Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and development of records, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected erectile dysfunction has been granted. The current rating of non-compensable (0 percent) is maintained as the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his prostatectomy, but no additional compensable rating can be assigned due to lack of a penile deformity.

The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity and whether it precludes him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim must also be remanded for a VA examination. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the above-remanded issues.,The Veteran's right knee disability and diabetes mellitus claims are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's right knee disability and diabetes mellitus claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 40 percent and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as voiding dysfunction. The issues were remanded to consider whether entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was reasonably raised by the evidence of record.

The Board denied claims of entitlement to service connection for voiding dysfunction and erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship with active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from May 10, 2011 is granted. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, as the VA examinations and Social Security Administration records indicate he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected right testicle disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are supported by competent medical evidence, and reasonable doubt is resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's ED is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD medications. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective from May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left and right knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and other conditions, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his employability.

The Board has decided that the case requires additional development and remands it for further action, including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and medical opinions on hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from June 5, 2009, to April 25, 2013. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) during this timeframe.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, left knee disorder, allergic rhinitis, and renal failure. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to lack of adjudication.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding erectile dysfunction. The claims of service connection for diabetes, hearing loss, and left knee disability are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, and therefore grants this claim. The issues of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and cataracts are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected rhinitis, and he does not have a deviated septum or fatigue. The low back disorder was reopened on new evidence, but no other conditions were found to be related to service.