The Veteran's service-connected alcohol abuse is granted, as it is aggravated by his service connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and chronic sleep impairment. The rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and chronic sleep impairment is increased to 70 percent from August 12, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's alcohol abuse was found to be aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and chronic sleep impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder, alcohol abuse, back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, loss of vision
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18153628
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 18153628.
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 remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for a neurological examination to determine if any diagnosed radiculopathy or other neurological disability affecting the lower extremities was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.
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