Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, prostate disability (including prostate cancer and/or BPH), lymph gland disability, and ED were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was reduced from 10 percent to zero percent effective September 1, 2015. The reduction is upheld as the evidence shows sustained material improvement in his hearing acuity under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's renal cancer, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability. The claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there was no evidence of deformity of the penis, which is required for a 20% rating under DC 7522.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bladder dysfunction, bowel incontinence, left lower extremity disability, and erectile dysfunction was denied by the Board. The Veteran is currently receiving a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability from October 18, 2010 onwards.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused by his service-connected chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood throughout the claim period. A 70 percent disability rating has been granted for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of an SOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD and hypertension, respectively. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The RO has determined that the preliminary schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU rating are met, but an addendum opinion is needed from the examiner who conducted the VA examination in June 2013 to assess whether the Veteran's combined disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, duodenal ulcer, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claims of hypertension and duodenal ulcer, but not for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, which prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered remand of the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and right-ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected epididymitis, and a higher rating for his right-ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease, is not service-connected as it was not shown to be incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty. The VA examiner found no evidence that the condition existed prior to his re-enlistment in 2004 and there were no concurrent treatments documented in service related to this disorder.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is also not service-connected as it was noted prior to his enlistment into service, and there is clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrating that the disability did not increase beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused by his service-connected pancreatic cancer and chemotherapy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The examiner found that the onset of symptoms predates the diagnosis of diabetes and other factors such as alcohol use/abuse, vitamin D & B-12 deficiencies, and myasthenia gravis could cause similar neurological symptoms.