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Mikayla Rose Devins v. Douglas A. Collins — CAVC (Sep 30, 2026)

No. 25-2179 Argued September 30, 2026 Published October 2, 2026

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims hears Mikayla Rose Devins's appeal over education benefits. Her father died from a service-connected disability, and her mother is permanently and totally disabled. Both parents' military service made her eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance, or DEA. While attending college, she received benefits based on both parents at the same time. VA paid twice the monthly amount, but treated those payments as using one combined thirty-six-month allowance. After VA said her benefits were exhausted, the Board of Veterans' Appeals rejected her request for more. She appeals that ruling. She will argue each parent provides a separate thirty-six-month entitlement. The Secretary will defend a cap for each student, however many parents qualify.

Mikayla Rose Devins v. Douglas A. Collins (No. 25-2179) — United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, argued September 30, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/documents/Devins.MP3
Argument date and recording listing — CAVC:https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/oral_arguments_audio.php?fullsite=yes
Case docket and counsel appearances — CAVC, No. 25-2179:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=CaseSummary.jsp&caseNum=25-2179&incOrigDkt=Y&incDktEntries=Y
Board decision denying additional benefits — January 30, 2025:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012011371777
Devins's opening brief — November 24, 2025:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012038744
Secretary's response brief — March 9, 2026:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012355357
Devins's reply brief — March 26, 2026:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012414343
Oral argument scheduling order — September 30, 2026 argument:https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012656717
Dependents' Educational Assistance — 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, official 2024 Code edition:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title38/pdf/USCODE-2024-title38-partIII-chap35.pdf
Earlier dual-parent benefits ruling — Osman v. Peake, CAVC opinion (2008):https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/documents/Osman.092508.pdf

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