The Sidebar: Supreme Court of the United States

The case Bufkin v. McDonough. The central issue concerns the standard of review for the Veterans Court's assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ application of the "benefit-of-the-doubt" rule. Petitioners argue for a less deferential review, emphasizing the statute's intent to ensure meaningful scrutiny of the agency's decisions. The respondent defends the current deferential standard, asserting that the statute clarifies, rather than changes, existing practice. The justices' questioning explores the nuances of legal versus factual determinations within the benefit-of-the-doubt analysis and the practical implications of different standards of review.