Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2014

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, specifically herbicide exposure in Vietnam, or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of medical records. The issues include higher ratings for peripheral vascular disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and cataracts.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service record regarding his alleged exposure to herbicides during service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while impairing his ability to work, do not render him unemployable as a whole. The combined rating of 70% does not meet the threshold requirement for TDIU under section 4.16(a).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, as well as special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ, are denied because the earliest effective date is February 12, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service hearing loss or any other disability, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25 - 29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not considered to be of such nature that a prudent layperson could have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 8, 2008 for the grant of a TDIU was denied as there was no evidence that he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to this date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, bilateral cataracts, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for disability compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for rectal injury, stress urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and back and hip pain due to a radical prostatectomy performed by VA on March 21, 2006 are denied as the proximate cause of these disabilities was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board denied service connection for congestive heart failure as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease, and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's congestive heart failure or erectile dysfunction to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to the assigned dates for service connection and benefits have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim or entitlement prior to those dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that there was insufficient competent medical evidence to establish a nexus between any current disability and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability, chronic headaches, back disorder (including degenerative disc disease and sciatica), nail fungus of the hands and feet, sterility/erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and recurrent hemorrhoids are all connected to service. The appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need to verify herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his claim is remanded due to a lack of an examination addressing the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his hypertension, which was diagnosed within one year of discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities likely combine to preclude gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.