Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73
§511 Decisions of the Secretary; finality
Title 38 › Part PART I— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - GENERAL AUTHORITIES › § 511
Summary
The Secretary must decide the legal and factual questions needed to award benefits to veterans and their dependents or survivors. Those decisions are final and usually cannot be reviewed by other officials or courts, except for matters under section 502, sections 1975 and 1984, chapter 37, and chapter 72.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §511
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary shall decide all questions of law and fact necessary to a decision by the Secretary under a law that affects the provision of benefits by the Secretary to veterans or the dependents or survivors of veterans. Subject to subsection (b), the decision of the Secretary as to any such question shall be final and conclusive and may not be reviewed by any other official or by any court, whether by an action in the nature of mandamus or otherwise.
(b)The second sentence of subsection (a) does not apply to—
(1)matters subject to section 502 of this title;
(2)matters covered by section 1975 and 1984 of this title;
(3)matters arising under chapter 37 of this title; and
(4)matters covered by chapter 72 of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Prior section 511 was renumbered section 1511 of this title. Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 211(a) of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). Court Rules Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Writ of mandamus abolished in United States district courts, but relief available by appropriate action or motion, see rule 81, Title 28, Appendix, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 511
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73