In Bufkin v. Collins, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that courts must defer to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) unless a “clear and unmistakable error” is present in its decisions. This landmark ruling alters the standard for reviewing veterans’ disability claims, favoring the VA’s original assessments.

Previously, veterans benefited from the “benefit-of-the-doubt” standard, which meant that if evidence supporting and opposing a disability claim was evenly balanced, the decision would favor the veteran. This principle acknowledged the sacrifices of service members and aimed to ease their access to support.

The Supreme Court’s new decision weakens this pro-veteran principle. Now, instead of courts stepping in when evidence is unclear, they must uphold the VA’s decisions unless a substantial error is proven. This makes it significantly harder for veterans to successfully appeal denied claims.

The case involved veterans Joshua Bufkin and Norman Thornton, who were both denied PTSD-related benefits despite submitting compelling evidence. Under the old standard, such cases might have been resolved in their favor. Now, courts are more restricted in their ability to review VA decisions.

Critics of the ruling argue that it undermines the original intent of the veterans’ benefits system—to provide support and care for those who served. They claim the decision imposes unfair burdens on veterans, many of whom already face obstacles navigating complex bureaucratic systems.

Supporters of the ruling believe it promotes consistency and respects the VA’s expertise. They argue that the VA, as a specialized agency, is best equipped to assess veterans’ claims. Regardless of perspective, the decision marks a significant shift in how disability benefits cases are handled and appeals are evaluated, potentially impacting thousands of veterans nationwide.