Court Opinion

ID: 816665
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-02-01 01:45:25.649712+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:35:19.372584
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

No. 98-2324

CLAUDE FARMER ,                                               APPELLANT ,

       V.

TOGO D. WEST , JR.
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS,                                APPELLEE.

            Before NEBEKER, Chief Judge, and FARLEY and STEINBERG, Judges.

                                            ORDER

        The appellant appeals an October 30, 1998, decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and
that case is currently pending before the Court. On December 10, 1998, the appellant entered into
a fee agreement with his counsel, Wayne A. Ehlers. That fee agreement includes the following
provision:

       The Client gives Wayne A. Ehlers a lien on his claim and on any sum recovered,
       whether by judgement, settlement, or administrative action, to the extent of the
       amount due under this agreement for Mr. Ehler's [sic] fees and expenses. It is further
       agreed that Mr. Ehlers shall have all general, possessory or retaining liens, and all
       special or charging liens known to the common law or available under the law.

Fee Agreement at para. 5. In Vargas-Gonzalez v. West, the Court found "'unreasonable' under
section 7263(d), because it conflicts with [38 U.S.C. §§] 5301(a) and 5904(d)(3)", and declared
unenforceable a fee-agreement provision virtually identical to that quoted above. Vargas-Gonzalez,
12 Vet.App. 63, 64 (1998) (per curiam order); see also 38 U.S.C. § 5301(a) (prohibiting any
assignment or attachment of, or claim of creditors against "[p]ayments of benefits due or to become
due . . . except to the extent specifically authorized by law"); 38 U.S.C. § 5904(d)(3) (providing
exception to section 5301(a) to permit VA benefits to be withheld by the Secretary for the purpose
of paying attorney fees but only under specified conditions; however, "[i]n no event may the
Secretary withhold for the purpose of such payment any portion of benefits payable for a period after
the date of the final decision of the Secretary, the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or the Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims making (or ordering the making of) the award")); Aronson
v. Derwinski, 3 Vet.App. 162, 163-64 (1992) (per curiam order). The Court thus holds that the lien
provision in the instant fee agreement is "unreasonable" under section 7263(d), because it conflicts
with sections 5301(a) and 5904(d)(3), and is thus unenforceable.

       On consideration of the foregoing, it is
      ORDERED that, not later than 30 days after the date of this order, the appellant file an
amended fee agreement that complies with this order, 38 U.S.C. §§ 5301(a) and 5904(d)(3), and
Vargas-Gonzalez, supra. It is further

        ORDERED that this case be held in abeyance pending receipt of such a revised fee agreement
or further order of the Court.

DATED:      June 9, 2000                            PER CURIAM.

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