Opinion ID: 621948
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: DOL Proceedings

Text: Marcos Gomez worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, a DOE facility, in 1945 and again from January 1, 1951, through September 30, 1957. He died in 2002. In 2004, Elaine L. Martinez and Andy B. Gomez filed separate claims for benefits under EEOICPA Part B, as survivors of Marcos Gomez. In support of their claims, they submitted evidence that Marcos Gomez had contracted colon cancer as a result of his work at the DOE facility. Ms. Martinez and Andy Gomez also submitted evidence of their familial relationship to Marcos Gomez. Andy Gomez offered evidence that he is a grandchild of Marcos Gomez. Ms. Martinez submitted the following evidence that she is Marcos Gomez’s adopted daughter: (1) a portion of a March 22, 1955, Agreement of Adoption of -3- Child in which Marcos Gomez and his wife agreed to adopt her, Admin. R., Vol. V at 1195; (2) her delayed birth registration certificate showing she was the daughter of Marcos Gomez, id. at 1193; (3) her marriage certificate indicating her maiden name was “Gomez,” id. at 1192; and (4) a letter from the New Mexico Department of Public Welfare to Marcos Gomez and his wife regarding “New birth certificate in adoptive name for: Loretta Elaine Gomez,” id. at 1194. 1 The letter stated as follows: We have received the Orders of Adoption indicating that you have completed legal adoption of [Loretta Elaine Gomez]. We have sent to the State Department of Public Health a certified copy of the Order of Adoption together with the information necessary for that Department to file a new birth certificate in the adoptive name for this child. Providing the original birth certificate was on file the new certificate should now be ready, made out as if you, the adoptive parents, are the real parents of this child. The original birth certificate showing who the real parents are, together with the Order of Adoption, will have been sealed in a separate file which may be opened only upon court order. Admin. R., Vol. V at 1194. While the claims of Andy Gomez and Ms. Martinez were pending, Jesse Gomez and Tommy W. Gomez each filed a claim as a surviving grandchild of Marcos Gomez. 1 Although the documents that Ms. Martinez submitted variously referred to her as “Elaine Loretta,” Admin. R. at 1195, “Loretta Elaine,” id. at 1193-94, and “Elaine L.,” id. at 1192, the parties do not dispute that they all pertain to Ms. Martinez. -4- After an oral hearing, the FAB issued a final decision on May 28, 2008, finding that based on the evidence in the record Elaine L. Martinez was the surviving child of Marcos Gomez. 2 The FAB therefore accepted Ms. Martinez’s EEOICPA Part B claim and denied Andy Gomez’s claim pursuant to § 7384s(e)(1)(B). On May 20, 2009, the FAB issued a final decision denying the survivor claims of Tommy Gomez and Jesse Gomez on the same basis that it denied Andy Gomez’s claim. On June 26, 2009, the FAB denied Tommy Gomez’s request for reconsideration.