Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation were denied as there was no prior claim or evidence of entitlement before the effective date assigned.

The Veteran's claims for loss of motor and sensory function, identified as peripheral neuropathy, of the right upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities, were denied. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted based on its secondary relationship to service-connected lumbar spine DDD disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability, and his employability is precluded due to his multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and thumb musculoskeletal strain, as well as his claim for service connection for left shoulder/arm musculoskeletal strain. The decision also found that there was no legal basis to award a higher monetary amount of special monthly compensation solely for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for prostate cancer and denied a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction. The reduction in prostate cancer rating was improper due to failure to assess local reoccurrence or metastasis post-treatment, while erectile dysfunction did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied, while his claim for erectile dysfunction was granted. The rating assigned is 0% (non-compensable), effective date is not specified.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, lung disorder, shortness-of-breath, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of hands, right foot, and left foot. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer, including as due to service-connected prostatitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in a medical opinion regarding whether hypertension and erectile dysfunction are caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and skin disorder (contact dermatitis). The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and urinary tract infections/urinary disorder are found to be related to his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes mellitus, type 2. The Board grants these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder. The claim for narcolepsy was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction has been denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to evaluate complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and right eye diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's in-service complaints of decreased libido and subsequent treatment with medication. The evidence is at least in equipoise on whether fibromyalgia was incurred during service, as evidenced by his testimony about symptoms beginning during service and continuing since then.

The Veteran's claimed residuals of venereal disease, including erectile dysfunction and nocturia, were not present during his active duty or for years thereafter, nor have these conditions been causally or etiologically related to his service.