The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for essential tremors due to a duty to assist error in developing his exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents by operation of law, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his essential tremors are at least as likely as not the result of such exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's essential tremors were proximately due or aggravated by another service-connected disability. However, the duty to assist error in developing herbicide agent exposure during active service has been identified and requires further development.
- Claimed conditions
- essential tremors
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2026
- Citation
- A26010508
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 A26010508.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to hazardous materials and Agent Orange during military service. The Veteran's Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) needs to be obtained, and further development is needed concerning his alleged exposure to hazardous air contaminants at Hill Air Force Base, Agent Orange on C-123 Aircraft, dioxins at Kadena Air Base, and chemicals in the drinking water at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for all claims of service connection, including those for bilateral flat feet, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right CTS, left CTS, essential tremors, right ankle arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The appeal of sleep apnea was granted in a July 2024 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's essential tremors are related to service, specifically his time at Camp Lejeune. The decision grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including asthma, chronic rhinitis, cardiac toxicity and bradycardia, acute pancreatitis and pancreas cyst, chronic cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy (gallbladder issue), coronary artery disease, heart block, coronary artery bypass grafting, grade I diastolic dysfunction, hypertension, and essential tremors are related to his presumed in-service chemical exposure from Camp Lejeune.
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