Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board has granted a 100 percent initial rating for depressive disorder NOS effective May 14, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities as well as his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids. However, no new rating assigned as the evidence does not warrant a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow him a videoconference hearing before the Board, and for further development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease is presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure while he served in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing, as the Veteran requested one but no such hearing was scheduled. The claims related to diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are being reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction as of April 30, 2014. Prior to that date, the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service or service-connected condition, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on claimed loss of use of the voice is denied as he has not experienced complete organic aphonia with constant inability to communicate by speech during the appellate period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being denied as the effective date for service connection cannot be earlier than November 18, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing low back disability did not worsen during his ACDUTRA service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a low back disability. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's venous outlet obstructionary disease and ED are not directly related to his low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right rotator cuff tear, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 4, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU is granted, as the evidence shows he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since March 27, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil, ischemic heart disease, bilateral swelling of the feet, headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability to include acid reflux, sleeping disorders to include sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder (chloracne), bleeding from the nose and mouth, tinnitus, an upper back and/or neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for bilateral foot callus disorder and service connection for erectile dysfunction. The claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was also denied, as the Veteran does not have loss of use due to service-connected disability. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is inextricably intertwined with the bilateral foot callus disorder rating and has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and blood disorder.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not productive of a penile deformity, and thus does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.,Hypothyroidism was diagnosed after service and there is no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure. The claim for this condition is denied.,Neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not manifest within one year of separation from service, nor is there any evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure. The claim for this condition is also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, these claims are dismissed.