Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2015

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is found to have been incurred in service, with the Board resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.,While the Veteran has erectile dysfunction, it was not caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus. The examiner opined that hypogonadism may be more likely the cause of his erectile dysfunction.,New and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been received.

The Veteran's service-connected residual of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are currently rated at the maximum available evaluations. The Board finds no basis for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be proximately due to or the result of his already service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left upper and lower extremity disability, left hand sweats, and erectile dysfunction associated with a cerebrovascular accident, are rated at the 20 percent level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been denied. The hearing loss claim is not in appellate status as it was previously granted.

The Board found no evidence of shoulder injury or disease during service, and the Veteran did not present any credible argument to support his claim. As a result, the claims for service connection for shoulder arthritis, hypertension, heart disability, and erectile dysfunction were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and worker's compensation records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address his ED, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU prior to September 16, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral flat feet, GERD, and arthritis of the right knee and leg. The claim for GERD was reopened but still denied. The other claims were not reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is attributable to his service-connected hypertension and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance is being remanded as additional examination is needed to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the exception of his claim for a bilateral eye disorder. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was confirmed at 20 percent, and he received an initial compensable rating for amputation of the left second toe.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining pertinent medical records and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including amputation of both lower extremities and other disabilities such as posttraumatic stress disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, sarcoma of the nose, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, left upper extremity fragment wound with retained foreign body, buttock fragment wound with retained foreign body, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, diabetes mellitus, left wrist fragment wound, coronary artery disease, and tinnitus, have resulted in a need for higher level of care. The Veteran's condition necessitates the provision of daily personal health care services by a skilled provider without which he would require institutional care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders, residuals of a head injury, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran prior to certification to the Board. The case will be returned to the RO for consideration of this additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found that there was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, no chronic symptoms of these conditions during or immediately after service, and insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including cholecystectomy residuals, GERD, depression, knee disabilities, respiratory disorder, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, skin disability, traumatic brain injury residuals other than headaches, headaches, right eye trauma residuals, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.