Editorial Notes
Prior ProvisionsA prior section 5103, Puspan. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1225, § 3003; Puspan. L. 99–570, title XI, § 11007(a)(1), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–170; renumbered § 5103, Puspan. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(span)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238; Puspan. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1), (span)(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 403–405, related to incomplete applications, prior to repeal by Puspan. L. 106–475, § 3(a), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2096.
Another prior section 5103 was renumbered section 8303 of this title.
Amendments2017—Subsec. (a)(1). Puspan. L. 115–55, § 2(span)(1), substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (3), the” for “The”.
Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Puspan. L. 115–55, § 2(span)(2), substituted “or a supplemental claim;” for “, a claim for reopening a prior decision on a claim, or a claim for an increase in benefits;”.
Subsec. (a)(3). Puspan. L. 115–55, § 2(span)(3), added par. (3).
2012—Subsec. (a)(1). Puspan. L. 112–154, § 504(a)(1), substituted “The” for “Upon receipt of a complete or substantially complete application, the” and “provide to” for “notify” and inserted “by the most effective means available, including electronic communication or notification in writing, notice” before “of any information”.
Subsec. (span)(4), (5). Puspan. L. 112–154, § 504(a)(2), added pars. (4) and (5).
2008—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 110–389 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
2003—Subsec. (span)(1). Puspan. L. 108–183, § 701(span)(1), substituted “such information or evidence must be received by the Secretary within one year from the date such notice is sent” for “if such information or evidence is not received by the Secretary within one year from the date of such notification, no benefit may be paid or furnished by reason of the claimant’s application”.
Subsec. (span)(3). Puspan. L. 108–183, § 701(span)(2), added par. (3).
2001—Subsec. (span)(1). Puspan. L. 107–14 substituted “one year” for “1 year”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 AmendmentAmendment by Puspan. 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 Puspan. 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 Puspan. L. 115–55, set out as a note under section 101 of this title, and bracketed note thereunder.
Effective Date of 2012 AmendmentPuspan. L. 112–154, title V, § 504(c), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 1192, provided that:“(1)In general.—The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 6, 2012] and shall apply with respect to notification obligations of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on or after such date.
“(2)Construction regarding applicability.—Nothing in this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note below] or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to require the Secretary to carry out notification procedures in accordance with requirements of section 5103 of title 38, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date established in paragraph (1) on or after such effective date.”
Effective Date of 2003 AmendmentAmendment effective as if enacted Nov. 9, 2000, immediately after the enactment of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, Puspan. L. 106–475, see section 701(c) of Puspan. L. 108–183, set out as a note under section 5102 of this title.
ConstructionPuspan. L. 112–154, title V, § 504(span), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 1192, provided that: “Nothing in the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be construed as eliminating any requirement with respect to the contents of a notice under section 5103 of title 38, United States Code, that is required under regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of such section as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 6, 2012].”
Applicability of RegulationsPuspan. L. 110–389, title I, § 101(span), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4148, provided that: “The regulations required by paragraph (2) of section 5103(a) of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a) of this section), shall apply with respect to notices provided to claimants on or after the effective date of such regulations.”
Readjudication of Certain Claims; NoticePuspan. L. 108–183, title VII, § 701(d), (e), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2670, 2671, provided that:“(d)Procedures for Readjudication of Certain Claims.—(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall readjudicate a claim of a qualified claimant if the request for such readjudication is received not later than the end of the one-year period that begins on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 16, 2003].
“(2) For purposes of this subsection, a claimant is qualified within the meaning of paragraph (1) if the claimant—“(A) received notice under section 5103(a) of title 38, United States Code, requesting information or evidence to substantiate a claim;
“(B) did not submit such information or evidence within a year after the date such notice was sent;
“(C) did not file a timely appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and
“(D) submits such information or evidence during the one-year period referred to in paragraph (1).
“(3) If the decision of the Secretary on a readjudication under this subsection is in favor of the qualified claimant, the award of the grant shall take effect as if the prior decision by the Secretary on the claim had not been made.
“(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to establish a duty on the part of the Secretary to identify or readjudicate any claim that—“(A) is not submitted during the one-year period referred to in paragraph (1); or
“(B) has been the subject of a timely appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
“(e)Construction on Providing Renotification.—Nothing in this section [amending this section and section 5102 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 5102 of this title], or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs—“(1) to provide notice under section 5103(a) of such title with respect to a claim insofar as the Secretary has previously provided such notice; or
“(2) to provide for a special notice with respect to this section and the amendments made by this section.”
