Court Opinion

ID: 515157
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2011-08-23 09:57:44+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:15:58.439902
License: Public Domain

862 F.2d 322
Unpublished DispositionNOTICE: Federal Circuit Local Rule 47.8(b) states that opinions and orders which are designated as not citable as precedent shall not be employed or cited as precedent.  This does not preclude assertion of issues of claim preclusion, issue preclusion, judicial estoppel, law of the case or the like based on a decision of the Court rendered in a nonprecedential opinion or order.Nelson P. FORDHAM, Petitioner,v.OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, Respondent.
No. 88-3289.
United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit.
Oct. 21, 1988.

Before NIES, BISSELL and MAYER, Circuit Judges.
NIES, Circuit Judge.

DECISION

1
Nelson P. Fordham appeals a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board (board) which held moot Fordham's claim for civil retirement credit for military service from October 27, 1942 through January 1, 1951.  Fordham v. Office of Personnel Management, No. AT08318810211 (MSPB April 12, 1988).  We vacate and remand.

OPINION

2
When this case was previously before us, we remanded for the board and OPM to reevaluate the evidence and determine Fordham's entitlement to credit for military service in connection with his pension benefits.  OPM determined that Fordham was not entitled to such credit.  However, the board dismissed his appeal as "moot" because Fordham's annuity payments have included credit for that service, albeit inadvertently.  The payment was not the result of our mandate or a reasoned determination by OPM.  The only OPM "decision" is that no credit is allowable.  We disagree, therefore, that the payment through inadvertency renders Fordham's controversy with OPM "moot."    OPM's delay in implementing its decision to withdraw benefits may be likened to a stay of execution pending appeal.  Accordingly, we vacate the board's decision and remand for consideration of the merits of OPM's decision.

Costs

3
Costs are awarded to petitioner.

4
MAYER, Circuit Judge, dissenting.

5
I would affirm the Merit Systems Protection Board's conclusion that the case is moot.