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

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.4

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 CFR § 20.4
- **Heading:** Rule 4. Appeal systems definitions and applicability provisions
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 38—Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief > CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS > PART 20—BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS: RULES OF PRACTICE > Subpart A—General

## Text

(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 on or after the effective date, as defined in § 19.2(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) and 19.2(c) of this chapter, where the claimant elects the modernized review system pursuant to § 19.2(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, D, E, and I of part 20 apply only to the processing and adjudication of appeals in the modernized review system.
(2) Legacy claims and appeals. Part 19 and subparts F, G, and J of part 20 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, B, H, K, L, M, N, and O of part 20 apply to the processing and adjudication of both appeals and legacy claims and appeals.
(Authority: Sec. 2, Pub. L. 115-55; 131 Stat. 1105)
[84 FR 180, Jan. 18, 2019]

## Nearby sections

- [38 CFR § 20.1 § 20.1 Rule 1. Purpose and construction of Rules of Practice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.1.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.2 § 20.2 Rule 2. Procedure in absence of specific Rule of Practice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.2.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.3 § 20.3 Rule 3. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.3.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.4 § 20.4 Rule 4. Appeal systems definitions and applicability provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.4.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.5 § 20.5 Rule 5. Right to representation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.5.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.6 § 20.6 Rule 6. Withdrawal of services by a representative.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.6.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.100 § 20.100 Rule 100. Establishment of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.100.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.101 § 20.101 Rule 101. Composition of the Board; titles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.101.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.102 § 20.102 Rule 102. Name, business hours, and mailing address of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.102.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.103 § 20.103 Rule 103. Principal functions of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.103.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.104 § 20.104 Rule 104. Jurisdiction of the Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.104.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.105 § 20.105 Rule 105. Criteria governing disposition of appeals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.105.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.106 § 20.106 Rule 106. Assignment of proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.106.md)
- [38 CFR § 20.107 § 20.107 Rule 107. Disqualification of Members.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.107.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-20.4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.