(a) Settlement authority. (1) The Secretary of the Navy may settle or deny claims in any amount. The Secretary may pay the first $100,000.00 and report the excess to the Comptroller General for payment under 31 U.S.C. 1304. See 10 U.S.C. 2733(d).

(2) The Judge Advocate General has delegated authority to settle claims for $100,000.00 or less.

(3) The Deputy Judge Advocate General, the Assistant Judge Advocate General (General Law), the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Claims and Tort Litigation), and Head, Tort Claims Branch (Claims and Tort Litigation), have delegated authority to settle claims for $25,000.00 or less, and have denial authority in any amount.

(4) Individuals with settlement authority under paragraph (a)(3) of this section may delegate all or part of their settlement authority. Such delegation must be in writing.

(b) Appellate authority. Adjudicating authorities have the same authority as delegated in paragraph (a) of this section to act upon appeals. No appellate authority below the Secretary of the Navy may deny an appeal of a claim it had previously denied.