a. Definition: An is a claimant who has initiated an appeal to the Board of appellant Appellant Appeals (BVA) by filing a timely notice of disagreement (NOD) Veterans’ with the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) that completed the decision pursuant to the provisions of and either , or , as applicable. A is a person who has filed a claim under 38, U.S.C., for entitlement b. Definition: claimant Claimant to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. For more information on claimants, see . Reference: The is a senior technical expert who is c. Definition: Decision Review Officer (DRO) DRO responsible for holding post-decisional hearings and processing appeals. The DRO may have jurisdiction of any appeal. For more information on DROs, DRO duties, and the DRO Reference: decision process, see M21-1, Part I, 5.C. A about a decision rendered with notification d. Definition: notice of disagreement (NOD) NOD sent prior to March 24, 2015, is a written communication from a claimant or his/her representative expressing dissatisfaction or disagreement with a decision, and a desire to contest the result. Although no specific wording is required in the NOD received prior to March 24, 2015, it must be written in terms that can be reasonably interpreted as a disagreement with a decision and a desire for appellate review. every case in which the AOJ provides, in Effective March 24, 2015, connection with its decision, a form for the purpose of initiating an appeal, a notice of disagreement consists of a completed and timely submitted copy of that form. VA will accept as a notice of disagreement an expression of not dissatisfaction or disagreement with an adjudicative determination by the AOJ and a desire to contest the result that is submitted in any other format, including on a different VA form. For more information on NODs, see M21-1, Part I, 5.B. Reference:
a. Definition: Appellant An appellant is a claimant who has initiated an appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) by filing a timely notice of disagreement (NOD) with the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) that completed the decision pursuant to the provisions of and either , or , as applicable. b. Definition: Claimant A claimant is a person who has filed a claim under 38, U.S.C., for entitlement to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Reference: For more information on claimants, see . c. Definition: DRO The Decision Review Officer (DRO) is a senior technical expert who is responsible for holding post-decisional hearings and processing appeals. The DRO may have jurisdiction of any appeal. Reference: For more information on DROs, DRO duties, and the DRO decision process, see M21-1, Part I, 5.C. d. Definition: NOD A notice of disagreement (NOD) about a decision rendered with notification sent prior to March 24, 2015, is a written communication from a claimant or his/her representative expressing dissatisfaction or disagreement with a decision, and a desire to contest the result. Although no specific wording is required in the NOD received prior to March 24, 2015, it must be written in terms that can be reasonably interpreted as a disagreement with a decision and a desire for appellate review. Effective March 24, 2015, every case in which the AOJ provides, in connection with its decision, a form for the purpose of initiating an appeal, a notice of disagreement consists of a completed and timely submitted copy of that form. VA will not accept as a notice of disagreement an expression of dissatisfaction or disagreement with an adjudicative determination by the AOJ and a desire to contest the result that is submitted in any other format, including on a different VA form. Reference: For more information on NODs, see M21-1, Part I, 5.B.