{"argument_date":"2022-10-04T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2022-10-04T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2022","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","paragraphs":["The veteran's counsel stated the deadline encourages prompt application. He argued it functions like a statute of limitations.","The government's counsel stated the Irwin presumption does not apply. He argued the presumption is rebutted if it does apply.","Chief Justice Roberts questioned the government's position. He highlighted that Congress addressed tolling for disability in other statutes.","Justice Jackson questioned the classification of the deadline. She asked why a conditional filing rule acts like a statute of limitations."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 9-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 23-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 53-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 53-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-9"}]}],"caption":"Arellano v. McDonough","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:17.262539Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:56:12.539855Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"Veterans argue a one-year deadline to claim retroactive benefits is a statute of limitations. The government says it is a conditional filing rule.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-25"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2022-10-04T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2022","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/598us1r1_3e04.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/21-432.html","primary_docket":"21-432","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T16:44:35.576457Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The case tests whether a one-year deadline for veterans to claim retroactive disability benefits functions as a statute of limitations. This classification determines if the deadline can be extended for good cause."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-25"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 4, 2022."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The veteran wants the Court to treat the deadline as a statute of limitations. This allows the deadline to be extended for good cause.","The government wants the Court to treat the deadline as a conditional filing rule. This prevents the deadline from being extended."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The veteran argues the deadline operates like a statute of limitations. It encourages prompt application for retroactive benefits.","The government argues the Irwin presumption does not apply. Even if it does, the presumption is rebutted."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-25"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if the deadline is the biggest hurdle. He noted Congress addressed tolling for disability in other contexts.","Justice Jackson asked why the deadline operates like a statute of limitations. She questioned if it is just a conditional expansion of the default."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 9-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 23-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 53-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 53-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-9"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the scope of veterans' rights to retroactive benefits. It clarifies whether strict deadlines can be waived for good cause. The outcome shapes how agencies handle late filings from disabled veterans."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-25"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 9-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 9-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 23-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 13-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 53-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 53-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-9"}]}],"slug":"2022-21-432-arellano-v-mcdonough","term":"2022","title":"Does a one-year filing deadline for veterans' disability claims act as a statute of limitations?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2022/21-432_p860.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-25"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}