Independent Decisions

An Authorized Reviewer examines a verified case revision and records a decision tied to that revision. The decision can be approved, returned or rejected. The reviewer, decision time, reason and evidence reference explain why the office took that path. The Case Officer prepares the case but does not approve their own work. A return sends the matter back for correction; an approval permits the team to proceed with the approved outcome.

The Authorized Reviewer records a decision against the source revision of a verified case. The decision record links the case, reviewer, time, reason and evidence reference. Pending decisions remain separate from approvals, returns and rejections. Cases and Details places pending review decisions beside the selected case and its state history. That lets the reviewer compare the evidence under review with the revision named in the decision instead of relying on the latest status alone.

• Record. The Authorized Reviewer records a decision against the source revision of a verified case.
• Review. Agree who prepares a case and who has authority to decide it.
• Handoff. At handoff, compare the decision’s source revision with the case revision being examined.

Agree who prepares a case and who has authority to decide it. The reviewer must be a different person from the preparer for that revision. Decide what evidence reference and reason to record for a return or rejection, and how the Case Officer will submit a corrected revision. A prior approval cannot authorize changed evidence.

Use a sample application with a requirement and verified document. Ask the reviewer to identify the source revision and explain the basis of the decision. Return it once with a reason, then let the Case Officer correct it. Present the successor revision for a fresh independent decision. Read the earlier record again to ensure the office can still explain what the first reviewer saw.

Submit a case that has a complete requirement record and a verified document. Have a different person review the frozen revision. Ask that reviewer to record either an approval with an evidence reference or a return with a clear reason. Check that the decision points to the revision actually reviewed. After a correction, submit a successor revision for another independent review rather than treating the first decision as approval of changed evidence.

At handoff, compare the decision’s source revision with the case revision being examined. The reviewer should be able to identify the evidence reference without asking the preparer for an informal explanation. If the case changes after a decision, keep that earlier decision in history and send the changed revision through review.

• Pending decisions — Review decisions awaiting an Authorized Reviewer.
• Verified cases for decision — Locate cases ready for an independent decision.

Follow case review from preparation to independent decision. Use delivery and correction when an approved outcome needs execution or an earlier revision needs correction.