Court Opinion

ID: 9953262
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-21 18:00:46.727817+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:45:55.279222
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                   MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD

MICHAEL STEPHEN GEERS,                          DOCKET NUMBER
             Appellant,                         AT-0752-17-0456-I-1

             v.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                          DATE: March 20, 2024
  SECURITY,
            Agency.

        THIS FINAL ORDER IS NONPRECEDENTIAL 1

      Lawrence Berger , Esquire, Glen Cove, New York, for the appellant.

      Emily Pasternak , Esquire, and Jennifer J. Veloz , Esquire, Miami, Florida,
        for the agency.

                                      BEFORE

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

                                  FINAL ORDER

      The appellant has filed a petition for review of the initial decision, which
sustained his removal. 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 or the erroneous application of the law to the facts of the case; the
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   A nonprecedential order is one that the Board has determined does not add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 Parties may cite nonprecedential orders,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

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, we AFFIRM the initial
decision.
      The following facts, as detailed in the record and initial decision, are not
materially disputed.    The appellant held the position of Customs and Border
Protection Officer (CBPO). Initial Appeal File (IAF), Tab 33, Initial Decision
(ID) at 1. In April 2017, he participated in weapons training where he reportedly
pointed his loaded weapon in the direction of colleagues. ID at 3. Thereafter, he
reportedly loaded his weapon prematurely, and then responded to criticism about
the same with snide comments, failing to recognize the seriousness of his actions.
Id.
      The   agency     ordered    the   appellant   to   undergo   a   fitness-for-duty
examination, followed by a psychiatric independent medical exam (IME).              ID
at 4. After the psychiatric IME, during which the appellant denied the alleged
weapons safety violations, the IME psychiatrist found that he did not present with
any psychiatric condition.       IAF, Tab 9 at 11-22.     He, therefore, deemed the
appellant fit for duty, without restriction. Id. at 21-22. But, in the months that
followed, agency officials provided the IME psychiatrist with documentation of
the weapons safety incident and other concerns expressed by the appellant’s
colleagues, which prompted the IME psychiatrist to recommend additional
psychological and neurocognitive testing. IAF, Tab 10 at 30-31.
                                                                                     3

      The neuropsychologist that conducted the aforementioned testing diagnosed
the appellant with a cognitive disorder, not otherwise specified.        IAF, Tab 8
at 101-11. Among other things, he found that relevant documentation and test
results suggested that the appellant had “problem solving deficits that would
interfere with his ability to analyze information,” a memory that “appears to be
compromised,” and “significant difficulties in appropriately interacting with
[others] because of anger issues and other personality traits.” Id. at 105. The
neuropsychologist indicated that the appellant likely suffered from an organic
brain disease that impaired his decision making and judgment.         Id. at 106. In
conclusion, he indicated that the appellant could not carry a government-issued
weapon or use proper judgment in law enforcement situations. Id. at 109-10.
      The appellant then sought out an exam with a psychologist of his choosing.
IAF, Tab 10 at 51-58.      The appellant’s psychologist diagnosed him with an
unspecified neurocognitive disorder, and generally concluded that the appellant’s
work performance may be “hindered at times by impulsivity.”           Id. at 57. He
separately described the appellant as potentially fit for duty, but did so with a
caveat. Id. at 58. Specifically, the appellant’s psychologist indicated that the
appellant had brain abnormalities that could be explained by either a degenerative
disease or by injuries the appellant recounted from his childhood. Id. If the latter
were the cause of those brain abnormalities, the psychologist suggested that the
appellant remained fit for duty because current deficits were pre-existing and
life-long, such that his ability to perform as a CBPO is essentially unchanged. Id.
      Presented with these additional findings, the IME psychiatrist that had
previously deemed the appellant fit for duty amended his conclusions.            IAF,
Tab 8 at 119-23. He determined that the appellant had a cognitive disorder 2 and
could not safely, efficiently, and reliably perform all the duties of his position.
Id. at 120-21.     In particular, the IME psychiatrist concurred with the
2
  According to the IME psychiatrist, the differing diagnoses of cognitive disorder and
neurocognitive disorder simply reflect a change in terminology between the two most
recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals. IAF, Tab 8 at 120.
                                                                                     4

neuropsychologist’s    conclusion     that   the   appellant   could   not   carry   a
government-issued weapon or use proper judgment in law enforcement situations.
Id.
      Over the following months, the agency offered the appellant the option of
retiring, resigning, or requesting reassignment to a position for which he was
qualified. IAF, Tab 10 at 60-62, 71. Because the appellant failed to choose any
of those options, the agency proposed his removal for medical inability to
perform the essential duties of his position. Id. at 77-80. Among other things,
the proposal noted that the CBPO position required that he carry a firearm and
rapidly react to potential threats or physical attacks, i.e., law enforcement
situations. Id. at 78. Following that September 2016 proposal and the appellant’s
responses, the deciding official sustained the removal, effective April 2017. IAF,
Tab 8 at 51-56. This timely appeal followed. IAF, Tab 1.
      After holding the requested hearing, the administrative judge sustained the
appellant’s removal.   ID at 1.     Specifically, he found that the agency met its
burden of proving the charge, while the appellant failed to prove his claim of
harmful procedural error.    ID at 2-11.     The appellant has filed a petition for
review, in which his sole argument is that the agency failed to prove its charge.
Petition for Review (PFR) File, Tab 3. He presents no argument regarding the
penalty or the affirmative defense he raised below. Id. The agency has filed a
response. PFR File, Tab 5.
      Below, the administrative judge and the parties agreed that the applicable
standard for assessing the propriety of the appellant’s removal was found at
5 C.F.R. § 339.206. That regulation generally prohibits removal of an employee
based solely on their medical history, while providing a limited exception for
employees in positions that are subject to medical standards if certain elements
are present. 5 C.F.R. § 339.206; see Haas v. Department of Homeland Security,
2022 MSPB 36, ¶ 11 (discussing the elements required for the exception provided
in section 339.206).   The agency relied on section 339.206 in analyzing the
                                                                                  5

charge, IAF, Tab 8 at 12-13, as did the appellant, IAF, Tab 20 at 7-8, Tab 32
at 10, and the administrative judge, IAF, Tab 28 at 4; ID at 2.
      Though not raised by either party on review, we find section 339.206
inapplicable.   See 5 C.F.R. § 1201.115(e) (providing that, although the Board
normally will consider only issues raised by the parties on review, it reserves the
authority to consider any issue in an appeal before it). As further detailed below,
section 339.206 does not apply to this appeal because the agency did not remove
the appellant based solely on his medical history; rather, it removed the appellant
based on a current medical condition that rendered him unable to perform.
      Our recent decision in Haas guides our analysis in this case, as it involves
a similar fact pattern and a similar misapplication of 5 C.F.R. § 339.206. Like
the appellant in the instant appeal, the employee in Haas was a CBPO, removed
for medical inability to perform the essential functions of his position, stemming
from an existing mental health condition. Haas, 2022 M.S.P.R. 36, ¶¶ 2-8. On
review, we affirmed the removal.      But in doing so, we revisited the Board’s
precedent concerning a medical inability to perform charge where the employee
occupied a position that was subject to medical standards, e.g., the position of
CBPO. Overruling a number of cases, including one the administrative judge
relied on in the instant appeal, Haas recognized that 5 C.F.R. § 339.206 should
not be universally applied. Id., ¶¶ 11-16. Rather, section 339.206 only applies to
removals that are “solely on the basis of medical history.” Id., ¶¶ 11-12.
      Regardless of whether a position is subject to medical standards, if an
agency removes an employee for inability to perform because of a current
medical condition or impairment, the agency must prove either a nexus between
the employee’s medical condition and observed deficiencies in his performance or
conduct, or a high probability, given the nature of the work involved, that his
condition may result in injury to himself or others. Id., ¶¶ 15, 20. The Board has
otherwise described the standard as requiring that the agency establish that the
                                                                                     6

appellant’s medical condition prevents him from being able to safely and
efficiently perform the core duties of his position. Id., ¶¶ 15, 20.
      Although the administrative judge rendered the initial decision in this
appeal before we issued Haas and, consequently, misapplied 5 C.F.R. § 339.206,
remand is unnecessary because the record is fully developed on the relevant
issues. ID at 2; Haas, 2022 MSPB 36, ¶ 20. As previously discussed, each of the
clinicians that evaluated the appellant diagnosed him with an existing mental
health condition, with existing limitations.       .   Most notably, two of those
clinicians specifically indicated that the appellant cannot carry a government-
issued weapon or use proper judgment in law enforcement situations, both of
which are required for his CBPO position. Compare IAF, Tab 8 at 109-10, 121-
22 (medical opinions regarding the appellant’s limitations), and Hearing
Transcript (HT) at 32-33, 80 (same), with IAF, Tab 10 at 82-90 (CBPO position
description), and Haas, 2022 MSPB 36, ¶¶ 22-23 (discussing the essential
functions of a CBPO).      The third clinician broadly described the appellant as
having limitations such as impulsivity, without specifically addressing his job
requirements. IAF, Tab 10 at 57-58. Under these circumstances, where there is
no persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find that the agency met its burden of
proving that the appellant’s medical condition prevents him from being able to
safely and efficiently perform the core duties of his position.        See, e.g., Haas,
2022 MSPB 36, ¶¶ 20-26 (sustaining the removal of a CBPO for inability to
perform the essential functions of his position where his bipolar disorder rendered
him unable to carry a firearm and exercise proper judgment in law enforcement
situations).
      The appellant’s posture throughout this appeal has not been to challenge
the veracity of clinicians’ diagnoses or general opinions about his condition.
Instead, his primary argument has been that their medical findings and other
evidence of record does not reflect the “significant risk of substantial harm”
element of 5 C.F.R. § 339.206. E.g., PFR File, Tab 3 at 5. In doing so, he goes
                                                                                      7

to great lengths discussing how high that standard is, and how the agency failed
to meet that standard in this case, given the uncertainty in predicting dangerous
behavior, as described by those who evaluated the appellant, as well as his history
of successful and non-violent performance. Id. at 7-21. But again, we find that
section 339.206 is inapplicable because the agency removed the appellant for
inability to perform based on his current medical condition and limitations. See
Haas, 2022 MSPB 36, ¶ 16 (recognizing that the determination of whether section
339.206 applies may well be outcome determinative in some cases involving
removal for inability to perform).
      Even construing his arguments more broadly, and applying the appropriate
standard, the appellant’s contentions remain unavailing. The appellant’s basic
assertion is that he has performed well in the past, and clinicians’ concern for his
ability to continue doing so is too speculative.          We disagree.      See Haas,
2022 MSPB 36, ¶ 19 (rejecting arguments that past successful performance
outweighed current medical impressions).         Although the appellant may have
performed successfully in the past, his more recent performance prompted
medical evaluations that revealed a cognitive disorder—one which clinicians
described as preventing the appellant from safely and efficiently carrying a
firearm and appropriately responding to law enforcement situations, i.e.,
performing the core duties of his position. E.g., IAF, Tab 8 at 101-10, 119-21.
The administrative judge found those conclusions persuasive, ID at 7-8, as do we.
The agency has, therefore, met its burden of proving its charge of medical
inability to perform, and removal is an appropriate penalty.

                         NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS 3
      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

3
  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.
                                                                                   8

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:
                             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
                                                                                    9

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
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 .
                                                                                10

      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
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
                                                                                     11

competent jurisdiction. 4   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.

4
   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.
                                                                       12

      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.