The Veteran's alcoholism is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows symptoms consistent with a 50% disability rating but no additional factors warranting a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s alcoholism is manifested by symptoms such as suicidal thoughts without intent or plan; moderate depression and anxiety; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances; insomnia; hallucinations during detoxification (not shown during the appeal period); memory and concentration difficulties; paranoia; irritability; feelings of worthlessness; no evidence of obsessional rituals, illogical speech, near-continuous panic or depression; impaired impulse control; spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene. These symptoms are consistent with a 50% disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Alcoholism
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 12, 2011
- Citation
- 1133895
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 1133895.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options, and the claim for alcoholism was denied as a matter of law.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD beginning March 16, 2010 and denied a motion for revision of an August 2007 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Board also granted service connection for alcoholism, major depressive disorder, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, sleep apnea, and increased ratings for PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of a VA medical examination and opinion prior to rating his disability. The Veteran is diagnosed with multiple psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety, irritability and anger, trauma/stressor-related disorder, and alcoholism. The Board requires a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death and its relation to service-connected conditions.
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