Department of Veterans Affairs December 2, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulation that governs the performance of autopsies on veterans. The proposed rule would correct a cross-reference to VA regulations that authorize certain outpatient and ambulatory care. The proposed rule would also clarify that consent for an autopsy will be implied if 6 months has passed since the decedent's death and there are no objections from the decedent's surviving spouse or next of kin. The proposed rule would also modify current regulations to make the laws of the jurisdiction in which the autopsy will be performed the controlling laws for purposes of determining who has authority to grant permission for the autopsy. The proposed rule would also clarify the authorized purposes of a VA autopsy. Lastly, the proposed rule would clarify that the authority to order an autopsy includes transporting the body at VA's expense to the autopsy facility.