Public Law 87–671

That chapter 71 of

Veterans.

Appeals, use of independent medical experts.

72 Stat. 1240.

title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof:

Ҥ 4009. Independent medical opinions

“(a)“(a)

When, in the judgment of the Board, expert medical opinion, in addition to that available within the Veterans’ Administration, is warranted by the medical complexity or controversy involved in an appeal case, the Board is authorized to secure an advisory medical opinion from one or more independent medical experts who are not employees of the Veterans’ Administration.

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“(b)“(b)

The Administrator shall make necessary arrangements with recognized medical schools, universities, or clinics to furnish such advisory medical opinions at the request of the Chairman of the Board. Such arrangement will provide that the actual selection of the expert or experts to give the advisory opinion in any individual case will be made by an appropriate official of such institution.”

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Sec. 2.

Section 3301 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end of paragraph (1) thereof the following new sentence: “And to an independent medical expert or experts for an advisory opinion pursuant to section 4009 of this title.”

Sec. 3.

The table of sections at the end of chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof:

Sec. 4.

The amendments made by this Act shall be effective January

Effective date.

1, 1963.