VETERANS REHABILITATION COUNCIL ‑- CLAIMS OF SERVICE OFFICERS

VETERANS' REHABILITATION COUNCIL ‑- CLAIMS OF SERVICE OFFICERS.

The Veterans' Rehabilitation Council is only empowered to approve claims of the participating organizations which reimburse for sums spent in rehabilitation services.  This does not include the power to approve claims of third parties who may or may not have claims against the participating organization.

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                                                                 February 9, 1951

Veterans' Rehabilitation Council
Old Capitol Building
Box 777
Olympia, Washington                                                                                                 Cite as:  AGO 49-51 No. 446

Attention:  Mr. E. B. Riley, Director

Dear Sir:

            In your letter of January 23, 1951, you asked our opinion whether:

            The Veterans' Rehabilitation Council may approve a claim presented by a Service Officer of a participating organization directly to the Veterans' Rehabilitation Council.

            We conclude:

            The Veterans' Rehabilitation Council is empowered to approve claims only of the participating organizations which reimburse for sums spent in rehabilitation services.  This does not include the power to approve claims of third parties who may or may not have claims against the participating organization.

                                                                     ANALYSIS

            The limitations placed upon the Council by the Act (sec. 6, chapter 110, Laws of 1947) are:

             Orig. Op. Page 2 p            (1) That reimbursement be made only toorganizations represented upon the Council;

            (2) That reimbursement must be for sums already spent by the participating organization in its "maintenance of a rehabilitation service and to assist veterans in the prosecution of their claims and solution of their problems arising out of military service";

            (3) That the above service be rendered all veterans, their dependents and all beneficiaries of a military claim.

            Whether a claim presented by a participating organization should be approved or not is discretionary with the Council.  Discretion may not be exercised if the claim is excluded by one of the above mentioned limitations.

Very truly yours,

SMITH TROY
Attorney General

LEO H. FREDRICKSON
Assistant Attorney General