[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 230 (Thursday, December 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29600]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

 

Appeals in Which Claims Files Were Tampered With or May Have Been 
Tampered With by Former BVA Employees

AGENCY: Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven L. Keller (01C), Counsel to the Chairman, Board of Veterans' 
Appeals, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, telephone (202) 
233-2978.
    The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) issues decisions in cases 
appealed to BVA by claimants seeking veterans' benefits. Information in 
appellants' claims files is used for decision-making. There is evidence 
indicating that, at times during and after 1990, former BVA employees 
involved in the BVA appellate process tampered with records during the 
review of claims files.
    In light of these circumstances, BVA will send a letter to 
appellants and their representatives in all those cases appealed to BVA 
during and after 1990 in which an appellant's claims file was reviewed 
by a former BVA employee who appears to have tampered with records 
during the review of some claims files. In those cases where it has 
been determined that tampering has occurred, the letter will specify 
whatever tampering has been discovered. Regardless of whether tampering 
has been discovered, appellants and their representatives will be 
offered an opportunity to inspect the claims file and will be advised 
of options they may have for reconsideration of any final adjudication 
on the merits; for a remand; or for presentation of additional 
evidence, comments or arguments in their cases currently on remand. 
Further, appellants and their representatives who wish to take any 
action concerning this matter will be requested to do so within 90 days 
of receipt of the letter.

    Approved: November 21, 1994.
Jesse Brown,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-29600 Filed 11-30-94; 8:45 am]
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