Appeals (1) from a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Board, filed February 27, 2006, which ruled that claimant did not sustain an accidental injury arising out of and in the course of his employment and denied his claim for workers’ compensation benefits, and (2) from a decision of said Board, filed August 14, 2006, which denied claimant’s request for reconsideration or full Board review.
Claimant was employed as a level II supervisor when, in April 2001, during a meeting with his immediate supervisor, he began complaining of chest pains and lightheadedness. After being transported to a hospital, claimant was diagnosed as suffering from stress. Claimant then began receiving psychiatric treatment and retired from his position. In May 2001, claimant filed for workers’ compensation benefits, alleging causally related heart problems, anxiety and depression disorder. After two hearings, the case was closed in June 2003 for lack of prima facie medical evidence. The case was reopened in December 2003, after claimant submitted a narrative from his treating psychologist, who determined that the overall stress of claimant’s employment may have been a contributing factor to his psychological condition. After a hearing, at which claimant and his immediate supervisor testified, and the submission of the deposition testimony of claimant’s psychologist, treating physician and the employer’s independent medical examiner, a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge found that claimant had established a work-related accident and awarded workers’ compensation benefits. The Workers’ Compensation Board reversed, however, finding that the stress that claimant experienced at work was not greater than the stress experienced by other level II supervisors. Claimant’s request for full Board review or reconsideration was denied. Claimant now appeals.
Mercure, J.P., Peters, Carpinello and Lahtinen, JJ., concur. Ordered that the decisions are affirmed, without costs.
