Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including an article concerning hypertension and exposure to herbicides. The AOJ must consider this new evidence in its first instance.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, stroke, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. As a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his claimed exposure and stressors, as well as to obtain any outstanding VA medical records. The AOJ will also attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service stressor concerning his service on a burial detail while stationed at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to its inextricably intertwined relationship with a pending claim for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, which he claims are related to his diabetes mellitus and/or in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board has determined that additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, left hand/wrist injury residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed as the Board found no CUE in the February 1978 rating decision.,There was no CUE in the February 1978 rating decision's assignment of June 16, 1977, as the effective date for skin disorder. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostatitis is denied because he did not file a formal or informal claim until June 28, 2006. His claim is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing that his urinary leakage required absorbent materials more than four times per day prior to March 3, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostatitis is denied as he did not file a formal or informal claim until June 28, 2006. His claim is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing that his urinary leakage required absorbent materials more than four times per day prior to March 3, 2014.,The Veteran's retroactive payment for PTSD by a December 1999 Board decision was correct and he received the proper amount. His claim is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder arthritis is granted as his current condition is at least as likely as not incurred during combat.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to prostatitis is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to the service-connected prostatitis. His claim is also granted based on loss of erectile power.,The Veteran's spouse's need for regular aid and attendance does not meet the criteria for SMC, thus his claim is denied.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based upon loss of use of a creative organ is granted as he has lost use of his left hand due to an injury. His claim is also granted based on his spouse's need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, and retinopathy. The claim for a TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer are rated at the maximum allowable rating, and his other disabilities do not render him unemployable. Therefore, he is denied an increased rating for his prostate cancer disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from December 28, 2009 to September 30, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status. The Veteran was found not to have a disability that required regular aid and assistance or to be permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with angina, gastroporesis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The remaining claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and therefore, his claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are presumed. Additionally, the evidence supports a finding of secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his service-connected diabetes or PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for service connection for inguinal hernia and erectile dysfunction can be decided. The Veteran's service records indicate he had complaints of abdominal pain during service, and post-service treatment shows a history of herniorrhaphy surgeries. The Board also notes that the Veteran filed multiple Workers' Compensation claims related to his groin injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and Agent Orange exposure, as well as a clarification on whether diabetes mellitus aggravates his erectile dysfunction.