October Term 2021 · Docket 21-234
Does codifying a veterans error rule change the review standard?
Veterans argue a codified error rule demands strict review. The government argues the standard remains unchanged.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Ms. Bostwick argued the system is uniquely pro-claimant.
She stated clear and unmistakable error is a unique protection.
Mr. Yang argued the rule is not a mere error.
He stated Congress provided separate direct review for errors.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 53-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 53-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 15-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 87, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 87, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case concerns the standard for reviewing final veterans benefits decisions. the sides that brought the case seek a strict error standard. The government seeks a standard tied to direct appeals.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 15-53
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 19, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 87, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 87, lines 55-7
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want a strict standard for reviewing final decisions.
The government wants a standard matching direct appeal review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 15-53
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the codified rule creates a unique protection.
The government argues the rule is not a mere error.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 15-53
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked if the review standard matches direct appeals.
Justice Thomas asked how the rule applied before codification.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 53-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 53-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-9
Why it matters
The standard determines how often veterans can correct final errors. It affects access to benefits for millions of claimants. It defines the scope of judicial oversight in this system.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 15-53
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 25-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 53-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 53-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 87, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 87, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 51-9
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 15-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 15-53
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.