Attorney-Adviser (Veterans)

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Board of Veterans' Appeals is a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs; located in Washington, DC. The Boards mission is to conduct hearings and decide appeals properly before the Board in a timely manner. The Boards jurisdiction extends to all questions in matters involving a decision by the Secretary under a law that affects a provision of benefits by the Secretary to Veterans, their dependents or their survivors.

• This position requires expertise of the laws and regulations pertaining to Veterans' benefits, as set forth primarily in Title 38 of the United States Code and Code of Federal Regulations; the decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims (CAVC), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), the United States Supreme Court: and the precedent opinions of the Department of Veterans' Affairs General Counsel Major Duties include, but are not limited to: The employee prepares decisions on extremely difficult complex or original appeals including those involving formal personal hearings held before Members of the Board "Veterans Law Judges/VLJs". Under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7101(c), serves as Acting Veterans' Law Judge (AVLJ) as designated by the Chairman, to assist in the continued improvement of appellate services. Adjudicates appeals for a wide variety of benefits and provides the final agency decision on behalf of the Secretary of the VA. A decision by the Board, including by an AVLJ, binds the agency in that appeal. Reviews the work products (i.e., draft decisions) of other Attorney-Advisors and Law Clerks and serves as the signatory on those decisions. Evaluates the timeliness, quality, and complexity of each individual decision and provides feedback to the drafting Attorney-Advisor regarding their work product. Provides subject matter expertise on Veterans' benefit claims and serves as a resource for answering procedural and substantive questions from junior members of the employee's VLJ team of attorneys. Attends formal personal hearings with VLJs and conducts formal personal hearings as AVLJ. Ensures all interactions with Veterans and their representatives are handled with a high degree of tact, diplomacy, and professionalism. Displays appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor. Conduct pre-hearing meetings and discussions with attorneys, appellants, and Veterans service organization to assure due process of law and to expedite the hearing process. By direction of a Deputy Vice Chairman (DVC), formulates legal guidelines for use by other Attorney-Advisors to achieve uniformity throughout all decision-writing teams in the disposition of issues on appeal. In consultation with the VLJ, formulates written training materials, sample decisions, decision language, and other relevant documents to assist the VLJ or other members of the VLJ team. Ensures the VLJ and VLJ team members remain informed of changes in the statutes, regulations, and caselaw governing the administration of Veterans' benefits. Serves as a mentor to lower-grade Attorney-Advisors on the VLJ team and assists with training designed to develop strong interpersonal skills, time management/organizational skills, knowledge of the law, efficient claims file/evidence review, and Veteran-centric decision writing. Assists with career mentoring of lower-grade Attorney-Advisors on the VLJ team. Prepares decisions on cases before the Board through petitions for reconsideration when briefs or hearings show an error in a prior appellate decision that has been presented and where the decision requires three VLJ signatories for a de novo appellate decision. Independently performs special assignments from the Chairman, Vice Chairman, DVC or VLJ to assist in the continued improvements of appellate service. Assists the VLJ with case management and the operation of the team under the supervision of the VLJ. Maintains a strong commitment to meet customer needs. Analyzes problems/issues taking into consideration the customer's needs. Develops appropriate solutions and/or provides services that contribute to the customers' ability to accomplish their objectives. Also recognizes Board supervisors and employees as customers and provides services to them that contribute to the accomplishments of the Board's mission and objectives. Works as a member of a VLJ team or organizational component and may serve as member of one or more ad-hoc teams/components. Attends team meetings and other activities and contributes constructively to help advance the overall mission and objectives of the Board and the efficiency of its operations. Works cooperatively with others on the VLJ Team or other organizational components to ensure that individual effort is integrated into and overall product or major component there Work Schedule: Full-time Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized Telework: May be available Virtual: No. Location negotiable after selection is made. Position Description/PD#: PD19376A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

This announcement is also open in 19 other locations; the full list is on the announcement.

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