Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2011

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol has been denied as it is not a compensable disability.,Service connection has been reopened for bilateral athlete's foot, but the issue remains pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of additional compensation for aid and attendance for his spouse is denied as it does not meet the legal criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The evidence is in equipoise, and therefore, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy and erectile dysfunction is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating as it does not result in regulation of activities.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied, while his cold injury residuals of the feet and hands were granted effective September 14, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service, and the Board finds that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD. The erectile dysfunction claim will be remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new and material evidence, finding that no new or material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetic retinopathy. The other claims were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA medical records, SSA records related to SSI benefits, and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction was denied by the Board, with a decision in April 2010. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence and potential extra-schedular consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's edema of the lower extremities, numbness and pain in his feet, and erectile dysfunction are not related to military service or a service-connected disability. The diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and its impact on his ability to work, as well as the severity of his peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his active service and denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 31, 2006 for a TDIU was denied as service connection did not become effective for any disability prior to that date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for prostate cancer, urinary problems, erectile dysfunction, and increased rating for left ear hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and related complications. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his erectile dysfunction is denied as it does not have a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction and residual scars of the left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence of deformity or instability warranting a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and ED, including verification of stressors and examination for psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an orthopedic examination to assess his right knee disability. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU will also be considered.