Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran is currently in receipt of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, and there is no evidence of a penile deformity contributing to his erectile dysfunction.

The Board found that the reduction from a 40 percent to a 20 percent disability rating for type II diabetes mellitus was improper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 was denied as he received special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ, which precluded the application of this benefit.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and diabetes were granted ratings, but the Veteran was denied higher ratings for his right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was also denied.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation warrants a 30 percent initial disability rating, though no higher. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction warrants a 20 percent initial disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for Parkinson's disease based on herbicide exposure is denied.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of prostate cancer has been dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, beginning December 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from finding or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective from May 27, 2009. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain and hypertension have been reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial of these claims in November 1979 and December 1999 respectively.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, scar on the left calf, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disability, gastrointestinal disorder, TMJ, and tinnitus have all been granted.,However, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has chronic toenail fungus and/or chronic plantar fasciitis related to his active duty service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claims for a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence and TDIU were denied, as the claim for a temporary total evaluation was not timely filed. The July 2007 rating decision assigning a 10 percent disability rating for his back disability was found to be correct in both fact and law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are not related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent initial rating. The other issues have not been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities, prior to February 1, 2011, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.