Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any psychiatric disability, diabetic retinopathy (blurred vision), chloracne and porphyria cutanea, or peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities for purposes of establishing service connection.,Regarding erectile dysfunction, the evidence is insufficient to establish its etiology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer, hypertension, paresthesia of fingers/toes, renal artery atherosclerotic disease, CAD, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected or secondary to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's erectile dysfunction was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not attributable to a service-connected disease or injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for depression, breathing problems (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rhinitis), erectile dysfunction, neck disability, sleep apnea, and increased rating for chronic back strain. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering all theories of entitlement. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction warrants a 40 percent rating, which requires insulin and regulation of activities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for adenocarcinoma of the prostate and a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, effective dates, and other issues. The decisions were generally unfavorable to the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, and bilateral pes planus. The veteran was also denied service connection for hyperlipidemia.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that the veteran's condition was incurred during active duty. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence to support this claim.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease and right ear hearing loss to the RO for further development. The erectile dysfunction claim is denied as there is no competent evidence establishing a direct relationship between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected balanitis xerotica obliterans with urethral stricture, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals from surgery performed at a VA medical facility in November 2000, which included neurological deficiencies in the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and ongoing bowel incontinence and difficulty with evacuation. The Board will remand to obtain an expert medical opinion by an experienced surgeon regarding whether the proximate cause of these disabilities was due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to confirm the specifics of the veteran's claimed inservice stressors and to determine whether he has PTSD due to any verified inservice stressor(s).

The veteran's primary insomnia is found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, warranting service connection.,Erectile dysfunction secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is also granted. The veteran's TDIU claim is pending as the medical evidence indicates he cannot work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current urinary disorder and erectile dysfunction are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for erectile dysfunction, glaucoma/cataracts, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.