The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with secondary alcohol abuse has been rated at 30 percent since June 25, 2008. The Board finds that the disability picture more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran continues to meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for dysthymic disorder and alcohol use disorder, but it is not possible without resorting to mere speculation to determine which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis. All symptoms of dysthymic disorder could be due to, and at the very least are exacerbated by, the Veteran's substance use.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymic disorder, alcohol abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1735146
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 1735146.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol abuse, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol abuse and drug abuse, as well as a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or secondary service connection.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and substance abuse disorders.
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