Colvin v. United States of America

Kori Colvin, a U.S. Navy veteran, alleged she suffered military sexual trauma (MST) that led to severe post-traumatic stress disorder. She claimed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) negligently processed her disability benefits claims, exacerbating her condition and causing job loss and family breakdown. Colvin sued the United States for damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). The government moved to dismiss, arguing that the Veterans' Judicial Review Act (VJRA) established an exclusive review process that strips courts of jurisdiction over claims seeking compensation for VA benefits decisions. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims dismissed the case for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. On July 18, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed, holding that the comprehensive remedial scheme in the VJRA precluded Colvin's FTCA claim, as allowing it would circumvent Congress's carefully crafted review framework.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the lower court's dismissal, ruling that federal courts lack subject-matter jurisdiction because the VJRA's exclusive review procedure bars FTCA claims challenging the VA's benefits adjudication process.

Whether the Veterans' Judicial Review Act (VJRA) precludes a veteran from pursuing a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) lawsuit seeking money damages for the VA's alleged negligence in handling a disability benefits claim related to military sexual trauma.

The decision reinforces the VJRA as an insurmountable barrier for military sexual trauma survivors seeking civil damages against the VA for claims-processing errors. Advocacy groups expressed concern that the ruling closes off a key avenue of accountability, potentially leaving veterans with severe harms and no monetary remedy, while sparking legislative debate over reforms to expand judicial remedies for veterans.