Opinion ID: 2795303
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The VA’s Communication With

Text: Mr. Toomer Was Confusing Despite sending a personalized letter to Mr. Toomer, the VA neglected to inform him that the filing period ran from the date of the supposed mailing of the first decision, which Mr. Toomer never received. In the personalized letter, the VA acknowledged it was sending the copy of the decision in response to Mr. Toomer informing the agency that he did not receive the original decision. 1 J.A. 24. The letter contained highly specific information, 1 I take no issue with the imposition of the pre- sumption of regularity. This case is not about whether the VA actually mailed the initial decision, as it claims, but rather about two separate communications that, on their faces, provide conflicting, confusing information to Mr. Toomer regarding his right to appeal. To the extent the majority asserts the presumption of regularity forecloses consideration of equitable tolling, I dissent. TOOMER v. MCDONALD 5 including the precise date on which Mr. Toomer requested the original decision from the VA. Id. This letter was accompanied by the boilerplate language in the notice of appellate rights, indicating the filing period would begin to run on the date “this decision” was mailed to Mr. Toomer. In spite of the VA’s personalized communication, it failed to alert Mr. Toomer that the start of the running of the filing period was unaffected by his non-receipt of the original decision. This error was compounded by the VA’s failure to explain that “this decision” actually referred to the previously mailed decision. Mr. Toomer was misled by the muddled, conflicting official statements by the government, wherein two dates from which to appeal were communicated to him. The inconsistent language in the notice of appellate rights could easily confuse a fastidious lawyer. In this case, the government’s inconsistent statements confused a lay veteran, Mr. Toomer. The resulting confusion was of the government’s making and, as such, should not be held against an otherwise diligent, involved veteran.