Buffington v. McDonough

This case asks whether a veteran who returned to active duty and later sought to restart disability payments can get benefits going back one year before he filed his new claim. It also raises a broader question: whether courts must use the pro-veteran rule of interpretation before deferring to the Department of Veterans Affairs' reading of the law, and whether Chevron should be overruled.

The case is pending and has not been scheduled for oral argument. The petition argues that courts should apply the pro-veteran rule before deferring to the VA, and it also asks the Court to reconsider Chevron.

The answer could affect how much back pay some veterans receive after leaving active duty and restarting disability compensation. For example, a veteran who waited years to reapply could gain or lose months of benefits depending on how the rule is read.

Watch for oral argument or another scheduling move from the Court. No decision window is available yet.

The fight is over how far back disability payments should restart and whether courts must read veterans' laws favorably before deferring to VA.

A veteran who returns to service and later files late could gain or lose months of benefits, and the case could shape VA disputes.

Watch for the Court to schedule argument or make another docket move showing whether it will take up the benefits and Chevron questions.