Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and prostatectomy scars have been denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity or deep, nonlinear scars covering areas greater than 6 square inches.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for depression. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for hypertension, service connection for residuals of a low back injury and erectile dysfunction, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their relationship to his other disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective February 25, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD and denies an increased rating. For TDIU, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria as his service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination, is necessary before the issue can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic code, as he does not have deformity of the penis. The disability is rated based on loss of erectile power only.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise that hypertension may be related to PTSD or herbicide exposure, and an upper and lower back disorder may be related to service. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and denied earlier effective dates for both his TDIU and the current 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities does not result in loss of use of both feet, as he can still walk with assistance and perform some activities without significant impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to August 24, 2011. From that date forward, the evidence does not show he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbago and erectile dysfunction, as well as his increased ratings for residuals of a herniated intervertebral disc with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left peroneal motor neuropathy, and right peroneal motor neuropathy are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be reviewed to determine if there is any evidence that could support these claims. The increased rating claims will also be reviewed.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for enhanced/higher SMC based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's pleural plaques are rated at 60 percent, prostate cancer is not service connected as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, and erectile dysfunction is also not service connected as secondary to prostate cancer. The Veteran was granted service connection for pleural plaques.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion and/or another examination regarding his erectile dysfunction, as there are conflicting opinions on whether he has an internal physical deformity of the penis. The issue will be reconsidered after this additional development.