# 38 CFR § 21.4002: Finality of decisions

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4002

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 CFR § 21.4002
- **Heading:** Finality of decisions
- **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 21—VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION > Subpart D—Administration of Educational Assistance Programs > Administrative

## Text

(a) The decision of a duly constituted agency of original jurisdiction on which an action was predicated will be final and binding upon all field offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs as to conclusions based on evidence on file at that time and will not be subject to revision on the same factual basis except by duly constituted appellate authorities or except as provided in § 21.4003.
(b) Current determinations of line of duty, character of discharge, relationship, and other pertinent elements of eligibility for a program of education or special restorative training, made by either an adjudicative activity or an insurance activity by application of the same criteria and based on the same facts are binding one upon the other in the absence of clear and unmistakable error.
[31 FR 6774, May 6, 1966, as amended at 48 FR 37976, Aug. 22, 1983; 90 FR 5329, Jan. 16, 2025]

## Nearby sections

- [38 CFR § 21.4001 § 21.4001 Delegations of authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4001.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4002 § 21.4002 Finality of decisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4002.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4003 § 21.4003 Revision of decisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4003.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4005 § 21.4005 Conflicting interests.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4005.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4006 § 21.4006 False or misleading statements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4006.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4007 § 21.4007 Forfeiture.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4007.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4008 § 21.4008 Prevention of overpayments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4008.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4009 § 21.4009 Waiver or recovery of overpayments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4009.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4020 § 21.4020 Two or more programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4020.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4022 § 21.4022 Nonduplication—programs administered by VA.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4022.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4131 § 21.4131 Commencing dates.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4131.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4135 § 21.4135 Discontinuance dates.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4135.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4136 § 21.4136 Withdrawals or nonpunitive grades may result in nonpayment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4136.md)
- [38 CFR § 21.4138 § 21.4138 Certifications and release of payments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4138.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.4002. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.