Ray A. Robbins v. HHS - Influenza, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) (2021)

Ray A. Robbins alleged that the influenza vaccine he received on October 25, 2013, caused him to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

He filed a petition for compensation with the Court of Federal Claims on October 24, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, challenged the diagnosis and causation in its Rule 4(c) report.

Both parties submitted expert reports. The court issued a tentative finding on February 3, 2021, indicating that Mr.

Robbins had not met his burden to establish the diagnostic criteria for CIDP, a theory of causation, or the timing of onset, finding the respondent's experts more persuasive. Following a status conference, Mr.

Robbins moved to dismiss his own petition. The court granted this motion, construing it as a motion for involuntary dismissal to preserve Mr.

Robbins' right to future civil action. The decision dismissed the case with prejudice for insufficient proof, noting that Mr.

Robbins failed to establish diagnosis, causation under the Althen standard, and the onset date. No compensation was awarded.