The party requesting a subpoena shall pay the cost of the fees and mileage of any witnesses subpoenaed in the amounts that would be payable to a witness in a proceeding in United States District Court. A check for witness fees and mileage shall accompany the subpoena when served, except that when a subpoena is issued on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a check for witness fees and mileage need not accompany the subpoena.