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Alcoholism Secondary To Ptsd/mdd

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Cm Burns

Question

Has anyone ever successfully been able to get this claim approved or service connected without having to go to a hearing. If so what evidence do they look for or use

Claim 1 & 2 /w pension Filed 10/23/2009 CnPs- Dec Phase 10/1/2010 Notification 10/12/2010 Closed 10/15/2010

Claim 3 Filed June 23,10 CNPs- Jan 2011 Dec Phase- Mar 2011 Notification- May 2011 Closed My 2011 (CLAIM DENIED)

Claim 4 Filed June 13,11 cnps-Na Dec Phase- Aug 2011 Notification- ...

Voc Rehab Claim Filed July 2011 Orientation-17 Aug 2011 Found Entitled- 17 Aug 2011 Classes paid- 19 Aug 2011 First Stipen Check- ...

***Under Ga VARO from 2009 - Until Present***

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There are awards at the BVA for this type of claim.But very few.

If alcoholism, due to a service connected disability. has been shown to cause an additional disability ( with strong medical evidence of the link) then the VA will rate and award the secondary additional disability due to the alcoholism.

Allen V Principi.

In this award of DIC to a widow- the VA considered the veterans demise (due to consequence of drug/alcohol abuse as also directly due to his service connected disability.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp99/files2/9919013.txt

These claims need strong medical evidence that clearly supports the nexus between the SC disability and the substance abuse and then between the substance abuse and the claimed disability.

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

I was able to SC it secondary to my SC PTSD. It took 10 yrs, way back in the day, but I got it. All I needed was statements from my docs and counselors. They originally denied due to willful misconduct but reversed that.

pr

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  • HadIt.com Elder

I agree with PR and Berta. There was a window in the mid 90's where VA changed from willful misconduct to drugs and alcohol were self medicating for a service connected condition but they quickly tightened up the screws and made it very difficult. But that said PR got it because he is good at what he does and that is basically beat them down with their own regs.

The VA has always been very rough with addicted Veterans even when they they quit.

My opinion is that you can get it done but is it worth the battle?

Veterans deserve real choice for their health care.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

I agree, w/Pete, unless you have a spouse and you haven't met the 10yr/DIC requirement/criteria, yet. Of course, it will SC any diseases/disabilities caused by the alcoholism, which could bring comp in the future. jmo

pr

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