The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for right hand essential tremors, 60 percent for left hand essential tremors, and 30 percent for asbestosis with pulmonary nodule. It denied a rating higher than 30 percent for asbestosis, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded issues related to atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and increased ratings.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's tremors and asbestosis was considered in granting the initial ratings but denying higher ratings. The Board also granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- right hand (major) essential tremors, left hand (minor) essential tremors, asbestosis with pulmonary nodule, bilateral hearing loss, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease (CAD), service connection for atrial fibrillation, service connection for coronary artery disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2025
- Citation
- A25091971
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 785 · Granted: 34% (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 A25091971.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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