Perkins v. Collins Outcome Secures Systemwide Relief for Veterans Nationwide
VIRGINIA – After continuing to deny educational benefits to qualifying veterans for almost two years after Troutman Pepper Locke and Dominion Energy secured a victory before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) withdrew its appeal in the matter of Perkins v. Collins, enabling up to 1.2 million additional veterans access to the benefits they are entitled to under the landmark 2024 Rudisill v. McDonough ruling. This brings the combined total of veterans covered by the decisions secured by Troutman Pepper Locke and Dominion Energy to at least 2.2 million and counting. The VA has issued a bulletin announcing it will automate its review process, eliminating the need for certain veterans to request review of their eligibility for benefits under the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills.
The Perkins v. Collins decision affirms numerous veterans’ rights to educational benefits, and the withdrawal of the appeal marks a pivotal shift in the VA’s policy. Kassidy Perkins, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served six years, was among the first veterans to be denied access to educational benefits following the Rudisill ruling. The VA argued that only veterans with a break in service, like James Rudisill, qualified for benefits under both programs, and that one continuous period of service meant veterans were entitled to benefits under only one program, regardless of how long they served. In May 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims rejected the VA’s position and agreed that veterans with continuous qualifying service are entitled to benefits under both GI Bills under the decision in Rudisill. The VA’s continued application of its position, notwithstanding the Perkins decision and appeal dismissal, is among the issues raised in a separate rulemaking suit before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit by attorneys at Troutman Pepper Locke, together with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
“This turns the tide for millions of veterans to access the full suite of benefits rightfully owed to them,” said Lauren Miller, associate in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy, and Enforcement (RISE) Practice, who originally argued the Perkins v. Collins case. “I am proud of the steadfast work of our team in the continued pursuit of veterans’ rights and for compelling the VA to provide our clients, and millions of others, the benefits they were promised.”
“Our goal in challenging the VA’s interpretation of Rudisill v. McDonough has long been to secure a systemwide change that would finally honor what the Supreme Court already promised our veterans. The VA’s decision to reverse course, so that certain veterans no longer have to fight for the benefits they already earned, is a step towards all eligible veterans finally receiving the educational benefits Congress intended,” said Mary Grace Metcalfe, partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s RISE Practice. “This is a monumental win for veterans across the nation.”
This development underscores the firm’s commitment to protecting the rights of U.S. veterans and showcases the strength of its nationally recognized Appellate and Supreme Court and RISE Practices. Their combined efforts secured bipartisan support from every state attorney general, affirming that the VA lacks authority to deny educational benefits to the nation’s longest-serving veterans.
Although there is still work to do, the VA’s action acknowledges the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Rudisill and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims’ holding in Perkins, confirming that long-serving veterans are entitled to additional educational benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills, and that Rudisill applies to qualifying veterans without limitation.
“After over a decade of litigation, we are very pleased that deserving veterans get what they were promised and earned. Dominion Energy, where one in every five new hires is a veteran, is proud of this outcome, and of its over a century of support of the nation’s service men and women,” said David DePippo of Dominion Energy and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
The collaboration between Troutman Pepper Locke and Dominion Energy has been pivotal in securing this decision. The firm and Dominion Energy’s long-standing partnership has been prosperous over many years, as demonstrated in this victory as well as the success in the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Rudisill.
The team representing Perkins includes Misha Tseytlin, Timothy McHugh, Mary Grace Metcalfe, Jeff Johnson, Lauren Miller, Trey Smith, and Leah Defazio, among others from the firm, and David DePippo from Dominion Energy.
Troutman Pepper Locke’s Appellate and Supreme Court Practice has the experience and insight to present compelling arguments to appellate courts at any level, and to work with trial counsel to best preserve issues for appeal. The firm regularly appears before the Supreme Court of the United States — in oral argument and on brief — winning several landmark cases. Troutman Pepper Locke’s RISE Practice Group combines strong legal skills with firsthand experience resolving hundreds of matters with AGs to represent clients in state AG enforcement actions and litigation.
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