The Veteran's service-connected essential tremors of the right and left upper extremities have been granted effective February 28, 2020.,An increased rating to 30 percent for each upper extremity tremor has also been granted.
The deciding factor: The VA Medical Opinions consistently indicated that the Veteran's essential tremors significantly impacted his ability to perform daily activities and required assistance from another individual, meeting the criteria for SMC.
- Claimed conditions
- Essential Tremors
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24057817
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 A24057817.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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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