Merit Appeal Rejected

[bradley]

To follow up on Jagg's inquiry, if they reopen the Register, do those already on this register remain on the new expanded one? and, can they change the acceptable locations that they listed on their original application?

[happy]

Those on the register stay on the register and yes, they do get to change their availability.

Those on the register who want to re-test may only do so if a year has passed since their Notice of Results was issued.

[nyctourist]

I was hoping that the powers that be would not reopen until after the next cert. Now, knowing that a request for reopening has been sent, it makes me just that much more desperate to see positive results from my merit appeal. As you alll know, this reopening will give the 600+ applicants that did not make it through application the last time (and every body else in the world) an opportunity to test and make higher than me. By reopening the register before I can retest, OPM will have certainly kept me from being an ALJ without me having any recourse. Do I sound conceited for thinking I'd make a good SSA ALJ despite my OPM score? Well, everyone on this board thinks they would make a good ALJ. That's why they applied. But maybe it's because I have read more than 4000 disability files and written more than 4000 disability decisions. I also audicate favorable decisions as well. I have served the agency by training writers, and I have worked through hundreds of Medicare appeals in my time. I have no doubt that had I been hired in the first class this spring, I could have issued favorable decisions before training and hit the ground running on my return - already being a contributing member of ODAR ALJ cadre. Alas, I sound like a current political candidate who believes she has the better experience, but just does not have the rhetoric.

Thanks for letting me spout off, because I feel like Ive missed the boat after serving 13 years with my agency. It saddens me. Instead of the agency getting a good, well trained ALJ, my office will get stuck with a senior attorney counting her days to retirement. (Please NOTE: I wrote 43 ALJ and Senior Attorney decisions last month and reviewed another 15 for possible OTR. Got a congratulatory e-mail from my HOD. I'm not dead weight in the office).

Anyway - my best wishes to all. I'm off to see Eddie Izzard in concert tomorrow night and Leslie Jordan's one man show on Wednesday. Between the two, I know there'll be a chuckle for me!

[allrise]

Happy said that those on the register cannot retest unless 1 year has elapsed since we received the notice of results on October 30, 2007. This is news to me. Is this true?

[counsel]

The Oct 30, 2007 email with subject "Supplemental ALJ Information" states: "II. Retaking the ALJ Examination: If you received a NOR with a final numerical rating, you may retake the examination after one year has passed from the date of the final NOR and the examination opens to the receipt of new applications. NOTE: If you reapply for the examination while you have an appeal pending, the reapplication will automatically terminate the appeal."

[tricia]

Rob, thanks for posting this reply to your appeal. You and I exchanged some messages early in the process. I was one of the idiots who did not list the date I was first licensed on the correct line. You have been generous about sharing your experiences and non-judgmental toward people who made mistakes in the process. Good luck in the next go-round. Tricia