18- 352 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 2
The Commission may remand any issue to an appeal panel for the taking of additional evidence as the Commission may deem necessary. Such testimony shall be taken by the appeal panel in the manner prescribed for the conduct of hearings on appeals before appeal panels. Upon the completion of the taking of evidence by an appeal panel pursuant to the direction of the Commission, the claim or the issues involved in such claim shall be returned to the Commission for its decision thereon. In addition to what is described above, the Commission may, as it deems necessary, in cases where there has been no appeal panel hearing conducted, remand such claim or issue to the appeal panel for the purpose of holding a de novo hearing. In such cases, the appeal panel shall render Its own decision instead of returning the case to the Commission for further action.
18- 352 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 2