Oooooooooooooooh yes they are!!
Desky speaks with forked tongue - and the fact that you have done an OOA and well (hopefully) will put you at an advantage over the many who have not done an OOA recently or in some cases at all. All reports are read if you are an A grader, although you have to remember that if you get a 5 minute read (I assume Desky went thro the PB process with you) then you are doing well. The 4 Members of the Board will always give credence to an individual who has reinforced a strong performance in rank with a demanding OOA job well done. Do all that and have secondary duties too and you really are the dogs doodaahs
Ed