---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 723"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "723"
heading: "Recoupment of relocation expenses paid on behalf of employees of Department"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/723"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 7 — Employees"
  - "Subchapter I — General Employee Matters"
---

# §723. Recoupment of relocation expenses paid on behalf of employees of Department

- (a) **In General.—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may issue an order directing an employee of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to repay the amount, or a portion of the amount, paid to or on behalf of the employee under [title 5](/usc/5.md) for relocation expenses, including any expenses under section [5724](/usc/38/5724.md) or 5724a of such title, or this title if—
  - (1) the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that relocation expenses were paid following an act of fraud or malfeasance that influenced the authorization of the relocation expenses;
  - (2) before such repayment, the employee is afforded—
    - (A) notice of the proposed order; and
    - (B) an opportunity to respond to the proposed order not later than ten business days following the receipt of such notice; and
  - (3) the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) issues the order—
    - (A) in the case of a proposed order to which an individual responds under [paragraph (2)(B)](#a-2-B), not later than five business days after receiving the response of the individual; or
    - (B) in the case of a proposed order to which an individual does not respond, not later than 15 business days after the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) provides notice to the individual under [paragraph (2)(A)](#a-2-A).
- (b) **Appeal of Order of Secretary.—**
  - (1) Upon the issuance of an order by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) under [subsection (a)](#a) with respect to an individual, the individual shall have an opportunity to appeal the order to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management before the date that is seven business days after the date of such issuance.
  - (2) The Director shall make a final decision with respect to an appeal under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) within 30 days after receiving such appeal.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 115–41, title II, § 205(a), June 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 876.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Prior sections 723 to 729 were renumbered sections 1923 to 1929 of this title, respectively.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 115–41, title II, § 205(c), June 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 877, provided that: “Section 723 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to an amount paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to or on behalf of an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs for relocation expenses on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 23, 2017].”