Claim Raven explanation
What this means
This short statute defines claimant and notice for the claims chapter. A claimant is someone applying for or submitting a claim for a VA benefit, and notice can include authorized electronic communication.
These definitions support the procedures in the surrounding statutes. They do not establish entitlement or a deadline by themselves; the rule governing the particular notice or benefit supplies those details.
How this helps your claim
When reviewing a notice problem, identify the actual communication and the procedural requirement involved. Keep electronic notices as well as mailed letters so the claim history is complete.
What to check in your records
Use your decision, examination reports, and relevant records to check the following points.
- Identify who applied for the benefit and in what capacity.
- Save the decision or other notice in the format VA issued it.
- Check the specific statute or regulation governing that notice's content and timing.
Use the definition to understand the surrounding procedure
This short provision supports the claims chapter by defining who is a claimant and what notice can include. Its value comes from reading it with the particular section governing an application, evidence request or decision notice.
Keep authorized electronic communications as carefully as mailed letters. The format of a notice is separate from whether it contains the information required for the specific action. A definition allowing electronic notice should not be treated as establishing the deadline or legal sufficiency of every message.
Does this definition decide when I must respond?
No. The relevant procedural provision supplies the triggering event and response period. This section explains terms used by those provisions. Identify the actual notice, benefit and action before using a general definition to draw a conclusion about timing or entitlement.
Official statutory text
38 USC § 5100
OLRC release through Public Law 119-102 (July 12, 2026). Layout and spacing are adapted for reading. The statutory text is shown here; publisher source credits and editorial notes remain in the linked official release.
§ 5100. Definitions
In this chapter:
(1) The term “claimant” means any individual applying for, or submitting a claim for, any benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(2) The term “notice” means a communication issued through means (including electronic means) prescribed by the Secretary.
Related references
- 38 USC § 5107: Benefit of the doubt in VA claims
- 38 CFR § 3.159: VA duty to assist: records and examinations
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