The veteran's claim for service connection for a chemical imbalance (to include bipolar disorder) due to alcohol consumption is denied as the evidence does not show that his alcohol abuse disability was incurred or aggravated by active service. The right knee disability and substance abuse are not shown to be related.
The deciding factor: Service connection for alcohol-related chemical imbalances is precluded by law, and there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between the veteran's alcohol consumption and his current chemical imbalance.
- Claimed conditions
- Chemical Imbalance (to include bipolar disorder)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2002
- Citation
- 0213013
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0213013.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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