Opinion ID: 802255
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Searcy v. USDA

Text: Also in response to the December 10, 2010 order, Searcy filed allegations with the Board regarding his USERRA/VRRA claim and jurisdiction over his VEOA claim. The AJ held hearings on the merits of the USERRA/VRRA claims and the jurisdiction over the VEOA claims, including a telephonic status conference. Following this conference, Searcy submitted a list of six jobs about which he alleges he inquired, but for which he had not necessarily completed formal application. On March 30, 2011, the AJ dismissed Searcy’s VEOA claim for lack of jurisdiction and his USERRA/VRRA claims for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The AJ explained that the USERRA was not in effect for Searcy’s pre-1994 withdrawal of funds, and that, therefore, he had no USERRA claim for the withdrawal. The AJ further explained that Searcy had failed to allege any facts showing that he had actually applied for any positions such that he would have a USERRA claim for nonselection. The AJ also dismissed any VRRA claims because Searcy had not alleged reserve status when his retirement funds were withdrawn, and thus he had no protection under VRRA. Finally, the AJ dismissed the VEOA claims for lack of jurisdiction because Searcy had not provided any evidence showing that he had exhausted his remedies with the Department of Labor over these claims. Searcy petitioned the Board for review. SEARCY v. MSPB 8 On December 16, the Board denied Searcy’s petition. The Board adopted the AJ’s reasoning, noting that Searcy had failed to explain how the notice of appeal rights or notice of withdrawal were related to his Reserve status under VRRA and that Searcy’s DOL complaint pertained to the USERRA, rather than VEOA. Searcy timely appealed both Board actions, in Searcy v. Merit Systems Protection Board, No. 2012-3033, on November 29, 2011, and in Searcy v. Department of Agriculture, No. 2012-3054, on December 29, 2011.