Veterans Court Warns Against Delays and Failure to Follow Rules

THIS VERSION OF THE ORDER INCLUDES THE OCTOBER 3, 2011, ERRATA UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS NO. 10-2208 SAMUEL J. VINCENT, APPELLANT, V. ERIC K. SHINSEKI, SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, APPELLEE. Before MOORMAN, LANCE, and SCHOELEN, Judges. O R D E R On July 6, 2010, the appellant, through counsel, filed a Notice of Appeal with this Court disputing a June 8, 2010, Board of Veterans' Appeals decision. On January 26, 2011, after counsel filed an untimely brief, the Court issued an order ordering the Clerk to "forward the appeal for appropriate action by the screening judge. See, e.g., U.S. VET. APP. R. 31(b)." On April 15, 2011, the appeal was dismissed under Rule 31(b). On May 5, 2011, the appellant filed a motion for reconsideration or, in the alternative, for panel review. A panel was formed and, on June 24, 2011, the panel issued an order to show cause why the case should not be dismissed. While the particular considerations and facts of this appeal militate against its dismissal, this order should serve as a warning to those who disregard or flout this Court's rules. The timely consideration of veterans' appeals should not and will not be held hostage to the dilatory practices of attorneys for either party, and dismissal for failure to follow the Court's rules concerning timely filing remains an option under Rule 31. Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is ORDERED that the Court's orders of January 26, 2011, and April 15, 2011, are revoked; the appeal is reinstated; the appellant's brief is accepted; and the appeal is returned to the Clerk for continuation of the briefing process. DATED: September 20, 2011 PER CURIAM Copies to: Samuel J. Vincent Allan T. Fenley, Esq. VA General Counsel (027)