The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for essential tremors of both hands, finding that the disability was at worst mild in each hand with very limited impact on functioning.
The deciding factor: The functional impairment associated with the Veteran’s essential tremors over the entire claim period was found to be at worst mild in each upper extremity, with only limited impairment associated with eating with the left hand. The Board determined that the disability more nearly approximated mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve than moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Essential Tremors
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20081662
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,451 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20081662.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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