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.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Essential Tremors, Persistent Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26022236
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 A26022236.
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: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was rated at 100% effective October 10, 2018. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred within one year prior to this date and granted an earlier effective date of September 21, 2016.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the AOJ's failure to provide adequate VA medical opinions for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus constitutes a pre-decisional error in VA's duty to assist, requiring remand.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims due to errors in obtaining relevant service treatment records and post-service mental health treatment records, as well as for an additional medical examination regarding tinnitus.
- 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.
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