38 U.S.C. § 721: Recoupment of bonuses or awards paid to employees of Department

the Secretary determines that the individual engaged in misconduct or poor performance prior to payment of the award or bonus, and that such award or bonus would not have been paid, in whole or in part, had the misconduct or poor performance been known prior to payment; and notice of the proposed order; and an opportunity to respond to the proposed order by not later than 10 business days after the receipt of such notice; and in the case of a proposed order to which an individual responds under paragraph (2)(B), not later than five business days after receiving the response of the individual; or in the case of a proposed order to which an individual does not respond, not later than 15 business days after the Secretary provides notice to the individual under paragraph (2)(A). Upon the issuance of an order by the Secretary under subsection (a) with respect to an individual, the individual shall have an opportunity to appeal the order to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management before the date that is seven business days after the date of such issuance. The Director shall make a final decision with respect to an appeal under paragraph (1) within 30 business days after receiving such appeal.