No. 19-199October Term 2019Decided Feb 3, 2021Updated May 23, 2026
Salinas v. Railroad Retirement Bd.
This case asked whether a federal court can review the Railroad Retirement Board’s refusal to reopen an earlier denial of disability benefits.
Case status
Decided 5-4 · February 3, 2021 · Opinion by Justice Sotomayor
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Feb 3, 2021
- What it's about
This case asked whether a federal court can review the Railroad Retirement Board’s refusal to reopen an earlier denial of disability benefits. Manfredo Salinas argued that the Board’s refusal to revisit his prior benefits application was a final agency decision that courts are allowed to review.
Question presented
Whether, under section 5(f) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, 45 U.S.C. § 355(f), and section 8 of the Railroad Retirement Act, 45 U.S.C. § 231g, the Railroad Retirement Board's denial of a request to reopen a prior benefits determination is a "final decision" subject to judicial review.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released Feb 3, 2021
- Area
Administrative Law
Timing
Decided February 3, 2021
The Court released its decision on February 3, 2021 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 23, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Feb 3, 2021 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Aug 15, 2019 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology