Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is being returned for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a February 2002 VA prostatectomy, including erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, constant infections, bladder spasms, penis deformity, and loss of appendix, as well as SMC based on loss of use of creative organ.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable rating due to no deformity of the penis. For IBS, the evidence did not demonstrate more than mild symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with mild induction of cataract and diabetic retinopathy of the right eye and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing medically required regulation of activities due to diabetes, thus denying an increased rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 19, 2011 was also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted a TDIU effective September 5, 2007.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25-29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not provided in a hospital emergency department or similar facility providing emergency care.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy, have been linked to several of his current conditions. The Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his colon cancer was granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, post subcapsular cataracts, erectile dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, urinary frequency, respiratory disorder (shortness of breath), and insomnia were also addressed and found to be supported by the evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea, also claimed as insomnia due to undiagnosed illness), including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. However, these claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently non-compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with his non-service-connected back and joint conditions, has rendered him unemployable. However, this determination is based on his non-service-connected disabilities rather than solely on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected conditions, including medication prescribed for treatment of a service-connected disability. The Veteran also has an additional disability resulting from penile prosthesis implant surgery in September 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 30, 2008 to July 30, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, DM, a heart condition, erectile dysfunction, an eye disorder, and a kidney condition. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate is remanded due to pending issues that could affect his disability ratings and combined rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.