Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
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Anonymous
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Newer atty here. Can you guys tell me about requesting to change judges?
Mine is very experienced, yes, but a terrible supervisor. I'm not new to the legal field. In nearly a year, I've had all of 3 face to face conversations with my judge. Everything has to be through email. The only feedback is I receive is negative. Never positive. The negative feedback has not always been correct, and on more than one occasion, my judge has had to reverse course after I've involved others. I just do not think we are a good match. Any guidance? |
Anonymous
Reach out to the union for assistance. However, you should be aware that management does not like to grant requests to change judges. Management knows who the toxic judges are. However, they’re afraid that if they grant requests to change judges, no one would want to work for toxic judges. You’re risking putting a bullseye on your back if you complain to the union. But, it may be worth it for you. |
Anonymous
I know plenty of people that successfully changed teams, including me. It took a very long time however, mine took 1 year, but was completely worth it. Go through your SSC. Explain what is going on, see if they can also give you some cases to write for them to sign. Best way to word the request is to say that you want to be a more well rounded writer and would like someone with a different perspective. Also talk to more senior attorneys at BVA. Alternatively, you can apply for non-writing details. If those things don’t work, you can try to meet with the union (I did not find them to be helpful but they’re there). Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Anyone else hear we BUEs at Board are RTO on May 5? |
Anonymous
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Thanks for the feedback RE: judges. My SSC occasionally gives me cases, and I receive positive feedback on those. There's a clear discrepancy in the feedback. I'll talk with them about my situation.
RE: the question on RTO, my judge told us today that there was no news on RTO for BUE during their recent DVJ/VLJ meeting. |
Anonymous
What's a BUE? |
Anonymous
Bargaining unit employee, or in this case, the decision writing attorneys. |
Anonymous
OK. If they are all coming back, the Board needs a lot more space than it has now. |
Anonymous
| I actually had a team meeting with judge and supervisor today and the management was supposed to come back on Monday but now they are postponed indefinitely due to the lack of space |
Anonymous
| I also spoke with the union and there’s not even talks between the union and leadership at the Board going on yet because everyone is in the dark about RTO |
Anonymous
| What about RTO for judges and supervisors aka non BUE? |
Anonymous
| I don’t think they even have any idea yet because of the space issue. The other floors at 425 I are not leased out but there’s no furniture or equipment and they are just empty. Also the Board can’t just lease floors immediately and apparently has to go through other agencies like OPM and such. So that will take who knows how long. |
Anonymous
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Even if they take over the old space quickly, 1/3 of us don’t live within 50 miles of DC. Doesn’t solve that problem.
Anyway, here’s the RTO memo for this interested: https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransAffairs/s/hZQI6yc3ID Maybe we will qualify for exemption listed at bottom. In any case, space will need to be secured before remote/telework contracts are cancelled. May 5 deadline, subject to extensions and possibly exemption. |
Anonymous
The question then is how many people will quit rather than come to Washington. Some other agencies that have canceled remote telewotk still allow telework but require one or two in office days in DC per pay period. So employees commute to DC to make the limited in office requirement. This is what the Board had before they offered remote telework. |