VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01613 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01613 Petitioner: R.R.K. Filed: 2023-09-19 Decided: 2026-02-26 Vaccine: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) Vaccination date: 2020-09-18 Condition: encephalopathy Outcome: dismissed Award amount USD: AI-assisted case summary: On September 19, 2023, Shireesha Eedunuru filed a petition on behalf of the minor child R.R.K., alleging that an MMR vaccination administered on September 18, 2020 caused encephalopathy. The case was assigned to Special Master Herbrina D. Sanders Young. The public dismissal record provides only limited medical detail. After reviewing the filed record, petitioner moved to dismiss the claim, stating that the medical records were insufficient to support a finding of entitlement and that no supportive expert report had been filed. Respondent did not object. Special Master Young dismissed the petition on February 26, 2026. No compensation was awarded, and the public decision does not include a clinical timeline, diagnostic testing, expert analysis, or a detailed explanation of R.R.K.'s symptoms. Theory of causation field: MMR vaccine on September 18, 2020, allegedly causing encephalopathy in minor R.R.K.; DISMISSED. Petitioner moved to dismiss because medical records were insufficient and no supportive expert report had been filed. Respondent did not object. No compensation. SM Herbrina D. Sanders Young, petition filed September 19, 2023; decision February 26, 2026. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01613-0 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-23 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 2/26/2026) regarding 44 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Herbrina D S Young. (gf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-01613-UNJ Document 45 Filed 03/23/26 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: February 26, 2026 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SHIREESHA EEDUNURU, * on behalf of her minor child, R.R.K., * * Petitioner, * No. 23-1613V * v. * Special Master Young * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Brian Robert Arnold, Brian R. Arnold & Associates, Richardson, TX, for Petitioner. Katherine Edwards, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DISMISSAL DECISION1 On September 19, 2023, Shireesha Eedunuru (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program2 on behalf of her minor child, R.R.K. Pet., ECF No. 1; Am. Pet., ECF No. 35. Petitioner alleged that the administration of a measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”) vaccine R.R.K. received on September 18, 2020, caused R.R.K. to suffer from encephalopathy. Am. Pet. at ¶ 13. On February 24, 2026, Petitioner filed a motion for a decision dismissing her petition. ECF No. 43. Petitioner acknowledged judgment will result against her and will end her rights in the Vaccine Program. Id. at 1. Respondent confirmed he had no objection to Petitioner’s motion. See Informal Comm., docketed Feb. 26, 2026. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa- 10 et seq. (hereinafter “Vaccine Act,” “the Act,” or “the Program”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act. Case 1:23-vv-01613-UNJ Document 45 Filed 03/23/26 Page 2 of 2 To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioner must prove either (1) that R.R.K. suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding to the vaccination, or (2) that R.R.K. suffered an injury that was caused by a vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A), 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that R.R.K. suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence that R.R.K.’s alleged injury was caused by the MMR vaccine. Under the Act, petitioners may not be given a Program award based solely on their claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by medical records or the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the medical records are insufficient to prove Petitioner’s claim, and Petitioner has not filed a supportive opinion from an expert witness. Therefore, this case must be dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/ Herbrina D. S. Young Herbrina D. S. Young Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01613-cl-extra-11280993 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-23 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10814239 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: February 26, 2026 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SHIREESHA EEDUNURU, * on behalf of her minor child, R.R.K., * * Petitioner, * No. 23-1613V * v. * Special Master Young * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Brian Robert Arnold, Brian R. Arnold & Associates, Richardson, TX, for Petitioner. Katherine Edwards, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DISMISSAL DECISION 1 On September 19, 2023, Shireesha Eedunuru (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 2 on behalf of her minor child, R.R.K. Pet., ECF No. 1; Am. Pet., ECF No. 35. Petitioner alleged that the administration of a measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”) vaccine R.R.K. received on September 18, 2020, caused R.R.K. to suffer from encephalopathy. Am. Pet. at ¶ 13. On February 24, 2026, Petitioner filed a motion for a decision dismissing her petition. ECF No. 43. Petitioner acknowledged judgment will result against her and will end her rights in the Vaccine Program. Id. at 1. Respondent confirmed he had no objection to Petitioner’s motion. See Informal Comm., docketed Feb. 26, 2026. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa- 10 et seq. (hereinafter “Vaccine Act,” “the Act,” or “the Program”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act. To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioner must prove either (1) that R.R.K. suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding to the vaccination, or (2) that R.R.K. suffered an injury that was caused by a vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A), 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that R.R.K. suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence that R.R.K.’s alleged injury was caused by the MMR vaccine. Under the Act, petitioners may not be given a Program award based solely on their claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by medical records or the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the medical records are insufficient to prove Petitioner’s claim, and Petitioner has not filed a supportive opinion from an expert witness. Therefore, this case must be dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly. 3 IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/ Herbrina D. S. Young Herbrina D. S. Young Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2