Background

This transmittal amends chapter I-4-3 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to update instructions on processing cases designated as critical. We also made several formatting and editorial changes.

Explanation of Content and Changes

HALLEX I-4-3-43 is revised as follows:

HALLEX I-4-3-43 A – We removed the information and added a reference to the instructions in HALLEX I-3-1-51 A.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 B – We removed the information formerly in subsection B. We added a new subsection B titled “Critical Case Designation.” The subsection explains that the Congressional and Public Affairs Branch within the Office of Appellate Operations (OAO) is responsible for designating and monitoring critical cases pending with the Appeals Council. We included references to HALLEX I-3-1-51 B regarding when a critical case designation may be added or removed.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 C – We removed the information formerly in subsection C. We added a new subsection C titled “CCPRB Case Processing.” The subsection provides links to the instructions on assigning a case designated as critical. It also indicates what actions are necessary as a result of the Appeals Council's final action.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 D – We removed the information formerly in subsection D and deleted the subsection.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 E – We removed the information formerly in subsection E and deleted the subsection.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 F – We removed the information formerly in subsection F and deleted the subsection.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 G – We removed the information formerly in subsection G and deleted the subsection.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 H – We removed the information formerly in subsection H and deleted the subsection.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 I – We removed the information formerly in subsection I and deleted the subsection.

HALLEX I-4-3-43 J – We removed the information formerly in subsection J and deleted the subsection.

Date: December 3, 2013