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Opinion Summary: Bufkin v. Collins | Date Decided: 3/5/25 | Case No. 23-713
Case Info: Bufkin v. Collins | Date Decided: 3/5/25 | Case No. 23-713
Link to Docket: Here.
Question Presented: Must the Veterans Court ensure that the benefit-of-the-doubt rule was properly applied during the claims process in order to satisfy 38 U.S.C. § 7261(b)(1), which directs the Veterans Court to "take due account" of VA's application of that rule?
Holding: The VA’s determination that the evidence regarding a service-related disability claim is in “approximate balance” is a predominantly factual determination reviewed only for clear error.
Result: Affirmed.
Voting Breakdown: Justice Thomas delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan, Kavanaugh, and Barrett joined. Justice Jackson filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Gorsuch joined.
Link to Opinion: Here.
Oral Advocates:
- For petitioners: Melanie L. Bostwick, Washington, D. C.
- For respondent: Sopan Joshi, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
Website Link to Oral Argument: Here.
Apple Podcast Link to Oral Argument: Here.
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By SCOTUS Oral ArgumentsCase Info: Bufkin v. Collins | Date Decided: 3/5/25 | Case No. 23-713
Link to Docket: Here.
Question Presented: Must the Veterans Court ensure that the benefit-of-the-doubt rule was properly applied during the claims process in order to satisfy 38 U.S.C. § 7261(b)(1), which directs the Veterans Court to "take due account" of VA's application of that rule?
Holding: The VA’s determination that the evidence regarding a service-related disability claim is in “approximate balance” is a predominantly factual determination reviewed only for clear error.
Result: Affirmed.
Voting Breakdown: Justice Thomas delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan, Kavanaugh, and Barrett joined. Justice Jackson filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Gorsuch joined.
Link to Opinion: Here.
Oral Advocates:
- For petitioners: Melanie L. Bostwick, Washington, D. C.
- For respondent: Sopan Joshi, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
Website Link to Oral Argument: Here.
Apple Podcast Link to Oral Argument: Here.