Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2016

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from January 1, 2011, to September 2, 2014, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability, and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The effective date of the tinnitus claim is set at March 14, 1989, but no earlier. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 29, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent since that date has not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he is granted this benefit. For his erectile dysfunction and kidney stones claims, further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was withdrawn, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atonic neurogenic bladder after August 28, 2012. The Veteran is satisfied with the current rating assigned.

The Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities did not occur prior to October 1, 2004. The Board found that the evidence does not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment before this date.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning erectile dysfunction and dental disorder claims due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claim for an earlier effective date for IBS was dismissed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 40 percent rating, effective May 15, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 18, 2014, to March 18, 2016. Therefore, his claim for TDIU during this period is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and hypertension, finding that there is at least a 50% probability that these conditions are related.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence showing a direct link between his active service and his current condition. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection as his erectile dysfunction was less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as right-sided sciatica), and Peyronie's disease with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims are now resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic nephropathy and erectile dysfunction was denied. The issue of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, both of which are found to have been incurred during active duty. The effective date remains pending as it is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of in-service vaccinations, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity neurological disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, and right lower extremity neurological disability was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis or disability related to his adverse reaction to in-service vaccinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the cause or aggravation of erectile dysfunction by service-connected sleep apnea, and a VA examination is required.