# 38 C.F.R. § 14.507 (2026): Opinions > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_507 ## Section - **Citation:** 38 C.F.R. § 14.507 (2026) - **Heading:** Opinions - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Title 38 CFR: Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief / Chapter I: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS / Part 14: LEGAL SERVICES, GENERAL COUNSEL, AND MISCELLANEOUS CLAIMS / § 14.507: § 14.507 Opinions. ## Text (a) A written legal opinion of the General Counsel involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be conclusive as to all Department officials and employees with respect to the matter at issue, unless there has been a material change in controlling statute or regulation, a superseding written legal opinion by the General Counsel, or the designation on its face as “advisory only” by the General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsel acting as or for the General Counsel. Written legal opinions having conclusive effect under this section and not designated as precedent opinions pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section shall be considered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2). Advice, recommendations, or conclusions on matters of Government or Department policy, contained within a written legal opinion, shall not be binding on Department officials and employees merely because of their being contained within a written legal opinion. Written legal opinions will be maintained in the Office of the General Counsel. Written legal opinions involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which pertain to a particular benefit matter, in addition to being maintained in the Office of the General Counsel, will be filed in the individual claim folder. (b) A written legal opinion of the General Counsel involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs which, in the judgment of the General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsel acting as or for the General Counsel, necessitates regulatory change, interprets a statute or regulation as a matter of first impression, clarifies or modifies a prior opinion, or is otherwise of significance beyond the matter at issue, may be designated a “precedent opinion” for purposes of such benefits Veterans Affairs which, in the judgment of the General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsel acting as or for the General Counsel, necessitates regulatory change, interprets a statute or regulation as a matter of first impression, clarifies or modifies a prior opinion, or is otherwise of significance beyond the matter at issue, may be designated a “precedent opinion” for purposes of such benefits. Written legal opinions designated as precedent opinions under this section shall be considered by Department of Veterans Affairs to be subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). An opinion designated as a precedent opinion is binding on Department officials and employees in subsequent matters involving a legal issue decided in the precedent opinion, unless there has been a material change in a controlling statute or regulation or the opinion has been overruled or modified by a subsequent precedent opinion or judicial decision. (c) For purposes of this section, the term written legal opinion of the General Counsel means a typed or printed memorandum or letter signed by the General Counsel or by the Deputy General Counsel acting as or for the General Counsel, addressed to an official or officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs stating a conclusion on a legal issue pertaining to Department of Veterans Affairs activities. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501) [54 FR 5613, Feb. 6, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 68666, Dec. 30, 1996] ## Nearby sections - [38 C.F.R. § 14.500 (2026) § 14.500 Functions and responsibilities of General Counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_500.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.501 (2026) § 14.501 Functions and responsibilities of Regional Counsels.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_501.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.502 (2026) § 14.502 Requests for legal opinions from Central Office.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_502.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.503 (2026) § 14.503 Requests for legal advice and assistance in other than domestic relations matters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_503.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.504 (2026) § 14.504 Domestic relations questions, authority and exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_504.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.505 (2026) § 14.505 Submissions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_505.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.507 (2026) § 14.507 Opinions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_507.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.514 (2026) § 14.514 Suits by or against United States or Department of Veterans Affairs officials; indemnification of Department of Veterans Affairs employees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_514.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.515 (2026) § 14.515 Suits involving loan guaranty matters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_515.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.516 (2026) § 14.516 Escheat and post fund cases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_516.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.517 (2026) § 14.517 Cases affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_517.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.518 (2026) § 14.518 Litigation involving beneficiaries in custody of Department of Veterans Affairs employees acting in official capacity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_518.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.560 (2026) § 14.560 Procedure where violation of penal statutes is involved including those offenses coming within the purview of the Assimilative Crime Act (18 U.S.C. 13).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_560.md) - [38 C.F.R. § 14.561 (2026) § 14.561 Administrative action prior to submission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_561.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P14_S14_507. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.