38 USC § 5100 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s5100"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 5100 - Definitions"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "5100"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 51
chapter_name: "CLAIMS, EFFECTIVE DATES, AND PAYMENTS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "CLAIMS"
part_number: "IV"
part_name: "GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 117–168, title VIII, § 807(a)(1), Aug. 10, 2022, 136 Stat. 1805.)"
---


# § 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.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 117–168, title VIII, § 807(a)(1), Aug. 10, 2022, 136 Stat. 1805.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 5100, added , , , defined “claimant”, prior to repeal by , , .

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Rule of Construction

> “None of the amendments made by this section [enacting this section, amending sections 5104, 5104B, 5112, 7104, 7105, 7105A, and 7266 of this title, and repealing former
> 
> ] shall be construed to apply section 5104(a) of such title [meaning title 38, United States Code] to decisions of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals under chapter 71 of such title.”

, , , provided that: