Spicer v. Shinseki, 752 F.3d 1367 (May 30, 2014)
DC 5003, 38 C.F.R. § 4.45(f), MINOR JOINT GROUP DEFINED
Held: For the purpose of rating disabilities from arthritis, a minor joint group is affected only when two or more joints suffer from limitation of motion.
Veteran was service connected for degenerative arthritis of the DIP joint of his little finger, and rated 0%. VA denied a compensable rating. Veteran appealed to the CAVC and on to the Federal Circuit, arguing that “degenerative arthritis in a single DIP joint results in a ‘group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion’ and can entitle a veteran to 10% rating under DC 5003.” The veteran argued that a minor joint group is affected when one member of that joint group is affected – just as when two or more members of the joint group are affected. The Federal Circuit held that under the plain language of DC 5003, read in the context of 38 C.F.R. § 4.45(f), the CAVC “did not err in interpreting DC 5003 to require limitation of motion in more than one minor joint.”
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Wilson v. Gibson
Wilson v. Gibson, 753 F.3d 1363 (June 10, 2014)
REDUCTION OF COMPENSATION DURING INCARCERATION
Held: Reduction of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 5313(a)(1) begins on the 61st day of incarceration for a felony conviction – regardless of whether post-conviction review is sought.
Veteran was found guilty of two felonies (attempted murder and aggravated battery) and sentenced to two concurrent life sentences. He began serving his sentences in October 2001 while he appealed his convictions. He continued to pursue his appeals up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which denied his petition in October 2010.
At the time of his conviction, the veteran was in receipt of a 70% disability rating from VA. Under 38 U.S.C. § 5313(a)(1), veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 20% or more who are incarcerated for a felony conviction will have their benefits reduced to 10% starting on the 61st day of their incarceration. VA notified the veteran in February 2002 that it would begin reducing his benefits to 10%, effective December 20, 2001 – the 61st day of his incarceration. VA then sought to collect an overpayment from Mr. Wilson in excess of $15,000. Mr. Wilson applied for a waiver and was denied.
He appealed to the CAVC, challenging the validity of the debt on the ground that the felony conviction “should not be deemed to occur until the conviction was absolutely final” – i.e., when he was denied review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The CAVC denied his appeal, holding that the incarceration period referred to in the statute “is calculated without regard to whether the veteran has appealed his conviction.” The Federal Circuit agreed, noting that the implementing regulation, 38 C.F.R. § 3.665(m), “does not contemplate full payment of benefits while post-conviction relief is sought.”
REDUCTION OF COMPENSATION DURING INCARCERATION
Held: Reduction of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 5313(a)(1) begins on the 61st day of incarceration for a felony conviction – regardless of whether post-conviction review is sought.
Veteran was found guilty of two felonies (attempted murder and aggravated battery) and sentenced to two concurrent life sentences. He began serving his sentences in October 2001 while he appealed his convictions. He continued to pursue his appeals up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which denied his petition in October 2010.
At the time of his conviction, the veteran was in receipt of a 70% disability rating from VA. Under 38 U.S.C. § 5313(a)(1), veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 20% or more who are incarcerated for a felony conviction will have their benefits reduced to 10% starting on the 61st day of their incarceration. VA notified the veteran in February 2002 that it would begin reducing his benefits to 10%, effective December 20, 2001 – the 61st day of his incarceration. VA then sought to collect an overpayment from Mr. Wilson in excess of $15,000. Mr. Wilson applied for a waiver and was denied.
He appealed to the CAVC, challenging the validity of the debt on the ground that the felony conviction “should not be deemed to occur until the conviction was absolutely final” – i.e., when he was denied review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The CAVC denied his appeal, holding that the incarceration period referred to in the statute “is calculated without regard to whether the veteran has appealed his conviction.” The Federal Circuit agreed, noting that the implementing regulation, 38 C.F.R. § 3.665(m), “does not contemplate full payment of benefits while post-conviction relief is sought.”
Golden v. Gibson
Golden v. Gibson, docket no. 04-1385(E) (June 25, 2014)
EAJA, ATTORNEY TRAVEL TIME
Held: Attorney travel time is compensable at the full hourly rate under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), as long as the fees are reasonable.
Veteran’s attorney traveled from Montgomery, Alabama to Washington, DC, for oral arguments at the Federal Circuit. The appeal was successful and the attorney submitted an EAJA application, which included travel time billed at the full hourly rate. The Secretary of VA disputed the travel fees, arguing that billing for travel time at the full hourly rate was not reasonable. The CAVC noted that it wanted to encourage attorney representation of veterans and found that because it and the Federal Circuit “are courts of national jurisdiction with the majority of claimants and attorneys living outside of Washington, D.C., travel time may often be required.” The Court held that, in this case, the fees billed for travel time at the full hourly rate was reasonable.
The Court also addressed the reasonableness of other fees and expenses, including the billing for time spent on briefs before it and the Federal Circuit (reasonable); over $3,000 of photocopying (unreasonable); legal research (reasonable); fee to doctor for medical opinion (reasonable); drafting and reading letters, conference calls, preparing appendices for briefs, reading orders and filings (too vague, reduced fees); reading claims file (duplicative, reduced fees); drafting substantive pleadings (reasonable); preparing EAJA application (reasonable).
Hudgens v. Gibson
Hudgens v. Gibson, 26 Vet.App. 558 (June 27, 2014)
DIAGNOSTIC CODE (DC) 5055 ONLY APPLIES TO TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS
Held: The plain language of DC 5055 does not apply to partial knee replacements. However, the Board erred by not addressing whether the veteran’s partial knee replacement should be rated by analogy under this or another diagnostic code.
The veteran injured his knee in service and, years later, underwent a partial knee replacement. He was service connected for his right knee, rated 10% for degenerative joint disease and 10% for instability. The RO later reduced the instability rating to 0%, and the veteran appealed. He argued that he should be rated by analogy under DC 5055, the DC for “knee replacement.” He also argued that the rating reduction was in error because the record contained medical evidence of instability. In addition, he argued for a higher rating under two other DCs.
The CAVC held that the “plain language of DC 5055 does not apply to partial knee replacements.” The CAVC acknowledged Mr. Hudgens’ argument that 11 Board decisions rated partial knee replacements under DC 5055, but stated that these decisions are not in the record and are not binding on the Board or the Court. Nevertheless, although the Court found that the Board did not err in determining that the plain language of DC 5055 only applied to total knee replacements, the Court agreed that the Board erred by not addressing whether Mr. Hudgens’ condition should be rated by analogy under this DC, “which contemplates symptomatology including weakness, pain, and limitation of motion,” or whether another DC should have been considered. Because there is no DC for partial knee replacement, the Board should have addressed Mr. Hudgens’ analogy argument.
The Court also determined that the rating reduction was in error, as the record contained medical evidence of instability. The Court determined that reversal was the appropriate remedy as “VA’s failure to observe applicable law and consider all relevant evidence renders reduction or severance decisions . . . ‘void ab initio.’” (quoting King v. Shinseki, 26 Vet.App. 484, 492 (2014)).
Finally, the Court agreed with Mr. Hudgens that the Board failed to address whether a higher rating was warranted under DC 5258 or 5252 and remanded for the Board to explain its failure “to address the evidence of right knee dislocation, swelling, and pain or explain why they are not evidence of” symptoms in DC 5259.
DIAGNOSTIC CODE (DC) 5055 ONLY APPLIES TO TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS
Held: The plain language of DC 5055 does not apply to partial knee replacements. However, the Board erred by not addressing whether the veteran’s partial knee replacement should be rated by analogy under this or another diagnostic code.
The veteran injured his knee in service and, years later, underwent a partial knee replacement. He was service connected for his right knee, rated 10% for degenerative joint disease and 10% for instability. The RO later reduced the instability rating to 0%, and the veteran appealed. He argued that he should be rated by analogy under DC 5055, the DC for “knee replacement.” He also argued that the rating reduction was in error because the record contained medical evidence of instability. In addition, he argued for a higher rating under two other DCs.
The CAVC held that the “plain language of DC 5055 does not apply to partial knee replacements.” The CAVC acknowledged Mr. Hudgens’ argument that 11 Board decisions rated partial knee replacements under DC 5055, but stated that these decisions are not in the record and are not binding on the Board or the Court. Nevertheless, although the Court found that the Board did not err in determining that the plain language of DC 5055 only applied to total knee replacements, the Court agreed that the Board erred by not addressing whether Mr. Hudgens’ condition should be rated by analogy under this DC, “which contemplates symptomatology including weakness, pain, and limitation of motion,” or whether another DC should have been considered. Because there is no DC for partial knee replacement, the Board should have addressed Mr. Hudgens’ analogy argument.
The Court also determined that the rating reduction was in error, as the record contained medical evidence of instability. The Court determined that reversal was the appropriate remedy as “VA’s failure to observe applicable law and consider all relevant evidence renders reduction or severance decisions . . . ‘void ab initio.’” (quoting King v. Shinseki, 26 Vet.App. 484, 492 (2014)).
Finally, the Court agreed with Mr. Hudgens that the Board failed to address whether a higher rating was warranted under DC 5258 or 5252 and remanded for the Board to explain its failure “to address the evidence of right knee dislocation, swelling, and pain or explain why they are not evidence of” symptoms in DC 5259.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Gilbert v. Shinseki
Gilbert v. Shinseki, 749 F.3d 1370 (Apr. 24, 2014)
PRESUMPTION OF SOUNDNESS, NEXUS ELEMENT
The presumption of soundness does not relieve the claimant of the burden of establishing all three elements of service connection (current condition, in-service injury, nexus between the two).
The veteran was denied service connection for a psychiatric condition. The record contained evidence that he had experienced depression and substance abuse prior to service and that he continued to abuse alcohol while in the Navy. To rebut the presumption of soundness, the government must show with “clear and unmistakable evidence” that the condition both pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The Board determined that the government proved that the veteran’s psychiatric condition pre-existed service, but did not show that the condition was not aggravated by service. Nevertheless, the Board affirmed the denial because the veteran failed to prove that his post-service psychiatric condition was related to his military service. The CAVC affirmed.
On appeal to the Federal Circuit, the veteran argued that the CAVC misinterpreted 38 U.S.C. § 1111. He argued that § 1111 relieves him of having to prove a nexus between his current condition and service. The Federal Circuit disagreed and found that “‘the presumption of soundness relates to the second element required to establish a right to disability compensation—the showing of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.’” (quoting Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1362, 1367 (Fed. Cir. 2009). The Federal Circuit found that the “‘presumption of soundness does not relate to the nexus requirement” and, therefore, “does not relieve the veteran of the obligation to show the presence of a current disability and to demonstrate a nexus between that disability and the in-service injury or disease or aggravation thereof.’” Id.
PRESUMPTION OF SOUNDNESS, NEXUS ELEMENT
The presumption of soundness does not relieve the claimant of the burden of establishing all three elements of service connection (current condition, in-service injury, nexus between the two).
The veteran was denied service connection for a psychiatric condition. The record contained evidence that he had experienced depression and substance abuse prior to service and that he continued to abuse alcohol while in the Navy. To rebut the presumption of soundness, the government must show with “clear and unmistakable evidence” that the condition both pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The Board determined that the government proved that the veteran’s psychiatric condition pre-existed service, but did not show that the condition was not aggravated by service. Nevertheless, the Board affirmed the denial because the veteran failed to prove that his post-service psychiatric condition was related to his military service. The CAVC affirmed.
On appeal to the Federal Circuit, the veteran argued that the CAVC misinterpreted 38 U.S.C. § 1111. He argued that § 1111 relieves him of having to prove a nexus between his current condition and service. The Federal Circuit disagreed and found that “‘the presumption of soundness relates to the second element required to establish a right to disability compensation—the showing of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.’” (quoting Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1362, 1367 (Fed. Cir. 2009). The Federal Circuit found that the “‘presumption of soundness does not relate to the nexus requirement” and, therefore, “does not relieve the veteran of the obligation to show the presence of a current disability and to demonstrate a nexus between that disability and the in-service injury or disease or aggravation thereof.’” Id.
Checo v. Shinseki
Checo v. Shinseki, 748 F.3d 1373 (Apr. 23, 2014)
EQUITABLE TOLLING, TIMELINESS
The CAVC can sua sponte raise the issue of whether a Notice of Appeal is timely. In order to establish entitlement to equitable tolling, a claimant must demonstrate extraordinary circumstances, due diligence, and causation. However, the claimant need only show due diligence and causation during the extraordinary circumstances period – and not during the entire appeal period.
The claimant’s appeal for an increased rating was denied by the Board on July 6, 2011. The claimant was homeless unable to receive mail until October 6, 2011, which is when she received a copy of the Board’s decision. She filed her Notice of Appeal (NOA) with the CAVC on December 7, 2011 – which was 33 days after the appeal deadline, based on the date of the Board decision. She explained her circumstances to the CAVC, and the Secretary conceded that her homelessness was beyond her control and qualified as extraordinary circumstances. Nevertheless, the Court found that she had not shown due diligence and causation, the other two elements necessary to warrant equitable tolling, and thus dismissed her appeal.
On appeal to the Federal Circuit, the claimant argued that the CAVC acted outside its authority when it directed the Clerk of the Court to identify late appeals and issue show-cause orders for why the appeal should not be dismissed. The claimant argued that the case on which the CAVC relied for such authority, Bove v. Shinseki, 26 Vet.App. 136, 140-43 (2011), should be overruled. The Federal Circuit disagreed, and held that the CAVC did not err by raising the timeliness issue on its own.
With respect to the equitable tolling determination, the Federal Circuit agreed with the parties that the claimant’s homelessness constituted extraordinary circumstances. The Federal Circuit also agreed that the “stop-clock” approach should apply, which would “stop” the clock measuring the 120-day appeal period during the extraordinary circumstances period. Under this approach, the appeal period would have been suspended between July 7 and October 6, 2011 – and the claimant would only need to show due diligence during that time period. The 120-day appeal period would begin to run on October 6, 2011 – and her NOA (filed on December 7, 2011) thus would have been timely. The Federal Circuit determined that it did not have sufficient information to determine what diligence standard the CAVC used to determine that the claimant had not shown due diligence – and remanded the case back to the CAVC to clarify and explain the appropriate standard that applied during the relevant due diligence period (July 7-October 6, 2011).
Similarly, the Federal Circuit found that the CAVC “used the wrong test for causation” by requiring that the claimant “prove why her homelessness caused her inability to file the NOA within the 120-day appeal period,” instead of during her period of homelessness. The Federal Circuit reversed the CAVC’s decision on this point, finding that the claimant’s homelessness caused a 91-day delay (July 7-October 6, 2011) in filing her NOA.
EQUITABLE TOLLING, TIMELINESS
The CAVC can sua sponte raise the issue of whether a Notice of Appeal is timely. In order to establish entitlement to equitable tolling, a claimant must demonstrate extraordinary circumstances, due diligence, and causation. However, the claimant need only show due diligence and causation during the extraordinary circumstances period – and not during the entire appeal period.
The claimant’s appeal for an increased rating was denied by the Board on July 6, 2011. The claimant was homeless unable to receive mail until October 6, 2011, which is when she received a copy of the Board’s decision. She filed her Notice of Appeal (NOA) with the CAVC on December 7, 2011 – which was 33 days after the appeal deadline, based on the date of the Board decision. She explained her circumstances to the CAVC, and the Secretary conceded that her homelessness was beyond her control and qualified as extraordinary circumstances. Nevertheless, the Court found that she had not shown due diligence and causation, the other two elements necessary to warrant equitable tolling, and thus dismissed her appeal.
On appeal to the Federal Circuit, the claimant argued that the CAVC acted outside its authority when it directed the Clerk of the Court to identify late appeals and issue show-cause orders for why the appeal should not be dismissed. The claimant argued that the case on which the CAVC relied for such authority, Bove v. Shinseki, 26 Vet.App. 136, 140-43 (2011), should be overruled. The Federal Circuit disagreed, and held that the CAVC did not err by raising the timeliness issue on its own.
With respect to the equitable tolling determination, the Federal Circuit agreed with the parties that the claimant’s homelessness constituted extraordinary circumstances. The Federal Circuit also agreed that the “stop-clock” approach should apply, which would “stop” the clock measuring the 120-day appeal period during the extraordinary circumstances period. Under this approach, the appeal period would have been suspended between July 7 and October 6, 2011 – and the claimant would only need to show due diligence during that time period. The 120-day appeal period would begin to run on October 6, 2011 – and her NOA (filed on December 7, 2011) thus would have been timely. The Federal Circuit determined that it did not have sufficient information to determine what diligence standard the CAVC used to determine that the claimant had not shown due diligence – and remanded the case back to the CAVC to clarify and explain the appropriate standard that applied during the relevant due diligence period (July 7-October 6, 2011).
Similarly, the Federal Circuit found that the CAVC “used the wrong test for causation” by requiring that the claimant “prove why her homelessness caused her inability to file the NOA within the 120-day appeal period,” instead of during her period of homelessness. The Federal Circuit reversed the CAVC’s decision on this point, finding that the claimant’s homelessness caused a 91-day delay (July 7-October 6, 2011) in filing her NOA.
Bowers v. Shinseki
Bowers v. Shinseki, 748 F.3d 1351 (Apr. 17, 2014)
ALS, VETERAN STATUS, 38 C.F.R. § 3.318
An individual must meet VA’s definition of “veteran” before being entitled to the presumption of service connection for ALS under 38 C.F.R. § 3.318.
This case affirms the CAVC’s decision that determined that the claimant was not a “veteran,” as defined by statute, and therefore was not entitled to the presumption of service connection for ALS. The claimant served in the Army National Guard from 1972 to 1978, with a continuous period of active duty for training from August 1972 to February 1973. VA regulation provides for service connection for ALS for individuals with “active military, naval, or air service.” The Federal Circuit found that the CAVC’s interpretation of the regulation was consistent with the statutory scheme, and that the claimant was not entitled to the presumption of service connection based on his service.
ALS, VETERAN STATUS, 38 C.F.R. § 3.318
An individual must meet VA’s definition of “veteran” before being entitled to the presumption of service connection for ALS under 38 C.F.R. § 3.318.
This case affirms the CAVC’s decision that determined that the claimant was not a “veteran,” as defined by statute, and therefore was not entitled to the presumption of service connection for ALS. The claimant served in the Army National Guard from 1972 to 1978, with a continuous period of active duty for training from August 1972 to February 1973. VA regulation provides for service connection for ALS for individuals with “active military, naval, or air service.” The Federal Circuit found that the CAVC’s interpretation of the regulation was consistent with the statutory scheme, and that the claimant was not entitled to the presumption of service connection based on his service.
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