The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol dependence is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, and his non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also service-connected as a result of his alcohol dependence.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions supported the conclusion that the Veteran's alcohol dependence was caused by or made worse by his service-connected psychiatric disability (depression), and his non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy was caused by his long-standing history of alcoholism, including multiple courses of rehabilitation over several years.
- Claimed conditions
- alcohol dependence, non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1616210
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 1616210.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability with alcohol dependence.
- Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcohol dependence, and anger issues. The denial is based on a lack of verified stressor in service linking these conditions to service, as well as a lack of medical nexus connecting them to service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for alcohol dependence and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, both secondary to service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol dependence, finding no current disability. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.
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