Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and a higher evaluation for residuals of bone chips in the right wrist was denied. The RO found that there is no deformity of the penis, which precludes a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7522.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, unspecified, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and cataracts. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection of hypertension, fatigue, shortness of breath, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, tinea pedis and tinea capitis, and headaches are also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability, bowel incontinence, and bladder incontinence are not related to his active service or any incident therein. The erectile dysfunction was also not connected to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's pulmonary disorder, claimed as COPD and asthma, may be related to his in-service exposure during Project SHAD. However, there is a reasonable doubt about this connection.,Regarding glaucoma with cataracts, post-extraction, with IOL placement, the evidence raises a reasonable doubt as to whether it was caused by steroid use for service-connected respiratory disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or ulcerative colitis due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's testicle disorder, erectile dysfunction, and impotency were not related to his active military service or a service-connected condition. The VA examiner opined that these conditions were more likely due to endocrine insufficiency, hypopituitarism, and hypothyroidism.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes warranted a 20 percent rating, CAD warranted a 30 percent rating, and hypertension did not warrant any compensable rating. The initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand and erectile dysfunction were also granted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD can be adjudicated.

The Board found no evidence of a primary sleep disorder and denied service connection for chronic sleep disorder. The veteran's erectile dysfunction was not addressed due to lack of examination, but the issue is remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records, conducting examinations to assess the veteran's conditions and their relationship to service or other factors, and ensuring that all notification requirements have been satisfied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension payable at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria of having a single permanent disability rated as 100 percent under the rating schedule or a separate disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, is not service-connected. Essential hypertension and coronary artery disease are also not service-connected, but are found to be related to diabetes mellitus. Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, but is considered proximately due to diabetes mellitus. Chronic tinnitus is service-connected as a complication of hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction is denied as lacking legal merit due to the one-year retroactive limit imposed by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, including secondary to medications taken for service-connected disabilities. This includes obtaining VA medical records from Grand Rapids, Michigan, reviewing a VA urologist's opinion on the etiology of the veteran's erectile dysfunction, and ensuring all legal requirements are met.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including myocardial infarction, amputation, osteomyelitis, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction, do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of impotency with erectile dysfunction and tinea pedis and cruris (groin rash) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service or a service-connected disability.