Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2012

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction was rated at 40 percent from August 20, 2007. The disability is currently manifested by the use of insulin and oral medication, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The erectile dysfunction claim was found to be noncompensably disabling, the bilateral hearing loss disability claim did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and the allergic rhinitis, left shoulder disability, and diabetes mellitus type II claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and related conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his current health issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability level.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The appeal is not ready for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's weight loss disorder, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, and insomnia are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations, as well as his reopenings of service connection claims. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen some of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and reviewing all relevant treatment records.

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of statements of the case on service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service hearing loss or noise exposure, and concluded that he is unemployable based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand. The RO must verify whether the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while serving at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB and provide an opportunity for him to respond.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated as 100% disabling, but he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his disabilities. The case is REMANDED for further development and an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claims for neuropathy of the face and back as well as increased evaluations for neuropathy in the lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for prostate cancer, but denied the claim on the merits due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, to include erectile dysfunction, have not resulted in an exceptional or unusual disability picture so as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.