Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-110

§5903 Recognition with Respect to Particular Claims

Title 38 › PART IV — GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › CHAPTER 59 — AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS › § 5903

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can recognize someone to prepare, present, and handle a specific claim for benefits if two things happen. That person must certify to the Secretary that they will not charge any fee for work on that claim, and they must file a power of attorney in the form and manner the Secretary requires. A person recognized this way must follow the rules in section 5904(b) on the same basis as people recognized under section 5904(a).

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §5903

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
The Secretary may recognize any individual for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of any particular claim for benefits under any of the laws administered by the Secretary if—
(1)such individual has certified to the Secretary that no fee or compensation of any nature will be charged any individual for services rendered in connection with such claim; and
(2)such individual has filed with the Secretary a power of attorney, executed in such manner and in such form as the Secretary may prescribe.
(b)Suspension.—
An individual recognized under this section shall be subject to the provisions of section 5904(b) of this title on the same basis as an individual recognized under section 5904(a) of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–461 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b). 1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 3403 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” in introductory provisions and wherever appearing in pars. (1) and (2). Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1), substituted “administered by the Secretary” for “administered by the Veterans’ Administration” in introductory provisions.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 5903

Title 38, Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110