---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 C.F.R. § 20.4"
title: "38"
number: "20.4"
heading: "Rule 4. Appeal systems definitions and applicability provisions."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/38/20.4"
---

# §20.4. Rule 4. Appeal systems definitions and applicability provisions.

- (a) **Appeal—**
  - (1) **In general.** An appeal consists of a Notice of Disagreement timely filed to the Board on any issue or issues for which VA provided notice of a decision under [38 U.S.C. 5104](/usc/38/5104.md) on or after the effective date, as defined in [§ 19.2(a)](/cfr/38/19.2.md?p=a) of this chapter.
  - (2) **Appellant's election for review of a legacy claim or appeal in the modernized review system.** The regulations applicable to appeals are also applicable to legacy claims and appeals, as those terms are defined in §§ [3.2400(b)](/cfr/38/3.2400.md?p=b) and [19.2(c)](/cfr/38/19.2.md?p=c) of this chapter, where the claimant elects the modernized review system pursuant to [§ 19.2(d)](/cfr/38/19.2.md?p=d) of this chapter, and upon the timely filing to the Board of a Notice of Disagreement.
- (b) **Applicability of parts 19 and 20—**
  - (1) **Appeals.** Subparts [C](/cfr/38/subpartC.md), [D](/cfr/38/subpartD.md), E, and I of [part 20](/cfr/38/part20.md) apply only to the processing and adjudication of appeals in the modernized review system.
  - (2) **Legacy claims and appeals.** [Part 19](/cfr/38/part19.md) and subparts [F](/cfr/38/subpartF.md), [G](/cfr/38/subpartG.md), and J of [part 20](/cfr/38/part20.md) apply only to the processing and adjudication of legacy claims and appeals.
  - (3) **Both appeals systems.** Except as otherwise provided in specific sections, subparts [A](/cfr/38/subpartA.md), [B](/cfr/38/subpartB.md), H, K, L, M, N, and O of [part 20](/cfr/38/part20.md) apply to the processing and adjudication of both appeals and legacy claims and appeals.

## Notes

### Amendments

[84 FR 180, Jan. 18, 2019]

### Authority

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a) and as noted in specific sections.

### Source

Source: 57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[84 FR 180, Jan. 18, 2019]