Opinions

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a veterans case appealed from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. In this opinion, the Federal Circuit affirmed, concluding that the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims correctly interpreted the relevant statutes and that the lower court’s denial of review of state garnishment orders does not violate due process. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential opinion in a case appealed from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Finally, the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal. Here are the introductions from the opinions and a link to the dismissal.

Rhone v. McDonough (Precedential)

Plaintiff-Appellant Guy C. Rhone appeals the decision of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Veterans Court) affirming a decision of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) determining that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) lawfully withheld a portion of his disability compensation payments pursuant to a state court order for alimony payments. On appeal, Mr. Rhone argues the Veterans Court erred for two reasons: (1) federal statutes do not allow withholding of disability compensation for alimony payments; and (2) the VA’s denial of substantive review of state court garnishment orders violates his right to due process within the VA adjudication system. Because the Veterans Court correctly interpreted the relevant statutes and the VA’s denial of review of state garnishment orders does not violate due process, we affirm.

Delgado v. Department of Justice (Nonprecedential)

Adam Delgado appeals a decision from the U.S. Merits System Protection Board affirming that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives complied with a settlement agreement between Mr. Delgado and the agency. We affirm.

Dismissal