This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, two nonprecedential opinions, and one nonprecedential order. The precedential opinion comes in a patent case on appeal from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Both of the nonprecedential opinions come in appeals from the Court of Federal Claims, one in a government contract case and one in a vaccine case. The nonprecedential order dismisses an appeal. Here are the introductions to the opinions and order.
Online Symposium: An Overview of the Federal Circuit’s Most Important 2020 Veterans’ Law Decisions
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.