Opinion ID: 537072
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Board's Procedure Departs From Past Practice

Text: 23 It should also be emphasized that the Board's decision in this case is an abrupt departure from past administrative practice by the Department, where full-fledged ALJ hearings have always been available for new claims, in accordance with the statute and regulations. Nonetheless, the Board's decision appears to be based on an attempt to foster administrative efficiency and to avoid delays and administrative burdens by eliminating one tier of the claims review process. Benefits Review Board Decision and Order, March 30, 1988, at 2-3. When the same justification was offered for eliminating deputy commissioner consideration of modification requests, it was not accepted by other courts of appeal. See Saginaw Mining Co. v. Mazzulli, 818 F.2d at 1280-81; Lee v. Consolidation Coal Co., 843 F.2d at 161-62. Efficiency, no matter how desirable, is not a justification for rewriting the statute and regulations, neither of which is within the Board's authority. Even if we accept the notion that duplicate claims is an area that can be handled more efficiently, it is not our function, nor is it the Board's, to legislate. We must simply apply the statutes and regulations as they stand. 24