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CFR › Title 38 › Chapter I › Part 1 › Section 1.965

38 CFR 1.965 - Application of standard.

There are 2 Updates appearing in the Federal Register for 38 CFR 1. Select the tab below to view, or View eCFR (GPOAccess)
§ 1.965
Application of standard.
(a) The standard “Equity and Good Conscience”, will be applied when the facts and circumstances in a particular case indicate a need for reasonableness and moderation in the exercise of the Government's rights. The decision reached should not be unduly favorable or adverse to either side. The phrase equity and good conscience means arriving at a fair decision between the obligor and the Government. In making this determination, consideration will be given to the following elements, which are not intended to be all inclusive:
(1) Fault of debtor. Where actions of the debtor contribute to creation of the debt.
(2) Balancing of faults. Weighing fault of debtor against Department of Veterans Affairs fault.
(3) Undue hardship. Whether collection would deprive debtor or family of basic necessities.
(4) Defeat the purpose. Whether withholding of benefits or recovery would nullify the objective for which benefits were intended.
(5) Unjust enrichment. Failure to make restitution would result in unfair gain to the debtor.
(6) Changing position to one's detriment. Reliance on Department of Veterans Affairs benefits results in relinquishment of a valuable right or incurrence of a legal obligation.
(b) In applying this single standard for all areas of indebtedness, the following elements will be considered, any indication of which, if found, will preclude the granting of waiver:
(1) Fraud or misrepresentation of a material fact (see § 1.962(b) ).
(2) Bad faith. This term generally describes unfair or deceptive dealing by one who seeks to gain thereby at another's expense. Thus, a debtor's conduct in connection with a debt arising from participation in a VA benefits/services program exhibits bad faith if such conduct, although not undertaken with actual fraudulent intent, is undertaken with intent to seek an unfair advantage, with knowledge of the likely consequences, and results in a loss to the government.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5302(c) )
[39 FR 26400, July 19, 1974, as amended at 58 FR 3841, Jan. 12, 1993; 58 FR 7296, Feb. 5, 1993; 69 FR 62202, Oct. 25, 2004]

Title 38 published on 2012-07-01

The following are only the Rules published in the Federal Register after the published date of Title 38.

For a complete list of all Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices view the Rulemaking tab.

  • 2013-02-11; vol. 78 # 28 - Monday, February 11, 2013
    1. 78 FR 9589 - Disclosures To Participate in State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
      GPO FDSys XML | Text
      DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
      Interim final rule.
      Effective Date: This rule is effective on February 11, 2013. Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2013.
      38 CFR Part 1

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

This list is taken from the Parallel Table of Authorities and Rules provided by GPO [Government Printing Office].

It is not guaranteed to be accurate or up-to-date, though we do refresh the database weekly. More limitations on accuracy are described at the GPO site.

United States Code
USC : Title 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE

§ 1311

§ 1316

§ 3711 - Collection and compromise

§ 3712 - Time limitations for presenting certain claims of the Government

§ 3713 - Priority of Government claims

§ 3714 - Keeping money due States in default

§ 3715 - Buying real property of a debtor

§ 3716 - Administrative offset

§ 3717 - Interest and penalty on claims

§ 3718 - Contracts for collection services

§ 3719 - Reports on debt collection activities

USC : Title 38 - VETERANS’ BENEFITS

§ 501 - Rules and regulations

§ 5009

USC : Title 39 - POSTAL SERVICE

§ 3220 - Use of official mail in the location and recovery of missing children

Presidential Documents

Executive Order ... 9865

Executive Order ... 10096

Title 38 published on 2012-07-01

The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to 38 CFR 1 after this date.

  • 2013-02-11; vol. 78 # 28 - Monday, February 11, 2013
    1. 78 FR 9589 - Disclosures To Participate in State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
      GPO FDSys XML | Text
      DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
      Interim final rule.
      Effective Date: This rule is effective on February 11, 2013. Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2013.
      38 CFR Part 1