Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a TBI and erectile dysfunction are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus aggravates his peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, as well as osteoporosis. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an increased rating for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for a skin rash, left shoulder disability, degenerative osteoarthritis, and left eye disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, is also granted due to new evidence received since a previous denial.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and the reduction of his diabetic retinopathy rating from 10% to noncompensable effective November 9, 2009 was proper. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as 10%, and his diabetic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction prior to January 28, 2015 is rated at 60%. His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are each rated at 10%. The Veteran's hypertension is not separately service-connected.

The Veteran seeks service connection for erectile dysfunction, which he argues is secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have memory loss or erectile dysfunction that is causally related to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner found no significant memory difficulty/deficit and concluded that osteopenia, which was diagnosed as a result of diabetes mellitus, is less likely caused by and/or worsened by diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy of the right eye is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches did not have their onset during service or within one year of discharge, and thus could not be considered as having been incurred in service. The examiner opined that the Veteran's current headaches were not related to his head injury sustained during service. For erectile dysfunction, there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran received increased ratings for his erectile dysfunction and hypertensive heart disease. He also received a TDIU effective April 20, 2007, and SMC at the housebound rate effective June 29, 2011.,However, the appeal of the December 2011 rating decision was not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction did not have onset during active service, was not caused by active service and was not caused and has not been aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for service connection and increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his active military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction and upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disability for VA compensation purposes and thus, service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and arthritis of the hands and back, as these conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.