Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, finding that the conditions did not have their onset during service or due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was also found not to be a proximate cause.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not due to herbicide exposure or any other event in service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or in combination, do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and employment background.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his combined disability rating is only 50 percent.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for respiratory disorder and erectile dysfunction, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced from the housebound rate to the 'K' rate for loss of use of a creative organ. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the reduction in his disability rating and need for an examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and related conditions were denied. The RO found that the current rating of 40 percent adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction (secondary to diabetes mellitus), and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the previous denials was not new and material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension or erectile dysfunction that is related to his active military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board granted service connection for flat feet and found it had onset during active service. Service connection was denied for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, including as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction did not manifest until after service and is not related to his active service, specifically a circumcision performed in service. As such, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and initial ratings higher than 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that his current conditions are more likely related to natural aging and hypogonadism rather than service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent initial rating, and his diabetes mellitus has been granted a 20 percent initial rating. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and chloracne have all been denied.

The Veteran's diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral peripheral vascular disease, and erectile dysfunction are all service-connected as they are related to his service-connected diabetes. The Board finds that these conditions were likely caused or aggravated by the diabetes.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The issues of entitlement to initial compensable and excess ratings for service-connected erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic nephropathy are still pending.