Bufkin v. Collins
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Bufkin v. Collins and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Bufkin v. Collins.
The Supreme Court reviewed the application of the benefit-of-the-doubt rule by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in service-related disability claims. The Court examined whether the Veterans Court should review the VA's approximate-balance determinations de novo or for clear error. The decision affirmed that these determinations are predominantly factual and should be reviewed for clear error.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Bufkin v. Collins.
The Court held that the VA's determination that evidence is in 'approximate balance' is a predominantly factual determination reviewed only for clear error.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Bufkin v. Collins. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Administrative Law is relevant to Bufkin v. Collins
The case involves the interpretation of statutory standards governing the review of agency decisions, specifically the VA's application of the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)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.
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Why Judicial Review is relevant to Bufkin v. Collins
The case addresses the scope of judicial review over agency determinations, particularly how courts should review the VA's application of the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Veterans Court must 'take due account' of the VA's application of the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.
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Why Procedural Due Process is relevant to Bufkin v. Collins
The case implicates procedural due process in terms of the standards and procedures used by the VA and courts to evaluate veterans' claims.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Petitioners then challenged the adverse determinations before the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Veterans Court).
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Bufkin v. Collins that support the summary and concepts above.
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.
The Veterans Court must 'take due account' of the VA's application of the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.
Reviewing a determination whether record evidence is approximately balanced is 'about as factual sounding' as any question gets.
