Court Opinion

ID: 9931535
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-09 15:00:29.622945+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:22:39.737853
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                   MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD

ANGELICA GUERRA,                                DOCKET NUMBER
             Appellant,                         DA-0752-17-0013-I-1

             v.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                          DATE: February 8, 2024
  SECURITY,
            Agency.

        THIS FINAL ORDER IS NONPRECEDENTIAL 1

      Carlos E. Paredes , New Caney, Texas, for the appellant.

      Jennifer Cook , Esquire, Houston, Texas, for the agency.

                                      BEFORE

                          Cathy A. Harris, Vice Chairman
                           Raymond A. Limon, Member

                                  FINAL ORDER

      The appellant has filed a petition for review of the initial decision, which
affirmed her removal for her inability to perform the essential duties of her
position. Generally, we grant petitions such as this one only in the following
circumstances: the initial decision contains erroneous findings of material fact;
the initial decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of statute or regulation
1
   A nonprecedential order is one that the Board has determined does not add
significantly to the body of MSPB case law. Parties may cite nonprecedential orders,
but such orders have no precedential value; the Board and administrative judges are not
required to follow or distinguish them in any future decisions. In contrast, a
precedential decision issued as an Opinion and Order has been identified by the Board
as significantly contributing to the Board’s case law. See 5 C.F.R. § 1201.117(c).
                                                                                   2

or the erroneous application of the law to the facts of the case; the administrative
judge’s rulings during either the course of the appeal or the initial decision
were not consistent with required procedures or involved an abuse of discretion,
and the resulting error affected the outcome of the case; or new and material
evidence or legal argument is available that, despite the petitioner’s due
diligence, was not available when the record closed.       Title 5 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, section 1201.115 (5 C.F.R. § 1201.115).            After fully
considering the filings in this appeal, we conclude that the petitioner has not
established any basis under section 1201.115 for granting the petition for review.
Therefore, we DENY the petition for review. Except as expressly MODIFIED to
apply the correct legal standard to the agency’s charge of inability to perform the
essential duties of her position, we AFFIRM the initial decision.

                                 BACKGROUND
      The appellant was employed as a Customs and Border Patrol Officer
(CBPO) with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations,
Houston Field Operations, Port of Houston Airport. Initial Appeal File (IAF),
Tab 4 at 22.    A CBPO is a law enforcement position, and the incumbent is
therefore required to carry a Government-issued firearm. Id. at 85. Because the
position requires an officer to carry a firearm, it also has medical requirements
which state, in part:
      The officer must exercise sound judgment, maintain mental alertness
      at all times, and function under dynamic and stressful conditions in
      which there are time constraints, concerns for national security, and
      threats of terrorism.…
                                                                                  3

      The standard requires that the person be medically and physically
      capable of performing the essential functions and duties of the
      position safely and efficiently without aggravating existing health
      problems or endangering the health and safety of the individual,
      others, or national security. The individual must be free of any
      organic, structural or fundamental impairment(s) or existing health
      problem(s) that would be aggravated in response to the work
      environment and/or would affect safe and efficient job performance.
IAF, Tab 5 at 4.
      In December 2014, the appellant self-reported to the agency that she
threatened to kill her son’s dog, later explaining that she meant that she would
have the dog euthanized, but that her son would not understand that term. IAF,
Tab 13 at 42. After a telephone call from her son to the appellant’s ex -husband,
law enforcement was dispatched to the appellant’s home where she was detained
for a short period before being released. Id. Two months later, in February 2015,
the appellant called her first-line supervisor and told him that she needed to talk
and that she was located in the breakroom.        IAF, Tab 4 at 75.     When the
supervisor arrived at the breakroom, the appellant “was laying on the couch with
her hair in disarray,” and when the supervisor directed her to “sit up and fix
herself,” the appellant responded that she had texted her ex-husband that she
wished he would die, or words to that effect. Id. The supervisor then escorted
the appellant to the supervisory CBPO’s office, who was there with the Watch
Commander, and upon arriving, the appellant started crying and stated that “she
was dying” because her son now lives with her ex-husband. Id.
      Initially, the agency referred the appellant to the Customs and Border
Patrol (CBP) Employee Assistance Program (EAP), IAF, Tab 13 at 58, but on
March 11, 2015, the Port Director issued the appellant a letter directing her to
undergo a fitness-for-duty (FFD) examination to determine her capacity to
perform her duties as a CBPO, IAF, Tab 4 at 87-89.         In the letter, the Port
Director informed the appellant of the basis for the exam, explaining that her
indications to her supervisors concerning her struggles with, among other things,
                                                                                   4

depression, major financial issues, and heavy drinking, raised questions in his
mind regarding her continued capacity to perform the full range of her duties in a
safe and effective manner. Id. at 87.
      The appellant underwent the FFD exam, but the results were inconclusive
as to whether there was a medical explanation for her behavior and she was
directed to undergo a mental health examination with Dr. L.N., a licensed
forensic psychiatrist.   IAF, Tab 5 at 30-31.    After the appellant’s psychiatric
independent medical examination (IME), Dr. L.N. concluded that the appellant
could not safely, efficiently, or reliably perform all of the duties of her position
without restrictions, and he stated that she should not carry a Government-issued
firearm because of her current alcohol use disorder and depressive and anxious
symptoms. IAF, Tab 6 at 21. After Dr. L.N. produced his report, the appellant
sought an independent evaluation with her own physician, Dr. K.S., who
concluded that the appellant was not suffering from an acute mental illness at that
time that would impair her ability to work in law enforcement and that she was
not an imminent danger to herself or others. IAF, Tab 5 at 47. Several months
later, the agency and the appellant engaged in an interactive reasonable
accommodation process, and the agency made a tentative reassignment offer,
which the appellant declined. Id. at 49-54; IAF, Tab 6 at 4.
      On July 26, 2016, the agency proposed the appellant’s removal based on
the charge of “Inability to Perform the Essential Duties” of a CBPO. IAF, Tab 4
at 31-36. The proposal notice relied on the initial report from Dr. L.N. and an
addendum report issued 3 months later. Id. at 32; IAF, Tab 6 at 10-23, 74-76.
Based upon Dr. L.N.’s conclusion that the appellant should not carry a
Government-issued firearm and the fact that the appellant’s job description
required that she carry one, the agency asserted in the proposal notice that the
appellant was not fit for duty. IAF, Tab 4 at 31-36. On September 14, 2016, the
deciding official issued a final decision upholding the proposed removal.        Id.
at 23-30.   In the decision notice, he found that the appellant was unable to
                                                                                           5

perform the duties of a CBPO and that, due to her medical conditions, her
inability to perform the essential functions of a CBPO, and her declining the
reassignment offer, there was no adequate remedy available other than removing
her from Federal service. Id. at 28.
       The appellant appealed the agency’s decision to the Board, claiming that
the agency failed to establish that she was disqualified from performing the duties
of a CBPO and that the agency committed harmful errors when it forced her to
undergo an FFD examination and an IME evaluation. IAF, Tab 1 at 5. She also
claimed that the agency discriminated against her based upon a perceived
disability. IAF, Tab 8 at 4-6.
       After holding a hearing, the administrative judge issued an initial decision
sustaining the appellant’s removal. IAF, Tab 18, Initial Decision (ID). He found
that, considering the evidence as a whole, the agency proved that the appellant
suffered from several medical conditions that precluded her from being able to
carry a firearm, which is an essential duty of a CBPO.              ID at 10.    Thus, the
administrative    judge    found    that   the   appellant’s    medical    condition    was
disqualifying. Id. He further found that the recurrence of the appellant’s medical
condition could not be ruled out and that her former position’s duties are such
that a recurrence would pose a reasonable probability of substantial harm. ID
at 11. The administrative judge also found that the appellant failed to prove any
of her affirmative defenses, including her disability discrimination claim 2 and that

2
  The appellant does not argue on review that the administrative judge erred in finding
that she failed to prove her disability discrimination defense. PFR File, Tab 1 at 6-11;
ID at 12-15. We note that, in analyzing that claim, the administrative judge used the
analytical framework set forth in Savage v. Department of the Army, 122 M.S.P.R. 612,
¶ 51 (2015) and Southerland v. Department of Defense, 119 M.S.P.R. 566, ¶ 21 (2013).
ID at 12-15. Following the issuance of the initial decision, the Board issued Pridgen v.
Office of Management and Budget, 2022 MSPB 31, which overruled parts of Savage and
Southerland, and clarified the proper analytical framework to be applied to affirmative
defenses of discrimination and retaliation. Specifically, the Board explained that for
status-based disability discrimination claims, an appellant is entitled to some relief, i.e.,
injunctive relief, if she satisfies the motivating factor standard, but in order to obtain
full relief, she must show that disability discrimination was a but-for cause of the
                                                                                          6

the selected penalty of removal was reasonable and promoted the efficiency of the
service. ID at 12-19.
       The appellant has filed a petition for review arguing that the agency failed
to establish that her removal promotes the efficiency of the service, and that it
violated her due process and Fourth Amendment rights. 3              Petition for Review
(PFR) File, Tab 1 at 6-11. The agency has filed a response to the appellant’s
petition. PFR File, Tab 3.

                  DISCUSSION OF ARGUMENTS ON REVIEW
       In the initial decision, the administrative judge stated that, to prove its
charge of physical inability to perform, the agency was required to show the
following: (1) the appellant’s disabling condition itself was disqualifying; (2) its
recurrence could not be ruled out; and (3) the duties of the appellant’s position
were such that a recurrence would pose a reasonable probability of substantial
harm. 4   ID at 4.   Following the issuance of the initial decision, however, the
Board determined that this standard applies only when an employee who occupies
a position with medical standards is removed based solely on medical history,

personnel action. Pridgen, 2022 MSPB 31, ¶¶ 40, 42. However, because we agree with
the administrative judge that the appellant provided no evidence, absent conclusory
assertions, that her removal was motivated by disability discrimination, ID at 15, there
is no basis to reverse the administrative judge’s findings. Panter v. Department of the
Air Force, 22 M.S.P.R. 281, 282 (1984) (explaining that an adjudicatory error that is
not prejudicial to a party’s substantive rights provides no basis for reversal of an initial
decision).
3
  The appellant does not appear to challenge the administrative judge’s finding
regarding her harmful procedural error defense. PFR File, Tab 1 at 6-11; ID at 15-18.
We have reviewed the record, and we find no reason to disturb that finding here.
4
  Although not cited by the administrative judge, this is a recitation of the standard set
forth in 5 C.F.R. § 339.206. Subsequent to the appellant’s removal, the Office of
Personnel Management amended 5 C.F.R. § 339.206 as to the degree of risk required.
Medical Qualification Determinations, 82 Fed. Reg. 5340-01, 5346-47, 5352 (Jan. 18,
2017) (Final Rule). However, given our findings herein, this amendment is not material
to the outcome of this appeal; thus, we need not address whether the regulatory changes
apply retroactively. See Haas v. Department of Homeland Security , 2022 MSPB 36,
¶ 11 n.2.
                                                                                    7

i.e., when the only basis for concluding that the employee was medically unable
to perform the core duties of her position was the fact that her medical records
reflected that, at some time in the past, she was classified as having, was
examined for, or was treated for the medical condition or impairment in question.
Haas v. Department of Homeland Security, 2022 MSPB 36, ¶¶ 10-15. The Board
explained that in cases, as here, involving a current medical condition, the agency
must prove either a nexus between the employee’s medical condition and
observed deficiencies in her performance or conduct, or a high probability, given
the nature of the work involved, that her condition may result in injury to herself
or others. Id., ¶ 15. The Board has otherwise described this standard as requiring
that the agency establish that the appellant’s medical condition prevents her from
being able to safely and efficiently perform the core duties of her position. Id.
      Here, although the administrative judge both enumerated and applied the
standard set forth in 5 C.F.R. § 339.206, remand is unnecessary because the
record is fully developed on the relevant issues.     See id., ¶ 20. As discussed
below, while we modify the initial decision to apply the correct legal standard, we
find that, because the agency established that the appellant’s current medical
condition prevented her from being able to safely and efficiently perform the core
duties of her position, the agency proved its charge, and therefore, we ultimately
affirm the removal action.

The agency established a nexus between the appellant’s current medical condition
and observed deficiencies in her performance or conduct, or a high probability,
given the nature of the work involved, that her condition may result in injury to
herself or others.
      In finding that the agency established that the appellant was unable to
perform her essential duties, the administrative judge thoroughly considered the
medical evidence presented by both the agency and the appellant.           First, he
reviewed the testimony from, among others, Dr. L.N., who, he noted, was Board
certified in forensic and addictive psychiatry. ID at 5-8. Dr. L.N. testified that
the appellant suffered from alcohol dependency, an adjustment disorder
                                                                                       8

(anxiety/depression), and a sleep disorder.          Hearing Compact Disc (HCD)
(testimony of Dr. L.N.).      He also testified that the appellant’s alcohol use
rendered her incapable of working any hours at her current position because
alcohol use disorder causes increased impulsivity and impaired executive
cognitive function. Id. The administrative judge found that Dr. L.N. credibly
testified that sound judgment and the ability to react quickly to complex and
difficult situations are required skills for an individual to safely carry a firearm.
ID at 6. Based on this assessment, Dr. L.N. testified that the appellant could not
safely carry a Government-issued firearm.            HCD (testimony of Dr. L.N.).
Dr. L.N. also believed that the appellant could rehabilitate herself through an
intensive treatment program, but that there is no evidence that she sought such
treatment. ID at 11. He further testified that, even if the appellant participated in
an intensive treatment program, relapse was still very likely. 5 ID at 11.
      The administrative judge also considered the appellant’s medical evidence,
which included an evaluation performed by Dr. K.S., who did not testify at the
hearing. ID at 6. The administrative judge discussed Dr. K.S.’s evaluation of the
appellant, which concluded that the appellant suffered from alcohol abuse that
was in remission. ID at 6; IAF, Tab 5 at 47. Dr. K.S. also concluded that the
appellant had met the criteria for major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse in
the past, but she no longer did. Id. She recommended that the appellant see a

5
  The appellant argues on review that the agency failed to meet its burden because
Dr. L.N.’s findings conclude that a drinking problem and serious substance abuse are
“likely,” which is a level of probability discouraged by the agency policy, which
appears to require a firmer diagnosis. PFR File, Tab 1 at 9; IAF, Tab 13 at 104. First,
we clarify that the comments were made by a licensed clinical psychologist, R.F.,
Ph.D., rather than by Dr. L.N., after he administered a specific examination on the
appellant. IAF, Tab 6 at 78-79. Second, even if we assume, arguendo, that the agency
erred in the application of its own policy, we would find that such an error does not
require reversing the initial decision. See Powers v. Department of the Treasury,
86 M.S.P.R. 256, ¶ 10 (2000) (stating that for a procedural error to warrant reversing an
agency action, the appellant must establish that the agency committed a procedural error
that likely had a harmful effect on the outcome of the case before the agency). Even in
the absence of this evidence, the outcome of the appeal would be the same.
                                                                                     9

therapist and that she follow up with a psychiatrist as needed.         Id.   Dr. K.S.
ultimately concluded that the appellant was not suffering from an acute mental
illness that would impair her ability to work in law enforcement or with the
agency and that she was not an imminent danger to herself or others. Id.
      The administrative judge determined that Dr. L.N.’s conclusions were more
probative than the medical evidence provided by the appellant.          ID at 7.   We
discern no basis to disturb this finding. 6 In assessing the probative weight of
medical opinions, the Board considers whether the opinion was based on a
medical examination and whether it provided a reasoned explanation for its
findings as distinct from mere conclusory assertions; the qualifications of the
expert rendering the opinion; and the extent and duration of the expert’s
familiarity with the appellant’s treatment.        Adams v. U.S. Postal Service,
108 M.S.P.R. 250, ¶ 13 (2008), aff’d, 309 F. App’x 413 (Fed. Cir. 2009). The
administrative judge reasoned that Dr. L.N.’s conclusions were based on a
comprehensive evaluation that included several self-reported inventories, a
3-hour interview with the appellant, the medical results from the appellant’s FFD
examination, and the position description for a CBPO. ID at 7. In considering
Dr. K.S.’s evaluation, the administrative judge noted that it was based upon a less
thorough analysis, as there was no indication that she took a history of the
appellant’s addiction and did not document whether the appellant had
implemented successful treatment methods and coping strategies. ID at 6-7, 9-10.
The administrative judge also stated that there was no indication that Dr. K.S. had
any expertise in evaluating law enforcement officers or whether she reviewed the
position description for a CBPO before reaching her conclusion. ID at 9.

6
  The appellant argues on review that there is no evidence that she received anything
less than satisfactory performance ratings, suggesting that she was able to perform the
essential duties of a CBPO contrary to the agency’s charge. PFR File, Tab 1 at 6. We
find the appellant’s performance ratings to be irrelevant because her performance was
not germane to the charge brought by the agency; rather, the charge focused on her
inability to carry a firearm, which is one of her job’s requirements. IAF, Tab 4
at 31-36, 85.
                                                                                10

      Therefore, based on the foregoing, we find that the agency proved that the
appellant was unable to safely and efficiently perform the core duties of her
position. The record reflects that at the time of her removal, the appellant was
suffering from alcohol dependency, and exhibiting anxious and depressive
symptoms, which impaired her judgment, reflexes, and concentration, thus
preventing her from safely carrying a firearm. IAF, Tab 6 at 21-22. Furthermore,
the appellant’s medical conditions resulted in observed deficiencies in her
conduct, as she threatened to kill her son’s dog, told her former husband that she
wished he would die, and had a disturbing episode while on duty, which included
lying on the breakroom couch with her hair in disarray, crying, and stating to
upper management that she was dying. IAF, Tab 4 at 75, Tab 13 at 42. While we
sympathize with the appellant’s situation, such behavior is nonetheless
concerning for an employee that is entrusted with the safety of the public, and in
this role, is required to carry a Government-issued firearm. Thus, considering the
evidence in the record, we find that the agency established a nexus between the
appellant’s medical conditions and a deficiency in her conduct, or at least, a high
probability, given the nature of the work involved, that her condition may result
in injury to herself or others. Accordingly, we find that the agency proved its
charge of inability to perform the essential duties of her position.

The agency did not violate the appellant’s due process rights.
      On review, the appellant also argues that the agency violated her due
process rights because it relied on aggravating factors to impose the penalty of
removal that were not included in the proposal notice. PFR File, Tab 1 at 6-7.
See Lopes v. Department of the Navy, 116 M.S.P.R. 470, ¶¶ 5-13 (2011) (stating
that when an agency intends to rely on aggravating factors as the basis for
imposing a penalty, such factors should be included in the advance notice of
adverse action so that the employee will have a fair opportunity to respond to
those factors before the agency’s deciding official). She also argues that ex parte
communications occurred among agency officials and that those communications
                                                                                 11

violated her due process rights.         Id. at 7-8.   See Stone v. Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, 179 F.3d 1368, 1376-77 (2014) (holding that ex parte
communications that introduce new and material information to the deciding
official will violate the due process guarantee of notice).
      The appellant did not argue below that the agency had violated her right to
due process.     Moreover, the defense was not included among the issues the
administrative judge identified for adjudication in her Order and Summary of
Telephonic Prehearing Conference, and the appellant did not file an objection to
the exclusion of the due process claim from that list of issues, despite being
afforded an opportunity to do so. IAF, Tab 14. The Board will not consider an
argument raised for the first time in a petition for review absent a showing that it
is based on new and material evidence not previously available despite the party’s
due diligence.    Banks v. Department of the Air Force, 4 M.S.P.R. 268, 271
(1980). Here, the appellant contends that, during cross examination by agency
counsel at the hearing she was asked about aggravating factors that the deciding
official had considered in his penalty determination, without prior notice that
these factors would be considered. PFR File, Tab 1 at 6-7. These included her
leave usage, the self-reported incident in which she stated that she wished her
husband would die, an incident in which she threatened to kill the family dog, and
the loss of her credentials. Id. at 7.
      Even if the appellant was unaware of the basis for this argument until she
testified at hearing, and if we found it was appropriate to consider the argument
for the first time on review, we would find that it is meritless. The record shows
that the above factors were not considered in the decision to remove the
appellant, but rather in the decision to require her to undergo an FFD
examination. IAF, Tab 4 at 23, 73-76. Furthermore, the traditional analysis for
mitigating the penalty under Douglas v. Veterans Administration, 5 M.S.P.R. 280
(1981), does not apply in this instance because a removal for inability to perform
the essential duties of a CBPO is considered nondisciplinary and such factors do
                                                                                   12

not apply in that penalty determination.         See Chandler v. Department of the
Treasury, 120 M.S.P.R. 163, ¶ 31 (2013) (noting that the Douglas factors do not
apply to a furlough, consistent with the Board’s practice of not applying them to
nondisciplinary matters).     Thus, we find that the agency did not violate the
appellant’s due process rights in this regard.
      The   appellant’s     argument   that   the   agency   engaged   in   ex   parte
communications when the Port Director spoke with her supervisors about her
situation and she was not notified of these conversations in the proposal notice is
based on a statement by the Port Director in the FFD order. PFR File, Tab 1 at 7
(citing IAF, Tab 4 at 87). This is a new argument that the appellant failed to raise
below, based on evidence that was readily available to her. However, even if we
considered the argument, as explained below, we find it to be without merit.
      The due process protections against ex parte communication relate only to
the deciding official and whether he engaged in ex parte communications that
introduce new and material information that is so substantial and so likely to
cause prejudice that it undermines the due process guarantee and entitles the
claimant to an entirely new administrative proceeding.             Stone, 179 F.3d
at 1376-77. Here, the appellant has not alleged that the deciding official obtained
any new and material information; rather, she claims that the Port Director, who
was the proposing official and who does not appear to have been involved in
issuing the final decision, had ex parte communications with her supervisors prior
to the issuance of the proposal notice. PFR File, Tab 7-8. Thus, we find that the
agency did not engage in ex parte communications in violation of the appellant’s
due process rights.

The agency did not violate the appellant’s Fourth Amendment rights.
      The appellant argues that, when the agency ordered her to undergo an FFD
examination, it also improperly obtained blood and urine samples not authorized
by FFD examination protocol, thereby violating her Fourth Amendment right to
privacy. PFR File, Tab 1 at 11. Again, this is a new argument that the appellant
                                                                                13

failed to raise below, and again, even if we considered it, we would find this
argument to be unpersuasive.         The U.S. Supreme Court has addressed the
question of the constitutionally protected privacy of a Customs officer and has
stated that Customs officers who are required to carry firearms in the line of duty
have a diminished expectation of privacy over intrusions occasioned by a urine
test. National Treasury Employees Union v. Von Raab, 489 U.S. 656, 672 (1989).
The Court goes on to explain that:
      [b]ecause successful performance of their duties depends uniquely on
      their judgment and dexterity, these employees cannot reasonably
      expect to keep from [an agency] personal information that bears
      directly on their fitness…. While reasonable tests designed to elicit
      this information doubtless infringe some privacy expectations, we do
      not believe these expectations outweigh the Government’s
      compelling interests in safety and in the integrity of our borders.
Id.
      Further, even without the U.S. Supreme Court’s discussion of a Customs
officer’s expectation of privacy, the agency’s Fitness for Duty Standard
Operating Procedures manual states that when there is a question about an
employee’s mental health, the employee is required to undergo a medical exam
prior to a psychiatric exam, and that such medical exams will include blood tests.
IAF, Tab 13 at 113. Moreover, the appellant has failed explain how or why any
of the agency’s actions in collecting her blood and urine samples violate 5 C.F.R.
§ 339.301, which grants agencies the authority to conduct medical and psychiatric
examinations. Consequently, we find the appellant’s argument to be meritless.
      We have considered the appellant’s other arguments on review, but we
conclude that a different outcome is not warranted. Accordingly, we affirm the
initial decision.
                                                                                        14

                           NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS 7
      The initial decision, as supplemented by this Final Order, constitutes the
Board’s final decision in this matter.      5 C.F.R. § 1201.113.         You may obtain
review of this final decision. 5 U.S.C. § 7703(a)(1). By statute, the nature of
your claims determines the time limit for seeking such review and the appropriate
forum with which to file. 5 U.S.C. § 7703(b). Although we offer the following
summary of available appeal rights, the Merit Systems Protection Board does not
provide legal advice on which option is most appropriate for your situation and
the rights described below do not represent a statement of how courts will rule
regarding which cases fall within their jurisdiction. If you wish to seek review of
this final decision, you should immediately review the law applicable to your
claims and carefully follow all filing time limits and requirements. Failure to file
within the applicable time limit may result in the dismissal of your case by your
chosen forum.
      Please read carefully each of the three main possible choices of review
below to decide which one applies to your particular case. If you have questions
about whether a particular forum is the appropriate one to review your case, you
should contact that forum for more information.

      (1) Judicial review in general . As a general rule, an appellant seeking
judicial review of a final Board order must file a petition for review with the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which must be received by the court
within 60 calendar days of the date of issuance of this decision.                 5 U.S.C.
§ 7703(b)(1)(A).
      If you submit a petition for review to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Federal   Circuit,   you    must   submit   your   petition   to   the    court    at   the
following address:

7
  Since the issuance of the initial decision in this matter, the Board may have updated
the notice of review rights included in final decisions. As indicated in the notice, the
Board cannot advise which option is most appropriate in any matter.
                                                                                   15

                             U.S. Court of Appeals
                             for the Federal Circuit
                            717 Madison Place, N.W.
                            Washington, D.C. 20439

      Additional information about the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit is available at the court’s website, www.cafc.uscourts.gov. Of particular
relevance is the court’s “Guide for Pro Se Petitioners and Appellants,” which is
contained within the court’s Rules of Practice, and Forms 5, 6, 10, and 11.
      If you are interested in securing pro bono representation for an appeal to
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, you may visit our website at
http://www.mspb.gov/probono for information regarding pro bono representation
for Merit Systems Protection Board appellants before the Federal Circuit. The
Board neither endorses the services provided by any attorney nor warrants that
any attorney will accept representation in a given case.

      (2) Judicial   or   EEOC     review   of   cases     involving   a   claim   of
discrimination . This option applies to you only if you have claimed that you
were affected by an action that is appealable to the Board and that such action
was based, in whole or in part, on unlawful discrimination. If so, you may obtain
judicial review of this decision—including a disposition of your discrimination
claims —by filing a civil action with an appropriate U.S. district court ( not the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), within 30 calendar days after you
receive this decision.     5 U.S.C. § 7703(b)(2); see Perry v. Merit Systems
Protection Board, 582 U.S. 420 (2017). If you have a representative in this case,
and your representative receives this decision before you do, then you must file
with the district court no later than 30 calendar days after your representative
receives this decision. If the action involves a claim of discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or a disabling condition, you may be
entitled to representation by a court-appointed lawyer and to waiver of any
                                                                                16

requirement of prepayment of fees, costs, or other security.        See 42 U.S.C.
§ 2000e-5(f) and 29 U.S.C. § 794a.
      Contact information for U.S. district courts can be found at their respective
websites, which can be accessed through the link below:
      http://www.uscourts.gov/Court_Locator/CourtWebsites.aspx .
      Alternatively, you may request review by the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) of your discrimination claims only, excluding
all other issues . 5 U.S.C. § 7702(b)(1). You must file any such request with the
EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations within 30 calendar days after you receive
this decision. 5 U.S.C. § 7702(b)(1). If you have a representative in this case,
and your representative receives this decision before you do, then you must file
with the EEOC no later than 30 calendar days after your representative receives
this decision.
      If you submit a request for review to the EEOC by regular U.S. mail, the
address of the EEOC is:
                            Office of Federal Operations
                     Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
                                  P.O. Box 77960
                             Washington, D.C. 20013

      If you submit a request for review to the EEOC via commercial delivery or
by a method requiring a signature, it must be addressed to:
                            Office of Federal Operations
                     Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
                                 131 M Street, N.E.
                                   Suite 5SW12G
                             Washington, D.C. 20507

      (3) Judicial     review   pursuant   to   the   Whistleblower    Protection
Enhancement Act of 2012 . This option applies to you only if you have raised
claims of reprisal for whistleblowing disclosures under 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8) or
other protected activities listed in 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B), (C), or (D).
If so, and your judicial petition for review “raises no challenge to the Board’s
                                                                                     17

disposition of allegations of a prohibited personnel practice described in section
2302(b) other than practices described in section 2302(b)(8), or 2302(b)(9)(A)(i),
(B), (C), or (D),” then you may file a petition for judicial review either with the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or any court of appeals of
competent jurisdiction. 8   The court of appeals must receive your petition for
review within 60 days of the date of issuance of this decision.               5 U.S.C.
§ 7703(b)(1)(B).
      If you submit a petition for judicial review to the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit, you must submit your petition to the court at the
following address:
                               U.S. Court of Appeals
                               for the Federal Circuit
                              717 Madison Place, N.W.
                              Washington, D.C. 20439

      Additional information about the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit is available at the court’s website, www.cafc.uscourts.gov. Of particular
relevance is the court’s “Guide for Pro Se Petitioners and Appellants,” which is
contained within the court’s Rules of Practice, and Forms 5, 6, 10, and 11.
      If you are interested in securing pro bono representation for an appeal to
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, you may visit our website at
http://www.mspb.gov/probono for information regarding pro bono representation
for Merit Systems Protection Board appellants before the Federal Circuit. The
Board neither endorses the services provided by any attorney nor warrants that
any attorney will accept representation in a given case.

8
   The original statutory provision that provided for judicial review of certain
whistleblower claims by any court of appeals of competent jurisdiction expired on
December 27, 2017. The All Circuit Review Act, signed into law by the President on
July 7, 2018, permanently allows appellants to file petitions for judicial review of
MSPB decisions in certain whistleblower reprisal cases with the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Federal Circuit or any other circuit court of appeals of competent jurisdiction.
The All Circuit Review Act is retroactive to November 26, 2017. Pub. L. No. 115-195,
132 Stat. 1510.
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      Contact information for the courts of appeals can be found at their
respective websites, which can be accessed through the link below:
      http://www.uscourts.gov/Court_Locator/CourtWebsites.aspx .

FOR THE BOARD:                       ______________________________
                                     Gina K. Grippando
                                     Clerk of the Board
Washington, D.C.