October Term 2008 · Docket 07-1209
Does the VA owe veterans notice before denying benefits?
Veterans argue the VA must warn them before denying claims. The government argues veterans must prove harm from missing notices.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Miller argued Congress directed the Veterans Court to account for prejudicial error.
Mr. Meade argued notice is integral to the system Congress designed.
Mr. Lippman argued the grave doubt standard assumes a fully developed record.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-41
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether the VA must notify veterans before denying benefits. the sides that brought the case seek a rule that missing notice harms veterans. the opposing sides seek a rule that veterans must prove specific harm.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 23-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 8, 2008.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
What each side wants
The veteran wants the Court to rule that missing notice harms the claim.
The government wants the Court to rule that veterans must prove specific harm.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 23-39
What each side says
The veteran argues notice is integral to the system Congress designed.
The government argues veterans must carry the burden of showing prejudice.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 23-39
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked why the standard of review does not resolve the case.
Justice Scalia asked if the Attorney General's commentary supports the veteran's view.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-41
Why it matters
This dispute defines how veterans prove harm from missing notices. It shapes the burden of proof in benefits cases. It affects how the VA handles future claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 23-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 31-41
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 23-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.