When is alcoholism a VA disability?

Many veterans believe they can’t service-connect alcoholism or drug abuse to receive disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, that’s a common myth. The critical component for this type of disability claim is whether a veteran’s alcoholism, also referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is related to a secondary illness or condition that can be service-connected to time spent in the military.

While it’s true that the VA refuses to consider some disorders as service-connected—those that clearly aren't related to a veteran’s time in the military—if the veteran can prove that his AUD disability is secondary to a service-connected disorder or aggravated by one, it’s possible for the veteran to receive compensation for it.

The VA recognizes alcoholism as a disability when it can be service-connected to other conditions that developed during time spent in the military.

For example, if a veteran developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while in service, and he abuses alcohol to self-medicate as a way to cope with his PTSD, he may be eligible for VA disability benefits.

Additionally, if the veteran had a history of AUD prior to service and can prove that his condition was “aggravated” by another service-connected health issue, he may also qualify.

However, making this connection isn’t easy, and it’s important that an individual has all the necessary evidence, including lay statements and a medical opinion, to support the claim. The VA may not recognize your claim if you’ve abused alcohol out of habit, out of a need to be social, or as a way to de-stress. These actions can be viewed as “willful misconduct”—a reckless disregard of the probable consequences of engaging in harmful and dangerous behavior. So it’s important to hire a VA disability attorney to help file a convincing and successful claim.