Soto v. United States

On June 12, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Soto v. United States. The plaintiff, a military veteran named Soto, filed suit under the Federal Tort Claims Act after receiving negligent medical treatment at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility, which allegedly caused serious harm. The government moved to dismiss, arguing that the Feres doctrine, which generally bars service members from suing for injuries incident to military service, also barred claims arising from post-discharge VA care. The lower courts agreed. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the Feres doctrine does not extend to medical malpractice claims brought by veterans for treatment received after separation from service, because such claims do not implicate military discipline or readiness. The ruling allowed Soto's lawsuit to proceed and clarified the scope of sovereign immunity for VA healthcare.

The Supreme Court reversed the lower court, holding that the Feres doctrine does not apply to post-service VA medical malpractice claims, thereby allowing the suit to proceed.

Whether the Feres doctrine bars a veteran's Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit for negligent medical treatment received at a VA facility after military discharge.

The decision expanded access to judicial remedies for veterans harmed by VA medical negligence, likely increasing federal tort claims and prompting reforms in VA accountability.