Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that another VA examination and opinion are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction is rated at a compensable level of 20 percent due to the presence of penile deformity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for certain issues and rescheduling of a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral foot bunions, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and left finger and hand neuropathy were not service-connected.,There was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence on record regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding it at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or medications used to treat PTSD. The claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine remains in remand status due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The erectile dysfunction is also found to be secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, and thus does not warrant service connection.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus he did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral cataracts, and erectile dysfunction have not been compensably disabling at any time during the initial rating period on appeal. As a result, the claims for higher ratings were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he does not require regulation of activities to manage his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a right index finger fracture are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing such disabilities were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 26, 2009 for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ were denied as there was no claim filed prior to that date.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus and PTSD with depression. The other issues were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of a TBI during service and denied the appellant's claim for service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, including perforated colon, intraabdominal infections, chronic pain, bowel problems, obstructed bowel, hernias, and erectile dysfunction, are not deemed to be the result of VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or other instance of fault.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to the inextricability of the claims for erectile dysfunction and hepatitis C.