38 CFR 42.30 : Pensions, Bonuses, And Veterans' Relief (§ 0.600 To Parts 201-299) — (§ 18.1 To Parts 201-299) — Department Of Veterans Affairs (Continued) (§ 18.1 To Parts 78-199) — Standards Implementing The Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (§ 42.1 To § 42.47) — The hearing and burden of proof.

(a) The ALJ shall conduct a hearing on the record in order to determine whether the defendant is liable for a civil penalty or assessment under § 42.3 of this part and, if so, the appropriate amount of any civil penalty or assessment considering any aggravating or mitigating factors.

(b) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall prove defendant's liability and any aggravating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(c) The defendant shall prove any affirmative defenses and any mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(d) The hearing shall be open to the public unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ for good cause shown.