Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his claimed stressors and a VA examination. The claim for PTSD is being reviewed, as well as the claim for erectile dysfunction which may be related to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, a right knee disability, a circulatory condition, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no credible or competent evidence of current disabilities in these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings were denied. The appeal for bilateral degenerative joint disease of metatarsophalangeal joints with bilateral calcaneal spurs and severe pes planus was withdrawn by the Veteran, while his claims for left ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and tinea pedis remained denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the highest rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. With the resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the requirements for a TDIU have been met throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear pain, leukoplakia, GERD, bruxism, left knee disability, impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, cervical spine DJD, lumbar spine DJD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition or link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected loss of erectile power does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including those related to his Gulf War service and undiagnosed illnesses, are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and has granted service connection for this condition.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, while serious and requiring the use of a wheelchair or prosthetic leg, do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher evaluations or a finding of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and need for further development, including verification of dates of active duty and National Guard service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be related to his service in Korea where he was exposed to Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, were denied. The evidence did not establish a medical relationship between the disabilities and either service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected osteochondrosis L5/S1 with radiculopathy, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his erectile dysfunction, are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.