# Medical: Informed Consent-Extension of Time Period and Modification of Witness Requirement for Signature Consent
> **US Department of Veterans Affairs** · Final rule. · Published 2006-11-28 · Effective 2006-12-28 · 71 FR 68739
## Document
- **Document number:** E6-20111
- **Category:** va-other
- **Agency:** US Department of Veterans Affairs
- **Federal Register citation:** 71 FR 68739
- **CFR reference:** 38 CFR 17
- **Publication date:** 2006-11-28
- **Effective date:** 2006-12-28
## Abstract

This document adopts as a final rule the proposed rule amending the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations on informed consent. This final rule extends the period of time during which a signed consent form remains valid from 30 to 60 days and eliminates the requirement that a third-party witness the patient or surrogate and practitioner signing the consent form, except in those circumstances where the patient or surrogate signs with an "X" due to a debilitating illness or disability, i.e., significant physical impairment and/or difficulty in executing a signature due to an underlying health condition(s), or is unable to read and write.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/11/28/E6-20111/medical-informed-consent-extension-of-time-period-and-modification-of-witness-requirement-for)
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