Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-102

§512 Delegation of Authority; Assignment of Functions and Duties

Title 38 › PART I — GENERAL PROVISIONS › CHAPTER 5 — AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL AUTHORITIES › § 512

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary may assign duties and give officers and employees the power to act and make decisions under the laws the Department runs, unless another law says not to. The Secretary can let them pass that authority on to others, and their official actions count the same as if the Secretary did them. The Secretary must keep a technical and administrative staff that includes officers, experts, inspectors, and assistants, including legal assistants, as the Secretary decides.

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §512

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary may assign functions and duties, and delegate, or authorize successive redelegation of, authority to act and to render decisions, with respect to all laws administered by the Department, to such officers and employees as the Secretary may find necessary. Within the limitations of such delegations, redelegations, or assignments, all official acts and decisions of such officers and employees shall have the same force and effect as though performed or rendered by the Secretary.

(b)There shall be included on the technical and administrative staff of the Secretary such staff officers, experts, inspectors, and assistants (including legal assistants) as the Secretary may prescribe.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Prior section 512 was renumbered section 1512 of this title. Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 212 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 512

Title 38, Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102