Many veterans who continue to fight Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and deal with chronic pain day in and day out have turned to prescription medications, alcohol, and illicit drugs to mitigate the symptoms. And many of those veterans deal with substance abuse as a result. In fact — an estimated 20% of veterans with PTSD also struggle with substance abuse. Veterans who continue to fight substance abuse connected to military service and their families want to know — can veterans get disability for substance abuse? VA Benefits Attorneys may be able to help answer your questions.

While substance abuse itself is not a disability — Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) that is connected to physical or mental health conditions related to military service may be eligible for disability benefits via the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Substance Abuse Disorder is often referred to as addiction and when directly linked to a service-connected injury, illness, or medical condition can be grounds for disability compensation. 

Is Substance Abuse Disorder a Secondary Service-Connected Disability?

Substance abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs is common among veterans and as a result, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes Substance Abuse Disorder as a secondary service connection. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not grant disability for substance abuse alone — but if the abuse is the result of a proven service-connected injury, illness, or medical condition, the veteran may be eligible.

To establish Substance Abuse Disorder as a secondary service connection, the veteran must have an established disability and be able to provide solid evidence that their SUD is the direct result of that disability. Veteran disabilities that are commonly tied to Substance Abuse Disorder include PTSD, chronic pain, and other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Mental health conditions are the most common disability to contribute to Substance Abuse Disorder and veterans with PTSD or depression are 4.5x more likely to fit the criteria for SUD.

What Are the VA Disability Ratings for Substance Abuse Disorder?

Veterans that have been able to establish a connection between a service-connected disability and Substance Abuse Disorder may receive a disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans diagnosed with Substance Abuse Disorder as a secondary service connection will receive a disability rating that ranges from 0% to 100% based on the evidence and degree of impairment.

Can Veterans Lose Disability Benefits for Substance Abuse?

A common question that many veterans who fight addiction have is — can I lose my disability benefits for substance abuse? The short answer is yes. Veterans who have shown willful misconduct when it comes to substance abuse, meaning that they are intentionally abusing substances without care for the potential consequences can have their benefits terminated.

READ MORE: Can You Get a VA Rating for Anxiety?

Are you a veteran or do you know a veteran that struggles with substance abuse? You may be asking — can veterans get disability for substance abuse? We hope that this breakdown of Substance Abuse Disorder as a secondary service connection has answered your questions. 

Contact VA Benefit Attorneys today for more information and a FREE case review!