Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00164/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00164-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1442 Petition for Removal

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DARRELL SMITH,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-0164 RRB KJM PS

vs.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Defendant.

 /

Defendant’s motion to dismiss is pending before the court. Upon review of the

documents in support and opposition, and good cause appearing therefor, THE COURT FINDS

AS FOLLOWS:

 Defendant moves to dismiss on the ground this court lacks jurisdiction to hear

plaintiff’s claim for breach of contract for failure to pay plaintiff VA education benefits.

Defendant is correct. This court lacks jurisdiction to review veteran benefit determinations. 38

U.S.C. § 511(a). The Veterans’ Judicial Review Act provides the exclusive review procedure to

appeal benefit determinations; federal court review is limited to the United States Court of

Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Zuspann v. Brown, 60 F.3d 1156, 1158-59 (5th Cir. 1995); see

also Hicks v. Small, 69 F.3d 967, 969-70 (9th Cir. 1995) (state law claims arising out of decision

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Case 2:07-cv-00164-JKS-KJM Document 15 Filed 09/11/07 Page 1 of 2
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to reduce benefits precluded by § 511(a)). As such, this court lacks jurisdiction over plaintiff’s

claim.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that defendant’s motion to

dismiss be granted and this action dismissed.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District

Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within

twenty days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file

written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be

captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any reply to the

objections shall be served and filed within ten days after service of the objections. The parties

are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal

the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

DATED: September 11, 2007. 

006

smith-va.57

Case 2:07-cv-00164-JKS-KJM Document 15 Filed 09/11/07 Page 2 of 2