 695]]

of the loan, such portion of the proceeds as represents the interest of 
the veteran being applied to that portion of the loan allocable to such 
veteran.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703)



Sec. 36.4309  Transfer of title by borrower or maturity by demand
or acceleration.

    (a) Except as provided by paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section the 
conveyance of or other transfer of title to property by operation of law 
or otherwise, after the creation of a lien thereon to secure a loan 
which is guaranteed or insured in whole or in part by the Secretary, 
shall not constitute an event of default, or acceleration of maturity, 
elective or otherwise, and shall not of itself terminate or otherwise 
affect the guaranty or insurance.
    (b)(1) The Secretary may issue guaranty on loans in which a State, 
Territorial, or local governmental agency provides assistance to a 
veteran for the acquisition of a dwelling. Such loans will not be 
considered ineligible for guaranty if the State, Territorial, or local 
authority, by virtue of its laws or regulations or by virtue of Federal 
law, requires the acceleration of maturity of the loan upon the sale or 
conveyance of the security property to a person ineligible for 
assistance from such authority.
    (2) At the time of application for a loan assisted by a State, 
Territorial, or local governmental agency, the veteran-applicant must be 
fully informed and consent in writing to the housing authority 
restrictions. A copy of the veteran's consent statement must be 
forwarded with the loan application or the report of a loan processed on 
the automatic basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c))

    (c) Any housing loan which is financed under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, 
and to which section 3714 of that chapter applies, shall include a 
provision in the security instrument that the holder may declare the 
loan immediately due and payable upon transfer of the property securing 
such loan to any transferee unless the acceptability of the assumption 
of the loan is established pursuant to section 3714.
    (1) A holder may not exercise its option to accelerate a loan upon:
    (i) The creation of a lien or other encumbrance subordinate to the 
lender's security instrument which does not relate to the transfer of 
rights of occupancy in the property;
    (ii) The creation of a purchase money security interest for 
household appliances;
    (iii) A transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the 
death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety;
    (iv) The granting of a leasehold interest of three years or less not 
containing an option to purchase;
    (v) A transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower;
    (vi) A transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become 
joint owners of the property with the borrower;
    (vii) A transfer resulting from a decree of a dissolution of 
marriage, legal separation agreement, or from an incidental property 
settlement agreement by which the spouse of the borrower becomes the 
sole owner of the property. In such a case the borrower shall have the 
option of applying directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs 
regional office of jurisdiction for a release of liability in accordance 
with Sec. 36.4326; or
    (viii) A transfer into an inter vivos trust in which the borrower is 
and remains a beneficiary and which does not relate to a transfer of 
rights of occupancy in the property.
    (2) With respect to each such loan at least one of the instruments 
used in the transaction shall contain the following statement: ``This 
loan is not assumable without the approval of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs or its authorized agent.'' This statement must be:
    (i) Printed in a font size which is the larger of:
    (A) Two times the largest font size contained in the body of the 
instrument; or
    (B) 18 points; and
    (ii) Contained in at least one of the following:
    (A) The note;
    (B) The mortgage or deed of trust; or

[[Page 696]]

    (C) A rider to either the note, the mortgage, or the deed of trust.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714(d))

    (d) The term of payment of any guaranteed or insured obligation 
shall bear a proper relation to the borrower's present and anticipated 
income and expenses, (except loans pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8) or 
(a)(9)(B)(i)). In addition the terms of payment of any guaranteed or 
insured obligation shall provide for discharge of the obligation at a 
definite date or dates or intervals, in amount specified on or 
computable from the face of the instrument. A loan which is payable on 
demand, or at sight, or on presentation, or at a time not specified or 
computable from the language in the note, mortgage, or other loan 
instrument, or which contemplates periodic renewals at the option of the 
holder to satisfy the repayment requirements of this section, is not 
eligible for guaranty or insurance, except as provided in paragraph (f) 
of this section.
    (e) No guaranteed or insured obligation shall contain a provision to 
the effect that the holder shall have the right to declare the 
indebtedness due, or to pursue one or more legal or equitable remedies, 
if holder ``shall feel insecure,'' or upon the occurrence of one or more 
such conditions optional to the holder, without regard to an act or 
omission by the debtor, which condition by the terms of the note, 
mortgage, or other loan instrument would at the option of the holder 
afford a basis for declaring a default.
    (f) Notwithstanding the inclusion in the guaranteed or insured 
obligation of a provision contrary to the provisions of this section, 
the right of the holder to payment of the guaranty or insurance shall 
not be thereby impaired: Provided,
    (1) Default was declared or maturity was accelerated under some 
other provision of the note, mortgage, or other loan instrument, or
    (2) Activation or enforcement of such provision is warranted under 
Sec. 36.4350(i)(2), or if there exist conditions justifying the 
appointment of a receiver for the property (without reference to any 
contractual provisions for such appointment), or
    (3) The prior approval of the Secretary was obtained.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c))

    (g) The holder of any guaranteed or insured obligation shall have 
the right, notwithstanding the absence of express provision therefor in 
the instruments evidencing the indebtedness, to accelerate the maturity 
of such obligation at any time after the continuance of any default for 
the period of three months.
    (h) If sufficient funds are tendered to bring a delinquency current 
at any time prior to a judicial or statutory sale or other public sale 
under power of sale provisions contained in the loan instruments to 
liquidate any security for a guaranteed loan, the holder shall be 
obligated to accept the funds in payment of the delinquency unless the 
prior approval of the Secretary is obtained to do otherwise, or unless 
reinstatement of the loan would adversely affect the dignity of the lien 
or be otherwise precluded by law. A delinquency will include all 
installment payments (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, advances, 
etc.) due and unpaid and any accumulated late charges plus any 
reasonable expenses incurred and paid by the holder if termination 
proceedings have begun (e.g., advertising costs, foreclosure costs, 
attorney or trustee fees, recording fees, etc.).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0516)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010; 82 FR 11153, Feb. 21, 2017]



Sec. 36.4310  Amortization.

    (a) All loans, the maturity date of which is beyond 5 years from 
date of loan or date of assumption by the veteran, shall be amortized. 
Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, the schedule of 
payments thereon shall be in accordance with any generally recognized 
plan of amortization requiring approximately equal periodic payments and 
shall require a principal reduction not less often than annually

[[Page 697]]

during the life of the loan. The final installment on any loan shall not 
be in excess of two times the average of the preceding installments, 
except that on a construction loan such installment may be for an amount 
not in excess of 5 percent of the original principal amount of the loan. 
The limitations imposed herein on the amount of the final installment 
shall not apply in the case of any loan extended pursuant to 
Sec. 36.4315.
    (b) Any plan of repayment on loans required to be amortized which 
does not provide for approximately equal periodic payments shall not be 
eligible unless the plan conforms with the provisions of paragraph (e) 
of this section, or is otherwise approved by the Secretary.
    (c) Every guaranteed or insured loan shall be repayable within the 
estimated economic life of the property securing the loan.
    (d) Subject to paragraph (a) of this section, any amounts which 
under the terms of a loan do not become due and payable on or before the 
last maturity date permissible for loans of its class under the 
limitations contained in 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 shall automatically fall 
due on such date. See Sec. 36.4337.
    (e) A graduated payment mortgage loan, providing for deferrals of 
interest during the first 5 years of the loan and addition of the 
deferred amounts to principal shall be eligible, Provided:
    (1) The loan is for the purpose of acquiring a single-family 
dwelling unit, including a condominium unit or simultaneously acquiring 
and improving a previously occupied, existing single-family dwelling 
unit.
    (2)(i) For proposed construction or existing homes not previously 
occupied (new homes), the maximum loan amount cannot exceed 97.5 percent 
of the lesser of the reasonable value of the property as of the time the 
loan is made or the purchase price.
    (ii) For previously occupied, existing homes the maximum loan amount 
must be computed to assure that the principal amount of the loan, 
including all interest scheduled to be deferred and added to the loan 
principal, will not exceed the purchase price or reasonable value of the 
property, whichever is less, as of the time the loan is made;
    (3) The increases in the monthly periodic payment amount occur 
annually on each of the first five annual anniversary dates of the first 
loan installment due date, at a rate of 7.5 percent over the preceding 
year's monthly payment amount;
    (4) Beginning with the payment due on the fifth annual anniversary 
date of the first loan installment due date, all remaining monthly 
periodic payments are approximately equal in amount and amortize the 
loan fully in accordance with the requirements of this section, and
    (5) The plan is otherwise acceptable to the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(d))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4311  Prepayment.

    The debtor shall have the right to prepay at any time, without 
premium or fee, the entire indebtedness or any part thereof not less 
than the amount of one installment, or $100, whichever is less. Any 
prepayment in full of the indebtedness shall be credited on the date 
received, and no interest may be charged thereafter. Any partial 
prepayment made on other than an installment due date need not be 
credited until the next following installment due date or 30 days after 
such prepayment, whichever is earlier. The holder and the debtor may 
agree at any time that any prepayment not previously applied in 
satisfaction of matured installments shall be reapplied for the purpose 
of curing or preventing any subsequent default.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(d))



Sec. 36.4312  Interest rates.

    (a) In guaranteeing or insuring loans under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, 
the Secretary may elect to require that such loans either bear interest 
at a rate that is agreed upon by the veteran and the lender, or bear 
interest at a rate not in excess of a rate established by the Secretary. 
The Secretary may, from time

[[Page 698]]

to time, change that election by publishing a notice in the Federal 
Register. However, the interest rate of a loan for the purpose of an 
interest rate reduction under 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i), or 
(a)(11) must be less than the interest rate of the VA loan being 
refinanced. This paragraph does not apply in the case of an adjustable 
rate mortgage being refinanced under 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i), 
or (a)(11) with a fixed rate loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3710)

    (b) For loans bearing an interest rate agreed upon by the veteran 
and the lender, the veteran may pay reasonable discount points in 
connection with the loan. The discount points may not be included in the 
loan amount, except for interest rate reduction refinancing loans under 
38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i), and (a)(11). For loans bearing an 
interest rate agreed upon by the veteran and the lender, the provisions 
of Sec. 36.4313(d)(6) and (d)(7) do not apply.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3710)

    (c) Except as provided in Sec. 36.4315, interest in excess of the 
rate reported by the lender when requesting evidence of guaranty or 
insurance shall not be payable on any advance, or in the event of any 
delinquency or default: Provided, that a late charge not in excess of an 
amount equal to 4 percent on any installment paid more than 15 days 
after due date shall not be considered a violation of this limitation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710)

    (d) Effective October 1, 2003, adjustable rate mortgage loans which 
comply with the requirements of this paragraph (d) are eligible for 
guaranty.
    (1) Interest rate index. Changes in the interest rate charged on an 
adjustable rate mortgage must correspond to changes in the weekly 
average yield on one year (52 weeks) Treasury bills adjusted to a 
constant maturity. Yields on one year Treasury bills at ``constant 
maturity'' are interpolated by the United States Treasury from the daily 
yield curve. This curve, which relates the yield on the security to its 
time to maturity, is based on the closing market bid yields on actively 
traded one year Treasury bills in the over-the-counter market. The 
weekly average one year constant maturity Treasury bill yields are 
published by the Federal Reserve Board of the Federal Reserve System. 
The Federal Reserve Statistical Release Report H. 15 (519) is released 
each Monday. These one year constant maturity Treasury bill yields are 
also published monthly in the Federal Reserve Bulletin, published by the 
Federal Reserve Board of the Federal Reserve System, as well as 
quarterly in the Treasury Bulletin, published by the Department of the 
Treasury.
    (2) Frequency of interest rate changes. Interest rate adjustments 
must occur on an annual basis, except that the first adjustment may 
occur no sooner than 36 months from the date of the borrower's first 
mortgage payment. The adjusted rate will become effective the first day 
of the month following the adjustment date; the first monthly payment at 
the new rate will be due on the first day of the following month. To set 
the new interest rate, the lender will determine the change between the 
initial (i.e., base) index figure and the current index figure. The 
initial index figure shall be the most recent figure available before 
the date of the note. For loans where the date of the note is before 
January 10, 2015, the current index figure shall be the most recent 
index figure available 30 days before the date of each interest rate 
adjustment. For loans where the date of the note is on or after January 
10, 2015, the current index figure shall be the most recent index figure 
available 45 days before the date of each interest rate adjustment.
    (3) Method of rate changes. Interest rate changes may only be 
implemented through adjustments to the borrower's monthly payments.
    (4) Initial rate and magnitude of changes. The initial contract 
interest rate of an adjustable rate mortgage shall be agreed upon by the 
lender and the veteran. Annual adjustments in the interest rate shall 
correspond to annual changes in the interest rate index, subject to the 
following conditions and limitations:

[[Page 699]]

    (i) No single adjustment to the interest rate may result in a change 
in either direction of more than one percentage point from the interest 
rate in effect for the period immediately preceding that adjustment. 
Index changes in excess of one percentage point may not be carried over 
for inclusion in an adjustment in a subsequent year. Adjustments in the 
effective rate of interest over the entire term of the mortgage may not 
result in a change in either direction of more than five percentage 
points from the initial contract interest rate.
    (ii) At each adjustment date, changes in the index interest rate, 
whether increases or decreases, must be translated into the adjusted 
mortgage interest rate, rounded to the nearest one-eighth of one 
percent, up or down. For example, if the margin is 2 percent and the new 
index figure is 6.06 percent, the adjusted mortgage interest rate will 
be 8 percent. If the margin is 2 percent and the new index figure is 
6.07 percent, the adjusted mortgage interest rate will be 8\1/8\ 
percent.
    (5) Pre-loan disclosure. The lender shall explain fully and in 
writing to the borrower, at the time of loan application, the nature of 
the obligation taken. The borrower shall certify in writing that he or 
she fully understands the obligation and a copy of the signed 
certification shall be placed in the loan folder and furnished to VA 
upon request.
    (i) The fact that the mortgage interest rate may change, and an 
explanation of how changes correspond to changes in the interest rate 
index;
    (ii) Identification of the interest rate index, its source of 
publication and availability;
    (iii) The frequency (i.e., annually) with which interest rate levels 
and monthly payments will be adjusted, and the length of the interval 
that will precede the initial adjustment; and
    (iv) A hypothetical monthly payment schedule that displays the 
maximum potential increases in monthly payments to the borrower over the 
first five years of the mortgage, subject to the provisions of the 
mortgage instrument.
    (6) Disclosures. The lender must provide the borrower with 
disclosures in accordance with the timing, content, and format required 
by the regulations implementing the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 
et seq.) at 12 CFR 1026.20(c) and (d). A copy of these disclosures will 
be made a part of the lender's permanent record on the loan.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 3170-0015)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3707A)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010; 80 FR 48255, Aug. 12, 2015]



Sec. 36.4313  Charges and fees.

    (a) No charge shall be made against, or paid by, the borrower 
incident to the making of a guaranteed or insured loan other than those 
expressly permitted under paragraph (d) or (e) of this section, and no 
loan shall be guaranteed or insured unless the lender certifies to the 
Secretary that it has not imposed and will not impose any charges or 
fees against the borrower in excess of those permissible under paragraph 
(d) or (e) of this section. Any charge which is proper to make against 
the borrower under the provisions of this paragraph may be paid out of 
the proceeds of the loan: Provided, That if the purpose of the loan is 
to finance the purchase or construction of residential property the 
costs of closing the loan including the pro rata portion of the ground 
rents, hazard insurance premiums, current year's taxes, and other 
prepaid items normally involved in financing such transaction may not be 
included in the loan.
    (b) Except as provided in this subpart, no brokerage or service 
charge or their equivalent may be charged against the debtor or the 
proceeds of the loan either initially, periodically, or otherwise.
    (c) Brokerage or other charges shall not be made against the veteran 
for obtaining any guaranty or insurance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, nor 
shall any premiums for insurance on the life of the borrower be paid out 
of the proceeds of a loan.
    (d) The following schedule of permissible fees and charges shall be 
applicable to all Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed or insured 
loans.

[[Page 700]]

    (1) The veteran may pay reasonable and customary amounts for any of 
the following items:
    (i) Fees of Department of Veterans Affairs appraiser and of 
compliance inspectors designated by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
except appraisal fees incurred for the predetermination of reasonable 
value requested by others than veteran or lender.
    (ii) Recording fees and recording taxes or other charges incident to 
recordation.
    (iii) Credit report.
    (iv) That portion of taxes, assessments, and other similar items for 
the current year chargeable to the borrower and an initial deposit 
(lump-sum payment) for the tax and insurance account.
    (v) Hazard insurance required by Sec. 36.4329.
    (vi) Survey, if required by lender or veteran; except that any 
charge for a survey in connection with a loan under Secs. 36.4360 
through 36.4365 (Condominium Loans) must have the prior approval of the 
Secretary.
    (vii) Title examination and title insurance, if any.
    (viii) The actual amount charged for flood zone determinations, 
including a charge for a life-of-the-loan flood zone determination 
service purchased at the time of loan origination, if made by a third 
party who guarantees the accuracy of the determination. A fee may not be 
charged for a flood zone determination made by a Department of Veterans 
Affairs appraiser or for the lender's own determination.
    (ix) Such other items as may be authorized in advance by the Under 
Secretary for Benefits as appropriate for inclusion under this paragraph 
(d) as proper local variances.
    (2) A lender may charge and the veteran may pay a flat charge not 
exceeding 1 percent of the amount of the loan, provided that such flat 
charge shall be in lieu of all other charges relating to costs of 
origination not expressly specified and allowed in this schedule.
    (3) In cases where a lender makes advances to a veteran during the 
progress of construction, alteration, improvement, or repair, either 
under a commitment of the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue a 
guaranty certificate or insurance credit upon completion, or where the 
lender would be entitled to guaranty or insurance on such advances when 
reported under automatic procedure, the lender may make a charge against 
the veteran of not exceeding 2 percent of the amount of the loan for its 
services in supervising the making of advances and the progress of 
construction notwithstanding that the ``holdback'' or final advance is 
not actually paid out until after the construction, alteration, 
improvement, or repair is fully completed: Provided, That the major 
portion (51 percent or more) of the loan proceeds is paid out during the 
actual progress of the construction, alteration, improvement, or repair. 
Such charge may be in addition to the 1 percent charge allowed under 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (4) In consideration, alteration, improvement or repair loans, 
including supplemental loans made pursuant to Sec. 36.4359, where no 
charge is permissible under the provisions of paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section the lender may charge and the veteran may pay a flat sum not 
exceeding 1 percent of the amount of the loan. Such charge may be in 
addition to the 1 percent allowed under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section.
    (5) The fees and charges permitted under this paragraph are maximums 
and are not intended to preclude a lender from making alternative 
charges against the veteran which are not specifically authorized in the 
schedule provided the imposition of such alternative charges would not 
result in an aggregate charge or payment in excess of the prescribed 
maximum.
    (6) The veteran borrower subject to the limitations set forth in 
paragraphs (d)(6) and (7) of this section may pay a discount required by 
a lender when the proceeds of the loan will be used for any of the 
following purposes:
    (i) To refinance existing indebtedness pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(5), (a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i) or (a)(9)(B)(ii);
    (ii) To repair, alter or improve a dwelling owned by the veteran 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(4) or (7) if such loan is to be secured by 
a first lien;
    (iii) To construct a dwelling or farm residence on land already 
owned or to be acquired by the veteran, provided

[[Page 701]]

that the veteran did not or will not acquire the land directly or 
indirectly from a builder or developer who will be constructing such 
dwelling or farm residence;
    (iv) To purchase a dwelling from a class of sellers which the 
Secretary determines are legally precluded under all circumstances from 
paying such a discount if the best interest of the veteran would be so 
served.
    (7) Discounts shall be computed as follows:
    (i) Unless otherwise approved by the Secretary, the discount, if 
any, to be paid by the borrower on a loan secured by a first lien may 
not exceed the difference between the bid price, rounded to the lower 
whole number, and par value for GNMA (Government National Mortgage 
Association) 90-day forward bid closing price for pass through 
securities \1/2\ percent less than the face note rate of the loan. 
Unless the lender and borrower negotiate a firm written commitment for a 
maximum amount of discount to be paid, the bid price to be used in the 
computation must be the GNMA 90-day forward bid closing quote for any 
day 1 to 4 business days prior to loan closing. ``Loan closing'' is 
defined for this purpose as the date on which the borrower's 3-day right 
of rescission commences pursuant to the Truth in Lending Act. If the 
lender and borrower choose to negotiate a firm discount commitment for a 
maximum amount of discount to be paid, the bid price to be used in 
establishing the maximum discount must be the closing quote for the 
business day prior to the date of the commitment. Lenders negotiating 
firm commitments must close that loan at a discount no higher than the 
firm commitment regardless of changes in the maximum allowable 
Department of Veterans Affairs interest rate. If a lender's commitment 
expires prior to loan closing, the lender and borrower may negotiate a 
new firm commitment based on the procedure outlined in this paragraph 
(d)(7)(i) or may use the procedure for determining the discount based on 
the GNMA 90-day forward bid closing quote for any day 1 to 4 business 
days prior to loan closing.
    (ii) The borrower, subject to the limitations set forth in 
paragraphs (d)(6) and (7) of this section, may pay a discount required 
by the lender when the proceeds of the loan will be used to repair, 
alter, or improve a dwelling owned by the veteran pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(4) or (7) if such loan is unsecured or secured by less than a 
first lien. No such discount may be charged unless:
    (A) The loan is submitted to the Secretary for prior approval;
    (B) The dollar amount of the discount is disclosed to the Secretary 
and the veteran prior to the issuance by the Secretary of the 
certificate of commitment. Said certificate of commitment shall specify 
the discount to be paid by the veteran, and this discount may not be 
increased once the commitment is issued without the approval of the 
Secretary; and
    (C) The discount has been determined by the Secretary to be 
reasonable in amount.
    (iii) A veteran may pay the discount on an acquisition and 
improvement loan (as defined in Sec. 36.4301) provided:
    (A) The veteran pays no discount on the acquisition portion of the 
loan except in accordance with paragraph (d)(6)(iv) of this section; and
    (B) The discount paid on the improvements portion of the loan does 
not exceed the percentage of discount paid on the acquisition portion of 
the loan.

    Note to paragraph (d)(7)(iii): Acquisition and improvement loans may 
be closed either on the automatic or prior approval basis.
    (iv) Unless the Under Secretary for Benefits otherwise directs, all 
powers of the Secretary under paragraphs (d)(6) and (7) of this section 
are hereby delegated to the officials designated by Sec. 36.4345(b).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3710; 42 U.S.C. 4001 note, 4012a)

    (8) On any loan to which 38 U.S.C. 3714 applies, the holder may 
charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed the lesser of $300 and the actual 
cost of any credit report required, or any maximum prescribed by 
applicable State law, for processing an application for assumption and 
changing its records.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)


[[Page 702]]


    (e) Subject to the limitations set out in paragraph (e)(4) of this 
section, a fee must be paid to the Secretary.
    (1) The fee on loans to veterans shall be as follows:
    (i) On all interest rate reduction refinancing loans guaranteed 
under 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), (a)(9)(B)(i), and (a)(11), the fee shall be 
0.50 percent of the total loan amount.
    (ii) On all refinancing loans other than those described in 
paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, the funding fee shall be 2.75 
percent of the loan amount for loans to veterans whose entitlement is 
based on service in the Selected Reserve under the provisions of 38 
U.S.C. 3701(b)(5), and 2 percent of the loan amount for loans to all 
other veterans; provided, however, that if the veteran is using 
entitlement for a second or subsequent time, the fee shall be 3 percent 
of the loan amount.
    (iii) Except for loans to veterans whose entitlement is based on 
service in the Selected Reserve under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 
3701(b)(5), the funding fee shall be 2 percent of the total loan amount 
for all loans for the purchase or construction of a home on which the 
veteran does not make a down payment, unless the veteran is using 
entitlement for a second or subsequent time, in which case the fee shall 
be 3 percent. On purchase or construction loans on which the veteran 
makes a down payment of 5 percent or more, but less than 10 percent, the 
amount of the funding fee shall be 1.50 percent of the total loan 
amount. On purchase or construction loans on which the veteran makes a 
down payment of 10 percent or more, the amount of the funding fee shall 
be 1.25 percent of the total loan amount.
    (iv) On loans to veterans whose entitlement is based on service in 
the Selected Reserve under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3701(b)(5), the 
funding fee shall be 2.75 percent of the total loan amount on loans for 
the purchase or construction of a home on which the veteran does not 
make a down payment, unless the veteran is using entitlement for a 
second or subsequent time, in which case the fee shall be 3 percent. On 
purchase or construction loans on which veterans whose entitlement is 
based on service in the Selected Reserve make a down payment of 5 
percent or more, but less than 10 percent, the amount of the funding fee 
shall be 2.25 percent of the total loan amount. On purchase or 
construction loans on which such veterans make a down payment of 10 
percent or more, the amount of the funding fee shall be 2 percent of the 
total loan amount.
    (v) All or part of the fee may be paid in cash at loan closing or 
all or part of the fee may be included in the loan without regard to the 
reasonable value of the property or the computed maximum loan amount, as 
appropriate. In computing the fee, the lender will disregard any amount 
included in the loan to enable the borrower to pay such fee.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729)

    (2) Subject to the limitations set out in this section, a fee of 
one-half of one percent of the loan balance must be paid to the 
Secretary in a manner prescribed by the Secretary by a person assuming a 
loan to which 38 U.S.C. 3714 applies. The instrument securing such a 
loan shall contain a provision describing the right of the holder to 
collect this fee as trustee for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The 
loan holder shall list the amount of this fee in every assumption 
statement provided and include a notice that the fee must be paid to the 
holder immediately following loan settlement. The fee must be 
transmitted to the Secretary within 15 days of the receipt by the holder 
of the notice of transfer.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714, 3729)

    (3) The lender is required to pay to the Secretary the fee described 
in paragraph (e)(1) of this section within 15 days after loan closing. 
Any lender closing a loan, subject to the limitations set out in 
paragraph (e)(4) of this section who fails to submit timely payment of 
this fee will be subject to a late charge equal to 4 percent of the 
total fee due. If payment of the fee described in paragraph (e)(1) of 
this section is made more than 30 days after loan closing, interest will 
be assessed at a rate set in conformity with the Department of 
Treasury's Fiscal Requirements Manual. This interest charge is in 
addition to the 4 percent late charge, but the late charge is not

[[Page 703]]

included in the amount on which interest is computed. This interest 
charge is to be calculated on a daily basis beginning on the date of 
closing, although the interest will be assessed only on funding fee 
payments received more than 30 days after closing.
    (4) The lender is required to pay to the Secretary electronically 
through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system the fees described in 
paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section and any late fees and 
interest due on them. This shall be paid to a collection agent by 
operator-assisted telephone, terminal entry, or CPU-to-CPU transmission. 
The collection agent will be identified by the Secretary. The lender 
shall provide the collection agent with the following: authorization for 
payment of the funding fee (including late fees and interest) along with 
the following information: VA lender ID number; four-digit personal 
identification number; dollar amount of debit; VA loan number; OJ 
(office of jurisdiction) code; closing date; loan amount; information 
about whether the payment includes a shortage, late charge, or interest; 
veteran name; loan type; sale amount; down payment; whether the veteran 
is a reservist; and whether this is a subsequent use of entitlement. For 
all transactions received prior to 8:15 p.m. on a workday, VA will be 
credited with the amount paid to the collection agent at the opening of 
business the next banking day.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(a))

    (5) The fees described in paragraph (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this 
section shall not be collected from a veteran who is receiving 
compensation (or who but for the receipt of retirement pay would be 
entitled to receive compensation) or from a surviving spouse described 
in section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 2900-0474 
and 2900-0516)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4314  Advances and other charges.

    (a) A holder may advance any amount reasonably necessary and proper 
for the maintenance or repair of the security, or for the payment of 
accrued taxes, special assessments, ground or water rents, or premiums 
on fire or other casualty insurance against loss of or damage to such 
property and any such advance so made may be added to the guaranteed or 
insured indebtedness. A holder may also advance the one-half of one 
percent funding fee due on a transfer under 38 U.S.C. 3714 when this is 
not paid at the time of transfer. All security instruments for loans to 
which 38 U.S.C. 3714 applies must include a clause authorizing the 
collection of an assumption funding fee and an advance for this fee if 
it is not paid at the time of transfer.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703, 3714, 3732)

    (b) In addition to advances allowable under paragraph (a) of this 
section, the holder may charge against the proceeds of the sale of the 
security; may charge against gross amounts collected; may include in any 
accounting to the Secretary after payment of a claim under the guaranty; 
may include in the computation of a claim under the guaranty, if 
lawfully authorized by the loan agreement and subject to 
Sec. 36.4324(a); or, may include in the computation of an insurance 
loss, any of the following items actually paid:
    (1) Any expense which is reasonably necessary for preservation of 
the security;
    (2) Court costs in a foreclosure or other proper judicial proceeding 
involving the security;
    (3) Other expenses reasonably necessary for collecting the debt, or 
repossession or liquidation of the security;
    (4) Reasonable trustee's fees or commissions not in excess of those 
allowed by statute and in no event in excess of 5 percent of the unpaid 
indebtedness;
    (5)(i) Fees for legal services actually performed, not to exceed the 
reasonable and customary fees for such services in the State where the 
property is located, as determined by the Secretary.
    (ii) In determining what constitutes the reasonable and customary 
fees for

[[Page 704]]

legal services, the Secretary shall review allowances for legal fees in 
connection with the foreclosure of single-family housing loans, 
including bankruptcy-related services, issued by HUD, Fannie Mae, and 
Freddie Mac. The Secretary will review such fees annually and, as the 
Secretary deems necessary, publish in the Federal Register a table 
setting forth the amounts the Secretary determines to be reasonable and 
customary. The table will reflect the primary method for foreclosing in 
each state, either judicial or non-judicial, with the exception of those 
States where either judicial or non-judicial is acceptable. The use of a 
method not authorized in the table will require prior approval from VA. 
This table will be available throughout the year on a VA controlled Web 
site, such as at http://www.homeloans.va.gov.
    (iii) If the foreclosure attorney has the discretion to conduct the 
sale or to name a substitute trustee to conduct the sale, the combined 
total paid for legal fees under paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section and 
trustee's fees pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of this section shall not 
exceed the applicable maximum allowance for legal fees established under 
paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this section. If the trustee conducting the sale 
must be a Government official under local law, or if an individual other 
than the foreclosing attorney (or any employee of that attorney) is 
appointed as part of judicial proceedings, and local law also 
establishes the fees payable for the services of the public or 
judicially appointed trustee, then those fees will not be subject to the 
maximum established for legal fees under paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this 
section and may be included in the total indebtedness.
    (6) The cost of a credit report(s) on the debtor(s), which is (are) 
to be forwarded to the Secretary in connection with the claim;
    (7) Reasonable and customary costs of property inspections;
    (8) Any other expense or fee that is approved in advance by the 
Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720(a)(3), 3732)

    (c) Any advances or charges enumerated in paragraph (a) or (b) of 
this section may be included as specified in the holder's accounting to 
the Secretary, but they are not chargeable to the debtor unless he or 
she otherwise be liable therefor.
    (d) Advances of the type enumerated in paragraph (a) of this section 
and any other advances determined by VA to be necessary and proper in 
order to preserve or protect the security may be authorized by employees 
designated in Sec. 36.4345(b) in the case of any property constituting 
the security for a loan acquired by the Secretary or constituting the 
security for the unpaid balance of the purchase price owing to the 
Secretary on account of the sale of such property. Such advances shall 
be secured to the extent legal and practicable by a lien on the 
property.
    (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this 
section, holders of condominium loans guaranteed or insured under 38 
U.S.C. 3710(a)(6) shall not pay those assessments or charges allocable 
to the condominium unit which are provided for in the instruments 
establishing the condominium form of ownership in the absence of the 
prior approval of the Secretary.
    (f)(1) Fees and charges otherwise allowable by this section that 
accrue after the date specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section may 
not be included in a claim under the guaranty.
    (2) The date referenced in paragraph (f)(1) of this section will be 
computed by adding 210 calendar days to the due date of the last paid 
installment, plus the reasonable period that the Secretary has 
determined, pursuant to Sec. 36.4322(a), it should have taken to 
complete the foreclosure. There will also be added to the time period 
specified in the previous sentence such additional time as the Secretary 
determines was reasonably necessary to complete the foreclosure if the 
Secretary determines the holder was unable to complete the foreclosure 
within the time specified in that section due to Bankruptcy proceedings, 
appeal of the foreclosure by the debtor, the holder granting forbearance 
in excess of 30 days at the request of the Secretary, or

[[Page 705]]

other factors beyond the control of the holder.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c), 3720, 3732)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4315  Loan modifications.

    (a) The terms of any guaranteed loan may be modified by written 
agreement between the holder and the borrower, without prior approval of 
the Secretary, if all of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The loan is in default;
    (2) The event or circumstances that caused the default has been or 
will be resolved and it is not expected to re-occur;
    (3) The obligor is considered to be a reasonable credit risk, based 
on a review by the holder of the obligor's creditworthiness under the 
criteria specified in Sec. 36.4340, including a current credit report. 
The fact of the recent default will not preclude the holder from 
determining the obligor is now a satisfactory credit risk provided the 
holder determines that the obligor is able to resume regular mortgage 
installments when the modification becomes effective based upon a review 
of the obligor's current and anticipated income, expenses, and other 
obligations as provided in Sec. 36.4340;
    (4) At least 12 monthly payments have been paid since the closing 
date of the loan;
    (5) The current owner(s) is obligated to repay the loan, and is 
party to the loan modification agreement;
    (6) The loan will be reinstated to performing status by virtue of 
the loan modification;
    (7) A loan has not been modified more than once in a 3-year period 
or more than 3 times during the life of the loan;
    (8) The loan as modified will bear a fixed-rate of interest, which--
    (i) May not exceed the most recent Freddie Mac Weekly Primary 
Mortgage Market Survey Rate for 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgages 
(U.S. Average), rounded to the nearest one-eighth of one percent 
(0.125%), as of the date the Modification Agreement is approved, plus 50 
basis points;
    (ii) After being determined and selected in accordance with 
paragraph (i), is not more than one percent higher than the existing 
rate on the loan; or,
    (iii) In the case of a loan in which a State, Territorial, or local 
governmental agency provided assistance to the veteran for the 
acquisition of the dwelling, and the law providing that assistance 
precludes any revision in the interest rate on the loan, then the 
interest rate on the modified loan is the same or less than that on the 
original note evidencing the loan;
    (9) The unpaid balance of the modified loan will be re-amortized 
over the remaining life of the loan, or if the loan term is to be 
extended, the maturity date will not exceed the shorter of:
    (i) 360 months from the due date of the first installment required 
under the modification, or
    (ii) 120 months after the original maturity date of the loan (unless 
the original term was less than 360 months, in which case the term may 
be extended to 480 months from the due date of the first installment on 
the original loan);
    (10) Only the following items may be included in the modified 
indebtedness: Unpaid principal; accrued interest; deficits in the taxes 
and insurance impound accounts; amounts incurred to pay actual legal 
fees and foreclosure costs related to the canceled foreclosure; (subject 
to the maximum amounts prescribed in Sec. 36.4314) the cost of a title 
insurance policy endorsement or other update for the modified loan; and 
advances required to preserve the lien position, such as homeowner 
association fees, special assessments, water and sewer liens, etc. Late 
fees and other charges may not be capitalized;
    (11) The holder will not charge a processing fee, and all unpaid 
late fees will be waived. Any other actual costs incurred and legally 
chargeable, but which cannot be capitalized in the modified 
indebtedness, may be collected directly from the borrower as part of the 
modification process or waived, at the discretion of the servicer;
    (12) Holders will ensure the first lien status of the modified loan;
    (13) The dollar amount of the guaranty will not exceed the greater 
of:
    (i) The original guaranty amount of the loan being modified (but if 
the

[[Page 706]]

modified loan amount is less than the original loan amount, then the 
amount of guaranty will be equal to the original guaranty percentage 
applied to the modified loan), or
    (ii) 25 percent of the loan being modified subject to the statutory 
maximum specified at 38 U.S.C. 3703(a)(1)(B); and
    (14) The obligor will not receive any cash back from the 
modification.
    (b) If a loan fails to meet one or more of the conditions identified 
in paragraph (a), the holder must submit the loan file to the Secretary 
for approval before entering into any loan modification agreement. The 
Secretary will grant such approval if the Secretary determines that the 
modification is in the best interests of the veteran and the Government 
after balancing the risks of non-approval versus approval despite the 
absence of one or more of the conditions identified in paragraph (a) of 
this section.
    (c) This section does not create a right of a borrower to have a 
loan modified, but simply authorizes the loan holder to modify a loan in 
certain situations without the prior approval of the Secretary.

[76 FR 6558, Feb. 7, 2011, as amended at 76 FR 78829, Dec. 20, 2011]



Sec. 36.4316  Acceptability of partial payments.

    A partial payment is a remittance by or on behalf of the borrower on 
a loan in default (as defined in Sec. 36.4301) of any amount less than 
the full amount due under the terms of the loan and security instruments 
at the time the remittance is tendered.
    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, or upon the 
express waiver of the Secretary, the mortgage holder shall accept any 
partial payment and either apply it to the mortgagor's account or 
identify it with the mortgagor's account and hold it in a special 
account pending disposition. When partial payments held for disposition 
aggregate a full monthly installment, including escrow, they shall be 
applied to the mortgagor's account.
    (b) A partial payment may be returned to the mortgagor, within 10 
calendar days from date of receipt of such payment, with a letter of 
explanation only if one or more of the following conditions exist:
    (1) The property is wholly or partially tenant-occupied and rental 
payments are not being remitted to the holder for application to the 
loan account;
    (2) The payment is less than one full monthly installment, including 
escrows and late charge, if applicable, unless the lesser payment amount 
has been agreed to under a documented repayment plan;
    (3) The payment is less than 50 percent of the total amount then 
due, unless the lesser payment amount has been agreed to under a 
documented repayment plan;
    (4) The payment is less than the amount agreed to in a documented 
repayment plan;
    (5) The amount tendered is in the form of a personal check and the 
holder has previously notified the mortgagor in writing that only cash 
or certified remittances are acceptable;
    (6) A delinquency of any amount has continued for at least 6 months 
since the account first became delinquent and no written repayment plan 
has been arranged;
    (7) Foreclosure has been commenced by the taking of the first action 
required for foreclosure under local law; or
    (8) The holder's lien position would be jeopardized by acceptance of 
the partial payment.
    (c) A failure by the holder to comply with the provisions of this 
paragraph may result in a partial or total loss of guaranty or insurance 
pursuant to Sec. 36.4328(b), but such failure shall not constitute a 
defense to any legal action to terminate the loan.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4317  Servicer reporting requirements.

    (a) Servicers of loans guaranteed by the Secretary shall report the 
information required by this section to the Secretary electronically. 
The Secretary shall accept electronic submission from each entity 
servicing loans guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37

[[Page 707]]

not later than the effective date of this rule.
    (b) Not later than the seventh calendar day of each month each 
servicer shall report to the Secretary basic information (loan 
identification information, payment due date, and unpaid principal 
balance) for every loan guaranteed by the Secretary currently being 
serviced by that entity, unless previously reported under paragraph 
(c)(7) of this section and has not reinstated, terminated, or paid in 
full.
    (c) Servicers shall report to the Secretary the following specific 
loan events in accordance with the timeframes described for each event. 
Unless otherwise specified herein, the servicer shall report these 
events on a monthly basis (i.e., no later than the 7th calendar day of 
the month following the month in which the event occurred) only for 
delinquent loans in its portfolio.
    (1) Loan paid in full--when the loan obligation has been fully 
satisfied by receipt of funds and not a servicing transfer. The servicer 
shall report this event regardless of delinquency status.
    (2) Authorized transfer of ownership--when the servicer learns that 
an authorized transfer of ownership has been completed. The servicer 
shall report this event regardless of delinquency status.
    (3) Release of liability--when an obligor has been released from 
liability. The servicer shall report this event regardless of 
delinquency status.
    (4) Partial release of security--when the holder has released the 
lien on a part of the security for the loan pursuant to Sec. 36.4327. 
The servicer shall report this event regardless of delinquency status.
    (5) Servicing transfer (transferring servicer)--when a holder 
transfers the loan to another servicer.
    (6) Servicing transfer (receiving servicer)--when a servicer boards 
the loan.
    (7) Electronic Default Notification (EDN)--when the loan becomes at 
least 61 days delinquent. The servicer shall report this event no later 
than the 7th calendar day from when the event occurred. The servicer 
shall report this event only once per default for delinquent loans in 
its portfolio.
    (8) Delinquency status--when the servicer notifies VA of any updates 
to the delinquency information on loans for which an EDN has been 
submitted. The servicer shall report this event monthly (i.e., no later 
than the 7th calendar day of the month following the month for which the 
reported information applies) until the default cures or the loan 
terminates.
    (9) Contact information change--when there is a change to the 
contact information for current owners or a property or mailing address 
change.
    (10) Occupancy status change--when there is a change in property 
occupancy status.
    (11) Bankruptcy filed--when any owner files a petition under the 
Bankruptcy Code. The servicer shall report this event no later than the 
7th calendar day from when the event occurred. The servicer shall report 
this event only on delinquent loans in its portfolio, if appropriate, or 
with the EDN when it is reported.
    (12) Bankruptcy update--when a significant event related to the 
bankruptcy has occurred. The servicer shall report this event no later 
than the 7th calendar day from when the event occurred. The servicer 
shall report this event only on delinquent loans in its portfolio, if 
appropriate, or with the EDN when it is reported.
    (13) Loss mitigation letter sent--when the servicer sends the loss 
mitigation letter to the borrower as required by Sec. 36.4350(g)(1)(iv).
    (14) Partial payment returned--when the servicer returns a partial 
payment to the borrower.
    (15) Default cured/loan reinstated--when a previously reported 
default (i.e., an EDN was filed) has cured/loan reinstated.
    (16) Default reported to credit bureau--when the servicer notifies 
the credit bureaus of a defaulted loan or loan termination. The servicer 
shall report this event only on delinquent loans in its portfolio, and 
shall report the first occurrence only.
    (17) Repayment plan approved--when the servicer approves a repayment 
plan.
    (18) Special forbearance approved--when the servicer approves a 
special forbearance agreement.

[[Page 708]]

    (19) Loan modification approved--when the servicer approves a loan 
modification.
    (20) Loan modification complete--when both the servicer (and/or the 
holder, where necessary) and the owner(s) have executed the modification 
agreement.
    (21) Compromise sale complete--when a compromise sale closes.
    (22) Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure complete--when the servicer records 
the deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. The servicer shall report this no later 
than the 7th calendar day from when the event occurred.
    (23) Foreclosure referral--when the loan is referred to legal 
counsel for foreclosure. The servicer shall report this no later than 
the 7th calendar day from when the event occurred.
    (24) Foreclosure sale scheduled--when the foreclosure sale is 
scheduled. The servicer shall report this no later than the 7th calendar 
day from when the event occurred.
    (25) Results of sale--when the foreclosure sale is complete, the 
servicer reports the results of the foreclosure sale. The servicer shall 
report this no later than the 7th calendar day from when the event 
occurred.
    (26) Transfer of custody--when the servicer notifies VA of the 
holder's intent to convey the property. The servicer shall report this 
no later than the 15th calendar day from the date of liquidation sale 
(such as the date of foreclosure sale, date of recordation of a deed-in-
lieu of foreclosure, or confirmation/ratification of sale date when 
required under local practice).
    (27) Improper transfer of custody--when the servicer discovers that 
the conveyance of the property to VA was improper. The servicer shall 
report this no later than the 7th calendar day from when the error is 
discovered.
    (28) Invalid sale results--when the foreclosure sale is invalid. The 
servicer shall report this no later than the 7th calendar day from 
discovery of the event that invalidated the sale.
    (29) Confirmed sale date with no transfer of custody--when the loan 
is terminated, the property is not conveyed, and the property is located 
in a confirmation/ratification of sale state.
    (30) Basic claim information--when the servicer files a claim under 
guaranty. The servicer shall report this event within 365 calendar days 
of loan termination for non-refund claims, and within 60 calendar days 
of the refund approval date for refund claims.
    (31) Refunding Settlement--when VA refunds a loan and the servicer 
reports the tax and insurance information. The servicer shall report 
this event within 60 calendar days of the refund approval date.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0021)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c), 3732)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4318  Servicer tier ranking--temporary procedures.

    (a) The Secretary shall assign to each servicer a ``Tier Ranking'' 
based upon the servicer's performance in servicing guaranteed loans. 
There shall be four tiers, known as tier one, tier two, tier three, and 
tier four, with tier one being the highest rated and tier four the 
lowest. Upon the effective date of this regulation, every servicer of 
loans guaranteed by the Secretary shall be presumed to be in servicer 
tier two, and shall remain in tier two until the date specified in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (b) For purposes of this section, the term ``calendar quarter'' 
shall mean the 3-month periods ending on March 31, June 30, September 
30, and December 31.
    (c)(1) No later than 30 calendar days after the last business day of 
the first calendar quarter occurring after the rules for determining 
tier rankings take effect, and then not later than 30 calendar days 
after the last business day of each subsequent calendar quarter, the 
Secretary shall provide each servicer with an evaluation of their 
performance under such rules.
    (2) No later than 45 calendar days after the last business day of 
the fourth calendar quarter during which the Secretary evaluates the 
performance of servicers, and then annually

[[Page 709]]

thereafter, VA shall advise each servicer of its tier ranking.
    (3) Any entity which begins servicing guaranteed loans after the 
first calendar quarter occurring after rules for determining tier 
rankings take effect shall be presumed to be in tier two. The Secretary 
will evaluate the performance of such servicer as provided in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section. The Secretary will advise such servicer of its 
tier ranking at the time other servicers are advised of their tier 
rankings pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, provided the 
servicer has received evaluations for at least four continuous calendar 
quarters.
    (d) The quarterly evaluation and tier ranking of a servicer shall be 
deemed to be confidential and privileged and shall not be disclosed by 
the Secretary to any other party.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c))



Sec. 36.4319  Servicer loss-mitigation options and incentives.

    (a) The Secretary will pay a servicer in tiers one, two, or three an 
incentive payment for each of the following successful loss-mitigation 
options or alternatives to foreclosure completed: repayment plans, 
special forbearance agreements, loan modifications, compromise sales, 
and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. Only one incentive payment will be 
made with respect to any default required to be reported to the 
Secretary pursuant to Sec. 36.4317(c). No incentive payment will be made 
to a servicer in tier four. The options and alternatives are listed in 
paragraph (b) of this section from top to bottom in their preferred 
order of consideration (i.e., a hierarchy for review), but VA recognizes 
that individual circumstances may lead to ``out of the ordinary'' 
considerations.
    (b) The amount of the incentive payment is as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Tier ranking                              One          Two         Three         Four
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repayment Plan..............................................         $200         $160         $120           $0
Special Forbearance.........................................          200          160          120            0
Loan Modification...........................................          700          500          300            0
Compromise Sale.............................................        1,000          800          600            0
Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure.................................          350          250          150            0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) For purposes of this section, a loss-mitigation option or 
alternative to foreclosure will be deemed successfully completed as 
follows:
    (1) With respect to a repayment plan (as defined in Sec. 36.4301), 
when the loan reinstates;
    (2) With respect to special forbearance (as defined in 
Sec. 36.4301), when the loan reinstates. If a repayment plan is 
developed at the end of the forbearance period, then the special 
forbearance is not eligible for an incentive payment, although the 
subsequent repayment plan may be eligible upon loan reinstatement;
    (3) With respect to a loan modification, when the modification is 
executed and the loan reinstates;
    (4) With respect to a compromise sale, when the claim under guaranty 
is filed; or
    (5) With respect to a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, when the claim 
under guaranty is filed.
    (d) Incentive payments with respect to repayment plans, special 
forbearances and loan modifications shall be made no less frequently 
than monthly. For all other successful loss-mitigation options, 
incentives shall be paid in the final claim payment.
    (e) The Secretary shall reserve the right to stop an incentive 
payment to a servicer if the servicer fails to perform adequate 
servicing.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0021)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c), 3720, 3722)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4320  Refunding of loans in default.

    (a) Upon receiving a notice of default or a notice under 
Sec. 36.4317, the Secretary may require the holder upon

[[Page 710]]

penalty of otherwise losing the guaranty or insurance to transfer and 
assign the loan and the security therefore to the Secretary or to 
another designated by the Secretary upon receipt of payment in full of 
the balance of the indebtedness remaining unpaid to the date of such 
assignment. Such assignment may be made without recourse but the 
transferor shall not thereby be relieved from the provisions of 
Sec. 36.4328.
    (b) If the obligation is assigned or transferred to a third party 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section the Secretary may continue in 
effect the guaranty or insurance issued with respect to the previous 
loan in such manner as to cover the assignee or transferee.
    (c) Servicers must deliver to the Secretary all legal documents, 
including but not limited to proper loan assignments, required as 
evidence of proper loan transfer within 60 calendar days from the date 
that VA sends notice to the servicer that VA has decided to refund a 
loan under this section. Servicers exhibiting a continued failure to 
provide timely loan transfer documentation may, at the discretion of the 
Secretary and following advance notice to the servicer, be subject to 
temporary suspension of all property acquisition and claim payments 
until all deficiencies identified in the notice provided to the servicer 
have been corrected.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0362)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c) and 3732(a))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4321  Service of process.

    (a) In any legal or equitable proceeding to which the Secretary is a 
party (including probate and bankruptcy proceedings) arising from a loan 
guaranteed, insured, or made, or a property acquired by the Secretary 
pursuant to title 38, U.S.C. chapter 37, original process and any other 
process prior to appearance that may be served on the Secretary must be 
delivered to the VA Regional Counsel located in the jurisdiction in 
which the proceeding is docketed. Copies of such process will also be 
served on the Attorney General of the United States and the United 
States Attorney having jurisdiction over that area. Within the time 
required by applicable law, or rule of court, the Secretary will cause 
appropriate special or general appearance to be entered in the case by 
an authorized attorney.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c) and 3720(a))

    (b) After appearance of the Secretary by attorney all process and 
notice otherwise proper to serve on the Secretary before or after 
judgment, if served on the attorney of record, shall have the same 
effect as if the Secretary were personally served within the 
jurisdiction of the court.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720, 3732)



Sec. 36.4322  Loan termination.

    (a) For purposes of this part, a holder, using reasonable diligence 
must complete a foreclosure within the timeframe and in the manner 
determined by the Secretary. In determining what constitutes allowable 
time and method for foreclosure, the Secretary shall review allowances 
for time and method in connection with the foreclosure of single-family 
housing loans issued by HUD, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, as well as 
State statutory requirements. The Secretary will review such timeframes 
annually and, as the Secretary deems necessary, publish in the Federal 
Register a table setting forth the timeframes and methods the Secretary 
determines to be reasonable. The schedule will reflect the timeframe 
allowed for the standard, acceptable method for foreclosure proceedings 
in each State. The use of another method will require prior approval 
from VA. VA will maintain the loan termination time allowable timeframes 
on a Web site under VA's control, such as at http://
www.homeloans.va.gov.
    (b)(1) At least 30 days prior to the scheduled or anticipated date 
of the liquidation sale, the holder must request that VA assign an 
appraiser to conduct a liquidation appraisal.
    (2) If the holder (or its authorized servicing agent) has been 
approved by

[[Page 711]]

the Secretary to process liquidation appraisals under 38 CFR 36.4348, 
the appraiser shall forward the liquidation appraisal report directly to 
the holder for a determination of the fair market value of the property 
pursuant to Sec. 36.4348.
    (3) If the holder (or its authorized servicing agent) has not been 
approved by the Secretary to process liquidations appraisals under 38 
CFR 36.4348, the Secretary shall review the appraisal and determine the 
fair market value of the property. The Secretary will provide the holder 
with a statement of the fair market value.
    (4)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, a 
liquidation appraisal or statement of fair market value issued pursuant 
to paragraph (b)(3) of this section will be valid for 180 calendar days.
    (ii) The Secretary may specify in writing a shorter validity period, 
not less than 90 calendar days, for a liquidation appraisal or statement 
of fair market value if rapidly-changing market conditions in the area 
where the property is located make such shorter validity period in the 
best fiscal interests of the United States.
    (c) Prior to the liquidation sale, the holder shall compute the net 
value of the property securing the guaranteed loan by subtracting the 
estimated costs to the Secretary for the acquisition and disposition of 
the property from the fair market value, as determined under paragraph 
(b) of this section. Those costs will be calculated using the percentage 
derived by the Secretary and published in the Federal Register pursuant 
to Sec. 36.4301.
    (d) If the holder learns of any material damage to the property 
occurring after the appraisal and prior to the liquidation sale, the 
impact of such damage on the fair market value must be determined in 
consultation with the fee appraiser, and the net value adjusted 
accordingly.
    (e)(1) A holder may approve a compromise sale of the property 
securing the loan without the prior approval of the Secretary provided 
that:
    (i) The holder has determined the loan is insoluble;
    (ii) The credit to the indebtedness (consisting of the net proceeds 
from the compromise sale and any waiver of indebtedness by the holder) 
must equal or exceed the net value of the property securing the loan; 
and
    (iii) The current owner of the property securing the loan will not 
receive any proceeds from the sale of the property.
    (2) A holder may request advance approval from the Secretary for a 
compromise sale notwithstanding that all of the conditions specified in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section cannot be met if the holder believes 
such compromise sale would be in the best interests of the veteran and 
the Secretary.
    (f)(1) A holder may accept a deed voluntarily tendered by the 
current owner of the property securing the loan in lieu of conducting a 
foreclosure without the prior approval of the Secretary provided that:
    (i) The holder has determined the loan is insoluble;
    (ii) The holder has computed the net value of the property securing 
the loan pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section;
    (iii) The holder has considered a compromise sale pursuant to 
paragraph (e) of this section and determined such compromise sale is not 
practical; and,
    (iv) The holder has determined the current owner of the property can 
convey clear and marketable title to the property that would meet the 
standard stated in paragraph (d)(5) of Sec. 36.4323.
    (2) A holder may request advance approval from the Secretary for a 
deed-in-lieu of foreclosure notwithstanding that all of the conditions 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section cannot be met if the 
holder believes such deed-in-lieu would be in the best interests of the 
veteran and the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c), 3732)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010; 82 FR 11153, Feb. 21, 2017]



Sec. 36.4323  Election to convey security.

    (a) If the holder acquires the property that secured the guaranteed 
loan at the liquidation sale or through acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of 
foreclosure and if, under 38 U.S.C. 3732(c), the Secretary may accept 
conveyance of the property, the holder must notify the Secretary by 
electronic means no

[[Page 712]]

later than 15 calendar days after the date of liquidation sale (i.e., 
the event which fixes the rights of the parties in the property, such as 
the date of foreclosure sale, date of recordation of a deed-in-lieu of 
foreclosure, or confirmation/ratification of sale date when required 
under local practice) that the holder elects to convey the property to 
the Secretary. The Secretary will not accept conveyance of the property 
if the holder fails to notify the Secretary of its election within such 
15 calendar days. In computing the eligible indebtedness under 38 U.S.C. 
3732(c), the holder may follow the alternative procedure described in 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) If the calculation by the holder shows that the net value is 
equal to or less than the unguaranteed portion of the loan (i.e., the 
total indebtedness minus VA's maximum claim payable under the guaranty), 
this would preclude conveyance under 38 U.S.C. 3732(c). However, the 
holder may desire to convey the property to VA and may decide to waive a 
portion of the indebtedness to the extent that the property may be 
conveyed under 38 U.S.C. 3732(c). In such a case, the holder must 
provide the notice described in paragraph (a) of this section, and must 
subsequently waive that portion of the total indebtedness remaining 
after application of the net value amount and VA's guaranty claim 
payment. The holder must send the borrower(s) a notice describing the 
amount of indebtedness that has been waived no later than 15 calendar 
days after receipt of the guaranty claim.
    (c) The holder, in accounting to the Secretary in connection with 
the conveyance of any property pursuant to this section, may include as 
a part of the indebtedness all actual expenses or costs of the 
proceedings, paid by the holder, within the limits defined in 
Sec. 36.4314. In connection with the conveyance or transfer of property 
to the Secretary the holder may include in accounting to the Secretary 
the following expense items if actually paid by the holder, in addition 
to the consideration payable for the property under 38 U.S.C. 3732(c):
    (1) State and documentary stamp taxes as may be required.
    (2) Amount expended for taxes, special assessments, including such 
payments which are specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
    (3) Recording fees.
    (4) Any other expenditures in connection with the property which are 
approved by the Secretary, including, but not limited to, the cost of a 
title policy insuring title in the name of the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs.
    (d) The conveyance or transfer of any property to the Secretary 
pursuant to this section shall be subject to the following provisions:
    (1) The notice of the holder's election to convey the property to 
the Secretary shall state the amount of the holder's successful bid and 
shall state the insurance coverage then in force, specifying for each 
policy, the name of the insurance company, the hazard covered, the 
amount, and the expiration date. With respect to a voluntary conveyance 
to the holder in lieu of foreclosure, the amount of the holder's 
successful bid shall be deemed to be the lesser of the net value of the 
property or the total indebtedness.
    (2) Coincident with the notice of election to convey or transfer the 
property to the Secretary or with the acquisition of the property by the 
holder, following such notice, whichever is later, the holder shall 
request endorsements on all insurance policies naming the Secretary as 
an assured, as his/her interest may appear. Such insurance policies 
shall be forwarded to the Secretary at the time of the conveyance or 
transfer of the property to the Secretary or as soon after that time as 
feasible. If insurers cancel policies, holders must properly account for 
any unearned premiums refunded by the insurer.
    (3) Occupancy of the property by anyone properly in possession by 
virtue of and during a period of redemption, or by anyone else unless 
under a claim of title which makes the title sought to be conveyed by 
the holder of less dignity or quality than that required by this 
section, shall not preclude the holder from conveying or transferring 
the property to the Secretary. Except with the prior approval of the 
Secretary, the holder shall not rent the property to a new tenant, nor 
extend

[[Page 713]]

the term of an existing tenancy on other than a month-to-month basis.
    (4) The notice shall provide property tax information to include all 
taxing authority property identification numbers. Any taxes, special 
assessments or ground rents due and payable within 30 days after date of 
conveyance or transfer to the Secretary must be paid by the holder.
    (5)(i) Each conveyance or transfer of real property to the Secretary 
pursuant to this section shall be acceptable if:
    (A) The holder thereby covenants or warrants against the acts of the 
holder and those claiming under the holder (e.g., by special warranty 
deed); and
    (B) It vests in the Secretary or will entitle the Secretary to such 
title as is or would be acceptable to prudent lending institutions, 
informed buyers, title companies, and attorneys, generally, in the 
community in which the property is situated.
    (ii) Any title will not be unacceptable to the Secretary by reason 
of any of the limitations on the quantum or quality of the property or 
title stated in Sec. 36.4354(b), Provided, that:
    (A) At the time of conveyance or transfer to the Secretary there has 
been no breach of any conditions affording a right to the exercise of 
any reverter.
    (B) With respect to any such limitations which came into existence 
subsequent to the making of the loan, full compliance was had with the 
requirements of Sec. 36.4327.
    (iii) The acceptability of a conveyance or transfer pursuant to the 
requirements of this paragraph will generally be established by delivery 
to the Secretary of the following evidence of title showing that title 
to the property of the quality specified in this paragraph (d)(5) is or 
will be vested in the Secretary:
    (A) A copy of the deed or document evidencing transfer of interest 
and title at the liquidation sale;
    (B) A special warranty deed conveying the property to the Secretary;
    (C) Origination Deed of Trust or Mortgage;
    (D) Original or Copy of Mortgagee's Title Insurance Policy from Loan 
Origination (except in Iowa, where a title abstract is required);
    (E) Owner's Title Insurance Policy issued after loan termination in 
the name of the Secretary (except in Iowa, where a title abstract is 
required);
    (F) Loan Assignments;
    (G) Appointment of Substitute Trustee (where required as part of the 
termination process);
    (H) Estoppel Affidavit for deed in lieu of foreclosure, if required 
by State law and appropriate language cannot be included in the deed in 
lieu of foreclosure; and/or
    (I) Any evidence that the Secretary may reasonably require.
    (iv) In lieu of such title evidence listed in paragraph (d)(5)(iii) 
of this section, the Secretary will accept a conveyance or transfer with 
general warranty with respect to the title from a holder described in 38 
U.S.C. 3702(d) or from a holder of financial responsibility satisfactory 
to the Secretary.
    (6) Except with respect to matters covered by any covenants or 
warranties of the holder, the acceptance by the Secretary of a 
conveyance or transfer by the holder shall conclude the responsibility 
of the holder to the Secretary under the regulations of this subpart 
with respect to the title. In the event of the subsequent discovery of 
title defects, the Secretary shall have no recourse against the holder 
with respect to such title other than by reason of such covenants or 
warranties.
    (7) As between the holder and the Secretary, the responsibility for 
any loss due to damage to or destruction of the property or due to 
personal injury sustained in respect to such property shall be governed 
by the provisions of this paragraph and paragraph (d)(11) of this 
section. Ordinary wear and tear excepted, the holder shall bear such 
risk of loss from the date of acquisition by the holder to the date such 
risk of loss is assumed by the Secretary. Such risk of loss is assumed 
by the Secretary from the date of receipt of the holder's election to 
convey or transfer the property to the Secretary. The amount of any loss 
chargeable to the holder may be deducted from the amount payable by the 
Secretary at the time the property is transferred. In

[[Page 714]]

any case where pursuant to the VA regulations rejection of the title is 
legally proper, the Secretary may surrender custody of the property as 
of the date specified in the Secretary's notice to the holder. The 
Secretary's assumption of such risk shall terminate upon such surrender.
    (8) The conveyance should be made to ``Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, an Officer of the United States.'' The name of the incumbent 
Secretary should not be included unless State law requires naming a real 
person.
    (9) The holder shall not be liable to the Secretary for any portion 
of the paid or unpaid taxes, special assessments, ground rents, 
insurance premiums, or other similar items. The holder shall be liable 
to the Secretary for all penalties and interest associated with taxes 
not timely paid by the holder prior to conveyance.
    (10) The Secretary shall be entitled to all rentals and other income 
collected from the property and to any insurance proceeds or refunds 
subsequent to the date of acquisition by the holder.
    (11) In respect to a property which was the security for a 
condominium loan guaranteed or insured under 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(6) the 
responsibility for any loss due to damage to or destruction of the 
property or due to personal injury sustained in respect to such property 
shall in no event pass to the Secretary until the Secretary expressly 
assumes such responsibility or until conveyance of the property to the 
Secretary, whichever first occurs. The holder shall have the right to 
convey such property to the Secretary only if the property (including 
elements of the development or project owned in common with other unit 
owners) is undamaged by fire, earthquake, windstorm, flooding or boiler 
explosion. The absence of a right in the holder to convey such property 
which is so damaged shall not preclude a conveyance, if the Secretary 
agrees in a given case to such a conveyance upon completion of repairs 
within a specified period of time and such repairs are so completed and 
the conveyance is otherwise in order.
    (e) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(6) of this section, the 
provisions of this section shall not be in derogation of any rights 
which the Secretary may have under Sec. 36.4328. The Under Secretary for 
Benefits, or the Director, Loan Guaranty Service, may authorize any 
deviation from the provisions of this section, within the limitations 
prescribed in 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, which may be necessary or desirable 
to accomplish the objectives of this section if such deviation is made 
necessary by reason of any laws or practice in any State or Territory or 
the District of Columbia, Provided, that no such deviation shall impair 
the rights of any holder not consenting to the deviation with respect to 
loans made or approved prior to the date the holder is notified of such 
action.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0381)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720, 3732)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 75 FR 65238, Oct. 22, 2010]



Sec. 36.4324  Guaranty claims; subsequent accounting.

    (a) Subject to the limitation that the total amounts payable shall 
in no event exceed the amount originally guaranteed, or in the case of a 
modified loan, such amount as may have been increased under the 
provisions of Sec. 36.4315(h)(2), the amount payable on a claim for the 
guaranty shall be the percentage of the loan originally guaranteed, or 
the percentage as adjusted under Sec. 36.4315(h)(2), whichever is 
applicable, applied to the sum of:
    (1) The unpaid principal as of the date of the liquidation sale;
    (2) Allowable expenses/advances as described in Sec. 36.4314; and
    (3) The lesser of:
    (i) The unpaid interest as of the date of the liquidation sale; or
    (ii) The unpaid interest for the reasonable period that the 
Secretary has determined, pursuant to Sec. 36.4322(a), it should have 
taken to complete the foreclosure, plus 210 days from the due date of 
the last paid installment. This amount will be increased if the 
Secretary determines the holder was unable to complete the foreclosure 
within the time specified in this paragraph

[[Page 715]]

due to Bankruptcy proceedings, appeal of the foreclosure by the debtor, 
the holder granting forbearance in excess of 30 days at the request of 
the Secretary, or other factors beyond the control of the holder.
    (b) Deposits or other credits or setoffs legally applicable to the 
indebtedness shall be applied in reduction of the indebtedness on which 
the claim is based. Any escrowed or earmarked funds not subject to 
superior claims of third persons must likewise be so applied.
    (c)(1) Credits accruing from the proceeds of a liquidation sale 
shall be reported to the Secretary incident to claim submission, and the 
amount payable on the claim shall in no event exceed the remaining 
balance of the indebtedness.
    (2) The amount payable under the guaranty shall be computed applying 
the formulae in 38 U.S.C. 3732(c). With respect to a voluntary 
conveyance to the holder in lieu of foreclosure, the holder shall be 
deemed to have acquired the property at the liquidation sale for the 
lesser of the net value of the property or the total indebtedness.
    (d)(1)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this 
section, holders shall file a claim for payment under the guaranty 
electronically no later than 1 year after the completion of the 
liquidation sale. For purposes of this section, the liquidation sale 
will be considered completed when:
    (A) The last act required under State law is taken to make the 
liquidation sale final, but excluding any redemption period permitted 
under State law;
    (B) If a holder accepts a voluntary conveyance of the property in 
lieu of foreclosure, the date of recordation of the deed to the holder 
or the holder's designee; or
    (C) In the case of a sale of the property to a third party for an 
amount less than is sufficient to repay the unpaid balance on the loan 
where the holder has agreed in advance to release the lien in exchange 
for the proceeds of such sale, the date of settlement of such sale.
    (ii) With respect to any liquidation sale completed prior to 
February 1, 2008, all claims must be submitted no later than February 2, 
2009.
    (2) If additional information becomes known to a holder after the 
filing of a guaranty claim, the holder may file a supplemental claim 
provided that such supplemental claim is filed within the time period 
specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (3) No claim under a guaranty shall be payable unless it is 
submitted within the time period specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section.
    (4) A claim shall be submitted to VA electronically on the VA Loan 
Electronic Reporting Interface system.
    (5) Supporting documents will not be submitted with the claim, but 
must be retained by the servicer and are subject to inspection as 
provided in Sec. 36.4333 of this title.
    (e) In the event that VA does not approve payment of any item 
submitted under a guaranty claim, VA shall notify the holder 
electronically what items are being denied and the reasons for such 
denial. The holder may, within 30 days after the date of such denial 
notification, submit an electronic request to VA that one or more items 
that were denied be reconsidered. The holder must present any additional 
information justifying payment of items denied.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0362)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c), 3720, 3732)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4325  Computation of indebtedness.

    In computing the indebtedness for the purpose of filing a claim for 
payment of a guaranty or for payment of an insured loss, or in the event 
of a transfer of the loan under Sec. 36.4320(a), or other accounting to 
the Secretary, the holder shall not be entitled to treat repayments 
theretofore made as liquidated damages, or rentals, or otherwise than as 
payments on the indebtedness, notwithstanding any provision in

[[Page 716]]

the note, or mortgage, or otherwise, to the contrary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c), 3720, 3732)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4326  Subrogation and indemnity.

    (a) The Secretary shall be subrogated to the contract and the lien 
or other rights of the holder to the extent of any sum paid on a 
guaranty or on account of an insured loss, which right shall be junior 
to the holder's rights as against the debtor or the encumbered property 
until the holder shall have received the full amount payable under the 
contract with the debtor. No partial or complete release by a creditor 
shall impair the rights of the Secretary with respect to the debtor's 
obligation.
    (b) The holder, upon request, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver 
an appropriate instrument tendered for that purpose, evidencing any 
payment received from the Secretary and the Secretary's resulting right 
of subrogation.
    (c) The Secretary shall cause the instrument required by paragraph 
(b) of this section to be filed for record in the office of the recorder 
of deeds, or other appropriate office of the proper county, town or 
State, in accordance with the applicable State law. The filing or 
failure to file such instrument for record shall have the legal results 
prescribed by the applicable law of the State where the real or personal 
property is situated, with respect to filing or failure to so file 
mortgages and other lien instruments and assignments thereof. The 
references herein to ``filing for record'' include ``registration'' or 
any similar transaction, by whatever name designated when title to the 
encumbered property has been ``registered'' pursuant to a Torrens or 
other similar title registration system provided by law.
    (d) As a condition to paying a claim for an insured loss the 
Secretary may require that the loan, including any security or judgment 
held therefor, be assigned to the extent of such payment, and if any 
claim has been filed in bankruptcy, insolvency, probate, or similar 
proceedings such claim may likewise be required to be so assigned.
    (e) Any amounts paid by the Secretary on account of the liabilities 
of any veteran guaranteed or insured under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 37 shall constitute a debt owing to the United States by such 
veteran. Before a liquidation sale, an official authorized to act for 
the Secretary under provisions of Sec. 36.4345 may approve a complete or 
partial release of the Secretary's right to collect a debt owing to the 
United States under this paragraph and/or under paragraph (a) of this 
section as follows:
    (1) Complete release. VA will approve a complete release if an 
official authorized to act for the Secretary under Sec. 36.4345 
determines that all of the following are true:
    (i) The loan default was caused by circumstances beyond the control 
of the obligor; and
    (ii) There are no indications of fraud, misrepresentation or bad 
faith on the part of the obligor in obtaining the loan or in connection 
with the loan default; and
    (iii) The obligor cooperated with VA in exploring all realistic 
alternatives to termination of the loan through foreclosure, and, 
either:
    (A) Review of the obligor's current financial situation and 
prospective earning potential and obligations indicates there are no 
realistic prospects that the obligor could repay all or part of the 
anticipated debt within six years after the liquidation sale and still 
provide the necessities of life for himself or herself and his or her 
family; or,
    (B) In consideration for a release of the Secretary's collection 
rights the obligor completes, or VA is enabled to authorize, an action 
which reduces the Government's claim liability sufficiently to offset 
the amount of the anticipated indebtedness which would otherwise be 
established pursuant to this paragraph and likely be collectible by VA 
after foreclosure in view of the obligor's financial situation. Such 
actions would include termination of the loan by means of a deed-in-lieu 
of foreclosure, private sale of the property for less than the 
indebtedness with a reduced claim paid by VA for the balance due the 
loan holder, or enabling VA to authorize the holder to elect a more 
expeditious foreclosure procedure when

[[Page 717]]

such an election would result in the legal release of the obligor's 
liability; or
    (C) The obligor being released is not the current titleholder to the 
property and there are no indications of fraud, misrepresentation, or 
bad faith on the obligor's part in disposing of the property.
    (2) Partial release. In the event of a partial release, the amount 
of indebtedness established will be such that the obligor's financial 
situation permits repayment of the debt to the Government in regular 
monthly installments of principal plus interest over a five year period 
commencing within one year after the date the promissory note is 
executed, except in those cases in which a lump sum settlement appears 
to be in the best interest of the Government or in which it appears the 
obligor may reasonably expect significant changes in his or her 
financial situation which would permit higher payments to be made during 
later periods of the life of the note. VA may authorize a partial 
release if an official authorized to act for the Secretary under 
Sec. 36.4345 determines that all of the following are true:
    (i) The loan default was caused by circumstances beyond the control 
of the obligor; and,
    (ii) There are no indications of fraud, misrepresentation or bad 
faith on the part of the obligor in obtaining the loan or in connection 
with the loan default; and,
    (iii) The obligor cooperated with VA in exploring all realistic 
alternatives to termination of the loan through foreclosure; and,
    (iv) Review of the obligor's current financial situation and 
prospective earning potential and obligations indicates there are no 
realistic prospects that the obligor could repay all of the anticipated 
debt within six years of the liquidation sale while providing the 
necessities of life for himself or herself and his or her family; and,
    (v) The obligor executes a written agreement acknowledging his or 
her liability to VA under this paragraph and executes a promissory note 
which provides for regular amortized monthly payments of an amount 
determined by VA in accordance with paragraph (e)(3) of this section 
including interest on the total amount payable at the rate in effect for 
Loan Guaranty liability accounts at the time of execution, or, the 
obligor agrees to other terms of repayment acceptable to VA including 
payment of a lump sum in settlement of his or her obligation under this 
paragraph.
    (3) Review of obligor's financial situation. For purposes of 
authorizing a complete or partial release under this paragraph, a VA 
official reviewing an obligor's financial situation will consider all of 
the following:
    (i) The obligor's current and anticipated family income based on 
employment skills and experience;
    (ii) The obligor's current short-term and long-term financial 
obligations, including the obligation to repay the Government which must 
be afforded consideration at least equal to his or her consumer debt 
obligations;
    (iii) A current credit report on the obligor;
    (iv) The obligor's assets and net worth; and
    (v) The required balance available for family support used in 
underwriting VA guaranteed loans in the area.
    (4) Determinations made under paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of this 
section are intended for the benefit of the Government in reducing the 
amount of claim payable by VA and/or avoiding the establishment of 
uncollectible debts owing to the United States. Such determinations are 
discretionary on the part of VA and shall not constitute a defense to 
any legal action to terminate the loan nor vest any appellate right in 
an obligor which would require further review of the case.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1), 5302)

    (f) Whenever any veteran disposes of residential property securing a 
guaranteed or insured loan obtained by him or her under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 37, and for which the commitment to make the loan was made prior 
to March 1, 1988, the Secretary, upon application made by such veteran, 
shall issue to the veteran a release relieving him or her of all further 
liability to the Secretary on

[[Page 718]]

account of such loan (including liability for any loss resulting from 
any default of the transferee or any subsequent purchaser of such 
property) if the Secretary has determined, after such investigation as 
may be deemed appropriate, that there has been compliance with the 
conditions prescribed in 38 U.S.C. 3713. The assumption of full 
liability for repayment of the loan by the transferee of the property 
must be evidenced by an agreement in writing in such form as the 
Secretary may require. Release of the veteran from liability to the 
Secretary will not impair or otherwise affect the Secretary's guaranty 
or insurance liability on the loan, or the liability of the veteran to 
the holder. Any release of liability granted to a veteran by the 
Secretary shall inure to the spouse of such veteran. The release of the 
veteran from liability to the Secretary will constitute the Secretary's 
prior approval to a release of the veteran from liability on the loan by 
the holder thereof.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3713)

    (g) If any veteran disposes of residential property securing a 
guaranteed or insured loan obtained under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, without 
receiving a release from liability with respect to such loan under 38 
U.S.C. 3713 and a default subsequently occurs which results in liability 
of the veteran to the Secretary on account of the loan, the Secretary 
may relieve the veteran of such liability if he determines that:
    (1) A transferee either immediate or remote is legally liable to the 
Secretary for the debt of the original veteran-borrower established 
after the termination of the loan, and
    (2) The original loan was current at the time such transferee 
acquired the property, and
    (3) The transferee who is liable to the Secretary is found to have 
been a satisfactory credit risk at the time he or she acquired the 
property.
    (h)(1) If a veteran or any other person disposes of residential 
property securing a guaranteed or insured loan for which a commitment 
was made on or after March 1, 1988, and the veteran or other person 
notifies the loan holder in writing before disposing of the property, 
the veteran or other person shall be relieved of all further liability 
to the Secretary with respect to the loan (including liability for any 
loss resulting from any default of the purchaser or any subsequent owner 
of the property) and the application for assumption shall be approved if 
the holder determines that:
    (i) The proposed purchaser is creditworthy;
    (ii) The proposed purchaser is contractually obligated to assume the 
loan and the liability to indemnify the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for the amount of any claim paid under the guaranty as a result of a 
default on the loan, or has already done so; and
    (iii) The payments on the loan are current.
    (2) Should these requirements be satisfied, the holder may also 
release the veteran or other person from liability on the loan. This 
does not apply if the approval for the assumption is granted upon 
special appeal to avoid immediate foreclosure.
    (i) If a veteran requests a release of liability under paragraph (f) 
of this section, or if a borrower requests a release of liability 
pursuant to Sec. 36.4309(c)(1)(vii), a holder described in the first 
sentence of Sec. 36.4303(l)(1)(i) is authorized to and must make all 
decisions regarding the credit-worthiness of the transferee, subject to 
the right of a transferee to appeal any denial to the Secretary within 
30 days of being notified in writing of the denial by the holder or 
servicer. The procedures and fees specified in Secs. 36.4303(l)(1)(i) 
and 36.4313(d)(8) applicable to decisions under 38 U.S.C. 3714 shall 
also apply to decisions specified in this paragraph.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0112)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c), 3713 and 3714)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4327  Release of security.

    (a)(1) Except upon full payment of the indebtedness, or except as 
provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section or in paragraphs (e) and 
(f) of Sec. 36.4322, the holder shall not release a lien or other

[[Page 719]]

right in or to real property held as security for a guaranteed or 
insured loan, or grant a fee or other interest in such property, without 
prior approval of the Secretary.
    (2) The holder may, without the prior approval of the Secretary, 
release the lien on a portion of the property securing the loan 
provided:
    (i) The holder has obtained an appraisal from the Secretary showing 
the value of the security prior to the partial release of the lien and 
the value of the security on which the lien will remain;
    (ii) The portion of the property still subject to the lien is fit 
for dwelling purposes; and
    (iii) The loan-to-value ratio after the partial release of the lien:
    (A) Will be not more than 80 percent; or
    (B) If the loan-to-value ratio after the partial release of the lien 
is 80 percent or higher, any proceeds received as consideration from the 
partial release of the lien shall be applied to the unpaid loan balance.
    (b) A holder may release from the lien personal property including 
crops without the prior approval of the Secretary.
    (c) Failure of the holder to comply with the provisions of this 
section shall not in itself affect the validity of the title of a 
purchaser to the property released.
    (d) The release of the personal liability of any obligor on a 
guaranteed or insured obligation resultant from the act or omission of 
any holder without the prior approval of the Secretary shall release the 
obligation of the Secretary as guarantor or insurer, except when such 
act or omission consists of:
    (1) Failure to establish the debt as a valid claim against the 
assets of the estate of any deceased obligor, provided no lien for the 
guaranteed or insured debt is thereby impaired or destroyed; or
    (2) An election and appropriate prosecution of legally available 
effective remedies with respect to the repossession or the liquidation 
of the security in any case, irrespective of the identity or the 
survival of the original or of any subsequent debtor, if holder shall 
have given such notice as required by Sec. 36.4317 and if, after 
receiving such notice, the Secretary shall have failed to notify the 
holder within 15 days to proceed in such manner as to effectively 
preserve the personal liability of the parties liable, or such of them 
as the Secretary indicates in such notice to the holder; or
    (3) The release of an obligor, or obligors, from liability on an 
obligation secured by a lien on property, which release is an incident 
of and contemporaneous with the sale of such property to an eligible 
veteran who assumed such obligation, which assumed obligation is 
guaranteed on the assuming veteran's account pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 37; or
    (4) The release of an obligor or obligors as provided in 
Sec. 36.4315; or, the release of an obligor, or obligors, incident to 
the sale of property securing the loan which the holder is authorized to 
approve under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3714.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4328  Partial or total loss of guaranty or insurance.

    (a) Subject to the incontestable provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3721 as to 
loans guaranteed or insured on or subsequent to July 1, 1948, there 
shall be no liability on account of a guaranty or insurance, or any 
certificate or other evidence thereof, with respect to a transaction in 
which a signature to the note, the mortgage, or any other loan papers, 
or the application for guaranty or insurance is a forgery; or in which 
the certificate of discharge or the certificate of eligibility is 
counterfeited, or falsified, or is not issued by the Government.
    (1) Except as to a holder who acquired the loan instrument before 
maturity, for value, and without notice, and who has not directly or by 
agent participated in the fraud, or in the misrepresentation hereinafter 
specified, any willful and material misrepresentation or fraud by the 
lender, or by a holder, or the agent of either, in procuring the 
guaranty or the insurance credit, shall relieve the Secretary of 
liability, or, as to loans guaranteed or

[[Page 720]]

insured on, or subsequent to July 1, 1948, shall constitute a defense 
against liability on account of the guaranty or insurance of the loan in 
respect to which the willful misrepresentation, or the fraud, is 
practiced: Provided, that if a misrepresentation, although material, is 
not made willfully, or with fraudulent intent, it shall have only the 
consequences prescribed in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) In taking security required by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 and the 
regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans, a 
holder shall obtain the required lien on property the title to which is 
such as to be acceptable to prudent lending institutions, informed 
buyers, title companies, and attorneys, generally, in the community in 
which the property is situated: Provided, that a title will not be 
unacceptable by reason of any of the limitations on the quantum or 
quality of the property or title stated in Sec. 36.4354(b) and if such 
holder fails in this respect or fails to comply with 38 U.S.C. chapter 
37 and the regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to 
veterans, then no claim on the guaranty or insurance shall be paid on 
account of the loan with respect to which such failure occurred, or in 
respect to which an unwillful misrepresentation occurred, until the 
amount by which the ultimate liability of the Secretary would thereby be 
increased has been ascertained. The burden of proof shall be upon the 
holder to establish that no increase of ultimate liability is 
attributable to such failure or misrepresentation. The amount of 
increased liability of the Secretary shall be offset by deduction from 
the amount of the guaranty or insurance otherwise payable, or if 
consequent upon loss of security shall be offset by crediting to the 
indebtedness the amount of the impairment as proceeds of the sale of 
security in the final accounting to the Secretary. To the extent the 
loss resultant from the failure or misrepresentation prejudices the 
Secretary's right of subrogation acceptance by the holder of the 
guaranty or insurance payment shall subordinate the holder's right to 
those of the Secretary. Adjustments under this section may be made for 
failure to comply with:
    (1) Obtaining and retaining a lien of the dignity prescribed on all 
property upon which a lien is required by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 or the 
regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans,
    (2) Inclusion of power to substitute trustees (Sec. 36.4330),
    (3) The procurement and maintenance of insurance coverage 
(Sec. 36.4329),
    (4) Any notice required by Sec. 36.4317,
    (5) The release, conveyance, substitution, or exchange of security 
(Sec. 36.4327),
    (6) Lack of legal capacity of a party to the transaction incident to 
which the guaranty or the insurance is granted (Sec. 36.4331),
    (7) Failure of the lender to see that any escrowed or earmarked 
account is expended in accordance with the agreement,
    (8) The taking into consideration of limitations upon the quantum or 
quality of the estate or property (Sec. 36.4354(b)),
    (9) Any other requirement of 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 or the regulations 
concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans which does not by 
the terms of said chapter or the regulations concerning guaranty or 
insurance of loans to veterans result in relieving the Secretary of all 
liability with respect to the loan,
    (c) If after the payment of a guaranty or an insurance loss, or 
after a loan is transferred pursuant to Sec. 36.4320(a), the fraud, 
misrepresentation or failure to comply with the regulations in this 
subpart as provided in this section is discovered and the Secretary 
determines that an increased loss to the government resulted therefrom 
the transferor or person to whom such payment was made shall be liable 
to the Secretary for the amount of the loss caused by such 
misrepresentation or failure.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703 and 3720)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4329  Hazard insurance.

    The holder shall require insurance policies to be procured and 
maintained

[[Page 721]]

in an amount sufficient to protect the security against the risks or 
hazards to which it may be subjected to the extent customary in the 
locality. All moneys received under such policies covering payment of 
insured losses shall be applied to restoration of the security or to the 
loan balance. Flood insurance will be required on any building or 
personal property securing a loan at any time during the term of the 
loan that such security is located in an area identified by the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency as having special flood hazards and in which 
flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood 
Insurance Act, as amended. The amount of flood insurance must be at 
least equal to the lesser of the outstanding principal balance of the 
loan or the maximum limit of coverage available for the particular type 
of property under the National Flood Insurance Act, as amended. The 
Secretary cannot guarantee a loan for the acquisition or construction of 
property located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency as having special flood hazards unless the community 
in which such area is situated is then participating in the National 
Flood Insurance Program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 42 U.S.C. 4106(a))



Sec. 36.4330  Substitution of trustees.

    In jurisdictions in which valid, any deed of trust or mortgage 
securing a guaranteed or insured loan, if it names trustees, or confers 
a power of sale otherwise, shall contain a provision empowering any 
holder of the indebtedness to appoint substitute trustees, or other 
person with such power to sell, who shall succeed to all the rights, 
powers and duties of the trustees, or other person, originally 
designated.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4331  Capacity of parties to contract.

    Nothing in Secs. 36.4300 through 36.4380 shall be construed to 
relieve any lender of responsibility otherwise existing, for any loss 
caused by the lack of legal capacity of any person to contract, convey, 
or encumber, or caused by the existence of other legal disability or 
defects invalidating, or rendering unenforceable in whole or in part, 
either the loan obligation or the security therefor.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4332  Geographical limits.

    Any real property purchased, constructed, altered, improved, or 
repaired with the proceeds of a guaranteed or insured loan shall be 
situated within the United States which for purposes of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 37 is here defined as the several States, Territories and 
possessions, and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4333  Maintenance of records.

    (a)(1) The holder shall maintain a record of the amounts of payments 
received on the obligation and disbursements chargeable thereto and the 
dates thereof, including copies of bills and receipts for such 
disbursements. These records shall be maintained until the Secretary 
ceases to be liable as guarantor or insurer of the loan, or, if the 
Secretary has paid a claim on the guaranty, until 3 years after such 
claim was paid. For the purpose of any accounting with the Secretary or 
computation of a claim, any holder who fails to maintain such record 
and, upon request, make it available to the Secretary for review shall 
be presumed to have received on the dates due all sums which by the 
terms of the contract are payable prior to date of claim for default, or 
to have not made the disbursement for which reimbursement is claimed, 
and the burden of going forward with evidence and of ultimate proof of 
the contrary shall be on such holder.
    (2) The holder shall maintain records supporting their decision to 
approve any loss mitigation option for which an incentive is paid in 
accordance with Sec. 36.4319(a). Such records shall be retained a 
minimum of 3 years from the date of such incentive payment and

[[Page 722]]

shall include, but not be limited to, credit reports, verifications of 
income, employment, assets, liabilities, and other factors affecting the 
obligor's credit worthiness, work sheets, and other documents supporting 
the holder's decision.
    (3) For any loan where the claim on the guaranty was paid on or 
after February 1, 2008, or action described in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section was taken after February 1, 2008, holders shall submit any 
documents described in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section to the 
Secretary in electronic form; i.e., an image of the original document in 
.jpg, .gif, .pdf, or a similar widely accepted format.
    (b) The lender shall retain copies of all loan origination records 
on a VA-guaranteed loan for at least two years from the date of loan 
closing. Loan origination records include the loan application, 
including any preliminary application, verifications of employment and 
deposit, all credit reports, including preliminary credit reports, 
copies of each sales contract and addendums, letters of explanation for 
adverse credit items, discrepancies and the like, direct references from 
creditors, correspondence with employers, appraisal and compliance 
inspection reports, reports on termite and other inspections of the 
property, builder change orders, and all closing papers and documents.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1))

    (c) The Secretary has the right to inspect, examine, or audit, at a 
reasonable time and place, the records or accounts of a lender or holder 
pertaining to loans guaranteed or insured by the Secretary.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0515)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4335  Delivery of notice.

    Except where otherwise specified in this part, any notice required 
by Secs. 36.4300 to 36.4380 to be given the Secretary must be in writing 
or such other communications medium as may be approved by an official 
designated in Sec. 36.4345 and delivered, by mail or otherwise, to the 
VA office at which the guaranty or insurance was issued, or to any 
changed address of which the holder has been given notice. Such notice 
must plainly identify the case by setting forth the name of the original 
veteran-obligor and the file number assigned to the case by the 
Secretary, if available, or otherwise the name and serial number of the 
veteran. If mailed, the notice shall be by certified mail when so 
provided by Secs. 36.4800 to 36.4880.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015; 82 FR 11153, Feb. 21, 2017]



Sec. 36.4336  [Reserved]



Sec. 36.4337  Conformance of loan instruments.

    Regulations issued under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 and in effect on the 
date of any loan which is submitted and accepted or approved for a 
guaranty or for insurance thereunder, shall govern the rights, duties, 
and liabilities of the parties to such loan and any provisions of the 
loan instruments inconsistent with such regulations are hereby amended 
and supplemented to conform thereto.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4338  Supplementary administrative action.

    (a) Notwithstanding any requirement, condition, or limitation stated 
in or imposed by the regulations concerning the guaranty or insurance of 
loans to veterans, the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, 
Loan Guaranty Service, within the limitations and conditions prescribed 
by the Secretary, is hereby authorized, if he or she finds the interests 
of the Government are not adversely affected, to relieve undue prejudice 
to a debtor, holder, or other person, which might otherwise result, 
provided no such action may be taken which would impair the vested 
rights of any person affected

[[Page 723]]

thereby. If such requirement, condition, or limitation is of an 
administrative or procedural (not substantive) nature, any employee 
designated in Sec. 36.4345 is hereby authorized to grant similar relief 
if he or she finds the failure or error of the lender was due to 
misunderstanding or mistake and that the interests of the Government are 
not adversely affected. Provisions of the regulations considered to be 
of an administrative or procedural (nonsubstantive) nature are limited 
to the following:
    (1) The requirement in Sec. 36.4308(a) that a lender obtain in prior 
approval of the Secretary before closing a joint loan if the lender or 
class of lenders is eligible or has been approved by the Secretary to 
close loans on the automatic basis pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3702(d);
    (2) The requirements in Sec. 36.4303(l) concerning the giving of 
notice in assumption cases under 38 U.S.C. 3714;
    (3) The requirement in Sec. 36.4324(d)(3) that no claim is payable 
unless it is submitted within 1 year after the liquidation sale;
    (4) The requirement in Sec. 36.4323(a) to submit notice of election 
to convey a property to VA within 15 days of the date of liquidation 
sale;
    (5) The determination by the holder in Sec. 36.4323(b) of the amount 
of indebtedness that must be waived in order to make a property eligible 
for conveyance;
    (6) The determination in Sec. 36.4314(f)(2) of the date beyond which 
no additional fees or charges will be allowed;
    (7) The determination in Sec. 36.4324(a)(3) of the interest payable 
on a claim under guaranty; and
    (8) The reconsideration in Sec. 36.4324(e) of the holder's 
electronic request for review of any denied items within the claim;
    (b) Authority is hereby granted to the Loan Guaranty Officer to 
redelegate authority to make any determinations under this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714 and 3720)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4339  Eligibility of loans; reasonable value requirements.

    (a) Evidence of guaranty or insurance shall be issued in respect to 
a loan for any of the purposes specified in 38 U.S.C. 3710(a) only if 
all of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The proceeds of such loan have been used to pay for the property 
purchased, constructed, repaired, refinanced, altered, or improved.
    (2) Except as to refinancing loans pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), 
(a)(9)(B)(i), (a)(11), or (b)(7) and energy efficient mortgages pursuant 
to 38 U.S.C. 3710(d), the loan (including any scheduled deferred 
interest added to principal) does not exceed the reasonable value of the 
property or projected reasonable value of a new home which is security 
for a graduated payment mortgage loan, as appropriate, as determined by 
the Secretary. For the purpose of determining the reasonable value of a 
graduated payment mortgage loan to purchase a new home, the reasonable 
value of the property as of the time the loan is made shall be 
calculated to increase at a rate not in excess of 2.5 percent per year, 
but in no event may the projected value of the property exceed 115 
percent of the initially established reasonable value.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(d)(2))

    (3) The veteran has certified, in such form as the Secretary may 
prescribe, that the veteran has paid in cash from his or her own 
resources on account of such purchase, construction, alteration, repair, 
or improvement a sum equal to the difference, if any, between the 
purchase price or cost of the property and its reasonable value.
    (b) A loan guaranteed under 38 U.S.C. 3710(d) which includes the 
cost of energy efficient improvements may exceed the reasonable value of 
the property. The cost of the energy efficient improvements that may be 
financed may not exceed $3,000; provided, however, that up to $6,000 in 
energy efficient improvements may be financed if the increase in the 
monthly payment for principal and interest does not exceed the likely 
reduction in monthly

[[Page 724]]

utility costs resulting from the energy efficient improvements.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710)

    (c) Notwithstanding that the aggregate of the loan amount in the 
case of loans for the purposes specified in paragraph (a) of this 
section, and the amount remaining unpaid on taxes, special assessments, 
prior mortgage indebtedness, or other obligations of any character 
secured by enforceable superior liens or a right to such lien existing 
as of the date the loan is closed exceeds the reasonable value of such 
property as of said date and that evidence of guaranty or insurance 
credit is issued in respect thereof, as between the holder and Secretary 
(for the purpose of computing the claim on the guaranty or insurance and 
for the purposes of Sec. 36.4323, and all accounting), the indebtedness 
which is the subject of the guaranty or insurance shall be deemed to 
have been reduced as of the date of the loan by a sum equal to such 
excess, less any amounts secured by liens released or paid on the 
obligations secured by such superior liens or rights by a holder or 
others without expense to or obligation on the debtor resulting from 
such payment, or release of lien or right; and all payments made on the 
loan shall be applied to the indebtedness as so reduced. Nothing in this 
paragraph affects any right or liability resulting from fraud or willful 
misrepresentation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710, 3712)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4340  Underwriting standards, processing procedures, 
lender responsibility, and lender certification.

    (a) Use of standards. The standards contained in paragraphs (c) 
through (j) of this section will be used to determine whether the 
veteran's present and anticipated income and expenses, and credit 
history, are satisfactory. These standards do not apply to loans 
guaranteed pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8) except for cases where the 
Secretary is required to approve the loan in advance under Sec. 36.4307.
    (b)(1) Waiver of standards. Use of the standards in paragraphs (c) 
through (j) of this section for underwriting home loans will be waived 
only in extraordinary circumstances when the Secretary determines, 
considering the totality of circumstances, that the veteran is a 
satisfactory credit risk.
    (2) Exemption from income verification for certain refinance loans. 
Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b)(1) of this section, a streamlined 
refinance loan to be guaranteed pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8) and (e) 
is exempt from income verification requirements of the Truth-in-Lending 
Act (15 U.S.C. 1639C) and its implementing regulations only if all of 
the following conditions are met:
    (i) The veteran is not 30 days or more past due on the prior 
existing residential mortgage loan;
    (ii) The proposed streamlined refinance loan would not increase the 
principal balance outstanding on the prior existing residential mortgage 
loan, except to the extent of fees and charges allowed by VA;
    (iii) Total points and fees payable in connection with the proposed 
streamlined refinance loan are in accordance with 12 CFR 1026.32, will 
not exceed 3 percent of the total new loan amount, and are in compliance 
with VA's allowable fees and charges found at 38 CFR 36.4313;
    (iv) The interest rate on the proposed streamlined refinance loan 
will be lower than the interest rate on the original loan, unless the 
borrower is refinancing from an adjustable rate to a fixed-rate loan, 
under guidelines that VA has established;
    (v) The proposed streamlined refinance loan will be subject to a 
payment schedule that will fully amortize the IRRRL in accordance with 
VA regulations;
    (vi) The terms of the proposed streamlined refinance loan will not 
result in a balloon payment, as defined in TILA; and
    (vii) Both the residential mortgage loan being refinanced and the 
proposed streamlined refinance loan satisfy all other VA requirements.

(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1639C(a)(5), 38 U.S.C. 3710)

[[Page 725]]

    (c) Methods. The two primary underwriting standards that will be 
used in determining the adequacy of the veteran's present and 
anticipated income are debt-to-income ratio and residual income 
analysis. They are described in paragraphs (d) through (f) of this 
section. Ordinarily, to qualify for a loan, the veteran must meet both 
standards. Failure to meet one standard, however, will not automatically 
disqualify a veteran. The following exceptions shall apply to cases 
where a veteran does not meet both standards:
    (1) If the debt-to-income ratio is 41 percent or less, and the 
veteran does not meet the residual income standard, the loan may be 
approved with justification, by the underwriter's supervisor, as set out 
in paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
    (2) If the debt-to-income ratio is greater than 41 percent (unless 
it is larger due solely to the existence of tax-free income which should 
be noted in the loan file), the loan may be approved with justification, 
by the underwriter's supervisor, as set out in paragraph (c)(4) of this 
section.
    (3) If the ratio is greater than 41 percent and the residual income 
exceeds the guidelines by at least 20 percent, the second level review 
and statement of justification are not required.
    (4) In any case described by paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
section, the lender must fully justify the decision to approve the loan 
or submit the loan to the Secretary for prior approval in writing. The 
lender's statement must not be perfunctory, but should address the 
specific compensating factors, as set forth in paragraph (c)(5) of this 
section, justifying the approval of the loan. The statement must be 
signed by the underwriter's supervisor. It must be stressed that the 
statute requires not only consideration of a veteran's present and 
anticipated income and expenses, but also that the veteran be a 
satisfactory credit risk. Therefore, meeting both the debt-to-income 
ratio and residual income standards does not mean that the loan is 
automatically approved. It is the lender's responsibility to base the 
loan approval or disapproval on all the factors present for any 
individual veteran. The veteran's credit must be evaluated based on the 
criteria set forth in paragraph (g) of this section as well as a variety 
of compensating factors that should be evaluated.
    (5) The following are examples of acceptable compensating factors to 
be considered in the course of underwriting a loan:
    (i) Excellent long-term credit;
    (ii) Conservative use of consumer credit;
    (iii) Minimal consumer debt;
    (iv) Long-term employment;
    (v) Significant liquid assets;
    (vi) Down payment or the existence of equity in refinancing loans;
    (vii) Little or no increase in shelter expense;
    (viii) Military benefits;
    (ix) Satisfactory homeownership experience;
    (x) High residual income;
    (xi) Low debt-to-income ratio;
    (xii) Tax credits of a continuing nature, such as tax credits for 
child care; and
    (xiii) Tax benefits of home ownership.
    (6) The list in paragraph (c)(5) of this section is not exhaustive 
and the items are not in any priority order. Valid compensating factors 
should represent unusual strengths rather than mere satisfaction of 
basic program requirements. Compensating factors must be relevant to the 
marginality or weakness.
    (d) Debt-to-income ratio. A debt-to-income ratio that compares the 
veteran's anticipated monthly housing expense and total monthly 
obligations to his or her stable monthly income will be computed to 
assist in the assessment of the potential risk of the loan. The ratio 
will be determined by taking the sum of the monthly Principal, Interest, 
Taxes and Insurance (PITI) of the loan being applied for, homeowners and 
other assessments such as special assessments, condominium fees, 
homeowners association fees, etc., and any long-term obligations divided 
by the total of gross salary or earnings and other compensation or 
income. The ratio should be rounded to the nearest two digits; e.g., 
35.6 percent would be rounded to 36 percent. The standard is 41 percent 
or less. If the ratio is greater

[[Page 726]]

than 41 percent, the steps cited in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(6) of 
this section apply.
    (e) Residual income guidelines. The guidelines provided in this 
paragraph for residual income will be used to determine whether the 
veteran's monthly residual income will be adequate to meet living 
expenses after estimated monthly shelter expenses have been paid and 
other monthly obligations have been met. All members of the household 
must be included in determining if the residual income is sufficient. 
They must be counted even if the veteran's spouse is not joining in 
title or on the note, or if there are any other individuals depending on 
the veteran for support, such as children from a spouse's prior marriage 
who are not the veteran's legal dependents. It is appropriate, however, 
to reduce the number of members of a household to be counted for 
residual income purposes if there is sufficient verified income not 
otherwise included in the loan analysis, such as child support being 
regularly received as discussed in paragraph (e)(4) of this section. In 
the case of a spouse not to be obligated on the note, verification that 
he/she has stable and reliable employment as discussed in paragraph 
(f)(3) of this section would allow not counting the spouse in 
determining the sufficiency of the residual income. The guidelines for 
residual income are based on data supplied in the Consumer Expenditure 
Survey (CES) published by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor 
Statistics. Regional minimum incomes have been developed for loan 
amounts up to $79,999 and for loan amounts of $80,000 and above. It is 
recognized that the purchase price of the property may affect family 
expenditure levels in individual cases. This factor may be given 
consideration in the final determination in individual loan analyses. 
For example, a family purchasing in a higher-priced neighborhood may 
feel a need to incur higher-than-average expenses to support a lifestyle 
comparable to that in their environment, whereas a substantially lower-
priced home purchase may not compel such expenditures. It should also be 
clearly understood from this information that no single factor is a 
final determinant in any applicant's qualification for a VA-guaranteed 
loan. Once the residual income has been established, other important 
factors must be examined. One such consideration is the amount being 
paid currently for rental or housing expenses. If the proposed shelter 
expense is materially in excess of what is currently being paid, the 
case may require closer scrutiny. In such cases, consideration should be 
given to the ability of the borrower and spouse to accumulate liquid 
assets, such as cash and bonds, and to the amount of debts incurred 
while paying a lesser amount for shelter. For example, if an application 
indicates little or no capital reserves and excessive obligations, it 
may not be reasonable to conclude that a substantial increase in shelter 
expenses can be absorbed. Another factor of prime importance is the 
applicant's manner of meeting obligations. A poor credit history alone 
is a basis for disapproving a loan, as is an obviously inadequate 
income. When one or the other is marginal, however, the remaining aspect 
must be closely examined to assure that the loan applied for will not 
exceed the applicant's ability or capacity to repay. Therefore, it is 
important to remember that the figures provided below for residual 
income are to be used as a guide and should be used in conjunction with 
the steps outlined in paragraphs (c) through (j) of this section. The 
residual income guidelines are as follows:
    (1) Table of residual incomes by region (for loan amounts of $79,999 
and below):

                                       Table of Residual Incomes by Region
                                     [For loan amounts of $79,999 and below]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Family size \1\                         Northeast     Midwest       South         West
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................................          390          382          382          425
2...........................................................          654          641          641          713
3...........................................................          788          772          772          859
4...........................................................          888          868          868          967

[[Page 727]]

 
5...........................................................          921          902          902        1,004
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For families with more than five members, add $75 for each additional member up to a family of seven.
  ``Family'' includes all members of the household.

    (2) Table of residual incomes by region (for loan amounts of $80,000 
and above):

                                       Table of Residual Incomes by Region
                                     [For loan amounts of $80,000 and above]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Family size \1\                         Northeast     Midwest       South         West
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................................          450          441          441          491
2...........................................................          755          738          738          823
3...........................................................          909          889          889          990
4...........................................................        1,025        1,003        1,003        1,117
5...........................................................        1,062        1,039        1,039        1,158
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For families with more than five members, add $80 for each additional member up to a family of seven.
  ``Family'' includes all members of the household.

    (3) Geographic regions for residual income guidelines: Northeast--
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont; Midwest--Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, 
Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin; South--Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, 
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, 
Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia; West--Alaska, Arizona, 
California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, 
Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
    (4) Military adjustments. For loan applications involving an active-
duty servicemember or military retiree, the residual income figures will 
be reduced by a minimum of 5 percent if there is a clear indication that 
the borrower or spouse will continue to receive the benefits resulting 
from the use of facilities on a nearby military base. (This reduction 
applies to tables in paragraph (e) of this section.)
    (f) Stability and reliability of income. Only stable and reliable 
income of the veteran and spouse can be considered in determining 
ability to meet mortgage payments. Income can be considered stable and 
reliable if it can be concluded that it will continue during the 
foreseeable future.
    (1) Verification. Income of the borrower and spouse which is derived 
from employment and which is considered in determining the family's 
ability to meet the mortgage payments, payments on debts and other 
obligations, and other expenses must be verified. If the spouse is 
employed and will be contractually obligated on the loan, the combined 
income of both the veteran and spouse is considered when the income of 
the veteran alone is not sufficient to qualify for the amount of the 
loan sought. In other than community property states, if the spouse will 
not be contractually obligated on the loan, Regulation B (12 CFR part 
202), promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board pursuant to the Equal 
Credit Opportunity Act, prohibits any request for, or consideration of, 
information concerning the spouse (including income, employment, assets, 
or liabilities), except that if the applicant is relying on alimony, 
child support, or maintenance payments from a spouse or former spouse as 
a basis for repayment of the loan, information concerning such spouse or 
former spouse may be requested and considered (see paragraph (f)(4) of 
this section). In community property states, information concerning a 
spouse may be requested and considered in the same manner as that for 
the applicant. The standards applied to income of the veteran are also 
applicable to that of the spouse. There

[[Page 728]]

can be no discounting of income on account of sex, marital status, or 
any other basis prohibited by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Income 
claimed by an applicant that is not or cannot be verified cannot be 
considered when analyzing the loan. If the veteran or spouse has been 
employed by a present employer for less than 2 years, a 2-year history 
covering prior employment, schooling, or other training must be secured. 
Any periods of unemployment must be explained. Employment verifications 
and pay stubs must be no more than 120 days (180 days for new 
construction) old to be considered valid. For loans closed 
automatically, this requirement will be considered satisfied if the date 
of the employment verification is within 120 days (180 days for new 
construction) of the date the note is signed. For prior approval loans, 
this requirement will be considered satisfied if the verification of 
employment is dated within 120 days of the date the application is 
received by VA.
    (2) Active-duty, Reserve, or National Guard applicants. (i) In the 
case of an active-duty applicant, a military Leave & Earnings Statement 
is required and will be used instead of an employment verification. The 
statement must be no more than 120 days old (180 days for new 
construction) and must be the original or a lender-certified copy of the 
original. For loans closed automatically, this requirement is satisfied 
if the date of the Leave & Earnings Statement is within 120 days (180 
days for new construction) of the date the note is signed. For prior 
approval loans, this requirement will be considered satisfied if the 
verification of employment is dated within 120 days of the date the 
application is received by VA.
    (ii) For servicemembers within 12 months of release from active 
duty, or members of the Reserves or National Guard within 12 months of 
release, one of the following is also required:
    (A) Documentation that the servicemember has in fact already 
reenlisted or extended his/her period of active duty or Reserve or 
National Guard service to a date beyond the 12-month period following 
the projected closing of the loan.
    (B) Verification of a valid offer of local civilian employment 
following release from active duty. All data pertinent to sound 
underwriting procedures (date employment will begin, earnings, etc.) 
must be included.
    (C) A statement from the servicemember that he/she intends to 
reenlist or extend his/her period of active duty or Reserve or National 
Guard service to a date beyond the 12 month period following the 
projected loan closing date, and a statement from the servicemember's 
commanding officer confirming that the servicemember is eligible to 
reenlist or extend his/her active duty or Reserve or National Guard 
service as indicated and that the commanding officer has no reason to 
believe that such reenlistment or extension will not be granted.
    (D) Other unusually strong positive underwriting factors, such as a 
down payment of at least 10 percent, significant cash reserves, or clear 
evidence of strong ties to the community coupled with a nonmilitary 
spouse's income so high that only minimal income from the active duty 
servicemember or member of the Reserves or National Guard is needed to 
qualify.
    (iii) Each active-duty member who applies for a loan must be 
counseled through the use of VA Form 26-0592, Counseling Checklist for 
Military Homebuyers. Lenders must submit a signed and dated VA Form 26-
0592 with each prior approval loan application or automatic loan report 
involving a borrower on active duty.
    (3) Income reliability. Income received by the borrower and spouse 
is to be used only if it can be concluded that the income will continue 
during the foreseeable future and, thus, should be properly considered 
in determining ability to meet the mortgage payments. If an employer 
puts N/A or otherwise declines to complete a verification of employment 
statement regarding the probability of continued employment, no further 
action is required of the lender. Reliability will be determined based 
on the duration of the borrower's current employment together with his 
or her overall documented employment history. There can be no 
discounting of income solely because it is derived from an annuity,

[[Page 729]]

pension or other retirement benefit, or from part-time employment. 
However, unless income from overtime work and part-time or second jobs 
can be accorded a reasonable likelihood that it is continuous and will 
continue in the foreseeable future, such income should not be used. 
Generally, the reliability of such income cannot be demonstrated unless 
the income has continued for 2 years. The hours of duty and other work 
conditions of the applicant's primary job, and the period of time in 
which the applicant was employed under such arrangement, must be such as 
to permit a clear conclusion as to a good probability that overtime or 
part-time or secondary employment can and will continue. Income from 
overtime work and part-time jobs not eligible for inclusion as primary 
income may, if properly verified for at least 12 months, be used to 
offset the payments due on debts and obligations of an intermediate 
term, i.e., 6 to 24 months. Such income must be described in the loan 
file. The amount of any pension or compensation and other income, such 
as dividends from stocks, interest from bonds, savings accounts, or 
other deposits, rents, royalties, etc., will be used as primary income 
if it is reasonable to conclude that such income will continue in the 
foreseeable future. Otherwise, it may be used only to offset 
intermediate-term debts, as described in this paragraph. Also, the 
likely duration of certain military allowances cannot be determined and, 
therefore, will be used only to offset intermediate-term debts, as 
described in this paragraph. Such allowances are: Pro-pay, flight or 
hazard pay, and overseas or combat pay, all of which are subject to 
periodic review and/or testing of the recipient to ascertain whether 
eligibility for such pay will continue. Only if it can be shown that 
such pay has continued for a prolonged period and can be expected to 
continue because of the nature of the recipient's assigned duties, will 
such income be considered as primary income. For instance, flight pay 
verified for a pilot can be regarded as probably continuous and, thus, 
should be added to the base pay. Income derived from service in the 
Reserves or National Guard may be used if the applicant has served in 
such capacity for a period of time sufficient to evidence good 
probability that such income will continue beyond 12 months. The total 
period of active and reserve service may be helpful in this regard. 
Otherwise, such income may be used to offset intermediate-term debts. 
There are a number of additional income sources whose contingent nature 
precludes their being considered as available for repayment of a long-
term mortgage obligation. Temporary income items such as VA educational 
allowances and unemployment compensation do not represent stable and 
reliable income and will not be taken into consideration in determining 
the ability of the veteran to meet the income requirement of the 
governing law. As required by the Equal Opportunity Act Amendments of 
1976, Public Law 94-239, income from public assistance programs is used 
to qualify for a loan if it can be determined that the income will 
probably continue for 3 years or more.
    (4) Tax-exempt income. Special consideration can be given to 
verified nontaxable income once it has been established that such income 
is likely to continue (and remain untaxed) into the foreseeable future. 
Such income includes certain military allowances, child support 
payments, workers' compensation benefits, disability retirement payments 
and certain types of public assistance payments. In such cases, current 
income tax tables may be used to determine an amount which can be 
prudently employed to adjust the borrower's actual income. This adjusted 
or ``grossed up'' income may be used to calculate the monthly debt-to-
income ratio, provided the analysis is documented. Only the borrower's 
actual income may be used to calculate the residual income. Care should 
be exercised to ensure that the income is in fact tax-exempt.
    (5) Alimony, child support, maintenance, workers' compensation, 
foster care payments. (i) If an applicant chooses to reveal income from 
alimony, child support or maintenance payments (after first having been 
informed that any such disclosure is voluntary pursuant to the Federal 
Reserve Board's Regulation B (12 CFR part 202)), such payments are 
considered as income to the

[[Page 730]]

extent that the payments are likely to be consistently made. Factors to 
be considered in determining the likelihood of consistent payments 
include, but are not limited to: Whether the payments are received 
pursuant to a written agreement or court decree; the length of time the 
payments have been received; the regularity of receipt; the availability 
of procedures to compel payment; and the creditworthiness of the payor, 
including the credit history of the payor when available under the Fair 
Credit Reporting Act or other applicable laws. However, the Fair Credit 
Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681(b)) limits the permissible purposes for 
which credit reports may be ordered, in the absence of written 
instructions of the consumer to whom the report relates, to business 
transactions involving the subject of the credit report or extensions of 
credit to the subject of the credit report.
    (ii) If the applicant chooses to reveal income related to workers' 
compensation, it will be considered as income to the extent it can be 
determined such income will continue.
    (iii) Income received specifically for the care of any foster 
child(ren) may be counted as income if documented. Generally, however, 
such foster care income is to be used only to balance the expenses of 
caring for the foster child(ren) against any increased residual income 
requirements.
    (6) Military quarters allowance. With respect to off-base housing 
(quarters) allowances for service personnel on active duty, it is the 
policy of the Department of Defense to utilize available on-base housing 
when possible. In order for a quarters allowance to be considered as 
continuing income, it is necessary that the applicant furnish written 
authorization from his or her commanding officer for off-base housing. 
This authorization should verify that quarters will not be made 
available and that the individual should make permanent arrangements for 
nonmilitary housing. A Department of Defense form, DD Form 1747, Status 
of Housing Availability, is used by the Family Housing Office to advise 
personnel regarding family housing. The applicant's quarters allowance 
cannot be considered unless item b (Permanent) or d is completed on DD 
Form 1747, dated October 1990. Of course, if the applicant's income less 
quarters allowance is sufficient, there is no need for assurance that 
the applicant has permission to occupy nonmilitary housing provided that 
a determination can be made that the occupancy requirements of the law 
will be met. Also, authorization to obtain off-base housing will not be 
required when certain duty assignments would clearly qualify service 
personnel with families for quarters allowance. For instance, off-base 
housing authorizations need not be obtained for service personnel 
stationed overseas who are not accompanied by their families, recruiters 
on detached duty, or military personnel stationed in areas where no on-
base housing exists. In any case in which no off-base housing 
authorization is obtained, an explanation of the circumstances 
justifying its omission must be included with the loan application 
except when it has been established by the VA facility of jurisdiction 
that the waiting lists for on-base housing are so long that it is 
improbable that individuals desiring to purchase off-base housing would 
be precluded from doing so in the foreseeable future. If stations make 
such a determination, a release shall be issued to inform lenders.
    (7) Automobile (or similar) allowance. Generally, automobile 
allowances are paid to cover specific expenses related to an applicant's 
employment, and it is appropriate to use such income to offset a 
corresponding car payment. However, in some instances, such an allowance 
may exceed the car payment. With proper documentation, income from a car 
allowance which exceeds the car payment can be counted as effective 
income. Likewise, any other similar type of allowance which exceeds the 
specific expense involved may be added to gross income to the extent it 
is documented to exceed the actual expense.
    (8) Commissions. When all or a major portion of the veteran's income 
is derived from commissions, it will be necessary to establish the 
stability of such income if it is to be considered in the loan analysis 
for the repayment of the mortgage debt and/or short-term obligations. In 
order to assess the value of

[[Page 731]]

such income, lenders should obtain written verification of the actual 
amount of commissions paid to date, the basis for the payment of such 
commissions and when commissions are paid; i.e., monthly, quarterly, 
semiannually, or annually. Lenders should also obtain signed and dated 
individual income tax returns, plus applicable schedules, for the 
previous 2 years, or for whatever additional period is deemed necessary 
to properly demonstrate a satisfactory earnings record. The length of 
the veteran's employment in the type of occupation for which commissions 
are paid is also an important factor in the assessment of the stability 
of the income. If the veteran has been employed for a relatively short 
time, the income should not normally be considered stable unless the 
product or service was the same or closely related to the product or 
service sold in an immediate prior position. Generally, income from 
commissions is considered stable when the applicant has been receiving 
such income for at least 2 years. Less than 2 years of income from 
commissions cannot usually be considered stable. When an applicant has 
received income from commissions for less than 1 year, it will rarely be 
possible to demonstrate that the income is stable for qualifying 
purposes; such cases would require in-depth development.
    (9) Self-employment. Generally, income from self-employment is 
considered stable when the applicant has been in business for at least 2 
years. Less than 2 years of income from self-employment cannot usually 
be considered stable unless the applicant has had previous related 
employment and/or extensive specialized training. When an applicant has 
been self-employed less than 1 year, it will rarely be possible to 
demonstrate that the income is stable for qualifying purposes; such 
cases would require in-depth development. The following documentation is 
required for all self-employed borrowers:
    (i) A profit-and-loss statement for the prior fiscal year (12-month 
accounting cycle), plus the period year to date since the end of the 
last fiscal year (or for whatever shorter period records may be 
available), and balance sheet based on the financial records. The 
financial statement must be sufficient for a loan underwriter to 
determine the necessary information for loan approval and an independent 
audit (on the veteran and/or the business) by a Certified Public 
Accountant will be required if necessary for such determination; and
    (ii) Copies of signed individual income tax returns, plus all 
applicable schedules for the previous 2 years, or for whatever 
additional period is deemed necessary to properly demonstrate a 
satisfactory earnings record, must be obtained. If the business is a 
corporation or partnership, copies of signed Federal business income tax 
returns for the previous two years plus all applicable schedules for the 
corporation or partnership must be obtained; and
    (iii) If the business is a corporation or partnership, a list of all 
stockholders or partners showing the interest each holds in the business 
will be required. Some cases may justify a written credit report on the 
business as well as the applicant. When the business is of an unusual 
type and it is difficult to determine the probability of its continued 
operation, explanation as to the function and purpose of the business 
may be needed from the applicant and/or any other qualified party with 
the acknowledged expertise to express a valid opinion.
    (10) Recently discharged veterans. Loan applications received from 
recently discharged veterans who have little or no employment experience 
other than their military occupation and from veterans seeking VA-
guaranteed loans who have retired after 20 years of active military duty 
require special attention. The retirement income of the latter veterans 
in many cases may not be sufficient to meet the statutory income 
requirements for the loan amount sought. Many have obtained full-time 
employment and have been employed in their new jobs for a very short 
time.
    (i) It is essential in determining whether veterans in these 
categories qualify from the income standpoint for the amount of the loan 
sought, that the facts in respect to their present employment and 
retirement income be

[[Page 732]]

fully developed, and that each case be considered on its individual 
merits.
    (ii) In most cases the veteran's current income or current income 
plus his or her retirement income is sufficient. The problem lies in 
determining whether it can be properly concluded that such income level 
will continue for the foreseeable future. If the veteran's employment 
status is that of a trainee or an apprentice, this will, of course, be a 
factor. In cases of the self-employed, the question to be resolved is 
whether there are reasonable prospects that the business enterprise will 
be successful and produce the required income. Unless a favorable 
conclusion can be made, the income from such source should not be 
considered in the loan analysis.
    (iii) If a recently discharged veteran has no prior employment 
history and the veteran's verification of employment shows he or she has 
not been on the job a sufficient time in which to become established, 
consideration should be given to the duties the veteran performed in the 
military service. When it can be determined that the duties a veteran 
performed in the service are similar or are in direct relation to the 
duties of the applicant's present position, such duties may be construed 
as adding weight to his or her present employment experience and the 
income from the veteran's present employment thus may be considered 
available for qualifying the loan, notwithstanding the fact that the 
applicant has been on the present job only a short time. This same 
principle may be applied to veterans recently retired from the service. 
In addition, when the veteran's income from retirement, in relation to 
the total of the estimated shelter expense, long-term debts and amount 
available for family support, is such that only minimal income from 
employment is necessary to qualify from the income standpoint, it would 
be proper to resolve the doubt in favor of the veteran. It would be 
erroneous, however, to give consideration to a veteran's income from 
employment for a short duration in a job requiring skills for which the 
applicant has had no training or experience.
    (iv) To illustrate the provisions of paragraph (f)(10), it would be 
proper to use short-term employment income in qualifying a veteran who 
had experience as an airplane mechanic in the military service and the 
individual's employment after discharge or retirement from the service 
is in the same or allied fields; e.g., auto mechanic or machinist. This 
presumes, however, that the verification of employment included a 
statement that the veteran was performing the duties of the job 
satisfactorily, the possibility of continued employment was favorable 
and that the loan application is eligible in all other respects. An 
example of nonqualifying experience is that of a veteran who was an Air 
Force pilot and has been employed in insurance sales on commission for a 
short time. Most cases, of course, fall somewhere between those 
extremes. It is for this reason that the facts of each case must be 
fully developed prior to closing the loan automatically or submitting 
the case to VA for prior approval.
    (11) Employment of short duration. The provisions of paragraph 
(f)(7) of this section are similarly applicable to applicants whose 
employment is of short duration. Such cases will entail careful 
consideration of the employer's confirmation of employment, probability 
of permanency, past employment record, the applicant's qualifications 
for the position, and previous training, including that received in the 
military service. In the event that such considerations do not enable a 
determination that the income from the veteran's current position has a 
reasonable likelihood of continuance, such income should not be 
considered in the analysis. Applications received from persons employed 
in the building trades, or in other occupations affected by climatic 
conditions, should be supported by documentation evidencing the 
applicant's total earnings to date and covering a period of not less 
than 1 year as well as signed and dated copies of complete income tax 
returns, including all schedules for the past 2 years or for whatever 
additional period is deemed necessary to properly demonstrate a 
satisfactory earnings record. If the applicant works out of a union, 
evidence of the previous year's earnings should be obtained together 
with a

[[Page 733]]

verification of employment from the current employer.
    (12) Rental income--(i) Multi-unit subject property. When the loan 
pertains to a structure with more than a one-family dwelling unit, the 
prospective rental income will not be considered unless the veteran can 
demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success as a landlord, and 
sufficient cash reserves are verified to enable the veteran to carry the 
mortgage loan payments (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) 
without assistance from the rental income for a period of at least 6 
months. The determination of the veteran's likelihood of success as a 
landlord will be based on documentation of any prior experience in 
managing rental units or other collection activities. The amount of 
rental income to be used in the loan analysis will be based on 75 
percent of the amount indicated on the lease or rental agreement, unless 
a greater percentage can be documented.
    (ii) Rental of existing home. Proposed rental of a veteran's 
existing property may be used to offset the mortgage payment on that 
property, provided there is no indication that the property will be 
difficult to rent. If available, a copy of the rental agreement should 
be obtained. It is the responsibility of the loan underwriter to be 
aware of the condition of the local rental market. For instance, in 
areas where the rental market is very strong the absence of a lease 
should not automatically prohibit the offset of the mortgage by the 
proposed rental income.
    (iii) Other rental property. If income from rental property will be 
used to qualify for the new loan, the documentation required of a self-
employed applicant should be obtained together with evidence of cash 
reserves equaling 3 months PITI on the rental property. As for any self-
employed earnings (see paragraph (f)(7) of this section), depreciation 
claimed may be added back in as income. In the case of a veteran who has 
no experience as a landlord, it is unlikely that the income from a 
rental property may be used to qualify for the new loan.
    (13) Taxes and other deductions. Deductions to be applied for 
Federal income taxes and Social Security may be obtained from the 
Employer's Tax Guide (Circular E) issued by the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS). (For veterans receiving a mortgage credit certificate (MCC), see 
paragraph (f)(14) of this section.) Any State or local taxes should be 
estimated or obtained from charts similar to those provided by IRS which 
may be available in those states with withholding taxes. A determination 
of the amount paid or withheld for retirement purposes should be made 
and used when calculating deductions from gross income. In determining 
whether a veteran-applicant meets the income criteria for a loan, some 
consideration may be given to the potential tax benefits the veteran 
will realize if the loan is approved. This can be done by using the 
instructions and worksheet portion of IRS Form W-4, Employee's 
Withholding Allowance Certificate, to compute the total number of 
permissible withholding allowances. That number can then be used when 
referring to IRS Circular E and any appropriate similar State 
withholding charts to arrive at the amount of Federal and State income 
tax to be deducted from gross income.
    (14) Mortgage credit certificates. (i) The Internal Revenue Code (26 
U.S.C.) as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1984, allows states and 
other political subdivisions to trade in all or part of their authority 
to issue mortgage revenue bonds for authority to issue MCCs. Veterans 
who are recipients of MCCs may realize a significant reduction in their 
income tax liability by receiving a Federal tax credit for a percentage 
of their mortgage interest payment on debt incurred on or after January 
1, 1985.
    (ii) Lenders must provide a copy of the MCC to VA with the home loan 
application. The MCC will specify the rate of credit allowed and the 
amount of certified indebtedness; i.e., the indebtedness incurred by the 
veteran to acquire a principal residence or as a qualified home 
improvement or rehabilitation loan.
    (iii) For credit underwriting purposes, the amount of tax credit 
allowed to a veteran under an MCC will be treated as a reduction in the 
monthly Federal income tax. For example, a veteran having a $600 monthly 
interest payment and an MCC providing a 30-

[[Page 734]]

percent tax credit would receive a $180 (30 percent  x  $600) tax credit 
each month. However, because the annual tax credit, which amounts to 
$2,160 (12  x  $180), exceeds $2,000 and is based on a 30-percent credit 
rate, the maximum tax credit the veteran can receive is limited to 
$2,000 per year (Pub. L. 98-369) or $167 per month ($2,000/12). As a 
consequence of the tax credit, the interest on which a deduction can be 
taken will be reduced by the amount of the tax credit to $433 
($600^$167). This reduction should also be reflected when calculating 
Federal income tax.
    (iv) For underwriting purposes, the amount of the tax credit is 
limited to the amount of the veteran's maximum tax liability. If, in the 
example in paragraph (f)(14)(iii) of this section, the veteran's tax 
liability for the year were only $1,500, the monthly tax credit would be 
limited to $125 ($1,500/12).
    (g) Credit. The conclusion reached as to whether or not the veteran 
and spouse are satisfactory credit risks must also be based on a careful 
analysis of the available credit data. Regulation B (12 CFR part 202), 
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board pursuant to the Equal Credit 
Opportunity Act, requires that lenders, in evaluating creditworthiness, 
shall consider, on the applicant's request, the credit history, when 
available, of any account reported in the name of the applicant's spouse 
or former spouse which the applicant can demonstrate accurately reflects 
the applicant's creditworthiness. In other than community property 
states, if the spouse will not be contractually obligated on the loan, 
Regulation B prohibits any request for or consideration of information 
about the spouse concerning income, employment, assets or liabilities. 
In community property states, information concerning a spouse may be 
requested and considered in the same manner as that for the applicant.
    (1) Adverse data. If the analysis develops any derogatory credit 
information and, despite such facts, it is determined that the veteran 
and spouse are satisfactory credit risks, the basis for the decision 
must be explained. If a veteran and spouse have debts outstanding which 
have not been paid timely, or which they have refused to pay, the fact 
that the outstanding debts are paid after the acceptability of the 
credit is questioned or in anticipation of applying for new credit does 
not, of course, alter the fact that the record for paying debts has been 
unsatisfactory. With respect to unpaid debts, lenders may take into 
consideration a veteran's claim of bona fide or legal defenses. Such 
defenses are not applicable when the debt has been reduced to judgment. 
Where a collection account has been established, if it is determined 
that the borrower is a satisfactory credit risk, it is not mandatory 
that such an account be paid off in order for a loan to be approved. 
Court-ordered judgments, however, must be paid off before a new loan is 
approved.
    (2) Bankruptcy. When the credit information shows that the borrower 
or spouse has been discharged in bankruptcy under the ``straight'' 
liquidation and discharge provisions of the bankruptcy law, this would 
not in itself disqualify the loan. However, in such cases it is 
necessary to develop complete information as to the facts and 
circumstances concerning the bankruptcy. Generally speaking, when the 
borrower or spouse, as the case may be, has been regularly employed (not 
self-employed) and has been discharged in bankruptcy within the last one 
to two years, it probably would not be possible to determine that the 
borrower or spouse is a satisfactory credit risk unless both of the 
following requirements are satisfied:
    (i) The borrower or spouse has obtained credit subsequent to the 
bankruptcy and has met the credit payments in a satisfactory manner over 
a continued period; and
    (ii) The bankruptcy was caused by circumstances beyond the control 
of the borrower or spouse, e.g., unemployment, prolonged strikes, 
medical bills not covered by insurance. Divorce is not generally viewed 
as beyond the control of the borrower and/or spouse. The circumstances 
alleged must be verified. If a borrower or spouse is self-employed, has 
been adjudicated bankrupt, and subsequently obtains a permanent 
position, a finding as to satisfactory credit risk may be made provided 
there is no derogatory credit information prior to self-employment,

[[Page 735]]

there is no derogatory credit information subsequent to the bankruptcy, 
and the failure of the business was not due to misconduct. If a borrower 
or spouse has been discharged in bankruptcy within the past 12 months, 
it will not generally be possible to determine that the borrower or 
spouse is a satisfactory credit risk.
    (3) Petition under Chapter 13 of Bankruptcy Code. A petition under 
chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C.) filed by the borrower or 
spouse is indicative of an effort to pay their creditors. Some plans may 
provide for full payment of debts while others arrange for payment of 
scaled-down debts. Regular payments are made to a court-appointed 
trustee over a 2- to 3-year period (or up to 5 years in some cases). 
When the borrowers have made all payments in a satisfactory manner, they 
may be considered as having reestablished satisfactory credit. When they 
apply for a home loan before completion of the payout period, favorable 
consideration may nevertheless be given if at least 12 months' worth of 
payments have been made satisfactorily and the Trustee or Bankruptcy 
Judge approves of the new credit.
    (4) Foreclosures. (i) When the credit information shows that the 
veteran or spouse has had a foreclosure on a prior mortgage; e.g., a VA-
guaranteed or HUD-insured mortgage, this will not in itself disqualify 
the borrower from obtaining the loan. Lenders and field station 
personnel should refer to the preceding guidelines on bankruptcies for 
cases involving foreclosures. As with a borrower who has been 
adjudicated bankrupt, it is necessary to develop complete information as 
to the facts and circumstances of the foreclosure.
    (ii) When VA pays a claim on a VA-guaranteed loan as a result of a 
foreclosure, the original veteran may be required to repay any loss to 
the Government. In some instances VA may waive the veteran's debt, in 
part or totally, based on the facts and circumstances of the case. 
However, guaranty entitlement cannot be restored unless the Government's 
loss has been repaid in full, regardless of whether or not the debt has 
been waived, compromised, or discharged in bankruptcy. Therefore, a 
veteran who is seeking a new VA loan after having experienced a 
foreclosure on a prior VA loan will in most cases have only remaining 
entitlement to apply to the new loan. The lender should assure that the 
veteran has sufficient entitlement for its secondary marketing purposes.
    (5) Federal debts. An applicant for a Federally-assisted loan will 
not be considered a satisfactory credit risk for such loan if the 
applicant is presently delinquent or in default on any debt to the 
Federal Government, e.g., a Small Business Administration loan, a U.S. 
Guaranteed Student loan, a debt to the Public Health Service, or where 
there is a judgment lien against the applicant's property for a debt 
owed to the Government. The applicant may not be approved for the loan 
until the delinquent account has been brought current or satisfactory 
arrangements have been made between the borrower and the Federal agency 
owed, or the judgment is paid or otherwise satisfied. Of course, the 
applicant must also be able to otherwise qualify for the loan from an 
income and remaining credit standpoint. Refinancing under VA's interest 
rate reduction refinancing provisions, however, is allowed even if the 
borrower is delinquent on the VA guaranteed mortgage being refinanced. 
Prior approval processing is required in such cases.
    (6) Absence of credit history. The fact that recently discharged 
veterans may have had no opportunity to develop a credit history will 
not preclude a determination of satisfactory credit. Similarly, other 
loan applicants may not have established credit histories as a result of 
a preference for purchasing consumer items with cash rather than credit. 
There are also cases in which individuals may be genuinely wary of 
acquiring new obligations following bankruptcy, consumer credit 
counseling (debt proration), or other disruptive credit occurrence. The 
absence of the credit history in these cases will not generally be 
viewed as an adverse factor in credit underwriting. However, before a 
favorable decision is made for cases involving bankruptcies or other 
derogatory credit factors, efforts should be made to develop evidence of 
timely payment of non-installment debts such as rent and utilities. It 
is

[[Page 736]]

anticipated that this special consideration in the absence of a credit 
history following bankruptcy would be the rare case and generally 
confined to bankruptcies that occurred over 3 years ago.
    (7) Consumer credit counseling plan. If a veteran, or veteran and 
spouse, have prior adverse credit and are participating in a Consumer 
Credit Counseling plan, they may be determined to be a satisfactory 
credit risk if they demonstrate 12 months' satisfactory payments and the 
counseling agency approves the new credit. If a veteran, or veteran and 
spouse, have good prior credit and are participating in a Consumer 
Credit Counseling plan, such participation is to be considered a neutral 
factor, or even a positive factor, in determining creditworthiness.
    (8) Re-establishment of satisfactory credit. In circumstances not 
involving bankruptcy, satisfactory credit is generally considered to be 
reestablished after the veteran, or veteran and spouse, have made 
satisfactory payments for 12 months after the date of the last 
derogatory credit item.
    (9) Long-term v. short-term debts. All known debts and obligations 
including any alimony and/or child support payments of the borrower and 
spouse must be documented. Significant liabilities, to be deducted from 
the total income in determining ability to meet the mortgage payments 
are accounts that, generally, are of a relatively long term, i.e., 10 
months or over. Other accounts for terms of less than 10 months must, of 
course, be considered in determining ability to meet family expenses. 
Certainly, any severe impact on the family's resources for any period of 
time must be considered in the loan analysis. For example, monthly 
payments of $300 on an auto loan with a remaining balance of $1,500 
would be included in those obligations to be deducted from the total 
income regardless of the fact that the account can be expected to pay 
out in 5 months. It is clear that the applicant will, in this case, 
continue to carry the burden of those $300 payments for the first, most 
critical months of the home loan.
    (10) Requirements for verification. If the credit investigation 
reveals debts or obligations of a material nature which were not 
divulged by the applicant, lenders must be certain to obtain 
clarification as to the status of such debts from the borrower. A proper 
analysis is obviously not possible unless there is total correlation 
between the obligations claimed by the borrower and those revealed by a 
credit report or deposit verification. Conversely, significant debts and 
obligations reported by the borrower must be dated. If the credit report 
fails to provide necessary information on such accounts, lenders will be 
expected to obtain their own verifications of those debts directly from 
the creditors. Credit reports and verifications must be no more than 120 
days old (180 days for new construction) to be considered valid. For 
loans closed automatically, this requirement will be considered 
satisfied if the date of the credit report or verification is within 120 
days (180 days for new construction) of the date the note is signed. For 
prior approval loans, this requirement will be considered satisfied if 
the date of the credit report or verification is within 120 days of the 
date the application is received by VA. Of major significance are the 
applicant's rental history and outstanding or recently retired 
mortgages, if any, particularly prior VA loans. Lenders should be sure 
ratings on such accounts are obtained; a written explanation is required 
when ratings are not available. A determination is necessary as to 
whether alimony and/or child support payments are required. Verification 
of the amount of such obligations should be obtained, although 
documentation concerning an applicant's divorce should not be obtained 
automatically unless it is necessary to verify the amount of any alimony 
or child support liability indicated by the applicant. If in the routine 
course of processing the loan application, however, direct evidence is 
received (e.g., from the credit report) that an obligation to pay 
alimony or child support exists (as opposed to mere evidence that the 
veteran was previously divorced), the discrepancy between the loan 
application and credit report can and should be fully resolved in the 
same manner as any other such discrepancy would be handled. When a pay 
stub or leave-and-earnings statement indicates an allotment, the lender

[[Page 737]]

must investigate the nature of the allotment(s) to determine whether the 
allotment is related to a debt. Debts assigned to an ex-spouse by a 
divorce decree will not generally be charged against a veteran-borrower.
    (11) Job-related expenses. Known job-related expenses should be 
documented. This will include costs for any dependent care, significant 
commuting costs, etc. When a family's circumstances are such that 
dependent care arrangements would probably be necessary, it is important 
to determine the cost of such services in order to arrive at an accurate 
total of deductions.
    (12) Credit reports. Credit reports obtained by lenders on VA-
guaranteed loan applications must be either a three-file Merged Credit 
Report (MCR) or a Residential Mortgage Credit Report (RMCR). If used, 
the RMCR must meet the standards formulated jointly by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home 
Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home 
Administration, credit repositories, repository affiliated consumer 
reporting agencies and independent consumer reporting agencies. All 
credit reports obtained by the lender must be submitted to VA.
    (h) Borrower's personal and financial status. The number and ages of 
dependents have an important bearing on whether income after deduction 
of fixed charges is sufficient to support the family. Type and duration 
of employment of both the borrower and spouse are important as an 
indication of stability of their employment. The amount of liquid assets 
owned by the borrower or spouse, or both, is an important factor in 
determining that they have sufficient funds to close the loan, as well 
as being significant in analyzing the overall qualifications for the 
loan. (It is imperative that adequate cash assets from the veteran's own 
resources are verified to allow the payment (see Sec. 36.4339(a)(3)) of 
any difference between the sales price of the property and the loan 
amount, in addition to that necessary to cover closing costs, if the 
sales price exceeds the reasonable value established by VA.) 
Verifications must be no more than 120 days old (180 days for new 
construction) to be considered valid. For loans closed on the automatic 
basis, this requirement will be considered satisfied if the date of the 
deposit verification is within 120 days (180 days for new construction) 
of the date of the veteran's application to the lender. For prior 
approval loans, this requirement will be considered satisfied if the 
verification of employment is dated within 120 days of the date the 
application is received by VA. Current monthly rental or other housing 
expense is an important consideration when compared to that to be 
undertaken in connection with the contemplated housing purchase.
    (i) Estimated monthly shelter expenses. It is important that monthly 
expenses such as taxes, insurance, assessments and maintenance and 
utilities be estimated accurately based on property location and type of 
house; e.g., old or new, large or small, rather than using or applying a 
``rule of thumb'' to all properties alike. Maintenance and utility 
amounts for various types of property should be realistically estimated. 
Local utility companies should be consulted for current rates. The age 
and type of construction of a house may well affect these expenses. In 
the case of condominiums or houses in a planned unit development (PUD), 
the monthly amount of the maintenance assessment payable to a homeowners 
association should be added. If the amount currently assessed is less 
than the maximum provided in the covenants or master deed, and it 
appears likely that the amount will be insufficient for operation of the 
condominium or PUD, the amount used will be the maximum the veteran 
could be charged. If it is expected that real estate taxes will be 
raised, or if any special assessments are expected, the increased or 
additional amounts should be used. In special flood hazard areas, 
include the premium for any required flood insurance.
    (j) Lender responsibility. (1) Lenders are fully responsible for 
developing all credit information; i.e., for obtaining verifications of 
employment and deposit, credit reports, and for the accuracy of the 
information contained in the loan application.

[[Page 738]]

    (2) Verifications of employment and deposits, and requests for 
credit reports and/or credit information must be initiated and received 
by the lender.
    (3) In cases where the real estate broker/agent or any other party 
requests any of this information, the report(s) must be returned 
directly to the lender. This fact must be disclosed by appropriately 
completing the required certification on the loan application or report 
and the parties must be identified as agents of the lender.
    (4) Where the lender relies on other parties to secure any of the 
credit or employment information or otherwise accepts such information 
obtained by any other party, such parties shall be construed for 
purposes of the submission of the loan documents to VA to be authorized 
agents of the lender, regardless of the actual relationship between such 
parties and the lender, even if disclosure is not provided to VA under 
paragraph (j)(3) of this section. Any negligent or willful 
misrepresentation by such parties shall be imputed to the lender as if 
the lender had processed those documents and the lender shall remain 
responsible for the quality and accuracy of the information provided to 
VA.
    (5) All credit reports secured by the lender or other parties as 
identified in paragraphs (j)(3) and (4) of this section shall be 
provided to VA. If updated credit reports reflect materially different 
information than that in other reports, such discrepancies must be 
explained by the lender and the ultimate decision as to the effects of 
the discrepancy upon the loan application fully addressed by the 
underwriter.
    (k) Lender certification. Lenders originating loans are responsible 
for determining and certifying to VA on the appropriate application or 
closing form that the loan meets all statutory and regulatory 
requirements. Lenders will affirmatively certify that loans were made in 
full compliance with the law and loan guaranty regulations as prescribed 
in this section.
    (1) Definitions. The definitions contained in part 42 of this 
chapter and the following definitions are applicable in this section.
    (i) Another appropriate amount. In determining the appropriate 
amount of a lender's civil penalty in cases where the Secretary has not 
sustained a loss or where two times the amount of the Secretary's loss 
on the loan involved does not exceed $21,563, the Secretary shall 
consider:
    (A) The materiality and importance of the false certification to the 
determination to issue the guaranty or to approve the assumption;
    (B) The frequency and past pattern of such false certifications by 
the lender; and
    (C) Any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances.
    (ii) Complaint. Complaint includes the assessment of liability 
served pursuant to this section.
    (iii) Defendant. Defendant means a lender named in the complaint.
    (iv) Lender. Lender includes the holder approving loan assumptions 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3714.
    (2) Procedures for certification. (i) As a condition to VA issuance 
of a loan guaranty on all loans closed on or after October 27, 1994, and 
as a prerequisite to an effective loan assumption on all loans assumed 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3714 on or after November 17, 1997, the following 
certification shall accompany each loan closing or assumption package:

    The undersigned lender certifies that the (loan) (assumption) 
application, all verifications of employment, deposit, and other income 
and credit verification documents have been processed in compliance with 
38 CFR part 36; that all credit reports obtained or generated in 
connection with the processing of this borrower's (loan) (assumption) 
application have been provided to VA; that, to the best of the 
undersigned lender's knowledge and belief the (loan) (assumption) meets 
the underwriting standards recited in chapter 37 of title 38 United 
States Code and 38 CFR part 36; and that all information provided in 
support of this (loan) (assumption) is true, complete and accurate to 
the best of the undersigned lender's knowledge and belief.

    (ii) The certification shall be executed by an officer of the lender 
authorized to execute documents and act on behalf of the lender.
    (3) Penalty. Any lender who knowingly and willfully makes a false 
certification required pursuant to Sec. 36.4340(k)(2) shall be liable to 
the United States Government for a civil

[[Page 739]]

penalty equal to two times the amount of the Secretary's loss on the 
loan involved or to another appropriate amount, not to exceed $21,563, 
whichever is greater.
    (l) Assessment of liability. (1) Upon an assessment confirmed by the 
Under Secretary for Benefits, in consultation with the Investigating 
Official, that a certification, as required in this section, is false, a 
report of findings of the Under Secretary for Benefits shall be 
submitted to the Reviewing Official setting forth:
    (i) The evidence that supports the allegations of a false 
certification and of liability;
    (ii) A description of the claims or statements upon which the 
allegations of liability are based;
    (iii) The amount of the VA demand to be made; and
    (iv) Any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances that may relate to 
the certification.
    (2) The Reviewing Official shall review all of the information 
provided and will either inform the Under Secretary for Benefits and the 
Investigating Official that there is not adequate evidence, that the 
lender is liable, or serve a complaint on the lender stating:
    (i) The allegations of a false certification and of liability;
    (ii) The amount being assessed by the Secretary and the basis for 
the amount assessed;
    (iii) Instructions on how to satisfy the assessment and how to file 
an answer to request a hearing, including a specific statement of the 
lender's right to request a hearing by filing an answer and to be 
represented by counsel; and
    (iv) That failure to file an answer within 30 days of the complaint 
will result in the imposition of the assessment without right to appeal 
the assessment to the Secretary.
    (m) Hearing procedures. A lender hearing on an assessment 
established pursuant to this section shall be governed by the procedures 
recited at 38 CFR 42.8 through 42.47.
    (n) Additional remedies. Any assessment under this section may be in 
addition to other remedies available to VA, such as debarment and 
suspension pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3704 and 2 CFR parts 180 and 801 or 
loss of automatic processing authority pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3702, or 
other actions by the Government under any other law including but not 
limited to title 18 U.S.C. and 31 U.S.C. 3732.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements of this section under control number 2900-0521)

(Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461; 38 U.S.C. 3710)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 79 FR 26628, May 9, 2014; 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015; 81 
FR 40525, June 22, 2016]



Sec. 36.4341  Death or insolvency of holder.

    (a) Immediately upon the death of the holder and without the 
necessity of request or other action by the debtor or the Secretary, all 
sums then standing as a credit balance in a trust, or deposit, or other 
account to cover taxes, insurance accruals, or other items in connection 
with the loan secured by the encumbered property, whether stated to be 
such or otherwise designated, and which have not been credited on the 
note shall, nevertheless, be treated as a setoff and shall be deemed to 
have been credited thereon as of the date of the last debit to such 
account, so that the unpaid balance of the note as of that date will be 
reduced by the amount of such credit balance: Provided, that any unpaid 
taxes, insurance premiums, ground rents, or advances may be paid by the 
holder of the indebtedness, at the holder's option, and the amount which 
otherwise would have been deemed to have been credited on the note 
reduced accordingly. This paragraph shall be applicable whether the 
estate of the deceased holder is solvent or insolvent.
    (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section shall also be 
applicable in the event of:
    (1) Insolvency of holder;
    (2) Initiation of any bankruptcy or reorganization, or liquidation 
proceedings as to the holder, whether voluntary or involuntary;
    (3) Appointment of a general or ancillary receiver for the holder's 
property; or in any case; or

[[Page 740]]

    (4) Upon the written request of the debtor if all secured and due 
insurance premiums, taxes, and ground rents have been paid, and 
appropriate provisions made for future accruals.
    (c) Upon the occurrence of any of the events enumerated in paragraph 
(a) or (b) of this section, interest on the note and on the credit 
balance of the deposits mentioned in paragraph (a) shall be set off 
against each other at the rate payable on the principal of the note, as 
of the date of last debit to the deposit account. Any excess credit of 
interest shall be treated as a set-off against the unpaid advances, if 
any, and the unpaid balance of the note.
    (d) The provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this section 
shall apply also to corporations. The dissolution thereof by expiration 
of charter, by forfeiture, or otherwise shall be treated as is the death 
of an individual as provided in paragraph (a) of this section.

(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3720)



Sec. 36.4342  Qualification for designated fee appraisers.

    To qualify for approval as a designated fee appraiser, an applicant 
must show to the satisfaction of the Secretary that his or her 
character, experience, and the type of work in which he or she has had 
experience for at least 5 years qualifies the applicant to competently 
appraise and value within a prescribed area the type of property to 
which the approval relates.

(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3731)



Sec. 36.4343  Restriction on designated fee appraisers.

    (a) A designated fee appraiser shall not make an appraisal, 
excepting of alterations, improvements, or repairs to real property 
entailing a cost of not more than $3,500, if such appraiser is an 
officer, director, trustee, employer, or employee of the lender, 
contractor, or vendor.
    (b) An appraisal made by a designated fee appraiser shall be subject 
to review and adjustment by the Secretary. The amount determined to be 
proper upon any such review or adjustment shall constitute the 
``reasonable value'' for the purpose of determining the eligibility of 
the related loan.

(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3731)



Sec. 36.4345  Delegation of authority.

    (a) Except as hereinafter provided, each employee of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs heretofore or hereafter appointed to, or lawfully 
filling, any position designated in paragraph (b) of this section is 
hereby delegated authority, within the limitations and conditions 
prescribed by law, to exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary 
with respect to the guaranty or insurance of loans and the rights and 
liabilities arising therefrom, including but not limited to the 
adjudication and allowance, disallowance, and compromise of claims; the 
collection or compromise of amounts due, in money or other property; the 
extension, rearrangement, or acquisition of loans; the management and 
disposition of secured and unsecured notes and other property; and those 
functions expressly or impliedly embraced within paragraphs (2) through 
(6) of 38 U.S.C. 3720(a). Incidental to the exercise and performance of 
the powers and functions hereby delegated, each such employee is 
authorized to execute and deliver (with or without acknowledgment) for, 
and on behalf of, the Secretary, evidence of guaranty or of insurance 
credits and such certificates, forms, conveyances, and other instruments 
as may be appropriate in connection with the acquisition, ownership, 
management, sale, transfer, assignment, encumbrance, rental, or other 
disposition of real or personal property, or, of any right, title, or 
interest therein, including, but not limited to, contracts of sale, 
installment contracts, deeds, leases, bills of sale, assignments, and 
releases; and to approve disbursements to be made for any purpose 
authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37.
    (b)(1) Designated positions are as follows:
    (i) Under Secretary for Benefits.
    (ii) Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits.
    (iii) Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity.
    (iv) Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (iv) Director, Regional Office.

[[Page 741]]

    (v) Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (vi) Assistant Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (vii) Loan Guaranty Officer.
    (viii) Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer.
    (ix) Realty Officer, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (2) The authority hereby delegated to employees of the positions 
designated in paragraph (b)(1) of this section may, with the approval of 
the Under Secretary for Benefits, be redelegated.
    (3) An employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs heretofore or 
hereafter appointed to, or lawfully filling, the position of Supervisory 
Realty Specialist is hereby delegated authority to act on behalf the 
Secretary to execute and deliver necessary and appropriate instruments 
in connection with the acquisition, ownership, management, sale, 
transfer, assignment, encumbrance, rental, or other disposition of real 
or personal property, or any right, title, or interest therein, for any 
purpose authorized by 38 U.S.C., chapter 37.
    (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed--
    (1) To authorize any such employee to exercise the authority vested 
in the Secretary under 38 U.S.C. 501 or 3703(a)(2) or to sue, or enter 
appearance for and on behalf of the Secretary, or confess judgment 
against the Secretary in any court without the Secretary's prior 
authorization; or
    (2) To include the authority to exercise those powers delegated to 
the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, Loan Guaranty 
Service, under Sec. 36.4323(e), Sec. 36.4338 or Sec. 36.4346, Provided, 
that, anything in the regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of 
loans to veterans to the contrary notwithstanding, any evidence of 
guaranty or insurance issued on or after July 1, 1948, by any of the 
employees designated in paragraph (b) of this section or by any employee 
designated an authorized agent or a loan guaranty agent shall be deemed 
to have been issued by the Secretary, subject to the defenses reserved 
in 38 U.S.C. 3721.
    (d) Each Regional Office, Regional Office and Insurance Center, and 
Medical and Regional Office Center shall maintain and keep current a 
cumulative list of all employees of that Office or Center who, since May 
1, 1980, have occupied the positions of Director, Loan Guaranty Officer, 
and Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer. This list will include each 
employee's name, title, date the employee assumed the position, and the 
termination date, if applicable, of the employee's tenure in such 
position. The list shall be available for public inspection and copying 
at the Regional Office, or Center, during normal business hours.
    (e)(1) Authority is hereby delegated to the officers, designated in 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section, of the entity performing loan 
servicing functions under a contract with the Secretary to execute on 
behalf of the Secretary all documents necessary for the servicing and 
termination of a loan made or acquired by the Secretary pursuant to 38 
U.S.C. chapter 37 (other than under subchapter vi of that chapter). 
Documents executed under this paragraph include but are not limited to: 
Loan modification agreements, notices of default and other documents 
necessary for loan foreclosure or termination, notices of appointment or 
substitution of trustees under mortgages or deeds of trust, releases or 
satisfactions of mortgages or deeds of trust, acceptance of deeds-in-
lieu of foreclosure, loan assumption agreements, loan assignments, deeds 
tendered upon satisfaction or conversion of an installment land sales 
contract, and documents related to filing, pursuing and settling claims 
with insurance companies relating to hazard coverage on properties 
securing loans being serviced.
    (2) The designated officers are:
    (i) Vice President;
    (ii) Assistant Vice President; and
    (iii) Assistant Secretary.
    (3) The Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Washington, DC, shall 
maintain a log listing all persons authorized to execute documents 
pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section and the dates such persons 
held such authority, together with certified copies of resolutions of 
the board of directors of the entity authorizing such individuals to 
perform the functions specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section. 
These

[[Page 742]]

records shall be available for public inspection and copying at the 
Office of the Director of VA Loan Guaranty Service, Washington, DC 
20420.
    (f)(1) Authority is hereby delegated to the officers, designated in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this section, of the entity performing property 
management and sales functions under a contract with the Secretary to 
execute on behalf of the Secretary all documents necessary for the 
management and sales of residential real property acquired by the 
Secretary pursuant to 38 U.S.C. chapter 37. Documents executed under 
this paragraph include but are not limited to: Sales contracts, deeds, 
documents relating to removing adverse occupants, and any documents 
relating to sales closings. The authorization to execute deeds is 
limited to deeds other than general warranty deeds.
    (2) The designated officers are:
    (i) Senior Vice President;
    (ii) Vice President;
    (iii) Assistant Vice President;
    (iv) Assistant Secretary;
    (v) Director;
    (vi) Senior Manager; and
    (vii) Regional Manager.
    (3) The Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Washington, DC, shall 
maintain a log listing all persons authorized to execute documents 
pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section and the dates such persons 
held such authority, together with certified copies of resolutions of 
the board of directors of the entity authorizing such individuals to 
perform the functions specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section. 
These records shall be available for public inspection and copying at 
the Office of the Director of VA Loan Guaranty Service, Washington, DC 
20420.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720(a)(5))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015; 81 FR 59138, Aug. 29, 2016]



Sec. 36.4346  Cooperative loans.

    (a) To be eligible for guaranty or insurance, any loan of the 
following types shall require prior approval of the Under Secretary for 
Benefits, or the Director, Loan Guaranty Service, who may issue such 
approval upon such conditions and limitations deemed appropriate, not 
inconsistent with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 and this 
subpart:
    (1) Any loan which is related to an enterprise in which more than 10 
individuals will participate; or
    (2) Any loan to be made for the purchase or construction of 
residential units in any housing development, cooperative or otherwise, 
the title to which development or to the individual units therein is not 
to be held directly by the veteran-participants, or which contemplates 
the ownership or maintenance of more than three units or of their major 
appurtenances in common.
    (b) The issuance of such approval with respect to a residential 
development under paragraph (a)(2) of this section also shall be subject 
to such conditions and stipulation as in the judgment of the approving 
officer are possible and proper to:
    (1) Afford reasonable and feasible protection to the rights of the 
Government as guarantor or insurer, and as subrogee, and to each 
veteran-participant against loss of his or her respective equity 
consequent upon the failure of other participants to discharge their 
obligations;
    (2) Provide for a reasonable and workable plan for the operation and 
management of the project;
    (3) Limit the personal liability of each veteran-participant to 
those sums allocable on a proper ratable basis to the purchase, cost, 
and maintenance of his or her individual unit or participating interest; 
and
    (4) Limit commercial features to those reasonably calculated to 
promote the economic soundness of the project and the living convenience 
of the participants, retaining the essential character of a residential 
project.
    (c) No such project, development, or enterprise may be approved 
which involves an initial grouping of more than 500 veterans, or a cost 
of more than five million dollars, unless it is conclusively shown to 
the satisfaction of the approving officer that a greater number of 
veterans or dollar amount will assure substantial advantages to the 
veteran-participants which could not be achieved in a smaller project.
    (d) When approved as in this section provided, and upon performance 
of the

[[Page 743]]

conditions indicated in the prior approval, proper guaranty certificate 
or certificates may be issued in connection with the loan or loans to be 
guaranteed on behalf of eligible veterans participating in the project, 
development or enterprise not to exceed in total amount the sum of the 
guaranties applied for by the individual participants and for which 
guaranty each participant is then eligible.
    (e) In lieu of guaranty as authorized in paragraph (d) of this 
section, insurance shall be available on application by the lender and 
all veterans concerned. In such case the insurance credit shall be 
limited to 15 percent of the obligation of the veteran applicant 
(subject to available eligibility) and the total insurance credit in 
respect to the veterans' loans involved in the project shall not exceed 
15 percent of the aggregate of the principal sums of the individual 
indebtedness incurred by the veterans participating in the project for 
the purpose of acquiring their respective interests therein.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4347  Lender Appraisal Processing Program.

    (a) Delegation of authority to lenders to review appraisals and 
determine reasonable value. (1) To be eligible for delegation of 
authority to review VA appraisals and determine the reasonable value of 
properties to be purchased with VA guaranteed loans, a lender must--
    (i) Have automatic processing authority under 38 U.S.C. 3702(d), and
    (ii) Employ one or more staff appraisal reviewers acceptable to the 
Secretary.
    (2) To qualify as a lender's staff appraisal reviewer an applicant 
must be a full-time member of the lender's permanent staff and may not 
be employed by, or perform services for, any other mortgagee. The 
individual must not engage in any private pursuits in which there will 
be, or appear to be, any conflict of interest between those pursuits and 
his/her duties, responsibilities, and performance as a Lender Appraisal 
Processing Program (LAPP) staff appraisal reviewer. Three years of 
experience is necessary to qualify as a lender's staff appraisal 
reviewer. That experience must demonstrate a knowledge of, and the 
ability to apply industry-accepted principles, methods, practices and 
techniques of appraising, and the ability to competently determine the 
value of property within a prescribed geographical area. The individual 
must demonstrate the ability to review the work of others and to 
recognize deviations from accepted appraisal principles, practices, and 
techniques; errors in computations, and unjustifiable and unsupportable 
conclusions.
    (3) Lenders that meet the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3702(d), and 
have a staff appraisal reviewer determined acceptable by VA, will be 
authorized to review appraisals and make reasonable value determinations 
on properties that will be security for VA guaranteed loans. The 
lender's authorization will be subject to a one-year probationary 
period. Additionally, lenders must satisfy initial and subsequent VA 
office case review requirements prior to being allowed to determine 
reasonable value without VA involvement. The initial office case review 
requirement must be satisfied in the VA regional office in whose 
jurisdiction the lender's staff appraisal reviewer is located before the 
LAPP authority may be utilized by that lender in any other VA office's 
jurisdiction. To satisfy the initial office case review requirement, the 
first five cases of each lender staff appraisal reviewer involving 
properties in the regional office location where the staff appraisal 
reviewer is located will be processed by him or her up to the point 
where he or she has made a reasonable value determination and fully 
drafted, but not issued, the lender's notification of reasonable value 
letter to the veteran. At that point, and prior to loan closing, each of 
the five cases will be submitted to the local VA office. After a staff 
review of each case, VA will issue a Certificate of Reasonable Value, 
which the lender may use in closing the loan automatically if it meets 
all other requirements of the VA. If these five cases are found to be 
acceptable by VA, the lender's staff appraisal reviewer will be allowed 
to fully process subsequent appraisals for properties located in that VA 
office's jurisdiction without prior submission to VA and issuance by VA 
of a Certificate of Reasonable Value. Lenders

[[Page 744]]

must also satisfy a subsequent VA office case review requirement in each 
additional VA office location in which they desire to extend and utilize 
this authority. Under this requirement, the lender must have first 
satisfied the initial office case review requirement and then must 
submit to the additional VA office(s) the first case each staff 
appraisal reviewer processes in the jurisdiction of that office. As 
provided under the initial office case review requirement, VA office 
personnel will issue a Certificate of Reasonable Value for this case and 
subsequently determine the acceptability of the lender's staff appraisal 
reviewer's processing. If VA finds this first case to be acceptable, the 
lender's staff appraisal reviewer will be allowed to fully process 
subsequent cases in that additional VA office's jurisdiction without 
prior submission to VA. The initial and subsequent office case review 
requirements may be expanded by VA if acceptable performance has not 
been demonstrated. After satisfaction of the initial and subsequent 
office case review requirements, routine reviews of LAPP cases will be 
made by VA staff based upon quality control procedures established by 
the Under Secretary for Benefits. Such review will be made on a random 
sampling or performance related basis. During the probationary period a 
high percentage of reviews will be made by VA staff.
    (4) The following certification by the lender's nominated staff 
appraisal reviewer must be provided with the lender's application for 
delegation of LAPP authority:

    I hereby acknowledge and represent that by signing the Uniform 
Residential Appraisal Report (URAR), FHLMC (Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
Corporation) Form 70/FNMA (Federal Notice Mortgage Association) Form 
1004, I am certifying, in all cases, that I have personally reviewed the 
appraisal report. In doing so I have considered and utilized recognized 
professional appraisal techniques, have found the appraisal report to 
have been prepared in compliance with applicable VA requirements, and 
concur with the recommendations of the fee appraiser, who was assigned 
by VA to the case. Furthermore, in those cases where clarifications or 
corrections have been requested from the VA fee appraiser there has been 
no pressure or influence exerted on that appraiser to remove or change 
information that might be considered detrimental to the subject 
property, or VA's interests, or to reach a predetermined value for that 
property. Signature of Staff Appraisal Reviewer.

    (5) Other certifications required from the lender will be specified 
with particularity in the separate instructions issued by the Secretary, 
as noted in Sec. 36.4347(b).
    (b) Instructions for LAPP Procedures. The Secretary will publish 
separate instructions for processing appraisals under the Lenders 
Appraisal Processing Program. Compliance with these regulations and the 
separate instructions issued by the Secretary is deemed by VA to be the 
minimum exercise of due diligence in processing LAPP cases. Due 
diligence is considered by VA to represent that care, as is to be 
properly expected from, and ordinarily exercised by, reasonable and 
prudent lenders who would be dependent on the property as security to 
protect its investment.
    (c) VA minimum property requirements. Lenders are responsible for 
determining that the property meets VA minimum property requirements. 
The separate instructions issued by the Secretary will set forth the 
lender's ability to adjust, remove, or alter the fee appraiser's or fee 
compliance inspector's recommendations concerning VA minimum property 
requirements. Condominiums, planned-unit developments and leasehold 
estates must have been determined acceptable by VA. A condominium or 
planned-unit development which is acceptable to the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development or the Department of Agriculture may also 
be acceptable to VA.
    (d) Adjustment of value recommendations. The amount of authority to 
upwardly adjust the fee appraiser's estimated market value during the 
lender staff appraisal reviewer's initial review of the appraisal report 
or to subsequently process an appeal of the lender's established 
reasonable value will be specified in the separate instructions issued 
by VA as noted in Sec. 36.4347(b). The amount specified must not in any 
way be considered an administrative adjustment figure which may be 
applied indiscriminately and without valid basis or justification with 
the sole purpose of reaching an amount

[[Page 745]]

necessary to complete the sale or mortgage transaction.
    (1) Adjustment during initial review. Any adjustment during the 
staff appraisal reviewer's initial review of the appraisal report must 
be fully and clearly justified in writing on the appraisal report form 
or, if necessary, on an addendum. The basis for the adjustment must be 
adequate and reasonable by professional appraisal standards. If real 
estate market or other valid data was utilized in arriving at the 
decision to make the adjustment, such data must be attached to the 
appraisal report. All adjustments, comments, corrections, 
justifications, etc., to the appraisal report must be made in a 
contrasting color, be clearly legible, and signed and dated by the staff 
appraisal reviewer.
    (2) Processing appeals. The authority provided under 38 U.S.C. 
3731(d) which permits a lender to obtain a VA fee panel appraiser's 
report which VA is obligated to consider in an appeal of the established 
reasonable value shall not apply to cases processed under the authority 
provided by this section. All appeals of VA fee appraisers' estimated 
market values or lenders' reasonable value determinations above the 
amount specified in the separate instructions issued by VA must be 
submitted, along with the lender's recommendations, if any, to VA for 
processing and final determination. Unless otherwise authorized in the 
separate instructions lenders must also submit appeals, regardless of 
the amount, to VA in all cases where the staff appraisal reviewer has 
made an adjustment during their initial review of the appraisal report 
to the fee appraiser's market value estimate. The fee appraiser's 
estimated market value or lender's reasonable value determination may be 
increased only when such increase is clearly warranted and fully 
supported by real estate market or other valid data considered adequate 
and reasonable by professional appraisal standards and the lender's 
staff appraisal reviewer clearly and fully justifies the reasoning and 
basis for the increase in writing on the appraisal report form or an 
addendum. The staff appraisal reviewer must date and sign the written 
justification and must cite within it the data used in arriving at the 
decision to make the increase. All such data shall be attached to the 
appraisal report form and any addendum.
    (e) Notification. It will be the responsibility of the lender to 
notify the veteran borrower in writing of the determination of 
reasonable value and related conditions specific to the property and to 
provide the veteran with a copy of the appraisal report. Any delay in 
processing the notification of value must be documented. Any delay of 
more than five work days between the date of the lender's receipt of the 
fee appraiser's report and date of the notification of value to the 
veteran, without reasonable and documented extenuating circumstances, 
will not be acceptable. A copy of the lender notification letter to the 
veteran and the appraisal report must be forwarded to the VA office of 
jurisdiction at the same time the veteran is notified. In addition, the 
original appraisal report, related appraisal documentation, and a copy 
of the reasonable value determination notification to the veteran must 
be submitted to the VA with the request for loan guaranty.
    (f) Indemnification. When the Secretary has incurred a loss as a 
result of a payment of claim under guaranty and in which the Secretary 
determines an increase made by the lender under Sec. 36.4347(d) was 
unwarranted, or arbitrary and capricious, the lender shall indemnify the 
Secretary to the extent the Secretary determines such loss was caused, 
or increased, by the increase in value.
    (g) Affiliations. A lender affiliated with a real estate firm 
builder, land developer or escrow agent as a subsidiary division, 
investment or any other entity in which it has a financial interest or 
which it owns may not use this authority for any cases involving the 
affiliate unless the lender demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction 
that the lender and its affiliate(s) are essentially separate entities 
that operate independently of each other, free of all cross-influences 
(e.g., a formal corporate agreement exists which specifically sets forth 
this fact).
    (h) Quality control plans. The lender must have an effective self-
policing or quality control system to ensure the

[[Page 746]]

adequacy and quality of their LAPP staff appraisal reviewer's processing 
and, that its activities do not deviate from high standards of 
integrity. The quality control system must include frequent, periodic 
audits that specifically address the appraisal review activity. These 
audits may be performed by an independent party, or by the lender's 
independent internal audit division which reports directly to the firm's 
chief executive officer. The lender must agree to furnish findings and 
information under this system to VA on demand. While the quality control 
personnel need not be appraisers, they should have basic familiarity 
with appraisal theory and techniques and the ability to prescribe 
appropriate corrective action(s) in the appraisal review process when 
discrepancies or problems are identified. The basic elements of the 
system will be described in separate instructions issued by the 
Secretary. Copies of the lender's quality control plan or self-policing 
system evidencing appraisal related matters must be provided to the VA 
office of jurisdiction with the lender's application for LAPP authority.
    (i) Fees. The Secretary may require mortgagees to pay an application 
fee and/or annual fees, including additional fees for each branch office 
authorized to process cases under the authority delegated under this 
section, in such amounts and at such times as the Secretary may require.
    (j) Withdrawal of lender authority. The authority for a lender to 
determine reasonable value may be withdrawn by the Loan Guaranty Officer 
when proper cause exists. A lender's authority to make reasonable value 
determinations shall be withdrawn when the lender no longer meets the 
basic requirements for delegating the authority, or when it can be shown 
that the lender's reasonable value determinations have not been made in 
accordance with VA regulations, requirements, guidelines, instructions 
or applicable laws, or when there is adequate evidence to support 
reasonable belief by VA that a particular unacceptable act, practice, or 
performance by the lender or the lender's staff has occurred. Such acts, 
practices or performance include, but are not limited to: Demonstrated 
technical incompetence (i.e., conduct which demonstrates an insufficient 
knowledge of industry accepted appraisal principles, techniques and 
practices; or the lack of technical competence to review appraisal 
reports and make value determinations in accordance with those 
requirements); substantive or repetitive errors (i.e., any error(s) of a 
nature that would materially or significantly affect the determination 
of reasonable value or condition of the property; or a number or series 
of errors that, considered individually, may not significantly impact 
the determination of reasonable value or property condition, but which 
when considered in the aggregate would establish that appraisal reviews 
or LAPP case processing are being performed in a careless or negligent 
manner), or continued instances of disregard for VA requirements after 
they have been called to the lender's attention.
    (1) Withdrawal of authority by the Loan Guaranty Officer may be 
either for an indefinite or a specified period of time. For any 
withdrawal longer than 90 days, a reapplication for lender authority to 
process appraisals under these regulations will be required. Written 
notice will be provided at least 30 days in advance of withdrawal unless 
the Government's interests are exposed to immediate risk from the 
lender's activities in which case the withdrawal will be effected 
immediately. The notice will clearly and specifically set forth the 
basis and grounds for the action. There is no right to a formal hearing 
to contest the withdrawal of LAPP processing privileges. However, if 
within 15 days after receiving notice the lender requests an opportunity 
to contest the withdrawal, the lender may submit, in person, in writing, 
or through a representative, information and argument to the Loan 
Guaranty Officer in opposition to the withdrawal. The Loan Guaranty 
Officer will make a recommendation to the Regional Office Director who 
shall make the determination as to whether the action should be 
sustained, modified or rescinded. The lender will be informed in writing 
of the decision.
    (2) The lender has the right to appeal the Regional Office 
Director's decision to the Under Secretary for Benefits. In

[[Page 747]]

the event of such an appeal, the Under Secretary for Benefits will 
review all relevant material concerning the matter and make a 
determination that shall constitute final agency action. If the lender's 
submission of opposition raises a genuine dispute over facts material to 
the withdrawal of LAPP authority, the lender will be afforded an 
opportunity to appear with a representative, submit documentary 
evidence, present witnesses and confront any witness the Veterans 
Benefits Administration presents. The Under Secretary for Benefits will 
appoint a hearing officer or panel to conduct the hearing. When such 
additional proceedings are necessary, the Under Secretary for Benefits 
shall base the determination on the facts as found, together with any 
information and argument submitted by the lender.
    (3) In actions based upon a conviction or civil judgment, or in 
which there is no genuine dispute over material facts, the Under 
Secretary for Benefits shall make a decision on the basis of all the 
information in the administrative record, including any submission made 
by the lender.
    (4) Withdrawal of the LAPP authority will require that VA make 
subsequent determinations of reasonable value for the lender. 
Consequently, VA staff will review each appraisal report and issue a 
Certificate of Reasonable Value which can then be used by the lender to 
close loans on either the prior VA approval or automatic basis.
    (5) Withdrawal by VA of the lender's LAPP authority does not prevent 
VA from also withdrawing automatic processing authority or taking 
debarment or suspension action based upon the same conduct by the 
lender.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collections requirements of this section under control numbers 2900-0045 
and 2900-0513)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3731)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4348  Servicer Appraisal Processing Program.

    (a) Delegation of authority to servicers to review liquidation 
appraisals and determine reasonable value. Based on the reasonable 
value, the servicer will be able to determine net value.
    (1) To be eligible for delegation of authority to review VA 
liquidation appraisals and determine the reasonable value for 
liquidation purposes on properties secured by VA guaranteed or insured 
loans, a lender must:
    (i) Have automatic processing authority under 38 U.S.C. 3702(d), and
    (ii) Employ one or more Staff Appraisal Reviewers (SAR) acceptable 
to the Secretary.
    (2) To qualify as a servicer's staff appraisal reviewer an applicant 
must be a full-time member of the servicer's permanent staff and may not 
be employed by, or perform services for, any other mortgagee. The 
individual must not engage in any private pursuits in which there will 
be, or appear to be, any conflict of interest between those pursuits and 
his/her duties, responsibilities, and performance as a Servicer 
Appraisal Processing Program (SAPP) staff appraisal reviewer. Three 
years of appraisal related experience is necessary to qualify as a 
servicer's staff appraisal reviewer. That experience must demonstrate 
knowledge of, and the ability to apply industry-accepted principles, 
methods, practices and techniques of appraising, and the ability to 
competently determine the value of property. The individual must 
demonstrate the ability to review the work of others and to recognize 
deviations from accepted appraisal principle, practices, and techniques, 
error in computations, and unjustifiable and unsupportable conclusions.
    (3) Servicers that have a staff appraisal reviewer determined 
acceptable to VA, will be authorized to review liquidation appraisals 
and make reasonable value determinations for liquidation purposes on 
properties that are the security for VA guaranteed or insured loans. 
Additionally, servicers must satisfy initial VA office case review 
requirements prior to being allowed to determine reasonable value 
without VA involvement. The initial office case review requirement must 
be satisfied in the VA regional loan center in whose jurisdiction the 
servicer's staff appraisal reviewer is located before the SAPP authority 
may be utilized by that servicer in any other VA

[[Page 748]]

office's jurisdiction. To satisfy the initial office case review 
requirement, the first five cases of each servicer staff appraisal 
reviewer involving properties in the regional office location where the 
staff appraisal reviewer is located will be processed by him or her up 
to the point where he or she has made a reasonable value determination 
and fully drafted, but not issued, the servicer's notice of value. At 
that point, and prior to loan termination, each of the five cases will 
be submitted to the VA regional loan center having jurisdiction over the 
property. After a staff review of each case, VA will issue a notice of 
value which the servicer may use to compute the net value of the 
property for liquidation purposes. If these five cases are found to be 
acceptable by VA, the servicer's staff appraisal reviewer will be 
allowed to fully process subsequent appraisals for properties regardless 
of jurisdictional location without prior submission to VA and issuance 
by VA of a notice of value. Where the servicer's reviewer cannot readily 
meet the jurisdictional review requirement, the SAR applicant may 
request that VA expand the geographic area of consideration. VA will 
accommodate such requests if practicable. The initial office case review 
requirement may be expanded by VA if acceptable performance has not been 
demonstrated. After satisfaction of the initial office case review 
requirement, routine reviews of SAPP cases will be made by VA staff 
based upon quality control procedures established by the Undersecretary 
for Benefits. Such review will be made on a random sampling or 
performance related basis.
    (4) Certifications required from the servicer will be specified with 
particularity in the separate instructions issued by the Secretary, as 
noted in Sec. 36.4348(b).
    (b) Instructions for SAPP Procedures. The Secretary will publish 
separate instructions for processing appraisals under the Servicer 
Appraisal Processing Program. Compliance with these regulations and the 
separate instructions issued by the Secretary is deemed by VA to be the 
minimum exercise of due diligence in processing SAPP cases. Due 
diligence is considered by VA to represent that care, as is to be 
properly expected from, and ordinarily exercised by, a reasonable and 
prudent servicer who would be dependent on the property as security to 
protect its investment.
    (c) Adjustment of value recommendations. The amount of authority to 
upwardly adjust the fee appraiser's estimated market value during the 
servicer staff appraisal reviewer's initial review of the appraisal 
report or to subsequently process an appeal of the servicer's 
established reasonable value will be specified in the separate 
instructions issued by VA as noted in Sec. 36.4348(b). The amount 
specified must not in any way be considered an administrative adjustment 
figure which may be applied indiscriminately and without valid basis or 
justification.
    (1) Adjustment during initial review. Any adjustment during the 
staff appraisal reviewer's initial review of the appraisal report must 
be fully and clearly justified in writing on the appraisal report form 
or, if necessary, on an addendum. The basis for the adjustment must be 
adequate and reasonable by professional appraisal standards. If real 
estate market or other valid data was utilized in arriving at the 
decision to make the adjustment, such data must be attached to the 
appraisal report. All adjustments, comments, corrections, 
justifications, etc., to the appraisal report must be made in a 
contrasting color, be clearly legible, and signed and dated by the staff 
appraisal reviewer.
    (2) Processing appeals. The authority provided under 38 U.S.C. 
3731(d) which permits a lender to obtain a VA fee panel appraiser's 
report which VA is obligated to consider in an appeal of the established 
reasonable value shall not apply to cases processed under the authority 
provided by this section. All appeals of VA fee appraiser's estimated 
market values or servicer's reasonable value determinations above the 
amount specified in the separate instructions issued by VA must be 
submitted, along with the servicer's recommendations, if any, to VA for 
processing and final determination. Unless otherwise authorized in the 
separate instructions servicers must also submit appeals, regardless of 
the amount, to

[[Page 749]]

VA in all cases where the staff appraisal reviewer has made an 
adjustment during their initial review of the appraisal report to the 
fee appraiser's market value estimate. The fee appraiser's estimated 
market value or servicer's reasonable value determination may be 
increased only when such increase is clearly warranted and fully 
supported by real estate market or other valid data considered adequate 
and reasonable by professional appraisal standards and the servicer's 
staff appraisal reviewer clearly and fully justifies the reasoning and 
basis for the increase in writing on the appraisal report form or an 
addendum. The staff appraisal reviewer must date and sign the written 
justification and must cite within it the data used in arriving at the 
decision to make the increase. All such data shall be attached to the 
appraisal report form and any addendum.
    (d) Indemnification. When the Secretary has incurred a loss as a 
result of a payment of claim under guaranty and in which the Secretary 
determines an increase made by the servicer under Sec. 36.4348(c) was 
unwarranted, or arbitrary and capricious, the lender shall indemnify the 
Secretary to the extent the Secretary determines such loss was caused or 
increased, by the increase in value.
    (e) Affiliations. A servicer affiliated with a real estate firm, 
builder, land developer or escrow agent as a subsidiary division, or in 
any other entity in which it has a financial interest or which it owns 
may not use the authority for any cases involving the affiliate unless 
the servicer demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the 
servicer and its affiliate(s) are essentially separate entities that 
operate independently of each other, free of all cross-influences (e.g., 
a formal corporate agreement exists which specifically sets forth this 
fact).
    (f) Quality control plans. The servicer must have an effective self-
policing or quality control system to ensure the adequacy and quality of 
their SAPP staff appraisal reviewer's processing and, that its 
activities do not deviate from high standards of integrity. The quality 
control system must include frequent, periodic audits that specifically 
address the appraisal review activity. These audits may be performed by 
an independent party, or by the servicer's independent internal audit 
division which reports directly to the firm's chief executive officer. 
The servicer must agree to furnish findings and information under this 
system to VA on demand. While the quality control personnel need not be 
appraisers, they should have basic familiarity with appraisal theory and 
techniques and the ability to prescribe appropriate corrective action(s) 
in the appraisal review process when discrepancies or problems are 
identified. The basic elements of the system will be described in 
separate instructions issued by the Secretary. Copies of the lender's 
quality control plan or self-policing system evidencing appraisal 
related matters must be provided to the VA office of jurisdiction with 
the servicer's application of SAPP authority.
    (g) Fees. The Secretary will require servicers to pay a $100.00 
application fee for each SAR the servicer nominates for approval. The 
application fee will also apply if the SAR begins work for another 
servicer.
    (h) Withdrawal of servicer authority. The authority for a servicer 
to determine reasonable value may be withdrawn by the Loan Guaranty 
Officer when proper cause exists. A servicer's authority to make 
reasonable value determinations shall be withdrawn when the servicer no 
longer meets the basic requirements for delegating the authority, or 
when it can be shown that the servicer's reasonable value determinations 
have not been made in accordance with VA regulations, requirements, 
guidelines, instructions or applicable laws, or when there is adequate 
evidence to support reasonable belief by VA that a particular 
unacceptable act, practice, or performance by the servicer or the 
servicer's staff has occurred. Such acts, practices, or performance 
include, but are not limited to: Demonstrated technical incompetence 
(i.e., conduct which demonstrates an insufficient knowledge of industry 
accepted appraisal principles, techniques and practices; or the lack of

[[Page 750]]

technical competence to review appraisal reports and make value 
determinations in accordance with those requirements); substantive or 
repetitive errors (i.e., any error(s) of a nature that would materially 
or significantly affect the determination of reasonable value or 
condition of the property; or a number or series of errors that, 
considered individually, may not significantly impact the determination 
of reasonable value or property condition, but which when considered in 
the aggregate would establish that appraisal reviews or SAPP case 
processing are being performed in a careless or negligent manner), or 
continued instances of disregard for VA requirements after they have 
been called to the servicer's attention.
    (1) Withdrawal of authority by the Loan Guaranty Officer may be 
either for an indefinite or a specified period of time. For any 
withdrawal longer than 90 days a reapplication for servicer authority to 
process appraisals under these regulations will be required. Written 
notice will be provided at least 30 days in advance of withdrawal unless 
the Government's interests are exposed to immediate risk from the 
servicer's activities in which case the withdrawal will be effected 
immediately. The notice will clearly and specifically set forth the 
basis and grounds for the action. There is no right to a formal hearing 
to contest the withdrawal of SAPP processing privileges. However, if 
within 15 days after receiving notice the servicer requests an 
opportunity to contest the withdrawal, the servicer may submit, in 
person, in writing, or through a representative, information and 
argument to the Loan Guaranty Officer in opposition to the withdrawal. 
The Loan Guaranty Officer will make a recommendation to the Regional 
Loan Center Director who shall make the determination as to whether the 
action should be sustained, modified or rescinded. The servicer will be 
informed in writing of the decision.
    (2) The servicer has the right to appeal the Regional Loan Center 
Director's decision to the Undersecretary for Benefits. In the event of 
such an appeal, the Undersecretary for Benefits will review all relevant 
material concerning the matter and make a determination that shall 
constitute final agency action. If the servicer's submission of 
opposition raises a genuine dispute over facts material to the 
withdrawal of SAPP authority, the servicer will be afforded an 
opportunity to appear with a representative, submit documentary 
evidence, present witnesses and confront any witness the Veterans 
Benefits Administration presents. The Undersecretary for Benefits will 
appoint a hearing officer or panel to conduct the hearing. When such 
additional proceedings are necessary, the Undersecretary for Benefits 
shall base the determination on the facts as found, together with any 
information and argument submitted by the servicer.
    (3) In actions based upon a conviction or civil judgment, or in 
which there is no genuine dispute over material facts, the 
Undersecretary for Benefits shall make a decision on the basis of all 
the information in the administrative record, including any submission 
made by the servicer.
    (4) Withdrawal of the SAPP authority will require that VA make 
subsequent determinations of reasonable value for the servicer. 
Consequently, VA staff will review each appraisal report and issue a 
Notice of Value which can then be used by the servicer to compute the 
net value of properties for liquidation purposes.
    (5) Withdrawal by VA of the servicer's SAPP authority does not 
prevent VA from also withdrawing automatic processing authority or 
taking debarment or suspension action based upon the same conduct of the 
servicer.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 2900-0045 
and 2900-0513)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3731 and 3732)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4349  Waivers, consents, and approvals; when effective.

    No waiver, consent, or approval required or authorized by the 
regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans shall 
be valid unless in writing signed by the Secretary or

[[Page 751]]

the subordinate officer to whom authority has been delegated by the 
Secretary.

(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4350  Servicing procedures for holders.

    (a) Establishment of loan servicing program. The holder of a loan 
guaranteed or insured by the Secretary shall develop and maintain a loan 
servicing program which follows accepted industry standards for 
servicing of similar type conventional loans. The loan servicing program 
established pursuant to this section may employ different servicing 
approaches to fit individual borrower circumstances and avoid 
establishing a fixed routine. However, it must incorporate each of the 
provisions specified in paragraphs (b) through (l) of this section.
    (b) Procedures for providing information. (1) Loan holders shall 
establish procedures to provide loan information to borrowers, arrange 
for individual loan consultations upon request and maintain controls to 
assure prompt responses to inquiries. One or more of the following means 
of making information readily available to borrowers is required.
    (i) An office staffed with trained servicing personnel with access 
to loan account information located within 200 miles of the property.
    (ii) Toll-free telephone service or acceptance of collect telephone 
calls at an office capable of providing needed information.
    (2) All borrowers must be informed of the system available for 
obtaining answers to loan inquiries, the office from which the needed 
information may be obtained, and reminded of the system at least 
annually.
    (c) Statement for income tax purposes. Before February 1st of each 
calendar year, the holder shall furnish to the borrower a statement of 
the interest paid and, if applicable, a statement of the taxes disbursed 
from the escrow account during the preceding year. At the borrower's 
request, the holder shall furnish a statement of the escrow account 
sufficient to enable the borrower to reconcile the account.
    (d) Change of servicing. Whenever servicing of a loan guaranteed or 
insured by the Secretary is transferred from one holder to another, 
notice of such transfer by both the transferor and transferee, the form 
and content of such notice, the timing of such notice, the treatment of 
payments during the period of such transfer, and damages and costs for 
failure to comply with these requirements shall be governed by the 
pertinent provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act as 
administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    (e) Escrow accounts. A holder of a loan guaranteed or insured by the 
Secretary may collect periodic deposits from the borrower for taxes and/
or insurance on the security and maintain a tax and insurance escrow 
account provided such a requirement is authorized under the terms of the 
security instruments. In maintaining such accounts, the holder shall 
comply with the pertinent provisions of the Real Estate Settlement 
Procedures Act.
    (f) System for servicing delinquent loans. In addition to the 
requirements of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, concerning 
the duties of the loan servicer to respond to borrower inquiries, to 
protect the borrower's credit rating during a payment dispute period, 
and to pay damages and costs for noncompliance, holders shall establish 
a system for servicing delinquent loans which ensures that prompt action 
is taken to collect amounts due from borrowers and minimize the number 
of loans in a default status. The holder's servicing system must include 
the following:
    (1) An accounting system which promptly alerts servicing personnel 
when a loan becomes delinquent;
    (2) A collection staff which is trained in techniques of loan 
servicing and counseling delinquent borrowers to advise borrowers how to 
cure delinquencies, protect their equity and credit rating and, if the 
default is insoluble, pursue alternatives to foreclosure;
    (3) Procedural guidelines for individual analysis of each 
delinquency;
    (4) Instructions and appropriate controls for sending delinquent 
notices, assessing late charges, handling partial

[[Page 752]]

payments, maintaining servicing histories and evaluating repayment 
proposals;
    (5) Management review procedures for evaluating efforts made to 
collect the delinquency and the response from the borrower before a 
decision is made to initiate action to liquidate a loan;
    (6) Procedures for reporting delinquencies of 90 days or more and 
loan terminations to major consumer credit bureaus as specified by the 
Secretary and for informing borrowers that such action will be taken; 
and
    (7) Controls to ensure that all notices required to be given to the 
Secretary on delinquent loans are provided timely and in such form as 
the Secretary shall require.
    (g) Collection actions. (1) Holders shall employ collection 
techniques which provide flexibility to adapt to the individual needs 
and circumstances of each borrower. A variety of collection techniques 
may be used based on the holder's determination of the most effective 
means of contact with borrowers during various stages of delinquency. 
However, at a minimum the holder's collection procedures must include 
the following actions:
    (i) An effort, concurrent with the initial late payment notice to 
establish contact with the borrower(s) by telephone. When talking with 
the borrower(s), the holder should attempt to determine why payment was 
not made and emphasize the importance of remitting loan installments as 
they come due.
    (ii) A letter to the borrower(s) if payment has not been received 
within 30 days after it is due and telephone contact could not be made. 
This letter should emphasize the seriousness of the delinquency and the 
importance of taking prompt action to resolve the default. It should 
also notify the borrower(s) that the loan is in default, state the total 
amount due and advise the borrower(s) how to contact the holder to make 
arrangements for curing the default.
    (iii) In the event the holder has not established contact with the 
borrower(s) and has not determined the financial circumstances of the 
borrower(s) or established a reason for the default or obtained 
agreement to a repayment plan from the borrower(s), then a face-to-face 
interview with the borrower(s) or a reasonable effort to arrange such a 
meeting is required.
    (iv)(A) A letter to the borrower if payment has not been received:
    (1) In the case of a default occurring within the first 6 months 
following loan closing or the execution of a modification agreement 
pursuant to Sec. 36.4315, within 45 calendar days after such payment was 
due; or
    (2) In the case of any other default, within 75 calendar days after 
such payment was due.
    (B) The letter required by paragraph (g)(1)(iv)(A) must be mailed no 
later than 7 calendar days after the payment is delinquent for the time 
period stated in paragraph (g)(1)(iv)(A) and shall:
    (1) Provide the borrower with a toll-free telephone number and, if 
available, an e-mail address for contacting the servicer;
    (2) Explain loss mitigation options available to the borrower;
    (3) Emphasize that the intent of servicing is to retain home 
ownership whenever possible; and
    (4) Contain the following language:

    The delinquency of your mortgage loan is a serious matter that could 
result in the loss of your home. If you are the veteran whose 
entitlement was used to obtain this loan, you can also lose your 
entitlement to a future VA home loan guaranty. If you are not already 
working with us to resolve the delinquency, please call us to discuss 
your workout options. You may be able to make special payment 
arrangements that will reinstate your loan. You may also qualify for a 
repayment plan or loan modification.
    VA has guaranteed a portion of your loan and wants to ensure that 
you receive every reasonable opportunity to bring your loan current and 
retain your home. VA can also answer any questions you have regarding 
your entitlement. If you have access to the Internet and would like to 
obtain more information, you may access the VA web site at www.va.gov. 
You may also learn where to speak to a VA Loan Administration 
representative by calling 1-800-827-1000.

    (2) The holder must provide a valid explanation of any failure to 
perform these collection actions when reporting loan defaults to the 
Secretary. A pattern of such failure may be a basis for sanctions under 
2 CFR parts 180 and 801.

[[Page 753]]

    (h) Conducting interviews with delinquent borrowers. When personal 
contact with the borrower(s) is established, the holder shall solicit 
sufficient information to properly evaluate the prospects for curing the 
default and whether the granting of forbearance or other relief 
assistance would be appropriate. At a minimum, the holder must make a 
reasonable effort to establish the following:
    (1) The reason for the default and whether the reason is a temporary 
or permanent condition;
    (2) The present income and employment of the borrower(s);
    (3) The current monthly expenses of the borrower(s) including 
household and debt obligations;
    (4) The current mailing address and telephone number of the 
borrower(s); and
    (5) A realistic and mutually satisfactory arrangement for curing the 
default.
    (i) Property inspections. (1) The holder shall make an inspection of 
the property securing the loan whenever it becomes aware that the 
physical condition of the security may be in jeopardy. Unless a 
repayment agreement is in effect, a property inspection shall also be 
made at the following times:
    (i) Before the 60th day of delinquency or before initiating action 
to liquidate a loan, whichever is earlier; and
    (ii) At least once each month after liquidation proceedings have 
been started unless servicing information shows the property remains 
owner-occupied.
    (2) Whenever a holder obtains information which indicates that the 
property securing the loan is abandoned, it shall make appropriate 
arrangements to protect the property from vandalism and the elements. 
Thereafter, the holder shall schedule inspections at least monthly to 
prevent unnecessary deterioration due to vandalism, or neglect. With 
respect to any loan more than 60 calendar days delinquent, if the 
property is abandoned, this fact must be reported to the Secretary as 
required in Sec. 36.4317(c)(10) and immediate action should be initiated 
by the servicer to terminate the loan once the abandonment has been 
confirmed.
    (j) Collection records. The holder shall maintain individual file 
records of collection action on delinquent loans and make such records 
available to the Secretary for inspection on request. Such collection 
records shall show:
    (1) The dates and content of letters and notices which were mailed 
to the borrower(s);
    (2) Dated summaries of each personal servicing contact and the 
result of same;
    (3) The indicated reason(s) for default; and
    (4) The date and result of each property inspection.
    (k) Quality control procedures. No later than 180 days after the 
effective date of this regulation, each loan holder shall establish 
internal controls to periodically assess the quality of the servicing 
performed on loans guaranteed by the Secretary and assure that all 
requirements of this section are being met. Those procedures must 
provide for a review of the holder's servicing activities at least 
annually and include an evaluation of delinquency and foreclosure rates 
on loans in its portfolio which are guaranteed by the Secretary. As part 
of its evaluation of delinquency and foreclosure rates, the holder 
shall:
    (1) Collect and maintain appropriate data on delinquency and 
foreclosure rates to enable the holder to evaluate effectiveness of its 
collection efforts;
    (2) Determine how its VA delinquency and foreclosure rates compare 
with rates in reports published by the industry, investors and others; 
and,
    (3) Analyze significant variances between its foreclosure and 
delinquency rates and those found in available reports and publications 
and take appropriate corrective action.
    (l) Provision of Data. Holders shall provide available statistical 
data on delinquency and foreclosure rates and their analysis of such 
data to the Secretary upon request.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under Control Number 2900-0530)

(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]

[[Page 754]]



Sec. 36.4351  Minimum property and construction requirements.

    No loan for the purchase or construction of residential property 
shall be eligible for guaranty or insurance unless such property 
complies or conforms with those standards of planning, construction, and 
general acceptability that may be applicable thereto and prescribed by 
the Secretary pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3704(a) or 38 U.S.C. 3710(b)(4), or 
both such sections, as applicable.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3704(a), 3710(b)(4))

[79 FR 2101, Jan. 13, 2014]



Sec. 36.4352  Authority to close loans on the automatic basis.

    (a) Supervised lender authority. Supervised lenders of the classes 
described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d)(1) and (2) are authorized by statute to 
process VA guaranteed home loans on the automatic basis. This category 
of lenders includes any Federal land bank, national bank, State bank, 
private bank, building and loan association, insurance company, credit 
union or mortgage and loan company that is subject to examination and 
supervision by an agency of the United States or of any State or by any 
State.
    (b) Non-supervised lender authority. Non-supervised lenders of the 
class described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d)(3) must apply to the Secretary for 
authority to process loans on the automatic basis. Each of the minimum 
requirements listed below must be met by applicant lenders.
    (1) Experience. The applicant lender must meet one of the following 
experience requirements:
    (i) The applicant lender must have been actively engaged in 
originating VA loans for at least two years, have a VA Lender ID number 
and have originated and closed a minimum of ten VA loans within the past 
two years, excluding interest rate reduction refinance loans (IRRRLs), 
that have been properly documented and submitted in compliance with VA 
requirements and procedures; or
    (ii) The applicant lender must have a VA ID number and, if active 
for less than two years, have originated and closed at least 25 VA 
loans, excluding IRRRLs, that have been properly documented and 
submitted in compliance with VA requirements and procedures; or
    (iii) Each principal officer of the applicant lender, who is 
actively involved in managing origination functions, must have a minimum 
of two recent years' management experience in the origination of VA 
loans. This experience may be with the current or prior employer. For 
the purposes of this requirement, principal officer is defined as 
president or vice president; or
    (iv) If the applicant lender has been operating as an agent for a 
non-supervised automatic lender (sponsoring lender), the firm must 
submit documentation confirming that it has a VA Lender ID number and 
has originated a minimum of ten VA loans, excluding IRRRLs, over the 
past two years. If active for less than two years, the agent must have 
originated at least 25 VA loans. The required documentation is a copy of 
the VA letter approving the applicant lender as an agent for the 
sponsoring lender; a copy of the corporate resolution, describing the 
functions the agent was to perform, submitted to VA by the sponsoring 
lender; and a letter from a senior officer of the sponsoring lender 
indicating the number of VA loans submitted by the agent each year and 
that the loans have been properly documented and submitted in compliance 
with VA requirements and procedures.
    (2) Underwriter. A senior officer of the applicant lender must 
nominate a full-time qualified employee(s) to act in the applicant 
lender's behalf as underwriter(s) to personally review and make 
underwriting decisions on VA loans to be closed on the automatic basis.
    (i) Nominees for underwriter must have a minimum of three years 
experience in processing, pre-underwriting or underwriting mortgage 
loans. At least one recent year of this experience must have included 
making underwriting decisions on VA loans. (Recent is defined as within 
the past three years.) A VA nomination and current resume, outlining the 
underwriter's specific experience with VA loans, must be submitted for 
each underwriter nominee.
    (ii) Alternatively, if an underwriter does not have the experience 
outlined

[[Page 755]]

above, the underwriter must submit documentation verifying that he or 
she is a current Accredited Residential Underwriter (ARU) as designated 
by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
    (iii) If an underwriter is not located in the lender's corporate 
office, then a senior officer must certify that the underwriter reports 
to and is supervised by an individual who is not a branch manager or 
other person with production responsibilities.
    (iv) All VA-approved underwriters must attend a 1-day (eight-hour) 
training course on underwriter responsibilities, VA underwriting 
requirements, and VA administrative requirements, including the usage of 
VA forms, within 90 days of approval (if VA is unable to make such 
training available within 90 days, the underwriter must attend the first 
available training). Immediately upon approval of a VA underwriter, the 
office of jurisdiction will contact the underwriter to schedule this 
training at a VA regional office (VARO) of the underwriter's choice. 
This training is required for all newly approved VA underwriters, 
including those who qualified for approval based on an ARU designation, 
as well as VA-approved underwriters who have not underwritten VA-
guaranteed loans in the past 24 months. Furthermore, and at the 
discretion of any VARO in whose jurisdiction the lender is originating 
VA loans, VA-approved underwriters who consistently approve loans that 
do not meet VA credit standards may be required to retake this training.
    (3) Underwriter certification. The lender must certify that all 
underwriting decisions as to whether to accept or reject a VA loan will 
be made by a VA-approved underwriter. In addition each VA-approved 
underwriter will be required to certify on each VA loan that he or she 
approves that the loan has been personally reviewed and approved by the 
underwriter.
    (4) Financial requirements. Each application must include the most 
recent annual financial statement audited and certified by a certified 
public accountant (CPA). If the date of the annual financial statement 
precedes that of the application by more than six months, the lender 
must also attach a copy of its latest internal financial statement. 
Lenders are required to meet either the working capital or the minimum 
net worth financial requirement as defined below.
    (i) Working capital. A minimum of $50,000 in working capital must be 
demonstrated.
    (A) Working capital is a measure of an applicant lender's liquidity, 
or the ability to pay its short-term debts. Working capital is defined 
as the excess of current assets over current liabilities. Current assets 
are defined as cash or other liquid assets convertible into cash within 
a 1-year period. Current liabilities are defined as debts that must be 
paid within the same 1-year time frame.
    (B) The VA determination of whether a lender has the required 
minimum working capital is based on the balance sheet of the lender's 
annual audited financial statement. Therefore, either the balance sheet 
must be classified to distinguish between current and fixed assets and 
between current and long-term liabilities or the information must be 
provided in a footnote to the statement.
    (ii) Net worth. Lenders must show evidence of a minimum of $ 250,000 
in adjusted net worth. Net worth is a measure of an applicant lender's 
solvency, or its ability to exist in the long run, quantified by the 
payment of long-term debts. Net worth as defined by generally accepted 
accounting principles (GAAP) is total assets minus total liabilities. 
Adjusted net worth for VA purposes is the same as the adjusted net worth 
required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), net 
worth less certain unacceptable assets including:
    (A) Any assets of the lender pledged to secure obligations of 
another person or entity.
    (B) Any asset due from either officers or stockholders of the lender 
or related entities, in which the lender's officers or stockholders have 
a personal interest, unrelated to their position as an officer or 
stockholder.
    (C) Any investment in related entities in which the lender's 
officers or stockholders have a personal interest unrelated to their 
position as an officer or stockholder.

[[Page 756]]

    (D) That portion of an investment in joint ventures, subsidiaries, 
affiliates and/or other related entities which is carried at a value 
greater than equity, as adjusted. ``Equity as adjusted'' means the book 
value of the related entity reduced by the amount of unacceptable assets 
carried by the related entity.
    (E) All intangibles, such as goodwill, covenants not to compete, 
franchisee fees, organization costs, etc., except unamortized servicing 
costs carried at a value established by an arm's-length transaction and 
presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
    (F) That portion of an asset not readily marketable and for which 
appraised values are very subjective, carried at a value in excess of a 
substantially discounted appraised value. Assets such as antiques, art 
work and gemstones are subject to this provision and should be carried 
at the lower of cost or market.
    (G) Any asset that is principally used for the personal enjoyment of 
an officer or stockholder and not for normal business purposes. Adjusted 
net worth must be calculated by a CPA using an audited and certified 
balance sheet from the lender's latest financial statements. ``Personal 
interest'' as used in this section indicates a relationship between the 
lender and a person or entity in which that specified person (e.g., 
spouse, parent, grandparent, child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or in-
law) has a financial interest in or is employed in a management position 
by the lender.
    (5) Lines of credit. The lender applicant must have one or more 
lines of credit aggregating at least $ 1 million. The identity of the 
source(s) of warehouse lines of credit must be submitted to VA and the 
applicant must agree that VA may contact the named source(s) for the 
purpose of verifying the information. A line of credit must be 
unrestricted, that is, funds are available upon demand to close loans 
and are not dependent on prior investor approval. A letter from the 
company(ies) verifying the unrestricted line(s) of credit must be 
submitted with the application for automatic authority.
    (6) Permanent investors. If the lender customarily sells loans it 
originates, it must have a minimum of two permanent investors. The 
names, addresses and telephone numbers of the permanent investors must 
be submitted with the application.
    (7) Liaison. The lender applicant must designate an employee and an 
alternate to be the primary liaison with VA. The liaison officers should 
be thoroughly familiar with the lender's entire operation and be able to 
respond to any query from VA concerning a particular VA loan or the 
firm's automatic authority.
    (8) Other considerations. All applications will also be reviewed in 
light of the following considerations:
    (i) There must be no factors that indicate that the firm would not 
exercise the care and diligence required of a lender originating and 
closing VA loans on the automatic basis; and
    (ii) In the event the applicant lender, any member of the board of 
directors, or any principal officer has ever been debarred or suspended 
by any Federal agency or department, or any of its directors or officers 
has been a director or officer of any other lender or corporation that 
was so debarred or suspended, or if the lender applicant ever had a 
servicing contract with an investor terminated for cause, a statement of 
the facts must be submitted with the application for automatic 
authority.
    (9) Quality control system. In order to be approved as a non-
supervised lender for automatic-processing authority, the lender must 
implement a written quality control system which ensures compliance with 
VA requirements. The lender must agree to furnish findings under its 
systems to VA on demand. The elements of the quality control system must 
include the following:
    (i) Underwriting policies. Each office of the lender shall maintain 
copies of VA credit standards and all available VA underwriting 
guidelines.
    (ii) Corrective measures. The system should ensure that effective 
corrective measures are taken promptly when deficiencies in loan 
originations are identified by either the lender or VA. Any cases 
involving major discrepancies which are discovered under the system must 
be reported to VA.

[[Page 757]]

    (iii) System integrity. The quality control system should be 
independent of the mortgage loan production function.
    (iv) Scope. The review of underwriting decisions and certifications 
must include compliance with VA underwriting requirements, sufficiency 
of documentation and soundness of underwriting judgments.
    (v) Appraisal quality. For lenders approved for the Lender Appraisal 
Processing Program (LAPP), the quality control system must specifically 
contain provisions concerning the adequacy and quality of real property 
appraisals. While the lender's quality control personnel need not be 
appraisers, they should have basic familiarity with appraisal theory and 
techniques so that they can select appropriate cases for review if 
discretionary sampling is used, and prescribe appropriate corrective 
action(s) in the appraisal review process when discrepancies or problems 
are identified. Copies of the lender's quality control plan or self-
policing system evidencing appraisal related matters must be provided to 
the VA office of jurisdiction.
    (10) Courtesy closing. The lender applicant must certify to VA that 
it will not close loans on an automatic basis as a courtesy or 
accommodation for other mortgage lenders, whether or not such lenders 
are themselves approved to close on an automatic basis without the 
express approval of VA. However, a lender with automatic authority may 
close loans for which information and supporting credit data have been 
developed on its behalf by a duly authorized agent.
    (11) Probation. Lenders meeting these requirements will be approved 
to close VA loans on an automatic basis for a 1-year period. At the end 
of this period, the lender's quality of underwriting, the completeness 
of loan submissions, compliance with VA requirements and procedures, and 
the delinquency and foreclosure rates will be reviewed.
    (12) Extensions of automatic authority. When a lender wants its 
automatic authority extended to another State, the request must be 
submitted, with the fee designated in paragraph (e)(5) of this section, 
to the VA regional office having jurisdiction in the State where the 
lender's corporate office is located.
    (i) When a lender wants its automatic authority to include loans 
involving a real estate brokerage and/or a residential builder or 
developer in which it has a financial interest, owns, is owned by, or 
with which it is affiliated, the following documentation must be 
submitted:
    (A) A corporate resolution from the lender and each affiliate 
indicating that they are separate entities operating independently of 
each other. The lender's corporate resolution must indicate that it will 
not give more favorable underwriting consideration to its affiliate's 
loans, and the affiliate's corporate resolution must indicate that it 
will not seek to influence the lender to give their loans more favorable 
underwriting consideration.
    (B) Letters from permanent investors indicating the percentage of 
all VA loans based on the affiliate's production originated by the 
lender over a 1-year period that are past due 90 days or more. This 
delinquency ratio must be no higher than the national average for the 
same period for all mortgage loans.
    (ii) When a lender wants its automatic authority extended to 
additional States, the lender must indicate how it plans to originate VA 
loans in those States. Unless a lender proposes a telemarketing plan, VA 
requires that a lender have a presence in the State, that is, a branch 
office, an agent relationship, or that it is a reasonable distance from 
one of its offices in an adjacent State, i.e., 50 miles. If the request 
is based on an agency relationship, the documentation outlined in 
paragraph (b)(13) must be submitted with the request for extension.
    (13) Use of agents. A lender using an agent to perform a portion of 
the work involved in originating and closing a VA-guaranteed loan on an 
automatic basis must take full responsibility by certification for all 
acts, errors and omissions of the agent or other entity and its 
employees for the work performed. Any such acts, errors or omissions 
will be treated as those of the lender and appropriate sanctions may be 
imposed against the lender and its agent. Lenders requesting an agent 
must submit the following documentation to the VA regional office having

[[Page 758]]

jurisdiction for the lender's corporate office:
    (i) A corporate resolution certifying that the lender takes full 
responsibility for all acts, errors and omissions of the agent that it 
is requesting. The corporate resolution must also identify the agent's 
name and address, and the geographic area in which the agent will be 
originating and/or closing VA loans; whether the agent is authorized to 
issue interest rate lock-in agreements on behalf of the lender; and 
outline the functions the agent is to perform. Alternatively, the lender 
may submit a blanket corporate resolution which sets forth the functions 
of any and all agents and identifies individual agents by name, address, 
and geographic area in separate letters which refer to the blanket 
resolution.
    (ii) When the VA regional office having jurisdiction for the 
lender's corporate office acknowledges receipt of the lender's request 
in writing, the agent is thereby authorized to originate VA loans on the 
lender's behalf.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3702(d))

    (c) Reporting responsibility. A lender approved to close loans on 
the automatic basis who subsequently fails to meet the requirements of 
this section must report to VA the circumstances surrounding the 
deficiency and the remedial action to be taken to cure it. Failure to 
advise VA in a timely manner could result in a lender's loss of its 
approval to close VA loans on the automatic basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3702(d))

    (d) Annual recertification. Non-supervised lenders of the class 
described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d)(3) must be recertified annually for 
authority to process loans on the automatic basis. The following minimum 
annual recertification requirements must be met by each lender approved 
for automatic authority:
    (1) Financial requirements. A lender must submit, within 120 days 
following the end of its fiscal year, an audited and certified financial 
statement with a classified balance sheet or a separate footnote for 
adjusted net worth to VA Central Office (264) for review. The same 
minimum financial requirements described in Sec. 36.4352(b)(5) must be 
maintained and verified annually in order to be recertified for 
automatic authority.
    (2) Processing annual lender data. The VA regional office having 
jurisdiction for the lender's corporate office will mail an annual 
notice to the lender requesting current information on the lender's 
personnel and operation. The lender is required to complete the form and 
return it with the appropriate annual renewal fees to the VA regional 
office.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 3702(d))

    (e) Lender fees. To participate as a VA automatic lender, non-
supervised lenders of the class described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d)(3) shall 
pay fees as follows:
    (1) $500 for new applications;
    (2) $200 for reinstatement of lapsed or terminated automatic 
authority;
    (3) $100 for each underwriter approval;
    (4) $100 for each agent approval;
    (5) A minimum fee of $100 for any other VA administrative action 
pertaining to a lender's status as an automatic lender;
    (6) $200 annually for certification of home offices; and
    (7) $100 annually for each agent renewal.
    (f) Supervised lender fees. Supervised lenders of the classes 
described in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of 38 U.S. Code 3702 
participating in VA's Loan Guaranty Program shall pay fees as follows:
    (1) $100 fee for each agent approval; and
    (2) $100 annually for each agent renewal.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a) and 3703(c)(1))

    (g) LAPP fees. Lenders participating in VA's Lender Appraisal 
Processing Program shall pay a fee of $100 for approval of each staff 
appraisal reviewer.


(Authority 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4353  Withdrawal of authority to close loans on the automatic
basis.

    (a)(1) As provided in 38 U.S.C. 3702(e), the authority of any lender 
to close loans on the automatic basis may be

[[Page 759]]

withdrawn by the Secretary at any time upon 30 days notice. The 
automatic processing authority of both supervised and non-supervised 
lenders may be withdrawn for engaging in practices which are imprudent 
from a lending standpoint or which are prejudicial to the interests of 
veterans or the Government but are of a lesser degree than would warrant 
complete suspension or debarment of the lender from participation in the 
program.
    (2) Automatic-processing authority may be withdrawn at any time for 
failure to meet basic qualifying and/or annual recertification criteria.
    (i) Non-supervised lenders. (A) Automatic authority may be withdrawn 
for lack of a VA-approved underwriter, failure to maintain $50,000 in 
working capital or $250,000 in adjusted net worth, or failure to file 
required financial information.
    (B) During the 1-year probationary period for newly approved 
lenders, automatic authority may be temporarily or permanently withdrawn 
for any of the reasons set forth in this section regardless of whether 
deficiencies previously have been brought to the attention of the 
probationary lender.
    (ii) Supervised lenders. Automatic authority will be withdrawn for 
loss of status as an entity subject to examination and supervision by a 
Federal or State supervisory agency as required by 38 U.S.C. 3702(d).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3702(d))

    (3) Automatic processing authority may also be withdrawn for any of 
the causes for debarment set forth in 2 CFR parts 180 and 801.
    (b) Authority to close loans on the automatic basis may also be 
temporarily withdrawn for a period of time under the following schedule.
    (1) Withdrawal for 60 days may occur when:
    (i) Automatic loan submissions show deficiencies in credit 
underwriting, such as use of unstable sources of income to qualify the 
borrower, ignoring significant adverse credit items affecting the 
applicant's creditworthiness, etc., after such deficiencies have been 
repeatedly called to the lender's attention;
    (ii) Employment or deposit verifications are handcarried by 
applicants or otherwise improperly permitted to pass through the hands 
of a third party;
    (iii) Automatic loan submissions are consistently incomplete after 
such deficiencies have been repeatedly called to the lender's attention 
by VA; or
    (iv) There are continued instances of disregard of VA requirements 
after they have been called to the lender's attention.
    (2) Withdrawal for 180 days may occur when:
    (i) Loans are closed automatically which conflict with VA credit 
standards and which would not have been made by a lender acting 
prudently;
    (ii) The lender fails to disclose to VA significant obligations or 
other information so material to the veteran's ability to repay the loan 
that undue risk to the Government results;
    (iii) Employment or deposit verifications are allowed to be 
handcarried by applicant or otherwise mishandled, resulting in the 
submission of significant misinformation to VA;
    (iv) Substantiated complaints are received that the lender 
misrepresented VA requirements to veterans to the detriment of their 
interests (e.g., veteran was dissuaded from seeking a lower interest 
rate based on lender's incorrect advice that such options were precluded 
by VA requirements);
    (v) Closing documentation shows instances of improper charges to the 
veteran after the impropriety of such charges has been called to the 
lender's attention by VA, or refusal to refund such charges after 
notification by VA; or
    (vi) There are other instances of lender actions which are 
prejudicial to the interests of veterans such as deliberate delays in 
scheduling loan closings.
    (3) Withdrawal for a period of from one year to three years may 
occur when:
    (i) The lender fails to properly disburse loans (e.g., loan 
disbursement checks returned due to insufficient funds);
    (ii) There is involvement by the lender in the improper use of a 
veteran's

[[Page 760]]

entitlement (e.g., knowingly permitting the veteran to violate occupancy 
requirements, lender involvement in sale of veteran's entitlement, 
etc.).
    (4) A continuation of actions that have led to previous withdrawal 
of automatic authority justifies withdrawal of automatic authority for 
the next longer period of time.
    (5) Withdrawal of automatic processing authority does not prevent a 
lender from processing VA guaranteed loans on the prior approval basis.
    (6) Action by VA to remove a lender's automatic authority does not 
prevent VA from also taking debarment or suspension action based on the 
same conduct by the lender.
    (7) VA field facilities are authorized to withdraw automatic 
privileges for 60 days, based on any of the violations set forth in 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section, for non-supervised 
lenders without operations in other stations' jurisdictions. All 
determinations regarding withdrawal of automatic authority for longer 
periods of time or multi-jurisdictional lenders must be made in Central 
Office.
    (c) VA will provide 30 days notice of a withdrawal of automatic 
authority in order to enable the lender to either close or obtain prior 
approval for a loan on which processing has begun. There is no right to 
a formal hearing to contest the withdrawal of automatic processing 
privileges. However, if within 15 days after receiving notice the lender 
requests an opportunity to contest the withdrawal, the lender may submit 
in person, in writing, or through a representative, information and 
argument in opposition to the withdrawal.
    (d) If the lender's submission in opposition raises a dispute over 
facts material to the withdrawal of automatic authority, the lender will 
be afforded an opportunity to appear with a representative, submit 
documentary evidence, present witnesses, and confront any witnesses VA 
presents. The Under Secretary for Benefits will appoint a hearing 
officer or panel to conduct the hearing.
    (e) A transcribed record of the proceedings shall be made available 
at cost to the lender, upon request, unless the requirement for a 
transcript is waived by mutual agreement.
    (f) In actions based upon a conviction or civil judgment, or in 
which there is no genuine dispute over material facts, the Under 
Secretary for Benefits shall make a decision on the basis of all the 
information in the administrative record, including any submission made 
by the lender.
    (g) In actions in which additional proceedings are necessary to 
determine disputed material facts, written findings of fact will be 
prepared by the hearing officer or panel. The Under Secretary for 
Benefits shall base the decision on the facts as found, together with 
any information and argument submitted by the lender and any other 
information in the administrative record.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 2900-0574)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4354  Estate of veteran in real property.

    (a) The title of the estate in the realty acquired by the veteran, 
wholly or partly with the proceeds of a guaranteed or insured loan, or 
owned by him and on which construction, or repairs, or alterations or 
improvements are to be made, shall be such as is acceptable to informed 
buyers, title companies, and attorneys, generally, in the community in 
which the property is situated, except as modified by paragraph (b) of 
this section. Such estate shall be not less than:
    (1) A fee simple estate therein, legal or equitable; or
    (2) A leasehold estate running or renewable at the option of the 
lessee for a period of not less than 14 years from the maturity of the 
loan, or to any earlier date at which the fee simple title will vest in 
the lessee, which is assignable or transferable, if the same be 
subjected to the lien; however, a leasehold estate which is not freely 
assignable and transferable will be considered an acceptable estate if 
it is determined by the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, 
Loan Guaranty Service:

[[Page 761]]

    (i) That such type of leasehold is customary in the area where the 
property is located,
    (ii) That a veteran or veterans will be prejudiced if the 
requirement for free assignability is adhered to; and
    (iii) That the assignability and other provisions applicable to the 
leasehold estate are sufficient to protect the interests of the veteran 
and the Government and are otherwise acceptable; or
    (3) A life estate, provided that the remainder and reversionary 
interests are subjected to the lien; or
    (4) A beneficial interest in a revocable Family Living Trust that 
ensures that the veteran, or veteran and spouse, have an equitable life 
estate, provided the lien attaches to any remainder interest and the 
trust arrangement is valid under State law.
    (b) Any such property or estate will not fail to comply with the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by reason of the 
following:
    (1) Encroachments;
    (2) Easements;
    (3) Servitudes;
    (4) Reservations for water, timber, or subsurface rights; or
    (5) Sale and lease restrictions:
    (i) Except as to condominiums, the right in any grantor or cotenant 
in the chain of title, or a successor of either, to purchase for cash, 
which right was established by an instrument recorded prior to December 
1, 1976, and by the terms thereof is exercisable only if:
    (A) An owner elects to sell;
    (B) The option price is not less than the price at which the then 
owner is willing to sell to another; and
    (C) Exercised within 30 days after notice is mailed by registered 
mail to the address of optionee last known to the then owner of the then 
owner's election to sell, stating the price and the identity of the 
proposed vendee;
    (ii) A condominium estate established by the filing for record of 
the Master Deed, or other enabling document before December 1, 1976 will 
not fail to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section by reason of:
    (A) Prohibition against leasing a unit for a period of less than 6 
months.
    (B) The existence of a right of first option to purchase or right to 
provide a substitute buyer reserved to the condominium association 
provided such option or right is exercisable only if:
    (1) An owner elects to sell;
    (2) The option price is not less than the price at which the then 
owner is willing to sell to another;
    (3) The terms and conditions under which the option price is to be 
paid are identical to or are not less favorable to the owner than the 
terms and conditions under which the owner was willing to sell to the 
owner's prospective buyer; and
    (4) Notice of the association's decision to exercise the option must 
be mailed to the owner by registered or certified mail within 30 days 
after notice is mailed by registered or certified mail to the address of 
the association last known to the owner of the owner's election to sell, 
stating the price, terms of sale, and the identity of the proposed 
vendee.
    (iii) Any property subject to a restriction on the owner's right to 
convey to any party of the owner's choice, which restriction is 
established by a document recorded on or after December 1, 1976, will 
not qualify as security for a guaranteed or insured loan. A prohibition 
or restriction on leasing an individual unit in a condominium will not 
cause the condominium estate to fail to qualify as security for such 
loan, provided the restriction is in accordance with Sec. 36.4362(c).
    (iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (b)(5)(i), (ii), 
and (iii) of this section, a property shall not be considered ineligible 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section if:
    (A) The veteran obtained the property under a State or local 
political subdivision program designed to assist low-or moderate-income 
purchasers, and as a condition the purchaser must agree to one or more 
of the following restrictions:
    (1) If the property is resold within a time period as established by 
local law or ordinance, after the purchaser acquires title, the 
purchaser must first offer the property to the government housing 
agency, or a low-or moderate-income purchaser designated by such agency, 
provided the option to purchase is exercised within 90 days after

[[Page 762]]

notice by the purchaser to the agency of intention to sell.
    (2) If the property is resold within a time period as established by 
local law or ordinance after the purchaser acquires title, a 
governmental agency may specify a maximum price which the veteran may 
receive for the property upon resale; or
    (3) Such other restriction approved by the Secretary designed to 
insure either that a property acquired under such program again be made 
available to low-or moderate-income purchasers, or to prevent a private 
purchaser from obtaining a windfall profit on the resale of such 
property, while assuring that the purchaser has a reasonable opportunity 
to dispose of the property without undue difficulty at a reasonable 
price.
    (4) The sale price of a property under any of the restrictions of 
paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(A) of this section shall not be less than the 
lowest of the following: The price designated by the owner as the asking 
price; the appraised value of the property; or the original purchase 
price of the property, increased by a factor reflecting all or a 
reasonable portion of the increased costs of housing or the percentage 
increase in median income in the area between the date of original 
purchase and resale, plus the reasonable value or actual costs of any 
capital improvements made by the owner plus a reasonable real estate 
commission less the cost of necessary repairs required to place the 
property in saleable condition; or other reasonable formula approved by 
the Secretary. The veteran must be fully informed and consent in writing 
to the housing restrictions. A copy of the veteran's consent statement 
must be forwarded with the application for home loan guaranty or the 
report of a home loan processed on the automatic basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c))

    (B) A recorded restriction on title designed to provide housing for 
older persons, provided that the restriction is acceptable under the 
provisions of the Fair Housing Act, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 42 
U.S.C. 3601 et seq. The veteran must be fully informed and consent in 
writing to the restrictions. A copy of the veteran's consent statement 
must be forwarded with the application for home loan guaranty or the 
report of a home loan processed on the automatic basis.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1))

    (6) Building and use restrictions whether or not enforceable by a 
reverter clause if there has been no breach of the conditions affording 
a right to an exercise of the reverter;
    (7) Any other covenant, condition, restriction, or limitation 
approved by the Secretary in the particular case. Such approval shall be 
a condition precedent to the guaranty or insurance of the loan; 
Provided, That the limitations on the quantum or quality of the estate 
or property that are indicated in this paragraph, insofar as they may 
materially affect the value of the property for the purpose for which it 
is used, are taken into account in the appraisal of reasonable value 
required by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37.
    (c) The following limitations on the quantum or quality of the 
estate or property shall be deemed for the purposes of paragraph (b) of 
this section to have been taken into account in the appraisal of 
residential property and determined by the Secretary as not materially 
affecting the reasonable value of such property:
    (1) Building or use restrictions. Provided:
    (i) No violation exists,
    (ii) The proposed use by a veteran does not presage a violation of a 
condition affording a right of reverter, and
    (iii) Any right of future modification contained in the building or 
use restrictions is not exercisable, by its own terms, until at least 10 
years following the date of the loan.
    (2) Violations of racial and creed restrictions. Violations of a 
restriction based on race, color, creed, or national origin, whether or 
not such restriction provides for reversion or forfeiture of title or a 
lien for liquidated damages in the event of a breach.
    (3) Violations of building or use restrictions of record. Violations 
of building or use restrictions of record which have existed for more 
than 1 year, are not the subject of pending or threatened

[[Page 763]]

litigation, and which do not provide for a reversion or termination of 
title, or condemnation by municipal authorities, or, a lien for 
liquidated damages which may be superior to the lien of the guaranteed 
or insured mortgage.
    (4) Easements. (i) Easements for public utilities along one or more 
of the property lines and easements for drainage or irrigation ditches, 
provided the exercise of the rights thereof do not interfere with the 
use of any of the buildings or improvements located on the subject 
property.
    (ii) Mutual easements for joint driveways located partly on the 
subject property and partly on adjoining property, provided the 
agreement is recorded in the public records.
    (iii) Easements for underground conduits which are in place and 
which do not extend under any buildings in the subject property.
    (5) Encroachments. (i) On the subject property by improvements on 
the adjoining property where such encroachments do not exceed 1 foot 
within the subject boundaries, provided such encroachments do not touch 
any buildings or interfere with the use or enjoyment of any building or 
improvement on the subject property.
    (ii) By hedges or removable fences belonging to subject or adjoining 
property.
    (iii) Not exceeding 1 foot on adjoining property by driveways 
belonging to subject property, provided there exists a clearance of at 
least 8 feet between the buildings on the subject property and the 
property line affected by the encroachment.
    (6) Variations of lot lines. Variations between the length of the 
subject property lines as shown on the plot plan or other exhibits 
submitted to Department of Veterans Affairs and as shown by the record 
or possession lines, provided such variations do not interfere with the 
current use of any of the improvements on the subject property and do 
not involve a deficiency of more than 2 percent with respect to the 
length of the front line or more than 5 percent with respect to the 
length of any other line.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4355  Loans, first, second, or unsecured.

    Loans for the purchase of real property or a leasehold estate as 
limited in the regulations concerning guaranty or insurance of loans to 
veterans, or for the alteration, improvement, or repair thereof, and for 
more than $1,500 and more than 40 percent of the reasonable value of 
such property or estate prior thereto shall be secured by a first lien 
on the property or estate. Loans for such alteration, improvement, or 
repairs for more than $1,500 but 40 percent or less of the prior 
reasonable value of the property shall be secured by a lien reasonable 
and customary in the community for the type of alteration, improvement, 
or repair financed. Those for $1,500 or less need not be secured, and in 
lieu of the title examination the lender may accept a statement from the 
borrower that he or she has an interest in the property not less than 
that prescribed in Sec. 36.4354(a).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4356  Tax, special assessment and other liens.

    Tax liens, special assessment liens, and ground rents shall be 
disregarded with respect to any requirement that loans shall be secured 
by a lien of specified dignity. With the prior approval of the 
Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits, or Director, Loan Guaranty 
Service, liens retained by nongovernmental entities to secure 
assessments or charges for municipal type services and facilities 
clearly within the public purpose doctrine may be disregarded. In 
determining whether a loan for the purchase or construction of a home is 
secured by a first lien the Secretary may also disregard a superior lien 
created by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty in favor of 
a private entity to secure an obligation to

[[Page 764]]

such entity for the homeowner's share of the costs of the management, 
operation, or maintenance of property, services or programs within and 
for the benefit of the development or community in which the veteran's 
realty is located, if the Secretary determines that the interests of the 
veteran-borrower and of the Government will not be prejudiced by the 
operation of such covenant. In respect to any such superior lien to be 
created after June 6, 1969, the Secretary's determination must have been 
made prior to the recordation of the covenant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(d)(3))



Sec. 36.4357  Combination residential and business property.

    If otherwise eligible, a loan for the purchase or construction of a 
combination of residential property and business property which the 
veteran proposes to occupy in part as a home will be eligible under 38 
U.S.C. 3710, if the property is primarily for residential purposes and 
no more than one business unit is included in the property.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4358  [Reserved]



Sec. 36.4359  Supplemental loans.

    (a) Any loan for the alteration, repair, improvement, extension, 
replacement, or expansion of a home, with respect to which a guaranteed 
or insured obligation of the borrower is currently outstanding, may be 
reported for guaranty or insurance coverage, if such loan is made by the 
holder of the currently outstanding obligation, notwithstanding the fact 
no guaranty entitlement remains available to the borrower; Provided, 
that if no entitlement remains available the maximum amount payable on 
the revised guaranty shall not exceed the amount payable on the original 
guaranty on the date of closing the supplemental loan, and the 
percentage of guaranty shall be based upon the proportion the said 
maximum amount bears to the aggregate indebtedness, or, in the case of 
an insured loan, no additional credit to the holder's insurance account 
may be made: Provided further, that the prior approval of the Secretary 
shall be required if:
    (1) The loan will be made by a lender who is not the holder of the 
currently guaranteed or insured obligation; or
    (2) The loan will be made by a lender not of a class specified in 38 
U.S.C. 3702(d); or
    (3) An obligor liable on the currently outstanding obligation will 
be released from personal liability.
    (b) In any case in which the unpaid balance of the prior loan 
currently outstanding is combined or consolidated with the amount of the 
supplemental loan, the entire aggregate indebtedness shall be repayable 
in full within the maximum maturity currently prescribed by statute for 
the original loan. No supplemental loan for the repair, alteration, or 
improvement of residential property will be eligible for guaranty or 
insurance unless such repair, alteration, or improvement substantially 
protects or improves the basic livability or utility of the property 
involved.
    (c) Such loans shall be secured as required in Sec. 36.4355: 
Provided, that a lien of lesser dignity than therein specified will 
suffice if the lien obtained is immediately junior to the lien of the 
original guaranteed or insured obligation: Provided further, that the 
liens of successive supplemental loans may be of lesser dignity so long 
as they are immediately junior to the lien of the last previous 
guaranteed or insured obligation having a lien of required dignity.
    (d) Upon providing or extending guaranty or insurance coverage in 
respect to any such supplemental loan, the rights of the Secretary to 
the proceeds of the sale of security shall be subordinate to the right 
of the holder to satisfy therefrom the indebtedness outstanding on the 
original and supplemental loans.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(b)(6))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4360  Condominium loans--general.

    (a) Authority--applicability of other loan guaranty regulations, 38 
CFR part 36. A loan to an eligible veteran to purchase a one-family 
residential unit in a

[[Page 765]]

condominium housing development or project shall be eligible for 
guaranty or insurance to the same extent and on the same terms as other 
loans under 38 U.S.C. 3710 provided the loan conforms to the provisions 
of chapter 37, title 38 U.S.C., except for sections 3711 (direct loans), 
and 3727 (structural defects). The loan must also conform to the 
otherwise applicable provisions of the regulations concerning the 
guaranty or insurance of loans to veterans. Sections 36.4357, 36.4359, 
and 36.4369 shall not be applicable.
    (b) Definitions. On and after July 1, 1979, the following 
definitions shall be applicable to each condominium loan entitled to be 
guaranteed or insured, and shall be applicable to such loans previously 
guaranteed or insured to the extent that no legal rights vested 
thereunder are impaired. Whenever used in 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 or this 
subpart, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in 
this paragraph shall have the meaning stated.
    (1) Affiliate of declarant. Affiliate of declarant means any person 
or entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control 
with, a declarant.
    (i) A person or entity shall be considered to control a declarant if 
that person or entity is a general partner, officer, director, or 
employee of the declarant who:
    (A) Directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more 
persons, or through one or more subsidiaries, owns, controls, or holds 
with power to vote, or holds proxies representing, more than 20 percent 
of the voting shares of the declarant;
    (B) Controls in any manner the election of a majority of the 
directors of the declarant; or
    (C) Has contributed more than 20 percent of the capital of the 
declarant.
    (ii) A person or entity shall be considered to be controlled by a 
declarant if the declarant is a general partner, officer, director, or 
employee of that person or entity who:
    (A) Directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more 
persons or through one or more subsidiaries, owns, controls, or holds 
with power to vote, or holds proxies representing, more than 20 percent 
of the voting shares of that person or entity;
    (B) Controls in any manner the election of a majority of the 
directors of that person or entity; or
    (C) Has contributed more than 20 percent of the capital of that 
person or entity.
    (2) Condominium. Unless otherwise provided by State law, a 
condominium is a form of ownership in which the buyer receives title to 
a three dimensional air space containing the individual living unit 
together with an undivided interest or share in the ownership of common 
elements (restatement of Sec. 36.4301, Condominium).
    (3) Conversion condominium. Condominium projects not originally 
built and sold as condominiums but subsequently converted to the 
condominium form of ownership.
    (4) Declarant. Any person who has executed a declaration or an 
amendment to a declaration to add additional real estate to the project 
or any successors or assigns of the declarant who offers to sell or 
sells units in the condominium project and who assumes declarant rights 
in the project including the right to: Add, convert or withdraw real 
estate from the condominium project; maintain sales offices, management 
offices and rental units; exercise easements through the common elements 
for the purpose of making improvements within the condominium; or 
exercise control of the owner's association. Declarant is further 
defined as any sponsor of a project or affiliate of the declarant who is 
acting on behalf of or exercising the rights of the declarant.
    (5) Existing--declarant in control or marketing units. A condominium 
in which all onsite or offsite improvements were completed or the 
conversion was completed prior to appraisal by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, but the declarant is in control of the owners' 
association and/or is currently marketing units for initial transfer to 
individual unit owners.
    (6) Existing--resale. A condominium in which all onsite or offsite 
improvements were completed, or the conversion was completed prior to 
appraisal by the Department of Veterans Affairs,

[[Page 766]]

and the declarant is no longer in control of the owners' association 
and/or marketing units for initial transfer to individual unit owners.
    (7) Expandable condominium. A project which may be increased in size 
by the declarant. An expandable condominium is constructed in phases (or 
stages). After each phase is completed and constituted, the common 
estates are merged. Each unit owner, thereby, gains an individual 
interest in all of the facilities of the common estate.
    (8) Foreclosure. Foreclosure shall mean the termination of a lien by 
either judicial or nonjudicial procedures in accordance with local law 
or the voluntary transfer of property by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure 
or similar procedures.
    (9) High rise condominium. A condominium project which is a multi-
story elevator building.
    (10) Horizontal condominium. A condominium project in which 
generally no part of a living unit extends over or under another living 
unit.
    (11) Low rise condominium. A condominium project in which all or a 
part of a living unit extends over or under another living unit, e.g., 
garden apartment or walk-up project.
    (12) Proposed condominium. A condominium project that is to be 
constructed or is under construction. In the case of a condominium 
conversion, the declarant proposes to convert a building or buildings to 
the condominium form of ownership, or the declarant is in the process of 
converting the building or buildings to the condominium form of 
ownership.
    (13) Series condominium. A number of adjoining but separately 
constituted condominiums. An association of owners is established for 
each project, and each association is responsible for maintenance and 
upkeep of the common elements in its own project. Cross-easements 
between the separate condominiums may be created to permit members of 
the separate condominiums to use the common areas of the other 
condominiums.
    (c) Project approval. Prior to Department of Veterans Affairs 
guaranty of an individual unit loan in a condominium, the legal 
documentation establishing the condominium project or development must 
be approved by the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), (d)(3), 3710(a)(6))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4361  Acceptable ownership arrangements and documentation.

    (a) Types of condominium ownership. The following types of basic 
ownership arrangements are generally acceptable provided they are 
established in compliance with the applicable condominium law of the 
jurisdiction(s) in which the condominium is located:
    (1) Ownership of units by individual owners coupled with an 
undivided interest in all common elements.
    (2) Ownership of units by individual owners coupled with an 
undivided interest in general common elements and specified limited 
common elements.
    (3) Individual ownership of units coupled with an undivided interest 
in the general common elements and/or limited common elements, with 
title to additional property for common use vested in an association of 
unit owners, with mandatory membership by unit owners or owners' 
associations. Any such arrangement must not be precluded by applicable 
State law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(6))

    (b) Estate of unit owner. The legal estate of each unit owner must 
comply with the provisions of Sec. 36.4354. The declaration or 
equivalent document shall allocate an undivided interest in the common 
elements to each unit. Such interest may be allocated equally to each 
unit, may be proportionate to that unit's relative size or value, or may 
be allocated according to any other specified criteria provided that the 
method chosen is equitable and reasonable for that condominium.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), (d)(3), 3710(a)(6))

    (c) Condominium documentation--(1) Compliance with applicable law. 
The declaration, bylaws and other enabling documentation shall conform 
to the laws governing the establishment and maintenance of condominium 
regimes

[[Page 767]]

within the jurisdiction in which the condominium is located, and to all 
other laws which apply to the condominium.
    (2) Recordation. The declaration and all amendments or modifications 
thereof shall be placed of record in the manner prescribed by the 
appropriate jurisdiction. If recording of plats, plans, or bylaws or 
equivalent documents and all amendments or modifications thereof is the 
prevailing practice or is required by law within the jurisdiction where 
the project is located, then such documents shall be placed of record. 
If the bylaws are not recorded, then covenants, restrictions and other 
matters requiring record notice should be contained in the declaration 
or equivalent document.
    (3) Availability. The owner's association shall be required to make 
available to unit owners, lenders and the holders, insurers and 
guarantors of the first mortgage on any unit, current copies of the 
declaration, bylaws and other rules governing the condominium, and other 
books, records and financial statements of the owners' association. The 
owners' association also shall be required to make available to 
prospective purchasers current copies of the declaration, bylaws, other 
rules governing the condominium, and the most recent annual audited 
financial statement, if such is prepared. ``Available'' as used in this 
paragraph (c)(3) shall at least mean available for inspection, upon 
request, during normal business hours or under other reasonable 
circumstances.
    (4) Amendments to documents after Department of Veterans Affairs 
project approval. While the declarant is in control of the owners' 
association, amendments to the declaration, bylaws or other enabling 
documentation must be approved by the Secretary. The declarant should 
have proposed amendments reviewed prior to recordation. This provision 
does not apply to amendments which annex additional phases to the 
condominium regime in accordance with a general plan of development 
(Secs. 36.4364(a)(3) and 36.4365(b)(6)).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(6))

    (d) Real property descriptions in the declaration--(1) Clarity--
conformity with the law of the jurisdiction. The description of the 
units, common elements, any recreational facilities and other related 
amenities, and any limited common elements shall be clear and in 
conformity with the law of the jurisdiction where the project is 
located. Responsibility for maintenance and repair of all portions of 
the condominium shall be set forth clearly.
    (2) Developmental plan--proposed condominiums. The declaration or 
other legally enforceable and binding document must state in a 
reasonable manner the overall development plan of the condominium, 
including building types, architectural style and the size of the units 
for those phases of the condominium which are required to be built. 
Under the applicable provisions of the declaration or such other legally 
enforceable and binding document, the development of the required 
portion of the condominium must be consistent with the overall plan, 
except that the declarant may reserve the right to change the overall 
plan or decide not to construct planned units or improvements to the 
common elements if the declaration sets forth the conditions required to 
be satisfied prior to the exercise of that right the time within which 
the right may be exercised, and any other limitations and criteria that 
would be necessary or appropriate under the particular circumstances. 
Such conditions, time restraints and other limitations must be 
reasonable in light of the overall plan for the condominium. In an 
expandable project, additional phases which are not required to be built 
may be described in the development plan in very general terms, or the 
declaration may provide that the declarant makes no assurances 
concerning the construction, building types, architectural style and 
size of the units, etc. of these phases. However, the minimum number of 
units to be built should be that which

[[Page 768]]

would be adequate to reasonably support the common elements. (See 
Sec. 36.4364(a)(6).)

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0448)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(6))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4362  Rights and restrictions.

    (a) Declarant's rights and restrictions--(1) Disclosure and 
reasonableness of reserved rights. Any right reserved by the declarant 
must be reasonable and set forth in the declaration.
    (2) Examples of reserved rights of declarant, sponsor, or affiliate 
of declarant which are usually unacceptable. Binding the owners' 
association either directly or indirectly to any of the following 
agreements is not acceptable unless the owners' association shall have a 
right of termination thereof which is exercisable without penalty at any 
time after transfer of control, upon not more than 90 days' notice to 
the other party thereto:
    (i) Any management contract, employment contract or lease of 
recreational or parking areas or facilities.
    (ii) Any contract or lease, including franchises and licenses, to 
which a declarant is a party.
    (iii) The requirements of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this 
section do not apply to acceptable ground leases.
    (3) Examples of reserved rights which are usually acceptable. The 
following rights in the common elements may usually be reserved by the 
declarant for a reasonable period of time, subject to a concomitant 
obligation to restore:
    (i) Easement over and upon the common elements and upon lands 
appurtenant to the condominium for the purpose of completing 
improvements for which provision is made in the declaration, but only if 
access thereto is otherwise not reasonably available.
    (ii) Easement over and upon the common elements for the purpose of 
making repairs required pursuant to the declaration or contracts of sale 
made with unit purchasers.
    (iii) Right to maintain facilities in the common areas which are 
identified in the declaration and which are reasonably necessary to 
market the units. These may include sales and management offices, model 
units, parking areas, and advertising signs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3704(c)(1), 3710(a)(6))

    (b) Owners' association's rights and restrictions--(1) Right of 
entry upon units and limited common elements. The owners' association 
shall be granted a right of entry upon unit premises and any limited 
common elements to effect emergency repairs, and a reasonable right of 
entry thereupon to effect other repairs, improvements, replacement or 
maintenance as necessary.
    (2) Power to grant rights and restrictions in common elements. The 
owners' association should be granted other rights, such as the right to 
grant utility easements under, through or over the common elements, 
which are reasonably necessary to the ongoing development and operation 
of the project.
    (3) Responsibility for damage to common elements and units. A 
provision may be made in the declaration or bylaws for allocation of 
responsibility for damages resulting from the exercise of any of the 
above rights.
    (4) Assessments--(i) Levy and collection. The declaration or its 
equivalent shall describe the authority of the owners' association to 
levy and enforce the collection of general and special assessments for 
common expenses and shall describe adequate remedies for failure to pay 
such common expenses. The common expenses assessed against any unit, 
with interest, late charges, costs and a reasonable attorney's fee shall 
be a lien upon such unit in accordance with applicable law. Each such 
assessment, together with interest, late charges, costs, and attorney's 
fee, shall also be the personal obligation of the person who was the 
owner of such unit at the time the assessment fell due. The personal 
obligation for delinquent assessments shall not pass to successors in 
title or interest unless assumed by them, or required by applicable law. 
Common expenses as used in this subdivision shall mean expenditures made 
or liabilities incurred by or on behalf of the owners' association, 
together with any assessments for the creation and maintenance of 
reserves.

[[Page 769]]

    (ii) Reserves and working capital. There shall be in new or proposed 
condominium projects (including conversions) a provision for an adequate 
reserve fund for the periodic maintenance, repair and replacement of the 
common elements, which fund shall be maintained out of regular 
assessments for common expenses. Additionally, a working capital fund 
must be established for the initial months of the project operations 
equal to at least a 2 months' estimated common area charge for each 
unit.
    (iii) Priority of lien. Any assessment lien must be subordinate to 
any Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed mortgage except as 
provided in Sec. 36.4356. A lien for common expense charges and 
assessments shall not be affected by any sale or transfer of a unit 
except that a sale or transfer pursuant to a foreclosure of a first 
mortgage shall extinguish a subordinate lien for common expense charges 
and assessments which became payable prior to such sale or transfer. Any 
such sale or transfer pursuant to a foreclosure shall not relieve the 
purchaser or transferee of a unit from liability for, nor the unit so 
sold or transferred from the lien of, any common expense charges 
thereafter becoming due.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), (d)(3), 3710(a)(6))

    (c) Unit owners' rights and restrictions--(1) Obligation to pay 
expenses. The declaration or equivalent document shall establish a duty 
on each unit owner, including the declarant, to pay a proportionate 
share of common expenses upon being assessed therefor by the owners' 
association. Such share may be allocated equally to each unit, may be 
proportionate to that unit's common element interest, relative size or 
value, or may be allocated according to any other specified criteria 
provided that the method chosen is equitable and reasonable for that 
condominium.
    (2) Voting rights. The declaration or equivalent document shall 
allocate a portion of the votes in the association to each unit. Such 
portion may be allocated equally to each unit, may be proportionate to 
that unit's common expense liability, common element interest, relative 
size or value, or may be allocated according to any other specified 
criteria provided that the method is equitable and reasonable for that 
condominium. The declaration may provide different criteria for 
allocations of votes to the units on particular specified matters and 
may also provide different percentages of required unit owner approvals 
for such particular specified matters.
    (3) Ingress and egress of unit owners. There may not be any 
restriction upon any unit owner's right of ingress and egress to his or 
her unit.
    (4) Encroachments--(i) Easements for encroachments. In the event any 
portion of the common elements encroaches upon any unit or any unit 
encroaches upon the common elements or another unit as a result of the 
construction, reconstruction, repair, shifting, settlement, or movement 
of any portion of the improvements, a valid easement for the 
encroachment and for the maintenance of the same shall exist so long as 
the encroachment exists. The declaration may provide, however, 
reasonable limits on the extent of any easement created by the overlap 
of units, common elements, and limited common elements resulting from 
such encroachments; or
    (ii) Monuments as boundaries. If permitted by the governing law 
within the jurisdiction where the project is located, the existing 
physical boundaries of a unit or a common element or the physical 
boundaries of a unit or a common element reconstructed in substantial 
accordance with the original plats and plans thereof become its 
boundaries rather than the metes and bounds expressed in the deed, plat 
or plan, regardless of settling or lateral movement of the building, or 
minor variance between boundaries shown on the plats, plans or in the 
deed and those of the building. The declaration should provide 
reasonable limits on the extent of any such revised boundary(ies) 
created by the overlap of units, common elements, and limited common 
elements resulting from such encroachments.
    (5) Right of first refusal. The right of a unit owner to sell, 
transfer, or otherwise convey his or her unit in a condominium shall not 
be subject to any

[[Page 770]]

right of first refusal or similar restriction if the declaration or 
similar document is recorded on or after December 1, 1976. If the 
declaration was recorded prior to December 1, 1976, the right of first 
refusal must comply with Sec. 36.4354(b)(5)(ii); Provided, however, 
restrictions on the basis of age or restrictions established by a State, 
Territorial, or local government agency as part of a program for 
providing assistance to low- and moderate-income purchasers shall be 
governed by Sec. 36.4354(b)(5)(iv).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c))

    (6) Leasing restrictions. Except as provided in this paragraph, 
there shall be no prohibition or restriction on a condominium unit 
owner's right to lease his or her unit. The following restrictions are 
acceptable:
    (i) A requirement that leases have a minimum initial term of up to 1 
year; or
    (ii) Age restrictions or restrictions imposed by State or local 
housing authorities which are allowable under Sec. 36.4309(e) or 
Sec. 36.4354(b)(5)(iv).
    (d) Rights of action. The owners' association and any aggrieved unit 
owner should be granted a right of action against unit owners for 
failure to comply with the provisions of the declaration, bylaws, or 
equivalent documents, or with decisions of the owners' association which 
are made pursuant to authority granted the owners' association in such 
documents. Unit owners should have similar rights of action against the 
owners' association.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(6))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4363  Miscellaneous legal requirements.

    (a) Declarant transfer of control of owners' association--(1) 
Standards for transfer of control. The declarant shall relinquish all 
special rights, expressed or implied, through which the declarant may 
directly or indirectly control, direct, modify, or veto any action of 
the owners' association, its executive board, or a majority of unit 
owners, and control of the owners' association shall pass to the owners 
of units within the project, not later than the earlier of the 
following:
    (i) 120 days after the date by which 75 percent of the units have 
been conveyed to unit purchasers,
    (ii) The last date of a specified period of time following the first 
conveyance to a unit purchaser; such period of time is to be reasonable 
for the particular project. The maximum acceptable period usually will 
be from 3 to 5 years for single-phased condominium regimes and 5 to 7 
years for expandable condominiums, or
    (iii) On a case basis, modifications or variations of the 
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section will be 
acceptable, particularly in circumstances involving very large 
condominium developments.
    (2) Declarant's unit votes after transfer of control. The 
requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall not affect the 
declarant's rights, as a unit owner, to exercise the votes allocated to 
units which the declarant owns.
    (3) Unit owners' participation in management. Declarant should 
provide for and foster early participation of unit owners in the 
management of the project.
    (b) Taxes. Unless otherwise provided by State law, real estate taxes 
must be assessed and be lienable only against the individual units, 
together with their undivided interests in the common elements, and not 
against the multifamily structure. The owners' association usually owns 
no real estate, so it has no obligation concerning ad valorem taxes. 
Unless taxes are assessed only against the individual units, a tax lien 
could amount to more than the value of any particular unit in the 
structure.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Policies for bylaws. The bylaws of the condominium should be 
sufficiently detailed for the successful governance of the condominium 
by unit owners. Among other things, such documents should contain 
adequate provisions for the election and removal of directors and 
officers.
    (e) Insurance and related requirements--(1) Insurance. The holder 
shall require hazard and flood insurance policies to be procured and 
maintained

[[Page 771]]

in accordance with Sec. 36.4329. Because of the nature of condominiums, 
additional types of insurance coverages--such as tort liability 
insurance for injuries sustained on the premises, personal liability 
insurance for directors and officers managing association affairs, 
boiler insurance, etc.--should be considered in appropriate 
circumstances.
    (2) Fidelity bond coverage. The securing of appropriate fidelity 
bond coverage is recommended but not required, for any person or entity 
handling funds of the owners' association, including, but not limited 
to, employees of the professional managers. Such fidelity bonds should 
name the association as an obligee, and be written in an amount equal to 
at least the estimated maximum of funds, including reserve funds, in the 
custody of the owners' association or the management agent at any given 
time during the term of the fidelity bond. However, the bond should not 
be less than a sum equal to 3 months' aggregate assessments on all units 
plus reserve funds.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(6))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4364  Documentation and related requirements--flexible
condominiums and condominiums with offsite facilities.

    (a) Expandable condominiums. The following policies apply to 
condominium regimes which may be increased in size by the declarant:
    (1) The declarant's right to expand the regime must be fully 
described in the declaration. The declaration must contain provisions 
adequate to ensure that future improvements to the condominium will be 
consistent with initial improvements in terms of quality of 
construction. The declarant must build each phase in accordance with an 
approved general plan for the total development (Sec. 36.4361(d)(2)) 
supported by detailed plats and plans of each phase prior to the 
construction of the particular phase.
    (2) The reservation of a right to expand the condominium regime, the 
method of expansion and the result of an expansion must not affect the 
statutory validity of the condominium regime or the validity of title to 
the units.
    (3) The declaration or equivalent document must contain a covenant 
that the condominium regime may not be amended or merged with a 
successor condominium regime without prior written approval of the 
Secretary. The declarant may have the proposed legal documentation to 
accomplish the merger reviewed prior to recordation. However, the 
Secretary's final approval of the merger will not be granted until the 
successor condominium has been legally established and construction 
completed. The declarant may add phases to an expandable condominium 
regime without the prior approval of the Secretary if the phasing 
implements a previously approved general plan for the total development. 
A copy of the amendment to the declaration or other annexation document 
which adds each phase must be submitted to the Secretary in accordance 
with Sec. 36.4365(b)(6).
    (4) Liens arising in connection with the declarant's ownership of, 
and construction of improvements upon, the property to be added must not 
adversely affect the rights of existing unit owners, or the priority of 
first mortgages on units in the existing condominium property. All 
taxes, assessments, mechanic's liens, and other charges affecting such 
property, covering any period prior to the addition of the property, 
must be paid or otherwise satisfactorily provided for by the declarant.
    (5) The declarant must purchase (at declarant's own expense) a 
general liability insurance policy in an amount not less than $1 million 
for each occurrence, to cover any liability which owners of previously 
sold units are exposed to as a result of further condominium project 
development.
    (6) Each expandable project shall have a specified maximum number of 
units which will give each unit owner a minimum percentage of interest 
in the common elements. Each project shall also have a specified minimum 
number of units which will give each unit owner a maximum percentage of 
interest in the common elements. The minimum number of units to be built

[[Page 772]]

should be that which would be adequate to reasonably support the common 
elements. The maximum number of units to be built should be that which 
would not overload the capacity of the common facilities. The maximum 
possible percentage(s) and the minimum possible percentage(s) of 
undivided interest in the common elements for each type of unit must be 
stated in the declaration or equivalent document.
    (7) The declaration or equivalent document shall set forth clearly 
the basis for reallocation of unit owner's ownership interests, common 
expense liabilities and voting rights in the event the number of units 
in the condominium is increased. Such reallocation shall be according to 
the applicable criteria set forth in Secs. 36.4361(b) and 36.4362(c)(1) 
and (2).
    (8) The declarant's right to expand the condominium must be for a 
reasonable period of time with a specific ending date. The maximum 
acceptable period will usually be from 5 to 7 years after the date of 
recording the declaration. On a case basic, longer periods of expansion 
rights will be acceptable, particularly in circumstances involving 
sizable condominium developments.
    (b) Series projects. (1) Each phase in the series approach is to be 
considered as a separate project. A separate set of legal documents must 
be filed for each phase or project that relates to the condominium 
within its own boundary. The declaration for each phase must describe 
the particular project as a part of the whole development area, but 
subject only the one phase to the condominium regime. A separate unit 
ratio must be established that would relate each unit to all units of 
the particular condominium for purposes of ownership in the common 
areas, voting rights and assessment liability. A separate association 
may be created to govern the affairs of each condominium. Each phase is 
subject to a separate presale requirement.
    (2) In the case of proposed projects, or projects under 
construction, the declaration should state the number of total units 
that the developer intends to build on other sections of the development 
area.
    (c) Other flexible condominiums. Condominiums containing 
withdrawable real estate (contractable condominiums) and condominiums 
containing convertible real estate (portions of the condominium within 
which additional units or limited common elements, or both, may be 
created) will be considered acceptable provided the flexible condominium 
complies with the Sec. 36.4300 series.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements of this section under control number 2900-0448)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(6))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4365  Appraisal requirements.

    (a) Existing resale condominiums. Upon acceptance by the local 
office of the organizational documents, the project and unit(s) proposed 
as security for guaranteed financing shall be appraised to ensure that 
they meet MPRs (Minimum Property Requirements) and are safe, sanitary, 
and structurally sound. The Department of Veterans Affairs MPRs for 
existing construction apply to all existing resale condominiums 
including conversions, except that water, heating, ventilating, air 
conditioning and sewer service may be supplied from a central source.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(6), (b)(5))

    (b) Proposed condominiums or existing condominiums with declarant in 
control or marketing units--(1) Low rise and high rise condominiums. Low 
rise and high rise condominiums shall comply with local building codes. 
Only the alterations, improvements, or repairs to low rise and high rise 
buildings proposed to be converted to the condominium form of ownership 
must comply with current local building codes, unless local authorities 
require total code compliance on the entire structure when a building is 
being converted to the condominium form of ownership. In those areas 
where local standards are nonexistent, inferior to, or in conflict with 
Department of Veterans Affairs objectives, a certification will be 
required from a

[[Page 773]]

registered professional architect and/or registered engineer certifying 
that the plans and specifications conform to one of the national 
building codes which is typical of similar construction methods and 
standards for condominiums used in the area. Those portions of the 
condominium conversion which are not being altered, improved or repaired 
must be appraised in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.
    (2) Horizontal condominiums. Department of Veterans Affairs policies 
and procedures applicable to single-family residential construction 
shall also apply to horizontal condominiums. Proposed or existing 
(declarant in control or marketing units) horizontal condominium 
conversions shall comply with current local building codes for 
alterations and improvements or repairs made to convert the building to 
the condominium form of ownership unless local authorities require total 
code compliance on the entire structure when a building is being 
converted to the condominium form of ownership. In those areas where 
local standards are nonexistent, inferior to, or in conflict with 
Department of Veterans Affairs objectives, a certification will be 
required from a professional architect and/or registered engineer 
certifying that the plans and specifications conform to one of the 
national building codes which is typical of similar construction methods 
and standards for condominiums used in the area. Those portions of the 
condominium conversion which are not being altered, improved or repaired 
must be appraised in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

    (3) Unit completion. All units in the individual project or phase 
must be substantially completed except for customer preference items, 
such as interior finishes, appliances or equipment.
    (4) Common element completion. All amenities of the condominium (to 
include offsite community facilities), that are to be considered in the 
unit value, must be bound legally to the condominium regime. All such 
amenities as well as the common elements of the project, must be 
substantially completed and available for use by the unit owners. In 
large multi-phase projects, the declarant should construct common 
elements in a manner consistent with the addition of units to support 
the entire development. The Secretary, in appropriate cases, may approve 
the placement of adequate funds by the declarant in an escrow or 
otherwise earmarked account or accept a letter of credit or surety bond 
to assure completion of amenities and allow closing of VA-guaranteed (or 
insured) loans. Such funds must be adequate to assure completion of the 
amenities free and clear of all liens.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3710(a)(6))

    (5) Information brochure/public offering statement. When units are 
being sold by the declarant (not applicable to resales), an information 
brochure/public offering statement must be given to veteran buyers prior 
to the time a down payment is received and an agreement is signed, 
unless State law authorized receipt of the down payment and delivery of 
the information brochure followed by a period in which purchasers may 
cancel the purchase agreement without penalty for a specified number of 
days. Information brochures must be written in simple terms to inform 
buyers that the association does not provide owner's contents and 
personal liability policies which are the owner's responsibility. In the 
event the development is expandable, series, etc., there must be full 
disclosure of the impact of the total development plan. In expandable, 
series or other projects with more than one phase, the information 
brochure must disclose fully later development rights, and the general 
plans of the declarant for additional phases. If the declarant makes no 
assurance concerning phases which are not required to be built, the 
declarant should state that no assurances are given concerning 
construction, unit sizes, building types, architectural styles, etc. In 
condominium conversions, the information brochure must list the major 
structural and mechanical components and the estimated remaining useful 
life of the components. A brief explanation must be furnished in the 
brochure explaining that certain major structural or mechanical 
components may require replacement within

[[Page 774]]

a specified time period. If the declarant has elected to place funds 
into a condominium reserve fund for replacement of a major component 
under the provisions of Sec. 36.4365(b)(7), the amount of the 
contribution into the reserve fund must be specified in the information 
brochure.
    (6) Evidence of proper phasing. In an expandable or flexible 
condominium, evidence of the addition of each phase in accordance with a 
previously approved general plan of development must be submitted to the 
Secretary prior to the guaranty of the first loan in the added area.
    (7) Additional condominium conversion requirements. (i) The 
declarant of any condominium project must furnish structural and 
mechanical common element component statements on the present condition 
of all accessible structural and mechanical components material to the 
use and enjoyment of the condominium. These statements must be completed 
by a registered professional engineer and/or architect prior to the 
guaranty of the first unit loan in the project. Each statement must also 
give an estimate of the expected useful life of the roof, elevators, 
heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical systems assuming normal 
maintenance. A minimum of 10 years estimated remaining useful life is 
required on all structural and mechanical components. In the 
alternative, the declarant may contribute an amount of funds to the 
condominium reserve fund equal to a minimum of \1/10\ (one-tenth) of the 
estimated costs of replacement of a major structural or mechanical 
component (as determined by an independent registered professional 
architect or engineer) for each year of estimated remaining useful life 
less than 10 years, e.g. 7 years remaining useful life equals a \3/10\ 
required declarant contribution to the reserve fund of the component's 
estimated replacement cost. The noted statements and remaining useful 
life requirement are not applicable to existing resale conversion 
projects when the declarant is no longer marketing units and/or in 
control of the association. Expandable or series condominium conversions 
require engineering and architectural statements on each stage or phase.
    (ii) In declarant controlled projects, a statement(s) by the local 
authority(ies) of the adequacy of offsite utilities servicing the site 
(e.g., sanitary or water) is required. If a local authority(ies) 
declines to issue such a statement(s), a statement(s) may be obtained 
from a registered professional engineer. If local authority(ies) 
declines to issue such a statement(s), a statement(s) may be obtained 
from a registered professional engineer.
    (c) Presale requirements:
    (1) Proposed construction or existing declarant in control. Bona 
fide agreements of sale must have been executed by purchasers other than 
the declarant (who are obligated contractually to complete the purchase) 
of 70 percent of the total number of units in the project. Lenders shall 
certify as to satisfaction of the presale requirement prior to VA 
guaranty of the first unit loan. When a declarant can demonstrate that a 
lower percentage would be justified, the Secretary, on an individual 
case basis, may approve a presale requirement of less than 70 percent. 
Reduction of the 70 percent presale requirement will be considered when:
    (i) Strong initial sales demonstrate a ready market, or
    (ii) The declarant will provide cash assets or acceptable bonds for 
payment of full common area assessments to the owners' association until 
such assessments are assumed by unit purchasers, or
    (iii) Subsequent phases of an overall development are being 
undertaken in a proven market area, or
    (iv) Previous experience in similar projects in the same market area 
indicates strong market acceptance, or
    (v) The development is in a market area that has repeatedly 
indicated acceptance of such projects.
    (2) Multiphase--proposed or existing declarant in control. The 
requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section shall apply to each 
individual phase of a multiphase development, taking into consideration 
that each individual phase must be capable of self-support in the event 
that the developer does not complete all planned phases.

[[Page 775]]

    (d) Warranty. Except in condominium conversion projects, each CRV 
(Certificate of Reasonable Value) issued by the Secretary relating to a 
proposed or existing not previously occupied dwelling unit in a 
condominium project shall be subject to the express condition that the 
builder, seller, or the real party in interest in the transaction shall 
deliver to the veteran purchasing the dwelling unit with the aid of a 
guaranteed or insured loan a warranty against defects for the unit and 
common elements. The unit shall be warranted for 1 year from the date of 
settlement or the date of occupancy (whichever first occurs). The common 
elements shall be warranted for 2 years from the date each of the common 
elements is completed and available for use by the unit owners, or 2 
years from the date the first unit is conveyed to a unit owner other 
than the declarant, whichever is later, in the particular phase of the 
condominium containing the common element. For these purposes, defects 
shall be those items reasonably requiring the repair, renovation, 
restoration, or replacement of any of the components constituting the 
unit or common elements. Items of maintenance relating to the unit or 
common elements are not covered by the warranty. No certificate of 
guaranty or insurance credit shall be issued unless a copy of such 
warranty, duly receipted by the purchaser, is submitted with the loan 
papers.
    (e) Ownership and operation of offsite facilities--(1) Title 
requirements. Evidence must be presented that the offsite facility owned 
by an owners' association with mandatory membership by condominium unit 
owners or condominium unit owners' associations has been completed and 
conveyed free of encumbrances by the declarant for the benefit of the 
unit owners with title insured by an owner's title policy or other 
acceptable title evidence. Offsite facilities conveyed to a nonprofit 
corporation are the preferred method of offsite facilities ownership; 
however, the Secretary will consider other forms of ownership on an 
individual case basis.
    (2) Mandatory membership. The declaration of the condominium (each 
condominium in a series development) and the legal documentation of the 
corporation or association which owns the offsite facility must provide 
the following:
    (i) The owner of a condominium unit is automatically a member of the 
offsite facility corporation or association and that upon the sale of 
the unit, membership is transferred automatically to the new owner/
purchaser. It is also acceptable if each condominium owners' association 
(in lieu of each individual unit owner) is automatically a member of the 
offsite facility corporation or association coupled with use rights for 
each of the unit owners or residents. If membership in an offsite 
owners' association is voluntary, no credit in the CRV valuation may be 
given for such offsite amenities.
    (ii) Each member of the offsite facility corporation or association 
must be entitled to a representative vote at meetings of the offsite 
facility corporation or association. If the individual condominium 
owners' association is a member of the offsite facility corporation or 
association, each condominium owners' association must be entitled to a 
representative vote at meetings of the offsite facility corporation or 
association.
    (iii) Each member must agree by acceptance of the unit deed to pay a 
share of the expenses of the offsite facility corporation or association 
as assessed by the corporation or association for upkeep, insurance, 
reserve fund for replacements, maintenance and operation of the offsite 
facility. The share of said expenses shall be determined equitably. 
Failure to pay such assessment must result in a lien against the 
individual unit in the same manner as unpaid assessments by the 
association of owners of the condominium. If each condominium owners' 
association is a member of the offsite facility in lieu of individual 
unit owners, failure of the condominium owners' association to pay its 
equitable assessment to the offsite facility must result in an 
enforceable lien.
    (3) Declarant payment of offsite facility in a series project. Until 
the declarant has completed all of the intended condominium phases in a 
total condominium development or established each condominium regime by 
filing a

[[Page 776]]

separate declaration in a series development, the balance of the total 
sum of the expenses of the offsite facility not covered by the 
assessment against the unit owners should be assessed against and be 
payable by the declarant commencing on the first day of the first month 
after the first unit is conveyed to a homeowner in the first phase. If 
this balance is not paid, it must become a lien against those parcels of 
land in the development area which are owned by the declarant. The 
collection of such debt and enforcement of such lien may be by 
foreclosure or such other remedies afforded the corporation or 
association under local law.
    (f) Professional management. Many condominiums are small enough and 
their common areas so minimal that professional management is not 
necessary. VA does not have a requirement for professional management of 
condominiums. The powers given to the owners' association by the 
declaration and bylaws are fundamentally for ``use control'' and 
maintenance of the undivided interest all of the owners have in the 
common areas. These powers normally include management which may, if 
desired, be delegated to a professional manager. However, if the board 
of directors wants professional management, the management agreement 
must be terminable for cause upon 30 days' notice, and run for a 
reasonable period of from 1 to 3 years and be renewable for consent of 
the association and the management. (Management contracts negotiated by 
the declarant should not exceed 2 years.)
    (g) Commercial areas. With respect to existing and proposed 
condominiums, commercial areas within condominium developments are 
acceptable, but such interests will be considered in value.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0448)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(2), 3710(a)(6))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4367  Requirement of construction warranty.

    Each certificate of reasonable value issued by the Secretary 
relating to a proposed or newly constructed dwelling unit, except those 
covering one-family residential units in condominium housing 
developments or projects within the purview of Secs. 36.4360 through 
36.4365, shall be subject to the express condition that the builder, 
seller, or the real party in interest in the transaction shall deliver 
to the veteran constructing or purchasing such dwelling with the aid of 
a guaranteed or insured loan a warranty, in the form prescribed by the 
Secretary, that the property has been completed in substantial 
conformity with the plans and specifications upon which the Secretary 
based the valuation of the property, including any modifications 
thereof, or changes or variations therein, approved in writing by the 
Secretary, and no certificate of guaranty or insurance credit shall be 
issued unless a copy of such warranty duly receipted by the purchaser is 
submitted with the loan papers.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3705)

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4368  Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in housing
certification requirements.

    (a) Any request for a master certificate of reasonable value on 
proposed or existing construction, and any request for appraisal of 
individual existing housing not previously occupied, which is received 
on or after November 21, 1962, will not be assigned for appraisal prior 
to receipt of a certification from the builder, sponsor or other seller, 
in the form prescribed by the Secretary, that neither it nor anyone 
authorized to act for it will decline to sell any property included in 
such request to a prospective purchaser because of his or her race, 
color, religion, sex or national origin.
    (b) On requests for appraisal of individual proposed construction 
received on or after November 21, 1962, the prescribed nondiscrimination 
certification will be required if the builder is to sell the veteran the 
lot on which the dwelling is to be constructed, but will not be required 
if:
    (1) The veteran owns the lot; or

[[Page 777]]

    (2) The lot is being acquired by the veteran from a seller other 
than the builder and there is no identity of interest between the 
builder and the seller of the lot.
    (c) Each builder, sponsor or other seller requesting approval of 
site and subdivision planning shall be required to furnish a 
certification, in the form prescribed by the Secretary, that neither it 
nor anyone authorized to act for it will decline to sell any property 
included in such request to a prospective purchaser because of his or 
her race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Site and subdivision 
analysis will not be commenced by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
prior to receipt of such certification.
    (d) No commitment shall be issued and no loan shall be guaranteed or 
insured under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 unless the veteran certifies, in such 
form as the Secretary shall prescribe, that
    (1) Neither he/she, nor anyone authorized to act for him/her, will 
refuse to sell or rent, after the making of a bona fide offer, or refuse 
to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or 
deny the dwelling or property covered by this loan to any person because 
of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;
    (2) He/she recognizes that any restrictive covenant on the property 
relating to race, color, religion, sex or national origin is illegal and 
void and any such covenant is specifically disclaimed; and
    (3) He/she understands that civil action for preventive relief may 
be brought by the Attorney General of the United States in any 
appropriate U.S. District Court against any person responsible for a 
violation of the applicable law.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4369  Correction of structural defects.

    (a) The purpose of this section is to specify the types of 
assistance that the Secretary may render pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3727 to 
an eligible borrower who has been unable to secure satisfactory 
correction of structural defects in a dwelling encumbered by a mortgage 
securing a guaranteed, insured or direct loan, and the terms and 
conditions under which such assistance will be rendered.
    (b) A written application for assistance in the correction of 
structural defects shall be filed by a borrower under a guaranteed, 
insured or direct loan with the Director of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs office having loan jurisdiction over the area in which the 
dwelling is located. The application must be filed not later than 4 
years after the date on which the first direct, guaranteed or insured 
mortgage loan on the dwelling was made, guaranteed or insured by the 
Secretary. A borrower under a direct, guaranteed or insured mortgage 
loan on the same dwelling which was made, guaranteed or insured 
subsequent to the first such loan shall be entitled to file an 
application if it is filed not later than 4 years after the date on 
which such first loan was made, guaranteed or insured by the Secretary.
    (c) An applicant for assistance under this section must establish 
that:
    (1) The applicant is the owner of a one- to four-family dwelling 
which was inspected during construction by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs or the Federal Housing Administration.
    (2) The applicant is an original veteran-borrower on an outstanding 
guaranteed, insured or direct loan secured by a mortgage on such 
dwelling which was made, guaranteed or insured on or after May 8, 1968. 
The Secretary may, however, recognize an applicant who is not the 
original veteran-borrower but who contracted to assume such borrower's 
personal obligation thereunder, if the Secretary determines that such 
recognition would be in the best interests of the Government in the 
particular case.
    (3) There exists in such dwelling a structural defect, not the 
result of fire, earthquake, flood, windstorm, or waste, which seriously 
affects the livability of the dwelling.
    (4) The applicant has made reasonable efforts to obtain correction 
of such structural defect by the builder, seller, or other person or 
firm responsible for the construction of the dwelling.
    (d) In those instances in which the Secretary determines that 
assistance under this section is appropriate and

[[Page 778]]

necessary the Secretary may take any of the following actions:
    (1) Pay such amount as is reasonably necessary to correct the 
defect, or
    (2) Pay the claim of the borrower for reimbursement of the 
borrower's expenses for correcting or obtaining correction of the 
defect, or
    (3) Acquire title to the property upon terms acceptable to the 
borrower and the holder of the guaranteed or insured loan.
    (e) To the extent of any expenditure made by the Secretary pursuant 
to paragraph (d) of this section the Secretary shall be subrogated to 
any legal rights the borrower or applicant described in paragraph (c)(2) 
of this section may have against the builder, seller, or other persons 
arising out of the structural defect or defects.
    (f) The borrower shall not be entitled, as a matter of right, to 
receive the assistance in the correction of structural defects provided 
in this section. Any determination made by the Secretary in connection 
with a borrower's application for assistance shall be final and 
conclusive and shall not be subject to judicial or other review. 
Authority to act for the Secretary under this section is delegated to 
the Under Secretary for Benefits.
    (g) For the purpose of this section, the term ``structural defects 
seriously affecting livability'' shall in no event be deemed to 
include--
    (1) Defects of any nature in a dwelling in respect to which the 
applicant for assistance under this section was the builder or general 
contractor, or
    (2) Structural features, improvements, amenities, or equipment which 
were not taken into account in the Secretary's determination of 
reasonable value.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1), 3727)



Sec. 36.4370  Advertising and solicitation requirements.

    Any advertisement or solicitation in any form (e.g., written, 
electronic, oral) from a private lender concerning housing loans to be 
guaranteed or insured by the Secretary:
    (a) Must not include information falsely stating or implying that it 
was issued by or at the direction of VA or any other department or 
agency of the United States, and
    (b) Must not include information falsely stating or implying that 
the lender has an exclusive right to make loans guaranteed or insured by 
VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4375  Insured loan and insurance account.

    (a) Loans otherwise eligible may be insured when purchased by a 
lender eligible under 38 U.S.C. 3703(a) if the purchaser (lender) 
submits with the loan report evidence of an agreement, general or 
special, made prior to the closing of the loan, to purchase such loan 
subject to its being insured.
    (b) A current account shall be maintained in the name of each 
insuredlender or purchaser. The account shall be credited with the 
appropriate amounts available for the payment of losses on insured loans 
made or purchased. The account shall be debited with appropriate amounts 
on account of transfers, purchases under Sec. 36.4320, or payment of 
losses. The Secretary may on 6 months' notice close any lender's 
insurance account. Such account after expiration of the 6-month period 
shall be available only as to loans embraced therein.
    (c) Amounts received or recovered by the Secretary or the holder 
with respect to a loan after payment of an insured claim thereon will 
not restore any amount to the holder's insurance account.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(a)(2))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4377  Transfer of insured loans.

    (a) In cases involving the transfer from one insured financial 
institution to another insured institution of loans which are 
transferred without recourse, guaranty, or repurchase agreement, if no 
payment on any loan included in the transfer is past due more than one 
calendar month at the time of transfer there shall be transferred from 
the insurance account of the transferor to the insurance account of the 
transferee an amount equal to the original percentage credited to the 
insurance

[[Page 779]]

account in respect to each loan being transferred applied to the unpaid 
balance of such loans, or to the purchase price, whichever is the 
lesser.
    (b) Transfers between insurance accounts in a manner or under 
conditions not provided in paragraph (a) of this section must have the 
prior approval of the Secretary.
    (c) Where loans are transferred with recourse or under a guaranty or 
repurchase agreement no insurance credit will be transferred or 
insurance account affected and no reports will be required.
    (d) In all cases of transfer of loans from one insured financial 
institution to another insured institution, except as provided in 
paragraph (c) of this section, a report on a prescribed form executed by 
the parties and showing their agreement with regard to the transfer of 
insurance credits shall be made to the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4378  Debits and credits to insurance account under 
Sec. 36.4320.

    In the event that an insured loan is transferred under the 
provisions of Sec. 36.4320, there shall be charged to the insurance 
account of the transferor a sum equal to the amount paid transferor on 
account of the indebtedness less the current market value of the 
property transferred as security therefor as determined by an appraiser 
designated by the Secretary, or the amount chargeable to such insurance 
account in the event of a transfer under Sec. 36.4377, whichever sum is 
the greater. The credit to the insurance account of the transferee will 
be computed in accordance with Sec. 36.4377(a).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4379  Payment of insurance.

    (a) Upon the continuance of a default for a period of three months, 
the holder may proceed to establish the net loss, after giving the 
notices prescribed in Secs. 36.4317 and 36.4350 if security is 
available. The net loss shall be reported to the Secretary with proper 
claim, whereupon the holder shall be entitled to payment of the claim 
within the amount then available for such payment under the payee's 
related insurance account. Subject to the provisions of the paragraph 
(b) of this section and to Sec. 36.4375(b) a supplemental claim for any 
balance of an insurance loss may be filed at any time within 5 years 
after the date of the original claim.
    (b) The basis of the claim for an insured loss shall consist in the 
unrealized principal or the amount paid for the obligation, if less, 
plus unrealized interest to the date of claim or the date of sale 
whichever is earlier, and those expenses, if any, allowable under 
Sec. 36.4314, but subject to proper credits because of payments, set-
off, proceeds of security or otherwise, provided that if there is no 
liquidation of security the claim shall not include an accrual of 
interest for a period in excess of 6 months from the date of the first 
uncured default.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4380  Reports of insured institutions.

    An insured financial institution shall make such reports respecting 
its insurance accounts as the Secretary may from time to time require, 
not more frequently than semiannually.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4390  Purpose.

    Sections 36.4390 through 36.4393 are promulgated to achieve the aims 
of the applicable provisions of Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 and the 
regulations of the Secretary of Labor with respect to federally assisted 
construction contracts.

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4391  Applicability.

    (a) For the purposes of the home loan guaranty and insurance and 
direct loan programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the term 
``applicant for Federal assistance'' or ``applicant'' in Part III of 
Executive Order 11246, shall mean the builder, sponsor or developer

[[Page 780]]

of land to be improved by such builder, sponsor or developer for the 
purpose of constructing housing thereon for sale to eligible veterans 
with financing which is to be guaranteed or insured or made under the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, or the builder, sponsor or developer 
of housing to be constructed for sale to eligible veterans with 
financing which is to be guaranteed or insured or made under the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. chapter 37.
    (b) The provisions of Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 and the rules 
and regulations of the Secretary of Labor are applicable to:
    (1) Each Master Certificate of Reasonable Value or extension or 
modification thereof relating to proposed construction issued on or 
after July 22, 1963;
    (2) Each individual Certificate of Reasonable Value or extension or 
modification thereof relating to proposed construction issued on or 
after July 22, 1963, except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section;
    (3) Each Special Conditions Letter or modification thereof issued on 
or after July 22, 1963, in respect to site approval of land to be 
improved by a builder, sponsor or developer for the construction of 
housing thereon; and
    (4) Each direct loan fund reservation commitment or extension 
thereof issued to builders on or after July 22, 1963.
    (c) The provisions of Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 and the rules 
and regulations of the Secretary of Labor are not applicable to:
    (1) Grants under chapter 21, title 38, U.S.C.;
    (2) Individual Certificates of Reasonable Value issued on or after 
July 22, 1963, if:
    (i) The certificate relates to existing properties, either 
previously occupied or unoccupied; or
    (ii) The certificate relates to proposed construction and--
    (A) A veteran was named in the request for appraisal, or
    (B) A veteran contracted for the construction or purchase of the 
home prior to issuance of the certificate, or
    (C) The property was listed in the Schedule of Reasonable Values on 
an outstanding Master Certificate of Reasonable Value issued prior to 
July 22, 1963;
    (3) Any contract or subcontract for construction work not exceeding 
$10,000; and
    (4) Any other contract or subcontract which is exempted or excepted 
by the regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))



Sec. 36.4392  Certification requirements.

    In any case in which Secs. 36.4390 through 36.4393 are applicable, 
as set forth in Sec. 36.4391, no action will be taken by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs on any request for appraisal relating to proposed 
construction, site approval of land to be improved by a builder, sponsor 
or developer for the construction of housing thereon, or for a direct 
loan fund reservation commitment unless the builder, sponsor or 
developer has furnished the Department of Veterans Affairs a signed 
certification in form as follows:

    To induce the Department of Veterans Affairs to act on any request 
submitted by or on behalf of the undersigned for site approval of land 
to be improved for the construction of housing thereon to be financed 
with loans guaranteed, insured or made by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or for establishment by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
reasonable value relating to proposed construction or for direct loan 
fund reservation commitments, the undersigned hereby agrees that it will 
incorporate or cause to be incorporated into any contract for 
construction work or modification thereof, as defined in the rules and 
regulations of the Secretary of Labor relating to the land or housing 
included in its request to the Department of Veterans Affairs the 
following equal opportunity clause:
    During the performance of this contract the contractor agrees as 
follows:
    (1) The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or 
applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex or 
national origin. The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure 
that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during 
employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex or 
national origin. Such action shall include, but not be limited to the 
following: Employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment or 
recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other 
forms of compensation; and selection for training, including 
apprenticeship. The contractor agrees to

[[Page 781]]

post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for 
employment, notices to be provided setting forth the provisions of this 
nondiscrimination clause.
    (2) The contractor will, in all solicitations or advertisements for 
employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor, state that all 
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without 
regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
    (3) The contractor will send to each labor union or representative 
of workers with which he has a collective bargaining agreement or other 
contract or understanding, a notice to be provided advising the said 
labor union or workers' representative of the contractor's commitments 
under section 202 of Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and 
shall post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to 
employees and applicants for employment.
    (4) The contractor will comply with all provisions of Executive 
Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and of the rules, regulations and 
relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.
    (5) The contractor will furnish all information and reports required 
by Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and by the rules, 
regulations and orders of the Secretary of Labor, or pursuant thereto, 
and will permit access to his books, records and accounts by the 
administering agency and the Secretary of Labor for purposes of 
investigation to ascertain compliance with such rules, regulations and 
orders.
    (6) In the event of the contractor's noncompliance with the 
nondiscrimination clauses of this contract or with any of the said 
rules, regulations or orders, this contract may be canceled, terminated 
or suspended in whole or in part and the contractor may be declared 
ineligible for further Government contracts or federally assisted 
construction contracts in accordance with procedures authorized in 
Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and such other sanctions 
may be imposed and remedies invoked as provided in Executive Order 11246 
of September 24, 1965, or by rule, regulation or order of the Secretary 
of Labor, or as otherwise provided by law.
    (7) The contractor will include the provisions of paragraphs (1) 
through (7) in every subcontract or purchase order unless exempted by 
rules, regulations or orders of the Secretary of Labor issued pursuant 
to section 204 of Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, so that 
such provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor. The 
contractor will take such action with respect to any subcontract or 
purchase order as the administering agency may direct as a means of 
enforcing such provisions, including sanctions for noncompliance: 
Provided, however, That in the event a contractor becomes involved in, 
or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a 
result of such direction by the agency, the contractor may request the 
United States to enter into such litigation to protect the interests of 
the United States.
    Except in special cases and in subcontracts for the performance of 
construction work at the site of construction, the clause is not 
required to be inserted in subcontracts below the second tier. 
Subcontracts may incorporate by reference the equal opportunity clause.
    The undersigned further agrees that it will be bound by the above 
equal opportunity clause in any federally assisted construction work 
which it performs itself other than through the permanent work force 
directly employed by an agency of Government.
    The undersigned agrees that it will cooperate actively with the 
administering agency and the Secretary of Labor in obtaining the 
compliance of contractors and subcontractors with the equal opportunity 
clause and the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary 
of Labor, that it will furnish the administering agency and the 
Secretary of Labor such information as they may require for the 
supervision of such compliance, and that it will otherwise assist the 
administering agency in the discharge of the agency's primary 
responsibility for securing compliance. The undersigned further agrees 
that it will refrain from entering into any contract or contract 
modification subject to Executive Order 11246 with a contractor debarred 
from, or who has not demonstrated eligibility for, Government contracts 
and federally assisted construction contracts pursuant to Part II, 
Subpart D of Executive Order 11246 and will carry out such sanctions and 
penalties for violation of the equal opportunity clause as may be 
imposed upon the contractors and subcontractors by the administering 
agency or the Secretary of Labor pursuant to Part II, Subpart D of 
Executive Order 11246.
    In addition, the undersigned agrees that if it fails or refuses to 
comply with these undertakings such failure or refusal shall be a proper 
basis for cancellation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of any 
outstanding master certificates of reasonable value or individual 
certificates of reasonable value relating to proposed construction, 
except in respect to cases in which an eligible veteran has contracted 
to purchase a property included on such certificates, and for the 
rejection of future requests submitted by the undersigned or on his or 
her behalf for site approval, appraisal services, and direct loan fund 
reservation commitments until satisfactory assurance of future 
compliance has been received from the undersigned, and for

[[Page 782]]

referral of the case to the Department of Justice for appropriate legal 
proceedings.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



Sec. 36.4393  Complaint and hearing procedure.

    (a) Upon receipt of a written complaint signed by the complainant to 
the effect that any person, firm or entity has violated the undertakings 
referred to in Sec. 36.4392, such person, firm or other entity shall be 
invited to discuss the matter in an informal hearing with the Director 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office or center.
    (b) If the existence of a violation is denied by the person, firm or 
other entity against which a complaint has been made, the Director or 
designee shall conduct such inquiries and hearings as may be deemed 
appropriate for the purpose of ascertaining the facts.
    (c) If it is found that the person, firm or other entity against 
which a complaint has been made has not violated the undertakings 
referred to in Sec. 36.4392, the parties shall be so notified.
    (d) If it is found that there has been a violation of the 
undertakings referred to in Sec. 36.4392, the person, firm or other 
entity in violation shall be requested to attend a conference for the 
purpose of discussing the matter. Failure or refusal to attend such a 
conference shall be proper basis for the application of sanctions.
    (e) The conference arranged for discussing a violation shall be 
conducted in an informal manner and shall have as its primary objective 
the elimination of the violation. If the violation is eliminated and 
satisfactory assurances are received that the person, firm or other 
entity in violation will comply with the undertakings pursuant to 
Sec. 36.4392 in the future, the parties concerned shall be so notified.
    (f) Failure or refusal to comply and give satisfactory assurances of 
future compliance with the equal employment opportunity requirements 
shall be proper basis for applying sanctions. The sanctions shall be 
applied in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 11246 as 
amended and the regulations of the Secretary of Labor.
    (g) Upon written application, a complainant or a person, firm or 
other entity against which a complaint has been filed may apply to the 
Under Secretary for Benefits for a review of the action taken by a 
Director. Upon receiving such application, the Under Secretary for 
Benefits may designate a representative or representatives to conduct an 
informal hearing and to make a report of findings. The Under Secretary 
for Benefits may, after a review of such report, modify or reverse an 
action taken by a Director.
    (h) Reinstatement of restricted persons, firms or other entities 
shall be within the discretion of the Under Secretary for Benefits and 
under such terms as the Under Secretary for Benefits may prescribe.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1))

[73 FR 6310, Feb. 1, 2008. Redesignated at 75 FR 33705, June 15, 2010, 
as amended at 80 FR 34319, June 16, 2015]



  Subpart C_Assistance to Eligible Individuals in Acquiring Specially 
                             Adapted Housing

    Source: 75 FR 56876, Sept. 17, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 36.4400  Authority.

    The Secretary's authority to provide assistance in acquiring 
specially adapted housing is set forth in 38 U.S.C. chapter 21.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101(d))



Sec. 36.4401  Definitions.

    The following definitions of terms apply to this subpart:
    2101(a) grant: A grant authorized under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    2101(b) grant: A grant authorized under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Adapt: To make a housing unit suitable to, or fit for, the 
residential living needs of an eligible individual.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)


[[Page 783]]


    Aggregate amount of assistance available: The amounts specified at 
38 U.S.C. 2102(d) as adjusted in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 2102(e).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2102)

    Beneficial property interest: An interest deemed by the Secretary as 
one that provides (or will provide) an eligible individual a meaningful 
right to occupy a housing unit as a residence.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Braces: Orthopedic appliances, including prosthetic devices, used 
for support.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Construction-related cost: An expense incurred for the purpose of or 
directly related to building, modifying, or adapting a housing unit by 
using specially adapted housing grant proceeds.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Disability: A compensable physical impairment, as determined by a 
Department of Veterans Affairs rating decision, that meets the criteria 
of 38 U.S.C. 2101(a)(2) or (b)(2).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Eligible individual: For specially adapted housing purposes, a 
person who has served or is currently serving in the active military, 
naval, or air service, and who has been determined by the Secretary to 
be eligible for benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. chapter 21.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2101A)

    Eligible individual's family: Persons related to an eligible 
individual by blood, marriage, or adoption.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2102A)

    Housing unit: Any residential unit, including all necessary land, 
improvements, and appurtenances, together with such movable or special 
fixtures and necessary adaptations as are authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1717 
and 2101. For the purposes of this definition, movable facilities is 
defined as such exercising equipment and other aids as may be allowed or 
required by the Chief Medical Director or designee; necessary land is 
defined as any plot of land the cost and area of which are not 
disproportionate to the type of improvements thereon and which is in 
keeping with the locality; and special fixtures and necessary 
adaptations is defined as construction features which are specially 
designed to overcome the physical limitations of the individual 
beneficiary and which are allowed or required by the Chief Medical 
Director or designee as necessary by nature of the qualifying 
disability.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1717, 2101)

    Ownership interest: An undivided property interest that the 
Secretary determines is a satisfactory:
    (1) Fee simple estate;
    (2) Life estate;
    (3) Functional equivalent of a life estate, such as that created by 
a valid trust, a long-term lease, or a land installment contract that 
will convert to a fee simple estate upon satisfaction of the contract's 
terms and conditions;
    (4) Ownership of stock or membership in a cooperative housing 
corporation entitling the eligible individual to occupy for dwelling 
purposes a single family residential unit in a development, project, or 
structure owned or leased by such corporation;
    (5) Lease, under the terms of a valid and enforceable Memorandum of 
Understanding between a tribal organization and the Secretary; or
    (6) Beneficial property interest in a housing unit located outside 
the United States.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 3762)

    Preconstruction cost: An authorized expense incurred by an eligible 
individual in anticipation of receiving final approval for a specially 
adapted housing grant.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Reimburse: To pay specially adapted housing grant funds directly to 
an eligible individual (or an eligible individual's estate) for 
preconstruction costs or for construction-related costs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)


[[Page 784]]


    Reside: To occupy (including seasonal occupancy) as one's residence.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Secretary: The Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans 
Affairs or any employee or agent authorized in Sec. 36.4409 of this part 
to act on behalf of the Secretary.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Specially adapted housing grant: A 2101(a) grant, 2101(b) grant, or 
TRA grant made to an eligible individual in accordance with the 
requirements of 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 and this subpart.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101)

    Temporary residence adaptations grant or TRA grant: A grant, the 
specific requirements and amount of which are outlined in 38 U.S.C. 
2102A and 2102(d).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2102A)



Sec. 36.4402  Grant types.

    (a) 2101(a) grant. The 2101(a) grant provides monetary assistance 
for the purpose of acquiring specially adapted housing pursuant to one 
of the following plans:
    (1) Where an eligible individual elects to construct a dwelling on 
land to be acquired by the eligible individual, the Secretary will pay, 
up to the aggregate amount of assistance available for 2101(a) grants, 
not more than 50 percent of the eligible individual's total costs for 
acquiring the land and constructing the dwelling.
    (2) Where an eligible individual elects to construct a dwelling on 
land already owned by the eligible individual, the Secretary will pay, 
up to the aggregate amount of assistance available for 2101(a) grants, 
not more than the lesser of:
    (i) 50 percent of the eligible individual's costs for the land and 
the construction of the dwelling, or
    (ii) 50 percent of the eligible individual's costs for the dwelling, 
plus the full amount of the unpaid balance, if any, of the cost to the 
individual of the necessary land.
    (3) Where an eligible individual elects to adapt a housing unit 
already owned by the eligible individual, to conform to the requirements 
of the eligible individual's disability, the Secretary will pay, up to 
the aggregate amount of assistance available for 2101(a) grants, the 
greater of:
    (i) The eligible individual's costs for making such adaptation(s), 
or
    (ii) 50 percent of the eligible individual's costs for making such 
adaptation(s), plus the lesser of:
    (A) 50 percent of the eligible individual's costs for acquiring the 
housing unit, or
    (B) The full amount of the unpaid balance, if any, of the cost to 
the individual of the housing unit.
    (4) Where an eligible individual has already acquired a suitably 
adapted housing unit, the Secretary will pay, up to the aggregate amount 
of assistance available for 2101(a) grants, the lesser of:
    (i) 50 percent of the eligible individual's cost of acquiring such 
housing unit, or
    (ii) The full amount of the unpaid balance, if any, of the cost to 
the individual of the housing unit.
    (b) 2101(b) grant. (1) The 2101(b) grant provides monetary 
assistance for the purpose of acquiring specially adapted housing 
pursuant to one of the following plans:
    (i) Where an eligible individual elects to construct a dwelling on 
land to be acquired by the eligible individual or a member of the 
eligible individual's family;
    (ii) Where an eligible individual elects to construct a dwelling on 
land already owned by the eligible individual or a member of the 
eligible individual's family;
    (iii) Where an eligible individual elects to adapt a housing unit 
already owned by the eligible individual or a member of the eligible 
individual's family; or
    (iv) Where an eligible individual elects to purchase a housing unit 
that is already adapted to the requirements of the eligible individual's 
disability.
    (2) Regardless of the plan chosen pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section, the Secretary will pay the lesser of:
    (i) The actual cost, or, in the case of an eligible individual 
acquiring a housing unit already adapted with special features, the fair 
market value, of the

[[Page 785]]

adaptations determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary, or
    (ii) The aggregate amount of assistance available for 2101(b) 
grants.
    (c) TRA grant. The TRA grant provides monetary assistance for the 
purpose of adapting a housing unit owned by a member of the eligible 
individual's family, in which the eligible individual intends to reside 
temporarily. The Secretary will pay, up to the amounts specified at 38 
U.S.C. 2102A(b) for TRA grants, the actual cost of the adaptations.
    (d) Duplication of benefits. (1) If an individual is determined 
eligible for a 2101(a) grant, he or she may not subsequently receive a 
2101(b) grant.
    (2) If an individual is determined eligible for a 2101(b) grant, and 
becomes eligible for a 2101(a) grant, he or she may receive 2101(a) 
grants and TRA grants up to the aggregate amount of assistance available 
for 2101(a) grants. However, any 2101(b) or TRA grants received by the 
individual before he or she was determined eligible for the 2101(a) 
grant will count towards the three grant limit in Sec. 36.4403.
    (3) If the Secretary has provided assistance to an eligible 
individual under 38 U.S.C. 1717, the Secretary will not provide 
assistance under this subpart that would result in duplicate payments 
for the same adaptations. However, nothing in this subpart prohibits an 
eligible individual from utilizing the assistance authorized under 38 
U.S.C. 1717 and 38 U.S.C. chapter 21 simultaneously, provided that no 
duplicate payments result.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2102, 2102A, 2104)



Sec. 36.4403  Subsequent use.

    An eligible individual may receive up to three grants of assistance 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 21, subject to the following limitations:
    (a) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an eligible 
individual for 2101(a) grant and TRA grant usage will be limited to the 
aggregate amount of assistance available for 2101(a) grants;
    (b) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an eligible 
individual for 2101(b) grant and TRA grant usage will be limited to the 
aggregate amount of assistance available for 2101(b) grants;
    (c) The TRA grant may only be obtained once and will be counted as 
one of the three grant usages; and
    (d) Funds from subsequent 2101(a) grant or 2101(b) grant usages may 
only pay for reimbursing specially adapted housing-related costs 
incurred on or after June 15, 2006 or the date on which the eligible 
individual is conditionally approved for subsequent assistance, 
whichever is later.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0132)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2102, 2102A)



Sec. 36.4404  Eligibility for assistance.

    (a) Disability requirements. (1) The 2101(a) grant is available to 
individuals with permanent and total service-connected disability who 
have been rated as being entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 11 for any of the following conditions:
    (i) Loss, or loss of use, of both lower extremities so as to 
preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a 
wheelchair;
    (ii) Blindness in both eyes having only light perception, plus loss 
or loss of use of one lower extremity;
    (iii) Loss, or loss of use, of one lower extremity, together with--
    (A) Residuals of organic disease or injury; or
    (B) The loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, which so affect 
the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without 
the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair;
    (iv) Loss, or loss of use, of both upper extremities so as to 
preclude use of the arms at or above the elbows; or
    (v) Any other injury identified as eligible for assistance under 38 
U.S.C. Sec. 2101(a).
    (2) The 2101(b) grant is available to individuals with permanent and 
total service-connected disability who have been rated as being entitled 
to compensation under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 for any of the following 
conditions:
    (i) Blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less;

[[Page 786]]

    (ii) Anatomical loss, or loss of use, of both hands; or
    (iii) Any other injury identified as eligible for assistance under 
38 U.S.C. Sec. 2101(b).
    (3) The TRA grant is available to individuals with permanent and 
total service-connected disability who have been rated as being entitled 
to compensation under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 for any of the conditions 
described under paragraph (a)(1) of this section for the 2101(a) grant 
or paragraph (a)(2) of this section for the 2101(b) grant.
    (b) Feasibility and suitability requirements. (1) In order for an 
individual to be eligible for 2101(a) grant assistance, the Secretary 
must determine that:
    (i) It is medically feasible for the individual to reside outside of 
an institutional setting;
    (ii) It is medically feasible for the individual to reside in the 
proposed housing unit and in the proposed locality;
    (iii) The nature and condition of the proposed housing unit are 
suitable for the individual's residential living needs; and
    (iv) The cost of the proposed housing unit bears a proper relation 
to the individual's present and anticipated income and expenses.
    (2) In order for an individual to be eligible for 2101(b) grant 
assistance, the Secretary must determine that:
    (i) The individual is residing in and reasonably intends to continue 
residing in a housing unit owned by the individual or a member of the 
individual's family; or
    (ii) If the individual's housing unit is to be constructed or 
purchased, the individual will be residing in and reasonably intends to 
continue residing in a housing unit owned by the individual or a member 
of the individual's family.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2102, 2102A)



Sec. 36.4405  Grant approval.

    (a) Conditional approval. (1) The Secretary may provide written 
notification to an eligible individual of conditional approval of a 
specially adapted housing grant if the Secretary has determined that:
    (i) Disability requirements have been satisfied pursuant to 
Sec. 36.4404(a);
    (ii) Feasibility and suitability requirements have been satisfied 
pursuant to Sec. 36.4404(b); and
    (iii) The eligible individual has not exceeded the usage or dollar 
limitations prescribed by Secs. 36.4402(d) and 36.4403.
    (2) Once conditional approval has been granted, the Secretary may 
authorize, in writing, an eligible individual to incur certain 
preconstruction costs pursuant to Sec. 36.4406.
    (b) Final approval. In order for an individual to obtain final 
approval for a specially adapted housing grant, the Secretary must 
determine that the following property requirements are met:
    (1) Proposed adaptations. The plans and specifications of the 
proposed adaptations demonstrate compliance with minimum property and 
design requirements of the specially adapted housing program.
    (2) Ownership. (i) In the case of 2101(a) grants, the eligible 
individual must have, or provide satisfactory evidence that he or she 
will acquire, an ownership interest in the housing unit.
    (ii) In the case of 2101(b) grants, the eligible individual or a 
member of the eligible individual's family must have, or provide 
satisfactory evidence that he or she will acquire, an ownership interest 
in the housing unit.
    (iii) In the case of TRA grants:
    (A) A member of the eligible individual's family must have, or 
provide satisfactory evidence that he or she will acquire, an ownership 
interest in the housing unit, and
    (B) The eligible individual and the member of the eligible 
individual's family who has or acquires an ownership interest in the 
housing unit must sign a certification as to the likelihood of the 
eligible individual's temporary occupancy of such residence.
    (iv) If the ownership interest in the housing unit is or will be 
vested in the eligible individual and another person, the Secretary will 
not for that reason reduce by percentage of ownership the amount of a 
specially adapted housing grant. However, to meet the ownership 
requirement for final approval of a specially adapted housing grant, the 
eligible individual's ownership interest must be of sufficient quantum 
and

[[Page 787]]

quality, as determined by the Secretary, to ensure the eligible 
individual's quiet enjoyment of the property.
    (3) Certifications. The eligible individual must certify, in such 
form as the Secretary will prescribe, that:
    (i) Neither the eligible individual, nor anyone authorized to act 
for the eligible individual, will refuse to sell or rent, after 
receiving a bona fide offer, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or 
rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny the housing unit 
acquired by this benefit, to any person because of race, color, 
religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin;
    (ii) The eligible individual, and anyone authorized to act for the 
eligible individual, recognizes that any restrictive covenant on the 
housing unit relating to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, 
disability, or national origin is illegal and void, and any such 
covenant is specifically disclaimed; and
    (iii) The eligible individual, and anyone authorized to act for the 
eligible individual, understands that civil action for preventative 
relief may be brought by the Attorney General of the United States in 
any appropriate U.S. District Court against any person responsible for a 
violation of the applicable law.
    (4) Flood insurance. The eligible individual's housing unit, if it 
is or becomes located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency as having special flood hazards and in which flood 
insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance 
Act, as amended, must be covered by flood insurance. The amount of flood 
insurance must be at least equal to the lesser of the full insurable 
value of the housing unit or the maximum limit of coverage available for 
the particular type of housing unit under the National Flood Insurance 
Act, as amended. The Secretary will not approve any financial assistance 
for the acquisition or construction of a housing unit located in an area 
identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special 
flood hazards unless the community in which such area is situated is 
then participating in the National Flood Insurance Program

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, chapter 21, 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4106(a))

    (5) Geographical limits. Any real property purchased, constructed, 
or adapted with the proceeds of a specially adapted housing grant must 
be located:
    (i) Within the United States, which, for purposes of 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 21, includes the several States, Territories, and possessions, 
including the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico 
and the Northern Mariana Islands; or,
    (ii) If outside the United States, in a country or political 
subdivision which allows individuals to have or acquire a beneficial 
property interest, and in which the Secretary, in his or her discretion, 
has determined that it is reasonably practicable for the Secretary to 
provide assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 2900-0031, 
2900-0132, and 2900-0300)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2101, 2101A, 2102A)



Sec. 36.4406  Reimbursement of costs and disbursement of grant funds.

    (a) After providing conditional approval of a specially adapted 
housing grant for an eligible individual pursuant to Sec. 36.4405, the 
Secretary may authorize the incurrence, prior to obtaining final 
specially adapted housing grant approval, of preconstruction costs of 
the types and subject to the limits specified in this paragraph.
    (1) Preconstruction costs to be incurred may not exceed 20 percent 
of the eligible individual's aggregate amount of assistance available, 
unless the individual is authorized by the Secretary in writing to incur 
specific preconstruction costs in excess of this 20 percent limitation. 
Preconstruction costs may include the following items:
    (i) Architectural services employed for preparation of building 
plans and specifications.
    (ii) Land surveys.
    (iii) Attorneys' and other legal fees.
    (iv) Other costs or fees necessary to plan for specially adapted 
housing

[[Page 788]]

grant use, as determined by the Secretary.
    (2) If the Secretary authorizes final approval, the Secretary will 
pay out of the specially adapted housing grant the preconstruction costs 
that the Secretary authorized in advance. If the specially adapted 
housing grant process is terminated prior to final approval, 
preconstruction costs incurred that the Secretary authorized in advance 
will be reimbursed to the eligible individual, or the eligible 
individual's estate pursuant to paragraph(c) of this section, but will 
be deducted from the aggregate amount of assistance available and the 
reimbursement will constitute one of the three permitted grant usages 
(see Sec. 36.4403).
    (b) The Secretary will determine a method of disbursement that is 
appropriate and advisable in the interest of the eligible individual and 
the Government, and will pay the specially adapted housing grant 
accordingly. Disbursement of specially adapted housing grant proceeds 
generally will be made to third parties who have contracted with the 
veteran, to an escrow agent, or to the eligible individual's lender, as 
the Secretary deems appropriate. If the Secretary determines that it is 
appropriate and advisable, the Secretary may disburse specially adapted 
housing grant funds directly to an eligible individual where the 
eligible individual has incurred authorized preconstruction or 
construction-related costs and paid for such authorized costs using 
personal funds.
    (c) Should an eligible individual die before the Secretary disburses 
the full specially adapted housing grant, the eligible individual's 
estate must submit to the Secretary all requests for reimbursement 
within one year of the date the Loan Guaranty Service learns of the 
eligible individual's death. Except where the Secretary determines that 
equity and good conscience require otherwise, the Secretary will not 
reimburse an eligible individual's estate for a request that has not 
been received by the Department of Veterans Affairs within this 
timeframe.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2101(d))



Sec. 36.4407  Guaranteed and direct loans.

    (a) In any case where, in addition to using the benefits of 38 
U.S.C. chapter 21, the eligible individual will use his or her 
entitlement to the loan guaranty benefits of 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, the 
complete transaction must be in accord with applicable regulations found 
in this part.
    (b) In any case where, in addition to using the benefits of 38 
U.S.C. chapter 21, the eligible individual will use a direct loan under 
38 U.S.C. 3711(i), the complete transaction must be in accord with the 
requirements of Sec. 36.4503 and the loan must be secured by the same 
housing unit to be purchased, constructed, or adapted with the proceeds 
of the specially adapted housing grant.
    (c) In any case where, in addition to using the benefits of 38 
U.S.C. chapter 21, the eligible individual will use the Native American 
Direct Loan benefit under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, subchapter V, the 
eligible individual's ownership interest in the housing unit must 
comport with the requirements found in Secs. 36.4501, 36.4512, and 
36.4527 and in the tribal documents approved by the Secretary, which 
include, but may not be limited to, the Memorandum of Understanding, the 
residential lease of tribal-owned land, the tribal lending ordinances, 
and any relevant tribal resolutions.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2101(d), 3711(i), 3762)



Sec. 36.4408  Submission of proof to the Secretary.

    The Secretary may, at any time, require submission of such proof of 
costs and other matters as the Secretary deems necessary.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 2900-0031 
and 2900-0300)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101(d))



Sec. 36.4409  Delegations of authority.

    (a) Each employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs appointed to 
or lawfully filling any of the following positions is hereby delegated 
authority, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law, to 
exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with

[[Page 789]]

respect to assisting eligible individuals in acquiring specially adapted 
housing:
    (1) Under Secretary for Benefits.
    (2) Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (3) Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (4) Assistant Director, Loan Policy and Valuation.
    (5) Chief, Specially Adapted Housing, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (6) Director, VA Medical Center.
    (7) Director, VA Regional Office.
    (8) Loan Guaranty Officer.
    (9) Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer.
    (b) Nothing in this section will be construed to authorize the 
determination of basic eligibility or medical feasibility under 
Sec. 36.4404(a), (b)(1)(i), or (b)(1)(ii) by any employee designated in 
this section, except as otherwise authorized.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 512, ch. 21)



Sec. 36.4410  Supplementary administrative action.

    Subject to statutory limitations and conditions prescribed in title 
38, U.S.C., the Secretary may take such action as may be necessary or 
appropriate to relieve undue prejudice to an eligible individual or a 
third party contracting or dealing with such eligible individual which 
might otherwise result.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101(d))



Sec. 36.4411  Annual adjustments to the aggregate amount of assistance
available.

    (a) On October 1 of each year, the Secretary will increase the 
aggregate amounts of assistance available for grants authorized under 38 
U.S.C. 2101(a) and 2101(b). Such increase will be equal to the 
percentage by which the Turner Building Cost Index for the most recent 
calendar year exceeds that of the next preceding calendar year.
    (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, if the Turner 
Building Cost Index for the most recent full calendar year is equal to 
or less than the next preceding calendar year, the percentage increase 
will be zero.
    (c) No later than September 30 of each year, the Secretary will 
publish in the Federal Register the aggregate amounts of assistance 
available for the upcoming fiscal year.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2102(e))



Sec. 36.4412  Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant
Program.

    (a) General. (1) The Secretary will make grants for the development 
of new assistive technologies for specially adapted housing.
    (2) A person or entity may apply for, and receive, a grant pursuant 
to this section.
    (3)(i) All technology grant recipients, including individuals and 
entities formed as for-profit entities, will be subject to the rules on 
Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit 
Organizations, as found at 2 CFR part 200.
    (ii) Where the Secretary determines that 2 CFR part 200 is not 
applicable or where the Secretary determines that additional 
requirements are necessary due to the uniqueness of a situation, the 
Secretary will apply the same standard applicable to exceptions under 2 
CFR 200.102.
    (b) Definitions. To supplement the definitions contained in 
Sec. 36.4401, the following terms are herein defined for purposes of 
this section:
    (1) A technology grant applicant is a person or entity that applies 
for a grant pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2108 and this section to develop new 
assistive technology or technologies for specially adapted housing.
    (2) A new assistive technology is an advancement that the Secretary 
determines could aid or enhance the ability of an eligible individual, 
as defined in 38 CFR 36.4401, to live in an adapted home.
    (c) Grant application solicitation. As funds are available for the 
program, VA will publish in the Federal Register a Notice of Funds 
Availability (NoFA), soliciting applications for the grant program and 
providing information on applications.
    (d) Application process and requirements. Upon publication of the 
NoFA, a technology grant applicant must submit an application to the 
Secretary via

[[Page 790]]

www.Grants.gov. Applications must consist of the following:
    (1) Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) with the 
box labeled ``application'' marked;
    (2) VA Form 26-0967 (Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion) to ensure that the technology 
grant applicant has not been debarred or suspended and is eligible to 
participate in the VA grant process and receive Federal funds;
    (3) Statements addressing the scoring criteria in paragraph (f) of 
this section; and
    (4) Any additional information as deemed appropriate by VA.
    (e) Threshold requirements. The NoFA will set out the full and 
specific procedural requirements for technology grant applicants.
    (f) Scoring criteria. (1) The Secretary will score technology grant 
applications based on the scoring criteria in paragraph (f)(2) of this 
section. Although there is not a cap on the maximum aggregate score 
possible, a technology grant application must receive a minimum 
aggregate score of 70 points to be considered for a technology grant.
    (2) The scoring criteria and maximum points are as follows:
    (i) A description of how the new assistive technology is innovative 
(up to 50 points);
    (ii) An explanation of how the new assistive technology will meet a 
specific, unmet need among eligible individuals (up to 50 points);
    (iii) An explanation of how the new assistive technology is 
specifically designed to promote the ability of eligible individuals to 
live more independently (up to 30 points);
    (iv) A description of the new assistive technology's concept, size, 
and scope (up to 30 points);
    (v) An implementation plan with major milestones for bringing the 
new assistive technology into production and to the market. Such 
milestones must be meaningful and achievable within a specific timeframe 
(up to 30 points); and
    (vi) An explanation of what uniquely positions the technology grant 
applicant in the marketplace. This can include a focus on 
characteristics such as the economic reliability of the technology grant 
applicant, the technology grant applicant's status as a minority or 
veteran-owned business, or other characteristics that the technology 
grant applicant wants to include to show how it will help protect the 
interests of, or further the mission of, VA and the program (up to 20 
points).
    (g) Application deadlines. Deadlines for technology grant 
applications will be established in the NoFA.
    (h) Awards process. Decisions for awarding technology grants under 
this section will be made in accordance with guidelines (covering such 
issues as timing and method of notification) described in the NoFA. The 
Secretary will provide written approvals, denials, or requests for 
additional information. The Secretary will conduct periodic audits of 
all approved grants under this program to ensure that the actual project 
size and scope are consistent with those outlined in the proposal and 
that established milestones are achieved.
    (i) Delegation of authority. (1) Each VA employee appointed to or 
lawfully fulfilling any of the following positions is hereby delegated 
authority, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law, to 
exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with respect to the 
grant program authorized by 38 U.S.C. 2108:
    (i) Under Secretary for Benefits.
    (ii) Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity.
    (iii) Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (iv) Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (j) Miscellaneous. (1) The grant offered by this chapter is not a 
veterans' benefit. As such, the decisions of the Secretary are final and 
not subject to the same appeal rights as decisions related to veterans' 
benefits.

[[Page 791]]

    (2) The Secretary does not have a duty to assist technology grant 
applicants in obtaining a grant.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 4040-0004 
and 2900-0821)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2108)

[80 FR 55765, Sept. 17, 2015]



                         Subpart D_Direct Loans

    Note: Those requirements, conditions, or limitations which are 
expressly set forth in 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 are not restated herein and 
must be taken into consideration in the interpretation or application of 
the regulations concerning direct loans to veterans.

[24 FR 2658, Apr. 7, 1959]



Sec. 36.4500  Applicability and qualified mortgage status.

    (a) Applicability to direct loans. The regulations concerning direct 
loans to veterans shall be applicable to loans made by Department of 
Veterans Affairs pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3711.
    (b) Applicability to direct loans to Native Americans. Sections 
36.4501, 36.4512, and 36.4527, which concern direct loans to Native 
American veterans shall be applicable to loans made by the Secretary 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3761 through 3764.


(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a)

    (c) Safe harbor qualified mortgage--(1) Defined. A safe harbor 
qualified mortgage meets the Ability-to-Repay requirements of sections 
129B and 129C of the Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA) regardless of whether 
the loan might be considered a high cost mortgage transaction as defined 
by section 103bb of TILA (15 U.S.C. 1602bb).
    (2) Applicability of safe harbor qualified mortgage. All VA direct 
loans made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3711, Native American Direct Loans made 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3761, et seq., and vendee loans made pursuant to 
38 U.S.C. 3720 and 3733 are safe harbor qualified mortgages.


(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1639C(b)(3)(B)(ii), 38 U.S.C. 3710)

    (d) Restatement. Title 38, U.S.C. chapter 37 is a continuation and 
restatement of the provisions of title III of the Servicemen's 
Readjustment Act of 1944, and may be considered to be an amendment to 
such title III. References in the regulations concerning direct loans to 
veterans to the sections or chapters of title 38, United States Code, 
shall, where applicable, be deemed to refer to the prior corresponding 
provisions of the law.

[24 FR 2658, Apr. 7, 1959, as amended at 58 FR 59660, Nov. 10, 1993; 62 
FR 5531, Feb. 6, 1997; 79 FR 26628, May 9, 2014]



Sec. 36.4501  Definitions.

    Wherever used in 38 U.S.C. 3711, 3762 or the regulations concerning 
direct loans to veterans, unless the context otherwise requires, the 
terms defined in this section shall have the meaning herein stated, 
namely:
    Cost means the entire consideration paid or payable for or on 
account of the application of materials and labor to tangible property.
    Default means failure of a borrower to comply with the terms of a 
loan agreement.
    Dwelling means a building designed primarily for use as a home, 
consisting of one residential unit only and not containing any business 
unit.
    Energy conservation improvement. An improvement to an existing 
dwelling'or farm residence through the installation of a solar heating 
system, a solar heating and cooling system, or a combined solar heating 
and cooling system, or through application of a residential energy 
conservation measure as prescribed in 38 U.S.C. 3710(d) or by the 
Secretary.
    Farm residence means a dwelling located on a farm which is to be 
occupied by the veteran as the veteran's home.
    Guaranty means the obligation of the United States, incurred 
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, to repay a specified percentage of a 
loan upon the default of the primary debtor.
    Home means a place of residence.
    Improvement means any addition or alteration which enhances the 
utility of the property for residential purposes.
    Indebtedness means the unpaid principal and interest plus any other 
sums a borrower is obligated to pay Department of Veterans Affairs under 
the

[[Page 792]]

terms of the loan instruments or of the regulations concerning direct 
loans to veterans.
    Loan means a loan made to a veteran by Department of Veterans 
Affairs pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3711 or 3762 and the 
regulations concerning direct loans to veterans.
    Meaningful interest means a leasehold estate or other interest in 
trust land and any improvements thereon which permits the use, occupancy 
and enjoyment of that land and any improvements by the grantee. This 
interest must be capable of being conveyed (1) as security for a loan 
made under 38 CFR 36.4527, (2) by the grantee to a third party subject 
to the approval of the tribal organization and the Secretary or 
designee, and (3) by the Secretary or other foreclosing mortgagee, 
subject to the provisions of a memorandum of understanding entered into 
by the Secretary or designee, the tribal organization, and the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs.
    Native American means:
    (1) An Indian, as defined in section 4(d) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(d));
    (2) A native Hawaiian, as defined in section 201(a)(7) of the 
Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, (Public Law 67-34, 42 Stat. 108);
    (3) An Alaska Native within the meaning provided for the term 
'Native' in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1602(b)); and
    (4) A Pacific Islander, within the meaning of the Native American 
Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991 et seq.)
    Native American veteran means any veteran who is a Native American.
    Period of more than 180 days means 181 or more calendar days of 
continuous active duty.
    Purchase price means the entire legal consideration paid or payable 
upon or on account of the sale of property, exclusive of acquisition 
costs, or for the cost of materials and labor to be applied thereto.
    Reasonable value means that figure which represents the amount a 
reputable and qualified appraiser, unaffected by personal interest, 
bias, or prejudice, would recommend to a prospective purchaser as proper 
price or cost in the light of prevailing conditions.
    Repairs means any alteration of existing realty which is necessary 
or advisable for protective, safety, or restorative purposes.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or any employee 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs authorized to act in the 
Secretary's stead.
    Tribal organization has the same meaning given in section 4(l) of 
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
450b(1)) and includes the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, in the case 
of native Hawaiians, and such other organizations as the Secretary may 
prescribe.
    Trust land means any land that:
    (1) Is held in trust by the United States for Native Americans;
    (2) Is subject to restrictions on alienation imposed by the United 
States on Indian lands (including native Hawaiian homelands);
    (3) Is owned by a Regional Corporation or a Village Corporation, as 
such terms are defined in section 3(g) and 3(j) of the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act, respectively (43 U.S.C. 1602(g), (j)); or
    (4) Is on any island in the Pacific Ocean if such land is, by 
cultural tradition, communally-owned land, as determined by the 
Secretary.
    Vendee loan means a loan made by the Secretary for the purpose of 
financing the purchase of a property acquired pursuant to chapter 37 of 
title 38, United States Code.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720, 3733)

    Department of Veterans Affairs means the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, or any employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
authorized to act in the Secretary's stead.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3761-3764)

[24 FR 2658, Apr. 7, 1959, as amended at 31 FR 16713, Dec. 30, 1966; 35 
FR 17180, Nov. 7, 1970; 40 FR 4143, Jan. 28, 1975; 41 FR 32218, Aug. 2, 
1976; 41 FR 44859, Oct. 13, 1976; 45 FR 20472, Mar. 28, 1980; 46 FR 
43674, Aug. 31, 1981; 58 FR 59660, Nov. 10, 1993; 79 FR 26628, May 9, 
2014]

[[Page 793]]



Sec. 36.4502  Use of guaranty entitlement.

    The guaranty entitlement of the veteran obtaining a direct loan 
which is closed on or after February 1, 1988, shall be charged with the 
lessor of the loan amount or an amount which bears the same ratio to 
$36,000 as the amount of the loan bears to $33,000. The charge against 
entitlement of a veteran who obtained a direct loan which was closed 
prior to the aforesaid date, shall be the amount which would have been 
charged had the loan been closed subsequent to such date.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3711(d)(2)(A))

[55 FR 40657, Oct. 4, 1990]



Sec. 36.4503  Amount and amortization.

    (a) The original principal amount of any loan made on or after 
February 1, 1988, shall not exceed an amount which bears the same ratio 
to $33,000 as the amount of the guaranty to which the veterans is 
entitled under 38 U.S.C. 3710 at the time the loan is made bears to 
$36,000. This limitation shall not preclude the making of advances, 
otherwise proper, subsequent to the making of the loan pursuant to the 
provisions of Sec. 36.4511. Except as to home improvement loans, loans 
made by VA shall near interest at the rate of 7\1/2\ percent per annum. 
Loans solely for the purposes of energy conservation improvements or 
other alterations, improvements, or repairs shall bear interest at the 
rate of 9 percent per annum.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3711(d)(2)(A))

    (b) Each loan shall be repayable on the basis of approximately equal 
monthly installments; except that in the case of loans made for any of 
the purposes described in clause (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a) of 
38 U.S.C. 3710, such loans may provide for repayment in quarterly, 
semiannual, or annual installments, provided that such plan of repayment 
corresponds to the present and anticipated income of the veteran.
    (c) The first installment payment on a loan to construct, alter or 
improve a farm residence or other dwelling may be postponed for a period 
not exceeding 12 months from the date of the loan instruments. The first 
installment payment for a loan for the purchase of a dwelling or farm on 
which there is a farm residence may not be postponed more than 60 days 
from the date of loan closing: Provided, That if the loan is repayable 
in quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments, the first installment 
payment date may be postponed for not more than 12 months from the date 
of the loan instruments.
    (d) The final installment on any loan shall not be in excess of two 
times the average of the preceding installments, except that on a 
construction loan the final installment may be for an amount not in 
excess of 5 percent of the original principal amount of the loan. The 
limitations imposed by this paragraph on the amount of the final 
installment shall not apply in the case of any loan extended or recast 
pursuant to Sec. 36.4505 or 36.4506.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1), 3711(d)(1), 3712 (f) and (g))

[15 FR 6288, Sept. 20, 1950, as amended at 24 FR 2658, Apr. 7, 1959; 52 
FR 12382, Apr. 16, 1987; 52 FR 18357, May 15, 1987; 53 FR 18983, May 26, 
1988; 53 FR 44401, Nov. 3, 1988; 53 FR 51551, Dec. 22, 1988; 54 FR 
24557, June 8, 1989; 54 FR 30384, July 20, 1989; 55 FR 6983, Feb. 28, 
1990; 55 FR 40657, Oct. 4, 1990; 57 FR 37713, Aug. 20, 1992]



Sec. 36.4504  Loan closing expenses.

    (a) Department of Veterans Affairs will designate a loan closer to 
represent the Department of Veterans Affairs at the closing and in 
advance thereof will agree with the loan closer upon the fee to be paid 
by the Department of Veterans Affairs for preparing the loan closing 
instruments and attending at the closing of the loan. The loan closer as 
such is neither an agent nor employee of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
    (b) With respect to a loan made to a veteran-borrower pursuant to an 
application (VA Form 26-1802a, received by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs on or after March 3, 1966, the borrower shall pay the Department 
of Veterans Affairs the following:
    (1) $50, or one percent (1%) of the loan amount, whichever is 
greater, which charge shall be in lieu of the loan closer's fee, credit 
report, and cost of appraisal: Provided, That if the loan is to finance 
the cost of construction, repairs, alterations, or improvements 
necessitating disbursements of the loan

[[Page 794]]

proceeds as the construction or other work progresses, the charge to the 
veteran-borrower shall be two percent (2%) of the loan amount, but not 
less than $50 in any event.
    (2)(i) A loan fee of one percent of the total loan amount. All or 
part of such fee may be paid in cash at loan closing or all or part of 
the fee may be included in the loan without regard to the reasonable 
value of the property. In computing the fee, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs will disregard any amount included in the loan to enable the 
borrower to pay such fee. If all or part of the fee is included in the 
loan, the amount of the loan as increased may not exceed $33,000.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(a))

    (ii) The fee described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section shall 
not be collected from a veteran who is receiving compensation (or who 
but for the receipt of retirement pay would be entitled to receive 
compensation) or from a surviving spouse described in section 3701(b)(2) 
of title 38 U.S.C.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(b))

    (iii) Collection of the loan fee described in this paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section shall not apply to loans closed prior to August 17, 
1984, or to loans closed after September 30, 1987.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3729(d))

    (3) Costs or expenses normally paid by a purchaser or lienor 
incident to loan closing including but not limited to the following:
    (i) Fee of Department of Veterans Affairs designated compliance 
inspector;
    (ii) Recording fees and recording taxes or other charges incident to 
recordation;
    (iii) That portion of taxes, assessments, and other similar items 
for the current year chargeable to the borrower and the initial deposit 
(lump-sum payment) for the tax and insurance account;
    (iv) Hazard insurance as required by Sec. 36.4512,
    (v) Survey, if any;
    (vi) Title examination and title evidence.

Charges or costs payable by the veteran-borrower, except as to the 
payment of the loan fee described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this 
section, shall be paid in cash and may not be paid out of the proceeds 
of the loan. No service or brokerage fee shall be charged against the 
veteran-borrower by any third party for procuring a direct loan or in 
connection therewith.
    (c) With respect to a loan to construct, repair, alter, or improve a 
farm residence or other dwelling, the Department of Veterans Affairs may 
require the veteran to deposit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
or in an escrow satisfactory to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 10 
percent of the estimated cost thereof or such alternative sum, in cash 
or its equivalent, as the Department of Veterans Affairs may determine 
to be necessary in order to afford adequate assurance that sufficient 
funds will be available, from the proceeds of the loan or from other 
sources, to assure completion of the construction, repair, alteration, 
or improvement in accordance with the plans and specifications upon 
which the Department of Veterans Affairs based its loan commitment.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3724, and 3729)

[15 FR 6288, Sept. 20, 1950, as amended at 23 FR 2339, Apr. 10, 1958; 33 
FR 6976, May 9, 1968; 35 FR 17180, Nov. 7, 1970; 41 FR 32218, Aug. 2, 
1976; 47 FR 46700, Oct. 20, 1982; 50 FR 5755, Feb. 12, 1985]



Sec. 36.4505  Maturity of loan.

    (a) The maturity of a loan shall not exceed 25 years and 32 days. If 
the Department of Veterans Affairs determines the income and expenses of 
a veteran-applicant under customary credit standards would prevent the 
veteran from making the required loan payments for a loan which matures 
in 25 years and 32 days, but the veteran would be able to make the loan 
payments over a longer period of time, the loan may be made with a 
maturity not in excess of 30 years and 32 days.
    (b) Every loan shall be repayable within the estimated economic life 
of the property securing the loan.

[[Page 795]]

    (c) Nothing in this section shall preclude extension of the loan 
pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 36.4506.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703 (c)(1), (d)(1))

[46 FR 43675, Aug. 31, 1981]



Sec. 36.4506  Recasting.

    In the event of default or to avoid imminent default, the Department 
of Veterans Affairs may at any time enter into an agreement with the 
borrower which will permit the latter temporarily to repay the 
obligation on a basis appropriate to the borrower's apparent current 
ability to pay or may enter into an appropriate recasting or extension 
agreement: Provided, That no such agreement shall extend the ultimate 
repayment of a loan beyond the expiration of 30 years and 32 days from 
the date of the loan. Provided further, That nothing in this section 
shall be deemed to limit the forbearance or indulgence which the 
Secretary may extend in an individual case pursuant to the provisions of 
38 U.S.C. 3720(f).

[46 FR 43675, Aug. 31, 1981]



Sec. 36.4507  Refinancing of mortgage or other lien indebtedness.

    (a) Loans may be made for the purpose of refinancing (38 U.S.C. 
3710(a)(5)) an existing mortgage loan or other indebtedness secured by a 
lien of record on a dwelling or farm residence owned and occupied by an 
eligible veteran as the veteran's home, provided that:
    (1) The amount of the loan does not exceed the sum due the holder of 
the mortgage or other lien indebtedness on such dwelling or farm 
residence, and also is not more than the reasonable value of the 
dwelling or farm residence, and
    (2) The loan is otherwise eligible.
    (b) A refinancing loan for an amount which exceeds the sum due the 
holder of the mortgage or other lien indebtedness (the excess proceeds 
to be paid to the veteran) may also be made, Provided, That:
    (1) The loan is otherwise eligible, and
    (2) The issuance of a commitment to make any such loan for an amount 
which exceeds eighty (80) percent of the reasonable value of the 
veteran's dwelling or farm residence shall require, unless the Under 
Secretary for Benefits otherwise directs, the approval of the Director, 
Loan Guaranty Service.
    (c) Nothing shall preclude making a loan pursuant to the provisions 
of 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(5) to an eligible veteran having home loan guaranty 
entitlement to refinance a loan previously guaranteed insured or made by 
the Secretary which is outstanding on the dwelling or farm residence 
owned and occupied or to be reoccupied after the completion of major 
alterations, repairs, or improvements to the property, by the veteran as 
the veteran's home.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3711)

    (d) A refinancing loan may include contractual prepayment penalties, 
if any, due the holder of the mortgage or other lien indebtedness to be 
refinanced.
    (e) Nothing in this section shall preclude the refinancing of the 
balance due for the purchase of land on which new construction is to be 
financed through the proceeds of the loan, or the refinancing of the 
balance due on an existing land sale contract relating to a veteran's 
dwelling or farm residence.

[35 FR 18872, Dec. 11, 1970, as amended at 46 FR 43675, Aug. 31, 1981; 
49 FR 42571, Oct. 23, 1984; 61 FR 28059, June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4508  Transfer of property by borrower.

    (a) Direct loans for which commitments are made on or after March 1, 
1988, are not assumable without the prior approval of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs or its authorized agent. The following shall apply:
    (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall include in the mortgage 
or deed of trust and the promissory note or bond on any loan for which a 
commitment was made on or after March 1, 1988, the following warning in 
a conspicuous position in capital letters on the first page of the 
document in type at least 2\1/2\ times larger than the regular type on 
such page: ``THIS LOAN IS NOT ASSUMABLE WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OR ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT''. Due to the 
difficulty in obtaining some commercial type sizes which are exactly 
2\1/2\ times

[[Page 796]]

larger in height than other sizes, minor deviations in size will be 
permitted based on commercially available type sizes nearest to 2\1/2\ 
times the size of the print on the document.
    (2) The instrument securing a direct loan for which a commitment is 
made on or after March 1, 1988, shall include:
    (i) A provision that the Department of Veterans Affairs or other 
holder may declare the loan immediately due and payable upon transfer of 
the property securing such loan to any transferee unless the 
acceptability of the assumption of the loan is established pursuant to 
section 3714. This option may not be exercised if the transfer is the 
result of:
    (A) The creation of a lien or other encumbrance subordinate to the 
lender's security instrument which does not relate to a transfer of 
rights of occupancy in the property;
    (B) The creation of a purchase money security interest for household 
appliances;
    (C) A transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death 
of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety;
    (D) The granting of a leasehold interest of three years or less not 
containing an option to purchase;
    (E) A transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower;
    (F) A transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become a 
joint owner of the property with the borrower;
    (G) A transfer resulting from a decree of a dissolution of marriage, 
legal separation agreement, or from an incidental property settlement 
agreement by which the spouse of the borrower becomes the sole owner of 
the property. In such a case the borrower shall have the option of 
applying directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office 
of jurisdiction for a release of liability under 1813(a); or
    (H) A transfer into an inter vivos trust in which the borrower is 
and remains a beneficiary and which does not relate to a transfer of 
rights of occupancy in the property.
    (ii) A provision that a funding fee equal to one-half of one percent 
of the loan balance as of the date of transfer shall be payable to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs or its authorized agent. Furthermore, 
this provision shall provide that if this fee is not paid it shall 
constitute an additional debt to that already secured by the instrument; 
and,
    (iii) A provision authorizing an assumption processing charge, not 
to exceed the lesser of $300 and the actual cost of a credit report or 
any maximum prescribed by applicable State law.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

    (b) Whenever any veteran disposes of residential property securing a 
direct loan obtained under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, upon application made by such borrower, shall issue to 
the borrower a release relieving the borrower of all further liability 
to the Department of Veterans Affairs on account of such loan (including 
liability for any loss resulting from any default of the transferee or 
any subsequent purchaser of such property) if the Department of Veterans 
Affairs has determined, after such investigation as it deems 
appropriate, that there has been compliance with the conditions 
prescribed in 38 U.S.C. 3713(a) or 1814, as appropriate. The assumption 
of full liability for repayment of the loan by the transferee of the 
property must be evidenced by an agreement in writing in such form as 
the Department of Veterans Affairs may require. Any release of liability 
granted to a veteran by the Department of Veterans Affairs shall inure 
to the spouse of such veteran.
    (c) If, on or after July 1, 1972, any veteran disposes of the 
property securing a direct loan obtained under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, 
without receiving a release from liability with respect to such loan 
under 38 U.S.C. 3713(a) and a default subsequently occurs which results 
in liability of the veteran to the Secretary on account of the loan, the 
Secretary may relieve the veteran of such liability if the Secretary 
determines that:
    (1) A transferee either immediate or remote is legally liable to the 
Secretary for the debt of the original veteran-borrower established 
after the termination of the loan, and
    (2) The original loan was current at the time such transferee 
acquired the property, and

[[Page 797]]

    (3) The transferee who is liable to the Secretary is found to have 
been a satisfactory credit risk at the time the transferee acquired the 
property.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
2900-0516)

[15 FR 6289, Sept. 29, 1950, as amended at 33 FR 5362, Apr. 4, 1968; 37 
FR 24034, Nov. 11, 1972; 46 FR 43675, Aug. 31, 1981; 55 FR 37477, Sept. 
12, 1990]



Sec. 36.4509  Joint loans.

    (a) No loan will be made unless an eligible veteran is the sole 
principal obligor, or such veteran and spouse or eligible veteran co-
applicant are the principal obligors thereon, nor unless such veteran 
alone, or together with a spouse or eligible veteran co-applicant, 
acquire the entire fee simple or other permissible estate in the realty 
for the acquisition of which the loan was obtained. Nothing in this 
section shall preclude other parties from becoming liable as comaker, 
endorser, guarantor, or surety.
    (b) Notwithstanding that an applicant and spouse or other co-
applicant are both eligible veterans and will be jointly and severally 
liable as borrowers, the original principal amount of the loan may not 
exceed the maximum permissible under Sec. 36.4503(a). In any event the 
loan may not exceed $33,000.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3711(d)(2)(A) and (3))

[43 FR 60460, Dec. 28, 1978]



Sec. 36.4510  Prepayment, acceleration, and liquidation.

    (a) Any credit on the loan not previously applied in satisfaction of 
matured installments, other than the gratuity credit required by prior 
provisions of law to be credited to principal, may be reapplied by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs at the request of the borrower for the 
purpose of curing or preventing a default.
    (b) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall include in the 
instruments evidencing or securing the indebtedness provisions relating 
to the following:
    (1) The right of the borrower to prepay at any time without premium 
or fee, the entire indebtedness or any part thereof: Provided, That any 
such prepayment, other than payment in full, may not be made in any 
amount less than the amount of one installment, or $100, whichever is 
less: And provided further, That any prepayment made on other than an 
installment due date will not be credited until the next following 
installment due date, but not later than 30 days after such prepayment.
    (2) The right of the Department of Veterans Affairs to accelerate 
the maturity of the entire indebtedness in the event of default.
    (3) The right of the Department of Veterans Affairs to foreclose or 
otherwise proceed toliquidate or acquire property which is the security 
for the loan in the event of the borrower's delinquency in the repayment 
of the obligation or in the event of default in any other provisions of 
the loan contract.
    (c) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall have the right to 
accelerate the entire indebtedness and to foreclose or otherwise proceed 
to liquidate, or acquire the security for the loan, in the event the 
veteran is adjudged a bankrupt, or if the property has been abandoned by 
the borrower or subjected to waste or hazard, or in the event conditions 
exist which warrant the appointment of a receiver by court.

[15 FR 6289, Sept. 20, 1950, as amended at 20 FR 6260, Aug. 26, 1955; 24 
FR 2658, Apr. 7, 1959; 41 FR 44859, Oct. 13, 1976; 61 FR 28059, June 4, 
1996]



Sec. 36.4511  Advances after loan closing.

    (a) The Department of Veterans Affairs may at any time advance any 
sum or sums as are reasonably necessary and proper for the maintenance, 
repair, alteration, or improvement of the security for a loan or for the 
payment of taxes, assessments, ground or water rights, or casualty 
insurance thereon: Provided, That no advance shall be made for 
alterations or improvements which are not necessary for the maintenance 
or repair of the security if such advance will increase the indebtedness 
to an amount in excess of $33,000.
    (b) All sums disbursed incident to the making of advances under this 
section shall be added to the indebtedness. Department of Veterans 
Affairs may require any such advances to be secured

[[Page 798]]

ratably and on a parity with the principal indebtedness, or otherwise 
secured. The sum so advanced shall be evidenced by a supplemental note 
or otherwise as may be required by Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (c) Department of Veterans Affairs may pay and charge against the 
indebtedness, or against the proceeds of the sale of any security 
therefor, any expense which is reasonably necessary for collection of 
the debt, protection, repossession, preservation, or liquidation of the 
security or of the lien thereon, including a reasonable amount for 
trustees' and legal fees.
    (d) The Department of Veterans Affairs may treat as an advance and 
add to the mortgage balance the one-half of one percent funding fee due 
on a transfer under 38 U.S.C. 3714 when this is not paid at the time of 
transfer.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3714)

[15 FR 6289, Sept. 20, 1950, as amended at 38 FR 33772, Dec. 7, 1973; 41 
FR 44859, Oct. 13, 1976; 55 FR 37478, Sept. 12, 1990]



Sec. 36.4512  Taxes and insurance.

    (a) In addition to the monthly installment payments of principal and 
interest payable under the terms of the loan agreement, the borrower 
will be required to make payments monthly to the Secretary in such 
amounts as may be determined by the Secretary from time to time to be 
necessary for the purpose of accumulating funds sufficient for the 
payment of taxes and assessments, ground rents, insurance premiums, and 
similar levies or charges on the security property. The borrower at loan 
closing shall pay in cash to the Secretary such sum as it estimates may 
be necessary as the initial deposit to the borrower's tax and insurance 
reserve account.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720)

    (b) The borrower shall procure and maintain insurance of a type or 
types and in such amounts as may be required by the Secretary to protect 
the security against fire and other hazards. The Secretary cannot make a 
loan for the acquisition or construction of property located in an area 
identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special 
flood hazards unless the community in which such area is situated is 
then participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. The 
Secretary shall not make, increase, extend, or renew a loan secured by a 
building or manufactured home that is located or to be located in an 
area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having 
special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made 
available under the National Flood Insurance Act, as amended, unless the 
building or manufactured home and any personal property securing the 
loan is covered by flood insurance for the term of the loan. The amount 
of flood insurance must be at least equal to the lesser of the 
outstanding principal balance of the loan or the maximum limit of 
coverage available for the particular type of property under the 
National Flood Insurance Act, as amended. The requirements of 38 CFR 
36.4700 through 36.4709 shall apply to direct loans made pursuant to 38 
U.S.C. 3711 and 3761 through 3764. All hazard and flood insurance shall 
be carried with a company or companies satisfactory to the Secretary and 
the policies and renewals thereof shall be held in the possession of the 
Secretary and contain a mortgagee loss payable clause in favor of and in 
a form satisfactory to the Secretary.


(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4106(a))

[62 FR 5531, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4513  Foreclosure and liquidation.

    In the event of a foreclosure sale or other liquidation of the 
security for a loan, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall credit 
upon the indebtedness the greater of:
    (a) The net proceeds of the sale, or
    (b) The current market value of the property as determined by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, less the costs and expenses of 
liquidation.

In no event shall the credit pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section 
exceed the amount of the gross indebtedness, nor shall such credit be 
less than the amount legally required to be credited to the indebtedness 
under local law. If a deed in lieu of foreclosure is accepted, the 
consideration will be a full and

[[Page 799]]

complete release of liability of the obligors, or such lesser amount as 
may be agreed upon between the obligors and the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

[23 FR 2340, Apr. 10, 1958]



Sec. 36.4514  Eligibility requirements.

    Prior to making a loan, or a commitment therefor, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall determine that:
    (a) The applicant is an eligible veteran.
    (b) The applicant has full capacity under local law to enter into 
binding contracts.
    (c) The applicant is a satisfactory credit risk and has the ability 
to repay the obligation proposed to be incurred and that the proposed 
payments on such obligation bear a proper relationship to present and 
anticipated income and expenses as determined by use of the credit 
standards in Sec. 36.4337 of this part.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501)

    (d) Private capital is not available in the area at an interest rate 
not in excess of the rate authorized for guaranteed home loans for a 
loan for which the veteran is qualified under 38 U.S.C. 3710.
    (e) The applicant is unable to obtain a loan for such purpose from 
the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, 
as amended, or under the Housing Act of 1949.
    (f) In respect to a loan application received on or after September 
15, 1956, there has been compliance by the applicant with the 
certification requirements prescribed in 38 U.S.C. 3704(c).
    (g) The applicant has certified, in such form as the Secretary shall 
prescribe, that
    (1) Neither the applicant nor anyone authorized to act for the 
applicant, will refuse to sell or rent, after the making of a bonafide 
offer, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise 
make unavailable or deny the dwelling or property covered by this loan 
to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial 
status, or national origin;
    (2) The applicant recognizes that any restrictive convenant on the 
property relating to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial 
status, or national origin is illegal and void and any such covenant is 
specifically disclaimed; and
    (3) The applicant understands that civil action for preventive 
relief may be brought by the Attorney General of the United States in 
any appropriate U.S. District Court against any person responsible for a 
violation of the applicable law.

[15 FR 6290, Sept. 20, 1950, as amended at 20 FR 6260, Aug. 26, 1955; 24 
FR 2658, Apr. 7, 1959; 36 FR 13032, July 13, 1971; 56 FR 9862, Mar. 8, 
1991]



Sec. 36.4515  Estate of veteran in real property.

    (a) The estate in the realty acquired by the veteran, wholly or 
partly with the proceeds of a loan hereunder, or owned by the veteran 
and on which improvements on a farmhouse are to be financed by such 
loan, shall be not less than:
    (1) A fee simple estate therein, legal or equitable; or
    (2) A leasehold estate running or renewable at the option of the 
lessee for a period of not less than 14 years from the maturity of the 
loan, or to any earlier date at which the fee simple title will vest in 
the lessee, which is assignable or transferable, if the same be 
subjected to the lien; however, a leasehold estate which is not freely 
assignable and transferable will be considered an acceptable estate if 
it is determined by the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, 
Loan Guaranty Service, (i) that such type of leasehold is customary in 
the area where the property is located; (ii) that a veteran or veterans 
will be prejudiced if the requirement for free assignability is adhered 
to and (iii) that the assignability and other provisions applicable to 
the leasehold estate are sufficient to protect the interests of the 
veteran and the Government and are otherwise acceptable; or
    (3) A life estate, provided that the remainder and reversionary 
interests are subjected to the lien. The title to such estate shall be 
such as is acceptable to informed buyers, title companies, and 
attorneys, generally, in the community

[[Page 800]]

in which the property is situated, except as modified by paragraph (b) 
of this section; or
    (4) A beneficial interest in a revocable Family Living Trust that 
ensures that the veteran, or veteran and spouse, have an equitable life 
estate, provided the lien attaches to any remainder interest and the 
trust arrangement is valid under State law.
    (b) Any such property or estate will not fail to comply with the 
requirements in paragraph (a) of this section by reason of the 
following:
    (1) Encroachments;
    (2) Easements;
    (3) Servitudes;
    (4) Reservations for water, timber, or subsurface rights;
    (5) Right in any grantor or cotenant in the chain of title, or a 
successor of either, to purchase for cash, which right by the terms 
thereof is exercisable only if:
    (i) An owner elects to sell,
    (ii) The option price is not less than the price at which the then 
owner is willing to sell to another, and
    (iii) Exercised within 30 days after notice is mailed by registered 
mail to the address of optionee last known to the then owner, of the 
then owner's election to sell, stating the price and the identity of the 
proposed vendee;
    (6) Building and use restrictions whether or not enforceable by a 
reverter clause if there has been no breach of the conditions affording 
a right to an exercise of the reverter;
    (7) Any other covenant, condition, restriction, or limitation 
approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the particular case.

The limitations on the quantum or quality of the estate or property that 
are indicated in this paragraph, insofar as they may materially affect 
the value of the property for the purpose for which it is used, shall be 
taken into account in the appraisal of reasonable value.

[15 FR 6290, Sept. 20, 1950, as amended at 24 FR 2658, Apr. 7, 1959; 28 
FR 11506, Oct. 29, 1963; 33 FR 18027, Dec. 4, 1968; 34 FR 11095, July 1, 
1969; 45 FR 20472, Mar. 28, 1980; 56 FR 9862, Mar. 8, 1991; 61 FR 28059, 
June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4516  Lien requirements.

    (a) Loans for the purchase of a dwelling or for the purchase of a 
farm on which there is a farm residence shall be secured by a first lien 
on the property or estate. Loans for the construction of a farm 
residence or other dwelling shall also be secured by a first lien.
    (b) Loans solely for the purpose of energy conservation improvements 
or other alterations, improvements, or repairs shall be secured in the 
following manner:
    (1) Loans for $1,500 or less need not be secured, and in lieu of the 
title examination a statement may be accepted from the borrower that he 
or she has an interest in the property not less than that prescribed in 
Sec. 36.4515(a).
    (2) Loans for more than $1,500 but 40 percent or less of the prior 
to the improved reasonable value of the property shall be secured by a 
lien reasonable and customary in the community for the type of 
alteration, improvement, or repair financed.
    (3) Loans for more than $1,500 and for more than 40 percent of the 
prior to the improved reasonable value of such property shall be secured 
by a first lien on the property or estate. However, such a home 
improvement loan may be secured by a lien immediately subordinate to the 
lien securing the previous loan extended by the Secretary, if the 
Department of Veterans Affairs is the holder of all liens of superior 
priority on the property.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3711(d)(1))

    (c) Tax liens, special assessment liens, and ground rent shall be 
disregarded with respect to any requirement that loans shall be secured 
by a lien of specified dignity. With the prior approval of the 
Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits, or Director, Loan Guaranty 
Service, liens retained by nongovernmental entities to secure 
assessments or charges for municipal type services and facilities 
clearly within the public purpose doctrine may be disregarded. In 
determining whether a loan for the purchase or construction of a home is 
secured by a first lien the Secretary may also disregard a superior lien 
created by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty in

[[Page 801]]

favor of a private entity to secure an obligation to such entity for the 
homeowner's share of the costs of the management, operation, or 
maintenance of property, services or programs within and for the benefit 
of the development or community in which the veteran's realty is 
located, if the Secretary determines that the interests of the veteran-
borrower and of the Government will not be prejudiced by the operation 
of such covenant. In respect to any such superior lien to be created 
after June 6, 1969, the Secretary's determination must have been made 
prior to the recordation of the covenant.

[20 FR 6261, Aug. 26, 1955, as amended at 20 FR 9180, Dec. 10, 1955; 23 
FR 2340, Apr. 10, 1958; 34 FR 9561, June 18, 1969; 45 FR 20472, Mar. 28, 
1980; 61 FR 28059, June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4517  Incorporation by reference.

    The regulations concerning direct loans to veterans in effect on the 
date a loan is closed shall govern the rights, duties, and liabilities 
of the parties to such loan during the period the Department of Veterans 
Affairs is the holder thereof, and any provisions of the loan 
instruments inconsistent with such regulations are hereby amended and 
supplemented to conform thereto.

[15 FR 6290, Sept. 20, 1950]



Sec. 36.4518  Supplementary administrative action.

    Notwithstanding any requirement condition, or limitation stated in 
or imposed by the regulations in this part concerning direct loans to 
veterans, the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, Loan 
Guaranty Service, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by 
the Secretary, may take such action as may be necessary or appropriate 
to relieve any undue prejudice to a debtor, or other person, which might 
otherwise result, provided such action shall not impair the vested 
rights of any person affected thereby. If such requirement, condition, 
or limitation is of an administrative or procedural nature, such action 
may be taken by any employee authorized to act under Sec. 36.4520.

[23 FR 2340, Apr. 10, 1958, as amended at 61 FR 28059, June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4519  Eligible purposes and reasonable value requirements.

    (a) A loan may be made only for the purpose hereinafter set forth in 
this paragraph, and the loan may not exceed the reasonable value of the 
property as established by the Department of Veterans Affairs:
    (1) To purchase or construct a dwelling to be owned and occupied by 
the veteran as a home;
    (2) To purchase a farm on which there is a farm residence to be 
occupied by the veteran as a home;
    (3) To construct on land owned by the veteran a farm residence to be 
occupied by the veteran as a home;
    (4) To repair, alter, or improve a farm residence or other dwelling 
owned and occupied or to be reoccupied after the completion of major 
alterations, repairs, or improvements to the property, by the veteran as 
his or her home;
    (5) To make energy conservation improvements to a dwelling owned and 
occupied or to be occupied after the completion of major alterations, 
repairs, or improvements to the property, by the veteran as his or her 
home;
    (6) To refinance (38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(5)) existing mortgage loans or 
other lines which are secured of record on a dwelling or farm residence 
owned and occupied or to be reoccupied after the completion of major 
alterations, repairs or improvements to the property, by the veteran as 
the veteran's home;

Provided, The veteran certifies, in such form as the Secretary may 
prescribe, that he or she has paid in cash from his or her own resources 
on account of such purchase, construction, alteration, repair, or 
improvement a sum equal to the difference, if any, between the purchase 
price or cost of the property and its reasonable value.
    (b) In the case of a loan for the construction of a farm residence 
or other dwelling on land owned by the veteran, a portion of the loan 
proceeds may be expended to liquidate an indebtedness secured by a lien 
against such land, but only if the reasonable value of the land is equal 
to or in excess of the amount of the indebtedness secured by such lien 
and if the liquidation of such indebtedness will permit the loan to be

[[Page 802]]

secured by a first lien. Except as provided in Sec. 36.4507, no portion 
of the proceeds of a loan for repairs, alterations or improvements to a 
farm residence or other dwelling may be expended to liquidate a prior 
lien against the property.
    (c) No direct loan may be made for the purpose of an interest rate 
reduction refinancing loan pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3711(b))

[20 FR 6261, Aug. 26, 1955, as amended at 43 FR 60461, Dec. 28, 1978; 46 
FR 43675, Aug. 31, 1981; 49 FR 42571, Oct. 23, 1984]



Sec. 36.4520  Delegation of authority.

    (a) Except as hereinafter provided, each employee of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs heretofore or hereafter appointed to, or otherwise 
lawfully filling, any position designated in paragraph (b) of this 
section is hereby delegated authority, within the limitations and 
conditions prescribed by law, to exercise the powers and functions of 
the Secretary with respect to the making of loans and the rights and 
liabilities arising therefrom, including but not limited to the 
collection or compromise of amounts due, in money or other property, the 
extension, rearrangement, or sale of loans, the management and 
disposition of secured or unsecured notes and other property. In 
connection with direct loans made and held by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, such designated employees may take any action which they are 
authorized to consent to or approve in respect to guaranteed or insured 
loans under the regulations prescribed therefor by the Secretary. 
Incidental to the exercise and performance of the powers and functions 
hereby delegated, each such employee is authorized to execute and 
deliver (with or without acknowledgment) for, and on behalf of, the 
Secretary evidence of guaranty and such certificates, forms, 
conveyances, and other instruments as may be appropriate in connection 
with the acquisition, ownership, management, sale, transfer, assignment, 
encumbrance, rental, or other disposition of real or personal property 
or of any right, title, or interest therein, including, but not limited 
to, contracts of sale, installment contracts, deeds, leases, bills of 
sale, assignments, and releases; and to approve disbursements to be made 
for any purpose authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37.
    (b) Designated positions:

Under Secretary for Benefits
Director, Loan Guaranty Service
Director, Medical and Regional Office Center
Director, VA Regional Office and Insurance Center
Director, Regional Office
Loan Guaranty Officer
Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer


The authority hereby delegated to employees of the positions designated 
in this paragraph may, with the approval of the Under Secretary for 
Benefits, be redelegated.
    (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any such 
employee to exercise the authority vested in the Secretary under 38 
U.S.C. 501 or 3703(a)(2) or to sue or enter appearance for and on behalf 
of the Secretary or confess judgment against the Secretary in any court 
without the Secretary's prior authorization.
    (d) Each Regional Office, regional office and insurance center, and 
Medical and Regional Office Center shall maintain and keep current a 
cumulative list of all employees of that Office or Center who, since May 
1, 1980, have occupied the positions of Director, Loan Guaranty Officer, 
and Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer. This list will include each 
employee's name, title, date the employee assumed the position, and the 
termination date, if applicable, of the employee's tenure in such 
position. The list shall be available for public inspection and copying 
at the Regional Office, or Center, during normal business hours.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3720(a)(5))

[23 FR 2340, Apr. 10, 1958, as amended at 43 FR 60461, Dec. 28, 1978; 45 
FR 21243, Mar. 1, 1980; 46 FR 43675, Aug. 31, 1981; 54 FR 34988, Aug. 
23, 1989; 61 FR 28059, June 4, 1996]



Sec. 36.4521  Minimum property and construction requirements.

    No loan for the purchase or construction of residential property 
shall be made unless such property complies or

[[Page 803]]

conforms with those standards of planning, construction, and general 
acceptability applicable thereto which have been prescribed by the 
Secretary.

[23 FR 2340, Apr. 10, 1958]



Sec. 36.4522  Waivers, consents, and approvals.

    No waiver, consent, or approval required or authorized by the 
regulations concerning direct loans to veterans shall be valid unless in 
writing signed by Department of Veterans Affairs.

[15 FR 6291, Sept. 20, 1950]



Sec. 36.4523  Geographical limits.

    Any real property purchased, constructed, or improved with the 
proceeds of a loan under 38 U.S.C. 3711 shall be situated in the United 
States, which for purposes of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 37 is here defined as 
the several States, Territories, and possessions, and the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands: Provided. That no loan shall be made pursuant 
to 38 U.S.C. 3711 unless the real property is located in one of the 
areas designated from time to time by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
as an area in which private capital is not available under 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 37 to eligible veterans for financing of the purchase, 
construction, repairs, alterations, or improvement of a farm residence 
or other dwelling, as the case may be.

[46 FR 43675, Aug. 31, 1981]



Sec. 36.4524  Sale of loans.

    In the event a direct loan is purchased from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs at any time pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 
3711(g), the Department of Veterans Affairs may issue a guaranty in 
connection therewith within the maximums applicable to loans guaranteed 
under 38 U.S.C. 3710 and such loans shall thereafter be subject to the 
applicable provisions of the regulations governing the guaranty or 
insurance of loans to veterans, and such part of the regulations 
concerning direct loans to veterans as may be inconsistent therewith or 
variant therefrom shall no longer govern the subsequent disposition of 
the rights and liabilities of any interested parties.

[24 FR 2659, Apr. 7, 1959]



Sec. 36.4525  Requirement of a construction warranty.

    Any commitment to make a direct loan and any approval of a direct 
loan application issued or made on or after May 2, 1955, shall, if the 
purpose of the loan is to finance the construction of a dwelling or 
farmhouse or to finance the purchase of a newly constructed dwelling, be 
subject to the express condition that the builder, seller, or the real 
party in interest in the transaction shall deliver to the veteran 
constructing or purchasing such dwelling with the aid of a direct loan a 
warranty, in the form prescribed by the Secretary, that the property has 
been completed in substantial conformity with the plans and 
specifications upon which the Secretary based the valuation of the 
property, including any modifications thereof, or changes or variations 
therein, approved in writing by the Secretary, and no direct loan shall 
be disbursed in full unless a copy of such warranty duly receipted by 
the purchaser is submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

[20 FR 2463, Apr. 14, 1955, as amended at 46 FR 43676, Aug. 31, 1981]



Sec. 36.4526  Issuance of fund reservation commitments.

    (a) Any builder or sponsor proposing to construct one or more 
dwellings in an area designated as eligible for direct loans may apply 
for a commitment for the reservation of direct loan funds to be used for 
the making of loans to eligible veterans for the purchase or 
construction of such dwellings. Such commitment may be issued on such 
conditions as the Department of Veterans Affairs determines to be proper 
in the particular case and will be valid for a period of 3 months;

Provided, That the Department of Veterans Affairs may, for good and 
sufficient reasons, extend the period of the commitment. No commitment 
shall be issued unless the builder or sponsor shall have paid an amount 
equivalent

[[Page 804]]

to 2 percent of the funds being reserved, which amount shall be 
nonrefundable. The commitment shall be nontransferable except with the 
written approval of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Notwithstanding that direct loan funds may be available for 
reservation when issuance of a reservation commitment is requested by a 
builder or sponsor, the Department of Veterans Affairs may withhold 
issuance of such commitment in any case in which it determines that the 
experience or technical qualifications of the builder in respect to home 
construction are not acceptable, or that other factors bearing on the 
likelihood of the success of the proposed project are such as to justify 
withholding issuance of a fund reservation commitment.

[23 FR 2340, Apr. 10, 1958]



Sec. 36.4527  Direct housing loans to Native American veterans 
on trust lands.

    (a) The Secretary may make a direct housing loan to a Native 
American veteran if:
    (1) The Secretary has entered into a memorandum of understanding 
with respect to such loans with the tribal organization that has 
jurisdiction over the veteran; or
    (2) The tribal organization that has jurisdiction over the veteran 
has entered into a memorandum of understanding with any department or 
agency of the United States with respect to such loans and the 
memorandum complies with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this 
section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3762(a))

    (3) The memorandum is in effect when the loan is made and will 
remain in effect until the maturity of the subject loan.
    (b)(1) Subject to paragraph (b)(2) of this section, each memorandum 
of understanding entered into by the Secretary with a tribal 
organization shall provide for the following:
    (i) That each Native American veteran who is under the jurisdiction 
of the tribal organization and to whom the Secretary makes a direct loan 
under this section
    (A) Holds, possesses, or acquires using the proceeds of the loan a 
meaningful interest in a lot and/or dwelling that is located on trust 
land; and
    (B) Will purchase, construct, or improve a dwelling on the lot using 
the proceeds of the loan.
    (ii) That each Native American veteran obtaining a direct loan under 
this section will convey to the Secretary by an appropriate instrument 
the interest referred to in paragraph (A) as security for the direct 
loan or, if the laws of the tribal organization do not allow the veteran 
to convey the meaningful interest to the Secretary, the memorandum of 
understanding may authorize the tribe to serve as Trustee for the 
Secretary for purposes of protecting the interest of the Secretary as 
lender.
    (iii) That the tribal organization and each Native American veteran 
obtaining a direct loan under this section will permit the Secretary or 
his or her designee to enter upon the trust land of that organization or 
veteran for the purposes of carrying out such actions as the Secretary 
or his or her designee determines may be necessary:
    (A) To evaluate the advisability of the loan; and
    (B) To monitor any purchase, construction, or improvements carried 
out using the proceeds of the loan.
    (C) To protect the improvements from vandalism and the elements,
    (D) To make property inspections in conjunction with loan servicing, 
financial counseling, foreclosure, acquisition, management, repair, and 
resale of the secured interest.
    (iv) That the tribal organization has established standards and 
procedures that authorize the grantee to legally establish the interest 
conveyed by a Native American veteran pursuant to subsection (B) and 
terminate all interest of the veteran in the land and improvements, 
including:
    (A) Procedures for foreclosing the loan in the event of a default;
    (B) Procedures for acquiring possession of the veteran's interest in 
the property; and
    (C) Procedures for the resale of the property interest and/or the 
dwelling purchased, constructed, or improved using the proceeds of the 
loan.

[[Page 805]]

    (v) That the tribal organization agrees to such other terms and 
conditions with respect to the making of direct loans to Native American 
veterans under the jurisdiction of the tribal organization as the 
Secretary and the tribal organization may negotiate in order to ensure 
that direct loans made under this section are made in a responsible and 
prudent manner.
    (2) The Secretary, or his or her designee, may only enter into a 
memorandum of understanding with a tribal organization under this 
section if the Secretary, or designee, determines that the memorandum 
provides for standards and procedures necessary to reasonably protect 
the financial interests of the United States.
    (c)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, and 
notwithstanding the provisions of section 36.4503 of this title, the 
principal amount of any loan made under this section may not exceed 
$80,000. The original principal amount of any loan made under this 
section shall not exceed an amount which bears the same ratio to $80,000 
as the amount of the guaranty to which the veteran would be entitled 
under 38 U.S.C. 3710 at the time the loan is made bears to $36,000.
    (2) The Secretary may make loans which exceed the amount specified 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this section in geographic areas in which the 
Secretary has determined that housing costs are significantly higher 
than average housing costs nationwide. The Secretary shall determine the 
maximum loan amounts in such areas. The original principal amount of any 
such loan shall not exceed an amount which bears the same ratio to the 
maximum loan amount established by the Secretary as the amount of the 
guaranty to which the veteran would be entitled under 38 U.S.C. 3710 at 
the time the loan is made bears to $36,000.
    (3) Loans made under this section shall bear interest at a rate 
determined by the Secretary after considering yields on comparable 
mortgages in the secondary market, including bid and ask prices on 
mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National 
Mortgage Association (GNMA).
    (4) The minimum requirements for planning, construction, 
improvement, and general acceptability relating to any direct loan made 
under this section shall be consistent with the administrative property 
standards established for loans made or guaranteed under title 38, 
U.S.C., chapter 37.
    (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 36.4504(b), for loans 
made under this section, the Native American veteran-borrower shall pay 
the following loan closing costs to the parties indicated:
    (1) A loan fee of 1.25 percent of the total loan amount (2 percent 
for Reservists who qualify under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3701(b)(5)) 
to the Department of Veterans Affairs. All or part of such fee may be 
paid in cash at loan closing or all or part of the fee may be included 
in the loan without regard to the reasonable value of the property or 
the maximum loan amount. In computing the fee, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs will disregard any amount included in the loan to 
enable the borrower to pay such fee.
    (2) The fee described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall not 
be collected from a veteran who is receiving compensation (or who but 
for the receipt of retirement pay would be entitled to receive 
compensation) or from a surviving spouse described in Sec. 3701(b)(2) of 
title 38 U.S.C.
    (3) If the Secretary designates a third party to process the loan 
package on VA's behalf, a processing fee to that third party not to 
exceed $300 plus the actual cost of any credit report required.
    (4) Costs or expenses normally paid by a purchaser or mortgagee 
incident to loan closing including but not limited to the following:
    (i) Fees of the Department of Veterans Affairs designated appraisers 
and compliance inspectors;
    (ii) Recording fees or other charges incident to recordation;
    (iii) That portion of assessments and other similar items for the 
current year chargeable to the borrower; and
    (iv) Hazard insurance premiums, if such insurance is available.
    (5) Charges or costs payable by the Native American veteran-
borrower, except for the loan fee described in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, shall be paid in cash and may not be paid out of the proceeds 
of the loan. No service or

[[Page 806]]

brokerage fee shall be charged against the Native American veteran-
borrower by any third party for procuring a direct loan.
    (e)(1) The credit underwriting standards of 38 CFR 36.4337 shall 
apply to loans made under this section except to the extent the 
Secretary determines that they should be modified on account of the 
purpose of the program to make available housing to Native American 
veterans living on trust lands.
    (2) The Secretary shall determine the reasonable value of the 
leasehold or other property interest that will serve as security for a 
loan made under this section in accordance with Sec. 37.4519, of this 
chapter, unless the Secretary determines that such requirements are 
impractical to implement in a geographic area, on particular trust 
lands, or under circumstances specified by the Secretary.
    (f) In connection with the origination of any loan under this 
section, the Secretary may make advances in cash to provide for repairs, 
alterations, and improvements and to meet incidental expenses of the 
loan transaction.
    (g) Loans made under this section shall be amortized under a 
generally recognized plan which provides for equal monthly installments 
consisting of principal and interest, except for the final installment, 
which may not be in excess of two times the regular monthly installment. 
The limitation on the amount of the final installment shall not apply in 
the case of any loan extended, ballooned and/or reamortized.
    (h) The Secretary may:
    (1) Take any action that the Secretary determines to be necessary 
for the custody, management, and protection of properties and the 
realization or sale of investments under the VA Native American Direct 
Loan Program;
    (2) Determine any necessary expenses and expenditures and the manner 
in which such expenses and expenditures shall be incurred, allowed, and 
paid;
    (3) Employ, utilize, and compensate persons, organizations, or 
departments or agencies (including departments and agencies of the 
United States) designated by the Secretary to carry out necessary 
functions, including but not limited to loan processing and servicing 
activities, appraisals, and property inspections.
    (i) Notwithstanding any requirement, condition, or limitation stated 
in or imposed by any provision of this regulation, the Under Secretary 
for Benefits, or the Director, Loan Guaranty Service, within the 
limitations and conditions prescribed by the Secretary, may execute 
memoranda of understanding, make determinations concerning the maximum 
direct loan amount as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, and 
take such supplementary administrative action as may be necessary or 
appropriate to relieve any undue prejudice to a debtor, or other person, 
which might otherwise result, provided such action shall not impair the 
vested rights of any person affected thereby. If such a requirement, 
condition, or limitation is of an administrative or procedural nature, 
such action may be taken by any employee authorized to act under 
paragraph (j) of this section.
    (j)(1) Except as hereinafter provided, each employee of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs appointed to, or otherwise lawfully 
filling, any position designated in paragraph (j)(2) of this section is 
hereby delegated authority, within the limitations and conditions 
prescribed by law, to exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary 
with respect to the making of loans and the rights and liabilities 
arising therefrom, including, but not limited to the collection or 
compromise of amounts due, in money or other property, the extension, 
rearrangement, or sale of loans, and the management and disposition of 
secured or unsecured notes and other property. In connection with direct 
loans made and held by the Department of Veterans Affairs, such 
designated employees may take any action which they are authorized to 
consent to or approve in respect to guaranteed loans under Sec. 36.4342. 
Incidental to the exercise and performance of the powers and functions 
hereby delegated, each such employee is authorized to execute and 
deliver (with or without acknowledgment) for, and on behalf of, the 
Secretary such certificates, forms, conveyances, and other instruments 
as may be appropriate in connection with

[[Page 807]]

the acquisition, ownership, management, sale, transfer, assignment, 
encumbrance, rental, or other disposition of real or personal property 
or of any right, title, or interest therein, including, but not limited 
to, contracts of sale, installment contracts, deeds, leases, bills of 
sale, assignments, and releases; and to approve disbursements to be made 
for any purpose authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37.
    (2) Designated positions:

Under Secretary for Benefits
Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits
Director, Loan Guaranty Service
Director, Medical and Regional Office Center
Director, VA Regional Office and Insurance Center
Director, Regional Office
Loan Guaranty Officer
Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer


The authority hereby delegated to employees of the positions designated 
in this paragraph may, with the approval of the Under Secretary for 
Benefits, be redelegated.
    (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any such 
employee to exercise the authority vested in the Secretary under 38 
U.S.C. 501(a) or 3703(a)(2) or to sue or enter appearance for and on 
behalf of the Secretary or confess judgment against the Secretary in any 
court without the Secretary's prior authorization.
    (4) Each Regional Office, Regional Office and Insurance Center, and 
Medical and Regional Office Center shall maintain and keep current a 
cumulative list of all employees of that Office or Center who, since May 
1, 1980, have occupied the positions of Director, Loan Guaranty Officer, 
and Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer. This list will include each 
employee's name, title, date the employee assumed the position, and the 
termination date, if applicable, of the employee's tenure in such 
position. The list shall be available for public inspection and copying 
at the Regional Office, or Center, during normal business hours.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3761-3764)

[58 FR 59660, Nov. 10, 1993, as amended at 68 FR 6627, Feb. 10, 2003]



   Subpart E_Sale of Loans, Guarantee of Payment, and Flood Insurance



Sec. 36.4600  Sale of loans, guarantee of payment.

    (a) Whenever loans are sold by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
they will be clearly identified as loans sold with or without recourse.
    (b) The payment of all loans sold with recourse shall be guaranteed 
in accordance with the provisions of this section.
    (c) Wherever the term ``holder'' appears in this section it shall 
mean the purchaser of a loan sold by the Secretary and any subsequent 
transferee or assignee of such loan. The holder of each loan sold 
subject to guaranty shall be deemed to have agreed with the Secretary as 
follows:


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3720):

    (1) To furnish the Secretary with notice of default within 60 days 
after a loan has become two full installments in default.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3720)

    (2) To maintain on the real estate a lien of the dignity assigned or 
transferred to the purchaser by the Secretary.
    (3) To maintain insurance in an amount sufficient to protect the 
security against risks or hazards to which it may be subjected to the 
extent customary in the locality, and to apply the proceeds of loss 
payments to the loan balance or the restoration of the security, as the 
holder may in the holder's discretion deem proper. Flood insurance will 
be required on any building or personal property securing a loan at any 
time during the term of the loan that such security is located in an 
area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having 
special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made 
available under the National Flood Insurance Act, as amended. The amount 
of flood insurance must be at least equal to the lesser of the 
outstanding principal balance of the loan or the maximum limit of 
coverage available for the particular type of property under the 
National

[[Page 808]]

Flood Insurance Act, as amended. The notice requirements of 38 CFR 
36.4709 shall apply to loans sold pursuant to this section.


(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4104a)

    (4) To obtain a consideration equal to the fair market value of any 
real estate released from the first lien securing the loan, except where 
the loan will be paid in full, and to apply the entire consideration in 
reduction of the principal balance of the loan.
    (5) To maintain the tax and insurance account as provided for in the 
loan instruments and to pay accrued taxes, special assessments, ground 
or water rents and premiums on fire or other insurance properly 
chargeable to the tax and insurance account.
    (6) To submit to the Secretary notice of any suit or action or other 
legal or equitable proceeding to which the holder is a party (including 
a copy of every procedural paper filed on behalf of the holder or served 
on the holder), brought on or in connection with a loan sold under this 
section or involving title to, or other lien on, the property securing 
the loan, within the time that would be required if the Secretary were a 
party to the proceeding.
    (7) To submit to the Secretary for prior approval any proposal to 
recast or extend the repayment terms of the loan.
    (8) To take no action to accelerate the indebtedness or terminate 
the debtor's interest in the property without the prior approval of the 
Secretary.
    (9) To make advances only for the maintenance and repairs reasonably 
necessary for the preservation of the security, or for the payment of 
accrued taxes, special assessments, ground or water rents, premiums on 
fire or other insurance against loss or damage to the property, or for 
other purposes approved in advance by the Secretary.
    (10) To furnish the Secretary prompt notice of the cancellation of 
any repurchase endorsement or notice on the note or bond upon the 
payment in full of any loan sold pursuant to this section or of the 
release of the Secretary from liability to repurchase the loan.
    (11) To maintain adequate accounting records and to provide the 
Secretary with such data relating to the loan as the Secretary may 
request incident to the Secretary's determination of the amount payable 
in connection with a request for the repurchase of the loan.
    (12) To service the loans properly in accordance with established 
practices.
    (13) To permit the Secretary to inspect, examine or audit at 
reasonable times and places the records of loans which are subject to 
repurchase under this section.
    (14) To sell any loan to the Secretary for the amount specified in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section upon request of the Secretary if the 
loan is six (6) full installments or more in default.
    (15) To dispose of partial payments in accordance with the 
provisions of this paragraph. A partial payment is a remittance on a 
loan in default of any amount less than the full amount due under the 
terms of the loan and security instruments at the time the remittance is 
tendered; a default is a failure of a borrower to comply with the terms 
of a loan agreement.
    (i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(15)(ii) of this section, or 
upon the express waiver of the Secretary, the mortgage holder shall 
accept any partial payment and either apply it to the mortgagor's 
account or identify it with the mortgagor's account and hold it in a 
special account pending disposition. When partial payments held for 
disposition aggregate a full monthly installment, including escrow, they 
shall be applied to the mortgagor's account.
    (ii) A partial payment may be returned to the mortgagor, within 10 
calendar days from date of receipt of such payment, with a letter of 
explanation only if one or more of the following conditions exist:
    (a) The property is wholly or partially tenant-occupied and rental 
payments are not being remitted to the holder for application to the 
loan account;
    (b) The payment is less than one full monthly installment, including 
escrows and late charge, if applicable, unless the lesser payment amount 
has been agreed to under a written repayment plan;
    (c) The payment is less than 50 percent of the total amount then 
due, unless the lesser payment amount has

[[Page 809]]

been agreed to under a written repayment plan;
    (d) The payment is less than the amount agreed to in a written 
repayment plan;
    (e) The amount tendered is in the form of personal check and the 
holder has previously notified the mortgagor in writing that only cash 
or certified remittances are acceptable;
    (f) A delinquency of any amount has continued for at least 6 months 
since the account first became delinquent and no written repayment plan 
has been arranged.
    (g) The loan has been submitted to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for repurchase;
    (h) The lien position of the security instrument would be 
jeopardized by acceptance of the partial payment.
    (iii) A failure by the holder to comply with the provisions of this 
paragraph may result in a deduction from the repurchase price pursuant 
to paragraph (e)(1) of this section.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3720)

    Note: In any instance in which the holder desires Department of 
Veterans Affairs prior approval to a proposed action the holder may 
submit the facts to the Loan Guaranty Officer as provided in paragraph 
(i) of this section.
    (16) To obtain and forward a current credit report(s) on the 
debtor(s) to the Secretary when requesting that the Secretary repurchase 
the loan.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1) and 3720)

    (d) The Secretary's guaranty liability under this section shall 
consist of and be limited solely to liability to repurchase the loan 
from the holder thereof whenever,
    (1) The debtor is in default by reason of nonpayment of not less 
than two full installments and default has continued for three months or 
more on the date the holder submits its written request for repurchase 
by the Secretary; or
    (2) The property securing the loan has been abandoned by the debtor; 
or
    (3) The debtor has failed to comply with any other covenant or 
obligation of the loan contract and on the date of the holder's request 
for repurchase such failure has continued for more than 90 days after 
the holder's demand for compliance with the covenant or obligation, 
except that if the failure is due to nonpayment of real estate taxes the 
failure to pay when due has persisted for a continuing period of 180 
days; or
    (4) The Secretary determines, upon request of the holder to 
repurchase any loan, that such repurchase is in the best interests of 
the Government notwithstanding that the account is ineligible for 
repurchase under paragraphs (d) (1) through (3) of this section.
    (e)(1) A cash payment shall be made to the holder upon the 
repurchase of a loan by the Secretary and shall be an amount equal to 
the price paid by the purchaser when the loan was sold by the Secretary, 
less repayments received by the holder which are properly applicable to 
the principal balance of the loan, plus any advances made for the 
purposes described in paragraph (c)(9) of this section, but no payments 
shall be made for accrued unpaid interest, except that with respect to 
loans sold by the Secretary after July 15, 1970, payment will be made 
for unpaid accured interest from the date of the first uncured default 
to the date of the claim for repurchase, but not in excess of interest 
for 120 days. If, however, there has been a failure of any holder to 
comply with the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section the 
Secretary shall be entitled to deduct from the repurchase price 
otherwise payable such amount as the Secretary determines to be 
necessary to restore the Secretary to the position the Secretary would 
have occupied upon repurchase of the loan in the absence of any such 
failure. Incident to the repurchase by the Secretary, the holder will 
pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the balance, if any, remaining 
in the tax and insurance account.
    (2) The holder shall be deemed to have received as trustee for the 
benefit of the Secretary any amounts received on account of the loan 
indebtedness subsequent to submitting its request to repurchase and 
shall pay such amounts to the Department of Veterans Affairs upon the 
assignment and delivery of the note, bond and security instruments to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs.

[[Page 810]]

    (3) The holder may be reimbursed for the cost of a current credit 
report(s) on the debtor(s) which is (are) forwarded to the Secretary 
along with the request for repurchase and for any other costs or 
expenses incurred which are approved in advance by the Secretary as 
being necessary to protect the Government's interest.
    (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the 
Secretary shall be released from liability and shall not be obligated to 
repurchase any loan in respect to which:
    (1) An obligor has been released from personal liability by any act 
or omission of the holder without the prior approval of the Secretary, 
except that a holder shall not be under any duty to establish the debt 
as a valid claim against the assets of the estate of any deceased or 
bankrupt obligor when such failure will not impair the validity or 
effectiveness of the lien securing the loan; or
    (2) The holder has instituted foreclosure action against the 
property securing the loan without the prior approval of the Secretary, 
and such action has proceeded to the point where the judicial sale or 
sale under the power in the deed of trust has been held or the owner's 
interest in the property has been terminated by the holder by strict 
foreclosure, acceptance of a voluntary deed, or by other liquidation 
action; or
    (3) Any material alteration has been made to the note, bond, 
security instrument, or installment sale contract after sale and 
delivery of the instruments by the Secretary to the purchaser.
    (g)(1) Each employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
heretofore or hereafter appointed to or lawfully filling, any position 
designated in paragraph (g)(2) of this section is hereby delegated 
authority within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law to 
exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with respect to the 
sale, assignment, transfer, and repurchase of loans, including, but not 
limited to the offering of such loans for sale, the acceptance of 
purchase offers, the assignment or transfer of notes or bonds and 
security instruments evidencing the loans sold, granting the prior 
approval of the Secretary under this section, determining the 
eligibility of the loans for repurchase and to calculate and pay the sum 
due the holder upon repurchase of the loan by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
    (2) Designated positions:

Under Secretary for Benefits.
Director, Loan Guaranty Service.
Director, Regional Office.
Director, Medical and Regional Office Center.
Director, VA Center.
Loan Guaranty Officer.
Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer.

    (h) No waiver, consent, or approval required or authorized by this 
section shall be valid unless in writing signed by an employee of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs authorized in this section to act for the 
Secretary.
    (i) Whenever prior approval or consent of the Secretary is desired 
in respect to an action to be taken by a holder of a loan, the holder 
may address such request to the Loan Guaranty Officer in the Regional 
Office or Center having jurisdiction over the area in which the real 
estate security is located.
    (j) Notwithstanding any requirement, condition, or limitation stated 
in or imposed by this section concerning the sale and repurchase of 
loans, the Under Secretary for Benefits, or the Director, Loan Guaranty 
Service, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by the 
Secretary may take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to 
relieve undue prejudice to a holder, debtor or other person, which might 
otherwise result, as long as such action shall not impair the vested 
rights of any person affected thereby. If such requirement, condition, 
or limitation is of an administrative or procedural nature, such action 
may be taken by an employee authorized to act under paragraph (g) of 
this section.
    (k) This section will apply to all loans sold by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs after the effective date of this section which were 
originated or acquired by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under 
chapter 37, title 38, U.S.C., or title III of the Servicemen's 
Readjustment Act of 1944, as amended, except that it shall not apply to 
direct

[[Page 811]]

loans sold pursuant to section 3711(g) of chapter 37, title 38, U.S.C.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3703(c)(1) and 3720)

(Information collection requirements contained in paragraphs (c) and (e) 
were approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control 
number 2900-0840)

[27 FR 2686, Mar. 22, 1962, as amended at 39 FR 7785, Feb. 28, 1974; 44 
FR 25839, May 3, 1979; 45 FR 31065, May 12, 1980; 51 FR 4596, Feb. 6, 
1986; 52 FR 6548, Mar. 4, 1987; 53 FR 34296, Sept. 6, 1988; 61 FR 28059, 
June 4, 1996; 62 FR 5532, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4700  Authority, purpose, and scope.

    (a) Authority. Sections 36.4700 through 36.4709 of this part are 
issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4104a, 4104b, 4106, and 4128.
    (b) Purpose. The purpose of sections 36.4700 through 36.4709 of this 
part is to implement the requirements of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended 
(42 U.S.C. 4001-4129).
    (c) Scope. Sections 36.4700 through 36.4709 of this part, except for 
Secs. 36.4705 and 36.4707, apply to loans secured by buildings or mobile 
homes located or to be located in areas determined by the Director of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have special flood hazards. 
Sections 36.4705 and 36.4707 apply to loans secured by buildings or 
mobile homes, regardless of location.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4104a, 4104b, 4106, and 4128)

[62 FR 5532, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4701  Definitions.

    (a) Act means the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended 
(42 U.S.C. 4001-4129).
    (b) Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    (c) Building means a walled and roofed structure, other than a gas 
or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground and affixed to 
a permanent site, and a walled and roofed structure while in the course 
of construction, alteration, or repair.
    (d) Community means a State or a political subdivision of a State 
that has zoning and building code jurisdiction over a particular area 
having special flood hazards.
    (e) Designated loan means a loan secured by a building or mobile 
home that is located or to be located in a special flood hazard area in 
which flood insurance is available under the Act.
    (f) Director of FEMA means the Director of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency.
    (g) Mobile home means a structure, transportable in one or more 
sections, that is built on a permanent chassis and designed for use with 
or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required 
utilities. The term mobile home does not include a recreational vehicle. 
For purposes of this part, the term mobile home means a mobile home on a 
permanent foundation. The term mobile home includes a manufactured home 
as that term is used in the NFIP.
    (h) NFIP means the National Flood Insurance Program authorized under 
the Act.
    (i) Residential improved real estate means real estate upon which a 
home or other residential building is located or to be located.
    (j) Servicer means the person responsible for:
    (1) Receiving any scheduled, periodic payments from a borrower under 
the terms of a loan, including amounts for taxes, insurance premiums, 
and other charges with respect to the property securing the loan; and
    (2) Making payments of principal and interest and any other payments 
from the amounts received from the borrower as may be required under the 
terms of the loan.
    (k) Special flood hazard area means the land in the flood plain 
within a community having at least a one percent chance of flooding in 
any given year, as designated by the Director of FEMA.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4104a, 4104b, 4106 and 4128)

[62 FR 5532, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4702  Requirement to purchase flood insurance where available.

    In general. The Secretary shall not make, increase, extend, or renew 
any designated loan unless the building or mobile home and any personal 
property

[[Page 812]]

securing the loan is covered by flood insurance for the term of the 
loan. The amount of insurance must be at least equal to the lesser of 
the outstanding principal balance of the designated loan or the maximum 
limit of coverage available for the particular type of property under 
the Act. Flood insurance coverage under the Act is limited to the 
overall value of the property securing the designated loan minus the 
value of the land on which the property is located.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a)

[62 FR 5532, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4703  Exemptions.

    The flood insurance requirement prescribed by 38 CFR 36.4702 does 
not apply with respect to:
    (a) Any State-owned property covered under a policy of self-
insurance satisfactory to the Director of FEMA, who publishes and 
periodically revises the list of States falling within this exemption; 
or
    (b) Property securing any loan with an original principal balance of 
$5,000 or less and a repayment term of one year or less.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a(c))

[62 FR 5533, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4704  Escrow requirement.

    If the Secretary requires the escrow of taxes, insurance premiums, 
fees, or any other charges for a loan secured by residential improved 
real estate or a mobile home that is made, increased, extended, or 
renewed on or after October 1, 1996, the Secretary shall also require 
the escrow of all premiums and fees for any flood insurance required 
under 38 CFR 36.4702. The Secretary, or a servicer acting on behalf of 
the Secretary, shall deposit the flood insurance premiums on behalf of 
the borrower in an escrow account. This escrow account will be subject 
to escrow requirements adopted pursuant to section 10 of the Real Estate 
Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. 2609) (RESPA), which 
generally limits the amount that may be maintained in escrow accounts 
for certain types of loans and requires escrow account statements for 
those accounts, only if the loan is otherwise subject to RESPA. 
Following receipt of a notice from the Director of FEMA or other 
provider of flood insurance that premiums are due, the Secretary, or a 
servicer acting on behalf of the Secretary, shall pay the amount owed to 
the insurance provider from the escrow account by the date when such 
premiums are due.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a(d))

[62 FR 5533, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4705  Required use of standard flood hazard determination
form.

    (a) Use of form. The Secretary shall use the standard flood hazard 
determination form developed by the Director of FEMA (as set forth in 
appendix A of 44 CFR part 65) when determining whether the building or 
mobile home offered as collateral security for a loan is or will be 
located in a special flood hazard area in which flood insurance is 
available under the Act. The standard flood hazard determination form 
may be used in a printed, computerized, or electronic manner.
    (b) Retention of form. The Secretary shall retain a copy of the 
completed standard flood hazard determination form, in either hard copy 
or electronic form, for the period of time the Secretary owns the loan.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4104b)

[62 FR 5533, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4706  Forced placement of flood insurance.

    If the Secretary, or a servicer acting on behalf of the Secretary, 
determines at any time during the term of a designated loan that the 
building or mobile home and any personal property securing the 
designated loan is not covered by flood insurance or is covered by flood 
insurance in an amount less than the amount required under 38 CFR 
36.4702, then the Secretary or a servicer acting on behalf of the 
Secretary, shall notify the borrower that the borrower should obtain 
flood insurance, at the borrower's expense, in an amount at least equal 
to the amount required under 38 CFR 36.4702, for the remaining term of 
the loan. If the borrower fails to obtain flood insurance within 45

[[Page 813]]

days after notification, then the Secretary or a servicer acting on 
behalf of the Secretary, shall purchase insurance on the borrower's 
behalf. The Secretary or a servicer acting on behalf of the Secretary, 
may charge the borrower for the cost of premiums and fees incurred in 
purchasing the insurance.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a(e))

[62 FR 5533, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4707  Determination fees.

    (a) General. Notwithstanding any Federal or State law other than the 
Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4001-4129), 
the Secretary, or a servicer acting on behalf of the Secretary, may 
charge a reasonable fee for determining whether the building or mobile 
home securing the loan is located or will be located in a special flood 
hazard area. A determination fee may also include, but is not limited 
to, a fee for life-of-loan monitoring.
    (b) Borrower fee. The determination fee authorized by paragraph (a) 
of this section may be charged to the borrower if the determination:
    (1) Is made in connection with a making, increasing, extending, or 
renewing of the loan that is initiated by the borrower;
    (2) Reflects the Director of FEMA's revision or updating of 
floodplain areas or flood-risk zones;
    (3) Reflects the Director of FEMA's publication of a notice or 
compendium that:
    (i) Affects the area in which the building or mobile home securing 
the loan is located; or
    (ii) By determination of the Director of FEMA, may reasonably 
require a determination whether the building or mobile home securing the 
loan is located in a special flood hazard area; or
    (4) Results in the purchase of flood insurance coverage by the 
Secretary or a servicer acting on behalf of the Secretary, on behalf of 
the borrower under 38 CFR 36.4706.
    (c) Purchaser or transferee fee. The determination fee authorized by 
paragraph (a) of this section may be charged to the purchaser or 
transferee of a loan in the case of the sale or transfer of the loan.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a(h))

[62 FR 5533, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4708  Notice of special flood hazards and availability of
Federal disaster relief assistance.

    (a) Notice requirement. When the Secretary makes, increases, 
extends, or renews a loan secured by a building or a mobile home located 
or to be located in a special flood hazard area, the Secretary shall 
mail or deliver a written notice to the borrower and to the servicer in 
all cases whether or not flood insurance is available under the Act for 
the collateral securing the loan.
    (b) Contents of notice. The written notice must include the 
following information:
    (1) A warning, in a form approved by the Director of FEMA, that the 
building or the mobile home is or will be located in a special flood 
hazard area;
    (2) A description of the flood insurance purchase requirements set 
forth in section 102(b) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4012a(b));
    (3) A statement, where applicable, that flood insurance coverage is 
available under the NFIP and may also be available from private 
insurers; and
    (4) A statement whether Federal disaster relief assistance may be 
available in the event of damage to the building or mobile home caused 
by flooding in a Federally declared disaster.
    (c) Timing of notice. The Secretary shall provide the notice 
required by paragraph (a) of this section to the borrower within a 
reasonable time before the completion of the transaction, and to the 
servicer as promptly as practicable after the Secretary provides notice 
to the borrower and in any event no later than the time the Secretary 
provides other similar notices to the servicer concerning hazard 
insurance and taxes. Notice to the servicer may be made electronically 
or may take the form of a copy of the notice to the borrower.
    (d) Record of receipt. The Secretary shall retain a record of the 
receipt of the notices by the borrower and the

[[Page 814]]

servicer for the period of time the Secretary owns the loan.
    (e) Alternate method of notice. Instead of providing the notice to 
the borrower required by paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary 
may obtain satisfactory written assurance from a seller or lessor that, 
within a reasonable time before the completion of the sale or lease 
transaction, the seller or lessor has provided such notice to the 
purchaser or lessee. The Secretary shall retain a record of the written 
assurance from the seller or lessor for the period of time the Secretary 
owns the loan.
    (f) Use of prescribed form of notice. The Secretary will be 
considered to be in compliance with the requirement for notice to the 
borrower of this section by providing written notice to the borrower 
containing the language presented in appendix A to this part within a 
reasonable time before the completion of the transaction. The notice 
presented in appendix A to this part satisfies the borrower notice 
requirements of the Act.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4104a)

[62 FR 5533, Feb. 6, 1997]



Sec. 36.4709  Notice of servicer's identity.

    (a) Notice requirement. When the Secretary makes, increases, 
extends, renews, sells, or transfers a loan secured by a building or 
mobile home located or to be located in a special flood hazard area, the 
Secretary shall notify the Director of FEMA (or the Director's designee) 
in writing of the identity of the servicer of the loan. The Director of 
FEMA has designated the insurance provider to receive the Secretary's 
notice of the servicer's identity. This notice may be provided 
electronically if electronic transmission is satisfactory to the 
Director of FEMA's designee.
    (b) Transfer of servicing rights. The Secretary shall notify the 
Director of FEMA (or the Director's designee) of any change in the 
servicer of a loan described in paragraph (a) of this section within 60 
days after the effective date of the change. This notice may be provided 
electronically if electronic transmission is satisfactory to the 
Director of FEMA's designee. Upon any change in the servicing of a loan 
described in paragraph (a) of this section, the duty to provide notice 
under this paragraph (b) shall transfer to the transferee servicer.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4104a)

[62 FR 5534, Feb. 6, 1997]



   Sec. Appendix A to Part 36--Sample Form of Notice of Special Flood 
     Hazards and Availability of Federal Disaster Relief Assistance

    We are giving you this notice to inform you that:
    The building or mobile home securing the loan for which you have 
applied is or will be located in an area with special flood hazards. The 
area has been identified by the Director of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) as a special flood hazard area using FEMA's 
Flood Insurance Rate Map or the Flood Hazard Boundary Map for the 
following community: ____. This area has at least a one percent (1%) 
chance of a flood equal to or exceeding the base flood elevation (a 100-
year flood) in any given year. During the life of a 30-year mortgage 
loan, the risk of a 100-year flood in a special flood hazard area is 26 
percent (26%).
    Federal law allows a lender and borrower jointly to request the 
Director of FEMA to review the determination of whether the property 
securing the loan is located in a special flood hazard area. If you 
would like to make such a request, please contact us for further 
information.
    __ The community in which the property securing the loan is located 
participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Federal law 
will not allow us to make you the loan that you have applied for if you 
do not purchase flood insurance. The flood insurance must be maintained 
for the life of the loan. If you fail to purchase or renew flood 
insurance on the property, Federal law authorizes and requires us to 
purchase the flood insurance for you at your expense.
     Flood insurance coverage under the NFIP may be purchased 
through an insurance agent who will obtain the policy either directly 
through the NFIP or through an insurance company that participates in 
the NFIP. Flood insurance also may be available from private insurers 
that do not participate in the NFIP.
     At a minimum, flood insurance purchased must cover the 
lesser of:
    (1) the outstanding principal balance of the loan; or
    (2) the maximum amount of coverage allowed for the type of property 
under the NFIP.

[[Page 815]]

    Flood insurance coverage under the NFIP is limited to the overall 
value of the property securing the loan minus the value of the land on 
which the property is located.
     Federal disaster relief assistance (usually in the form of 
a low-interest loan) may be available for damages incurred in excess of 
your flood insurance if your community's participation in the NFIP is in 
accordance with NFIP requirements.
    __ Flood insurance coverage under the NFIP is not available for the 
property securing the loan because the community in which the property 
is located does not participate in the NFIP. In addition, if the non-
participating community has been identified for at least one year as 
containing a special flood hazard area, properties located in the 
community will not be eligible for Federal disaster relief assistance in 
the event of a Federally-declared flood disaster.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4104a)

[62 FR 5534, Feb. 6, 1997]



PART 38_NATIONAL CEMETERIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS--
Table of Contents



Sec.
38.600  Definitions.
38.601  Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials.
38.602  Names for national cemeteries and features.
38.603  Gifts and donations.
38.617  Prohibition of interment or memorialization of persons who have 
          been convicted of Federal or State capital crimes.
38.618  Findings concerning commission of a capital crime where a person 
          has not been convicted due to death or flight to avoid 
          prosecution.
38.620  Persons eligible for burial.
38.621  Disinterments.
38.628  Reimbursement for caskets and urns for unclaimed remains of 
          veterans.
38.629  Outer burial receptacle allowance.
38.630  Headstones and markers.
38.631  Graves marked with a private headstone or marker.
38.632  Headstone or marker application process.
38.633  Group memorial monuments.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 107, 501, 512, 2306, 2402, 2403, 2404, 2407, 
2408, 2411, 7105.

    Source: 70 FR 4769, Jan. 31, 2005, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 38.600  Definitions.

    (a)(1) Applicant defined--burial headstones and markers. An 
applicant for a headstone or marker that will mark the gravesite or 
burial site of an eligible deceased individual may be:
    (i) A decedent's family member, which includes the decedent's spouse 
or individual who was in a legal union as defined in 38 CFR 
3.1702(b)(1)(ii) with the decedent; a child, parent, or sibling of the 
decedent, whether biological, adopted, or step relation; and any lineal 
or collateral descendant of the decedent;
    (ii) A personal representative, as defined in paragraph (b) of this 
section;
    (iii) A representative of a Congressionally-chartered Veterans 
Service Organization;
    (iv) An individual employed by the relevant state or local 
government whose official responsibilities include serving veterans and 
families of veterans, such as a state or county veterans service 
officer;
    (v) Any individual who is responsible, under the laws of the 
relevant state or locality, for the disposition of the unclaimed remains 
of the decedent or for other matters relating to the interment or 
memorialization of the decedent; or
    (vi) Any individual, if the dates of service of the veteran to be 
memorialized, or on whose service the eligibility of another individual 
for memorialization is based, ended prior to April 6, 1917.
    (2) Applicant defined--memorial headstones and markers. An applicant 
for a memorial headstone or marker to commemorate an eligible individual 
must be a member of the decedent's family, which includes the decedent's 
spouse or individual who was in a legal union as defined in 38 CFR 
3.1702(b)(1)(ii) with the decedent; a child, parent, or sibling of the 
decedent, whether biological, adopted, or step relation; and any lineal 
or collateral descendant of the decedent.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of part 38:
    Appropriate State official means a State attorney general or other 
official with statewide responsibility for law enforcement or penal 
functions.
    Clear and convincing evidence means that degree of proof which 
produces in the mind of the fact-finder a firm belief regarding the 
question at issue.

[[Page 816]]

    Convicted means a finding of guilt by a judgment or verdict or based 
on a plea of guilty, by a Federal or State criminal court.
    Federal capital crime means an offense under Federal law for which a 
sentence of imprisonment for life or the death penalty may be imposed.
    Interment means the burial of casketed remains or the placement or 
scattering of cremated remains.
    Life imprisonment means a sentence of a Federal or State criminal 
court directing confinement in a penal institution for life.
    Memorialization means any action taken to honor the memory of a 
deceased individual.
    Personal representative means a family member or other individual 
who has identified himself or herself to the National Cemetery 
Administration as the person responsible for making decisions concerning 
the interment of the remains of or memorialization of a deceased 
individual.
    State capital crime means, under State law, the willful, deliberate, 
or premeditated unlawful killing of another human being for which a 
sentence of imprisonment for life or the death penalty may be imposed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2408, 2411)

[70 FR 4769, Jan. 31, 2005, as amended at 73 FR 35352, June 23, 2008; 81 
FR 10770, Mar. 3, 2016]



Sec. 38.601  Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials.

    Responsibilities in connection with Committee authorized by 38 
U.S.C. chapter 24 are as follows:
    (a) The Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs will schedule the 
frequency of meetings, make presentations before the Committee, 
participate when requested by the Committee, evaluate Committee reports 
and recommendations and make recommendations to the Secretary based on 
Committee actions.
    (b) The Committee will evaluate and study cemeterial, memorial and 
burial benefits proposals or problems submitted by the Secretary or 
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, and make recommendations as to 
course of action or solution. Reports and recommendations will be 
submitted to the Secretary for transmission to Congress.



Sec. 38.602  Names for national cemeteries and features.

    (a) Responsibility. The Secretary is responsible for naming national 
cemeteries. The Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, is responsible for 
naming activities and features therein, such as drives, walks, or 
special structures.
    (b) Basis for names. The names of national cemetery activities may 
be based on physical and area characteristics, the nearest important 
city (town), or a historical characteristic related to the area. Newly 
constructed interior thoroughfares for vehicular traffic in national 
cemetery activities will be known as drives. To facilitate location of 
graves by visitors, drives will be named after cities, counties or 
States or after historically notable persons, places or events.



Sec. 38.603  Gifts and donations.

    (a) Gifts and donations will be accepted only after it has been 
determined that the donor has a clear understanding that title thereto 
passes to, and is vested in, the United States, and that the donor 
relinquishes all control over the future use or disposition of the gift 
or donation, with the following exceptions:
    (1) Carillons will be accepted with the condition that the donor 
will provide the maintenance and the operator or the mechanical means of 
operation. The time of operation and the maintenance will be coordinated 
with the superintendent of the national cemetery.
    (2) Articles donated for a specific purpose and which are usable 
only for that purpose may be returned to the donor if the purpose for 
which the articles were donated cannot be accomplished.
    (3) If the donor directs that the gift is donated for a particular 
use, those directions will be carried out insofar as they are proper and 
practicable and not in violation of Department of Veterans Affairs 
policy.
    (4) When considered appropriate and not in conflict with the purpose 
of the national cemetery, the donor may be recognized by a suitable 
inscription on

[[Page 817]]

those gifts. In no case will the inscription give the impression that 
the gift is owned by, or that its future use is controlled by, the 
donor. Any tablet or plaque, containing an inscription will be of such 
size and design as will harmonize with the general nature and design of 
the gift.
    (b) The Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs, or his designee, may 
solicit gifts and donations, which include monetary donations, in-kind 
goods and services, and personal property, or authorize the use of their 
names, the name of the Secretary, or the name of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs by an individual or organization in any campaign or 
drive for donation of money or articles to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for the purpose of beautifying, or for the benefit of, one or 
more national cemeteries.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2407.

[70 FR 4769, Jan. 31, 2005, as amended at 81 FR 44795, July 11, 2016]



Sec. 38.617  Prohibition of interment or memorialization of persons
who have been convicted of Federal or State capital crimes.

    (a) Persons prohibited. The interment in a national cemetery under 
control of the National Cemetery Administration of the remains of any 
person, or memorialization in such a cemetery of such person, shall not 
take place absent a good faith effort by the affected cemetery director, 
or the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, or his or her designee, to 
determine whether such person is barred from receipt of such benefits 
because the individual for whom interment or memoralization is sought 
is:
    (1) A person identified to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by the 
United States Attorney General, prior to approval of interment or 
memorialization, as an individual who has been convicted of a Federal 
capital crime, and whose conviction is final, other than a person whose 
sentence was commuted by the President.
    (2) A person identified to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by an 
appropriate State official, prior to approval of interment or 
memorialization, as an individual who has been convicted of a State 
capital crime, and whose conviction is final, other than a person whose 
sentence was commuted by the Governor of a State.
    (3) A person found under procedures specified in Sec. 38.618 to have 
committed a Federal or State capital crime but avoided conviction of 
such crime by reason of unavailability for trial due to death or flight 
to avoid prosecution.
    (b) Notice. The prohibition referred to in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section is not contingent on receipt by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs or any other VA official of notice from any Federal or State 
official.
    (c) Receipt of notification. The Under Secretary for Memorial 
Affairs is delegated authority to receive from the United States 
Attorney General and appropriate State officials on behalf of the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs the notification of conviction of capital 
crimes referred to in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (d) Decision where notification previously received. Upon receipt of 
a request for interment or memorialization, where the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs has received the notification referred to in paragraph 
(a)(1) or (2) of this section with regard to the deceased, the cemetery 
director will make a decision on the request for interment or 
memorialization pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2411.
    (e) Inquiry. (1) Upon receipt of a request for interment or 
memorialization, where the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has not 
received the notification referred to in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of 
this section with regard to the deceased, but the cemetery director has 
reason to believe that the deceased may have been convicted of a Federal 
or State capital crime, the cemetery director will initiate an inquiry 
to either:
    (i) The United States Attorney General, in the case of a Federal 
capital crime, requesting notification of whether the deceased has been 
convicted of a Federal capital crime; or
    (ii) An appropriate State official, in the case of a State capital 
crime, requesting notification of whether the deceased has been 
convicted of a State capital crime.

[[Page 818]]

    (2) The cemetery director will defer decision on whether to approve 
interment or memorialization until after a response is received from the 
Attorney General or appropriate State official.
    (f) Decision after inquiry. Where an inquiry has been initiated 
under paragraph (e) of this section, the cemetery director will make a 
decision on the request for interment or memorialization pursuant to 38 
U.S.C. 2411 upon receipt of the notification requested under that 
paragraph, unless the cemetery director initiates an inquiry pursuant to 
Sec. 38.618(a).
    (g) Notice of decision. Written notice of a decision under paragraph 
(d) or (f) of this section will be provided by the cemetery director to 
the personal representative of the deceased, along with written notice 
of appellate rights in accordance with Sec. 19.25 of this title. This 
notice of appellate rights will include notice of the opportunity to 
file a notice of disagreement with the decision of the cemetery 
director. Action following receipt of a notice of disagreement with a 
denial of eligibility for interment or memorialization under this 
section will be in accordance with Secs. 19.26 through 19.38 of this 
title.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512, 2411, 7105)

[70 FR 4769, Jan. 31, 2005, as amended at 73 FR 35352, June 23, 2008]



Sec. 38.618  Findings concerning commission of a capital crime where
a person has not been convicted due to death or flight to avoid
prosecution.

    (a) Inquiry. With respect to a request for interment or 
memorialization, if a cemetery director has reason to believe that a 
deceased individual who is otherwise eligible for interment or 
memorialization may have committed a Federal or State capital crime, but 
avoided conviction of such crime by reason of unavailability for trial 
due to death or flight to avoid prosecution, the cemetery director, with 
the assistance of the VA regional counsel, as necessary, will initiate 
an inquiry seeking information from Federal, State, or local law 
enforcement officials, or other sources of potentially relevant 
information. After completion of this inquiry and any further measures 
required under paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this section, the 
cemetery director will make a decision on the request for interment or 
memorialization in accordance with paragraph (b), (e), or (g) of this 
section.
    (b) Decision approving request without a proceeding or termination 
of a claim by personal representative without a proceeding. (1) If, 
after conducting the inquiry described in paragraph (a) of this section, 
the cemetery director determines that there is no clear and convincing 
evidence that the deceased committed a Federal or State capital crime of 
which he or she was not convicted due to death or flight to avoid 
prosecution, and the deceased remains otherwise eligible, the cemetery 
director will make a decision approving the interment or 
memorialization.
    (2) If the personal representative elects for burial at a location 
other than a VA national cemetery, or makes alternate arrangements for 
burial at a location other than a VA national cemetery, the request for 
interment or memorialization will be considered withdrawn and action on 
the request will be terminated.
    (c) Initiation of a proceeding. (1) If, after conducting the inquiry 
described in paragraph (a) of this section, the cemetery director 
determines that there appears to be clear and convincing evidence that 
the deceased has committed a Federal or State capital crime of which he 
or she was not convicted by reason of unavailability for trial due to 
death or flight to avoid prosecution, the cemetery director will provide 
the personal representative of the deceased with a written summary of 
the evidence of record and a written notice of procedural options.
    (2) The notice of procedural options will inform the personal 
representative that he or she may, within 15 days of receipt of the 
notice:
    (i) Request a hearing on the matter;
    (ii) Submit a written statement, with or without supporting 
documentation, for inclusion in the record;
    (iii) Waive a hearing and submission of a written statement and have 
the matter forwarded immediately to the Under Secretary for Memorial 
Affairs for a finding; or
    (iv) Notify the cemetery director that the personal representative 
is withdrawing the request for interment

[[Page 819]]

or memorialization, thereby, closing the claim.
    (3) The notice of procedural options will also inform the personal 
representative that, if he or she does not exercise one or more of the 
stated options within the prescribed period, the matter will be 
forwarded to the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs for a finding 
based on the existing record.
    (d) Hearing. If a hearing is requested, the Director, Memorial 
Services Network will conduct the hearing. The purpose of the hearing is 
to permit the personal representative of the deceased to present 
evidence concerning whether the deceased committed a crime which would 
render the deceased ineligible for interment or memorialization in a 
national cemetery. Testimony at the hearing will be presented under 
oath, and the personal representative will have the right to 
representation by counsel and the right to call witnesses. The VA 
official conducting the hearing will have the authority to administer 
oaths. The hearing will be conducted in an informal manner and court 
rules of evidence will not apply. The hearing will be recorded on 
audiotape and, unless the personal representative waives transcription, 
a transcript of the hearing will be produced and included in the record.
    (e) Decision of approval or referral for a finding after a 
proceeding. Following a hearing or the timely submission of a written 
statement, or in the event a hearing is waived or no hearing is 
requested and no written statement is submitted within the time 
specified:
    (1) If the cemetery director determines that it has not been 
established by clear and convincing evidence that the deceased committed 
a Federal or State capital crime of which he or she was not convicted 
due to death or flight to avoid prosecution, and the deceased remains 
otherwise eligible, the cemetery director will make a decision approving 
interment or memorialization; or
    (2) If the cemetery director believes that there is clear and 
convincing evidence that the deceased committed a Federal or State 
capital crime of which he or she was not convicted due to death or 
flight to avoid prosecution, the cemetery director will forward a 
request for a finding on that issue, together with the cemetery 
director's recommendation and a copy of the record to the Under 
Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
    (f) Finding by the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Upon 
receipt of a request from the cemetery director under paragraph (e) of 
this section, the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs will make a 
finding concerning whether the deceased committed a Federal or State 
capital crime of which he or she was not convicted by reason of 
unavailability for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution. 
The finding will be based on consideration of the cemetery director's 
recommendation and the record supplied by the cemetery director.
    (1) A finding that the deceased committed a crime referred to in 
paragraph (f) of this section must be based on clear and convincing 
evidence.
    (2) The cemetery director will be provided with written notification 
of the finding of the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
    (g) Decision after finding. Upon receipt of notification of the 
finding of the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, the cemetery 
director will make a decision on the request for interment or 
memorialization pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2411. In making that decision, the 
cemetery director will be bound by the finding of the Under Secretary 
for Memorial Affairs.
    (h) Notice of decision. The cemetery director will provide written 
notice of the finding of the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs and of 
a decision under paragraph (b), (e)(1), or (g) of this section. With 
notice of any decision denying a request for interment or 
memorialization, the cemetery director will provide written notice of 
appellate rights to the personal representative of the deceased, in 
accordance with Sec. 19.25 of this title. This will include notice of 
the opportunity to file a notice of disagreement with the decision of 
the cemetery director and the finding of the Under Secretary for 
Memorial Affairs. Action following receipt of a notice of disagreement 
with a denial of eligibility for interment or memorialization under this 
section will be in

[[Page 820]]

accordance with Secs. 19.26 through 19.38 of this title.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512, 2411)



Sec. 38.620  Persons eligible for burial.

    The following is a list of those individuals who are eligible for 
burial in a national cemetery:
    (a) Any veteran (which for purposes of this section includes a 
person who died in the active military, naval, or air service).
    (b) Any member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, and any 
member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, whose death 
occurs under honorable conditions while such member is hospitalized or 
undergoing treatment, at the expense of the United States, for injury or 
disease contracted or incurred under honorable conditions while such 
member is performing active duty for training, inactive duty training, 
or undergoing that hospitalization or treatment at the expense of the 
United States.
    (c) Any Member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the Army, 
Navy, or Air Force whose death occurs under honorable conditions while 
such member is--
    (1) Attending an authorized training camp or on an authorized 
practice cruise;
    (2) Performing authorized travel to or from that camp or cruise; or
    (3) Hospitalized or undergoing treatment, at the expense of the 
United States, for injury or disease contracted or incurred under 
honorable conditions while such member is--
    (i) Attending that camp or on that cruise;
    (ii) Performing that travel; or
    (iii) Undergoing that hospitalization or treatment at the expense of 
the United States.
    (d) Any person who, during any war in which the United States is or 
has been engaged, served in the armed forces of any government allied 
with the United States during that war, whose last such service 
terminated honorably, and who was a citizen of the United States at the 
time of entry on such service and at the time of his or her death.
    (e) The spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, or unmarried adult 
child of a person eligible under paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), or (g) of 
this section. For purposes of this section--
    (1) A surviving spouse includes a surviving spouse who had a 
subsequent remarriage;
    (2) A minor child means an unmarried child under 21 years of age, or 
under 23 years of age if pursuing a full-time course of instruction at 
an approved educational institution; and
    (3) An unmarried adult child means a child who became permanently 
physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before 
reaching 21 years of age, or before reaching 23 years of age if pursuing 
a full-time course of instruction at an approved educational 
institution.
    (f) Such other persons or classes of persons as may be designated by 
the Secretary.
    (g) Any person who at the time of death was entitled to retired pay 
under chapter 1223 of title 10, United States Code, or would have been 
entitled to retired pay under that chapter but for the fact that the 
person was under 60 years of age.
    (h) Any person who:
    (1) Was a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted 
for permanent residence in the United States at the time of their death; 
and
    (2) Resided in the United States at the time of their death; and
    (3) Either was a--
    (i) Commonwealth Army veteran or member of the organized guerillas--
a person who served before July 1, 1946, in the organized military 
forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while 
such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States 
pursuant to the military order of the President dated July 26, 1941, 
including organized guerilla forces under commanders appointed, 
designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief, 
Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the 
United States, and who died on or after November 1, 2000; or
    (ii) New Philippine Scout--a person who enlisted between October 6, 
1945, and June 30, 1947, with the Armed Forces of the United States with 
the consent of the Philippine government,

[[Page 821]]

pursuant to section 14 of the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 
1945, and who died on or after December 16, 2003.
    (i)(1) Any biological or legally adoptive parent who dies on or 
after October 13, 2010, and whose deceased child:
    (i) Is a veteran who dies on or after October 7, 2001, and
    (A) Except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, dies as 
the direct result of hostile action with the enemy, while in combat, 
while in transit to or from a combat mission if the cause of death is 
directly related to hostile action, or while hospitalized or undergoing 
treatment at the expense of the United States for injury incurred during 
combat; or
    (B) Is killed mistakenly or accidentally by friendly fire that was 
directed at a hostile force or what was thought to be a hostile force; 
or
    (C) Died from a training-related injury while performing authorized 
training activities in preparation for a combat mission;
    (ii) Is interred in a national cemetery; and
    (iii) Has no spouse or child who is buried, or surviving spouse or 
child who, upon death, may be eligible for burial, in a national 
cemetery under paragraph (e) of this section.
    (2) A parent is not eligible for burial if the veteran dies due to 
the elements, a self-inflicted wound, combat fatigue, or a friendly 
force while the veteran was in an absent-without-leave, deserter, or 
dropped-from-rolls status or was voluntarily absent from a place of 
duty.
    (3)(i) A parent may be buried only within the veteran child's 
gravesite.
    (ii) No more than two parents are eligible for burial per deceased 
veteran child.
    (4) Parent burial eligibility is subject to a determination by the 
Secretary that there is available space within the veteran's gravesite.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 107, 501, 2402)

[70 FR 4769, Jan. 31, 2005, as amended at 77 FR 4678, Jan. 31, 2012]



Sec. 38.621  Disinterments.

    (a) Interments of eligible decedents in national cemeteries are 
considered permanent and final. Disinterment will be permitted only for 
cogent reasons and with the prior written authorization of the National 
Cemetery Area Office Director or Cemetery Director responsible for the 
cemetery involved. Disinterment from a national cemetery will be 
approved only when all living immediate family members of the decedent, 
and the person who initiated the interment (whether or not he or she is 
a member of the immediate family), give their written consent, or when a 
court order or State instrumentality of competent jurisdiction directs 
the disinterment. For purposes of this section, ``immediate family 
members'' are defined as surviving spouse, whether or not he or she is 
remarried; all adult children of the decedent; the appointed guardian(s) 
of minor children; and the appointed guardian(s) of the surviving spouse 
or of the adult child(ren) of the decedent. If the surviving spouse and 
all of the children of the decedent are deceased, the decedent's parents 
will be considered ``immediate family members.''
    (b) All requests for authority to disinter remains will be submitted 
on VA Form 40-4970, Request for Disinterment, and will include the 
following information:
    (1) A full statement of reasons for the proposed disinterment.
    (2) Notarized statement(s) by all living immediate family members of 
the decedent, and the person who initiated the interment (whether or not 
he or she is a member of the immediate family), that they consent to the 
proposed disinterment.
    (3) A notarized statement, by the person requesting the disinterment 
that those who supplied affidavits comprise all the living immediate 
family members of the deceased.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2404)

    (c) In lieu of the documents required in paragraph (b) of this 
section, an order of a court of competent jurisdiction will be 
considered.

[[Page 822]]

    (d) Any disinterment that may be authorized under this section must 
be accomplished without expense to the Government.

(The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in paragraph (b) 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB 
control number 2900-0365)



Sec. 38.628.  Reimbursement for caskets and urns for unclaimed remains
of veterans.

    (a) VA will reimburse any individual or entity for the actual cost 
of a casket or an urn, purchased by the individual or entity for the 
burial in a national cemetery of an eligible veteran who died on or 
after January 10, 2014, for whom VA:
    (1) Is unable to identify the veteran's next-of-kin; and
    (2) Determines that sufficient resources are otherwise unavailable 
to furnish the casket or urn.
    (b) For purposes of satisfying the requirements of paragraph (a) of 
this section, VA will rely entirely on the requesting individual's or 
entity's certification as required under paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of 
this section.
    (c) An individual or entity may request reimbursement from VA under 
paragraph (a) of this section by completing and submitting VA Form 40-
10088, and supporting documentation, in accordance with the instructions 
on the form. Prior to approving reimbursement VA must find all of the 
following:
    (1) The veteran is eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery;
    (2) The individual or entity has certified that they cannot identify 
the veteran's next-of-kin, or that an identified next-of-kin is 
unwilling or unable to assume responsibility for the deceased veteran's 
burial arrangements, and that the individual or entity has followed 
applicable state or local law relating to the disposition of unclaimed 
remains;
    (3) The individual or entity has certified that, to the best of 
their knowledge, sufficient resources are otherwise unavailable to 
furnish the casket or urn;
    (4) The invoice presented by the individual or entity clearly 
indicates the purchase price of the casket or urn purchased by the 
individual or entity; and
    (5) The invoice presented by the individual or entity contains 
information sufficient for VA to determine, in conjunction with a visual 
inspection, that the casket or urn meets the following standards:
    (i) Caskets must be of metal construction of at least 20-gauge 
thickness, designed for containing human remains, sufficient to contain 
the remains of the deceased veteran, include a gasketed seal, and 
include external fixed rails or swing arm handles.
    (ii) Urns must be of a durable construction, such as durable 
plastic, wood, metal, or ceramic, designed to contain cremated human 
remains, and include a secure closure to contain the cremated remains.
    (d) Reimbursement for a claim received in any calendar year under 
paragraph (a) of this section will not exceed the average cost of a 20-
gauge metal casket or a durable plastic urn during the fiscal year 
preceding the calendar year of the claim, as determined by VA and 
published annually in the Federal Register.
    (e) If, before July 2, 2014, an individual or entity purchased a 
casket or urn for burial in a VA national cemetery of the remains of a 
veteran who died after January 10, 2014, and the burial receptacle is 
not at least a 20-gauge metal casket or a durable plastic urn, VA will 
reimburse the purchase price of the burial receptacle, providing all 
other criteria in this regulation are met. The reimbursement amount will 
be subject to the maximum reimbursement amount calculated for 2015.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements under this section under control number 2900-
0799)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2306, 2402, 2411)

[80 FR 19538, Apr. 13, 2015]



Sec. 38.629  Outer Burial Receptacle Allowance.

    (a) Definitions--Outer burial receptacle. For purposes of this 
section, an outer burial receptacle means a graveliner, burial vault, or 
other similar type of container for a casket.

[[Page 823]]

    (b) Purpose. This section provides for payment of a monetary 
allowance for an outer burial receptacle for any interment in a VA 
national cemetery where a privately-purchased outer burial receptacle 
has been used in lieu of a Government-furnished graveliner.
    (c) Second interments. In burials where a casket already exists in a 
grave with or without a graveliner, placement of a second casket in an 
outer burial receptacle will not be permitted in the same grave unless 
the national cemetery director determines that the already interred 
casket will not be damaged.
    (d) Payment of monetary allowance. VA will pay a monetary allowance 
for each burial in a VA national cemetery where a privately-purchased 
outer burial receptacle was used on and after October 9, 1996. For 
burials on and after January 1, 2000, the person identified in records 
contained in the National Cemetery Administration Burial Operations 
Support System as the person who privately purchased the outer burial 
receptacle will be paid the monetary allowance. For burials during the 
period October 9, 1996 through December 31, 1999, the allowance will be 
paid to the person identified as the next of kin in records contained in 
the National Cemetery Administration Burial Operations Support System 
based on the presumption that such person privately purchased the outer 
burial receptacle (however, if a person who is not listed as the next of 
kin provides evidence that he or she privately purchased the outer 
burial receptacle, the allowance will be paid instead to that person). 
No application is required to receive payment of a monetary allowance.
    (e) Amount of the allowance. (1) For calendar year 2000 and each 
calendar year thereafter, the allowance will be the average cost, as 
determined by VA, of Government-furnished graveliners, less the 
administrative costs incurred by VA in processing and paying the 
allowance.
    (i) The average cost of Government-furnished graveliners will be 
based upon the actual average cost to the Government of such graveliners 
during the most recent fiscal year ending prior to the start of the 
calendar year for which the amount of the allowance will be used. This 
average cost will be determined by taking VA's total cost during that 
fiscal year for single-depth graveliners which were procured for 
placement at the time of interment and dividing it by the total number 
of such graveliners procured by VA during that fiscal year. The 
calculation shall exclude both graveliners procured and pre-placed in 
gravesites as part of cemetery gravesite development projects and all 
double-depth graveliners.
    (ii) The administrative costs incurred by VA will consist of those 
costs that relate to processing and paying an allowance, as determined 
by VA, for the calendar year ending prior to the start of the calendar 
year for which the amount of the allowance will be used.
    (2) For calendar year 2000 and each calendar year thereafter, the 
amount of the allowance for each calendar year will be published in the 
``Notices'' section of the Federal Register. The Federal Register notice 
will also provide, as information, the determined average cost of 
Government-furnished graveliners and the determined amount of the 
administrative costs to be deducted.
    (3) The published allowance amount for interments which occur during 
calendar year 2000 will also be used for payment of any allowances for 
interments which occurred during the period from October 9, 1996 through 
December 31, 1999.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2306(d))



Sec. 38.630  Headstones and markers.

    (a) Types of Government headstones and markers and inscriptions will 
be in accordance with policies approved by the Secretary.
    (b) Inscriptions on Government headstones, markers, and private 
monuments will be in accordance with policies and specifications of the 
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
    (c) Memorial headstones or markers. VA will furnish, when requested, 
a memorial headstone or marker to commemorate an eligible individual 
whose remains are unavailable. A Government memorial headstone or marker 
for placement in a national cemetery will be of the standard design 
authorized for the cemetery in which it will be

[[Page 824]]

placed. In addition to the authorized inscription on a Government 
memorial headstone or marker, the phrase ``In Memory Of'' is mandatory.
    (1) Eligible individuals. An eligible individual for purposes of 
paragraph (c) is:
    (i) A veteran, which includes an individual who dies in the active 
military, naval, or air service;
    (ii) A veteran's spouse or surviving spouse, including a surviving 
spouse who had a subsequent remarriage terminated by death or divorce, 
who died after November 11, 1998, or a surviving spouse who had a 
subsequent remarriage and died on or after October 10, 2008; or
    (iii) A veteran's eligible dependent child who died after December 
22, 2006.
    (A) A dependent child of a veteran is eligible if the child is under 
the age of 21 years, or under the age of 23 years if pursuing a course 
of instruction at an approved educational institution.
    (B) A dependent child of a veteran is also eligible if the child is 
unmarried and became permanently physically or mentally disabled and 
incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 21 years, or before 
reaching the age of 23 years if pursuing a course of instruction at an 
approved educational institution.
    (2) Unavailable remains. An individual's remains are considered 
unavailable if they:
    (i) Have not been recovered or identified;
    (ii) Were buried at sea, whether by the individual's own choice or 
otherwise;
    (iii) Were donated to science; or
    (iv) Were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment of any 
portion of the ashes.
    (3) Placement of memorial headstones or markers--(i) Veterans. A 
Government memorial headstone or marker to commemorate a veteran may be 
placed in a national cemetery, in a State veterans cemetery, or in a 
private cemetery.
    (ii) Other eligible individuals. A Government memorial headstone or 
marker to commemorate a veteran's eligible spouse, surviving spouse, or 
dependent child may be placed only in a national cemetery or in a State 
veterans cemetery.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2306)

[70 FR 4769, Jan. 31, 2005, as amended at 72 FR 53432, Sept. 19, 2007; 
74 FR 20226, May 1, 2009]



Sec. 38.631  Graves marked with a private headstone or marker.

    (a) VA will furnish an appropriate Government headstone or marker 
for the grave of a decedent described in paragraph (b) of this section, 
but only if the individual requesting the headstone or marker certifies 
on VA Form 40-1330 that it will be placed on the grave for which it is 
requested or, if placement on the grave is impossible or impracticable, 
as close to the grave as possible within the grounds of the private 
cemetery where the grave is located.
    (b) The decedent referred to in paragraph (a) of this section is one 
who:
    (1) Died on or after November 1, 1990;
    (2) Is buried in a private cemetery; and
    (3) Was eligible for burial in a national cemetery, but is not an 
individual described in 38 U.S.C. 2402(4), (5), or (6).
    (c) VA will deliver the headstone or marker directly to the cemetery 
where the grave is located or to a receiving agent for delivery to the 
cemetery.
    (d) VA will not pay the cost of installing a Government headstone or 
marker in a private cemetery.
    (e) The applicant must obtain certification on VA Form 40-1330 from 
a cemetery representative that the type and placement of the headstone 
or marker requested adheres to the policies and guidelines of the 
selected private cemetery.
    (f) VA will furnish its full product line of Government headstones 
or markers for private cemeteries.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0222)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2306)

[70 FR 4769, Jan. 31, 2005, as amended at 72 FR 53432, Sept. 19, 2007; 
73 FR 27463, May 13, 2008]

[[Page 825]]



Sec. 38.632  Headstone or marker application process.

    (a) General. This section contains procedures for ordering a 
Government-furnished headstone or marker through the National Cemetery 
Administration (NCA) headstone and marker application process for burial 
or memorialization of deceased eligible veterans and eligible family 
members. It also contains procedures for requesting the inscription of 
new emblems of belief on Government-furnished headstones and markers.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    (1) Applicant means the decedent's next-of-kin (NOK), a person 
authorized in writing by the NOK, or a personal representative 
authorized in writing by the decedent to apply for a new emblem of 
belief for inscription on a Government-furnished headstone or marker.
    (2) Emblem of belief means an emblem that represents the decedent's 
religious affiliation or sincerely held religious belief system, or a 
sincerely held belief system that was functionally equivalent to a 
religious belief system in the life of the decedent. In the absence of 
evidence to the contrary, VA will accept as genuine an applicant's 
statement regarding the sincerity of the religious or functionally 
equivalent belief system of a deceased eligible individual. The religion 
or belief system represented by an emblem need not be associated with or 
endorsed by a church, group or organized denomination. Emblems of belief 
do not include social, cultural, ethnic, civic, fraternal, trade, 
commercial, political, professional or military emblems. VA will not 
accept any emblem that would have an adverse impact on the dignity and 
solemnity of cemeteries honoring those who served the Nation, including 
(but not limited to) emblems that contain explicit or graphic depictions 
or descriptions of sexual organs or sexual activities that are shocking, 
titillating, or pandering in nature; and emblems that display coarse or 
abusive language or images.
    (3) Federally-administered cemetery means a VA National Cemetery, 
Arlington National Cemetery, the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National 
Cemetery, a military post or base cemetery of the Armed Forces, a 
service department academy cemetery, and a Department of the Interior 
National Cemetery.
    (4) Headstones or markers means headstones or markers that are 
furnished by the Government to mark the grave or memorialize a deceased 
eligible veteran or eligible family member.
    (5) State veterans cemetery means a cemetery operated and maintained 
by a State or territory for the benefit of deceased eligible veterans or 
eligible family members.
    (c) Headstone or Marker application process. (1) Headstones or 
markers will be ordered automatically during the process of arranging 
burial or memorialization for a deceased eligible veteran or eligible 
family member in a national cemetery or a State veterans cemetery that 
uses the NCA electronic ordering system. Cemetery staff will order a 
Government-furnished headstone or marker by entering information 
received from the applicant directly into the NCA electronic ordering 
system. Unless a new emblem of belief is requested (see paragraph (d)(1) 
of this section), no further application is required to order a 
Government-furnished headstone or marker when the national or state 
cemetery uses the NCA electronic ordering system.
    (2) Submission of a completed VA Form 40-1330 (Application for 
Standard Government Headstone or Marker) is required when a request for 
a Government-furnished headstone or marker is not made using the NCA 
electronic ordering system. VA Form 40-1330 requires the applicant to 
provide information about the decedent, inscription preferences, and 
placement of headstone or marker. There is a space in the Remarks 
section of VA Form 40-1330 for applicants to clarify information or make 
special requests, to include an emblem of belief that is not currently 
available. To access VA Form 40-1330 use the following link: http://
www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/40-1330.pdf.
    (d) Application process for new emblems of belief. When there is an 
immediate need, and the applicant requests a new emblem of belief for 
inscription on a

[[Page 826]]

new, first Government-furnished headstone or marker for a deceased 
eligible individual, the following procedures will apply:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 If the burial or memorialization of an
      eligible individual is in a:             The applicant must:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Federally-administered cemetery or  (i) Submit a written request to
 a State veterans cemetery that uses      the director of the cemetery
 the NCA electronic ordering system.      where burial is requested
                                          indicating that a new emblem
                                          of belief is desired for
                                          inscription on a Government-
                                          furnished headstone or marker;
                                          and
                                         (ii) Provide the information
                                          specified in paragraph (e) of
                                          Sec. 38.632 to the NCA
                                          Director of Memorial Programs
                                          Service.
 (2) Private cemetery (deceased          (i) Submit a completed VA Form
 eligible veterans only), Federally-      40-1330 to the NCA Director of
 administered cemetery or a State         Memorial Programs Service,
 veterans cemetery that does not use      indicating in the REMARKS
 the NCA electronic ordering system.      section of the form that a new
                                          emblem of belief is desired;
                                          and
                                         (ii) Provide the information
                                          specified in paragraph (e) of
                                          Sec. 38.632 to the NCA
                                          Director of Memorial Programs
                                          Service.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Application. The applicant must identify the deceased eligible 
individual for whom a request has been made to add a new emblem of 
belief to those emblems of belief available for inscription on 
Government-furnished headstones and markers. The application must 
include the following:
    (1) Certification by the applicant that the proposed new emblem of 
belief represents the decedent's religious affiliation or sincerely held 
religious belief system, or a sincerely held belief system that was 
functionally equivalent to a religious belief system in the life of the 
decedent.
    (2) A three-inch diameter digitized black and white representation 
of the requested emblem that is free of copyright or trademark 
restrictions or authorized by the owner for inscription on Government-
furnished headstones and markers and can be reproduced in a production-
line environment in stone or bronze without loss of graphic quality.
    (f) Incomplete application. If VA determines that an application for 
a new emblem of belief is incomplete, VA will notify the applicant in 
writing of any missing information and that he or she has 60 days to 
submit such information or no further action will be taken. If the 
applicant does not submit all required information or demonstrate that 
he or she has good cause for failing to provide the information within 
60 days of the notice, then the applicant will be notified in writing 
that no further action will be taken on the request for a new emblem.
    (g) Evaluation criteria. The Director of NCA's Office of Field 
Programs shall forward to the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs all 
complete applications, any pertinent records or information, and the 
Director's recommendation after evaluating whether:
    (1) The applicant has demonstrated that there is an immediate need 
to inscribe the emblem on a new, first, Government-furnished headstone 
or marker for a deceased eligible individual, unless good cause is shown 
for an exception;
    (2) The applicant has submitted a certification concerning the 
emblem that meets the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
    (i) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, VA will accept as 
genuine an applicant's statement regarding the sincerity of the 
religious or functionally equivalent belief system of a deceased 
eligible individual. If a factual dispute arises concerning whether the 
requested emblem represents the sincerely held religious or functionally 
equivalent belief of the decedent, the Director will evaluate whether 
the decedent gave specific instructions regarding the appropriate emblem 
during his or her life and the Under Secretary will resolve the dispute 
on that basis.
    (ii) In the absence of such instructions, the Under Secretary will 
resolve the dispute in accordance with the instructions of the 
decedent's surviving spouse. If the decedent is not survived by a 
spouse, the Under Secretary will resolve the dispute in accordance with 
the agreement and written consent of the decedent's living next-of-kin. 
For purposes of resolving such disputes,

[[Page 827]]

next-of-kin means the living person(s) first listed as follows:
    (A) The decedent's children 18 years of age or older, or if the 
decedent does not have children, then
    (B) The decedent's parents, or if the decedent has no surviving 
parents, then
    (C) The decedent's siblings.
    (3) The emblem meets the definition of an emblem of belief in 
paragraph (b)(2);
    (4) The emblem would not have an adverse impact on the dignity and 
solemnity of cemeteries honoring those who served the Nation--for 
example, the emblem cannot contain explicit or graphic depictions or 
descriptions of sexual organs or sexual activities that are shocking, 
titillating, or pandering in nature, or display coarse or abusive 
language or images. A determination that an emblem would have an adverse 
impact on the dignity and solemnity of cemeteries honoring those who 
served the Nation may not be made based on the content of the religious 
or functionally equivalent belief that the emblem represents.
    (5) The emblem meets the technical requirements for inscription 
specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
    (h) Decision by the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. (1) A 
decision will be made on all complete applications. A request to 
inscribe a new emblem on a Government-furnished headstone or marker 
shall be granted if the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs finds that 
the request meets each of the applicable criteria in paragraph (g) of 
this section. In making that determination, if there is an approximate 
balance between the positive and negative evidence concerning any fact 
material to making that determination, the Under Secretary shall give 
the benefit of the doubt to the applicant. The Under Secretary shall 
consider the Director of NCA's Office of Field Programs' recommendation 
and may consider information from any source.
    (2) If the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs determines that 
allowing the inscription of a particular proposed emblem would adversely 
affect the dignity and solemnity of the cemetery environment or that the 
emblem does not meet the technical requirements for inscription, the 
Under Secretary shall notify the applicant in writing and offer to the 
applicant the option of either:
    (i) Omitting the part of the emblem that is problematic while 
retaining the remainder of the emblem, if this is feasible, or
    (ii) Choosing a different emblem to represent the religious or 
functionally equivalent belief that does not have such an adverse 
impact.

Applicants will have 60 days from the date of the notice to cure any 
adverse impact or technical defect identified by the Under Secretary. 
Only if neither option is acceptable to the applicant, the applicant's 
requested alternative is also unacceptable, or the applicant does not 
respond within the 60-day period, will the Under Secretary ultimately 
deny the application.
    (3) If the Under Secretary determines that the request should be 
denied and that decision is based wholly or partly on information 
received from a source other than the applicant, then the following 
procedure will be followed:
    (i) A tentative decision denying the request will be prepared;
    (ii) Written notice of the tentative decision accompanied by a copy 
of any information on which the Under Secretary intends to rely will be 
provided to the applicant;
    (iii) The applicant will have 60 days from the date of the written 
notice specified in subparagraph (ii) to present evidence and/or 
argument challenging the evidence and/or tentative decision; and
    (iv) The Under Secretary will consider the applicant's submission 
under subparagraph (iii) and will issue a final decision on the request.
    (4) The Director, Office of Field Programs, will provide the 
individual who made the request written notice of the Under Secretary's 
decision.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2404)

[74 FR 26096, June 1, 2009, as amended at 81 FR 10771, Mar. 2, 2016]



Sec. 38.633  Group memorial monuments.

    (a) Definitions of terms. For the purpose of this section, the 
following definitions apply:

[[Page 828]]

    (1) Group--all the known and unknown dead who perished in a common 
military event.
    (2) Memorial Monument--a monument commemorating veterans, whose 
remains have not been recovered or identified. Monuments will be 
selected in accordance with policies established under 38 CFR 38.630.
    (3) Next of kin--recognized in order: Surviving spouse; children, 
according to age; parents, including adoptive, stepparents, and foster 
parents; brothers or sisters, including half or stepbrothers and 
stepsisters; grandparents; grandchildren; uncles or aunts; nephews or 
nieces; cousins; and/or other lineal descendent.
    (4) Documentary evidence--Official documents, records, or 
correspondence signed by an Armed Services branch historical center 
representative attesting to the accuracy of the evidence.
    (b) The Secretary may furnish at government expense a group memorial 
monument upon request of next of kin. The group memorial monument will 
commemorate two or more identified members of the Armed Forces, 
including their reserve components, who died in a sanctioned common 
military event, (e.g., battle or other hostile action, bombing or other 
explosion, disappearance of aircraft, vessel or other vehicle) while in 
active military, naval or air service, and whose remains were not 
recovered or identified, were buried at sea, or are otherwise 
unavailable for interment.
    (c) A group memorial monument furnished by VA may be placed only in 
a national cemetery in an area reserved for such purpose. If a group 
memorial monument has already been provided under this regulation or by 
any governmental body, e.g., the American Battle Monuments Commission, 
to commemorate the dead from a common military event, an additional 
group memorial monument will not be provided by VA for the same purpose.
    (d) Application for a group memorial monument shall be submitted in 
a manner specified by the Secretary. Evidence used to establish and 
determine eligibility for a group memorial monument will conform to 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2403)



PART 39_AID FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, AND IMPROVEMENT, 
OR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, OF VETERANS CEMETERIES--
Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
39.1  Purpose.
39.2  Definitions.
39.3  Priority list.
39.4  Decision makers, notifications, and additional information.
39.5  Submission of information and documents to VA.
39.6  Amendments to grant application.
39.7  Line item adjustment to grants.
39.8  Withdrawal of grant application.
39.9  Hearings.
39.10  Cemetery requirements and prohibitions and recapture provisions.
39.11  State or Tribal Organization to retain control of operations.
39.12-39.29  [Reserved]

      Subpart B_Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Projects

                    Grant Requirements and Procedures

39.30  General requirements for a grant.
39.31  Preapplication requirements.
39.32  Plan preparation.
39.33  Conferences.
39.34  Application requirements.
39.35  Final review and approval of application.
39.36-39.49  [Reserved]

                             Award of Grant

39.50  Amount of grant.
39.51  Payment of grant award.
39.52-39.59  [Reserved]

                       Standards and Requirements

39.60  General requirements for site selection and construction of 
          veterans cemeteries.
39.61  Site planning standards.
39.62  Space criteria for support facilities.
39.63  Architectural design standards.
39.64-39.79  [Reserved]

              Subpart C_Operation and Maintenance Projects

                    Grant Requirements and Procedures

39.80  General requirements for a grant.
39.81  Preapplication requirements.
39.82  Plan preparation.
39.83  Conferences.
39.84  Application requirements.
39.85  Final review and approval of application.

[[Page 829]]

39.86-39.99  [Reserved]

                             Award of Grant

39.100  Amount of grant.
39.101  Payment of grant award.
39.102-39.119  [Reserved]

  Subpart D_Grant Recipient Responsibilities, Inspections, and Reports 
                      Following Project Completion

39.120  Documentation of grant accomplishments.
39.121  State or Tribal Organization responsibilities following project 
          completion.
39.122  Inspections, audits, and reports.

    Authority: 25 U.S.C. 450b(l); 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 2408, 2411, 3765.

    Source: 75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec. 39.1  Purpose.

    This part sets forth the mechanism for a State or Tribal 
Organization to obtain a grant to establish, expand, or improve a 
veterans cemetery that meets VA's national shrine standards of 
appearance that is or will be owned by the State, or operated by a 
Tribal Organization on trust land, or to obtain a grant to operate or 
maintain a State or Tribal veterans cemetery to meet VA's national 
shrine standards of appearance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4472, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.2  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part:
    Establishment means the process of site selection, land acquisition, 
design and planning, earth moving, landscaping, construction, and 
provision of initial operating equipment necessary to convert a tract of 
land to an operational veterans cemetery.
    Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Project means an 
undertaking to establish, expand, or improve a site for use as a State 
or Tribal veterans cemetery.
    Expansion means an increase in the burial capacity or acreage of an 
existing cemetery through the addition of gravesites and other 
facilities, such as committal service shelters, crypts (preplaced grave 
liners), and columbaria, necessary for the functioning of a cemetery.
    Improvement means the enhancement of a cemetery through landscaping, 
construction, or renovation of cemetery infrastructure, such as building 
expansion and upgrades to roads and irrigation systems that is not 
directly related to the development of new gravesites: nonrecurring 
maintenance; and the addition of other features appropriate to 
cemeteries.
    Indian Tribe means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other 
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or 
Regional or Village Corporation as defined in or established pursuant to 
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as eligible 
for the special programs and services provided by the United States to 
Indians because of their status as Indians.
    Operation and Maintenance Project means a project that assists a 
State or Tribal Organization to achieve VA's national shrine standards 
of appearance in the key cemetery operational areas of cleanliness, 
height and alignment of headstones and markers, leveling of gravesites, 
and turf conditions.
    Secretary means the Secretary of the United States Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    State means each of the States, Territories, and possessions of the 
United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico.
    Tribal Organization means:
    (1) The recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe;
    (2) Any legally established organization of Indians that is 
controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or is 
democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to 
be served by such organization and which includes the maximum 
participation of Indians in all phases of its activities;
    (3) The Department of Hawaiian Homelands; and
    (4) Such other organizations as the Secretary may prescribe.
    Trust land means any land that:
    (1) Is held in trust by the United States for Native Americans;
    (2) Is subject to restrictions on alienation imposed by the United 
States on

[[Page 830]]

Indian lands, including native Hawaiian homelands;
    (3) Is owned by a Regional Corporation or a Village Corporation as 
defined in 43 U.S.C. 1602(g) and (j); or
    (4) Is on any island in the Pacific Ocean if such land is, by 
cultural tradition, communally-owned land, as determined by the 
Secretary.
    VA means the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the 
Veterans Cemetery Grants Service.
    Veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or 
air service who died in line of duty while in service or was discharged 
or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
    Veterans Cemetery Grants Service (VCGS) means the Veterans Cemetery 
Grants Service within VA's National Cemetery Administration.

(Authority: 25 U.S.C. 450b(l), 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 2408, 3765)

[77 FR 4472, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.3  Priority list.

    (a) The priority groups, with Priority Group 1 having the highest 
priority and Priority Group 4 the lowest priority, are:
    (1) Priority Group 1--Projects needed to avoid disruption in burial 
service that would otherwise occur at existing veterans cemeteries 
within 4 years of the date of the preapplication. Such projects would 
include expansion projects as well as improvement projects (such as 
construction of additional or replacement facilities) when such 
improvements are required to continue interment operations.
    (2) Priority Group 2--Projects for the establishment of new veterans 
cemeteries.
    (3) Priority Group 3--Expansion projects at existing veterans 
cemeteries when a disruption in burial service due to the exhaustion of 
existing gravesites is not expected to occur within 4 years of the date 
of the preapplication.
    (4) Priority Group 4--Improvement projects for cemetery landscaping 
or infrastructure, such as building expansion and upgrades to roads and 
irrigation systems, that are not directly related to the development of 
new gravesites. Operation and Maintenance Projects that address NCA's 
national shrine standards of appearance are included in this group.
    (b) Within Priority Groups 1, 2, and 3, highest priority will be 
given to projects in geographical locations with the greatest number of 
veterans who will benefit from the project as determined by VA. This 
prioritization system, based on veteran population data, will assist VA 
in maintaining and improving access to burial in a veterans cemetery to 
more veterans and their eligible family members. Within Priority Group 
1, at the discretion of VA, higher priority may be given to a project 
that must be funded that fiscal year to avoid disruption in burial 
service.
    (c) Grants for projects within Priority Group 4 will be awarded in 
any fiscal year only after grants for all project applications under 
Priority Groups 1, 2, and 3 that are ready for funding have been 
awarded. Within Priority Group 4, projects will be ranked in priority 
order based upon VA's determination of the relative importance of 
proposed improvements and the degree to which proposed Operation and 
Maintenance Projects achieve NCA national shrine standards of 
appearance. No more than $5 million in any fiscal year will be awarded 
for Operation and Maintenance Projects under Priority Group 4.
    (d) By August 15 of each year, VA will make a list prioritizing all 
preapplications that were received on or before July 1 of that year and 
that were approved under Sec. 39.31 or Sec. 39.81, ranking them in their 
order of priority within the applicable Priority Group for funding 
during the fiscal year that begins the following October 1. 
Preapplications from previous years will be re-prioritized each year and 
do not need to be resubmitted.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)



Sec. 39.4  Decision makers, notifications, and additional information.

    Decisions required under this part will be made by the VA Director, 
Veterans Cemetery Grants Service (VCGS), National Cemetery 
Administration, unless otherwise specified in this part. The VA 
decisionmaker will provide to affected States and Tribal

[[Page 831]]

Organizations written notice of approvals, denials, or requests for 
additional information under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4473, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.5  Submission of information and documents to VA.

    All information and documents required to be submitted to VA must be 
submitted to the Director of the Veterans Cemetery Grants Service, 
National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. All forms cited in this part 
are available at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/scg_grants.asp.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4473, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.6  Amendments to grant application.

    A State or Tribal Organization seeking to amend a grant application 
must submit revised Standard Forms 424 (Application for Federal 
Assistance) and 424C (Budget Information) with a narrative description 
of, and justification for, the amendment. Any amendment of an 
application that changes the scope of the application or increases the 
amount of the grant requested, whether or not the application has 
already been approved, shall be subject to approval by VA in the same 
manner as an original application.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 4040-0004 
and 4040-0008)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4473, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.7  Line item adjustment to grants.

    After a grant has been awarded, upon request from the State or 
Tribal Organization representative, VA may approve a change in one or 
more line items (line items are identified in Standard Form 424C) of up 
to 10 percent (increase or decrease) of the cost of each line item if 
the change would be within the scope or objective of the project and the 
aggregate adjustments would not increase the total amount of the grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4473, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.8  Withdrawal of grant application.

    A State or Tribal Organization representative may withdraw an 
application by submitting to VA a written document requesting 
withdrawal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4473, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.9  Hearings.

    (a) No application for a grant under this part shall be disapproved 
until the applicant has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing.
    (b) Whenever a hearing is requested under this section, notice of 
the hearing, procedure for the conduct of such hearing, and procedures 
relating to decisions and notices shall accord with the provisions of 
Secs. 18.9 and 18.10 of this chapter. Failure of an applicant to request 
a hearing under this section or to appear at a hearing for which a date 
has been set shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right to be heard and 
constitutes consent to the making of a decision on the basis of such 
information as is available.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)



Sec. 39.10  Cemetery requirements and prohibitions and recapture
provisions.

    (a) In order to qualify for a grant, a State or Tribal veterans 
cemetery must be operated solely for the interment of veterans, their 
spouses, surviving spouses, minor children, unmarried adult children who 
were physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support, and 
eligible parents of certain deceased service members.
    (b) Any grant under this part made on or after November 21, 1997, is 
made on the condition that, after the date of receipt of the grant, the 
State or Tribal Organization receiving the grant, subject to 
requirements for receipt of notice in 38 U.S.C. 2408 and 2411, will 
prohibit in the cemetery for which the grant is awarded the interment of 
the remains or the memorialization of any person:

[[Page 832]]

    (1) Who has been convicted of a Federal capital crime, as defined in 
38 CFR 38.600(b), and whose conviction is final, other than a person 
whose sentence was commuted by the President;
    (2) Who has been convicted of a State capital crime, as defined in 
38 CFR 38.600(b), and whose conviction is final, other than a person 
whose sentence was commuted by the Governor of a State.
    (3) Who has been found by an appropriate State official, as defined 
in 38 CFR 38.600(b), under procedures to be established by the State, to 
have committed a Federal or State capital crime, as defined in 38 CFR 
38.600(b), but to have not been convicted of such crime by reason of 
unavailability for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution.
    (c) If a State or Tribal Organization which has received a grant 
under this part ceases to own the cemetery for which the grant was made, 
ceases to operate such cemetery as a veterans cemetery in accordance 
with paragraph (a) of this section, violates the prohibition in 
paragraph (b) of this section, or uses any part of the funds provided 
through such grant for a purpose other than that for which the grant was 
made, the United States shall be entitled to recover from the State or 
Tribal Organization the total of all grants made to the State or Tribal 
Organization under this part in connection with such cemetery.
    (d) If, within 3 years after VA has certified to the Department of 
the Treasury an approved grant application, not all funds from the grant 
have been used by the State or Tribal Organization for the purpose for 
which the grant was made, the United States shall be entitled to recover 
any unused grant funds from the State or Tribal Organization.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408, 2411)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4473, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.11  State or Tribal Organization to retain control of
operations.

    Neither the Secretary nor any employee of VA shall exercise any 
supervision or control over the administration, personnel, maintenance, 
or operation of any State or Tribal veterans cemetery that receives a 
grant under this program except as prescribed in this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4474, Jan. 30, 2012]



Secs. 39.12-39.29  [Reserved]



      Subpart B_Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Projects

                    Grant Requirements and Procedures



Sec. 39.30  General requirements for a grant.

    (a) For a State or Tribal Organization to obtain a grant for the 
establishment, expansion, or improvement of a State or Tribal veterans 
cemetery:
    (1) Its preapplication for the grant must be approved by VA under 
Sec. 39.31(e);
    (2) Its project must be ranked sufficiently high on the priority 
list in Sec. 39.3 for the applicable fiscal year so that funds are 
available for the project;
    (3) Its plans and specifications for the project must be approved by 
VA under Sec. 39.32;
    (4) The State or Tribal Organization must meet the application 
requirements in Sec. 39.34; and
    (5) Other requirements specified in Secs. 39.6, 39.10, and 39.33 
must be satisfied.
    (b) VA may approve under Sec. 39.35 any application under this 
subpart up to the amount of the grant requested once the requirements 
under paragraph (a) of this section have been satisfied, provided that 
sufficient funds are available. In determining whether sufficient funds 
are available, VA shall consider the project's priority ranking, the 
total amount of funds available for cemetery grant awards during the 
applicable fiscal year, and the prospects of higher ranking projects 
being ready for the award of a grant before the end of the applicable 
fiscal year.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4474, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.31  Preapplication requirements.

    (a) A State or Tribal Organization seeking a grant for the 
establishment, expansion, or improvement of a State

[[Page 833]]

or Tribal veterans cemetery must submit a preapplication to the 
Director, Veterans Cemetery Grants Service, through http://
www.cem.va.gov/cem/scg_grants.asp.
    (b) No detailed drawings, plans, or specifications are required with 
the preapplication. As a part of the preapplication, the State or Tribal 
Organization must submit each of the following:
    (1) Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and 
Standard Form 424C (Budget Information) signed by the authorized 
representative of the State. These forms document the amount of the 
grant requested, which may not exceed 100 percent of the estimated cost 
of the project to be funded with the grant.
    (2) A program narrative describing the objectives of the project, 
the need for a grant, the method of accomplishment, the projected 
interment rate, and the results or benefits expected to be obtained from 
the assistance requested.
    (3) If a site has been selected, a description of the geographic 
location of the project (i.e., a map showing the location of the project 
and all appropriate geographic boundaries, and any other supporting 
documentation, as needed).
    (4) A design concept describing the major features of the project 
including the number and types of gravesites, such as columbarium 
niches.
    (5) Any comments or recommendations made by the State's or Tribal 
Organization's ``Single Point of Contact'' reviewing agency.
    (6) VA Form 40-0895-2 (Certification of Compliance with Provisions 
of the Davis-Bacon Act) to certify that the State or Tribal Organization 
has obtained the latest prevailing wage rates for Federally funded 
projects. Any construction project fully or partially funded with 
Federal dollars must comply with those rates for specific work by trade 
employees (e.g., electricians, carpenters).
    (7) VA Form 40-0895-3 (State or Tribal Government Cemetery Grants 
Service Space Program Analysis--Buildings) to provide information on the 
proposed size of cemetery buildings, based on VA guidance on the net and 
gross square footage standards for cemetery buildings. This standard is 
based on a workload of 1-6 burials per day.
    (8) VA Form 40-0895-6 (Certification of State or Tribal Government 
Matching Architectural and Engineering Funds to Qualify for Group 1 on 
the Priority List) to provide documentation that the State or Tribal 
Organization has authority to support the project and the resources 
necessary to initially fund the architectural and engineering portion of 
the project development. Once the grant is awarded, VA will reimburse 
the applicant for all allowable architectural and engineering costs.
    (9) VA Form 40-0895-7 (Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered 
Transactions (State or Tribal Government)) to ensure that the applicant 
has not been debarred or suspended, and is eligible to participate in 
the VA grant process and receive Federal funds.
    (10) VA Form 40-0895-8 (Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements for Grantees Other Than Individuals) to ensure that the 
applicant complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 at the 
location where the construction will occur.
    (11) VA Form 40-0895-9 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) to ensure 
that the applicant complies with Public Law 101-121 regarding the 
prohibition against any payments to anyone that influences or attempts 
to influence an officer or Member of Congress in connection with the 
award of a grant.
    (12) VA Form 40-0895-10 (Certification of Compliance with Federal 
Requirements--State or Tribal Government Construction Grant) to ensure 
that the applicant complies with all requirements of part 39.
    (13) VA Form 40-0895-15 (Certification of Cemetery Maintained in 
Accordance with National Cemetery Administration Standards) to ensure 
that any cemetery established, expanded, or improved through a grant 
will be operated and maintained in accordance with the operational 
standards of NCA.
    (c) In addition, the State or Tribal Organization must submit 
written assurance of each of the following conditions:

[[Page 834]]

    (1) Any cemetery established, expanded, or improved through a grant 
will be used exclusively for the interment or memorialization of 
eligible persons, as set forth in Sec. 39.10(a), whose interment or 
memorialization is not contrary to the conditions of the grant (see 
Sec. 39.10(b) and 38 U.S.C. 2408(d) and 2411).
    (2) Title to the site is or will be vested solely in the State or 
held in trust for the Tribal Organization on trust land.
    (3) The State or Tribal Organization possesses legal authority to 
apply for the grant and to finance and construct the proposed 
facilities; i.e., legislation or similar action has been duly adopted or 
passed as an official act of the applicant's governing body, authorizing 
the filing of the application, including all understandings and 
assurances contained therein, and directing and authorizing the person 
identified as the official representative of the State or Tribal 
Organization to act in connection with the application and to provide 
such additional information as may be required.

    Note to paragraph (c)(3): In any case where a Tribal Organization is 
applying for a grant for a cemetery on land held in trust for more than 
one Indian Tribe, written assurance that the Tribal Organization 
possesses legal authority to apply for the grant includes certification 
that the Tribal Organization has obtained the approval of each such 
Indian Tribe.

    (4) The State or Tribal Organization will assist VA in assuring that 
the grant complies with section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470), Executive Order 
11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the 
Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 
et seq.).
    (5) The State or Tribal Organization will obtain approval by VA of 
the final construction drawings and specifications before the project is 
advertised or placed on the market for bidding; it will construct the 
project, or cause the project to be constructed, to completion in 
accordance with the application and approved plans and specifications; 
it will submit to the Director of the Veterans Cemetery Grants Service, 
for prior approval, changes that alter any cost of the project, use of 
space, or functional layout; and it will not enter into a construction 
contract for the project or undertake other activities until the 
requirements of the grant program have been met.
    (6) The State or Tribal Organization will comply with the Federal 
requirements in 2 CFR parts 180, 200, and 801 and submit Standard Form 
424D (Assurances--Construction Programs).
    (7) The State or Tribal Organization will prepare an Environmental 
Assessment to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement is 
necessary, and certify that funds are available to finance any costs 
related to preparation of the Environmental Assessment.
    (d) The State or Tribal Organization must submit a copy of the State 
or Tribal Organization action authorizing the establishment, 
maintenance, and operation of the facility as a veterans cemetery in 
accordance with 38 CFR 39.10(a). If the State or Tribal Organization 
action is based on legislation, enacted into law, then the legislation 
must be submitted.
    (e) Upon receipt of a complete preapplication for a grant, including 
all necessary assurances and all required supporting documentation, VA 
will determine whether the preapplication conforms to all requirements 
listed in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, including whether 
it contains sufficient information necessary to establish the project's 
priority. VA will notify the State or Tribal Organization of any 
nonconformity. If the preapplication does conform, VA shall notify the 
State or Tribal Organization that the preapplication has been found to 
meet the preapplication requirements, and the proposed project will be 
included in the next scheduled ranking of projects, as indicated in 
Sec. 39.3(d).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 4040-0004, 
4040-0008, 4040-0009, and 2900-0559)

(Authority: 25 U.S.C. 450b(l); 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408, 2411)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4474, Jan. 30, 2012; 80 
FR 43322, July 22, 2015]

[[Page 835]]



Sec. 39.32  Plan preparation.

    The State or Tribal Organization must prepare Establishment, 
Expansion, and Improvement Project plans and specifications in 
accordance with the requirements of this section for review by the VCGS. 
The plans and specifications must be approved by the VCGS prior to the 
State's or Tribal Organization's solicitation for construction bids. 
Once the VCGS approves the plans and specifications, the State or Tribal 
Organization must obtain construction bids and determine the successful 
bidder prior to submission of the application. The State or Tribal 
Organization must establish procedures for determining that costs are 
reasonable and necessary and can be allocated in accordance with 2 CFR 
part 200. Once the Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Project 
preapplication and the project's plans and specifications have been 
approved, an application for assistance must be submitted in compliance 
with the uniform requirements for grants-in-aid to State and local 
governments prescribed by 2 CFR part 200.
    (a) General. These requirements have been established for the 
guidance of the State or Tribal Organization and the design team to 
provide a standard for preparation of drawings, specifications, and 
estimates.
    (b) Technical requirements. The State or Tribal Organization should 
meet these technical requirements as soon as possible after VA approves 
the Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Project preapplication.
    (1) Boundary and site survey. The State or Tribal Organization shall 
provide a survey of the site and furnish a legal description of the 
site. A boundary and site survey need not be submitted if one was 
submitted for a previously approved project and there have been no 
changes. Relevant information may then be shown on the site plan. If 
required, the site survey shall show each of the following items:
    (i) The outline and location referenced to boundaries of all 
existing buildings, streets, alleys (whether public or private), block 
boundaries, easements, encroachments, the names of streets, railroads, 
and streams, and other information as specified. If there is nothing of 
this character affecting the property, the Surveyor shall so state on 
the drawings.
    (ii) The point of beginning, bearing, distances, and interior 
angles. Closure computations shall be furnished with the survey, and 
error of closure shall not exceed 1 foot for each 10,000 feet of lineal 
traverse. Boundaries of an unusual nature (curvilinear, off-set, or 
having other change or direction between corners) shall be referenced 
with curve data (including measurement chord) and other data sufficient 
for replacement, and such information shall be shown on the map. For 
boundaries of such nature, coordinates shall be given for all angles and 
other pertinent points.
    (iii) The area of the parcel in acres or in square feet.
    (iv) The location of all monuments.
    (v) Delineation of 100-year floodplain and source.
    (vi) The signature and certification of the Surveyor.
    (2) Soil investigation. The State or Tribal Organization shall 
provide a soil investigation of the scope necessary to ascertain site 
characteristics for construction and burial or to determine foundation 
requirements and utility service connections. A new soil investigation 
is not required if one was done for a previously approved project on the 
same site and information from the previous investigation is adequate 
and unchanged. Soil investigation, when done, shall be documented in a 
signed report. The investigation shall be adequate to determine the 
subsoil conditions. The investigation shall include a sufficient number 
of test pits or test borings as will determine, in the judgment of the 
architect, the true conditions. The following information will be 
covered in the report:
    (i) Thickness, consistency, character, and estimated safe bearing 
value where needed for structural foundation design of the various 
strata encountered in each pit or boring.
    (ii) Amount and elevation of ground water encountered in each pit or 
boring, its probable variation with the seasons, and effect on the 
subsoil.
    (iii) The elevation of rock, if known, and the probability of 
encountering quicksand.

[[Page 836]]

    (iv) If the site is underlaid with mines, the elevations and 
location of the tops of the mine workings relative to the site, or old 
workings located in the vicinity.
    (3) Topographical survey. A topographical survey in 1-foot contour 
intervals shall be prepared for projects establishing new cemeteries and 
for significant expansion projects in previously undeveloped land.
    (c) Master plan. A master plan showing the proposed layout of all 
facilities--including buildings, roadways, and burial sections--on the 
selected site shall be prepared for all new cemetery establishment 
projects for approval by the VCGS. If the project is to be phased into 
different year programs, the phasing shall be indicated. The master plan 
shall analyze all factors affecting the design, including climate, soil 
conditions, site boundaries, topography, views, hydrology, environmental 
constraints, transportation access, etc. It should provide a discussion 
of alternate designs that were considered. In the case of an expansion 
project or improvement project, the work contemplated should be 
consistent with the VA-approved master plan or a justification for the 
deviation should be provided.
    (d) Preliminary or ``design development'' drawings. Following VA 
approval of the master plan, the State or Tribal Organization must 
submit design development drawings that show all current phase 
construction elements to be funded by the grant. The drawings must 
comply with the following requirements:
    (1) Site development and environmental plans must include locations 
of structures, demolition, parking, roads, service areas, walks, plazas, 
memorial paths, other paved areas, landscape buffer and major groupings, 
and interment areas (including quantity of gravesites in each area). A 
grading plan including existing and proposed contours at 1-foot 
intervals of the entire area affected by the site work must be 
submitted. A site plan of the immediate area around each building shall 
be drawn to a convenient scale and shall show the building floor plan, 
utility connections, walks, gates, walls or fences, flagpoles, drives, 
parking areas, indication of handicapped provisions, landscaping, north 
arrow, and any other appropriate items.
    (2) Floor plans of all levels at a convenient scale shall be double-
line drawings and shall show overall dimensions, construction materials, 
door swings, names and square feet for each space, toilet room fixtures, 
and interior finish schedule.
    (3) Elevations of the exteriors of all buildings shall be drawn to 
the same scale as the plan and shall include all material indications.
    (4) Preliminary mechanical and electrical layout plans shall be 
drawn at a convenient scale and shall have an equipment and plumbing 
fixture schedule.
    (e) Final construction drawings and specifications. Funds for the 
construction of any project being assisted under this program will not 
be released until VA approves the final construction drawings and 
specifications. If VA approves them, VA shall send the State or Tribal 
Organization a written letter of approval indicating that the project's 
plans and specifications comply with the terms and conditions as 
prescribed by VA. This does not constitute approval of the contract 
documents. It is the responsibility of the State or Tribal Organization 
to ascertain that all State and Federal requirements have been met and 
that the drawings and specifications are acceptable for bid purposes.
    (1) General. The State or Tribal Organization shall prepare final 
working drawings so that clear and distinct prints may be obtained. 
These drawings must be accurately dimensioned to include all necessary 
explanatory notes, schedules, and legends. Working drawings shall be 
complete and adequate for VA review and comment. The State or Tribal 
Organization shall prepare separate drawings for each of the following 
types of work: Architectural, equipment, layout, structural, heating and 
ventilating, plumbing, and electrical.
    (2) Architectural drawings. The State or Tribal Organization shall 
submit drawings which include: All structures and other work to be 
removed; all floor plans if any new work is involved; all

[[Page 837]]

elevations which are affected by the alterations; building sections; 
demolition drawings; all details to complete the proposed work and 
finish schedules; and fully dimensioned floor plans at \1/8\" or \1/4\" 
scale.
    (3) Equipment drawings. The State or Tribal Organization shall 
submit a list of all equipment to be provided under terms of the grant 
in the case of an Establishment Project. Large-scale drawings of typical 
special rooms indicating all fixed equipment and major items of 
furniture and moveable equipment shall be included.
    (4) Layout drawings. The State or Tribal Organization shall submit a 
layout plan that shows:
    (i) All proposed features such as roads, buildings, walks, utility 
lines, burial layout, etc.
    (ii) Contours, scale, north arrow, and legend showing existing 
trees.
    (iii) A graphic or keyed method of showing plant types as well as 
quantities of each plant.
    (iv) Plant list with the following: key, quantity, botanical name, 
common name, size, and remarks.
    (v) Typical tree and shrub planting details.
    (vi) Areas to be seeded or sodded.
    (vii) Areas to be mulched.
    (viii) Gravesite section layout with permanent section monument 
markers and lettering system.
    (ix) Individual gravesite layout and numbering system. If the 
cemetery is existing and the project is expansion or renovation, show 
available, occupied, obstructed, and reserved gravesites.
    (x) Direction the headstones face.
    (5) Structural drawings. The State or Tribal Organization shall 
submit complete foundation and framing plans and details, with general 
notes to include: Governing code, material strengths, live loads, wind 
loads, foundation design values, and seismic zone.
    (6) Mechanical drawings. The State or Tribal Organization shall 
submit:
    (i) Heating and ventilation drawings showing complete systems and 
details of air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and exhaust; and
    (ii) Plumbing drawings showing sizes and elevations of soil and 
waste systems, sizes of all hot and cold water piping, drainage and vent 
systems, plumbing fixtures, and riser diagrams.
    (7) Electrical drawings. The State or Tribal Organization shall 
submit separate drawings for lighting and power, including drawings of:
    (i) Service entrance, feeders, and all characteristics;
    (ii) All panel, breaker, switchboard, and fixture schedules;
    (iii) All lighting outlets, receptacles, switches, power outlets, 
and circuits; and
    (iv) Telephone layout, fire alarm systems, and emergency lighting.
    (8) Final specifications. Final specifications (to be used for bid 
purposes) shall be in completed format. Specifications shall include the 
invitations for bids, cover or title sheet, index, general requirements, 
form of bid bond, form of agreement, performance and payment bond forms, 
and sections describing materials and workmanship in detail for each 
class of work.
    (9) Cost estimates. The State or Tribal Organization shall show in 
convenient form and detail the estimated total cost of the work to be 
performed under the contract, including provisions of fixed equipment 
shown by the plans and specifications, if applicable, to reflect the 
changes of the approved financial plan. Estimates shall be summarized 
and totaled under each trade or type of work. Estimates shall also be 
provided for each building structure and other important features such 
as the assembly area and shall include burial facilities.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0559)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4475, Jan. 30, 2012; 80 
FR 43322, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 39.33  Conferences.

    (a) Predesign conference. A predesign conference is required for all 
Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Projects requiring major 
construction, primarily to ensure that the State or Tribal Organization 
becomes oriented to VA procedures, requirements, and any technical 
comments pertaining to the project. This conference will take

[[Page 838]]

place at an appropriate location near the proposed site and should 
include a site visit to ensure that all parties to the process, 
including NCA staff, are familiar with the site and its characteristics.
    (b) Additional conferences. At any time, VA may recommend an 
additional conference (such as a design development conference) be held 
in VA Central Office in Washington, DC, to provide an opportunity for 
the State or Tribal Organization and its architects to discuss with VA 
officials the requirements for a grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4476, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.34  Application requirements.

    (a) For an Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Project to be 
considered for grant funding under this subpart, the State or Tribal 
Organization must submit an application (as opposed to a preapplication) 
consisting of the following:
    (1) Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) with the 
box labeled ``application'' marked;
    (2) Standard Form 424C (Budget Information), which documents the 
amount of funds requested based on the construction costs as estimated 
by the successful construction bid;
    (3) A copy of itemized bid tabulations (If there are non-VA 
participating areas, these shall be itemized separately.); and
    (4) Standard Form 424D (Assurances--Construction Program).
    (5) VA Form 40-0895-11 (Memorandum of Agreement for a Grant to 
Construct or Modify a State or Tribal Government Veterans Cemetery) to 
identify the parties (VA and applicant), identify the scope of the 
project, and indicate how the grant award funds will be paid to the 
applicant.
    (6) VA Form 40-0895-12 (Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions (Contractor)) to ensure that the contractor has not been 
debarred or suspended, and is eligible to participate in the VA grant 
process and receive Federal funds.
    (b) Prior to submission of the application, the State or Tribal 
Organization must submit a copy of an Environmental Assessment to 
determine if an Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for 
compliance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4332). The Environmental Assessment 
must briefly describe the project's possible beneficial and harmful 
effects on the following impact categories:
    (1) Transportation;
    (2) Air quality;
    (3) Noise;
    (4) Solid waste;
    (5) Utilities;
    (6) Geology (Soils/Hydrology/Floodplains);
    (7) Water quality;
    (8) Land use;
    (9) Vegetation, Wildlife, Aquatic, Ecology/Wetlands, etc.;
    (10) Economic activities;
    (11) Cultural resources;
    (12) Aesthetics;
    (13) Residential population;
    (14) Community services and facilities;
    (15) Community plans and projects; and
    (16) Other.
    (c) If an adverse environmental impact is anticipated, the State or 
Tribal Organization must explain what action will be taken to minimize 
the impact. The assessment shall comply with the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 4040-0004, 
4040-0008, 4040-0009, and 2900-0559)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4476, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.35  Final review and approval of application.

    Following VA approval of bid tabulations and cost estimates, VA will 
review the complete Establishment, Expansion and Improvement Project 
grant application for approval in accordance with the requirements of 
Sec. 39.30. If the application is approved,

[[Page 839]]

the grant will be awarded by a Memorandum of Agreement of Federal grant 
funds.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)



Secs. 39.36-39.49  [Reserved]

                             Award of Grant



Sec. 39.50  Amount of grant.

    (a) The amount of an Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement 
Project grant awarded under this subpart may not exceed 100 percent of 
the total cost of the project, but may be less than the total cost of 
the project.
    (b) The total cost of a project under this subpart may include:
    (1) Administration and design costs, e.g., architectural and 
engineering fees, inspection fees, and printing and advertising costs.
    (2) The cost of cemetery features, e.g., entry features, flag plaza 
and assembly areas, columbaria, preplaced liners or crypts, irrigation 
systems, committal-service shelters, and administration/maintenance 
buildings.
    (3) In the case of an establishment grant, the cost of equipment 
necessary for the operation of the State or Tribal veterans cemetery. 
This may include the cost of non-fixed equipment such as grounds 
maintenance equipment, burial equipment, and office equipment.
    (4) In the case of an improvement or expansion grant, the cost of 
equipment necessary for operation of the State or Tribal veterans 
cemetery, but only if such equipment:
    (i) Was included in the construction contract;
    (ii) Was installed during construction; and
    (iii) Is permanently affixed to a building or connected to the 
heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or other service distributed 
through a building via ducts, pipes, wires, or other connecting device, 
such as kitchen and intercommunication equipment, built-in cabinets, and 
equipment lifts.
    (5) A contingency allowance not to exceed five percent of the total 
cost of a project that involves new construction or eight percent of the 
total cost of an improvement project that does not involve new 
construction.
    (c) The total cost of a project under this subpart may not include 
the cost of:
    (1) Land acquisition;
    (2) Building space that exceeds the space guidelines specified in 
this part;
    (3) Improvements not on cemetery land, such as access roads or 
utilities;
    (4) Maintenance or repair work;
    (5) Office supplies or consumable goods (such as fuel and 
fertilizer) that are routinely used in a cemetery; or
    (6) Fully enclosed, climate-controlled, committal-service 
facilities, freestanding chapels, or chapels that are part of an 
administrative building or information center.
    (d) VA shall certify approved applications to the Secretary of the 
Treasury in the amount of the grant, and shall designate the 
appropriation from which it shall be paid. Funds paid for the 
establishment, expansion, or improvement of a veterans cemetery must be 
used solely for carrying out approved projects.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4476, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.51  Payment of grant award.

    The amount of an Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Project 
grant award will be paid to the State or Tribal Organization or, if 
designated by the State or Tribal Organization representative, the State 
or Tribal veterans cemetery for which such project is being carried out, 
or to any other State or Tribal Organization agency or instrumentality. 
Such amount shall be paid by way of reimbursement and in installments 
that are consistent with the progress of the project, as the Director of 
the Veterans Cemetery Grants Service may determine and certify for 
payment to the appropriate Federal institution. Funds paid under this 
section for an approved Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement 
Project shall be used solely for carrying out such project as approved. 
As a condition for the final payment, the representative of the State or 
Tribal Organization must submit to VA the following:

[[Page 840]]

    (a) Standard Form 271 (Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement 
for Construction Programs);
    (b) A request in writing for the final architectural/engineering 
inspection, including the name and telephone number of the local point 
of contact for the project;
    (c) The written statement, ``It is hereby agreed that the monetary 
commitment of the Federal government will have been met and the project 
will be considered terminated upon payment of this voucher.''; and
    (d) Evidence that the State or Tribal Organization has met its 
responsibility for an audit under the Single Audit Act of 1984 (31 
U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) and Sec. 39.122, if applicable.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 0348-0002)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4476, Jan. 30, 2012]



Secs. 39.52-39.59  [Reserved]

                       Standards and Requirements



Sec. 39.60  General requirements for site selection and construction
of veterans cemeteries.

    (a) The various codes, requirements, and recommendations of State or 
Tribal Organization and local authorities or technical and professional 
organizations, to the extent and manner in which those codes, 
requirements, and recommendations are referenced in this subpart, are 
applicable to grants involving construction of veterans cemeteries. 
Additional information concerning these codes, requirements, and 
recommendations may be obtained from VA, National Cemetery 
Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420.
    (b) The standards in Secs. 39.60, 39.61, 39.62, and 39.63 constitute 
general design and construction criteria and shall apply to all 
Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Projects for which Federal 
assistance is requested under 38 U.S.C. 2408.
    (c) In developing these standards, no attempt has been made to 
comply with all of the various State and local codes and regulations. 
The standards contained in Secs. 39.60, 39.61, 39.62, and 39.63 shall be 
followed where they exceed State or local codes and regulations. 
Departure will be permitted, however, when alternate standards are 
demonstrated to provide equivalent or better design criteria than the 
standards in these sections. Conversely, compliance is required with 
State and local codes where such requirements provide a standard higher 
than those in these sections. The additional cost, if any, in using 
standards that are higher than those of VA should be documented and 
justified in the application.
    (d) The space criteria and area requirements referred to in these 
standards shall be used as a guide in planning. Additional area and 
facilities beyond those specified as basic may be included if found to 
be necessary to meet the functional requirements of the project but are 
subject to approval by VA. Substantial deviation from the space criteria 
or area standards shall be carefully considered and justified. Failing 
to meet the criteria or standards or exceeding them by more than 10 
percent in the completed plan would be regarded as evidence of inferior 
design or as exceeding the boundaries of professional requirements. In 
those projects that unjustifiably exceed maximum space criteria or area 
requirements, VA funding may be subject to reduction in proportion to 
the amount by which the space or area of the cemetery exceeds the 
maximum specified in these standards.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4476, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.61  Site planning standards.

    (a) Site selection--(1) Location. The land should be located as 
close as possible to the densest veteran population in the area under 
consideration.
    (2) Size. Sufficient acreage shall be available to provide 
gravesites for estimated needs for at least 20 years. More acreage 
should be provided where feasible. Acreage could vary depending on the 
State veteran population and national cemetery availability.
    (3) Accessibility. The site should be readily accessible by highway. 
Offsite

[[Page 841]]

improvements shall not be funded by the grant.
    (4) Topography. The land should range from comparatively level to 
rolling and moderately hilly terrain. Natural rugged contours are 
suitable only if development and maintenance costs would not be 
excessive and burial areas would be accessible to elderly or infirm 
visitors. The land shall not be subject to flooding.
    (5) Water table. The water table should be lower than the maximum 
proposed depth of burial.
    (6) Soil requirements. The soil should be free from rock, muck, 
unstable composition, and other materials that would hamper the 
economical excavation of graves by normal methods. In general, the soil 
should meet the standards of good agricultural land that is capable of 
supporting turf and trees, with normal care and without the addition of 
topsoil.
    (7) Utilities. Electricity and gas, if required, should be 
available. Offsite improvements shall not be funded by the grant.
    (8) Water supply. An adequate supply of water should be available. 
Offsite improvements shall not be funded by the grant.
    (9) Sewerage. An approved means to dispose of storm flow and sewage 
from the facility should be available. Offsite improvements shall not be 
funded by the grant.
    (b) Site development requirements--(1) General. The development plan 
shall provide for adequate hard-surfaced roads, walks, parking areas, 
public rest rooms, a flag circle, and a main gate.
    (2) Parking. All parking facilities shall include provisions to 
accommodate the physically handicapped. A minimum of one space shall be 
set aside and identified with signage in each parking area with 
additional spaces provided in the ratio of 1 handicapped space to every 
20 regular spaces. Handicapped spaces shall not be placed between two 
conventional diagonal or head-on parking spaces. Each of the handicapped 
parking spaces shall not be less than 9 feet wide; in addition, a clear 
space 4 feet wide shall be provided between the adjacent conventional 
parking spaces and also on the outside of the end spaces. Parking shall 
not be provided for large numbers of people attending ceremonial events 
such as Memorial Day services.
    (3) Roads. Roads should generally follow the topography of the 
cemetery and allow pedestrian access to burial sections on both sides. 
Roads should generally not be used as ``boundaries'' outlining burial 
sections. Extensive bridging should be avoided. Grant program funding 
may not be used to build access roads on property that is not part of 
the cemetery. Road widths shall be compatible with proposed traffic 
flows and volumes. Primary roads shall be generally 24 feet wide.
    (4) Pavement design. The pavement section of all roads, service 
areas, and parking areas shall be designed for the maximum anticipated 
traffic loads and existing soil conditions and in accordance with local 
and State design criteria.
    (5) Curbs. Bituminous roads may be provided with integral curbs and 
gutters constructed of portland cement concrete. Freestanding curbs may 
be substituted when the advantage of using them is clearly indicated. 
All curbs shall have a ``roll-type'' cross section for vehicle and 
equipment access to lawn areas except as may be necessary for traffic 
control. The radii of curbs at road intersections shall not be less than 
20 feet-0 inches. Curb ramps shall be provided to accommodate the 
physically handicapped and maintenance equipment. Curb ramps shall be 
provided at all intersections of roads and walks. The curb ramps shall 
not be less than 4 feet wide; they shall not have a slope greater than 8 
percent, and preferably not greater than 5 percent. The vertical angle 
between the surface of a curb ramp and the surface of a road or gutter 
shall not be less than 176 degrees; the transition between the two 
surfaces shall be smooth. Curb ramps shall have nonskid surfaces.
    (6) Walks. Walks shall be designed with consideration for the 
physically handicapped and elderly. Walks and ramps designed on an 
incline shall have periodic level platforms. All walks, ramps and 
platforms shall have nonskid surfaces. Any walk shall be ramped if the 
slope exceeds 3 percent. Walks that have gradients from 2 to 3

[[Page 842]]

percent shall be provided with level platforms at 200-foot intervals and 
at intersections with other walks. Ramps shall not have a slope greater 
than 8 percent, and preferably not greater than 5 percent. The ramps 
shall have handrails on both sides unless other protective devices are 
provided; every handrail shall have clearance of not less than 1\1/2\ 
inches between the back of the handrail and the wall or any other 
vertical surface behind it. Ramps shall not be less than 4 feet wide 
between curbs; curbs shall be provided on both sides. The curbs shall 
not be less than 4 inches high and 4 inches wide. A level platform in a 
ramp shall not be less than the full width of the ramp and not less than 
5 feet long. Entrance platforms and ramps shall be provided with 
protective weather barriers to shield them against hazardous conditions 
resulting from inclement weather.
    (7) Steps. Exterior steps may be included in the site development as 
long as provisions are made for use by physically handicapped persons.
    (8) Grading. Minimum lawn slopes shall be 2 percent; critical spot 
grade elevations shall be shown on the contract drawings. Insofar as 
practicable, lawn areas shall be designed without steep slopes.
    (9) Landscaping. The landscaping plan should provide for a park-like 
setting of harmonious open spaces balanced with groves of indigenous and 
cultivated deciduous and evergreen trees. Shrubbery should be kept to a 
minimum. Steep slopes that are unsuitable for interment areas should be 
kept in their natural state.
    (10) Surface drainage. Surface grades shall be determined in 
coordination with the architectural, structural, and mechanical design 
of buildings and facilities so as to provide proper surface drainage.
    (11) Burial areas. A site plan of the cemetery shall include a 
burial layout. If appropriate, the burial layout should reflect the 
phases of development in the various sections. The first phase of 
construction should contain sufficient burial sites to meet the 
foreseeable demand for at least 10 years. All applicable dimensions of 
roadways, fences, utilities, or other structures shall be indicated on 
the layout.
    (12) Gravesites. Gravesites shall be laid out in uniform pattern. 
There shall be a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of roads and drives 
and a minimum of 20 feet from the boundaries or fence lines. Maximum 
distance from the edge of a permanent road to any gravesite shall not be 
over 275 feet. Temporary roads may be provided to serve areas in phase 
developments.
    (13) Monumentation. Each grave shall be marked with an appropriate 
marker, and each cemetery shall maintain a register of burials setting 
forth the name of each person buried and the designation of the grave in 
which he/she is buried. Permanent gravesite control markers shall be 
installed based on a grid system throughout the burial area unless 
otherwise specified. This will facilitate the gravesite layout, 
placement of utility lines, and alignment of headstones.
    (14) Entrance. The entrance should be an architectural or landscape 
feature that creates a sense of arrival.
    (15) Memorial walkway. Each cemetery should have an area for the 
display of memorials donated by veterans groups and others. Such areas 
may take the form of a path or walkway and should provide a 
contemplative setting for visitors.
    (16) Donation items. Family members and others often wish to donate 
items such as benches and trees. Acceptable items of donation should be 
specified in the cemetery plan. The plan should also designate 
appropriate locations for such items.
    (17) Flag/assembly area. There shall be one primary flagpole for the 
United States flag. This flag shall be lighted. A turf assembly area 
should be developed for major gatherings such as Memorial Day. The 
assembly area may be focused on the flag. The area may also incorporate 
an architectural or a landscape feature that functions as a platform or 
backdrop for speakers.
    (18) Site furnishings. Site furnishings include signage, trash 
receptacles, benches, and flower containers. These items should be 
coordinated and complement each other, the architectural design, and the 
cemetery as a whole.

[[Page 843]]

They should be simple, durable, standardized, and properly scaled.
    (19) Carillons. The cemetery development plan should include a 
location for a carillon tower. Carillons are normally donated. They are 
not provided for in the grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)



Sec. 39.62  Space criteria for support facilities.

    These criteria are based on a projected average burial rate of one 
to six per day, staffing by position, and a defined complement of 
maintenance and service equipment. For cemeteries with less than one or 
more than six burials per day, support facilities are considered on an 
individual basis in accordance with Sec. 39.60(d). In converting Net 
Square Feet (NSF) to Gross Square Feet (GSF), a conversion factor of 1.5 
is the maximum allowed. The applicant shall, in support of the design, 
include the following as an attachment to the application: A list of all 
grounds maintenance supplies and equipment and the number of Full Time 
Employees (FTE) by job assignment for the next 10 years.
    (a) Administrative building. The administrative building should be 
approximately 1,600 NSF in total, providing space, as needed, for the 
following:
    (1) Cemetery director's office;
    (2) Other offices (as needed);
    (3) Administrative staff (lobby/office area);
    (4) Operations (file/office/equipment/work area);
    (5) Family/conference room;
    (6) Military honors team;
    (7) Refreshment unit;
    (8) Housekeeping aide's closet; and
    (9) Restroom facilities.
    (b) Maintenance/service building. The maintenance/service building 
may be combined with the administrative building. The maintenance/
service building should be approximately 2,200 NSF in total, providing 
heated and air conditioned space, as needed, for the following:
    (1) Foreman's office;
    (2) Lunch room;
    (3) Kitchen unit;
    (4) Toilet and locker room facilities;
    (5) Housekeeping aide's closet; and
    (6) Vehicle and equipment maintenance and storage.
    (c) Vehicle and equipment storage. Approximately 275 NSF/Bay as 
needed. Not all types of vehicles and equipment require storage in 
heated space. Based on climatic conditions, it may be justified to rely 
completely on open structures rather than heated structures to protect 
the following types of vehicles and equipment: Dump trucks, pickup 
trucks, cemetery automobiles, gang and circular mowers.
    (d) Interment/committal service shelter. One permanent shelter is 
authorized for every five interments per day. The shelter may include a 
covered area to provide seating for approximately 20 people and an 
uncovered paved area to provide space for approximately 50 additional 
people. The shelter may also include a small, enclosed equipment/storage 
area. Provisions must be made for the playing of Taps by recorded means.
    (e) Public Information Center. One permanent Public Information 
Center is authorized per facility. A Public Information Center is used 
to orient visitors and funeral corteges. It should include the gravesite 
locator. The public restrooms may also be combined with this structure. 
Space determinations for separate structures for public restrooms shall 
be considered on an individual basis. The Public Information Center, 
including public restrooms, may be combined with the administrative 
building.
    (f) Other interment structures. Space determinations for other 
support facilities such as columbaria, preplaced graveliners (or 
crypts), garden niches, etc., will be considered on an individual basis 
in accordance with Sec. 39.60(d).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)



Sec. 39.63  Architectural design standards.

    The publications listed in this section are incorporated by 
reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this 
incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 522(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies of these publications may be inspected at the office of 
the Veterans Cemetery Grants Service, National Cemetery Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC

[[Page 844]]

20420 or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 
741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Copies of the 2003 
edition of the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code and 
Errata (NFPA 101), the 2003 edition of the NFPA 5000, Building 
Construction and Safety Code, and the 2002 edition of the National 
Electrical Code, NFPA 70, may be obtained from the National Fire 
Protection Association, Inc. (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, 
Quincy, MA 02269-9101, (800) 844-6058 (toll free). Copies of the 2003 
edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code and the 2003 edition of the 
Uniform Plumbing Code may be obtained from the International Association 
of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 5001 E. Philadelphia Street, 
Ontario, CA 91761-2816. (909) 472-4100 (this is not a toll-free number). 
The 2002 and 2003 NFPA and IAPMO code publications can be inspected at 
VA by calling (202) 461-4902 for an appointment.
    (a) Architectural and structural requirements--(1) Life Safety Code. 
Standards must be in accordance with the 2003 edition of the National 
Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code, NFPA 101. Fire safety 
construction features not included in NFPA 101 shall be designed in 
accordance with the requirements of the 2003 edition of the NFPA 5000, 
Building Construction and Safety Code. Where the adopted codes state 
conflicting requirements, the NFPA National Fire Codes shall govern.
    (2) State and local codes. In addition to compliance with the 
standards set forth in this section, all applicable local and State 
building codes and regulations must be observed. In areas not subject to 
local or State building codes, the recommendations contained in the 2003 
edition of the NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, shall 
apply.
    (3) Occupational safety and health standards. Applicable standards 
contained in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 
651 et seq.) must be observed.
    (b) Mechanical requirements. The heating system, boilers, steam 
system, ventilation system, and air-conditioning system shall be 
furnished and installed to meet all requirements of the local and State 
codes and regulations. Where no local or State codes are in force, the 
2003 edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code shall apply.
    (c) Plumbing requirements. Plumbing systems shall comply with all 
applicable local and State codes, the requirements of the State 
Department of Health, and the minimum general standards as set forth in 
this part. Where no local or State codes are in force, the 2003 edition 
of the Uniform Plumbing Code shall apply.
    (d) Electrical requirements. The installation of electrical work and 
equipment shall comply with all local and State codes and laws 
applicable to electrical installations and the minimum general standards 
set forth in the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2002 edition. The 
regulations of the local utility company shall govern service 
connections. Aluminum bus ways shall not be used as a conducting medium 
in the electrical distribution system.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4476, Jan. 30, 2012]



Secs. 39.64-39.79  [Reserved]



              Subpart C_Operation and Maintenance Projects

                    Grant Requirements and Procedures



Sec. 39.80  General requirements for a grant.

    (a) For a State or Tribal Organization to obtain a grant for the 
operation or maintenance of a State or Tribal veterans cemetery:
    (1) Its preapplication for the grant must be approved by VA under 
Sec. 39.81(e);
    (2) Its project must be ranked sufficiently high within Priority 
Group 4 as defined in Sec. 39.3 for the applicable fiscal year so that 
funds are available for the project, and a grant for the project must 
not result in payment of more than the $5 million total amount 
permissible for all Operation and Maintenance Projects in any fiscal 
year;

[[Page 845]]

    (3) Its plans and specifications for the project must be approved by 
VA under Sec. 39.82;
    (4) The State or Tribal Organization must meet the application 
requirements in Sec. 39.84; and
    (5) Other requirements specified in Secs. 39.6, 39.10, and 39.83 
must be satisfied.
    (b) VA may approve under Sec. 39.85 any Operation and Maintenance 
Project grant application up to the amount of the grant requested once 
the requirements under paragraph (a) of this section have been 
satisfied, provided that sufficient funds are available and that total 
amount of grants awarded during any fiscal year for Operation and 
Maintenance Projects does not exceed $5 million. In determining whether 
sufficient funds are available, VA shall consider the project's ranking 
in Priority Group 4; the total amount of funds available for cemetery 
grant awards in Priority Group 4 during the applicable fiscal year; and 
the prospects of higher ranking projects being ready for the award of a 
grant before the end of the applicable fiscal year.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4477, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.81  Preapplication requirements.

    (a) A State or Tribal Organization seeking a grant for the operation 
or maintenance of a State or Tribal veterans cemetery must submit a 
preapplication to the Director, Veterans Cemetery Grants Service, 
through http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/scg_grants.asp.
    (b) No detailed drawings, plans, or specifications are required with 
the preapplication. As a part of the preapplication, the State or Tribal 
Organization must submit each of the following:
    (1) Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and 
Standard Form 424C (Budget Information) signed by the authorized 
representative of the State or Tribal Organization. These forms document 
the amount of the grant requested, which may not exceed 100 percent of 
the estimated cost of the project to be funded with the grant.
    (2) VA Form 40-0895-2 (Certification of Compliance with Provisions 
of the Davis-Bacon Act) to certify that the State or Tribal Organization 
has obtained the latest prevailing wage rates for Federally funded 
projects. Any construction project fully or partially funded with 
Federal dollars must comply with those rates for specific work by trade 
employees (e.g., electricians, carpenters).
    (3) VA Form 40-0895-6 (Certification of State or Tribal Government 
Matching Architectural and Engineering Funds to Qualify for Group 1 on 
the Priority List) to provide documentation that the State or Tribal 
Organization has legal authority to support the project and the 
resources necessary to initially fund the architectural and engineering 
portion of the project development. Once the grant is awarded, VA will 
reimburse the applicant for all allowable architectural and engineering 
costs.
    (4) VA Form 40-0895-7 (Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered 
Transactions (State or Tribal Government)) to ensure that the applicant 
has not been debarred or suspended, and is eligible to participate in 
the VA grant process and receive Federal funds.
    (5) VA Form 40-0895-8 (Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements for Grantees Other Than Individuals) to ensure that the 
applicant complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 at the 
location where the construction will occur.
    (6) VA Form 40-0895-9 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) to ensure 
that the applicant complies with Public Law 101-121 regarding the 
prohibition against any payments to anyone that influences or attempts 
to influence an officer or Member of Congress in connection with the 
award of a grant.
    (7) VA Form 40-0895-10 (Certification of Compliance with Federal 
Requirements-State or Tribal Government Construction Grant) to ensure 
that the applicant complies with all requirements of part 39.
    (8) VA Form 40-0895-15 (Certification of Cemetery Maintained in 
Accordance with National Cemetery Administration Standards) to ensure 
that any cemetery operated or maintained through a grant will be 
operated and

[[Page 846]]

maintained in accordance with VA's national shrine standards of 
appearance.
    (9) A gravesite assessment survey documenting the State or Tribal 
cemetery's performance related to the standards outlined in paragraph 
(b)(10) of this section for the year in which the preapplication is 
submitted.
    (10) A program narrative describing how the project will assist the 
State or Tribal Organization in meeting VA's national shrine standards 
with respect to cleanliness, height and alignment of headstones and 
markers, leveling of gravesites, or turf conditions. Specifically, the 
preapplication should explain the need for the grant, how the work is to 
be accomplished, and the expected improvement in the State or Tribal 
cemetery's performance related to one or more of the following national 
shrine standards:
    (i) Cleanliness. 90 percent of headstones, markers, and niche covers 
must be clean and free of debris and objectionable accumulations.
    (ii) Height. 90 percent of headstones and markers must be set and 
maintained at the proper height.
    (iii) Alignment. 100 percent of headstones, markers, and niche 
covers must be properly installed. Upright headstones in active burial 
sections must be uniform in height (24"-26" above ground), horizontally 
and vertically aligned with inscriptions visible, and installed to 
ensure a pleasing top line while compensating for ground contours. Flat 
markers must be uniform in height (parallel with the ground and no more 
than 1" above grade) and horizontally and vertically aligned. Niche 
covers must be horizontally and vertically aligned. All inscriptions 
must be visible.
    (iv) Grade. 95 percent of the grade of every gravesite must blend in 
with adjacent grade levels.
    (v) Turf conditions. 100 percent of visually prominent areas must 
have a well-established, healthy stand of turf that is generally weed 
free; 95 percent of visually prominent areas with established turf must 
be generally free of bare areas.
    (11) A description of the geographic location of the existing State 
or Tribal veteran cemetery and any other supporting documentation, as 
requested by the VCGS Director.
    (12) A description of the project including the number and types of 
headstones and markers that need to be cleaned and aligned, a 
description of the gravesites that need to be leveled, and a description 
of the turf conditions that need to be improved to meet VA's national 
shrine standards.
    (c) In addition, the State or Tribal Organization must submit 
written assurance of each of the following conditions:
    (1) Any cemetery in receipt of a grant under this subpart will be 
used exclusively for the interment or memorialization of eligible 
persons, as set forth in Sec. 39.10(a), whose interment or 
memorialization is not contrary to the conditions of the grant (see 
Sec. 39.10(b) and 38 U.S.C. 2408(d) and 2411).
    (2) Title to the site is or will be vested solely in the State or 
held in trust for the Tribal Organization on trust land.
    (3) The State or Tribal Organization possesses legal authority to 
apply for the grant.

    Note to paragraph (c)(3): In any case where a Tribal Organization is 
applying for a grant for a cemetery on land held in trust for more than 
one Indian Tribe, written assurance that the Tribal Organization 
possesses legal authority to apply for the grant includes certification 
that the Tribal Organization has obtained the approval of each such 
Indian Tribe.

    (4) The State or Tribal Organization will obtain approval by VA of 
the final specifications before the project is advertised or placed on 
the market for bidding; the project will achieve VA's national shrine 
standards with respect to cleanliness, height and alignment of 
headstones and markers, leveling of gravesites, or turf conditions in 
accordance with the application and approved plans and specifications; 
the State or Tribal Organization will submit to the Director of the 
Veterans Cemetery Grants Service, for prior approval, changes that alter 
any cost of the project; and the State or Tribal Organization will not 
enter into a contract for the project or undertake other activities 
until all the requirements of the grant program have been met.

[[Page 847]]

    (d) Depending on the scope of the project, the VCGS will work with 
the State or Tribal Organization to determine which, if any, of the 
following are required:
    (1) Compliance with section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470), Executive Order 
11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the 
Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 
et seq.).
    (2) Compliance with the Federal requirements in 2 CFR parts 180, 
200, and 801 and submission of Standard Form 424D (Assurances--
Construction Programs).
    (3) A site Environmental Assessment to determine whether an 
Environmental Impact Statement will be necessary as a result of the work 
to be performed on the headstones and markers, gravesites, or turf 
conditions.
    (e) Upon receipt of a complete preapplication for a grant, including 
all necessary assurances and all required supporting documentation, VA 
will determine whether the preapplication conforms to all requirements 
listed in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, including whether 
it contains sufficient information necessary to establish the project's 
priority. VA will notify the State or Tribal Organization of any 
nonconformity. If the preapplication does conform, VA shall notify the 
State or Tribal Organization that the preapplication has been found to 
meet the preapplication requirements, and the proposed project will be 
included in the next scheduled ranking of projects, as indicated in 
Sec. 39.3(d).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 4040-0004, 
4040-0008, 4040-0009, and 2900-0559)

(Authority: 25 U.S.C. 450b(l); 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408, 2411)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4477, Jan. 30, 2012; 80 
FR 43322, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 39.82  Plan preparation.

    (a) The State or Tribal Organization must successfully complete its 
plan preparation under this section before submitting a grant 
application for an Operation and Maintenance Project. The State or 
Tribal Organization may be required to undertake some or all of the 
following requirements of this section. After submitting all necessary 
plans and specifications to the VCGS and obtaining approval for the 
State or Tribal Organization to solicit for the Operation and 
Maintenance Project contract bids, the State or Tribal Organization 
shall:
    (1) Obtain bids and determine the successful bidder;
    (2) Establish procedures for determining that costs are reasonable 
and necessary and can be allocated in accordance with 2 CFR part 200 and 
submit documentation of such determinations to VA; and
    (3) Comply with the uniform requirements for grants-in-aid to State, 
Tribal and local governments prescribed by 2 CFR part 200.
    (b) Depending on the scope of the project, the VCGS will work with 
the State or Tribal Organization to determine which of the following 
will be required prior to submission of an application. As determined by 
VA, these may include:
    (1) A boundary and site survey comprising a survey and legal 
description of the existing State or Tribal cemetery site;
    (2) Project drawings indicating the cemetery section(s) to be 
impacted by the Operation and Maintenance Project, gravesite section 
layout with permanent section monument markers and lettering system, and 
the total number of gravesites to be impacted;
    (3) Project specifications (to be used for bid purposes), which 
shall include the invitation for bid, cover or title sheet, index, 
general requirements, form of bid bond, form of agreement, performance 
and payment bond forms, and detailed descriptions of materials and 
workmanship for the work to be performed to meet VA's national shrine 
standards;
    (4) A detailed estimate of the total cost of the work to be 
performed under the contract; or
    (5) A site Environmental Assessment meeting the provisions of 
Sec. 39.34(b) to determine if an Environmental Impact Statement is 
necessary for compliance with section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as

[[Page 848]]

amended (42 U.S.C. 4332), as a result of the work to be performed on the 
headstones and markers, gravesites, or turf conditions.
    (c) If VA determines that the project's plans and specifications 
comply with the terms and conditions prescribed by VA, VA will send the 
State or Tribal Organization a written letter of approval indicating 
that the project's plans and specifications comply with the terms and 
conditions as prescribed by VA. This does not constitute approval of the 
contract documents. It is the responsibility of the State or Tribal 
Organization to ascertain that all State and Federal requirements have 
been met and that the drawings and specifications are acceptable for bid 
purposes.


(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirement in this section under control number 2900-0559)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4477, Jan. 30, 2012; 80 
FR 43322, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 39.83  Conferences.

    (a) Planning conference. The VCGS may require planning conferences 
for Operation and Maintenance Projects, primarily to ensure that the 
State or Tribal Organization becomes oriented to VA's national shrine 
standards, procedures, requirements, and any technical comments 
pertaining to the project. These conferences will normally occur over 
the telephone.
    (b) Additional conferences. At any time, VA may recommend an 
additional telephone conference to provide an opportunity for the State 
or Tribal Organization to discuss with VA officials the requirements for 
an Operation and Maintenance Project grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4478, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.84  Application requirements.

    For an Operation and Maintenance Project to be considered for grant 
funding under this subpart, the State or Tribal Organization must submit 
an application (as opposed to a preapplication) consisting of the 
following:
    (a) Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) with the 
box labeled ``application'' marked;
    (b) Standard Form 424C (Budget Information), which documents the 
amount of funds requested based on the construction costs as estimated 
by the successful construction bid;
    (c) A copy of itemized bid tabulations; and
    (d) Standard Form 424D (Assurances--Construction Program).
    (e) VA Form 40-0895-11 (Memorandum of Agreement for a Grant to 
Construct or Modify a State or Tribal Government Veterans Cemetery) to 
identify the parties (VA and applicant), identify the scope of the 
project, and indicate how the grant award funds will be paid to the 
applicant.
    (f) VA Form 40-0895-12 (Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions (Contractor)) to ensure that the contractor has not been 
debarred or suspended, and is eligible to participate in the VA grant 
process and receive Federal funds.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 4040-0002, 
4040-0008, 4040-0009, and 2900-0559)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4478, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.85  Final review and approval of application.

    Following VA approval of bid tabulations and cost estimates, the 
complete Operation and Maintenance Project grant application will be 
reviewed for approval in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 39.80. 
If the application is approved, the grant will be awarded by a 
Memorandum of Agreement of Federal grant funds.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)



Secs. 39.86-39.99  [Reserved]

                             Award of Grant



Sec. 39.100  Amount of grant.

    (a) The amount of an Operation and Maintenance Project grant awarded

[[Page 849]]

under this subpart may not exceed 100 percent of the total cost of the 
project, but may be less than total cost of the project.
    (b) The total cost of a project under this subpart may include any 
or all of the following costs:
    (1) Administration and design costs, e.g., architectural and 
engineering fees, inspection fees, and printing and advertising costs.
    (2) Construction costs.
    (3) The cost of VA-approved equipment that is necessary for the 
completion of the project.
    (c) The total cost of a project under this subpart may not include 
the cost of any of the following:
    (1) Land acquisition;
    (2) Buildings of any type;
    (3) Improvements not on cemetery land, such as access roads or 
utilities;
    (4) Office supplies or consumable goods (such as fuel and 
fertilizer) that are routinely used in a cemetery; or
    (5) Project contingency costs.
    (d) VA shall certify approved applications to the Secretary of the 
Treasury in the amount of the grant, and shall designate the 
appropriation from which it shall be paid. Funds paid for the operation 
and maintenance of a veterans cemetery must be used solely for carrying 
out approved projects.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)



Sec. 39.101  Payment of grant award.

    The amount of an Operation and Maintenance Project grant award will 
be paid to the State or Tribal Organization or, if designated by the 
State or Tribal Organization representative, the State or Tribal 
veterans cemetery for which such project is being carried out, or to any 
other State or Tribal Organization agency or instrumentality. Such 
amount shall be paid by way of reimbursement and in installments that 
are consistent with the progress of the project, as the Director of the 
Veterans Cemetery Grants Service may determine and certify for payment 
to the appropriate Federal institution. Funds paid under this section 
for an approved Operation and Maintenance Project shall be used solely 
for carrying out such project as approved. As a condition for the final 
payment, the State or Tribal representative must submit to VA each of 
the following:
    (a) Standard Form 271 (Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement 
for Construction Programs);
    (b) A report on the project accomplishments in accordance with 
Sec. 39.120 and a request in writing for the final architectural/
engineering inspection, including the name and telephone number of the 
local point of contact for the project;
    (c) The written statement, ``It is hereby agreed that the monetary 
commitment of the Federal government will have been met and the project 
will be considered terminated upon payment of this voucher.''; and
    (d) Evidence that the State or Tribal Organization has met its 
responsibility for an audit under the Single Audit Act of 1984 (31 
U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) and Sec. 39.122.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 0348-0002)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4478, Jan. 30, 2012]



Secs. 39.102-39.119  [Reserved]



  Subpart D_Grant Recipient Responsibilities, Inspections, and Reports 
                      Following Project Completion



Sec. 39.120  Documentation of grant accomplishments.

    Within 60 days of completion of an Operation and Maintenance 
Project, the State or Tribal Organization must submit to VCGS a written 
report regarding the work performed to meet VA's national shrine 
standards. This report must be based on the original justification for 
the grant as noted in Sec. 39.81(b)(10) and must include statistical 
data and detailed pictures of the work accomplished.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4478, Jan. 30, 2012]

[[Page 850]]



Sec. 39.121  State or Tribal Organization responsibilities following
project completion.

    (a) A State or Tribal Organization that has received an 
Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Project grant or an Operation 
and Maintenance Project grant shall monitor use of the cemetery by 
various subgroups and minority groups, including women veterans. If VA 
determines that under-utilization by any of these groups exists, the 
State or Tribal Organization shall establish a program to inform members 
of these groups about benefits available to them. If a significant 
number or portion of the population eligible to be served or likely to 
be directly affected by the grant program needs benefits information in 
a language other than English, the State or Tribal Organization shall 
make such information available in the necessary language.
    (b) A State or Tribal veterans cemetery that has received an 
Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement Project grant or an Operation 
and Maintenance Project grant shall be operated and maintained as 
follows:
    (1) Buildings, grounds, roads, walks, and other structures shall be 
kept in reasonable repair to prevent undue deterioration and hazards to 
users.
    (2) The cemetery shall be kept open for public use at reasonable 
hours based on the time of the year.
    (c) VA, in coordination with the State or Tribal Organization, shall 
inspect the project for compliance with the standards set forth in 
subpart B of this part for Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement 
Projects and with the standards set forth in subpart C of this part for 
Operation and Maintenance Projects at the project's completion and at 
least once in every 3-year period following completion of the project 
throughout the period the facility is operated as a State or Tribal 
veterans cemetery. The State or Tribal Organization shall forward to the 
Director, Veterans Cemetery Grants Service, a copy of the inspection 
report, giving the date and location the inspection was made and citing 
any deficiencies and corrective action to be taken or proposed.
    (d) Failure of a State or Tribal Organization to comply with any of 
paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section shall be considered cause for 
VA to suspend any payments due the State or Tribal Organization on any 
project until the compliance failure is corrected.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408; and E.O. 13166, 65 FR 50121)

[75 FR 34005, June 16, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 4478, Jan. 30, 2012]



Sec. 39.122  Inspections, audits, and reports.

    (a) A State or Tribal Organization will allow VA inspectors and 
auditors to conduct inspections as necessary to ensure compliance with 
the provisions of this part. The State or Tribal Organization will 
provide to VA evidence that it has met its responsibility under the 
Single Audit Act of 1984.
    (b) A State or Tribal Organization will make an annual report on VA 
Form 40-0241 (State Cemetery Data) signed by the authorized 
representative of the State or Tribal Organization. These forms document 
current burial activity at the cemetery, use of gravesites, remaining 
gravesites, and additional operational information intended to answer 
questions about the status of the grant program.
    (c) A State or Tribal Organization will complete and submit to VA a 
VA Form 40-0895-13 (Certification Regarding Documents and Information 
Required for State or Tribal Government Cemetery Construction Grants-
Post Grant Requirements) to ensure that the grantee is aware of and 
complies with all grant responsibilities and to properly and timely 
close out the grant.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0559)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2408)

[77 FR 4478, Jan. 30, 2012, as amended at 80 FR 43322, July 22, 2015]



PART 40_INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES--Table of Contents



Sec.
40.1  Purpose.

[[Page 851]]

40.2  Definitions.
40.3  Programs and activities.
40.4  General.
40.5  Federal interagency coordination.
40.6  Selection of programs and activities.
40.7  Communicating with State and local officials concerning VA's 
          programs and activities.
40.8  Commenting on proposed Federal financial assistance and direct 
          Federal development.
40.9  Comment receipt and response to comments.
40.10  Making efforts to accommodate intergovernmental concerns.
40.11  Interstate.
40.12  [Reserved]
40.13  Waiver.

    Authority: E.O. 12372, July 14, 1982 (47 FR 30959), as amended April 
8, 1983 (48 FR 15887): section 401 of the Intergovernmental Cooperation 
Act of 1968, as amended (31 U.S.C. 6506); sec. 204 of the Demonstration 
Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
3334).

    Source: 48 FR 29413, June 24, 1983; 48 FR 31854, July 12, 1983, 
unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 40.1  Purpose.

    (a) The regulations in this part implement Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'', issued on July 14, 
1982 and amended on April 8, 1983. These regulations also implement 
applicable provisions of section 401 of the Intergovernmental 
Cooperation Act of 1968 and section 204 of the Demonstration Cities and 
Metropolitan Development Act of 1966.
    (b) These regulations are intended to foster an intergovernmental 
partnership and a strengthened Federalism by relying on State processes 
and on State, areawide, regional, and local coordination for review of 
proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development.
    (c) These regulations are intended to improve the internal 
management of the VA, and are not intended to create any right or 
benefit enforceable at law by a party against the VA or its officers.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.2  Definitions.

    For the purposes of Secs. 40.1 through 40.13, the following 
definitions apply:
    (a) VA means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Order means Executive Order 12372, issued July 14, 1982, and 
amended April 8, 1983, and titled ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    (c) Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs or an official or employee of VA acting 
for the Secretary under delegation of authority.
    (d) State means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Trust 
Territory of the Pacific Islands.
    (e) Emergency means a sudden, urgent, unforeseen situation in which 
immediate action is needed to prevent or respond to significant harm to 
life or property. Harm to property would include damage to the 
environment.
    (f) Unusual circumstances means the end of a fiscal year, a 
statutory deadline or any other circumstance making it impracticable for 
the agency to provide 60 days for comment.
    (g) Affected means for purposes of interstate situations those 
States physically affected by the specific plans and projects.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.3  Programs and activities.

    The Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a list of VA's 
programs and activities that are subject to these regulations and 
identifies which of these are subject to the requirements of section 204 
of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.4  General.

    (a) The Secretary provides opportunities for consultation by elected 
officials of those State and local governments that would provide the 
non-Federal funds for, or that would be directly affected by, proposed 
Federal financial assistance from, or direct Federal development by, VA.
    (b) If a State adopts a process under the order to review and 
coordinate proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal 
development, the Secretary, to the extent permitted by law:

[[Page 852]]

    (1) Uses the State process to determine official views of State and 
local elected officials;
    (2) Communicates with State and local elected officials as early in 
a program planning cycle as is reasonably feasible to explain specific 
plans and actions;
    (3) Makes efforts to accommodate State and local elected officials' 
concerns with proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal 
development that are communicated through the State process;
    (4) Seeks the coordination of views of affected State and local 
elected officials in one State with those of another State when proposed 
Federal financial assistance or direct Federal development has an impact 
on interstate metropolitan urban centers or other interstate areas; and
    (5) Supports State and local governments by discouraging the 
reauthorization or creation of any planning organization which is 
federally-funded, which has a limited purpose, and which is not 
adequately representative of, or accountable to, State or local elected 
officials.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.5  Federal interagency coordination.

    The Secretary, to the extent practicable, consults with and seeks 
advice from all other substantially affected Federal departments and 
agencies in an effort to assure full coordination between such agencies 
and VA regarding programs and activities covered under these 
regulations.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.6  Selection of programs and activities.

    (a) A State may select any program or activity published in the 
Federal Register in accordance with Sec. 40.3 of this part, for 
intergovernmental review under these regulations. Each State, before 
selecting programs and activities shall consult with local elected 
officials.
    (b) Each State that adopts a process shall notify the Secretary of 
the VA's programs and activities selected for that process.
    (c) A State may notify the Secretary of changes in its selections at 
any time. For each change, the State shall submit to the Secretary an 
assurance that the State has consulted with local elected officials 
regarding the change. The VA may establish deadlines by which States are 
required to inform the Secretary of changes in their program selections.
    (d) The Secretary uses a State's process as soon as feasible, 
depending on individual programs and activities, after the Secretary is 
notified of its selections.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.7  Communicating with State and local officials concerning
VA's programs and activities.

    The Secretary provides notice to directly affected State, areawide, 
regional, and local entities in a State of proposed Federal financial 
assistance or direct Federal development if:
    (a) The State has not adopted a process under the order; or
    (b) The assistance or development involves a program or activity not 
selected for the State process.

This notice may be made by publication in the Federal Register or other 
appropriate means, which VA in its discretion deems appropriate.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.8  Commenting on proposed Federal financial assistance and
direct Federal development.

    (a) Except in unusual circumstances, the Secretary gives State 
processes or State, areawide, regional and local officials and entities 
at least 60 days from the date established by the Secretary to comment 
on proposed direct Federal development or Federal financial assistance.
    (b) This section also applies to comments in cases in which the 
review, coordination, and communication with VA have been delegated.
    (c) Applicants for programs and activities subject to section 204 of 
the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Act shall allow areawide 
agencies a 60-day opportunity for review and comment.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))

[[Page 853]]



Sec. 40.9  Comment receipt and response to comments.

    (a) The Secretary follows the procedures in Sec. 40.10 if:
    (1) A State office or official is designated to act as a single 
point of contact between a State process and all Federal agencies, and
    (2) That office or official transmits a State process recommendation 
for a program selected under Sec. 40.6.
    (b)(1) The single point of contact is not obligated to transmit 
comments from State, areawide, regional or local officials and entities 
where there is no State process recommendation.
    (2) If a State process recommendation is transmitted by a single 
point of contact, all comments from State, areawide, regional, and local 
officials and entities that differ from it must also be transmitted.
    (c) If a State has not established a process, or is unable to submit 
a State process recommendation, State, areawide, regional and local 
officials and entities may submit comments either to the applicant or to 
VA.
    (d) If a program or activity is not selected for a State process, 
State, areawide, regional and local officials and entities may submit 
comments either to the applicant or to VA. In addition, if a State 
process recommendation for a nonselected program or activity is 
transmitted to VA by the single point of contact, the Secretary follows 
the procedures of Sec. 40.10 of this part.
    (e) The Secretary considers comments which do not constitute a State 
process recommendation submitted under these regulations and for which 
the Secretary is not required to apply the procedures of Sec. 40.10 of 
this part, when such comments are provided by a single point of contact, 
by the applicant, or directly to the VA by a commenting party.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.10  Making efforts to accommodate intergovernmental concerns.

    (a) If a State process provides a State process recommendation to VA 
through its single point of contact, the Secretary either:
    (1) Accepts the recommendation;
    (2) Reaches a mutually agreeable solution with the State process; or
    (3) Provides the single point of contact with such written 
explanation of the decision, as the Secretary in his or her discretion 
deems appropriate. The Secretary may also supplement the written 
explanation by providing the explanation to the single point of contact 
by telephone, other telecommunication, or other means.
    (b) In any explanation under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the 
Secretary informs the single point of contact that:
    (1) The VA will not implement its decision for at least ten days 
after the single point of contact receives the explanation; or
    (2) The Secretary has reviewed the decision and determined that, 
because of unusual circumstances, the waiting period of at least ten 
days is not feasible.
    (c) For purposes of computing the waiting period under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, a single point of contact is presumed to have 
received written notification five days after the date of mailing of 
such notification.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.11  Interstate.

    (a) The Secretary is responsible for:
    (1) Identifying proposed Federal financial assistance and direct 
Federal development that have an impact on interstate areas;
    (2) Notifying appropriate officials and entities in States which 
have adopted a process and which select VA's program or activity.
    (3) Making efforts to identify and notify the affected State, 
areawide, regional, and local officials and entities in those States 
that have not adopted a process under the order or do not select VA's 
program or activity;
    (4) Responding pursuant to Sec. 40.10 of this part if the Secretary 
receives a recommendation from a designated areawide agency transmitted 
by a single point of contact, in cases in which the review, 
coordination, and communication with VA have been delegated, or
    (b) The Secretary uses the procedures in Sec. 40.10 if a State 
process provides a

[[Page 854]]

State process recommendation to VA through a single point of contact.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



Sec. 40.12  [Reserved]



Sec. 40.13  Waiver.

    In an emergency, the Secretary may waive any provision of these 
regulations.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231(b))



PART 42_STANDARDS IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES ACT
--Table of Contents



Sec.
42.1  Basis and purpose.
42.2  Definitions.
42.3  Basis for civil penalties and assessments.
42.4  Investigation.
42.5  Review by the reviewing official.
42.6  Prerequisites for issuing a complaint.
42.7  Complaint.
42.8  Service of complaint.
42.9  Answer.
42.10  Default upon failure to file an answer.
42.11  Referral of complaint and answer to the Administrative Law Judge 
          (ALJ).
42.12  Notice of hearing.
42.13  Parties to the hearing.
42.14  Separation of functions.
42.15  Ex parte contacts.
42.16  Disqualification of reviewing official or ALJ.
42.17  Rights of parties.
42.18  Authority of the ALJ.
42.19  Prehearing conferences.
42.20  Disclosure of documents.
42.21  Discovery.
42.22  Exchange of witness lists, statements, and exhibits.
42.23  Subpoenas for attendance at hearing.
42.24  Protective order.
42.25  Fees.
42.26  Form, filing and service of papers.
42.27  Computation of time.
42.28  Motions.
42.29  Sanctions.
42.30  The hearing and burden of proof.
42.31  Determining the amount of penalties and assessments.
42.32  Location of hearing.
42.33  Witnesses.
42.34  Evidence.
42.35  The record.
42.36  Post-hearing briefs.
42.37  Initial decision.
42.38  Reconsideration of initial decision.
42.39  Appeal to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
42.40  Stays ordered by the Department of Justice.
42.41  Stay pending appeal.
42.42  Judicial review.
42.43  Collection of civil penalties and assessments.
42.44  Right to administrative offset.
42.45  Deposit in Treasury of United States.
42.46  Compromise and settlement.
42.47  Limitations.

    Authority: Pub. L. 99-509, secs. 6101-6104, 100 Stat. 1874, codified 
at 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812.

    Source: 53 FR 16710, May 11, 1988, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 42.1  Basis and purpose.

    (a) Basis. This part implements the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act 
of 1986, Pub. L. 99-509, 6101-6104, 100 Stat. 1874 (October 21, 1986), 
to be codified at 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812. Section 3809 of title 31 U.S.C., 
requires each authority head, such as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the 
statute.
    (b) Purpose. This part:
    (1) Establishes and provides the only administrative procedures and 
actions for imposing civil penalties and assessments against persons who 
make, submit, or present, or cause to be made, submitted, or presented, 
false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or written statements to 
authorities or to their agents, and
    (2) Specifies the hearing and appeal rights of persons subject to 
allegations of liability for such penalties and assessments.



Sec. 42.2  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this part, the following definitions apply:
    ALJ means an Administrative Law Judge in the Department of Veterans 
Affairs pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105 or detailed to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3344.
    Benefit means, in the context of statement, anything of value, 
including, but not limited to, any advantage, preference, privilege, 
license, permit, favorable decision, ruling, status, or loan guarantee.
    Claim means any request, demand, or submission--
    (a) Made to the Department of Veterans Affairs for property, 
services, or money (including money representing grants, loans, 
insurance, or benefits);

[[Page 855]]

    (b) Made to a recipient of property, services, or money from the 
Department of Veterans Affairs or to a party to a contract with the 
Department of Veterans Affairs--
    (1) For property or services if the United States--
    (i) Provided the property or services;
    (ii) Provided any portion of the funds for the purchase of the 
property or services; or
    (iii) Will reimburse the recipient or party for the purchase of the 
property or services; or
    (2) For the payment of money (including money representing grants, 
loans, insurance, or benefits) if the United States--
    (i) Provided any portion of the money requested or demanded; or
    (ii) Will reimburse the recipient or party for any portion of the 
money paid on the request or demand; or
    (iii) Made to the Department of Veterans Affairs which has the 
effect of decreasing an obligation to pay or account for property, 
services, or money.
    Complaint means the administrative complaint served by the reviewing 
official on the defendant under Sec. 42.7 of this part.
    Defendant means any person alleged in a complaint under Sec. 42.7 of 
this part to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment under Sec. 42.3 
of this part.
    Government means the United States Government.
    Individual means a natural person.
    Initial Decision means the written decision of the ALJ required by 
Sec. 42.10 or Sec. 42.37 of this part, and includes a revised initial 
decision issued following a remand or a motion for reconsideration.
    Investigating official means the Inspector General of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs or an officer or employee of the Office of the 
Inspector General and serving in a position for which the rate of basic 
pay is not less than the minimum rate of basic pay for grade GS-16 under 
the General Schedule.
    Knows or has reason to know means that a person, with respect to a 
claim or statement--
    (a) Has actual knowledge that the claim or statement is false, 
fictitious, or fraudulent;
    (b) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the 
claim or statement; or
    (c) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the claim 
or statement.
    Makes, wherever it appears, shall include the terms presents, 
submits, and causes to be made, presented, or submitted. As the context 
requires, making or made, shall likewise include the corresponding forms 
of such terms.
    Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, association 
or private organization and includes the plural of that term.
    Representative means any person designated by a party in writing.
    Reviewing official means the General Counsel of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs or designee who is--
    (a) Not subject to supervision by, or required to report to, the 
investigating official;
    (b) Not employed in the organization unit of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs in which the investigating official is employed; and
    (c) Serving in a position for which the rate of basic pay is not 
less than the minimum rate of basic pay for grade GS-16 under the 
General Schedule.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    Statement means any representation, certification, affirmation, 
document, record, or accounting or bookkeeping entry made--
    (a) With respect to a claim or to obtain the approval or payment of 
a claim (including relating to eligibility to make a claim); or
    (b) With respect to (including relating to eligibility for)--
    (1) A contract with, or a bid or proposal for a contract with; or
    (2) A grant, loan, or benefit from, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or any State, political subdivision of a State, or other party, 
if the United States Government provides any portion of the money or 
property under the contract or for the grant, loan, or benefit, or if 
the Government will reimburse such State, political subdivision, or 
party for any portion of the money or

[[Page 856]]

property under the contract or for the grant, loan, or benefit.

[53 FR 16710, May 11, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 34988, Aug. 23, 1989]



Sec. 42.3  Basis for civil penalties and assessments.

    (a) Claims. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, 
any person who makes a claim that the person knows or has reason to 
know--
    (i) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
    (ii) Includes or is supported by any written statement which asserts 
a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
    (iii) Includes or is supported by any written statement that--
    (A) Omits a material fact;
    (B) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent as a result of such 
omission; and
    (C) Is a statement in which the person making the statement has a 
duty to include the material fact; or
    (iv) Is for payment for the provision of property or services which 
the person has not provided as claimed, shall be subject, in addition to 
any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, to a civil penalty of 
not more than $10,781 for each claim.
    (2) Each voucher, invoice, claim form, or other individual request 
or demand for property, services, or money constitutes a separate claim.
    (3) A claim shall be considered made to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or to a recipient or party when such claim is actually made to 
an agency, fiscal intermediary, or other entity, including any State or 
political subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, recipient, or party.
    (4) Each claim for property, services, or money is subject to a 
civil penalty regardless of whether the property, services, or money is 
actually delivered or paid.
    (5) If the Government has made any payment (including transferred 
property or provided services) on a claim, a person subject to a civil 
penalty under paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall also be subject to 
an assessment of not more than twice the amount of the claim or that 
portion thereof that is determined to be in violation of paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section. Such assessment shall be in lieu of damages by 
the Government because of the claim.
    (b) Statements. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this 
section, any person who makes a written statement that--
    (i) The person knows or has reason to know--
    (A) Asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or 
fraudulent; or
    (B) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent because it omits a material 
fact that the person making the statement has a duty to include in the 
statement; and
    (ii) Contains or is accompanied by an express certification or 
affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents of the 
statement,

shall be subject, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed 
by law, to a civil penalty of not more than $10,781 for each statement.
    (2) Each written representation, certification, or affirmation 
constitutes a separate statement, except that a certification or 
affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents of a 
statement is not a separate statement.
    (3) A statement shall be considered made to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs when the statement is actually made to an agent, fiscal 
intermediary, or other entity, including any State or political 
subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    (c) Applications for certain benefits. (1) In the case of any claim 
or statement made by an individual relating to any of the benefits 
listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section received by the individual, 
the individual may be held liable for penalties and assessments under 
this section only if such claim or statement is made by the individual 
in making application for such benefits with respect to any element 
required to establish the individual's initial eligibility to receive or 
continue to receive the benefits.
    (2) For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, the term benefits 
means benefits under chapters 11, 13, 15, 17, and 21 of title 38 which 
are intended for the personal use of the individual who receives the 
benefits or for a member of the individual's family.

[[Page 857]]

    (3) For purposes of this paragraph, the term application shall 
include, but is not limited to, any report or statement made or 
submitted by or for applicant or recipient of a benefit under chapters 
11, 13, or 15 of title 38, United States Code, to establish eligibility 
or to remain eligible for the benefit.
    (4) This paragraph is not applicable to an individual receiving 
benefits in a fiduciary capacity in behalf of an individual eligible for 
any of the benefits listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (d) No proof of specific intent to defraud is required to establish 
liability under this section.
    (e) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person 
is liable for making a claim or statement under this section, each 
person making the claim or statement may be held liable for a civil 
penalty under this section.
    (f) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person 
is liable for making a claim under this section on which the Government 
has made a payment (including transferred property or provided 
services), an assessment may be imposed against any of these persons or 
jointly and severally against any combination of these persons.

(Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461; 31 U.S.C. 3802)

[53 FR 16710, May 11, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 56449, Nov. 1, 1996; 81 
FR 40525, June 22, 2016]



Sec. 42.4  Investigation.

    (a) All allegations of liability under Sec. 42.3 shall be promptly 
referred to the investigating official.
    (b) If an investigating official concludes that a subpoena pursuant 
to the authority conferred by 31 U.S.C. 3804(a) is warranted--
    (1) The subpoena so issued shall notify the person to whom it is 
addressed of the authority under which the subpoena is issued and shall 
identify the records or documents sought;
    (2) The investigating official may designate a person to act on his 
or her behalf to receive the documents sought; and
    (3) The person receiving the subpoena shall be required to tender to 
the investigating official or the person designated to receive the 
documents a certification that the documents sought have been produced, 
or that the documents are not available and the reasons therefor, or 
that the documents, suitably identified, have been withheld based upon 
the assertion of an identified privilege.
    (c) If the investigating official concludes that an action under the 
Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act may be warranted, the investigating 
official shall submit a report containing the findings and conclusions 
of the investigation to the reviewing official.
    (d) Nothing in this section shall preclude or limit an investigating 
official's discretion to refer allegations directly to the Department of 
Justice for suit under the False Claims Act or other civil relief, or to 
defer or postpone a report or referral to the reviewing official to 
avoid interference with a criminal investigation or prosecution.
    (e) Nothing in this section modifies any responsibility of an 
investigating official to report violations of criminal law to the 
Attorney General.



Sec. 42.5  Review by the reviewing official.

    (a) The report of the investigating official will be examined by the 
reviewing official to determine if there is adequate evidence to believe 
a person is liable under Sec. 42.3 of this part. The review will be 
completed within 90 days.
    (b) If, based on the report of the investigating official under 
Sec. 42.4(b) of this part, the reviewing official determines that there 
is adequate evidence to believe that a person is liable under Sec. 42.3 
of this part, the reviewing official shall transmit to the Attorney 
General a written notice of the reviewing official's intention to issue 
a complaint under Sec. 42.7 of this part.
    (c) The notice shall include--
    (1) A statement of the reviewing official's reasons for issuing a 
complaint;
    (2) A statement specifying the evidence that supports the 
allegations of liability;
    (3) A description of the claims or statements upon which the 
allegations of liability are based;

[[Page 858]]

    (4) An estimate of the amount of money or the value of property, 
services, or other benefits requested or demanded in violation of 
Sec. 42.3 of this part;
    (5) A statement of any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances that 
may relate to the claims or statements known by the reviewing official 
or the investigating official; and
    (6) A statement that there is a reasonable prospect of collecting an 
appropriate amount of penalties and assessments.
    (d) If the reviewing official finds that there is not adequate 
evidence that a person is liable, the reviewing official will inform the 
department or office of the Department of Veterans Affairs concerned 
with the claim or statement and the investigating official.



Sec. 42.6  Prerequisites for issuing a complaint.

    (a) The reviewing official may issue a complaint under Sec. 42.7 of 
this part only if--
    (1) The Department of Justice approves the issuance of a complaint 
in a written statement described in 31 U.S.C. 3803(b)(1), and
    (2) In the case of allegations of liability under Sec. 42.3 of this 
part with respect to a claim, the reviewing official determines that, 
with respect to the claim or a group of related claims submitted at the 
same time such claim is submitted (as defined in paragraph (b) of this 
section), the amount of money or the value of property or services, or 
both, demanded or requested in violation of Sec. 42.3(a) of this part 
does not exceed $150,000.
    (b) For the purposes of this section, a related group of claims 
submitted at the same time shall include only those claims arising from 
the same transaction (e.g., grant, loan, application, or contract) that 
are submitted simultaneously as part of a single request, demand, or 
submission.
    (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the 
reviewing official's authority to join in a single complaint against a 
person's claims that are unrelated or were not submitted simultaneously, 
regardless of the amount of money, or the value of property or services, 
demanded or requested.



Sec. 42.7  Complaint.

    (a) On or after the date the Department of Justice approves the 
issuance of a complaint in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3803(b)(1), the 
reviewing official may serve a complaint on the defendant, as provided 
in Sec. 42.8 of this part.
    (b) The complaint shall state--
    (1) The allegations of liability against the defendant, including 
the statutory basis for liability, an identification of the claims or 
statements that are the basis for the alleged liability, and the reasons 
why liability allegedly arises from the claims or statements;
    (2) The maximum amount of penalties and assessments for which the 
defendant may be held liable;
    (3) Instructions for filing an answer to request a hearing, 
including a specific statement of the defendant's right to request a 
hearing by filing an answer and to be represented by a representative; 
and
    (4) That failure to file an answer within 30 days of service of the 
complaint will result in the imposition of the maximum amount of 
penalties and assessments without right to appeal, as provided in 
Sec. 42.10 of this part.
    (c) The reviewing official shall serve the defendant with a copy of 
these regulations at the same time as service of the complaint.



Sec. 42.8  Service of complaint.

    (a) Service of a complaint must be made by certified or registered 
mail or by delivery in any manner authorized by Rule 4(d) of the Federal 
Rules of Civil Procedure. Service is complete upon receipt.
    (b) Proof of service, stating the name and address of the person on 
whom the complaint was served, and the manner and date of service, may 
be made by--
    (1) Affidavit of the individual serving the complaint by delivery;
    (2) A United States Postal Service return receipt card acknowledging 
receipt; or
    (3) Written acknowledgment of receipt by the defendant or his or her 
representative.

[[Page 859]]



Sec. 42.9  Answer.

    (a) The defendant may request a hearing by filing an answer with the 
reviewing official within 30 days of service of the complaint. An answer 
shall be deemed to be a request for hearing.
    (b) In the answer, the defendant--
    (1) Shall admit or deny each of the allegations of liability made in 
the complaint;
    (2) Shall state any defense on which the defendant intends to rely;
    (3) May state any reasons why the defendant contends that the 
penalties and assessments should be less than the statutory maximum; and
    (4) Shall state the name, address, and telephone number of the 
person authorized by the defendant to act as defendant's representative, 
if any.
    (c) If the defendant is unable to file an answer meeting the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section within the time provided, 
the defendant may, before the expiration of 30 days from service of the 
complaint, file with the reviewing official a general answer denying 
liability and requesting a hearing, and a request for an extension of 
time within which to file an answer meeting the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section. The reviewing official shall file 
promptly with the ALJ the complaint, the general answer denying 
liability, and the request for an extension of time as provided in 
Sec. 42.11 of this part. For good cause shown, the ALJ may grant the 
defendant up to 30 additional days within which to file an answer 
meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.



Sec. 42.10  Default upon failure to file an answer.

    (a) If the defendant does not file an answer within the time 
prescribed in Sec. 42.9(a) of this part, the reviewing official may 
refer the complaint to the ALJ.
    (b) Upon the referral of the complaint, the ALJ shall promptly serve 
on the defendant in the manner prescribed in Sec. 42.8 of this part, a 
notice that an initial decision will be issued under this section.
    (c) The ALJ shall assume the facts alleged in the complaint to be 
true, and, if such facts establish liability under Sec. 42.3 of this 
part, the ALJ shall issue an initial decision imposing the maximum 
amount of penalties and assessments allowed under the statute.
    (d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, by failing to file 
a timely answer, the defendant waives any right to further review of the 
penalties and assessments imposed under paragraph (c) of this section, 
and the initial decision shall become final and binding upon the parties 
30 days after it is issued.
    (e) If, before the initial decision becomes final, the defendant 
files a motion with the ALJ seeking to reopen on the grounds that 
extraordinary circumstances prevented the defendant from filing an 
answer, the initial decision shall be stayed pending the ALJ's decision 
on the motion.
    (f) If, on such motion, the defendant can demonstrate extraordinary 
circumstances excusing the failure to file a timely answer, the ALJ 
shall withdraw the initial decision in paragraph (c) of this section, if 
the decision has been issued, and shall grant the defendant an 
opportunity to answer the complaint.
    (g) A decision of the ALJ denying a defendant's motion under 
paragraph (e) of this section is not subject to reconsideration under 
Sec. 42.38 of this part.
    (h) The defendant may appeal to the Secretary the decision denying a 
motion to reopen by filing a notice of appeal with the Secretary within 
15 days after the ALJ denies the motion. The timely filing of a notice 
of appeal shall stay the initial decision until the Secretary decides 
the issue.
    (i) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the 
Secretary, the ALJ shall forward the record of the proceeding to the 
Secretary.
    (j) The Secretary shall decide expeditiously whether extraordinary 
circumstances excuse the defendant's failure to file a timely answer 
based solely on the record before the ALJ.
    (k) If the Secretary decides that extraordinary circumstances excuse 
the defendant's failure to file a timely answer, the Secretary shall 
remand the case to the ALJ with instructions to grant the defendant an 
opportunity to answer.

[[Page 860]]

    (l) If the Secretary decides that the defendant's failure to file a 
timely answer is not excused, the Secretary shall reinstate the initial 
decision of the ALJ, which shall become final and binding upon the 
parties 30 days after the authority head issues such decision.



Sec. 42.11  Referral of complaint and answer to the Administrative
Law Judge (ALJ).

    Upon receipt of an answer, the reviewing official shall file the 
complaint and answer with the ALJ.



Sec. 42.12  Notice of hearing.

    (a) When the ALJ receives the complaint and answer, the ALJ shall 
promptly serve a notice of hearing upon the defendant in the manner 
prescribed by Sec. 42.8 of this part. At the same time, the ALJ shall 
send a copy of such notice to the representative for the Government.
    (b) The notice shall include--
    (1) The tentative time and place, and the nature of the hearing;
    (2) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is 
to be held;
    (3) The matters of fact and law to be asserted;
    (4) A description of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing;
    (5) The name, address, and telephone number of the representative of 
the Government and the defendant, if any; and
    (6) Other matters the ALJ deems appropriate.



Sec. 42.13  Parties to the hearing.

    (a) The parties to the hearing shall be the defendant and the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3730(c)(5), a private plaintiff under the 
False Claims Act may participate in these proceedings to the extent 
authorized by the provisions of that Act.



Sec. 42.14  Separation of functions.

    (a) The investigating official, the reviewing official, and any 
employee or agent of the Department of Veterans Affairs who takes part 
in investigating, preparing, or presenting a particular case may not, in 
the case or a factually related case--
    (1) Participate in the hearing as the ALJ;
    (2) Participate or advise in the initial decision or the review of 
the initial decision by the Secretary, except as a witness or a 
representative in public proceedings; or
    (3) Make the collection of penalties and assessments under 31 U.S.C. 
3806.
    (b) The ALJ shall not be responsible to, or subject to, the 
supervision or direction of the investigating official or the reviewing 
official.
    (c) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, the 
representative for the Government may be employed anywhere in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, including in the offices of either the 
investigating official or the reviewing official.



Sec. 42.15  Ex parte contacts.

    No party or person (except employees of the ALJ's office) shall 
communicate in any way with the ALJ on any matter at issue in a case, 
unless on notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. This 
provision does not prohibit a person or party from inquiring about the 
status of a case or asking routine questions concerning administrative 
functions or procedures.



Sec. 42.16  Disqualification of reviewing official or ALJ.

    (a) A reviewing official or ALJ in a particular case may disqualify 
himself or herself at any time.
    (b) A party may file with the ALJ a motion for disqualification of a 
reviewing official or an ALJ. The motion shall be accompanied by an 
affidavit alleging personal bias or other reason for disqualification.
    (c) The motion and affidavit shall be filed promptly upon the 
party's discovery of reasons requiring disqualification, or such 
objections shall be deemed waived.
    (d) The affidavit shall state specific facts that support the 
party's belief that personal bias or other reason for disqualification 
exists and the time

[[Page 861]]

and circumstances of the party's discovery of the facts. It shall be 
accompanied by a certificate of the representative of record that it is 
made in good faith.
    (e) Upon the filing of the motion and affidavit, the ALJ shall 
proceed no further in the case until the ALJ resolves the matter of 
disqualification in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section.
    (f)(1) If the ALJ determines that a reviewing official is 
disqualified, the ALJ shall dismiss the complaint without prejudice.
    (2) If the ALJ disqualifies himself or herself, the case shall be 
reassigned promptly to another ALJ.
    (3) If the ALJ denies a motion to disqualify, the Secretary may 
determine the matter only as part of the review of the initial decision 
upon appeal, if any.



Sec. 42.17  Rights of parties.

    Except as otherwise limited by this part, all parties may--
    (a) Be accompanied, represented, and advised by a representative;
    (b) Participate in any conference held by the ALJ;
    (c) Conduct discovery;
    (d) Agree to stipulations of fact or law, which shall be made part 
of the record;
    (e) Present evidence relevant to the issue at the hearing;
    (f) Present and cross-examine witnesses;
    (g) Present oral arguments at the hearing as permitted by the ALJ; 
and
    (h) Submit written briefs and proposed findings of fact and 
conclusions of law after the hearing.



Sec. 42.18  Authority of the ALJ.

    (a) The ALJ shall conduct a fair and impartial hearing, avoid delay, 
maintain order, and assure that a record of the proceeding is made.
    (b) The ALJ has the authority to--
    (1) Set and change the date, time, and place of the hearing upon 
reasonable notice to the parties;
    (2) Continue or recess the hearing in whole or in part for a 
reasonable period of time;
    (3) Hold conference to identify or simplify the issues, or to 
consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of 
the proceeding;
    (4) Administer oaths and affirmations;
    (5) Issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the 
production of documents at deposition or at hearings;
    (6) Rule on motions and other procedural matters;
    (7) Regulate the scope and timing of discovery;
    (8) Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of 
representatives and parties;
    (9) Examine witnesses;
    (10) Receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence;
    (11) Upon motion of a party, take official notice of facts;
    (12) Upon motion of a party, decide cases, in whole or in part, by 
summary judgment where there is no disputed issue of material fact;
    (13) Conduct any conference, argument, or hearing on motions in 
person or by telephone; and
    (14) Exercise any other authority as is necessary to carry out the 
responsibilities of the ALJ under this part.
    (c) The ALJ does not have the authority to find invalid Federal 
statutes or regulations.



Sec. 42.19  Prehearing conferences.

    (a) The ALJ may schedule prehearing conferences as appropriate.
    (b) Upon the motion of any party, the ALJ shall schedule at least 
one prehearing conference at a reasonable time in advance of the 
hearing.
    (c) The ALJ may use prehearing conferences to discuss the following:
    (1) Simplification of the issues;
    (2) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, 
including the need for a more definite statement;
    (3) Stipulations and admissions of fact or as to the contents and 
authenticity of documents;
    (4) Whether the parties can agree to submission of the case on a 
stipulated record;
    (5) Whether a party chooses to waive appearance at an oral hearing 
and to submit only documentary evidence (subject to the objection of 
other parties) and written argument;

[[Page 862]]

    (6) Limitation of the number of witnesses;
    (7) Scheduling dates for the exchange of witness lists and of 
proposed exhibits;
    (8) Discovery;
    (9) The time and place for the hearing; and
    (10) Other matters that may tend to expedite the fair and just 
disposition of the proceedings.
    (d) The ALJ may issue an order containing all matters agreed upon by 
the parties or ordered by the ALJ at a prehearing conference.



Sec. 42.20  Disclosure of documents.

    (a) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant 
may review any relevant and material documents, transcripts, records, 
and other materials that relate to the allegations set out in the 
complaint and upon which the findings and conclusions of the 
investigating official under Sec. 42.4(b) of this part are based, unless 
the documents are subject to a privilege under Federal law. Upon payment 
of fees for duplication, the defendant may obtain copies of the 
documents.
    (b) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant 
also may obtain a copy of all exculpatory information in the possession 
of the reviewing official or investigating official relating to the 
allegations in the complaint, even if it is contained in a document that 
would otherwise be privileged. If the document would otherwise be 
privileged, only that portion containing exculpatory information must be 
disclosed.
    (c) The notice sent to the Attorney General from the reviewing 
official as described in Sec. 42.5 of this part is not discoverable 
under any circumstances.
    (d) The defendant may file a motion to compel disclosure of the 
documents subject to the provision of this section. The motion may only 
be filed with the ALJ following the filing of an answer pursuant to 
Sec. 42.9 of this part.



Sec. 42.21  Discovery.

    (a) The following types of discovery are authorized:
    (1) Requests for production of documents for inspection and copying;
    (2) Requests for admissions of the authenticity of any relevant 
document or the truth of any relevant fact;
    (3) Written interrogatories; and
    (4) Depositions.
    (b) For the purpose of this section and Secs. 42.22 and 42.23 of 
this part, the term ``documents'' includes information, documents, 
reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and 
documentary evidence. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to 
require the creation of a document.
    (c) Unless mutually agreed to by the parties, discovery is available 
only as ordered by the ALJ. The ALJ shall regulate the timing of 
discovery.
    (d) Motions for discovery. (1) A party seeking discovery may file a 
motion with the ALJ. The motion shall be accompanied by a copy of the 
requested discovery, or in the case of depositions, a summary of the 
scope of the proposed deposition.
    (2) Within ten days of service, a party may file an opposition to 
the motion and/or a motion for protective order as provided in 
Sec. 42.24 of this part.
    (3) The ALJ may grant a motion for discovery only if the ALJ finds 
that the discovery sought--
    (i) Is necessary for the expeditious, fair, and reasonable 
consideration of the issues;
    (ii) Is not unduly costly or burdensome;
    (iii) Will not unduly delay the proceeding; and
    (iv) Does not seek privileged information.
    (4) The burden of showing that discovery should be allowed is on the 
party seeking discovery.
    (5) The ALJ may grant discovery subject to a protective order under 
Sec. 42.24 of this part.
    (e) Depositions. (1) If a motion for deposition is granted, the ALJ 
shall issue a subpoena for the deponent, which may require the deponent 
to produce documents. The subpoena shall specify the time and place at 
which the deposition will be held.
    (2) The party seeking to depose shall serve the subpoena in the 
manner prescribed in Sec. 42.8 of this part.
    (3) The deponent may file with the ALJ a motion to quash the 
subpoena or

[[Page 863]]

a motion for a protective order within ten days of service.
    (4) The party seeking to depose shall provide for the taking of a 
verbatim transcript of the deposition, which it shall make available to 
all other parties for inspection and copying.
    (f) Each party shall bear its own costs of discovery.



Sec. 42.22  Exchange of witness lists, statements, and exhibits.

    (a) At least 15 days before the hearing or at such other time as may 
be ordered by the ALJ, the parties shall exchange witness lists, copies 
of prior statements of proposed witnesses, and copies of proposed 
hearing exhibits, including copies of any written statements that the 
party intends to offer in lieu of live testimony in accordance with 
Sec. 42.33(b) of this part. At the time the above documents are 
exchanged, any party that intends to rely on the transcript of 
deposition testimony in lieu of live testimony at the hearing, if 
permitted by the ALJ, shall provide each party with a copy of the 
specific pages of the transcript it intends to introduce into evidence.
    (b) If a party objects, the ALJ shall not admit into evidence the 
testimony of any witness whose name does not appear on the witness list 
or any exhibit not provided to the opposing party as provided above 
unless the ALJ finds good cause for the failure or that there is no 
prejudice to the objecting party.
    (c) Unless another party objects within the time set by the ALJ, 
documents exchanged in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section 
shall be deemed to be authentic for the purpose of admissibility at the 
hearing.



Sec. 42.23  Subpoenas for attendance at hearing.

    (a) A party wishing to procure the appearance and testimony of any 
individual at the hearing may request that the ALJ issue a subpoena.
    (b) A subpoena requiring the attendance and testimony of an 
individual may also require the individual to produce documents at the 
hearing.
    (c) A party seeking a subpoena shall file a written request therefor 
not less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing unless 
otherwise allowed by the ALJ for good cause shown. The request shall 
specify any documents to be produced and shall designate the witnesses 
and describe the address and location thereof with sufficient 
particularity to permit the witnesses to be found.
    (d) The subpoena shall specify the time and place at which the 
witness is to appear and any documents the witness is to produce.
    (e) The party seeking the subpoena shall serve it in the manner 
prescribed in Sec. 42.8 of this part. A subpoena on a party or upon an 
individual under the control of a party may be served by first class 
mail.
    (f) A party or the individual to whom the subpoena is directed may 
file with the ALJ a motion to quash the subpoena within ten days after 
service or on or before the time specified in the subpoena for 
compliance if it is less than ten days after service.



Sec. 42.24  Protective order.

    (a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion 
for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing 
party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability 
or disclosure of evidence.
    (b) In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may make any order which 
justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, 
embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or 
more of the following:
    (1) That the discovery not be had;
    (2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and 
conditions, including a designation of the time or place;
    (3) That discovery may be had only through a method of discovery 
other than that requested;
    (4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of 
discovery be limited to certain matters;
    (5) That discovery be conducted with no one present except persons 
designated by the ALJ;
    (6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed;
    (7) That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of 
the ALJ;

[[Page 864]]

    (8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, 
commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal 
investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation only be 
disclosed in a designated way; or
    (9) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or 
information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the 
ALJ.



Sec. 42.25  Fees.

    The party requesting a subpoena shall pay the cost of the fees and 
mileage of any witnesses subpoenaed in the amounts that would be payable 
to a witness in a proceeding in United States District Court. A check 
for witness fees and mileage shall accompany the subpoena when served, 
except that when a subpoena is issued on behalf of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, a check for witness fees and mileage need not 
accompany the subpoena.



Sec. 42.26  Form, filing and service of papers.

    (a) Form. (1) Documents filed with the ALJ shall include an original 
and two copies.
    (2) Every pleading and paper filed in the proceeding shall contain a 
caption setting forth the title of the action, the case number assigned 
by the ALJ, and a designation of the paper (e.g. motion to quash 
subpoena).
    (3) Every pleading and paper shall be signed by, and shall contain 
the address and telephone number of, the party or the person on whose 
behalf the paper was filed, or his or her representative.
    (4) Papers are considered filed when they are mailed. Date of 
mailing may be established by a certificate from the party or 
representative or by proof that the document was sent by certified or 
registered mail.
    (b) Service. A party filing a document with the ALJ shall, at the 
time of filing, serve a copy of such document on every other party. 
Service upon any party of any document other than those required to be 
served as prescribed in Sec. 42.8 of this part shall be made by 
delivering a copy or by placing a copy of the document in the United 
States mail, postage prepaid and addressed, to the party's last known 
address. When a party is represented by a representative, service shall 
be made upon the representative in lieu of the actual party.
    (c) Proof of service. A certificate of the individual serving the 
document by personal delivery or by mail, setting forth the manner of 
service, shall be proof of service.



Sec. 42.27  Computation of time.

    (a) In computing any period of time under this part or in an order 
issued thereunder, the time begins with the date following the act, 
event, or default, and includes the last day of the period, unless it is 
a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday observed by the Federal government, 
in which event it includes the next business day.
    (b) When the period of time allowed is less than seven days, 
intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays observed by the 
Federal government shall be excluded from the computation.
    (c) Where a document has been served or issued by placing it in the 
mail, an additional five days will be added to the time permitted for 
any response.



Sec. 42.28  Motions.

    (a) Any application to the ALJ for an order or ruling shall be by 
motion. Motions shall state the relief sought, the authority relied 
upon, and the facts alleged, and shall be filed with the ALJ and served 
on all other parties.
    (b) Except for motions made during a prehearing conference or at the 
hearing, all motions shall be in writing. The ALJ may require that oral 
motions be reduced to writing.
    (c) Within 15 days after a written motion is served, or such other 
time as may be fixed by the ALJ, any part may file a response to such 
motion.
    (d) The ALJ may not grant a written motion before the time for 
filing responses thereto has expired, except upon consent of the parties 
or following a hearing on the motion, but may overrule or deny the 
motion without awaiting a response.
    (e) The ALJ shall make a reasonable effort to dispose of all 
outstanding motions prior to the beginning of the hearing.

[[Page 865]]



Sec. 42.29  Sanctions.

    (a) The ALJ may sanction a person, including any party or 
representative for--
    (1) Failing to comply with an order, rule, or procedure governing 
the proceeding;
    (2) Failing to prosecute or defend an action; or
    (3) Engaging in other misconduct that interferes with the speedy, 
orderly, or fair conduct of the hearing.
    (b) Any sanction, including but not limited to those listed in 
paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section, shall reasonably relate to 
the severity and nature of the failure or misconduct.
    (c) When a party fails to comply with an order, including an order 
for taking a deposition, the production of evidence within the party's 
control, or a request for admission, the ALJ may--
    (1) Draw an inference in favor of the requesting party with regard 
to the information sought;
    (2) In the case of requests for admission, deem each matter of which 
an admission is requested to be admitted;
    (3) Prohibit the party failing to comply with the order from 
introducing evidence concerning, or otherwise relying upon, testimony 
relating to the information sought; and
    (4) Strike any part of the pleadings or other submissions of the 
party failing to comply with the request.
    (d) If a party fails to prosecute or defend an action under this 
part commenced by service of a notice of hearing, the ALJ may dismiss 
the action or may issue an initial decision imposing penalties and 
assessments.
    (e) The ALJ may refuse to consider any motion, request, response, 
brief or other document which is not filed in a timely fashion.



Sec. 42.30  The hearing and burden of proof.

    (a) The ALJ shall conduct a hearing on the record in order to 
determine whether the defendant is liable for a civil penalty or 
assessment under Sec. 42.3 of this part and, if so, the appropriate 
amount of any civil penalty or assessment considering any aggravating or 
mitigating factors.
    (b) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall prove defendant's 
liability and any aggravating factors by a preponderance of the 
evidence.
    (c) The defendant shall prove any affirmative defenses and any 
mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.
    (d) The hearing shall be open to the public unless otherwise ordered 
by the ALJ for good cause shown.



Sec. 42.31  Determining the amount of penalties and assessments.

    (a) In determining an appropriate amount of civil penalties and 
assessments, the ALJ and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon appeal, 
should evaluate any circumstances that mitigate or aggravate the 
violation and should articulate in their opinions the reasons that 
support the penalties and assessments they impose. Because of the 
intangible costs of fraud, the expense of investigating the conduct, and 
the need to deter others who might be similarly tempted, ordinarily 
double damages and a significant civil penalty should be imposed.
    (b) Although not exhaustive, the following factors are among those 
that may influence the ALJ and the Secretary or Veterans Affairs in 
determining the amount of penalties and assessments to impose with 
respect to the misconduct (i.e., the false, fictitious, or fraudulent 
claims or statements) charged in the complaint:
    (1) The number of false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or 
statements;
    (2) The time period over which the claims or statements were made;
    (3) The degree of the defendant's culpability with respect to the 
misconduct;
    (4) The amount of money or the value of the property, services, or 
benefit falsely claimed;
    (5) The value of the Government's actual loss as a result of the 
misconduct, including foreseeable consequential damages and the costs of 
investigation;
    (6) The relationship of the amount imposed as civil penalties to the 
amount of the Government's loss;
    (7) The potential or actual impact of the misconduct upon national 
defense,

[[Page 866]]

public health or safety, or public confidence in the management of 
Government programs and operations, including particularly the impact on 
the intended beneficiaries of the programs;
    (8) Whether the defendant has engaged in a pattern of the same or 
similar misconduct;
    (9) Whether the defendant attempted to conceal the miscounduct;
    (10) The degree to which the defendant has involved others in the 
misconduct or in concealing it;
    (11) Where the misconduct of employees or agents is imputed to the 
defendant, the extent to which the defendant's practices fostered or 
attempted to preclude such misconduct;
    (12) Whether the defendant cooperated in or obstructed an 
investigation of the misconduct;
    (13) Whether the defendant assisted in identifying or prosecuting 
other wrongdoers;
    (14) The complexity of the program or transaction, and the degree of 
the defendant's sophistication with respect to it, including the extent 
of the defendant's prior participation in the program or in similar 
transactions;
    (15) Whether the defendant has been found, in any criminal, civil, 
or administrative proceeding to have engaged in similar misconduct or to 
have dealt dishonestly with the Government of the United States or of a 
State, directly or indirectly; and
    (16) The need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in the 
same or similar misconduct.



Sec. 42.32  Location of hearing.

    (a) The hearing may be held--
    (1) In any judicial district of the United States in which the 
defendant resides or transacts business;
    (2) In any judicial district of the United States in which the claim 
or statement in issue was made; or
    (3) Any place as may be agreed upon by the defendant and the ALJ.
    (b) Each party shall have the opportunity to present argument with 
respect to the location of the hearing.
    (c) The hearing shall be held at a place and time orderd by the ALJ.



Sec. 42.33  Witnesses.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, testimony 
at the hearing shall be given orally by witnesses under oath or 
affirmation.
    (b) At the discretion of the ALJ, testimony may be admitted in the 
form of a written statement or deposition. Any written statement must be 
provided to all other parties along with the last known address of such 
witness, in a manner which allows sufficient time for other parties to 
subpoena the witness for cross-examination at the hearing. Prior written 
statements of witnesses proposed to testify at the hearing and 
deposition transcripts shall be exchanged as provided in Sec. 42.22(a) 
of this part.
    (c) The ALJ shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and 
order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to:
    (1) Make the interrogation and presentation effective for the 
ascertainment of the truth,
    (2) Avoid needless consumption of time, and
    (3) Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.
    (d) The ALJ shall permit the parties to conduct such cross-
examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the 
facts.
    (e) At the discretion of the ALJ, a witness may be cross-examined on 
matters relevant to the proceeding without regard to the scope of the 
direct examination. To the extent permitted by the ALJ, cross-
examination on matters outside the scope of direct examination shall be 
conducted in the manner of direct examination and may proceed by leading 
questions only if the witness is a hostile witness, an adverse party, or 
a witness identified with an adverse party.
    (f) Upon motion of any party, the ALJ shall order witnesses excluded 
so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses. This rule 
does not authorize the exclusion of--
    (1) A party who is an individual;
    (2) In the case of a party that is not an individual, an officer or 
employee of the party appearing for the entity pro se or designated by 
the party's representative; or

[[Page 867]]

    (3) An individual whose presence is shown by a party to be essential 
to the presentation of its case, including an individual employed by the 
Government engaged in assisting the representative for the Government.



Sec. 42.34  Evidence.

    (a) The ALJ shall determine the admissibility of evidence.
    (b) Except as provided in this part, the ALJ shall not be bound by 
the Federal Rules of Evidence. However, the ALJ may apply the Federal 
Rules of Evidence where appropriate, e.g., to exclude unreliable 
evidence.
    (c) The ALJ shall exclude irrelevant and immaterial evidence.
    (d) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative 
value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, 
confusion of the issues, or by considerations of undue delay or needless 
presentation of cumulative evidence.
    (e) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if it is privileged 
under Federal law.
    (f) Evidence concerning offers of compromise or settlement shall be 
inadmissible to the extent provided in Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of 
Evidence.
    (g) The ALJ shall permit the parties to introduce rebuttal witnesses 
and evidence.
    (h) All documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record 
shall be open to examination by all parties, unless otherwise ordered by 
the ALJ pursuant to Sec. 42.24 of this part.



Sec. 42.35  The record.

    (a) The hearing will be recorded and transcribed. Transcripts may be 
obtained following the hearing from the ALJ at a cost not to exceed the 
actual cost of duplication.
    (b) The transcription of testimony, exhibits and other evidence 
admitted at the hearing, and all papers and requests filed in the 
proceeding constitute the record for the decision by the ALJ and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    (c) The record may be inspected and copied (upon payment of a 
reasonable fee) by anyone, unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ pursuant 
to Sec. 42.24 of this part.



Sec. 42.36  Post-hearing briefs.

    The ALJ may require the parties to file post-hearing briefs. In any 
event, any party may file a post-hearing brief. The ALJ shall fix the 
time for filing the briefs, not to exceed 60 days from the date the 
parties receive the transcript of the hearing or, if applicable, the 
stipulated record. The briefs may be accompanied by proposed findings of 
fact and conclusions of law. The ALJ may permit the parties to file 
reply briefs.



Sec. 42.37  Initial decision.

    (a) The ALJ shall issue an initial decision based only on the 
record, which shall contain findings of fact, conclusions of law, and 
the amount of any penalties and assessments imposed.
    (b) The findings of fact shall include a finding on each of the 
following issues:
    (1) Whether the claims or statements identified in the complaint, or 
any portions thereof, violate Sec. 42.3 of this part;
    (2) If the person is liable for penalties or assessments, the 
appropriate amount of the penalties or assessments considering any 
mitigating or aggravating factors that the ALJ finds in the case, such 
as those described in Sec. 42.31 of this part.
    (c) The ALJ shall promptly serve the initial decision on all parties 
within 90 days after the time for submission of post-hearing briefs and 
reply briefs (if permitted) has expired. The ALJ shall at the same time 
serve all parties with a statement describing the right of any defendant 
determined to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment to file a 
motion for reconsideration with the ALJ or a notice of appeal with the 
Secretary. If the ALJ fails to meet the deadline contained in this 
paragraph, the ALJ shall notify the parties of the reason for the delay 
and shall set a new deadline.
    (d) Unless the initial decision of the ALJ is timely appealed to the 
Secretary, or a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision is 
timely filed, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision 
of the Secretary and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days 
after it is issued by the ALJ.

[[Page 868]]



Sec. 42.38  Reconsideration of initial decision.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, any party 
may file a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision within 20 
days of receipt of the initial decision. If service was made by mail, 
receipt will be presumed to be five days from the mailing in the absence 
of contrary proof.
    (b) Every motion must set forth the matters claimed to have been 
erroneously decided and the nature of the alleged errors. The motion 
shall be accompanied by a supporting brief.
    (c) Responses to the motions shall be allowed only upon request of 
the ALJ.
    (d) No party may file a motion for reconsideration of an initial 
decision that has been revised in response to a previous motion for 
reconsideration.
    (e) The ALJ may dispose of a motion for reconsideration by denying 
it or by issuing a revised initial decision.
    (f) If the ALJ denies a motion for reconsideration, the initial 
decision shall constitute the final decision of the Secretary and shall 
be final and binding on the parties 30 days after the ALJ denies the 
motion, unless the initial decision is timely appealed to the Secretary 
in accordance with Sec. 42.39 of this part.
    (g) If the ALJ issues a revised initial decision, that decision 
shall constitute the final decision of the Secretary and shall be final 
and binding on the parties 30 days after it is issued, unless it is 
timely appealed to the Secretary in accordance with Sec. 42.39 of this 
part.



Sec. 42.39  Appeal to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

    (a) Any defendant who has filed a timely answer and who is 
determined in an initial decision to be liable for a civil penalty or 
assessment may appeal the decision to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
by filing a notice of appeal with the Secretary in accordance with this 
section.
    (b)(1) A notice of appeal may be filed at any time within 30 days 
after the ALJ issues an initial decision. However, if another party 
files a motion for reconsideration under Sec. 42.8 of this part, 
consideration of the appeal shall be stayed automatically pending 
resolution of the motion for reconsideration.
    (2) If a motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of 
appeal may be filed within 30 days after the ALJ denies the motion or 
issues a revised initial decision, whichever applies.
    (3) The Secretary may extend the initial 30 day period for an 
additional 30 days if the defendant files with the Secretary a request 
for an extension within the initial 30 day period and shows good cause.
    (c) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the 
Secretary, and the time for filing motions for reconsideration under 
Sec. 42.38 of this part has expired, the ALJ shall forward the record of 
the proceeding to the Secretary.
    (d) A notice of appeal shall be accompanied by a written brief 
specifying exceptions to the initial decision and reasons supporting the 
exceptions.
    (e) The representative for the Government may file a brief in 
opposition to exceptions within 30 days of receiving the notice of 
appeal and accompanying brief.
    (f) There is no right to appear personally before the Secretary.
    (g) There is no right to appeal any interlocutory ruling by the ALJ.
    (h) In reviewing the initial decision, the Secretary shall not 
consider any objection that was not raised before the ALJ unless a 
demonstration is made of extraordinary circumstances causing the failure 
to raise the objection.
    (i) If any party demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary 
that additional evidence not presented at the hearing is material and 
that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to present the 
evidence at the hearing, the Secretary shall remand the matter to the 
ALJ for consideration of such additional evidence.
    (j) The Secretary may affirm, reduce, reverse, compromise, remand, 
or settle any penalty or assessment, determined by the ALJ in any 
initial decision.
    (k) The Secretary shall promptly serve each party to the appeal with 
a copy of the decision of the Secretary and a statement describing the 
right of any person to seek judicial review.

[[Page 869]]

    (l) Unless a petition for review is filed as provided in 31 U.S.C. 
3805 after a defendant has exhausted all administrative remedies under 
this part and within 60 days after the date on which the Secretary 
serves the defendant with a copy of the Secretary's decision, a 
determination that a defendant is liable under Sec. 42.3 of this part is 
final and is not subject to judicial review.



Sec. 42.40  Stays ordered by the Department of Justice.

    If at any time the Attorney General or Assistant Attorney General 
designated by the Attorney General transmits to the Secretary a written 
finding that continuation of the administrative process described in 
this part with respect to a claim or statement may adversely affect any 
pending or potential criminal or civil action related to the claim or 
statement, the Secretary shall stay the process immediately. The 
Secretary may order the process resumed only upon receipt of the written 
authorization of the Attorney General.



Sec. 42.41  Stay pending appeal.

    (a) An initial decision is stayed automatically pending disposition 
of a motion for reconsideration or of an appeal to the Secretary.
    (b) No administrative stay is available following a final decision 
of the Secretary.



Sec. 42.42  Judicial review.

    Section 3805 of title 31 U.S.C., authorizes judicial review by an 
appropriate United States District Court of a final decision of the 
Secretary imposing penalties or assessments under this part and 
specifies the procedures for the review.



Sec. 42.43  Collection of civil penalties and assessments.

    Sections 3806 and 3808(b) of title 31 U.S.C., authorizes actions for 
collection of civil penalties and assessments imposed under this part 
and specify the procedures for the action.



Sec. 42.44  Right to administrative offset.

    The amount of any penalty or assessment which has become final, or 
for which a judgment has been entered under Sec. 42.42 or Sec. 42.43 of 
this part, or any amount agreed upon in a compromise or settlement under 
Sec. 42.46 of this part, may be collected by administrative offset under 
31 U.S.C. 3716, except that an administrative offset may not be made 
under this subsection against a refund of an overpayment of Federal 
taxes, then or later owing by the United States to the defendant.



Sec. 42.45  Deposit in Treasury of United States.

    All amounts collected pursuant to this part shall be deposited as 
miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury of the United States, except as 
provided in 31 U.S.C. 3806(b).



Sec. 42.46  Compromise and settlement.

    (a) Parties may make offers of compromise or settlement at any time.
    (b) The reviewing official has the exclusive authority to compromise 
or settle a case under this part at any time after the date on which the 
reviewing official is permitted to issue a complaint and before the date 
on which the ALJ issues an initial decision.
    (c) The Secretary has exclusive authority to compromise or settle a 
case under this part at any time after the date on which the ALJ issues 
an initial decision, except during the pendency of any review under 
Sec. 42.42 of this part or during the pendency of any action to collect 
penalties and assessments under Sec. 42.43 of this part.
    (d) The Attorney General has exclusive authority to compromise or 
settle a case under this part during the pendency of any review under 
Sec. 42.42 of this part, or of any action to recover penalties and 
assessments under 31 U.S.C. 3806.
    (e) The investigating official may recommend settlement terms to the 
reviewing official, the Secretary, or the Attorney General, as 
appropriate. The reviewing official may recommend settlement terms to 
the Secretary, or the Attorney General, as appropriate.
    (f) Any compromise or settlement must be in writing.



Sec. 42.47  Limitations.

    (a) The notice of hearing with respect to a claim or statement must 
be served in the manner specified in Sec. 42.8 of this

[[Page 870]]

part within 6 years after the date on which such claim or statement is 
made.
    (b) If the defendant fails to file a timely answer, service of a 
notice under Sec. 42.10(b) of this part shall be deemed a notice of 
hearing of purposes of this section.
    (c) The statute of limitations may be extended by agreement of the 
parties.



PART 45_NEW RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
45.100  Conditions on use of funds.
45.105  Definitions.
45.110  Certification and disclosure.

                  Subpart B_Activities by Own Employees

45.200  Agency and legislative liaison.
45.205  Professional and technical services.
45.210  Reporting.

            Subpart C_Activities by Other Than Own Employees

45.300  Professional and technical services.

                   Subpart D_Penalties and Enforcement

45.400  Penalties.
45.405  Penalty procedures.
45.410  Enforcement.

                          Subpart E_Exemptions

45.500  Secretary of Defense.

                        Subpart F_Agency Reports

45.600  Semi-annual compilation.
45.605  Inspector General report.

Appendix A to Part 45--Certification Regarding Lobbying
Appendix B to Part 45--Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying

    Authority: Section 319, Pub. L. 101-121 (31 U.S.C. 1352); 38 U.S.C. 
501.

    Source: 55 FR 6737, 6752, Feb. 26, 1990, unless otherwise noted.

    Cross Reference: See also Office of Management and Budget notice 
published at 54 FR 52306, December 20, 1989.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 45.100  Conditions on use of funds.

    (a) No appropriated funds may be expended by the recipient of a 
Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative ageement to pay any person 
for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any of the following 
covered Federal actions: the awarding of any Federal contract, the 
making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the 
entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, 
continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement shall file with that 
agency a certification, set forth in appendix A, that the person has not 
made, and will not make, any payment prohibited by paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (c) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or a cooperative agreement shall file with that 
agency a disclosure form, set forth in appendix B, if such person has 
made or has agreed to make any payment using nonappropriated funds (to 
include profits from any covered Federal action), which would be 
prohibited under paragraph (a) of this section if paid for with 
appropriated funds.
    (d) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a statement, set forth in appendix A, whether that 
person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or 
attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member 
of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or guarantee.
    (e) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a disclosure form, set forth in appendix B, if that 
person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or 
attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a

[[Page 871]]

Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee 
of a Member of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or 
guarantee.



Sec. 45.105  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    (a) Agency, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(f), includes Federal 
executive departments and agencies as well as independent regulatory 
commissions and Government corporations, as defined in 31 U.S.C. 
9101(1).
    (b) Covered Federal action means any of the following Federal 
actions:
    (1) The awarding of any Federal contract;
    (2) The making of any Federal grant;
    (3) The making of any Federal loan;
    (4) The entering into of any cooperative agreement; and,
    (5) The extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification 
of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

Covered Federal action does not include receiving from an agency a 
commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a 
loan. Loan guarantees and loan insurance are addressed independently 
within this part.
    (c) Federal contract means an acquisition contract awarded by an 
agency, including those subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation 
(FAR), and any other acquisition contract for real or personal property 
or services not subject to the FAR.
    (d) Federal cooperative agreement means a cooperative agreement 
entered into by an agency.
    (e) Federal grant means an award of financial assistance in the form 
of money, or property in lieu of money, by the Federal Government or a 
direct appropriation made by law to any person. The term does not 
include technical assistance which provides services instead of money, 
or other assistance in the form of revenue sharing, loans, loan 
guarantees, loan insurance, interest subsidies, insurance, or direct 
United States cash assistance to an individual.
    (f) Federal loan means a loan made by an agency. The term does not 
include loan guarantee or loan insurance.
    (g) Indian tribe and tribal organization have the meaning provided 
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 450B). Alaskan Natives are included under the definitions 
of Indian tribes in that Act.
    (h) Influencing or attempting to influence means making, with the 
intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before an 
officer or employee or any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in 
connection with any covered Federal action.
    (i) Loan guarantee and loan insurance means an agency's guarantee or 
insurance of a loan made by a person.
    (j) Local government means a unit of government in a State and, if 
chartered, established, or otherwise recognized by a State for the 
performance of a governmental duty, including a local public authority, 
a special district, an intrastate district, a council of governments, a 
sponsor group representative organization, and any other instrumentality 
of a local government.
    (k) Officer or employee of an agency includes the following 
individuals who are employed by an agency:
    (1) An individual who is appointed to a position in the Government 
under title 5, U.S.C., including a position under a temporary 
appointment;
    (2) A member of the uniformed services as defined in section 101(3), 
title 37, U.S.C.;
    (3) A special Government employee as defined in section 202, title 
18, U.S.C.; and,
    (4) An individual who is a member of a Federal advisory committee, 
as defined by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, title 5, U.S.C., 
appendix 2.
    (l) Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, 
authority, firm, partnership, society, State, and local government, 
regardless of whether such entity is operated for profit or not for 
profit. This term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any 
other Indian organization with respect to expenditures specifically 
permitted by other Federal law.
    (m) Reasonable compensation means, with respect to a regularly 
employed

[[Page 872]]

officer or employee of any person, compensation that is consistent with 
the normal compensation for such officer or employee for work that is 
not furnished to, not funded by, or not furnished in cooperation with 
the Federal Government.
    (n) Reasonable payment means, with respect to perfessional and other 
technical services, a payment in an amount that is consistent with the 
amount normally paid for such services in the private sector.
    (o) Recipient includes all contractors, subcontractors at any tier, 
and subgrantees at any tier of the recipient of funds received in 
connection with a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative 
agreement. The term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or 
any other Indian organization with respect to expenditures specifically 
permitted by other Federal law.
    (p) Regularly employed means, with respect to an officer or employee 
of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or 
cooperative agreement or a commitment providing for the United States to 
insure or guarantee a loan, an officer or employee who is employed by 
such person for at least 130 working days within one year immediately 
preceding the date of the submission that initiates agency consideration 
of such person for receipt of such contract, grant, loan, cooperative 
agreement, loan insurance commitment, or loan guarantee commitment. An 
officer or employee who is employed by such person for less than 130 
working days within one year immediately preceding the date of the 
submission that initiates agency consideration of such person shall be 
considered to be regularly employed as soon as he or she is employed by 
such person for 130 working days.
    (q) State means a State of the United States, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory or possession of 
the United States, an agency or instrumentality of a State, and a multi-
State, regional, or interstate entity having governmental duties and 
powers.



Sec. 45.110  Certification and disclosure.

    (a) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, 
if required, with each submission that initiates agency consideration of 
such person for:
    (1) Award of a Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
exceeding $100,000; or
    (2) An award of a Federal loan or a commitment providing for the 
United States to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000.
    (b) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, 
if required, upon receipt by such person of:
    (1) A Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement exceeding 
$100,000; or
    (2) A Federal loan or a commitment providing for the United States 
to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000,

Unless such person previously filed a certification, and a disclosure 
form, if required, under paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Each person shall file a disclosure form at the end of each 
calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that requires 
disclosure or that materially affects the accuracy of the information 
contained in any disclosure form previously filed by such person under 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section. An event that materially affects 
the accuracy of the information reported includes:
    (1) A cumulative increase of $25,000 or more in the amount paid or 
expected to be paid for influencing or attempting to influence a covered 
Federal action; or
    (2) A change in the person(s) or individual(s) influencing or 
attempting to influence a covered Federal action; or,
    (3) A change in the officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) contacted 
to influence or attempt to influence a covered Federal action.
    (d) Any person who requests or receives from a person referred to in 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section:
    (1) A subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a Federal 
contract;
    (2) A subgrant, contract, or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any 
tier under a Federal grant;
    (3) A contract or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a 
Federal loan exceeding $150,000; or,

[[Page 873]]

    (4) A contract or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a 
Federal cooperative agreement,

Shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, to the 
next tier above.
    (e) All disclosure forms, but not certifications, shall be forwarded 
from tier to tier until received by the person referred to in paragraphs 
(a) or (b) of this section. That person shall forward all disclosure 
forms to the agency.
    (f) Any certification or disclosure form filed under paragraph (e) 
of this section shall be treated as a material representation of fact 
upon which all receiving tiers shall rely. All liability arising from an 
erroneous representation shall be borne solely by the tier filing that 
representation and shall not be shared by any tier to which the 
erroneous representation is forwarded. Submitting an erroneous 
certification or disclosure constitutes a failure to file the required 
certification or disclosure, respectively. If a person fails to file a 
required certification or disclosure, the United States may pursue all 
available remedies, including those authorized by section 1352, title 
31, U.S.C.
    (g) For awards and commitments in process prior to December 23, 
1989, but not made before that date, certifications shall be required at 
award or commitment, covering activities occurring between December 23, 
1989, and the date of award or commitment. However, for awards and 
commitments in process prior to the December 23, 1989 effective date of 
these provisions, but not made before December 23, 1989, disclosure 
forms shall not be required at time of award or commitment but shall be 
filed within 30 days.
    (h) No reporting is required for an activity paid for with 
appropriated funds if that activity is allowable under either Subpart B 
or C.



                  Subpart B_Activities by Own Employees



Sec. 45.200  Agency and legislative liaison.

    (a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in 
Sec. 45.100(a), does not apply in the case of a payment of reasonable 
compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or 
receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement if 
the payment is for agency and legislative liaison activities not 
directly related to a covered Federal action.
    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, providing any 
information specifically requested by an agency or Congress is allowable 
at any time.
    (c) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the following 
agency and legislative liaison activities are allowable at any time only 
where they are not related to a specific solicitation for any covered 
Federal action:
    (1) Discussing with an agency (including individual demonstrations) 
the qualities and characteristics of the person's products or services, 
conditions or terms of sale, and service capabilities; and,
    (2) Technical discussions and other activities regarding the 
application or adaptation of the person's products or services for an 
agency's use.
    (d) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the following 
agencies and legislative liaison activities are allowable only where 
they are prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal action:
    (1) Providing any information not specifically requested but 
necessary for an agency to make an informed decision about initiation of 
a covered Federal action;
    (2) Technical discussions regarding the preparation of an 
unsolicited proposal prior to its official submission; and,
    (3) Capability presentations by persons seeking awards from an 
agency pursuant to the provisions of the Small Business Act, as amended 
by Pub. L. 95-507 and other subsequent amendments.
    (e) Only those activities expressly authorized by this section are 
allowable under this section.



Sec. 45.205  Professional and technical services.

    (a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in 
Sec. 45.100(a), does not apply in the case of a payment of reasonable 
compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or 
receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or 
an extension, continuation, renewal,

[[Page 874]]

amendment, or modification of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or 
cooperative agreement if payment is for professional or technical 
services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or 
negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or for meeting 
requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving 
that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, ``professional 
and technical services'' shall be limited to advice and analysis 
directly applying any professional or technical discipline. For example, 
drafting of a legal document accompanying a bid or proposal by a lawyer 
is allowable. Similarly, technical advice provided by an engineer on the 
performance or operational capability of a piece of equipment rendered 
directly in the negotiation of a contract is allowable. However, 
communications with the intent to influence made by a professional (such 
as a licensed lawyer) or a technical person (such as a licensed 
accountant) are not allowable under this section unless they provide 
advice and analysis directly applying their professional or technical 
expertise and unless the advice or analysis is rendered directly and 
solely in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered 
Federal action. Thus, for example, communications with the intent to 
influence made by a lawyer that do not provide legal advice or analysis 
directly and solely related to the legal aspects of his or her client's 
proposal, but generally advocate one proposal over another are not 
allowable under this section because the lawyer is not providing 
professional legal services. Similarly, communications with the intent 
to influence made by an engineer providing an engineering analysis prior 
to the preparation or submission of a bid or proposal are not allowable 
under this section since the engineer is providing technical services 
but not directly in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a 
covered Federal action.
    (c) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for 
receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or 
regulation, or reasonably expected to be required by law or regulation, 
and any other requirements in the actual award documents.
    (d) Only those services expressly authorized by this section are 
allowable under this section.



Sec. 45.210  Reporting.

    No reporting is required with respect to payments of reasonable 
compensation made to regularly employed officers or employees of a 
person.



            Subpart C_Activities by Other Than Own Employees



Sec. 45.300  Professional and technical services.

    (a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in 
Sec. 45.100(a), does not apply in the case of any reasonable payment to 
a person, other than an officer or employee of a person requesting or 
receiving a covered Federal action, if the payment is for professional 
or technical services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, 
or negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or for meeting 
requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving 
that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) The reporting requirements in Sec. 45.110(a) and (b) regarding 
filing a disclosure form by each person, if required, shall not apply 
with respect to professional or technical services rendered directly in 
the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any commitment providing 
for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan.
    (c) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, ``professional 
and technical services'' shall be limited to advice and analysis 
directly applying any professional or technical discipline. For example, 
drafting or a legal document accompanying a bid or proposal by a lawyer 
is allowable. Similarly, technical advice provided by an engineer on the 
performance or operational capability of a piece of equipment rendered 
directly in the negotiation of a

[[Page 875]]

contract is allowable. However, communications with the intent to 
influence made by a professional (such as a licensed lawyer) or a 
technical person (such as a licensed accountant) are not allowable under 
this section unless they provide advice and analysis directly applying 
their professional or technical expertise and unless the advice or 
analysis is rendered directly and solely in the preparation, submission 
or negotiation of a covered Federal action. Thus, for example, 
communications with the intent to influence made by a lawyer that do not 
provide legal advice or analysis directly and solely related to the 
legal aspects of his or her client's proposal, but generally advocate 
one proposal over another are not allowable under this section because 
the lawyer is not providing professional legal services. Similarly, 
communications with the intent to influence made by an engineer 
providing an engineering analysis prior to the preparation or submission 
of a bid or proposal are not allowable under this section since the 
engineer is providing technical services but not directly in the 
preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered Federal action.
    (d) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for 
receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or 
regulation, or reasonably expected to be required by law or regulation, 
and any other requirements in the actual award documents.
    (e) Persons other than officers or employees of a person requesting 
or receiving a covered Federal action include consultants and trade 
associations.
    (f) Only those services expressly authorized by this section are 
allowable under this section.



                   Subpart D_Penalties and Enforcement



Sec. 45.400  Penalties.

    (a) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited herein shall be 
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than 
$100,000 for each such expenditure.
    (b) Any person who fails to file or amend the disclosure form (see 
appendix B) to be filed or amended if required herein, shall be subject 
to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 
for each such failure.
    (c) A filing or amended filing on or after the date on which an 
administrative action for the imposition of a civil penalty is commenced 
does not prevent the imposition of such civil penalty for a failure 
occurring before that date. An administrative action is commenced with 
respect to a failure when an investigating official determines in 
writing to commence an investigation of an allegation of such failure.
    (d) In determining whether to impose a civil penalty, and the amount 
of any such penalty, by reason of a violation by any person, the agency 
shall consider the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the 
violation, the effect on the ability of such person to continue in 
business, any prior violations by such person, the degree of culpability 
of such person, the ability of the person to pay the penalty, and such 
other matters as may be appropriate.
    (e) First offenders under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section 
shall be subject to a civil penalty of $10,000, absent aggravating 
circumstances. Second and subsequent offenses by persons shall be 
subject to an appropriate civil penalty between $10,000 and $100,000, as 
determined by the agency head or his or her designee.
    (f) An imposition of a civil penalty under this section does not 
prevent the United States from seeking any other remedy that may apply 
to the same conduct that is the basis for the imposition of such civil 
penalty.



Sec. 45.405  Penalty procedures.

    Agencies shall impose and collect civil penalties pursuant to the 
provisions of the Program Fraud and Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 
sections 3803 (except subsection (c)), 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3808, and 
3812, insofar as these provisions are not inconsistent with the 
requirements herein.



Sec. 45.410  Enforcement.

    The head of each agency shall take such actions as are necessary to 
ensure

[[Page 876]]

that the provisions herein are vigorously implemented and enforced in 
that agency.



                          Subpart E_Exemptions



Sec. 45.500  Secretary of Defense.

    (a) The Secretary of Defense may exempt, on a case-by-case basis, a 
covered Federal action from the prohibition whenever the Secretary 
determines, in writing, that such an exemption is in the national 
interest. The Secretary shall transmit a copy of each such written 
exemption to Congress immediately after making such a determination.
    (b) The Department of Defense may issue supplemental regulations to 
implement paragraph (a) of this section.



                        Subpart F_Agency Reports



Sec. 45.600  Semi-annual compilation.

    (a) The head of each agency shall collect and compile the disclosure 
reports (see appendix B) and, on May 31 and November 30 of each year, 
submit to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives a report containing a compilation of the information 
contained in the disclosure reports received during the six-month period 
ending on March 31 or September 30, respectively, of that year.
    (b) The report, including the compilation, shall be available for 
public inspection 30 days after receipt of the report by the Secretary 
and the Clerk.
    (c) Information that involves intelligence matters shall be reported 
only to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives in accordance with procedures agreed to by 
such committees. Such information shall not be available for public 
inspection.
    (d) Information that is classified under Executive Order 12356 or 
any successor order shall be reported only to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives or the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives (whichever such committees have 
jurisdiction of matters involving such information) and to the 
Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives in accordance with procedures agreed to by such 
committees. Such information shall not be available for public 
inspection.
    (e) The first semi-annual compilation shall be submitted on May 31, 
1990, and shall contain a compilation of the disclosure reports received 
from December 23, 1989 to March 31, 1990.
    (f) Major agencies, designated by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), are required to provide machine-readable compilations to 
the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives no later than with the compilations due on May 31, 1991. 
OMB shall provide detailed specifications in a memorandum to these 
agencies.
    (g) Non-major agencies are requested to provide machine-readable 
compilations to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House 
of Representatives.
    (h) Agencies shall keep the originals of all disclosure reports in 
the official files of the agency.



Sec. 45.605  Inspector General report.

    (a) The Inspector General, or other official as specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section, of each agency shall prepare and submit 
to Congress each year, commencing with submission of the President's 
Budget in 1991, an evaluation of the compliance of that agency with, and 
the effectiveness of, the requirements herein. The evaluation may 
include any recommended changes that may be necessary to strengthen or 
improve the requirements.
    (b) In the case of an agency that does not have an Inspector 
General, the agency official comparable to an Inspector General shall 
prepare and submit the annual report, or, if there is no such comparable 
official, the head of the agency shall prepare and submit the annual 
report.
    (c) The annual report shall be submitted at the same time the agency 
submits its annual budget justifications to Congress.

[[Page 877]]

    (d) The annual report shall include the following: All alleged 
violations relating to the agency's covered Federal actions during the 
year covered by the report, the actions taken by the head of the agency 
in the year covered by the report with respect to those alleged 
violations and alleged violations in previous years, and the amounts of 
civil penalties imposed by the agency in the year covered by the report.



      Sec. Appendix A to Part 45--Certification Regarding Lobbying

 Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

    The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and 
belief, that:
    (1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by 
or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or 
attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member 
of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the 
making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the 
entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, 
continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been 
paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to 
influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an 
officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress 
in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative 
agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, 
``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in accordance with its 
instructions.
    (3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this 
certification be included in the award documents for all subawards at 
all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under 
grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients 
shall certify and disclose accordingly.
    This certification is a material representation of fact upon which 
reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. 
Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or 
entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. 
Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be 
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than 
$100,000 for each such failure.

            Statement for Loan Guarantees and Loan Insurance

    The undersigned states, to the best of his or her knowledge and 
belief, that:
    If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the 
undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, ``Disclosure 
Form to Report Lobbying,'' in accordance with its instructions.
    Submission of this statement is a prerequisite for making or 
entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. 
Code. Any person who fails to file the required statement shall be 
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than 
$100,000 for each such failure.

[[Page 878]]



     Sec. Appendix B to Part 45--Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC21OC91.022


[[Page 879]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC21OC91.023


[[Page 880]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC21OC91.024


[[Page 881]]





PART 46_POLICY REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL PRACTITIONER DATA 
BANK--Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
46.1  Definitions.
46.2  Purpose.

           Subpart B_National Practitioner Data Bank Reporting

46.3  Malpractice payment reporting.
46.4  Clinical privileges actions reporting.

           Subpart C_National Practitioner Data Bank Inquiries

46.5  National Practitioner Data Bank inquiries.

                         Subpart D_Miscellaneous

46.6  Medical quality assurance records confidentiality.
46.7  Prohibitions concerning negotiations.
46.8  Independent contractors.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501; 42 U.S.C. 11101-11152.

    Source: 67 FR 19679, Apr. 23, 2002, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec. 46.1  Definitions.

    (a) Act means The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 11101-11152).
    (b) Claim of medical malpractice means a written claim or demand for 
payment based on an act or omission of a physician, dentist, or other 
health care practitioner in furnishing (or failing to furnish) health 
care services, and includes the filing of a complaint or administrative 
tort claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 1346(b), 2671-
2680.
    (c) Clinical privileges means privileges granted by a health care 
entity to individuals to furnish health care.
    (d) Dentist means a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine 
legally authorized to practice dental surgery or dentistry by a State 
(or any individual who holds himself or herself out to be so 
authorized).
    (e) Director means the duly appointed director of a Department of 
Veterans Affairs health care facility or any individual with 
authorization to act for that person in the director's absence.
    (f) Gross negligence is materially worse than substandard care, and 
consists of an entire absence of care, or an absence of even slight care 
or diligence; it implies a thoughtless disregard of consequences or 
indifference to the rights of others.
    (g) Health care facility means a hospital, domiciliary, outpatient 
clinic, or any other entity that provides health care services.
    (h) Other health care practitioner means an individual other than a 
physician or dentist who is licensed or otherwise authorized by a State 
to provide health care services.
    (i) Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy authorized to 
practice medicine or surgery by a State (or any individual who holds 
himself or herself out to be so authorized).
    (j) Professional review action means a recommendation by a 
professional review panel (with at least a majority vote) to affect 
adversely the clinical privileges of a physician or dentist taken as a 
result of a professional review activity based on the competence or 
professional conduct of an individual physician or dentist in cases in 
which such conduct affects or could affect adversely the health or 
welfare of a patient, or patients. An action is not considered to be 
based on the competence or professional conduct of a physician or 
dentist, if the action is primarily based on:
    (1) A physician's or dentist's association with, administrative 
supervision of, delegation of authority to, support for, or training of, 
a member or members of a particular class of health care practitioner or 
professional, or
    (2) Any other matter that does not relate to the competence or 
professional conduct of a physician or dentist in his/her practice at a 
Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility.
    (k) Professional review activity means an activity with respect to 
an individual physician or dentist to establish a recommendation 
regarding:
    (1) Whether the physician or dentist may have clinical privileges 
with respect to the medical staff of the facility;

[[Page 882]]

    (2) The scope or conditions of such privileges or appointment; or
    (3) Change or modification of such privileges.
    (l) State means the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana 
Islands, and any other territories or possessions of the United States.
    (m) State Licensing Board means, with respect to a physician, 
dentist, or other health care practitioner in a State, the agency of the 
State, which is primarily responsible for the licensing of the 
physician, dentist, or practitioner to furnish health care services.
    (n) Willful professional misconduct means worse than mere 
substandard care, and contemplates the intentional doing of something 
with knowledge that it is likely to result in serious injuries or in 
reckless disregard of its probable consequences.



Sec. 46.2  Purpose.

    The National Practitioner Data Bank, authorized by the Act and 
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, was 
established for the purpose of collecting and releasing certain 
information concerning physicians, dentists, and other health care 
practitioners. The Act mandates that the Department of Health and Human 
Services seek to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the purpose of having VA 
participate in the National Practitioner Data Bank. Such a Memorandum of 
Understanding has been established. Pursuant to the Memorandum of 
Understanding, VA will obtain information from the Data Bank concerning 
physicians, dentists, and other health care practitioners who provide or 
seek to provide health care services at VA facilities and also report 
information regarding malpractice payments and adverse clinical 
privileges actions to the Data Bank. This part essentially restates or 
interprets provisions of that Memorandum of Understanding and 
constitutes the policy of VA for participation in the National 
Practitioner Data Bank.



           Subpart B_National Practitioner Data Bank Reporting



Sec. 46.3  Malpractice payment reporting.

    (a) VA will file a report with the National Practitioner Data Bank, 
in accordance with regulations at 45 CFR part 60, subpart B, as 
applicable, regarding any payment for the benefit of a physician, 
dentist, or other licensed health care practitioner which was made as 
the result of a settlement or judgment of a claim of medical 
malpractice. The report will identify the physician, dentist, or other 
licensed health care practitioner for whose benefit the payment is made. 
It is intended that the report be filed within 30 days of the date 
payment is made. This may not be possible in all cases; e.g., sometimes 
notification of payment is delayed, and sometimes the malpractice 
payment review process cannot be completed within the timeframe. The 
report will provide the following information:
    (1) With respect to the physician, dentist, or other licensed health 
care practitioner for whose benefit the payment is made--
    (i) Name;
    (ii) Work address;
    (iii) Home address, if known;
    (iv) Social Security number, if known, and if obtained in accordance 
with section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974;
    (v) Date of birth;
    (vi) Name of each professional school attended and year of 
graduation;
    (vii) For each professional license: the license number, the field 
of licensure, and the State in which the license is held;
    (viii) Drug Enforcement Administration registration number, if 
applicable and known;
    (ix) Name of each health care entity with which affiliated, if 
known.
    (2) With respect to the reporting VA entity--
    (i) Name and address of the reporting entity;
    (ii) Name, title and telephone number of the responsible official 
submitting the report on behalf of the Federal government; and

[[Page 883]]

    (iii) Relationship of the entity to the physician, dentist, or other 
health care practitioner being reported.
    (3) With respect to the judgment or settlement resulting in the 
payment--
    (i) Where an action or claim has been filed with an adjudicative 
body, identification of the adjudicative body and the case number;
    (ii) Date or dates on which the act(s) or omission(s), which gave 
rise to the action or claim occurred;
    (iii) Date of judgment or settlement;
    (iv) Amount paid, date of payment, and whether payment is for a 
judgment or a settlement;
    (v) Description and amount of judgment or settlement and any 
conditions attached thereto, including terms of payment;
    (vi) A description of the acts or omissions and injuries or 
illnesses upon which the action or claim was based; and
    (vii) Classification of the acts or omissions in accordance with a 
reporting code adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    (b) Payment will be considered to have been made for the benefit of 
a physician, dentist, or other licensed health care practitioner only if 
(at least a majority of) a malpractice payment review panel concludes 
that payment was related to substandard care, professional incompetence, 
or professional misconduct on the part of the physician, dentist, or 
other licensed health care practitioner. For purposes of this part, a 
panel shall have a minimum of three individuals appointed by the 
Director, Medical-Legal Affairs (including at least one member of the 
profession/occupation of the practitioner(s) whose actions are under 
review). The conclusions of the panel shall, at a minimum, be based on 
review of documents pertinent to the care that led to the claim. These 
documents include the medical records of the patient whose care led to 
the claim, any report of an administrative investigation board appointed 
to investigate the care, and the opinion of any consultant which the 
panel may request in its discretion. These documents do not include 
those generated primarily for consideration or litigation of the claim 
of malpractice. In addition, to the extent practicable, the documents 
shall include written statements of the individual(s) involved in the 
care which led to the claim. The practitioner(s) whose actions are under 
review will receive a written notice, hand-delivered or sent to the 
practitioner's last known address (return receipt requested), from the 
VA facility director at the time the VA facility director receives the 
Notice of Payment. That notice from the VA facility director will 
indicate that VA is considering whether to report the practitioner to 
the National Practitioner Data Bank because of a specified malpractice 
payment made, and provide the practitioner the opportunity, within 60 
days of receipt, to submit a written statement concerning the care that 
led to the claim. Inability to notify or non-response from the 
identified practitioner(s) will not preclude completion of the review 
and reporting process. The panel, at its discretion, may request 
additional information from the practitioner or the VA facility where 
the incident occurred. The review panel's notification to the VA 
facility Director shall include the acts or omissions considered, the 
reporting conclusion, and the rationale for the conclusion.
    (c) Attending staff (including contract employees, such as scarce 
medical specialists providing care pursuant to a contract under 38 
U.S.C. 7409) are responsible for actions of licensed trainees assigned 
under their supervision. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) 
of this section, actions of a licensed trainee (intern or resident) 
acting within the scope of his or her training program that otherwise 
would warrant reporting for substandard care, professional incompetence, 
or professional misconduct under the provisions of paragraph (b) of this 
section, will be reported only if the panel, by at least a majority, 
concludes that such actions constitute gross negligence or willful 
professional misconduct. For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, 
payment will be considered to be made for the benefit of a physician, 
dentist, or other health care practitioner, in their supervisory 
capacity, if the panel concludes, by at least a majority, that the 
physician,

[[Page 884]]

dentist or other health care practitioner was acting in a supervisory 
capacity; that the payment was related to substandard care, professional 
incompetence, or professional misconduct of the trainee and not the 
supervisor; and that the trainee did not commit gross negligence or 
willful professional misconduct. Such report will note that the 
physician, dentist, or other health care practitioner is being reported 
in a supervisory capacity.

    Note to paragraph (c): Licensed trainees acting outside the scope of 
their training program (e.g. acting as admitting officer of the day) 
will be reported under the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section.

    (d) The Director of the facility at which the claim arose has the 
primary responsibility for submitting the report to the National 
Practitioner Data Bank and for providing a copy to the practitioner, to 
the State Licensing Board in each State where the practitioner holds a 
license, and to the State Licensing Board in which the facility is 
located. However, the Chief Patient Care Services Officer is also 
authorized to submit the report to the National Practitioner Data Bank 
and provide copies to the practitioner and State Licensing Boards in 
cases where the Chief Patient Care Services Officer deems it appropriate 
to do so. The Director of the facility also shall provide to the 
practitioner a copy of the review panel's notification to the Director.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0621)



Sec. 46.4  Clinical privileges actions reporting.

    (a) VA will file an adverse action report with the National 
Practitioner Data Bank in accordance with regulations at 45 CFR part 60, 
subpart B, as applicable, regarding any of the following actions:
    (1) An action of a Director after consideration of a professional 
review action that, for a period longer than 30 days, adversely affects 
(by reducing, restricting, suspending, revoking, or failing to renew) 
the clinical privileges of a physician or dentist relating to possible 
incompetence or improper professional conduct.
    (2) Acceptance of the surrender of clinical privileges, including 
the surrender of clinical privileges inherent in resignation or 
retirement, or any restriction of such privileges by a physician or 
dentist either while under investigation by the health care entity 
relating to possible incompetence or improper professional conduct, or 
in return for not conducting such an investigation or proceeding whether 
or not the individual remains in VA service.
    (b) The report specified in paragraph (a) of this section will 
provide the following information--
    (1) With respect to the physician or dentist:
    (i) Name;
    (ii) Work address;
    (iii) Home address, if known;
    (iv) Social Security number, if known (and if obtained in accordance 
with section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974);
    (v) Date of birth;
    (vi) Name of each professional school attended and year of 
graduation;
    (vii) For each professional license: the license number, the field 
of licensure, and the name of the State in which the license is held;
    (viii) Drug Enforcement Administration registration number, if 
applicable and known;
    (ix) A description of the acts or omissions or other reasons for 
privilege loss, or, if known, for surrender; and
    (x) Action taken, date action was made final, length of action and 
effective date of the action.
    (2) With respect to the VA facility--
    (i) Name and address of the reporting facility; and
    (ii) Name, title, and telephone number of the responsible official 
submitting the report.
    (c) A copy of the report referred to in paragraph (a) of this 
section will also be filed with the State Licensing Board in the 
State(s) in which the practitioner is licensed and in which the facility 
is located. It is intended that the report be filed within 15 days of 
the date the action is made final, that is, subsequent to any internal 
(to the facility) appeal.
    (d) As soon as practicable after it is determined that a report 
shall be filed with the National Practitioner Data

[[Page 885]]

Bank and State Licensing Boards under paragraphs (a)(2) and (c) of this 
section, VA shall provide written notice to the practitioner that a 
report will be filed with the National Practitioner Data Bank with a 
copy to the State Licensing Board in each State in which the 
practitioner is licensed and in the State in which the facility is 
located.



           Subpart C_National Practitioner Data Bank Inquiries



Sec. 46.5  National Practitioner Data Bank inquiries.

    VA will request information from the National Practitioner Data 
Bank, in accordance with the regulations published at 45 CFR part 60, 
subpart C, as applicable, concerning a physician, dentist, or other 
licensed health care practitioner as follows:
    (a) At the time a physician, dentist, or other health care 
practitioner applies for a position at VA Central Office, any of its 
regional offices, or on the medical staff, or for clinical privileges at 
a VA hospital or other health care entity operated under the auspice of 
VA;
    (b) No less often than every 2 years concerning any physician, 
dentist, or other health care practitioner who is on the medical staff 
or who has clinical privileges at a VA hospital or other health care 
entity operated under the auspice of VA; and
    (c) At other times pursuant to VA policy and needs and consistent 
with the Act and Department of Health and Human Services Regulations (45 
CFR part 60).



                         Subpart D_Miscellaneous



Sec. 46.6  Medical quality assurance records confidentiality.

    Note that medical quality assurance records that are confidential 
and privileged under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 5705 may not be used as 
evidence for reporting individuals to the National Practitioner Data 
Bank.



Sec. 46.7  Prohibitions concerning negotiations.

    Reporting under this part (including the submission of copies) may 
not be the subject of negotiation in any settlement agreement, employee 
action, legal proceedings, or any other negotiated settlement.



Sec. 46.8  Independent contractors.

    Independent contractors acting on behalf of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs are subject to the National Practitioner Data Bank 
reporting provisions of this part. In the following circumstances, VA 
will provide the contractor with notice that a report of a clinical 
privileges action will be filed with the National Practitioner Data Bank 
with a copy with the State Licensing Board in the State(s) in which the 
contractor is licensed and in which the facility is located: where VA 
terminates a contract for possible incompetence or improper professional 
conduct, thereby automatically revoking the contractor's clinical 
privileges, or where the contractor terminates the contract, thereby 
surrendering clinical privileges, either while under investigation 
relating to possible incompetence or improper professional conduct or in 
return for not conducting such an investigation or proceeding.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5705)



PART 47_POLICY REGARDING REPORTING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO STATE
LICENSING BOARDS--Table of Contents



Sec.
47.1  Definitions.
47.2  Reporting to State Licensing Boards.

    Authority: Pub. L. 99-166, 99 Stat. 941; 38 U.S.C. 501.

    Source: 58 FR 48455, Sept. 16, 1993, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 47.1  Definitions.

    (a) Dentist means a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine 
legally authorized to practice dental surgery or medical dentistry by a 
State (or any individual who, without authority, holds himself or 
herself out to be so authorized).
    (b) Other health care professional means an individual other than a 
physician or dentist who is licensed or otherwise authorized by a State 
to provide health care services (or any individual

[[Page 886]]

who, without authority, holds himself or herself out to be so licensed 
or authorized).
    (c) Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally 
authorized to practice medicine or surgery by a State (or any individual 
who, without authority, holds himself or herself out to be so 
authorized).
    (d) State means the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana 
Islands and any other territories or possessions of the United States.
    (e) State Licensing Board means, with respect to a physician, 
dentist or other health care practitioner in a State, the agency of the 
State which is primarily responsible for the licensing of the physician, 
dentist or practitioner to provide health care services.
    (f) Generally accepted standards of clinical practice means 
reasonable competence in the clinical aspects of one's responsibilities, 
as well as the moral and ethical behavior necessary to carry out those 
responsibilities.
    (g) Separated licensed health care professional means a licensed 
health care professional who is no longer on VA rolls, regardless of 
whether the individual left voluntarily or involuntarily and regardless 
of the reason why the individual left.
    (h) Currently employed licensed health care professional means a 
licensed health care professional who is on VA rolls.
    (i) On VA rolls means on VA rolls, regardless of the status of the 
professional, such as full-time, part-time, contract service, fee-basis, 
or without compensation.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 7401-7405; Section 204(b) of Pub. L. 99-166, 
99 Stat. 952-953; Pub. L. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3743)

[58 FR 48455, Sept. 16, 1993, as amended at 63 FR 23665, Apr. 30, 1998]



Sec. 47.2  Reporting to State Licensing Boards.

    It is the policy of VA to report to State Licensing Boards any 
currently employed licensed health care professional or separated 
licensed health care professional whose clinical practice during VA 
employment so significantly failed to meet generally accepted standards 
of clinical practice as to raise reasonable concern for the safety of 
patients. The following are examples of actions that meet the criteria 
for reporting:
    (a) Significant deficiencies in clinical practice such as lack of 
diagnostic or treatment capability; errors in transcribing, 
administering or documenting medication; inability to perform clinical 
procedures considered basic to the performance of one's occupation; 
performing procedures not included in one's clinical privileges in other 
than emergency situations;
    (b) Patient neglect or abandonment;
    (c) Mental health impairment sufficient to cause the individual to 
behave inappropriately in the patient care environment;
    (d) Physical health impairment sufficient to cause the individual to 
provide unsafe patient care;
    (e) Substance abuse when it affects the individual's ability to 
perform appropriately as a health care provider or in the patient care 
environment;
    (f) Falsification of credentials;
    (g) Falsification of medical records or prescriptions;
    (h) Theft of drugs;
    (i) Inappropriate dispensing of drugs;
    (j) Unethical behavior or moral turpitude;
    (k) Mental, physical, sexual, or verbal abuse of a patient (examples 
of patient abuse include intentional omission of care, willful violation 
of a patient's privacy, willful physical injury, intimidation, 
harassment, or ridicule); and
    (l) Violation of research ethics.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501; 7401-7405; Section 204(b) of Pub. L. 99-166, 
99 Stat. 952-953; Pub. L. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3743)

[63 FR 23665, Apr. 30, 1998]



PART 48_GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE 
(FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)--Table of Contents



                     Subpart A_Purpose and Coverage

Sec.
48.100  What does this part do?
48.105  Does this part apply to me?
48.110  Are any of my Federal assistance awards exempt from this part?

[[Page 887]]

48.115  Does this part affect the Federal contracts that I receive?

      Subpart B_Requirements for Recipients Other Than Individuals

48.200  What must I do to comply with this part?
48.205  What must I include in my drug-free workplace statement?
48.210  To whom must I distribute my drug-free workplace statement?
48.215  What must I include in my drug-free awareness program?
48.220  By when must I publish my drug-free workplace statement and 
          establish my drug-free awareness program?
48.225  What actions must I take concerning employees who are convicted 
          of drug violations in the workplace?
48.230  How and when must I identify workplaces?

        Subpart C_Requirements for Recipients Who Are Individuals

48.300  What must I do to comply with this part if I am an individual 
          recipient?
48.301  [Reserved]

    Subpart D_Responsibilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                           Awarding Officials

48.400  What are my responsibilities as a Department of Veterans Affairs 
          awarding official?

           Subpart E_Violations of This Part and Consequences

48.500  How are violations of this part determined for recipients other 
          than individuals?
48.505  How are violations of this part determined for recipients who 
          are individuals?
48.510  What actions will the Federal Government take against a 
          recipient determined to have violated this part?
48.515  Are there any exceptions to those actions?

                          Subpart F_Definitions

48.605  Award.
48.610  Controlled substance.
48.615  Conviction.
48.620  Cooperative agreement.
48.625  Criminal drug statute.
48.630  Debarment.
48.635  Drug-free workplace.
48.640  Employee.
48.645  Federal agency or agency.
48.650  Grant.
48.655  Individual.
48.660  Recipient.
48.665  State.
48.670  Suspension.

    Authority: 41 U.S.C. 701, et seq.; 38 U.S.C 501

    Source: 68 FR 66557, 66619, 66620, Nov. 26, 2003, unless otherwise 
noted.



                     Subpart A_Purpose and Coverage



Sec. 48.100  What does this part do?

    This part carries out the portion of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 
1988 (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq., as amended) that applies to grants. It also 
applies the provisions of the Act to cooperative agreements and other 
financial assistance awards, as a matter of Federal Government policy.



Sec. 48.105  Does this part apply to me?

    (a) Portions of this part apply to you if you are either--
    (1) A recipient of an assistance award from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs; or
    (2) A(n) Department of Veterans Affairs awarding official. (See 
definitions of award and recipient in Secs. 48.605 and 48.660, 
respectively.)
    (b) The following table shows the subparts that apply to you:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             If you are . . .                    see subparts . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A recipient who is not an individual..  A, B and E.
(2) A recipient who is an individual......  A, C and E.
(3) A(n) Department of Veterans Affairs     A, D and E.
 awarding official.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec. 48.110  Are any of my Federal assistance awards exempt from this
part?

    This part does not apply to any award that the Secretary determines 
that the application of this part would be inconsistent with the 
international obligations of the United States or the laws or 
regulations of a foreign government.



Sec. 48.115  Does this part affect the Federal contracts that I receive?

    It will affect future contract awards indirectly if you are debarred 
or suspended for a violation of the requirements of this part, as 
described in Sec. 48.510(c). However, this part does not apply directly 
to procurement contracts. The portion of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 
1988 that applies to

[[Page 888]]

Federal procurement contracts is carried out through the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation in chapter 1 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (the drug-free workplace coverage currently is in 48 CFR 
part 23, subpart 23.5).



      Subpart B_Requirements for Recipients Other Than Individuals



Sec. 48.200  What must I do to comply with this part?

    There are two general requirements if you are a recipient other than 
an individual.
    (a) First, you must make a good faith effort, on a continuing basis, 
to maintain a drug-free workplace. You must agree to do so as a 
condition for receiving any award covered by this part. The specific 
measures that you must take in this regard are described in more detail 
in subsequent sections of this subpart. Briefly, those measures are to--
    (1) Publish a drug-free workplace statement and establish a drug-
free awareness program for your employees (see Secs. 48.205 through 
48.220); and
    (2) Take actions concerning employees who are convicted of violating 
drug statutes in the workplace (see Sec. 48.225).
    (b) Second, you must identify all known workplaces under your 
Federal awards (see Sec. 48.230).



Sec. 48.205  What must I include in my drug-free workplace statement?

    You must publish a statement that--
    (a) Tells your employees that the unlawful manufacture, 
distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance 
is prohibited in your workplace;
    (b) Specifies the actions that you will take against employees for 
violating that prohibition; and
    (c) Lets each employee know that, as a condition of employment under 
any award, he or she:
    (1) Will abide by the terms of the statement; and
    (2) Must notify you in writing if he or she is convicted for a 
violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace and must 
do so no more than five calendar days after the conviction.



Sec. 48.210  To whom must I distribute my drug-free workplace
statement?

    You must require that a copy of the statement described in 
Sec. 48.205 be given to each employee who will be engaged in the 
performance of any Federal award.



Sec. 48.215  What must I include in my drug-free awareness program?

    You must establish an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform 
employees about--
    (a) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
    (b) Your policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
    (c) Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee 
assistance programs; and
    (d) The penalties that you may impose upon them for drug abuse 
violations occurring in the workplace.



Sec. 48.220  By when must I publish my drug-free workplace statement
and establish my drug-free awareness program?

    If you are a new recipient that does not already have a policy 
statement as described in Sec. 48.205 and an ongoing awareness program 
as described in Sec. 48.215, you must publish the statement and 
establish the program by the time given in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 If . . .                          then you . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The performance period of the award is  must have the policy
 less than 30 days.                          statement and program in
                                             place as soon as possible,
                                             but before the date on
                                             which performance is
                                             expected to be completed.
(b) The performance period of the award is  must have the policy
 30 days or more.                            statement and program in
                                             place within 30 days after
                                             award.
(c) You believe there are extraordinary     may ask the Department of
 circumstances that will require more than   Veterans Affairs awarding
 30 days for you to publish the policy       official to give you more
 statement and establish the awareness       time to do so. The amount
 program.                                    of additional time, if any,
                                             to be given is at the
                                             discretion of the awarding
                                             official.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec. 48.225  What actions must I take concerning employees who are 
convicted of drug violations in the workplace?

    There are two actions you must take if an employee is convicted of a 
drug violation in the workplace:

[[Page 889]]

    (a) First, you must notify Federal agencies if an employee who is 
engaged in the performance of an award informs you about a conviction, 
as required by Sec. 48.205(c)(2), or you otherwise learn of the 
conviction. Your notification to the Federal agencies must--
    (1) Be in writing;
    (2) Include the employee's position title;
    (3) Include the identification number(s) of each affected award;
    (4) Be sent within ten calendar days after you learn of the 
conviction; and
    (5) Be sent to every Federal agency on whose award the convicted 
employee was working. It must be sent to every awarding official or his 
or her official designee, unless the Federal agency has specified a 
central point for the receipt of the notices.
    (b) Second, within 30 calendar days of learning about an employee's 
conviction, you must either--
    (1) Take appropriate personnel action against the employee, up to 
and including termination, consistent with the requirements of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), as amended; or
    (2) Require the employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug 
abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for these purposes 
by a Federal, State or local health, law enforcement, or other 
appropriate agency.



Sec. 48.230  How and when must I identify workplaces?

    (a) You must identify all known workplaces under each Department of 
Veterans Affairs award. A failure to do so is a violation of your drug-
free workplace requirements. You may identify the workplaces--
    (1) To the Department of Veterans Affairs official that is making 
the award, either at the time of application or upon award; or
    (2) In documents that you keep on file in your offices during the 
performance of the award, in which case you must make the information 
available for inspection upon request by Department of Veterans Affairs 
officials or their designated representatives.
    (b) Your workplace identification for an award must include the 
actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites where 
work under the award takes place. Categorical descriptions may be used 
(e.g., all vehicles of a mass transit authority or State highway 
department while in operation, State employees in each local 
unemployment office, performers in concert halls or radio studios).
    (c) If you identified workplaces to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs awarding official at the time of application or award, as 
described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and any workplace that 
you identified changes during the performance of the award, you must 
inform the Department of Veterans Affairs awarding official.



        Subpart C_Requirements for Recipients Who Are Individuals



Sec. 48.300  What must I do to comply with this part if I am an
individual recipient?

    As a condition of receiving a(n) Department of Veterans Affairs 
award, if you are an individual recipient, you must agree that--
    (a) You will not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, 
dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in conducting 
any activity related to the award; and
    (b) If you are convicted of a criminal drug offense resulting from a 
violation occurring during the conduct of any award activity, you will 
report the conviction:
    (1) In writing.
    (2) Within 10 calendar days of the conviction.
    (3) To the Department of Veterans Affairs awarding official or other 
designee for each award that you currently have, unless Sec. 48.301 or 
the award document designates a central point for the receipt of the 
notices. When notice is made to a central point, it must include the 
identification number(s) of each affected award.

[[Page 890]]



Sec. 48.301  [Reserved]



 Subpart D_Responsibilities of Department of Veterans Affairs Awarding 
                                Officials



Sec. 48.400  What are my responsibilities as a(n) Department of
Veterans Affairs awarding official?

    As a(n) Department of Veterans Affairs awarding official, you must 
obtain each recipient's agreement, as a condition of the award, to 
comply with the requirements in--
    (a) Subpart B of this part, if the recipient is not an individual; 
or
    (b) Subpart C of this part, if the recipient is an individual.



           Subpart E_Violations of This Part and Consequences



Sec. 48.500  How are violations of this part determined for recipients
other than individuals?

    A recipient other than an individual is in violation of the 
requirements of this part if the Secretary determines, in writing, 
that--
    (a) The recipient has violated the requirements of subpart B of this 
part; or
    (b) The number of convictions of the recipient's employees for 
violating criminal drug statutes in the workplace is large enough to 
indicate that the recipient has failed to make a good faith effort to 
provide a drug-free workplace.



Sec. 48.505  How are violations of this part determined for recipients
who are individuals?

    An individual recipient is in violation of the requirements of this 
part if the Secretary determines, in writing, that--
    (a) The recipient has violated the requirements of subpart C of this 
part; or
    (b) The recipient is convicted of a criminal drug offense resulting 
from a violation occurring during the conduct of any award activity.



Sec. 48.510  What actions will the Federal Government take against
a recipient determined to have violated this part?

    If a recipient is determined to have violated this part, as 
described in Sec. 48.500 or Sec. 48.505, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs may take one or more of the following actions--
    (a) Suspension of payments under the award;
    (b) Suspension or termination of the award; and
    (c) Suspension or debarment of the recipient under 2 CFR parts 180 
and 801, for a period not to exceed five years.

[68 FR 66557, 66619, 66620, Nov. 26, 2003, as amended at 72 FR 30243, 
May 31, 2007]



Sec. 48.515  Are there any exceptions to those actions?

    The Secretary may waive with respect to a particular award, in 
writing, a suspension of payments under an award, suspension or 
termination of an award, or suspension or debarment of a recipient if 
the Secretary determines that such a waiver would be in the public 
interest. This exception authority cannot be delegated to any other 
official.



                          Subpart F_Definitions



Sec. 48.605  Award.

    Award means an award of financial assistance by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs or other Federal agency directly to a recipient.
    (a) The term award includes:
    (1) A Federal grant or cooperative agreement, in the form of money 
or property in lieu of money.
    (2) A block grant or a grant in an entitlement program, whether or 
not the grant is exempted from coverage under 2 CFR part 200.
    (b) The term award does not include:
    (1) Technical assistance that provides services instead of money.
    (2) Loans.
    (3) Loan guarantees.
    (4) Interest subsidies.
    (5) Insurance.
    (6) Direct appropriations.
    (7) Veterans' benefits to individuals (i.e., any benefit to 
veterans, their families, or survivors by virtue of the service of a 
veteran in the Armed Forces of the United States).

[68 FR 66557, 66619, 66620, Nov. 26, 2003, as amended at 80 FR 43322, 
July 22, 2015]

[[Page 891]]



Sec. 48.610  Controlled substance.

    Controlled substance means a controlled substance in schedules I 
through V of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812), and as 
further defined by regulation at 21 CFR 1308.11 through 1308.15.



Sec. 48.615  Conviction.

    Conviction means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo 
contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body 
charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the Federal 
or State criminal drug statutes.



Sec. 48.620  Cooperative agreement.

    Cooperative agreement means an award of financial assistance that, 
consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6305, is used to enter into the same kind of 
relationship as a grant (see definition of grant in Sec. 48.650), except 
that substantial involvement is expected between the Federal agency and 
the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the award. 
The term does not include cooperative research and development 
agreements as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3710a.



Sec. 48.625  Criminal drug statute.

    Criminal drug statute means a Federal or non-Federal criminal 
statute involving the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, use, or 
possession of any controlled substance.



Sec. 48.630  Debarment.

    Debarment means an action taken by a Federal agency to prohibit a 
recipient from participating in Federal Government procurement contracts 
and covered nonprocurement transactions. A recipient so prohibited is 
debarred, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation for 
procurement contracts (48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4) and the common rule, 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), that 
implements Executive Order 12549 and Executive Order 12689.



Sec. 48.635  Drug-free workplace.

    Drug-free workplace means a site for the performance of work done in 
connection with a specific award at which employees of the recipient are 
prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, 
dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance.



Sec. 48.640  Employee.

    (a) Employee means the employee of a recipient directly engaged in 
the performance of work under the award, including--
    (1) All direct charge employees;
    (2) All indirect charge employees, unless their impact or 
involvement in the performance of work under the award is insignificant 
to the performance of the award; and
    (3) Temporary personnel and consultants who are directly engaged in 
the performance of work under the award and who are on the recipient's 
payroll.
    (b) This definition does not include workers not on the payroll of 
the recipient (e.g., volunteers, even if used to meet a matching 
requirement; consultants or independent contractors not on the payroll; 
or employees of subrecipients or subcontractors in covered workplaces).



Sec. 48.645  Federal agency or agency.

    Federal agency or agency means any United States executive 
department, military department, government corporation, government 
controlled corporation, any other establishment in the executive branch 
(including the Executive Office of the President), or any independent 
regulatory agency.



Sec. 48.650  Grant.

    Grant means an award of financial assistance that, consistent with 
31 U.S.C. 6304, is used to enter into a relationship--
    (a) The principal purpose of which is to transfer a thing of value 
to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation 
authorized by a law of the United States, rather than to acquire 
property or services for the Federal Government's direct benefit or use; 
and
    (b) In which substantial involvement is not expected between the 
Federal agency and the recipient when carrying out the activity 
contemplated by the award.

[[Page 892]]



Sec. 48.655  Individual.

    Individual means a natural person.



Sec. 48.660  Recipient.

    Recipient means any individual, corporation, partnership, 
association, unit of government (except a Federal agency) or legal 
entity, however organized, that receives an award directly from a 
Federal agency.



Sec. 48.665  State.

    State means any of the States of the United States, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or 
possession of the United States.



Sec. 48.670  Suspension.

    Suspension means an action taken by a Federal agency that 
immediately prohibits a recipient from participating in Federal 
Government procurement contracts and covered nonprocurement transactions 
for a temporary period, pending completion of an investigation and any 
judicial or administrative proceedings that may ensue. A recipient so 
prohibited is suspended, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation for procurement contracts (48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4) and 
the common rule, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement), that implements Executive Order 12549 and Executive 
Order 12689. Suspension of a recipient is a distinct and separate action 
from suspension of an award or suspension of payments under an award.



PART 50_RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: PROVIDING BENEFICIARY
PROTECTIONS TO POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION--Table of Contents



Sec.
50.1  Religious organizations; general provisions.
50.2  Beneficiary protections; written notice.
50.3  Beneficiary protections; referral requirements.
50.4  Political or religious affiliation.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501 and as noted in specific sections.

    Source: 81 FR 19424, Apr. 4, 2016, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 50.1  Religious organizations; general provisions.

    (a) A faith-based organization that applies for, or participates in, 
a social service program (as defined in Executive Order 13279) supported 
with Federal financial assistance (as defined in Executive Order 13279) 
may retain its independence and may continue to carry out its mission, 
including the definition, development, practice, and expression of its 
religious beliefs, provided that it does not use direct Federal 
financial assistance that it receives (including through a prime or sub-
award) to support or engage in any explicitly religious activities 
(including activities that involve overt religious content such as 
worship, religious instruction, or proselytization), or in any other 
manner prohibited by law. Direct Federal financial assistance may not be 
used to pay for equipment or supplies to the extent they are allocated 
to such activities. The use of indirect Federal financial assistance is 
not subject to this restriction. Nothing in this part restricts the VA's 
authority under applicable Federal law to fund activities, such as the 
provision of chaplaincy services, that can be directly funded by the 
Government consistent with the Establishment Clause.
    (b)(1) Direct Federal financial assistance or Federal financial 
assistance provided directly means that the government or an 
intermediary as defined in paragraph (d) of this section selects the 
provider and either purchases services from that provider (e.g., via a 
contract) or awards funds to that provider to carry out a service (e.g., 
via grant or cooperative agreement). Federal financial assistance shall 
be treated as direct, unless it meets the definition of indirect Federal 
financial assistance or Federal financial assistance provided indirectly 
in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Indirect Federal financial assistance or Federal financial 
assistance provided indirectly means that the choice of the service 
provider is placed in the hands of the beneficiary, and the cost of that 
service is paid through a voucher, certificate, or other similar means 
of government-funded payment.

[[Page 893]]

    (3) Federal financial assistance provided to an organization is 
considered indirect when:
    (i) The government program through which the beneficiary receives 
the voucher, certificate, or other similar means of government funded 
payment is neutral toward religion;
    (ii) The organization receives the Federal financial assistance as a 
result of a decision of the beneficiary, not a decision of the 
government; and
    (iii) The beneficiary has at least one adequate secular option for 
the use of the voucher, certificate, or other similar means of 
government-funded payment.
    (c) The recipients of sub-grants that receive Federal financial 
assistance through State-administered programs are not considered 
recipients of indirect Federal financial assistance (or recipients of 
Federal funds provided indirectly) as those terms are used in Executive 
Order 13559.
    (d) Intermediary means an entity, including a non-governmental 
organization, acting under a contract, grant, or other agreement with 
the Federal Government or with a State or local government, that accepts 
Federal financial assistance and distributes that assistance to other 
organizations that, in turn, provide government-funded social services. 
In these regulations, the terms intermediary and pass-through entity may 
be used interchangeably.


(Authority: 2 CFR 200.74)

    (e) If an intermediary, acting under a contract, grant, or other 
agreement with VA or with a State or local government that is 
administering a program supported by VA financial assistance, is given 
the authority under the contract, grant, or agreement to select non-
governmental organizations to provide services funded by VA, the 
intermediary must select any providers to receive direct financial 
assistance in a manner that does not favor or disfavor organizations on 
the basis of religion or religious belief and ensure compliance with the 
provisions of Executive Order 13279, as amended by Executive Order 
13559, and any implementing rules or guidance by the recipient of a 
contract, grant or agreement. If the intermediary is a non-governmental 
organization, it retains all other rights of a non-governmental 
organization under the program's statutory and regulatory provisions.
    (f) Any organization that participates in a program funded by 
Federal financial assistance shall not, in providing services or in 
outreach activities related to such services, discriminate against a 
program beneficiary or prospective program beneficiary on the basis of 
religion, religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a 
refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice. However, an 
organization that participates in a program funded by indirect financial 
assistance need not modify its program activities to accommodate a 
beneficiary who chooses to expend the indirect aid on the organization's 
program.



Sec. 50.2  Beneficiary protections; written notice.

    (a) Faith-based or religious organizations providing social services 
to beneficiaries under a VA program supported by direct VA financial 
assistance must give written notice to beneficiaries and prospective 
beneficiaries of certain protections. Such notice must be given in a 
manner prescribed by VA. The notice will state that:
    (1) The organization may not discriminate against beneficiaries on 
the basis of religion or religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious 
belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice;
    (2) The organization may not require beneficiaries to attend or 
participate in any explicitly religious activities that are offered by 
the organization, and any participation by beneficiaries in such 
activities must be purely voluntary;
    (3) The organization must separate in time or location any privately 
funded explicitly religious activities from activities supported by 
direct VA financial assistance;
    (4) If a beneficiary objects to the religious character of the 
organization, the organization will undertake reasonable efforts to 
identify and refer the beneficiary to an alternative provider to which 
the prospective beneficiary has no objection; and

[[Page 894]]

    (5) Beneficiaries or perspective beneficiaries may report an 
organization's violations of these protections, including any denials of 
services or benefits by an organization, by contacting or filing a 
written complaint with, VA or an intermediary that awarded funds to the 
organization.
    (b) This written notice must be given to beneficiaries prior to the 
time they enroll in the program or receive services from such program. 
When the nature of the service provided or exigent circumstances make it 
impracticable to provide such written notice in advance of the actual 
service, service providers must advise beneficiaries of their 
protections at the earliest available opportunity.
    (c) Faith-based or religious organizations providing social services 
to beneficiaries under a VA program supported by indirect VA financial 
assistance are not required to give written notice to beneficiaries and 
prospective beneficiaries of the protections specified in subsection 
(a).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0828)



Sec. 50.3  Beneficiary protections; referral requirements.

    (a) If a beneficiary or prospective beneficiary of a social service 
programs supported by VA objects to the religious character of an 
organization that provides services under the program, that organization 
must promptly undertake reasonable efforts to identify and refer the 
beneficiary to an alternative provider to which the prospective 
beneficiary has no objection.
    (b) A referral may be made to another faith-based organization if 
the beneficiary has no objection to that provider. If the beneficiary 
requests a secular provider, and a secular provider is available, then a 
referral must be made to that provider.
    (c) Except for services provided by telephone, internet, or similar 
means, the referral must be to an alternative provider that is in 
reasonable geographic proximity to the organization making the referral 
and that offers services that are similar in substance and quality to 
those offered by the organization. The alternative provider also must 
have the capacity to accept additional clients.
    (d) If the organization determines that it is unable to identify an 
alternative provider, the organization shall promptly notify VA or the 
intermediary. If the organization is unable to identify an alternative 
provider, VA shall determine whether there is any other suitable 
alternative provider to which the beneficiary may be referred. An 
intermediary that receives a request for assistance in identifying an 
alternative provider may request assistance from VA.



Sec. 50.4  Political or religious affiliation.

    Decisions about awards of Federal financial assistance must be free 
from political interference or even the appearance of such interference 
and must be made on the basis of merit, not on the basis of religion or 
religious belief or lack thereof.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501)



PART 51_PER DIEM FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES
--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
51.1  Purpose.
51.2  Definitions.

    Subpart B_Obtaining Per Diem for Nursing Home Care in State Homes

51.10  Per diem based on recognition and certification.
51.20  Application for recognition based on certification.
51.30  Recognition and certification.
51.31  Automatic recognition.

                       Subpart C_Per Diem Payments

51.40  Basic per diem.
51.41  Contracts and provider agreements for certain veterans with 
          service-connected disabilities.
51.42  Drugs and medicines for certain veterans.
51.43  Per diem and drugs and medicines--principles.
51.50  Eligible veterans.
51.59  Authority to continue payment of per diem when veterans are 
          relocated due to emergency.

[[Page 895]]

                           Subpart D_Standards

51.60  Standards applicable for payment of per diem.
51.70  Resident rights.
51.80  Admission, transfer and discharge rights.
51.90  Resident behavior and facility practices.
51.100  Quality of life.
51.110  Resident assessment.
51.120  Quality of care.
51.130  Nursing services.
51.140  Dietary services.
51.150  Physician services.
51.160  Specialized rehabilitative services.
51.170  Dental services.
51.180  Pharmacy services.
51.190  Infection control.
51.200  Physical environment.
51.210  Administration.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1720, 1741-1743; and as stated 
in specific sections.

    Source: 65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 51 appear at 74 FR 
19432, Apr. 29, 2009.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 51.1  Purpose.

    This part sets forth the mechanism for paying per diem to State 
homes providing nursing home care to eligible veterans and is intended 
to ensure that veterans receive high quality care in State homes.



Sec. 51.2  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    Clinical nurse specialist means a licensed professional nurse who 
has a Master's degree in nursing with a major in a clinical nursing 
specialty from an academic program accredited by the National League for 
Nursing and who is certified by a nationally recognized credentialing 
body (such as the National League for Nursing, the American Nurses 
Credentialing Center, or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing 
Education).
    Facility means a building or any part of a building for which a 
State has submitted an application for recognition as a State home for 
the provision of nursing home care or a building or any part of a 
building which VA has recognized as a State home for the provision of 
nursing home care.
    Nurse practitioner means a licensed professional nurse who is 
currently licensed to practice in the State; who meets the State's 
requirements governing the qualifications of nurse practitioners; and 
who is currently certified as an adult, family, or gerontological nurse 
practitioner by a nationally recognized body that provides such 
certification for nurse practitioners, such as the American Nurses 
Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
    Nursing home care means the accommodation of convalescents or other 
persons who are not acutely ill and not in need of hospital care, but 
who require skilled nursing care and related medical services.
    Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally 
authorized to practice medicine or surgery in the State.
    Physician assistant means a person who meets the applicable State 
requirements for physician assistant, is currently certified by the 
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) as 
a physician assistant, and has an individualized written scope of 
practice that determines the authorization to write medical orders, 
prescribe medications and other clinical tasks under appropriate 
physician supervision which is approved by the primary care physician.
    Primary physician or primary care physician means a designated 
generalist physician responsible for providing, directing and 
coordinating all health care that is indicated for the residents.
    State means each of the several States, territories, and possessions 
of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico.
    State home means a home approved by VA which a State established 
primarily for veterans disabled by age, disease, or otherwise, who by 
reason of such disability are incapable of earning a living. A State 
home may provide domiciliary care, nursing home care, adult day health 
care, and hospital care. Hospital care may be provided only when the 
State home also provides domiciliary and/or nursing home care.

[[Page 896]]

    VA means the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19432, Apr. 29, 2009]



    Subpart B_Obtaining Per Diem for Nursing Home Care in State Homes



Sec. 51.10  Per diem based on recognition and certification.

    VA will pay per diem to a State for providing nursing home care to 
eligible veterans in a facility if the Under Secretary for Health 
recognizes the facility as a State home based on a current certification 
that the facility and facility management meet the standards of subpart 
D of this part. Also, after recognition has been granted, VA will 
continue to pay per diem to a State for providing nursing home care to 
eligible veterans in such a facility for a temporary period based on a 
certification that the facility and facility management provisionally 
meet the standards of subpart D.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)



Sec. 51.20  Application for recognition based on certification.

    To apply for recognition and certification of a State home for 
nursing home care, a State must:
    (a) Send a request for recognition and certification to the Chief 
Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), VA Central 
Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. The request must 
be in the form of a letter and must be signed by the State official 
authorized to establish the State home;
    (b) Allow VA to survey the facility as set forth in Sec. 51.30(c); 
and
    (c) Upon request from the director of the VA medical center of 
jurisdiction, submit to the director all documentation required under 
subpart D of this part.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19432, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.30  Recognition and certification.

    (a)(1) The Under Secretary for Health will make the determination 
regarding recognition and the initial determination regarding 
certification, after receipt of a recommendation from the director of 
the VA medical center of jurisdiction regarding whether, based on a VA 
survey, the facility and facility management meet or do not meet the 
standards of subpart D of this part. The recognition survey will be 
conducted only after the new facility either has at least 21 residents 
or has a number of residents that consist of at least 50 percent of the 
new bed capacity of the new facility.
    (2) For each facility recognized as a State home, the director of 
the VA medical center of jurisdiction will certify annually whether the 
facility and facility management meet, provisionally meet, or do not 
meet the standards of subpart D of this part (this certification should 
be made every 12 months during the recognition anniversary month or 
during a month agreed upon by the VA medical care center director and 
officials of the State home facility). A provisional certification will 
be issued by the director only upon a determination that the facility or 
facility management does not meet one or more of the standards in 
subpart D, that the deficiencies do not jeopardize the health or safety 
of the residents, and that the facility management and the director have 
agreed to a plan of correction to remedy the deficiencies in a specified 
amount of time (not more time than the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
director determines is reasonable for correcting the specific 
deficiencies). The director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
will notify the official in charge of the facility, the State official 
authorized to oversee the operations of the State home, the VA Network 
Director (10N 1-22), Chief Network Officer (10N) and the Chief 
Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114) of the 
certification, provisional certification, or noncertification.
    (b) Once a facility has achieved recognition, the recognition will 
remain in effect unless the State requests that the recognition be 
withdrawn or the Under Secretary for Health makes a

[[Page 897]]

final decision that the facility or facility management does not meet 
the standards of subpart D. Recognition of a facility will apply only to 
the facility as it exists at the time of recognition; any annex, branch, 
enlargement, expansion, or relocation must be separately recognized.
    (c) Both during the application process for recognition and after 
the Under Secretary for Health has recognized a facility, VA may survey 
the facility as necessary to determine if the facility and facility 
management comply with the provisions of this part. Generally, VA will 
provide advance notice to the State before a survey occurs; however, 
surveys may be conducted without notice. A survey, as necessary, will 
cover all parts of the facility, and include a review and audit of all 
records of the facility that have a bearing on compliance with any of 
the requirements of this part (including any reports from State or local 
entities). For purposes of a survey, at the request of the director of 
the VA medical center of jurisdiction, the State home facility 
management must submit to the director a completed VA Form 10-3567, 
Staffing Profile, which is available at any VA medical center and at 
http://www.va.gov/vaforms. The director of the VA medical center of 
jurisdiction will designate the VA officials to survey the facility. 
These officials may include physicians; nurses; pharmacists; dietitians; 
rehabilitation therapists; social workers; representatives from health 
administration, engineering, environmental management systems, and 
fiscal officers.
    (d) If, during the process for recognition and certification, the 
director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction recommends that the 
State home facility or facility management does not meet the standards 
of this part or if, after recognition and certification have been 
granted, the director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
determines that the State home facility or facility management does not 
meet the standards of this part, the director will notify the State home 
facility in writing of the standards not met. The director will send a 
copy of this notice to the State official authorized to oversee 
operations of the facility, the VA Network Director (10N 1-22), the 
Chief Network Officer (10N), and the Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and 
Extended Care (114). The letter will include the reasons for the 
recommendation or decision and indicate that the State has the right to 
appeal the recommendation or decision.
    (e) The State must submit the appeal to the Under Secretary for 
Health in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the notice of the 
recommendation or decision regarding the failure to meet the standards. 
In its appeal, the State must explain why the recommendation or 
determination is inaccurate or incomplete and provide any new and 
relevant information not previously considered. Any appeal that does not 
identify a reason for disagreement will be returned to the sender 
without further consideration.
    (f) After reviewing the matter, including any relevant supporting 
documentation, the Under Secretary for Health will issue a written 
determination that affirms or reverses the previous recommendation or 
determination. If the Under Secretary for Health decides that the 
facility does not meet the standards of subpart D of this part, the 
Under Secretary for Health will withdraw recognition and stop paying per 
diem for care provided on and after the date of the decision (or not 
grant recognition and certification and not pay per diem if the appeal 
occurs during the recognition process). The decision of the Under 
Secretary for Health will constitute a final decision that may be 
appealed to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (see 38 U.S.C. 7104 and 7105 
and 38 CFR part 20). The Under Secretary for Health will send a copy of 
this decision to the State home facility and to the State official 
authorized to oversee the operations of the State home.
    (g) In the event that a VA survey team or other VA medical center 
staff identifies any condition that poses an immediate threat to public 
or patient safety or other information indicating the existence of such 
a threat, the director of VA medical center of jurisdiction will 
immediately report this to the VA Network Director (10N 1-22),

[[Page 898]]

Chief Network Officer (10N), Chief Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and 
Extended Care (114) and State official authorized to oversee operations 
of the State home.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19432, Apr. 29, 2009; 78 
FR 51675, Aug. 21, 2013]



Sec. 51.31  Automatic recognition.

    Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, a facility that 
already is recognized by VA as a State home for nursing home care at the 
time this part becomes effective, automatically will continue to be 
recognized as a State home for nursing home care but will be subject to 
all of the provisions of this part that apply to facilities that have 
achieved recognition, including the provisions requiring that the 
facility meet the standards set forth in subpart D and the provisions 
for withholding per diem payments and withdrawal of recognition.



                       Subpart C_Per Diem Payments



Sec. 51.40  Basic per diem.

    Except as provided in Sec. 51.41 of this part,
    (a) During Fiscal Year 2008 VA will pay a facility recognized as a 
State home for nursing home care the lesser of the following for nursing 
home care provided to an eligible veteran in such facility:
    (1) One-half of the cost of the care for each day the veteran is in 
the facility; or
    (2) $71.42 for each day the veteran is in the facility.
    (b) During Fiscal Year 2009 and during each subsequent Fiscal Year, 
VA will pay a facility recognized as a State home for nursing home care 
the lesser of the following for nursing home care provided to an 
eligible veteran in such facility:
    (1) One-half of the cost of the care for each day the veteran is in 
the facility; or
    (2) The basic per diem rate for the Fiscal Year established by VA in 
accordance with 38 U.S.C. 1741(c).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1744)

[74 FR 19432, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.41  Contracts and provider agreements for certain veterans
with service-connected disabilities.

    (a) Contract or VA provider agreement required. VA and State homes 
may enter into both contracts and provider agreements. VA will pay for 
each eligible veteran's care through either a contract or a provider 
agreement (called a ``VA provider agreement''). Eligible veterans are 
those who:
    (1) Are in need of nursing home care for a VA adjudicated service-
connected disability, or
    (2) Have a singular or combined rating of 70 percent or more based 
on one or more service-connected disabilities or a rating of total 
disability based on individual unemployability and are in need of 
nursing home care.
    (b) Payments under contracts. Contracts under this section will be 
subject to this part to the extent provided for in the contract and will 
be governed by federal acquisition law and regulation. Contracts for 
payment under this section will provide for payment either:
    (1) At a rate or rates negotiated between VA and the State home; or
    (2) On request from a State home that provided nursing home care on 
August 5, 2012, for which the State home was eligible for payment under 
38 U.S.C. 1745(a)(1), at a rate that reflects the overall methodology of 
reimbursement for such care that was in effect for the State home on 
August 5, 2012.
    (c) Payments under VA provider agreements. (1) State homes must sign 
an agreement to receive payment from VA for providing care to certain 
eligible veterans under a VA provider agreement. VA provider agreements 
under this section will provide for payments at the rate determined by 
the following formula. For State Homes in a metropolitan statistical 
area, use the most recently published CMS Resource Utilization Groups 
(RUG) case-mix levels for the applicable metropolitan statistical area. 
For State Homes in a rural area, use the most recently published

[[Page 899]]

CMS Skilled Nursing Prospective Payment System case-mix levels for the 
applicable rural area. To compute the daily rate for each State home, 
multiply the labor component by the State home wage index for each of 
the applicable case-mix levels; then add to that amount the non-labor 
component. Divide the sum of the results of these calculations by the 
number of applicable case-mix levels. Finally, add to this quotient the 
amount based on the CMS payment schedule for physician services. The 
amount for physician services, based on information published by CMS, is 
the average hourly rate for all physicians, with the rate modified by 
the applicable urban or rural geographic index for physician work, then 
multiplied by 12, then divided by the number of days in the year.

    Note to paragraph (c)(1): The amount calculated under this formula 
reflects the prevailing rate payable in the geographic area in which the 
State home is located for nursing home care furnished in a non-
Department nursing home (a public or private institution not under the 
direct jurisdiction of VA which furnishes nursing home care). Further, 
the formula for establishing these rates includes CMS information that 
is published in the Federal Register every year and is effective 
beginning October 1 for the entire fiscal year. Accordingly, VA will 
adjust the rates annually.

    (2) The State home shall not charge any individual, insurer, or 
entity (other than VA) for the nursing home care paid for by VA under a 
VA provider agreement. Also, as a condition of receiving payments under 
paragraph (c) of this section, the State home must agree not to accept 
drugs and medicines from VA provided under 38 U.S.C. 1712(d) on behalf 
of veterans covered by this section and corresponding VA regulations 
(payment under paragraph (c) of this section includes payment for drugs 
and medicines).
    (3) Agreements under paragraph (c) of this section will be subject 
to this part, except to the extent that this part conflicts with this 
section. For purposes of this section, the term ``per diem'' in part 51 
includes payments under provider agreements.
    (4) If a veteran receives a retroactive VA service-connected 
disability rating and becomes a veteran identified in paragraph (a) of 
this section, the State home may request payment under the VA provider 
agreement for nursing home care back to the retroactive effective date 
of the rating or February 2, 2013, whichever is later. For care provided 
after the effective date but before February 2, 2013, the State home may 
request payment at the special per diem rate that was in effect at the 
time that the care was rendered.
    (d) VA signing official. VA provider agreements must be signed by 
the Director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction or designee.
    (e) Forms. Prior to entering into a VA provider agreement, State 
homes must submit to the VA medical center of jurisdiction a completed 
VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Medical Benefits (or VA Form 10-10EZR, 
Health Benefits Renewal Form, if a completed VA Form 10-10EZ is already 
on file at VA), and a completed VA Form 10-10SH, State Home Program 
Application for Care--Medical Certification, for the veterans for whom 
the State home will seek payment under the provider agreement. After VA 
and the State home have entered into a VA provider agreement, forms for 
payment must be submitted in accordance with paragraph (a) of this 
section. VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR are set forth in full at 
Sec. 58.12 of this chapter and VA Form 10-10SH is set forth in full at 
Sec. 58.13 of this chapter.
    (f) Termination of VA provider agreements. (1) A State home that 
wishes to terminate a VA provider agreement with VA must send written 
notice of its intent to the Director of the VA medical center of 
jurisdiction at least 30 days before the effective date of termination 
of the agreement. The notice shall include the intended date of 
termination.
    (2) VA provider agreements will terminate on the date of a final 
decision that the home is no longer recognized by VA under Sec. 51.30.
    (g) Compliance with Federal laws. Under provider agreements entered 
into under this section, State homes are not required to comply with 
reporting and auditing requirements imposed under the Service Contract 
Act of 1965, as amended (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.); however, State homes 
must comply with

[[Page 900]]

all other applicable Federal laws concerning employment and hiring 
practices including the Fair Labor Standards Act, National Labor 
Relations Act, the Civil Rights Acts, the Age Discrimination in 
Employment Act of 1967, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002, Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970, Immigration Reform and 
Control Act of 1986, Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act, the Family 
and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the 
Immigration and Nationality Act, the Consumer Credit Protection Act, the 
Employee Polygraph Protection Act, and the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 2900-0091 
and 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1720, 1741-1745; 42 U.S.C. 1395cc)

[77 FR 72741, Dec. 6, 2012]



Sec. 51.42  Drugs and medicines for certain veterans.

    (a) In addition to per diem payments under Sec. 51.40 of this part, 
the Secretary shall furnish drugs and medicines to a facility recognized 
as a State home as may be ordered by prescription of a duly licensed 
physician as specific therapy in the treatment of illness or injury for 
a veteran receiving care in a State home, if:
    (1) The veteran:
    (i) Has a singular or combined rating of less than 50 percent based 
on one or more service-connected disabilities and is in need of such 
drugs and medicines for a service-connected disability; and
    (ii) Is in need of nursing home care for reasons that do not include 
care for a VA adjudicated service-connected disability, or
    (2) The veteran:
    (i) Has a singular or combined rating of 50 or 60 percent based on 
one or more service-connected disabilities and is in need of such drugs 
and medicines; and
    (ii) Is in need of nursing home care for reasons that do not include 
care for a VA adjudicated service-connected disability.
    (b) VA may furnish a drug or medicine under paragraph (a) of this 
section only if the drug or medicine is included on VA's National 
Formulary, unless VA determines a non-Formulary drug or medicine is 
medically necessary.
    (c) VA may furnish a drug or medicine under paragraph (a) of this 
section by having the drug or medicine delivered to the State home in 
which the veteran resides by mail or other means determined by VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1744)

[74 FR 19432, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.43  Per diem and drugs and medicines--principles.

    (a) As a condition for receiving payment of per diem under this 
part, the State home must submit to the VA medical center of 
jurisdiction for each veteran a completed VA Form 10-10EZ, Application 
for Medical Benefits (or VA Form 10-10EZR, Health Benefits Renewal Form, 
if a completed Form 10-10EZ is already on file at VA), and a completed 
VA Form 10-10SH, State Home Program Application for Care--Medical 
Certification. These VA Forms, which are available at any VA medical 
center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms, must be submitted at the time 
of admission, with any request for a change in the level of care 
(domiciliary, hospital care or adult day health care), and any time the 
contact information has changed. If the facility is eligible to receive 
per diem payments for a veteran, VA will pay per diem under this part 
from the date of receipt of the completed forms required by this 
paragraph, except that VA will pay per diem from the day on which the 
veteran was admitted to the facility if the completed forms are received 
within 10 days after admission.
    (b) VA pays per diem on a monthly basis. To receive payment, the 
State must submit to the VA medical center of jurisdiction a completed 
VA Form 10-5588, State Home Report and Statement of Federal Aid Claimed, 
which is available at any VA medical center and at http://www.va.gov/
vaforms.
    (c) Per diem will be paid under Secs. 51.40 and 51.41 for each day 
that the veteran

[[Page 901]]

is receiving care and has an overnight stay. Per diem also will be paid 
when there is no overnight stay if the facility has an occupancy rate of 
90 percent or greater. However, these payments will be made only for the 
first 10 consecutive days during which the veteran is admitted as a 
patient for any stay in a VA or other hospital (a hospital stay could 
occur more than once in a calendar year) and only for the first 12 days 
in a calendar year during which the veteran is absent for purposes other 
than receiving hospital care. Occupancy rate is calculated by dividing 
the total number of patients in the nursing home or domiciliary by the 
total recognized nursing home or domiciliary beds in that facility.
    (d) Initial per diem payments will not be made until the Under 
Secretary for Health recognizes the State home. However, per diem 
payments will be made retroactively for care that was provided on and 
after the date of the completion of the VA survey of the facility that 
provided the basis for determining that the facility met the standards 
of this part.
    (e) The daily cost of care for an eligible veteran's nursing home 
care for purposes of Secs. 51.40(a)(1) and 51.41(b)(2) consists of those 
direct and indirect costs attributable to nursing home care at the 
facility divided by the total number of residents at the nursing home. 
Relevant cost principles are set forth in 2 CFR part 200.
    (f) As a condition for receiving drugs and medicines under this 
part, the State must submit to the VA medical center of jurisdiction a 
completed VA Form 10-0460 for each eligible veteran, which is available 
at any VA medical center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms. The 
corresponding prescriptions described in Sec. 51.42 also should be 
submitted to the VA medical center of jurisdiction.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control numbers 2900-0091 
and 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1744)

[74 FR 19432, Apr. 29, 2009, as amended at 77 FR 59320, Sept. 27, 2012; 
78 FR 51675, Aug. 21, 2013; 80 FR 43322, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 51.50  Eligible veterans.

    A veteran is an eligible veteran under this part if VA determines 
that the veteran needs nursing home care and the veteran is within one 
of the following categories:
    (a) Veterans with service-connected disabilities;
    (b) Veterans who are former prisoners of war;
    (c) Veterans who were discharged or released from active military 
service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty;
    (d) Veterans who receive disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. 
1151;
    (e) Veterans whose entitlement to disability compensation is 
suspended because of the receipt of retired pay;
    (f) Veterans whose entitlement to disability compensation is 
suspended pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1151, but only to the extent that such 
veterans' continuing eligibility for nursing home care is provided for 
in the judgment or settlement described in 38 U.S.C. 1151;
    (g) Veterans who VA determines are unable to defray the expenses of 
necessary care as specified under 38 U.S.C. 1722(a);
    (h) Veterans of the Mexican border period or of World War I;
    (i) Veterans solely seeking care for a disorder associated with 
exposure to a toxic substance or radiation or for a disorder associated 
with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the 
Persian Gulf War, as provided in 38 U.S.C. 1710(e);
    (j) Veterans who agree to pay to the United States the applicable 
co-payment determined under 38 U.S.C. 1710(f) and 1710(g).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)



Sec. 51.59  Authority to continue payment of per diem when veterans
are relocated due to emergency.

    (a) Definition of emergency. For the purposes of this section, 
emergency means an occasion or instance where all of the following are 
true:
    (1) It would be unsafe for veterans receiving care at a State home 
facility to remain in that facility.
    (2) The State is not, or believes that it will not be, able to 
provide care in the State home on a temporary or

[[Page 902]]

long-term basis for any or all of its veteran residents due to a 
situation involving the State home, and not due to a situation where a 
particular veteran's medical condition requires that the veteran be 
transferred to another facility, such as for a period of 
hospitalization.
    (3) The State determines that the veterans must be evacuated to 
another facility or facilities.
    (b) General authority to pay per diem during relocation period. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, VA will continue to 
pay per diem for a period not to exceed 30 days for any eligible veteran 
who resided in a State home, and for whom VA was paying per diem, if 
such veteran is evacuated during an emergency into a facility other than 
a VA facility if the State is responsible for providing or paying for 
the care. VA will not pay per diem payments under this section for more 
than 30 days of care provided in the evacuation facility, unless the 
official who approved the emergency response under paragraph (e) of this 
section determines that it is not reasonably possible to return the 
veteran to a State home within the 30-day period, in which case such 
official will approve additional period(s) of no more than 30 days in 
accordance with this section. VA will not provide per diem if VA 
determines that a veteran is or has been placed in a facility that does 
not meet the standards set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 
and VA may recover all per diem payments made for the care of the 
veteran in that facility.
    (c) Selection of evacuation facilities. The following standards and 
procedures apply to the selection of an evacuation facility in order for 
VA to continue to pay per diem during an emergency; these standards and 
procedures also apply to evacuation facilities when veterans are 
evacuated from a nursing home care facility in which care is being 
provided pursuant to a contract under 38 U.S.C. 1720.
    (1) Each veteran who is evacuated must be placed in a facility that, 
at a minimum, will meet the needs for food, shelter, toileting, and 
essential medical care of that veteran.
    (2) For veterans evacuated from nursing homes, the following types 
of facilities may meet the standards under paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section:
    (i) VA Community Living Centers;
    (ii) VA contract nursing homes;
    (iii) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid certified facilities; and
    (iv) Licensed nursing homes.

    Note to paragraph (c)(2): If none of the above options are 
available, veterans may be evacuated temporarily to other facilities 
that meet the standards under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.

    (3) For veterans evacuated from domiciliaries, the following types 
of facilities may meet the standards in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section:
    (i) Emergency evacuation facilities identified by the city or state;
    (ii) Assisted living facilities; and
    (iii) Hotels.
    (d) Applicability to adult day health care facilities. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, VA will continue to 
pay per diem for a period not to exceed 30 days for any eligible veteran 
who was receiving adult day health care, and for whom VA was paying per 
diem, if the adult day health care facility becomes temporarily 
unavailable due to an emergency. Approval of a temporary facility for 
such veteran is subject to paragraph (e) of this section. If after 30 
days the veteran cannot return to the original adult day health care 
facility, VA will discontinue per diem payments unless the official who 
approved the emergency response under paragraph (e) of this section 
determines that it is not reasonably possible to provide care at the 
original facility or to relocate an eligible veteran to a new facility, 
in which case such official will approve additional period(s) of no more 
than 30 days in accordance with this section. VA will not provide per 
diem if VA determines that a veteran was provided adult day health care 
in a facility that does not meet the standards set forth in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section, and VA may recover all per diem payments made 
for the care of the veteran in that facility.
    (e) Approval of response. Per diem payments will not be made under 
this section unless and until the director of the VAMC determines, or 
the director

[[Page 903]]

of the VISN in which the State home is located (if the VAMC director is 
not capable of doing so) determines, that an emergency exists and that 
the evacuation facility meets VA standards set forth in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section.

(Authority 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720, 1742)

[76 FR 55571, Sept. 8, 2011]



                           Subpart D_Standards



Sec. 51.60  Standards applicable for payment of per diem.

    The provisions of this subpart are the standards that a State home 
and facility management must meet for the State to receive per diem for 
nursing home care.



Sec. 51.70  Resident rights.

    The resident has a right to a dignified existence, self-
determination, and communication with and access to persons and services 
inside and outside the facility. The facility management must protect 
and promote the rights of each resident, including each of the following 
rights:
    (a) Exercise of rights. (1) The resident has the right to exercise 
his or her rights as a resident of the facility and as a citizen or 
resident of the United States.
    (2) The resident has the right to be free of interference, coercion, 
discrimination, and reprisal from the facility management in exercising 
his or her rights.
    (3) The resident has the right to freedom from chemical or physical 
restraint.
    (4) In the case of a resident determined incompetent under the laws 
of a State by a court of jurisdiction, the rights of the resident are 
exercised by the person appointed under State law to act on the 
resident's behalf.
    (5) In the case of a resident who has not been determined 
incompetent by the State court, any legal-surrogate designated in 
accordance with State law may exercise the resident's rights to the 
extent provided by State law.
    (b) Notice of rights and services. (1) The facility management must 
inform the resident both orally and in writing in a language that the 
resident understands of his or her rights and all rules and regulations 
governing resident conduct and responsibilities during the stay in the 
facility. Such notification must be made prior to or upon admission and 
periodically during the resident's stay.
    (2) The resident or his or her legal representative has the right:
    (i) Upon an oral or written request, to access all records 
pertaining to himself or herself including current clinical records 
within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays); and
    (ii) After receipt of his or her records for review, to purchase at 
a cost not to exceed the community standard photocopies of the records 
or any portions of them upon request and with 2 working days advance 
notice to the facility management.
    (3) The resident has the right to be fully informed in language that 
he or she can understand of his or her total health status;
    (4) The resident has the right to refuse treatment, to refuse to 
participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance 
directive as specified in paragraph (b)(7) of this section; and
    (5) The facility management must inform each resident before, or at 
the time of admission, and periodically during the resident's stay, of 
services available in the facility and of charges for those services to 
be billed to the resident.
    (6) The facility management must furnish a written description of 
legal rights which includes:
    (i) A description of the manner of protecting personal funds, under 
paragraph (c) of this section;
    (ii) A statement that the resident may file a complaint with the 
State (agency) concerning resident abuse, neglect, misappropriation of 
resident property in the facility, and non-compliance with the advance 
directives requirements.
    (7) The facility management must have written policies and 
procedures regarding advance directives (e.g., living wills) that 
include provisions to inform and provide written information to all 
residents concerning the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical 
treatment and, at the individual's option, formulate an advance 
directive. This includes a written description of

[[Page 904]]

the facility's policies to implement advance directives and applicable 
State law. If an individual is incapacitated at the time of admission 
and is unable to receive information (due to the incapacitating 
conditions) or articulate whether or not he or she has executed an 
advance directive, the facility may give advance directive information 
to the individual's family or surrogate in the same manner that it 
issues other materials about policies and procedures to the family of 
the incapacitated individual or to a surrogate or other concerned 
persons in accordance with State law. The facility management is not 
relieved of its obligation to provide this information to the individual 
once he or she is no longer incapacitated or unable to receive such 
information. Follow-up procedures must be in place to provide the 
information to the individual directly at the appropriate time.
    (8) The facility management must inform each resident of the name 
and way of contacting the primary physician responsible for his or her 
care.
    (9) Notification of changes. (i) Facility management must 
immediately inform the resident; consult with the primary physician; and 
if known, notify the resident's legal representative or an interested 
family member when there is--
    (A) An accident involving the resident which results in injury and 
has the potential for requiring physician intervention;
    (B) A significant change in the resident's physical, mental, or 
psychosocial status (i.e., a deterioration in health, mental, or 
psychosocial status in either life-threatening conditions or clinical 
complications);
    (C) A need to alter treatment significantly (i.e., a need to 
discontinue an existing form of treatment due to adverse consequences, 
or to commence a new form of treatment); or
    (D) A decision to transfer or discharge the resident from the 
facility as specified in Sec. 51.80(a) of this part.
    (ii) The facility management must also promptly notify the resident 
and, if known, the resident's legal representative or interested family 
member when there is--
    (A) A change in room or roommate assignment as specified in 
Sec. 51.100(f)(2); or
    (B) A change in resident rights under Federal or State law or 
regulations as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (iii) The facility management must record and periodically update 
the address and phone number of the resident's legal representative or 
interested family member.
    (c) Protection of resident funds. (1) The resident has the right to 
manage his or her financial affairs, and the facility management may not 
require residents to deposit their personal funds with the facility.
    (2) Management of personal funds. Upon written authorization of a 
resident, the facility management must hold, safeguard, manage, and 
account for the personal funds of the resident deposited with the 
facility, as specified in paragraphs (c)(3) through (c)(6) of this 
section.
    (3) Deposit of funds. (i) Funds in excess of $100. The facility 
management must deposit any residents' personal funds in excess of $100 
in an interest bearing account (or accounts) that is separate from any 
of the facility's operating accounts, and that credits all interest 
earned on resident's funds to that account. (In pooled accounts, there 
must be a separate accounting for each resident's share.)
    (ii) Funds less than $100. The facility management must maintain a 
resident's personal funds that do not exceed $100 in a non-interest 
bearing account, interest-bearing account, or petty cash fund.
    (4) Accounting and records. The facility management must establish 
and maintain a system that assures a full and complete and separate 
accounting, according to generally accepted accounting principles, of 
each resident's personal funds entrusted to the facility on the 
resident's behalf.
    (i) The system must preclude any commingling of resident funds with 
facility funds or with the funds of any person other than another 
resident.
    (ii) The individual financial record must be available through 
quarterly statements and on request from the

[[Page 905]]

resident or his or her legal representative.
    (5) Conveyance upon death. Upon the death of a resident with a 
personal fund deposited with the facility, the facility management must 
convey within 90 calendar days the resident's funds, and a final 
accounting of those funds, to the individual or probate jurisdiction 
administering the resident's estate; or other appropriate individual or 
entity, if State law allows.
    (6) Assurance of financial security. The facility management must 
purchase a surety bond, or otherwise provide assurance satisfactory to 
the Under Secretary for Health, to assure the security of all personal 
funds of residents deposited with the facility.
    (d) Free choice. The resident has the right to--
    (1) Be fully informed in advance about care and treatment and of any 
changes in that care or treatment that may affect the resident's well-
being; and
    (2) Unless determined incompetent or otherwise determined to be 
incapacitated under the laws of the State, participate in planning care 
and treatment or changes in care and treatment.
    (e) Privacy and confidentiality. The resident has the right to 
personal privacy and confidentiality of his or her personal and clinical 
records.
    (1) Residents have a right to personal privacy in their 
accommodations, medical treatment, written and telephone communications, 
personal care, visits, and meetings of family and resident groups. This 
does not require the facility management to give a private room to each 
resident.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, the 
resident may approve or refuse the release of personal and clinical 
records to any individual outside the facility;
    (3) The resident's right to refuse release of personal and clinical 
records does not apply when--
    (i) The resident is transferred to another health care institution; 
or
    (ii) Record release is required by law.
    (f) Grievances. A resident has the right to--
    (1) Voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal. Residents 
may voice grievances with respect to treatment received and not 
received; and
    (2) Prompt efforts by the facility to resolve grievances the 
resident may have, including those with respect to the behavior of other 
residents.
    (g) Examination of survey results. A resident has the right to--
    (1) Examine the results of the most recent VA survey with respect to 
the facility. The facility management must make the results available 
for examination in a place readily accessible to residents, and must 
post a notice of their availability; and
    (2) Receive information from agencies acting as client advocates, 
and be afforded the opportunity to contact these agencies.
    (h) Work. The resident has the right to--
    (1) Refuse to perform services for the facility;
    (2) Perform services for the facility, if he or she chooses, when--
    (i) The facility has documented the need or desire for work in the 
plan of care;
    (ii) The plan specifies the nature of the services performed and 
whether the services are voluntary or paid;
    (iii) Compensation for paid services is at or above prevailing 
rates; and
    (iv) The resident agrees to the work arrangement described in the 
plan of care.
    (i) Mail. The resident must have the right to privacy in written 
communications, including the right to--
    Send and promptly receive mail that is unopened; and
    (2) Have access to stationery, postage, and writing implements at 
the resident's own expense.
    (j) Access and visitation rights. (1) The resident has the right and 
the facility management must provide immediate access to any resident by 
the following:
    (i) Any representative of the Under Secretary for Health;
    (ii) Any representative of the State;
    (iii) Physicians of the resident's choice (to provide care in the 
nursing home, physicians must meet the provisions of Sec. 51.210(j));
    (iv) The State long term care ombudsman;
    (v) Immediate family or other relatives of the resident subject to 
the

[[Page 906]]

resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time; and
    (vi) Others who are visiting subject to reasonable restrictions and 
the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time.
    (2) The facility management must provide reasonable access to any 
resident by any entity or individual that provides health, social, 
legal, or other services to the resident, subject to the resident's 
right to deny or withdraw consent at any time.
    (3) The facility management must allow representatives of the State 
Ombudsman Program, described in paragraph (j)(1)(iv) of this section, to 
examine a resident's clinical records with the permission of the 
resident or the resident's legal representative, subject to State law.
    (k) Telephone. The resident has the right to reasonable access to 
use a telephone where calls can be made without being overheard.
    (l) Personal property. The resident has the right to retain and use 
personal possessions, including some furnishings, and appropriate 
clothing, as space permits, unless to do so would infringe upon the 
rights or health and safety of other residents.
    (m) Married couples. The resident has the right to share a room with 
his or her spouse when married residents live in the same facility and 
both spouses consent to the arrangement.
    (n) Self-Administration of Drugs. An individual resident may self-
administer drugs if the interdisciplinary team, as defined by 
Sec. 51.110(d)(2)(ii) of this part, has determined that this practice is 
safe.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.80  Admission, transfer and discharge rights.

    (a) Transfer and discharge. (1) Definition: Transfer and discharge 
includes movement of a resident to a bed outside of the facility whether 
that bed is in the same physical plant or not. Transfer and discharge 
does not refer to movement of a resident to a bed within the same 
facility.
    (2) Transfer and discharge requirements. The facility management 
must permit each resident to remain in the facility, and not transfer or 
discharge the resident from the facility unless--
    (i) The transfer or discharge is necessary for the resident's 
welfare and the resident's needs cannot be met in the nursing home;
    (ii) The transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident's 
health has improved sufficiently so the resident no longer needs the 
services provided by the nursing home;
    (iii) The safety of individuals in the facility is endangered;
    (iv) The health of individuals in the facility would otherwise be 
endangered;
    (v) The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice 
to pay for a stay at the facility; or
    (vi) The nursing home ceases to operate.
    (3) Documentation. When the facility transfers or discharges a 
resident under any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs 
(a)(2)(i) through (a)(2)(vi) of this section, the primary physician must 
document this in the resident's clinical record.
    (4) Notice before transfer. Before a facility transfers or 
discharges a resident, the facility must--
    (i) Notify the resident and, if known, a family member or legal 
representative of the resident of the transfer or discharge and the 
reasons for the move in writing and in a language and manner they 
understand.
    (ii) Record the reasons in the resident's clinical record; and
    (iii) Include in the notice the items described in paragraph (a)(6) 
of this section.
    (5) Timing of the notice. (i) The notice of transfer or discharge 
required under paragraph (a)(4) of this section must be made by the 
facility at least 30 days before the resident is transferred or 
discharged, except when specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this 
section,
    (ii) Notice may be made as soon as practicable before transfer or 
discharge when--
    (A) The safety of individuals in the facility would be endangered;

[[Page 907]]

    (B) The health of individuals in the facility would be otherwise 
endangered;
    (C) The resident's health improves sufficiently so the resident no 
longer needs the services provided by the nursing home;
    (D) The resident's needs cannot be met in the nursing home;
    (6) Contents of the notice. The written notice specified in 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section must include the following:
    (i) The reason for transfer or discharge;
    (ii) The effective date of transfer or discharge;
    (iii) The location to which the resident is transferred or 
discharged;
    (iv) A statement that the resident has the right to appeal the 
action to the State official designated by the State; and
    (v) The name, address and telephone number of the State long term 
care ombudsman.
    (7) Orientation for transfer or discharge. A facility management 
must provide sufficient preparation and orientation to residents to 
ensure safe and orderly transfer or discharge from the facility.
    (b) Notice of bed-hold policy and readmission--(1) Notice before 
transfer. Before a facility transfers a resident to a hospital or allows 
a resident to go on therapeutic leave, the facility management must 
provide written information to the resident and a family member or legal 
representative that specifies--
    (i) The duration of the facility's bed-hold policy, if any, during 
which the resident is permitted to return and resume residence in the 
facility; and
    (ii) The facility's policies regarding bed-hold periods, which must 
be consistent with paragraph (b)(3) of this section, permitting a 
resident to return.
    (2) Bed-hold notice upon transfer. At the time of transfer of a 
resident for hospitalization or therapeutic leave, facility management 
must provide to the resident and a family member or legal representative 
written notice which specifies the duration of the bed-hold policy 
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (3) Permitting resident to return to facility. A nursing facility 
must establish and follow a written policy under which a resident, whose 
hospitalization or therapeutic leave exceeds the bed-hold period is 
readmitted to the facility immediately upon the first availability of a 
bed in a semi-private room, if the resident requires the services 
provided by the facility.
    (c) Equal access to quality care. The facility management must 
establish and maintain identical policies and practices regarding 
transfer, discharge, and the provision of services for all individuals 
regardless of source of payment.
    (d) Admissions policy. The facility management must not require a 
third party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of 
admission or expedited admission, or continued stay in the facility. 
However, the facility may require an individual who has legal access to 
a resident's income or resources available to pay for facility care to 
sign a contract to pay the facility from the resident's income or 
resources.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.90  Resident behavior and facility practices.

    (a) Restraints. (1) The resident has a right to be free from any 
chemical or physical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or 
convenience. When a restraint is applied or used, the purpose of the 
restraint is reviewed and is justified as a therapeutic intervention.
    (i) Chemical restraint is the inappropriate use of a sedating 
psychotropic drug to manage or control behavior.
    (ii) Physical restraint is any method of physically restricting a 
person's freedom of movement, physical activity or normal access to his 
or her body. Bed rails and vest restraints are examples of physical 
restraints.
    (2) The facility management uses a system to achieve a restraint-
free environment.
    (3) The facility management collects data about the use of 
restraints.

[[Page 908]]

    (4) When alternatives to the use of restraint are ineffective, a 
restraint must be safely and appropriately used.
    (b) Abuse. The resident has the right to be free from mental, 
physical, sexual, and verbal abuse or neglect, corporal punishment, and 
involuntary seclusion.
    (1) Mental abuse includes humiliation, harassment, and threats of 
punishment or deprivation.
    (2) Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, pinching, or kicking. 
Also includes controlling behavior through corporal punishment.
    (3) Sexual abuse includes sexual harassment, sexual coercion, and 
sexual assault.
    (4) Neglect is any impaired quality of life for an individual 
because of the absence of minimal services or resources to meet basic 
needs. Includes withholding or inadequately providing food and hydration 
(without physician, resident, or surrogate approval), clothing, medical 
care, and good hygiene. May also include placing the individual in 
unsafe or unsupervised conditions.
    (5) Involuntary seclusion is a resident's separation from other 
residents or from the resident's room against his or her will or the 
will of his or her legal representative.
    (c) Staff treatment of residents. The facility management must 
develop and implement written policies and procedures that prohibit 
mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and misappropriation of 
resident property.
    (1) The facility management must:
    (i) Not employ individuals who--
    (A) Have been found guilty of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating 
individuals by a court of law; or
    (B) Have had a finding entered into an applicable State registry or 
with the applicable licensing authority concerning abuse, neglect, 
mistreatment of individuals or misappropriation of their property; and
    (ii) Report any knowledge it has of actions by a court of law 
against an employee, which would indicate unfitness for service as a 
nurse aide or other facility staff to the State nurse aide registry or 
licensing authorities.
    (2) The facility management must ensure that all alleged violations 
involving mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, including injuries of unknown 
source, and misappropriation of resident property are reported 
immediately to the administrator of the facility and to other officials 
in accordance with State law through established procedures.
    (3) The facility management must have evidence that all alleged 
violations are thoroughly investigated, and must prevent further 
potential abuse while the investigation is in progress.
    (4) The results of all investigations must be reported to the 
administrator or the designated representative and to other officials in 
accordance with State law within 5 working days of the incident, and 
appropriate corrective action must be taken if the alleged violation is 
verified.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.100  Quality of life.

    A facility management must care for its residents in a manner and in 
an environment that promotes maintenance or enhancement of each 
resident's quality of life.
    (a) Dignity. The facility management must promote care for residents 
in a manner and in an environment that maintains or enhances each 
resident's dignity and respect in full recognition of his or her 
individuality.
    (b) Self-determination and participation. The resident has the right 
to--
    (1) Choose activities, schedules, and health care consistent with 
his or her interests, assessments, and plans of care;
    (2) Interact with members of the community both inside and outside 
the facility; and
    (3) Make choices about aspects of his or her life in the facility 
that are significant to the resident.
    (c) Resident Council. The facility management must establish a 
council of residents that meet at least quarterly. The facility 
management must document any concerns submitted to the management of the 
facility by the council.

[[Page 909]]

    (d) Participation in resident and family groups. (1) A resident has 
the right to organize and participate in resident groups in the 
facility;
    (2) A resident's family has the right to meet in the facility with 
the families of other residents in the facility;
    (3) The facility management must provide the council and any 
resident or family group that exists with private space;
    (4) Staff or visitors may attend meetings at the group's invitation;
    (5) The facility management must provide a designated staff person 
responsible for providing assistance and responding to written requests 
that result from group meetings;
    (6) The facility management must listen to the views of any resident 
or family group, including the council established under paragraph (c) 
of this section, and act upon the concerns of residents, families, and 
the council regarding policy and operational decisions affecting 
resident care and life in the facility.
    (e) Participation in other activities. A resident has the right to 
participate in social, religious, and community activities that do not 
interfere with the rights of other residents in the facility. The 
facility management must arrange for religious counseling by clergy of 
various faith groups.
    (f) Accommodation of needs. A resident has the right to--
    (1) Reside and receive services in the facility with reasonable 
accommodation of individual needs and preferences, except when the 
health or safety of the individual or other residents would be 
endangered; and
    (2) Receive notice before the resident's room or roommate in the 
facility is changed.
    (g) Patient Activities. (1) The facility management must provide for 
an ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in accordance with 
the comprehensive assessment, the interests and the physical, mental, 
and psychosocial well-being of each resident.
    (2) The activities program must be directed by a qualified 
professional who is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an 
activities professional who--
    (i) Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the State in which 
practicing; and
    (ii) Is certified as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an 
activities professional by a recognized accrediting body.
    (h) Social Services. (1) The facility management must provide 
medically related social services to attain or maintain the highest 
practicable mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident.
    (2) For each 120 beds, a nursing home must employ one or more 
qualified social workers who work for a total period that equals at 
least the work time of one full-time employee (FTE). A State home that 
has more or less than 120 beds must provide qualified social worker 
services on a proportionate basis (for example, a nursing home with 60 
beds must employ one or more qualified social workers who work for a 
total period equaling at least one-half FTE and a nursing home with 180 
beds must employ qualified social workers who work for a total period 
equaling at least one and one-half FTE).
    (3) Qualifications of social worker. A qualified social worker is an 
individual with--
    (i) A bachelor's degree in social work from a school accredited by 
the Council of Social Work Education (Note: A master's degree social 
worker with experience in long-term care is preferred), and
    (ii) A social work license from the State in which the State home is 
located, if offered by the State, and
    (iii) A minimum of one year of supervised social work experience in 
a health care setting working directly with individuals.
    (4) The facility management must have sufficient support staff to 
meet patients' social services needs.
    (5) Facilities for social services must ensure privacy for 
interviews.
    (i) Environment. The facility management must provide--
    (1) A safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, allowing 
the resident to use his or her personal belongings to the extent 
possible;
    (2) Housekeeping and maintenance services necessary to maintain a 
sanitary, orderly, and comfortable interior;

[[Page 910]]

    (3) Clean bed and bath linens that are in good condition;
    (4) Private closet space in each resident room, as specified in 
Sec. 51.200(d)(2)(iv) of this part;
    (5) Adequate and comfortable lighting levels in all areas;
    (6) Comfortable and safe temperature levels. Facilities must 
maintain a temperature range of 71-81 degrees Fahrenheit; and
    (7) For the maintenance of comfortable sound levels.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.110  Resident assessment.

    The facility management must conduct initially, annually and as 
required by a change in the resident's condition a comprehensive, 
accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident's 
functional capacity.
    (a) Admission orders. At the time each resident is admitted, the 
facility management must have physician orders for the resident's 
immediate care and a medical assessment, including a medical history and 
physical examination, within a time frame appropriate to the resident's 
condition, not to exceed 72 hours after admission, except when an 
examination was performed within five days before admission and the 
findings were recorded in the medical record on admission.
    (b) Comprehensive assessments. (1) The facility management must make 
a comprehensive assessment of a resident's needs:
    (i) Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 
Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set, Version 3.0; and
    (ii) Describing the resident's capability to perform daily life 
functions, strengths, performances, needs as well as significant 
impairments in functional capacity.
    (2) Frequency. Assessments must be conducted--
    (i) No later than 14 days after the date of admission;
    (ii) Promptly after a significant change in the resident's physical, 
mental, or social condition; and
    (iii) In no case less often than once every 12 months.
    (3) Review of assessments. The nursing facility management must 
examine each resident no less than once every 3 months, and as 
appropriate, revise the resident's assessment to assure the continued 
accuracy of the assessment.
    (4) Use. The results of the assessment are used to develop, review, 
and revise the resident's individualized comprehensive plan of care, 
under paragraph (d) of this section.
    (c) Accuracy of assessments. (1) Coordination--
    (i) Each assessment must be conducted or coordinated with the 
appropriate participation of health professionals.
    (ii) Each assessment must be conducted or coordinated by a 
registered nurse that signs and certifies the completion of the 
assessment.
    (2) Certification. Each person who completes a portion of the 
assessment must sign and certify the accuracy of that portion of the 
assessment.
    (d) Submission of assessments. Each assessment (initial, annual, 
change in condition, and quarterly) using the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services (CMS) Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set, 
Version 2.0 must be submitted electronically to VA at the IP address 
provided by VA to the State within 30 days after completion of the 
assessment document.
    (e) Comprehensive care plans. (1) The facility management must 
develop an individualized comprehensive care plan for each resident that 
includes measurable objectives and timetables to meet a resident's 
physical, mental, and psychosocial needs that are identified in the 
comprehensive assessment. The care plan must describe the following--
    (i) The services that are to be furnished to attain or maintain the 
resident's highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-
being as required under Sec. 51.120; and
    (ii) Any services that would otherwise be required under Sec. 51.120 
of this part but are not provided due to the resident's exercise of 
rights under

[[Page 911]]

Sec. 51.70, including the right to refuse treatment under 
Sec. 51.70(b)(4) of this part.
    (2) A comprehensive care plan must be--
    (i) Developed within 7 calendar days after completion of the 
comprehensive assessment;
    (ii) Prepared by an interdisciplinary team, that includes the 
primary physician, a registered nurse with responsibility for the 
resident, and other appropriate staff in disciplines as determined by 
the resident's needs, and, to the extent practicable, the participation 
of the resident, the resident's family or the resident's legal 
representative; and
    (iii) Periodically reviewed and revised by a team of qualified 
persons after each assessment.
    (3) The services provided or arranged by the facility must--
    (i) Meet professional standards of quality; and
    (ii) Be provided by qualified persons in accordance with each 
resident's written plan of care.
    (f) Discharge summary. Prior to discharging a resident, the facility 
management must prepare a discharge summary that includes--
    (1) A recapitulation of the resident's stay;
    (2) A summary of the resident's status at the time of the discharge 
to include items in paragraph (b)(2) of this section; and
    (3) A post-discharge plan of care that is developed with the 
participation of the resident and his or her family, which will assist 
the resident to adjust to his or her new living environment.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009; 77 
FR 26184, May 3, 2012]



Sec. 51.120  Quality of care.

    Each resident must receive and the facility management must provide 
the necessary care and services to attain or maintain the highest 
practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, in accordance 
with the comprehensive assessment and plan of care.
    (a) Reporting of Sentinel Events--(1) Definition. A sentinel event 
is an adverse event that results in the loss of life or limb or 
permanent loss of function.
    (2) Examples of sentinel events are as follows:
    (i) Any resident death, paralysis, coma or other major permanent 
loss of function associated with a medication error; or
    (ii) Any suicide of a resident, including suicides following 
elopement (unauthorized departure) from the facility; or
    (iii) Any elopement of a resident from the facility resulting in a 
death or a major permanent loss of function; or
    (iv) Any procedure or clinical intervention, including restraints, 
that result in death or a major permanent loss of function; or
    (v) Assault, homicide or other crime resulting in patient death or 
major permanent loss of function; or
    (vi) A patient fall that results in death or major permanent loss of 
function as a direct result of the injuries sustained in the fall.
    (3) The facility management must report sentinel events to the 
director of VA medical center of jurisdiction within 24 hours of 
identification. The VA medical center of jurisdiction must report 
sentinel events by calling VA Network Director (10N 1-22) and Chief 
Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114) within 24 hours 
of notification.
    (4) The facility management must establish a mechanism to review and 
analyze a sentinel event resulting in a written report no later than 10 
working days following the event. The purpose of the review and analysis 
of a sentinel event is to prevent injuries to residents, visitors, and 
personnel, and to manage those injuries that do occur and to minimize 
the negative consequences to the injured individuals and facility.
    (b) Activities of daily living. Based on the comprehensive 
assessment of a resident, the facility management must ensure that--
    (1) A resident's abilities in activities of daily living do not 
diminish unless

[[Page 912]]

circumstances of the individual's clinical condition demonstrate that 
diminution was unavoidable. This includes the resident's ability to--
    (i) Bathe, dress, and groom;
    (ii) Transfer and ambulate;
    (iii) Toilet;
    (iv) Eat; and
    (v) Talk or otherwise communicate.
    (2) A resident is given the appropriate treatment and services to 
maintain or improve his or her abilities specified in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section; and
    (3) A resident who is unable to carry out activities of daily living 
receives the necessary services to maintain good nutrition, hydration, 
grooming, personal and oral hygiene, mobility, and bladder and bowel 
elimination.
    (c) Vision and hearing. To ensure that residents receive proper 
treatment and assistive devices to maintain vision and hearing 
abilities, the facility must, if necessary, assist the resident--
    (1) In making appointments, and
    (2) By arranging for transportation to and from the office of a 
practitioner specializing in the treatment of vision or hearing 
impairment or the office of a professional specializing in the provision 
of vision or hearing assistive devices.
    (d) Pressure sores. Based on the comprehensive assessment of a 
resident, the facility management must ensure that--
    (1) A resident who enters the facility without pressure sores does 
not develop pressure sores unless the individual's clinical condition 
demonstrates that they were unavoidable; and
    (2) A resident having pressure sores receives necessary treatment 
and services to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent new sores 
from developing.
    (e) Urinary and Fecal Incontinence. Based on the resident's 
comprehensive assessment, the facility management must ensure that--
    (1) A resident who enters the facility without an indwelling 
catheter is not catheterized unless the resident's clinical condition 
demonstrates that catheterization was necessary;
    (2) A resident who is incontinent of urine receives appropriate 
treatment and services to prevent urinary tract infections and to 
restore as much normal bladder function as possible; and
    (3) A resident who has persistent fecal incontinence receives 
appropriate treatment and services to treat reversible causes and to 
restore as much normal bowel function as possible.
    (f) Range of motion. Based on the comprehensive assessment of a 
resident, the facility management must ensure that--
    (1) A resident who enters the facility without a limited range of 
motion does not experience reduction in range of motion unless the 
resident's clinical condition demonstrates that a reduction in range of 
motion is unavoidable; and
    (2) A resident with a limited range of motion receives appropriate 
treatment and services to increase range of motion and/or to prevent 
further decrease in range of motion.
    (g) Mental and Psychosocial functioning. Based on the comprehensive 
assessment of a resident, the facility management must ensure that a 
resident who displays mental or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, 
receives appropriate treatment and services to correct the assessed 
problem.
    (h) Enteral Feedings. Based on the comprehensive assessment of a 
resident, the facility management must ensure that--
    (1) A resident who has been able to adequately eat or take fluids 
alone or with assistance is not fed by enteral feedings unless the 
resident's clinical condition demonstrates that use of enteral feedings 
was unavoidable; and
    (2) A resident who is fed by enteral feedings receives the 
appropriate treatment and services to prevent aspiration pneumonia, 
diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, metabolic abnormalities, nasal-
pharyngeal ulcers and other skin breakdowns, and to restore, if 
possible, normal eating skills.
    (i) Accidents. The facility management must ensure that--
    (1) The resident environment remains as free of accident hazards as 
is possible; and
    (2) Each resident receives adequate supervision and assistance 
devices to prevent accidents.
    (j) Nutrition. Based on a resident's comprehensive assessment, the 
facility

[[Page 913]]

management must ensure that a resident--
    (1) Maintains acceptable parameters of nutritional status, such as 
body weight and protein levels, unless the resident's clinical condition 
demonstrates that this is not possible; and
    (2) Receives a therapeutic diet when a nutritional deficiency is 
identified.
    (k) Hydration. The facility management must provide each resident 
with sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health.
    (l) Special needs. The facility management must ensure that 
residents receive proper treatment and care for the following special 
services:
    (1) Injections;
    (2) Parenteral and enteral fluids;
    (3) Colostomy, ureterostomy, or ileostomy care;
    (4) Tracheostomy care;
    (5) Tracheal suctioning;
    (6) Respiratory care;
    (7) Foot care; and
    (8) Prostheses.
    (m) Unnecessary drugs--(1) General. Each resident's drug regimen 
must be free from unnecessary drugs. An unnecessary drug is any drug 
when used:
    (i) In excessive dose (including duplicate drug therapy); or
    (ii) For excessive duration; or
    (iii) Without adequate monitoring; or
    (iv) Without adequate indications for its use; or
    (v) In the presence of adverse consequences which indicate the dose 
should be reduced or discontinued; or
    (vi) Any combinations of the reasons above.
    (2) Antipsychotic Drugs. Based on a comprehensive assessment of a 
resident, the facility management must ensure that--
    (i) Residents who have not used antipsychotic drugs are not given 
these drugs unless antipsychotic drug therapy is necessary to treat a 
specific condition as diagnosed and documented in the clinical record; 
and
    (ii) Residents who use antipsychotic drugs receive gradual dose 
reductions, and behavioral interventions, unless clinically 
contraindicated, in an effort to discontinue these drugs.
    (n) Medication Errors. The facility management must ensure that--
    (1) Medication errors are identified and reviewed on a timely basis; 
and
    (2) strategies for preventing medication errors and adverse 
reactions are implemented.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.130  Nursing services.

    The facility management must provide an organized nursing service 
with a sufficient number of qualified nursing personnel to meet the 
total nursing care needs, as determined by resident assessment and 
individualized comprehensive plans of care, of all patients within the 
facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    (a) The nursing service must be under the direction of a full-time 
registered nurse who is currently licensed by the State and has, in 
writing, administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability 
for the functions, activities, and training of the nursing services 
staff.
    (b) The facility management must provide registered nurses 24 hours 
per day, 7 days per week.
    (c) The director of nursing service must designate a registered 
nurse as a supervising nurse for each tour of duty.
    (1) Based on the application and results of the case mix and 
staffing methodology, the director of nursing may serve in a dual role 
as director and as an onsite-supervising nurse only when the facility 
has an average daily occupancy of 60 or fewer residents in nursing home.
    (2) Based on the application and results of the case mix and 
staffing methodology, the evening or night supervising nurse may serve 
in a dual role as supervising nurse as well as provides direct patient 
care only when the facility has an average daily occupancy of 60 or 
fewer residents in nursing home.
    (d) The facility management must provide nursing services to ensure 
that there is direct care nurse staffing of no less than 2.5 hours per 
patient per 24 hours, 7 days per week in the portion of

[[Page 914]]

any building providing nursing home care.
    (e) Nurse staffing must be based on a staffing methodology that 
applies case mix and is adequate for meeting the standards of this part.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.140  Dietary services.

    The facility management must provide each resident with a 
nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets the daily 
nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident.
    (a) Staffing. The facility management must employ a qualified 
dietitian either full-time, part-time, or on a consultant basis.
    (1) If a dietitian is not employed, the facility management must 
designate a person to serve as the director of food service who receives 
at least a monthly scheduled consultation from a qualified dietitian.
    (2) A qualified dietitian is one who is qualified based upon 
registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American 
Dietetic Association.
    (b) Sufficient staff. The facility management must employ sufficient 
support personnel competent to carry out the functions of the dietary 
service.
    (c) Menus and nutritional adequacy. Menus must--
    (1) Meet the nutritional needs of residents in accordance with the 
recommended dietary allowances of the Food and Nutrition Board of the 
National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences;
    (2) Be prepared in advance; and
    (3) Be followed.
    (d) Food. Each resident receives and the facility provides--
    (1) Food prepared by methods that conserve nutritive value, flavor, 
and appearance;
    (2) Food that is palatable, attractive, and at the proper 
temperature;
    (3) Food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs; and
    (4) Substitutes offered of similar nutritive value to residents who 
refuse food served.
    (e) Therapeutic diets. Therapeutic diets must be prescribed by the 
primary care physician.
    (f) Frequency of meals. (1) Each resident receives and the facility 
provides at least three meals daily, at regular times comparable to 
normal mealtimes in the community.
    (2) There must be no more than 14 hours between a substantial 
evening meal and the availability of breakfast the following day, except 
as provided in (f)(4) of this section.
    (3) The facility staff must offer snacks at bedtime daily.
    (4) When a nourishing snack is provided at bedtime, up to 16 hours 
may elapse between a substantial evening meal and breakfast the 
following day.
    (g) Assistive devices. The facility management must provide special 
eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them.
    (h) Sanitary conditions. The facility must--
    (1) Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory by 
Federal, State, or local authorities;
    (2) Store, prepare, distribute, and serve food under sanitary 
conditions; and (3) Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)



Sec. 51.150  Physician services.

    A physician must personally approve in writing a recommendation that 
an individual be admitted to a facility. Each resident must remain under 
the care of a physician.
    (a) Physician supervision. The facility management must ensure 
that--
    (1) The medical care of each resident is supervised by a primary 
care physician;
    (2) Each resident's medical record lists the name of the resident's 
primary physician, and
    (3) Another physician supervises the medical care of residents when 
their primary physician is unavailable.
    (b) Physician visits. The physician must--
    (1) Review the resident's total program of care, including 
medications

[[Page 915]]

and treatments, at each visit required by paragraph (c) of this section;
    (2) Write, sign, and date progress notes at each visit; and
    (3) Sign and date all orders.
    (c) Frequency of physician visits. (1) The resident must be seen by 
the primary physician at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days 
after admission, and at least once every 60 days thereafter, or more 
frequently based on the condition of the resident.
    (2) A physician visit is considered timely if it occurs not later 
than 10 days after the date the visit was required.
    (3) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(4) of this section, all 
required physician visits must be made by the physician personally.
    (4) At the option of the physician, required visits in the facility 
after the initial visit may alternate between personal visits by the 
physician and visits by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or 
clinical nurse specialist in accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (d) Availability of physicians for emergency care. The facility 
management must provide or arrange for the provision of physician 
services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, in case of an emergency.
    (e) Physician delegation of tasks. (1) Except as specified in 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section, a primary physician may delegate tasks 
to:
    (i) a certified physician assistant or a certified nurse 
practitioner, or
    (ii) a clinical nurse specialist who--
    (A) Is acting within the scope of practice as defined by State law; 
and
    (B) Is under the supervision of the physician.

    Note to paragraph (e): An individual with experience in long term 
care is preferred.

    (2) The primary physician may not delegate a task when the 
regulations specify that the primary physician must perform it 
personally, or when the delegation is prohibited under State law or by 
the facility's own policies.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.160  Specialized rehabilitative services.

    (a) Provision of services. If specialized rehabilitative services 
such as but not limited to physical therapy, speech therapy, 
occupational therapy, and mental health services for mental illness are 
required in the resident's comprehensive plan of care, facility 
management must--
    (1) Provide the required services; or
    (2) Obtain the required services from an outside resource, in 
accordance with Sec. 51.210(h) of this part, from a provider of 
specialized rehabilitative services.
    (b) Specialized rehabilitative services must be provided under the 
written order of a physician by qualified personnel.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.170  Dental services.

    (a) A facility must provide or obtain from an outside resource, in 
accordance with Sec. 51.210(h) of this part, routine and emergency 
dental services to meet the needs of each resident;
    (b) A facility may charge a resident an additional amount for 
routine and emergency dental services; and
    (c) A facility must, if necessary, assist the resident--
    (1) In making appointments;
    (2) By arranging for transportation to and from the dental services; 
and
    (3) Promptly refer residents with lost or damaged dentures to a 
dentist.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[[Page 916]]



Sec. 51.180  Pharmacy services.

    The facility management must provide routine and emergency drugs and 
biologicals to its residents, or obtain them under an agreement 
described in Sec. 51.210(h) of this part. The facility management must 
have a system for disseminating drug information to medical and nursing 
staff.
    (a) Procedures. The facility management must provide pharmaceutical 
services (including procedures that assure the accurate acquiring, 
receiving, dispensing, and administering of all drugs and biologicals) 
to meet the needs of each resident.
    (b) Service consultation. The facility management must employ or 
obtain the services of a pharmacist licensed in a State in which the 
facility is located or a VA pharmacist under VA contract who--
    (1) Provides consultation on all aspects of the provision of 
pharmacy services in the facility;
    (2) Establishes a system of records of receipt and disposition of 
all controlled drugs in sufficient detail to enable an accurate 
reconciliation; and
    (3) Determines that drug records are in order and that an account of 
all controlled drugs is maintained and periodically reconciled.
    (c) Drug regimen review. (1) The drug regimen of each resident must 
be reviewed at least once a month by a licensed pharmacist.
    (2) The pharmacist must report any irregularities to the primary 
physician and the director of nursing, and these reports must be acted 
upon.
    (d) Labeling of drugs and biologicals. Drugs and biologicals used in 
the facility management must be labeled in accordance with currently 
accepted professional principles, and include the appropriate accessory 
and cautionary instructions, and the expiration date when applicable.
    (e) Storage of drugs and biologicals. (1) In accordance with State 
and Federal laws, the facility management must store all drugs and 
biologicals in locked compartments under proper temperature controls, 
and permit only authorized personnel to have access to the keys.
    (2) The facility management must provide separately locked, 
permanently affixed compartments for storage of controlled drugs listed 
in Schedule II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control 
Act of 1976 and other drugs subject to abuse.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.190  Infection control.

    The facility management must establish and maintain an infection 
control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable 
environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of 
disease and infection.
    (a) Infection control program. The facility management must 
establish an infection control program under which it--
    (1) Investigates, controls, and prevents infections in the facility;
    (2) Decides what procedures, such as isolation, should be applied to 
an individual resident; and
    (3) Maintains a record of incidents and corrective actions related 
to infections.
    (b) Preventing spread of infection. (1) When the infection control 
program determines that a resident needs isolation to prevent the spread 
of infection, the facility management must isolate the resident.
    (2) The facility management must prohibit employees with a 
communicable disease or infected skin lesions from engaging in any 
contact with residents or their environment that would transmit the 
disease.
    (3) The facility management must require staff to wash their hands 
after each direct resident contact for which hand washing is indicated 
by accepted professional practice.

[[Page 917]]

    (c) Linens. Personnel must handle, store, process, and transport 
linens so as to prevent the spread of infection.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009]



Sec. 51.200  Physical environment.

    The facility management must be designed, constructed, equipped, and 
maintained to protect the health and safety of residents, personnel and 
the public.
    (a) Life safety from fire. The facility must meet the applicable 
provisions of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code and NFPA 99, Health Care 
Facilities Code.
    (b) Emergency power. (1) An emergency electrical power system must 
be provided to supply power adequate for illumination of all exit signs 
and lighting for the means of egress, fire alarm and medical gas alarms, 
emergency communication systems, and generator task illumination.
    (2) The system must be the appropriate type essential electrical 
system in accordance with the applicable provisions of NFPA 101, Life 
Safety Code and NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code.
    (3) When electrical life support devices are used, an emergency 
electrical power system must also be provided for devices in accordance 
with NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code.
    (4) The source of power must be an on-site emergency standby 
generator of sufficient size to serve the connected load or other 
approved sources in accordance with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code and NFPA 
99, Health Care Facilities Code.
    (c) Space and equipment. Facility management must--
    (1) Provide sufficient space and equipment in dining, health 
services, recreation, and program areas to enable staff to provide 
residents with needed services as required by these standards and as 
identified in each resident's plan of care; and
    (2) Maintain all essential mechanical, electrical, and patient care 
equipment in safe operating condition.
    (d) Resident rooms. Resident rooms must be designed and equipped for 
adequate nursing care, comfort, and privacy of residents:
    (1) Bedrooms must--
    (i) Accommodate no more than four residents;
    (ii) Measure at least 115 net square feet per resident in multiple 
resident bedrooms;
    (iii) Measure at least 150 net square feet in single resident 
bedrooms;
    (iv) Measure at least 245 net square feet in small double resident 
bedrooms; and
    (v) Measure at least 305 net square feet in large double resident 
bedrooms used for spinal cord injury residents. It is recommended that 
the facility have one large double resident bedroom for every 30 
resident bedrooms.
    (vi) Have direct access to an exit corridor;
    (vii) Be designed or equipped to assure full visual privacy for each 
resident;
    (viii) Except in private rooms, each bed must have ceiling suspended 
curtains, which extend around the bed to provide total visual privacy in 
combination with adjacent walls and curtains;
    (ix) Have at least one window to the outside; and
    (x) Have a floor at or above grade level.
    (2) The facility management must provide each resident with--
    (i) A separate bed of proper size and height for the safety of the 
resident;
    (ii) A clean, comfortable mattress;
    (iii) Bedding appropriate to the weather and climate; and
    (iv) Functional furniture appropriate to the resident's needs, and 
individual closet space in the resident's bedroom with clothes racks and 
shelves accessible to the resident.
    (e) Toilet facilities. Each resident room must be equipped with or 
located near toilet and bathing facilities. It is recommended that 
public toilet facilities be also located near the resident's dining and 
recreational areas.
    (f) Resident call system. The nurse's station must be equipped to 
receive resident calls through a communication system from--
    (1) Resident rooms; and

[[Page 918]]

    (2) Toilet and bathing facilities.
    (g) Dining and resident activities. The facility management must 
provide one or more rooms designated for resident dining and activities. 
These rooms must--
    (1) Be well lighted;
    (2) Be well ventilated;
    (3) Be adequately furnished; and
    (4) Have sufficient space to accommodate all activities.
    (h) Other environmental conditions. The facility management must 
provide a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for 
the residents, staff and the public. The facility must--
    (1) Establish procedures to ensure that water is available to 
essential areas when there is a loss of normal water supply;
    (2) Have adequate outside ventilation by means of windows, or 
mechanical ventilation, or a combination of the two;
    (3) Equip corridors with firmly secured handrails on each side; and
    (4) Maintain an effective pest control program so that the facility 
is free of pests and rodents.
    (i)(1) Incorporation by reference of these materials was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. These materials incorporated by reference are 
available for inspection at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office 
of Regulation Policy and Management (02REG), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420, call 202-461-4902, or at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
    (2) National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, 
Quincy, MA 02269. (For ordering information, call toll-free 1-800-344-
3555).
    (i) NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code, Including all Gas & Vacuum 
System Requirements, (2012 Edition).
    (ii) NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2012 edition).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 74 FR 19434, Apr. 29, 2009; 76 
FR 11340, Mar. 2, 2011; 80 FR 44862, July 28, 2015]



Sec. 51.210  Administration.

    A facility must be administered in a manner that enables it to use 
its resources effectively and efficiently to attain or maintain the 
highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well being of 
each resident.
    (a) Governing body. (1) The State must have a governing body, or 
designated person functioning as a governing body, that is legally 
responsible for establishing and implementing policies regarding the 
management and operation of the facility; and
    (2) The governing body or State official with oversight for the 
facility appoints the administrator who is--
    (i) Licensed by the State where licensing is required; and
    (ii) Responsible for operation and management of the facility.
    (b) Disclosure of State agency and individual responsible for 
oversight of facility. The State must give written notice to the Chief 
Consultant, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), VA 
Headquarters, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, at the time 
of the change, if any of the following change:
    (1) The State agency and individual responsible for oversight of a 
State home facility;
    (2) The State home administrator; and
    (3) The State employee responsible for oversight of the State home 
facility if a contractor operates the State home.
    (c) Required Information. The facility management must submit the 
following to the director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction as 
part of the application for recognition and thereafter as often as 
necessary to be current or as specified:
    (1) The copy of legal and administrative action establishing the 
State-operated facility (e.g., State laws);
    (2) Site plan of facility and surroundings;

[[Page 919]]

    (3) Legal title, lease, or other document establishing right to 
occupy facility;
    (4) Organizational charts and the operational plan of the facility;
    (5) The number of the staff by category indicating full-time, part-
time and minority designation (annual at time of survey);
    (6) The number of nursing home patients who are veterans and non-
veterans, the number of veterans who are minorities and the number of 
non-veterans who are minorities (annual at time of survey);
    (7) Annual State Fire Marshall's report;
    (8) Annual certification from the responsible State Agency showing 
compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public 
Law 93-112) (VA Form 10-0143A, which is available at any VA medical 
center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms);
    (9) Annual certification for Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (VA 
Form 10-0143, which is available at any VA medical center and at http://
www.va.gov/vaforms);
    (10) Annual certification regarding lobbying in compliance with 
Public Law 101-121 (VA Form 10-0144, which is available at any VA 
medical center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms); and
    (11) Annual certification of compliance with Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 as incorporated in Title 38 CFR 18.1-18.3 (VA Form 
10-0144A, which is available at any VA medical center and at http://
www.va.gov/vaforms).
    (d) Percentage of Veterans. The percent of the facility residents 
eligible for VA nursing home care must be at least 75 percent veterans 
except that the veteran percentage need only be more than 50 percent if 
the facility was constructed or renovated solely with State funds. All 
non-veteran residents must be spouses of veterans, or parents any of 
whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces.
    (e) Management Contract Facility. If a facility is operated by an 
entity contracting with the State, the State must assign a State 
employee to monitor the operations of the facility on a full-time onsite 
basis.
    (f) Licensure. The facility and facility management must comply with 
applicable State and local licensure laws.
    (g) Staff qualifications. (1) The facility management must employ on 
a full-time, part-time or consultant basis those professionals necessary 
to carry out the provisions of these requirements.
    (2) Professional staff must be licensed, certified, or registered in 
accordance with applicable State laws.
    (h) Use of outside resources. (1) If the facility does not employ a 
qualified professional person to furnish a specific service to be 
provided by the facility, the facility management must have that service 
furnished to residents by a person or agency outside the facility under 
a written agreement described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section.
    (2) Agreements pertaining to services furnished by outside resources 
must specify in writing that the facility management assumes 
responsibility for--
    (i) Obtaining services that meet professional standards and 
principles that apply to professionals providing services in such a 
facility; and
    (ii) The timeliness of the services.
    (i) Medical director. (1) The facility management must designate a 
primary care physician to serve as medical director.
    (2) The medical director is responsible for--
    (i) Participating in establishing policies, procedures, and 
guidelines to ensure adequate, comprehensive services;
    (ii) Directing and coordinating medical care in the facility;
    (iii) Helping to arrange for continuous physician coverage to handle 
medical emergencies;
    (iv) Reviewing the credentialing and privileging process;
    (v) Participating in managing the environment by reviewing and 
evaluating incident reports or summaries of incident reports, 
identifying hazards to health and safety, and making recommendations to 
the administrator; and
    (vi) Monitoring employees' health status and advising the 
administrator on employee-health policies.

[[Page 920]]

    (j) Credentialing and Privileging. Credentialing is the process of 
obtaining, verifying, and assessing the qualifications of a health care 
practitioner, which may include physicians, podiatrists, dentists, 
psychologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, licensed 
nurses to provide patient care services in or for a health care 
organization. Privileging is the process whereby a specific scope and 
content of patient care services are authorized for a health care 
practitioner by the facility management, based on evaluation of the 
individual's credentials and performance.
    (1) The facility management must uniformly apply credentialing 
criteria to licensed practitioners applying to provide resident care or 
treatment under the facility's care.
    (2) The facility management must verify and uniformly apply the 
following core criteria: current licensure; current certification, if 
applicable, relevant education, training, and experience; current 
competence; and a statement that the individual is able to perform the 
services he or she is applying to provide.
    (3) The facility management must decide whether to authorize the 
independent practitioner to provide resident care or treatment, and each 
credentials file must indicate that these criteria are uniformly and 
individually applied.
    (4) The facility management must maintain documentation of current 
credentials for each licensed independent practitioner practicing within 
the facility.
    (5) When reappointing a licensed independent practitioner, the 
facility management must review the individual's record of experience.
    (6) The facility management systematically must assess whether 
individuals with clinical privileges act within the scope of privileges 
granted.
    (k) Required training of nursing aides. (1) Nurse aide means any 
individual providing nursing or nursing-related services to residents in 
a facility who is not a licensed health professional, a registered 
dietitian, or a volunteer who provide such services without pay.
    (2) The facility management must not use any individual working in 
the facility as a nurse aide whether permanent or not unless:
    (i) That individual is competent to provide nursing and nursing 
related services; and
    (ii) That individual has completed a training and competency 
evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program approved by the 
State.
    (3) Registry verification. Before allowing an individual to serve as 
a nurse aide, facility management must receive registry verification 
that the individual has met competency evaluation requirements unless 
the individual can prove that he or she has recently successfully 
completed a training and competency evaluation program or competency 
evaluation program approved by the State and has not yet been included 
in the registry. Facilities must follow up to ensure that such an 
individual actually becomes registered.
    (4) Multi-State registry verification. Before allowing an individual 
to serve as a nurse aide, facility management must seek information from 
every State registry established under HHS regulations at 42 CFR 483.156 
which the facility believes will include information on the individual.
    (5) Required retraining. If, since an individual's most recent 
completion of a training and competency evaluation program, there has 
been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during none of which 
the individual provided nursing or nursing-related services for monetary 
compensation, the individual must complete a new training and competency 
evaluation program or a new competency evaluation program.
    (6) Regular in-service education. The facility management must 
complete a performance review of every nurse aide at least once every 12 
months, and must provide regular in-service education based on the 
outcome of these reviews. The in-service training must--
    (i) Be sufficient to ensure the continuing competence of nurse 
aides, but must be no less than 12 hours per year;
    (ii) Address areas of weakness as determined in nurse aides' 
performance reviews and may address the special needs of residents as 
determined by the facility staff; and

[[Page 921]]

    (iii) For nurse aides providing services to individuals with 
cognitive impairments, also address the care of the cognitively 
impaired.
    (l) Proficiency of Nurse aides. The facility management must ensure 
that nurse aides are able to demonstrate competency in skills and 
techniques necessary to care for residents' needs, as identified through 
resident assessments, and described in the plan of care.
    (m) Level B Requirement Laboratory services. (1) The facility 
management must provide or obtain laboratory services to meet the needs 
of its residents. The facility is responsible for the quality and 
timeliness of the services.
    (i) If the facility provides its own laboratory services, the 
services must meet all applicable certification standards, statutes, and 
regulations for laboratory services.
    (ii) If the facility provides blood bank and transfusion services, 
it must meet all applicable certification standards, statutes, and 
regulations.
    (iii) If the laboratory chooses to refer specimens for testing to 
another laboratory, the referral laboratory must be certified in the 
appropriate specialities and subspecialties of services and meet 
certification standards, statutes, and regulations.
    (iv) The laboratory performing the testing must have a current, 
valid CLIA number (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988). 
The facility management must provide VA surveyors with the CLIA number 
and a copy of the results of the last CLIA inspection.
    (v) Such services must be available to the resident seven days a 
week, 24 hours a day.
    (2) The facility management must--
    (i) Provide or obtain laboratory services only when ordered by the 
primary physician;
    (ii) Promptly notify the primary physician of the findings;
    (iii) Assist the resident in making transportation arrangements to 
and from the source of service, if the resident needs assistance; and
    (iv) File in the resident's clinical record laboratory reports that 
are dated and contain the name and address of the testing laboratory.
    (n) Radiology and other diagnostic services. (1) The facility 
management must provide or obtain radiology and other diagnostic 
services to meet the needs of its residents. The facility is responsible 
for the quality and timeliness of the services.
    (i) If the facility provides its own diagnostic services, the 
services must meet all applicable certification standards, statutes, and 
regulations.
    (ii) If the facility does not provide its own diagnostic services, 
it must have an agreement to obtain these services. The services must 
meet all applicable certification standards, statutes, and regulations.
    (iii) Radiologic and other diagnostic services must be available 24 
hours a day, seven days a week.
    (2) The facility must--
    (i) Provide or obtain radiology and other diagnostic services when 
ordered by the primary physician;
    (ii) Promptly notify the primary physician of the findings;
    (iii) Assist the resident in making transportation arrangements to 
and from the source of service, if the resident needs assistance; and
    (iv) File in the resident's clinical record signed and dated reports 
of x-ray and other diagnostic services.
    (o) Clinical records. (1) The facility management must maintain 
clinical records on each resident in accordance with accepted 
professional standards and practices that are--
    (i) Complete;
    (ii) Accurately documented;
    (iii) Readily accessible; and
    (iv) Systematically organized.
    (2) Clinical records must be retained for--
    (i) The period of time required by State law; or
    (ii) Five years from the date of discharge when there is no 
requirement in State law.
    (3) The facility management must safeguard clinical record 
information against loss, destruction, or unauthorized use;
    (4) The facility management must keep confidential all information 
contained in the resident's records, regardless of the form or storage 
method of the records, except when release is required by--

[[Page 922]]

    (i) Transfer to another health care institution;
    (ii) Law;
    (iii) Third party payment contract;
    (iv) The resident or;
    (v) The resident's authorized agent or representative.
    (5) The clinical record must contain--
    (i) Sufficient information to identify the resident;
    (ii) A record of the resident's assessments;
    (iii) The plan of care and services provided;
    (iv) The results of any pre-admission screening conducted by the 
State; and
    (v) Progress notes.
    (p) Quality assessment and assurance. (1) Facility management must 
maintain a quality assessment and assurance committee consisting of--
    (i) The director of nursing services;
    (ii) A primary physician designated by the facility; and
    (iii) At least 3 other members of the facility's staff.
    (2) The quality assessment and assurance committee--
    (i) Meets at least quarterly to identify issues with respect to 
which quality assessment and assurance activities are necessary; and
    (ii) Develops and implements appropriate plans of action to correct 
identified quality deficiencies; and
    (3) Identified quality deficiencies are corrected within an 
established time period.
    (4) The VA Under Secretary for Health may not require disclosure of 
the records of such committee unless such disclosure is related to the 
compliance with requirements of this section.
    (q) Disaster and emergency preparedness. (1) The facility management 
must have detailed written plans and procedures to meet all potential 
emergencies and disasters, such as fire, severe weather, and missing 
residents.
    (2) The facility management must train all employees in emergency 
procedures when they begin to work in the facility, periodically review 
the procedures with existing staff, and carry out unannounced staff 
drills using those procedures.
    (r) Transfer agreement. (1) The facility management must have in 
effect a written transfer agreement with one or more hospitals that 
reasonably assures that--
    (i) Residents will be transferred from the nursing home to the 
hospital, and ensured of timely admission to the hospital when transfer 
is medically appropriate as determined by the primary physician; and
    (ii) Medical and other information needed for care and treatment of 
residents, and, when the transferring facility deems it appropriate, for 
determining whether such residents can be adequately cared for in a less 
expensive setting than either the nursing home or the hospital, will be 
exchanged between the institutions.
    (2) The facility is considered to have a transfer agreement in 
effect if the facility has an agreement with a hospital sufficiently 
close to the facility to make transfer feasible.
    (s) Compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and professional 
standards. The facility management must operate and provide services in 
compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, 
regulations, and codes, and with accepted professional standards and 
principles that apply to professionals providing services in such a 
facility. This includes the Single Audit Act of 1984 (Title 31, Section 
7501 et seq.) and the Cash Management Improvement Acts of 1990 and 1992 
(Public Laws 101-453 and 102-589, see 31 USC 3335, 3718, 3720A, 6501, 
6503)
    (t) Relationship to other Federal regulations. In addition to 
compliance with the regulations set forth in this subpart, facilities 
are obliged to meet the applicable provisions of other Federal laws and 
regulations, including but not limited to those pertaining to 
nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, 
handicap, or age (38 CFR part 18); protection of human subjects of 
research (45 CFR part 46), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1993, Public Law 93-112; Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, 38 CFR part 
48; section 319 of Public Law 101-121; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964, 38 CFR 18.1-18.3. Although these regulations are not in 
themselves considered requirements under this part, their violation may 
result in the termination or

[[Page 923]]

suspension of, or the refusal to grant or continue payment with Federal 
funds.
    (u) Intermingling. A building housing a facility recognized as a 
State home for providing nursing home care may only provide nursing home 
care in the areas of the building recognized as a State home for 
providing nursing home care.
    (v) VA Management of State Veterans Homes. Except as specifically 
provided by statute or regulations, VA employees have no authority 
regarding the management or control of State homes providing nursing 
home care.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1741-1743, 8135; Pub. L. 111-246)

[65 FR 968, Jan. 6, 2000, as amended at 72 FR 30243, May 31, 2007; 74 FR 
19434, Apr. 29, 2009; 76 FR 52275, Aug. 22, 2011; 78 FR 51675, Aug. 21, 
2013]



PART 52_PER DIEM FOR ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES
--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
52.1  Purpose.
52.2  Definitions.

  Subpart B_Obtaining Per Diem for Adult Day Health Care in State Homes

52.10  Per diem based on recognition and certification.
52.20  Application for recognition based on certification.
52.30  Recognition and certification.

                       Subpart C_Per Diem Payments

52.40  Monthly payment.
52.50  Eligible veterans.

                           Subpart D_Standards

52.60  Standards applicable for payment of per diem.
52.61  General requirements for adult day health care program.
52.70  Participant rights.
52.71  Participant and family caregiver responsibilities.
52.80  Enrollment, transfer and discharge rights.
52.90  Participant behavior and program practices.
52.100  Quality of life.
52.110  Participant assessment.
52.120  Quality of care.
52.130  Nursing services.
52.140  Dietary services.
52.150  Physician services.
52.160  Specialized rehabilitative services.
52.170  Dental services.
52.180  Administration of drugs.
52.190  Infection control.
52.200  Physical environment.
52.210  Administration.
52.220  Transportation.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743, unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 67 FR 662, Jan. 7, 2002, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 52.1  Purpose.

    This part sets forth the mechanism for paying per diem to State 
homes providing adult day health care to eligible veterans and includes 
quality assurance requirements that are intended to ensure that veterans 
receive high quality care in State homes.



Sec. 52.2  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part--
    Activities of daily living (ADLs) means the functions or tasks for 
self-care usually performed in the normal course of a day, i.e., 
mobility, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and 
eating.
    Clinical nurse specialist means a licensed professional nurse with a 
master's degree in nursing and a major in a clinical nursing specialty 
from an academic program accredited by the National League for Nursing.
    Facility means a building or any part of a building for which a 
State has submitted an application for recognition as a State home for 
the provision of adult day health care or a building, or any part of a 
building, which VA has recognized as a State home for the provision of 
adult day health care.
    Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) means functions or 
tasks of independent living, i.e., shopping, housework, meal preparation 
and cleanup, laundry, taking medication, money management, 
transportation, correspondence, and telephone use.

[[Page 924]]

    Nurse practitioner means a licensed professional nurse who is 
currently licensed to practice in the State; who meets the State's 
requirements governing the qualifications of nurse practitioners; and 
who is currently certified as an adult, family, or gerontological nurse 
practitioner by the American Nurses Association.
    Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally 
authorized to practice medicine or surgery in the State.
    Physician assistant means a person who meets the applicable State 
requirements for physician assistant, is currently certified by the 
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) as 
a physician assistant, and has an individualized written scope of 
practice that determines the authorization to write medical orders, 
prescribe medications and to accomplish other clinical tasks under the 
appropriate supervision by the primary care physician.
    Primary physician or Primary care physician means a designated 
generalist physician responsible for providing, directing and 
coordinating health care that is indicated for the residents.
    State means each of the several States, territories, and possessions 
of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico.
    State home means a home approved by VA which a State established 
primarily for veterans disabled by age, disease, or otherwise, who by 
reason of such disability are incapable of earning a living. A State 
home may provide domiciliary care, nursing home care, adult day health 
care, and hospital care. Hospital care may be provided only when the 
State home also provides domiciliary and/or nursing home care.
    VA means the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



  Subpart B_Obtaining Per Diem for Adult Day Health Care in State Homes



Sec. 52.10  Per diem based on recognition and certification.

    VA will pay per diem to a State for providing adult day health care 
to eligible veterans in a facility if the Under Secretary for Health 
recognizes the facility as a State home based on a current certification 
that the facility management meet the standards of subpart D of this 
part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.20  Application for recognition based on certification.

    To apply for recognition and certification of a State home for adult 
day health care, a State must:
    (a) Send a request for recognition and certification to the Under 
Secretary for Health (10), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20420. The request must be in the form of a letter and 
must be signed by the State official authorized to establish the State 
home;
    (b) Allow VA to survey the facility as set forth in Sec. 52.30(c); 
and
    (c) Upon request from the director of the VA medical center of 
jurisdiction, submit to the director all documentation required under 
subpart D of this part.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.30  Recognition and certification.

    (a)(1) The Under Secretary for Health will make the determination 
regarding recognition and the initial determination regarding 
certification, after receipt of a tentative determination from the 
director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction, regarding whether the 
facility and program management meet or do not meet the standards of 
subpart D of this part. The Under Secretary for Health will notify the 
official in charge of the program, the State official authorized to 
oversee operations of the State home, the VA Network Director (10N1-22), 
Assistant

[[Page 925]]

Deputy Under Secretary for Health (10N), and the Chief Consultant, 
Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group (114), of the 
action taken.
    (2) For each facility recognized as a State home, the director of 
the VA medical center of jurisdiction will certify annually whether the 
facility and program management meet, provisionally meet, or do not meet 
the standards of subpart D of this part (this certification should be 
made every 12 months during the recognition anniversary month or during 
a month agreed upon by the VA medical center director and officials of 
the State home facility). A provisional certification will be issued by 
the director only upon a determination that the facility or program 
management does not meet one or more of the standards in subpart D of 
this part, that the deficiencies do not jeopardize the health or safety 
of the residents, and that the program management and the director have 
agreed to a plan of correction to remedy the deficiencies in a specified 
amount of time (not more time than the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
director determines is reasonable for correcting the specific 
deficiencies). The director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
will notify the official in charge of the program, the State official 
authorized to oversee the operations of the State home, the VA Network 
Director (10N1-22), Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health (10N) 
and the Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic 
Healthcare Group (114), of the certification, provisional certification, 
or noncertification.
    (b) Once a program has achieved recognition, the recognition will 
remain in effect unless the State requests that the recognition be 
withdrawn or the Under Secretary for Health makes a final decision that 
the facility or program management does not meet the standards of 
subpart D of this part. Recognition of a program will apply only to the 
facility as it exists at the time of recognition; any annex, branch, 
enlargement, expansion, or relocation must be separately recognized.
    (c) Both during the application process for recognition and after 
the Under Secretary for Health has recognized a facility, VA may survey 
the facility as necessary to determine if the facility and program 
management comply with the provisions of this part. Generally, VA will 
provide advance notice to the State before a survey occurs; however, 
surveys may be conducted without notice. A survey, as necessary, will 
cover all parts of the facility, and include a review and audit of all 
records of the program that have a bearing on compliance with any of the 
requirements of this part (including any reports from State or local 
entities). For purposes of a survey, at the request of the director of 
the VA medical center of jurisdiction, the State home adult day care 
health program management must submit to the director a completed VA 
Form 10-3567, ``Staffing Profile'', which is available at any VA medical 
center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms. The director of the VA medical 
center of jurisdiction will designate the VA officials to survey the 
facility. These officials may include physicians; nurses; pharmacists; 
dietitians; rehabilitation therapists; social workers; and 
representatives from health administration, engineering, environmental 
management systems, and fiscal officers.
    (d) If the director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
determines that the State home facility or program management does not 
meet the standards of this part, the director will notify the State home 
program manager in writing of the standards not met. The director will 
send a copy of this notice to the State official authorized to oversee 
operations of the facility, the VA Network Director (10N1-22), the 
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health (10N), and the Chief 
Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group 
(114). The letter will include the reasons for the decision and indicate 
that the State has the right to appeal the decision.
    (e) The State must submit an appeal to the Under Secretary for 
Health in writing within 30 days of receipt of the notice of failure to 
meet the standards. In its appeal, the State must explain why the 
determination is inaccurate or incomplete and provide any new and 
relevant information not previously considered. Any appeal that does not 
identify a reason for disagreement will

[[Page 926]]

be returned to the sender without further consideration.
    (f) After reviewing the matter, including any relevant supporting 
documentation, the Under Secretary for Health will issue a written 
determination that affirms or reverses the previous determination. If 
the Under Secretary for Health decides that the State home facility or 
program management does not meet the standards of subpart D of this 
part, the Under Secretary for Health will withdraw recognition and stop 
paying per diem for care provided on and after the date of the decision. 
The decision of the Under Secretary for Health will constitute a final 
VA decision. The Under Secretary for Health will send a copy of this 
decision to the State home facility and to the State official authorized 
to oversee the operations of the State home.
    (g) In the event that a VA survey team or other VA medical center 
staff identifies any condition at the State home facility that poses an 
immediate threat to public or patient safety or other information 
indicating the existence of such a threat, the director of the VA 
medical center of jurisdiction will immediately report this to the VA 
Network Director (10N1-22), Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health 
(10N), Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic 
Healthcare Group (114), and State official authorized to oversee 
operations of the State home.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)

[67 FR 662, Jan. 7, 2002, as amended at 78 FR 51675, Aug. 21, 2013]



                       Subpart C_Per Diem Payments



Sec. 52.40  Monthly payment.

    (a)(1) During Fiscal Year 2002, VA will pay monthly one-half of the 
total cost of each eligible veteran's adult day health care for each day 
the veteran is in a facility recognized as a State home for adult day 
health care, not to exceed $34.64 per diem.
    (2) Per diem will be paid only for a day that the veteran is under 
the care of the facility at least six hours. For purposes of this 
paragraph a day means
    (i) Six hours or more in one calendar day; or
    (ii) Any two periods of at least 3 hours each (but each less than 
six hours) in any two calendar days in a calendar month.
    (3) As a condition for receiving payment of per diem under this 
part, the State must submit a completed VA Form 10-5588, ``State Home 
Report and Statement of Federal Aid Claimed.'' This form is available at 
any VA medical center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms.
    (4) Initial payments will not be made until the Under Secretary for 
Health recognizes the State home. However, payments will be made 
retroactively for care that was provided on and after the date of the 
completion of the VA survey of the facility that provided the basis for 
determining that the facility met the standards of this part.
    (5) As a condition for receiving payment of per diem under this 
part, the State must submit to the VA medical center of jurisdiction for 
each veteran the following completed VA forms: 10-10EZ, ``Application 
for Medical Benefits'', and 10-10SH, ``State Home Program Application 
for Care--Medical Certification'', at the time of enrollment and with 
any request for a change in the level of care (nursing home, domiciliary 
or hospital care). These forms are available at any VA medical center 
and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms. If the program is eligible to receive 
per diem payments for adult day health care for a veteran, VA will pay 
per diem under this part from the date of receipt of the completed forms 
required by this paragraph (a)(5), except that VA will pay per diem from 
the day on which the veteran was enrolled in the program if VA receives 
the completed forms within 10 days after enrollment.
    (b) For determining ``the one-half of the total cost'' under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, total per diem costs for an eligible 
veteran's adult day health care consist of those direct and indirect 
costs attributable to adult day health care at the facility divided by

[[Page 927]]

the total number of participants enrolled in the adult day health care 
program. Relevant cost principles are set forth in 2 CFR part 200.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)

[67 FR 662, Jan. 7, 2002, as amended at 78 FR 51675, Aug. 21, 2013; 80 
FR 43322, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 52.50  Eligible veterans.

    A veteran is an eligible veteran under this part if VA determines 
that the veteran meets the definition of a veteran in 38 U.S.C. 101, is 
not barred from receiving this VA care under 38 U.S.C. 5303-5303A, needs 
adult day health care, and is within one of the following categories:
    (a) Veterans with service-connected disabilities;
    (b) Veterans who are former prisoners of war;
    (c) Veterans who were discharged or released from active military 
service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty;
    (d) Veterans who receive disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. 
1151;
    (e) Veterans whose entitlement to disability compensation is 
suspended because of the receipt of retired pay;
    (f) Veterans whose entitlement to disability compensation is 
suspended pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1151, but only to the extent that such 
veterans' continuing eligibility for adult day health care is provided 
for in the judgment or settlement described in 38 U.S.C. 1151;
    (g) Veterans who VA determines are unable to defray the expenses of 
necessary care as specified under 38 U.S.C. 1722(a);
    (h) Veterans of the Mexican Border period or of World War I;
    (i) Veterans solely seeking care for a disorder associated with 
exposure to a toxic substance or radiation or for a disorder associated 
with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf 
War, as provided in 38 U.S.C. 1710(e);
    (j) Veterans who agree to pay to the United States the applicable 
co-payment determined under 38 U.S.C. 1710(f) and 1710(g), if they seek 
VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) hospital, nursing home, or 
outpatient care.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



                           Subpart D_Standards



Sec. 52.60  Standards applicable for payment of per diem.

    The provisions of this subpart are the standards that a State home 
and program management must meet for the State to receive per diem for 
adult day health care provided at that facility.



Sec. 52.61  General requirements for adult day health care program.

    Adult day health care must be a therapeutically-oriented outpatient 
day program, which provides health maintenance and rehabilitative 
services to participants. The program must provide individualized care 
delivered by an interdisciplinary health care team and support staff, 
with an emphasis on helping participants and their caregivers to develop 
the knowledge and skills necessary to manage care requirements in the 
home. Adult day health care is principally targeted for complex medical 
and/or functional needs of geriatric patients.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.70  Participant rights.

    The participant has a right to a dignified existence, self-
determination, and communication with and access to persons and services 
inside and outside the facility. The program management must protect and 
promote the rights of each participant, including each of the following 
rights:
    (a) Exercise of rights. (1) The participant has the right to 
exercise his or her rights as a participant of the program and as a 
citizen or resident of the United States.
    (2) The participant has the right to be free of interference, 
coercion, discrimination, and reprisal from the program management in 
exercising his or her rights.
    (3) The participant has the right to freedom from chemical or 
physical restraint.
    (4) In the case of a participant determined incompetent under the 
laws of a State by a court of jurisdiction, the

[[Page 928]]

rights of the participant are exercised by the person appointed under 
State law to act on the participant's behalf.
    (b) Notice of rights and services. (1) The program management must 
inform the participant both orally and in writing in a language that the 
participant understands of his or her rights and all rules and 
regulations governing participant conduct and responsibilities during 
enrollment in the program. Such notification must be made prior to or 
upon enrollment and periodically during the participant's enrollment.
    (2) Participants or their legal representatives have the right--
    (i) Upon an oral or written request, to access all records 
pertaining to them including current participant records within 24 hours 
(excluding weekends and holidays); and
    (ii) After receipt of their records for review, to purchase, at a 
cost not to exceed the community standard, photocopies of the records or 
any portions of them upon request and with two working days advance 
notice to the facility management.
    (3) Participants have the right to be fully informed in language 
that they can understand of their total health status.
    (4) Participants have the right to refuse treatment, to refuse to 
participate in patient activities, to refuse to participate in 
experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive as 
specified in paragraph (a)(7) of this section.
    (5) The program management must inform each participant before, or 
at the time of enrollment, and periodically during the participant's 
stay, of services available in the facility and of charges for those 
services to be billed to the participant.
    (6) The program management must furnish a written description of 
legal rights which includes a statement that the participant may file a 
complaint with the State (agency) concerning participant abuse and 
neglect.
    (7) The program management must have written policies and procedures 
regarding advance directives (e.g., living wills). These requirements 
include provisions to inform and provide written information to all 
participants concerning the right to accept or refuse medical or 
surgical treatment and, at the individual's option, formulate an advance 
directive. This includes a written description of the facility's 
policies to implement advance directives and applicable State law.
    (8) Notification of changes. (i) Program management must immediately 
inform the participant; consult with the primary physician; and notify 
the participant's legal representative or an interested family member 
when there is--
    (A) An accident involving the participant which results in injury 
and has the potential for requiring physician intervention;
    (B) A significant change in the participant's physical, mental, or 
psychosocial status (e.g., a deterioration in health, mental, or 
psychosocial status in either life-threatening conditions or clinical 
complications);
    (C) A need to alter treatment significantly (i.e., a need to 
discontinue an existing form of treatment due to adverse consequences, 
or to commence a new form of treatment); or
    (D) A decision to transfer or discharge the participant from the 
program.
    (ii) The program management must also promptly notify the 
participant and the participant's legal representative or interested 
family member when there is a change in resident rights under Federal or 
State law or regulations as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section.
    (iii) The program management must record and periodically update the 
address and phone number of the participant's legal representative, or 
interested family member, and the primary physician.
    (c) Free choice. (1) The participant has the right to--
    (i) Be fully informed in advance about care and treatment and of any 
changes in that care or treatment that may affect the participant's 
well-being; and
    (ii) Unless determined incompetent or otherwise determined to be 
incapacitated under the laws of the State, participate in planning care 
and treatment or changes in care and treatment.
    (2) If the participant is determined incompetent or otherwise 
determined

[[Page 929]]

to be incapacitated under the laws of the State, the participant's legal 
representative or interested family member(s) has the right to 
participate in planning care and treatment or changes in care and 
treatment.
    (d) Privacy and confidentiality. Participants have the right to 
privacy and confidentiality of their personal and clinical records.
    (1) Participants have a right to privacy in their medical treatment 
and personal care.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, 
participants may approve or refuse the release of personal and clinical 
records to any individual outside the facility.
    (3) The participant's right to refuse release of personal and 
clinical records does not apply when--
    (i) The participant is transferred to another health care 
institution; or
    (ii) The release is required by law.
    (e) Grievances. A participant has the right to--
    (1) Voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal. 
Participants may voice grievances with respect to treatment received and 
not received; and
    (2) Prompt efforts by facility management to resolve grievances the 
participant may have, including those with respect to the behavior of 
other participants.
    (f) Examination of survey results. A participant has the right to--
    (1) Examine the results of the most recent VA survey with respect to 
the program. The program management must make the results available for 
examination in a place readily accessible to participants, and must post 
a notice of their availability; and
    (2) Receive information from agencies acting as client advocates, 
and be afforded the opportunity to contact these agencies.
    (g) Work. The participant has the right to--
    (1) Refuse to perform services for the facility;
    (2) Perform services for the facility, if he or she chooses, when--
    (i) The facility has documented the need or desire for work therapy 
in the plan of care;
    (ii) The plan specifies the nature of the services performed and 
whether the services are voluntary or paid;
    (iii) Compensation for (work therapy) paid services is at or above 
prevailing rates; and
    (iv) The participant agrees to the work therapy arrangement 
described in the plan of care.
    (h) Access and visitation rights. (1) The program management must 
provide immediate access to any participant by the following:
    (i) Any representative of the Under Secretary for Health;
    (ii) Any representative of the State;
    (iii) The State long-term care ombudsman;
    (iv) Immediate family or other relatives of the participant subject 
to the participant's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time; and
    (v) Others who are visiting subject to reasonable restrictions and 
the participant's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time.
    (2) The program management must provide reasonable access to any 
participant by any entity or individual that provides health, social, 
legal, or other services to the participant, subject to the 
participant's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time.
    (3) The program management must allow representatives of the State 
Ombudsman Program to examine a participant's clinical records with the 
permission of the participant or the participant's legal representative, 
subject to State law.
    (i) Telephone. The participant has the right to reasonable access to 
use a telephone where calls can be made without being overheard.
    (j) Personal property. The participant has the right to have at 
least one change of personal clothing.
    (k) Self-administration of drugs. An individual participant may 
self-administer drugs if the interdisciplinary team has determined that 
this practice is safe for the individual and is a part of the care plan.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)

[[Page 930]]



Sec. 52.71  Participant and family caregiver responsibilities.

    The program management has a written statement of participant and 
family caregiver responsibilities that are posted in the facility and 
provided to the participant and caregiver at the time of the intake 
screening. The Statement of responsibilities must include the following:
    (a) Treat personnel with respect and courtesy;
    (b) Communicate with staff to develop a relationship of trust;
    (c) Make appropriate choices and seek appropriate care;
    (d) Ask questions and confirm understanding of instructions;
    (e) Share opinions, concerns, and complaints with the program 
director;
    (f) Communicate any changes in the participant's condition;
    (g) Communicate to the program director about medications and 
remedies used by the participant;
    (h) Let the program director know if the participant decides not to 
follow any instructions or treatment; and
    (i) Communicate with the adult day health care staff if the 
participant is unable to attend the adult day health care program.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)



Sec. 52.80  Enrollment, transfer and discharge rights.

    (a) Participants in the adult day health care program must meet the 
provisions of this part that apply to participants and--
    (1) Must meet at least two of the following indicators:
    (i) Dependence in two or more activities of daily living (ADLs).
    (ii) Dependence in three or more instrumental activities of daily 
living (IADLs).
    (iii) Advanced age, i.e., 75 years old or over.
    (iv) High use of medical services, i.e., three or more 
hospitalizations in past 12 months; or 12 or more hospitalizations, 
outpatient clinic visits; or emergency evaluation unit visits, in the 
past 12 months.
    (v) Diagnosis of clinical depression.
    (vi) Recent discharge from nursing home or hospital.
    (vii) Significant cognitive impairment, particularly when 
characterized by multiple behavior problems;
    (2) Must have a supportive living arrangement sufficient to meet 
their health care needs when not participating in the adult day health 
care program; and
    (3) Must be able to benefit from the adult day health care program.
    (b) Transfer and discharge--(1) Definition. Transfer and discharge 
includes movement of a participant to a program outside of the adult day 
health care program whether or not that program or facility is in the 
same physical plant.
    (2) Transfer and discharge requirements. All participants' 
preparedness for discharge from adult day health care must be a part of 
a comprehensive care plan. The possible reasons for discharge must be 
discussed with the participant and family members at the time of intake 
screening. Program management must permit each participant to remain in 
the program, and not transfer or discharge the participant from the 
program unless--
    (i) The transfer or discharge is necessary for the participant's 
welfare and the participant's needs cannot be met in the adult day 
health care setting;
    (ii) The transfer or discharge is appropriate because the 
participant's health has improved sufficiently so the participant no 
longer needs the services provided in the adult day health care setting;
    (iii) The safety of individuals in the program is endangered;
    (iv) The health of individuals in the program would otherwise be 
endangered;
    (v) The participant has failed, after reasonable and appropriate 
notice, to pay for participation in the adult day health care program; 
or
    (vi) The adult day health care program ceases to operate.
    (3) Documentation. When the facility transfers or discharges a 
participant under any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs 
(b)(2)(i) through (vi) of this section, the primary physician

[[Page 931]]

must document the reason for such action in the participant's clinical 
record.
    (4) Notice before transfer. Before a facility transfers or 
discharges a participant, the program management must--
    (i) Notify the participant and a family member or legal 
representative of the participant of the transfer or discharge and the 
reasons for the move in writing and in a language and manner they can 
understand;
    (ii) Record the reasons in the participant's clinical record; and
    (iii) Include in the notice the items described in paragraph (a)(6) 
of this section.
    (5) Timing of the notice. (i) The notice of transfer or discharge 
required under paragraph (b)(4) of this section must be made by program 
management at least 30 days before the participant is transferred or 
discharged, except when specified in paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this 
section.
    (ii) Notice may be made as soon as practicable before transfer or 
discharge when--
    (A) The safety of individuals in the program would be endangered;
    (B) The health of individuals in the program would be otherwise 
endangered;
    (C) The participant's health improves sufficiently so the 
participant no longer needs the services provided by the adult day 
health care program;
    (D) The resident's needs cannot be met in the adult day health care 
program.
    (6) Contents of the notice. The written notice specified in 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section must include the following:
    (i) The reason for transfer or discharge;
    (ii) The effective date of transfer or discharge;
    (iii) The location to which the participant is transferred or 
discharged, if any;
    (iv) A statement that the participant has the right to appeal the 
action to the State official responsible for the oversight of State 
Veterans Home programs; and
    (v) The name, address and telephone number of the State long-term 
care ombudsman.
    (7) Orientation for transfer or discharge. The program management 
must provide sufficient preparation and orientation to participants to 
ensure safe and orderly transfer or discharge from the program.
    (c) Equal access to quality care. The program management must 
establish and maintain identical policies and practices regarding 
transfer, discharge, and the provision of services for all individuals 
regardless of source of payment.
    (d) Enrollment policy. The program management must not require a 
third party guarantee of payment to the program as a condition of 
enrollment or expedited enrollment, or continued enrollment in the 
program. However, program management may require a participant or an 
individual who has legal access to a participant's income or resources 
to pay for program care from the participant's income or resources, when 
available.
    (e) Hours of operation. Each adult day health care program must 
provide at least 8 hours of operation five days a week. The hours of 
operation must be flexible and responsive to caregiver needs.
    (f) Caregiver support. The adult day health care program must 
develop a Caregiver Program which offers mutual support, information and 
education.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.90  Participant behavior and program practices.

    (a) Restraints. (1) The participant has a right to be free from any 
chemical or physical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or 
convenience. When a restraint is applied or used, the purpose of the 
restraint is reviewed and is justified as a therapeutic intervention and 
documented in the participant's clinical record.
    (i) Chemical restraint is the inappropriate use of a sedating 
psychotropic drug to manage or control behavior.
    (ii) Physical restraint is any method of physically restricting a 
person's freedom of movement, physical activity or normal access to his 
or her body.

[[Page 932]]

    (2) The program management uses a system to achieve a restraint-free 
environment.
    (3) The program management collects data about the use of 
restraints.
    (4) When alternatives to the use of restraint are ineffective, 
restraint is safely and appropriately used.
    (b) Abuse. (1) The participant has the right to be free from mental, 
physical, sexual, and verbal abuse or neglect, corporal punishment, and 
involuntary seclusion.
    (i) Mental abuse includes humiliation, harassment, and threats of 
punishment or deprivation.
    (ii) Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, pinching, kicking or 
controlling behavior through corporal punishment.
    (iii) Sexual abuse includes sexual harassment, sexual coercion, and 
sexual assault.
    (iv) Neglect is any impaired quality of life for an individual 
because of the absence of minimal services or resources to meet basic 
needs. Neglect may include withholding or inadequately providing food 
and hydration, clothing, medical care, and good hygiene. It also 
includes placing the individual in unsafe or unsupervised conditions.
    (v) Involuntary seclusion is a participant's separation from other 
participants against his or her will or the will of his or her legal 
representative.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Staff treatment of participants. The program management must 
develop and implement written policies and procedures that prohibit 
mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of participants and misappropriation of 
participant property.
    (1) The program management must--
    (i) Not employ individuals who--
    (A) Have been found guilty of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating 
individuals by a court of law; or
    (B) Have had a finding entered into an applicable State registry or 
with the applicable licensing authority concerning abuse, neglect, 
mistreatment of individuals or misappropriation of their property; and
    (ii) Report any knowledge it has of actions by a court of law 
against an employee, which would indicate unfitness for service as a 
program assistant or other program staff to the State oversight agency 
director and licensing authorities.
    (2) The program management must ensure that all alleged violations 
involving mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, including injuries of unknown 
source, and misappropriation of participant property are reported 
immediately to the State oversight agency director and to other 
officials in accordance with State law through established procedures.
    (3) The program management must have evidence that all alleged 
violations are thoroughly investigated, and must prevent potential abuse 
while the investigation is in progress.
    (4) The results of all investigations must be reported to the State 
oversight agency director or the designated representative and to other 
officials in accordance with State law within five working days of the 
incident, and appropriate corrective action must be taken if the alleged 
violation is verified.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.100  Quality of life.

    Program management must provide an environment and provide or 
coordinate care that supports the quality of life of each participant by 
maximizing the individual's potential strengths and skills.
    (a) Dignity. The program management must promote care for 
participants in a manner and in an environment that maintains or 
enhances each participant's dignity and respect in full recognition of 
his or her individuality.
    (b) Self-determination and participation. The participant has the 
right to--
    (1) Choose activities, schedules, and health care consistent with 
his or her interests, assessments, and plans of care;
    (2) Interact with members of the community both inside and outside 
the program; and
    (3) Make choices about aspects of his or her life in the program 
that are significant to the participant.

[[Page 933]]

    (c) Participant and family concerns. The program management must 
document any concerns submitted to the management of the program by 
participants or family members.
    (1) A participant's family has the right to meet with families of 
other participants in the program.
    (2) Staff or visitors may attend participant or family meetings at 
the group's invitation.
    (3) The program management must respond to written requests that 
result from group meetings.
    (4) The program management must listen to the views of any 
participant or family group and act upon the concerns of participants 
and families regarding policy and operational decisions affecting 
participant care in the program.
    (d) Participation in other activities. A participant has the right 
to participate in social, religious, and community activities that do 
not interfere with the rights of other participants in the program.
    (e) Therapeutic participant activities. (1) The program management 
must provide for an ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in 
accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interests and the 
physical, mental, and psychosocial well being of each participant.
    (2) The activities program must be directed by a qualified 
professional who is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an 
activities professional who--
    (i) Is licensed, if applicable, by the State in which practicing; 
and
    (ii) Is certified as a therapeutic recreation specialist or an 
activities professional by a recognized certifying body.
    (3) A critical role of the adult day health care program is to build 
relationships and create a culture that supports, involves, and 
validates the participant. Therapeutic activity refers to that 
supportive culture and is a significant aspect of the individualized 
plan of care. A participant's activity includes everything the 
individual experiences during the day, not just arranged events. As part 
of effective therapeutic activity the adult day health care program 
must:
    (i) Provide direction and support for participants, including 
breaking down activities into small, discrete steps or behaviors, if 
needed by a participant;
    (ii) Have alternative programming available for any participant 
unable or unwilling to take part in group activity;
    (iii) Design activities that promote personal growth and enhance the 
self-image and/or improve or maintain the functioning level of 
participants to the extent possible;
    (iv) Provide opportunities for a variety of involvement (social, 
intellectual, cultural, economic, emotional, physical, and spiritual) at 
different levels, including community activities and events;
    (v) Emphasize participants' strengths and abilities rather than 
impairments and contribute to participant feelings of competence and 
accomplishment; and
    (vi) Provide opportunities to voluntarily perform services for 
community groups and organizations.
    (f) Social services. (1) The facility management must provide 
medically-related social services to participants and their families.
    (2) An adult day health care program must employ or contract for a 
qualified social worker to provide social services.
    (3) Qualifications of social worker. A qualified social worker is an 
individual with--
    (i) A bachelor's degree in social work from a school accredited by 
the Council of Social Work Education (Note: A master's degree social 
worker with experience in long-term care is preferred);
    (ii) A social work license from the State in which the State home is 
located, if license is offered by the State; and
    (iii) A minimum of one year of supervised social work experience in 
a health care setting working directly with individuals.
    (4) The facility management must have sufficient social worker and 
support staff to meet participant and family social services needs. The 
adult day health care social services must:
    (i) Provide counseling to participants and families/caregivers;

[[Page 934]]

    (ii) Facilitate the participant's adaptation to the adult day health 
care program and active involvement in the plan of care, if appropriate;
    (iii) Arrange for services not provided by the adult day health care 
program and work with these resources to coordinate services;
    (iv) Serve as participant advocate by asserting and safeguarding the 
human and civil rights of the participants;
    (v) Assess signs of mental illness and/or dementia and make 
appropriate referrals;
    (vi) Provide information and referral for persons not appropriate 
for adult day health care program;
    (vii) Provide family conferences and serve as liaison between 
participant, family/caregiver and program staff;
    (viii) Provide individual or group counseling and support to 
caregivers and participants;
    (ix) Conduct support groups or facilitate participant or family/
caregiver participation in support groups;
    (x) Assist program staff in adapting to changes in participants' 
behavior; and
    (xi) Provide or arrange for individual, group, or family 
psychotherapy for participants' with significant psychosocial needs.
    (5) Space for social services must be adequate to ensure privacy for 
interviews.
    (g) Environment. The program management must provide--
    (1) A safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, and 
support the participants' ability to function as independently as 
possible and to engage in program activities;
    (2) Housekeeping and maintenance services necessary to maintain a 
sanitary, orderly, and comfortable interior;
    (3) Private storage space for each participant sufficient for a 
change of clothes;
    (4) Interior signs to facilitate participants' ability to move about 
the facility independently and safely;
    (5) A clean bed available for acute illness, when indicated;
    (6) A shower for resident's need, when indicated;
    (7) Adequate and comfortable lighting levels in all areas;
    (8) Comfortable and safe temperature levels; and
    (9) Comfortable sound levels.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.110  Participant assessment.

    The program management must conduct initially, semi-annually and as 
required by a change in the participant's condition a comprehensive, 
accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each participant's 
functional capacity.
    (a) Intake screening. An intake screening must be completed to 
determine the appropriateness of the adult day health care program for 
each participant.
    (b) Enrollment orders. The program management must have physician 
orders for the participant's immediate care and a medical assessment, 
including a medical history and physical examination, within a time 
frame appropriate to the participant's condition, not to exceed 72 hours 
after enrollment, except when an examination was performed within five 
days before enrollment and the findings were provided and placed in the 
clinical record on enrollment.
    (c) Comprehensive assessments--(1) The program management must make 
a comprehensive assessment of a participant's needs using (on and after 
January 1, 2002) the Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MSD-HC) Instrument 
Version 2.0, August 2, 2000.
    (2) Frequency. Participant assessments must be completed--
    (i) No later than 14 calendar days after the date of enrollment; and
    (ii) Promptly after a significant change in the participant's 
physical, mental, or social condition.
    (3) Review of assessments. Program management must review each 
participant no less than once every six months and as appropriate and 
revise the participant's assessment to assure the continued accuracy of 
the assessment.
    (4) Use. The results of the assessment are used to develop, review, 
and revise

[[Page 935]]

the participant's individualized comprehensive plan of care, under 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    (d) Accuracy of assessments--(1) Coordination. (i) Each assessment 
must be conducted or coordinated with the appropriate participation of 
health professionals.
    (ii) Each assessment must be conducted or coordinated by a 
registered nurse who signs and certifies the completion of the 
assessment.
    (2) Certification. Each person who completes a portion of the 
assessment must sign and certify the accuracy of that portion of the 
assessment.
    (e) Comprehensive care plans--(1) The program management must 
develop an individualized comprehensive care plan for each participant 
that includes measurable objectives and timetables to meet a 
participant's physical, mental, and psychosocial needs that are 
identified in the comprehensive assessment. The care plan must describe 
the following--
    (i) The services that are to be provided by the program and by other 
sources to attain or maintain the participant's highest physical, 
mental, and psychosocial well-being as required under Sec. 52.120;
    (ii) Any services that would otherwise be required under Sec. 52.120 
but are not provided due to the participant's exercise of rights under 
Sec. 52.70, including the right to refuse treatment under 
Sec. 52.70(b)(4);
    (iii) Type and scope of interventions to be provided in order to 
reach desired, realistic outcomes;
    (iv) Roles of participant and family/caregiver; and
    (v) Discharge or transition plan, including specific criteria for 
discharge or transfer.
    (2) A comprehensive care plan must be--
    (i) Developed within 21 calendar days from the date of the adult day 
care enrollment and after completion of the comprehensive assessment;
    (ii) Assigned to one team member for the accountability of 
coordinating the completion of the interdisciplinary plan;
    (iii) Prepared by an interdisciplinary team that includes the 
primary physician, a registered nurse with responsibility for the 
participant, social worker, recreational therapist and other appropriate 
staff in disciplines as determined by the participant's needs, the 
participation of the participant, and the participant's family or the 
participant's legal representative; and
    (iv) Periodically reviewed and revised by a team of qualified 
persons after each assessment.
    (3) The services provided or arranged by the facility must--
    (i) Meet professional standards of quality; and
    (ii) Be provided by qualified persons in accordance with each 
participant's written plan of care.
    (f) Discharge summary. Prior to discharging a participant, the 
program management must prepare a discharge summary that includes--
    (1) A recapitulation of the participant's care;
    (2) A summary of the participant's status at the time of the 
discharge to include items in paragraph (c)(2) of this section; and
    (3) A discharge/transition plan related to changes in service needs 
and changes in functional status that prompted another level of care.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.120  Quality of care.

    Each participant must receive, and the program management must 
provide, the necessary care and services to attain or maintain the 
highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, in 
accordance with the comprehensive assessment and plan of care.
    (a) Reporting of sentinel events. (1) Definition. A sentinel event 
is an adverse event that results in the loss of life or limb or 
permanent loss of function.
    (2) Examples of sentinel events are as follows:
    (i) Any participant death, paralysis, coma or other major permanent 
loss of function associated with a medication error; or

[[Page 936]]

    (ii) Any suicide or attempted suicide of a participant, including 
suicides following elopement (unauthorized departure) from the program; 
or
    (iii) Any elopement of a participant from the program resulting in a 
death or a major permanent loss of function; or
    (iv) Any procedure or clinical intervention, including restraints, 
that result in death or a major permanent loss of function; or
    (v) Assault, homicide or other crime resulting in a participant's 
death or major permanent loss of function; or
    (vi) A participant's fall that results in death or major permanent 
loss of function as a direct result of the injuries sustained in the 
fall; or
    (vii) A serious injury requiring hospitalization.
    (3) The program management must report sentinel events to the 
director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction within 24 hours of 
identification. The director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction 
must report sentinel events to the VA Network Director (10N1-22), 
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health (10N), and Chief Consultant, 
Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group (114), within 24 
hours of identification and/or notification by the State home.
    (4) The program management must establish a mechanism to review and 
analyze a sentinel event resulting in a written report no later than 10 
working days following the event. The purpose of the review and analysis 
of a sentinel event in an adult day health care program is to prevent 
future injuries to residents, visitors, and personnel.
    (b) Activities of daily living. Based on the comprehensive 
assessment of a resident, the program management must ensure that--
    (1) A participant's abilities in activities of daily living do not 
diminish unless circumstances of the individual's clinical condition 
demonstrate that diminution was unavoidable. This includes the 
participant's ability to--
    (i) Bathe, dress, and groom;
    (ii) Transfer and ambulate;
    (iii) Toilet; and
    (iv) Eat.
    (2) A participant is given the appropriate treatment and services to 
maintain or improve his or her abilities specified in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section.
    (3) A participant who is unable to carry out activities of daily 
living receives the necessary services to maintain good nutrition, 
hydration, grooming, personal and oral hygiene, mobility, and bladder 
and bowel elimination.
    (c) Vision and hearing. To ensure that participants receive proper 
treatment and assistive devices to maintain vision and hearing 
abilities, the program management must, if necessary, assist the 
participant and family--
    (1) In making appointments; and
    (2) Arranging for transportation to and from the office of a 
practitioner specializing in the treatment of vision or hearing 
impairment or the office of a professional specializing in the provision 
of vision or hearing assistive devices.
    (d) Pressure ulcers. Based on the comprehensive assessment of a 
participant, the program management must ensure that--
    (1) A participant who enters the program without pressure ulcers 
does not develop pressure ulcers unless the individual's clinical 
condition demonstrates that they were unavoidable; and
    (2) A participant having pressure ulcers receives necessary 
treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent 
new ulcers from developing.
    (e) Urinary and fecal incontinence. Based on the participant's 
comprehensive assessment, the program management must ensure that--
    (1) A participant who enters the program without an indwelling 
catheter is not catheterized unless the participant's clinical condition 
demonstrates that catheterization was necessary;
    (2) A participant who is incontinent of urine receives appropriate 
treatment and services to prevent urinary tract infections and to 
restore as much normal bladder function as possible; and
    (3) A participant who has persistent fecal incontinence receives 
appropriate treatment and services to treat reversible causes and to 
restore as much normal bowel function as possible.
    (f) Range of motion. Based on the comprehensive assessment of a 
participant,

[[Page 937]]

the program management must ensure that--
    (1) A participant who enters the program without a limited range of 
motion does not experience reduction in range of motion unless the 
participant's clinical condition demonstrates that a reduction in range 
of motion is unavoidable; and
    (2) A participant with a limited range of motion receives 
appropriate treatment and services to increase range of motion and/or to 
prevent further decrease in range of motion.
    (g) Mental and psychosocial functioning. Based on the comprehensive 
assessment of a participant, the program management must ensure that a 
participant who displays mental or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, 
receives appropriate treatment and services to correct the assessed 
problem.
    (h) Accidents. The program management must ensure that--
    (1) The participant environment remains as free of accident hazards 
as is possible; and
    (2) Each participant receives adequate supervision and assistance 
devices to prevent accidents.
    (i) Nutrition. Based on a participant's comprehensive assessment, 
the program management must ensure, by working with the family, that a 
participant--
    (1) Maintains acceptable parameters of nutritional status, such as 
body weight and protein levels, unless the participant's clinical 
condition demonstrates that this is not possible; and
    (2) Receives a therapeutic diet when a nutritional deficiency is 
identified.
    (j) Hydration. The program management must provide each participant 
with sufficient fluid intake during the day to maintain proper hydration 
and health.
    (k) Unnecessary drugs--(1) General. Each participant's drug regimen 
must be free from unnecessary drugs. An unnecessary drug is any drug 
when used:
    (i) In excessive dose (including duplicate drug therapy); or
    (ii) For excessive duration; or
    (iii) Without adequate monitoring; or
    (iv) Without adequate indications for its use; or
    (v) In the presence of adverse consequences which indicate the dose 
should be reduced or discontinued; or
    (vi) Any combinations of the reasons in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) through 
(v) of this section.
    (2) Antipsychotic drugs. Based on a comprehensive assessment of a 
participant, the program management must ensure that--
    (i) Participants who have not used antipsychotic drugs are not given 
these drugs unless antipsychotic drug therapy is necessary to treat a 
specific condition as diagnosed by the primary physician and documented 
in the clinical record; and
    (ii) Participants who use antipsychotic drugs receive gradual dose 
reductions, and behavioral interventions, unless clinically 
contraindicated, in an effort to discontinue these drugs.
    (l) Medication errors. The program management must ensure that--
    (1) Medication errors are identified and reviewed on a timely basis; 
and
    (2) Strategies for preventing medication errors and adverse 
reactions are implemented.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.130  Nursing services.

    The program management must provide an organized nursing service 
with a sufficient number of qualified nursing personnel to meet the 
total nursing care needs, as determined by participant assessment and 
individualized comprehensive plans of care, of all participants in the 
program.
    (a) There must be at least one registered nurse on duty each day of 
operation of the adult day health care program. This nurse must be 
currently licensed by the State and must have, in writing, 
administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability for the 
functions, activities, and training of the nursing and program 
assistants. VA recommends that this nurse be a geriatric nurse 
practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist.
    (b) The number and level of nursing staff is determined by the 
authorized

[[Page 938]]

capacity of participants and the nursing care needs of the participants.
    (c) Nurse staffing must be adequate for meeting the standards of 
this part.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.140  Dietary services.

    The program management must provide each participant with a 
nourishing, palatable, well-balanced meal that proportionally meets the 
daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each participant.
    (a) Food and nutritional services. The program management provides 
and/or contracts with a food service entity and provides and/or 
contracts sufficient support personnel competent to carry out the 
functions of the food service.
    (1) The program management must employ a qualified dietitian either 
part-time or on a contract consultant basis to provide nutritional 
guidance.
    (2) A qualified dietitian is one who is qualified based upon 
registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American 
Dietetic Association.
    (3) The dietitian must--
    (i) Conduct participant nutritional assessments and recommend 
nutritional intervention as appropriate.
    (ii) Consult and provide nutrition education to participants, 
family/caregivers, and program staff as needed.
    (iii) Consult and provide education and training to the food service 
staff.
    (iv) Monitor and evaluate participants receiving enteral tube 
feedings and parenteral line solutions, and recommend changes as 
appropriate.
    (b) Menus and nutritional adequacy. (1) The participant's total 
dietary intake is of concern but is not the adult day health care 
program's responsibility.
    (2) The program is responsible for the meals served in the facility.
    (c) Food. Each participant receives and the program provides--
    (1) Food prepared by methods that conserve nutritive value, flavor, 
and appearance;
    (2) Food that is palatable, attractive, and at the proper 
temperature;
    (3) Food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs; and
    (4) Substitutes offered of similar nutritive value to participants 
who refuse food served.
    (d) Therapeutic diets. (1) Therapeutic diets must be prescribed by 
the primary care physician.
    (2) Special, modified, or therapeutic diets must be provided as 
necessary for participants with medical conditions or functional 
impairments.
    (3) An adult day health care program must not admit nor continue to 
serve a participant whose dietary requirements cannot be accommodated by 
the program.
    (e) Frequency of meals. (1) At regular times comparable to normal 
mealtimes in the community, each participant may receive and program 
management must provide at least two meals daily for those veterans 
staying more than four hours and at least one meal for those staying 
less than four hours.
    (2) The program management must offer snacks and fluids as 
appropriate to meet the participants' nutritional and fluid needs.
    (f) Assistive devices. The program management must provide special 
eating equipment and utensils for participants who need them.
    (g) Sanitary conditions. The program must--
    (1) Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory by 
Federal, State, or local authorities;
    (2) Store, prepare, distribute, and serve food under sanitary 
conditions; and
    (3) Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.150  Physician services.

    As a condition of enrollment in adult day health care program, a 
participant must obtain a written physician order for enrollment. Each 
participant must remain under the care of a physician.
    (a) Physician supervision. The program management must ensure that--
    (1) The medical care of each participant is supervised by a primary 
care physician;
    (2) Each participant's medical record must contain the name of the 
participant's primary physician; and

[[Page 939]]

    (3) Another physician is available to supervise the medical care of 
participants when their primary physician is unavailable.
    (b) Frequency of physician reviews. (1) The participant must be seen 
by the primary physician at least annually and as indicated by a change 
of condition.
    (2) The program management must have a policy to help ensure that 
adequate medical services are provided to the participant.
    (3) At the option of the primary physician, required reviews in the 
program after the initial review may alternate between personal 
physician reviews and reviews by a physician assistant, nurse 
practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist in accordance with paragraph 
(e) of this section.
    (c) Availability of acute care. The program management must provide 
or arrange for the provision of acute care when it is indicated.
    (d) Availability of physicians for emergency care. In case of an 
emergency, the program management must provide or arrange for the 
provision of physician services when the program has participants under 
its care.
    (e) Physician delegation of tasks. (1) A primary physician may 
delegate tasks to:
    (i) A certified physician assistant or a certified nurse 
practitioner, or
    (ii) A clinical nurse specialist who--
    (A) Is acting within the scope of practice as defined by State law; 
and
    (B) Is under the supervision of the physician.
    (2) The primary physician may not delegate a task when the 
provisions of this part specify that the primary physician must perform 
it personally, or when the delegation is prohibited under State law or 
by the facility's own policies.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.160  Specialized rehabilitative services.

    (a) Provision of services. If specialized rehabilitative services 
such as, but not limited to, physical therapy, speech therapy, 
occupational therapy, and mental health services for mental illness are 
required in the participant's comprehensive plan of care, program 
management must--
    (1) Provide the required services; or
    (2) Obtain the required services and equipment from an outside 
resource, in accordance with Sec. 52.210(h), from a provider of 
specialized rehabilitative services.
    (b) Specialized rehabilitative services must be provided under the 
written order of a physician by qualified personnel.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.170  Dental services.

    (a) Program management must, if necessary, assist the participant 
and family/caregiver--
    (1) In making appointments; and
    (2) By arranging for transportation to and from the dental services.
    (b) Program management must promptly assist and refer participants 
with lost or damaged dentures to a dentist.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.180  Administration of drugs.

    The program management must assist with the management of medication 
and have a system for disseminating drug information to participants and 
program staff.
    (a) Procedures. (1) The program management must provide reminders or 
prompts to participants to initiate and follow though with self-
administration of medications.
    (2) The program management must establish a system of records to 
document the administration of drugs by participants and/or staff.
    (3) The program management must ensure that drugs and biologicals 
used by participants are labeled in accordance with currently accepted 
professional principles, and include the appropriate accessory and 
cautionary instructions, and the expiration dates when applicable.

[[Page 940]]

    (4) The program management must store all drugs, biologicals, and 
controlled schedule II drugs listed in 21 CFR 1308.12 in locked 
compartments under proper temperature controls, permit only authorized 
personnel to have access, and otherwise comply with all applicable State 
and Federal laws.
    (b) Service consultation. The program management must employ or 
contract for the services of a pharmacist licensed in the State in which 
the program is located who provides consultation, as needed, on all the 
provision of drugs.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.190  Infection control.

    The program management must establish and maintain an infection 
control program designed to prevent the development and transmission of 
disease and infection.
    (a) Infection control program. The program management must--
    (1) Investigate, control, and prevent infections in the program 
participants and staff; and
    (2) Maintain a record of incidents and corrective actions related to 
infections.
    (b) Preventing spread of infection. (1) The program management must 
prevent participants or staff with a communicable disease or infected 
skin lesions from attending the adult day health care program if direct 
contact will transmit the disease.
    (2) The program management must require staff to wash their hands 
after each direct participant contact for which hand washing is 
indicated by accepted professional practice.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



Sec. 52.200  Physical environment.

    The physical environment must be designed, constructed, equipped, 
and maintained to protect the health and safety of participants, 
personnel and the public.
    (a) Life safety from fire. The facility must meet the applicable 
provisions of the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101, Life 
Safety Code (2012 edition). Incorporation by reference this document was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The document incorporated by reference 
is available for inspection at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1154, 810 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20420 or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/
federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Copies 
may be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association, Battery 
March Park, Quincy, MA 02269. (For ordering information, call toll-free 
1-800-344-3555.)
    (b) Space and equipment. (1) Program management must--
    (i) Provide sufficient space and equipment in dining, health 
services, recreation, and program areas to enable staff to provide 
participants with needed services as required by these standards and as 
identified in each participant's plan of care; and
    (ii) Maintain all essential mechanical, electrical, and patient care 
equipment in safe operating condition.
    (2) Each adult day health care program, when it is co-located in a 
nursing home, domiciliary, or other care facility, must have its own 
separate designated space during operational hours.
    (3) The indoor space for an adult day health care program must be at 
least 100 square feet per participant including office space for staff 
and must be 60 square feet per participant excluding office space for 
staff.
    (4) Each program will need to design and partition its space to meet 
its own needs, but a minimal number of functional areas must be 
available. These include:
    (i) A dividable multipurpose room or area for group activities, 
including dining, with adequate table-setting space.

[[Page 941]]

    (ii) Rehabilitation rooms or an area for individual and group 
treatments for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other 
treatment modalities.
    (iii) A kitchen area for refrigerated food storage, the preparation 
of meals and/or training participants in activities of daily living.
    (iv) An examination and/or medication room.
    (v) A quiet room (with at least one bed), which functions to isolate 
participants who become ill or disruptive, or who require rest, privacy, 
or observation, must include a bed. It should be separate from activity 
areas, near a restroom, and supervised.
    (vi) Bathing facilities adequate to facilitate bathing of 
participants with functional impairments.
    (vii) Toilet facilities and bathrooms easily accessible to people 
with mobility problems, including participants in wheelchairs. There 
must be at least one toilet for every eight participants. The toilets 
must be equipped for use by persons with limited mobility, easily 
accessible from all programs areas, i.e., preferably within 40 feet from 
that area, designed to allow assistance from one or two staff, and 
barrier-free.
    (viii) Adequate storage space. There should be space to store arts 
and crafts materials, personal clothing and belongings, wheelchairs, 
chairs, individual handiwork, and general supplies. Locked cabinets must 
be provided for files, records, supplies, and medications.
    (ix) An individual room for counseling and interviewing participants 
and family members.
    (x) A reception area.
    (xi) An outside space that is used for outdoor activities that is 
safe, accessible to indoor areas, and accessible to those with a 
disability. This space may include recreational space and garden area. 
It should be easily supervised by staff.
    (c) Furnishings must be available for all participants. This must 
include functional furniture appropriate to the participants' needs. 
Furnishings must be attractive, comfortable, and homelike, while being 
sturdy and safe.
    (d) Participant call system. The coordinator's station must be 
equipped to receive participant calls through a communication system 
from--
    (1) Clinic rooms; and
    (2) Toilet and bathing facilities.
    (e) Other environmental conditions. The program management must 
provide a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for 
the participants, staff and the public. The program management must--
    (1) Establish procedures to ensure that water is available to 
essential areas if there is a loss of normal water supply;
    (2) Have adequate outside ventilation by means of windows, or 
mechanical ventilation, or a combination of the two;
    (3) Equip corridors, when available, with firmly-secured handrails 
on each side; and
    (4) Maintain an effective pest control program so that the facility 
is free of pests and rodents.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)

[67 FR 662, Jan. 7, 2002, as amended at 80 FR 44862, July 28, 2015]



Sec. 52.210  Administration.

    An adult day health care program must be administered in a manner 
that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently to 
attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and 
psychosocial well being of each participant.
    (a) Governing body. (1) The State must have a governing body, or 
designated person functioning as a governing body, that is legally 
responsible for establishing and implementing policies regarding the 
management and operation of the program; and
    (2) The governing body or State official with oversight for the 
program appoints the adult day health care program administrator who is:
    (i) A qualified heath care professional experienced in clinical 
program management and, if required by the State, certified as a 
Certified Administrator in Adult Day Health Care; and
    (ii) Responsible for the operation and management of the program 
including:
    (A) Documentation of current credentials for each licensed 
independent practitioner employed by the program;
    (B) Review of the practitioner's record of experience;

[[Page 942]]

    (C) Assessment of whether practitioners with clinical privileges act 
within the scope of privileges granted; and
    (iii) Awareness of local trends in community adult day health care 
and other services, and participation in area adult day health care 
organizations.
    (b) Disclosure of State agency and individual responsible for 
oversight of facility. The State must give written notice to the Chief 
Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group 
(114), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, 
at the time of the change, if any of the following change:
    (1) The State agency and individual responsible for oversight of a 
State home facility;
    (2) The State adult day health care program administrator; or
    (3) The State employee responsible for oversight of the State home 
adult day health care program if a contractor operates the State 
program.
    (c) Required information. The program management must submit the 
following to the director of the VA medical center of jurisdiction as 
part of the application for recognition and thereafter as often as 
necessary to be current:
    (1) The copy of the legal and administrative action establishing the 
State-operated facility (e.g., State laws);
    (2) Site plan of facility and surroundings;
    (3) Legal title, lease, or other document establishing the right to 
occupy the facility;
    (4) Organizational charts and the operational plan of the adult day 
health care program;
    (5) The number of the staff by category indicating full-time, part-
time and minority designation, annually;
    (6) The number of adult day health care participants who are 
veterans and non-veterans, the number of veterans who are minorities and 
the number of non-veterans who are minorities, annually;
    (7) Annual State Fire Marshall's report;
    (8) Annual certification from the responsible State home showing 
compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
794) (VA Form 10-0143A, which is available at any VA medical center and 
at http://www.va.gov/vaforms);
    (9) Annual certification for Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 
U.S.C. 701-707) (VA Form 10-0143, which is available at any VA medical 
center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms);
    (10) Annual certification regarding lobbying in compliance with 31 
U.S.C. 1352 (VA Form 10-0144, which is available at any VA medical 
center and at http://www.va.gov/vaforms);
    (11) Annual certification of compliance with Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1) as effectuated in 38 CFR part 18 
(VA Form 10-0144A, which is available at any VA medical center and at 
http://www.va.gov/vaforms);
    (d) Percentage of veterans. At least 75 percent of the program 
participants must be eligible veterans except that the veteran 
percentage need only be more than 50 percent if the facility was 
acquired, constructed, or renovated solely with State funds. All non-
veteran participants must be veteran-related family members or gold star 
parents of veterans.
    (e) Management contract facility. If a program is operated by an 
entity contracting with the State, the State must assign a State 
employee to monitor the operations of the facility. The State employee 
may also monitor other levels of care at a colocated facility, but must 
monitor the adult day health care facility and any colocated facility on 
a full-time onsite basis.
    (f) Licensure. The facility and program management must comply with 
applicable State and local licensure laws.
    (g) Staff qualifications. (1) The program management must employ on 
a full-time, part-time or consultant basis those professionals necessary 
to carry out the provisions of these requirements. Professional 
disciplines involved in participant care must include registered nurses, 
program assistants, physicians, social workers, rehabilitation 
therapists, dietitians, and therapeutic activity therapists and 
pharmacists. Other disciplines may be considered depending upon the 
participant and/or program needs.

[[Page 943]]

    (2) Professional staff must be licensed, certified, or registered in 
accordance with applicable State laws.
    (3) The staff-participant ratio must be sufficient in number and 
skills (at least one staff to 4 to 6 participants) to ensure compliance 
with the standards of this part. There must be at least two responsible 
persons (paid staff members) at the adult day health care center at all 
times when there are two or more participants in attendance.
    (4) Persons counted in the staff to participant ratio must spend at 
least 70 percent of their time in direct service with participants.
    (5) All professional team members will serve in the role of case 
manager for designated participants.
    (6) All personnel, paid and volunteer, will be provided appropriate 
training to maintain the knowledge and skills required for the 
participant needs.
    (h) Use of outside resources. (1) If the facility does not employ a 
qualified professional person to furnish a specific service to be 
provided by the facility, the program management must have that service 
furnished to participants by a person or agency outside the facility 
under a written agreement described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section.
    (2) Agreements pertaining to services furnished by outside resources 
must specify in writing that the program management assumes 
responsibility for--
    (i) Obtaining services that meet professional standards and 
principles that apply to professionals providing services in such a 
program; and
    (ii) The timeliness of the services.
    (i) Medical director. (1) The program management must provide a 
primary care physician to serve as medical director and a consultant to 
the interdisciplinary program team.
    (2) The medical director is responsible for:
    (i) Participating in establishing policies, procedures, and 
guidelines to ensure adequate, comprehensive services;
    (ii) Directing and coordinating medical care in the program;
    (iii) Ensuring continuous physician coverage to handle medical 
emergencies;
    (iv) Participating in managing the environment by reviewing and 
evaluating incident reports or summaries of incident reports, 
identifying hazards to health and safety, and making recommendations to 
the adult day health care program administrator; and
    (v) Monitoring employees' health status and advising the program 
administrator on employee health policies.
    (3) The medical director may also provide hands-on assessment and/or 
treatment if authorized by the participant's primary care provider. In 
programs where a medical director is available to act as a member of the 
team and authorizes care, information concerning the care provided must 
be shared with the primary care physician who continues to provide the 
ongoing medical care.
    (4) The program management must have written procedures for handling 
medical emergencies. The procedures must include, at least:
    (i) Procedures for notification of the family;
    (ii) Procedures for transportation arrangements;
    (iii) Provision for an escort, if necessary; and
    (iv) Procedures for maintaining a portable basic emergency 
information file for each participant that includes:
    (A) Hospital preference;
    (B) Physician of record and telephone number;
    (C) Emergency contact (family);
    (D) Insurance information;
    (E) Medications/allergies;
    (F) Current diagnosis and history; and
    (G) Photograph for participant identification.
    (j) Required training of program assistants. (1) Program assistants 
must have a high school diploma, or the equivalent, and must have at 
least one year of experience in working with adults in a health care 
setting. Program assistants also must complete the National Adult Day 
Services Association training course or complete equivalent training.
    (2) The program management must not use any individual working in 
the program as a program assistant whether permanent or not unless:

[[Page 944]]

    (i) That individual is competent to provide appropriate services; 
and
    (ii) That individual has completed training or is certified by the 
National Adult Day Services Association as a certified Program Assistant 
in Adult Day Services.
    (3) Verification. Before allowing an individual to serve as a nurse 
aide or program assistant, program management must verify that the 
individual has successfully completed a training and competency 
evaluation program. Facilities must follow up to ensure that such an 
individual actually becomes certified, if available in the State.
    (4) Multi-State registry verification. Before allowing an individual 
to serve as a nurse aide or program assistant, program management must 
seek information from every State registry established under HHS 
regulations at 42 CFR 483.156 which the facility believes may include 
information on the individual.
    (5) Required retraining. If, since an individual's most recent 
completion of a training and competency evaluation program, there has 
been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during none of which 
the individual provided nursing or nursing-related services for monetary 
compensation, the individual must complete a new training and competency 
evaluation program or a new competency evaluation program.
    (6) Regular in-service education. The program management must 
complete a performance review of every nurse aide or program assistant 
at least once every 12 months, and must provide regular in-service 
education based on the outcome of these reviews. The in-service training 
must--
    (i) Be sufficient to ensure the continuing competence of nurse aides 
or program assistants, but must be no less than 12 hours per year;
    (ii) Address areas of weakness as determined in program assistants' 
performance reviews and address the special needs of participants as 
determined by the program staff; and
    (iii) For program assistants or nurse aides providing services to 
individuals with cognitive impairments, address the care of the 
cognitively impaired.
    (k) Proficiency of program assistants. The program management must 
ensure that program assistants or nurse aides are able to demonstrate 
competency in skills and techniques necessary to care for participants' 
needs, as identified through participant assessments, and described in 
the plan of care.
    (l) Laboratory and radiology results. The program management must--
    (1) Obtain laboratory or radiology results from the participant's 
primary physician to support the needs of its participants.
    (2) Assist the participant and/or family/caregiver in making 
transportation arrangements to and from the source of laboratory or 
radiology services, if the participant needs assistance.
    (3) File in the participant's clinical record laboratory or 
radiology reports that are dated and contain the name and address of the 
testing laboratory or radiology service.
    (m) Participant records. (1) The facility management must maintain 
clinical records on each participant in accordance with accepted 
professional standards and practices that are--
    (i) Complete;
    (ii) Accurately documented;
    (iii) Readily accessible; and
    (iv) Systematically organized.
    (2) Clinical records must be retained for--
    (i) The period of time required by State law; or
    (ii) Five years from the date of discharge if there is no 
requirement in State law.
    (3) The program management must safeguard clinical record 
information against loss, destruction, or unauthorized use.
    (4) The program management must keep confidential all information 
contained in the participant's records, regardless of the form or 
storage method of the records, except when release is required by--
    (i) Transfer to another health care institution;
    (ii) Law;
    (iii) A third-party payment contract;
    (iv) The participant; or
    (v) The participant's legal representative.
    (5) The clinical record must contain--
    (i) Sufficient information to identify the participant;

[[Page 945]]

    (ii) A record of the participant's assessments;
    (iii) The plan of care and services provided;
    (iv) The results of any pre-enrollment screening conducted by the 
State; and
    (v) Progress notes.
    (n) Quality assessment and assurance. (1) Program management must 
maintain a quality improvement program and a quality improvement 
committee consisting of--
    (i) A registered nurse;
    (ii) A medical director designated by the program; and
    (iii) At least three other members of the program's staff.
    (2) The quality improvement committee--
    (i) Must implement a quality improvement plan for the evaluation of 
its operation and services and review and revise annually; and
    (ii) Must meet at least quarterly to identify quality of care 
issues; and
    (iii) Must develop and implement appropriate plans of action to 
correct identified quality deficiencies; and
    (iv) Must ensure that identified quality deficiencies are corrected 
within an established time period.
    (3) The VA Under Secretary for Health may not require disclosure of 
the records of such committee unless such disclosure is related to the 
compliance with the requirements of this section.
    (o) Disaster and emergency preparedness. (1) The program management 
must have detailed written plans and procedures to meet all potential 
emergencies and disasters, such as fire, severe weather, bomb threats, 
and missing participants.
    (2) The program management must train all employees in emergency 
procedures when they begin to work in the program, periodically review 
the procedures with existing staff, and carry out unannounced staff 
drills using those procedures.
    (p) Transfer procedure. (1) The program management must have in 
effect a written transfer procedure that reasonably assures that--
    (i) Participants will be transferred from the adult day health care 
program to the hospital, and ensured of timely admission to the hospital 
when transfer is medically appropriate as determined by a physician; and
    (ii) Medical and other information needed for care and treatment of 
participants will be exchanged between the institutions.
    (2) The transfer must be with a hospital sufficiently close to the 
adult day health care program to make transfer feasible.
    (q) Compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and professional 
standards. The program management must operate and provide services in 
compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, 
regulations, and codes, and with accepted professional standards and 
principles that apply to professionals providing services in such a 
facility. This includes the Single Audit Act of 1984 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et 
seq.) and the Cash Management Improvement Acts of 1990 and 1992 (31 
U.S.C. 3335, 3718, 3720A, 6501, 6503).
    (r) Relationship to other Federal regulations. In addition to 
compliance with the regulations set forth in this subpart, the program 
must meet the applicable provisions of other Federal laws and 
regulations, including but not limited to, those pertaining to 
nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, 
handicap, or age (38 CFR part 18); protection of human subjects of 
research (45 CFR part 46), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1993 
(29 U.S.C. 794); Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 701-707); 
restrictions regarding lobbying (31 U.S.C. 1352); Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1). Although these regulations are 
not in themselves considered requirements under this part, their 
violation may result in the termination or suspension of, or the refusal 
to grant or continue payment with Federal funds.
    (s) Intermingling. A facility recognized as a State home for 
providing adult day health care may only provide adult day health care 
in the areas of the facility recognized as a State home for providing 
adult day health care.
    (t) VA management of State veterans homes. Except as specifically 
provided by statute or regulations, VA employees have no authority 
regarding the

[[Page 946]]

management or control of State homes providing adult day health care.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this paragraph under control number 2900-
0160)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)

[67 FR 662, Jan. 7, 2002, as amended at 78 FR 51675, Aug. 21, 2013]



Sec. 52.220  Transportation.

    Transportation of participants to and from the adult day health care 
facility must be a component of the overall program.
    (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the 
adult day health care program management must provide or contract for 
transportation to enable participants, including persons with 
disabilities, to attend the program and to participate in facility-
sponsored outings.
    (2) The veteran or the family of a veteran may decline 
transportation offered by the adult day health care program management 
and make their own arrangements for the transportation.
    (b) The adult day health care program management must have a 
transportation policy that includes routine and emergency procedures, 
with a copy of the relevant procedures located in all program vehicles.
    (c) All vehicles transporting participants to and from adult day 
health care must be equipped with a device for two-way communication.
    (d) All facility-provided and contracted transportation systems must 
meet local, State and federal regulations.
    (e) The time to transport participant to or from the facility must 
not be more than 60 minutes except under unusual conditions, e.g., bad 
weather.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1741-1743)



PART 53_PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE THE HIRING AND
RETENTION OF NURSES AT STATE VETERANS HOMES--Table of Contents



Sec.
53.1  Purpose and scope.
53.2  Definitions.
53.10  Decision makers, notifications, and additional information.
53.11  General requirements for payments.
53.20  Application requirements.
53.30  Payments.
53.31  Annual report.
53.32  Recapture provisions.
53.40  Submissions of information and documents.
53.41  Notification of funding decision.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744.

    Source: 73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 53.1  Purpose and scope.

    In accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1744, this part sets 
forth the mechanism for a State to obtain payments to assist a State 
Veterans Home (SVH) in the hiring and retention of nurses for the 
purpose of reducing nursing shortages at that SVH.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)



Sec. 53.2  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part:
    Nurse means an individual who is a registered nurse, a licensed 
practical nurse, a licensed vocational nurse, or a nursing assistant 
certified in the State in which payment is made and who is a bedside 
caregiver at least a majority of the time (e.g., this would generally 
not include an individual acting in the capacity of an advance practice 
nurse, an administrative nurse, or a director of nursing) (the terms 
nurses and nursing shall be construed consistent with this definition).
    State means each of the several States, Territories, and possessions 
of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico.
    State representative means the official designated in accordance 
with State authority with responsibility for matters relating to 
payments under this part.
    State Veterans Home (SVH) means a home approved by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) which a State established primarily for veterans 
disabled by age, disease, or otherwise, who by reason of such disability 
are incapable of earning a living. A SVH may provide domiciliary care, 
nursing home

[[Page 947]]

care, adult day health care, and hospital care. Hospital care may be 
provided only when the SVH also provides domiciliary and/or nursing home 
care.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)



Sec. 53.10  Decision makers, notifications, and additional information.

    The Director, Geriatrics and Extended Care Operations, will make all 
determinations regarding payments under this part, and will provide 
written notice to affected State representatives of approvals, denials, 
or requests for additional information under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)

[73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, as amended at 77 FR 73313, Dec. 10, 2012]



Sec. 53.11  General requirements for payments.

    (a) VA will make payment under this part to a State for an employee 
incentive program to reduce the shortage of nurses at the SVH, when the 
following conditions are met:
    (1) The State representative applies for payment in accordance with 
the provisions of Sec. 53.20;
    (2) The SVH receives per diem payments from VA under the provisions 
of 38 U.S.C. 1741 for one or more of the following: Adult day health 
care, domiciliary care, hospital care, or nursing home care;
    (3) The SVH has a nursing shortage that is documented by credible 
evidence, including but not limited to SVH records showing nursing 
vacancies, SVH records showing nurse overtime use, and reports 
documenting that nurses are difficult to hire in the local area and 
difficult to retain as employees at the SVH;
    (4) The SVH does not use payments under this part to pay for all or 
part of a nurse's standard employee benefits, such as salary, health 
insurance, or retirement plan;
    (5) The SVH provides to the Director, Geriatrics and Extended Care 
Operations, documentation establishing that it has an employee incentive 
program that:
    (i) Is likely to be effective in promoting the hiring and retention 
of nurses for the purpose of reducing nursing shortages at that home, 
and
    (ii) Is in operation or ready for immediate implementation if VA 
payments are made under this part;
    (6) The payment amount applied for by the State is no more than 50 
percent of the funding for the employee incentive program during the 
Federal fiscal year;
    (7) The SVH employee incentive program includes a mechanism to 
ensure that an individual receiving benefits under the program works at 
the SVH as a nurse for a period commensurate with the benefits provided, 
and, insofar as possible, the program is designed to eliminate any 
nursing shortage at the SVH within a 3-year period from the initiation 
of VA payments;
    (8) The SVH, if it received payments under this part during a 
previous Federal fiscal year, has met the reporting requirements of 
Sec. 53.31(a) regarding such payments;
    (9) The SVH credits to its employee incentive program any funds 
refunded to the SVH by an employee because the employee was in breach of 
an agreement for employee assistance funded with payments made under 
this part and the SVH credits the amount returned as a non-Federal 
funding source; and
    (10) The project does not involve the construction, acquisition, 
expansion, remodeling or alteration of the SVH.
    (b) VA intends to allow flexibility and innovation in determining 
the types of employee incentive programs at SVHs eligible for payments. 
Programs could include such things as the provision of short-term 
scholarships for continuing nursing education, sign-on bonuses for 
nurses, student loan forgiveness programs, and improvements to working 
conditions. In determining whether an employee incentive program is 
likely to be effective, VA will consider any information available, 
including past performance of the SVH's

[[Page 948]]

program funded by payments made under this part.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0709)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)

[73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, as amended at 77 FR 73313, Dec. 10, 2012]



Sec. 53.20  Application requirements.

    (a) To apply for payments during a Federal fiscal year, a State 
representative must submit to VA, in accordance with Sec. 53.40, a 
completed VA Form 10-0430 and documentation specified by the form (VA 
Form 10-0430 is available at VA medical centers and on the Internet at 
http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/ or may be obtained by contacting the 
Geriatrics and Extended Care Office at 202-461-6750, VHA Headquarters, 
810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420). The submission for 
payments for a fiscal year must be received by VA during the last 
quarter (July 1-September 30) of the preceding fiscal year. The State 
must submit a new application for each fiscal year that the State seeks 
payments for an incentive program.
    (b) As part of the application, the State representative must submit 
to VA evidence that the State has sufficient funding, when combined with 
the VA payments, to fully operate its employee incentive program through 
the end of the fiscal year. To meet this requirement, the State 
representative must provide to VA a letter from an authorized State 
official certifying that, if VA were to approve payments under this 
part, the non-VA share of the funds for the program would be by a date 
or dates specified in the certification, available for the employee 
incentive program without further State action to make such funds 
available. If the certification is based on a State law authorizing 
funds for the employee incentive program, a copy of the State law must 
be submitted with the certification.
    (c) If an application does not contain sufficient information for a 
determination under this part, the State representative will be notified 
in writing (electronically and by mail) of any additional submission 
required and that the State has 30 calendar days from the date of the 
notice to submit such additional information or no further action will 
be taken. If the State representative does not submit all of the 
required information or demonstrate that he or she has good cause for 
failing to provide the information within 30 calendar days of the notice 
(which may extend beyond the last quarter of the preceding Federal 
fiscal year), then the State applicant will be notified in writing that 
the application for VA assistance will be deemed withdrawn and no 
further action will be taken.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0709)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)

[73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, as amended at 77 FR 73313, Dec. 10, 2012]



Sec. 53.30  Payments.

    (a) The amount of payments awarded under this part during a Federal 
fiscal year will be the amount requested by the State and approved by VA 
in accordance with this part. Payments may not exceed 50 percent of the 
cost of the employee incentive program for that fiscal year and may not 
exceed 2 percent of the amount of the total per diem payments estimated 
by VA to be made under 38 U.S.C. 1741 to the State for that SVH during 
that fiscal year for adult day health care, domiciliary care, hospital 
care, and nursing home care.
    (b) Payments will be made by lump sum or installment as deemed 
appropriate by the Director, Geriatrics and Extended Care Operations.
    (c) Payments will be made to the State or, if designated by the 
State representative, the SVH conducting the employee incentive program.
    (d) Payments made under this part for a specific employee incentive 
program shall be used solely for that purpose.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)

[73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, as amended at 77 FR 73313, Dec. 10, 2012]

[[Page 949]]



Sec. 53.31  Annual report.

    (a) A State receiving payment under this part shall provide to VA a 
report setting forth in detail the use of the funds, including a 
descriptive analysis of how effective the employee incentive program has 
been in improving nurse staffing in the SVH. The report shall be 
provided to VA within 60 days of the close of the Federal fiscal year 
(September 30) in which payment was made and shall be subject to audit 
by VA.
    (b) A State receiving payment under this part shall also prepare 
audit reports as required by the Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards under 2 CFR 
part 200 and submit them to VA.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0709)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)

[73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, as amended at 80 FR 43322, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 53.32  Recapture provisions.

    If a State fails to use the funds provided under this part for the 
purpose for which payment was made or receives more than is allowed 
under this part, the United States shall be entitled to recover from the 
State the amount not used for such purpose or the excess amount 
received.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)



Sec. 53.40  Submissions of information and documents.

    All submissions of information and documents required to be 
presented to VA must be made to the Director, Geriatrics and Extended 
Care Operations, VHA Headquarters, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20420.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0709)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)

[73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, as amended at 77 FR 73313, Dec. 10, 2012]



Sec. 53.41  Notification of funding decision.

    If the Director, Geriatrics and Extended Care Operation, determines 
that a submission from a State fails to meet the requirements of this 
part for funding, the Director shall provide written notice of the 
decision and the reasons for the decision.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)

[73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, as amended at 77 FR 73313, Dec. 10, 2012]

                           PART 58 [RESERVED]



PART 59_GRANTS TO STATES FOR CONSTRUCTION OR ACQUISITION OF STATE
HOMES--Table of Contents



Sec.
59.1  Purpose.
59.2  Definitions.
59.3  Federal Application Identifier.
59.4  Decisionmakers, notifications, and additional information.
59.5  Submissions of information and documents to VA.
59.10  General requirements for a grant.
59.20  Initial application requirements.
59.30  Documentation.
59.40  Maximum number of nursing home care and domiciliary care beds for 
          veterans by State.
59.50  Priority list.
59.60  Additional application requirements.
59.70  Award of grants.
59.80  Amount of grant.
59.90  Line item adjustments to grants.
59.100  Payment of grant award.
59.110  Recapture provisions.
59.120  Hearings.
59.121  Amendments to application.
59.122  Withdrawal of application.
59.123  Conference.
59.124  Inspections, audits, and reports.
59.130  General requirements for all State home facilities.
59.140  Nursing home care requirements.
59.150  Domiciliary care requirements.
59.160  Adult day health care requirements.
59.170  Forms.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137.

    Source: 66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 59.1  Purpose.

    This part sets forth the mechanism for a State to obtain a grant:
    (a) To construct State home facilities (or to acquire facilities to 
be used

[[Page 950]]

as State home facilities) for furnishing domiciliary or nursing home 
care to veterans, and
    (b) To expand, remodel, or alter existing buildings for furnishing 
domiciliary, nursing home, adult day health, or hospital care to 
veterans in State homes.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.2  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part:
    Acquisition means the purchase of a facility in which to establish a 
State home for the provision of domiciliary and/or nursing home care to 
veterans.
    Adult day health care is a therapeutically-oriented outpatient day 
program, which provides health maintenance and rehabilitative services 
to participants. The program must provide individualized care delivered 
by an interdisciplinary health care team and support staff, with an 
emphasis on helping participants and their caregivers to develop the 
knowledge and skills necessary to manage care requirements in the home. 
Adult day health care is principally targeted for complex medical and/or 
functional needs of elderly veterans.
    Construction means the construction of new domiciliary or nursing 
home buildings, the expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing 
buildings for the provision of domiciliary, nursing home, or adult day 
health care, or hospital care in State homes, and the provision of 
initial equipment for any such buildings.
    Domiciliary care means providing shelter, food, and necessary 
medical care on an ambulatory self-care basis (this is more than room 
and board). It assists eligible veterans who are suffering from a 
disability, disease, or defect of such a degree that incapacitates 
veterans from earning a living, but who are not in need of 
hospitalization or nursing care services. It assists in attaining 
physical, mental, and social well-being through special rehabilitative 
programs to restore residents to their highest level of functioning.
    Nursing home care means the accommodation of convalescents or other 
persons who are not acutely ill and not in need of hospital care, but 
who require skilled nursing care and related medical services.
    Secretary means the Secretary of the United States Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    State means each of the several states, the District of Columbia, 
the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
    State representative means the official designated in accordance 
with State authority with responsibility for matters relating to the 
request for a grant under this part.
    VA means the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 75 FR 17860, Apr. 8, 2010]



Sec. 59.3  Federal Application Identifier.

    Once VA has provided the State representative with a Federal 
Application Identifier Number for a project, the number must be included 
on all subsequent written communications to VA from the State, or its 
agent, regarding a request for a grant for that project under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.4  Decisionmakers, notifications, and additional information.

    The decisionmaker for decisions required under this part will be the 
Director, Capital Asset Management and Support, unless specified to be 
the Secretary or other VA official. The VA decisionmaker will provide 
written notice to affected States of approvals, denials, or requests for 
additional information under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 78 FR 21265, Apr. 10, 2013]



Sec. 59.5  Submissions of information and documents to VA.

    All submissions of information and documents required to be 
presented to VA must be made, unless otherwise specified under this 
part, to the Director, Capital Asset Management and

[[Page 951]]

Support (10NA5), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20420.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 78 FR 21265, Apr. 10, 2013]



Sec. 59.10  General requirements for a grant.

    For a State to obtain a grant under this part and grant funds, its 
initial application for the grant must be approved under Sec. 59.20, and 
the project must be ranked sufficiently high on the priority list for 
the current fiscal year so that funding is available for the project. It 
must meet the additional application requirements in Sec. 59.60, and it 
must meet all other requirements under this part for obtaining a grant 
and grant funds.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.20  Initial application requirements.

    (a) For a project to be considered for inclusion on the priority 
list in Sec. 59.50 of this part for the next fiscal year, a State must 
submit to VA an original and one copy of a completed VA Form 10-0388-1 
and all information, documentation, and other forms specified by VA Form 
10-0388-1 (these forms are available on the internet Web sites provided 
in Sec. 59.170 of this part).
    (b) The Secretary, based on the information submitted for a project 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, will approve the project for 
inclusion on the priority list in Sec. 59.50 of this part if the 
submission includes all of the information requested under paragraph (a) 
of this section and if the submission represents a project that, if 
further developed, could meet the requirements for a grant under this 
part.
    (c) The items requested under paragraph (a) of this section must be 
received by VA no later than April 15 in order for VA to include the 
application on the priority list for the award of grants during the next 
fiscal year. See Sec. 59.50, Priority List.
    (d) If a State representative believes that VA may not award a grant 
to the State for a grant application during the current fiscal year and 
wants to ensure that VA includes the application on the priority list 
for the next fiscal year, the State representative must, prior to April 
15 of the current fiscal year,
    (1) Request VA to include the application in those recommended to 
the Secretary for inclusion on the priority list, and
    (2) Send any updates to VA.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0661)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 73 FR 58880, Oct. 8, 2008; 77 
FR 10665, Feb. 23, 2012]



Sec. 59.30  Documentation.

    For a State to obtain a grant and grant funds under this part, the 
State must submit to VA documentation that the site of the project is in 
reasonable proximity to a sufficient concentration and population of 
veterans that are 65 years of age and older and that there is a 
reasonable basis to conclude that the facility when complete will be 
fully occupied. This documentation must be included in the initial 
application submitted to VA under Sec. 59.20.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.40  Maximum number of nursing home care and domiciliary care
beds for veterans by State.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a state may 
not request a grant for a project to construct or acquire a new state 
home facility, to increase the number of beds available at a state home 
facility, or to replace beds at a state home facility if the project 
would increase the total number of state home nursing home and 
domiciliary beds in that state beyond the maximum number designated for 
that state, as shown in the following chart. The provisions of 38 U.S.C. 
8134 require VA to prescribe for each state the number of nursing home 
and domiciliary beds for which grants may be furnished (i.e., the unmet 
need). A state's unmet need for state home

[[Page 952]]

nursing home and domiciliary beds is the number in the following chart 
for that state minus the sum of the number of nursing home and 
domiciliary beds in operation at state home facilities and the number of 
state home nursing home and domiciliary beds not yet in operation but 
for which a grant has either been requested or awarded under this part.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Maximum number
                                                         of state home,
                                                         nursing home &
                         State                          domiciliary beds
                                                          based on 2020
                                                           projections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama...............................................              1007
Alaska................................................               179
Arizona...............................................              1520
Arkansas..............................................               653
California............................................              4363
Colorado..............................................              1114
Connecticut...........................................               559
Delaware..............................................               207
District of Columbia..................................                83
Florida...............................................              4049
Georgia...............................................              1975
Hawaii................................................               268
Idaho.................................................               394
Illinois..............................................              1754
Indiana...............................................              1216
Iowa..................................................               578
Kansas................................................               518
Kentucky..............................................               818
Louisiana.............................................               638
Maine.................................................               362
Maryland..............................................              1102
Massachusetts.........................................               944
Michigan..............................................              1786
Minnesota.............................................              1058
Mississippi...........................................               480
Missouri..............................................              1257
Montana...............................................               281
Nebraska..............................................               371
Nevada................................................               649
New Hampshire.........................................               361
New Jersey............................................               992
New Mexico............................................               417
New York..............................................              2209
North Carolina........................................              1900
North Dakota..........................................               137
Ohio..................................................              2143
Oklahoma..............................................               766
Oregon................................................               907
Pennsylvania..........................................              2336
Puerto Rico...........................................               288
Rhode Island..........................................               157
South Carolina........................................              1089
South Dakota..........................................               179
Tennessee.............................................              1311
Texas.................................................              4119
Utah..................................................               426
Vermont...............................................               142
Virginia..............................................              1903
Virgin Islands........................................                12
Washington............................................              1687
West Virginia.........................................               406
Wisconsin.............................................              1062
Wyoming...............................................               154
American Samoa........................................                 0
Guam..................................................                12
N. Mariana Islands....................................                 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note to paragraph (a): The provisions of 38 U.S.C. 8134 require that 
the ``un-met need'' numbers be based on a 10-year projection of demand 
for nursing home and domiciliary care by veterans who at such time are 
65 years of age or older and who reside in that state. In determining 
the projected demand, VA must take into account travel distances for 
veterans and their families.
    (b) A State may request a grant for a project that would increase 
the total number of State nursing home and domiciliary beds beyond the 
maximum number for that State, if the State submits to VA, documentation 
to establish a need for the exception based on travel distances of at 
least two hours (by land transportation or any other usual mode of 
transportation if land transportation is not available) between a 
veteran population center sufficient for the establishment of a State 
home and any existing State home. The determination regarding a request 
for an exception will be made by the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 75 FR 17860, Apr. 8, 2010]



Sec. 59.50  Priority list.

    (a) The Secretary will make a list prioritizing the applications 
that were received on or before April 15 and that were approved under 
Sec. 59.20 of this part. Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
applications will be prioritized from the highest to the lowest in the 
following order:
    (1) Priority group 1. An application from a State that has made 
sufficient funds available for the project for which the grant is 
requested so that such project may proceed upon approval of the grant 
without further action required by the State (such as subsequent 
issuance of bonds) to make such funds available for the project. To meet 
this criteria, the State must provide to VA a letter from an authorized

[[Page 953]]

State budget official certifying that the State funds are, or will be, 
available for the project, so that if VA awards the grant, the project 
may proceed without further State action to make such funds available 
(such as further action to issue bonds). If the certification is based 
on an Act authorizing the project and making available the State's 
matching funds for the project, a copy of the Act must be submitted with 
the certification.
    (i) Priority group 1--subpriority 1. An application for a life or 
safety project, which means a project to remedy a condition, or 
conditions, at an existing facility that have been cited as threatening 
to the lives or safety of one or more of the residents or program 
participants in the facility by a VA safety office, VA engineering 
office, or other VA office with responsibility for life and safety 
inspections; a State or local government agency (including a Fire 
Marshal); or an accrediting institution (including the Joint Commission 
on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations). Unless an addition or 
replacement of building utility systems or features is necessary to 
remedy a cited threat to the lives or safety of residents and program 
participants, this priority group does not include applications for the 
addition or replacement of building utility systems or features; such 
applications will be prioritized in accordance with the criteria in 
subpriority group 5 of priority group 1. An application may be included 
in this subpriority group only if all of the funds requested would be 
used for a life or safety project; or, if the estimated cost of the life 
or safety project is under $400,000.00, and the majority of the funds 
requested would be used for such a project. Projects in this subpriority 
group will be further prioritized in the following order:
    (A) Seismic;
    (B) Building construction;
    (C) Egress;
    (D) Building compartmentalization (e.g., smoke barrier, fire walls);
    (E) Fire alarm/detection;
    (F) Security;
    (G) Asbestos/hazardous materials; and
    (H) All other projects (e.g., nurse call systems, patient lifts).
    (ii) Priority group 1--subpriority 2. An application from a State 
that has not previously applied for a grant under 38 U.S.C. 8131-8137 
for construction or acquisition of a State nursing home.
    (iii) Priority group 1--subpriority 3. An application for 
construction or acquisition of a nursing home or domiciliary from a 
State that has a great need for the beds that the State, in that 
application, proposes to establish.
    (iv) Priority group 1--subpriority 4. An application from a State 
for renovations to a State Home facility other than renovations that 
would be included in subpriority group 1 of priority group 1. Projects 
will be further prioritized in the following order:
    (A) Adult day health care renovation and construction of a new adult 
day health care facility that replaces an existing facility;
    (B) Nursing home renovation (e.g., patient privacy) and construction 
of a new nursing home that replaces an existing nursing home;
    (C) Code compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act;
    (D) Building systems and utilities (e.g., electrical; heating, 
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); boiler; medical gasses; roof; 
elevators);
    (E) Clinical-support facilities (e.g., for dietetics, laundry, 
rehabilitation therapy); and
    (F) General renovation/upgrade (e.g., warehouse, storage, 
administration/office, multipurpose).
    (v) Priority group 1--subpriority 5. An application for construction 
or acquisition of a nursing home or domiciliary from a State that has a 
significant need for the beds that the State in that application 
proposes to establish.
    (vi) Priority group 1--subpriority 6. An application for 
construction or acquisition of a nursing home or domiciliary from a 
State that has not demonstrated that State funds are being used to 
protect the lives or safety of the residents and program participants of 
the facility as required in Sec. 59.50(e).
    (vii) Priority group 1--subpriority 7. An application for 
construction or acquisition of a nursing home or domiciliary from a 
State that has a limited need for the beds that the State, in that 
application, proposes to establish.


[[Page 954]]


    Note to paragraph (a)(1): The following chart is intended to provide 
a graphic aid for understanding priority group 1 and its subpriorities.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10AP13.001

    (2) Priority group 2. An application not meeting the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section but meeting the criteria of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section. Projects within this priority group will be 
further prioritized the same as in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) through 
(a)(1)(i)(H) of this section.
    (3) Priority group 3. An application not meeting the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section but meeting the criteria of paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (4) Priority group 4. An application not meeting the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section but meeting the

[[Page 955]]

criteria of paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section.
    (5) Priority group 5. An application not meeting the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section but meeting the criteria of paragraph 
(a)(1)(iv) of this section. Projects within this priority group will be 
further prioritized the same as in paragraphs (a)(1)(iv)(A) through 
(a)(1)(iv)(F) of this section.
    (6) Priority group 6. An application not meeting the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section but meeting the criteria of paragraph 
(a)(1)(v) of this section.
    (7) Priority group 7. An application not meeting the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section but meeting the criteria of paragraph 
(a)(1)(vi) of this section.
    (8) Priority group 8. An application not meeting the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section but meeting the criteria of paragraph 
(a)(1)(vii) of this section.
    (b)(1) If a State accepts a partial grant for a project under 
Sec. 59.80(a)(2), VA will give that project the highest priority for the 
next fiscal year within the priority group to which it is assigned 
(without further prioritization of that priority group) to receive up to 
30 percent of the funds available for that year. Funds available do not 
include funds conditionally obligated in the previous fiscal year under 
Sec. 59.70(a)(2).
    (2) If, in a given fiscal year, more than one State previously 
accepted a partial grant under Sec. 59.80(a)(2), these partial-grant 
recipients will be further prioritized on the priority list for that 
fiscal year based on the date that VA first awarded a partial grant for 
the project (the earlier the grant was awarded, the higher the priority 
given). The partial-grant recipients, in aggregate, may receive up to 30 
percent of the funds available for that year that would be set aside for 
partial-grant recipients.
    (c) An application will be given priority on the priority list 
(after applications described in paragraph (b) of this section) for the 
next fiscal year ahead of all applications that had not been approved 
under Sec. 59.20 on the date that the application was approved under 
Sec. 59.20, if:
    (1) During the current fiscal year VA would have awarded a grant 
based on the application except for the fact that VA determined that the 
State did not, by July 1, provide evidence that it had its matching 
funds for the project, and
    (2) The State was notified prior to July 1 that VA had funding 
available for this grant application.
    (d) Applications in each priority or subpriority group will be 
further prioritized based on the date the application was received in VA 
(the earlier the application was received, the higher the priority 
given). Projects will be prioritized under this paragraph after all 
prioritization is completed under the projects' priority or subpriority 
group, as specified in paragraph (a) of this section, and only if 
necessary to give separate priorities to applications that have the same 
priority ranking after the prioritization specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section is accomplished.
    (e) If any State home in a State has been cited by a VA safety 
office, VA engineering office, or other VA office with responsibility 
for life and safety inspections; a State or local government agency 
(including a Fire Marshal); or an accrediting institution (including the 
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) for 
conditions that threaten the lives or safety of one or more of the 
residents or program participants in the facility, the State must 
include in any application submitted under Sec. 59.20 or its updates to 
such application its plan to address all such citations. If VA 
determines that the State's plan fails to set forth how it will address 
such citations in a reasonable period of time, then VA will prioritize 
all applications of such State as follows:
    (1) Applications that meet the criteria of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, but do not meet the criteria of paragraphs (a)(1)(i) or (vii) 
of this section, will be prioritized in subpriority group 6 of priority 
group 1 (paragraph (a)(1)(vi) of this section).
    (2) Applications not meeting the criteria for placement in priority 
group 1 (paragraph (a)(1) of this section) and not meeting the criteria 
of subpriority group 1 of priority group 1 (paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section) will be

[[Page 956]]

prioritized in priority group 7 (paragraph (a)(7) of this section).
    (f) The priority list will not contain any project for the 
construction or acquisition of a hospital or hospital beds.
    (g) For purposes of establishing priorities under this section:
    (1) A State has a great need for nursing home and domiciliary beds 
if the State:
    (i) Has no State homes with nursing home or domiciliary beds, or
    (ii) Has an unmet need of 2,000 or more nursing home and domiciliary 
beds;
    (2) A State has a significant need for nursing home and domiciliary 
beds if the State has an unmet need of 1,000 to 1,999 nursing home and 
domiciliary beds; and
    (3) A State has a limited need for nursing home and domiciliary beds 
if the State has an unmet need of 999 or fewer nursing home and 
domiciliary beds.
    (h) Except for applications that must be included in subpriority 
group 1 of priority group 1, applications for projects with components 
that could be prioritized in more than one priority group will be placed 
in the priority group toward which the largest share of the cost of the 
project is allocated. Once the correct priority group is determined, 
applications for projects with components that could be prioritized in 
more than one subpriority group in that priority group will be placed in 
the subpriority group toward which the largest share of the cost of the 
project is allocated. For example, if a project for which 25 percent of 
the funds needed would address seismic issues and 75 percent of the 
funds needed would be for building construction in a State with a great 
need for new beds, the project would be placed in subpriority group 3. 
If the highest-cost component of an application for multiple projects 
does not meet the criteria for placement in priority group 1, 
subpriority group 1, because it is estimated to cost $400,000.00 or 
more, it will be prioritized based on the component with the next 
largest share of the cost.
    (i) Once the Secretary prioritizes the applications in the priority 
list, VA will not change the priorities unless a change is necessary as 
a result of an appeal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 71 FR 46104, Aug. 11, 2006; 
77 FR 10665, Feb. 23, 2012; 78 FR 21265, Apr. 10, 2013]



Sec. 59.60  Additional application requirements.

    For a project to be eligible for a grant under this part for the 
fiscal year for which the priority list was made, during that fiscal 
year the State must submit to VA an original and a copy of the 
following:
    (a) Complete, updated Standard Forms 424 (mark the box labeled 
application and submit the information requested for an application), 
424C, and 424D (these forms are available on the internet Web site 
provided in Sec. 59.170 of this part), and
    (b) A completed VA Form 10-0388-5 and all information and 
documentation specified by VA Form 10-0388-5 (this form is available on 
the internet Web site provided in Sec. 59.170).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 73 FR 58880, Oct. 8, 2008]



Sec. 59.70  Award of grants.

    (a) The Secretary, during the fiscal year for which a priority list 
is made under this part, will:
    (1) Award a grant for each application that has been approved under 
Sec. 59.20, that is sufficiently high on the priority list so that 
funding is available for the application, that meets the additional 
application requirements in Sec. 59.60, and that meets all other 
requirements under this part for obtaining a grant, or
    (2) Conditionally approve a grant for a project for which a State 
has submitted an application that substantially meets the requirements 
of this part if the State representative requests conditional approval 
and provides written assurance that the State will meet all requirements 
for a grant not later than 180 calendar days after the date of 
conditional approval. If a State that has obtained conditional approval 
for a project does not meet all of

[[Page 957]]

the requirements within 180 calendar days after the date of conditional 
approval, the Secretary will rescind the conditional approval and the 
project will be ineligible for a grant in the fiscal year in which the 
State failed to fully complete the application. The funds that were 
conditionally obligated for the project will be deobligated.
    (b) As a condition of receiving a grant, a State must make 
sufficient funds available for the project for which the grant is 
requested so that such project may proceed upon approval of the grant 
without further action required by the State (such as subsequent 
issuance of bonds) to make such funds available for such purpose. To 
meet this criteria, the State must provide to VA a letter from an 
authorized State budget official certifying that the State funds are, or 
will be, available for the project, so that if VA awards the grant, the 
project may proceed without further State action to make such funds 
available (such as further action to issue bonds). If the certification 
is based on an Act authorizing the project and making available the 
State's matching funds for the project, a copy of the Act must be 
submitted with the certification. To be eligible for inclusion in 
priority group 1 under this part, a State must make such funds available 
by August 1 of the year prior to the fiscal year for which the grant is 
requested. To otherwise be eligible for a grant and grant funds based on 
inclusion on the priority list in other than priority group 1, a State 
must make such funds available by July 1 of the fiscal year for which 
the grant is requested.
    (c) As a condition of receiving a grant, the State representative 
and the Secretary will sign three originals of the Memorandum of 
Agreement documents (one for the State and two for VA). A sample is in 
Sec. 59.170.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 77 FR 10665, Feb. 23, 2012]



Sec. 59.80  Amount of grant.

    (a) The total cost of a project (VA and State) for which a grant is 
awarded under this part may not be less than $400,000 and, except as 
provided in paragraph (i) of this section, the total cost of a project 
will not exceed the total cost of new construction. The amount of a 
grant awarded under this part will be the amount requested by the State 
and approved in accordance with this part, not to exceed 65 percent of 
the total cost of the project except that:
    (1) The total cost of a project will not include the cost of space 
that exceeds the maximum allowable space specified in this part, and
    (2) The amount of the grant may be less than 65 percent of the total 
cost of the project if the State accepts less because VA did not have 
sufficient funds to award the full amount of the grant requested.
    (b) The total cost of a project under this part for acquisition of a 
facility may also include construction costs.
    (c) The total cost of a project under this part will not include any 
costs incurred before the date VA sent the State written notification 
that the application in Sec. 59.20 was approved.
    (d) The total cost of a project under this part may include 
administration and production costs, e.g., architectural and engineering 
fees, inspection fees, and printing and advertising costs.
    (e) The total cost of a project under this part may include the cost 
of projects on the grounds of the facility, e.g., parking lots, 
landscaping, sidewalks, streets, and storm sewers, only if they are 
inextricably involved with the construction of the project.
    (f) The total cost of a project under this part may include the cost 
of equipment necessary for the operation of the State home facility. 
This may include the cost of:
    (1) Fixed equipment included in the construction or acquisition 
contract. Fixed equipment must be permanently affixed to the building or 
connected to the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or other 
service distributed through the building via ducts, pipes, wires, or 
other connecting device. Fixed equipment must be installed during 
construction. Examples of fixed equipment include kitchen and 
intercommunication equipment, built-in cabinets, and cubicle curtain 
rods; and
    (2) Other equipment not included in the construction contract 
constituting

[[Page 958]]

no more than 10 percent of the total construction contract cost of the 
project. Other equipment includes: furniture, furnishings, wheeled 
equipment, kitchen utensils, linens, draperies, blinds, electric clocks, 
pictures and trash cans.
    (g) The contingency allowance may not exceed five percent of the 
total cost of the project for new construction or eight percent for 
renovation projects.
    (h) The total cost of a project under this part may not include the 
cost of:
    (1) Land acquisition;
    (2) Maintenance or repair work; or
    (3) Office supplies or consumable goods (such as food, drugs, 
medical dressings, paper, printed forms, and soap) which are routinely 
used in a State home.
    (i) A grant for expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing 
State home, which is on or eligible for inclusion in the National 
Register of Historic Places, for furnishing domiciliary, nursing home, 
or adult day health care to veterans may not be awarded for the 
expansion, remodeling, or alteration of such building if such action 
does not comply with National Historic Preservation Act procedures or if 
the total cost of remodeling, renovating, or adapting such building or 
facility exceeds the cost of comparable new construction by more than 
five percent. If demolition of an existing building or facility on, or 
eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places is 
deemed necessary and such demolition action is taken in compliance with 
National Historic Preservation Act procedures, any mitigation cost 
negotiated in the compliance process and/or the cost to professionally 
record the building or facility in the Historic American Buildings 
Survey (HABS), plus the total cost for demolition and site restoration, 
shall be included by the State in calculating the total cost of new 
construction.
    (j) The cost of demolition of a building cannot be included in the 
total cost of construction unless the proposed construction is in the 
same location as the building to be demolished or unless the demolition 
is inextricably linked to the design of the construction project.
    (k) With respect to the final award of a conditionally-approved 
grant, the Secretary may not award a grant for an amount that is 10 
percent more than the amount conditionally-approved.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.90  Line item adjustments to grants.

    After a grant has been awarded, upon request from the State 
representative, VA may approve a change in a line item (line items are 
identified in Form 424C which is set forth in Sec. 59.170(o) of this 
part) of up to 10 percent (increase or decrease) of the cost of the line 
item if the change would be within the scope or objective of the project 
and would not change the amount of the grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.100  Payment of grant award.

    The amount of the grant award will be paid to the State or, if 
designated by the State representative, the State home for which such 
project is being carried out or any other State agency or 
instrumentality. Such amount shall be paid by way of reimbursement, and 
in such installments consistent with the progress of the project as the 
Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care, may determine and 
certify for payment to the appropriate Federal institution. Funds paid 
under this section for an approved project shall be used solely for 
carrying out such project as so approved. As a condition for the final 
payment, the State must comply with the requirements of this part based 
on an architectural and engineering inspection approved by VA, must 
obtain VA approval of the final equipment list submitted by the State 
representative, and must submit to VA a completed VA Form 10-0388-13 
(this form is available on the internet Web site provided in 
Sec. 59.170). The equipment list and the completed VA Form 10-0388-13 
must be submitted to the Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care 
(114), VHA Headquarters; 810

[[Page 959]]

Vermont Avenue, NW.; Washington, DC 20420.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[73 FR 58880, Oct. 8, 2008]



Sec. 59.110  Recapture provisions.

    If a facility for which a grant has been awarded ceases to be 
operated as a State home for the purpose for which the grant was made, 
the United States shall be entitled to recover from the State which was 
the recipient of the grant or from the then owner of such construction 
as follows:
    (a) If less than 20 years has lapsed since the grant was awarded, 
and VA provided 65 percent of the estimated cost to construct, acquire 
or renovate a State home facility principally for furnishing domiciliary 
care, nursing home care, adult day health care, hospital care, or non-
institutional care to veterans, VA shall be entitled to recover 65 
percent of the current value of such facility (but in no event an amount 
greater than the amount of assistance provided for such under these 
regulations), as determined by agreement of the parties or by action 
brought in the district court of the United States for the district in 
which the facility is situated.
    (b) Based on the time periods for grant amounts set forth below, if 
VA provided between 50 and 65 percent of the estimated cost of 
expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing State home facility, 
VA shall be entitled to recover the amount of the grant as determined by 
agreement of the parties or by action brought in the district court of 
the United States for the district in which the facility is situated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Recovery
            Grant amount (dollars in thousands)               period (in
                                                                years)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-250......................................................            7
251-500....................................................            8
501-750....................................................            9
751-1,000..................................................           10
1,001-1,250................................................           11
1,251-1,500................................................           12
1,501-1,750................................................           13
1,751-2,000................................................           14
2,001-2,250................................................           15
2,251-2,500................................................           16
2,501-2,750................................................           17
2,751-3,000................................................           18
Over 3,000.................................................           20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) If the magnitude of the VA contribution is below 50 percent of 
the estimated cost of the expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an 
existing State home facility recognized by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, the Under Secretary for Health may authorize a recovery period 
between 7 and 20 years depending on the grant amount involved and the 
magnitude of the project.
    (d) This section does not apply to any portion of a State home in 
which VA has established and operates an outpatient clinic.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.120  Hearings.

    If the Secretary determines that a submission from a State does not 
meet the requirements of this part, the Secretary will advise the State 
by letter that a grant is tentatively denied, explain the reasons for 
the tentative denial, and inform the State of the opportunity to appeal 
to the Board of Veterans' Appeals pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 7105. Decisions 
under this part are not subject to the provisions of Sec. 17.133 of this 
order.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 511, 1710, 1742, 7101-7298, 8105, 8131-
8137)



Sec. 59.121  Amendments to application.

    Any amendment of an application that changes the scope of the 
application or changes the cost estimates by 10 percent or more shall be 
subject to approval in the same manner as an original application.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.122  Withdrawal of application.

    A State representative may withdraw an application by submitting to 
VA a written document requesting withdrawal.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.123  Conference.

    At any time, VA may recommend that a conference (such as a design 
development conference) be held in VA Central Office in Washington, DC, 
to

[[Page 960]]

provide an opportunity for the State and its architects to discuss 
requirements for a grant with VA officials.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.124  Inspections, audits, and reports.

    (a) A State will allow VA inspectors and auditors to conduct 
inspections and audits as necessary to ensure compliance with the 
provisions of this part. The State will provide evidence that it has met 
its responsibility under the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards under 2 CFR part 
200 and submit that evidence to VA.
    (b) A State will make such reports in such form and containing such 
information as the Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care, may 
from time to time reasonably require and give the Chief Consultant, 
Geriatrics and Extended Care, upon demand, access to the records upon 
which such information is based.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 59.130  General requirements for all State home facilities.

    As a condition for receiving a grant and grant funds under this 
part, States must comply with the requirements of this section.
    (a) The physical environment of a State home must be designed, 
constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect the health and safety 
of participants, personnel and the public.
    (b) A State home must meet the general conditions of the American 
Institute of Architects, or other general conditions required by the 
State, for awarding contracts for State home grant projects. Facilities 
must meet all Federal, State, and local requirements, including the 
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) (24 CFR part 40, appendix 
A), during the design and construction of projects subject to this part. 
If the State or local requirements are different from the Federal 
requirements, compliance with the most stringent provisions is required. 
A State must design and construct the project to provide sufficient 
space and equipment in dining, health services, recreation, and program 
areas to enable staff to provide residents with needed services as 
required by this part and as identified in each resident's plan of care.
    (c) State homes should be planned to approximate the home atmosphere 
as closely as possible. The interior and exterior should provide an 
attractive and home-like environment for elderly residents. The site 
will be located in a safe, secure, residential-type area that is 
accessible to acute medical care facilities, community activities and 
amenities, and transportation facilities typical of the area.
    (d)(1) State homes must meet the applicable provisions of NFPA 101, 
Life Safety Code, except that the NFPA requirement in paragraph 19.3.5.1 
for all buildings containing nursing homes to have an automatic 
sprinkler system is not applicable until February 24, 2016 for 
``existing buildings'' with nursing home facilities as of June 25, 2001 
(paragraph 3.3.36.5 in the NFPA 101 defines an ``[e]xisting [b]uilding'' 
as ``[a] building erected or officially authorized prior to the 
effective date of the adoption of this edition of the Code by the agency 
or jurisdiction''), and NFPA 99, Heath Care Facilities Code.
    (2) Facilities must also meet the State and local fire codes.
    (e) State homes must have an emergency electrical power system to 
supply power adequate to operate all exit signs and lighting for means 
of egress, fire and medical gas alarms, and emergency communication 
systems. The source of power must be an on-site emergency standby 
generator of sufficient size to serve the connected load or other 
approved sources.
    (f) The nurse's station must be equipped to receive resident calls 
through a communication system from resident rooms, toilet and bathing 
facilities, dining areas, and activity areas.
    (g) The State home must have one or more rooms designated for 
resident dining and activities. These rooms must be:
    (1) Well lighted;

[[Page 961]]

    (2) Well ventilated; and
    (3) Adequately furnished.
    (h) The facility management must provide a safe, functional, 
sanitary, and comfortable environment for the residents, staff and the 
public. The facility must:
    (1) Ensure that water is available to essential areas when there is 
a loss of normal water supply;
    (2) Have adequate outside ventilation by means of windows, or 
mechanical ventilation, or a combination of the two;
    (3) Equip corridors with firmly secured handrails on each side; and
    (4) Maintain an effective pest control program so that the facility 
is free of pests and rodents.
    (i)(1) Incorporation by reference of these materials was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. These materials, incorporated by reference, are 
available for inspection at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office 
of Regulation Policy and Management (02REG), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420, call 202-461-4902, or at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
    (2) National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, 
Quincy, MA 02269. (For ordering information, call toll-free 1-800-344-
3555.)
    (i) NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code, Including all Gas & Vacuum 
System Requirements, (2012 Edition).
    (ii) NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2012 edition).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)

[66 FR 33847, June 26, 2001, as amended at 76 FR 10249, Feb. 24, 2011; 
80 FR 44862, July 28, 2015]



Sec. 59.140  Nursing home care requirements.

    As a condition for receiving a grant and grant funds for a nursing 
home facility under this part, States must comply with the requirements 
of this section.
    (a) Resident rooms must be designed and equipped for adequate 
nursing care, comfort, and privacy of residents. Resident rooms must:
    (1) Accommodate no more than four residents;
    (2) Have direct access to an exit corridor;
    (3) Have at least one window to the outside;
    (4) Be equipped with, or located near, toilet and bathing facilities 
(VA recommends that public toilet facilities also be located near the 
residents dining and recreational areas);
    (5) Be at or above grade level;
    (6) Be designed or equipped to ensure full visual privacy for each 
resident;
    (7) Except in private rooms, each bed must have ceiling suspended 
curtains that extend around the bed to provide total visual privacy in 
combination with adjacent walls and curtains;
    (8) Have a separate bed for each resident of proper size and height 
for the safety of the resident;
    (9) Have a clean, comfortable mattress;
    (10) Have bedding appropriate to the weather and climate;
    (11) Have functional furniture appropriate to the resident's needs, 
and
    (12) Have individual closet space with clothes racks and shelves 
accessible to the resident.
    (b) Unless determined by VA as necessary to accommodate an increased 
quality of care for patients, a nursing home project may propose a 
deviation of no more than 10 percent (more or less) from the following 
net square footage for the State to be eligible for a grant of 65 
percent of the total estimated cost of the project. If the project 
proposes building more than the following net square footage and VA 
makes a determination that it is not needed, the cost of the additional 
net square footage will not be included in the estimated total cost of 
construction.

[[Page 962]]



                  Table to Paragraph (b)--Nursing Home
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Support facilities [allowable
 square feet (or metric
 equivalent) per facility for VA
 participation]:
    Administrator.................  200
    Assistant administrator.......  150
    Medical officer, director of    150
     nursing or equivalent.
    Nurse and dictation area......  120
    General administration (each    120
     office/person).
    Clerical staff (each).........  80
    Computer area.................  40
    Conference room (consultation   500 (for each room)
     area, in-service training).
    Lobby/waiting area. (150        3 (per bed)
     minimum/600 maximum per
     facility).
    Public/resident toilets (male/  25 (per fixture)
     female).
    Pharmacy \1\..................
    Dietetic service \1\..........
    Dining area...................  20 (per bed)
    Canteen/retail sales..........  2 (per bed)
    Vending machines (450 max. per  1 (per bed)
     facility).
    Resident toilets (male/female)  25 (per fixture)
    Child day care \1\............
    Medical support (staff offices/ 140 (for each room)
     exam/treatment room/family
     counseling, etc.).
    Barber and/or beauty shops....  140
    Mail room.....................  120
    Janitor's closet..............  40
    Multipurpose room.............  15 (per bed)
    Employee lockers..............  6 (per employee)
    Employee lounge (500 max. per   120
     facility).
    Employee toilets..............  25 (per fixture)
    Chapel........................  450
    Physical therapy..............  5 (per bed)
    Office, if required...........  120
    Occupational therapy..........  5 (per bed).
    Office, if required...........  120
    Library.......................  1.5 (per bed)
    Building maintenance storage..  2.5 (per bed)
    Resident storage..............  6 (per bed)
    General warehouse storage.....  6 (per bed)
    Medical/dietary/pharmacy......  7 (per bed)
    General laundry \1\...........
II. Bed units:
    One...........................  150
    Two...........................  245
    Large two-bed per unit........  305
    Four..........................  460
    Lounge areas (resident lounge   8 (per bed)
     with storage).
    Resident quiet room...........  3 (per bed)
    Clean utility.................  120
    Soiled utility................  105
    Linen storage.................  150
    General storage...............  100
    Nurses station, ward secretary  260
    Medication room...............  75
    Exam/Treatment room...........  140
    Waiting area..................  50
    Unit supply and equipment.....  50
    Staff toilet..................  25 (per fixture)

[[Page 963]]

 
    Stretcher/wheelchair storage..  100
    Kitchenette...................  150
    Janitor's closet..............  40
    Resident laundry..............  125
    Trash collection..............  60
III. Bathing and Toilet
 Facilities:
    (A) Private or shared
     facilities:
        Wheelchair facilities.....  25 (per fixture)
        Standard facilities.......  15 (per fixture)
    (B) Full bathroom.............  75
    (C) Congregate bathing
     facilities:
        First tub/shower..........  80
        Each additional fixture...  25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The size to be determined by the Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and
  Extended Care, as necessary to accommodate projected patient care
  needs (must be justified by State in space program analysis).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137; Sections 2, 
3, 4, and 4a of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended, 
Public Law 90-480, 42 U.S.C. 4151-4157)



Sec. 59.150  Domiciliary care requirements.

    As a condition for receiving a grant and grant funds for a 
domiciliary under this part, the domiciliary must meet the requirements 
for a nursing home specified in Sec. 59.140 of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137)



Sec. 59.160  Adult day health care requirements.

    As a condition for receiving a grant and grant funds under this part 
for an adult day health care facility, States must meet the requirements 
of this section.
    (a) Each adult day health care program, when it is co-located in a 
nursing home, domiciliary, or other care facility, must have its own 
separate designated space during operational hours.
    (b) The indoor space for an adult day health care program must be at 
least 100 square feet per participant including office space for staff, 
and must be 60 square feet per participant excluding office space for 
staff.
    (c) Each program will need to design and partition its space to meet 
its own needs, but the following functional areas must be available:
    (1) A dividable multipurpose room or area for group activities, 
including dining, with adequate table setting space.
    (2) Rehabilitation rooms or an area for individual and group 
treatments for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other 
treatment modalities.
    (3) A kitchen area for refrigerated food storage, the preparation of 
meals and/or training participants in activities of daily living.
    (4) An examination and/or medication room.
    (5) A quiet room (with at least one bed), which functions to isolate 
participants who become ill or disruptive, or who require rest, privacy, 
or observation. It should be separate from activity areas, near a 
restroom, and supervised.
    (6) Bathing facilities adequate to facilitate bathing of 
participants with functional impairments.
    (7) Toilet facilities and bathrooms easily accessible to people with 
mobility problems, including participants in wheelchairs. There must be 
at least one toilet for every eight participants. The toilets must be 
equipped for use by persons with limited mobility, easily accessible 
from all programs areas, i.e., preferably within 40 feet from that area, 
designed to allow assistance from one or two staff, and barrier free.
    (8) Adequate storage space. There should be space to store arts and 
crafts materials, personal clothing and belongings, wheelchairs, chairs, 
individual handiwork, and general supplies. Locked cabinets must be 
provided for files, records, supplies, and medications.

[[Page 964]]

    (9) An individual room for counseling and interviewing participants 
and family members.
    (10) A reception area.
    (11) An outside space that is used for outdoor activities that is 
safe, accessible to indoor areas, and accessible to those with a 
disability. This space may include recreational space and a garden area. 
It should be easily supervised by staff.
    (d) Furnishings must be available for all participants. This must 
include functional furniture appropriate to the participants' needs.
    (e) Unless determined by VA as necessary to accommodate an increased 
quality of care for patients, an adult day health care facility project 
may propose a deviation of no more than 10 percent (more or less) from 
the following net square footage for the State to be eligible for a 
grant of 65 percent of the total estimated cost of the project. If the 
project proposes building more than the following net square footage and 
VA makes a determination that it is not needed, the cost of the 
additional net square footage will not be included in the estimated 
total cost of construction.

              Table to Paragraph (e)--Adult Day Health Care
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Support facilities [allowable
 square feet (or metric
 equivalent) per facility for VA
 participation]:
    Program Director..............  200
    Assistant administrator.......  150
    Medical officer, director of    150
     nursing or equivalent.
    Nurse and dictation area......  120
    General administration (each    120
     office/person).
    Clerical staff (each).........  80
    Computer area.................  40
    Conference room (consultation   500 (for each room).
     area, in-service training).
    Lobby/receiving/waiting area    3 (per participant)
     (150 minimum).
    Public/resident toilets (male/  25 (per fixture).
     female).
    Dining area (may be included    20 (per participant).
     in the multipurpose room).
    Vending machines..............  1 (per participant).
    Participant toilets (male/      25 (per fixture).
     female).
    Medical support (staff offices/ 140 (for each room).
     family counseling, etc.).
    Janitor's closet..............  40
    Dividable multipurpose room...  15 (per participant).
    Employee lockers..............  6 (per employee)
    Employee lounge...............  120
    Employee toilets..............  25 (per fixture).
    Physical therapy..............  5 (per participant).
    Office, if required...........  120
    Occupational therapy..........  5 (per participant).
    Office, if required...........  120
    Building maintenance storage..  2.5 (per participant).
    Resident storage..............  6 (per participant).
    General warehouse storage.....  6 (per participant).
    Medical/dietary...............  7 (per participant).
    General laundry \1\...........
II. Other Areas:
    Participant quiet room........  3 (per participant).
    Clean utility.................  120
    Soiled utility................  105
    General storage...............  100
    Nurses station, ward secretary  260
    Medication/exam/treatment       75
     rooms.
    Waiting area..................  50
    Program supply and equipment..  50
    Staff toilet..................  25 (per fixture).

[[Page 965]]

 
    Wheelchair storage............  100
    Kitchen.......................  120
    Janitor's closet..............  40
    Resident laundry..............  125
    Trash collection..............  60
III. Bathing and Toilet
 Facilities:
    (A) Private or shared
     facilities:
        Wheelchair facilities.....  25 (per fixture).
        Standard facilities.......  15 (per fixture).
    (B) Full bathroom.............  75
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The size to be determined by the Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and
  Extended Care, as necessary to accommodate projected patient care
  needs (must be justified by State in space program analysis).


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137; Sections 2, 
3, 4, and 4a of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended, 
Public Law 90-480, 42 U.S.C. 4151-4157)



Sec. 59.170  Forms.

    All forms required by this part are available on the internet at 
``http://www.va.gov/forms/'' for VA Forms and at ``http://www.gsa.gov'' 
for Standard Forms, or at the Veterans Health Administration, Room 789, 
810 Vermont Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20420.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1710, 1742, 8105, 8131-8137, Section 2, 
3, 4, and 4a of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended, Pub. 
L. 90-480, 42 U.S.C. 4151-4157)

[73 FR 58880, Oct. 8, 2008]



PART 60_FISHER HOUSES AND OTHER TEMPORARY LODGING--Table of Contents



Sec.
60.1  Purpose and scope.
60.2  Definitions.
60.3  Other donated temporary lodging.
60.10  Eligibility criteria for Fisher House or other temporary lodging.
60.15  Application process.
60.20  Duration of Fisher House or other temporary lodging.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1708.

    Source: 77 FR 59089, Sept. 26, 2012, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 60.1  Purpose and scope.

    This part applies to Fisher House and other temporary lodging 
furnished by VA while a veteran is experiencing an episode of care at a 
VA health care facility.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1708)



Sec. 60.2  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this part:
    Accompanying individual means an individual seeking Fisher House or 
other temporary lodging, who provides familial support or the equivalent 
of familial support, to a veteran while the veteran is experiencing an 
episode of care. This term is defined broadly to include relatives, 
close friends, and caregivers.
    Compensation and pension examination means an examination requested 
by VA's Veterans Benefits Administration to be conducted at a VA health 
care facility for the purpose of evaluating a veteran's claim.
    Episode of care means a course of outpatient treatment, or a period 
of hospitalization, during which a veteran receives health care under 38 
U.S.C. chapter 17, or 38 U.S.C. 8111 or 8153. Examples of episodes of 
care include (but are not limited to) the following:
    (1) An appointment at a VA health care facility to receive health 
care or a compensation and pension examination.
    (2) Extended outpatient treatment, such as treatment associated with 
organ transplant, chemotherapy, or radiation.
    (3) Hospitalization for a critical injury or illness; where death is 
imminent; or where a veteran is unable to make medical decisions for 
him/herself and the accompanying individual is authorized to make such 
decisions on the veteran's behalf.
    Fisher House means a housing facility that is located at or near a 
VA health

[[Page 966]]

care facility and was constructed by and donated to VA by the Fisher 
House Foundation (formerly the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed 
Services Foundation), or a facility that is treated as if it were Fisher 
House lodging under Sec. 60.3.
    Other temporary lodging includes:
    (1) Lodging at a temporary lodging facility, other than a Fisher 
House, located at a VA health care facility (generally referred to as a 
``hoptel'');
    (2) A hotel or motel;
    (3) Non-utilized beds at a VA health care facility designated as 
lodging beds; and
    (4) Other donated lodging to be used on a temporary basis in 
accordance with 38 U.S.C. 1708.
    VA means the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1708)

    Editorial Note: At 79 FR 2100, Jan. 13, 2013, Sec. 60.2 was amended 
by removing ``VA's Compensation and Pension Service'' and adding, in its 
place, ``the Compensation Service or the Pension and Fiduciary 
Service''; however, the amendment could not be incorporated due to 
inaccurate amendatory instruction.



Sec. 60.3  Other donated temporary lodging.

    Whenever VA receives, from a source other than the Fisher House 
Foundation, an undesignated donation of lodging to be used on a 
temporary basis, the lodging will be designated as if it were Fisher 
House lodging or be treated as other temporary lodging based upon the 
types of lodging available in the area. If VA receives a gift that 
specifies the terms of the lodging provided, VA will use the lodging 
provided in the manner specified by the donor.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1708, 8103, 8104)



Sec. 60.10  Eligibility criteria for Fisher House or other temporary
lodging.

    (a) General. While a veteran is undergoing an episode of care, VA 
may provide either Fisher House or other temporary lodging, as 
appropriate, if the application meets the requirements of this part 60. 
These are the only types of lodging provided by VA under this part. 
Note: Lodging provided for under this part will not be used by a person 
participating in a VA residential treatment program, or as a substitute 
for participation in such a program.
    (b) Eligible persons--(1) Fisher House. VA may provide Fisher House 
lodging to accompanying individual(s) and, in limited circumstances of 
immediate need and no alternative temporary lodging, to a veteran with 
one or more accompanying individual(s). Fisher House lodging will not be 
used to lodge unaccompanied veterans or individuals in need of 
transitional or permanent housing.

    Note: VA does not impose a general limit on the number of persons 
who may accompany a veteran, but VA may in specific cases provide 
lodging to only a specific number of persons due to space or resource 
limitations.

    (2) Other temporary lodging. VA may provide other temporary lodging 
to a veteran or to a veteran and his or her accompanying individual(s). 
Accompanying individuals may not stay in other temporary lodging unless 
the veteran is also staying in temporary lodging.

    Note: VA does not impose a general limit on the number of persons 
who may accompany a veteran, but VA may in specific cases provide 
lodging to only a specific number of persons due to space or resource 
limitations.

    (c) Condition of the veteran. Fisher House or other temporary 
lodging will not be provided to a veteran unless the VA official 
reviewing the application determines, based on the application and on 
any necessary clinical information, that the veteran is:
    (1) Medically stable and capable of self-care; or
    (2) Accompanied by an individual who is able to provide all 
necessary care.
    (d) Travel time/distance requirement. Fisher House or other 
temporary lodging may be provided only if the applicant seeking lodging 
must travel at least 50 miles, or for 2 hours, from his or her home to 
the VA health care facility. VA may waive these requirements based on 
exceptional circumstances, such as when the physical condition of an 
accompanying individual and/or the veteran, inclement weather, road 
conditions, or the mode of transportation, make it difficult or 
dangerous to travel to or return from

[[Page 967]]

the VA health care facility without an overnight stay.
    (e) Special authority for organ transplant cases. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of this part, VA may provide Fisher House or other 
temporary lodging for individuals who must be present on site for 
evaluation, donation, and care related to their status as an organ donor 
for a veteran. VA may also provide Fisher House or other temporary 
lodging for the donor's accompanying individuals at all phases of the 
transplant process.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1708, 1710(a))

    Effective Date Note: At 82 FR 26594, June 8, 2017, Sec. 60.10 was 
amended by removing the word ``application'' once in paragraph (a) and 
twice in paragraph (c) introductory text and adding in its place the 
word ``request'', effective July 10, 2017.



Sec. 60.15  Application process.

    (a) Obtaining and submitting the application. VA Form 10-0408A is 
the application for Fisher House and other temporary lodging. 
Applications may be submitted by mail, telephone, facsimile, in person, 
or electronically. VA Form 10-0408A is available from any VA health care 
facility or may be obtained online at http://vaww4.va.gov/vaforms/
medical/pdf/vha-10-0408A-fill.pdf. The completed application must be 
submitted as follows:
    (1) For Fisher House lodging, to the Fisher House Manager at the VA 
health care facility of jurisdiction.
    (2) For other temporary lodging, to the temporary lodging program 
coordinator at the VA health care facility of jurisdiction.
    (b) Processing applications. (1) Applications are generally 
processed in the order that they are received by VA, and temporary 
lodging is then granted on a first come first serve basis; however, in 
extraordinary circumstances, such as imminent death, critical injury, or 
organ donation applications may be processed out of order.
    (2) Temporary lodging is granted on a space-available basis, with 
some consideration given to the compatibility of the applicant(s) and 
the room(s) available. For example, although VA may require an applicant 
to share a room with another veteran's accompanying individual, VA would 
not do so if the persons affected are not the same gender.
    (3) Temporary lodging at a VA health care facility, such as non-
utilized beds in a VA health care facility, may be made available only 
if not barred by law and if the Director of the VA health care facility 
determines that such action would not have a negative impact on patient 
care. Non-utilized beds provided to accompanying individuals must be 
reassigned to VA patients when necessary.
    (4) The Director of the VA health care facility of jurisdiction will 
determine whether local funding is sufficient to allow the use of 
temporary lodging in hotels and motels.
    (5) Subject to all criteria provided in this part, the person 
responsible for coordinating the Fisher House and other temporary 
lodging program(s) at the VA health care facility of jurisdiction is 
responsible for making decisions to grant temporary lodging. These 
decisions are considered to be final VA decisions concerning individual 
medical treatment plans and the scheduling and use of VA lodging 
facilities, and they are not appealable to the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals.
    (6) If VA denies an application for one type of lodging, such as at 
a Fisher House, the application will be considered for other temporary 
lodging and vice versa, if the applicant is eligible.
    (7) If VA denies the application for all types of temporary lodging, 
VA will refer the application to a VA social worker at the VA health 
care facility of jurisdiction to determine if other arrangements can be 
made.
    (c) Costs for Fisher House and other temporary lodging under this 
part are borne by VA.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under OMB control number 2900-
0630)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1708)

    Effective Date Note: At 82 FR 26594, June 8, 2017, Sec. 60.15 was 
amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (b)(1), (6), and (7), effective 
July 10, 2017. For the convenience of the user, the added and revised 
text is set forth as follows:

[[Page 968]]



Sec. 60.15  Process for requesting Fisher House or other temporary 
          lodging

    (a) Submitting requests. An accompanying individual requesting 
Fisher House or other temporary lodging must contact directly the 
provider, social worker, case manager, or Fisher House Manager at the 
veteran's VA health care facility of jurisdiction. Upon receiving a 
request, VA will determine the accompanying individual's eligibility for 
the requested housing, as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section.
    (b) Processing requests. (1) Requests for all temporary housing are 
generally processed in the order that they are received by VA, and 
temporary lodging is then granted on a first come, first served basis; 
however, in extraordinary circumstances, such as imminent death, 
critical injury, or organ donation, requests may be processed out of 
order.

                                * * * * *

    (6) If VA denies a request for one type of lodging, such as at a 
Fisher House, the request will be considered for other temporary lodging 
and vice versa, if the requester is eligible.
    (7) If VA denies a request for temporary lodging, VA will refer the 
request to a VA social worker at the VA health care facility of 
jurisdiction to determine if other arrangements can be made.

                                * * * * *



Sec. 60.20  Duration of Fisher House or other temporary lodging.

    Fisher House or other temporary lodging may be awarded for the 
following periods:
    (a) While the veteran is undergoing an episode of care.
    (b) While the veteran is hospitalized, if the veteran is admitted to 
a VA health care facility while undergoing an outpatient episode of care 
for which temporary lodging was already provided.
    (c) As extended by the appropriate VA clinician or social worker 
based on an emergency situation or unforeseen circumstances.
    (d) For an indefinite period for accompanying individuals who are 
visiting veterans hospitalized for an indefinite period, provided that 
the accompanying individual is not using a VA health care facility bed. 
Whether a veteran is hospitalized for an indefinite period will be based 
upon the treatment or rehabilitation needs of the veteran as determined 
by the veteran's health care team.
    (e) Temporary lodging may be furnished the night before the day of a 
scheduled appointment if, the veteran leaving home after 8:00 a.m., 
would be unable to arrive at the VA health care facility by the time of 
the scheduled appointment.
    (f) Temporary lodging may be furnished the night of the scheduled 
appointment if, after the appointment, the veteran would be unable to 
return home before 7:00 p.m. When a veteran is undergoing outpatient 
treatment or procedures the veteran and accompanying individual(s) may 
be furnished temporary lodging for the duration of the episode of care 
subject to limitations described in this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1708)



PART 61_VA HOMELESS PROVIDERS GRANT AND PER DIEM PROGRAM--
Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
61.0  Purpose.
61.1  Definitions.
61.2  Supportive services--general.
61.3  Notice of Fund Availability.
61.4  Definition of capital lease.

                        Subpart B_Capital Grants

61.10  Capital grants--general.
61.11  Capital grants--application packages.
61.12  Capital grant application packages--threshold requirements.
61.13  Capital grant application packages--rating criteria.
61.14  Capital grants--selection of grantees.
61.15  Capital grants--obtaining additional information and awarding 
          capital grants.
61.16  Matching funds for capital grants.
61.17  Site control for capital grants.
61.18  Capital grants for vans.
61.19  Transfer of capital grants.

                       Subpart C_Per Diem Payments

61.30  Per diem--general.
61.31  Per diem--application packages.
61.32  Per diem application packages--rating criteria.
61.33  Payment of per diem.

                      Subpart D_Special Need Grants

61.40  Special need grants--general.
61.41  Special need grants--application packages and threshold 
          requirements.

[[Page 969]]

61.44  Awarding special need grants and payment of special need per 
          diem.

                  Subpart E_Technical Assistance Grants

61.50  Technical assistance grants--general.
61.51  Technical assistance grants--application packages.
61.52  Technical assistance grant application packages--threshold 
          requirements.
61.53  Technical assistance grant application packages--rating criteria.
61.54  Awarding technical assistance grants.
61.55  Technical assistance reports.

       Subpart F_Awards, Monitoring, and Enforcement of Agreements

61.61  Agreement and funding actions.
61.62  Program changes.
61.63  Procedural error.
61.64  Religious organizations.
61.65  Inspections.
61.66  Financial management.
61.67  Recovery provisions.
61.80  General operation requirements for supportive housing and service 
          centers.
61.81  Outreach activities.
61.82  Participant fees for supportive housing.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2001, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064.

    Source: 78 FR 12604, Feb. 25, 2013, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec. 61.0  Purpose.

    This part implements the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program which consists of the following components: capital grants, per 
diem, special need capital and non-capital grants, and technical 
assistance grants.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2001, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)



Sec. 61.1  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    Area or community means a political subdivision or contiguous 
political subdivisions (such as a precinct, ward, borough, city, county, 
State, Congressional district, etc.) with a separately identifiable 
population of homeless veterans.
    Capital grant means a grant for construction, renovation, or 
acquisition of a facility, or a grant for acquisition of a van.
    Capital lease is defined by Sec. 61.4.
    Chronically mentally ill means a condition of schizophrenia or major 
affective disorder (including bipolar disorder) or post-traumatic stress 
disorder (PTSD), based on a diagnosis from a licensed mental health 
professional, with at least one documented hospitalization for this 
condition sometime in the last 2 years or with documentation of a formal 
assessment on a standardized scale of any serious symptomatology or 
serious impairment in the areas of work, family relations, thinking, or 
mood.
    Default means a determination by VA that an awardee has materially 
failed to comply with the terms and conditions of an award.
    Fixed site means a physical structure that under normal conditions 
is not capable of readily being moved from one location to another 
location.
    Frail elderly means 65 years of age or older with one or more 
chronic health problems and limitations in performing one or more 
activities of daily living (such as bathing, toileting, transferring 
from bed to chair, etc.).
    Homeless has the meaning given that term in section 103 of the 
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)).
    New construction means building a structure where none existed, or 
building an addition to an existing structure that increases the floor 
area by more than 100 percent.
    Nonprofit organization means a private organization, no part of the 
net earnings of which may inure to the benefit of any member, founder, 
contributor, or individual. The organization must be recognized as a 
section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization by the United 
States Internal Revenue Service, and meet all of the following criteria:
    (1) Have a voluntary board;
    (2) Have a functioning accounting system that is operated in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or designate 
an entity to maintain such a functioning accounting system; and
    (3) Practice nondiscrimination in the provision of supportive 
housing and supportive services assistance.

[[Page 970]]

    Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA) means a notice published in the 
Federal Register in accordance with Sec. 61.60.
    Operating costs means expenses incurred in operating supportive 
housing, supportive services or service centers with respect to:
    (1) Administration (including staff salaries; costs associated with 
accounting for the use of grant funds, preparing reports for submission 
to VA, obtaining program audits, and securing accreditation; and similar 
costs related to administering the grant after the award), maintenance, 
repair and security for the supportive housing;
    (2) Van costs or building rent (except under capital leases), e.g., 
fuel, insurance, utilities, furnishings, and equipment;
    (3) Conducting on-going assessments of supportive services provided 
for and needed by participants and the availability of such services; 
and
    (4) Other costs associated with operating the supportive housing.
    Operational means a program for which all VA inspection requirements 
under this part have been met and an activation document has been issued 
by the VA National GPD Program.
    Outpatient health services means outpatient health care, outpatient 
mental health services, outpatient alcohol and/or substance abuse 
services, and case management.
    Participant means a person receiving services based on a grant or 
per diem provided under this part.
    Participant agreement means any written or implied agreement between 
a grant recipient agency and a program participant that outlines the 
requirements for program compliance, participant or service delivery.
    Project means all activities that define the parameters of the 
purpose of the grant.
    Public entity means any of the following:
    (1) A county, municipality, city, town, township, local public 
authority (including any public and Indian housing agency under the 
United States Housing Act of 1937), school district, special district, 
intrastate district, council of governments (whether or not incorporated 
as a nonprofit corporation under state law), any other regional or 
interstate government entity, or any agency or instrumentality of a 
local government; or
    (2) The governing body or a governmental agency of any Indian tribe, 
band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any 
Native village as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act, 85 Stat 688) certified by the Secretary of the Interior 
as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the Bureau 
of Indian Affairs.
    Recipient means the entity whose employer or taxpayer identification 
number is on the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) and is 
consequently responsible to comply with all terms and conditions of the 
award. For the purpose of this part the terms ``grantee,'' 
``recipient,'' and ``awardee'' are synonymous and interchangeable.
    Rehabilitation means the improvement or repair of an existing 
structure. Rehabilitation does not include minor or routine repairs.
    State means any of the several states of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or 
possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a 
state exclusive of local governments. The term does not include any 
public and Indian housing agency under United States Housing Act of 
1937.
    Supportive housing means housing with supportive services provided 
for homeless veterans that:
    (1) Is not shelter care, other emergent housing, or housing designed 
to be permanent or long term (more than 24 months), with no requirement 
to move; and
    (2) Is designed to either:
    (i) Facilitate the movement of homeless veterans to permanent 
housing within a period that is not less than 90 days and does not 
exceed 24 months, subject to Sec. 61.80; or
    (ii) Provide specific medical treatment such as detoxification, 
respite, or hospice treatments that are used as step-up or step-down 
programs within that specific project's continuum.
    Supportive services has the meaning assigned to it under Sec. 61.2.

[[Page 971]]

    Terminally ill means a prognosis of 9 months or less to live, based 
on a written medical diagnosis from a physician.
    Total project cost means the sum of all costs incurred by a 
recipient for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of a 
facility, or van(s), identified in a grant application.
    VA means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    VA National GPD Program refers to the VA Homeless Providers Grant 
and Per Diem Program.
    Veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or 
air service, and who was discharged or released there from under 
conditions other than dishonorable.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)



Sec. 61.2  Supportive services--general.

    (a) Recipients must design supportive services. Such services must 
provide appropriate assistance, or aid participants in obtaining 
appropriate assistance, to address the needs of homeless veterans. The 
following are examples of supportive services:
    (1) Outreach activities;
    (2) Providing food, nutritional advice, counseling, health care, 
mental health treatment, alcohol and other substance abuse services, 
case management services;
    (3) Establishing and operating child care services for dependents of 
homeless veterans;
    (4) Providing supervision and security arrangements necessary for 
the protection of residents of supportive housing and for homeless 
veterans using supportive housing or services;
    (5) Assistance in obtaining permanent housing;
    (6) Education, employment counseling and assistance, and job 
training;
    (7) Assistance in obtaining other Federal, State and local 
assistance available for such residents including mental health 
benefits, employment counseling and assistance, veterans' benefits, 
medical assistance, and income support assistance; and
    (8) Providing housing assistance, legal assistance, advocacy, 
transportation, and other services essential for achieving and 
maintaining independent living.
    (b) Supportive services do not include inpatient acute hospital 
care.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061)



Sec. 61.3  Notice of Fund Availability.

    When funds are made available for a grant or per diem award under 
this part, VA will publish a Notice of Fund Availability in the Federal 
Register. The notice will:
    (a) Give the location for obtaining application packages;
    (b) Specify the date, time, and place for submitting completed 
applications;
    (c) State the estimated amount and type of funding available; and
    (d) State any priorities for or exclusions from funding to meet the 
statutory mandate of 38 U.S.C. 2011, to ensure that awards do not result 
in the duplication of ongoing services and to reflect the maximum extent 
practicable appropriate geographic dispersion and an appropriate balance 
between urban and nonurban locations.
    (e) Provide other information necessary for the application process, 
such as the grant period, where applicable.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)



Sec. 61.4  Definition of capital lease.

    A capital lease, for purposes of this part, means a conditional 
sales contract that either:
    (a) Will be in effect for all of the period of recovery listed in 
Sec. 61.67(b); or
    (b) That satisfies one of the following criteria:
    (1) The lease transfers ownership to the lessee at the expiration of 
the lease term.
    (2) The lease contains a bargain purchase option.
    (3) The present value of lease payments that are applied to the 
purchase are equal to or greater than 90 percent of the fair market 
value of the asset.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)



                        Subpart B_Capital Grants



Sec. 61.10  Capital grants--general.

    (a) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such 
purpose,

[[Page 972]]

VA will provide capital grants to public or nonprofit private entities 
so they can assist homeless veterans by helping to ensure the 
availability of supportive housing and service centers to furnish 
outreach, rehabilitative services, and vocational counseling and 
training. Specifically, VA provides capital grants for up to 65 percent 
of the cost to:
    (1) Construct structures and purchase the underlying land to 
establish new supportive housing facilities or service centers, or to 
expand existing supportive housing facilities or service centers;
    (2) Acquire structures to establish new supportive housing 
facilities or service centers, or to expand existing supportive housing 
facilities or service centers;
    (3) Renovate existing structures to establish new supportive housing 
facilities or service centers, or to expand existing supportive housing 
facilities or service centers; and
    (4) Procure a van in accordance with Sec. 61.18, Capital grants for 
vans.
    (b) Capital grants may not be used for acquiring buildings located 
on VA-owned property. However, capital grants may be awarded for 
construction, expansion, or renovation of buildings located on VA-owned 
property.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.11  Capital grants--application packages.

    (a) General. To apply for a capital grant, an applicant must obtain 
from, complete, and submit to VA a capital grant application package 
within the time period established in the Notice of Fund Availability.
    (b) Content of application. The capital grant application package 
will require the following:
    (1) Site description, site design, and site cost estimates.
    (2) Documentation supporting:
    (i) Eligibility to receive a capital grant under this part;
    (ii) Matching funds committed to the project;
    (iii) A proposed operating budget and cost sharing;
    (iv) Supportive services committed to the project;
    (v) The applicant's authority to control the site and meet 
appropriate zoning laws; and
    (vi) The boundaries of the area or community that would be served.
    (3) If capital grant funds would be used for acquisition or 
rehabilitation, documentation demonstrating that the costs associated 
with acquisition or rehabilitation are less than the costs associated 
with new construction.
    (4) If capital grant funds would be used for new construction, 
documentation demonstrating that the costs associated with new 
construction are less than the costs associated with rehabilitation of 
an existing building, that there is a lack of available appropriate 
units that could be rehabilitated at a cost less than new construction, 
and that new construction is less costly than acquisition of an existing 
building (for purposes of this cost comparison, costs associated with 
rehabilitation or new construction may include the cost of real property 
acquisition).
    (5) If proposed construction includes demolition:
    (i) A demolition plan that describes the extent and cost of existing 
site features to be removed, stored, or relocated; and
    (ii) Information establishing that the proposed construction is 
either in the same location as the building to be demolished or that the 
demolition is inextricably linked to the design of the construction 
project. Without such information, the cost of demolition cannot be 
included in the cost of construction.
    (6) If the applicant is a state, comments or recommendations by 
appropriate state (and area wide) clearinghouses pursuant to E.O. 12372 
(3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 197).
    (7) A statement from the applicant that all of the following are 
true:
    (i) The project will furnish to veterans the level of care for which 
such application is made, and services provided will meet the 
requirements of this part.
    (ii) The applicant will continue to operate the project until the 
expiration of the period during which VA could seek full recovery under 
Sec. 61.67.
    (iii) Title to the site will vest solely in the applicant and the 
applicant will

[[Page 973]]

insure the site to the same extent they would insure a site bought with 
their own funds.
    (iv) Adequate financial support will be available for the completion 
of the project.
    (v) The applicant will keep records and submit reports as VA may 
reasonably require, within the time frames required, and, upon demand, 
allow VA access to the records upon which such information is based.
    (vi) The applicant will state that no more than 25 percent of the 
grant-awarded beds are occupied by non-veterans.
    (c) Multiple capital grant applications. Subject to Sec. 61.12(i), 
applicants may apply for more than one capital grant.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.12  Capital grant application packages--threshold requirements.

    The following threshold requirements for a capital grant application 
must be met, or the application will be rejected before being rated 
under Sec. 61.13:
    (a) The application package must meet all of the following criteria:
    (1) Be on the correct application form.
    (2) Be completed in all parts, including all information requested 
in the Notice of Fund Availability and application package.
    (3) Include a signed Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) 
that contains the Employer Identification Number or Taxpayer 
Identification Number (EIN/TIN) that corresponds to the applicant's 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 501(c)(3) or (19) determination letter. 
All applicants must provide such an IRS determination letter, which 
includes their EIN/TIN. Applicants that apply under a group EIN/TIN must 
be identified by the parent EIN/TIN as a member or sub-unit of the 
parent EIN/TIN and provide supporting documentation.
    (4) Be submitted before the deadline established in the Notice of 
Fund Availability.
    (b) The applicant must be a public or nonprofit private entity at 
the time of application.
    (c) The activities for which assistance is requested must be 
eligible for funding under this part.
    (d) The applicant must demonstrate that adequate financial support 
will be available to carry out the project for which the capital grant 
is sought, consistent with the plans, specifications, and schedule 
submitted by the applicant.
    (e) The application must demonstrate compliance with the Uniform 
Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 
(URA) (42 U.S.C. 4601-4655).
    (f) The applicant must agree to comply with the requirements of this 
part and demonstrate the capacity to do so.
    (g) The applicant must not have an outstanding obligation to VA that 
is in arrears, or have an overdue or unsatisfactory response to an 
audit.
    (h) The applicant must not have been notified by VA as being in 
default.
    (i) The applicant, during the 5 years preceding the date of the 
application, must not have done any of the following:
    (1) Had more than two grants awarded under this part that remain in 
development;
    (2) Failed to establish two previous awarded grant projects under 
this part; or
    (3) Had a previous grant or per diem project awarded under this part 
terminated or transferred to another eligible entity for failure to 
comply with the terms and conditions of the award.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.13  Capital grant application packages--rating criteria.

    (a) General. Applicants that meet the threshold requirements in 
Sec. 61.12 will be rated using the selection criteria listed in this 
section. To be eligible for a capital grant, an applicant must receive 
at least 750 points (out of a possible 1000) and must receive points 
under each of the following paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) 
of this section.

[[Page 974]]

    (b) Project plan. VA will award up to 300 points based on the 
demonstration and quality of the following:
    (1) The selection of the proposed housing in light of the population 
to be served.
    (2) The process used for deciding which veterans are appropriate for 
admission.
    (3) How, when, and by whom the progress of participants toward 
meeting their individual goals will be monitored, evaluated, and 
documented.
    (4) The role program participants will have in operating and 
maintaining the housing.
    (5) The responsibilities the applicant, sponsors, or contractors 
will have in operating and maintaining the housing.
    (6) The supportive services that will be provided and by whom to 
help participants achieve residential stability, increase skill level 
and/or income, and become involved in making life decisions that will 
increase self-determination.
    (7) The measureable objectives that will be used to determine 
success of the supportive services.
    (8) How the success of the program will be evaluated on an ongoing 
basis.
    (9) How the nutritional needs of veterans will be met.
    (10) How the agency will ensure a clean and sober environment.
    (11) How participants will be assisted in assimilating into the 
community through access to neighborhood facilities, activities, and 
services.
    (12) How the proposed project will be implemented in a timely 
fashion.
    (13) How permanent affordable housing will be identified and made 
known to participants upon leaving the supportive housing.
    (14) How participants will be provided necessary follow-up services.
    (15) The description of program policies regarding participant 
agreements, rent, and fees.
    (c) Outreach to persons on streets and in shelters. VA will award up 
to 100 points based on:
    (1) The agency's outreach plan to serve homeless veterans living in 
places not ordinarily meant for human habitation (e.g., streets, parks, 
abandoned buildings, automobiles, under bridges, in transportation 
facilities) and those who reside in emergency shelters; and
    (2) The likelihood that proposed plans for outreach and selection of 
participants will result in these populations being served.
    (d) Ability of applicant to develop and operate a project. VA will 
award up to 200 points based on the extent to which the application 
demonstrates the necessary staff and organizational experience to 
complete and operate the proposed project, based on the following:
    (1) Staffing plan for the project that reflects the appropriate 
professional staff, both administrative and clinical;
    (2) Experience of staff, if staff not yet hired, position 
descriptions and expectations of time to hire;
    (3) Amount of time each staff position is dedicated to the project, 
and in what capacity;
    (4) Applicant's previous experience assessing and providing for the 
housing needs of homeless veterans;
    (5) Applicant's previous experience assessing and providing 
supportive services for homeless veterans;
    (6) Applicant's previous experience assessing supportive service 
resources and entitlement benefits;
    (7) Applicant's previous experience with evaluating the progress of 
both individual participants and overall program effectiveness using 
quality and performance data to make changes;
    (8) Applicant's previous experience operating housing for homeless 
individuals;
    (9) Overall agency organizational overview (org. chart); and
    (10) Historical documentation of past performance both with VA and 
non-VA projects, including those from other Federal, state and local 
agencies and audits by private or public entities.
    (e) Need. VA will award up to 150 points based on the extent to 
which the applicant demonstrates:
    (1) Substantial unmet needs, particularly among the target 
population living in places not ordinarily meant for human habitation 
such as the streets, emergency shelters, based on reliable data from 
surveys of homeless populations or other reports or data gathering 
mechanisms that directly support claims made; and

[[Page 975]]

    (2) An understanding of the homeless population to be served and its 
unmet housing and supportive service needs.
    (f) Completion confidence. VA will award up to 50 points based on 
the review panel's confidence that the applicant has effectively 
demonstrated the supportive housing or service center project will be 
completed as described in the application. VA may use historical program 
documents of past performance both VA and non-VA, including those from 
other Federal, state and local agencies as well as audits by private or 
public entities in determining confidence scores.
    (g) Coordination with other programs. VA will award up to 200 points 
based on the extent to which applicants demonstrate that they have 
coordinated with Federal, state, local, private and other entities 
serving homeless persons in the planning and operation of the project. 
Such entities may include shelter transitional housing, health care, or 
social service providers; providers funded through Federal initiatives; 
local planning coalitions or provider associations; or other program 
providers relevant to the needs of homeless veterans in the local 
community. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have 
coordinated with the VA medical care facility of jurisdiction and/or VA 
Regional Office of jurisdiction in their area. VA will award up to 50 
points of the 200 points based on the extent to which commitments to 
provide supportive services are documented at the time of application. 
Up to 150 points of the 200 points will be given to the extent 
applicants demonstrate that:
    (1) They are part of an ongoing community-wide planning process 
within the framework described above which is designed to share 
information on available resources and reduce duplication among programs 
that serve homeless veterans;
    (2) They have consulted directly with the closest VA Medical Center 
and other providers within the framework described above regarding 
coordination of services for project participants; and
    (3) They have coordinated with the closest VA Medical Center their 
plan to assure access to health care, case management, and other care 
services.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.14  Capital grants--selection of grantees.

    (a) Applicants will first be grouped in categories according to the 
funding priorities set forth in the NOFA, if any. Applicants will then 
be ranked, within their respective funding category if applicable. The 
highest-ranked applications for which funding is available, within 
highest priority funding category if applicable, will be conditionally 
selected to receive a capital grant in accordance with their ranked 
order, as determined under Sec. 61.13. If funding priorities have been 
established and funds are still available after selection of those 
applicants in the highest priority group VA will continue to 
conditionally select applicants in lower priority categories in 
accordance with the selection method set forth in this paragraph subject 
to available funding.
    (b) In the event of a tie between applicants, VA will use the score 
from Sec. 61.13(g) to determine the ranking. If the score from 
Sec. 61.13(g) is also tied, VA will use the score from Sec. 61.13(d) to 
determine the ranking.
    (c) VA may reject an application where the project is not cost 
effective based on the cost and number of new supportive housing beds 
made available--or based on the cost, amount, and types of supportive 
services made available--when compared to other supportive housing or 
services projects, and when adjusted for high cost areas. For those 
applications that VA believes not to be cost-effective VA will;
    (1) Reduce the award; or
    (2) Not select the application for funding.
    (d) VA may not reject an application solely on the basis that the 
entity proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, if 
the entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will 
provide oversight and site control for the project. In this section 
``private nonprofit organization'' means one of the following:
    (1) An incorporated private institution, organization, or 
foundation--

[[Page 976]]

    (i) That has received, or has temporary clearance to receive, tax-
exempt status under paragraph (2), (3), or (19) of section 501(c) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
    (ii) For which no part of the net earnings of the institution, 
organization, or foundation inures to the benefit of any member, 
founder, or contributor of the institution, organization, or foundation; 
and
    (iii) That VA determines is financially responsible.
    (2) A for-profit limited partnership or limited liability company, 
the sole general partner or manager of which is an organization that is 
described by paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (3) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization 
that is described by paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (e) In the case of a previously awarded project that can no longer 
provide services and or housing and the recipient agency has decided to 
withdraw or the project has been terminated for failure to comply with 
the terms and conditions of the award; VA may transfer a capital grant 
or non-capital grant to another eligible entity in the same geographical 
area without competition, in order to prevent a loss of capacity of 
services and housing to homeless veterans. The new entity must meet all 
of the requirements to which the original grantee was subject. In the 
case of a capital grant transfer the new grantee will only be entitled 
to the funding that remains from the original capital obligation and 
remains responsible for all commitments made by the original grantee.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.15  Capital grants--obtaining additional information and 
awarding capital grants.

    (a) Each applicant who has been conditionally selected for a capital 
grant will be requested by VA to submit additional documentation or 
information as necessary, including:
    (1) Any additional information necessary to show that the project is 
feasible, including a plan from an architect, contractor, or other 
building professional who provides estimated costs for the proposed 
design;
    (2) Documentation showing the sources of funding for the project and 
firm financing commitments for the matching requirements described in 
Sec. 61.16;
    (3) Documentation establishing site control described in Sec. 61.17;
    (4) Documentation establishing compliance with the National Historic 
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470);
    (5) Information necessary for VA to ensure compliance both with 
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with 
Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines;
    (6) Documentation establishing compliance with local and state 
zoning codes;
    (7) Documentation in the form of one set of design development (35 
percent completion) drawings demonstrating compliance with local codes, 
state codes, and the current Life Safety Code of the National Fire 
Protection Association.
    (8) Information necessary for VA to ensure compliance with the 
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.);
    (9) A site survey performed by a licensed land surveyor; and
    (10) Such other documentation as specified by VA in writing or 
verbally to the applicant to confirm or clarify information provided in 
the application.
    (b) Items requested under paragraph (a) of this section must be 
received by VA in acceptable form within the time frame established in 
accordance with the Notice of Fund Availability.
    (c) Following receipt of the additional information in acceptable 
form, VA will execute an agreement and make payments to the grant 
recipient in accordance with Sec. 61.61 and other applicable provisions 
of this part.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.16  Matching funds for capital grants.

    (a) VA cannot award a capital grant for more than 65 percent of the 
total allowable costs of the project. The grantee must provide funding

[[Page 977]]

(``matching funding'') for the remaining 35 percent of the total cost, 
using non-federal funds. VA requires that applicants provide 
documentation of all costs related to the project including those that 
are not allowable under the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards under 2 CFR part 
200. Allowable costs means those related to the portion (percentage) of 
the property that would be used to provide supportive housing and 
services under this part.
    (b) Capital grants may include application costs, including site 
surveys, architectural, and engineering fees, but may not include 
relocation costs or developer's fees.
    (c) Documentation of matching funds. The matching funds described in 
paragraph (a) of this section must be documented as follows; no other 
format will be accepted as evidence of a firm commitment of matching 
funds:
    (1) Donations must be on the donor's letterhead, signed and dated.
    (2) The applicant's own cash must be committed on the applicant's 
letterhead, signed, and dated.
    (3) No conditions may be placed on the matching funds other than the 
organization's receipt of the capital grant.
    (4) Funds must be committed to the same activity as the capital 
grant application (i.e., acquisition, renovation, new construction, or a 
van), and must not relate to operating costs or services.
    (5) The value of matching funds must be for a cost that is included 
in the calculation of the total project cost, thereby decreasing the 
total expenditures of the grantee.
    (d) Van applications. The requirements of this section also apply to 
applications for a capital grant for a van under Sec. 61.18.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)

[78 FR 12604, Feb. 25, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 61.17  Site control for capital grants.

    (a) In order to receive a capital grant for supportive housing or a 
fixed site service center, an applicant must demonstrate site control. 
Site control must be demonstrated through a deed or an executed contract 
of sale, or a capital lease, which assigns control or ownership to the 
entity whose Federal employer or taxpayer identification number is on 
the Application for Federal Assistance (SF424), unless one of the 
following apply:
    (1) VA gives written permission for an alternate assignment. VA will 
permit alternate assignments except when:
    (i) The alternate assignment is to a for-profit entity which is 
neither controlled by the applicant or by the applicant's parent 
organization or the entity is controlled by the applicant's parent 
organization which is a for-profit entity; or
    (ii) VA has a reasonable concern that the assignment may provide an 
economic or monetary benefit to the assignee other than the benefit that 
would have inured to the applicant had the applicant not made the 
alternate assignment.
    (2) The site is in a building or on land owned by VA, and the 
applicant has an agreement with VA for site control.
    (b) A capital grant recipient may change the site to a new site 
meeting the requirements of this part subject to VA approval under 
Sec. 61.62. However, the recipient is responsible for and must 
demonstrate ability to provide for any additional costs resulting from 
the change in site.
    (c) If site control is not demonstrated within 1 year after 
execution of an agreement under Sec. 61.61, the grantee may request a 
reasonable extension from the VA national GPD office, or the grant may 
be terminated. VA will authorize an extension request if the grantee was 
not at fault for being unable to exercise site control and the lack of 
site control does not affect the grantee's ability to complete the 
project.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.18  Capital grants for vans.

    (a) General. A capital grant may be used to procure one or more 
vans, as

[[Page 978]]

stated in a NOFA, to provide transportation or outreach for the purpose 
of providing supportive services. The grant may cover the purchase 
price, sales taxes, and title and licensing fees. Title to the van must 
vest solely in the applicant, and the applicant must insure the van to 
the same extent they would insure a van bought with their own funds.
    (b) Who can apply for a van. VA will only award vans to applicants 
who currently have an operational grant under this part, or in 
conjunction with a new application.
    (c) Application packages for van(s). In order to receive a van, the 
application must demonstrate the following:
    (1) Clear need for the van(s);
    (2) Specific use of the van(s);
    (3) Frequency of use of the van(s);
    (4) Qualifications of the van driver(s);
    (5) Training of the van driver(s);
    (6) Type of van(s) to be obtained; and
    (7) Adequate financial support will be available for the completion 
of the project or for the purchase and maintenance, repair, and 
operation of the van(s).
    (d) Rating criteria. Applications will be scored using the selection 
criteria listed in this section. To be eligible for a van grant, an 
applicant must receive at least 80 points (out of a possible 100) of 
this section.
    (1) Need. VA will award up to 60 points based on the extent to which 
the applicant demonstrates a substantial unmet need for transportation 
due to:
    (i) Lack of alternative public transportation,
    (ii) Project location,
    (iii) Expired life use of current van, or
    (iv) Special disabled individual transportation.
    (2) Activity. VA will award up to 20 points based on the extent to 
which the applicant demonstrates:
    (i) Frequency of use,
    (ii) Type of use, and
    (iii) Type of van, e.g., whether there is a justification for a van 
with a wheelchair lift or other modifications.
    (3) Operator qualification. VA will award up to 20 points based on 
the extent to which the applicant demonstrates a job description for the 
van operator that details:
    (i) Requirements of the position, and
    (ii) Training that will be provided to the driver.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



Sec. 61.19  Transfer of capital grants.

    In the case of a previously awarded project that can no longer 
provide services and/or housing and the recipient agency has decided to 
withdraw or the project has been terminated for failure to comply with 
the terms and conditions of the award, VA may transfer a capital grant 
or non-capital grant to another eligible entity in the same geographical 
area without competition, in order to prevent a loss of capacity of 
services and housing to homeless veterans. The new entity must meet all 
of the requirements to which the original grantee was subject. In the 
case of a capital grant transfer the new grantee will only be entitled 
to the funding that remains from the original capital obligation and 
remains responsible for all commitments made by the original grantee.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011)



                       Subpart C_Per Diem Payments



Sec. 61.30  Per diem--general.

    (a) General. VA may provide per diem funds to offset operating costs 
for a program of supportive housing or services. VA may provide:
    (1) Per diem funds to capital grant recipients; or
    (2) Per diem only (PDO) funds to entities eligible to receive a 
capital grant, if the entity established a program of supportive housing 
or services after November 10, 1992.
    (b) Capital grant recipients. Capital grant recipients may request 
per diem funds after completion of a project funded by a capital grant 
and a site inspection under Sec. 61.80 to ensure that the grantee is 
capable of providing supportive services.
    (c) Per diem only applicants. PDO awards to entities eligible to 
receive a capital grant must provide supportive housing or services to 
the homeless veteran population within 180 days after the date on the 
notification of

[[Page 979]]

award letter, or VA will terminate the PDO payments.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2012)



Sec. 61.31  Per diem--application packages.

    (a) Capital grant recipient. To apply for per diem, a capital grant 
recipient need only indicate the intent to receive per diem on the 
capital grant application or may separately request per diem by 
submitting to VA a written statement requesting per diem.
    (b) Non-capital-grant recipient (per diem only). To apply for per 
diem only, a non-capital grant applicant must obtain from VA a non-
capital grant application package and submit to VA the information 
called for in the application package within the time period established 
in the Notice of Fund Availability. The application package includes 
exhibits to be prepared and submitted as part of the application 
process, including:
    (1) Documentation on eligibility to receive per diem under this 
part;
    (2) Documentation on operating budget and cost sharing;
    (3) Documentation on supportive services committed to the project;
    (4) Comments or recommendations by appropriate state (and area wide) 
clearinghouses pursuant to E.O. 12372 (3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 197), if 
the applicant is a state; and
    (5) Reasonable assurances with respect to receipt of per diem under 
this part that:
    (i) The project will be used principally to furnish to veterans the 
level of care for which such application is made; that not more than 25 
percent of participants at any one time will be non-veterans; and that 
such services will meet the requirements of this part;
    (ii) Adequate financial support will be available for the per diem 
program; and
    (iii) The recipient will keep records and submit reports as VA may 
reasonably require, within the time frames required; and give VA, upon 
demand, access to the records upon which such information is based.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2012)



Sec. 61.32  Per diem application packages--rating criteria.

    (a) Conditional selection. Application packages for per diem only 
(i.e., from non-capital grant applicants) in response to a Notice of 
Fund Availability (NOFA) will be reviewed and grouped in categories 
according to the funding priorities set forth in the NOFA, if any. Such 
applications will then be ranked within their respective funding 
category according to scores achieved only if the applicant scores at 
least 750 cumulative points out of a possible 1000 from each of the 
following paragraphs: (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of Sec. 61.13. 
The highest-ranked applications for which funding is available, within 
highest funding priority category if applicable, will be conditionally 
selected for eligibility to receive per diem payments or special need 
payment in accordance with their ranked order. If funding priorities 
have been established and funds are still available after selection of 
those applicants in the highest priority group, VA will continue to 
conditionally select applicants in lower priority categories in 
accordance with the selection method set forth in this paragraph subject 
to available funding. Conditional selectees will be subsequently awarded 
per diem, if they otherwise meet the requirements of this part, 
including passing the inspection required by Sec. 61.80.
    (b) Ranking applications. In the event of a tie between applicants, 
VA will use the score from Sec. 61.13(g) to determine the ranking. Note: 
Capital grant recipients are not required to be ranked; however, 
continuation of per diem payments to capital grant recipients will be 
subject to limitations set forth in Sec. 61.33.
    (c) Executing per diem agreements. VA will execute per diem 
agreements with an applicant whose per diem application was 
conditionally selected under this section using the same procedures

[[Page 980]]

applicable to a capital grant under Sec. 61.15.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2012)



Sec. 61.33  Payment of per diem.

    (a) General. VA will pay per diem to the recipient for those 
homeless veterans:
    (1) Who VA referred to the recipient; or
    (2) For whom VA authorized the provision of supportive housing or 
supportive service.
    (b) Rate of payments for individual veterans. The rate of per diem 
for each veteran in supportive housing shall be the lesser of:
    (1) The daily cost of care estimated by the per diem recipient minus 
other sources of payments to the per diem recipient for furnishing 
services to homeless veterans that the per diem recipient certifies to 
be correct (other sources include payments and grants from other 
departments and agencies of the United States, from departments of local 
and State governments, from private entities or organizations, and from 
program participants); or
    (2) The current VA state home program per diem rate for domiciliary 
care, as set by the Secretary under 38 U.S.C. 1741(a)(1).
    (c) Rate of payments for service centers. The per diem amount for 
service centers shall be \1/8\ of the lesser of the amount in paragraph 
(b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, per hour, not to exceed 8 hours in any 
day.
    (d) Continuing payments. Recipients may continue to receive per diem 
only so long as funding is available, they continue to provide the 
supportive services described in their application, and they continue to 
meet the applicable ongoing requirements of this part. For non-capital 
grant recipients of per diem only, funds will be paid to the highest-
ranked applicants, within the highest-funding priority category if 
applicable, in descending order until funds are expended. Generally, 
payments will continue for the time frame specified in the Notice of 
Fund Availability. When necessary due to funding limitations, VA will 
reduce the rate of per diem.
    (e) Retroactive payments. Per diem may be paid retroactively for 
services provided not more than 3 days before VA approval is given or 
where, through no fault of the recipient, per diem payments should have 
been made but were not made.
    (f) Payments for absent veterans. VA will pay per diem for up to, 
and not more than, 72 consecutive hours (scheduled or unscheduled) of 
absence.
    (g) Supportive housing limitation. VA will not pay per diem for 
supportive housing for any homeless veteran who has had three or more 
episodes (admission and discharge for each episode) of supportive 
housing services paid for under this part. VA may waive this limitation 
if the services offered are different from those previously provided and 
may lead to a successful outcome.
    (h) Veterans receiving supportive housing and services. VA will not 
pay per diem for both supportive housing and supportive services 
provided to the same veteran by the same per diem recipient.
    (i) At the time of receipt, a per diem recipient must report to VA 
all other sources of income for the project for which per diem was 
awarded. The report provides a basis for adjustments to the per diem 
payment under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2012)



                      Subpart D_Special Need Grants



Sec. 61.40  Special need grants--general.

    (a) VA provides special need grants to public or nonprofit private 
entities that will create or provide supportive housing and services, 
which they would not otherwise create or provide, for the following 
special need homeless veteran populations:
    (1) Women;
    (2) Frail elderly;
    (3) Terminally ill;
    (4) Chronically mentally ill; or
    (5) Individuals who have care of minor dependents.
    (b) Applicants must submit an application package for a capital or 
non-capital grant, which will be processed by the VA National GPD 
Program in accordance with this part; however, to be eligible for a 
capital special need grant, an applicant must receive at least 800 
points (out of a possible 1000)

[[Page 981]]

and must receive points under each of the following paragraphs: (b), 
(c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of Sec. 61.13. Non-capital special need 
grants are rated in the same manner as non-capital grant applications 
under Sec. 61.32.
    (c) A recipient of a grant under paragraph (a) of this section may 
use amounts under the grant to provide services directly to a dependent 
of a homeless veteran with special needs who is under the care of such 
homeless veteran while such homeless veteran receives services from the 
grant recipient under this section.
    (d) The following sections apply to special need grants: Secs. 61.61 
through 61.67, Sec. 61.80, and Sec. 61.82.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2061)



Sec. 61.41  Special need grants--application packages and threshold
requirements.

    (a) Applications. To apply for a special need grant, an applicant 
must obtain, complete, and submit to VA a special need capital grant or 
special need per diem only application package within the time period 
established in the Notice of Fund Availability. A special need grant 
application must meet the same threshold requirements applicable to a 
capital grant under Sec. 61.12.
    (b) Additional requirement. In addition to the requirements of 
Sec. 61.11, applicants must describe how they will address the needs of 
one or more of the homeless veteran populations identified in paragraphs 
(c) through (g) of this section.
    (c) Women. Applications must show how the program design will:
    (1) Ensure transportation for women, especially for health care and 
educational needs; and
    (2) Address safety and security issues including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.
    (d) Individuals who have care of minor dependents. Applications must 
show how the program design will:
    (1) Ensure transportation for individuals who have care of minor 
dependents, and their children, especially for health care and 
educational needs;
    (2) Provide directly or offer referrals for adequate and safe child 
care;
    (3) Ensure children's health care needs are met, especially age-
appropriate wellness visits and immunizations; and
    (4) Address safety and security issues including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.
    (e) Frail elderly. Applications must show how the program design 
will:
    (1) Ensure the safety of the residents in the facility to include 
preventing harm and exploitation;
    (2) Ensure opportunities to keep residents mentally and physically 
agile to the fullest extent through the incorporation of structured 
activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within 
the program and in the community;
    (3) Provide opportunities for participants to address life 
transitional issues and separation and/or loss issues;
    (4) Provide access to walkers, grippers, or other assistance devices 
necessary for optimal functioning;
    (5) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of medication 
and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (6) Provide opportunities for participants either directly or 
through referral for other services particularly relevant for the frail 
elderly, including services or programs addressing emotional, social, 
spiritual, and generative needs.
    (f) Terminally ill. Applications must show how the program design 
will:
    (1) Help participants address life-transition and life-end issues;
    (2) Ensure that participants are afforded timely access to hospice 
services;
    (3) Provide opportunities for participants to engage in ``tasks of 
dying,'' or activities of ``getting things in order'' or other 
therapeutic actions that help resolve end of life issues and enable 
transition and closure;
    (4) Ensure adequate supervision including supervision of medication 
and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (5) Provide opportunities for participants either directly or 
through referral for other services particularly relevant for terminally 
ill such as legal counsel and pain management.

[[Page 982]]

    (g) Chronically mentally ill. Applications must show how the program 
design will:
    (1) Help participants join in and engage with the community;
    (2) Facilitate reintegration with the community and provide services 
that may optimize reintegration such as life-skills education, 
recreational activities, and follow up case management;
    (3) Ensure that participants have opportunities and services for re-
establishing relationships with family;
    (4) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of medication 
and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (5) Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or 
through referral, to obtain other services particularly relevant for a 
chronically mentally ill population, such as vocational development, 
benefits management, fiduciary or money management services, medication 
compliance, and medication education.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2061)



Sec. 61.44  Awarding special need grants and payment of special need
per diem.

    (a) For those applicants selected for a special need grant, VA will 
execute an agreement and make payments to the grantee under Sec. 61.61.
    (b) Capital grantee selectees who successfully complete the capital 
portion of their grant, or non-capital grantee selectees who 
successfully pass VA inspection, will be eligible for a special need per 
diem payment to defray the operational cost of the project. Special need 
per diem payment will be the lesser of:
    (1) 100 percent of the daily cost of care estimated by the special 
need recipient for furnishing services to homeless veterans with special 
need that the special need recipient certifies to be correct, minus any 
other sources of income; or
    (2) Two times the current VA State Home Program per diem rate for 
domiciliary care.
    (c) Special need awards are subject to funds availability, the 
recipient meeting the performance goals as stated in the grant 
application, statutory and regulatory requirements, and annual 
inspections.
    (d) Special need capital grantees are not eligible for per diem 
payment under Sec. 61.33, as the special need per diem payment covers 
the cost of care.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2061)



                  Subpart E_Technical Assistance Grants



Sec. 61.50  Technical assistance grants--general.

    (a) General. VA provides technical assistance grants to entities or 
organizations with expertise in preparing grant applications relating to 
the provision of assistance for homeless veterans. The recipients must 
use the grants to provide technical assistance to nonprofit 
organizations with experience in providing assistance to homeless 
veterans in order to help such groups apply for grants under this part, 
or from any other source, for addressing the needs of homeless veterans. 
Current recipients of any grant under this part (other than a technical 
assistance grant), or their sub-recipients, are ineligible for technical 
assistance grants.
    (b) Allowable activities. Technical assistance grant recipients may 
use grant funds for the following activities:
    (1) Group or individual ``how-to'' grant writing seminars, providing 
instructions on applying for a grant. Topics must include:
    (i) Determining eligibility;
    (ii) Matching the awarding agency's grant mission to the applicant 
agency's strengths;
    (iii) Meeting the specific grant outcome requirements;
    (iv) Creating measurable goals and objectives for grants;
    (v) Relating clear and concise grant project planning;
    (vi) Ensuring appropriate grant project staffing; and
    (vii) Demonstrating the applicant's abilities.
    (2) Creation and dissemination of ``how-to'' grant writing 
materials, i.e., compact disks, booklets, web pages or

[[Page 983]]

other media specifically designed to facilitate and instruct applicants 
in the completion of grant applications.
    (3) Group or individual seminars, providing instructions on the 
legal obligations associated with grant applications. Topics must 
include:
    (i) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards under 2 CFR part 200;
    (ii) Federal funding match and fund separation requirements; and
    (iii) Property and equipment disposition.
    (4) Telephone, video conferencing or email with potential grant 
applicants that specifically address grant application questions.
    (c) Unallowable activities. Technical assistance grant recipients 
may not use grant funds for the following activities:
    (1) Meetings, consortia, or any similar activity that does not 
assist community agencies in seeking grants to aid homeless veterans.
    (2) Referral of individual veterans to agencies for benefits, 
housing, medical assistance, or social services.
    (3) Lobbying.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501 and 2064)

[78 FR 12604, Feb. 25, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 61.51  Technical assistance grants--application packages.

    (a) To apply for a technical assistance grant, an applicant must 
obtain from VA, complete, and submit to VA a technical assistance grant 
application package within the time period established in the Notice of 
Fund Availability.
    (b) The technical assistance grant application package will require 
the following:
    (1) Documentation on eligibility to receive a technical assistance 
grant under this part;
    (2) A description of technical assistance that would be provided 
(see Sec. 61.50);
    (3) Documentation concerning the estimated operating costs and 
operating budget for the technical assistance program for which the 
grant is sought;
    (4) Documentation concerning expertise in preparing grant 
applications;
    (5) Documentation of resources committed to the provision of 
technical expertise;
    (6) Comments or recommendations by appropriate state (and area wide) 
clearinghouses pursuant to E.O. 12372 (3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 197), if 
the applicant is a state; and
    (7) Reasonable assurances that:
    (i) The recipient will provide adequate financial and administrative 
support for providing the services set forth in the technical assistance 
grant application, and will actually provide such services; and
    (ii) The recipient will keep records and timely submit reports as 
required by VA, and will give VA, on demand, access to the records upon 
which such reports are based.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2064)



Sec. 61.52  Technical assistance grant application packages--threshold
requirements.

    The following threshold requirements for a technical assistance 
grant must be met, or the application will be rejected before being 
rated under Sec. 61.53:
    (a) The application must be complete and submitted on the correct 
form and in the time period established in the Notice of Fund 
Availability;
    (b) The applicant must establish expertise in preparing grant 
applications;
    (c) The activities for which assistance is requested must be 
eligible for funding under this part;
    (d) The applicant must demonstrate that adequate financial support 
will be available to carry out the project for which the grant is 
sought, consistent with the plans, specifications and schedule submitted 
by the applicant;
    (e) The applicant must not have an outstanding obligation to VA that 
is in arrears, or have an overdue or unsatisfactory response to an 
audit; and
    (f) The applicant must not have been notified by VA as being in 
default.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2064)


[[Page 984]]





Sec. 61.53  Technical assistance grant application packages--rating
criteria.

    (a) General. Applicants that meet the threshold requirements in 
Sec. 61.52 will then be rated using the selection criteria listed in 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. To be eligible for a technical 
assistance grant, an applicant must receive at least 600 points (out of 
a possible 800).
    (b) Quality of the technical assistance. VA will award up to 400 
points based on the following:
    (1) How the recipients of technical training will increase their 
skill level regarding the completion of applications;
    (2) How the recipients of technical training will learn to find 
grant opportunities in a timely manner;
    (3) How the technical assistance provided will be monitored and 
evaluated and changes made, if needed; and
    (4) How the proposed technical assistance programs will be 
implemented in a timely fashion.
    (c) Ability of applicant to demonstrate expertise in preparing grant 
applications and to develop and operate a technical assistance program. 
VA will award up to 400 points based on the extent to which the 
application demonstrates all of the following:
    (1) Ability to find grants available for addressing the needs of 
homeless veterans.
    (2) Ability to find and offer technical assistance to entities 
eligible for such assistance.
    (3) Ability to administer a technical assistance program.
    (4) Ability to provide grant technical assistance.
    (5) Ability to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the technical 
assistance program and to make adjustments, if necessary, based on those 
evaluations.
    (6) Past performance. VA may use historical documents of past 
performance from both VA and non-VA, including those from other Federal, 
state and local agencies and audits by private or public entities in 
scoring technical assistance applications.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2064)



Sec. 61.54  Awarding technical assistance grants.

    (a) Applicants will first be grouped in categories according to the 
funding priorities set forth in the NOFA, if any. Applicants will then 
be ranked within their respective funding category, if applicable. The 
highest-ranked applications for which funding is available, within 
highest priority funding category if applicable, will be selected to 
receive a technical assistance grant in accordance with their ranked 
order, as determined under Sec. 61.53. If funding priorities have been 
established and funds are still available after selection of those 
applicants in the highest priority group, VA will continue to 
conditionally select applicants in lower priority categories in 
accordance with the selection method set forth in this paragraph subject 
to available funding.
    (b) In the event of a tie between applicants, VA will use the score 
from Sec. 61.53(c) to determine the ranking.
    (c) For those applicants selected to receive a technical assistance 
grant, VA will execute an agreement and make payments to the grant 
recipient in accordance with Sec. 61.61.
    (d) The amount of the technical assistance grant will be the 
estimated total operational cost of the technical assistance over the 
life of the technical assistance grant award as specified in the 
technical assistance grant agreement. Payments may be made for no more 
than the period specified in the Notice of Fund Availability.
    (e) VA will not pay for sustenance or lodging for the nonprofit 
community participants or attendees at training conferences offered by 
technical assistance grant recipients; however, the grantee may use 
grant funds to recover such expenses.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2064)



Sec. 61.55  Technical assistance reports.

    Each technical assistance grantee must submit to VA a quarterly 
report describing the activities for which the technical assistance 
grant funds were used, including the type and amount of technical 
assistance provided and the

[[Page 985]]

number of nonprofit community-based groups served.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2064)



       Subpart F_Awards, Monitoring, and Enforcement of Agreements



Sec. 61.61  Agreement and funding actions.

    (a) Agreement. When VA selects an applicant for grant or per diem 
award under this part, VA will incorporate the requirements of this part 
into an agreement to be executed by VA and the applicant. VA will 
enforce the agreement through such action as may be appropriate, 
including temporarily withholding cash payments pending correction of a 
deficiency. Appropriate actions include actions in accordance with the 
Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards under 2 CFR part 200.
    (b) Obligating funds. Upon execution of the agreement, VA will 
obligate funds to cover the amount of the approved grant/per diem, 
subject to the availability of funding. Payments will be for services 
rendered, contingent on submission of documentation in the form of 
invoices or purchase agreements and inspections, as VA deems necessary. 
VA will make payments on its own schedule to reimburse for amounts 
expended. Except for increases in the rate of per diem, VA will not 
increase the amount obligated for assistance under this part after the 
initial obligation of funds.
    (c) Deobligating funds. VA may deobligate all or parts of funds 
obligated under this part:
    (1) If the actual total cost for assistance is less than the total 
cost stated in the application; or
    (2) If the recipient fails to comply with the requirements of this 
part.
    (d) Deobligation procedure. Before deobligating funds under this 
section, VA will issue a notice of intent to terminate payments. The 
recipient will have 30 days to submit documentation demonstrating why 
payments should not be terminated. After review of any such 
documentation, VA will issue a final decision concerning termination of 
payment.
    (e) Other government funds. No funds provided under this part may be 
used to replace Federal, state or local funds previously used, or 
designated for use, to assist homeless veterans.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)

[78 FR 12604, Feb. 25, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 61.62  Program changes.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this 
section, a recipient may not make any significant changes to a project 
for which a grant has been awarded without prior written approval from 
the VA National Grant and Per Diem Program Office. Significant changes 
include, but are not limited to, a change in the recipient, a change in 
the project site (including relocating, adding an annex, a branch, or 
other expansion), additions or deletions of activities, shifts of funds 
from one approved type of activity to another, and a change in the 
category of participants to be served.
    (b) Recipients of grants involving both construction and non-
construction projects must receive prior written approval from the VA 
National Grant and Per Diem Program Office for cumulative transfers 
among direct cost categories which exceed or are expected to exceed 10 
percent of the current total approved budget.
    (c) Recipients of grants for projects involving both construction 
and non-construction who are state or local governments must receive 
prior written approval from the VA National Grant and Per Diem Program 
Office for any budget revision which would transfer funds between non-
construction and construction categories.
    (d) Approval for changes is contingent upon the application ranking 
remaining high enough after the approved change to have been 
competitively selected for funding in the year the application was 
selected.
    (e) Any changes to an approved program must be fully documented in 
the recipient's records.

[[Page 986]]

    (f) Recipients must inform the VA National Grant and Per Diem 
Program Office in writing of any key position and address changes in/of 
their organization within 30 days of the change, i.e., new executive 
director or chief financial officer, permanent change of address for 
corporate communications.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)



Sec. 61.63  Procedural error.

    If an application would have been selected but for a procedural 
error committed by VA, VA may reconsider that application in the next 
funding round. A new application will not be required for this purpose 
so long as there is no material change in the information.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501)



Sec. 61.64  Religious organizations.

    (a) Organizations that are religious or faith-based are eligible, on 
the same basis as any other organization, to participate in VA programs 
under this part. Decisions about awards of Federal financial assistance 
must be free from political interference or even the appearance of such 
interference and must be made on the basis of merit, not on the basis of 
religion or religious belief or lack thereof.
    (b)(1) No organization may use direct financial assistance from VA 
under this part to pay for any of the following:
    (i) Explicitly religious activities such as, religious worship, 
instruction, or proselytization; or
    (ii) Equipment or supplies to be used for any of those activities.
    (2) For purposes of this section, ``indirect financial assistance'' 
means Federal assistance in which a service provider receives program 
funds through a voucher, certificate, agreement or other form of 
disbursement, as a result of the independent and private choices of 
individual beneficiaries. ``Direct financial assistance'' means that VA 
or an intermediary as defined in 38 CFR 50.1(d) selects the provider and 
either purchases services from that provider (e.g., via a contract) or 
awards funds to that provider to carry out a service (e.g., via grant or 
cooperative agreement). Financial assistance shall be treated as direct, 
unless it meets the definition of indirect financial assistance in this 
paragraph.
    (c) Organizations that engage in explicitly religious activities, 
such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization, must offer 
those services separately in time or location from any programs or 
services funded with direct financial assistance from VA, and 
participation in any of the organization's explicitly religious 
activities must be voluntary for the beneficiaries of a program or 
service funded by direct financial assistance from VA.
    (d) A religious organization that participates in VA programs under 
this part will retain its independence from Federal, state, or local 
governments and may continue to carry out its mission, including the 
definition, practice and expression of its religious beliefs, provided 
that it does not use direct financial assistance from VA under this part 
to support any explicitly religious activities, such as worship, 
religious instruction, or proselytization. Among other things, faith-
based organizations may use space in their facilities to provide VA-
funded services under this part, without removing religious art, icons, 
scripture, or other religious symbols. In addition, a VA-funded 
religious organization retains its authority over its internal 
governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization's 
name, select its board members and otherwise govern itself on a 
religious basis, and include religious reference in its organization's 
mission statements and other governing documents.
    (e) An organization that participates in a VA program under this 
part shall not, in providing direct program assistance, discriminate 
against a program beneficiary or prospective program beneficiary 
regarding housing, supportive services, or technical assistance, on the 
basis of religion or religious belief.
    (f) If a state or local government voluntarily contributes its own 
funds to supplement Federally funded activities, the state or local 
government has the option to segregate the Federal

[[Page 987]]

funds or commingle them. However, if the funds are commingled, this 
provision applies to all of the commingled funds.
    (g) To the extent otherwise permitted by Federal law, the 
restrictions on explicitly religious activities set forth in this 
section do not apply where VA funds are provided to religious 
organizations through indirect assistance as a result of a genuine and 
independent private choice of a beneficiary, provided the religious 
organizations otherwise satisfy the requirements of this part. A 
religious organization may receive such funds as the result of a 
beneficiary's genuine and independent choice if, for example, a 
beneficiary redeems a voucher, coupon, or certificate, allowing the 
beneficiary to direct where funds are to be paid, or a similar funding 
mechanism provided to that beneficiary and designed to give that 
beneficiary a choice among providers.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501)

[78 FR 12604, Feb. 25, 2013, as amended at 81 FR 19425, Apr. 4, 2016]



Sec. 61.65  Inspections.

    VA may inspect the facility and records of any applicant or 
recipient when necessary to determine compliance with this part or an 
agreement under Sec. 61.61. The authority to inspect does not authorize 
VA to manage or control the applicant or recipient.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)



Sec. 61.66  Financial management.

    (a) All recipients must comply with applicable requirements of the 
Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards under 2 CFR part 200.
    (b) All entities receiving assistance under this part must use a 
financial management system that follows generally accepted accounting 
principles and meets the requirements set forth under 2 CFR part 200. 
All recipients must implement the requirements of 2 CFR part 200 when 
determining costs reimbursable under all awards issued under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501)

[80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 61.67  Recovery provisions.

    (a) Full recovery of capital grants. VA may recover from the grant 
recipient all of the grant amounts provided for the project if, after 3 
years after the date of an award of a capital grant, the grant recipient 
has withdrawn from the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program 
(Program), does not establish the project for which the grant was made, 
or has established the project for which the grant was made but has not 
passed final inspection. Where a recipient has no control over causes 
for delays in implementing a project, VA may extend the 3-year period, 
as appropriate. VA may obligate any recovered funds without fiscal year 
limitation.
    (b) Prorated (partial) recovery of capital grants. If a capital 
grant recipient is not subject to recovery under paragraph (a) of this 
section, VA will seek recovery of the grant amount on a prorated basis 
where the grant recipient ceases to provide services for which the grant 
was made or withdraws from the Program prior to the expiration of the 
applicable period of operation, which period shall begin on the date 
shown on the activation document produced by the VA National GPD 
Program. In cases where capital grant recipients have chosen not to 
receive per diem payments, the applicable period of operation shall 
begin on the date the VA Medical Center Director approved placement at 
the project site as shown on the inspection documents. The amount to be 
recaptured equals the total amount of the grant, multiplied by the 
fraction resulting from using the number of years the recipient was not 
operational as the numerator, and using the number of years of operation 
required under the following chart as the denominator.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Years of
            Grant amount (dollars in thousands)               operation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-250......................................................            7
251-500....................................................            8
501-750....................................................            9
751-1,000..................................................           10
1,001-1,250................................................           11
1,251-1,500................................................           12
1,501-1,750................................................           13
1,751-2,000................................................           14
2,001-2,250................................................           15
2,251-2,500................................................           16
2,501-2,750................................................           17
2,751-3,000................................................           18

[[Page 988]]

 
Over 3,000.................................................           20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Disposition of real property for capital grantees. In addition 
to being subject to recovery under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section, capital grantees are subject to real property disposition as 
required by 2 CFR part 200 when the grantee no longer is providing 
services through a grant awarded under this part.
    (d) Recovery of per diem and non-capital grants. VA will seek to 
recover from the recipient of per diem, a special need non-capital 
grant, or a technical assistance grant any funds that are not used in 
accordance with the requirements of this part.
    (e) Notice. Before VA takes action to recover funds, VA will issue 
to the recipient a notice of intent to recover funds. The recipient will 
then have 30 days to submit documentation demonstrating why funds should 
not be recovered. After review of any such documentation, VA will issue 
a decision regarding whether action will be taken to recover funds.
    (f) Vans. All recovery provisions will apply to vans with the 
exception of the period of time for recovery. The period of time for 
recovery will be 7 years. Disposition provisions of 2 CFR part 200 apply 
to vans. Grantees are required to notify the VA National Grant and Per 
Diem Program Office for disposition of any van funded under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064)

[78 FR 12604, Feb. 25, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 61.80  General operation requirements for supportive housing 
and service centers.

    (a) Supportive housing and service centers for which assistance is 
provided under this part must comply with the requirements of the 
current edition of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection 
Association and all applicable state and local housing codes, licensing 
requirements, fire and safety requirements, and any other requirements 
in the jurisdiction in which the project is located regarding the 
condition of the structure and the operation of the supportive housing 
or service centers. Note: All facilities are to be protected throughout 
by an approved automatic sprinkler system unless a facility is 
specifically exempted under the Life Safety Code.
    (b) Except for such variations as are proposed by the recipient that 
would not affect compliance with paragraph (a) of this section and are 
approved by VA, supportive housing must meet the following requirements:
    (1) The structures must be structurally sound so as not to pose any 
threat to the health and safety of the occupants and so as to protect 
the residents from the elements;
    (2) Entry and exit locations to the structure must be capable of 
being utilized without unauthorized use of other private properties, and 
must provide alternate means of egress in case of fire;
    (3) Buildings constructed or altered with Federal assistance must 
also be accessible to the disabled, as required by Sec. 502 of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act, referred to as the Architectural 
Barriers Act;
    (4) Each resident must be afforded appropriate space and security 
for themselves and their belongings, including an acceptable place to 
sleep that is in compliance with all applicable local, state, and 
federal requirements;
    (5) Every room or space must be provided with natural or mechanical 
ventilation and the structures must be free of pollutants in the air at 
levels that threaten the health of residents;
    (6) The water supply must be free from contamination;
    (7) Residents must have access to sufficient sanitary facilities 
that are in proper operating condition, that may be used in privacy, and 
that are adequate for personal cleanliness and the disposal of human 
waste;
    (8) The housing must have adequate heating and/or cooling facilities 
in proper operating condition;
    (9) The housing must have adequate natural or artificial 
illumination to permit normal indoor activities and to support the 
health and safety of residents and sufficient electrical sources must be 
provided to permit use of essential electrical appliances while assuring 
safety from fire;

[[Page 989]]

    (10) All food preparation areas must contain suitable space and 
equipment to store, prepare, and serve food in a sanitary manner;
    (11) The housing and any equipment must be maintained in a sanitary 
manner;
    (12) The residents with disabilities must be provided meals or meal 
preparation facilities must be available;
    (13) Residential supervision from a paid staff member, volunteer, or 
senior resident participant must be provided 24 hours per day, 7 days 
per week and for those times that a volunteer or senior resident 
participant is providing residential supervision a paid staff member 
must be on call for emergencies 24 hours a day 7 days a week (all 
supervision must be provided by individuals with sufficient knowledge 
for the position); and
    (14) Residents must be provided a clean and sober environment that 
is free from illicit drug use or from alcohol use that: could threaten 
the health and/or safety of the residents or staff; hinders the peaceful 
enjoyment of the premises; or jeopardizes completion of the grantee's 
project goals and objectives. Those supportive housing or service 
centers that provide medical or social detox at the same site as the 
supportive housing or service must ensure that those residents in detox 
are clearly separated from the general residential population.
    (c) Each recipient of assistance under this part must conduct an 
ongoing assessment of the supportive services needed by the residents of 
the project and the availability of such services, and make adjustments 
as appropriate. The recipient will provide evidence of this ongoing 
assessment to VA regarding the plan described in their grant application 
to include meeting their performance goals. This information will be 
incorporated into the annual inspection. Grantees must submit during the 
grant agreement period to VA, a quarterly technical performance report. 
A quarterly report must be filed once during each quarter and no later 
than January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. The report may be in 
any acceptable business format and must include the following 
information:
    (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to established goals for 
the reporting period and response to any findings related to monitoring 
efforts. This comparison will be on the same level of detail as 
specified in the program approved in the grant document. It will address 
quantifiable as well as non-quantifiable goals.
    (2) If established goals have not been met, provide a detailed 
narrative explanation and an explanation of the corrective action(s) 
which will be taken, as well as a timetable for accomplishment of the 
corrective action(s).
    (3) Other pertinent information, including a description of grant-
related activities occurring during the report period. This may include 
personnel activity (hiring-training), community orientation/awareness 
activity, programmatic activity (job development). Also identify 
administrative and programmatic problems, which may affect performance 
and proposed solutions.
    (4) The quarterly technical performance report will be submitted to 
the VA National GPD Program Liaison assigned to the project, with each 
quarterly report being a cumulative report for the entire calendar year. 
All pages of the reporting documents should have the appropriate grant 
number and signature, where appropriate. VA National GPD Program 
Liaisons will file the report and corrective actions in the 
administrative file for the grant.
    (5) Between scheduled reporting dates, the recipient will also 
immediately inform the VA National GPD Program Liaison of any 
significant developments affecting the recipient's ability to accomplish 
the work. VA National GPD Program Liaisons will provide grantees with 
necessary technical assistance, when and where appropriate as problems 
arise.
    (6) For each goal or objective listed in the grant application, 
grantees will be allowed a 15 percent deviation of each goal or 
objective. If the deviation is greater than 15 percent in any one goal 
or objective, a corrective action plan must be submitted to the VA 
National GPD Program Liaison. Failure

[[Page 990]]

to meet goals and objectives may result in withholding of placement, 
withholding of payment, suspension of payment and termination as 
outlined in this part or other applicable Federal statutes if the goal 
or objective would impact the program's ability to provide a successful 
outcome for veterans.
    (7) Corrective Action(s): When necessary, the grantee will 
automatically initiate a Corrective Action Plan (CAP). A CAP will be 
required if, on a quarterly basis, actual grant accomplishments vary by 
a margin of 15 percent or more from the planned goals and objectives. 
Please note that this is a general rule of thumb, and in some cases 15 
percent deviations are beneficial to the program such as more placements 
into employment or training than planned, less cost per placement than 
planned, higher average wage at placement than planned, etc.
    (8) All 15 percent deviations from the planned goals that have a 
negative impact on the grantee's ability to accomplish planned goals 
must be fully explained in the grantee's quarterly technical report and 
a CAP is to be initiated, developed, and submitted by the grantee to the 
VA Liaison for approval.
    (9) The CAP must identify the activity or expenditure source which 
has the 15 percent deviation, describe the reason(s) for the variance, 
provide specific proposed corrective action(s), and a timetable for 
accomplishment of the corrective action. The plan may include an intent 
to modify the grant when appropriate.
    (10) The CAP will be submitted as an addendum to the quarterly 
technical report. After receipt of the CAP, the VA National GPD Program 
Liaison will send a letter to the grantee indicating that the CAP is 
approved or disapproved. If disapproved, VA Liaison will make beneficial 
suggestions to improve the proposed CAP and request resubmission until 
CAP is satisfactory to both parties.
    (d) A homeless veteran may remain in supportive housing for which 
assistance is provided under this part for a period no longer than 24 
months, except that a veteran may stay longer, if permanent housing for 
the veteran has not been located or if the veteran requires additional 
time to prepare for independent living. However, at any given time, no 
more than one-half of the veterans at such supportive housing facility 
may have resided at the facility for periods longer than 24 months.
    (e) Each recipient of assistance under this part must provide for 
the consultation and participation of not less than one homeless veteran 
or formerly homeless veteran on the board of directors or an equivalent 
policymaking entity of the recipient, to the extent that such entity 
considers and makes policies and decisions regarding any project 
provided under this part. This requirement may be waived if an 
applicant, despite a good faith effort to comply, is unable to meet it 
and presents a plan, subject to VA approval, to otherwise consult with 
homeless or formerly homeless veterans in considering and making such 
policies and decisions.
    (f) Each recipient of assistance under this part must, to the 
maximum extent practicable, involve homeless veterans and families, 
through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, in constructing, 
rehabilitating, maintaining, and operating the project and in providing 
supportive services for the project.
    (g) Each recipient of assistance under this part shall establish 
procedures for fiscal control and fund accounting to ensure proper 
disbursement and accounting of assistance received under this part.
    (h) The recipient of assistance under this part that provides family 
violence prevention or treatment services must establish and implement 
procedures to ensure:
    (1) The confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual 
provided services, and
    (2) The confidentially of the address or location where the services 
are provided.
    (i) Each recipient of assistance under this part must maintain the 
confidentiality of records kept on homeless veterans receiving services.
    (j) VA may disapprove use of outpatient health services provided 
through the recipient if VA determines that such services are of 
unacceptable quality. Further, VA will not pay per

[[Page 991]]

diem where the Department concludes that services furnished by the 
recipient are unacceptable.
    (k) A service center for homeless veterans shall provide services to 
homeless veterans for a minimum of 40 hours per week over a minimum of 5 
days per week, as well as provide services on an as-needed, unscheduled 
basis. The calculation of average hours shall include travel time for 
mobile service centers. In addition:
    (1) Space in a service center shall be made available as mutually 
agreeable for use by VA staff and other appropriate agencies and 
organizations to assist homeless veterans;
    (2) A service center shall be equipped to provide, or assist in 
providing, health care, mental health services, hygiene facilities, 
benefits and employment counseling, meals, and transportation 
assistance;
    (3) A service center shall provide other services as VA determines 
necessary based on the need for services otherwise not available in the 
geographic area; and
    (4) A service center may be equipped and staffed to provide, or to 
assist in providing, job training and job placement services (including 
job readiness, job counseling, and literacy and skills training), as 
well as any outreach and case management services that may be necessary 
to meet the requirements of this paragraph.
    (l) Fixed site service centers will prominently post at or near the 
entrance to the service center their hours of operation and contacts in 
case of emergencies. Mobile service centers must take some action 
reasonably calculated to provide in advance a tentative schedule of 
visits (e.g., newspapers, fliers, public service announcements on 
television or radio). The schedule should include but is not limited to:
    (1) The region of operation;
    (2) Times of operation;
    (3) Expected services to be provided; and
    (4) Contacts for specific information and changes.
    (m) Each recipient that provides housing and services must have a 
written disaster plan that has been coordinated with the emergency 
management entity responsible for the locality in which the project 
exists. The plan must encompass natural and man-made disasters.
    (n) The recipient will inform within 24 hours its VA liaison of any 
sentinel events occurring within the program (i.e., drug overdose, 
death, injury).
    (o) The grantee, or sub-grantee, will provide appropriate 
orientation and training to staff to enable them to provide quality 
services that are appropriate to homeless veteran or homeless special 
need veteran population.
    (p) The grantee will maintain systematic participant enrollment 
information and participant tracking records designed to facilitate the 
uniform compilation and analysis of programmatic data necessary for 
verification of veteran status and case management, reporting, 
monitoring, and evaluation purposes.
    (q) The grantee will also document in each participant record at a 
minimum:
    (1) Family status.
    (2) Verification of veteran status (DD214, Department of Veterans 
Affairs confirmation report and/or identification card).
    (3) Education, employment history, and marketable skills/licenses/
credentials.
    (4) An Individual Service Plan (ISP) for each individual participant 
will be maintained in the participant case management record which 
contains the following:
    (i) An assessment of barriers, service needs, as well as strengths; 
and
    (ii) Specific services and referrals planned and benefits to be 
achieved as a result of program participation.
    (5) Duration and outcome of supportive service.
    (6) The grantee must verify service outcomes each calendar year 
quarter through the participant and provide documentation of this 
verification in the participant case management files.
    (r) The grantee will ensure that no more than 25 percent of the 
grant awarded beds are occupied by non-veterans, or VA may take actions 
as appropriate to decrease the beds, grant amounts, or terminate the 
grant and seek recapture in the case of capital funding. To calculate 
the occupancy rate, divide the actual number of bed

[[Page 992]]

days of care for veterans eligible to reside in the project, by the 
total number of possible bed days of care (the previous 180 days from 
the most current 6 month period).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0554)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061)



Sec. 61.81  Outreach activities.

    Recipients of capital grants and per diem relating to supportive 
housing or service centers must use their best efforts to ensure that 
eligible hard-to-reach veterans are found, engaged, and provided 
assistance. To achieve this goal, recipients may search for homeless 
veterans at places such as shelters, soup kitchens, parks, bus or train 
stations, and the streets. Outreach particularly should be directed 
toward veterans who have a nighttime residence that is an emergency 
shelter or a public or private place not ordinarily used as a regular 
sleeping accommodation for human beings (e.g., cars, streets, or parks).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061)



Sec. 61.82  Participant fees for supportive housing.

    (a) Each participant of supportive housing may be required to pay a 
participant fee in an amount determined by the recipient, except that 
such participant fee may not exceed 30 percent of the participant's 
monthly income after deducting medical expenses, child care expenses, 
court ordered child support payments, or other court ordered payments; 
nor may it exceed the program's set maximum rate or the HUD Fair Market 
Rent for that type of housing and its location, whichever is less. The 
participant fee determination and collection process/procedures should 
be documented in the grant recipient's operating procedures to ensure 
consistency, fairness, and accuracy of fees collected. The participant's 
monthly income includes all income earned by or paid to the participant.
    (b) Retroactive benefit payments from any source to program 
participants, for the purpose of this part, may be considered income in 
the month received and therefore may be used in calculating the 
participant fee for that month.
    (c) Participant fees may be used for costs of operating the 
supportive housing or to assist supportive housing residents' move to 
permanent housing, and must have a therapeutic benefit.
    (d) In addition to a participant fee, recipients may charge 
residents reasonable fees for extracurricular services and activities 
(extracurricular fee) that participants are not required to receive 
under the terms of the grant award, are not paid for by VA per diem, or 
provided by VA. Extracurricular fees must be voluntary on the part of 
the participant.
    (e) In projects funded under this part where participants sign 
agreements, VA treats the costs associated with participant eviction to 
be as unallowable.
    (f) Use of participant agreements.
    (1) Participant agreements must be between the grant recipient of 
record and the program participant.
    (2) Participant agreements must be part of a therapeutic plan to 
increase self-determination and responsibility.
    (3) Participant agreements must include a clause that allows program 
participants the ability to break the lease or program agreement without 
penalty for medical or clinical necessity.
    (4) Participant agreements may not be used to exclude homeless 
veterans with little or no income from the program.
    (5) Participant agreements and conditions must be fully disclosed to 
potential participants and acknowledged in writing by both parties.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2011, 2012, 2061)



PART 62_SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES PROGRAM--
Table of Contents



Sec.
62.1  Purpose.
62.2  Definitions.
62.10  Supportive services grants--general.
62.11  Participants--occupying permanent housing.
62.20  Applications for supportive services grants.
62.21  Threshold requirements prior to scoring supportive services grant 
          applicants.
62.22  Scoring criteria for supportive services grant applicants.

[[Page 993]]

62.23  Selecting applicants to receive supportive services grants.
62.24  Scoring criteria for grantees applying for renewal of supportive 
          services grants.
62.25  Selecting grantees for renewal of supportive services grants.
62.30  Supportive service: Outreach services.
62.31  Supportive service: Case management services.
62.32  Supportive service: Assistance in obtaining VA benefits.
62.33  Supportive service: Assistance in obtaining and coordinating 
          other public benefits.
62.34  Other supportive services.
62.35  Limitations on and continuations of the provision of supportive 
          services to certain participants.
62.36  General operation requirements.
62.37  Fee prohibition.
62.38  Ineligible activities.
62.40  Notice of Fund Availability.
62.50  Supportive services grant agreements.
62.51  Payments under the supportive services grant.
62.60  Program or budget changes and corrective action plans.
62.61  Procedural error.
62.62  Religious organizations.
62.63  Visits to monitor operations and compliance.
62.70  Financial management and administrative costs.
62.71  Grantee reporting requirements.
62.72  Recordkeeping.
62.73  Technical assistance.
62.80  Withholding, suspension, deobligation, termination, and recovery 
          of funds by VA.
62.81  Supportive services grant closeout procedures.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044, and as noted in specific sections.

    Source: 75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 62.1  Purpose.

    This part implements the Supportive Services for Veteran Families 
Program, which provides supportive services grants to eligible entities 
to facilitate the provision of supportive services to very low-income 
veteran families who are occupying permanent housing.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.2  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part and any Notice of Fund Availability issued 
under this part:
    Applicant means an eligible entity that submits an application for a 
supportive services grant announced in a Notice of Fund Availability.
    Area or community means a political subdivision or contiguous 
political subdivisions (such as a precinct, ward, borough, city, county, 
State, Congressional district or tribal reservation) with an 
identifiable population of very low-income veteran families.
    Consumer cooperative has the meaning given such term in section 202 
of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q).
    Date of completion means the earliest of the following dates:
    (1) The date on which all required work is completed;
    (2) The date specified in the supportive services grant agreement, 
or any supplement or amendment thereto; or
    (3) The effective date of a supportive services grant termination 
under Sec. 62.80(c).
    Disallowed costs means costs charged by a grantee that VA determines 
to be unallowable based on applicable Federal cost principles, or based 
on this part or the supportive services grant agreement.
    Eligible child care provider means a provider of child care services 
for compensation, including a provider of care for a school-age child 
during non-school hours, that--
    (1) Is licensed, regulated, registered, or otherwise legally 
operating, under state and local law; and
    (2) Satisfies the state and local requirements, applicable to the 
child care services the provider provides.
    Eligible entity means a:
    (1) Private non-profit organization, or
    (2) Consumer cooperative.
    Emergency housing means temporary housing provided under 
Sec. 62.34(f) that does not require the participant to sign a lease or 
occupancy agreement.
    Extremely low-income veteran family means a veteran family whose 
annual income, as determined in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609, does not 
exceed 30 percent of the median income for an area or community.
    General housing stability assistance means the provision of goods or 
payment of expenses that are directly related to supporting a 
participant's

[[Page 994]]

housing stability and are authorized under Sec. 62.34(e).
    Grantee means an eligible entity that is awarded a supportive 
services grant under this part.
    Homeless has the meaning given that term in 24 CFR 576.2.
    Notice of Fund Availability means a Notice of Fund Availability 
published in the Federal Register in accordance with Sec. 62.40.
    Occupying permanent housing means meeting any of the conditions set 
forth in Sec. 62.11.
    Participant means a very low-income veteran family occupying 
permanent housing who is receiving supportive services from a grantee.
    Permanent housing means community-based housing without a designated 
length of stay where an individual or family has a lease in accord with 
state and Federal law that is renewable and terminable only for cause. 
Examples of permanent housing include, but are not limited to, a house 
or apartment with a month-to-month or annual lease term or home 
ownership.
    Private non-profit organization means any of the following:
    (1) An incorporated private institution or foundation that:
    (i) Has no part of the net earnings that inure to the benefit of any 
member, founder, contributor, or individual;
    (ii) Has a governing board that is responsible for the operation of 
the supportive services provided under this part; and
    (iii) Is approved by VA as to financial responsibility.
    (2) A for-profit limited partnership, the sole general partner of 
which is an organization meeting the requirements of paragraphs (1)(i), 
(ii) and (iii) of this definition.
    (3) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization 
meeting the requirements of paragraphs (1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this 
definition.
    (4) A tribally designated housing entity (as defined in section 4 of 
the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 
1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103)).
    Rapid re-housing means an intervention designed to help individuals 
and families quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. 
Rapid re-housing assistance is offered without preconditions (such as 
employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the 
resources and services provided are typically tailored to the unique 
needs of the household. The three core components of rapid re-housing 
include housing identification, rent and move-in financial assistance, 
and rapid re-housing case management and services. While a rapid re-
housing program must have all three core components available, it is not 
required that a single entity provide all three services nor that a 
household utilize them all.
    State means any of the several States of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or 
possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a 
State exclusive of local governments. The term does not include any 
public and Indian housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 
1937.
    Subcontractor means any third party contractor, of any tier, working 
directly for an eligible entity.
    Supportive services means any of the following provided to address 
the needs of a participant:
    (1) Outreach services as specified under Sec. 62.30.
    (2) Case management services as specified under Sec. 62.31.
    (3) Assisting participants in obtaining VA benefits as specified 
under Sec. 62.32.
    (4) Assisting participants in obtaining and coordinating other 
public benefits as specified under Sec. 62.33.
    (5) Other services as specified under Sec. 62.34.
    Supportive services grant means a grant awarded under this part.
    Supportive services grant agreement means the agreement executed 
between VA and a grantee as specified under Sec. 62.50.
    Suspension means an action by VA that temporarily withdraws VA 
funding under a supportive services grant, pending corrective action by 
the grantee or pending a decision to terminate the supportive services 
grant by VA. Suspension of a supportive services

[[Page 995]]

grant is a separate action from suspension under VA regulations 
implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, ``Debarment and 
Suspension.''
    VA means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Very low-income veteran family means a veteran family whose annual 
income, as determined in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609, does not exceed 
50 percent of the median income for an area or community, as will be 
adjusted by VA based on family size and as may be adjusted and announced 
by VA in the Notice of Fund Availability based on residency within an 
area with unusually high or low construction costs, fair market rents 
(as determined under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
(42 U.S.C. 1437f)), or family incomes. Unless VA announces otherwise in 
the Notice of Fund Availability, the median income for an area or 
community will be determined using the income limits most recently 
published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for 
programs under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437f).
    Veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or 
air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under 
conditions other than dishonorable.
    Veteran family means a veteran who is a single person or a family in 
which the head of household, or the spouse of the head of household, is 
a veteran.
    Withholding means that payment of a supportive services grant will 
not be paid until such time as VA determines that the grantee provides 
sufficiently adequate documentation and/or actions to correct a 
deficiency for the supportive services grant. Costs for supportive 
services provided by grantees under the supportive services grant from 
the date of the withholding letter would be reimbursed only if the 
grantee is able to submit the documentation or actions that the 
deficiency has been corrected to the satisfaction of VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9610, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.10  Supportive services grants--general.

    (a) VA provides supportive services grants to eligible entities as 
described in this part.
    (b) Grantees must use at least 90 percent of supportive services 
grant funds to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive 
services to very low-income veteran families who are occupying permanent 
housing.
    (c) Grantees may use up to 10 percent of supportive services grant 
funds for administrative costs identified in Sec. 62.70.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.11  Participants--occupying permanent housing.

    A very low-income veteran family will be considered to be occupying 
permanent housing if the very low-income veteran family:
    (a) Is residing in permanent housing and at risk of becoming 
homeless, per conditions in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, but for 
the grantee's assistance;
    (b)(1) Is lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime 
residence, meaning:
    (i) That the veteran family's primary nighttime residence is a 
public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular 
sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, 
abandoned bus or train station, airport, or camping ground;
    (ii) That the veteran family is living in a supervised publicly or 
privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living 
arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and 
hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, 
State, or local government programs for low-income individuals); or
    (iii) That the veteran family is exiting an institution where the 
veteran family resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an 
emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately 
before entering that institution;
    (2) Are at risk to remain in the situation described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of

[[Page 996]]

this section but for the grantee's assistance; and
    (3) Scheduled to become a resident of permanent housing within 90 
days pending the location or development of housing suitable for 
permanent housing; or
    (c) Has met any of the conditions described in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section after exiting permanent housing within the previous 90 days 
to seek other housing that is responsive to the very low-income veteran 
family's needs and preferences.
    Note to paragraph (c): For limitations on the provision of 
supportive services to participants classified under paragraph (c) of 
this section, see Sec. 62.35.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[80 FR 9610, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.20  Applications for supportive services grants.

    (a) To apply for a supportive services grant, an applicant must 
submit to VA a complete supportive services grant application package, 
as described in the Notice of Fund Availability. A complete supportive 
services grant application package includes the following:
    (1) A description of the supportive services to be provided by the 
applicant and the identified need for such supportive services among 
very low-income veteran families;
    (2) A description of how the applicant will ensure that services are 
provided to very low-income veteran families for whom:
    (i) No appropriate housing options have been identified for the 
veteran family; and
    (ii) The veteran family lacks the financial resources and/or support 
networks to obtain or remain in permanent housing;
    (3) A description of the characteristics of very low-income veteran 
families occupying permanent housing who will be provided supportive 
services by the applicant;
    (4) An estimate with supporting documentation of the number of very 
low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing who will be 
provided supportive services by the applicant and a description of the 
area or community where such very low-income veteran families are 
located, including an estimate of the total number of very low-income 
veteran families occupying permanent housing in such area or community;
    (5) Documentation evidencing the experience of the applicant and any 
identified subcontractors in providing supportive services to very low-
income veteran families and very low-income families;
    (6) Documentation relating to the applicant's ability to coordinate 
with any identified subcontractors;
    (7) Documentation of the managerial capacity of the applicant to:
    (i) Coordinate the provision of supportive services with the 
provision of permanent housing by the applicant or by other 
organizations;
    (ii) Assess continuously the needs of participants for supportive 
services;
    (iii) Coordinate the provision of supportive services with services 
provided by VA;
    (iv) Customize supportive services to the needs of participants;
    (v) Continuously seek new sources of assistance to ensure the long-
term provision of supportive services to very low-income veteran 
families occupying permanent housing;
    (vi) Comply with and implement the requirements of this part 
throughout the term of the supportive services grant; and
    (8) Any additional information as deemed appropriate by VA.
    (b) Grantees may submit an application for renewal of a supportive 
services grant if the grantee's program will remain substantially the 
same. To apply for renewal of a supportive services grant, a grantee 
must submit to VA a complete supportive services grant renewal 
application package, as described in the Notice of Fund Availability.
    (c) VA may request in writing that an applicant or grantee, as 
applicable,

[[Page 997]]

submit other information or documentation relevant to the supportive 
services grant application.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0757)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9611, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.21  Threshold requirements prior to scoring supportive 
services grant applicants.

    VA will only score applicants that meet the following threshold 
requirements:
    (a) The application is filed within the time period established in 
the Notice of Fund Availability, and any additional information or 
documentation requested by VA under Sec. 62.20(c) is provided within the 
time frame established by VA;
    (b) The application is completed in all parts;
    (c) The applicant is an eligible entity;
    (d) The activities for which the supportive services grant is 
requested are eligible for funding under this part;
    (e) The applicant's proposed participants are eligible to receive 
supportive services under this part;
    (f) The applicant agrees to comply with the requirements of this 
part;
    (g) The applicant does not have an outstanding obligation to the 
Federal government that is in arrears and does not have an overdue or 
unsatisfactory response to an audit; and
    (h) The applicant is not in default by failing to meet the 
requirements for any previous Federal assistance.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.22  Scoring criteria for supportive services grant applicants.

    VA will use the following criteria to score applicants who are 
applying for a supportive services grant:
    (a) VA will award up to 35 points based on the background, 
qualifications, experience, and past performance, of the applicant, and 
any subcontractors identified by the applicant in the supportive 
services grant application, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Background and organizational history. (i) Applicant's, and any 
identified subcontractors', background and organizational history are 
relevant to the program.
    (ii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, maintain 
organizational structures with clear lines of reporting and defined 
responsibilities.
    (iii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have a history 
of complying with agreements and not defaulting on financial 
obligations.
    (2) Staff qualifications. (i) Applicant's staff, and any identified 
subcontractors' staff, have experience working with very low-income 
families.
    (ii) Applicant's staff, and any identified subcontractors' staff, 
have experience administering programs similar to the Supportive 
Services for Veteran Families Program.
    (3) Organizational qualifications and past performance. (i) 
Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have organizational 
experience providing supportive services to very low-income families.
    (ii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have 
organizational experience coordinating services for very low-income 
families among multiple organizations, Federal, State, local and tribal 
governmental entities.
    (iii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have 
organizational experience administering a program similar in type and 
scale to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program to very 
low-income families.
    (4) Experience working with veterans. (i) Applicant's staff, and any 
identified subcontractors' staff, have experience working with veterans.
    (ii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have 
organizational experience providing supportive services to veterans.
    (iii) Applicant, and any identified subcontractors, have 
organizational experience coordinating services for veterans among 
multiple organizations, Federal, State, local and tribal governmental 
entities.

[[Page 998]]

    (b) VA will award up to 25 points based on the applicant's program 
concept and supportive services plan, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Need for program. (i) Applicant has shown a need amongst very 
low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing in the area or 
community where the program will be based.
    (ii) Applicant understands the unique needs for supportive services 
of very low-income veteran families.
    (2) Outreach and screening plan. (i) Applicant has a feasible 
outreach and referral plan to identify and assist very low-income 
veteran families occupying permanent housing that may be eligible for 
supportive services and are most in need of supportive services. The 
plan ensures that the applicant's program will assist very low-income 
families who also meet the requirements of Sec. 62.20(a)(2).
    (ii) Applicant has a plan to process and receive participant 
referrals.
    (iii) Applicant has a plan to assess and accommodate the needs of 
incoming participants.
    (3) Program concept. (i) Applicant's program concept, size, scope, 
and staffing plan are feasible.
    (ii) Applicant's program is designed to meet the needs of very low-
income veteran families occupying permanent housing.
    (4) Program implementation timeline. (i) Applicant's program will be 
implemented in a timely manner and supportive services will be delivered 
to participants as quickly as possible and within a specified timeline.
    (ii) Applicant has a hiring plan in place to meet the applicant's 
program timeline or has existing staff to meet such timeline.
    (5) Collaboration and communication with VA. Applicant has a plan to 
coordinate outreach and services with local VA facilities.
    (6) Ability to meet VA's requirements, goals and objectives for the 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Applicant is committed 
to ensuring that its program meets VA's requirements, goals and 
objectives for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program as 
identified in this part and the Notice of Fund Availability.
    (7) Capacity to undertake program. Applicant has sufficient 
capacity, including staff resources, to undertake the program.
    (c) VA will award up to 15 points based on the applicant's quality 
assurance and evaluation plan, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Program evaluation. (i) Applicant has created clear, realistic, 
and measurable goals that reflect the Supportive Services for Veteran 
Families Program's aim of reducing and preventing homelessness among 
very low-income veteran families against which the applicant's program 
performance can be evaluated.
    (ii) Applicant plans to continually assess the program.
    (2) Monitoring. (i) Applicant has adequate controls in place to 
regularly monitor the program, including any subcontractors, for 
compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
    (ii) Applicant has adequate financial and operational controls in 
place to ensure the proper use of supportive services grant funds.
    (iii) Applicant has a plan for ensuring that the applicant's staff 
and any subcontractors are appropriately trained and stays informed of 
industry trends and the requirements of this part.
    (3) Remediation. Applicant has a plan to establish a system to 
remediate non-compliant aspects of the program if and when they are 
identified.
    (4) Management and reporting. Applicant's program management team 
has the capability and a system in place to provide to VA timely and 
accurate reports at the frequency set by VA.
    (d) VA will award up to 15 points based on the applicant's financial 
capability and plan, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Organizational finances. Applicant, and any identified 
subcontractors, are financially stable.
    (2) Financial feasibility of program. (i) Applicant has a realistic 
plan for obtaining all funding required to operate the program for the 
time period of the supportive services grant.
    (ii) Applicant's program is cost-effective and can be effectively 
implemented on-budget.

[[Page 999]]

    (e) VA will award up to 10 points based on the applicant's area or 
community linkages and relations, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Area or community linkages. Applicant has a plan for developing 
or has existing linkages with Federal (including VA), State, local, and 
tribal government agencies, and private entities for the purposes of 
providing additional services to participants.
    (2) Past working relationships. Applicant (or applicant's staff), 
and any identified subcontractors (or subcontractors' staff), have 
fostered successful working relationships and linkages with public and 
private organizations providing services to veterans or very low-income 
families in need of services similar to the supportive services.
    (3) Local presence and knowledge. (i) Applicant has a presence in 
the area or community to be served by the applicant.
    (ii) Applicant understands the dynamics of the area or community to 
be served by the applicant.
    (4) Integration of linkages and program concept. Applicant's 
linkages to the area or community to be served by the applicant enhance 
the effectiveness of the applicant's program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9611, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.23  Selecting applicants to receive supportive services
grants.

    VA will use the following process to select applicants to receive 
supportive services grants:
    (a) VA will score all applicants that meet the threshold 
requirements set forth in Sec. 62.21 using the scoring criteria set 
forth in Sec. 62.22.
    (b) VA will group applicants within the applicable funding 
priorities if funding priorities are set forth in the Notice of Fund 
Availability.
    (c) VA will rank those applicants who receive at least the minimum 
amount of total points and points per category set forth in the Notice 
of Fund Availability, within their respective funding priority group, if 
any. The applicants will be ranked in order from highest to lowest 
scores, within their respective funding priority group, if any.
    (d) VA will use the applicant's ranking as the primary basis for 
selection for funding. However, VA will also use the following 
considerations to select applicants for funding:
    (1) VA will give preference to applicants that provide, or 
coordinate the provision of, supportive services for very low-income 
veteran families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing; 
and
    (2) To the extent practicable, VA will ensure that supportive 
services grants are equitably distributed across geographic regions, 
including rural communities and tribal lands.
    (e) Subject to paragraph (d) of this section, VA will fund the 
highest-ranked applicants for which funding is available, within the 
highest funding priority group, if any. If funding priorities have been 
established, to the extent funding is available and subject to paragraph 
(d) of this section, VA will select applicants in the next highest 
funding priority group based on their rank within that group.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.24  Scoring criteria for grantees applying for renewal
of supportive services grants.

    VA will use the following criteria to score grantees applying for 
renewal of a supportive services grant:
    (a) VA will award up to 55 points based on the success of the 
grantee's program, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) Participants made progress in achieving housing stability.
    (2) Participants were satisfied with the supportive services 
provided by the grantee.
    (3) The grantee implemented the program and delivered supportive 
services to participants in a timely manner.
    (4) The grantee prevented homelessness among very low-income veteran 
families occupying permanent housing that were most at risk of 
homelessness.
    (5) The grantee's program reduced homelessness among very low-income 
veteran families occupying permanent housing in the area or community 
served by the grantee.
    (b) VA will award up to 30 points based on the cost-effectiveness of 
the

[[Page 1000]]

grantee's program, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) The cost per participant household was reasonable.
    (2) The grantee's program was effectively implemented on-budget.
    (c) VA will award up to 15 points based on the extent to which the 
grantee's program complies with Supportive Services for Veteran Families 
Program goals and requirements, as demonstrated by the following:
    (1) The grantee's program was administered in accordance with VA's 
goals for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
    (2) The grantee's program was administered in accordance with all 
applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
    (3) The grantee's program was administered in accordance with the 
grantee's supportive services grant agreement.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.25  Selecting grantees for renewal of supportive services
grants.

    VA will use the following process to select grantees applying for 
renewal of supportive services grants:
    (a) So long as the grantee continues to meet the threshold 
requirements set forth in Sec. 62.21, VA will score the grantee using 
the scoring criteria set forth in Sec. 62.24.
    (b) VA will rank those grantees who receive at least the minimum 
amount of total points and points per category set forth in the Notice 
of Fund Availability. The grantees will be ranked in order from highest 
to lowest scores.
    (c) VA will use the grantee's ranking as the basis for selection for 
funding. VA will fund the highest-ranked grantees for which funding is 
available.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.30  Supportive service: Outreach services.

    (a) Grantees must provide outreach services and use their best 
efforts to ensure that hard-to-reach very low-income veteran families 
occupying permanent housing are found, engaged, and provided supportive 
services.
    (b) Outreach services must include active liaison with local VA 
facilities, State, local, tribal (if any), and private agencies and 
organizations providing supportive services to very low-income veteran 
families in the area or community to be served by the grantee.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.31  Supportive service: Case management services.

    Grantees must provide case management services that prioritize 
housing stability as the primary goal of SSVF services and include, at a 
minimum:
    (a) Performing a careful assessment of participant functions and 
developing and monitoring case plans in coordination with a formal 
assessment of supportive services needed, including necessary follow-up 
activities, to ensure that the participant's needs are adequately 
addressed;
    (b) Establishing linkages with appropriate agencies and service 
providers in the area or community to help participants obtain needed 
supportive services;
    (c) Providing referrals to participants and related activities (such 
as scheduling appointments for participants) to help participants obtain 
needed supportive services, such as medical, social, and educational 
assistance or other supportive services to address participants' 
identified needs and goals;
    (d) Deciding how resources are allocated to participants on the 
basis of need;
    (e) Educating participants on issues, including, but not limited to, 
supportive services availability and participant rights; and
    (f) Assisting participants in locating, obtaining, and retaining 
suitable permanent housing. Such activities may include: Identifying 
appropriate permanent housing and landlords willing to work with 
homeless veteran families; tenant counseling; mediation with landlords; 
and outreach to landlords.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9611, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.32  Supportive service: Assistance in obtaining VA benefits.

    (a) Grantees must assist participants in obtaining any benefits from 
VA for which the participants are eligible.

[[Page 1001]]

Such benefits include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Vocational and rehabilitation counseling;
    (2) Employment and training service;
    (3) Educational assistance; and
    (4) Health care services.
    (b) Grantees are not permitted to represent participants before VA 
with respect to a claim for VA benefits unless they are recognized for 
that purpose pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 5902. Employees and members of 
grantees are not permitted to provide such representation unless the 
individual providing representation is accredited pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 
chapter 59.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.33  Supportive service: Assistance in obtaining and 
coordinating other public benefits.

    Grantees must assist participants to obtain and coordinate the 
provision of other public benefits, including at a minimum those listed 
in paragraphs (a) through (i) below, that are being provided by Federal, 
State, local, or tribal agencies, or any eligible entity in the area or 
community served by the grantee by referring the participant to and 
coordinating with such entity. If a public benefit is not being provided 
by Federal, State, local, or tribal agencies, or any eligible entity in 
the area or community, the grantee is not required to obtain, 
coordinate, or provide such public benefit. Grantees may also elect to 
provide directly to participants the public benefits identified in 
paragraphs (c) through (i) below. When grantees directly provide such 
benefits, the grantees must comply with the same requirements as a third 
party provider of such benefits.
    (a) Health care services, which include:
    (1) Health insurance; and
    (2) Referral to a governmental or eligible entity that provides any 
of the following services:
    (i) Hospital care, nursing home care, out-patient care, mental 
health care, preventive care, habilitative and rehabilitative care, case 
management, respite care, and home care;
    (ii) The training of any very low-income veteran family member in 
the care of any very low-income veteran family member; and
    (iii) The provision of pharmaceuticals, supplies, equipment, 
devices, appliances, and assistive technology.
    (b) Daily living services, which may consist of the referral of a 
participant, as appropriate, to an entity that provides services 
relating to the functions or tasks for self-care usually performed in 
the normal course of a day, including, but not limited to, eating, 
bathing, grooming, dressing, and home management activities.
    (c) Personal financial planning services, which include, at a 
minimum, providing recommendations regarding day-to-day finances and 
achieving long-term budgeting and financial goals. SSVF funds may pay 
for credit counseling and other services necessary to assist 
participants with critical skills related to household budgeting, 
managing money, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving 
credit problems.
    (d) Transportation services. (1) The grantee may provide temporary 
transportation services directly to participants if the grantee 
determines such assistance is necessary; however, the preferred method 
of direct provision of transportation services is the provision of 
tokens, vouchers, or other appropriate instruments so that participants 
may use available public transportation options.
    (2) If public transportation options are not sufficient within an 
area or community, costs related to the lease of vehicle(s) may be 
included in a supportive services grant application if the applicant or 
grantee, as applicable, agrees that:
    (i) The vehicle(s) will be safe, accessible, and equipped to meet 
the needs of the participants;
    (ii) The vehicle(s) will be maintained in accordance with the 
manufacturer's recommendations; and
    (iii) All transportation personnel (employees and subcontractors) 
will be trained in managing any special needs of participants and 
handling emergency situations.
    (3) The grantee may make payments on behalf of a participant needing 
car repairs or maintenance required to operate the vehicle if the 
payment will

[[Page 1002]]

allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent 
housing, subject to the following:
    (i) Payments for car repairs or maintenance on behalf of the 
participant may not exceed $1,200 during a 3-year period, such period 
beginning on the date the grantee first pays for any car repairs or 
maintenance on behalf of the participant.
    (ii) Payments for car repairs or maintenance must be reasonable and 
must be paid by the grantee directly to the third party that repairs or 
maintains the car.
    (iii) Grantees may require participants to share in the cost of car 
repairs or maintenance as a condition of receiving assistance with car 
repairs or maintenance.
    (e) Income support services, which may consist of providing 
assistance in obtaining other Federal, State, tribal and local 
assistance, in the form of, but not limited to, mental health benefits, 
employment counseling, medical assistance, veterans' benefits, and 
income support assistance.
    (f) Fiduciary and representative payee services, which may consist 
of acting on behalf of a participant by receiving the participant's 
paychecks, benefits or other income, and using those funds for the 
current and foreseeable needs of the participant and saving any 
remaining funds for the participant's future use in an interest bearing 
account or saving bonds.
    (g) Legal services, including court filing fees, to assist a 
participant with issues that interfere with the participant's ability to 
obtain or retain permanent housing or supportive services, including 
issues that affect the participant's employability and financial 
security (such as the lack of a driver's license). However, SSVF funds 
may not be used to pay for court-ordered judgments or fines, pursuant to 
Sec. 62.38.
    (h) Child care for children under the age of 13, unless disabled. 
Disabled children must be under the age of 18. Child care includes the:
    (1) Referral of a participant, as appropriate, to an eligible child 
care provider that provides child care with sufficient hours of 
operation and serves appropriate ages, as needed by the participant; and
    (2) Payment by a grantee on behalf of a participant for child care 
by an eligible child care provider.
    (i) Payments for child care services must be paid by the grantee 
directly to an eligible child care provider and cannot exceed a maximum 
of 6 months in a 12-month period, and 10 months during a 2-year period, 
such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for child 
care services on behalf of the participant. For extremely low-income 
veteran families, payments for child care services on behalf of that 
participant cannot exceed 9 months in a 12-month period and 12 months 
during a 2-year period, such period beginning on the date that the 
grantee first pays for child care services on behalf of the participant.
    (iii) Payments for child care services cannot be provided on behalf 
of participants for the same period of time and for the same cost types 
that are being provided through another Federal, State or local subsidy 
program.
    (iv) As a condition of providing payments for child care services, 
the grantee must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to 
address the participant's future ability to pay for child care services. 
Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing 
any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any 
necessary public or private benefits or services.
    (i) Housing counseling, which includes the provision of counseling 
relating to the stabilization of a participant's residence in permanent 
housing. At a minimum, housing counseling includes providing referrals 
to appropriate local, tribal, State, and Federal resources, and 
providing counseling, education and outreach directly to participants on 
the following topics, as appropriate:
    (1) Housing search assistance, including the location of vacant 
units, the scheduling of appointments, viewing apartments, reviewing 
tenant leases, and negotiating with landlords on behalf of a 
participant;
    (2) Rental and rent subsidy programs;
    (3) Federal, State, tribal, or local assistance;
    (4) Fair housing;
    (5) Landlord tenant laws;

[[Page 1003]]

    (6) Lease terms;
    (7) Rent delinquency;
    (8) Resolution or prevention of mortgage delinquency, including, but 
not limited to, default and foreclosure, loss mitigation, budgeting, and 
credit; and
    (9) Home maintenance and financial management.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9611, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.34  Other supportive services.

    Grantees may provide the following services which are necessary for 
maintaining independent living in permanent housing and housing 
stability:
    (a) Rental assistance. Payment of rent, penalties or fees to help 
the participant remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent housing.
    (1) A participant may receive rental assistance for a maximum of 10 
months during a 2-year period (consecutive or nonconsecutive), such 
period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays rent on behalf 
of the participant; however, a participant cannot receive rental 
assistance for more than 6 months in any 12-month period beginning on 
the date that the grantee first pays rent on behalf of the participant. 
For extremely low-income veteran families, payments for rent cannot 
exceed 9 months in any 12-month period and 12 months during a 2-year 
period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays 
rent on behalf of the participant. The rental assistance may be for 
rental payments that are currently due or are in arrears, and for the 
payment of penalties or fees incurred by a participant and required to 
be paid by the participant under an existing lease or court order. In 
all instances, rental assistance may only be provided if the payment of 
such rental assistance will directly allow the participant to remain in 
permanent housing or obtain permanent housing.
    (2) Rental assistance must be paid by the grantee directly to the 
third party to whom rent is owed.
    (3) As a condition of providing rental assistance, the grantee must 
help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the 
participant's future ability to pay rent. Grantees must assist the 
participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance 
or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private 
benefits or services.
    (4) The rental assistance paid by a grantee must be in compliance 
with the following ``rent reasonableness'' standard. ``Rent 
reasonableness'' means the total rent charged for a unit must be 
reasonable in relation to the rents being charged during the same time 
period for comparable units in the private unassisted market and must 
not be in excess of rents being charged by the property owner during the 
same time period for comparable non-luxury unassisted units. To make 
this determination, the grantee should consider:
    (i) The location, quality, size, type, and age of the unit; and
    (ii) Any amenities, housing services, maintenance, and utilities to 
be provided by the property owner. Comparable rents can be checked by 
using a market study, by reviewing comparable units advertised for rent, 
or using a note from the property owner verifying the comparability of 
charged rents to other units owned by the property owner. Prior to 
providing rental assistance in the form of payment of penalties or fees 
incurred by a participant, the grantee must determine that such 
penalties or fees are reasonable.
    (5) With respect to shared housing arrangements, the rent charged 
for a participant must be in relation to the size of the private space 
for that participant in comparison to other private space in the shared 
unit, excluding common space. A participant may be assigned a pro rata 
portion based on the ratio derived by dividing the number of bedrooms in 
their private space by the number of bedrooms in the unit. Participation 
in shared housing arrangements must be voluntary.
    (6) Rental assistance payments cannot be provided on behalf of 
participants for the same period of time and for the same cost types 
that are being provided through another Federal, State, or local housing 
subsidy program.
    (7) Grantees may require participants to share in the cost of rent 
as a condition of receiving rental assistance.

[[Page 1004]]

    (b) Utility-fee payment assistance. Payment of utility fees to help 
the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent 
housing.
    (1) A participant may receive payments for utilities for a maximum 
of 10 months during a 2-year period, such period beginning on the date 
that the grantee first pays utility fees on behalf of the participant; 
provided, however, that a participant cannot receive payments for 
utilities for more than 6 months in any 12-month period beginning on the 
date that the grantee first pays a utility payment on behalf of the 
participant. For extremely low-income veteran families, payments for 
utilities cannot exceed 9 months in any 12-month period and 12 months 
during a 2-year period, such periods beginning on the date that the 
grantee first pays a utility payment on behalf of the participant. The 
payment for utilities may be for utility payments that are currently due 
or are in arrears, provided that the payment of such utilities will 
allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent 
housing.
    (2) Payments for utilities must be paid by the grantee directly to a 
utility company. Payments for utilities only will be available if a 
participant, a legal representative of the participant, or a member of 
his/her household, has an account in his/her name with a utility company 
or proof of responsibility to make utility payments, such as cancelled 
checks or receipts in his/her name from a utility company.
    (3) As a condition of providing payments for utilities, the grantee 
must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the 
participant's future ability to pay utility payments. Grantees must 
assist the participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary 
assistance or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or 
private benefits or services.
    (4) Payments for utilities cannot be provided on behalf of 
participants for the same period of time and for the same cost types 
that are being provided through another Federal, State, or local 
program.
    (5) Grantees may require participants to share in the cost of 
utility payments as a condition of receiving payments for utilities.
    (c) Deposits. Payment of security deposits or utility deposits to 
help the participant remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent 
housing.
    (1) A participant may receive assistance with the payment of a 
security deposit a maximum of one time in every 2-year period, such 
period beginning on the date the grantee pays a security deposit on 
behalf of a participant.
    (2) A participant may receive assistance with the payment of a 
utility deposit a maximum of one time in every 2-year period, such 
period beginning on the date the grantee pays a utility deposit on 
behalf of a participant.
    (3) Any security deposit or utility deposit must be paid by the 
grantee directly to the third party to whom the security deposit or 
utility deposit is owed. The payment of such deposit must allow the 
participant to remain in the participant's existing permanent housing or 
help the participant to obtain and remain in permanent housing selected 
by the participant.
    (4) As a condition of providing a security deposit payment or a 
utility deposit payment, the grantee must help the participant develop a 
reasonable plan to address the participant's future housing stability. 
Grantees must assist the participant to implement such plan by providing 
any necessary assistance or helping the participant to obtain any 
necessary public or private benefits or services.
    (5) Security deposits and utility deposits covering the same period 
of time in which assistance is being provided through another housing 
subsidy program are eligible, as long as they cover separate cost types.
    (6) Grantees may require participants to share in the cost of the 
security deposit or utility deposit as a condition of receiving 
assistance with such deposit.
    (d) Moving costs. Payment of moving costs to help the participant to 
obtain permanent housing.
    (1) A participant may receive assistance with moving costs a maximum 
of one time in every 3-year period, such

[[Page 1005]]

period beginning on the date the grantee pays moving costs on behalf of 
a participant.
    (2) Moving costs assistance must be paid by the grantee directly to 
a third party. Moving costs assistance includes reasonable moving costs, 
such as truck rental, hiring a moving company, or short-term storage 
fees for a maximum of 3 months or until the participant is in permanent 
housing, whichever is shorter.
    (3) As a condition of providing moving costs assistance, the grantee 
must help the participant develop a reasonable plan to address the 
participant's future housing stability. Grantees must assist the 
participant to implement such plan by providing any necessary assistance 
or helping the participant to obtain any necessary public or private 
benefits or services.
    (4) Moving costs assistance payments cannot be provided on behalf of 
participants for the same period of time and for the same cost types 
that are being provided through another Federal, State, or local 
program.
    (5) Grantees may require participants to share in the cost of moving 
as a condition of receiving assistance with moving costs.
    (e) General housing stability assistance. (1) A grantee may provide 
to a participant items necessary for a participant's life or safety on a 
temporary basis, in order to address a participant's emergency 
situation.
    (2) A grantee may pay directly to a third party (and not to a 
participant), in an amount not to exceed $1,500 per participant during 
any 2-year period, beginning on the date that the grantee first submits 
a payment to a third party, the following types of expenses:
    (i) Expenses associated with gaining or keeping employment, such as 
obtaining uniforms, tools, certifications, and licenses.
    (ii) Expenses associated with moving into permanent housing, such as 
obtaining basic kitchen utensils, bedding, and other supplies.
    (iii) Expenses necessary for securing appropriate permanent housing, 
such as fees for housing applications, housing inspections, or 
background checks.
    (3) A grantee may pay directly to a third party (and not to a 
participant) a reasonable amount for a broker's fee when such a third 
party has assisted in identifying permanent housing. The reasonableness 
of a fee will be determined based on conditions in the local housing 
market.
    (f) Emergency housing assistance. If permanent housing, appropriate 
shelter beds and transitional housing are not available and subsequent 
rental housing has been identified generally but is not immediately 
available for move-in by the participant, then a grantee may place a 
participant in emergency housing, subject to the following limitations:
    (1) Placement for a single veteran may not exceed 72 hours, unless 
the grantee can certify that appropriate shelter beds and transitional 
housing are still unavailable at the end of the 72 hour period.
    (2) Placement for a veteran and his or her spouse with dependent(s) 
may not exceed 45 days.
    (3) A participant may be placed in emergency housing only once 
during any 2-year period, beginning on the date that the grantee first 
pays for emergency housing on behalf of the participant.
    (4) Permanent housing will be available before the end of the period 
during which the participant is placed in emergency housing.
    (5) The cost of the emergency housing must be reasonable in relation 
to the costs charged for other available emergency housing considering 
the location, quality, size, and type of the emergency housing.
    (g) Other. Other services as set forth in the Notice of Fund 
Availability or as approved by VA that are consistent with the 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Applicants may propose 
additional services in their supportive services grant application, and 
grantees may propose additional services by submitting a written request 
to modify the supportive services grant in accordance with Sec. 62.60.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9611, Feb. 24, 2015]

[[Page 1006]]



Sec. 62.35  Limitations on and continuations of the provision of 
supportive services to certain participants.

    (a) Extremely low-income veteran families. A participant classified 
as an extremely low-income veteran family will retain that designation 
as long as the participant continues to meet all other eligibility 
requirements.
    (b) Limitations on the provision of supportive services to 
participants classified under Sec. 62.11(c). (1) A grantee may provide 
supportive services to a participant classified under Sec. 62.11(c) 
until the earlier of the following dates:
    (i) The participant commences receipt of other housing services 
adequate to meet the participant's needs; or
    (ii) Ninety days from the date the participant exits permanent 
housing.
    (2) Supportive services provided to participants classified under 
Sec. 62.11(c) must be designed to support the participants in their 
choice to transition into housing that is responsive to their individual 
needs and preferences.
    (c) Continuation of supportive services to veteran family member(s). 
If a veteran becomes absent from a household or dies while other members 
of the veteran family are receiving supportive services, then such 
supportive services must continue for a grace period following the 
absence or death of the veteran. The grantee must establish a reasonable 
grace period for continued participation by the veteran's family 
member(s), but that period may not exceed 1 year from the date of 
absence or death of the veteran, subject to the requirements of 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. The grantee must notify the 
veteran's family member(s) of the duration of the grace period.
    (d) Referral for other assistance. If a participant becomes 
ineligible to receive supportive services under this section, the 
grantee must provide the participant with information on other available 
programs or resources.
    (e) Families fleeing domestic violence. Notwithstanding the 
limitations in Sec. 62.34 concerning the maximum amount of assistance a 
family can receive during defined periods of time, a household may 
receive additional assistance if it otherwise qualifies for assistance 
under this Part and is fleeing from a domestic violence situation. A 
family may qualify for assistance even if the veteran is the aggressor 
or perpetrator of the domestic violence. Receipt of assistance under 
this provision resets the tolling period for the limitations on the 
maximum amount of support that can be provided in a given amount of time 
under Sec. 62.34.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9612, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.36  General operation requirements.

    (a) Eligibility documentation. Prior to providing supportive 
services, grantees must verify and document each participant's 
eligibility for supportive services and classify the participant under 
one of the categories set forth in Sec. 62.11. Grantees must recertify 
the participant's eligibility as a very low-income veteran family at 
least once every 3 months.
    (b) Confidentiality. Grantees must maintain the confidentiality of 
records kept on participants. Grantees that provide family violence 
prevention or treatment services must establish and implement procedures 
to ensure the confidentiality of:
    (1) Records pertaining to any individual provided services, and
    (2) The address or location where the services are provided.
    (c) Notifications to participants. (1) Prior to initially providing 
supportive services to a participant, the grantee must notify each 
participant of the following:
    (i) The supportive services are being paid for, in whole or in part, 
by VA;
    (ii) The supportive services available to the participant through 
the grantee's program; and
    (iii) Any conditions or restrictions on the receipt of supportive 
services by the participant.
    (2) The grantee must provide each participant with a satisfaction 
survey which can be submitted by the participant directly to VA, within 
45 to 60 days of the participant's entry into the grantee's program and 
again within 30 days of such participant's pending exit from the 
grantee's program.

[[Page 1007]]

    (d) Assessment of funds. Grantees must regularly assess how 
supportive services grant funds can be used in conjunction with other 
available funds and services to assist participants.
    (e) Administration of supportive services grants. Grantees must 
ensure that supportive services grants are administered in accordance 
with the requirements of this part, the supportive services grant 
agreement, and other applicable laws and regulations. Grantees are 
responsible for ensuring that any subcontractors carry out activities in 
compliance with this part.
    (f) Habitability standards. (1) Grantees using supportive services 
grant funds to provide rental assistance, payments of utilities fees, 
security deposits, or utilities deposits, as set forth under Sec. 62.34, 
on behalf of a participant moving into a new (different) housing unit 
will be required to conduct initial and any appropriate follow-up 
inspections of the housing unit into which the participant will be 
moving. Such inspections shall ensure that the housing unit meets the 
conditions set forth in 24 CFR 583.300(b) and do not require the use of 
a certified inspector. Inspections should occur no later than three (3) 
working days after the housing unit has been identified to the SSVF 
grantee, unless the Alternative Inspection Method is used to meet the 
requirements of this paragraph.
    (2) Alternative inspection method. An inspection of a property will 
be valid for purposes of this paragraph if:
    (i) The inspection was conducted pursuant to the requirements of a 
Federal, State, or local housing program (including, but not limited to, 
the Home investment partnership program under title II of the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act or the low-income housing tax 
credit program under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986);
    (ii) If the inspection was not conducted pursuant to the 
requirements of a Federal housing program, the public housing agency has 
certified to the Secretary that such standard or requirement provides 
the same (or greater) protection to occupants of inspected dwelling 
units;
    (iii) Pursuant to the inspection, the property was determined to 
meet the requirements regarding housing quality or safety applicable to 
properties assisted under such program; and
    (iv) The inspection was conducted within the past 2 years.
    (g) Continuum of Care coordinated assessment. Grantees must 
participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing operations 
of their local Continuum of Care's coordinated assessment system, or 
equivalent, as described in the McKinney-Vento Act, as amended by the 
HEARTH Act (42 U.S.C. 11302).

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0757)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9612, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.37  Fee prohibition.

    Grantees must not charge a fee to very low-income veteran families 
for providing supportive services that are funded with amounts from a 
supportive services grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.38  Ineligible activities.

    Notwithstanding any other section in this part, grantees are not 
authorized to use supportive services grant funds to pay for the 
following:
    (a) Mortgage costs or costs needed by homeowners to assist with any 
fees, taxes, or other costs of refinancing.
    (b) Construction or rehabilitation of buildings.
    (c) Home care and home health aides typically used to provide care 
in support of daily living activities. This includes care that is 
focused on treatment for an injury or illness, rehabilitation, or other 
assistance generally required to assist those with handicaps or other 
physical limitations.
    (d) Credit card bills or other consumer debt.
    (e) Medical or dental care and medicines.
    (f) Direct cash assistance to participants.
    (g) Court-ordered judgments or fines, except for those supported 
under Sec. 62.34(a)(1).
    (h) Pet care.

[[Page 1008]]

    (i) Entertainment activities.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[80 FR 9613, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.40  Notice of Fund Availability.

    When funds are available for supportive services grants, VA will 
publish a Notice of Fund Availability in the Federal Register. The 
notice will identify:
    (a) The location for obtaining supportive services grant 
applications;
    (b) The date, time, and place for submitting completed supportive 
services grant applications;
    (c) The estimated amount and type of supportive services grant 
funding available;
    (d) Any priorities for or exclusions from funding to meet the 
statutory mandates of 38 U.S.C. 2044 and VA goals for the Supportive 
Services for Veteran Families Program;
    (e) The length of term for the supportive services grant award;
    (f) The minimum number of total points and points per category that 
an applicant or grantee, as applicable, must receive in order for a 
supportive services grant to be funded;
    (g) Any maximum uses of supportive services grant funds for specific 
supportive services;
    (h) The timeframes and manner for payments under the supportive 
services grant; and
    (i) Other information necessary for the supportive services grant 
application process as determined by VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.50  Supportive services grant agreements.

    (a) After an applicant is selected for a supportive services grant 
in accordance with Sec. 62.23, VA will draft a supportive services grant 
agreement to be executed by VA and the applicant. Upon execution of the 
supportive services grant agreement, VA will obligate supportive 
services grant funds to cover the amount of the approved supportive 
services grant, subject to the availability of funding. The supportive 
services grant agreement will provide that the grantee agrees, and will 
ensure that each subcontractor agrees, to:
    (1) Operate the program in accordance with the provisions of this 
part and the applicant's supportive services grant application;
    (2) Comply with such other terms and conditions, including 
recordkeeping and reports for program monitoring and evaluation 
purposes, as VA may establish for purposes of carrying out the 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, in an effective and 
efficient manner; and
    (3) Provide such additional information as deemed appropriate by VA.
    (b) After a grantee is selected for renewal of a supportive services 
grant in accordance with Sec. 62.25, VA will draft a supportive services 
grant agreement to be executed by VA and the grantee. Upon execution of 
the supportive services grant agreement, VA will obligate supportive 
services grant funds to cover the amount of the approved supportive 
services grant, subject to the availability of funding. The supportive 
services grant agreement will contain the same provisions described in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) No funds provided under this part may be used to replace 
Federal, State, tribal, or local funds previously used, or designated 
for use, to assist very low-income veteran families.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.51  Payments under the supportive services grant.

    Grantees are to be paid in accordance with the timeframes and manner 
set forth in the Notice of Fund Availability.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.60  Program or budget changes and corrective action plans.

    (a) A grantee must submit to VA a written request to modify a 
supportive services grant for any proposed significant change that will 
alter the supportive services grant program. If VA approves such change, 
VA will issue a written amendment to the supportive services grant 
agreement. A grantee must receive VA's approval prior to implementing a 
significant change. Significant changes include, but are not limited to, 
a change in the grantee or any subcontractors identified in the

[[Page 1009]]

supportive services grant agreement; a change in the area or community 
served by the grantee; additions or deletions of supportive services 
provided by the grantee; a change in category of participants to be 
served; and a change in budget line items that are more than 10 percent 
of the total supportive services grant award.
    (1) VA's approval of changes is contingent upon the grantee's 
amended application retaining a high enough rank to have been 
competitively selected for funding in the year that the application was 
granted.
    (2) Each supportive services grant modification request must contain 
a description of the revised proposed use of supportive services grant 
funds.
    (b) VA may require that the grantee initiate, develop and submit to 
VA for approval a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) if, on a quarterly basis, 
actual supportive services grant expenditures vary from the amount 
disbursed to a grantee for that same quarter or actual supportive 
services grant activities vary from the grantee's program description 
provided in the supportive services grant agreement.
    (1) The CAP must identify the expenditure or activity source that 
has caused the deviation, describe the reason(s) for the variance, 
provide specific proposed corrective action(s), and provide a timetable 
for accomplishment of the corrective action.
    (2) After receipt of the CAP, VA will send a letter to the grantee 
indicating that the CAP is approved or disapproved. If disapproved, VA 
will make beneficial suggestions to improve the proposed CAP and request 
resubmission, or take other actions in accordance with this part.
    (c) Grantees must inform VA in writing of any key personnel changes 
(e.g., new executive director, supportive services grant program 
director, or chief financial officer) and grantee address changes within 
30 days of the change.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0757)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 9613, Feb. 24, 2015]



Sec. 62.61  Procedural error.

    If an applicant would have been selected but for a procedural error 
committed by VA, VA may select that applicant for funding when 
sufficient funds become available if there is no material change in the 
information that would have resulted in the applicant's selection. A new 
application will not be required for this purpose.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.62  Religious organizations.

    (a) Organizations that are religious or faith-based are eligible, on 
the same basis as any other organization, to participate in the 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program under this part. 
Decisions about awards of Federal financial assistance must be free from 
political interference or even the appearance of such interference and 
must be made on the basis of merit, not on the basis of religion or 
religious belief or lack thereof.
    (b)(1) No organization may use direct financial assistance from VA 
under this part to pay for any of the following:
    (i) Explicitly religious activities, such as religious worship, 
instruction, or proselytization; or
    (ii) Equipment or supplies to be used for any of those activities.
    (2) For purposes of this section, ``indirect financial assistance'' 
means Federal assistance in which a service provider receives program 
funds through a voucher, certificate, agreement, or other form of 
disbursement, as a result of the independent and private choices of 
individual beneficiaries. ``Direct financial assistance'' means that VA 
or an intermediary as defined in 38 CFR 50.1(d) selects the provider and 
either purchases services from that provider (e.g., via a contract) or 
awards funds to that provider to carry out a service (e.g., via grant or 
cooperative agreement). Financial assistance shall be treated as direct, 
unless it meets the definition of indirect financial assistance in this 
paragraph.
    (c) Organizations that engage in explicitly religious activities, 
such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization, must offer 
those services separately in time or location from any

[[Page 1010]]

programs or services funded with direct financial assistance from VA 
under this part, and participation in any of the organization's 
explicitly religious activities must be voluntary for the beneficiaries 
of a program or service funded by direct financial assistance from VA 
under this part.
    (d) A religious organization that participates in the Supportive 
Services for Veteran Families Program under this part will retain its 
independence from Federal, State, or local governments and may continue 
to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and 
expression of its religious beliefs, provided that it does not use 
direct financial assistance from VA under this part to support any 
explicitly religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, 
or proselytization. Among other things, faith-based organizations may 
use space in their facilities to provide VA-funded services under this 
part, without removing religious art, icons, scripture, or other 
religious symbols. In addition, a VA-funded religious organization 
retains its authority over its internal government, and it may retain 
religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members and 
otherwise govern itself on a religious basis, and include religious 
reference in its organization's mission statement and other governing 
documents.
    (e) An organization that participates in a VA program under this 
part must not, in providing direct program assistance, discriminate 
against a program beneficiary or a prospective program beneficiary 
regarding supportive services, financial assistance, or technical 
assistance, on the basis of religion or religious belief.
    (f) If a State or local government voluntarily contributes its own 
funds to supplement federally funded activities, the State or local 
government has the option to segregate the Federal funds or commingle 
them. However, if the funds are commingled, this provision applies to 
all of the commingled funds.
    (g) To the extent otherwise permitted by Federal law, the 
restrictions on explicitly religious activities set forth in this 
section do not apply where VA funds are provided to religious 
organizations through indirect assistance as a result of a genuine and 
independent private choice of a beneficiary, provided the religious 
organizations otherwise satisfy the requirements of this part. A 
religious organization may receive such funds as the result of a 
beneficiary's genuine and independent choice if, for example, a 
beneficiary redeems a voucher, coupon, or certificate, allowing the 
beneficiary to direct where funds are to be paid, or a similar funding 
mechanism provided to that beneficiary and designed to give that 
beneficiary a choice among providers.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 19426, Apr. 4, 2016]



Sec. 62.63  Visits to monitor operations and compliance.

    (a) VA has the right, at all reasonable times, to make visits to all 
grantee locations where a grantee is using supportive services grant 
funds in order to review grantee accomplishments and management control 
systems and to provide such technical assistance as may be required. VA 
may conduct inspections of all program locations and records of a 
grantee at such times as are deemed necessary to determine compliance 
with the provisions of this part. In the event that a grantee delivers 
services in a participant's home, or at a location away from the 
grantee's place of business, VA may accompany the grantee. If the 
grantee's visit is to the participant's home, VA will only accompany the 
grantee with the consent of the participant. If any visit is made by VA 
on the premises of the grantee or a subcontractor under the supportive 
services grant, the grantee must provide, and must require its 
subcontractors to provide, all reasonable facilities and assistance for 
the safety and convenience of the VA representatives in the performance 
of their duties. All visits and evaluations will be performed in such a 
manner as will not unduly delay services.
    (b) The authority to inspect carries with it no authority over the 
management or control of any applicant or grantee under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[[Page 1011]]



Sec. 62.70  Financial management and administrative costs.

    (a) Grantees must comply with applicable requirements of the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for 
Federal Awards under 2 CFR part 200.
    (b) Grantees must use a financial management system that provides 
adequate fiscal control and accounting records and meets the 
requirements set forth in 2 CFR part 200.
    (c) Payment up to the amount specified in the supportive services 
grant must be made only for allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs 
in conducting the work under the supportive services grant. The 
determination of allowable costs must be made in accordance with the 
applicable Federal Cost Principles set forth in 2 CFR part 200.
    (d) Grantees are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements 
for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, 
Hospitals and other Non-Profit Organizations, codified at 38 CFR Part 
49.
    (e) Costs for administration by a grantee must not exceed 10 percent 
of the total amount of the supportive services grant. Administrative 
costs will consist of all direct and indirect costs associated with the 
management of the program. These costs will include the administrative 
costs, both direct and indirect, of subcontractors.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)

[75 FR 68979, Nov. 10, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 62.71  Grantee reporting requirements.

    (a) VA may require grantees to provide, in such form as may be 
prescribed, such reports or answers in writing to specific questions, 
surveys, or questionnaires as VA determines necessary to carry out the 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
    (b) If, on a quarterly basis, actual supportive services grant 
expenditures vary from the amount disbursed to a grantee for that same 
quarter or actual supportive services grant activities vary from the 
grantee's program description provided in the supportive services grant 
agreement, grantees must report the deviation to VA.

    Note to paragraph (b): For information on corrective action plans, 
which may be required in this circumstance, see Sec. 62.60.

    (c) At least once per year, or at the frequency set by VA, each 
grantee must submit to VA a report containing information relating to 
operational effectiveness, fiscal responsibility, supportive services 
grant agreement compliance, and legal and regulatory compliance, 
including a description of the use of supportive services grant funds, 
the number of participants assisted, the types of supportive services 
provided, and any other information that VA may request.
    (d) Grantees must relate financial data to performance data and 
develop unit cost information whenever practical.
    (e) All pages of the reports must cite the assigned supportive 
services grant number and be submitted in a timely manner.
    (f) Grantees must provide VA with consent to post information from 
reports on the Internet and use such information in other ways deemed 
appropriate by VA. Grantees shall clearly mark information that is 
confidential to individual participants.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.72  Recordkeeping.

    Grantees must ensure that records are maintained for at least a 3-
year period to document compliance with this part. Grantees must produce 
such records at VA's request.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.73  Technical assistance.

    VA will provide technical assistance, as necessary, to eligible 
entities to meet the requirements of this part. Such technical 
assistance will be provided either directly by VA or through grants or 
contracts with appropriate public or non-profit private entities.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044, 2064)

[[Page 1012]]



Sec. 62.80  Withholding, suspension, deobligation, termination,
and recovery of funds by VA.

    (a) Recovery of funds. VA will recover from the grantee any 
supportive services grant funds that are not used in accordance with the 
requirements of this part. VA will issue to the grantee a notice of 
intent to recover supportive services grant funds. The grantee will then 
have 30 days to submit documentation demonstrating why the supportive 
services grant funds should not be recovered. After review of all 
submitted documentation, VA will determine whether action will be taken 
to recover the supportive services grant funds.
    (b) VA actions when grantee fails to comply. When a grantee fails to 
comply with the terms, conditions, or standards of the supportive 
services grant, VA may, on 7-days notice to the grantee, withhold 
further payment, suspend the supportive services grant, or prohibit the 
grantee from incurring additional obligations of supportive services 
grant funds, pending corrective action by the grantee or a decision to 
terminate in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. VA will 
allow all necessary and proper costs that the grantee could not 
reasonably avoid during a period of suspension if such costs meet the 
provisions of the applicable Federal Cost Principles.
    (c) Termination. Supportive services grants may be terminated in 
whole or in part only if paragraphs (c)(1), (2), or (3) of this section 
apply.
    (1) By VA, if a grantee materially fails to comply with the terms 
and conditions of a supportive services grant award and this part.
    (2) By VA with the consent of the grantee, in which case VA and the 
grantee will agree upon the termination conditions, including the 
effective date and, in the case of partial termination, the portion to 
be terminated.
    (3) By the grantee upon sending to VA written notification setting 
forth the reasons for such termination, the effective date, and, in the 
case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated. However, if 
VA determines in the case of partial termination that the reduced or 
modified portion of the supportive services grant will not accomplish 
the purposes for which the supportive services grant was made, VA may 
terminate the supportive services grant in its entirety under either 
paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this section.
    (d) Deobligation of funds. (1) VA may deobligate all or a portion of 
the amounts approved for use by a grantee if:
    (i) The activity for which funding was approved is not provided in 
accordance with the approved application and the requirements of this 
part;
    (ii) Such amounts have not been expended within a 1-year period from 
the date of the signing of the supportive services grant agreement;
    (iii) Other circumstances set forth in the supportive services grant 
agreement authorize or require deobligation.
    (2) At its discretion, VA may re-advertise in a Notice of Fund 
Availability the availability of funds that have been deobligated under 
this section or award deobligated funds to applicants who previously 
submitted applications in response to the most recently published Notice 
of Fund Availability.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



Sec. 62.81  Supportive services grant closeout procedures.

    Supportive services grants will be closed out in accordance with the 
following procedures upon the date of completion:
    (a) No later than 90 days after the date of completion, the grantee 
must refund to VA any unobligated (unencumbered) balance of supportive 
services grant funds that are not authorized by VA to be retained by the 
grantee.
    (b) No later than 90 days after the date of completion, the grantee 
must submit all financial, performance and other reports required by VA 
to closeout the supportive services grant. VA may authorize extensions 
when requested by the grantee.
    (c) If a final audit has not been completed prior to the date of 
completion, VA retains the right to recover an appropriate amount after 
considering the recommendations on disallowed costs

[[Page 1013]]

once the final audit has been completed.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)



PART 63_HEALTH CARE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS (HCHV) PROGRAM--
Table of Contents



Sec.
63.1  Purpose and scope.
63.2  Definitions.
63.3  Eligible veterans.
63.10  Selection of non-VA community-based providers.
63.15  Duties of, and standards applicable to, non-VA community-based 
          providers.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2031, and as noted in specific sections.

    Source: 76 FR 52578, Aug. 23, 2011, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 63.1  Purpose and scope.

    This part implements the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) 
program. This program provides per diem payments to non-VA community-
based facilities that provide housing, outreach services, case 
management services, and rehabilitative services, and may provide care 
and/or treatment to all eligible homeless veterans.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2031(a)(2))

[80 FR 24821, May 1, 2015]



Sec. 63.2  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this part:
    Case management means arranging, coordinating, or providing direct 
clinical services and support; referring and providing linkage to VA and 
non-VA resources, providing crisis management services and monitoring; 
and intervening and advocating on behalf of veterans to support 
transportation, credit, legal, and other needs.
    Clinician means a physician, physician assistant, nurse 
practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other independent licensed 
practitioner.
    Homeless has the meaning given that term in paragraphs (1) through 
(3) of the definition of homeless in 24 CFR 576.2.
    Non-VA community-based provider means a facility in a community that 
provides temporary, short-term housing (generally up to 6 months) for 
the homeless, as well as community outreach, case management, and 
rehabilitative services, and, as needed, basic mental health services.
    Participant means an eligible veteran under Sec. 63.3 for whom VA is 
paying per diem to a non-VA community-based provider.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2002, 2031)

[76 FR 52578, Aug. 23, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 24821, May 1, 2015]



Sec. 63.3  Eligible veterans.

    (a) Eligibility. In order to serve as the basis for a per diem 
payment through the HCHV program, a veteran served by the non-VA 
community-based provider must be:
    (1) Enrolled in the VA health care system, or eligible for VA health 
care under 38 CFR 17.36 or 17.37; and
    (2) Homeless.
    (b) Priority veterans. In allocating HCHV program resources, VA will 
give priority to veterans, in the following order, who:
    (1) Are new to the VA health care system as a result of VA outreach 
efforts, and to those referred to VA by community agencies that 
primarily serve the homeless population, such as shelters, homeless day 
centers, and soup kitchens.
    (2) Have service-connected disabilities.
    (3) All other veterans.
    (c) VA will refer a veteran to a non-VA community-based provider 
after VA determines the veteran's eligibility and priority.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2031)

[76 FR 52578, Aug. 23, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 24821, May 1, 2015]



Sec. 63.10  Selection of non-VA community-based providers.

    (a) Who can apply. VA may award per diem contracts to non-VA 
community-based providers who provide temporary residential assistance 
homeless persons, including but not limited to persons with serious 
mental illness, and who can provide the specific services and meet the 
standards identified in Sec. 63.15 and elsewhere in this part.
    (b) Awarding contracts. Contracts for services authorized under this 
section will be awarded in accordance with applicable VA and Federal 
procurement

[[Page 1014]]

procedures in 48 CFR chapters 1 and 8. Such contracts will be awarded 
only after the quality, effectiveness and safety of the applicant's 
program and facilities have been ascertained to VA's satisfaction, and 
then only to applicants determined by VA to meet the requirements of 
this part.
    (c) Per diem rates and duration of contract periods. (1) Per diem 
rates are to be negotiated as a contract term between VA and the non-VA 
community-based provider; however, the negotiated rate must be based on 
local community needs, standards, and practices.
    (2) Contracts with non-VA community-based providers will establish 
the length of time for which VA may pay per diem based on an individual 
veteran; however, VA will not authorize the payment of per diem for an 
individual veteran for a period of more than 6 months absent 
extraordinary circumstances.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2031)

[76 FR 52578, Aug. 23, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 24821, May 1, 2015]



Sec. 63.15  Duties of, and standards applicable to, non-VA community
-based providers.

    A non-VA community-based provider must meet all of the standards and 
provide the appropriate services identified in this section, as well as 
any additional requirements set forth in a specific contract.
    (a) Facility safety requirements. The facility must meet all 
applicable safety requirements set forth in 38 CFR 17.81(a).
    (b) Treatment plans, therapeutic/rehabilitative services, and case 
management. Individualized treatment plans are to be developed through a 
joint effort of the veteran, non-VA community-based provider staff, and 
VA clinical staff. Therapeutic and rehabilitative services, as well as 
case management and outreach services, must be provided by the non-VA 
community-based provider as described in the treatment plan. In some 
cases, VA may complement the non-VA community-based provider's program 
with added treatment or other services, such as participation in VA 
outpatient programs or counseling. In addition to case management 
services, for example, to coordinate or address relevant issues related 
to a veteran's homelessness and health as identified in the individual 
treatment plan, services provided by the non-VA community-based provider 
should generally include, as appropriate:
    (1) Structured group activities such as group therapy, social skills 
training, self-help group meetings, or peer counseling.
    (2) Professional counseling, including counseling on self-care 
skills, adaptive coping skills, and, as appropriate, vocational 
rehabilitation counseling, in collaboration with VA programs and 
community resources.
    (c) Quality of life, room and board. (1) The non-VA community-based 
provider must provide residential room and board in an environment that 
promotes a lifestyle free of substance abuse.
    (2) The environment must be conducive to social interaction, 
supportive of recovery models and the fullest development of the 
resident's rehabilitative potential.
    (3) Residents must be assisted in maintaining an acceptable level of 
personal hygiene and grooming.
    (4) Residential programs must provide laundry facilities.
    (5) VA will give preference to facilities located close to public 
transportation and/or areas that provide employment.
    (6) The program must promote community interaction, as demonstrated 
by the nature of scheduled activities or by information about resident 
involvement with community activities, volunteers, and local consumer 
services.
    (7) Adequate meals must be provided in a setting that encourages 
social interaction; nutritious snacks between meals and before bedtime 
must be available.
    (d) Staffing. The non-VA community-based provider must employ 
sufficient professional staff and other personnel to carry out the 
policies and procedures of the program. There will be at a minimum, an 
employee on duty on the premises, or residing at the program and 
available for emergencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff 
interaction with residents should convey an attitude of genuine concern 
and caring.
    (e) Inspections. (1) VA must be permitted to conduct an initial 
inspection

[[Page 1015]]

prior to the award of the contract and follow-up inspections of the non-
VA community-based provider's facility and records. At inspections, the 
non-VA community-based provider must make available the documentation 
described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (2) If problems are identified as a result of an inspection, VA will 
establish a plan of correction and schedule a follow-up inspection to 
ensure that the problems are corrected. Contracts will not be awarded or 
renewed until noted deficiencies have been eliminated to the 
satisfaction of the inspector.
    (3) Non-VA community-based providers must keep sufficient 
documentation to support a finding that they comply with this section, 
including accurate records of participants' lengths of stay, and these 
records must be made available at all VA inspections.
    (4) Inspections under this section may be conducted without prior 
notice.
    (f) Rights of veteran participants. The non-VA community-based 
provider must comply with all applicable patients' rights provisions set 
forth in 38 CFR 17.33.
    (g) Services and supplies. VA per diem payments under this part will 
include the services specified in the contract and any other services or 
supplies normally provided without extra charge to other participants in 
the non-VA community-based provider's program.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirement in this section under control number 2900-0091)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2031)

[76 FR 52578, Aug. 23, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 24821, May 1, 2015]



PART 64_GRANTS FOR THE RURAL VETERANS COORDINATION PILOT (RVCP)
--Table of Contents



Sec.
64.0  Purpose and scope.
64.2  Definitions.
64.4  RVCP grants--general.
64.6  Permissible uses of RVCP grants.
64.8  Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).
64.10  Application.
64.12  Scoring and selection.
64.14  RVCP grant agreement.
64.16  Reporting.
64.18  Recovery of funds.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note.

    Source: 78 FR 12619, Feb. 25, 2013, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 64.0  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Purpose. The Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP) program 
implements the requirements of section 506 of the Caregivers and 
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 to provide grants to 
community-based organizations and local and State government entities to 
assist veterans who are transitioning from military service to civilian 
life in rural or underserved communities and families of such veterans.
    (b) Scope. This part applies only to the administration of the RVCP, 
unless specifically provided otherwise.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



Sec. 64.2  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part and any Notice of Funds Availability 
issued under this part:
    Applicant means an eligible entity that submits an application for 
an RVCP grant as announced in a Notice of Funds Availability.
    Community-based organization means a group that represents a 
community or a significant segment of a community and is engaged in 
meeting community needs.
    Eligible entity means a community-based organization or local or 
State government entity. An eligible entity will be identified as the 
legal entity whose employer identification number is on the Application 
for Federal Assistance (SF 424), even if only a particular component of 
the broader entity is applying for the RVCP grant.
    Grantee means recipient of an RVCP grant.
    Limited access to health care means residing in an area identified 
by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services as ``medically underserved'' or 
having a ``medically underserved population.''
    Local government means a county, municipality, city, town, township, 
or regional government or its components.

[[Page 1016]]

    Minority group member means an individual who is Asian American; 
Black; Hispanic; Native American (including American Indian, Alaskan 
Native, and Native Hawaiian); or Pacific-Islander American.
    Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) means a Notice published by VA 
in the Federal Register alerting eligible entities of the availability 
of RVCP grants and containing important information about the RVCP grant 
application process in accordance with Sec. 64.8.
    Participant means a veteran or a member of a veteran's family who 
receives services for which an RVCP grant is awarded.
    Rural means an area classified as ``rural'' by the U.S. Census 
Bureau.
    Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP) refers to the pilot grant 
program authorized by section 506 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
Health Services Act of 2010.
    State government means any of the fifty States of the United States, 
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory 
or possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of 
a State government.
    Underserved communities are areas that meet one or more of the 
following criteria:
    (1) Have a high proportion of minority group representation;
    (2) Have a high proportion of individuals who have limited access to 
health care; or
    (3) Have no active duty military installation that is reasonably 
accessible to the community.
    VA means the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Veteran means a person who served in active military, naval, or air 
service, who was discharged or released under conditions other than 
dishonorable.
    Veteran who is transitioning from military service to civilian life 
means a veteran who is separating from active military, naval, or air 
service in the Armed Forces to return to life as a civilian and such 
veteran's date of discharge or release from active military, naval, or 
air service was not more than 2 years prior to the date on which the 
RVCP grant was awarded.
    Veteran's family means those individuals who reside with the veteran 
in the veteran's primary residence. These individuals include a parent, 
a spouse, a child, a step-family member, an extended family member, and 
individuals who reside in the home with the veteran but are not a member 
of the family of the veteran.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



Sec. 64.4  RVCP grants--general.

    (a) VA will award five RVCP grants to eligible entities as defined 
in Sec. 64.2.
    (b) An eligible entity may receive only one RVCP grant, and only one 
RVCP grant will be awarded in any one pilot project location (see 
Sec. 64.12(a)(6)).
    (c) RVCP grants will be awarded for a maximum period of 2 years, 
beginning on the date on which the RVCP grants are awarded. They will 
not be extended or renewable.
    (d) A grantee will not be required to provide matching funds as a 
condition of receiving an RVCP grant.
    (e) No participant will be charged a fee for services provided by 
the grantee or be required to participate in other activities sponsored 
by the grantee as a condition of receiving services for which the RVCP 
grant is made.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



Sec. 64.6  Permissible uses of RVCP grants.

    (a) Grantees must maximize the use of RVCP grants by ensuring that 
at least 90 percent of funds awarded are used to provide services 
designed to aid in the adjustment to civilian life in one or more of the 
following areas:
    (1) Increasing coordination of health care and benefits for 
veterans. Examples include, but are not limited to, identifying sources 
of community, local, State, and Federal health care and benefits; 
obtaining necessary applications and assisting veterans in the 
preparation of applications for such care and benefits; and identifying 
and eliminating barriers to receiving identified benefits.
    (2) Increasing availability of high quality medical and mental 
health services. Examples include, but are not limited to, increasing 
availability of or access to insurance or low- or no-cost public

[[Page 1017]]

or private health care, including out-patient care, preventive care, 
hospital care, nursing home care, rehabilitative care, case management, 
respite care, and home care; providing assistance in accessing or using 
telehealth services; transporting veterans to medical facilities or 
transporting medical or mental health providers to veterans; and 
providing assistance in obtaining necessary pharmaceuticals, supplies, 
equipment, devices, appliances, and assistive technology.
    (3) Providing assistance to families of transitioning veterans. 
Examples include, but are not limited to, helping obtain medical 
insurance for family members; helping the family obtain suitable 
housing; providing job-search assistance or removing barriers for family 
members seeking employment; assisting the family in identifying and 
applying to appropriate schools and/or child care programs; securing 
learning aids such as textbooks, computers and laboratory supplies; and 
obtaining personal financial and legal services.
    (4) Outreach to veterans and families. Examples include, but are not 
limited to, the provision, development or deployment of various media 
tools (e.g., Internet, television, radio, flyers, posters, etc.), 
activity days, program booths, or other strategies to reach 
transitioning veterans and their families in the target community and 
assist them with their transition from military service to civilian 
life. Outreach services may be provided directly by the RVCP grantee or 
the grantee may engage the outreach services of another entity using 
RVCP funds.
    (b) Grantees may use up to 10 percent of the RVCP grant for indirect 
costs, i.e., the expenses of doing business that are not readily 
identified with a particular grant but are necessary for the general 
operation of the grantee organization and the conduct of activities it 
performs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



Sec. 64.8  Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).

    When funds are available for RVCP grants, VA will publish a NOFA in 
the Federal Register and in Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). The NOFA 
will identify:
    (a) The location for obtaining RVCP grant applications, including 
the specific forms that will be required;
    (b) The date, time, and place for submitting completed RVCP grant 
applications;
    (c) The estimated total amount of funds available and the maximum 
funds available to a single grantee;
    (d) The minimum number of total points and points per category that 
an applicant must receive to be considered for a grant and information 
regarding the scoring process;
    (e) Any timeframes and manner for payments under the RVCP grant; and
    (f) Other information necessary for the RVCP grant application 
process, as determined by VA, including contact information for the 
office that will oversee the RVCP within VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



Sec. 64.10  Application.

    (a) To apply for an RVCP grant, eligible entities must submit to VA 
a complete application package. Applications will be accepted only 
through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov).
    (b) A complete RVCP grant application package includes the 
following:
    (1) A description of the services to be provided and which of the 
permissible uses for RVCP grants outlined in Sec. 64.6(a) the services 
are intended to fulfill.
    (2) A description, with supporting documentation, of the need for 
the proposed project in the proposed location, including an estimate, 
with supporting documentation, of the number of veterans and families 
that will be provided services by the applicant.
    (3) A description, with supporting documentation, of how the 
proposed project location qualifies as a rural or an underserved 
community, as defined in this part.
    (4) Documentation evidencing the applicant's experience in providing 
the proposed services, particularly to veterans and their families.
    (5) Evidence of a clear, realistic, and measurable program of self-
evaluation and monitoring, including a documented commitment to 
remediate any identified noncompliance.

[[Page 1018]]

    (6) Documentation of the ability of the applicant to administer the 
project, including plans to:
    (i) Continuously assess and adapt to the needs of participants for 
services under the RVCP grant;
    (ii) Coordinate and customize the provision of services to the 
identified needs of the participants;
    (iii) Comply with and implement the requirements of this part 
throughout the term of the RVCP grant; and
    (iv) Complete and submit timely reports of RVCP grant activities.
    (7) A description of any assistance received from or any 
consultations with VA or Veterans Service Organizations in the 
development of the proposal being submitted.
    (8) Any additional information deemed appropriate by VA and set 
forth in the NOFA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)
    (The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control numbers 4040-0003, 
4040-0004, 4040-0006, 4040-0007, 4040-0008, 4040-0009, and 4040-0010.)



Sec. 64.12  Scoring and selection.

    (a) Scoring. VA will score only complete applications received from 
eligible entities by the established deadline. Applications will be 
scored using the following criteria:
    (1) Background, organizational history, qualifications, and past 
performance (maximum 10 points). Applicant documents a relevant history 
of successfully providing the type of services proposed in the RVCP 
grant application, particularly in the location it plans to serve and/or 
to veterans and their families.
    (2) Need for pilot project (maximum 10 points). Applicant 
demonstrates the need for the pilot project among veterans and their 
families in the proposed project location, and provides evidence of the 
applicant's understanding of the unique needs of veterans and their 
families in the location to be served.
    (3) Pilot project concept, innovation, and ability to meet VA's 
objectives (maximum 40 points). Application shows appropriate concept, 
size, and scope of the project; provides realistic estimates of time, 
staffing, and material needs to implement the project; and details the 
project's ability to enhance the overall services provided, while 
presenting realistic plans to reduce duplication of benefits and 
services already in place. Application must describe a comprehensive and 
well-developed plan to meet one or more of the permissible uses set out 
in Sec. 64.6.
    (4) Pilot project evaluation and monitoring (maximum 10 points). 
Self-evaluation and monitoring strategy provided in application is 
reasonable and expected to meet requirements of Sec. 64.10(b)(5).
    (5) Organizational finances (maximum 10 points). Applicant provides 
documentation that it is financially stable, has not defaulted on 
financial obligations, has adequate financial and operational controls 
in place to assure the proper use of RVCP grants, and presents a plan 
for using RVCP grants that is cost effective and efficient.
    (6) Pilot project location (maximum 20 points). Applicant documents 
how the proposed project location meets the definition of rural or 
underserved communities in this part.
    (b) Selection of grantees. All complete applications will be scored 
using the criteria in paragraph (a) and ranked in order from highest to 
lowest total score. VA will rank all applications that receive at least 
the minimum number of points indicated in the NOFA. VA will award one 
RVCP grant to the highest scoring application. VA will award RVCP grants 
to each successive application, ranked by total score, provided the 
applicant has not been awarded an RVCP grant for a higher scoring 
application and the proposed project is not in the same project location 
as any previously awarded RVCP grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



Sec. 64.14  RVCP grant agreement.

    (a) VA will draft an RVCP grant agreement to be executed by VA and 
the grantee.
    (b) The RVCP grant agreement will provide that the grantee agrees 
to:
    (1) Operate the project in accordance with this part and the terms 
of the agreement;

[[Page 1019]]

    (2) Abide by the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards under 2 CFR part 
200, and 2 CFR parts 25 and 170, if applicable.
    (3) Comply with such other terms and conditions, including 
recordkeeping and reports for project monitoring and evaluation 
purposes, as VA may establish for purposes of carrying out the RVCP in 
an effective and efficient manner and as described in the NOFA; and
    (4) Provide any necessary additional information that is requested 
by VA in the manner and timeframe specified by VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)

[78 FR 12619, Feb. 25, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 43323, July 22, 2015]



Sec. 64.16  Reporting.

    (a) Quarterly reports. All grantees must submit to VA quarterly 
reports based on the Federal fiscal year, which include the following 
information:
    (1) Record of time and resources expended in outreach activities, 
and the methods used;
    (2) The number of participants served, including demographics of 
this population;
    (3) Types of assistance provided;
    (4) A full accounting of RVCP grant funds received from VA and used 
or unused during the quarter; and
    (5) Results of routine monitoring and any project variations.
    (b) Submission of reports. Reports must be submitted to VA no later 
than 15 calendar days after the close of each Federal fiscal quarter.
    (c) Additional reports. VA may request additional reports to allow 
VA to fully assess project accountability and effectiveness.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



Sec. 64.18  Recovery of funds.

    (a) Recovery of funds. VA may terminate a grant agreement with any 
RVCP grantee that does not comply with the terms of the RVCP agreement. 
VA may recover from the grantee any funds that are not used in 
accordance with a RVCP grant agreement. If VA decides to recover funds, 
VA will issue to the grantee a notice of intent to recover RVCP grant 
funds, and the grantee will then have 30 days beginning from the date of 
the notice to submit documentation demonstrating why the RVCP grant 
funds should not be recovered. If the RVCP grantee does not respond or 
if the grantee responds but VA determines the documentation is 
insufficient to establish compliance, VA will make a final determination 
as to whether action to recover the RVCP grant funds will be taken.
    (b) Prohibition of further grants. When VA determines action will be 
taken to recover grant funds from a grantee, the grantee will be 
prohibited from receiving any further RVCP grant funds for the duration 
of the pilot program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 523 note)



PART 70_VETERANS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS--Table of Contents



 Subpart A_Beneficiary Travel and Special Mode Transportation Under 38 
                               U.S.C. 111

Sec.
70.1  Purpose and scope.
70.2  Definitions.
70.3  Determination of Secretary.
70.4  Criteria for approval.
70.10  Eligible persons.
70.20  Application.
70.21  Where to apply.
70.30  Payment principles.
70.31  Deductibles.
70.32  Reimbursement or prior payment.
70.40  Administrative procedures.
70.41  Recovery of payments.
70.42  False statements.
70.50  Reduced fare requests.

     Subpart B_Veterans Transportation Service Under 38 U.S.C. 111A

70.70  Purpose and definitions.
70.71  Eligibility.
70.72  Types of transportation.
70.73  Arranging transportation services.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 111A, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 
1782, 1783, and E.O. 11302, 31 FR 11741, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 578, 
unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 73 FR 36798, June 30, 2008, unless otherwise noted.

[[Page 1020]]



 Subpart A_Beneficiary Travel and Special Mode Transportation Under 38 
                               U.S.C. 111



Sec. 70.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) This part provides a mechanism under 38 U.S.C. 111 for the 
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to make payments for travel 
expenses incurred in the United States to help veterans and other 
persons obtain care or services from VHA.
    (b) This part does not cover payment for emergency transportation of 
veterans for non-service-connected conditions in non-VA facilities when 
the payment for transportation is covered by Secs. 17.1000 through 
17.1008 of this chapter, as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1725.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.2  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    Attendant means an individual traveling with a beneficiary who is 
eligible for beneficiary travel and requires the aid and/or physical 
assistance of another person.
    Beneficiary means a person determined eligible for VHA benefits.
    Claimant means a veteran who received services (or his/her guardian) 
or the hospital, clinic, or community resource that provided the 
services, or the person other than the veteran who paid for the 
services.
    Clinician means a Physician, Physician Assistant (PA), Nurse 
Practitioner (NP), Psychologist, or other independent licensed 
practitioner.
    Emergency treatment means treatment for a condition of such a nature 
that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in 
seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or 
health (this standard would be met if there were an emergency medical 
condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity 
(including severe pain) that a prudent layperson who possesses an 
average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the 
absence of immediate medical attention to result in placing the health 
of the individual in serious jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily 
functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part).
    Irregular discharge means the release of a competent patient from a 
VA or VA-authorized hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care due to: 
refusal, neglect or obstruction of examination or treatment; leaving 
without the approval of the treating health care clinician; or 
disorderly conduct and discharge is the appropriate disciplinary action.
    Special mode of transportation means an ambulance, ambulette, air 
ambulance, wheelchair van, or other mode of transportation specially 
designed to transport disabled persons (this would not include a mode of 
transportation not specifically designed to transport disabled persons, 
such as a bus, subway, taxi, train, or airplane). A modified, privately-
owned vehicle, with special adaptive equipment and/or capable of 
transporting disabled persons is not a special mode of transportation 
for the purposes of this part.
    United States means each of the several States, Territories, and 
possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
    VA means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    VA-authorized health care facility means a non-VA health care 
facility where VA has approved care for an eligible beneficiary at VA 
expense.
    VA facility means VA Medical Center (VAMC), VA Outpatient Clinic 
(OPC), or VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).
    VHA means the Veterans Health Administration, a principal unit 
within VA.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.3  Determination of Secretary.

    For each fiscal year, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will 
determine whether funds are available for paying expenses of VHA 
beneficiary travel under 38 U.S.C. 111. If the Secretary determines that 
funds are available for such

[[Page 1021]]

purpose, VA will make payment for expenses of such travel in accordance 
with the provisions of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.4  Criteria for approval.

    (a) VA will approve payment for beneficiary travel under this part 
if:
    (1) The travel was made to obtain care or services for a person who 
is eligible for beneficiary travel payments under Sec. 70.10,
    (2) The travel was in connection with care or services for which 
such person was eligible under the laws administered by VA,
    (3) Application was made in accordance with Sec. 70.20,
    (4) All of the requirements of this part for payment are met, and
    (5) Any failure to obtain the care or services was due to actions by 
officials of VA or persons acting on behalf of VA.
    (b) When a claimant requests payment for beneficiary travel after 
the provision of care or services and the travel did not include a 
special mode of transportation, VA will approve round-trip payment under 
this part only if the travel was:
    (1) In connection with care or services that were scheduled with VHA 
prior to arrival at the VHA-designated facility, or
    (2) For emergency treatment.
    (c) When a claimant requests payment for beneficiary travel for care 
or services that were not scheduled with VHA prior to arrival at the 
facility and were not emergency treatment and the travel did not include 
a special mode of transportation, VA will not approve round-trip payment 
under this part but will approve payment for the return trip if VHA 
actually provided care or services.
    (d) Except as provided in Sec. 70.32 concerning reimbursement or 
prior payment, when payment for beneficiary travel is requested for 
travel that includes a special mode of transportation, VA will approve 
payment under this part if:
    (1) The travel is medically required,
    (2) The beneficiary is unable to defray the cost of such 
transportation, and
    (3) VHA approved the travel prior to travel in the special mode of 
transportation or the travel was undertaken in connection with a medical 
emergency.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.10  Eligible persons.

    (a) The following listed persons are eligible for beneficiary travel 
payments under this part:
    (1) A veteran who travels to or from a VA facility or VA-authorized 
health care facility in connection with treatment or care for a service-
connected disability (regardless of percent of disability).
    (2) A veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30 
percent or more who travels to or from a VA facility or VA-authorized 
health care facility for examination, treatment, or care for any 
condition.
    (3) A veteran who travels to a VA facility or VA-authorized health 
care facility for a scheduled compensation and pension examination.
    (4) A veteran receiving pension under 38 U.S.C. 1521, who travels to 
or from a VA facility or VA-authorized health care facility for 
examination, treatment, or care.
    (5) A veteran whose annual income (as determined under 38 U.S.C. 
1503) does not exceed the maximum annual rate of pension that the 
veteran would receive under 38 U.S.C. 1521 (as adjusted under 38 U.S.C. 
5312) if the veteran was eligible for pension and travels to or from a 
VA facility or VA-authorized health care facility for examination, 
treatment, or care.
    (6) A veteran who travels to or from a VA facility or VA-authorized 
health care facility for examination, treatment, or care, and who is 
unable to defray the expenses of that travel as defined in paragraph (c) 
of this section.
    (7) A member of a veteran's immediate family, a veteran's legal 
guardian, or a person in whose household the veteran certifies an 
intention to live, if such person is traveling for consultation, 
professional counseling, training, or mental health services concerning 
a veteran who is receiving care for a service-connected disability; or a 
member of a veteran's immediate family, if

[[Page 1022]]

such person is traveling for bereavement counseling relating to the 
death of such veteran in the active military, naval, or air service in 
the line of duty and under circumstances not due to the veteran's own 
misconduct.
    (8) An attendant other than a VA employee, who is accompanying and 
assisting a beneficiary eligible for beneficiary travel payments under 
this section, when such beneficiary is medically determined to require 
the presence of the attendant because of a physical or mental condition.
    (9) Beneficiaries of other Federal agencies, incident to medical 
services rendered upon requests of those agencies, subject to 
reimbursement agreement by those agencies.
    (10) Allied beneficiaries as defined by 38 U.S.C. 109 subject to 
reimbursement agreement by the government concerned.
    (b) For purposes of this section, the term ``examination, treatment, 
or care'' means the care or services provided under the Medical Benefits 
Package in Sec. 17.38 of this chapter.
    (c) For purposes of this section, a beneficiary shall be considered 
unable to defray the expenses of travel if the beneficiary:
    (1) Has an income for the year (as defined under 38 U.S.C. 1503) 
immediately preceding the application for beneficiary travel that does 
not exceed the maximum annual rate of pension that the beneficiary would 
receive under 38 U.S.C. 1521 (as adjusted under 38 U.S.C. 5312) if the 
beneficiary were eligible for pension during that year; or
    (2) Is able to demonstrate that due to circumstances such as loss of 
employment, or incurrence of a disability, his or her income in the year 
of travel will not exceed the maximum annual rate of pension that the 
beneficiary would receive under 38 U.S.C. 1521 (as adjusted under 38 
U.S.C. 5312) if the beneficiary were eligible for pension; or
    (3) Has a service-connected disability rated at least 30 percent; or
    (4) Is traveling in connection with treatment of a service-connected 
disability.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)

[73 FR 36798, June 30, 2008, as amended at 73 FR 50723, Aug. 28, 2008]



Sec. 70.20  Application.

    (a) A claimant may apply for beneficiary travel orally or in writing 
but must provide VA the receipt for each expense other than for mileage.
    (b) A claimant must apply for payment of beneficiary travel within 
30 calendar days after completing beneficiary travel that does not 
include a special mode of transportation.
    (c) For beneficiary travel that includes a special mode of 
transportation, a claimant must apply for payment of beneficiary travel 
and obtain approval from VA prior to the travel; however, if the travel 
included a special mode of transportation and the claimant without prior 
approval applies for payment of the beneficiary travel within 30 
calendar days after the travel is completed, the application will be 
considered timely submitted if the travel was for emergency treatment.
    (d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, for travel 
that includes meals and/or lodging, a claimant must apply for and 
receive approval prior to obtaining the meals and/or lodging in order to 
receive payment in accordance with Sec. 70.30(a)(3) for the meals and/or 
lodging.
    (e) If VA determines that additional information is needed to make a 
determination concerning an application under this part, VA will notify 
the claimant in writing of the deficiency and request additional 
information. If the claimant has not responded to the request within 30 
days, VA may decide the claim prior to the expiration of the 1-year 
submission period required by 38 U.S.C. 5103(b)(1) based on all the 
information contained in the file, including any information it has 
obtained on behalf of the claimant. If VA does so, however, and the 
claimant subsequently provides the information within 1 year of the date 
of the request, VA must readjudicate the claim.
    (f) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, if a person 
becomes eligible for payment of beneficiary travel after the travel 
takes place, payment may be made if the person applies for travel 
benefits within 30 days of the date when the person became eligible for 
travel benefits.

[[Page 1023]]

    (g) The date of an application for beneficiary travel is the 
postmark date, if mailed; or the date of submission if hand delivered, 
provided by electronic means, or provided orally.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0080)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.21  Where to apply.

    Claimants for beneficiary travel must submit the information 
required in Sec. 70.20 to the Chief of the Business Office or other 
designee at the VA medical facility responsible for the medical care or 
services being provided and for which travel is required.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.30  Payment principles.

    (a) Subject to the other provisions of this section and subject to 
the deductibles required under Sec. 70.31, VA will pay the following for 
beneficiary travel by an eligible beneficiary when travel expenses are 
actually incurred:
    (1) The per mile rate established by the Secretary for the period of 
travel for use of privately owned vehicle or the actual cost for use of 
the most economical common carrier (bus, train, taxi, airplane, etc.), 
for travel to and from VA or VA-authorized health care subject to the 
following:
    (i) Travel by a privately owned vehicle for a compensation and 
pension examination that is solely for the convenience of the Government 
(e.g., repeat a laboratory test, redo a poor quality x-ray) may have a 
different per mile rate if deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
    (ii) Per mile payment for use of privately owned vehicle may not 
exceed the cost of such travel by public transportation (even if it is 
for the convenience of the government) unless determined to be medically 
necessary.
    (iii) Payment for a common carrier may not exceed the amount allowed 
for a privately owned vehicle unless travel by a privately owned vehicle 
is not reasonably accessible or travel by a common carrier is determined 
to be medically necessary.
    (iv) As required by law, each time the Federal government makes a 
change in mileage rates payable under 5 U.S.C. 5702 and 5704 for Federal 
employee travel by privately owned vehicle, but not less frequently than 
annually, the Secretary shall conduct an investigation of the actual 
costs of travel, including lodging and subsistence. In conducting the 
investigation, the Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the 
General Services Administration, the Secretary of Transportation, the 
Comptroller General of the United States, and veterans' service 
organizations. As part of the investigation, the Secretary shall review 
and consider various factors including vehicle depreciation, State and 
Federal vehicle taxes and the costs of gasoline, oil, maintenance, 
accessories, parts, tires, and insurance. However, to the extent that 
the Administrator of General Services has, within a reasonable period of 
time, conducted an investigation of travel costs that included the 
factors described in this paragraph, the Secretary may consider that 
investigation in lieu of conducting a separate investigation with 
respect to the findings of those individual factors. The Secretary is 
not obligated to accept or rely on any conclusions of the 
Administrator's investigation. Based on the investigation required by 
this subsection, VA shall determine whether there is a need to change 
the mileage rates payable under paragraph (a) of this section. If a 
determination is made that a change is warranted the new rate(s) will be 
published in the notices section of the Federal Register. Current 
rate(s) can be found at http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/
pubs/BeneficiaryTravel/BeneficiaryTravel.pdf or by contacting the 
Beneficiary Travel office at the closest VA health care facility.
    (2) The actual cost of ferry fares, bridge tolls, road tolls, and 
tunnel tolls (supported by receipts for such expenses as required by 
Sec. 70.20(a)).
    (3) The actual cost for meals, lodging, or both, not to exceed 50 
percent of the amount allowed for government employees under 5 U.S.C. 
5702, when VA determines that an overnight stay is

[[Page 1024]]

required. Factors VA may consider in making that determination include, 
but are not limited to the following:
    (i) The distance the veteran must travel.
    (ii) The time of day when VA scheduled the veteran's appointment.
    (iii) The weather conditions or congestion conditions affecting the 
travel.
    (iv) The veteran's medical condition and its impact on the ability 
to travel.
    (4) The actual cost of a special mode of transportation.
    (b) Payments under this section are subject to the following:
    (1) Except as otherwise allowed under this section, payment is 
limited to travel from the beneficiary's residence to the nearest VA 
facility where the care or services could be provided and from such VA 
facility to the beneficiary's residence.
    (2) Payment may be made for travel from the beneficiary's residence 
to the nearest non-VA facility where the care or services could be 
provided and from such facility to the beneficiary's residence if VA 
determines that it is necessary to obtain the care or services at a non-
VA facility.
    (3) Payment may be made for travel from or to a place where the 
beneficiary is staying (if the beneficiary is not staying at the 
beneficiary's residence) but the payment may not exceed the amount that 
would be payable for travel under paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this 
section, as applicable.
    (4) If the beneficiary's residence changed while receiving care or 
services, payment for the return trip will be for travel to the new 
residence, except that payment may not exceed the amount that would be 
allowed from the facility where the care or services could have been 
provided that is nearest to the new residence (for example, if during a 
period of care or services in Baltimore, a beneficiary changed his or 
her address from Baltimore to Detroit, payment for the return trip would 
be limited to that allowed for traveling to the new residence from the 
nearest facility to the new residence in Detroit where the care or 
services could have been provided).
    (5) If the beneficiary is in a terminal condition at a VA facility 
or other facility under VA auspices and travels to a non-VA medical 
facility for the purpose of being nearer to his or her residence, 
payment may be made for travel to the medical facility receiving the 
beneficiary for such purpose.
    (6) Payment may be made for travel from a non-VA health care 
facility where the beneficiary is receiving care or services to the 
nearest VA facility where the appropriate care or services could be 
provided.
    (7) Payment will not be made for return travel for a beneficiary 
receiving an irregular discharge.
    (8) On a case-by-case basis, payment for travel may be paid for any 
distance if it is financially favorable to the government (for example, 
payment for travel could be allowed to a more distant nursing home when 
admission to that nursing home is a prerequisite to qualify for 
community assistance that would more than offset the additional travel 
payment).
    (c) Payment for travel of an attendant under this section will be 
calculated on the same basis as for the beneficiary.
    (d) For shared travel in a privately-owned vehicle, payments are 
limited to the amount for one beneficiary (for example, if a beneficiary 
and an attendant travel in the same automobile or if two beneficiaries 
travel in the same automobile, the amount for mileage will be limited to 
the amount for one beneficiary).
    (e) Beneficiary travel will not be paid under the following 
circumstances:
    (1) The payment of the travel allowance would be counterproductive 
to the therapy being provided and such determination is recorded in the 
patient's medical records, and
    (2) The chief of the service or a designee reviewed and approved the 
determination by signature in the patient's medical record.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.31  Deductibles.

    (a) VA shall deduct an amount established by the Secretary for each 
one-way trip from the amount otherwise payable under this part for such 
one-way trip, except that:

[[Page 1025]]

    (1) VA shall not deduct any amounts in a calendar month after the 
completion of six one-way trips for which deductions were made in such 
calendar month, and
    (2) Whenever the Secretary adjusts the mileage rates as a result of 
the investigation described in Sec. 70.30(a)(1)(iv), the Secretary 
shall, effective on the date such mileage rate change should occur, 
adjust proportionally the deductible amount in effect at the time of the 
adjustment. If a determination is made that a change is warranted, the 
new deductible(s) will be published in the notice section of the Federal 
Register. Current deductible(s) can be found at http://www.va.gov/
healtheligibility/Library/pubs/BeneficiaryTravel/BeneficiaryTravel.pdf 
or by contacting the Beneficiary Travel office at the closest VA health 
care facility.
    (b) The provisions under this section for making deductions shall 
not apply to:
    (1) Travel that includes travel by a special mode of transportation,
    (2) Travel to a VA facility for a scheduled compensation and pension 
examination, and
    (3) Travel by a non-veteran.
    (c) VA shall waive the deductible under this section when it would 
cause the beneficiary severe financial hardship. For purposes of this 
section, severe financial hardship occurs if the beneficiary:
    (1) Is in receipt of a VA pension;
    (2) Has income for the year prior to the year in which application 
is made pursuant to Sec. 70.20 that does not exceed the household income 
threshold determined under 38 U.S.C. 1722(a) (the current income 
thresholds can be found at http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/
pubs/VAIncomeThresholds/VAIncomeThresholds.pdf); or
    (3) Has circumstances in the year the application is made pursuant 
to Sec. 70.20 that cause his or her projected income not to exceed the 
household income threshold determined under 38 U.S.C. 1722(a).
    (d) Waivers granted under this section are valid:
    (1) Through the end of the calendar year of the application made 
pursuant to Sec. 70.20; or
    (2) Until there is a change in the beneficiary's household income 
during the calendar year of the application made pursuant to Sec. 70.20 
that results in the beneficiary no longer meeting the terms of paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (e) A beneficiary granted a waiver under this section must promptly 
inform VA of any household income status change during the waiver period 
that results in the beneficiary no longer meeting the terms of paragraph 
(c) of this section.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0091)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.32  Reimbursement or prior payment.

    (a) Payment will be made on a reimbursement basis after the travel 
has occurred, except that:
    (1) Upon completion of examination, treatment, or care, payment may 
be made before the return travel has occurred, and
    (2) In the case of travel by a person to or from a VA facility by 
special mode of transportation, VA may provide payment for beneficiary 
travel to the provider of the transportation before determining 
eligibility of such person for such payment if VA determines that the 
travel is for emergency treatment and the beneficiary or other person 
made a claim that the beneficiary is eligible for payment for the 
travel.
    (b) Payment under this part will be made to the beneficiary, except 
that VA may make a beneficiary travel payment under this part to a 
person or organization other than the beneficiary upon satisfactory 
evidence that the person or organization actually provided or paid for 
the travel.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.40  Administrative procedures.

    Upon denial of an initial claim for beneficiary travel, VA will 
provide the claimant written notice of the decision and advise the 
claimant of reconsideration and appeal rights. A claimant

[[Page 1026]]

who disagrees with the initial decision denying the claim for 
beneficiary travel, in whole or in part, may obtain reconsideration 
under Sec. 17.133 of this chapter and may file an appeal to the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals under parts 19 and 20 of this chapter. An appeal may 
be made directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals without requesting 
reconsideration.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.41  Recovery of payments.

    Payments for beneficiary travel made to persons ineligible for such 
payment are subject to recapture under applicable law, including the 
provisions of Secs. 1.900 through 1.953 of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.42  False statements.

    A person who makes a false statement for the purpose of obtaining 
payments for beneficiary travel may be prosecuted under applicable laws, 
including 18 U.S.C. 1001.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



Sec. 70.50  Reduced fare requests.

    Printed reduced-fare requests for use by eligible beneficiaries and 
their attendants when traveling at their own expense to or from any VA 
facility or VA-authorized facility for authorized VA health care are 
available from any VA medical facility. Beneficiaries may use these 
request forms to ask transportation providers, such as bus companies, 
for a reduced fare. Whether to grant a reduced fare is determined by the 
transportation provider.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 111, 501, 1701, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1782, 1783, 
E.O. 11302)



     Subpart B_Veterans Transportation Service Under 38 U.S.C. 111A

    Source: 81 FR 10506, Mar. 1, 2016, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 70.70  Purpose and definitions.

    (a) Purpose. This subpart implements the Veterans Transportation 
Service (VTS), through which VA transports eligible persons to or from a 
VA or VA-authorized facility or other place for the purpose of 
examination, treatment, or care.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this subpart:
    Attendant has the meaning set forth in Sec. 70.2, and also means an 
individual traveling with a veteran or servicemember who is eligible for 
travel under VTS and requires the aid and/or assistance of another 
person.
    Eligible person means a person described in Sec. 70.71.
    Guest means any individual the veteran or servicemember would like 
to have accompany him or her to an appointment but whose presence is not 
medically required.
    Scheduled visit means that a VA beneficiary had an appointment that 
was made before she or he appeared at a VA, or VA-authorized, facility, 
or that a VA beneficiary was specifically authorized to appear at such 
facility on the date of the visit in order to obtain examination, 
treatment, or care. Examples of scheduled visits include: Regular 
appointments for examination, treatment, or care; visits to undergo 
laboratory work; or doctor-recommended visits to clinics with open 
hours.
    Unscheduled visit means a visit to a VA, or VA-authorized, facility 
for purposes of examination, treatment, or care that was not recorded in 
VA's scheduling system prior to the veteran's visit. For example, an 
unscheduled visit may be for a simple check of a person's blood 
pressure, for counseling, or for clinical intervention.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111A, 501, 1714)



Sec. 70.71  Eligibility.

    Except as provided in paragraph (j) of this section, VA facilities 
may provide VTS benefits to the following:
    (a) Persons eligible for beneficiary travel. All persons eligible 
for beneficiary travel benefits in Sec. 70.10 are eligible for VTS 
benefits (however, persons cannot claim benefits under both programs for 
the same trip or portion of a trip).

[[Page 1027]]

    (b) Enrolled veterans. Regardless of a veteran's eligibility for 
beneficiary travel, VA may provide VTS to veterans enrolled in VA's 
health care system who need transportation authorized under Sec. 70.72 
for:
    (1) A scheduled visit or urgent care;
    (2) Retrieval of, adjustment of, or training concerning medications 
and prosthetic appliances, or a service dog (as defined in 38 CFR 
17.148);
    (3) An unscheduled visit; or
    (4) To participate and attend other events or functions, as 
clinically determined by VA, for the purposes of examination, treatment, 
or care.
    (c) Non-enrolled veterans. VA may provide VTS to veterans not 
enrolled in VA's health care system who need transportation authorized 
under Sec. 70.72 for:
    (1) A compensation and pension examination;
    (2) An unscheduled or walk-in visit;
    (3) To apply for enrollment or health care benefits; or
    (4) To participate and attend other events or functions, as 
clinically determined by VA, for the purposes of examination, treatment, 
or care.
    (d) Servicemembers. VA may provide VTS to a member of the Armed 
Forces (including the National Guard or Reserve) traveling to a VA or 
VA-authorized facility for VA hospital care or medical services, 
including examination, treatment or care, a compensation and pension 
examination, or to enroll or otherwise receive benefits for which they 
are eligible.
    (e) Prospective Family Caregivers and Family Caregivers. (1) VA may 
provide VTS to a prospective Family Caregiver who has applied for 
designation as a Family Caregiver under 38 CFR 71.25(a) when the travel 
is for purposes of assessment and training under 38 CFR 71.25(c) and 
(d).
    (2) VA may provide VTS to a Family Caregiver (who is approved and 
designated under 38 CFR 71.25) of veteran or servicemember described in 
paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section to:
    (i) Accompany or travel independently from a veteran or 
servicemember for purposes of examination, treatment, or care of the 
veteran or servicemember; or
    (ii) Receive benefits under 38 CFR 71.40(b) or (c). For health care 
benefits provided under 38 CFR 71.40(c)(3), Primary Family Caregivers 
may travel using VTS for care only if it is provided at a VA facility 
through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) Inhouse Treatment Initiative (CITI).
    (f) Attendants. VA may provide VTS to an attendant of a veteran or 
servicemember described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section.
    (g) Persons receiving counseling, training, or mental health 
services. VA may provide VTS to persons receiving counseling, training, 
or mental health services under 38 U.S.C. 1782 and 38 CFR 71.50.
    (h) CHAMPVA beneficiaries. VA may provide VTS to persons eligible 
for health care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) under 38 CFR 17.270 through 
17.278, provided that such care is being provided at a VA facility 
through the CHAMPVA Inhouse Treatment Initiative (CITI).
    (i) Guests. For each veteran described in paragraph (b) or (c) of 
this section or member of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (d) of 
this section, a guest may travel with the veteran or servicemember 
provided resources are still available after providing services to 
individuals identified in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section.
    (j) Limitations on eligibility. Notwithstanding an individual's 
eligibility under this section:
    (1) A person may be ineligible for transportation services if VA 
determines the person's behavior has jeopardized or could jeopardize the 
health or safety of other eligible users of VTS or VA staff, or 
otherwise has interfered or could interfere with the safe transportation 
of eligible persons to or from a VA facility or other place.
    (2) Only one person may travel with an eligible veteran or 
servicemember as a Family Caregiver, attendant, or guest, unless a VA 
clinician determines that more than one such person is needed or would 
otherwise be beneficial to the examination, treatment, or care

[[Page 1028]]

of the eligible veteran or servicemember. Family Caregivers traveling 
for benefits under paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2)(ii) of this section are 
not subject to this limitation.
    (3) Persons under the age of 18 may accompany another person using 
VTS with the consent of their parent or legal guardian and the medical 
facility director or designee. VA transportation of children is not 
available if State law requires the use of a child restraint, such as a 
child safety seat or booster seat. In making determinations under this 
provision, the medical facility director or designee will consider:
    (i) The special transportation needs of the child, if any;
    (ii) The ability to transport the child safely using the available 
resources;
    (iii) The availability of services at the facility to accommodate 
the needs of the child;
    (iv) The appropriateness of transporting the child; and
    (v) Any other relevant factors.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111A, 1714, 1720G, 1781, 1782, 501)



Sec. 70.72  Types of transportation.

    The following types of transportation may be provided by VA 
facilities through VTS:
    (a) Door-to-door service. VA facilities may use VTS to transport, on 
a scheduled or unscheduled basis, eligible persons between a VA or VA-
authorized facility and their residence or a place where the person is 
staying. VA facilities may use VTS to transport eligible persons to and 
from a VA or VA-authorized facility and another location identified by 
the person when it is financially favorable to the government to do so.
    (b) Travel to and from designated locations. VA facilities may use 
VTS to provide transportation between a VA or VA-authorized facility and 
a designated location in the community on a scheduled basis.
    (c) Service between VA facilities. VA facilities may use VTS to 
provide scheduled or unscheduled transportation between VA or VA-
authorized health care facilities. This includes travel from one 
building to another within a single VA campus.
    (d) Other locations. VA facilities may use VTS to provide scheduled 
or unscheduled transportation to and/or from a VA or VA-authorized 
facility or other places when a VA clinician has determined that such 
transportation of the veteran, servicemember, their attendant(s), or 
CHAMPVA beneficiary receiving benefits through the CITI program would be 
needed to promote, preserve, or restore the health of the individual and 
is in accord with generally accepted standards of medical practice, as 
defined in 38 CFR 17.38(b).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111A, 501, 1718, 7301)



Sec. 70.73  Arranging transportation services.

    (a) Requesting VTS. An eligible person may request transportation 
services by contacting the facility director or designee at the VA 
facility providing or authorizing the examination, treatment, or care to 
be delivered. The person must provide the facility director or designee 
with information necessary to arrange these services, including the name 
of the person, the basis for eligibility, the name of the veteran or 
servicemember they are accompanying (if applicable), the time of the 
appointment (if known), the eligible person's departure location and 
destination, any special needs that must be accommodated to allow for 
transportation (e.g., wheelchair, oxygen tank, or service animal as 
defined in 38 CFR 1.218(a)(11)(viii)), and other relevant information. 
Transportation services generally will be provided on a first come, 
first served basis.
    (b) Travel without a reservation. Eligible persons who have provided 
the facility director or designee with the information referred to in 
the previous paragraph may travel without a reservation for the purpose 
of examination, treatment, or care when, for example:
    (1) The person is being discharged from inpatient care;
    (2) The person is traveling for an unscheduled visit, pursuant to a 
recommendation for such a visit by an attending VA clinician; or
    (3) The person is being transported to another VA or VA-authorized 
facility.
    (c) Determining priority for transportation. When the facility 
director or

[[Page 1029]]

designee determines there are insufficient resources to transport all 
persons requesting transportation services, he or she will assist any 
person denied VTS in identifying and accessing other transportation 
options. VTS resources will be allocated using the following criteria, 
which are to be assessed in the context of the totality of the 
circumstances, so that no one factor is determinative:
    (1) The eligible person's basis for eligibility. Enrolled veterans 
will receive first priority, followed in order by non-enrolled veterans; 
servicemembers; Family Caregivers; persons receiving counseling, 
training, or mental health services under 38 U.S.C. 1782 and 38 CFR 
71.50; CITI beneficiaries; and guests. Persons eligible under more than 
one designation will be considered in the highest priority category for 
which that trip permits. VA will provide transportation to any attendant 
accompanying a veteran or servicemember who is approved for 
transportation.
    (2) First in time request.
    (3) An eligible person's clinical need.
    (4) An eligible person's inability to transport him or herself 
(e.g., visual impairment, immobility, etc.).
    (5) An eligible person's eligibility for other transportation 
services or benefits.
    (6) The availability of other transportation services (e.g., common 
carriers, veterans' service organizations, etc.).
    (7) The VA facility's ability to maximize the use of available 
resources.
    (The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0838.)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111A, 501)



PART 71_CAREGIVERS BENEFITS AND CERTAIN MEDICAL BENEFITS OFFERED 
TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF VETERANS--Table of Contents



Sec.
71.10  Purpose and scope.
71.15  Definitions.
71.20  Eligible veterans and servicemembers.
71.25  Approval and designation of Primary and Secondary Family 
          Caregivers.
71.30  General Caregivers.
71.40  Caregiver benefits.
71.45  Revocation.
71.50  Provision of certain counseling, training, and mental health 
          services to certain family members of veterans.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G, unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 71.10  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Purpose. This part implements the Program of Comprehensive 
Assistance for Family Caregivers, which, among other things, provides 
certain benefits to eligible veterans who have incurred or aggravated 
serious injuries during military service, and to their caregivers. This 
part also implements the Program of General Caregiver Support Services, 
which provides support services to caregivers of covered veterans from 
all eras who are enrolled in the VA health care system.
    (b) Scope. This part regulates the provision of Family Caregiver 
benefits and General Caregiver benefits authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1720G. 
Persons eligible for such benefits may be eligible for other VA benefits 
based on other laws or other parts of this title.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G)

[76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 1376, Jan. 9, 2015]



Sec. 71.15  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this part:
    Combined rate refers to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly 
wage rate for home health aides at the 75th percentile in the eligible 
veteran's geographic area of residence, multiplied by the Consumer Price 
Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The combined rate will be 
determined for each geographic area on an annual basis. For each 
geographic area, the combined rate will be the higher of:
    (1) The most recent BLS hourly wage rate for home health aides at 
the 75th percentile in the geographic area multiplied by the most recent 
CPI-U; or
    (2) The combined rate applied for the geographic area in the 
previous year.
    Eligible veteran means a veteran, or a servicemember, who is found 
eligible for a Family Caregiver under Sec. 71.20.
    Family Caregiver means both a Primary and Secondary Family 
Caregiver.

[[Page 1030]]

    General Caregiver means an individual who meets the requirements of 
Sec. 71.30.
    Inability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL) means any one 
of the following:
    (1) Inability to dress or undress oneself;
    (2) Inability to bathe;
    (3) Inability to groom oneself in order to keep oneself clean and 
presentable;
    (4) Frequent need of adjustment of any special prosthetic or 
orthopedic appliance that, by reason of the particular disability, 
cannot be done without assistance (this does not include the adjustment 
of appliances that nondisabled persons would be unable to adjust without 
aid, such as supports, belts, lacing at the back, etc.);
    (5) Inability to toilet or attend to toileting without assistance;
    (6) Inability to feed oneself due to loss of coordination of upper 
extremities, extreme weakness, inability to swallow, or the need for a 
non-oral means of nutrition; or
    (7) Difficulty with mobility (walking, going up stairs, transferring 
from bed to chair, etc.).
    In the best interest means, for the purpose of determining whether 
it is in the best interest of the veteran or servicemember to 
participate in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family 
Caregivers under 38 U.S.C. 1720G(a), a clinical determination that 
participation in such program is likely to be beneficial to the veteran 
or servicemember . Such determination will include consideration, by a 
clinician, of whether participation in the program significantly 
enhances the veteran or servicemember's ability to live safely in a home 
setting, supports the veteran or servicemember's potential progress in 
rehabilitation, if such potential exists, and creates an environment 
that supports the health and well-being of the veteran or servicemember.
    Need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of 
neurological or other impairment or injury means requiring supervision 
or assistance for any of the following reasons:
    (1) Seizures (blackouts or lapses in mental awareness, etc.);
    (2) Difficulty with planning and organizing (such as the ability to 
adhere to medication regimen);
    (3) Safety risks (wandering outside the home, danger of falling, 
using electrical appliances, etc.);
    (4) Difficulty with sleep regulation;
    (5) Delusions or hallucinations;
    (6) Difficulty with recent memory; or
    (7) Self regulation (being able to moderate moods, agitation or 
aggression, etc.).
    Personal care services means care or assistance of another person 
necessary in order to support the eligible veteran's health and well-
being, and perform personal functions required in everyday living 
ensuring the eligible veteran remains safe from hazards or dangers 
incident to his or her daily environment.
    Primary care team means a group of medical professionals who care 
for a patient and who are selected by VA based on the clinical needs of 
the patient. The team must include a primary care provider who 
coordinates the care, and may include clinical specialists (e.g., a 
neurologist, psychiatrist, etc.), resident physicians, nurses, 
physicians' assistants, nurse practitioners, occupational or 
rehabilitation therapists, social workers, etc., as indicated by the 
needs of the particular patient.
    Primary Family Caregiver means an individual who meets the 
requirements of Sec. 71.25.
    Secondary Family Caregiver means an individual who meets the 
requirements of Sec. 71.25.
    Serious injury means any injury, including traumatic brain injury, 
psychological trauma, or other mental disorder, incurred or aggravated 
in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on or 
after September 11, 2001, that renders the veteran or servicemember in 
need of personal care services.
    Undergoing medical discharge means that the servicemember has been 
found unfit for duty due to a medical condition by their Service's 
Physical Evaluation Board, and a date of medical discharge has been 
issued.
    VA refers to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G)

[76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 1376, Jan. 9, 2015]

[[Page 1031]]



Sec. 71.20  Eligible veterans and servicemembers.

    A veteran or servicemember is eligible for a Primary or Secondary 
Family Caregiver under this part if she or he meets all of the following 
requirements:
    (a) The individual is either:
    (1) A veteran; or
    (2) A member of the Armed Forces undergoing a medical discharge from 
the Armed Forces.
    (b) The individual has a serious injury, including traumatic brain 
injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder, incurred or 
aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air 
service on or after September 11, 2001.
    (c) Such serious injury renders the individual in need of personal 
care services for a minimum of 6 continuous months (based on a clinical 
determination authorized by the individual's primary care team), based 
on any one of the following clinical criteria:
    (1) An inability to perform an activity of daily living.
    (2) A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or 
residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury, including 
traumatic brain injury.
    (3) Psychological trauma or a mental disorder that has been scored, 
by a licensed mental health professional, with Global Assessment of 
Functioning (GAF) test scores of 30 or less, continuously during the 90-
day period immediately preceding the date on which VA initially received 
the caregiver application. VA will consider a GAF score to be 
``continuous'' if there are at least two scores during the 90-day period 
(one that shows a GAF score of 30 or less at the beginning of the 90-day 
period and one that shows a GAF score of 30 or less at the end of the 
90-day period) and there are no intervening GAF scores of more than 30.
    (4) The veteran is service connected for a serious injury that was 
incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, 
naval, or air service on or after September 11, 2001, and has been rated 
100 percent disabled for that serious injury, and has been awarded 
special monthly compensation that includes an aid and attendance 
allowance.
    (d) A clinical determination (authorized by the individual's primary 
care team) has been made that it is in the best interest of the 
individual to participate in the program.
    (e) Personal care services that would be provided by the Family 
Caregiver will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or 
through another individual or entity.
    (f) The individual agrees to receive care at home after VA 
designates a Family Caregiver.
    (g) The individual agrees to receive ongoing care from a primary 
care team after VA designates a Family Caregiver.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G(a)(2))

[76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 1377, Jan. 9, 2015]



Sec. 71.25  Approval and designation of Primary and Secondary Family
Caregivers.

    (a) Application requirement. (1) Individuals who wish to be 
considered for designation by VA as Primary or Secondary Family 
Caregivers must complete and sign a joint application, along with the 
veteran or servicemember. Individuals interested in serving as Family 
Caregivers must be identified as such on the joint application, and no 
more than three individuals may serve as Family Caregivers at one time 
for an eligible veteran, with no more than one serving as the Primary 
Family Caregiver.
    (2) Upon receiving such application, VA will perform the clinical 
evaluations required by this section; determine whether the application 
should be granted; and, if so, whether each applicant should be 
designated as identified in the application.
    (3) An application may be put on hold for no more than 90 days, from 
the date the application was received, for a veteran or servicemember 
seeking to qualify through a GAF test score of 30 or less but who does 
not have a ``continuous'' GAF score available.
    (b) Eligibility to serve as Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver. 
In order to serve as a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver, the 
applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

[[Page 1032]]

    (1) Be at least 18 years of age.
    (2) Be either:
    (i) The eligible veteran's spouse, son, daughter, parent, step-
family member, or extended family member; or
    (ii) Someone who lives with the eligible veteran full-time or will 
do so if designated as a Family Caregiver.
    (3) There must be no determination by VA of abuse or neglect of the 
eligible veteran by the applicant.
    (4) Meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, and any 
other applicable requirements of this part.
    (c) Assessment, education, and training of applicants. Before VA 
approves an applicant to serve as a Primary or Secondary Family 
Caregiver, the applicant must:
    (1) Be initially assessed by a VA primary care team as being able to 
complete caregiver education and training. Such assessment will consider 
any relevant information specific to the needs of the eligible veteran, 
as well as:
    (i) Whether the applicant can communicate and understand details of 
the treatment plan and any specific instructions related to the care of 
the eligible veteran (accommodation for language or hearing impairment 
will be made to the extent possible and as appropriate); and
    (ii) Whether the applicant will be capable of following without 
supervision a treatment plan listing the specific care needs of the 
eligible veteran.
    (2) Complete caregiver training and demonstrate the ability to carry 
out the specific personal care services, core competencies, and other 
additional care requirements prescribed by the eligible veteran's 
primary care team.
    (d) Caregiver education and training. For the purposes of this 
section, caregiver training is a program of education and training 
designed and approved by VA that consists of issues that are generally 
applicable to Family Caregivers, as well as issues specific to the needs 
of the eligible veteran. During this program of education and training, 
family members are eligible for beneficiary travel under 38 CFR part 70. 
Respite care will be provided during the period of initial caregiver 
instruction, preparation, and training if the participation would 
interfere with the provision of personal care services to the eligible 
veteran. Caregiver training will cover, at a minimum, education and 
training concerning the following core competencies:
    (1) Medication management;
    (2) Vital signs and pain control;
    (3) Infection control;
    (4) Nutrition;
    (5) Functional activities;
    (6) Activities of daily living;
    (7) Communication and cognition skills;
    (8) Behavior management skills;
    (9) Skin care; and
    (10) Caregiver self-care.
    (e) Initial home-care assessment. No later than 10 business days 
after VA certifies completion of caregiver education and training, or 
should an eligible veteran be hospitalized during this process, no later 
than 10 days from the date the eligible veteran returns home, a VA 
clinician or a clinical team will visit the eligible veteran's home to 
assess the caregiver's completion of training and competence to provide 
personal care services at the eligible veteran's home, and to measure 
the eligible veteran's well being.
    (f) Approval and designation. If the eligible veteran and at least 
one applicant meet the requirements of this part, VA will approve the 
application and designate Primary and/or Secondary Family Caregivers, as 
appropriate. This approval and designation will be a clinical 
determination authorized by the eligible veteran's primary care team. 
Approval and designation is conditioned on the eligible veteran and 
designated Family Caregivers remaining eligible for caregiver benefits 
under this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G)

[76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 1377, Jan. 9, 2015]



Sec. 71.30  General Caregivers.

    (a) A General Caregiver is a person who:
    (1) Is not a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver; and
    (2) Provides personal care services to a covered veteran under this 
section, even if the individual does not reside with the veteran.

[[Page 1033]]

    (b) A covered veteran, for purposes of this section, is a veteran 
who is enrolled in the VA health care system and needs personal care 
services because the veteran either:
    (1) Is unable to perform an activity of daily living; or
    (2) Needs supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals 
of neurological or other impairment or injury.
    (c) No application or clinical evaluation is required to obtain 
benefits as a General Caregiver. Veterans or General Caregivers may 
request any of the benefits listed in Sec. 71.40(a) as needed, from the 
appropriate VA clinicians and staff at their local VA facilities.
    (d) A veteran is not required to meet the eligibility requirements 
in Sec. 71.20 to be considered a covered veteran.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G(b)(1), (2))

[76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 1377, Jan. 9, 2015]



Sec. 71.40  Caregiver benefits.

    (a) General Caregiver benefits. VA will provide to General 
Caregivers all of the benefits listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) 
of this section.
    (1) Continued instruction, preparation, training, and technical 
support. Caregivers will have access to each of the following services, 
which may be provided through:
    (i) Online and in-person educational sessions.
    (ii) Use of telehealth and other available technologies.
    (iii) Teaching techniques, strategies, and skills for caring for the 
eligible or covered veteran.
    (2) Information concerning the supportive services available to 
caregivers under paragraph (a) of this section and other public, 
private, and nonprofit agencies that offer support to caregivers.
    (3) Counseling and other services, as described under Sec. 71.50.
    (4) Respite care to eligible and covered veterans in support of the 
caregiver that is medically and age appropriate for the eligible or 
covered veteran (including 24-hour per day in-home respite care).
    (b) Secondary Family Caregiver benefits. VA will provide to 
Secondary Family Caregivers all of the benefits listed in paragraphs 
(b)(1) through (6) of this section.
    (1) General Caregiver benefits described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, except that respite care under paragraph (a)(4) is limited to 
veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. Respite care may be 
provided during a Family Caregiver's training, as described under 
Sec. 71.25(d).
    (2) The primary care team will maintain the eligible veteran's 
treatment plan and collaborate with clinical staff making home visits to 
monitor the eligible veteran's well-being, adequacy of care and 
supervision being provided. This monitoring will occur no less often 
than every 90 days, unless otherwise clinically indicated, and will 
include an evaluation of the overall health and well-being of the 
eligible veteran.
    (3) Continuing instruction, preparation, and training to maintain or 
improve the personal care services provided to the eligible veteran.
    (4) Ongoing technical support, consisting of information and 
assistance to address, in a timely manner, the routine, emergency, and 
specialized needs of the caregiver in providing personal care services 
to the eligible veteran.
    (5) Counseling, which for the purposes of paragraph (b) of this 
section includes individual and group therapy, individual counseling, 
and peer support groups. Counseling does not include the provision of 
medication, inpatient psychiatric care, or other medical procedures 
related to mental health treatment. Counseling does not have to be in 
connection with the treatment of a disability for which the eligible 
veteran is receiving treatment from VA.
    (6) Primary and Secondary Family Caregivers are eligible for 
beneficiary travel under 38 CFR part 70 if the eligible veteran is 
eligible for beneficiary travel under 38 CFR part 70.
    (c) Primary Family Caregiver benefits. VA will provide to Primary 
Family Caregivers all of the benefits listed in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (4) of this section.
    (1) Secondary Family Caregiver benefits, as listed under paragraph 
(b) of this section.

[[Page 1034]]

    (2) Respite care includes 24-hour-per day care of the eligible 
veteran commensurate with the care provided by the Family Caregiver to 
permit extended respite. Respite care will be available for at least 30 
days per year and may exceed 30 days per year if clinically appropriate 
and if requested by the Primary Family Caregiver. Respite care provided 
shall be medically and age-appropriate and include in-home care.
    (3) Primary Family Caregivers are eligible for enrollment in the 
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (CHAMPVA) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1781, unless they are entitled 
to care or services under a health-plan contract (as defined in 38 
U.S.C. 1725(f)).
    (4) Primary Family Caregivers will receive a monthly stipend for 
each prior month's participation as a Primary Family caregiver. To 
determine the stipend amount, VA first will determine the eligible 
veteran's level of dependency based on the degree to which the eligible 
veteran is unable to perform one or more activities of daily living 
(ADLs), or the degree to which the eligible veteran is in need of 
supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological 
or other impairment or injury, as follows:
    (i) VA will clinically rate the eligible veteran's inability to 
perform each of the seven ADLs listed in the definition of that term in 
Sec. 71.15.
    (ii) VA will clinically rate the eligible veteran's need for 
supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological 
or other impairment or injury using the seven impairments listed in the 
definition of that term in Sec. 71.15.
    (iii) Clinical ratings under paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this 
section will be scored as follows: VA will assign a zero if the eligible 
veteran completes the task/activity without assistance; one if the 
eligible veteran requires minimal assistance (can complete 75 percent or 
more of the task without supervision or assistance); two if the eligible 
veteran requires moderate assistance (can complete 50 percent to 74 
percent of the task without assistance); three if the eligible veteran 
requires maximal assistance (can complete 25 percent to 49 percent of 
the task without assistance); or four if the eligible veteran requires 
total assistance (can complete less than 25 percent of the task or is 
unable to do the task without assistance).
    (iv) If the sum of all of the ratings assigned is:
    (A) 21 or higher, then the caregiver will receive a stipend 
equivalent to the eligible veteran requiring 40 hours per week of 
caregiverassistance.
    (B) 13 to 20, then the caregiver will receive a stipend equivalent 
to the eligible veteran requiring 25 hours per week of caregiver 
assistance.
    (C) 1 to 12, then the caregiver will receive a stipend equivalent to 
the eligible veteran requiring 10 hours per week of caregiver 
assistance.
    (v) The monthly stipend payment will be calculated by multiplying 
the combined rate by the number of weekly hours of caregiverassistance 
required under paragraph (c)(4)(iv) of this section. This product will 
then be multiplied by 4.35.
    (vi) Stipend payments for the first month will be adjusted based on 
the number of days remaining in the month. Stipend payments will also be 
prorated where a Primary Family Caregiver's status is revoked and/or a 
new Primary Family Caregiver is designated prior to the end of a month. 
See Sec. 71.45, Revocation.
    (vii) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create an 
employment relationship between the Secretary and an individual in 
receipt of assistance or support under this part.
    (d) Effective date and payment date of benefits-- (1) Effective 
date. Caregiver benefits are effective as of the date that the signed 
joint application is received by VA or the date on which the eligible 
veteran begins receiving care at home, whichever is later. However, 
benefits will not be provided until the individual is designated as a 
Family Caregiver. Individuals who apply to be Family Caregivers must 
complete all necessary education, instruction, and training so that VA 
can complete the designation process no later than 45 days after the 
date that the joint application was submitted or, if the application has 
been placed on hold for a GAF assessment, 45 days after the hold has

[[Page 1035]]

been lifted, or a new joint application will be required to serve as the 
date of application for payment purposes. VA may extend the 45-day 
period for up to 90 days after the date the joint application was 
submitted or, if the application has been placed on hold for a GAF 
assessment, for up to 90 days after the hold has been lifted. Such an 
extension may either be based on training identified under Sec. 71.25(d) 
that is still pending completion, or hospitalization of the eligible 
veteran.
    (2) Payment date. The stipend is paid monthly for personal care 
services that the Primary Family Caregiver provided in the prior month. 
Benefits due prior to such designation, based on the date of 
application, will be paid retroactive to the date that the joint 
application is received by VA or the date on which the eligible veteran 
begins receiving care at home, whichever is later.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 111(e), 501, 1720B, 1720G, 1782)

[76 FR 26172, May 5, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 1377, Jan. 9, 2015]



Sec. 71.45  Revocation.

    (a) Revocation by the Family Caregiver. The Family Caregiver may 
request a revocation of caregiver status in writing and provide the 
present or future date of revocation. All caregiver benefits will 
continue to be provided to the Family Caregiver until the date of 
revocation. VA will, if requested and applicable, assist the Family 
Caregiver in transitioning to alternative health care coverage and 
mental health services. VA will notify the eligible veteran verbally and 
in writing of the request for revocation.
    (b) Revocation by the eligible veteran or surrogate. The eligible 
veteran or the eligible veteran's surrogate may initiate revocation of a 
Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver.
    (1) The revocation request must be in writing and must express an 
intent to remove the Family Caregiver.
    (2) VA will notify the Family Caregiver verbally and in writing of 
the request for revocation.
    (3) VA will review the request for revocation and determine whether 
there is a possibility for remediation. This review will take no longer 
than 30 days. During such review, the eligible veteran or surrogate may 
rescind the request for revocation. If VA suspects that the safety of 
the eligible veteran is at risk, then VA may suspend the caregiver's 
responsibilities, and remove the eligible veteran from the home if 
requested by the eligible veteran, or take other appropriate action to 
ensure the welfare of the eligible veteran, prior to making a formal 
revocation.
    (4) Caregiver benefits will continue for 30 days after the date of 
revocation, and VA will, if requested by the Family Caregiver, assist 
the individual with transitioning to alternative health care coverage 
and mental health services, unless one of the following is true:
    (i) VA determines that the Family Caregiver committed fraud or 
abused or neglected the eligible veteran, in which case benefits will 
terminate immediately.
    (ii) If the revoked individual was the Primary Family Caregiver, and 
another Primary Family Caregiver is designated within 30 days after the 
date of revocation, in which case benefits for the revoked Primary 
Family Caregiver will terminate the day before the date the new Primary 
Family Caregiver is designated.
    (iii) If another individual is designated to be a Family Caregiver 
within 30 days after the date of revocation, such that there are three 
Family Caregivers assigned to the eligible veteran, in which case 
benefits for the revoked Family Caregiver will terminate the day before 
the date the new Family Caregiver is designated.
    (iv) The revoked individual had been living with the eligible 
veteran and moves out, or the revoked individual abandons or terminates 
his or her relationship with the eligible veteran, in which case 
benefits will terminate immediately.
    (c) Revocation by VA. VA may immediately revoke the designation of a 
Family Caregiver if the eligible veteran or individual designated as a 
Family Caregiver no longer meets the requirements of this part, or if VA 
makes the clinical determination that having the Family Caregiver is no 
longer in the best interest of the eligible veteran. VA will, if 
requested by the Family Caregiver, assist him or her in

[[Page 1036]]

transitioning to alternative health care coverage and mental health 
services. If revocation is due to improvement in the eligible veteran's 
condition, death, or permanent institutionalization, the Family 
Caregiver will continue to receive caregiver benefits for 90 days, 
unless any of the conditions described in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through 
(iv) of this section apply, in which case benefits will terminate as 
specified. In addition, bereavement counseling may be available under 38 
U.S.C. 1783. If VA suspects that the safety of the eligible veteran is 
at risk, then VA may suspend the caregiver's responsibilities, and 
remove the eligible veteran from the home if requested by the eligible 
veteran or take other appropriate action to ensure the welfare of the 
eligible veteran, prior to making a formal revocation.

[80 FR 1377, Jan. 9, 2015]



Sec. 71.50  Provision of certain counseling, training, and mental
health services to certain family members of veterans.

    (a) Benefits provided under this section. VA will provide 
consultation, professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, 
training, and mental health services to a family member when necessary 
in connection with the treatment of a disability for which the veteran 
is receiving treatment through VA. For the purposes of this section, 
provision of a benefit is ``in connection with the treatment'' of a 
veteran's disability if, in the clinical judgment of a VA medical 
professional who is providing treatment to the veteran, the provision of 
the benefit to the family member would further the objectives of the 
veteran's medical treatment plan. The listed benefits provided under 
this section are to be provided within the following guidelines:
    (1) All benefits will consist of psychotherapy, counseling, 
training, or education; VA will not provide prescriptions or medications 
to family members. VA also will not provide inpatient services under 
this section.
    (2) This section does not authorize the provision of clinical 
evaluation or treatment that is not necessary in connection with the 
veteran's treatment or that involves treatment other than consultation, 
professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, training, and 
mental health services.
    (3) Marriage and family counseling includes services to help the 
veteran address mental health issues, manage physical health problems, 
and strengthen environmental supports as specified in the veteran's 
treatment plan. It also includes interventions to reduce the negative 
impact for the veteran of mental illnesses or other medical conditions 
in family members.
    (b) Definition of family member. For the purpose of this section, 
which provides certain benefits and services to eligible family members, 
a family member is:
    (1) A person related to the veteran by birth or marriage who lives 
with the veteran or has regular personal contact with the veteran;
    (2) The veteran's legal guardian or surrogate;
    (3) A Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver or a General Caregiver; 
or
    (4) The individual in whose household the veteran has certified an 
intention to live.
    (c) Family members or caregivers who need treatment not related to 
the treatment of the veteran. Where a VA clinician believes that medical 
care or services are needed for a family member but cannot provide 
benefits under this section because such need is not necessary in 
connection with the treatment of the veteran, VA may refer such family 
member to an appropriate provider in the community, so that the family 
member may obtain care through other health coverage including care to 
which a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver may be eligible under this 
part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1720G, 1782)



PART 74_VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS REGULATIONS--Table of Contents



                           General Guidelines

Sec.
74.1  What definitions are important for VetBiz Vendor Information Pages 
          (VIP) Verification Program?
74.2  What are the eligibility requirements a concern must meet for 
          VetBiz VIP Verification Program?

[[Page 1037]]

74.3  Who does the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) consider to own 
          a veteran-owned small business?
74.4  Who does CVE consider to control a veteran-owned small business?
74.5  How does CVE determine affiliation?

                         Application Guidelines

74.10  Where must an application be filed?
74.11  How does CVE process applications for VetBiz VIP Verification 
          Program?
74.12  What must a concern submit to apply for VetBiz VIP Verification 
          Program?
74.13  Can an applicant ask CVE to reconsider its initial decision to 
          deny an application?
74.14  Can an applicant or participant reapply for admission to the 
          VetBiz VIP Verification Program?
74.15  What length of time may a business participate in VetBiz VIP 
          Verification Program?

                          Oversight Guidelines

74.20  What is a verification examination and what will CVE examine?
74.21  What are the ways a business may exit VetBiz VIP Verification 
          Program status?
74.22  What are the procedures for cancellation?

                           Records Management

74.25  What types of personally identifiable information will VA 
          collect?
74.26  What types of business information will VA collect?
74.27  How will VA store information?
74.28  Who may examine records?
74.29  When will VA dispose of records?

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 513, and as noted in specific sections.

    Source: 75 FR 6101, Feb. 8, 2010, unless otherwise noted.

                           General Guidelines



Sec. 74.1  What definitions are important for VetBiz Vendor Information
Pages (VIP) Verification Program?

    For the purposes of part 74, the following definitions apply.
    Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) is an office within the U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and is a subdivision of VA's Office 
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. The CVE helps veterans 
interested in forming or expanding their own small businesses. It also 
helps VA contracting offices identify veteran-owned small businesses and 
works with the Small Business Administration's Veterans Business 
Development Officers and Small Business Development Centers nationwide 
regarding veterans' business financing, management, and technical 
assistance needs.
    Days are calendar days. In computing any period of time described in 
part 74, the day from which the period begins to run is not counted, and 
when the last day of the period is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal 
holiday, the period extends to the next day that is not a Saturday, 
Sunday, or Federal holiday. Similarly, in circumstances where CVE is 
closed for all or part of the last day, the period extends to the next 
day on which the agency is open.
    Day-to-day management means supervising the executive team, 
formulating sound policies and setting strategic direction.
    Day-to-day operations mean the marketing, production, sales, and 
administrative functions of the firm.
    Eligible individual means a veteran, service-disabled veteran or 
surviving spouse, as defined in this section.
    Immediate family member means father, mother, husband, wife, son, 
daughter, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, 
granddaughter, father-in-law, and mother-in-law.
    Joint venture is an association of two or more small business 
concerns to engage in and carry out a single, specific business venture 
for joint profit, for which purpose they combine their efforts, 
property, money, skill, or knowledge, but not on a continuing or 
permanent basis for conducting business generally. For VA contracts, a 
joint venture must be in the form of a separate legal entity.
    Negative control includes, but is not limited to, instances where a 
minority shareholder has the ability, under the concern's chapter, by-
laws, or shareholder's agreement, to prevent a quorum or otherwise block 
action by the board of directors or shareholders.
    Non-veteran means any individual who does not claim veteran status, 
or upon whose status an applicant or participant does not rely in 
qualifying for VetBiz Vendor Information Pages (VIP) Verification 
Program participation.
    Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is the office 
within

[[Page 1038]]

the Department of Veterans Affairs that establishes and monitors small 
business program goals at the prime and subcontract levels and which 
functions as the ombudsman for veterans and service-disabled veterans 
seeking procurement opportunities with the Department.
    Participant means a veteran-owned small business concern that has 
verified status in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages database.
    Primary industry classification means the six-digit North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) code designation which best 
describes the primary business activity of the participant. The NAICS 
code designations are described in the North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) Manual published by the U.S. Office of 
Management and Budget.
    Principal place of business means the business location where the 
individuals who manage the concern's day-to-day operations spend most 
working hours and where top management's current business records are 
kept. If the office from which management is directed and where the 
current business records are kept are in different locations, CVE will 
determine the principal place of business for program purposes.
    Same or similar line of business means business activities within 
the same three-digit ``Major Group'' of the NAICS Manual as the primary 
industry classification of the applicant or participant. The phrase 
``same business area'' is synonymous with this definition.
    Service-disabled veteran is a veteran who possesses either a 
disability rating letter issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
establishing a service-connected rating between 0 and 100 percent, or a 
disability determination from the Department of Defense.
    Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern is a business 
not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-
disabled veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, not 
less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more 
service-disabled veterans; the management and daily business operations 
of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, or in 
the case of a veteran with a permanent and severe disability, a spouse 
or permanent caregiver of such veteran. In addition, some businesses may 
be owned and operated by an eligible surviving spouse. Reservists or 
members of the National Guard disabled from a disease or injury incurred 
or aggravated in line of duty or while in training status also qualify.
    Small business concern is--CVE applies the small business concern 
definition established by 48 CFR 2.101.
    Surviving spouse is any individual identified as such by VA's 
Veterans Benefits Administration and listed in its database of veterans 
and family members. To be eligible for VetBiz VIP Verification, the 
following conditions must apply:
    (1) If the death of the veteran causes the small business concern to 
be less than 51 percent owned by one or more veterans, the surviving 
spouse of such veteran who acquires ownership rights in such small 
business shall, for the period described in paragraph (2) of this 
definition, be treated as if the surviving spouse were that veteran for 
the purpose of maintaining the status of the small business concern as a 
service-disabled veteran-owned small business.
    (2) The period referred to in paragraph (1) of this definition is 
the period beginning on the date on which the veteran dies and ending on 
the earliest of the following dates:
    (i) The date on which the surviving spouse remarries;
    (ii) The date on which the surviving spouse relinquishes an 
ownership interest in the small business concern;
    (iii) The date that is 10 years after the date of the veteran's 
death; or
    (iv) The date on which the business concern is no longer small under 
Federal small business size standards.
    (3) The veteran must have had a 100 percent service-connected 
disability or died as a direct result of a service-connected disability.

    Note to definition of surviving spouse: For program eligibility 
purposes, the surviving spouse has the same rights and entitlements of 
the service-disabled veteran who transferred ownership upon his or her 
death.

    Unconditional ownership means ownership that is not subject to 
conditions

[[Page 1039]]

precedent, conditions subsequent, executory agreements, voting trusts, 
restrictions on or assignments of voting rights, or other arrangements 
causing or potentially causing ownership benefits to go to another 
(other than after death or incapacity). The pledge or encumbrance of 
stock or other ownership interest as collateral, including seller-
financed transactions, does not affect the unconditional nature of 
ownership if the terms follow normal commercial practices and the owner 
retains control absent violations of the terms.
    VA is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Vendor Information Pages (VIP) is a database of businesses eligible 
to participate in VA's Veteran-owned Small Business Program. The online 
database may be accessed at no charge via the Internet at http://
www.VetBiz.gov.
    Verification eligibility period is a 12-month period that begins on 
the date the Center for Veterans Enterprise issues the approval letter 
establishing verified status. The participant must submit a new 
application each year to continue eligibility.
    VetBiz.gov (VetBiz) is a Web portal VA maintains at http://
www.VetBiz.gov. It hosts the Vendor Information Pages database.
    Veteran is a person who served on active duty with the U.S. Army, 
Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, for any length of time and 
at any place and who was discharged or released under conditions other 
than dishonorable. Reservists or members of the National Guard called to 
Federal active duty or disabled from a disease or injury incurred or 
aggravated in line of duty or while in training status also qualify as a 
veteran.
    Veteran-owned small business concern (VOSB) is a small business 
concern that is not less than 51 percent owned by one or more veterans, 
or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent 
of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; the management 
and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more 
veterans and qualifies as ``small'' for Federal business size standard 
purposes. All service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns 
(SDVOSBs) are also, by definition, veteran-owned small business 
concerns. When used in these guidelines, the term ``VOSB'' includes 
SDVOSBs.
    Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) is the set of rules 
that specifically govern requirements exclusive to the U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs (VA) prime and subcontracting actions. The VAAR is 
chapter 8 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, and supplements the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which contains guidance applicable 
to most Federal agencies.

[75 FR 6101, Feb. 8, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 3022, Jan. 19, 2011]



Sec. 74.2  What are the eligibility requirements a concern must meet
for VetBiz VIP Verification Program?

    (a) Ownership and control. A small business concern must be 
unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more eligible veterans, 
service-disabled veterans or surviving spouses, have completed the 
online Vendor Information Pages database forms at http://www.VetBiz.gov, 
and has been examined by VA's Center for Veterans Enterprise. Such 
businesses appear in the VIP database as ``verified.''
    (b) Good character. Veterans, service-disabled veterans and 
surviving spouses with ownership interests in VetBiz verified businesses 
must have good character. Debarred or suspended concerns or concerns 
owned or controlled by debarred or suspended persons are ineligible for 
VetBiz VIP Verification.
    (c) False statements. If, during the processing of an application, 
CVE determines that an applicant has knowingly submitted false 
information, regardless of whether correct information would cause CVE 
to deny the application, and regardless of whether correct information 
was given to CVE in accompanying documents, CVE will deny the 
application. If, after verifying the Participant's eligibility, CVE 
discovers that false information has been knowingly submitted by a firm, 
CVE will remove the ``verified'' status from the VIP database and notify 
the business by phone and mail. Whenever CVE determines that the 
applicant submitted false information, the matter will be referred to 
the Office of Inspector General for review. In addition, the

[[Page 1040]]

CVE will request that debarment proceedings be initiated by the 
Department.
    (d) Federal financial obligations. Neither a firm nor any of its 
eligible individuals that fails to pay significant financial obligations 
owed to the Federal Government, including unresolved tax liens and 
defaults on Federal loans or other Federally assisted financing, is 
eligible for VetBiz VIP Verification.
    (e) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Protest Decisions. Any 
firm registered in the VetBiz VIP database that is found to be 
ineligible due to an SBA protest decision or other negative finding will 
be immediately removed from the VetBiz VIP database. Until such time as 
CVE receives official notification that the firm has proven that it has 
successfully overcome the grounds for the determination or that the SBA 
decision is overturned on appeal, the firm will not be eligible to 
participate in the 38 U.S.C. 8127 program.



Sec. 74.3  Who does the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) consider
to own a veteran-owned small business?

    An applicant or participant must be at least 51 percent 
unconditionally and directly owned by one or more veterans or service-
disabled veterans.
    (a) Ownership must be direct. Ownership by one or more veterans or 
service-disabled veterans must be direct ownership. An applicant or 
participant owned principally by another business entity or by a trust 
(including employee stock ownership plans [ESOP]) that is in turn owned 
by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans does not meet this 
requirement. However, ownership by a trust, such as a living trust, may 
be treated as the functional equivalent of ownership by a veteran or 
service-disabled veteran where the trust is revocable, and the veteran 
or service-disabled veteran is the grantor, a trustee, and the sole 
current beneficiary of the trust. For employee stock ownership plans 
where 5 or fewer persons who are individuals, estates, or trusts own 50 
percent or more of the total combined voting power of the corporation, 
the employee plan will be determined to be ``excluded stock'' and 
eligible parties must control 51 percent or more of the combined voting 
power of the corporation. For employee stock ownership plans where 
greater than 5 persons who are individuals, estates, or trusts own 50 
percent or more of the total stock, eligible parties must control 51 
percent or more of the combined voting power of the corporation, 
including the ESOP stock.
    (b) Ownership must be unconditional. Ownership by one or more 
veterans or service-disabled veterans must be unconditional ownership. 
Ownership must not be subject to conditions precedent, conditions 
subsequent, executory agreements, voting trusts, restrictions on 
assignments of voting rights, or other arrangements causing or 
potentially causing ownership benefits to go to another (other than 
after death or incapacity). The pledge or encumbrance of stock or other 
ownership interest as collateral, including seller-financed 
transactions, does not affect the unconditional nature of ownership if 
the terms follow normal commercial practices and the owner retains 
control absent violations of the terms. In particular, CVE will evaluate 
ownership according to the following criteria for specific types of 
small business concerns.
    (1) Ownership of a partnership. In the case of a concern that is a 
partnership, at least 51 percent of every class of partnership interest 
must be unconditionally owned by one or more veterans or service-
disabled veterans. The ownership must be reflected in the concern's 
partnership agreement.
    (2) Ownership of a limited liability company. In the case of a 
concern that is a limited liability company, at least 51 percent of each 
class of member interest must be unconditionally owned by one or more 
veterans or service-disabled veterans.
    (3) Ownership of a corporation. In the case of a concern that is a 
corporation, at least 51 percent of each class of voting stock 
outstanding and 51 percent of the aggregate of all stock outstanding 
must be unconditionally owned by one or more veterans or service-
disabled veterans.
    (c) Stock options' effect on ownership. In determining unconditional 
ownership, CVE will disregard any

[[Page 1041]]

unexercised stock options or similar agreements held by veterans or 
service-disabled veterans. However, any unexercised stock options or 
similar agreements (including rights to convert non-voting stock or 
debentures into voting stock) held by non-veterans will be treated as 
exercised, except for any ownership interests that are held by 
investment companies licensed under part 107 of title 13, Code of 
Federal Regulations.
    (d) Profits and distributions. One or more veterans or service-
disabled veterans must be entitled to receive:
    (1) At least 51 percent of the annual distribution of profits paid 
to the owners of a corporate, partnership, or LLC applicant or 
participant;
    (2) At least 51 percent of the net profits earned by a joint venture 
in which the applicant or participant is the lead concern;
    (3) 100 percent of the value of each share of stock owned by them in 
the event that the stock is sold; and
    (4) At least 51 percent of the retained earnings of the concern and 
100 percent of the unencumbered value of each share of stock owned in 
the event of dissolution of the corporation, partnership, or LLC.
    (5) An eligible individual's ability to share in the profits of the 
concern should be commensurate with the extent of his/her ownership 
interest in that concern.
    (e) Change of ownership. (1) A participant may remain eligible after 
a change in its ownership or business structure, so long as one or more 
veterans or service-disabled veterans own and control it after the 
change and the participant files a new application identifying the new 
veteran owners or their new business interest.
    (2) Any participant that is performing contracts and desires to 
substitute one veteran owner for another shall submit a proposed 
novation agreement and supporting documentation in accordance with FAR 
Subpart 42.12 to the contracting officer prior to the substitution or 
change of ownership for approval.
    (3) Where the transfer results from the death or incapacity due to a 
serious, long-term illness or injury of an eligible principal, prior 
approval is not required, but the concern must file a new application 
with contracting officer and CVE within 60 days of the change. Existing 
contracts may be performed to the end of the instant term. However, no 
options may be exercised.
    (4) Continued eligibility of the participant with new ownership and 
the award of any new contracts require that CVE verify all eligibility 
requirements are met by the concern and the new owners.
    (f) Community property laws given effect. In determining ownership 
interests when an owner resides in any of the community property States 
or territories of the United States, CVE considers applicable State 
community property laws. If only one spouse claims veteran status, that 
spouse's ownership interest will be considered unconditionally held only 
to the extent it is vested by the community property laws.

[75 FR 6101, Feb. 8, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 3022, Jan. 19, 2011]



Sec. 74.4  Who does CVE consider to control a veteran-owned small
business?

    (a) Control means both the day-to-day management and long-term 
decision-making authority for the VOSB. Many persons share control of a 
concern, including each of those occupying the following positions: 
Officer, director, general partner, managing partner, managing member 
and manager. In addition, key employees who possess expertise or 
responsibilities related to the concern's primary economic activity may 
share significant control of the concern. CVE will consider the control 
potential of such key employees on a case-by-case basis.
    (b) Control is not the same as ownership, although both may reside 
in the same person. CVE regards control as including both the strategic 
policy setting exercised by boards of directors and the day-to-day 
management and administration of business operations. An applicant or 
participant's management and daily business operations must be conducted 
by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans. Individuals 
managing the concern must have managerial experience of the extent and 
complexity needed to run the

[[Page 1042]]

concern. A veteran need not have the technical expertise or possess a 
required license to be found to control an applicant or participant if 
he or she can demonstrate that he or she has ultimate managerial and 
supervisory control over those who possess the required licenses or 
technical expertise. However, where a critical license is held by a non-
veteran having an equity interest in the applicant or participant firm, 
the non-veteran may be found to control the firm.
    (c)(1) An applicant or participant must be controlled by one or more 
veterans or service-disabled veterans who possess requisite management 
capabilities. Owners need not work full-time but must show sustained and 
significant time invested in the business. An owner engaged in 
employment or management outside the applicant concern must submit a 
written statement supplemental to the application which demonstrates 
that such activities will not have a significant impact on the owner's 
ability to manage and control the applicant concern. Applications from 
joint-ventures are exempt from the requirement to submit a supplemental 
written statement.
    (2) An eligible full-time manager must hold the highest officer 
position (usually President or Chief Executive Officer) in the applicant 
or participant.
    (3) One or more veterans or service-disabled veteran owners who 
manage the applicant or participant must devote full-time to the 
business during the normal working hours of firms in the same or similar 
line of business. Work in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the applicant or 
participant may be considered to meet the requirement of full-time 
devotion. This applies only to a subsidiary owned by the VOSB itself, 
and not to firms in which the veteran has a mere ownership interest.
    (4) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, a 
veteran owner's unexercised right to cause a change in the management of 
the applicant concern does not in itself constitute veteran control, 
regardless of how quickly or easily the right could be exercised.
    (d) In the case of a partnership, one or more veterans or service-
disabled veterans must serve as general partners, with control over all 
partnership decisions. A partnership in which no veteran is a general 
partner will be ineligible for participation.
    (e) In the case of a limited liability company, one or more veterans 
or service-disabled veterans must serve as management members, with 
control over all decisions of the limited liability company.
    (f) One or more veterans or service-disabled veterans must control 
the board of directors of a corporate applicant or participant.
    (1) CVE will deem veterans or service-disabled veterans to control 
the board of directors where:
    (i) A single veteran owns 100 percent of all voting stock of an 
applicant or participant concern;
    (ii) A single veteran owns at least 51 percent of all voting stock 
of an applicant or participant, the individual is on the board of 
directors and no super majority voting requirements exist for 
shareholders to approve corporation actions. Where supermajority voting 
requirements are provided for in the concern's articles of 
incorporation, its by-laws, or by State law, the veteran must own at 
least the percent of the voting stock needed to overcome any such 
supermajority voting requirements; or
    (iii) No single veteran owns 51 percent of all voting stock but 
multiple veterans in combination do own at least 51 percent of all 
voting stock, each such veteran is on the board of directors, no 
supermajority voting requirements exist, and the veteran shareholders 
can demonstrate that they have made enforceable arrangements to permit 
one of them to vote the stock of all as a block without a shareholder 
meeting. Where the concern has supermajority voting requirements, the 
veteran shareholders must own at least that percentage of voting stock 
needed to overcome any such supermajority ownership requirements.
    (2) Where an applicant or participant does not meet the requirements 
set forth in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the veteran(s) upon whom 
eligibility is based must control the board of directors through actual 
numbers of voting directors or, where permitted by state law, through 
weighted voting (e.g., in a concern having a two-person board of

[[Page 1043]]

directors where one individual on the board is a veteran and one is not, 
the veteran vote must be weighted--worth more than one vote--in order 
for the concern to be eligible for VetBiz VIP Verification). Where a 
concern seeks to comply with this paragraph:
    (i) Provisions for the establishment of a quorum cannot permit non-
veteran directors to control the board of directors, directly or 
indirectly;
    (ii) Any executive committee of the board of directors must be 
controlled by veteran directors unless the executive committee can only 
make recommendations to and cannot independently exercise the authority 
of the board of directors.
    (3) Non-voting, advisory, or honorary directors may be appointed 
without affecting veterans' or service-disabled veterans' control of the 
board of directors.
    (4) Arrangements regarding the structure and voting rights of the 
board of directors must comply with applicable state law.
    (g) Non-veterans may be involved in the management of an applicant 
or participant, and may be stockholders, partners, limited liability 
members, officers, or directors of the applicant or participant. With 
the exception of a spouse or personal caregiver who represents a 
severely disabled veteran owner, no such non-veteran or immediate family 
member may:
    (1) Exercise actual control or have the power to control the 
applicant or participant;
    (2) Be a former employer or a principal of a former employer of any 
affiliated business of the applicant or participant, unless it is 
determined by the CVE that the relationship between the former employer 
or principal and the eligible individual or applicant concern does not 
give the former employer actual control or the potential to control the 
applicant or participant and such relationship is in the best interests 
of the participant firm; or
    (3) Receive compensation from the applicant or participant in any 
form as directors, officers or employees, including dividends, that 
exceeds the compensation to be received by the highest officer (usually 
chief executive officer or president). The highest ranking officer may 
elect to take a lower salary than a non-veteran only upon demonstrating 
that it helps the applicant or participant.
    (h) Non-veterans who transfer majority stock ownership or control of 
the firm to an immediate family member within 2 years prior to the 
application and remain involved in the firm as a stockholder, officer, 
director, or key employee of the firm are presumed to control the firm. 
The presumption may be rebutted by showing that the transferee has 
independent management experience necessary to control the operation of 
the firm, and indeed is participating in the management of the firm.
    (i) Non-veterans or entities may be found to control or have the 
power to control in any of the following circumstances, which are 
illustrative only and not all inclusive:
    (1) Non-veterans control the board of directors of the applicant or 
participant, either directly through majority voting membership, or 
indirectly, where the by-laws allow non-veterans effectively to prevent 
a quorum or block actions proposed by the veterans or service-disabled 
veterans.
    (2) A non-veteran or entity, having an equity interest in the 
applicant or participant, provides critical financial or bonding support 
or a critical license to the applicant or participant which directly or 
indirectly allows the non-veteran significantly to influence business 
decisions of the participant, unless an exception is authorized by the 
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
    (3) A non-veteran or entity controls the applicant or participant or 
an individual veteran owner through loan arrangements. Providing a loan 
guaranty on commercially reasonable terms does not, by itself, give a 
non-veteran or entity the power to control a firm.
    (4) Business relationships exist with non-veterans or entities which 
cause such dependence that the applicant or participant cannot exercise 
independent business judgment without great economic risk.

[75 FR 6101, Feb. 8, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 80720, Dec. 23, 2010; 76 
FR 3023, Jan. 19, 2011]

[[Page 1044]]



Sec. 74.5  How does CVE determine affiliation?

    The Center for Veterans Enterprise applies the affiliation rules 
established by the Small Business Administration in 13 CFR part 121.

                         Application Guidelines



Sec. 74.10  Where must an application be filed?

    An application for VetBiz VIP Verification status must be 
electronically filed in the Vendor Information Pages database located in 
the Center for Veterans Enterprise's Web portal, http://www.VetBiz.gov. 
Guidelines and forms are located on the Web portal. Upon receipt of the 
applicant's electronic submission, an acknowledgment message will be 
dispatched to the concern, containing estimated processing time and 
other information. Address information for the CVE is also contained on 
the Web portal. Correspondence may be dispatched to:

Director, Center for Veterans Enterprise (00VE), U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0675)



Sec. 74.11  How does CVE process applications for VetBiz VIP
Verification Program?

    (a) The Director, Center for Veterans Enterprise, is authorized to 
approve or deny applications for VetBiz VIP Verification. The CVE will 
receive, review and evaluate all VetBiz VIP Verification applications. 
CVE will advise each applicant within 30 days, when practicable, after 
the receipt of an application whether the application is complete and 
suitable for evaluation and, if not, what additional information or 
clarification is required to complete the application. CVE will process 
an application for VetBiz VIP Verification status within 60 days, when 
practicable, of receipt of a complete application package. Incomplete 
application packages will not be processed.
    (b) CVE, in its sole discretion, may request clarification of 
information contained in the application at any time in the eligibility 
determination process. CVE will take into account any clarifications 
made by an applicant in response to a request for such by CVE.
    (c) An applicant's eligibility will be based on circumstances 
existing on the date of application, except where clarification is made 
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section or as provided in paragraph 
(d) of this section.
    (d) Changed circumstances for an applicant occurring subsequent to 
its application and which adversely affect eligibility will be 
considered and may constitute grounds for denial of the application. The 
applicant must inform CVE of any changed circumstances that could 
adversely affect its eligibility for the program (i.e., ownership or 
control changes) during its application review. Failure to inform CVE of 
any such changed circumstances constitutes good cause for which CVE may 
withdraw verified status for the participant if non-compliance is 
discovered after a participant has been verified.
    (e) The decision of the Director, CVE, to approve or deny an 
application will be in writing. A decision to deny verification status 
will state the specific reasons for denial, and will inform the 
applicant of any appeal rights.
    (f) If the Director, CVE, approves the application, the date of the 
approval letter is the date of participant verification for purposes of 
determining the participant's verification eligibility term.
    (g) The decision may be sent by mail, commercial carrier, facsimile 
transmission, or other electronic means.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0675)



Sec. 74.12  What must a concern submit to apply for VetBiz VIP 
Verification Program?

    Each VetBiz VIP Verification applicant must submit the electronic 
forms and attachments CVE requires. All electronic forms are available 
on the VetBiz.gov Vendor Information Pages database Web pages. At the 
time the applicant dispatches the electronic forms, the applicant must 
also retain

[[Page 1045]]

on file at the principal place of business a completed copy of the 
electronic forms supplemented by manual records that will be used in 
verification examinations. These forms and attachments will include, but 
not be limited to, financial statements, Federal personal and business 
tax returns, payroll records and personal history statements. An 
applicant must also retain in the application file IRS Form 4506, 
Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form. These materials shall be 
filed together to maximize efficiency of verification examination 
visits. Together with the electronic documents, these manual records 
will provide the CVE verification examiner with sufficient information 
to establish the management, control and operating status of the 
business on the date of submission.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0675)



Sec. 74.13  Can an applicant ask CVE to reconsider its initial 
decision to deny an application?

    (a) An applicant may request that the Director, CVE, reconsider his 
or her decision to deny an application by filing a request for 
reconsideration with CVE within 30 days of receipt of CVE's denial 
decision. ``Filing'' means a document is received by CVE by 5:30 p.m., 
eastern time, on that day. Documents may be filed by hand delivery, 
mail, commercial carrier, or facsimile transmission. Hand delivery and 
other means of delivery may not be practicable during certain periods 
due, for example, to security concerns or equipment failures. The filing 
party bears the risk that the delivery method chosen will not result in 
timely receipt at CVE. Submit requests for reconsideration to: Director, 
Center for Veterans Enterprise (00VE), U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. A formal 
decision will be issued within 60 days after receipt.
    (b) The Director, CVE, will issue a written decision within 60 days, 
when practicable, of receipt of the applicant's request. The Director, 
CVE, may either approve the application, deny it on the same grounds as 
the original decision, or deny it on other grounds. If denied, the 
Director, CVE, will explain why the applicant is not eligible for the 
VetBiz VIP Verification and give specific reasons for the denial.
    (c) If the Director, CVE, denies the application solely on issues 
not raised in the initial denial, the applicant may ask for 
reconsideration as if it were an initial denial.
    (d) If CVE determines that a concern may not qualify as small, they 
may directly deny an application for VetBiz VIP Verification or may 
request a formal size determination from the U.S. Small Business 
Administration (SBA). A concern whose application is denied because it 
is other than a small business concern by CVE may request a formal size 
determination from the SBA Associate Administrator, Office of Government 
Contracting (ATTN: Director, Office of Size Standards), 409 3rd Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20416. A favorable determination by SBA will enable 
the firm to immediately submit a new VetBiz VIP Verification.
    (e) A denial decision that is based on the failure to meet any 
veteran or service-disabled veteran eligibility criteria is not subject 
to a request for reconsideration and is the final decision of CVE.
    (f) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the 
decision on the request for reconsideration shall be final.
    (g) The decision may be sent by mail, commercial carrier, facsimile 
transmission, or other electronic means.



Sec. 74.14  Can an applicant or participant reapply for admission
to the VetBiz VIP Verification Program?

    Once an application, a request for reconsideration, or an appeal to 
a cancellation notice, as applicable, has been denied, the applicant or 
participant shall be required to wait for a period of 6 months before a 
new application will be processed by CVE.



Sec. 74.15  What length of time may a business participate in VetBiz
VIP Verification Program?

    (a) A participant receives an eligibility term of 3 years from the 
date of CVE's approval letter establishing

[[Page 1046]]

verified status. The participant must maintain its eligibility during 
its tenure and must inform CVE of any changes that would adversely 
affect its eligibility. The eligibility term may be shortened by 
cancellation by CVE or voluntary withdrawal by the participant (i.e., no 
longer eligible as a small business concern), as provided for in this 
subpart.
    (b) When at least 50 percent of the assets of a concern are the same 
as those of an affiliated business, the concern will not be eligible for 
verification.
    (c) CVE may initiate a verification examination whenever it receives 
credible information calling into the question a participant's 
eligibility as a VOSB. Upon its completion of the examination, CVE will 
issue a written decision regarding the continued eligibility status of 
the questioned participant.
    (d) If CVE finds that the participant does not qualify as a VOSB, 
the procedures at Sec. 74.22 will apply.
    (e) If CVE finds that the participant continues to qualify as a 
VOSB, the program term remains in effect.

[75 FR 6101, Feb. 8, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 38183, June 27, 2012; 82 
FR 11155, Feb. 21, 2017]

                          Oversight Guidelines



Sec. 74.20  What is a verification examination and what will CVE
examine?

    (a) General. A verification examination is an investigation by CVE 
officials, which verifies the accuracy of any statement or information 
provided as part of the VetBiz VIP Verification application process. 
Thus, examiners may verify that the concern currently meets the 
eligibility requirements, and that it met such requirements at the time 
of its application or its most recent size recertification. An 
examination may be conducted on a random, unannounced basis, or upon 
receipt of specific and credible information alleging that a participant 
no longer meets eligibility requirements.
    (b) Scope of examination. CVE may conduct the examination, or parts 
of the program examination, at one or all of the participant's offices. 
CVE will determine the location of the examination. Examiners may review 
any information related to the concern's eligibility requirements 
including, but not limited to, documentation related to the legal 
structure, ownership and control of the concern. As a minimum, examiners 
shall review all documents supporting the application, as described in 
Sec. 74.12. These include: Financial statements; Federal personal and 
business tax returns; personal history statements; and Request for Copy 
or Transcript of Tax Form (IRS Form 4506) for up to 3 years. Other 
documents, which may be reviewed include (if applicable): Articles of 
Incorporation/Organization; corporate by-laws or operating agreements; 
organizational, annual and board/member meeting records; stock ledgers 
and certificates; State-issued Certificates of Good Standing; contract, 
lease and loan agreements; payroll records; bank account signature 
cards; and licenses.



Sec. 74.21  What are the ways a business may exit VetBiz VIP 
Verification Program status?

    A participant may:
    (a) Voluntarily cancel its status by submitting a written request to 
CVE requesting that the ``verified'' status button be removed from the 
Vendor Information Pages database; or
    (b) Delete its record entirely from the Vendor Information Pages 
database; or
    (c) CVE may cancel the ``verified'' status button for good cause 
upon formal notice to the participant. Examples of good cause include, 
but are not limited to, the following:
    (1) Submission of false information in the participant's VetBiz VIP 
Verification application.
    (2) Failure by the participant to maintain its eligibility for 
program participation.
    (3) Failure by the participant for any reason, including the death 
of an individual upon whom eligibility was based, to maintain ownership, 
management, and control by veterans, service-disabled veterans or 
surviving spouses.
    (4) Failure by the concern to disclose to CVE the extent to which 
non-veteran persons or firms participate in the management of the 
participant.
    (5) Debarment, suspension, voluntary exclusion, or ineligibility of 
the participant or its owners.

[[Page 1047]]

    (6) A pattern of failure to make required submissions or responses 
to CVE in a timely manner, including a failure to make available 
financial statements, requested tax returns, reports, information 
requested by CVE or VA's Office of Inspector General, or other requested 
information or data within 30 days of the date of request.
    (7) Cessation of the participant's business operations.
    (8) Failure by the concern to pay or repay significant financial 
obligations owed to the Federal Government.
    (9) Failure by the concern to obtain and keep current any and all 
required permits, licenses, and charters, including suspension or 
revocation of any professional license required to operate the business.
    (10) Failure by the concern to provide an updated application (VA 
Form 0877) within 60 days of any change in ownership.
    (d) The examples of good cause listed in paragraph (c) of this 
section are intended to be illustrative only. Other grounds for 
canceling a participant's verified status include any other cause of so 
serious or compelling a nature that it affects the present 
responsibility of the participant.



Sec. 74.22  What are the procedures for cancellation?

    (a) General. When CVE believes that a participant's verified status 
should be cancelled prior to the expiration of its eligibility term, CVE 
will notify the participant in writing. The Notice of Proposed 
Cancellation Letter will set forth the specific facts and reasons for 
CVE's findings, and will notify the participant that it has 30 days from 
the date it receives the letter to submit a written response to CVE 
explaining why the proposed ground(s) should not justify cancellation.
    (b) Recommendation and decision. Following the 30-day response 
period, the Director, CVE, will consider any information submitted by 
the participant. Upon determining that cancellation is not warranted, 
the Director, CVE, will notify the participant in writing. If 
cancellation appears warranted, the Director, CVE, will make a decision 
whether to cancel the participant's verified status.
    (c) Notice requirements. Upon deciding that cancellation is 
warranted, the Director, CVE, will issue a Notice of Verified Status 
Cancellation. The Notice will set forth the specific facts and reasons 
for the decision, and will advise the concern that it may re-apply after 
it has met all eligibility criteria.
    (d) Effect of verified status cancellation. After the effective date 
of cancellation, a participant is no longer eligible to appear as 
``verified'' in the VetBiz VIP database. However, such concern is 
obligated to perform previously awarded contracts to the completion of 
their existing term of performance.
    (e) Appeals. A participant may file an appeal with the Executive 
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and 
Center for Veterans Enterprise, concerning the Notice of Verified Status 
Cancellation within 30 days of receipt of CVE's cancellation decision. 
``Filing'' means a document is received by CVE by 5:30 p.m., eastern 
time, on that day. Documents may be filed by hand delivery, mail, 
commercial carrier, or facsimile transmission. Hand delivery and other 
means of delivery may not be practicable during certain periods due, for 
example, to security concerns or equipment failures. The filing party 
bears the risk that the delivery method chosen will not result in timely 
receipt at CVE. Submit appeals to: Executive Director, Office of Small 
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and Center for Veterans 
Enterprise (00VE), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. A formal decision will be issued 
within 60 days after receipt. The decision on the appeal shall be final.

                           Records Management



Sec. 74.25  What types of personally identifiable information
will VA collect?

    In order to establish owner eligibility, the Department will collect 
individual names and Social Security numbers for veterans, service-
disabled veterans and surviving spouses who represent themselves as 
having ownership and control interests in a specific business seeking to 
obtain verified status.

[[Page 1048]]



Sec. 74.26  What types of business information will VA collect?

    VA will examine a variety of business records. See Sec. 74.12, 
``What is a verification examination and what will CVE examine?''



Sec. 74.27  How will VA store information?

    VA intends to store records provided to complete the VetBiz Vendor 
Information Pages registration fully electronically on the Department's 
secure servers. CVE personnel will compare information provided 
concerning owners who have veteran status, service-disabled veteran 
status or surviving spouse status against electronic records maintained 
by the Department's Veterans Benefits Administration. Records collected 
during examination visits will be scanned onto portable media and fully 
secured in the Center for Veterans Enterprise, located in Washington, 
DC.



Sec. 74.28  Who may examine records?

    Personnel from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for 
Veterans Enterprise and its agents, including personnel from the Small 
Business Administration, may examine records to ascertain the ownership 
and control of the applicant or participant.



Sec. 74.29  When will VA dispose of records?

    The records, including those pertaining to businesses not determined 
to be eligible for the program, will be kept intact and in good 
condition for seven years following a program examination or the date of 
the last Notice of Verified Status Approval letter. Longer retention 
will not be required unless a written request is received from the 
Government Accountability Office not later than 30 days prior to the end 
of the retention period.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 8127(f))



PART 75_INFORMATION SECURITY MATTERS--Table of Contents



Subpart A [Reserved]

                         Subpart B_Data Breaches

Sec.
75.111  Purpose and scope.
75.112  Definitions and terms.
75.113  Data breach.
75.114  Accelerated response.
75.115  Risk analysis.
75.116  Secretary determination.
75.117  Notification.
75.118  Other credit protection services.
75.119  Finality of Secretary determination.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727, 7906.

    Source: 72 FR 34399, June 22, 2007, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A [Reserved]



                         Subpart B_Data Breaches



Sec. 75.111  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart implements provisions of 38 U.S.C. 5724 and 5727, which 
are set forth in Title IX of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and 
Information Technology Act of 2006. It only concerns actions to address 
a data breach regarding sensitive personal information that is processed 
or maintained by VA. This subpart does not supersede the requirements 
imposed by other laws, such as the Privacy Act of 1974, the 
Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance 
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Fair Credit Reporting 
Act, and implementing regulations of such Acts.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)



Sec. 75.112  Definitions and terms.

    For purposes of this subpart:
    Confidentiality means preserving authorized restrictions on access 
and disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy and 
proprietary information.
    Data breach means the loss or theft of, or other unauthorized access 
to, other than an unauthorized access incidental to the scope of 
employment, data containing sensitive personal information, in 
electronic or printed form, that results in the potential compromise of 
the confidentiality or integrity of the data.
    Data breach analysis means the process used to determine if a data 
breach has resulted in the misuse of sensitive personal information.

[[Page 1049]]

    Fraud resolution services means services to assist an individual in 
the process of recovering and rehabilitating the credit of the 
individual after the individual experiences identity theft.
    Identity theft has the meaning given such term under section 603 of 
the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a).
    Identity theft insurance means any insurance policy that pays 
benefits for costs, including travel costs, notary fees, and postage 
costs, lost wages, and legal fees and expenses associated with efforts 
to correct and ameliorate the effects and results of identity theft of 
the insured individual.
    Individual means a single human being who is a citizen of the United 
States, an alien admitted to permanent residence in the United States, a 
present or former member of the Armed Forces, or any dependent of a 
present or former member of the Armed Forces.
    Information system means a discrete set of information resources 
organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, 
dissemination, or disposition of information, whether automated or 
manual.
    Integrity means guarding against improper information modification 
or destruction, and includes ensuring information non-repudiation and 
authenticity.
    Logical data access means the ability of a person to translate the 
data for misuse. This can lead to inappropriate access to lost, stolen 
or improperly obtained data.
    Person means an individual; partnership; corporation; Federal, 
State, or local government agency; or any other legal entity.
    Processed or maintained by VA means created, stored, transmitted, or 
manipulated by VA personnel or by a person acting on behalf of VA, 
including a contractor or other organization or any level of 
subcontractor or other suborganization.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or designee.
    Sensitive personal information, with respect to an individual, means 
any information about the individual maintained by an agency, including 
the following:
    (1) Education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal 
or employment history.
    (2) Information that can be used to distinguish or trace the 
individual's identity, including name, Social Security number, date and 
place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records.
    Unauthorized access incidental to the scope of employment means 
access, in accordance with VA data security and confidentiality policies 
and practices, that is a by-product or result of a permitted use of the 
data, that is inadvertent and cannot reasonably be prevented, and that 
is limited in nature.
    VA means the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)



Sec. 75.113  Data breach.

    Consistent with the definition of data breach in Sec. 75.112 of this 
subpart, a data breach occurs under this subpart if there is a loss or 
theft of, or other unauthorized access to, other than an unauthorized 
access incidental to the scope of employment, data containing sensitive 
personal information, in electronic or printed form, that results in the 
potential compromise of the confidentiality or integrity of the data. 
The term ``unauthorized access'' used in the definition of ``data 
breach'' includes access to an electronic information system and 
includes, but is not limited to, viewing, obtaining, or using data 
containing sensitive personal information in any form or in any VA 
information system. The phrase ``unauthorized access incidental to the 
scope of employment'' includes instances when employees of contractors 
and other entities need access to VA sensitive information in order to 
perform a contract or agreement with VA but incidentally obtain access 
to other VA sensitive information. Accordingly, an unauthorized access, 
other than an unauthorized access incidental to the scope of employment, 
to data containing sensitive personal information, in electronic or 
printed form, that results in the potential compromise of the 
confidentiality or integrity of the data, constitutes a data breach. In 
addition to these circumstances, VA also

[[Page 1050]]

interprets data breach to include circumstances in which a user misuses 
sensitive personal information to which he or she has authorized access. 
The following circumstances do not constitute a data breach and, 
consequently, are not subject to the provisions of this subpart:
    (a) An unauthorized access to data containing sensitive personal 
information that was determined by the Secretary to be incidental to the 
scope of employment, such as an inadvertent unauthorized viewing of 
sensitive personal information by a VA employee or a person acting on 
behalf of VA.
    (b) A loss, theft, or other unauthorized access to data containing 
sensitive personal information that the Secretary determined to have no 
possibility of compromising the confidentiality or integrity of the 
data, such as the inability of compromising the confidentiality or 
integrity of the data because of encryption or the inadvertent 
disclosure to another entity that is required to provide the same or a 
similar level of protection for the data under statutory or regulatory 
authority.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)



Sec. 75.114  Accelerated response.

    (a) The Secretary, in the exercise of his or her discretion, may 
provide notice to records subjects of a data breach and/or offer them 
other credit protection services prior to the completion of a risk 
analysis if:
    (1) The Secretary determines, based on the information available to 
the agency when it learns of the data breach, that there is an 
immediate, substantial risk of identity theft of the individuals whose 
data was the subject of the data breach, and providing timely notice may 
enable the record subjects to promptly take steps to protect themselves, 
and/or the offer of other credit protection services will assist in 
timely mitigation of possible harm to individuals from the data breach; 
or
    (2) Private entities would be required to provide notice under 
Federal law if they experienced a data breach involving the same or 
similar information.
    (3) In situations described in paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this 
section, the Secretary may provide notice of the breach prior to 
completion of a risk analysis, and subsequently advise individuals 
whether the agency will offer additional credit protection services upon 
completion, and consideration of the results, of the risk analysis, if 
the Secretary directs that one be completed.
    (b) In determining whether to promptly notify individuals and/or 
offer them other credit protection services under paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, the Secretary shall make the decision based upon the 
totality of the circumstances and information available to the Secretary 
at the time of the decision, including whether providing notice and 
offering other credit protection services would be likely to assist 
record subjects in preventing, or mitigating the results of, identity 
theft based on the compromised VA sensitive personal information. The 
Secretary's exercise of this discretion will be based on good cause, 
including consideration of the following factors:
    (1) The nature and content of the lost, stolen or improperly 
accessed data, e.g., the data elements involved, such as name, social 
security number, date of birth;
    (2) The ability of an unauthorized party to use the lost, stolen or 
improperly accessed data, either by itself or with data or applications 
generally available, to commit identity theft or otherwise misuse the 
data to the disadvantage of the record subjects, if able to access and 
use the data;
    (3) Ease of logical data access to the lost, stolen or improperly 
accessed data in light of the degree of protection for the data, e.g., 
unencrypted, plain text;
    (4) Ease of physical access to the lost, stolen or improperly 
accessed data, e.g., the degree to which the data is readily available 
to unauthorized access, such as being in a dumpster readily accessible 
by members of the general public;
    (5) The format of the lost, stolen or improperly accessed data, 
e.g., in a standard electronic format, such as ASCII, or in paper;
    (6) Evidence indicating that the lost, stolen or improperly accessed 
data may have been the target of unlawful acquisition; and

[[Page 1051]]

    (7) Evidence that the same or similar data had been acquired from 
other sources improperly and used for identity theft.
    (c) VA will provide notice and/or other credit protection services 
under this section as provided in Secs. 75.117 and 75.118.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)



Sec. 75.115  Risk analysis.

    If a data breach involving sensitive personal information that is 
processed or maintained by VA occurs and the Secretary has not 
determined under Sec. 75.114 that an accelerated response is 
appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that, as soon as possible after 
the data breach, a non-VA entity with relevant expertise in data breach 
assessment and risk analysis or VA's Office of Inspector General 
conducts an independent risk analysis of the data breach. The 
preparation of the risk analysis may include data mining if necessary 
for the development of relevant information. The risk analysis shall 
include a finding with supporting rationale concerning whether the 
circumstances create a reasonable risk that sensitive personal 
information potentially may be misused. If the risk analysis concludes 
that the data breach presents a reasonable risk for the potential misuse 
of sensitive personal information, the risk analysis must also contain 
operational recommendations for responding to the data breach. Each risk 
analysis, regardless of findings and operational recommendations, shall 
also address all relevant information concerning the data breach, 
including the following:
    (a) Nature of the event (loss, theft, unauthorized access).
    (b) Description of the event, including:
    (1) Date of occurrence;
    (2) Data elements involved, including any personally identifiable 
information, such as full name, social security number, date of birth, 
home address, account number, disability code;
    (3) Number of individuals affected or potentially affected;
    (4) Individuals or groups affected or potentially affected;
    (5) Ease of logical data access to the lost, stolen or improperly 
accessed data in light of the degree of protection for the data, e.g., 
unencrypted, plain text;
    (6) Time the data has been out of VA control;
    (7) The likelihood that the sensitive personal information will or 
has been compromised (made accessible to and usable by unauthorized 
persons); and
    (8) Known misuses of data containing sensitive personal information, 
if any.
    (c) Assessment of the potential harm to the affected individuals.
    (d) Data breach analysis, as appropriate.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)



Sec. 75.116  Secretary determination.

    (a) Upon receipt of a risk analysis prepared under this subpart, the 
Secretary will consider the findings and other information contained in 
the risk analysis to determine whether the data breach caused a 
reasonable risk for the potential misuse of sensitive personal 
information. If the Secretary finds that such a reasonable risk does not 
exist, the Secretary will take no further action under this subpart. 
However, if the Secretary finds that such a reasonable risk exists, the 
Secretary will take responsive action as specified in this subpart based 
on the potential harms to individuals subject to a data breach.
    (b) In determining whether the data breach resulted in a reasonable 
risk for the potential misuse of the compromised sensitive personal 
information, the Secretary shall consider all factors that the 
Secretary, in his or her discretion, considers relevant to the decision, 
including:
    (1) The likelihood that the sensitive personal information will be 
or has been made accessible to and usable by unauthorized persons;
    (2) Known misuses, if any, of the same or similar sensitive personal 
information;
    (3) Any assessment of the potential harm to the affected individuals 
provided in the risk analysis;
    (4) Whether the credit protection services that VA may offer under 
38 U.S.C. 5724 may assist record subjects in avoiding or mitigating the 
results of

[[Page 1052]]

identity theft based on the VA sensitive personal information that had 
been compromised;
    (5) Whether private entities are required under Federal law to offer 
credit protection services to individuals if the same or similar data of 
the private entities had been similarly compromised; and
    (6) The recommendations, if any, concerning the offer of, or 
benefits to be derived from, credit protection services in this case 
that are in the risk analysis report.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)



Sec. 75.117  Notification.

    (a) With respect to individuals found under this subpart by the 
Secretary to be subject to a reasonable risk for the potential misuse of 
any sensitive personal information, the Secretary will promptly provide 
written notification by first-class mail to the individual (or the next 
of kin if the individual is deceased) at the last known address of the 
individual. The notification may be sent in one or more mailings as 
information is available and will include the following:
    (1) A brief description of what happened, including the date[s] of 
the data breach and of its discovery if known;
    (2) To the extent possible, a description of the types of personal 
information that were involved in the data breach (e.g., full name, 
Social Security number, date of birth, home address, account number, 
disability code);
    (3) A brief description of what the agency is doing to investigate 
the breach, to mitigate losses, and to protect against any further 
breach of the data;
    (4) Contact procedures for those wishing to ask questions or learn 
additional information, which will include a toll-free telephone number, 
an e-mail address, Web site, and/or postal address;
    (5) Steps individuals should take to protect themselves from the 
risk of identity theft, including steps to obtain fraud alerts (alerts 
of any key changes to such reports and on demand personal access to 
credit reports and scores), if appropriate, and instruction for 
obtaining other credit protection services offered under this subpart; 
and
    (6) A statement whether the information was encrypted or protected 
by other means, when determined such information would be beneficial and 
would not compromise the security of the system.
    (b) In those instances where there is insufficient, or out-of-date 
contact information that precludes direct written notification to an 
individual subject to a data breach, a substitute form of notice may be 
provided, such as a conspicuous posting on the home page of VA's Web 
site and notification in major print and broadcast media, including 
major media in geographic areas where the affected individuals likely 
reside. Such a notice in media will include a toll-free phone number 
where an individual can learn whether or not his or her personal 
information is possibly included in the data breach.
    (c) In those cases deemed by the Secretary to require urgency 
because of possible imminent misuse of sensitive personal information, 
the Secretary, in addition to notification under paragraph (a) of this 
section, may provide information to individuals by telephone or other 
means, as appropriate.
    (d) Notwithstanding other provisions in this section, notifications 
may be delayed upon lawful requests, from other Federal agencies, for 
the delay of notifications in order to protect data or computer 
resources from further compromise or to prevent interference with the 
conduct of an investigation or efforts to recover the data. A lawful 
request is one made in writing by the entity or VA component responsible 
for the investigation or data recovery efforts that may be adversely 
affected by providing notification. Any lawful request for delay in 
notification must state an estimated date after which the requesting 
entity believes that notification will not adversely affect the conduct 
of the investigation or efforts to recover the data. However, any delay 
should not exacerbate risk or harm to any affected individual(s). 
Decisions to delay notification should be made by the Secretary.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)

[[Page 1053]]



Sec. 75.118  Other credit protection services.

    (a) With respect to individuals found under this subpart by the 
Secretary to be subject to a reasonable risk for the potential misuse of 
any sensitive personal information under this subpart, the Secretary may 
offer one or more of the following as warranted based on considerations 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section:
    (1) One year of credit monitoring services consisting of automatic 
daily monitoring of at least 3 relevant credit bureau reports;
    (2) Data breach analysis;
    (3) Fraud resolution services, including writing dispute letters, 
initiating fraud alerts and credit freezes, to assist affected 
individuals to bring matters to resolution; and/or
    (4) One year of identity theft insurance with $20,000.00 coverage at 
$0 deductible.
    (b) Consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting 
Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) as interpreted and applied by the Federal 
Trade Commission, the notice to the individual offering other credit 
protection services will explain how the individual may obtain the 
services, including the information required to be submitted by the 
individual to obtain the services, and the time period within which the 
individual must act to take advantage of the credit protection services 
offered.
    (c) In determining whether any or all of the credit protection 
services specified in paragraph (a) of this section will be offered to 
individuals subject to a data breach, the Secretary will consider the 
following:
    (1) The data elements involved;
    (2) The number of individuals affected or potentially affected;
    (3) The likelihood the sensitive personal information will be or has 
been made accessible to and usable by unauthorized persons;
    (4) The risk of potential harm to the affected individuals; and
    (5) The ability to mitigate the risk of harm.
    (c) The Secretary will take action to obtain data mining and data 
breach analyses services, as appropriate, to obtain information relevant 
for making determinations under this subpart.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 5724, 5727)



Sec. 75.119  Finality of Secretary determination.

    A determination made by the Secretary under this subpart will be a 
final agency decision.



PART 76_MONTHLY ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE FOR VETERANS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE UNITED STATES PARALYMPICS--Table of Contents



Sec.
76.1  Definitions.
76.2  Assistance allowance.
76.3  Application and certification.
76.4  Amount of allowance.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 322(d), and as stated in specific 
sections.

    Source: 76 FR 14283, Mar. 16, 2011, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 76.1  Definitions.

    For purposes of part 76, the following definitions apply:
    Disability means a service-connected or nonservice-connected 
disability which meets the criteria prescribed by the International 
Paralympic Committee (IPC) Classification Code and International 
Standards, November 2007 edition, available at http://
www.paralympic.org/export/sites/default/IPC/IPC_Handbook/Section_2/
2008_2_Classification_Code6.pdf, and qualifies the veteran for 
participation in a sport sanctioned by the United States Paralympics. 
The IPC standards are incorporated by reference into this section with 
the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that 
specified in this section, VA must publish notice of change in the 
Federal Register and the material must be available to the public.
    (1) You may obtain a copy from the International Paralympic 
Committee at International Paralympic Committee, Adenauerallee 212-214, 
53113 Bonn, Germany.
    (2) All approved material is available for inspection at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Regulation

[[Page 1054]]

Policy and Management (02REG), Room 1063B, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20420, or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of approved 
materials at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html. The IPC standards are also available here: http://
www.va.gov/ABOUT_VA/docs/ParalympicClassificationCode.pdf.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 322(d))

    Paralympic Training Center refers to the following locations: The 
United States Olympic Training Center at Chula Vista, California; the 
United States Olympic Training Center at Colorado Springs, Colorado; the 
United States Olympic Training Center at Lake Placid, New York; the 
Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama; and the University of 
Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 322(d))



Sec. 76.2  Assistance allowance.

    (a) VA will pay an allowance to a veteran with a disability who is:
    (1) Invited by the United States Paralympics (USP) to compete for a 
slot on, or selected for, the USP Team for any month or part of any 
month in which the veteran is training or competing in any event 
sponsored by the USP or the IPC; or
    (2) Residing at a USP training center in connection with any 
paralympic training or competition for the period certified under 
Sec. 76.3.
    (b) In providing this allowance, VA will periodically assess funding 
for the allowance. If a periodic assessment reveals that funding is 
insufficient to pay all applicants, VA will first pay in full veterans 
with service-connected disabilities, and then pay others in full in the 
order in which their completed applications are received.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 322(d))



Sec. 76.3  Application and certification.

    To receive an allowance--
    (a) A veteran must submit a complete application identifying any 
dependents upon which a higher payable rate of allowance may be based; 
and
    (b) USP must provide certification of the veteran's participation in 
training or competition sponsored by the USP or the IPC, or residence at 
a USP training center, for the period for which payment is requested. 
The certification must specify whether the payment is due for training, 
competition, or residence, and the dates of the training, competition, 
or residence for which payment is due.

(The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection provisions in this section under control number 2900-0760)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 322(d))



Sec. 76.4  Amount of allowance.

    The following rules govern the amount of allowance payable to 
veterans under this section.
    (a) Payment will be made at the rate paid for a full-time 
institutional program under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code 
(Chapter 31) that is in effect for a period of certified participation, 
as prescribed by paragraph (b) of this section. (See 38 CFR 21.260.)
    (b) Payment may be made for each day at \1/30\ of the monthly rate 
to veterans who train or compete in USP or IPC sponsored events for each 
day of training or competition, or to veterans who reside at a USP 
training center, for each day of residence, or on a monthly basis at the 
monthly rate to veterans who train or compete continuously for a full 
month, or to veterans who reside at a USP training center for a full 
month.
    (c) VA will pay the allowance at a rate paid to a veteran with 
dependents for a full-time Chapter 31 institutional program upon receipt 
of appropriate documentation that a veteran who qualifies for the 
allowance has dependents. (See 38 CFR 21.260.)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 322(d), 3108)

[[Page 1055]]



PART 77_GRANTS FOR ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS
AND DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES--Table of Contents



Sec.
77.1  Purpose and scope.
77.2  Definitions.
77.3  Grants--general.
77.4  Applications.
77.5  Selection criteria.
77.6  Amendments to grant applications.
77.7  Withdrawal of grant application.
77.8  Additional requirements and procedures for applications.
77.9  Use of pre-applications.
77.10  Peer review methods.
77.11  Outreach required.
77.12  Notice of funding availability.
77.13  Applications for noncompetitive adaptive sports grants.
77.14  Grant agreements.
77.15  Payments under the grant.
77.16  Grantee reporting requirements.
77.17  Recovery of funds by VA.
77.18  Visits to monitor operations and compliance.
77.19  Financial management.
77.20  Recordkeeping.
77.21  Application of other regulations.

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 521A, unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 77.1  Purpose and scope.

    This section establishes the Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for 
Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces program. 
Under this program, VA may provide grants to eligible entities to plan, 
develop, manage, and implement programs to provide adaptive sports 
activities for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed 
Forces.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A)



Sec. 77.2  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this part and any Notice of Funding Availability 
(NOFA) issued pursuant to this part:
    Adaptive sports means a sport that has either been adapted 
specifically for persons with a disability or created specifically for 
persons with a disability.
    Adaptive sports activities means:
    (1) Instruction, participation, and competition in adaptive sports;
    (2) Training and technical assistance to program administrators, 
coaches, recreational therapists, instructors, Department employees, and 
other appropriate individuals; and
    (3) Coordination, Paralympic classification of athletes, athlete 
assessment, sport-specific training techniques, program development 
(including programs at the local level), sports equipment, supplies, 
program evaluation, and other activities related to the implementation 
and operation of the program.
    Adaptive sports grant means a grant awarded or to be awarded under 
this part.
    Adaptive sports grant agreement means the agreement executed between 
VA and a grantee as specified under Sec. 77.17.
    Applicant means an eligible entity that submits an application for 
an adaptive sports grant announced in a NOFA.
    DoD means the Department of Defense.
    Eligible entity means a Non-Federal Government entity with 
significant experience in managing a large-scale adaptive sports program 
for persons with disabilities if those disabilities are those that many 
disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces have. To 
demonstrate significant experience, all the key personnel identified in 
the adaptive sports grant application of the entity must have experience 
implementing the adaptive sports activities to be provided and have 
experience working with persons with disabilities that many disabled 
veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces to be served through 
the adaptive sports grant have. The experience must be for two 
continuous years immediately prior to the date of submission to VA of 
the grant application. When more than one entity would be engaged in the 
provision of the adaptive sport activities, the entity applying for the 
adaptive sports grant must provide documentation that verifies that 
through the partnership, it has the experience necessary to implement 
all of the adaptive sports activities proposed in the adaptive sports 
grant application.

[[Page 1056]]

    Grantee means an entity that is awarded an adaptive sports grant 
under this part.
    International Paralympic Committee (IPC) means the global governing 
body of the Paralympic movement.
    Large-scale adaptive sports program means
    (1) An adaptive sports program of a National Paralympic Committee 
(NPC) or of a National Governing Body (NGB) that is authorized to 
provide Paralympic sports programs in one or more States;
    (2) An adaptive sports program of a NGB that has been recognized by 
an external validating authority if the programs validated by that 
authority would meet the requirements of paragraph (3) of this 
definition if considered one program; and
    (3) An adaptive sports program in which at least 50 persons with 
disabilities participate or in which the persons with disabilities who 
participate in the program reside in at least five different 
congressional districts.
    National Governing Body (NGB) means an organization that looks after 
all aspects of a sport and is responsible for training, competition and 
development for their sports.
    National Paralympic Committee (NPC) means the national organization 
recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the sole 
representative of athletes with disabilities from their respective 
jurisdiction.
    Notice of funding availability (NOFA) means a Notice of Funding 
Availability published in the OMB-designated government-wide Web site in 
accordance with Sec. 77.13 and 2 CFR Part 200.
    Paralympics means a series of international contests for athletes 
with a range of physical and intellectual disabilities, including 
mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and traumatic brain 
injury, that are associated with and held following the summer and 
winter Olympic Games.
    Participant means a disabled veteran or disabled member of the Armed 
Forces who is receiving adaptive sport activities from a grantee.
    Partnership means any type of arrangement in which the parties agree 
to cooperate and is not limited to a legal partnership.
    Peer review means the technical and programmatic evaluation by a 
group of experts qualified by training and experience to give expert 
advice, based on selection criteria established under Sec. 77.13 or in a 
program announcement, on the technical and programmatic merit of 
adaptive sports grant applications.
    Persons with a disability includes persons with physical and 
intellectual disabilities.
    Sport means a usually competitive individual or group physical 
activity governed by a set of rules or customs, which, through casual or 
organized participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical 
ability and skills while normally providing entertainment to 
participants.
    VA means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Veteran means a person described in Sec. 3.1 of this title.
    Veterans Service Organization (VSO) means an organization recognized 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code, a subgroup of such 
an organization, or a nonprofit entity registered with the U.S. 
Government that has a primary mission to provide services to veterans 
and members of the Armed Services.

(Authority: Pub. L. 111-163, 38 U.S.C. 501)



Sec. 77.3  Grants--general.

    (a) Grants. VA may award adaptive sports grants to eligible 
entities.
    (b) Maximum amount. The maximum grant amounts to be awarded will be 
specified in the NOFA.
    (c) No matching requirement. A grantee will not be required to 
provide matching funds as a condition of receiving such grant.
    (d) Participants will not be charged. A grantee may not charge 
participants a fee for providing adaptive sports activities that were 
outlined in their adaptive sports grant application.
    (e) Grant is not veteran's benefit. The grant offered by this 
chapter is not a veteran's benefit. As such, the decisions of the 
Secretary are final and not

[[Page 1057]]

subject to the same appeal rights as decisions related to veterans 
benefits.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A)



Sec. 77.4  Applications.

    (a) Initial application. To apply for an initial grant, an applicant 
must submit to VA a complete grant application package, as described in 
the NOFA.
    (b) Renewal application. After receiving an initial grant, grantees 
may apply for a renewal grant if the grantee's program will remain 
substantially the same. The grantee must submit to VA a complete renewal 
application as described in the NOFA. Because evaluations of renewal 
applications rely on performance data related to the initial grant, the 
application and supporting documentation may vary from the initial 
application; however, renewal applications are competitive grants and 
will be evaluated under competitive grant selection processes.
    (c) Noncompetitive application. When a condition exists for a 
noncompetitive grant as outlined in Sec. 77.15, the adaptive sports 
entity may submit a noncompetitive application that meets the same 
format as outlined for competitive grants set forth in the NOFA.

(OMB has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control numbers 2900-0820, 4040-0004 for Standard Form 
424, and 4040-0008 for Standard Form 424C)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A)

[79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 25235, May 4, 2015]



Sec. 77.5  Selection criteria.

    (a) VA will review all applications for adaptive sports grants using 
the following selection criteria:
    (1) The adaptive sports activities to be provided by the program are 
clearly stated;
    (2) The objectives of the proposed program are clearly defined;
    (3) The program design is based on facts, good reasoning, sound 
judgment, and logic, and contains program elements directly linked to 
the achievement of program objectives;
    (4) The program management structure is adequate to the successful 
conduct of the program;
    (5) The applicant's capability (including support provided by any 
partnership or partnerships) is demonstrated at a level sufficient to 
successfully support the program;
    (6) Budgeted costs are reasonable, allowable and produce good value 
for the amount of funds paid for the activities proposed to be 
undertaken;
    (7) The proposed program provides adaptive sports opportunities in 
geographic regions where VA has identified limited sports opportunities 
for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces;
    (8) The proposed program provides an adaptive sports activity or 
adaptive sports activities that meet the current needs and priorities 
for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces; and
    (9) Inclusion of all required information in the grant application 
as specified by 38 U.S.C. 521A(c).
    (b) NOFA announcements may also clarify the selection criteria in 
paragraph (a) of this section. The relative weight (point value) for 
each selection criterion will be specified in the NOFA.



Sec. 77.6  Amendments to grant applications.

    An applicant seeking to amend its grant application must submit a 
revised Standard Forms 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and 424C 
(Budget Information) with a narrative description of, and justification 
for, the amendment. An applicant may submit an amendment after the 
deadline for submission of applications and prior to grant award if the 
amendment does not change the scope of the application. In addition, 
amendments submitted after the deadline and prior to grant award cannot 
increase the amount of the grant requested by more than a total of 10 
percent.

(OMB has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control number 4040-0004 for Standard Form 424 and 4040-
0008 for Standard Form 424C)

[79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 25235, May 4, 2015]



Sec. 77.7  Withdrawal of grant application.

    An applicant may withdraw its application by submitting to VA a 
written

[[Page 1058]]

document that withdraws the application.



Sec. 77.8  Additional requirements and procedures for applications.

    (a) Application for grants. An applicant may submit, on or before 
the submission deadline date established in a NOFA, an application in 
accordance with the instructions in the NOFA and including the forms 
specified in the NOFA. Such application must be signed by the applicant 
or an official or representative of the applicant duly authorized to 
make such application and to assume on behalf of the applicant the 
obligations imposed by law, applicable regulations, and any additional 
terms and conditions of the grant. VA may require in the NOFA for 
applicants to submit a pre-application for review and approval prior to 
the submission of an application.
    (b) Partnerships. (1) Eligible entities may enter into partnerships 
with other eligible entities, including those in other States, and 
submit joint applications for adaptive sports grants.
    (2) A joint application made by two or more applicants may have 
separate budgets corresponding to the programs, services and activities 
performed by each of the joint applicants or may have a combined budget. 
If a joint application presents separate budgets, VA may make separate 
awards, or may award a single award authorizing separate amounts for 
each joint applicant.
    (c) Evaluation of applications submitted. All applications submitted 
shall be evaluated. After the initial internal or peer review, 
additional internal evaluations and/or peer reviews may be used.
    (d) Applicant's performance on prior award. When the applicant has 
previously received an award from VA or another Federal agency, the 
applicant's noncompliance with requirements applicable to such prior 
award as reflected in past written evaluation reports and memoranda on 
performance, and the completeness of required prior submissions, may be 
considered by VA. In any case where VA proposes to deny a grant based 
upon the applicant's noncompliance with requirements applicable to the 
prior award, VA shall do so only after affording the applicant notice 
and a reasonable opportunity to rebut the proposed basis for denial of a 
grant.
    (e) Applicant's fiscal integrity. Applicants must meet and maintain 
standards of fiscal integrity for participation in Federal grant 
programs as reflected in 2 CFR part 200.
    (f) Disposition of applications. Upon review of an application and 
dependent on availability of funds, VA will:
    (1) Approve the application for funding, in whole or in part, for 
such amount of funds, and subject to such conditions that VA deems 
necessary or desirable;
    (2) Determine that the application is of acceptable quality for 
funding, in that it meets minimum criteria, but disapprove the 
application for funding because it did not rank sufficiently high in 
relation to other applications to qualify for an award based on the 
level of funding available;
    (3) Disapprove the application for failure to meet the applicable 
selection criteria at a sufficiently high level in comparison to other 
applications to justify an award of funds, or for another reason as 
provided in the documentation of the decision; or
    (4) Defer action on the application for such reasons as lack of 
funds or a need for further review.
    (g) Notification of disposition. VA will notify the applicant in 
writing of the disposition of the application. A signed grant agreement 
form will be issued to the applicant of an approved application.
    (h) Availability of grant funds. Federal financial assistance is 
normally available only with respect to obligations incurred subsequent 
to the effective date of the grant. The effective date of grant will be 
set forth in the grant agreement. Recipients may be reimbursed for costs 
resulting from obligations incurred before the effective date of the 
grant, if such costs are authorized by VA in the NOFA, the grant 
agreement or subsequently by VA in writing, and otherwise would be 
allowable as costs of the grant under applicable guidelines, 
regulations, and

[[Page 1059]]

terms and conditions of the grant agreement.

(OMB has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control number 2900-0820)

[79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 25235, May 4, 2015]



Sec. 77.9  Use of pre-applications.

    VA may request pre-applications for competitive and noncompetitive 
grant applications. Such request would be made in a NOFA.

(OMB has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control numbers 2900-0820, 4040-0004 for Standard Form 
424, and 4040-0008 for Standard Form 424C)

[79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 25235, May 4, 2015]



Sec. 77.10  Peer review methods.

    (a) VA may subject both pre-applications and formal applications to 
a peer review process. For both competitive and noncompetitive 
applications, peer review will normally consist of written comments 
based on the selection criteria established in Sec. 77.5 and any 
weighting factors identified in the NOFA or conveyed in writing to the 
noncompetitive applicant, together with the assignment of numerical 
values. Peer review may occur at meetings of peer reviewers that are 
held under VA oversight, through mail reviews, or a combination of both. 
When advisable, site visits may also be employed. The method of peer 
review anticipated for each announced competitive program, including the 
weighting factors to be used by peer reviewers, will be specified in 
each NOFA.
    (b) When formal applications are required in response to a NOFA, an 
initial review will be conducted by qualified VA staff, in order to 
eliminate from peer review consideration applications which do not meet 
minimum program requirements. Such requirements as listed in Sec. 77.5 
and weighting factors will be specified in the NOFA. Applications 
determined to be qualified and eligible for further consideration may 
then be considered under the peer review process.



Sec. 77.11  Outreach required.

    (a) As a condition of receiving a grant under this part, an eligible 
entity must agree to conduct a joint outreach campaign with VA to inform 
all eligible veterans and separating members of the Armed Forces with 
physical disabilities about the existence of the adaptive sports 
activities funded by the grant, as appropriate, and shall provide for, 
facilitate, and encourage participation of such veterans and separating 
members of the Armed Forces in programs under this part to the extent 
possible.
    (b) For grantees conducting adaptive sports activities at the 
community level, outreach must include active liaison with local VA and 
DoD facilities; State, local, and tribal governments; and VSOs, private 
agencies, and organizations providing adaptive sport activities to 
disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces to be served 
by the grantee.
    (c) For grantees conducting adaptive sports activities occurring at 
the national and regional levels, outreach must include active liaison 
with VA and DoD, State governments, VSOs, and private agencies and 
organizations providing adaptive sport services to disabled veterans and 
disabled members of the Armed Forces to be served by the grantee and 
tailored as appropriate to the deliverables of the grant.

(Authority: 38 USC 521A(e))



Sec. 77.12  Notice of funding availability.

    When funds are available for grants, VA will publish a NOFA in the 
OMB-designated government-wide Web site. The notice will identify:
    (a) The information required to be in notices of funding 
opportunities in 2 CFR Part 200;
    (b) The location for obtaining grant applications;
    (c) The date, time, and place for submitting completed grant 
applications;
    (d) The estimated amount and type of grant funding available;
    (e) The length of term for the grant award, covering the amount of 
time the award remains in effect through date of completion;
    (f) The minimum scores and scores per mandatory evaluation criteria 
area

[[Page 1060]]

in Sec. 77.5 that an applicant must receive in order for a grant to be 
considered for funding; and
    (g) The timeframe and manner for payments under the grant.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A)



Sec. 77.13  Applications for noncompetitive adaptive sports grants.

    (a) When VA identifies that an eligible entity is the only entity 
capable of providing an adaptive sports activity for disabled veterans 
and disabled members of the Armed Forces, and VA determines that the 
award of a grant to this entity is warranted to enable adaptive sports 
activities for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed 
Forces, VA may request that entity to submit a grant application. To 
verify that only one entity is capable of providing an adaptive sports 
activity:
    (1) VA must determine that the adaptive sports activity is available 
only from one eligible entity;
    (2) VA must receive a written statement from an entity which 
verifies that a particular adaptive sports activity is only available 
from a named non-Federal entity; or
    (3) After VA attempts to find competition for a grant by issuing a 
NOFA, VA receives only one application to provide the adaptive sports 
activity sought under the NOFA or having received no applications, 
engages a qualified adaptive sport entity to negotiate provision of the 
adaptive sports activity sought.
    (b) To submit an application for a noncompetitive adaptive sports 
grant, an applicant must obtain from VA an adaptive sports grant 
application package and submit to VA the information called for in the 
adaptive sports grant application package within the time period 
established in the NOFA.
    (c) The noncompetitive adaptive sports grant application must 
include:
    (1) Information regarding the program design and supporting evidence 
directly linking the program to the achievement of the program's 
objectives;
    (2) Documentation on the eligibility of the applicant to receive an 
adaptive sports grant and on why the award of a noncompetitive grant is 
warranted;
    (3) Description of the type of adaptive sports activities that would 
be provided;
    (4) Documentation concerning the estimated operating costs and 
operating budget for the adaptive sports activities for which a grant is 
sought;
    (5) Documentation that the applicant has the technical expertise 
needed; and
    (6) Reasonable assurances that if the applicant receives an adaptive 
sports grant under this part:
    (i) It will provide adequate financial and administrative support 
for providing the services set forth in the adaptive sports grant 
application and will actually provide such services; and
    (ii) It will keep records and submit reports as VA may reasonably 
require, within the time frames required; and give VA, upon demand, 
access to the records upon which such information is based.

(OMB has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control number 2900-0820)

[79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 25235, May 4, 2015]



Sec. 77.14  Grant agreements.

    (a) General. After a grant is approved for award, VA will draft a 
grant agreement to be executed by VA and the grantee. Upon execution of 
the grant agreement, VA will obligate the grant amount. The grant 
agreement will include a provision requiring that the grantee will 
operate the program in accordance with the provisions of this part, 2 
CFR Part 200, and the grant application.
    (b) Equipment. If grant funds will be used to procure or operate 
adaptive sports equipment to directly provide adaptive sports 
activities, the grant agreement must provide that:
    (1) Title to the adaptive sports equipment vests solely in the 
grantee, or, for leased equipment, in an identified lessor;
    (2) The grantee will at a minimum, provide liability insurance for 
the adaptive sports equipment to the same extent they would insure 
adaptive sports equipment procured with their own funds; and

[[Page 1061]]

    (3) Adaptive sports equipment will be safe to use and maintained in 
accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
    (c) Use of funds for administrative and personnel expenses. (1) An 
eligible entity that receives a grant under this part may use a portion 
of the grant for administrative expenses and personnel expenses of the 
eligible entity. The amount that may be used for such expenses may not 
exceed:
    (i) In the case of a grant made for adaptive sports activities 
taking place during fiscal year 2014, 10 percent of the total amount of 
the grant;
    (ii) In the case of a grant made for adaptive sports activities 
taking place during fiscal year 2015, 7.5 percent of the total amount of 
the grant; and
    (iii) In the case of a grant made for adaptive sports activities 
taking place during any subsequent fiscal year, 5 percent of the total 
amount of the grant.
    (2) For purposes of Sec. 77.14(c), personnel expenses include any 
costs associated with an employee of the eligible entity other than 
reimbursement for time spent by such an employee directly providing 
coaching or training for participants.
    (d) Use of grant funds for individuals who are not veterans or 
members of the Armed Forces. The grant agreement may authorize grantees 
to support or provide services (including adaptive sports activities) to 
individuals with disabilities who are not veterans or members of the 
Armed Forces, or both, but will prohibit grant funds from being used to 
support or provide services (including adaptive sports activities) to 
those individuals.
    (e) Restrictions on the participation of certain veterans and former 
servicemembers. The grant agreement will prohibit grant funds from being 
used to support or provide services (including adaptive sports 
activities) to veterans or former servicemembers who are barred from 
receiving VA benefits based on their service (see 38 U.S.C. 5303-5303A) 
and to veterans or former servicemembers who, if otherwise eligible, 
would be barred from receiving VA pension, compensation or dependency 
and indemnity compensation based on the character of their discharge 
from military service (see 38 CFR 3.12).

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A(d)(4))



Sec. 77.15  Payments under the grant.

    (a) Payments to grantees. Grantees are to be paid in accordance with 
the timeframes and manner set forth in the NOFA.
    (b) Payments to subgrantees. Payments of grant funds by grantees to 
subgrantees (including entities with which the grantee has entered into 
a partnership) for instruction, participation, and competition in sports 
may only be made for instruction, participation, and competition in 
Paralympic sports.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A)



Sec. 77.16  Grantee reporting requirements.

    (a) Annual report. All grantees must submit to VA, not later than 60 
days after the last day of the Federal fiscal year for which a grant is 
provided under this part, an annual report which sets forth the 
following information for that fiscal year:
    (1) A detailed record of the time involved in providing adaptive 
sports activities through direct personal interaction with participants 
and time expended in adaptive sports activities that do not involve 
direct personal interaction with participants;
    (2) A detailed record of the individual adaptive sports activities 
conducted;
    (3) A detailed record of the adaptive sports programs carried out at 
the national and local levels through partnerships with VA, DoD, VSOs, 
and other adaptive sports entities;
    (4) The number of veterans and the number of participants in the 
adapted sports activities funded by the grant including those who 
participated in any programs carried out through a partnership under 
this part;
    (5) The locations where adaptive sports activities were conducted; 
and
    (6) A detailed accounting of how the grant funds were used including 
the administrative and personnel expenses incurred by the grantee in 
carrying out the program and such expenses paid for using grant funds.
    (b) Quarterly report. All grantees must submit to VA a quarterly 
report

[[Page 1062]]

30 days after the close of each Federal fiscal quarter of the grant 
period which includes the same information required for annual reports, 
as well as projected change requests if applicable.
    (c) Program variations. Any changes in a grantee's program 
activities which result in deviations from the grant agreement must be 
reported to VA.
    (d) Additional reporting. Additional reporting requirements may be 
requested by VA to allow VA to fully assess program effectiveness.
    (e) Annual report compliance. If a grantee does not submit the 
annual report required under this section for any fiscal year, the 
grantee shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this part for the 
subsequent fiscal year.

(OMB has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control number 2900-0820)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A(j))

[79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 25235, May 4, 2015]



Sec. 77.17  Recovery of funds by VA.

    (a) Recovery of funds. VA may recover from the grantee any funds 
that are not used in accordance with a grant agreement. If VA decides to 
recover funds, VA will issue to the grantee a notice of intent to 
recover grant funds, and grantee will then have 30 days to submit 
documentation demonstrating why the grant funds should not be recovered. 
After review of all submitted documentation, VA will determine whether 
action will be taken to recover the grant funds.
    (b) Prohibition of additional adaptive sports grant payments. When 
VA makes a final decision that action will be taken to recover grant 
funds from the grantee, VA must stop further payments of grant funds 
under this part until the grant funds are recovered and the condition 
that led to the decision to recover grant funds has been resolved.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 521A)



Sec. 77.18  Visits to monitor operations and compliance.

    VA has the right, at all reasonable times, to make visits to all 
grantee locations where a grantee is using adaptive sports grant funds 
in order to review grantee accomplishments and management control 
systems and to provide such technical assistance as may be required. VA 
may conduct inspections of all program locations and records of a 
grantee at such times as are deemed necessary to determine compliance 
with the provisions of this part. In the event that a grantee delivers 
services at a location away from the grantee's place of business, VA may 
accompany the grantee. If any visit is made by VA on the premises of the 
grantee or a subcontractor under the adaptive sports grant, the grantee 
must provide, and must require its subcontractors to provide, all 
reasonable facilities and assistance for the safety and convenience of 
the VA representatives in the performance of their duties. All visits 
and evaluations will be performed in such as manner as will not unduly 
delay services.



Sec. 77.19  Financial management.

    (a) All recipients will comply with applicable requirements of the 
Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, as implemented by 2 CFR part 200.
    (b) All grantees must use a financial management system that 
complies with 2 CFR Part 200. Grantees must meet the applicable 
requirements of OMB's regulations on Cost Principles at 2 CFR part 200.

(OMB has approved the information collection requirements in this 
section under control number 2900-0820)

[79 FR 37217, July 1, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 25235, May 4, 2015]



Sec. 77.20  Recordkeeping.

    Grantees must ensure that records are maintained in accordance with 
2 CFR part 200. Grantees must produce such records at VA's request.



Sec. 77.21  Application of other regulations.

    For purposes of this part, the requirements in 38 CFR parts 43 and 
49 are superseded by those in 2 CFR part 200.

                         PARTS 78	199 [RESERVED]

[[Page 1063]]



                CHAPTER II--ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME




  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Part                                                                Page
200             Compliance with the National Environmental 
                    Policy Act..............................        1065
201-299         [Reserved]

[[Page 1065]]



PART 200_COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT--
Table of Contents



Sec.
200.1  Purpose.
200.2  Background.
200.3  Responsibilities.
200.4  Implementation of NEPA and related authorities.
200.5  Coordination with other authorities.
200.6  Public involvement.
200.7  Cooperating agencies.
200.8  AFRH participation in NEPA compliance by other agencies.

Appendix A to Part 200--Categorical Exclusions
Appendix B to Part 200--The Action Requiring an Environmental Assessment
Appendix C to Part 200--Actions Requiring Environmental Impact Statement

    Authority: 24 U.S.C. 401, et seq.

    Source: 74 FR 57608, Nov. 9, 2009, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 200.1  Purpose.

    These regulations set out AFRH environmental policy and provide 
direction for carrying out the procedural requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related legal authorities.



Sec. 200.2  Background.

    (a) The NEPA and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations 
implementing the procedural requirements of NEPA (40 CFR 1500 through 
1508, hereinafter, the CEQ regulations) require that each Federal agency 
consider the impact of its actions on the human environment and 
prescribe procedures to be followed. Other laws, executive orders, and 
regulations provide related direction. NEPA establishes and AFRH adopts 
as policy that as a Federal agency, AFRH will: Use all practicable 
means, consistent with other essential considerations of national 
policy, to improve and coordinate Federal plans, functions, programs, 
and resources to the end that the Nation may:
    (1) Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of 
the environment for succeeding generations;
    (2) Assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and 
esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
    (3) Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment 
without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and 
unintended consequences;
    (4) Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of 
our national heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an environment 
which supports diversity, and variety of individual choice;
    (5) Achieve a balance between population and resource use which will 
permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; 
and
    (6) Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the 
maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources.
    (b) As an important means of carrying out this policy, AFRH will 
analyze and consider the impacts of its proposed actions (activities, 
programs, projects, legislation) and any reasonable alternatives on the 
environment, and on the relationship of people with the environment. 
This analysis is to be undertaken early in planning any such action, as 
an aid to deciding whether the action will go forward, and if so how. 
Consideration must be given to reasonable alternative means of achieving 
the purpose and need for the proposed action, and to the alternative of 
not taking the proposed action. The analysis is to be completed, and 
used to inform the decision maker and make the public aware of the 
action's potential impacts, before the decision is made about whether 
and how to proceed with the action. Relevant environmental documents, 
comments, and responses regarding the proposal will accompany the 
proposal and be presented to the AFRH decision maker for their 
consideration.
    (c) NEPA also requires and AFRH will ensure that, to the fullest 
extent possible, analyses and consultations required by other 
environmental laws be coordinated with those required under NEPA, to 
reduce redundancy, paperwork, time, and cost.
    (d) The AFRH is an independent Federal agency that provides 
residence and related services for certain retired and former members of 
the Armed Forces. The AFRH has property in Washington, DC and Gulfport, 
MS.

[[Page 1066]]

    (e) This part contains AFRH's general policy regarding NEPA 
implementation and sets out AFRH procedures that supplement the CEQ 
regulations for meeting NEPA requirements. It also assigns 
responsibilities to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the AFRH and 
the Master Planner. These regulations provide further detail regarding 
the conduct of NEPA impact analyses.



Sec. 200.3  Responsibilities.

    (a) The COO is the AFRH NEPA official responsible for compliance 
with NEPA for AFRH actions. The COO also provides the AFRH's views on 
other agencies' environmental impact statements (EIS).
    (b) The Master Planner is the point of contact for information on: 
AFRH NEPA documents; NEPA oversight activities; and review of other 
agencies' EISs and NEPA documents.
    (c) The AFRH's assigned counsel is the point of contact for legal 
questions involving environmental matters.



Sec. 200.4  Implementation of NEPA and related authorities.

    (a) Classification of AFRH actions. (1) All AFRH proposed actions 
typically fall into one of the following three classes, in terms of 
requirements for review under NEPA: Categorical exclusions, 
environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements.
    (2) The Master Planner, is responsible for classifying proposed 
actions and undertaking the level of analysis, consultation, and review 
appropriate to each.
    (b) Categorical Exclusions (CATEX). (1) A categorical exclusion 
(CATEX) is a category of actions which do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment, except 
under extraordinary circumstances (42 CFR 1508.4). Because they lack the 
potential for effect, they do not require detailed analysis or 
documentation under NEPA.
    (i) Determining when to use a CATEX (screening criteria). To use a 
CATEX, the proponent must satisfy the following three screening 
conditions:
    (A) The action has not been segmented. Determine that the action has 
not been segmented to meet the definition of a CATEX. Segmentation can 
occur when an action is broken down into small parts in order to avoid 
the appearance of significance of the total action. An action can be too 
narrowly defined, minimizing potential impacts in an effort to avoid a 
higher level of NEPA documentation. The scope of an action must include 
the consideration of connected, cumulative, and similar actions.
    (B) No exceptional circumstances exist. Determine if the action 
involves extraordinary circumstances that would preclude the use of a 
CATEX (see paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(A) through (xiv) of this section).
    (C) One (or more) CATEX (See appendix A to part 200) encompasses the 
proposed action. Identify a CATEX (or multiple CATEXs) that potentially 
encompasses the proposed action. If no CATEX is appropriate, and the 
project is not exempted by statute or emergency provisions, an EA or an 
EIS must be prepared, before a proposed action may proceed.
    (ii) Extraordinary circumstances that preclude the use of a CATEX 
are:
    (A) Reasonable likelihood of significant effects on public health, 
safety, or the environment.
    (B) Reasonable likelihood of significant environmental effects 
(direct, indirect, and cumulative).
    (C) Imposition of uncertain or unique environmental risks.
    (D) Greater scope or size than is normal for this category of 
action.
    (E) Reportable releases of hazardous or toxic substances as 
specified in 40 CFR part 302.
    (F) Releases of petroleum, oils, and lubricants, application of 
pesticides and herbicides, or where the proposed action results in the 
requirement to develop or amend a Spill Prevention, Control, or 
Countermeasures Plan.
    (G) When a review of an action reveals that air emissions exceed de 
minimis levels or otherwise that a formal Clean Air Act conformity 
determination is required.
    (H) Reasonable likelihood of violating any Federal, State, or local 
law or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment.

[[Page 1067]]

    (I) Unresolved effect on environmentally sensitive resources, as 
defined in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.
    (J) Involving effects on the quality of the environment that are 
likely to be highly controversial.
    (K) Involving effects on the environment that are highly uncertain, 
involve unique or unknown risks, or are scientifically controversial.
    (L) Establishes a precedent (or makes decisions in principle) for 
future or subsequent actions that are reasonably likely to have a future 
significant effect.
    (M) Potential for degradation of already existing poor environmental 
conditions. Also, initiation of a degrading influence, activity, or 
effect in areas not already significantly modified from their natural 
condition.
    (N) Introduction/employment of unproven technology.
    (iii) If a proposed action would adversely affect ``environmentally 
sensitive'' resources, unless the impact has been resolved through 
another environmental process (e.g., CZMA, NHPA, CWA, etc.) a CATEX 
cannot be used. Environmentally sensitive resources include:
    (A) Listed or proposed Federally listed, threatened, or endangered 
species or their designated or proposed critical habitats.
    (B) Properties listed or eligible for listing on the National 
Register of Historic Places.
    (C) Areas having special designation or recognition such as prime or 
unique agricultural lands; coastal zones; designated wilderness or 
wilderness study areas; wild and scenic rivers; National Historic 
Landmarks (designated by the Secretary of the Interior); 100-year 
floodplains; wetlands; sole source aquifers (potential sources of 
drinking water); National Wildlife Refuges; National Parks; areas of 
critical environmental concern; or other areas of high environmental 
sensitivity.
    (iv) The use of a CATEX does not relieve the proponent from 
compliance with other statutes, such as RCRA, or consultations under the 
Endangered Species Act or the NHPA. Such consultations may be required 
to determine the applicability of the CATEX screening criteria.
    (v) For those CATEXs that require documentation, a brief (one to two 
sentences) presentation of conclusions reached during screening should 
be included with the checklist. Checklists may be obtained from the 
Master Planner at 3700 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20011.
    (2) AFRH recognizes two types of CATEX:
    (i) CATEX--does not require documentation unless the Master Planner 
determines that an extraordinary circumstance may exist, whereupon a 
CATEX--requires documentation must be prepared (see below). The 
likelihood of such a circumstance is judged to be so low that no 
specific environmental document is typically required.
    (ii) CATEX--requires documentation that involves a cursory review to 
ensure that no extraordinary circumstances exist. For an action falling 
into such a category, a CATEX requiring documentation is completed to 
support a determination by the Master Planner, as to whether the action 
needs further review under NEPA. A CATEX documentation is developed and 
maintained by the Master Planner.
    (3) CATEXs requiring and not requiring documentation are listed in 
appendix A of these regulations.
    (c) Environmental Assessment (EA). (1) An Environmental Assessment 
(EA) is a concise public document prepared by or on behalf of AFRH that 
assists AFRH in deciding whether or not there may be significant effects 
requiring a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement. Actions 
typically requiring preparation of an EA are found in appendix B to part 
200.
    (2) The analysis required for an EA leads either to a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) or a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement. AFRH will prepare a FONSI in accordance 
with 40 CFR 1508.13, if the agency determines on the basis of the EA 
that there are no significant environmental effects and therefore, there 
is no need to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. AFRH shall make 
the FONSI available to the affected public as specified in

[[Page 1068]]

Sec. 1506.6. Under certain limited circumstances, AFRH shall make the 
finding of no significant impact available for public review for 30 days 
before the agency makes its final determination whether to prepare an 
environmental impact statement and before the action may begin. The 
circumstances are:
    (i) The proposed action is, or is closely similar to, one which 
normally requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement;
    (ii) The nature of the proposed action is one without precedent; or
    (iii) There is controversy associated with the environmental effects 
of the proposed action.
    (d) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). (1) An Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed analysis and report, that presents 
the environmental effects of a proposed action and its reasonable 
alternatives. An EIS is prepared for any AFRH action that may have 
significant effects on the quality of the human environment. A Notice of 
Intent will be prepared and published in the Federal Register as soon as 
practicable after deciding to prepare an EIS. When a lengthy period of 
time will elapse between the decision to prepare the EIS and preparation 
of the EIS, the notice of intent should be published at a reasonable 
time prior to preparing the EIS.
    (2) Certain AFRH actions are likely to have significant effects on 
the quality of the human environment, and hence typically require an 
EIS. These classes of action are listed in appendix C to part 200.
    (3) When it appears that the action is likely to have significant 
effects on the quality of the human environment, AFRH will prepare an 
EIS. An action that typically requires an EIS is found in appendix C to 
part 200. An EA may be prepared to aid in deciding whether an EIS is 
needed, or the responsible official may decide to prepare an EIS without 
preparing an EA.
    (4) Direction for preparing, circulating, finalizing, and using an 
EIS in decision making is found in the CEQ Regulations (40 CFR Parts 
1500-1508).
    (e) Supplemental statements. If an EA or an EIS has been completed 
and the AFRH goes to implement the action, but no action has been taken 
within four years of the completion of the EA or EIS, the AFRH will 
review the document to determine if circumstances have changed that 
would warrant a supplement to the original document. A supplemental 
statement will be provided to the decision maker to inform the decisions 
on whether and how to proceed with the proposed action and be maintained 
with the previous EA or EIS and related records for the proposed action.
    (f) Using NEPA in decision making. (1) Compliance with NEPA and 
related authorities will begin at the earliest point in planning any 
action, when the widest reasonable range of alternatives is open for 
consideration.
    (2) The NEPA review process will be carried out in coordination with 
continued planning.
    (3) All personnel involved in planning actions should view NEPA 
review as part of effective planning, not as a mere documentation 
requirement.
    (4) Outside agencies, State and local governments, Indian Tribes, 
and the public will whenever practicable be afforded reasonable 
opportunities to participate in the NEPA process.
    (5) The results of NEPA review will be fully considered by each AFRH 
decision-maker before making a decision on an action subject to such 
review and the alternatives considered by the decision-maker will be 
encompassed within the range of alternatives for the action.
    (6) AFRH will ensure relevant environmental documents, comments, and 
responses are part of the record in formal rulemaking or adjudicatory 
proceedings.
    (7) Executives and other employees responsible for aspects of NEPA 
review will be held accountable for the performance of such 
responsibilities, through performance reviews and other administrative 
mechanisms.



Sec. 200.5  Coordination with other authorities.

    (a) To the maximum extent feasible, NEPA review shall be coordinated 
with review of proposed actions under other environmental legal 
authorities, including but not limited to the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response,

[[Page 1069]]

Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); the National Historic 
Preservation Act (NHPA); the Endangered Species Act (ESA); Executive 
Orders 11988, 11990, and 13006; and other applicable authorities.
    (b) In effecting such coordination, responsible AFRH officials will 
ensure that the substantive and procedural requirements of other 
environmental authorities are met, together with the requirements of 
NEPA. It will be explicitly understood that compliance with NEPA does 
not substitute for compliance with other environmental authorities, nor 
does compliance with such other authority substitute for compliance with 
NEPA.



Sec. 200.6  Public involvement.

    (a) As part of its system for NEPA compliance, the COO and the 
Master Planner shall provide for levels and kinds of public involvement 
appropriate to the proposed action and its likely effects.
    (b) Where a related authority provides specific procedures for 
public involvement, the responsible AFRH official shall ensure that such 
procedures where practicable in the process of NEPA review.
    (c) Public involvement in the AFRH NEPA process shall have as its 
purpose the full disclosure of AFRH actions and alternatives to the 
public, within the constraints of AFRH program authorities, and giving 
the public a full opportunity to comment on the environmental effects of 
AFRH proposals.
    (d) Pursuant to Executive Order 12898, special efforts will be made 
to involve members of potentially affected low-income and minority 
communities in NEPA review and decision-making. Such efforts may 
include, but are not limited to, special programs of community outreach, 
including cross-cultural programs, translations of pertinent documents, 
and ensuring that translators are available at public meetings.
    (e) Information pertaining to AFRH actions and/or NEPA documentation 
can be obtained through the Master Planner at 3700 North Capital Street, 
NW, Washington, DC 20011.



Sec. 200.7  Cooperating agencies.

    (a) Federal agencies with jurisdiction by law will be invited to 
serve as cooperating agencies and Federal agencies with special 
expertise may be invited to serve as cooperating agencies in the conduct 
of NEPA review of an AFRH proposed action.
    (b) The responsible AFRH official will invite other Tribal, State, 
and local agencies to serve as cooperating agencies with subject matter 
jurisdiction or special expertise in the conduct of NEPA review of an 
AFRH proposed action.



Sec. 200.8  AFRH participation in NEPA compliance by other agencies.

    (a) AFRH may participate in the NEPA process as a cooperating agency 
for another lead agency's project, or as a commenter/reviewer of another 
agency's NEPA document. AFRH may also participate in environmental 
studies carried out by non-Federal parties (for example, a local 
government conducting studies under a State environmental policy law) 
where such studies are relevant to AFRH's interests or may be 
incorporated by AFRH into its own studies under NEPA. Where AFRH will be 
responsible for a decision on a project that is the subject of such a 
study, and has the authority to do so, AFRH will ensure that the study 
and its resulting documents meet the standards set forth in these 
regulations in coordination with the COO.
    (b) As a cooperating agency, AFRH participates in the NEPA process 
as requested by the lead agency, in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.6 of the 
CEQ regulations. Tasks may include participating in meetings and 
providing specific information relevant to the matters over which it has 
jurisdiction by law or expertise.
    (c) AFRH comments shall be prepared in consultation with, or by, the 
Master Planner.
    (d) The responsible AFRH official may provide comments and/or 
reviews of another agency's NEPA documents, and/or other Federal and 
State environmental documents.
    (e) AFRH comments shall be provided in accordance with 40 CFR 
1503.3.

[[Page 1070]]



           Sec. Appendix A to Part 200--Categorical Exclusions

                              A.1  Purpose

    The purpose of Categorical Exclusions (CATEXs) is to limit extensive 
NEPA analysis to those actions that may be major Federal actions 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, thus 
saving time, effort, and taxpayer dollars.

                             A.2  Definition

    An action is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare 
an EA or an EIS if it meets the following definition:
    ``Categorical exclusion'' means a category of actions which do not 
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human 
environment and which have been found to have no such effect in 
procedures adopted by a Federal agency in implementation of these 
regulations and for which, therefore, neither an environmental 
assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required. An agency 
may decide in its procedures or otherwise, to prepare environmental 
assessments for the reasons stated in Sec. 1508.9 even though it is not 
required to do so. Any procedures under this section shall provide for 
extraordinary circumstances in which a normally excluded action may have 
a significant environmental effect. (40 CFR 1508.4)
    AFRH has identified two types of CATEXs: (1) The CATEX, which does 
not require documentation and requires completion of an environmental 
checklist.

                 A.3  CATEXs--Requires No Documentation

    The following CATEXs require no documentation.
    A.3(a) Granting a lease (i.e., outlease), an easement, license, 
permit (i.e., licenses to Federal entities), or other arrangements for 
Federal or non-Federal use of AFRH controlled real property, where such 
use will remain substantially the same in scope and intensity.
    A.3(b) Extensions or renewals of leases, licenses or permits (i.e., 
licenses to Federal entities) or succeeding leases, easements, licenses 
or permits whether AFRH is acting as grantor or grantee and there is no 
change in use of the facility.
    A.3(c) Repair and alteration projects involving, but not adversely 
affecting, properties listed on or eligible for the National Register of 
Historic Places.
    A.3(d) Repair to or replacement in kind of equipment or components 
in AFRH-controlled facilities without change in location, e.g., HVAC, 
electrical distribution systems, windows, doors or roof.
    A.3(e) Disposal or other disposition of claimed or unclaimed 
personal property of deceased persons.
    A.3(f) Supportive services that include health care and housing 
services, permanent housing placement, day care, nutritional services, 
collection of payment for services, short-term payments for rent/
mortgage/utility costs, and assistance in gaining access to local, 
State, and Federal government benefits and services.
    A.3(g) Normal personnel, fiscal, and administrative activities 
involving civilian personnel (recruiting, processing, paying, and 
records keeping).
    A.3(h) Routine or minor facility maintenance, custodial, and 
groundskeeping activities such as window washing, lawn mowing, trash 
collecting, and snow removal that do not involve environmentally 
sensitive areas (such as eroded areas, wetlands, cultural sites, or 
areas with endangered/threatened species).
    A.3(i) Environmental Site Assessment activities under RCRA and 
CERCLA;
    A.3(j) Geological, geophysical, geochemical, and engineering surveys 
and mapping, including the establishment of survey marks;
    A.3(k) Installation and operation of ambient air and noise 
monitoring equipment that does not include constructing or erecting 
towers;
    A.3(l) Routine procurement of goods and services (complying with 
applicable procedures for sustainable or ``green'' procurement) to 
support operations and infrastructure, including routine utility 
services and contracts.
    A.3(m) Routine movement/relocations of residents on site.

                   A.4  CATEXs Requiring Documentation

    The following are categorical exclusions that require preparation of 
a checklist to ensure that no extraordinary circumstances exist that 
would require preparation of an EA or EIS. Checklists may be obtained 
from the Master Planner at 3700 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20011.
    A.4(a) Expansion or improvement of an existing facility where all of 
the following conditions are met:
    A.4(a)(1) The structure and proposed use are substantially in 
compliance with local planning and zoning and any applicable State or 
Federal requirements;
    A.4(a)(2) The proposed use will only slightly increase the number of 
motor vehicles at the facility;
    A.4(a)(3) The site and the scale of construction are consistent with 
those of existing adjacent or nearby buildings; and
    A.4(a)(4) There is no evidence of environmental controversy.
    A.4(b) Transfer or disposal of real property to State or local 
agencies for preservation or protection of wildlife conservation and 
historic monument purposes.

[[Page 1071]]

    A.4(c) Disposal of fixtures, related personal property, demountable 
structures, and transmission lines in accordance with management 
requirements.
    A.4(d) Disposal of properties where the size, area, topography, and 
zoning are similar to existing surrounding properties and/or where 
current and reasonable anticipated uses are or would be similar to 
current surrounding uses (e.g., commercial store in a commercial strip, 
warehouse in an urban complex, office building in downtown area, row 
house or vacant lot in an urban area).
    A.4(e) Demolition, removal and disposal of debris from the 
demolition or improvement of buildings and other structures neither on 
nor eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and 
when under applicable regulations (i.e., removal of asbestos, 
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other hazardous material) when 
other environmental laws and regulations will be satisfied prior to the 
of demolition, removal and disposal.
    A.4(f) Relocations and realignments of employees and/or residents 
from one geographic area to another that: Fall below the thresholds for 
reportable actions and do not involve related activities such as 
construction, renovation, or demolition activities that would otherwise 
require an EA or an EIS to impellent. This includes reorganization and 
reassignments with no changes in employee and/or resident status, and 
routine administrative reorganizations and consolidations.



   Sec. Appendix B to Part 200--The Action Requiring an Environmental 
                               Assessment

    The following actions are not considered to be major Federal actions 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and, 
therefore, require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) nor are 
considered a categorical exclusion as defined in these regulations and 
would require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA):
    B.1  Construction on previously disturbed property where there is 
the potential for an increase in traffic and people.



  Sec. Appendix C to Part 200--Actions Requiring Environmental Impact 
                                Statement

    The following actions are considered to be major Federal actions 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, and 
therefore must be the subjects of EIS, as indicates may have significant 
environmental effects:
    C.1  Acquisition of space by Federal construction or lease 
construction, or expansion or improvement of an existing facility, where 
one or more of the following applies:
    C.1(a) The structure and/or proposed use are not substantially 
consistent with local planning and zoning or any applicable State or 
Federal requirements.
    C.1(b) The proposed use will substantially increase the number of 
motor vehicles at the facility.
    C.1(c) The site and scale of construction are not consistent with 
those of existing adjacent or nearby buildings.
    C.1(d) There is evidence of current or potential environmental 
controversy.
    C.2  Space acquisition programs projected for a substantial 
geographical area (e.g., a metropolitan area) for a 3-to-5-year period 
or greater (Note: a Programmatic EIS is often appropriate here, from 
which subsequent EISs and EAs can be tiered).

                        PARTS 201	299 [RESERVED]

[[Page 1073]]



                              FINDING AIDS




  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  A list of CFR titles, subtitles, chapters, subchapters and parts and 
an alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are included in 
the CFR Index and Finding Aids volume to the Code of Federal Regulations 
which is published separately and revised annually.

  Table of CFR Titles and Chapters
  Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR
  List of CFR Sections Affected

[[Page 1075]]



                    Table of CFR Titles and Chapters




                      (Revised as of July 1, 2017)

                      Title 1--General Provisions

         I  Administrative Committee of the Federal Register 
                (Parts 1--49)
        II  Office of the Federal Register (Parts 50--299)
       III  Administrative Conference of the United States (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Miscellaneous Agencies (Parts 400--500)

                    Title 2--Grants and Agreements

            Subtitle A--Office of Management and Budget Guidance 
                for Grants and Agreements
         I  Office of Management and Budget Governmentwide 
                Guidance for Grants and Agreements (Parts 2--199)
        II  Office of Management and Budget Guidance (Parts 200--
                299)
            Subtitle B--Federal Agency Regulations for Grants and 
                Agreements
       III  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
        IV  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
         X  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Department of Defense (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
     XVIII  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        XX  United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 
                2000--2099)
      XXII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2200--2299)
     XXIII  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  Housing and Urban Development (Parts 2400--2499)
       XXV  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                2600--2699)
     XXVII  Small Business Administration (Parts 2700--2799)

[[Page 1076]]

    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
      XXIX  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 3100--
                3199)
     XXXII  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 3300--
                3399)
     XXXIV  Department of Education (Parts 3400--3499)
      XXXV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 3500--
                3599)
     XXXVI  Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive 
                Office of the President (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Peace Corps (Parts 3700--3799)
     LVIII  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
       LIX  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 5900--
                5999)

                        Title 3--The President

         I  Executive Office of the President (Parts 100--199)

                           Title 4--Accounts

         I  Government Accountability Office (Parts 1--199)

                   Title 5--Administrative Personnel

         I  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1--1199)
        II  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 1300--1399)
        IV  Office of Personnel Management and Office of the 
                Director of National Intelligence (Parts 1400--
                1499)
         V  The International Organizations Employees Loyalty 
                Board (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      VIII  Office of Special Counsel (Parts 1800--1899)
        IX  Appalachian Regional Commission (Parts 1900--1999)
        XI  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 2100--2199)
       XIV  Federal Labor Relations Authority, General Counsel of 
                the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Federal 
                Service Impasses Panel (Parts 2400--2499)
       XVI  Office of Government Ethics (Parts 2600--2699)
       XXI  Department of the Treasury (Parts 3100--3199)
      XXII  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 3200--
                3299)
     XXIII  Department of Energy (Parts 3300--3399)
      XXIV  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Parts 3400--
                3499)
       XXV  Department of the Interior (Parts 3500--3599)
      XXVI  Department of Defense (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 3800--3899)

[[Page 1077]]

      XXIX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 3900--3999)
       XXX  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4099)
      XXXI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 4100--4199)
    XXXIII  Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Parts 4300--
                4399)
     XXXIV  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 4400--4499)
      XXXV  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 4500--4599)
     XXXVI  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 4600--4699)
    XXXVII  Federal Election Commission (Parts 4700--4799)
        XL  Interstate Commerce Commission (Parts 5000--5099)
       XLI  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 5100--
                5199)
      XLII  Department of Labor (Parts 5200--5299)
     XLIII  National Science Foundation (Parts 5300--5399)
       XLV  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 5500--
                5599)
      XLVI  Postal Rate Commission (Parts 5600--5699)
     XLVII  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 5700--5799)
    XLVIII  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
      XLIX  Federal Labor Relations Authority (Parts 5900--5999)
         L  Department of Transportation (Parts 6000--6099)
       LII  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 6200--
                6299)
      LIII  Department of Education (Parts 6300--6399)
       LIV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 6400--6499)
        LV  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 6500--6599)
       LVI  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 6600--
                6699)
      LVII  General Services Administration (Parts 6700--6799)
     LVIII  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
                (Parts 6800--6899)
       LIX  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                6900--6999)
        LX  United States Postal Service (Parts 7000--7099)
       LXI  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 7100--7199)
      LXII  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 7200--
                7299)
     LXIII  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 7300--7399)
      LXIV  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 7400--7499)
       LXV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                7500--7599)
      LXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                7600--7699)
     LXVII  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 7700--
                7799)
    LXVIII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 7800--7899)
      LXIX  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 7900--7999)
       LXX  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 8000--8099)
      LXXI  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 8100--8199)
    LXXIII  Department of Agriculture (Parts 8300--8399)
     LXXIV  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 8400--8499)

[[Page 1078]]

     LXXVI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                8600--8699)
    LXXVII  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 8700--8799)
      LXXX  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 9000--9099)
   LXXXIII  Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 
                Reconstruction (Parts 9300--9399)
    LXXXIV  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Parts 9400--
                9499)
    LXXXVI  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 9600--
                9699)
     XCVII  Department of Homeland Security Human Resources 
                Management System (Department of Homeland 
                Security--Office of Personnel Management) (Parts 
                9700--9799)
    XCVIII  Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
                Efficiency (Parts 9800--9899)
      XCIX  Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization 
                Commission (Parts 9900--9999)
         C  National Council on Disability (Partys 10000--10049)

                      Title 6--Domestic Security

         I  Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
                Secretary (Parts 1--199)
         X  Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (Parts 
                1000--1099)

                         Title 7--Agriculture

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Agriculture 
                (Parts 0--26)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Department of 
                Agriculture
         I  Agricultural Marketing Service (Standards, 
                Inspections, Marketing Practices), Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 27--209)
        II  Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 210--299)
       III  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         V  Agricultural Research Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                700--799)
      VIII  Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
                Administration (Federal Grain Inspection Service), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 900--999)
         X  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Milk), Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1000--1199)

[[Page 1079]]

        XI  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Miscellaneous Commodities), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1200--1299)
       XIV  Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Rural Telephone Bank, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative 
                Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service 
                Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 1800--
                2099)
        XX  Local Television Loan Guarantee Board (Parts 2200--
                2299)
       XXV  Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  Office of Inspector General, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 2600--2699)
     XXVII  Office of Information Resources Management, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of Operations, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                2800--2899)
      XXIX  Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Office of Environmental Quality, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3100--3199)
     XXXII  Office of Procurement and Property Management, 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  Office of Transportation, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3300--3399)
     XXXIV  National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Parts 
                3400--3499)
      XXXV  Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3500--3599)
     XXXVI  National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3700--3799)
   XXXVIII  World Agricultural Outlook Board, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3800--3899)
       XLI  [Reserved]
      XLII  Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities 
                Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 4200--
                4299)

                    Title 8--Aliens and Nationality

         I  Department of Homeland Security (Immigration and 
                Naturalization) (Parts 1--499)

[[Page 1080]]

         V  Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1000--1399)

                 Title 9--Animals and Animal Products

         I  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1--199)
        II  Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
                Administration (Packers and Stockyards Programs), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--299)
       III  Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 300--599)

                           Title 10--Energy

         I  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Department of Energy (Parts 200--699)
       III  Department of Energy (Parts 700--999)
         X  Department of Energy (General Provisions) (Parts 
                1000--1099)
      XIII  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Parts 1300--
                1399)
      XVII  Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Parts 1700--
                1799)
     XVIII  Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
                Commission (Parts 1800--1899)

                      Title 11--Federal Elections

         I  Federal Election Commission (Parts 1--9099)
        II  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 9400--9499)

                      Title 12--Banks and Banking

         I  Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1--199)
        II  Federal Reserve System (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 400--
                499)
         V  Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Federal Financing Bank (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Housing Finance Board (Parts 900--999)
         X  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Parts 1000--
                1099)
        XI  Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Financial Stability Oversight Council (Parts 1300--
                1399)
       XIV  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 1400--
                1499)

[[Page 1081]]

        XV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Office of Financial Research (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, 
                Department of the Treasury (Parts 1800--1899)

               Title 13--Business Credit and Assistance

         I  Small Business Administration (Parts 1--199)
       III  Economic Development Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board (Parts 400--499)
         V  Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board (Parts 
                500--599)

                    Title 14--Aeronautics and Space

         I  Federal Aviation Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--199)
        II  Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation 
                (Aviation Proceedings) (Parts 200--399)
       III  Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 400--1199)
         V  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        VI  Air Transportation System Stabilization (Parts 1300--
                1399)

                 Title 15--Commerce and Foreign Trade

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Commerce (Parts 
                0--29)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Commerce and 
                Foreign Trade
         I  Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                30--199)
        II  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 400--499)
       VII  Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 900--999)
        XI  Technology Administration, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
      XIII  East-West Foreign Trade Board (Parts 1300--1399)

[[Page 1082]]

       XIV  Minority Business Development Agency (Parts 1400--
                1499)
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Foreign Trade 
                Agreements
        XX  Office of the United States Trade Representative 
                (Parts 2000--2099)
            Subtitle D--Regulations Relating to Telecommunications 
                and Information
     XXIII  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                2300--2399)

                    Title 16--Commercial Practices

         I  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 0--999)
        II  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 1000--1799)

             Title 17--Commodity and Securities Exchanges

         I  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 1--199)
        II  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 400--499)

          Title 18--Conservation of Power and Water Resources

         I  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of 
                Energy (Parts 1--399)
       III  Delaware River Basin Commission (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Water Resources Council (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Parts 800--899)
      XIII  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 1300--1399)

                       Title 19--Customs Duties

         I  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of 
                Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--199)
        II  United States International Trade Commission (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department 
                of Homeland Security (Parts 400--599)

                     Title 20--Employees' Benefits

         I  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Railroad Retirement Board (Parts 200--399)
       III  Social Security Administration (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 500--599)

[[Page 1083]]

         V  Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 600--699)
        VI  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Benefits Review Board, Department of Labor (Parts 
                800--899)
      VIII  Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (Parts 
                900--999)
        IX  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1000--1099)

                       Title 21--Food and Drugs

         I  Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1--1299)
        II  Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 1300--1399)
       III  Office of National Drug Control Policy (Parts 1400--
                1499)

                      Title 22--Foreign Relations

         I  Department of State (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agency for International Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Peace Corps (Parts 300--399)
        IV  International Joint Commission, United States and 
                Canada (Parts 400--499)
         V  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Parts 700--
                799)
        IX  Foreign Service Grievance Board (Parts 900--999)
         X  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  International Boundary and Water Commission, United 
                States and Mexico, United States Section (Parts 
                1100--1199)
       XII  United States International Development Cooperation 
                Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Millennium Challenge Corporation (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Foreign Service Labor Relations Board; Federal Labor 
                Relations Authority; General Counsel of the 
                Federal Labor Relations Authority; and the Foreign 
                Service Impasse Disputes Panel (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  African Development Foundation (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Japan-United States Friendship Commission (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  United States Institute of Peace (Parts 1700--1799)

                          Title 23--Highways

         I  Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--999)
        II  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 
                Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)

[[Page 1084]]

       III  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1300--1399)

                Title 24--Housing and Urban Development

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development (Parts 0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban 
                Development
         I  Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                100--199)
        II  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Government National Mortgage Association, Department 
                of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Housing and Office of Multifamily Housing 
                Assistance Restructuring, Department of Housing 
                and Urban Development (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 600--699) [Reserved]
       VII  Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Housing Assistance Programs and 
                Public and Indian Housing Programs) (Parts 700--
                799)
      VIII  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Section 8 Housing Assistance 
                Programs, Section 202 Direct Loan Program, Section 
                202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and 
                Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons With 
                Disabilities Program) (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
                Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 900--1699)
         X  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Interstate Land Sales 
                Registration Program) (Parts 1700--1799)
       XII  Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 2000--2099)
        XV  Emergency Mortgage Insurance and Loan Programs, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2700--2799) [Reserved]
        XX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 3200--3899)
      XXIV  Board of Directors of the HOPE for Homeowners Program 
                (Parts 4000--4099) [Reserved]
       XXV  Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (Parts 4100--
                4199)

[[Page 1085]]

                           Title 25--Indians

         I  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--299)
        II  Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 300--399)
       III  National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
        IV  Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (Parts 
                700--799)
         V  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 
                and Indian Health Service, Department of Health 
                and Human Services (Part 900)
        VI  Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1000--1199)
       VII  Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                      Title 26--Internal Revenue

         I  Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 1--End)

           Title 27--Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms

         I  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department 
                of the Treasury (Parts 1--399)
        II  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                Department of Justice (Parts 400--699)

                   Title 28--Judicial Administration

         I  Department of Justice (Parts 0--299)
       III  Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Department of Justice 
                (Parts 300--399)
         V  Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice (Parts 500--
                599)
        VI  Offices of Independent Counsel, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Independent Counsel (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council 
                (Parts 900--999)
        XI  Department of Justice and Department of State (Parts 
                1100--1199)

                            Title 29--Labor

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Labor (Parts 
                0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Labor
         I  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 100--199)

[[Page 1086]]

        II  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Railroad Adjustment Board (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 400--499)
         V  Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor (Parts 
                500--899)
        IX  Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Commission 
                (Parts 900--999)
         X  National Mediation Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       XII  Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Parts 
                1400--1499)
       XIV  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 1600--
                1699)
      XVII  Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
                Department of Labor (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2200--2499)
       XXV  Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 2500--2599)
     XXVII  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2700--2799)
        XL  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4999)

                      Title 30--Mineral Resources

         I  Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 200--299)
        IV  Geological Survey, Department of the Interior (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 700--999)
       XII  Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                 Title 31--Money and Finance: Treasury

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--50)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Money and Finance
         I  Monetary Offices, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                51--199)
        II  Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Secret Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 700--799)

[[Page 1087]]

      VIII  Office of International Investment, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Claims Collection Standards (Department of the 
                Treasury--Department of Justice) (Parts 900--999)
         X  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)

                      Title 32--National Defense

            Subtitle A--Department of Defense
         I  Office of the Secretary of Defense (Parts 1--399)
         V  Department of the Army (Parts 400--699)
        VI  Department of the Navy (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Department of the Air Force (Parts 800--1099)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to National 
                Defense
       XII  Defense Logistics Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
       XVI  Selective Service System (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of the Director of National Intelligence (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  National Counterintelligence Center (Parts 1800--1899)
       XIX  Central Intelligence Agency (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Information Security Oversight Office, National 
                Archives and Records Administration (Parts 2000--
                2099)
       XXI  National Security Council (Parts 2100--2199)
      XXIV  Office of Science and Technology Policy (Parts 2400--
                2499)
     XXVII  Office for Micronesian Status Negotiations (Parts 
                2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of the Vice President of the United States 
                (Parts 2800--2899)

               Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)

                          Title 34--Education

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Education (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Offices of the 
                Department of Education
         I  Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 200--299)
       III  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
                Services, Department of Education (Parts 300--399)

[[Page 1088]]

        IV  Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
                Affairs, Department of Education (Parts 500--599) 
                [Reserved]
        VI  Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of 
                Education (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 
                Department of Education (Parts 700--799) 
                [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Education
        XI  [Reserved]
       XII  National Council on Disability (Parts 1200--1299)

                          Title 35 [Reserved]

             Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property

         I  National Park Service, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
        II  Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  American Battle Monuments Commission (Parts 400--499)
         V  Smithsonian Institution (Parts 500--599)
        VI  [Reserved]
       VII  Library of Congress (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Parts 800--
                899)
        IX  Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (Parts 
                900--999)
         X  Presidio Trust (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
                Board (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        XV  Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust (Parts 1500--
                1599)
       XVI  Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National 
                Environmental Policy Foundation (Parts 1600--1699)

             Title 37--Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

         I  United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 1--199)
        II  U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 400--599)

           Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

         I  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 0--199)
        II  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 200--299)

[[Page 1089]]

                       Title 39--Postal Service

         I  United States Postal Service (Parts 1--999)
       III  Postal Regulatory Commission (Parts 3000--3099)

                  Title 40--Protection of Environment

         I  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1--1099)
        IV  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1400--1499)
         V  Council on Environmental Quality (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
       VII  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Defense; Uniform National Discharge Standards for 
                Vessels of the Armed Forces (Parts 1700--1799)
      VIII  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 1800--
                1899)

          Title 41--Public Contracts and Property Management

            Subtitle A--Federal Procurement Regulations System 
                [Note]
            Subtitle B--Other Provisions Relating to Public 
                Contracts
        50  Public Contracts, Department of Labor (Parts 50-1--50-
                999)
        51  Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
                Severely Disabled (Parts 51-1--51-99)
        60  Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal 
                Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor (Parts 
                60-1--60-999)
        61  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 61-1--61-999)
   62--100  [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Federal Property Management Regulations 
                System
       101  Federal Property Management Regulations (Parts 101-1--
                101-99)
       102  Federal Management Regulation (Parts 102-1--102-299)
  103--104  [Reserved]
       105  General Services Administration (Parts 105-1--105-999)
       109  Department of Energy Property Management Regulations 
                (Parts 109-1--109-99)
       114  Department of the Interior (Parts 114-1--114-99)
       115  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 115-1--115-99)
       128  Department of Justice (Parts 128-1--128-99)
  129--200  [Reserved]
            Subtitle D--Other Provisions Relating to Property 
                Management [Reserved]
            Subtitle E--Federal Information Resources Management 
                Regulations System [Reserved]
            Subtitle F--Federal Travel Regulation System
       300  General (Parts 300-1--300-99)
       301  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances (Parts 301-1--
                301-99)

[[Page 1090]]

       302  Relocation Allowances (Parts 302-1--302-99)
       303  Payment of Expenses Connected with the Death of 
                Certain Employees (Part 303-1--303-99)
       304  Payment of Travel Expenses from a Non-Federal Source 
                (Parts 304-1--304-99)

                        Title 42--Public Health

         I  Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 1--199)
        IV  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 400--599)
         V  Office of Inspector General-Health Care, Department of 
                Health and Human Services (Parts 1000--1999)

                   Title 43--Public Lands: Interior

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Lands
         I  Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 400--999)
        II  Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1000--9999)
       III  Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
                Commission (Parts 10000--10099)

             Title 44--Emergency Management and Assistance

         I  Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 0--399)
        IV  Department of Commerce and Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 400--499)

                       Title 45--Public Welfare

            Subtitle A--Department of Health and Human Services 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Welfare
        II  Office of Family Assistance (Assistance Programs), 
                Administration for Children and Families, 
                Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Office of Child Support Enforcement (Child Support 
                Enforcement Program), Administration for Children 
                and Families, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 400--499)
         V  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United 
                States, Department of Justice (Parts 500--599)

[[Page 1091]]

        VI  National Science Foundation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Denali Commission (Parts 900--999)
         X  Office of Community Services, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                1200--1299)
      XIII  Administration for Children and Families, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 1300--1399)
       XVI  Legal Services Corporation (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  National Commission on Libraries and Information 
                Science (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (Parts 1800--
                1899)
       XXI  Commission on Fine Arts (Parts 2100--2199)
     XXIII  Arctic Research Commission (Part 2301)
      XXIV  James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2500--2599)

                          Title 46--Shipping

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 200--399)
       III  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage), Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Federal Maritime Commission (Parts 500--599)

                      Title 47--Telecommunication

         I  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Office of Science and Technology Policy and National 
                Security Council (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce, and 
                National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)

           Title 48--Federal Acquisition Regulations System

         1  Federal Acquisition Regulation (Parts 1--99)

[[Page 1092]]

         2  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of 
                Defense (Parts 200--299)
         3  Health and Human Services (Parts 300--399)
         4  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         5  General Services Administration (Parts 500--599)
         6  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
         7  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
         8  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
         9  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
        10  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        12  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
        13  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
        14  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        15  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
        16  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Health Benefits Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                1600--1699)
        17  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1700--1799)
        18  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        19  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 1900--1999)
        20  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 2000--2099)
        21  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Group Life Insurance Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation (Parts 2100--2199)
        23  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
        24  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
        25  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
        28  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
        29  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
        30  Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security 
                Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) (Parts 3000--3099)
        34  Department of Education Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                3400--3499)
        51  Department of the Army Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5100--5199)
        52  Department of the Navy Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5200--5299)
        53  Department of the Air Force Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation Supplement (Parts 5300--5399) 
                [Reserved]
        54  Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense (Parts 
                5400--5499)
        57  African Development Foundation (Parts 5700--5799)
        61  Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services 
                Administration (Parts 6100--6199)
        63  Department of Transportation Board of Contract Appeals 
                (Parts 6300--6399)

[[Page 1093]]

        99  Cost Accounting Standards Board, Office of Federal 
                Procurement Policy, Office of Management and 
                Budget (Parts 9900--9999)

                       Title 49--Transportation

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation 
                (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to 
                Transportation
         I  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Federal Railroad Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Federal Transit Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) 
                (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  National Transportation Safety Board (Parts 800--999)
         X  Surface Transportation Board (Parts 1000--1399)
        XI  Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1400--1499) 
                [Reserved]
       XII  Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 1500--1699)

                   Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries

         I  United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of 
                the Interior (Parts 1--199)
        II  National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Fishing and Related Activities (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife 
                Service, Department of the Interior and National 
                Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce); Endangered Species Committee 
                Regulations (Parts 400--499)
         V  Marine Mammal Commission (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 600--699)

[[Page 1095]]





           Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR




                      (Revised as of July 1, 2017)

                                                  CFR Title, Subtitle or 
                     Agency                               Chapter

Administrative Committee of the Federal Register  1, I
Administrative Conference of the United States    1, III
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation         36, VIII
Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                  7, XXV
Afghanistan Reconstruction, Special Inspector     5, LXXXIII
     General for
African Development Foundation                    22, XV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 57
Agency for International Development              2, VII; 22, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
Agricultural Marketing Service                    7, I, IX, X, XI
Agricultural Research Service                     7, V
Agriculture Department                            2, IV; 5, LXXIII
  Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                7, XXV
  Agricultural Marketing Service                  7, I, IX, X, XI
  Agricultural Research Service                   7, V
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service      7, III; 9, I
  Chief Financial Officer, Office of              7, XXX
  Commodity Credit Corporation                    7, XIV
  Economic Research Service                       7, XXXVII
  Energy Policy and New Uses, Office of           2, IX; 7, XXIX
  Environmental Quality, Office of                7, XXXI
  Farm Service Agency                             7, VII, XVIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 4
  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation              7, IV
  Food and Nutrition Service                      7, II
  Food Safety and Inspection Service              9, III
  Foreign Agricultural Service                    7, XV
  Forest Service                                  36, II
  Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards        7, VIII; 9, II
       Administration
  Information Resources Management, Office of     7, XXVII
  Inspector General, Office of                    7, XXVI
  National Agricultural Library                   7, XLI
  National Agricultural Statistics Service        7, XXXVI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture      7, XXXIV
  Natural Resources Conservation Service          7, VI
  Operations, Office of                           7, XXVIII
  Procurement and Property Management, Office of  7, XXXII
  Rural Business-Cooperative Service              7, XVIII, XLII
  Rural Development Administration                7, XLII
  Rural Housing Service                           7, XVIII, XXXV
  Rural Telephone Bank                            7, XVI
  Rural Utilities Service                         7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
  Secretary of Agriculture, Office of             7, Subtitle A
  Transportation, Office of                       7, XXXIII
  World Agricultural Outlook Board                7, XXXVIII
Air Force Department                              32, VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement       48, 53
Air Transportation Stabilization Board            14, VI
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau          27, I
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,       27, II
     Bureau of
AMTRAK                                            49, VII
American Battle Monuments Commission              36, IV
American Indians, Office of the Special Trustee   25, VII

[[Page 1096]]

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service        7, III; 9, I
Appalachian Regional Commission                   5, IX
Architectural and Transportation Barriers         36, XI
     Compliance Board
Arctic Research Commission                        45, XXIII
Armed Forces Retirement Home                      5, XI
Army Department                                   32, V
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 51
Bilingual Education and Minority Languages        34, V
     Affairs, Office of
Blind or Severely Disabled, Committee for         41, 51
     Purchase from People Who Are
Broadcasting Board of Governors                   22, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 19
Career, Technical and Adult Education, Office of  34, IV
Census Bureau                                     15, I
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services          42, IV
Central Intelligence Agency                       32, XIX
Chemical Safety and Hazardous Investigation       40, VI
     Board
Chief Financial Officer, Office of                7, XXX
Child Support Enforcement, Office of              45, III
Children and Families, Administration for         45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
Civil Rights, Commission on                       5, LXVIII; 45, VII
Civil Rights, Office for                          34, I
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity    5, XCVIII
     and Efficiency
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    5, LXX
     for the District of Columbia
Coast Guard                                       33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)                46, III
Commerce Department                               2, XIII; 44, IV; 50, VI
  Census Bureau                                   15, I
  Economic Analysis, Bureau of                    15, VIII
  Economic Development Administration             13, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 13
  Foreign-Trade Zones Board                       15, IV
  Industry and Security, Bureau of                15, VII
  International Trade Administration              15, III; 19, III
  National Institute of Standards and Technology  15, II
  National Marine Fisheries Service               50, II, IV
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
       Administration                             VI
  National Telecommunications and Information     15, XXIII; 47, III, IV
       Administration
  National Weather Service                        15, IX
  Patent and Trademark Office, United States      37, I
  Productivity, Technology and Innovation,        37, IV
       Assistant Secretary for
  Secretary of Commerce, Office of                15, Subtitle A
  Technology Administration                       15, XI
  Technology Policy, Assistant Secretary for      37, IV
Commercial Space Transportation                   14, III
Commodity Credit Corporation                      7, XIV
Commodity Futures Trading Commission              5, XLI; 17, I
Community Planning and Development, Office of     24, V, VI
     Assistant Secretary for
Community Services, Office of                     45, X
Comptroller of the Currency                       12, I
Construction Industry Collective Bargaining       29, IX
     Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau              5, LXXXIV; 12, X
Consumer Product Safety Commission                5, LXXI; 16, II
Copyright Royalty Board                           37, III
Corporation for National and Community Service    2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
Cost Accounting Standards Board                   48, 99
Council on Environmental Quality                  40, V
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    5, LXX; 28, VIII
     for the District of Columbia
Customs and Border Protection                     19, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I

[[Page 1097]]

Defense Department                                2, XI; 5, XXVI; 32, 
                                                  Subtitle A; 40, VII
  Advanced Research Projects Agency               32, I
  Air Force Department                            32, VII
  Army Department                                 32, V; 33, II; 36, III; 
                                                  48, 51
  Defense Acquisition Regulations System          48, 2
  Defense Intelligence Agency                     32, I
  Defense Logistics Agency                        32, I, XII; 48, 54
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  National Imagery and Mapping Agency             32, I
  Navy Department                                 32, VI; 48, 52
  Secretary of Defense, Office of                 2, XI; 32, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense Intelligence Agency                       32, I
Defense Logistics Agency                          32, XII; 48, 54
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board           10, XVII
Delaware River Basin Commission                   18, III
Denali Commission                                 45, IX
District of Columbia, Court Services and          5, LXX; 28, VIII
     Offender Supervision Agency for the
Drug Enforcement Administration                   21, II
East-West Foreign Trade Board                     15, XIII
Economic Analysis, Bureau of                      15, VIII
Economic Development Administration               13, III
Economic Research Service                         7, XXXVII
Education, Department of                          2, XXXIV; 5, LIII
  Bilingual Education and Minority Languages      34, V
       Affairs, Office of
  Career, Technical and Adult Education, Office   34, IV
       of
  Civil Rights, Office for                        34, I
  Educational Research and Improvement, Office    34, VII
       of
  Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of   34, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 34
  Postsecondary Education, Office of              34, VI
  Secretary of Education, Office of               34, Subtitle A
  Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,  34, III
       Office of
  Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office  34, IV
       of
Educational Research and Improvement, Office of   34, VII
Election Assistance Commission                    2, LVIII; 11, II
Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of     34, II
Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board       13, V
Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board              13, IV
Employee Benefits Security Administration         29, XXV
Employees' Compensation Appeals Board             20, IV
Employees Loyalty Board                           5, V
Employment and Training Administration            20, V
Employment Standards Administration               20, VI
Endangered Species Committee                      50, IV
Energy, Department of                             2, IX; 5, XXIII; 10, II, 
                                                  III, X
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 9
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission            5, XXIV; 18, I
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 109
Energy, Office of                                 7, XXIX
Engineers, Corps of                               33, II; 36, III
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of                 31, VI
Environmental Protection Agency                   2, XV; 5, LIV; 40, I, IV, 
                                                  VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 15
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 115
Environmental Quality, Office of                  7, XXXI
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission           5, LXII; 29, XIV
Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant Secretary  24, I
     for
Executive Office of the President                 3, I
  Environmental Quality, Council on               40, V
  Management and Budget, Office of                2, Subtitle A; 5, III, 
                                                  LXXVII; 14, VI; 48, 99

[[Page 1098]]

  National Drug Control Policy, Office of         2, XXXVI; 21, III
  National Security Council                       32, XXI; 47, 2
  Presidential Documents                          3
  Science and Technology Policy, Office of        32, XXIV; 47, II
  Trade Representative, Office of the United      15, XX
       States
Export-Import Bank of the United States           2, XXXV; 5, LII; 12, IV
Family Assistance, Office of                      45, II
Farm Credit Administration                        5, XXXI; 12, VI
Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation          5, XXX; 12, XIV
Farm Service Agency                               7, VII, XVIII
Federal Acquisition Regulation                    48, 1
Federal Aviation Administration                   14, I
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
Federal Claims Collection Standards               31, IX
Federal Communications Commission                 5, XXIX; 47, I
Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office of   41, 60
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation                7, IV
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation             5, XXII; 12, III
Federal Election Commission                       5, XXXVII; 11, I
Federal Emergency Management Agency               44, I
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal    48, 21
     Acquisition Regulation
Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition     48, 16
     Regulation
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission              5, XXIV; 18, I
Federal Financial Institutions Examination        12, XI
     Council
Federal Financing Bank                            12, VIII
Federal Highway Administration                    23, I, II
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation            1, IV
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office       12, XVII
Federal Housing Finance Agency                    5, LXXX; 12, XII
Federal Housing Finance Board                     12, IX
Federal Labor Relations Authority                 5, XIV, XLIX; 22, XIV
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center           31, VII
Federal Management Regulation                     41, 102
Federal Maritime Commission                       46, IV
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service        29, XII
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission  5, LXXIV; 29, XXVII
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration       49, III
Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                   28, III
Federal Procurement Policy Office                 48, 99
Federal Property Management Regulations           41, 101
Federal Railroad Administration                   49, II
Federal Register, Administrative Committee of     1, I
Federal Register, Office of                       1, II
Federal Reserve System                            12, II
  Board of Governors                              5, LVIII
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board        5, VI, LXXVI
Federal Service Impasses Panel                    5, XIV
Federal Trade Commission                          5, XLVII; 16, I
Federal Transit Administration                    49, VI
Federal Travel Regulation System                  41, Subtitle F
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network              31, X
Financial Research Office                         12, XVI
Financial Stability Oversight Council             12, XIII
Fine Arts, Commission on                          45, XXI
Fiscal Service                                    31, II
Fish and Wildlife Service, United States          50, I, IV
Food and Drug Administration                      21, I
Food and Nutrition Service                        7, II
Food Safety and Inspection Service                9, III
Foreign Agricultural Service                      7, XV
Foreign Assets Control, Office of                 31, V
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the       45, V
     United States
Foreign Service Grievance Board                   22, IX
Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel            22, XIV
Foreign Service Labor Relations Board             22, XIV
Foreign-Trade Zones Board                         15, IV

[[Page 1099]]

Forest Service                                    36, II
General Services Administration                   5, LVII; 41, 105
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 61
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 5
  Federal Management Regulation                   41, 102
  Federal Property Management Regulations         41, 101
  Federal Travel Regulation System                41, Subtitle F
  General                                         41, 300
  Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel    41, 304
       Expenses
  Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death    41, 303
       of Certain Employees
  Relocation Allowances                           41, 302
  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances          41, 301
Geological Survey                                 30, IV
Government Accountability Office                  4, I
Government Ethics, Office of                      5, XVI
Government National Mortgage Association          24, III
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards          7, VIII; 9, II
     Administration
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council          2, LIX; 40, VIII
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation            45, XVIII
Health and Human Services, Department of          2, III; 5, XLV; 45, 
                                                  Subtitle A
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services        42, IV
  Child Support Enforcement, Office of            45, III
  Children and Families, Administration for       45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
  Community Services, Office of                   45, X
  Family Assistance, Office of                    45, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 3
  Food and Drug Administration                    21, I
  Indian Health Service                           25, V
  Inspector General (Health Care), Office of      42, V
  Public Health Service                           42, I
  Refugee Resettlement, Office of                 45, IV
Homeland Security, Department of                  2, XXX; 5, XXXVI; 6, I; 8, 
                                                  I
  Coast Guard                                     33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)              46, III
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Federal Emergency Management Agency             44, I
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau      19, IV
  Transportation Security Administration          49, XII
HOPE for Homeowners Program, Board of Directors   24, XXIV
     of
Housing and Urban Development, Department of      2, XXIV; 5, LXV; 24, 
                                                  Subtitle B
  Community Planning and Development, Office of   24, V, VI
       Assistant Secretary for
  Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant          24, I
       Secretary for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 24
  Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office    12, XVII
       of
  Government National Mortgage Association        24, III
  Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office   24, II, VIII, X, XX
       of Assistant Secretary for
  Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing     24, IV
       Assistance Restructuring, Office of
  Inspector General, Office of                    24, XII
  Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant  24, IX
       Secretary for
  Secretary, Office of                            24, Subtitle A, VII
Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office of  24, II, VIII, X, XX
     Assistant Secretary for
Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing       24, IV
     Assistance Restructuring, Office of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau        19, IV
Immigration Review, Executive Office for          8, V
Independent Counsel, Office of                    28, VII
Independent Counsel, Offices of                   28, VI

[[Page 1100]]

Indian Affairs, Bureau of                         25, I, V
Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant           25, VI
     Secretary
Indian Arts and Crafts Board                      25, II
Indian Health Service                             25, V
Industry and Security, Bureau of                  15, VII
Information Resources Management, Office of       7, XXVII
Information Security Oversight Office, National   32, XX
     Archives and Records Administration
Inspector General
  Agriculture Department                          7, XXVI
  Health and Human Services Department            42, V
  Housing and Urban Development Department        24, XII, XV
Institute of Peace, United States                 22, XVII
Inter-American Foundation                         5, LXIII; 22, X
Interior Department                               2, XIV
  American Indians, Office of the Special         25, VII
       Trustee
  Endangered Species Committee                    50, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 14
  Federal Property Management Regulations System  41, 114
  Fish and Wildlife Service, United States        50, I, IV
  Geological Survey                               30, IV
  Indian Affairs, Bureau of                       25, I, V
  Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant         25, VI
       Secretary
  Indian Arts and Crafts Board                    25, II
  Land Management, Bureau of                      43, II
  National Indian Gaming Commission               25, III
  National Park Service                           36, I
  Natural Resource Revenue, Office of             30, XII
  Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of              30, V
  Reclamation, Bureau of                          43, I
  Safety and Enforcement Bureau, Bureau of        30, II
  Secretary of the Interior, Office of            2, XIV; 43, Subtitle A
  Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,     30, VII
       Office of
Internal Revenue Service                          26, I
International Boundary and Water Commission,      22, XI
     United States and Mexico, United States 
     Section
International Development, United States Agency   22, II
     for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
International Development Cooperation Agency,     22, XII
     United States
International Joint Commission, United States     22, IV
     and Canada
International Organizations Employees Loyalty     5, V
     Board
International Trade Administration                15, III; 19, III
International Trade Commission, United States     19, II
Interstate Commerce Commission                    5, XL
Investment Security, Office of                    31, VIII
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation      45, XXIV
Japan-United States Friendship Commission         22, XVI
Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries       20, VIII
Justice Department                                2, XXVIII; 5, XXVIII; 28, 
                                                  I, XI; 40, IV
  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,     27, II
       Bureau of
  Drug Enforcement Administration                 21, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 28
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                 28, III
  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the     45, V
       United States
  Immigration Review, Executive Office for        8, V
  Independent Counsel, Offices of                 28, VI
  Prisons, Bureau of                              28, V
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 128
Labor Department                                  2, XXIX; 5, XLII
  Employee Benefits Security Administration       29, XXV
  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board           20, IV
  Employment and Training Administration          20, V
  Employment Standards Administration             20, VI

[[Page 1101]]

  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 29
  Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office    41, 60
       of
  Federal Procurement Regulations System          41, 50
  Labor-Management Standards, Office of           29, II, IV
  Mine Safety and Health Administration           30, I
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration   29, XVII
  Public Contracts                                41, 50
  Secretary of Labor, Office of                   29, Subtitle A
  Veterans' Employment and Training Service,      41, 61; 20, IX
       Office of the Assistant Secretary for
  Wage and Hour Division                          29, V
  Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of       20, I, VII
Labor-Management Standards, Office of             29, II, IV
Land Management, Bureau of                        43, II
Legal Services Corporation                        45, XVI
Library of Congress                               36, VII
  Copyright Royalty Board                         37, III
  U.S. Copyright Office                           37, II
Local Television Loan Guarantee Board             7, XX
Management and Budget, Office of                  5, III, LXXVII; 14, VI; 
                                                  48, 99
Marine Mammal Commission                          50, V
Maritime Administration                           46, II
Merit Systems Protection Board                    5, II, LXIV
Micronesian Status Negotiations, Office for       32, XXVII
Military Compensation and Retirement              5, XCIX
     Modernization Commission
Millennium Challenge Corporation                  22, XIII
Mine Safety and Health Administration             30, I
Minority Business Development Agency              15, XIV
Miscellaneous Agencies                            1, IV
Monetary Offices                                  31, I
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in     36, XVI
     National Environmental Policy Foundation
Museum and Library Services, Institute of         2, XXXI
National Aeronautics and Space Administration     2, XVIII; 5, LIX; 14, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 18
National Agricultural Library                     7, XLI
National Agricultural Statistics Service          7, XXXVI
National and Community Service, Corporation for   2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
National Archives and Records Administration      2, XXVI; 5, LXVI; 36, XII
  Information Security Oversight Office           32, XX
National Capital Planning Commission              1, IV
National Commission for Employment Policy         1, IV
National Commission on Libraries and Information  45, XVII
     Science
National Council on Disability                    5, C; 34, XII
National Counterintelligence Center               32, XVIII
National Credit Union Administration              5, LXXXVI; 12, VII
National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact     28, IX
     Council
National Drug Control Policy, Office of           2, XXXVI; 21, III
National Endowment for the Arts                   2, XXXII
National Endowment for the Humanities             2, XXXIII
National Foundation on the Arts and the           45, XI
     Humanities
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency           32, I
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration    23, II, III; 47, VI; 49, V
National Imagery and Mapping Agency               32, I
National Indian Gaming Commission                 25, III
National Institute of Food and Agriculture        7, XXXIV
National Institute of Standards and Technology    15, II
National Intelligence, Office of Director of      5, IV; 32, XVII
National Labor Relations Board                    5, LXI; 29, I
National Marine Fisheries Service                 50, II, IV
National Mediation Board                          29, X
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration   15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
                                                  VI
National Park Service                             36, I
National Railroad Adjustment Board                29, III

[[Page 1102]]

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)  49, VII
National Science Foundation                       2, XXV; 5, XLIII; 45, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 25
National Security Council                         32, XXI
National Security Council and Office of Science   47, II
     and Technology Policy
National Telecommunications and Information       15, XXIII; 47, III, IV
     Administration
National Transportation Safety Board              49, VIII
Natural Resources Conservation Service            7, VI
Natural Resource Revenue, Office of               30, XII
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, Office of      25, IV
Navy Department                                   32, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 52
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation             24, XXV
Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste  10, XVIII
     Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission                     2, XX; 5, XLVIII; 10, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 20
Occupational Safety and Health Administration     29, XVII
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission  29, XX
Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of                30, V
Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust             36, XV
Operations Office                                 7, XXVIII
Overseas Private Investment Corporation           5, XXXIII; 22, VII
Patent and Trademark Office, United States        37, I
Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel      41, 304
     Expenses
Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of   41, 303
     Certain Employees
Peace Corps                                       2, XXXVII; 22, III
Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation       36, IX
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation              29, XL
Personnel Management, Office of                   5, I, XXXV; 5, IV; 45, 
                                                  VIII
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems, Department of Homeland Security
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 17
  Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal  48, 21
       Acquisition Regulation
  Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition   48, 16
       Regulation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety           49, I
     Administration
Postal Regulatory Commission                      5, XLVI; 39, III
Postal Service, United States                     5, LX; 39, I
Postsecondary Education, Office of                34, VI
President's Commission on White House             1, IV
     Fellowships
Presidential Documents                            3
Presidio Trust                                    36, X
Prisons, Bureau of                                28, V
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board       6, X
Procurement and Property Management, Office of    7, XXXII
Productivity, Technology and Innovation,          37, IV
     Assistant Secretary
Public Contracts, Department of Labor             41, 50
Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant    24, IX
     Secretary for
Public Health Service                             42, I
Railroad Retirement Board                         20, II
Reclamation, Bureau of                            43, I
Refugee Resettlement, Office of                   45, IV
Relocation Allowances                             41, 302
Research and Innovative Technology                49, XI
     Administration
Rural Business-Cooperative Service                7, XVIII, XLII
Rural Development Administration                  7, XLII
Rural Housing Service                             7, XVIII, XXXV
Rural Telephone Bank                              7, XVI
Rural Utilities Service                           7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau of   30, II
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation     33, IV

[[Page 1103]]

Science and Technology Policy, Office of          32, XXIV
Science and Technology Policy, Office of, and     47, II
     National Security Council
Secret Service                                    31, IV
Securities and Exchange Commission                5, XXXIV; 17, II
Selective Service System                          32, XVI
Small Business Administration                     2, XXVII; 13, I
Smithsonian Institution                           36, V
Social Security Administration                    2, XXIII; 20, III; 48, 23
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, United States        5, XI
Special Counsel, Office of                        5, VIII
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,    34, III
     Office of
State Department                                  2, VI; 22, I; 28, XI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 6
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,       30, VII
     Office of
Surface Transportation Board                      49, X
Susquehanna River Basin Commission                18, VIII
Technology Administration                         15, XI
Technology Policy, Assistant Secretary for        37, IV
Tennessee Valley Authority                        5, LXIX; 18, XIII
Thrift Supervision Office, Department of the      12, V
     Treasury
Trade Representative, United States, Office of    15, XX
Transportation, Department of                     2, XII; 5, L
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 63
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 12
  Federal Aviation Administration                 14, I
  Federal Highway Administration                  23, I, II
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration     49, III
  Federal Railroad Administration                 49, II
  Federal Transit Administration                  49, VI
  Maritime Administration                         46, II
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  23, II, III; 47, IV; 49, V
  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety         49, I
       Administration
  Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation   33, IV
  Secretary of Transportation, Office of          14, II; 49, Subtitle A
  Transportation Statistics Bureau                49, XI
Transportation, Office of                         7, XXXIII
Transportation Security Administration            49, XII
Transportation Statistics Bureau                  49, XI
Travel Allowances, Temporary Duty (TDY)           41, 301
Treasury Department                               2, X;5, XXI; 12, XV; 17, 
                                                  IV; 31, IX
  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau        27, I
  Community Development Financial Institutions    12, XVIII
       Fund
  Comptroller of the Currency                     12, I
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Engraving and Printing, Bureau of               31, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 10
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center         31, VII
  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network            31, X
  Fiscal Service                                  31, II
  Foreign Assets Control, Office of               31, V
  Internal Revenue Service                        26, I
  Investment Security, Office of                  31, VIII
  Monetary Offices                                31, I
  Secret Service                                  31, IV
  Secretary of the Treasury, Office of            31, Subtitle A
  Thrift Supervision, Office of                   12, V
Truman, Harry S. Scholarship Foundation           45, XVIII
United States and Canada, International Joint     22, IV
     Commission
United States and Mexico, International Boundary  22, XI
     and Water Commission, United States Section
U.S. Copyright Office                             37, II
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation      43, III
   Commission
[[Page 1104]]

Veterans Affairs Department                       2, VIII; 38, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 8
Veterans' Employment and Training Service,        41, 61; 20, IX
     Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Vice President of the United States, Office of    32, XXVIII
Wage and Hour Division                            29, V
Water Resources Council                           18, VI
Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of         20, I, VII
World Agricultural Outlook Board                  7, XXXVIII

[[Page 1105]]



List of CFR Sections Affected



All changes in this volume of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that 
were made by documents published in the Federal Register since January 
1, 2012 are enumerated in the following list. Entries indicate the 
nature of the changes effected. Page numbers refer to Federal Register 
pages. The user should consult the entries for chapters, parts and 
subparts as well as sections for revisions.
For changes to this volume of the CFR prior to this listing, consult the 
annual edition of the monthly List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA). The 
LSA is available at www.fdsys.gov. For changes to this volume of the CFR 
prior to 2001, see the ``List of CFR Sections Affected, 1949-1963, 1964-
1972, 1973-1985, and 1986-2000'' published in 11 separate volumes. The 
``List of CFR Sections Affected 1986-2000'' is available at 
www.fdsys.gov.

                                  2012

38 CFR
                                                                   77 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
20.706  Revised....................................................23130
    Regulation at 77 FR 23130 confirmed............................70686
20  Appendix A amended.............................................23130
    Regulation at 77 FR 23130 confirmed............................70686
21.79  Regulation at 76 FR 45703 confirmed..........................1872
21.260  Regulation at 76 FR 45703 confirmed.........................1872
21.264  Regulation at 76 FR 45704 confirmed.........................1872
21.270  Regulation at 76 FR 45705 confirmed.........................1872
21.274  Regulation at 76 FR 45705 confirmed.........................1872
38  Authority citation revised......................................4678
38.620  (i) added...................................................4678
39  Heading and authority citation revised..........................4472
39.1  Revised.......................................................4472
39.2  Revised.......................................................4472
39.4  Revised.......................................................4473
39.5  Revised.......................................................4473
39.6  Revised.......................................................4473
39.7  Revised.......................................................4473
39.8  Revised.......................................................4473
39.10  (a), (b) introductory text, (c) and (d) revised..............4473
39.11  Revised......................................................4474
39.30  (a) introductory text and (4) revised........................4474
39.31  (a), (b) introductory text, (5), (6), (8), (c) introductory 
        text, (2) through (7), (d), (e) and authority citation 
        revised.....................................................4474
39.32  Introductory text, (a), (b) introductory text, (1) 
        introductory text, (2) introductory text, (c), (d) 
        introductory text, (e) introductory text, (1), (2), (3), 
        (4) introductory text, (5), (6) introductory text, (7) 
        introductory text and (9) revised...........................4475
39.33  Revised......................................................4476
39.34  (a) introductory text, (b) introductory text and (c) 
        revised.....................................................4476
39.50  (b)(3) and (4) introductory text revised.....................4476
39.51  Introductory text and (d) revised............................4476
39.60  (a) revised..................................................4476
39.63  Introductory text revised....................................4476
39.80  (a) introductory text and (4) revised........................4477
39.81  (a), (b) introductory text, (1), (2), (3), (9), (10) 
        introductory text, (11), (c), (d) introductory text, (e) 
        and authority citation revised..............................4477
39.82  (a) introductory text, (3), (b) introductory text, (1) and 
        (c) revised.................................................4477
39.83  Revised......................................................4478

[[Page 1106]]

39.84  Introductory text revised....................................4478
39.101  Introductory text and (d) revised...........................4478
39.120  Revised.....................................................4478
39.121  Heading, (a), (b) introductory text, (c) and (d) revised 
                                                                    4478
39.122  Revised.....................................................4478
51.41  Revised; interim............................................72741
51.43  (c) amended.................................................59320
51.110  (b)(1)(i) amended..........................................26184
53.10  Amended.....................................................73313
53.11  (a)(5) amended..............................................73313
53.20  (a) amended.................................................73313
53.30  (b) amended.................................................73313
53.40  Amended.....................................................73313
53.41  Amended.....................................................73313
59  Authority citation revised.....................................10665
59.20  (c) revised; (d) amended; OMB number........................10665
59.50  (a) introductory text amended...............................10665
59.70  (b) amended.................................................10665
60  Revised........................................................59089
74.15  (a) amended; interim........................................38183

                                  2013

38 CFR
                                                                   78 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
51.30  (c) amended.................................................51675
51.43  Regulation at 77 FR 59320 confirmed.........................18240
    (a), (b) and (f) amended.......................................51675
51.210  (c)(8), (9), (10) and (11) amended.........................51675
52.30  (c) amended.................................................51675
52.40  (a)(3) and (5) amended......................................51675
52.210  (c)(8), (9), (10) and (11) amended.........................51675
58  Removed........................................................51675
59.4  Amended; interim.............................................21265
    Regulation at 78 FR 21265 confirmed............................73442
59.5  Amended; interim.............................................21265
    Regulation at 78 FR 21265 confirmed............................73442
59.50  (a) introductory text amended; (a)(1)(i) through (vi) 
        revised; (f) removed; (d), (e) and (g) redesignated as 
        (f), (g) and (i); (a)(1)(vii), new (d), new (e) and (h) 
        added; interim.............................................21265
    Regulation at 78 FR 21265 confirmed............................73442
61  Revised........................................................12604
64  Added..........................................................12619
74.15  Regulation at 77 FR 38183 confirmed.........................52087

                                  2014

38 CFR
                                                                   79 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
19.23  Added.......................................................57697
19.24  Added.......................................................57697
20.3  (c) revised..................................................57698
20.200  (a), (c)(2) and authority citation revised.................52984
    Revised........................................................57698
20.201  Revised....................................................57698
20.1106  Revised...................................................52984
20.1302  Revised...................................................52984
20.1304  (b)(1) introductory text and authority citation revised 
                                                                   52984
21.268  (f) redesignated as (g); new (f) and authority citation 
        added......................................................15921
36.4300  Heading revised; (b) redesignated as (e); new (b), (c) 
        and (d) added; (a) heading and new (e) heading added; 
        interim....................................................26627
36.4340  (a) revised; (b) redesignated as (b)(1); (b)(2) added; 
        interim....................................................26628
36.4351  Revised....................................................2101
36.4500  Heading revised; (c) redesignated as (d); new (c) added; 
        (a) heading, (b) heading and new (d) heading added; 
        interim....................................................26628
36.4501  Amended; interim..........................................26628
41  Removed; interim...............................................76024
43  Authority citation revised.....................................54616
    Removed; interim...............................................76024
60.2  Amended.......................................................2100
77  Added; interim.................................................37217

                                  2015

38 CFR
                                                                   80 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
36.4312  (d)(2) and (5) revised; OMB number........................48255
36.4324  (a), (2), (3)(ii) and (d)(5) amended......................34319
36.4325  Amended...................................................34319
36.4326  (e), (1), (2) and (i) amended.............................34319
36.4327  (a)(1), (d)(2) and (4) amended............................34319

[[Page 1107]]

36.4328  (b), (2) through (6), (8) and (c) amended.................34319
36.4331  Amended...................................................34319
36.4333  (a)(2) amended............................................34319
36.4335  Amended...................................................34319
36.4338  (a) and (1) through (8) amended...........................34319
36.4339  (c) amended...............................................34319
36.4340  (h) and (k)(3) amended....................................34319
36.4345  (c)(2) amended............................................34319
36.4347  (a)(5), (d) and (f) amended...............................34319
36.4348  (a)(4), (c) and (d) amended...............................34319
36.4350  (g)(1)(iv)(A)(1) and (i)(2) amended.......................34319
36.4352  (d)(1) amended............................................34319
36.4354  (b)(5)(iii) amended.......................................34319
36.4355  Amended...................................................34319
36.4359  (c) amended...............................................34319
36.4360  (a) and (b)(2) amended....................................34319
36.4361  (b), (c)(4) and (d)(2) amended............................34319
36.4362  (b)(4)(iii), (c)(5) and (6)(ii) amended...................34319
36.4363  (e) amended...............................................34319
36.4364  (a)(1), (3), (7) and (c) amended..........................34319
36.4365  (b)(5) amended............................................34319
36.4367  Amended...................................................34319
36.4375  (b) amended...............................................34319
36.4378  Amended...................................................34319
36.4379  (a) and (b) amended.......................................34319
36.4390  Amended...................................................34319
36.4392  Amended...................................................34319
36.4393  (a), (c), (d) and (e) amended.............................34319
36.4412  Added.....................................................55765
38.628  Added......................................................19538
39.31  (c)(6) amended..............................................43322
39.32  Introductory text amended...................................43322
39.81  (d)(2) amended..............................................43322
39.82  (a)(2) and (3) amended......................................43322
39.122  (a) amended................................................43322
41  Regulation at 79 FR 76024 confirmed............................74966
43  Regulation at 79 FR 76024 confirmed............................74966
48.605  (a)(2) amended.............................................43322
49  Removed........................................................43322
51.43  (e) amended.................................................43322
51.200  (a) and (b) revised; (i) added.............................44862
52.40  (b) amended.................................................43322
52.200  (a) amended................................................44862
53.31  (b) amended.................................................43322
59.124  (a) amended................................................43323
59.130  (d)(1) revised; (i) added..................................44862
61.16  (a) amended.................................................43323
61.50  (b)(3)(i) revised...........................................43323
61.61  (a) amended.................................................43323
61.66  Revised.....................................................43323
61.67  (c) and (f) amended.........................................43323
62.2  Amended.......................................................9610
62.11  Revised......................................................9610
62.20  (a)(2) through (7) redesignated as (a)(3) through (8); new 
        (a)(2) added; OMB number....................................9611
62.22  (b)(2)(i) revised............................................9611
62.31  Introductory text revised; (d) and (e) amended; (f) added 
                                                                    9611
62.33  (c), (g), (h) introductory text and (2)(i) revised; 
        (d)(3)(i) amended...........................................9611
62.34  (a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), (2) and (e) revised; (f) 
        redesignated as (g); new (f) added..........................9611
62.35  (a) revised; (b) amended; (e) added..........................9612
62.36  (a) revised; (f) and (g) added; OMB number...................9612
62.38  Added........................................................9613
62.60  OMB number...................................................9613
62.70  (a) revised; (b) and (c) amended............................43323
63.1  Revised......................................................24821
63.2  Amended; authority citation revised..........................24821
63.3  (a) revised..................................................24821
63.10  (a) revised.................................................24821
63.15  (b) revised.................................................24821
64.14  (b)(2) revised..............................................43323
71  Regulation at 76 FR 26172 confirmed.............................1376
71.10  (a) and (b) revised..........................................1376
71.15  Amended......................................................1376
71.20  (c) and (d) amended..........................................1377
71.25  (c)(1)(i) and (d) amended; (e) revised.......................1377
71.30  (b)(2) amended...............................................1377
71.40  (b)(4), (5), (6), (c)(2), (4)(iv)(A), (B), (C) and (v) 
        amended; (c)(3) and (d)(1) revised..........................1377
71.45  Revised......................................................1377
77  Authority citation added.......................................25235
77.4  OMB number...................................................25235
77.6  OMB number...................................................25235
77.8  OMB number...................................................25235
77.9  OMB number...................................................25235

[[Page 1108]]

77.13  OMB number..................................................25235
77.16  OMB number..................................................25235
77.19  OMB number..................................................25235

                                  2016

38 CFR
                                                                   81 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
20.100  (c) revised................................................32649
20.204  (b)(2) amended.............................................32649
20.608  (b)(2) amended.............................................32649
20.702  (c)(1), (2), (d) and (e) amended...........................32649
20.704  (d) amended................................................32650
20.708  Amended....................................................32650
20.711  (c) revised................................................32650
20.714  (a)(1) amended.............................................32650
20.715  Amended....................................................32650
20.716  Amended....................................................32650
20.717  (c) revised................................................32650
20.900  (c)(2) amended.............................................32650
20.1001  (b) amended...............................................32650
20.1301  (b)(2) amended............................................32650
20.1304  (b)(1) amended............................................32650
20.1404  (c) amended...............................................32650
20.1405  (c)(2) revised............................................32650
21.53  (f) and (g) introductory text amended.......................26131
21.57  (d) amended.................................................26131
21.60  (b)(1) and (e)(1) amended...................................26131
21.72  (c)(1), (2) and (d)(2) amended..............................26131
21.74  (c)(1), (2) and (3) amended.................................26131
21.76  (b) amended.................................................26131
21.78  (d) amended.................................................26131
21.92  (b), (c) and (d) amended....................................26131
21.94  (a) and (b) amended.........................................26131
21.98  (b) introductory text amended...............................26132
21.100  (d)(1), (3)(ii) and (4) amended............................26132
21.180  (c) amended................................................26132
21.274  (e)(1) amended.............................................26132
21.299  (a) amended................................................26132
21.364  (a) introductory text amended..............................26132
21.380  (a)(1) amended.............................................26132
21.440--21.449  Undesignated center heading and sections added; 
        interim....................................................52775
21.3102  (a) amended...............................................26132
21.3301  (e) amended...............................................26132
21.4232  (a)(2) introductory text, (i), (3) and (d) amended........26132
21.6005  (j)(10) added.............................................26132
21.6052  (b)(1) and (c) amended....................................26132
21.6056  (a), (b) and (c) amended..................................26132
21.6059  (b)(1) and (2) amended....................................26132
21.6070  (b) and (e) introductory text amended.....................26132
21.6072  (d)(2) amended............................................26132
21.6080  (d) introductory text amended.............................26132
21.6509  (d) amended...............................................26132
21.6515  (a) amended...............................................26132
36.4340  (k)(1)(i) and (3) amended; authority citation revised; 
        interim....................................................40525
    Regulation at 81 FR 40525 confirmed............................65552
36  Authority citation revised.....................................59138
36.4345  (b)(1) revised; (b)(3) added..............................59138
38  Authority citation revised.....................................44795
    Regulation at 81 FR 44795 eff. date confirmed..................65286
38.600  (a) added; (b) amended.....................................10770
38.603  (b) revised; authority citation added......................44795
    Regulation at 81 FR 44795 eff. date confirmed..................65286
38.632  (b)(1) amended.............................................10771
42  Authority citation revised.....................................40525
    Regulation at 81 FR 40525 confirmed............................65552
42.3  (a)(1) and (b)(1) amended; authority citation revised; 
        interim....................................................40525
    Regulation at 81 FR 40525 confirmed............................65552
50  Added..........................................................19424
61.64  (a), (b)(1)(i), (2), (c), (d) and (g) amended...............19425
62.62  (a), (b)(1)(i), (2), (c), (d) and (g) amended...............19426
70  Heading and authority citation revised.........................10506
70.1--70.50 (Subpart A)  Designated as Subpart A; heading added....10506
70.70--70.73 (Subpart B)  Added....................................10506

                                  2017

   (Regulations published from January 1, 2017, through July 1, 2017)

38 CFR
                                                                   82 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
36.4309  (c)(1)(vi) correctly amended..............................11153

[[Page 1109]]

36.4322  (b)(2) and (3) correctly amended..........................11153
36.4335  Correctly amended.........................................11153
36.4378  Heading correctly revised.................................11153
60.10  (a) and (c) introductory text amended; eff. 7-10-17.........26594
60.15  (a), (b)(1), (6) and (7) revised; eff. 7-10-17..............26594
74.15  (a) amended; interim........................................11155


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