Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2017

The Veteran's lumbago is not a separate disability from his service-connected residuals of a herniated intervertebral disc.,The Veteran's 40 percent rating for residuals of a herniated intervertebral disc is protected under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold criteria for TDIU, and his education, special training, and employment history are considered. The Board finds that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on housebound status beyond December 1, 2012. He has a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent due to diabetes mellitus and its associated conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently evaluated at a 40 percent rating for the period prior to June 30, 2016. However, there is no evidence of additional disability warranting an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of service connection, TDIU, and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected and rated at 70 percent. The Board found that his alcohol abuse disorder was not related to his military service or his service-connected PTSD, and denied the claim for an increased rating for left thigh and left foot pruritic fungus. The right buttock shell fragment wound with retained foreign body and scar of right frontal scalp shell fragment wound were also rated as appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension all claimed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's service records do not indicate any actual exposure to herbicide agents during his service.,Arthritis of the hands and back was also denied as it did not become manifest within one year of service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current erectile dysfunction disorder, including whether it is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for otitis media and service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, GERD, erectile dysfunction, renal failure, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been rated at 20 percent since December 20, 2004. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from December 29, 2010 to April 22, 2015. The Board has also granted a TDIU for the period prior to August 31, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, urinary incontinence, lesions of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for initial evaluations and ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed as the claims have all been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an effective date prior to September 21, 2010.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to establish the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability with associated surgical scar and nerve damage. Therefore, no further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran has effectively lost use of his lower extremities due to service-connected Parkinson's disease, and is therefore eligible for specially adapted housing. The claims for service connection for diverticulitis and an earlier effective date for Parkinson's disease have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and erectile dysfunction, finding no evidence of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus type II was denied. However, the Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.