Document: 513 U.S. 115115 S.Ct. 552130 L.Ed.2d 462 Jesse BROWN, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Petitionerv.Fred P. GARDNER. No. 93-1128. Supreme Court the United States Argued Oct. 31, 1994. Decided Dec. 12, Syllabus * After respondent veteran had back surgery in a Department Affairs facility for condition unrelated to his military service, he developed pain and weakness left leg, which alleged was result surgery. He claimed disability benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, requires VA compensate "an injury, or an aggravation injury" that occurs "as of" treatment. The Board Veterans' Appeals denied claim on ground as interpreted by CFR 3.358(c)(3), only covers injury if it resulted from negligent treatment accident occurring during reversed, holding 1151 neither imposes nor authorizes adoption 3.358(c)(3)'s fault-or-accident requirement. Federal Circuit affirmed. Held: Section 3.358(c)(3) is not consistent with plain language contains word about fault-or-accident. statutory text reasonable inferences give clear answer against Government's arguments fault requirement implicit terms "injury" of." This textually grounded conclusion also fatal remaining principal arguments: Congress ratified VA's practice requiring showing when reenacted predecessor 1934, or, alternatively, post-1934 legislative silence serves endorsement fault-based policy; policy deserves judicial deference due its undisturbed endurance. Pp. ___-___. 5 F.3d 1456 (CA 1993), SOUTER, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Edward C. DuMont, Washington, DC, petitioner. Joseph M. Hannon, Jr., respondent. Justice SOUTER 1 In this case we decide whether regulation (1993), claimant certain veterans' prove treatment, controlling statute, (1988 ed., Supp. V). We hold not. 2 Fred Gardner, Korean conflict, received surgical herniated disc prior service. Gardner then calf, ankle, foot, 1151,1 provides will hospitalization, medical pursuit course vocational rehabilitation" provided any laws administered VA, so long "not such veteran's own willful misconduct. . ." Gardner's benefits, "proximately [from] carelessness, negligence, lack proper skill, error judgment, similar instances indicated fault" part occurrence rehabilitation "accident," defined "unforeseen, untoward" event. set out v. Derwinski, Vet.App. 584 (1991), affirmed, (1993). granted certiorari, 511 ----, 114 1396, 128 69, now affirm. II 3 Despite absence much fault2 Government proposes two interpretations attempting reveal first being inheres concept compensable "injury." think no inference can be drawn instance, however. Even though carry connotation, see Webster's New International Dictionary 1280 (2d ed. 1957) (an "actionable wrong"), just certainly need do so, ibid. ("[d]amage hurt done suffered person thing"). most, then, could basis term existence ambiguity resolved favor (assuming resolution would possible after applying rule interpretive doubt favor, King St. Vincent's Hosp., 502 215, 220-221, n. 9, 112 570, 574, 116 578 (1991)). But cannot plausibly make even here. Ambiguity creature definitional possibilities but context, id., at 221, 574 ("[T]he meaning language, not, depends context"), context negates reading. compensability "injury," "aggravation well. "Injury" used latter phrase refers question, hence suggestion attributable causing it. Since there presumption given mean same thing throughout Atlantic Cleaners & Dyers, Inc. States, 286 427, 433, 52 607, 608-609, 76 L.Ed. 1204 (1932), surely most vigorous repeated within sentence, virtually impossible read laden sentence quoted. 4 Textual cross-reference confirms conclusion. employed elsewhere statutes instance neutral "disability," appearing series whose other exemplify debility free connotation. See 1701(1) V) ("The 'disability' means disease, physical mental defect"). serial thus indicates fault-free sense should attributed itself. Jarecki G.D. Searle Co., 367 303, 307, 81 1579, 1582, 6 859 (1961) ("[A] known company keeps"). Moreover, analogous dealing service-connected injuries again without fault, administrative applicable these failure impose Compare 1110 ("disability resulting personal disease contracted line duty, preexisting period war," compensable) 1131 than compensable), 3.310(a) (1993) ("Disability proximately shall service connected. When connection established secondary condition, considered original condition"). second attempt VA-fault requirement, suggests signifies proximate cause incorporates test. Once again, find implausible. naturally simply causal between "hospitalization, treatment." Assuming limited causation narrow class cases, narrowing eliminating remote consequences, demonstration fault.3 generally W. Keeton, D. Dobbs, R. Owen, Prosser Keeton Law Torts 42 (5th 1984). eccentricity reading into "result underscored incongruity fourth category compensation available cases "pursuit rehabilitation." If meant require have been odd refer "the [by veteran] rather provision VA] poor fit made all more obvious statute's express claimant's fault. restricts those additional their "own misconduct." reference statute keeping silent invokes "[w]here includes particular one section omits another Act, presumed acts intentionally purposely disparate inclusion exclusion." Russello 464 16, 23, 104 296, 300, 78 17 (1983) (internal quotation marks omitted). Without some mention unreasonable imposing burden demonstrating upon seeking further disability. 7 sum, Government, that, said, " 'the end matter.' Good Samaritan Hosp. Shalala, 508 113 2151, 2157, 124 368 (quoting Chevron U.S.A. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 837, 842, 2778, 2781, 694 (1984)). Thus advanced 8 contends Congress's regulatory over last 60 years policy. There trump reenactment argument, however, law plain, subsequent does constitute previous construction." Demarest Manspeaker, 498 184, 190, 111 599, 603-604, 608 (1991). Massachusetts Trustees Easter Gas Fuel Associates 377 235, 241-242, 84 1236, 1241-1242, 12 268 (1964) (congressional has effect where regulations clearly contradict requirements statute). sensible rule, day. Setting aside disputed question 1934,4 record congressional discussion preceding makes regulation, evidence suggest aware position. "In circumstances consider re-enactment significance." Calamaro, 354 351, 359, 77 1138, 1144, 1394 (1957). 9 approach likewise unavailing Government. As recently clear, 'lacks persuasive significance,' Central Bank Denver, N.A. First Interstate ---, 1439, 1453, 119 (1994) (slip op., 22-23) Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. LTV Corp., 496 633, 650, 110 2668, 2678, 579 (1990)), particularly are inconsistent Patterson McLean Credit Union, 491 164, 175, 1, 109 2363, 2371, 105 132 (1989) ("Congressional inaction amend duly enacted statute"). Zuber Allen, 396 168, 185-186, 21, 90 314, 324, 24 345 (1969) verdict quiescent invoked baptize gloss otherwise impermissible. Congressional frequently betokens unawareness, preoccupation, paralysis"). 10 Finally, dispose argument interpretation endurance years. A regulation's age antidote inconsistency fact, flies text, exempts courts obligation defer Dole Steelworkers America, 494 26, 42-43, 929, 938-939, 108 23 (1990); supra, U.S., 842-843, S.Ct., 2781-2782. were close case, application enhance force interpretation, Zenith Radio 437 443, 450, 98 2441, 2445, 57 337 (1978), position suffer factual embarrassment review decisions until 1988, removing what Report spoke agency's "splendid isolation." H.R.Rep. 100-963, pt. p. (1988). aptly stated, "[m]any aged nicely because took provide review. length regulations' unscrutinized unscrutinizable existence" alone, therefore, deference. F.3d, 1463-1464. III 11 Accordingly, judgment It ordered. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. typically veterans nonservice related disabilities, although terms. Pet. Cert. 6, 3. history begins 1924 213 World War 1924, ch. 320, 43 Stat. 623. repealed 1933, Economy Act 3, Tit. I, 17, 48 11-12, nearly form Mar. 28, 102, III, 526. "Fault" shorthand fault-or-accident, test imposed regulation. leaves "accident" unclear, defining Although appropriate scope before us, plausible alternative course, intend cast insofar they exclude coverage incidents disease's injury's natural progression, date 3.358(b)(2) action situations. Nor doctrine volenti non injuria. Bigelow, 39-43 (8th 1907). unreasonable, example, believe intended necessary consequences consented (i.e., compensating who consents amputation gangrenous limb loss limb). At time 1934 reenactment, precluded 'usual after[-]results approved care properly administered.' Brief Respondent 31.

Category: 1