A decided public DOHA case, shown for research, not advice or a prediction.
ISCR Case No. 24-01982
Appeal BoardDecided Jul 23, 2025 · Administrative Judge Moira D. Modzelewski · Appeal
Case headnote
Summary
The applicant, representing himself, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to delinquent debts totaling approximately $31,500. The Administrative Judge affirmed the denial of the security clearance, noting the applicant did not raise any claims of harmful error on appeal.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant had delinquent debts totaling approximately $31,500.
- The applicant did not assert any claims of error on appeal.
Conditions referenced
Disqualifying
- F.1 Financial Considerationsraised
Key rule quoted
“There is no presumption of error below and the appealing party has the burden of raising claims of error with specificity.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issued
- 2024-12-27
- Answer filed
- Hearing held
- 2025-06-18
- Decision date
- 2025-07-23
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Burden of Proof on the Appealing Party to Raise Claims of Harmful Error
- No Presumption of Error in Appeal Process
Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.
Appeal at a glance
The appeal involved a denial of security clearance based on financial considerations. The applicant did not assert any specific harmful errors in the Administrative Judge's decision and requested reconsideration instead. The Board affirmed the decision of the Administrative Judge.
Descriptive structured reading of this decided, public Appeal Board decision: what the case says, not a prediction or advice.
Full decision
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Decision text, by section
Appearances
_______________________________________ ) In the matter of: )
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)
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ISCR Case No. 24-01982
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) Applicant for Security Clearance ) _______________________________________)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFENSE LEGAL SERVICES AGENCY DEFENSE OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS APPEAL BOARD POST OFFICE BOX 3656 ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22203 (703) 696-4759 Date: July 23, 2025
Appearances
FOR GOVERNMENT Andrea M. Corrales, Esq., Deputy Chief Department Counsel FOR APPLICANT Pro se The Department of Defense (DoD) declined to grant Applicant a security clearance. On December 27, 2024, DoD issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis of that decision – security concerns raised under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) of the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) in Appendix A of Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (effective June 8, 2017) and DoD Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive). On June 18, 2025, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals Administrative Judge Erin C. Hogan denied Applicant national security eligibility. Applicant appealed pursuant to Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30. The SOR alleged four delinquent debts that totaled approximately $31,500, and the Judge found adversely regarding all allegations. There is no presumption of error below and the appealing party has the burden of raising claims of error with specificity. Directive ¶ E3.1.30. On appeal, Applicant makes no assertion of error on the part of the Judge, but rather requests reconsideration and the opportunity to continue in his job. The Appeal Board does not review cases de novo and our authority to review a case is limited to matters in which the appealing party has raised a claim of harmful error. Applicant has not alleged any such error, and the adverse impact of an
unfavorable eligibility determination on an applicant’s career is not relevant in evaluating his security suitability. See DISCR OSD Case No. 91-0322, 1993 WL 99569 at *3 (App. Bd. Mar. 9, 1993). Accordingly, the Judge’s decision is affirmed.
Order
The decision in ISCR Case No. 24-01982 is AFFIRMED. Signed: Moira Modzelewski Moira Modzelewski Administrative Judge Chair, Appeal Board Signed: Jennifer I. Goldstein Jennifer I. Goldstein Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board Signed: Allison Marie Allison Marie Administrative Judge Member, Appeal Board