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Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-102

§7111 Revision of Decisions on Grounds of Clear and Unmistakable Error

Title 38 › PART V — BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES › CHAPTER 71 — BOARD OF VETERANS’ APPEALS › § 7111

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Board must change a prior decision if there was a clear and unmistakable error. If the error is proven, the earlier decision will be reversed or fixed. For benefits, the new decision counts as if it were made on the date of the old decision. The Board can start a review on its own or when the person who filed the claim asks. A request can be made at any time and must be sent straight to the Board, which will decide it based on the evidence. If the request is filed with the Secretary, the Secretary must promptly send it to the Board.

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §7111

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A decision by the Board is subject to revision on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error. If evidence establishes the error, the prior decision shall be reversed or revised.
(b)For the purposes of authorizing benefits, a rating or other adjudicative decision of the Board that constitutes a reversal or revision of a prior decision of the Board on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error has the same effect as if the decision had been made on the date of the prior decision.
(c)Review to determine whether clear and unmistakable error exists in a case may be instituted by the Board on the Board’s own motion or upon request of the claimant.
(d)A request for revision of a decision of the Board based on clear and unmistakable error may be made at any time after that decision is made.
(e)Such a request shall be submitted directly to the Board and shall be decided by the Board on the merits.
(f)A claim filed with the Secretary that requests reversal or revision of a previous Board decision due to clear and unmistakable error shall be considered to be a request to the Board under this section, and the Secretary shall promptly transmit any such request to the Board for its consideration under this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–55 struck out “, without referral to any adjudicative or hearing official acting on behalf of the Secretary” after “merits”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2017 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 115–55 applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L. 115–55 and to address appeals of decisions on legacy claims, with provision for early applicability of the new appeals system to certain claims, see section 2(x) of Pub. L. 115–55, set out as a note under section 101 of this title, and bracketed note thereunder.

Effective Date

Section applicable to any determination made before, on, or after Nov. 21, 1997, see section 1(c)(1) of Pub. L. 105–111, set out as a note under section 5109A of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 7111

Title 38, Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102