X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
PUBLISH

Before LUCERO , Circuit Judge, BALDOCK, Senior Circuit Judge, and MURPHY, Circuit Judge.

We are asked to decide in this case whether the recoupment doctrine applies to the Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) withholding of disability benefits to plaintiff, Samuel Beaumont, after Mr. Beaumont’s bankruptcy filing and discharge. After learning of a large inheritance that Mr. Beaumont received in 2001, the VA determined that it had overpaid his disability benefit by approximately $18,000 and consequently reduced his monthly benefit payment in an effort to recoup this amount. Mr. Beaumont filed an adversary proceeding in his bankruptcy case, arguing that the VA’s reduction of his monthly benefit violated the Bankruptcy Code’s automatic stay and discharge injunction provisions. See 11 U.S.C. §§ 362 and 524. The Bankruptcy Court disagreed, concluding that the VA’s payment obligations and Mr. Beaumont’s obligation to return the overpayment arose from a single transaction and therefore the VA’s recoupment violated neither the automatic stay nor the discharge injunction. After losing his appeal in the district court, Mr. Beaumont filed an appeal with this court. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and § 158(d)(1). We agree fully with the bankruptcy court’s well-reasoned opinion of August 7, 2008, and it would serve no purpose for us to restate its analysis here. Accordingly, as we have done on other appropriate occasions, we formally adopt its decision, attached as an appendix hereto, as our own.*fn2 See, e.g., Lang v. Lang (In re Lang) , 414 F.3d 1191, 1194 (10th Cir. 2005).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 18, 2024 - September 19, 2024
Dallas, TX

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More
October 15, 2024
Dallas, TX

The Texas Lawyer honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Texas.


Learn More
April 08, 2025 - April 09, 2025
Chicago, IL

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More

Cicchiello & Cicchiello, LLP - Hartford Law Firm seeking to hire an Associate Attorney. We focus our practice primarily on Personal Inju...


Apply Now ›

Health Law Associate CT Shipman is seeking an associate to join our national longstanding health law practice. Candidates must have t...


Apply Now ›

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is seeking a attorney to expand our national commercial real estate lending practice. Candidates should have at l...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›