The Veteran's tremors are found to be secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder. His lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tremors have been determined to be secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder, which requires a separate rating based on this secondary relationship. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent due to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- tremors, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2018
- Citation
- 1827675
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1827675.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 2, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not establish a nexus between current hearing loss or DJD of the lumbar spine and service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tremors due to potential issues with evidence and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeals for service connection for depression and tremors have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on these claims as they are no longer pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tremors is granted, and the appeal regarding service connection for brain disease due to trauma (traumatic brain injury) is dismissed.
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