Veterans with PTSD often struggle with alcohol and drug use. What many don’t know is how and why substance abuse can actually support a PTSD claim.
In our experience, PTSD claimants – veterans who have engaged in combat, witnessed death, suffered military sexual trauma, or lost a limb to an IED – did not turn to drugs and alcohol to enjoy euphoria or intoxication. No, they were trying to cope with unrelenting PTSD symptoms.
Many veterans are unable to come to grips with their PTSD and substance use until long after they’ve struggled in silence. Meanwhile, their self-medicating efforts have evolved into addictions.
It is a general misconception that the VA does not award disability benefits for substance misuse that is linked to service-connected conditions like PTSD. Marc Whitehead & Associates has helped veterans obtain VA compensation for PTSD and other mental disorders where alcohol and drug use are disabling consequences.
These are complex claims, making it hard to know if you qualify for VA compensation in your specific case.
In this article, we explain:
- How PTSD and related alcohol and drug problems can significantly support a veteran’s claim for disability benefits.
- Current laws supporting a veteran’s alcohol or drug-related disabilities that stem from PTSD and how those disabilities may impact the veteran’s service-connected PTSD rating.
Alcohol and Drug Use Are Viewed as Common Side Effects of Certain Mental Disorders
Because the use of alcohol, street drugs, and misuse of prescribed opiates is so widespread among veterans and military members, the VA lists several conditions it considers as closely associated with alcohol or drug use in veterans:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Schizophrenia
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Case Law Bridges the Gap between Service-connected PTSD and Alcohol and Drug Use
In 2001, an important ruling was made in favor of veterans seeking increased VA compensation for alcohol or drug-related disabilities arising secondarily from a service-connected disability.
The case involved veteran William F. Allen, who had PTSD resulting from his service. He also alleged an alcohol abuse disability that arose as a symptom of his PTSD. His claim was denied.
In the ensuing case Allen v. Principi, Allen appealed the denial to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The Board ruled that under the law, veterans are not prohibited from obtaining compensation.
Disability benefits may be awarded:
- For alcohol or drug use disabilities that are secondary to a service-connected disability. Symptoms of the secondarily service-connected alcohol or drug abuse disorder may be used as evidence of an increased severity of your service-connected PTSD disability.
- Furthermore, for any condition caused or aggravated by the secondarily service-connected alcohol or drug abuse disability, that condition may also be service-connected. (e.g., if your alcohol addiction later causes liver disease, the liver disease should be granted service connection.)
How Does the VA Rate Alcohol and Drug Use in PTSD Claims?
Initial Application for PTSD Indicating Substance Abuse
In such cases, veterans applying for initial service connection for PTSD may benefit by including alcohol and drug use in their PTSD claims. The VA recognizes the relationship between the overuse of drugs or alcohol and PTSD specifically. When a veteran’s claim is supported with credible evidence, the co-occurring disorders are viewed in the context of the veteran receiving crucial treatments for substance abuse caused by PTSD due to military service.
Secondary Service Connection for Alcohol and Drug Use
Further, a veteran with service-connected PTSD who has since become addicted to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism may now be eligible for additional VA disability benefits. The VA may grant secondary service connection to the substance abuse, and you may now have evidence of increased severity of the service-connected PTSD.
Note that the VA does not allow direct service connections for drug or alcohol abuse; they are only service-connected on a secondary basis.
Therefore, the VA does not rate them directly nor pay benefits directly. In these cases, the VA will look at these conditions’ side effects and symptoms as evidence of an increased severity of a service-connected disability.
You must provide the VA with sufficient evidence establishing that your alcohol or drug abuse disability is secondary to or a symptom of your service-connected disability. Also, your substance abuse must not be due to willful misconduct.
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Won’t Admitting Alcohol or Drug Use in a C&P Exam Result in a Lower PTSD Rating?
Veterans filing PTSD service-connection claims fear that during the C&P exams, the examiner may assign their disabilities to afflictions other than PTSD, such as alcoholism or substance abuse. The veteran’s concern is that by talking about their substance use, a PTSD diagnosis might not be made, or it would otherwise jeopardize their chances of being service-connected for PTSD.
The C&P exam can become the most essential part of your claim file. The VA rating specialist will focus on the exam findings when deciding your case.
A VA-backed study has shown that veterans with substance use who were applying for service-connection for PTSD were more likely to get a service-connection award. The study assessed over 200 veterans’ C&P examinations, medical records, and research assessments.
Surprisingly, the key finding was that confirmations of drug and alcohol use in medical examiner reports were clearly linked with service-connection awards for PTSD. The veterans were almost twice as likely to receive any mental health award and an even greater likelihood of receiving an award for PTSD specifically.
The study’s findings are in line with how the VA often deems alcohol and drug use as symptoms of PTSD. The tolerant awarding of benefits is in agreement with the VA rating guidelines and literature suggesting that substance abuse is related to PTSD.
The study also found that PTSD claims procedures, including efficient use of the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) form, make it more likely that drug and alcohol use will be ascribed to trauma exposure than to other reasons.
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Is Your Drug or Alcohol Use a Consequence of Your PTSD?
Exposure to traumatic events has increasingly taken its toll on the mental health of America’s soldiers. Don’t let the VA or anyone else suggest that your PTSD disability claim will automatically be denied because of alcohol or drug use.
We urge you to speak with our veterans’ attorneys about alcohol and drug use associated with your PTSD claim. These findings often help argue and strengthen your claim, resulting in significantly higher disability benefits.
Just as important, the VA offers dedicated programs and services to ensure every disabled veteran receives the alcoholism and drug addiction treatment they need.
Swift and just compensation for PTSD is your right. Fighting for your VA benefits is essential; we can assist you immediately.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
