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38 U.S.C. § 5104 — Decisions and notices of decisions
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** In the case of a decision by the Secretary under [section 511 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section511&num=0&edition=prelim) affecting the provision of benefits to a claimant, the Secretary shall, on a timely basis, provide to the claimant (and to the claimant’s representative) notice of such decision. The notice shall include an explanation of the procedure for obtaining review of the decision.
**(b)** Each notice provided under subsection (a) shall also include all of the following:
(1) Identification of the issues adjudicated.
(2) A summary of the evidence considered by the Secretary.
(3) A summary of the applicable laws and regulations.
(4) Identification of findings favorable to the claimant.
(5) In the case of a denial, identification of elements not satisfied leading to the denial.
(6) An explanation of how to obtain or access evidence used in making the decision.
(7) If applicable, identification of the criteria that must be satisfied to grant service connection or the next higher level of compensation.
**(c)** The Secretary may provide notice under subsection (a) electronically if a claimant (or the claimant’s representative) elects to receive such notice electronically. A claimant (or the claimant’s representative) may revoke such an election at any time, by means prescribed by the Secretary.
**(d)** The Secretary shall annually—
(1) solicit recommendations from stakeholders on how to improve notice under this section; and
(2) publish such recommendations on a publicly available website of the Department.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 5104
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Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_83fc3ab822dd8a3289b5c684
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-38/section-5104-decisions-and-notices-of-decisions--ce9a09e04a.md
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Source location: Title 38, Chapter 51, § 5104; chapter-051-claims-effective-dates-and-payments.md
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**(a)** In the case of a decision by the Secretary under [section 511 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section511&num=0&edition=prelim) affecting the provision of benefits to a claimant, the Secretary shall, on a timely basis, provide to the claimant (and to the claimant’s representative) notice of such decision. The notice shall include an explanation of the procedure for obtaining review of the decision.
**(b)** Each notice provided under subsection (a) shall also include all of the following:
(1) Identification of the issues adjudicated.
(2) A summary of the evidence considered by the Secretary.
(3) A summary of the applicable laws and regulations.
(4) Identification of findings favorable to the claimant.
(5) In the case of a denial, identification of elements not satisfied leading to the denial.
(6) An explanation of how to obtain or access evidence used in making the decision.
(7) If applicable, identification of the criteria that must be satisfied to grant service connection or the next higher level of compensation.
**(c)** The Secretary may provide notice under subsection (a) electronically if a claimant (or the claimant’s representative) elects to receive such notice electronically. A claimant (or the claimant’s representative) may revoke such an election at any time, by means prescribed by the Secretary.
**(d)** The Secretary shall annually—
(1) solicit recommendations from stakeholders on how to improve notice under this section; and
(2) publish such recommendations on a publicly available website of the Department.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
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.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 5100
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** The Secretary shall decide all questions of law and fact necessary to a decision by the Secretary under a law that affects the provision of benefits by the Secretary to veterans or the dependents or survivors of veterans. Subject to subsection (b), the decision of the Secretary as to any such question shall be final and conclusive and may not be reviewed by any other official or by any court, whether by an action in the nature of mandamus or otherwise.
**(b)** The second sentence of subsection (a) does not apply to—
(1) matters subject to [section 502 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section502&num=0&edition=prelim);
(2) matters covered by sections 1975 and 1984 of this title;
(3) matters arising under chapter 37 of this title; and
(4) matters covered by chapter 72 of this title.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 511
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
For the purposes of this title—
(1) The terms “Secretary” and “Department” mean the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs, respectively.
(2) The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
(3) The term “surviving spouse” means (except for purposes of chapter 19 of this title) a person who was the spouse of a veteran at the time of the veteran’s death, and who lived with the veteran continuously from the date of marriage to the date of the veteran’s death (except where there was a separation which was due to the misconduct of, or procured by, the veteran without the fault of the spouse) and who has not remarried.
(4)
(A) The term “child” means (except for purposes of chapter 19 of this title (other than with respect to a child who is an insurable dependent under subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1965(10) of such chapter) and [section 8502(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section8502/b&num=0&edition=prelim)) a person who is unmarried and—
(i) who is under the age of eighteen years;
(ii) who, before attaining the age of eighteen years, became permanently incapable of self-support; or
(iii) who, after attaining the age of eighteen years and until completion of education or training (but not after attaining the age of twenty-three years), is pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution;
and who is a legitimate child, a legally adopted child, a stepchild who is a member of a veteran’s household or was a member at the time of the veteran’s death, or an illegitimate child but, as to the alleged father, onl
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 101
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
If the Secretary receives any property other than moneys as contemplated by this chapter, the Secretary is authorized in the Secretary’s discretion to sell, assign, transfer, and convey the same, or any interest therein claimed by virtue of such devise, bequest, or gift, for such price and upon such terms as the Secretary deems advantageous (including consent to partition of realty and compromise of contested claim of title) and the Secretary’s assignment, deed, or other conveyance of any such property, executed in the name and on behalf of the United States, shall be valid to pass to the purchaser thereof such title to said property as the United States, beneficially or as trustee of the General Post Fund, may have by virtue of any such devise, bequest, or gift, and the proceedings incident thereto, subject to the conditions, limitations, and provisions of the instruments so executed by the Secretary.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 8304
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)**
(1) In the case of a person described in subsection (b), the appropriate Federal official may not—
(A) inter the remains of such person in a cemetery in the National Cemetery Administration or in Arlington National Cemetery; or
(B) honor the memory of such person in a memorial area in a cemetery in the National Cemetery Administration (described in [section 2403(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section2403/a&num=0&edition=prelim)) or in such an area in Arlington National Cemetery (described in [section 2409(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section2409/a&num=0&edition=prelim)).
(2) In the case of a person described in subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(4), the prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not apply unless written notice of a conviction referred to in subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(4), as the case may be, is received by the appropriate Federal official before the interment or memorialization of such person. Such written notice shall be furnished to such official by the Attorney General, in the case of a Federal crime, or by an appropriate State official, in the case of a State crime.
**(b)** A person referred to in subsection (a) is any of the following:
(1) A person who has been convicted of a Federal capital crime and whose conviction is final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the President).
(2) A person who has been convicted of a State capital crime and whose conviction is final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the Governor of a State).
(3) A person who—
(A) is found (as provided in subsection (c)) to have committed a Federal capital crime or a State capital crime, but
(B) has not been co
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 2411
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)**
(1)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a specific claim in the form prescribed by the Secretary (or jointly with the Commissioner of Social Security, as prescribed by [section 5105 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section5105&num=0&edition=prelim)) must be filed in order for benefits to be paid or furnished to any individual under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(B)
(i) The Secretary may pay benefits under chapters 13 and 15 and sections 2303, 2307, and 5121 of this title to a survivor of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the Secretary determines that the record contains sufficient evidence to establish the entitlement of the survivor to such benefits.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph and [section 5110 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section5110&num=0&edition=prelim), the earlier of the following dates shall be treated as the date of the receipt of the survivor’s application for benefits described in clause (i):
(I) The date on which the survivor of a veteran (or the representative of such a survivor) notifies the Secretary of the death of the veteran through a death certificate or other relevant evidence that establishes entitlement to survivors’ benefits identified in clause (i).
(II) The head of any other department or agency of the Federal Government notifies the Secretary of the death of the veteran.
(iii) In notifying the Secretary of the death of a veteran as described in clause (ii)(I), the survivor (or the representative of such a survivor) may submit to the Secretary additional documents relating to such death without being required to file a formal claim.
(2) If an individual has
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 5101
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Required Information and Evidence.—**
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide to the claimant and the claimant’s representative, if any, by the most effective means available, including electronic communication or notification in writing, notice of any information, and any medical or lay evidence, not previously provided to the Secretary that is necessary to substantiate the claim. As part of that notice, the Secretary shall indicate which portion of that information and evidence, if any, is to be provided by the claimant and which portion, if any, the Secretary, in accordance with [section 5103A of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section5103a&num=0&edition=prelim) and any other applicable provisions of law, will attempt to obtain on behalf of the claimant.
(2)
(A) The Secretary shall prescribe in regulations requirements relating to the contents of notice to be provided under this subsection.
(B) The regulations required by this paragraph—
(i) shall specify different contents for notice based on whether the claim concerned is an original claim or a supplemental claim;
(ii) shall provide that the contents for such notice be appropriate to the type of benefits or services sought under the claim;
(iii) shall specify for each type of claim for benefits the general information and evidence required to substantiate the basic elements of such type of claim; and
(iv) shall specify the time period limitations required pursuant to subsection (b).
(3) The requirement to provide notice under paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a supplemental claim that is filed within the timeframe set forth in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of [section 5110(a)(2) of this title](ht
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 5103
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Duty To Assist.—**
(1) The Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to assist a claimant in obtaining evidence necessary to substantiate the claimant’s claim for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary.
(2) The Secretary is not required to provide assistance to a claimant under this section if no reasonable possibility exists that such assistance would aid in substantiating the claim.
(3) The Secretary may defer providing assistance under this section pending the submission by the claimant of essential information missing from the claimant’s application.
**(b) Assistance in Obtaining Private Records.—**
(1) As part of the assistance provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant private records that the claimant adequately identifies to the Secretary.
(2)
(A) Whenever the Secretary, after making such reasonable efforts, is unable to obtain all of the relevant records sought, the Secretary shall notify the claimant that the Secretary is unable to obtain records with respect to the claim. Such a notification shall—
(i) identify the records the Secretary is unable to obtain;
(ii) briefly explain the efforts that the Secretary made to obtain such records; and
(iii) explain that the Secretary will decide the claim based on the evidence of record but that this section does not prohibit the submission of records at a later date if such submission is otherwise allowed.
(B) The Secretary shall make not less than two requests to a custodian of a private record in order for an effort to obtain relevant private records to be treated as reasonable under this section, unless it is made evident by the first request that a second request would be futile in obtaining such records.
(3)
(A) This
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 5103A
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Any finding favorable to the claimant as described in [section 5104(b)(4) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section5104/b/4&num=0&edition=prelim) shall be binding on all subsequent adjudicators within the Department, unless clear and convincing evidence is shown to the contrary to rebut such favorable finding.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 5104A
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In General.—**
(1) A claimant may request a review of the decision of the agency of original jurisdiction by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency of original jurisdiction.
(2) The Secretary shall approve each request for review under paragraph (1).
**(b) Time and Manner of Request.—**
(1) A request for higher-level review by the agency of original jurisdiction shall be—
(A) in writing in such form as the Secretary may prescribe; and
(B) made within one year of the notice of the agency of original jurisdiction’s decision.
(2) Such request may specifically indicate whether such review is requested by a higher-level adjudicator at the same office within the agency of original jurisdiction or by an adjudicator at a different office of the agency of original jurisdiction. The Secretary shall not deny such request for review by an adjudicator at a different office of the agency of original jurisdiction without good cause.
**(c) Decision.—** Notice of a higher-level review decision under this section shall be provided to the claimant (and any representative of such claimant) and shall include a general statement—
(1) reflecting whether evidence was not considered pursuant to subsection (d); and
(2) noting the options available to the claimant to have the evidence described in paragraph (1), if any, considered by the Department.
**(d) Evidentiary Record for Review.—** The evidentiary record before the higher-level adjudicator shall be limited to the evidence of record in the agency of original jurisdiction decision being reviewed.
**(e) De Novo Review.—** A review of the decision of the agency of original jurisdiction by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency of original jurisdiction shall be de novo.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 38 U.S.C. § 5104B
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