Opinion ID: 208216
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the government's post-argument motion for voluntary remand

Text: As a threshold matter, we consider the government's motion for voluntary remand, submitted after oral argument before this court. During oral argument, the panel questioned the government attorney as to why the DVA was reluctant to give Mr. Cushman a new hearing without the presence of the altered document. The government attorney indicated a willingness to reassess its position, and asked for two weeks in which to consider whether the parties could resolve the matter. Following oral argument, the panel suspended proceedings in the case for thirty days in order to allow the parties to reach a settlement. At the conclusion of the thirty-day period, the government informed the panel that no settlement was reached. The panel resumed proceedings. The following week the government submitted a motion for voluntary remand to allow the Board to reconsider its 1980 and 1982 decisions and in the alternative to send the case to mandatory mediation. Mr. Cushman opposed the motion, arguing that voluntary remand would not provide the requested relief and would preclude Mr. Cushman from petitioning for attorneys fees as a prevailing party. He also argued that the government previously opposed mediation and should not now be allowed to change its position. The government's motion for voluntary remand was accompanied by a proposed order stating only that the case was remanded to enable the Board to reconsider its 1980 and 1982 decisions. We find that mere voluntary reconsideration does not guarantee Mr. Cushman adequate relief. The terms of the proposed order give no assurance that Mr. Cushman would receive a new hearing, that the determination would be reviewed de novo, or that the proceedings would be conducted without the presence of the altered document. Although the government represents in its supporting memorandum that it will pursue such process, we have no authority to enforce those representations. Moreover, the government's representations do not bind the Board. We therefore must deny the government's motion for voluntary remand, even though the government contends that granting the motion would provide Mr. Cushman the alternate relief that he seeks. We also deny the government's alternative request for mandatory mediation. Mr. Cushman did not oppose mediation initially. The government did. We decline to compel Mr. Cushman to mediation at this juncture, after the briefs have been filed, oral arguments have been heard, and the thirty-day suspension to allow settlement has lapsed. We now turn to the merits of Mr. Cushman's appeal.