((a)) ** .—**
((1)) A claimant may request a review of the decision of the agency of original jurisdiction by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency of original jurisdiction.
((2)) The Secretary shall approve each request for review under paragraph (1).
((b)) ** .—**
((1)) A request for higher-level review by the agency of original jurisdiction shall be—
((A)) in writing in such form as the Secretary may prescribe; and
((B)) made within one year of the notice of the agency of original jurisdiction’s decision.
((2)) Such request may specifically indicate whether such review is requested by a higher-level adjudicator at the same office within the agency of original jurisdiction or by an adjudicator at a different office of the agency of original jurisdiction. The Secretary shall not deny such request for review by an adjudicator at a different office of the agency of original jurisdiction without good cause.
((c)) ** .—** Notice of a higher-level review decision under this section shall be provided to the claimant (and any representative of such claimant) and shall include a general statement—
((1)) reflecting whether evidence was not considered pursuant to subsection (d); and
((2)) noting the options available to the claimant to have the evidence described in paragraph (1), if any, considered by the Department.
((d)) ** .—** The evidentiary record before the higher-level adjudicator shall be limited to the evidence of record in the agency of original jurisdiction decision being reviewed.
((e)) ** .—** A review of the decision of the agency of original jurisdiction by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency of original jurisdiction shall be de novo.
