I can't answer the second question but I would assume that it follows from the first - and the answer is yes, absolutely; USCIS is giving no deference to prior

I can't answer the second question but I would assume that it follows from the first - and the answer is yes, absolutely; USCIS is giving no deference to prior approvals and, it seems to me, looking to find reasons to deny H-1B petitions rather than adjudicate them on the merits.