KEYWORD: Guideline B; Guideline C
DIGEST: The Appeal Board’s authority to review a case is limited to cases in which the
appealing party has alleged the Judge committed harmful error. Adverse decision affirmed.
CASENO: 15-07728.a1
DATE: 07/06/2017
DATE: July 6, 2017
In Re:
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Applicant for Security Clearance
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ISCR Case No. 15-07728
APPEAL BOARD SUMMARY DISPOSITION
APPEARANCES
FOR GOVERNMENT
James B. Norman, Esq., Chief Department Counsel
FOR APPLICANT
Pro se
The Department of Defense (DoD) declined to grant Applicant a security clearance.  On May 
12, 2016, DoD issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that
decision—security concerns raised under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign
Preference)1 of Department of Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive). 
Applicant requested a hearing.  On April 27, 2017, after the hearing, Defense Office of Hearings and
1The Guideline C allegation was subsequently withdrawn.
Appeals (DOHA) Administrative Judge Shari Dam denied Applicant’s request for a security
clearance.  Applicant appealed pursuant to the Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30.
On appeal Applicant argues that except for his interests in Pakistan the record for his entire
life is “spot less.”  He makes no assertion of harmful error on the part of the Judge, but requests that
the Board review his case.  In support of that request he states that perhaps there might be other
individuals who hold security clearances that have interests similar to his.
The Board does not review a case de novo. The Appeal Board’s authority to review a case
is limited to cases in which the appealing party has alleged the Judge committed harmful error. 
Applicant has not made an allegation of harmful error on the part of the Judge.  Therefore, the
decision of the Judge is AFFIRMED.
Signed: Michael Ra’anan            
Michael Ra’anan
Administrative Judge
Chairperson, Appeal Board
Signed: James F. Duffy               
James F. Duffy
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board
Signed: William S. Fields            
William S. Fields
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board