Martin: Petition for writ of mandamus; TRAC standard

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Martin v. O’Rourke, 891 F.3d 1338 (June 7, 2018) 

HELD: The multi-factorial TRAC standard is the appropriate standard for the CAVC to use in evaluating petitions for writs of mandamus based on unreasonable delay. 

SUMMARY: In evaluating mandamus petitions based on unreasonable delay, the Court has applied the standard from Costanza v. West, 12 Vet.App,. 133 (1999) (per curiam), that requires a petitioner to demonstrate that “the delay he complains of is so extraordinary, given the demands and resources of the Secretary, that the delay amounts to an arbitrary refusal to act, and not the product of a burdened system.”

The Federal Circuit held that this standard was “insurmountable,” and that the more appropriate standard was the one set forth in Telecomms. Research & Action Ctr. v. FCC (“TRAC”), 750 F.2d 70, 76 (D.C. Cir. 1984). The Federal Circuit noted that other courts have used the TRAC standard when evaluating petitions based on an administrative agency’s unreasonable delay – and found that the TRAC framework was more appropriate than the CAVC’s current Constanza standard. 

The TRAC framework requires courts to consider six factors: 

(1) the time agencies take to make decisions must be governed by a “rule of reason”; 

(2) where Congress has provided a timetable or other indication of the speed with which it expects the agency to proceed in the enabling statute, that statutory scheme may supply content for this rule of reason; 

(3) delays that might be reasonable in the sphere of economic regulation are less tolerable when human health and welfare are at stake; 

(4) the court should consider the effect of expediting delayed action on agency activities of a higher or competing priority; 

(5) the court should also take into account the nature and extent of the interests prejudiced by delay; and 

(6) the court need not find “any impropriety lurking behind agency lassitude” in order to hold that agency action is unreasonably delayed.

The Federal Circuit remanded for the CAVC to use the TRAC framework as guidance in evaluating petitions based on delay. 

FULL DECISION

Acree: Withdrawal of appeal during Board hearing

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Acree v. O’Rourke, 891 F.3d 1009 (June 4, 2018)

HELD: A veteran can withdraw an appeal at a hearing, as long as the withdrawal “is explicit, unambiguous, and done with a full understanding of the consequences of such action on the part of the claimant.”

SUMMARY: At a Board hearing, the veteran withdrew seven of his eleven appeal issues. He was represented by a DAV representative. The Board issued a decision, remanding the remaining four claims and dismissing the withdrawn claims. Mr. Acree then appealed to the CAVC, arguing that the Board failed to adequately explain its determination that he had effectively withdrawn the seven claims. He quoted DeLisio v. Shinseki, 25 Vet.App. 45 (2011), to assert that a veteran’s withdrawal of a claim is not effective unless the withdrawal “is explicit, unambiguous, and done with a full understanding of the consequences of such action on the part of the claimant.” The CAVC affirmed the Board’s decision. 

On appeal, the Federal Circuit first noted that VA’s regulation regarding withdrawal of appeals at the Board, 38 C.F.R. § 20.204(b)(1), describes what is required to withdraw an appeal in writing, but is silent with respect to how to withdraw an appeal during a hearing. The Federal Circuit noted the CAVC’s holding in DeLisioand that case’s harmony with the “uniquely pro-claimant nature” of the VA benefits scheme, and determined that “DeLisio sets a reasonable standard for withdrawals at hearings.” The Court found that the CAVC erred by not ensuring that the Board adhered to the DeLisio standard. Because the CAVC “improperly absolved the Board of any obligation” to ensure the veteran had a “full understanding of the consequences” of the withdrawal, the Federal Circuit vacated and remanded the CAVC’s decision.

FULL DECISION