Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a history of migraines during his military service and continues to experience them post-service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's urinary incontinence is not directly related to his service-connected spondylolisthesis and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim for erectile dysfunction was also denied as there was no nexus between the disability and the service-connected conditions. Service connection for a stomach condition, secondary to service-connected disabilities, remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also found that the Veteran is likely unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to lack of legal merit. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including any medication prescribed for those conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and related conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and impotence/erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or any other basis for establishing service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied, but he received a grant for his left foot injury. The claims of service connection for neck disability, left eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss were not addressed as they are not service-connected. Service connection was granted for ED secondary to PTSD and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and irritable bowel secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling new examinations, and affording the Veteran a hearing if requested.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain any form of gainful employment from February 25, 2010, to November 8, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a mental health examination to determine the etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED), and preparing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between ED and service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The primary basis for denial is that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and related issues of headaches and erectile dysfunction to include as due to a psychiatric disability is being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and any related conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address whether his ED is proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected lumbar spine disability and the medications prescribed for it.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his diabetes does not require regulation of activities. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was also denied, as it is not linked to service-connected diabetes mellitus.