Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions are not related to his diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensably disabling under DC 7522, but there is no evidence of deformity of the penis. Therefore, a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 7, 2003 for the award of TDIU based on factual ascertainability as of that date.

The veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ due to service-connected PTSD and exposure to herbicides were denied as there is no current competent medical evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back and lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and there is no competent evidence linking any diagnosed upper extremity disorder to service or service-connected diabetes. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted but remains at a noncompensable rating. For neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support an increased disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between the condition and his service-connected lumbar disc degeneration.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether he qualifies as a Vietnam veteran and for compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has granted increased ratings for gouty arthritis, diabetes mellitus, right wrist disability, and appendectomy scar. The veteran's pancreatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction are found to be related to his service-connected lumbar disc disease with lumbar strain. However, the claim for an increased rating for the back disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability, specifically diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and/or hypertension. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus, as well as his request to reopen a claim for service connection for asbestosis. The Board also dismissed the issue regarding the timely filing of a notice of disagreement with an August 1999 rating decision.