Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and clarify his claims. The issues are whether he should receive an initial compensable rating for prostate cancer residuals and if erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and erectile dysfunction have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence, or because the conditions are not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and related incontinence residuals have effectively resulted in loss of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected prostate cancer residuals and radiation proctitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, but further examination is needed for OSA, hypertension, ED, and GERD.

The Board denied a claim for an initial compensable rating for the service-connected erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no associated penile deformity to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to assess the cumulative effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability, given his level of education in nursing.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a chest condition, diabetic retinopathy, and gastrointestinal disability (claimed as gastroenteritis), were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as a result of diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and personnel records. The VA audiological opinion will be obtained based on noise exposure as a driver in a Motor Transportation unit.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and testicular cancer. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Ocala Regional Medical Center on September 9, 2009, September 11, 2009, and September 15, 2009 are denied as they were not for emergency treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and orthopedic conditions, are found to be in equipoise with his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, or medications prescribed for treatment.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities are rated at a combined 90 percent and render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.