Opinion ID: 684069
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Limited Scope of BRB Review

Text: 30 The LHWCA provision authorizing BRB review of ALJ rulings states, in pertinent part: 31 The findings of fact in the decision under review by the Board shall be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence in the record considered as a whole. 32 33 U.S.C. Sec. 921(b)(3) (1988). The scope of BRB review is also limited by regulation: 33 The Benefits Review Board is not empowered to engage in a de novo proceeding or unrestricted review of a case brought before it.... [The ALJ's] findings of fact and conclusions of law may be set aside only if they are not ... supported by substantial evidence ... or in accordance with law. 34 20 C.F.R. Sec. 802.301(a) (1994). We have often held that within this framework, it is the duty of the ALJ, not the BRB, to weigh the evidence and draw reasonable inferences therefrom. See, e.g., Whitmore v. AFIA Worldwide Ins., 837 F.2d 513, 515 (D.C.Cir.1988). The BRB has no authority to second-guess the findings of the ALJ if those findings are supported by substantial evidence. 10 Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs v. Jaffe New York Decorating, 25 F.3d 1080, 1084 (D.C.Cir.1994). The BRB's scope of review under the LHWCA thus differs markedly from that of other agencies that are permitted to independently determine the facts and need not defer to the ALJ. See Presley v. Tinsley Maintenance Service, 529 F.2d 433, 436 (5th Cir.1976). 35 This court reviews decisions of the Board to ensure that it has not exceeded the proper scope of its review. To determine whether the BRB exceeded its statutory authority, we conduct an independent review of the record to determine if the ALJ's findings are supported by substantial evidence. Licor v. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 879 F.2d 901, 903 (D.C.Cir.1989) (quoting Randall v. Comfort Control, Inc., 725 F.2d 791, 796 (D.C.Cir.1984)). In so doing, we must keep in mind the beneficent purposes and humanitarian nature of the Act and resolve doubtful questions, including factual ones ... in favor of the claimants. Id.