Code of Federal Regulations Title 38. Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief § 38.14.702 Medical testimony in commitment or restoration proceedings

(a) Commitment. When permissible under State law, Department of Veterans Affairs physicians, upon request of the Regional Counsel, will sign interrogatories or certificates of mental illness or insanity and, unless unavailable, as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, will testify in proceedings which the Regional Counsel is authorized to institute under § 14.701 to commit eligible veterans to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(b) Restoration.

(c) Employment of private physicians. When testimony of Department of Veterans Affairs physicians is prohibited or is unavailable because of a duty assignment, comparative expense or other valid reason, the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, upon recommendation of the Regional Counsel, may employ any qualified physician for preliminary examination of the veteran and for testimony in any commitment or restoration proceeding which the Regional Counsel is authorized to institute under § 14.701, and authorize the payment of a fee not to exceed the prescribed fee, or in the absence thereof, the customary fee charged for the service rendered.