The Traynor v. Turnage case in 1987 involved two veterans who had been denied educational benefits by the Veterans' Administration (VA) because they failed to use them within a ten-year limit after discharge from active duty, as required by law. The plaintiffs argued that their alcoholism, which was classified as willful misconduct under VA regulations, prevented them from using these benefits within the stipulated time frame and thus should be considered a disability that extends this deadline. However, the Supreme Court upheld the VA's decision in an 8-1 ruling. It found no violation of equal protection principles or discrimination against disabled individuals under Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act since Congress has broad discretion when defining terms related to veteran benefits eligibility criteria and it could reasonably conclude that alcoholism is not always caused by factors beyond one’s control.

In the dissenting opinion for Traynor v. Turnage, it was argued that the majority's decision to uphold a Veterans' Administration regulation, which denied educational benefits extension to veterans suffering from alcoholism on grounds of willful misconduct, contradicted Congress's intent when establishing these benefits. The dissenters believed that this ruling unfairly stigmatized individuals with alcohol addiction and failed to recognize it as a disease rather than an act of personal irresponsibility. They also pointed out inconsistencies in how other conditions resulting from 'willful misconduct,' such as injuries sustained while committing crimes or during suicide attempts were treated differently under VA regulations. Furthermore, they questioned whether the VA had overstepped its authority by making determinations about medical issues like addiction without sufficient expertise or Congressional guidance.