Sentence:  In the light of these circumstances , as well as the fact that the <WSD>issue</WSD> at trial in this respect centered entirely on the Department 's recommendation , which petitioner repudiated but which both the appeal board and the courts below found supported by the record , we find no relevancy in the hearing officer 's report and notes . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  an important question that is in dispute and must be settled