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.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and knee conditions, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle conditions. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis.
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