[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 38, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 38CFR12.0]

[Page 548]
 
            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF
 
                CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
 
PART 12_DISPOSITION OF VETERAN'S PERSONAL FUNDS AND 
 
Sec.  12.0  Definitions.

    (a) As used in respect to the disposition of property of veterans 
dying at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers or other field 
facilities, or who are discharged or who elope, or are absent without 
leave therefrom, and in respect to property found thereat, the term 
funds means all types of United States currency and coin, checks payable 
to the decedent except checks drawn on the Treasurer of the United 
States which have never been negotiated, and includes deposits to the 
credit of the veteran in the account ``Personal Funds of Patients,'' and 
each competent veteran will be so advised. The term effects means and 
embraces all other property of every description, including insurance 
policies, certificates of stock, bonds and notes the obligation of the 
United States or of others, and all other papers of every character 
except checks drawn on the Treasurer of the United States, as well as 
clothing, jewelry and other forms of property, or evidences of interest 
therein. Checks drawn on the Treasurer of the United States which have 
never been negotiated will be returned to the issuing office for 
disposition.
    (b) Field facilities as used in Sec. Sec.  12.1 to 12.13 includes 
hospitals, centers, domiciliary activities, supply depots, and other 
offices over which the Department of Veterans Affairs has direct and 
exclusive administrative jurisdiction, and excludes State, county, city, 
private, and contract hospitals and hospitals or other institutions 
operated by the United States through agencies other than the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. At institutions other than field facilities as 
herein defined funds or effects as defined in paragraph (a) of this 
section, except for funds derived from gratuitous benefits under laws 
administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and deposited by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in the account Personal Funds of Patients 
for incompetent veterans, will be disposed of under the laws governing 
such institutions. In any case where the veteran died intestate without 
heirs or next of kin his or her personal property vests in the United 
States. Disposition of the property will be made in accordance with the 
provisions of Sec. Sec.  12.19 to 12.23.

[13 FR 7127, Nov. 27, 1948, as amended at 25 FR 1612, Feb. 25, 1960]