State of Maryland

A Veterans Service Program Appeals Supervisor is the advanced level of work, in the central office of the Maryland Veterans Commission, involving the coordination of all administrative appeals filed on behalf of Maryland veterans and their families. Employees in this classification, after veterans’ claims have been denied or reduced by the federal Veterans Administration, review all pertinent case files to determine what additional evidence is needed to obtain a favorable decision.  Employees in this classification provide assistance to Veterans Services Officers in developing of evidence in their representation of veterans personal appeals before the Veterans Administration or the Board of Veterans Appeals (which is the ultimate ruling authority on these cases).  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but provide technical assistance to lower-level Veterans Services in regard to the proper preparation and presentation of appeals.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Veterans Service Program Manager.  The work requires that the employees exercise independent judgement within the framework and guidelines provided by established rules and regulations.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Veterans Services Program Appeals Supervisor is differentiated from the Veterans Service Officer III in that the Veterans Services Program Appeals Supervisor  provides assistance to Veterans Services Officers in developing evidence in their representation of veteran personal appeals before the Veterans Administration or the Board of Veterans Appeals while the Veterans Services Officer III  performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Veterans Service Program Appeals Supervisor is differentiated from the Veterans Services Program Area in that the Veterans Service Program Area Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Veterans Service Officers.  The Veterans Service Program Appeals Supervisor is differentiated from the Veterans Service Program Manager in that Veterans Service Program Manager has supervisory responsibility for Veterans Service Program Area Supervisors and Veterans Service Program Appeals Supervisor.

Coordinates the review of all appeals filed on behalf of veterans and their families;

Researches files and reviews decisions rendered by the federal Veterans Administration and the Board of Veterans Appeals;

Reviews statements of cases prepared by the Veterans Administration to determine specific reasons for claim denial;

Identifies points of evidence that require further review or investigation;

Assists Veterans Service Officers in eliciting additional information and preparing and presenting appeals;

Prepares briefs for submission in administrative hearings before the Board of Veterans Appeals;

Performs other related duties

Knowledge of State and federal laws concerning the benefits, privileges, and obligations to veterans and their families;

Knowledge of rules and procedures governing administrative hearings;

Ability to interpret laws as they apply to the rights and benefits of veterans and dependents;

Ability to understand the Code of Federal Regulations and implementing media;

Ability to analyze evidence from an administrative viewpoint;

Ability to extract facts from case records;

Ability to present arguments clearly and concisely.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Five years of experience rendering advice and service to veterans and their families.

Note: Candidates may substitute the possession of education at an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.