(a) Under 38 U.S.C. 713(d)(2)(A), as created by the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (the Act), an employee covered by this part may appeal a removal from the civil service or a transfer to a General Schedule position based upon performance or misconduct to the MSPB.

(b) MSPB administrative judges have the authority to issue a decision in an appeal covered by this part. (38 U.S.C. 713(e)(1)).

(c) The administrative judge's authority under this part to issue a decision terminates following the passage of 21 days after the appeal is initially filed. (38 U.S.C. 713(e)(3)).

(d) An administrative judge's decision in an appeal filed under this part is not subject to any further appeal. (38 U.S.C. 713(e)(2)).

(e) This part applies only to the Secretary's authority to remove or transfer an employee covered under 38 U.S.C. 713 and the Board's authority to review such decisions. This authority is in addition to the authority already provided the agency in 5 U.S.C. 3592 and the authority provided the Board under 5 U.S.C. 7541, et seq. to take an adverse action against an employee. (38 U.S.C. 713(f)).

(a) The term employee covered by this part means an individual career appointee as that term is defined in 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(4) or an individual who occupies an administrative or executive position and is appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7306(a) or 7401(1). (38 U.S.C. 713(a) and (g)).

(b) The term administrative judge means a person experienced in hearing appeals and assigned by the Board to hold a hearing and decide an appeal arising under this part. (38 U.S.C. 713(e)(1)).

(c) The term response file means all documents and evidence the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or designee, used in making the decision to remove or transfer an employee covered by this part. It also may include any additional documents or evidence that the agency would present in support of the Secretary's determination in the event that an appeal is filed.

(d) The term misconduct includes neglect of duty, malfeasance, or failure to accept a directed reassignment or to accompany a position in a transfer of function. (38 U.S.C. 713(g)(2)).

(e) The term transfer means the transfer of an employee covered by this part to a General Schedule position. (38 U.S.C. 713(a)(1)(B)).

(a) The following provisions of part 1201 of this chapter are inapplicable to appeals filed under this part:

(1) Section 1201.22 (inapplicable to appeals brought under this part pursuant to Public Law 113-146, section 707(b)(2));

(2) Section 1201.27 (class appeals are not allowed as such appeals cannot be adjudicated within 21 days);

(3) Section 1201.28 (case suspensions are not allowed because they are inconsistent with the requirement to adjudicate appeals under this part within 21 days);

(4) Section 1201.29 (dismissals without prejudice are not allowed because those procedures are inconsistent with the requirement to adjudicate appeals under this part within 21 days);

(5) Section 1201.56 (this regulation is not controlling; parties should refer to § 1210.18);

(6) Sections 1201.91 through 1201.93 (interlocutory appeals are not allowed because the Board lacks authority to review appeals filed under this part);

(7) Sections 1201.114 through 1201.20 (petitions for review are not allowed because the decisions in appeals filed under this part are not subject to further appeal) (38 U.S.C. 713(e)(2));

(8) Sections 1201.121 through 1201.145 (procedures for other original jurisdiction cases are not relevant to appeals filed under this part);

(9) Sections 1201.152, 1201.153(b), 1201.154, 1201.155, 1201.156, 1201.157, and 1201.161 (these provisions are inapplicable to appeals filed under 38 U.S.C. 713).

(b) Except as modified by this part, the remaining relevant provisions of part 1201 of this chapter are applicable to appeals filed under this part.

The Board may waive any MSPB regulation in order to provide for the expedited review of an appeal covered by this part. Public Law 113-146, section 707(b)(3).

An agency notice of a removal or transfer pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 713 must include the following:

(a) A statement identifying the action taken based on the Secretary's determination, stating the factual reasons for the charge(s), and statement setting forth the basis for the Secretary's determination that the performance or misconduct warrants removal or transfer.

(b) Notice regarding the Board's expedited procedures applicable to an appeal. Such notice shall include a copy of this part and access to the remainder of the Board's adjudicatory regulations.

(c) A copy of the materials the Secretary relied upon to remove or transfer the appellant (normally referred to as the “response file”).

(d) The name and contact information of the agency's representative for any appeal filed with the MSPB under this part.

(e) Notice that MSPB appeals must be filed with the appropriate Board regional or field office. See § 1201.4(d) of this chapter.

(a) Required use of MSPB e-filing system. All parties must electronically file all pleadings and documents listed in 5 CFR 1201.14(b) by using the MSPB's e-filing system (e-Appeal Online). An attempt to file an appeal using any other method will result in rejection of the appeal and will not constitute compliance with the 7-day filing deadline under the Act, except in the limited circumstances described in § 1210.7(c).

(b) Expedited filing and service requirements. All documents and pleadings not otherwise covered in paragraph (a) of this section must be filed in accordance with any expedited filing and service procedures ordered by the administrative judge.

(c) The parties should frequently check the Repository on e-Appeal Online to ensure that they are aware of new pleadings, orders and submissions in a timely fashion. A party's failure to check for updates on e-Appeal Online may lead to a denial of a request to extend a deadline and/or the imposition of sanctions.

(a) Place for filing an appeal and a response. Appeals, and responses to those appeals, must be filed with the appropriate Board regional or field office. See § 1201.4(d) of this chapter.

(b) Time for filing an appeal and agency response. An appeal of an action taken pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 713 must be filed no later than 7 days after the effective date of the removal or transfer being appealed. (38 U.S.C. 713(d)(2)(B)). An agency response must be filed within 3 days of the filing of the appeal.

(c) Timeliness of appeals. If an appellant does not submit an appeal within 7 days of the effective date of the action it will be dismissed as untimely filed. This deadline cannot be extended for any reason. (38 U.S.C. 713(d)(2)(B)). However, if an appellant establishes that he or she attempted to file an appeal using e-Appeal Online within the 7-day deadline and that the filing was unsuccessful due to a problem with e-Appeal Online, the administrative judge may deem the filing to have been completed on the date it was attempted, provided the appellant took reasonable steps to immediately advise the MSPB of the failed attempt to file the appeal using e-Appeal Online. The 21-day deadline for issuance of a decision will commence on the day such an appeal was deemed to have been filed.

(d) Time limits for other appeals not brought under 38 U.S.C. 713. The time limit prescribed by paragraph (b) of this section for filing an appeal does not apply where a law or regulation establishes a different time limit or where there is no applicable time limit. No time limit applies to appeals under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (Pub. L. 103-353), as amended; see part 1208 of this chapter for the statutory filing time limits applicable to appeals under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (Pub. L. 105-339); see part 1209 of this chapter for the statutory filing time limits applicable to whistleblower appeals and stay requests.

An administrative judge may not grant a stay request in any appeal covered by this part. (38 U.S.C. 713(e)(4)).

An appellant must attach to his or her appeal a copy of the agency's decision notice and the response file that the agency is required to disclose to the appellant pursuant to § 1210.5(c).

Motions challenging the designation of a representative must be filed within 3 days of the submission of the designation of representative notice.

This regulation contains guidance for the parties concerning when initial status conferences will occur and the issues that will be addressed. In any appeal under this part the administrative judge retains complete discretion in deciding when to schedule the initial status conference and in selecting the issues to be addressed.

(a) Scheduling the conference. The administrative judge will schedule the initial status conference. Generally, the parties should expect that the initial status conference will take place within a week after the appeal is filed.

(b) Issues likely to be addressed at the initial status conference. The parties should be prepared to discuss the following issues at the initial status conference:

(1) The hearing date and anticipated length of the hearing;

(2) Settlement;

(3) Discovery deadlines and disputes;

(4) Admission or rejection of exhibits;

(5) Witnesses to be called to testify at the hearing;

(6) Motions; and,

(7) Any other issues identified by, or that require the involvement of, the administrative judge.

(c) Additional status conferences. The administrative judge may schedule additional status conferences as necessary to fully develop the case for hearing.

Except as noted in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, 5 CFR 1201.71 through 1201.75 apply to appeals filed under this part.

(a) Initial disclosures. The parties must make the following initial disclosures prior to the initial status conference.

(1) Agency. The agency must provide:

(i) A copy of all documents in the possession, custody or control of the agency that the agency may use in support of its claims or defenses; and,

(ii) The name and, if known, address, telephone number and email address for each individual likely to have discoverable information that the agency may use in support of its claims or defenses.

(2) Appellant. The appellant must provide:

(i) A copy of all documents in the possession, custody or control of the appellant that the appellant may use in support of his or her claims or defenses; and,

(ii) The name and, if known, address, telephone number and email address for each individual likely to have discoverable information that the appellant may use in support of his or her claims or defenses.

(b) Time limits. The time limits set forth in § 1201.73 of this chapter shall not apply to an appeal under this part. The following time limits apply to appeals under this part:

(1) Discovery requests must be served on the opposing party prior to the initial status conference.

(2) Responses to discovery requests must be served on the opposing party no later than 3 days after the initial status conference.

(3) Discovery motions, including motions to compel, must be filed no later than 5 days after the initial status conference.

(c) Methods of discovery. Parties may use one or more of the following methods of discovery provided under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure:

(1) Written interrogatories;

(2) Requests for production of documents or things for inspection or copying;

(3) Requests for admissions.

(d) Limits on discovery requests. Absent approval by the administrative judge, discovery is limited as follows:

(1) Interrogatories may not exceed 10 in number, including all discrete subparts;

(2) The parties may not take depositions; and

(3) The parties may engage in only one round of discovery.

(e) Administrative judge's discretion to alter discovery procedures. An administrative judge may alter discovery procedures in order to provide for the expedited review of an appeal filed under this part.

(a) Motions. All non-discovery motions must be filed no later than 5 days after the initial status conference.

(b) Objections. Objections to motions must be filed no later than 2 days after the motion is filed.

(c) Administrative judge's discretion to alter deadlines. An administrative judge may exercise discretion to alter or waive these deadlines.

Section 1201.43 of this chapter, which allows administrative judges to impose sanctions on parties that do not comply with orders or do not file pleadings in a timely fashion, shall apply to any appeal covered by this part. Strict enforcement of deadlines will be required to meet the 21-day deadline for issuance of a decision by the administrative judge.

(a) As required by 38 U.S.C. 713(e)(6), the agency is required to provide the administrative judge such information and assistance as may be necessary to ensure that an appeal covered by this part is completed in an expedited manner.

(b) The agency must promptly notify the MSPB whenever it issues a Secretarial determination subject to appeal under this part. Such notification must include the location where the employee worked, the type of action taken, and the effective date of the action. Notification should be sent to [email protected].

Intervenors and amici curiae are permitted to participate in proceedings under this part as allowed in § 1201.34 of this chapter. Motions to intervene and requests to participate as an amicus curiae must be filed at the earliest possible time, generally before the initial status conference. All intervenors and amici curiae must comply with the expedited procedures set forth in this part and all orders issued by the administrative judge. The deadlines applicable to the timely adjudication of cases under this part will not be extended to accommodate intervenors or amici curiae.

(a) Right to a hearing. An appellant has a right to a hearing as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 7701(a).

(b) General. Hearings may be held in-person, by video or by telephone at the discretion of the administrative judge.

(c) Scheduling the hearing. The administrative judge will set the hearing date during the initial status conference. A hearing generally will be scheduled to occur no later than 18 days after the appeal is filed.

(d) Length of hearings. Hearings generally will be limited to no more than 1 day. The administrative judge, at his or her discretion, may allow for a longer hearing.

(e) Court reporters. The MSPB will contract for a court reporter to be present at hearings.

(a) Agency. Under 5 U.S.C. 7701(c)(1), and subject to exceptions stated in paragraph (c) of this section, the agency (the Department of Veterans Affairs) bears the burden of proving that an appellant engaged in misconduct, as defined by 38 U.S.C. 713(g)(2), or poor performance, and the Secretary's determination as to such misconduct or poor performance shall be sustained only if the factual reasons for the charge(s) are supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Proof of misconduct or poor performance shall create a presumption that the Secretary's decision to remove or transfer the appellant was warranted. The appellant may rebut this presumption by establishing that the imposed penalty was unreasonable under the circumstances of the case. The following examples illustrate the application of this rule:

(b) Appellant. The appellant has the burden of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, concerning:

(1) Issues of jurisdiction;

(2) The timeliness of the appeal; and

(3) Affirmative defenses.

(c) Affirmative defenses. Under 5 U.S.C. 7701(c)(2), the Secretary's determination may not be sustained, even where the agency met the evidentiary standard stated in paragraph (a) of this section, if the appellant shows that:

(1) The agency, in rendering its determination, committed harmful error in the application of its procedures;

(2) The decision was based on any prohibited personnel practice described in 5 U.S.C. 2302(b); or

(3) The determination is not otherwise in accordance with law.

(d) Penalty review. As set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, proof of the agency's charge(s) by preponderant evidence creates a presumption that the Secretary's decision to remove or transfer the appellant was warranted. An appellant may rebut this presumption by establishing that the imposed penalty was unreasonable under the circumstances of the case, in which case the action is reversed. However, the administrative judge may not mitigate the Secretary's decision to remove or transfer the appellant.

(a) General. The administrative judge may issue a bench decision at the close of the hearing. A bench decision is effective when issued.

(b) Transcription of bench decision. A transcribed copy of the decision will be prepared by the court reporter under the administrative judge's supervision to memorialize the oral decision. The official issuance of a bench decision is the date the administrative judge announces the decision and not the date the administrative judge signs the transcription.

(a) A decision by an administrative judge under this part will be effective upon issuance.

(b) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 713(e)(2), a decision by the administrative judge is not subject to further appeal.

(c) A decision by the administrative judge is nonprecedential. Such a decision may be cited as persuasive authority only in an appeal filed pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 713(e)(2). Such a decision may not be cited in any appeal not filed pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 713(e)(2).

(d) Following issuance of a decision by the administrative judge under this part, the MSPB retains jurisdiction over the appeal covered by this part for purposes of the following ancillary matters:

(1) Enforcement of decisions and orders. The procedures set forth in subpart F of 5 CFR part 1201 are applicable to petitions for enforcement filed after the administrative judge issues a decision in an appeal filed under this part; and,

(2) Attorney fees, witness fees, litigation expenses, and damages. The procedures set forth in subpart H of 5 CFR part 1201 (attorney fees, costs, expert witness fees, and litigation expenses, where applicable, and damages) are applicable to requests for fees and damages filed after the administrative judge issues a decision in an appeal filed under this part. (5 U.S.C. 7701(g)).