(a) Consultation requested. The panel shall provide technical and consultative services when requested by professional staff of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Division to:

(1) Assist staff members in planning and carrying out a rehabilitation plan for seriously disabled veterans and their dependents; and

(2) Consider other cases of individuals eligible for, or being provided assistance under chapter 31 and other programs of education and training administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

(b) Independent living services. The Panel has a key responsibility to assure that seriously disabled service-connected veterans who need independent living services to increase their independence in daily living are provided necessary services. In carrying out this responsibility the Panel shall review all cases which come before it to assure that the proposed program of vocational rehabilitation or independent living services includes those services necessary to enable the veteran to achieve the goals of the program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3100)

(c) Dependents. The specific duties of the Panel with respect to dependents are more fully described §§21.3300, 21.3301, 21.3304, 21.4105, and 21.4276 of this part.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3536, 3540, 3541, 3542, 3543)

[54 FR 37332, Sept. 8, 1989]