Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, subject to the controlling regulations applicable to the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and procedural issues, including a need for an addendum to the September 2007 VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and no specific service connection decisions are made in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including obtaining SSA records and scheduling new examinations if necessary. The claims will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right femoral nerve entrapment syndrome and erectile dysfunction associated with the same condition were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating beyond 20 percent for the right femoral nerve entrapment syndrome, and no compensable evaluation was assigned for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of both lower extremities. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is moot as the Veteran is already eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the purchase of a home therapy spa is necessary to help promote the Veteran's independence in daily life due to his severe disabilities, including diabetes and neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. His peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent, his peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity are each rated at 10 percent, and his erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable. His bilateral diabetic retinopathy of the eyes is also rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to his service-connected hypertension was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of ED being incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, nor is it related to or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was denied as there is no evidence that the condition had its onset during active service or resulted from disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient by themselves to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board is deciding the issues of initial compensable evaluations for tinea pedis, and the propriety of severing service connection for neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied reopening of claims for double hernia, residuals of pneumonia including pulmonary disease, and loss of a creative organ (erectile dysfunction), as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Veteran's prostate cancer was also found not to be service-connected.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective June 14, 2005. He also received separate ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have erectile dysfunction that is attributable to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board also found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.