Some veterans may turn to substances, including alcohol, when they return home from service. Alcohol can help numb the pain of a mental, emotional, or physical injury, and this can eventually lead to dependence and additional health issues.
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Although the VA does not provide an alcoholism VA rating, it does provide disability benefits for conditions linked to alcohol use such as mental health conditions or chronic pain. We explain more about how veterans struggling with alcoholism may be able to get VA disability benefits.
In this article about the PTSD with alcohol use disorder VA rating:
Alcoholism in veterans
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that impairs a person’s ability to quit drinking, regardless of the negative effects the person may experience on their health, relationships, or work. Many veterans struggle with substance misuse and AUD. The stress of the transition back to civilian life is challenging on its own but coupled with pain relief or mental health issues, 1 in 10 returning veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have reported a problem with alcohol or other drugs.
Alcohol is the most common substance abused or misused among veterans. In one study of more than 88,000 veterans, 12-15% were found to have struggled with alcohol misuse in the first three to six months back from combat. For many, this develops into a serious issue with alcoholism and these numbers increase dramatically for veterans with PTSD.
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VA disability for alcoholism
The VA does not provide a diagnostic code for alcoholism on its own. However, it is possible for veterans to receive benefits for conditions related to their alcohol use. Below are a few ways in which alcoholism may be connected to military service and qualify for disability benefits.
PTSD with alcohol use disorder VA rating
Many veterans are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD in veterans can result from experiences in combat or non-combat events, such as military sexual trauma (MST) or training accidents.
Many veterans with PTSD use alcohol in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. About 7% of veterans experience PTSD at some point in their lives, which is higher than the civilian average. More than 1.3 million veterans have a VA disability rating for PTSD, making it one of the most common service-connected conditions. Of all the veterans seeking help with a substance use disorder, 1 in 3 also has PTSD.
PTSD with alcohol use disorder can significantly affect a veteran’s ability to function in daily life, work, and social settings. In this situation, PTSD and substance misuse disorders are considered co-occurring disorders that can aggravate each other, leading to more severe symptoms and conditions.
The VA rates PTSD using diagnostic code 9411 in the Schedule of Ratings, which uses the rating criteria in the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Mental health disorders can be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, depending on how severe the symptoms are.
Alcoholism and chronic pain
In addition to mental health issues, chronic pain is another condition that can drive veterans to misuse alcohol. Chronic pain can occur anywhere in the body and lingers for more than three months. It can be incredibly uncomfortable and frustrating, as it can be hard to find a cause or cure for this pain, leading many to turn to substances like alcohol for temporary relief.
However, alcohol misuse can interfere with pain medications making them less effective, or resulting in a dangerous combination. Alcohol withdrawal can also lead to increased pain sensitivity, making chronic pain even more challenging to manage.
The VA doesn’t have a specific code just for chronic pain, but it does provide benefits for veterans who can connect it to their military service. The VA will use a diagnostic code that best fits based on the symptoms the veteran experiences.
Alcoholism and liver diseases
If a veteran’s alcoholism is determined to be caused by a service-connected disability like a mental health condition or chronic pain, they may be eligible for benefits for any conditions resulting from the alcohol misuse as well. One common issue among veterans with alcoholism is liver disease.
For example, if a veteran with service-connected PTSD turns to alcohol to cope with their symptoms and develops cirrhosis of the liver, they may qualify for additional disability benefits for the liver condition on a secondary basis. Research has already linked PTSD to higher mortality rates due to liver disease.
How the VA handles disability ratings for liver disease depends on the type of illness and the severity and frequency of symptoms. Most liver conditions are rated using diagnostic code 7312 for cirrhosis or 7345 for chronic liver diseases without cirrhosis.
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TDIU for alcoholism
In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for chronic pain or mental health conditions associated with alcoholism.
Veterans are eligible for TDIU benefits if they can’t sustain “substantially gainful” employment due to their service-connected conditions.
Veterans who misuse alcohol because of pain or mental health problems may prevent them from doing physical or sedentary work comfortably. Sleep may also be affected, creating additional issues.
Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
How Woods & Woods can help
Our VA-accredited attorneys have helped thousands of veterans nationwide who can no longer work because of their service-connected conditions. Call us today for your free, confidential TDIU case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we win your claim.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The VA does not have a diagnostic code for alcoholism. However, veterans with alcohol use disorder linked to their service-connected conditions, like PTSD or chronic pain, may still be owed monthly disability compensation.
The VA rates PTSD using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders criteria. Mental health disorders can be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%. AUD will not warrant an additional rating but may ultimately cause a veteran to be rated at a higher percentage.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
