{"data":{"id":"us/38-cfr-20.705","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"38 CFR 20.705","heading":"Rule 705. Functions of the presiding Member.","body":"(a) General. The presiding Member is responsible for the conduct of a Board hearing in accordance with the provisions of subparts G and H of this part.\n(b) Duties. The duties of the presiding Member include, but are not limited to, any of the following:\n(1) Conducting a prehearing conference, pursuant to § 20.707;\n(2) Ruling on questions of procedure;\n(3) Administering the oath or affirmation;\n(4) Ensuring that the course of the Board hearing remains relevant to the issue or issues on appeal;\n(5) Setting reasonable time limits for the presentation of argument;\n(6) Prohibiting cross-examination of the appellant and any witnesses;\n(7) Determining whether documentary evidence, testimony, and/or argument is relevant or material to the issue or issues being considered and not unduly repetitious;\n(8) Terminating a Board hearing or directing that an offending party, representative, witness, or observer leave the hearing if that party persists or engages in disruptive or threatening behavior;\n(9) Disallowing or halting the use of personal recording equipment being used by an appellant or representative if it becomes disruptive to the hearing; and\n(10) Taking any other steps necessary to maintain good order and decorum.\n(c) Ruling on motions. The presiding Member has the authority to rule on any Board hearing-related motion.","path":["Title 38—Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief","CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS","PART 20—BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS: RULES OF PRACTICE","Subpart H—Hearings on Appeal"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-38.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:25:50Z","sha256":"43730d3cb72ee6e846e272b11536b0a4a4aca2c8c630eddf22f269a8e2498d48","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/38-cfr-20.704","next":"us/38-cfr-20.706"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}