FedCircuitBlog

This morning, the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential opinions, eleven nonprecedential orders, and a Rule 36 judgment. One of the opinions comes in a pro se case in an appeal from the Merit Systems Protection Board, while the other comes in an appeal from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Six of the orders deny petitions for writs of mandamus. Two of these denials come in patent cases. Another four orders dismiss appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and the orders other than the dismissals, along with links to the dismissals and Rule 36 judgment.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued nonprecedential opinions in two pro se cases appealed from the United States Court of Federal Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The court also issued three Rule 36 judgments. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the Rule 36 judgments.

Last week we hosted an online symposium, “Year in Review–The Federal Circuit in 2020,” reviewing important opinions of the Federal Circuit from 2020. Seven authors published six blog posts addressing various cases within the Federal Circuit’s exclusive jurisdiction: trade, patent, Tucker Act, federal employment, and veterans law cases. Here, we wrap up our online symposium by linking to and highlighting the focus of each contribution.

Guest Post by Blair E. Thompson

In 2020, the Federal Circuit addressed important questions regarding “pro-claimant” policies and rules governing the Department of Veterans Affairs. The court also approved VA’s interpretation of its regulation regarding discharges due to “willful and persistent misconduct” and paved the way for challenges to VA’s internal adjudication policies and procedures manual.