Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2013

The Veteran's prostate cancer, rated as 40 percent disabling since February 1, 2008, is not entitled to a higher rating. The Board found that the predominant residual of his service-connected disability was voiding dysfunction, which does not warrant an increased rating beyond 40 percent. For the period beginning March 14, 2013, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or hemorrhoids have aggravated his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification of a VA examination report and additional evidence collection. The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for residuals of circumcision and for TDIU are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nephropathy, residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as claimed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an increase to a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates prior to November 1, 2006, for migraine headaches have been denied. Effective from that date, the Veteran is entitled to a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and right lower extremity sciatica are not due to any incident or event in military service, nor is it caused or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.,VA medical opinions were provided which supported the conclusion that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied, and his combined disability rating in excess of 40 percent is also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and granted service connection for bronchitis. The claims of service connection for bronchiectasis, GERD, hypertension, bilateral eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disorder, erectile dysfunction, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, as the medication used to treat both conditions has been linked by a physician to ED.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer residuals is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional information from Camp Pendleton regarding potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he was entitled to a TDIU prior to August 24, 2006 based on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including decreased vision, headaches, back disorder, sterility and erectile dysfunction, hypertension, skin disorder, nail fungus, and recurrent hemorrhoids are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, CVA residuals, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2006. His combined disability rating is 70 percent from that date.

The Board has expanded the claim to include potential PTSD-related pathology, and the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and its relationship to his alcohol dependence.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for right ankle disability and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hyperlipidemia, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need to clarify his exposure history during the transition period from Korea to the United States.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for schizophrenia and depression, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to internal inconsistencies in the psychiatric examination. The claim of service connection for PTSD is also remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected BPH/prostatitis.