Last Update: 6/9/2014 (Transmittal I-2-110)
HA 01210.014 Appeals Council
Requests Missing Paper Claim(s) File
Renumbered from HALLEX section I-2-1-14
Office of Appellate Operations (OAO) staff will make every
attempt to obtain a missing paper claim(s) file before remanding
a case to the hearing level for that reason. For detailed OAO procedures,
see Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law manual HA 01310.023.
When applicable, OAO staff will request that the servicing
hearing office (HO) look for a missing claim(s) file by sending
an email to the general hearing office mailbox (i.e., OAO will use the
^OHO R[region number] email box in the global address book). The emails
will have the subject line “Missing Paper File.” To
provide the best possible customer service to the public and to
save resources by avoiding unnecessary remands, HO staff must be
vigilant in responding to these requests.
In most offices, the Hearing Office Director (HOD) is responsible
for maintaining the general hearing office mailbox. On receipt of
a missing claim(s) file email, the HOD or his/her designee will
direct HO staff to immediately look for the claim(s) file in the
HO. If the claim(s) file is found, HO staff will send the claim(s)
file to OAO. If HO staff does not locate the claim(s) file, the
HOD will notify the requesting OAO staff by email within 10 days
of the email request.