404.948—Deciding a case without an oral hearing before an administrative law judge.
(a) Decision fully favorable.
If the evidence in the hearing record supports a finding in favor of you and all the parties on every issue, the administrative law judge may issue a hearing decision based on a preponderance of the evidence without holding an oral hearing. However, the notice of the decision will inform you that you have the right to an oral hearing and that you have a right to examine the evidence on which the decision is based.
(b) Parties do not wish to appear.
(1)
The administrative law judge may decide a case on the record and not conduct an oral hearing if—
(i)
You and all the parties indicate in writing that you do not wish to appear before the administrative law judge at an oral hearing; or
(ii)
You live outside the United States and you do not inform us that you want to appear and there are no other parties who wish to appear.
(2)
When an oral hearing is not held, the administrative law judge shall make a record of the material evidence. The record will include the applications, written statements, certificates, reports, affidavits, and other documents that were used in making the determination under review and any additional evidence you or any other party to the hearing present in writing. The decision of the administrative law judge must be based on this record.
(c) Case remanded for a revised determination.
(1)
The administrative law judge may remand a case to the appropriate component of our office for a revised determination if there is reason to believe that the revised determination would be fully favorable to you. This could happen if the administrative law judge receives new and material evidence or if there is a change in the law that permits the favorable determination.
(2)
Unless you request the remand, the administrative law judge shall notify you that your case has been remanded and tell you that if you object, you must notify him or her of your objections within 10 days of the date the case is remanded or we will assume that you agree to the remand. If you object to the remand, the administrative law judge will consider the objection and rule on it in writing.