Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2009

The Veteran's recurrent urethritis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 3, 2001. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 20 percent evaluation for urinary frequency from January 3, 2001 through October 2, 2005. For erectile dysfunction, no compensable initial evaluation is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right leg disability, left leg disability, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), and erectile dysfunction is granted due to his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the Veteran set foot on land in Vietnam and thus is entitled to presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation (SMC) on account of loss of use of a creative organ. The Board finds that he is not entitled to such an earlier effective date as his claim was filed more than one year after the effective date of the liberalizing law allowing for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, inguinal hernias, Achilles tendonitis of the right foot, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, thoracic spine condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee condition, and skin condition (psoriasis, warts, abscesses, cysts) have been reopened. Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for sexual dysfunction, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed erectile dysfunction is not related to his period of military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities, including erectile dysfunction and hernia, were not caused by VA medical treatment in May 1995. The evidence did not show any fault on the part of VA or an unforeseeable event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is attributable to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, requiring insulin and a restricted diet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need for aid and attendance, which meets the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits information. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of PTSD. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are also inextricably intertwined with TDIU and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen any of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection claims related to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, but the new evidence did not establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for sleep apnea, upper respiratory infection disability, erectile dysfunction, and periodontitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and its treatment, thus denying the claim.