---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 5100"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "5100"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/5100"
units:
  - "Part IV — General Administrative Provisions"
  - "Chapter 51 — Claims, Effective Dates, and Payments"
  - "Subchapter I — Claims"
---

# §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](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
- (2) The term “notice” means a communication issued through means (including electronic means) prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).

## Source credit

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

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 5100, added Pub. L. 106–475, § 2, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2096, defined “claimant”, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 117–168, title VIII, § 807(a)(1), Aug. 10, 2022, 136 Stat. 1805.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Rule of Construction

Pub. L. 117–168, title VIII, § 807(b), Aug. 10, 2022, 136 Stat. 1806, provided that: “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 section 5100 of this title] 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.”