---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 C.F.R. § 1.957"
title: "38"
number: "1.957"
heading: "Committee authority."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/38/1.957"
---

# §1.957. Committee authority.

- (a) **Regional office committee.** On matters covered in [§ 1.956](/cfr/38/1.956.md), the regional office Committee is authorized to determine the following issues:
  - (1) **Waivers.** A decision may be rendered to grant or deny waiver of collection of a debt in the following debt categories:
    - (i) Loan guaranty program ([38 U.S.C. 5302(b)](/usc/38/5302.md?p=b)). Committees may consider waiver of the indebtedness of a veteran or spouse resulting from: (A) The payment of a claim under the guaranty or insurance of loans, (B) the liquidation of direct loans, (C) the liquidation of loans acquired under § [36.4318](/cfr/38/36.4318.md), and [(D)](/cfr/38/36.4318.md?p=D) the liquidation of vendee accounts. The phrase veteran or spouse includes a veteran-borrower, veteran-transferee, a veteran-purchaser on a vendee account, a former spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran.
    - (ii) **Other than loan guaranty program.** ([38 U.S.C. 5302(a)](/usc/38/5302.md?p=a))
    - (iii) Services erroneously furnished ([§ 17.101(a)](/cfr/38/17.101.md?p=a)).
  - (2) **Compromises—**
    - (i) **Loan program debts—** ([38 U.S.C. 3720(a)](/usc/38/3720.md?p=a)). Accept or reject a compromise offer irrespective of the amount of the debt (loan program matters under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37 are unlimited as to amount).
    - (ii) Other than loan program debts ([31 U.S.C. 3711](/usc/31/3711.md)).
      - (A) Accept or reject a compromise offer on a debt which exceeds $1,000 but which is not over $100,000 (both amounts exclusive of interest and other late payment charges).
      - (B) Accept or reject a compromise offer on a debt of a $1,000 or less, exclusive of interest and other late payment charges, which is not disposed of by the Chief, Fiscal activity, pursuant to [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section.
      - (C) Reject a compromise offer on a debt which exceeds $100,000, exclusive of interest and other late payment charges.
      - (D) Recommend approval of a compromise offer on a debt which exceeds $100,000, exclusive of interest and other late payment charges. The authority to accept a compromise offer on such a debt rests solely within the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice. The Committee should evaluate a compromise offer on a debt in excess of $100,000, using the factors set forth in [§§ 1.930 through 1.938](/cfr/38/1.930..1.938.md). If the Committee believes that the compromise offer is advantageous to the government, then the Committee members shall so state this conclusion in a written memorandum of recommendation of approval to the Chairperson. This recommendation, along with a Claims Collection Litigation Report (CCLR) completed in accordance with [§ 1.951](/cfr/38/1.951.md), will be referred to VA Central Office, Office of Financial Management (047G7), for submission to the Department of Justice for final approval.
- (b) **Chief of Fiscal activity.** The Chief of the Fiscal activity at both VBA and VHA offices has the authority, as to debts within his/her jurisdiction, to:
  - (1) On other than loan program debts under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, accept compromise offers of 50% or more of a total debt not in excess of $1,000, exclusive of interest and other late payment charges, regardless of whether or not there has been a prior denial of waiver.
  - (2) On other than loan program debts under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, reject any offer of compromise of a total debt not in excess of $1,000, exclusive of interest and other late payment charges, regardless of whether or not there has been a prior denial of waiver.
  - (3) On other than loan guaranty program debts under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, reject any offer of compromise of a total debt not in excess of $1,000, exclusive of interest, regardless of whether or not there has been a prior denial of waiver.

## Notes

### Amendments

[44 FR 59906, Oct. 17, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 38803, Sept. 25, 1985; 52 FR 42112, Nov. 3, 1987; 57 FR 47264, Oct. 15, 1992; 60 FR 53276, Oct. 13, 1995; 69 FR 62201, Oct. 25, 2004]

### Authority

Authority: Sections 1.900 through 1.953 are issued under the authority of 31 U.S.C. 3711 through 3720E; 38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in specific sections.

### Source

Source: 52 FR 42111, 42112, Nov. 3, 1987, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in specific sections.

### Source

Source: 40 FR 33944, Aug. 12, 1975, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[44 FR 59906, Oct. 17, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 38803, Sept. 25, 1985; 52 FR 42112, Nov. 3, 1987; 57 FR 47264, Oct. 15, 1992; 60 FR 53276, Oct. 13, 1995; 69 FR 62201, Oct. 25, 2004]