Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, right and left inguinal hernia scars, and residuals of left hand third and fourth metacarpal fractures. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a left orchiectomy with erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, as the evidence supports a finding of recurrent dislocation and ligament laxity.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of the veteran's cardiovascular disorders and diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's adenocarcinoma of the prostate was rated at 40 percent from February 8, 2006, but no higher. The rating for neuralgic testicular pain and erectile dysfunction remained unchanged.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show a physical deformity of the penis, which is required for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7522.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as they were not related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, finding no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to his military service.

The claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction, claimed as secondary to PTSD, is remanded for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a bilateral arm condition, and the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran was granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes, but denied service connection for liver disorder and erectile dysfunction.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU was denied because the medical records indicating unemployability received in August 2000 and February 2001 do not constitute claims for a TDIU, and the requisite schedular criteria were not established prior to December 23, 2003.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 40 percent, while his erectile dysfunction did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The appellant's erectile dysfunction disability does not warrant a compensable rating. The hypertensive heart disease was rated at 60 percent effective prior to May 19, 2008, but no higher evaluation is warranted thereafter. The hypertension disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent, and service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus was granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip arthritis, nerve damage/carpal tunnel syndrome, and an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction were denied.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a total disability rating beginning October 1, 2003, but not earlier. The claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2003, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish a link between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer prior to November 18, 2005, and the ratings were not increased. The veteran's erectile dysfunction did not warrant a compensable rating.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including providing the veteran with VCAA notice and obtaining a clarifying medical opinion.

The Board remands the case to obtain an opinion regarding whether the erectile dysfunction was aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.