Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension.,Bilateral hearing loss remains in dispute, with the claim reopened but not yet substantiated.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development to determine if the appellant's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to October 31, 2007.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and retinopathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar spine sprain was rated at 10 percent prior to September 26, 2003. The rating was increased to 40 percent from September 26, 2003 to August 31, 2009, and then reduced back down to 20 percent effective September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and secondary service connection, as well as a claim of compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 due to medical treatment provided at a VA Medical Center beginning in September 2003.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and also denied service connection for erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded to the RO or AMC for further development.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date, increased rating, and service connection are denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for his service-connected vasectomy residuals, atrophy of the right testicle, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not show any deformity of the penis or active infection involving the epididymis.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is not warranted. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction are being remanded as additional medical evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Guam, which could affect his claims for service connection. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus Type 2 with erectile dysfunction and glaucoma were denied. The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was granted initial noncompensable disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a review of the appellant's claims file by a urologist to determine the nature and etiology of his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed disabilities, including atrial fibrillation, loss of muscle use in the abdomen, tissue damage in the right hip, nerve damage in the right groin to the right knee, and sore testes and penile deformity with erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, asthma, right and left wrist disabilities, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. As such, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot ulcers, left foot ulcers, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran's claim for hypertension was pending as it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and left ear hearing loss disability were both denied. His claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran seeks compensation for additional disabilities resulting from a VA colonoscopy in August 2008. His claims also include service connection for bilateral flat feet and hallux valgus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for visual problems, including bilateral cataracts and refractive errors. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensably disabling due to loss of erectile power without a penis deformity. His visual problems are considered secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction are being remanded to allow for further development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing him with additional examinations.