Alcoholism
Rated Under Another Condition
This condition is typically rated under Brain Syndrome, associated with Alcoholism (DC 9326). The rating criteria below reflects that diagnostic code.
Alcoholism is a VA-ratable condition . Maximum rating: 100%.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living; disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name |
| 70% | Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas (work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, mood), due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals; speech intermittently illogical; near-continuous panic or depression; impaired impulse control; spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances; inability to establish effective relationships |
| 50% | Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty understanding complex commands; impairment of memory; impaired judgment; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss |
| 10% | Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication |
| 0% | A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication |
Important Notes
Rated under Brain Syndrome, associated with Alcoholism (DC 9326)
Filing Tips
Pro Tip: The VA won't connect the dots for you. That's your job. Build the paper trail before you file.
Gather medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of this condition.
Document in-service events, injuries, or exposures that caused or aggravated this condition.
Consider a nexus letter from a medical professional linking your condition to service.