An appellant, or an appellant's representative, may request a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at a Department of Veterans Affairs field facility when submitting the substantive appeal (VA Form 9) or anytime thereafter, subject to the restrictions in Rule 1304 (Sec. 20.1304 of this part). Requests for such hearings before a substantive appeal has been filed will be rejected. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105(a), 7107) [61 FR 43009, Aug. 20, 1996]