The Board finds that the Veteran's alcohol dependence is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The most probative evidence of record demonstrates that the Veteran's alcohol dependence is aggravated by his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder to include bruxism.
- Claimed conditions
- Alcohol Dependence
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1638857
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 1638857.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms, which were considered to be consistent with a 50 percent disability rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to August 15, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 15, 2022 was also denied. The Board determined that there was no evidence of occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to a motor vehicle accident during service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating from January 7, 2019.
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