38 CFR § 18b.31 - Answer to notice.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t38/s18b.31"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "38 CFR § 18b.31 - Answer to notice."
title_number: 38
title_name: "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief"
section_number: "18b.31"
section_name: "Answer to notice."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS"
part_number: "18b"
part_name: "PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE UNDER TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 AND PART 18 OF THIS CHAPTER"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301, 38 U.S.C. 501 and 38 CFR 18.9(d) and appendix A, part 18."
regulatory_source: "35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "18b"
---
# 18b.31 Answer to notice.
The respondent, applicant or recipient may file an answer to the notice within 20 days after service thereof. Answers shall admit or deny specifically and in detail each allegation of the notice, unless the respondent party is without knowledge, in which case the answer should so state, and the statement will be deemed a denial. Allegations of fact in the notice not denied or controverted by answer shall be deemed admitted. Matters alleged as affirmative defenses shall be separately stated and numbered. Failure of the respondent to file an answer within the 20-day period following service of the notice may be deemed an admission of all matters of fact recited in the notice.
[35 FR 10760, July 2, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 10386, Mar. 26, 1986]