---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 311"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "311"
heading: "General Counsel"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/311"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 3 — Department of Veterans Affairs"
---

# §311. General Counsel


There is in the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) the Office of the General Counsel. There is at the head of the office a General Counsel, who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and provides legal assistance to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) concerning the programs and policies of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 383.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Prior section 311 was renumbered section 1111 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 8(a) of Pub. L. 100–527, known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 3(3).