The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the alcohol dependence claim had no legal merit, while the major depressive disorder, left wrist disability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease claims were not supported by evidence of a direct or secondary service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's alcohol dependence was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection on a secondary basis must be denied as there is no evidence that the major depressive disorder, left wrist disability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease are caused by his alcohol dependence.
- Claimed conditions
- alcohol dependence, major depressive disorder, left wrist disability, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2010
- Citation
- 1001708
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1001708.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to a failure to verify a stressor related to the death of his two best friends in Iraq. The AOJ needs to develop this stressor.
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