and Assist The Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 ( VCAA ) , in part , describes VA ' s duties to notify and assist claimants in substantiating a claim for VA benefits . 38 U . S . C . A . § § 5100 , 5102 , 5103 , 5103 A , 5106 , 5107 , 5126 ( West 2014 ) ; 38 C . F . R . § § 3 . 102 , 3 . 156 ( a ) , 3 . 159 , 3 . 326 ( a ) ( 2015 ) . VA is required to notify the claimant and his or her representative of any information , and any medical or lay evidence , not of record ( 1 ) that