# 38 CFR § 20.906: Rule 906. Medical opinions and opinions of the General Counsel

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.906

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 CFR § 20.906
- **Heading:** Rule 906. Medical opinions and opinions of the General Counsel
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 38—Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief > CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS > PART 20—BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS: RULES OF PRACTICE > Subpart J—Action by the Board in Legacy Appeals

## Text

(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) Joint Pathology Center opinions. The Board may refer pathologic material to the Joint Pathology Center 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. Redesignated and amended at 84 FR 188, 190, Jan. 18, 2019; 84 FR 34788, July 19, 2019]

## Nearby sections

- [38 CFR § 20.1 § 20.1 Rule 1. Purpose and construction of Rules of Practice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.1.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.2 § 20.2 Rule 2. Procedure in absence of specific Rule of Practice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.2.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.3 § 20.3 Rule 3. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.3.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.4 § 20.4 Rule 4. Appeal systems definitions and applicability provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.4.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.5 § 20.5 Rule 5. Right to representation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.5.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.6 § 20.6 Rule 6. Withdrawal of services by a representative.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.6.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.100 § 20.100 Rule 100. Establishment of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.100.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.101 § 20.101 Rule 101. Composition of the Board; titles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.101.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.102 § 20.102 Rule 102. Name, business hours, and mailing address of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.102.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.103 § 20.103 Rule 103. Principal functions of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.103.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.104 § 20.104 Rule 104. Jurisdiction of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.104.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.105 § 20.105 Rule 105. Criteria governing disposition of appeals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.105.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.106 § 20.106 Rule 106. Assignment of proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.106.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.107 § 20.107 Rule 107. Disqualification of Members.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.107.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.906. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.