The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of essential tremors, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted his military service and was not aggravated by it.
The deciding factor: The March 2018 VA examiner found that the Veteran’s essential tremors clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Essential Tremors
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20040939
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 20040939.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for essential tremors prior to October 5, 2021 was denied. The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating greater than 50 percent for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress prior to October 5, 2021 was also denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's essential tremors are rated under DC 8103, which does not account for the use of medication. The Board finds a new VA opinion is needed to determine the current severity of his condition without the ameliorative effect of medication.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following issues: TBI residuals, vertigo, essential tremors, and headaches. The AOJ failed to obtain private medical records from Dr. R. Kastner and other private primary care providers prior to the March 2025 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The appeal for entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, while other appeals were dismissed as untimely and remanded for further action on essential tremors.
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