---
type: "LegalText"
title: "38 U.S.C. § 5100"
description: "Definitions"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
chapter_number: "51"
chapter_name: "CLAIMS, EFFECTIVE DATES, AND PAYMENTS"
section: "5100"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 5100"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc38@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s5100"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-38/usc38.xml"
source_hash: "b7d1c78959b616b4b45b08ee83af336999d440222873d84c2db7fef1c537c3cc"
raw_snapshot_hash: "372998691b72ade88787dfa7633dbda4954bd1b037ec7926c5e06e9b1d17fc66"
text_hash: "15b6a886e44967a80a1bf6cb11a9b19b6aa501b7f947a04a4299f1d75413d5e5"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 38 U.S.C. § 5100 - Definitions

## Text

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.

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

## Notes

Editorial Notes

Prior ProvisionsA 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 ConstructionPub. 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.”