Supreme Court rules against veterans

Supreme Court upholds VA court decision not to review 'benefit-of-the-doubt' evidence in veterans' claims

Formal group photograph of the Supreme Court as it was been comprised on June 30, 2022 after Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson joined the Court. The Justices are posed in front of red velvet drapes and arranged by seniority, with five seated and four standing. Seated from left are Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Justices Samuel A. Alito and Elena Kagan. Standing from left are Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the CAVC is not required to review the VA's application of the "benefit-of-the-doubt" rule in most decisions. In a summary, the justices said they accepted the case, Bufkin v. Collins, to determine whether the Veterans Court was required to consider the VA's use of the benefit-of-the-doubt in claims decisions beyond a review for error. The majority decided that, in most cases, it wasn't.

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Fired veterans and VA employees would be reinstated to federal jobs under Senate proposal

U.S. Capitol building located in Washington, D.C.

VA employees and veterans fired from other agencies as part of the Trump administration's cutting of federal jobs would be reinstated with full back pay and benefits under a bill being introduced in the Senate. Veterans make up about 30% of the federal workforce, and lawmakers have estimated about 6,000 veterans have been fired so far across the federal government.

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VA employees say DOGE cuts hurt veterans

Over the past month, the VA has cut 2,400 positions, and VA Secretary Doug Collins said the department plans to slash more than 70,000 additional jobs. The VA has repeatedly promised the job cuts will not harm veterans or their care. However, VA employees across the country said the cuts and a climate of fear are already hurting veterans. Many VA employees say they could have found work elsewhere, but chose to work at VA because of its mission helping veterans. They agree there is bloat in the federal government, including at VA. But they argue taking a chainsaw to the workforce won’t result in a more efficient department

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Fully developed claim for VA disability benefits

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clipboard with papers on it.

A fully developed claim (FDC) for VA disability benefits may mean getting a quicker decision on your claim than if you choose the traditional claims route, though this isn’t always the case. An FDC includes all necessary information and a certification that says there's no additional evidence in your case.

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Chemo port lawsuit

If you or someone you know had a chemo port installed for cancer treatment and the port migrated, fractured, or leaked in the body 90 days or more after it was implanted, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit against Bard.