(b) Modification proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this part as appropriate. Additional evidence may be submitted by any party or requested by the deputy commissioner. Modification proceedings shall not be initiated before an administrative law judge or the Benefits Review Board.
(c) At the conclusion of modification proceedings the deputy commissioner may issue a proposed decision and order (725.418), forward the claim for a hearing (725.421) or, if appropriate, deny the claim by reason of abandonment (725.409).
(d) An order issued following the conclusion of modification proceedings may terminate, continue, reinstate, increase or decrease benefit payments or award benefits. Such order shall not affect any benefits previously paid, except that an order increasing or decreasing the amount of benefits payable may be made effective on the date from which benefits were determined payable by the terms of an earlier award. In the case of an award which is decreased, any payment made in excess of the decreased rate shall be subject to collection or offset under subpart G of this part.