@dharr I reversed the two commands to read

expand(simplify(v)).  That improved the output, but not fully "simplified"  :)

@dharr Makes sense.  Thanks so much for addressing my other two issues.  This is a great support forum.  :)

Great.  The Options settings under Assumed variables:No Annotation -> Apply Globally worked... :)

useassumptions = worked  :)

simpliy(expand(v)), in my environment, does nothing, the output is the same.  I downloaded the .mv file you posted and ran that too.  same results...  no "simplification"...  to answer your question directly based on how you implemented simplify(expand(v)), the ouptut is correct other than factoring out -1...  :)

Is there another "hidden" setting assocated with simplify()?