What this means
m21-5:7.F.1 explains adding appeals to the board of veterans' appeals (board) docket. In plain terms, the official guidance says add appeals to the Board's docket by updating the Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System (VACOLS). It also addresses when the RO enters the date of receipt of the substantive appeal into VACOLS, VACOLS will
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-5:7.F.1 to audit how VA handled adding appeals to the board of veterans' appeals (board) docket. Start with the decision date, the issue being reviewed, and the evidence VA was allowed to consider, then compare the record with this rule: Add appeals to the Board's docket by updating the Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System (VACOLS). When the RO enters the date of receipt of the substantive appeal into VACOLS, VACOLS will Cite the exact document and page when raising a factual or procedural error, and use the review rights in the actual notice for any deadline.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: When the RO enters the date of receipt of the substantive appeal into VACOLS, VACOLS will
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: assign the Docket Number when the Board receives the appeal.
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: The related appeal record will remain under the RO’s jurisdiction until it is certified as ready for Board review. Once the appeal is certified, the appeal record will be transferred to the Board immediately.
Important limits
m21-5:7.F.1 explains VA guidance for adding appeals to the board of veterans' appeals (board) docket; it does not guarantee an award or replace the statutes, regulations, binding decisions, and review instructions that control an individual claim. Conditions and exceptions still matter, including this source point: Add appeals to the Board's docket by updating the Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System (VACOLS). transfer of paper appellate records not being sent for scanning, see M21-5, Chapter 7, Section F.4.c
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Adding Appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) Docket
- m21-5:7.F.1
- Adding Appeals Board
- Appeals Board Docket
- Docketing Substantive Appeals
- adding appeals Board Appeals
- notification Board.
- 7.F.1.a. Adding Appeals Board
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
1. Docketing Substantive Appeals
Introduction
This topic contains information on docketing substantive appeals, including
- adding appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) docket, and
- notification by the Board.
Change Date
May 27, 2022
7.F.1.a. Adding Appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) Docket
Add appeals to the Board's docket by updating the Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System (VACOLS).
- immediately following the receipt of a substantive appeal at the regional office (RO), and
- without requiring the Board to physically take possession of the related claims folder.
Notes:
- When the RO enters the date of receipt of the substantive appeal into VACOLS, VACOLS will
- reserve a slot on the docket based on the date entered, and
- assign the Docket Number when the Board receives the appeal.
- The related appeal record will remain under the RO’s jurisdiction until it is certified as ready for Board review. Once the appeal is certified, the appeal record will be transferred to the Board immediately.
References: For more information on
- Travel Board and video hearings, see M21-5, Chapter 7, Section H
- certifying substantive appeals, see M21-5, Chapter 7, Section F.3
- transfer of paper appellate records not being sent for scanning, see M21-5, Chapter 7, Section F.4.c
- preparing paper folders for the scanning vendor when transferring the appellate record to the Board, see M21-5, Chapter 7, Section F.4.d
- procedure for transferring the appellate record to the Board, see M21-5, Chapter 7, Section F.4.e
- what constitutes a substantive appeal, see M21-5, Chapter 6, Section B.3.a, and
- tracking appeals in VACOLS, see
- M21-5, Chapter 6, Section A, and
- the VACOLS User Guide.
7.F.1.b. Notification by the Board
The Board sends a docket notification letter that
- notifies the appellant
- that the appeal has been added to the Board’s docket
- that all appeals will be considered in docket number order
- with information about advancing the appeal on the docket, and
- what telephone number to use to obtain general information, and
- includes two pamphlets providing information about the appeal.