Other Fields
Agency Scheme: 
DOVAEMIG0002
ADJUDICATION STRUCTURE
Hearing Level: Basic Structure
Name of Hearing Office (local name): 
Office of Academic Affiliations
Name of Hearing Office (global name): 
Department of Veterans Affairs: Office of Academic Affiliations
Sub-Agency/Bureau/Division:: 
Veterans Health Administration
Hearing Officer #1 (Title): 
Deputy Academic Affiliations Officer for the Office of Academic Affiliations
Hearing Officer #2 (Title): 
Academic Affiliations Officer for the Office of Academic Affiliations
Are administrative appeals permitted from final decisions at the hearing-level stage?: 
No
Comments/Notes on Adjudication Structure: 

As one of four statutory missions, the Department of Veterans Affairs conducts an education and training program for health professions students and residents to enhance the quality of care provided to Veteran patients within the Veterans Health Administration healthcare system. In accordance with this mission, "To educate for VA and for the Nation", education and training efforts are accomplished through coordinated programs and activities in partnership with affiliated U.S. academic institutions.

Title 38 U.S.C. mandates that VA assist in the training of health professionals for its own needs and those of the nation. For almost sixty years, in accordance with VA's 1946 Policy Memorandum No. 2. VA has worked in partnership with this country's medical and associated health professions schools to provide high quality health care to America's veterans and to train new health professionals to meet the patient care needs within VA and the nation. This partnership has grown into the most comprehensive academic health system partnership in history.

In 2011, 116,794 trainees received some or all of their clinical training in VA. Of its 152 VA medical centers and 6 independent outpatient clinics (IOC's), 124 hospitals and 3 IOC's have affiliation agreements with 114 of 136 allopathic Accredited Medical Schools and 15 of 26 osteopathic medical schools for physician education, and in 40 other health professions represented by affiliations agreements with more than 1,800 colleges and universities. Many trainees have their health profession degrees and contribute substantially to VA’s ability to deliver cost-effective and high-quality patient care during their advanced clinical training at VA.

To further VA's commitment to quality medical education, we solicit Request for Proposals (RFP) from our facilities and educational partners on topics of critical importance to VA's training programs. These RFPs are rigorously reviewed and funded based on their resulting competitive rank. Sites that do not receive funding for trainees obtain feedback about their application which allows them to be more competitive in future applications.

PROCESS & PROCEDURE - General Information
Are private parties permitted to have representation at hearings?: 
No
Is the agency permitted to have representation at hearings?: 
N/A (e.g., Agency Not Party to Hearing)
Regulations/rules of practice for hearings (please include CFR citations): 
38 CFR 17.250-17.266 "Grants for Exchange of Information"
PROCESS & PROCEDURE - Pre-Hearing Procedure
Is discovery permitted by either party at the hearing-level stage?: 
No
Does the hearing officer have subpoena authority?: 
No
Are parties provided notice of hearing?: 
Yes (All Types of Cases)
PROCESS & PROCEDURE - Hearing Procedure
What types of hearings are permitted at the hearing-level stage?: 
Written (Document-Only) Hearing
Phone
Please provide the approximate percentage of each type of hearing relative to the total number of hearings (FY2013)
Written (Document-Only) Hearing: 
50%
Phone: 
50%
How is the type of hearing selected: 
Depends on Nature of Case/Claim
Please describe: 
A letter with the results of the expert review panel is sent to the contacts from the site requesting the trainees under the RFP. There is an OAA contact person provided who can give more detailed information about the proposal results and answer further questions.
How many hearing officers preside at each hearing?: 
Varies by Case
If "Varies by Case," please describe: 
We have never had a case progress above the level of our office for review. Our Chief Academic Affiliations Officer (or Deputy Chief in his absence) review and approve all funding results after the expert panel reviews and makes recommendations.
Is witness testimony permitted at hearings?: 
N/A (Document-Only Hearings)
If "Varies by Case," please describe: 
This question is not applicable to document-only hearings.
Can parties cross-examine witnesses?: 
No
If "Varies by Case," please describe: 
Cross examination is permitted at oral hearings. This question is not applicable to document-only hearings.
Can third-parties submit amicus briefs and/or evidence?: 
No
Are hearings recorded and/or transcribed?: 
No
N/A (Document-Only Hearings)
Are hearings open to the public?: 
N/A (Document-Only Hearing)
PROCESS & PROCEDURE - Post-Hearing Procedure
Who typically drafts the decision at the hearing-level stage?: 
Other
If "Other," please specify (drafts): 
Expert panels are convened to review proposals and provide recommendations to the Chief Academic Affiliations Officer, who makes the final funding decision.
Who has authority to issue final decisions?: 
Adjudication Officer
Other
If "Other," please specify: 
Chief Academic Affiliations Officer, or in his absence, the Deputy.
Do agency regulations or guidance provide time limits for issuance of final decisions?: 
No
Is judicial review available after issuance of a final decision?: 
No
PROCESS & PROCEDURE - Case Management
How are claims/cases processed at the hearing-level stage?: 
Other
Please briefly describe your case management practice(s) at the hearing level stage: 
Not applicable
Does the agency permit web-based electronic filing of hearing-related briefs or other documents?: 
No
Are final decisions published and/or posted on the agency website?: 
Yes (Some Decisions)
If "Yes (Some Decisions)," how does the agency determine which final decisions to publish/post? Please briefly describe: 
If the RFP results will be of general interest to a larger group than just those who applied, or create positive publicity for the agency, an effort to publicize the results occurs.
Do agency regulations/rules of practice specify the contents of the administrative record at the hearing-level stage?: 
No
Do agency regulations/rules of practice provide for closure of the record at the hearing-level stage (subject to applicable exce: 
No
ADR: General Information
Is ADR available at one or more points during the hearing process?: 
No
CASELOAD STATISTICS - Summary Statistics
Total # Cases Filed/Opened (FY2013): 
0
CASELOAD STATISTICS - Supplementary Statistics
Does your agency maintain annual caseload statistics for this hearing office by case type (e.g., discrimination complaint, licen: 
No
WRAP-UP
Do you have any additional comments about your agency's responses on this form? If so, please provide comments below.: 
Indirect costs are not included in any grants awarded by the RFP process from this office. Trainee stipends are granted by the RFPs issued by the VHACO Office of Academic Affiliations. The statute cited refers to a pilot program providing grants for sharing medical information in the 1970's. This is not a current program in the office.
Are there distinctive or innovative features of the hearing-level adjudication program covered on this form that you wish to hig: 
n/a
Verified by Agency: 
Verified