
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 38USC501]

 
                      TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS
 
                       PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
            CHAPTER 5--AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
 
                    SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL AUTHORITIES
 
Sec. 501. Rules and regulations

    (a) The Secretary has authority to prescribe all rules and 
regulations which are necessary or appropriate to carry out the laws 
administered by the Department and are consistent with those laws, 
including--
        (1) regulations with respect to the nature and extent of proof 
    and evidence and the method of taking and furnishing them in order 
    to establish the right to benefits under such laws;
        (2) the forms of application by claimants under such laws;
        (3) the methods of making investigations and medical 
    examinations; and
        (4) the manner and form of adjudications and awards.

    (b) Any rule, regulation, guideline, or other published 
interpretation or order (and any amendment thereto) issued pursuant to 
the authority granted by this section or any other provision of this 
title shall contain citations to the particular section or sections of 
statutory law or other legal authority upon which such issuance is 
based. The citation to the authority shall appear immediately following 
each substantive provision of the issuance.
    (c) In applying section 552(a)(1) of title 5 to the Department, the 
Secretary shall ensure that subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) of that 
section are complied with, particularly with respect to opinions and 
interpretations of the General Counsel.
    (d) The provisions of section 553 of title 5 shall apply, without 
regard to subsection (a)(2) of that section, to matters relating to 
loans, grants, or benefits under a law administered by the Secretary.

(Added Pub. L. 102-83, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 386.)


                            Prior Provisions

    Prior section 501 was renumbered section 1501 of this title.
    Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in 
sections 210(c)(1) and 223(a), (b) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. 
L. 102-83, Sec. 2(a).

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 1721 of this title.
