The boards may, even in the absence of a request to this effect, examine ex officio whether the reimbursement of the appeal fee is equitable by reason of a substantial procedural violation (J 7/82, OJ 1982, 391; T 271/85 of 22 March 1989 date: 1989-03-22; T 346/88; T 598/88; T 484/90, OJ 1993, 448 and T 736/14).