If I might, Mr. Casey, you're absolutely right. I think that what Mr. Christopher was saying essentially is that in the normal course, once the matter goes to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, the board becomes seized of the jurisdiction of the case. There is the provision that if there's an issue and the board chooses to refer it back to the department, the department could become engaged, but in the normal course of proceedings, once the veteran elects to have his case dealt with by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, unless the board should refer it back formally to the department, then the department would not have jurisdiction otherwise. I think that essentially was the message.
On October 1st, 2012. See this statement in context.