The expenses of repairs to prosthetic appliances, or similar appliances, therapeutic or rehabilitative aids or devices, furnished without prior authorization, but incurred in the care of an adjudicated service-connected disability (or, in the case of a veteran who is participating in a rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. ch. 31 and who is determined to be in need of the repairs for any of the reasons enumerated in §17.47(g)) may be paid or reimbursed on the basis of a timely filed claim, if

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1728)

(a) Obtaining the repairs locally was necessary, expedient, and not a matter of preference to using authorized sources, and

(b) The costs were reasonable, except that where it is determined the costs were excessive or unreasonable, the claim may be allowed to the extent the costs were deemed reasonable and disallowed as to the remainder. In no circumstances will any claim for repairs be allowed to the extent the costs exceed $125.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1728, 7304)

[33 FR 19011, Dec. 20, 1968, as amended at 49 FR 5616, Feb. 14, 1984; 51 FR 8672, Mar. 13, 1986. Redesignated and amended at 61 FR 21966, 21967, May 13, 1996]