Doretha H. Henderson, Authorized Representative of David L. Henderson v. Eric K. Shinseki

Summary

The Supreme Court held that the 120-day deadline for appealing a Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision to the Veterans Court is not jurisdictional but a mandatory claim-processing rule subject to equitable tolling. The Court found Congress did not clearly indicate jurisdictional consequences, citing the unique pro-veteran scheme and lack of jurisdictional language in the statute.