Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating. The burn scars are also rated, but no compensable rating was assigned.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues on appeal, including increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his service-connected erectile dysfunction, as he did not provide evidence of a deformity of the penis.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from November 20, 2003 to November 21, 2003 is granted due to the lack of suitable VA facilities.

The Board found that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is not related to his service-connected prostatitis and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied as there is no legal basis for such an award.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not incurred in or related to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The case is being remanded for the following: (1) obtaining outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records that may be relevant to the issues on appeal and (2) providing notification in compliance with Kent v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 1 (2006).

The veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a travel or videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO due to his failure to appear in December 2007.

The veteran's appeal involves disagreement with the initial 20 percent disability rating assigned for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with associated complications. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development and consideration of whether a higher rating is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The veteran's erectile dysfunction has been manifested by loss of erectile power, but no penile deformity has been shown. As such, the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction, secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of evidence of penis deformity.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial higher rating for his service-connected erectile dysfunction, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinions to determine the etiology of the veteran's erectile dysfunction, including whether it is related to service-connected conditions or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, shell fragment wounds to his right knee and head, and residuals from those injuries. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim for atrophied testicles with erectile dysfunction.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The issues of increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and prostate disorder with erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during his period of active service or within one year following separation.,The veteran's assertions regarding the onset of these conditions were not supported by medical evidence.

The VA has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and assigned an initial 20 percent rating, effective April 29, 2004. The veteran's condition requires daily insulin injections and restrictions in his diet but does not require regulation of activities.