[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 38, Volume 2] [Revised as of July 1, 2003] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 38CFR20.709] [Page 94] TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED) PART 20--BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS: RULES OF PRACTICE--Table of Contents Subpart H--Hearings on Appeal Sec. 20.709 Rule 709. Procurement of additional evidence following a hearing. If it appears during the course of a hearing that additional evidence would assist in the review of the questions at issue, the presiding Member may direct that the record be left open so that the appellant and his or her representative may obtain the desired evidence. The presiding Member will determine the period of time during which the record will stay open, considering the amount of time estimated by the appellant or representative as needed to obtain the evidence and other factors adduced during the hearing. Ordinarily, the period will not exceed 60 days, and will be as short as possible in order that appellate consideration of the case not be unnecessarily delayed. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7102, 7105(a), 7107)