Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied in a June 2009 rating decision. The RO has now remanded the case to consider whether his back and/or psychiatric disability may have aggravated his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 18, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and higher initial evaluation for coronary artery disease were denied as there was no evidence of the required manifestations to warrant a higher rating prior to May 26, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and urinary frequency as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The denial is based on a lack of verified exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand and insufficient evidence linking the claimed conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease. As such, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his PTSD and an earlier effective date for PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction did not begin in service or are otherwise related to his military service, including any service-connected disabilities. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted. The claims for allergies, hearing loss, glaucoma, and rheumatoid arthritis and/or arthritis of the cervical spine, elbows, wrists, and hips have also been granted with appropriate ratings. Other claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the Veteran did not work on the perimeter of Takhli RTAFB where herbicides were used.

The Board has remanded the case due to the lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and left eye disability. The Veteran and his representative will be given an opportunity to file a Substantive Appeal if they choose.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Panama, and there is no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. His sleep apnea remains at a 100% rating from December 1, 2009, to May 19, 2013, but drops back to a 50% rating thereafter. The Veteran's ED claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied, as his condition does not meet the criteria for such a rating. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending and the claim seeking higher SMC on the basis of loss of use of a creative organ lacks legal merit.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms. The primary issue was that he did not have deformity of the penis with loss of erectile power, which is required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7522.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of the cerebrovascular accident have resulted in significant impairment, including muscle weakness and sleep disturbances. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted beginning on May 8, 2012 due to these disabilities. However, further development is needed regarding the nature and severity of his service-connected conditions prior to this date.

The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for varicose veins of the ankles, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is service-connected, but his peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and erectile dysfunction are not.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining supplemental opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim.