The Board denied service connection for a substance abuse disorder, finding that the Veteran's use of illegal drugs and alcohol to enjoy their intoxicating effects constituted willful misconduct. As such, direct service connection was not granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's daily drinking of alcohol and use of illegal drugs to enjoy their intoxicating effects were considered willful misconduct under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- cocaine abuse disorder, methamphetamine and amphetamine abuse disorders, alcohol abuse disorder, cannabis dependence (substance abuse disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20035104
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20035104.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is being returned for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is due to complications from chronic alcohol abuse, which the Board finds was caused by or aggravated by an underlying acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia). The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and cocaine abuse disorder, are granted as service connected. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms were related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection, a higher rating for PTSD, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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