Disabling Effects of Chronic Alcoholism Law and Legal Definition
According to 38 CFR 21.5021 [Title 38 -- Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief; Chapter I -- Department of Veterans Affairs; Part 21 -- Vocational Rehabilitation and Education; Subpart G -- Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32], disabling effects of chronic alcoholism means alcohol-induced physical or mental disorders or both, such as habitual intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, amnesia, dementia, and other like manifestations of chronic alcoholism which, in the particular case --
(i) Have been medically diagnosed as manifestations of alcohol dependency or chronic alcohol abuse, and
(ii) Are determined to have prevented commencement or completion of the affected individual's chosen program of education.
(2) A diagnosis of alcoholism, chronic alcoholism, alcohol-dependency, chronic alcohol abuse, etc., in and of itself, does not satisfy the definition of this term.
(3) Injury sustained by a veteran as a proximate and immediate result of activity undertaken by the veteran while physically or mentally unqualified to do so due to alcoholic intoxication is not considered a disabling effect of chronic alcoholism.
