Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title38-chapter71&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUzOC1zZWN0aW9uNzEwNw%3D%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2020-03-29 06:35:30
Document Index: 126206700

Matched Legal Cases: ['§2', '§707', '§1', '§201', '§6', '§402', '§207', '§3', '§2', '§7101', '§4001', '§208', '§201', '§7101', '§402', '§14', '§2', '§2', '§201', '§512', '§8', '§2', '§201', '§3', '§201', '§4', '§4', '§5', '§4', '§4', '§402', '§4', '§2', '§402', '§402', '§202', '§201', '§208', '§209', '§208', '§208', '§201', '§7101', '§201', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§201', '§201', '§202', '§7102', '§4002', '§208', '§7102', '§402', '§4', '§6', '§402', '§402', '§208', '§208', '§208', '§208', '§208', '§208', '§7103', '§4003', '§202', '§7103', '§402', '§6', '§2', '§7104', '§4004', '§1', '§101', '§203', '§7104', '§402', '§14', '§4', '§7', '§509', '§2', '§2', '§2', '§8', '§7', '§402', '§101', '§402', '§4', '§101', '§203', '§204', '§205', '§14', '§2', '§7105', '§1', '§4005', '§7105', '§402', '§2', '§7106', '§2', '§1', '§4006', '§7106', '§402', '§4', '§7108', '§4008', '§7108', '§402', '§7109', '§2', '§1', '§4009', '§103', '§7109', '§402', '§4', '§7110', '§7', '§207', '§4010', '§7110', '§402', '§4', '§7111', '§1', '§2', '§7112', '§707', '§7113', '§2']

[USC02] 38 USC Ch. 71: BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS
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38 USC Ch. 71: BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS
CHAPTER 71—BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS
Composition of Board of Veterans' Appeals.
[7106.
[7109.
Evidentiary record before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Amendment of analysis by section 2(q)(2), (s)(2), (u)(3), (w)(3) of Pub. L. 115–55 applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L. 115–55 and to address appeals of decisions on legacy claims, with provision for early applicability of the new appeals system to certain claims. See 2017 Amendment note below.
2017—Pub. L. 115–55, §2(q)(2), (s)(2), (u)(3), (w)(3), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1112, 1113, 1115, substituted "Filing of appeal" for "Filing of notice of disagreement and appeal" in item 7105, struck out items 7106 "Administrative appeals" and 7109 "Independent medical opinions", and added item 7113.
2003—Pub. L. 108–183, title VII, §707(b)(2), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2673, added item 7112.
1997—Pub. L. 105–111, §1(b)(2), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2272, added item 7111.
1994—Pub. L. 103–446, title II, §201(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4656, added item 7101A.
Pub. L. 103–271, §§6(b), 7(a)(2), (b)(3), July 1, 1994, 108 Stat. 742, 743, substituted "Reconsideration; correction of obvious errors" for "Determinations by the Board" in item 7103, substituted "Appeals: dockets; hearings" for "Docketing of appeals" in item 7107, and struck out item 7110 "Traveling sections".
1991—Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(c)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 239, renumbered items 4001 to 4010 as 7101 to 7110, respectively.
1988—Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title II, §207(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4112, added item 4010.
1962—Pub. L. 87–671, §3, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 557, added item 4009.
Pub. L. 87–666, §2, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 554, added item 4005A, and substituted "Filing of notice of disagreement and appeal" for "Applications for review on appeal" in item 4005, "Administrative appeals" for "Docketing of appeals" in item 4006, and "Docketing of appeals" for "Simultaneously contested claims" in item 4007.
§7101. Composition of Board of Veterans' Appeals
(a) There is in the Department a Board of Veterans' Appeals (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the "Board"). The Board is under the administrative control and supervision of a chairman directly responsible to the Secretary. The Board shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, and such number of members as may be found necessary in order to conduct hearings and dispose of appeals properly before the Board in a timely manner. The Board shall have such other professional, administrative, clerical, and stenographic personnel as are necessary in conducting hearings and considering and disposing of appeals properly before the Board. The Board shall have sufficient personnel under the preceding sentence to enable the Board to conduct hearings and consider and dispose of appeals properly before the Board in a timely manner.
(b)(1) The Chairman shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of six years. The Chairman shall be subject to the same ethical and legal limitations and restrictions concerning involvement in political activities as apply to judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
(2) The Chairman may be removed by the President for misconduct, inefficiency, neglect of duty, or engaging in the practice of law or for physical or mental disability which, in the opinion of the President, prevents the proper execution of the Chairman's duties. The Chairman may not be removed from office by the President on any other grounds. Any such removal may only be made after notice and opportunity for hearing.
(3) The Chairman may be appointed under this subsection to more than one term. If, upon the expiration of the term of office for which the Chairman was appointed, the position of Chairman would become vacant, the individual serving as Chairman may, with the approval of the Secretary, continue to serve as Chairman until either appointed to another term or a successor is appointed, but not beyond the end of the Congress during which the term of office expired.
(4) The Secretary shall designate one member of the Board as Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall perform such functions as the Chairman may specify. Such member shall serve as Vice Chairman at the pleasure of the Secretary.
(c)(1)(A) The Chairman may from time to time designate one or more employees of the Department to serve as acting members of the Board. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any such designation shall be for a period not to exceed 90 days, as determined by the Chairman.
(B) An individual designated as an acting member of the Board may continue to serve as an acting member of the Board in the making of any determination on a proceeding for which the individual was designated as an acting member of the Board, notwithstanding the termination of the period of designation of the individual as an acting member of the Board under subparagraph (A) or (C).
(C) An individual may not serve as an acting member of the Board for more than 270 days during any one-year period.
(D) At no time may the number of acting members exceed 20 percent of the total of the number of Board members and acting Board members combined.
(2) In each annual report to the Congress under section 529 of this title, the Secretary shall provide detailed descriptions of the activities undertaken and plans made in the fiscal year for which the report is made with respect to the authority provided by paragraph (1) of this subsection. In each such report, the Secretary shall indicate, in terms of full-time employee equivalents, the number of acting members of the Board designated under such paragraph (1) during the year for which the report is made.
(d)(1) After the end of each fiscal year, the Chairman shall prepare a report on the activities of the Board during that fiscal year and the projected activities of the Board for the fiscal year during which the report is prepared and the next fiscal year. Such report shall be included in the documents providing detailed information on the budget for the Department that the Secretary submits to the Congress in conjunction with the President's budget submission for any fiscal year pursuant to section 1105 of title 31.
(2) Each such report shall include, with respect to the preceding fiscal year, information specifying—
(A) the number of cases appealed to the Board during that year;
(B) the number of cases pending before the Board at the beginning and at the end of that year;
(C) the number of such cases which were filed during each of the 36 months preceding the current fiscal year;
(D) the average length of time a case was before the Board between the time of the filing of an appeal and the disposition during the preceding fiscal year;
(E) the number of members of the Board at the end of the year and the number of professional, administrative, clerical, stenographic, and other personnel employed by the Board at the end of the preceding fiscal year; and
(F) the number of employees of the Department designated under subsection (c)(1) to serve as acting members of the Board during that year and the number of cases in which each such member participated during that year.
(3) The projections in each such report for the current fiscal year and for the next fiscal year shall include (for each such year)—
(A) an estimate of the number of cases to be appealed to the Board; and
(B) an evaluation of the ability of the Board (based on existing and projected personnel levels) to ensure timely disposition of such appeals as required by section 7101(a) of this title.
(e) A performance incentive that is authorized by law for officers and employees of the Federal Government may be awarded to a member of the Board (including an acting member) by reason of that member's service on the Board only if the Chairman of the Board determines that such member should be awarded that incentive. A determination by the Chairman for such purpose shall be made taking into consideration the quality of performance of the Board member.
(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1240, §4001; Pub. L. 98–223, title II, §208(a)–(c), Mar. 2, 1984, 98 Stat. 43, 44; Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title II, §§201(a), 202(b), 208, 209, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4109, 4110, 4112; renumbered §7101 and amended Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), (d)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238, 239; Pub. L. 102–54, §14(e)(2), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 102–83, §§2(c)(3), 4(a)(3), (4), (b)(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 402, 404, 405; Pub. L. 103–271, §§2–5, July 1, 1994, 108 Stat. 740, 741; Pub. L. 103–446, title II, §§201(d), 203, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4657; Pub. L. 105–368, title V, §512(a)(1), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3341; Pub. L. 107–14, §8(a)(16), June 5, 2001, 115 Stat. 35.)
1998—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–368 substituted "Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims" for "Court of Veterans Appeals".
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–271, §2, struck out "(not more than 65)" after "such number".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–446, §201(d)(1), (2), designated as par. (2) the text in par. (1) beginning "The Chairman may be removed" and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows:
"(2)(A) The other members of the Board (including the Vice Chairman) shall be appointed by the Secretary, with the approval of the President, based upon recommendations of the Chairman. Each such member shall be appointed for a term of nine years.
"(B) A member of the Board (other than the Chairman) may be removed by the Secretary upon the recommendation of the Chairman. In the case of a removal that would be covered by section 7521 of title 5 in the case of an administrative law judge, a removal of a member of the Board under this paragraph shall be carried out subject to the same requirements as apply to removal of an administrative law judge under that section. Section 554(a)(2) of title 5 shall not apply to a removal action under this subparagraph. In such a removal action, a member shall have the rights set out in section 7513(b) of such title."
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103–271, §3, inserted after first sentence "The Chairman shall be subject to the same ethical and legal limitations and restrictions concerning involvement in political activities as apply to judges of the United States Court of Veterans Appeals."
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 103–446, §§201(d)(3), 203, substituted "The Chairman" for "Members (including the Chairman)" and inserted at end "If, upon the expiration of the term of office for which the Chairman was appointed, the position of Chairman would become vacant, the individual serving as Chairman may, with the approval of the Secretary, continue to serve as Chairman until either appointed to another term or a successor is appointed, but not beyond the end of the Congress during which the term of office expired."
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103–271, §4(a)(1), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Chairman may from time to time designate employees of the Department to serve as temporary members of the Board. Any such designation shall be for a period of not to exceed one year, as determined by the Chairman. An individual may not serve as a temporary member of the Board for more than 24 months during any 48-month period."
Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 103–271, §4(a)(2)–(4), redesignated par. (3) as (2), substituted "the number of acting members of the Board designated under such paragraph (1) during the year for which the report is made." for "the number of temporary Board members designated under this subsection and the number of acting Board members designated under section 7102(a)(2)(A)(ii) of this title during the year for which the report is made.", and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "Designation under paragraph (1) of this subsection of an individual as a temporary member of the Board may not be made when there are fewer than 65 members of the Board."
Subsec. (d)(2)(F). Pub. L. 103–271, §5, added subpar. (F).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 103–271, §4(b)(2), substituted "section 7101(a)" for "section 7103(d)".
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–271, §4(b)(1), substituted "an acting member" for "a temporary or acting member".
1991—Pub. L. 102–40, §402(b)(1), renumbered section 4001 of this title as this section.
Pub. L. 102–54 amended subsec. (a) as in effect immediately before the enactment of Pub. L. 102–40 by substituting "There is" for "There shall be" and ". The Board is under the administrative" for "under the administrative".
Subsec. (b)(2), (4). Pub. L. 102–83, §4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted "Secretary" for "Administrator" wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 102–83, §2(c)(3), substituted "section 529" for "section 214".
Pub. L. 102–40, §402(d)(1), substituted "7102(a)(2)(A)(ii)" for "4002(a)(2)(A)(ii)".
Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 102–40, §402(d)(1), substituted "7103(d)" for "4003(d)".
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–687, §202(b), inserted "and" after "Vice Chairman," substituted "necessary in order to conduct hearings and dispose of appeals properly before the Board in a timely manner. The Board shall have" for "necessary, and", and inserted provisions which required that Board have sufficient personnel to conduct hearings and consider and dispose of appeals.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–687, §201(a), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "Members of the Board (including the Chairman and Vice Chairman) shall be appointed by the Administrator with the approval of the President."
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–687, §208, added subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–687, §209, added subsec. (e).
1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–223, §208(a), (c), substituted "65" for "fifty" and struck out "associate" before "members".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–223, §208(b), added subsec. (c).
Amendment by section 201(a) of Pub. L. 100–687 effective Feb. 1, 1989, amendment by section 202(b) of Pub. L. 100–687 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and amendment by sections 208 and 209 of Pub. L. 100–687 effective Nov. 18, 1988, see section 401(b)–(d) of Pub. L. 100–687, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7251 of this title.
Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title II, §201(c), (d), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4109, 4110, provided that:
"(c) Transition to New Board.—(1) Appointments of members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals under subsection (b)(2) of section 4001 [now 7101] of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), may not be made until a Chairman is appointed under subsection (b)(1) of that section.
"(2) An individual who is serving as a member of the Board on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988] may continue to serve as a member until the earlier of—
"(A) the date on which the individual's successor (as designated by the Administrator) is appointed under subsection (b)(2) of that section, or
"(B) the end of the 180-day period beginning on the day after the date on which the Chairman is appointed under subsection (b)(1) of such section.
"(d) Initial Terms of Office.—Notwithstanding the second sentence of section 4001(b)(2) [now 7101(b)(2)] of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), specifying the term for which members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals shall be appointed, of the members first appointed under that section—
"(A) 22 shall be appointed for a term of three years;
"(B) 22 shall be appointed for a term of six years; and
"(C) 22 shall be appointed for a term of nine years,
as determined by the Administrator [now Secretary] at the time of the initial appointments."
§7101A. Members of Board: appointment; pay; performance review
(a)(1) The members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals other than the Chairman (and including the Vice Chairman) shall be appointed by the Secretary, with the approval of the President, based upon recommendations of the Chairman.
(2) Each member of the Board shall be a member in good standing of the bar of a State.
(b) Members of the Board (other than the Chairman and any member of the Board who is a member of the Senior Executive Service) shall, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, be paid basic pay at rates equivalent to the rates payable under section 5372 of title 5.
(c)(1)(A) The Chairman shall establish a panel to review the performance of members of the Board. The panel shall be comprised of the Chairman and two other members of the Board (other than the Vice Chairman). The Chairman shall periodically rotate membership on the panel so as to ensure that each member of the Board (other than the Vice Chairman) serves as a member of the panel for and within a reasonable period.
(B) Not less than one year after the job performance standards under subsection (f) are initially established, and not less often than once every three years thereafter, the performance review panel shall determine, with respect to each member of the Board (other than the Chairman or a member who is a member of the Senior Executive Service), whether that member's job performance as a member of the Board meets the performance standards for a member of the Board established under subsection (f). Each such determination shall be in writing.
(2) If the determination of the performance review panel in any case is that the member's job performance as a member of the Board meets the performance standards for a member of the Board established under subsection (f), the Chairman shall recertify the member's appointment as a member of the Board.
(3) If the determination of the performance review panel in any case is that the member's job performance does not meet the performance standards for a member of the Board established under subsection (f), the Chairman shall, based upon the individual circumstances, either—
(A) grant the member a conditional recertification; or
(B) recommend to the Secretary that the member be noncertified.
(4) In the case of a member of the Board who is granted a conditional recertification under paragraph (3)(A) or (5)(A), the performance review panel shall review the member's job performance record and make a further determination under paragraph (1) concerning that member not later than one year after the date of the conditional recertification. If the determination of the performance review panel at that time is that the member's job performance as a member of the Board still does not meet the performance standards for a member of the Board established under subsection (f), the Chairman shall recommend to the Secretary that the member be noncertified.
(5) In a case in which the Chairman recommends to the Secretary under paragraph (3) or (4) that a member be noncertified, the Secretary, after considering the recommendation of the Chairman, may either—
(B) determine that the member should be noncertified.
(d)(1) If the Secretary, based upon the recommendation of the Chairman, determines that a member of the Board should be noncertified, that member's appointment as a member of the Board shall be terminated and that member shall be removed from the Board.
(2)(A) Upon removal from the Board under paragraph (1) of a member of the Board who before appointment to the Board served as an attorney in the civil service, the Secretary shall appoint that member to an attorney position at the Board, if the removed member so requests. If the removed member served in an attorney position at the Board immediately before appointment to the Board, appointment to an attorney position under this paragraph shall be in the grade and step held by the removed member immediately before such appointment to the Board.
(B) The Secretary is not required to make an appointment to an attorney position under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that the member of the Board removed under paragraph (1) is not qualified for the position.
(e)(1) A member of the Board (other than the Chairman or a member of the Senior Executive Service) may be removed as a member of the Board by reason of job performance only as provided in subsections (c) and (d). Such a member may be removed by the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Chairman, for any other reason as determined by the Secretary.
(2) In the case of a removal of a member under this section for a reason other than job performance that would be covered by section 7521 of title 5 in the case of an administrative law judge, the removal of the member of the Board shall be carried out subject to the same requirements as apply to removal of an administrative law judge under that section. Section 554(a)(2) of title 5 shall not apply to a removal action under this subsection. In such a removal action, a member shall have the rights set out in section 7513(b) of that title.
(f) The Chairman, subject to the approval of the Secretary, shall establish standards for the performance of the job of a member of the Board (other than the Chairman or a member of the Senior Executive Service). Those standards shall establish objective and fair criteria for evaluation of the job performance of a member of the Board.
(g) The Secretary shall prescribe procedures for the administration of this section, including deadlines and time schedules for different actions under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 103–446, title II, §201(a)(1), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4655; amended Pub. L. 105–368, title X, §1002, Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3363.)
1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–368, §1002(a), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 105–368, §1002(b), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "Upon removal from the Board under paragraph (1), a member of the Board (other than the Chairman) who was a career or career-conditional employee in the civil service before commencement of service as a member of the Board shall revert to the civil service grade and series held by the member immediately before the appointment of the member to the Board."
Pub. L. 103–446, title II, §201(c), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4657, provided that: "Section 7101A(b) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period beginning after December 31, 1994."
Pub. L. 103–446, title II, §201(b), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4656, provided that: "The rate of basic pay payable to an individual who is a member of the Board of Veterans' Appeals on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 1994] may not be reduced by reason of the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending section 7101 of this title] to a rate below the rate payable to such individual on the day before such date."
Pub. L. 103–446, title II, §202, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4657, provided that:
"(a) Deadline.—The job performance standards required to be established by section 7101A(f) of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 201(a), shall be established not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 1994].
"(b) Submission to Congressional Committees.—Not later than the date on which the standards referred to in subsection (a) take effect, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report describing the standards established by the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals."
§7102. Assignment of members of Board
(a) A proceeding instituted before the Board may be assigned to an individual member of the Board or to a panel of not less than three members of the Board. A member or panel assigned a proceeding shall make a determination thereon, including any motion filed in connection therewith. The member or panel, as the case may be, shall make a report under section 7104(d) of this title on any such determination, which report shall constitute the final disposition of the proceeding by the member or panel.
(b) A proceeding may not be assigned to the Chairman as an individual member. The Chairman may participate in a proceeding assigned to a panel or in a reconsideration assigned to a panel of members.
(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1241, §4002; Pub. L. 98–223, title II, §208(c), (d), Mar. 2, 1984, 98 Stat. 44; renumbered §7102 and amended Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), (d)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238, 239; Pub. L. 102–83, §4(a)(3), (4), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404; Pub. L. 103–271, §6(a), July 1, 1994, 108 Stat. 741.)
1994—Pub. L. 103–271 amended section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions authorizing Chairman to divide Board into sections of three members and to assign proceedings thereto, and provisions relating to assignment where section is composed of fewer than three members, limiting annual period of service, prohibiting more than one member to be a temporary or acting member, and relating to hearing docket and report of determination.
1991—Pub. L. 102–40, §402(b)(1), renumbered section 4002 of this title as this section.
Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 102–83 substituted "Department" for "Veterans' Administration".
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 102–40, §402(d)(1), substituted "7101(c)" for "4001(c)".
1984—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 98–223, §208(d)(1), designated provision authorizing the Chairman from time to time to divide the Board into sections of three members, assign members to the Board thereto, and designated the chief thereof, as par. (1).
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98–223, §208(d)(2), designated provision relating to authority of the Chairman in the case where a section is composed of fewer than three members as a result of absence, vacancy, or inability of a member to serve as subpar. (A), and in subpar. (A) as so designated, inserted provision authorizing the Chairman to designate an employee of the Veterans' Administration to serve as an acting member of the Board on such section for a period of not to exceed 90 days, and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–223, §208(d)(2), added par. (3).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–223, §208(d)(3), designated provision relating to the maintenance of a hearing docket and the holding of formal recorded hearings upon which a final determination will be made as subsec. (b).
Pub. L. 98–223, §208(c), struck out "associate" before "member" in two places.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–223, §208(d)(4), designated provision relating to the section making a determination on any proceeding or motion in connection therewith assigned to the section by the Board and making a report on such determination, which report constitutes its final disposition of the proceeding, as subsec. (c).
§7103. Reconsideration; correction of obvious errors
(a) The decision of the Board determining a matter under section 7102 of this title is final unless the Chairman orders reconsideration of the decision in accordance with subsection (b). Such an order may be made on the Chairman's initiative or upon motion of the claimant.
(b)(1) Upon the order of the Chairman for reconsideration of the decision in a case, the case shall be referred—
(A) in the case of a matter originally decided by a single member of the Board, to a panel of not less than three members of the Board; or
(B) in the case of a matter originally decided by a panel of members of the Board, to an enlarged panel of the Board.
(2) A panel referred to in paragraph (1) may not include the member, or any member of the panel, that made the decision subject to reconsideration.
(3) A panel reconsidering a case under this subsection shall render its decision after reviewing the entire record before the Board. The decision of the panel shall be made by a majority vote of the members of the panel. The decision of the panel shall constitute the final decision of the Board.
(c) The Board on its own motion may correct an obvious error in the record, without regard to whether there has been a motion or order for reconsideration.
(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1241, §4003; Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title II, §202(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4110; renumbered §7103, Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238; Pub. L. 103–271, §6(a), July 1, 1994, 108 Stat. 741; Pub. L. 115–55, §2(o), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1111.)
Amendment of section by section 2(o) of Pub. L. 115–55 applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L. 115–55 and to address appeals of decisions on legacy claims, with provision for early applicability of the new appeals system to certain claims. See 2017 Amendment below.
2017—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–55 substituted "decided" for "heard" in subpars. (A) and (B).
1994—Pub. L. 103–271 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
"(a) Decisions by a section of the Board shall be made by a majority of the members of the section. The decision of the section is final unless the Chairman orders reconsideration of the case.
"(b) If the Chairman orders reconsideration in a case, the case shall upon reconsideration be heard by an expanded section of the Board. When a case is heard by an expanded section of the Board after such a motion for reconsideration, the decision of a majority of the members of the expanded section shall constitute the final decision of the Board.
"(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Board on its own motion may correct an obvious error in the record."
1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 4003 of this title as this section.
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–687 effective Jan. 1, 1989, see section 401(d) of Pub. L. 100–687, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7251 of this title.
§7104. Jurisdiction of the Board
(a) All questions in a matter which under section 511(a) of this title is subject to decision by the Secretary shall be subject to one review on appeal to the Secretary. Final decisions on such appeals shall be made by the Board. Decisions of the Board shall be based on the entire record in the proceeding and upon consideration of all evidence and material of record and applicable provisions of law and regulation.
(b) Except as provided in section 5108 of this title, when a claim is disallowed by the Board, the claim may not thereafter be readjudicated and allowed and a claim based upon the same factual basis may not be considered.
(c) The Board shall be bound in its decisions by the regulations of the Department, instructions of the Secretary, and the precedent opinions of the chief legal officer of the Department.
(d) Each decision of the Board shall include—
(1) a written statement of the Board's findings and conclusions, and the reasons or bases for those findings and conclusions, on all material issues of fact and law presented on the record;
(2) a general statement—
(A) reflecting whether evidence was not considered in making the decision because the evidence was received at a time when not permitted under section 7113 of this title; and
(B) noting such options as may be available for having the evidence considered by the Department; and
(3) an order granting appropriate relief or denying relief.
(e)(1) After reaching a decision on a case, the Board shall promptly mail a copy of its written decision to the claimant at the last known address of the claimant.
(2) If the claimant has an authorized representative, the Board shall—
(A) mail a copy of its written decision to the authorized representative at the last known address of the authorized representative; or
(B) send a copy of its written decision to the authorized representative by any means reasonably likely to provide the authorized representative with a copy of the decision within the same time a copy would be expected to reach the authorized representative if sent by first-class mail.
(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1241, §4004; Pub. L. 87–97, §1, July 20, 1961, 75 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title I, §101(b), title II, §§203(a), 204, 205, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4106, 4110, 4111; renumbered §7104 and amended Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), (d)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238, 239; Pub. L. 102–54, §14(g)(2), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 288; Pub. L. 102–83, §4(a)(3), (4), (b)(1), (2)(E), (c), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404–406; Pub. L. 103–271, §§7(b)(1), 8, July 1, 1994, 108 Stat. 743; Pub. L. 104–275, title V, §509, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3344; Pub. L. 115–55, §2(p), (w)(2), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1111, 1114.)
Amendment of section by section 2(p), (w)(2) of Pub. L. 115–55 applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L. 115–55 and to address appeals of decisions on legacy claims, with provision for early applicability of the new appeals system to certain claims. See 2017 Amendment notes below.
2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–55, §2(p), substituted "readjudicated" for "reopened".
Subsec. (d)(2), (3). Pub. L. 115–55, §2(w)(2), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).
1996—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–275 amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: "After reaching a decision in a case, the Board shall promptly mail a copy of its written decision to the claimant and the claimant's authorized representative (if any) at the last known address of the claimant and at the last known address of such representative (if any)."
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–271, §8, substituted "511(a)" for "211(a)".
Pub. L. 103–271, §7(b)(1), struck out after second sentence "The Board shall decide any such appeal only after affording the claimant an opportunity for a hearing."
1991—Pub. L. 102–40, §402(b)(1), renumbered section 4004 of this title as this section.
Pub. L. 102–54 made a technical correction to Pub. L. 100–687, §101(b). See 1988 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–40, §402(d)(1), substituted "5108" for "3008".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–83, §4(c), substituted "chief legal officer of the Department" for "chief law officer".
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–687, §101(b), as amended by Pub. L. 102–54, substituted "All questions in a matter which under section 211(a) of this title is subject to decision by the Administrator" for "All questions on claims involving benefits under the laws administered by the Veterans' Administration".
Pub. L. 100–687, §203(a), inserted at end "The Board shall decide any such appeal only after affording the claimant an opportunity for a hearing. Decisions of the Board shall be based on the entire record in the proceeding and upon consideration of all evidence and material of record and applicable provisions of law and regulation."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–687, §204, amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "When a claim is disallowed by the Board, it may not thereafter be reopened and allowed, and no claim based upon the same factual basis shall be considered; however, where subsequent to disallowance of a claim, new and material evidence in the form of official reports from the proper service department is secured, the Board may authorize the reopening of the claim and review of the former decision."
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 100–687, §205, added subsecs. (d) and (e) and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows: "The decisions of the Board shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and conclusions of law separately stated."
1961—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–97 added subsec. (d).
Pub. L. 102–54, §14(g)(2), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 288, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Nov. 18, 1988.
Amendment by sections 101(b) and 204 of Pub. L. 100–687 effective Sept. 1, 1989, and amendment by sections 203(a) and 205 of Pub. L. 100–687 effective Jan. 1, 1989, see section 401(a), (d) of Pub. L. 100–687, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7251 of this title.
Pub. L. 87–97, §2, July 20, 1961, 75 Stat. 215, provided that: "The amendment made by this Act [amending this section] shall take effect as of January 1, 1962."
§7105A. Simultaneously contested claims
(a) In simultaneously contested claims where one is allowed and one rejected, the time allowed for the filing of a notice of disagreement shall be sixty days from the date notice of the adverse action is mailed. In such cases the agency of original jurisdiction shall promptly notify all parties in interest at the last known address of the action taken, expressly inviting attention to the fact that notice of disagreement will not be entertained unless filed within the sixty-day period prescribed by this subsection.
(b)(1) The substance of the notice of disagreement shall be communicated to the other party or parties in interest and a period of thirty days shall be allowed for filing a brief or argument in response thereto.
(2) Such notice shall be forwarded to the last known address of record of the parties concerned, and such action shall constitute sufficient evidence of notice.
(Added Pub. L. 87–666, §1, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 554, §4005A; renumbered §7105A and amended Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), (d)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238, 239; Pub. L. 115–55, §2(r), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1112.)
Amendment of section by section 2(r) of Pub. L. 115–55 applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L. 115–55 and to address appeals of decisions on legacy claims, with provision for early applicability of the new appeals system to certain claims. See 2017 Amendment note below.
2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–55 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "Upon the filing of a notice of disagreement, all parties in interest will be furnished with a statement of the case in the same manner as is prescribed in section 7105. The party in interest who filed a notice of disagreement will be allowed thirty days from the date of mailing of such statement of the case in which to file a formal appeal. Extension of time may be granted for good cause shown but with consideration to the interests of the other parties involved. The substance of the appeal will be communicated to the other party or parties in interest and a period of thirty days will be allowed for filing a brief or argument in answer thereto. Such notice shall be forwarded to the last known address of record of the parties concerned, and such action shall constitute sufficient evidence of notice."
1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 4005A of this title as this section and substituted "7105" for "4005" in subsec. (b).
Section effective Jan. 1, 1963, see section 3 of Pub. L. 87–666, set out as a note under section 7105 of this title.
[§7106. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–55, §2(s)(1), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1112]
Section, added Pub. L. 87–666, §1, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 554, §4006; renumbered §7106 and amended Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), (d)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238, 239; Pub. L. 102–83, §4(a)(3), (4), (b)(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404, 405, related to application for administrative appeals.
Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in subsec. (c)(2) of former section 4005 of this title, prior to the general amendment of sections 4005 to 4007 by Pub. L. 87–666.
Repeal applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L. 115–55 and to address appeals of decisions on legacy claims, with provision for early applicability of the new appeals system to certain claims, see section 2(x) of Pub. L. 115–55, set out as an Effective Date of 2017 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.
§7108. Rejection of applications
An application for review on appeal shall not be entertained unless it is in conformity with this chapter.
(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1243, §4008; renumbered §7108, Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238.)
1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 4008 of this title as this section.
[§7109. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–55, §2(u)(1), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1113]
Section, added Pub. L. 87–671, §1, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 557, §4009; amended Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title I, §103(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4107; renumbered §7109, Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238; Pub. L. 102–83, §4(a)(3), (4), (b)(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404, 405, related to advisory medical opinions from one or more independent medical experts who are not employees of the Department.
[§7110. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–271, §7(b)(2), July 1, 1994, 108 Stat. 743]
Section, added Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title II, §207(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4111, §4010; renumbered §7110, Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(b)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238; amended Pub. L. 102–83, §4(a)(3), (4), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404, authorized hearing before traveling sections of the Board.
§7111. Revision of decisions on grounds of clear and unmistakable error
(c) Review to determine whether clear and unmistakable error exists in a case may be instituted by the Board on the Board's own motion or upon request of the claimant.
(e) Such a request shall be submitted directly to the Board and shall be decided by the Board on the merits.
(Added Pub. L. 105–111, §1(b)(1), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2271; amended Pub. L. 115–55, §2(v), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1113.)
Amendment of section by section 2(v) of Pub. L. 115–55 applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L. 115–55 and to address appeals of decisions on legacy claims, with provision for early applicability of the new appeals system to certain claims. See 2017 Amendment note below.
2017—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–55 struck out ", without referral to any adjudicative or hearing official acting on behalf of the Secretary" after "merits".
Section applicable to any determination made before, on, or after Nov. 21, 1997, see section 1(c)(1) of Pub. L. 105–111, set out as a note under section 5109A of this title.
§7112. Expedited treatment of remanded claims
The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to provide for the expeditious treatment by the Board of any claim that is remanded to the Secretary by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
(Added Pub. L. 108–183, title VII, §707(b)(1), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2673.)
§7113. Evidentiary record before the Board of Veterans' Appeals
(a) Cases With No Request for a Hearing or Additional Evidence.—For cases in which a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals is not requested in the notice of disagreement and no request was made to submit evidence, the evidentiary record before the Board shall be limited to the evidence of record at the time of the decision of the agency of original jurisdiction on appeal.
(b) Cases With a Request for a Hearing.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), for cases in which a hearing is requested in the notice of disagreement, the evidentiary record before the Board shall be limited to the evidence of record at the time of the decision of the agency of original jurisdiction on appeal.
(2) The evidentiary record before the Board for cases described in paragraph (1) shall include each of the following, which the Board shall consider in the first instance:
(A) Evidence submitted by the appellant and his or her representative, if any, at the Board hearing.
(B) Evidence submitted by the appellant and his or her representative, if any, within 90 days following the Board hearing.
(c) Cases With No Request for a Hearing and With a Request for Additional Evidence.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), for cases in which a hearing is not requested in the notice of disagreement but an opportunity to submit evidence is requested, the evidentiary record before the Board shall be limited to the evidence considered by the agency of original jurisdiction in the decision on appeal.
(A) Evidence submitted by the appellant and his or her representative, if any, with the notice of disagreement.
(B) Evidence submitted by the appellant and his or her representative, if any, within 90 days following receipt of the notice of disagreement.
(Added Pub. L. 115–55, §2(w)(1), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1114.)