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 .