Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis with left lower extremity weakness and erectile dysfunction has been rated at 40 percent since December 28, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities. The Veteran's conditions are currently rated as follows: loss of use of both feet (100%), coronary artery disease (60%), PTSD (50%), arthritis of the lumbar spine (40%), peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (30%), peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (20%), diabetes mellitus, type 2 (20%), compression of the L5 nerve root with numbness in the left foot (10%), and erectile dysfunction (noncompensable).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for erectile dysfunction is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision, while the hearing loss claim was not fully resolved as requested.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current erectile dysfunction and PTSD.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied as his erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is being remanded due to insufficient rationale and explanation in the VA examination, requiring additional development including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be at least in part due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The left knee disability, however, is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in his need for regular aid and attendance, including the inability to dress or undress himself, the inability to attend to his hygiene, the need to frequently adjust any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, the inability to feed himself or attend to the wants of nature, the incapacity to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment; and the Veteran is not bedridden.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include restoration of a 40 percent disability rating, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for TDIU benefits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for erectile dysfunction, which is currently rated as 0 percent (noncompensable), has been denied. The VA determined that there was no evidence of penile deformity to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the reduction from 100% to 60% for prostate cancer status post radical retropubic prostatectomy was proper, but the effective date should be no sooner than June 30, 2007. The Veteran's appeal is granted on this issue.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, carotid artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II due to secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. However, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's combined disability rating for service-connected conditions is at least 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, finding no evidence to support a causal relationship with his military service or any incident therein.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.