(b) Veterans Benefits Administration(1) General. The Under Secretary for Benefits is delegated authority to act on all matters assigned to the Veterans Benefits Administration except as provided in §1.771 of this chapter and to authorize supervisory or adjudicative personnel within his/her jurisdiction to perform such functions as may be assigned.

(2) Philippines. The Director, Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office, Manila, Philippines, is delegated authority to exercise such authorities as are delegated to directors of regional offices in the United States, which are appropriate to the administration in the Republic of the Philippines of the laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(c) Office of Management. (1) The Assistant Secretary for Management (Chief Financial Officer) is delegated authority to act on all matters assigned to his/her office, and to authorize supervisory personnel within his/ her jurisdiction to perform such functions as may be assigned. Appropriate written notification will be furnished other Federal agencies concerning such authorizations.

(2) The Assistant Secretary for Management (Chief Financial Officer) is delegated authority under 31 U.S.C. 1553(c)(1), to approve, in a fixed appropriation account to which the period of availability for obligation has expired, obligational increases related to contract changes when such transaction will cause cumulative obligational increase for contract changes during a fiscal year to exceed $4 million but not more than $25 million; for this responsibility the Assistant Secretary for Management (Chief Financial Officer) shall act as a member of the Office of the Secretary and shall report to and consult with the Secretary on these matters.

(d) Assistant Secretary for Management (Chief Financial Officer); administration heads and staff office directors. The Assistant Secretary for Management (Chief Financial Officer) is delegated authority to take appropriate action (other than provided for in paragraphs (e)(3) and (e)(4) of this section) in connection with the collection of civil claims by VA for money or property, as

authorized in §1.900, et seq. The Assistant Secretary for Management (Chief Financial Officer) may redelegate such authority as he/she deems appropriate to administration heads and staff office

directors.

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

(e) General Counsel. (1) [Reserved]

(2) Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 515(b), the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel and Regional Counsel, or those authorized to act for them, are authorized to consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, and settle tort claims cognizable thereunder and to execute an appropriate voucher and other necessary instruments in connection with the final disposition of such claims.

(3) Under the provisions of "The Federal Medical Care Recovery Act." 4: U.S.C. 2651, et seq. (as implemented by part 43, title 28, Code of Federal Regu lations), authority is delegated to the General Counsel, Deputy General Coun sel. Assistant General Counsel (Profes sional Staff Group I), Deputy Assistan General Counsel of said staff group and Regional Counsels or those author ized to act for them, to collect in full compromise, settle, or waive any claim and execute the release thereof; how ever, claims in excess of $100,000 may be compromised, settled, or waived only with the prior approval of the De partment of Justice.

(4) Under the Federal Claims Collec tion Act of 1966, 31 U.S.C. 3711, et seq. authority is delegated to the Genera Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, As sistant General Counsel, Deputy As sistant General Counsel and Regional Counsel, or those authorized to act for them, to:

(i) Make appropriate determinations with respect to the litigative prob abilities of a claim (§1.932 of this chap ter), the legal merits of a claim (§1.942(e) of this chapter), and any other legal considerations of a claim.

(ii) Collect in full a claim involving damage to or loss of government property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs resulting from negligence or other legal wrong of a person (other than an employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his or her employment)

and to compromise, suspend, or terminate any such claim not exceeding $100,000.

(iii) Collect a claim in full from an individual or legal entity who is liable for the cost of hospital, medical, surgical, or dental care and treatment of a person, and to compromise, suspend, or terminate any such claim not exceeding $100,000.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3711(a)(2); 38 U.S.C. 501, 512).

(iv) The delegations of authority set forth in paragraphs (e)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section do not apply to the handling of any claim as to which there is an indication of fraud, the presentation of a false claim or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any other party having an interest in the claim, or to any claim based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the antitrust laws. Such cases will be considered by the General Counsel, who will make the determination in all instances as to whether the case warrants referral to the Department of Justice. The delegations of authority are applicable to those claims where the Department of Justice determines that action based upon the alleged fraud, false claim, or misrepresentation is not warranted.

(5) Pursuant to the provisions of the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claim Act of 1964, 31 U.S.C. 3721, as amended, the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group III), Deputy Assistant General Counsel of said staff group, and Regional Counsel or those authorized to act for them, are authorized to settle and pay a claim for not more than $40,000 made by a civilian officer or employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to his or her service. (Pub. L. 97-226)

(6) Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7316(e), authority is delegated to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and the Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group I) to hold harmless or provide liability insurance for any person to whom the immunity provisions of section 7316 apply. for damage for personal injury or death, or

for property damage, negligently caused by such person while furnishing medical care or treatment in the exercise of his or her duties in or for the Veterans Health Administration, if such person is assigned to a foreign country, detailed to State or political division thereof, or is acting under any other circumstances which would preclude the remedies of an injured third person against the United States, provided by sections 1346(b) and 2672 of title 28, United States Code, for such damage or injury.

(7) The General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and those authorized to act for them, are authorized to conduct investigations, examine witnesses,

take affidavits, administer oaths and affirmations, and certify copies of public or private documents on all matters within the jurisdiction of the General Counsel. Pursuant to the provisions of §2.2(c), the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and those authorized to act for them, are authorized to countersign VA Form 4505.

(8) The General Counsel, or the Deputy General Counsel acting as or for the General Counsel, is authorized to designate, in accordance with established standards, those legal opinions of the General Counsel which will be considered precedent opinions involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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

(9) Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1729(c)(1), authority is delegated to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group I), Deputy Assistant General Counsel of said staff group, and Regional Counsel, or those authorized to act for them, to collect in full, compromise, settle, or waive any claim and execute the release thereof; however, claims in excess of $100.000 may only be compromised, settled, waived with the prior approval of the

or

General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel (Professional Staff Group I), or Deputy Assistant General Counsel of said staff group, or those authorized to act for them.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3711(a)(2); 38 U.S.C. 501, 512).

(10) The General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel are authorized to make final Departmental decisions on appeals under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, 38 U.S.C. 5701 and 5705.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 512)

(11) All authority delegated in this paragraph to Regional Counsels will be exercised by them under the supervision of and in accordance with instructions issued by the General Counsel.

(f) National Cemetery Administration. Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs is delegated authority:

(1) To act on all matters assigned to the National Cemetery Administration by statute (38 U.S.C. chapter 24) and by regulation except where specifically requiring the personal attention or action of the Secretary and to authorize supervisory personnel within the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, to perform such functions as may be assigned.

(2) To designate, as deemed necessary, Superintendents of National Cemeteries as special investigators under 38 U.S.C. 901, however, such law enforcement authority is limited to enforcement of rules and regulations governing conduct on property under the charge and control of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as those rules and regulations apply to the cemetery over which the individual Superintendent exercises control and jurisdiction. Such designation will not authorize the carrying of firearms by any Superintendent.

(3) To accept donations of a minor nature, such as, individual trees for planting in burial areas and privately purchased grave markers.

(4) To name features in national cemeteries, such as, roads, walks, and special structures.

(5) To establish policies and specifications for inscriptions on Govern

ment headstones, markers, and private monuments.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 512, 2404)

(g) Inspector General. (1) The Secretary delegates to the Inspector General, the authority, as head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to make written requests under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(7), for the transfer of records or copies of records maintained by other agencies which are necessary to carry out an authorized law enforcement activity of the Office of Inspector General. This delegation is made pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 512. The Inspector General may redelegate the foregoing authority within the Office of Inspector General, but the delegation may only be to an official of sufficient rank to ensure that the request for the records has been the subject of a high level evaluation of the need for the information.

(2) The Inspector General delegates the authority under the Inspector General Act of 1978, and redelegates the authority under paragraph (a) of this sec-tion, to request Privacy Act-protected records from Federal agencies pursuant to subsection (b)(7) of the Privacy Act to each of the following Office of Inspector General officials: (i) Deputy Inspector General, (ii) Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, (iii Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, (iv) Chief of Operations and (v) Special Agents in Charge o Field Offices of Investigations. These officials may not redelegate this authority.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a)

(h) Delegations to Office Resolution Management Officials (ORM). (1) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolu tion Management is delegated author ity to supervise and control the oper ation of the administrative EEO Dis crimination Complaint Processing Sys tem within the Department.

(2) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chie Operating Officer, and all Regiona EEO Officers/Field Managers are dele gated authority to make procedura agency decisions to either accept of dismiss, in whole or in part, EEO dis crimination complaints based upor

race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or reprisal filed by employees, former employees, or applicants for employment.

(3) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief, Policy and Compliance are delegated authority to make agency decisions on all breach of settlement claims raised by employees, former employees, and applicants for employment.

(4) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief, Policy and Compliance are delegated authority to consider and resolve all claims raised by employees, former employees, and applicants for employment that allege dissatisfaction with the processing of a previously filed EEO discrimination complaint.

(5) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief, Policy and Compliance are delegated authority to monitor compliance by Department organizational components with orders and decisions of the OEDCA and the EEOC.

(i) Delegations to officials of the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication (OEDCA). (1) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to make procedural decisions to dismiss, in whole or in part, any EEO discrimination complaint filed by any employee, former employee, or applicant for employment that may be pending before OEDCA, where administrative complaint processing efficiency may be best served by doing so.

(2) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to dismiss, in whole or in part any EEO discrimination complaint based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or reprisal filed by any ORM employee, former employee, or applicant for employment.

(3) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to make the agency decision on all breach of settlement claims raised by ORM employees, former employees, and applicants for employment.

(4) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to

consider and resolve all claims raised by ORM employees, former employees, and applicants for employment that allege dissatisfaction with the processing of a previously filed EEO discrimination complaint.

(5) The Director and Associate Director, OEDCA, are delegated authority to make procedural agency decisions to either accept or dismiss, in whole or in part, EEO discrimination complaints filed by employees, former employees, or applicants for employment where the ORM must recuse itself from a case due to an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest.

(j) Delegation to the Chairman, Board of Contract Appeals. In cases where OEDCA has recused itself from a case due to an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest, the Chairman, Board of Contract Appeals, is delegated authority to make procedural agency decisions to dismiss, in whole or in part, EEO discrimination complaints filed by agency employees, former employees, and applicants for employment; to make substantive final agency decisions where complainants do not request an EEOC hearing; and to take agency action following a decision by an EEOC Administrative Judge.

(k) Processing complaints involving certain officials. A complaint alleging that the Secretary or the Deputy Secretary personally made a decision directly related to matters in dispute, or are otherwise personally involved in such matters, will be referred for procedural acceptability review, investigation, and substantive decisionmaking to another Federal agency (e.g., The Department of Justice) pursuant to a cost reimbursement agreement. Referral will not be made when the action complained of relates merely to ministerial involvement in such matters (e.g., ministerial approval of selection recommendations submitted to the Secretary by the Under Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, assistant secretaries, or staff office heads).

(1) Assistant to the Secretary, Office of Regulation Policy and Management. The Assistant to the Secretary for Regulation Policy and Management (ASRPM) is delegated authority:

(1) To act on all matters assigned to the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, except such matters as require the personal attention or action of the Secretary or the Secretary's Regulatory Policy Council.

(2) To manage and coordinate the Department's rulemaking activities, including the revision and reorganization of regulations.

(3) To serve as the Regulatory Policy Officer for the Department's rulemaking activities in accordance with Executive Order 12866.

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

[25 FR 11095, Nov. 23, 1960]

EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER Citations affecting §2.6, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.

§2.7 Delegation of authority to provide relief on account of administrative error.

(a) Section 503(a) of title 38 U.S.C., provides that if the Secretary determines that benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs have not been provided by reason of administrative error on the part of the Federal Government or any of its employees, the Secretary is authorized to provide such relief on account of such error as the Secretary determines equitable, including the payment of moneys to any person whom he determines equitably entitled thereto.

(b) Section 503(b) of title 38 U.S.C., provides that if the Secretary determines that any veteran, surviving spouse, child of a veteran, or other person, has suffered loss, as a consequence of reliance upon a determination by the Department of Veterans Affairs of eligibility or entitlement to benefits, without knowledge that it was erroneously made, the Secretary is authorized to provide such relief as the Secretary determines equitable, including the payment of moneys to any person equitably entitled thereto. The Secretary is also required to submit an annual report to the Congress, containing a brief summary of each recommendation for relief and its disposition. Preparation of the report shall be the responsibility of the General Counsel.

(c) The authority to grant the equitable relief, referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, has not been delegated and is reserved to the Secretary. Recommendation for the correction of administrative error and for appropriate equitable relief therefrom will be submitted to the Secretary. through the General Counsel. Such recommendation may be initiated by the head of the administration having responsibility for the benefit, or of any concerned staff office, or by the Chairman, Board of Veterans Appeals. When

a

recommendation for relief under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section is initiated by the head of a staff office, or the Chairman, Board of Veterans Appeals, the views of the head of the administration having responsibility for the benefit will be obtained and transmitted with the recommendation of the initiating office.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 503, 512)

[37 FR 22864, Oct. 26, 1972, as amended at 49 FR 30693, Aug. 1, 1984; 54 FR 34981, Aug. 23. 1989; 68 FR 25504, May 13, 2002]

§2.8 Delegation of authority to author

ize allowances for Department of Veterans Affairs employees who are notaries public.

(a) Employees occupying or acting in the positions designated in paragraph (b) of this section are authorized to designate those employees who are required to serve as notaries public in connection with the performance of official business and to pay an allowance for the costs therefor not to exceed the expense required to be incurred by them in order to obtain their commission.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5945)

(b) Designated positions: Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits. Director, Office of Data Management and Telecommunications, Chief Medical Director, General Counsel, Directors of regional offices, hospitals. domiciliaries, and centers.

[35 FR 13771, Aug. 29, 1970, as amended at 49 FR 30693, Aug. 1, 1984]