⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

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Presley / Bolton-Pellerin v. Collins — CAVC (argued September 1, 2026)

No. 25-1636 / 25-5259 Argued September 1, 2026 Published September 1, 2026

The Veterans Court considers whether two caregiver appeals should proceed as a class action—one case seeking relief for similarly situated caregiver applicants. Sharon Presley and Shyrl Bolton-Pellerin applied for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The veterans they cared for died while the benefit proceedings were pending, and the Board of Veterans' Appeals denied both appeals. The caregivers seek a class-wide remand for applicants denied because the veteran died. The Secretary says jurisdiction, prejudice, and eligibility require individual review, and a precedential ruling is sufficient.

Presley / Bolton-Pellerin v. Collins (No. 25-1636 / 25-5259) — United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, argued September 1, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/documents/Presley_Bolton-Pellerin.MP3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims:https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/oral_arguments_audio.php?fullsite=yes
Public docket — Presley v. Collins, No. 25-1636:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=CaseSummary.jsp&caseNum=25-1636&fullDocketReport=Y&incPrior=Y&incAssoc=Y&incPtyAty=Y&incCaption=long&incDktEntries=Y
Public docket — Bolton-Pellerin v. Collins, No. 25-5259:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=CaseSummary.jsp&caseNum=25-5259&fullDocketReport=Y&incPrior=Y&incAssoc=Y&incPtyAty=Y&incCaption=long&incDktEntries=Y
Order consolidating the two appeals — Veterans Court:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012011913818
Board decision — Sharon D. Presley:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012011321747
Board decision — Shyrl Bolton-Pellerin:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012011913850
Sharon Presley's request for class certification:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012011715618
Secretary's response opposing class certification:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012555470
Appellants' reply supporting class certification:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012760180
Order limiting oral argument to class certification:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012720058
Order setting the September 1, 2026 argument:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012740077
Renée Burbank — National Veterans Legal Services Program:https://nvlsp.org/who-we-are/our-team/

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