Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to November 12, 2004. The claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for right hand disability was denied. The claims for service connection of bilateral flat feet/pes planus, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and erectile dysfunction were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since May 20, 2013. The Board has referred the issue of TDIU prior to May 20, 2013 for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, all of which the Veteran claimed were due to in-service herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cardiac arrhythmia and erectile dysfunction due to lack of a medical nexus opinion. The other issues remain denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied as the condition is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is less likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure and does not find it was caused by any of his service-connected disabilities, including medication prescribed for those conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 10 percent before September 19, 2016 and at 20 percent thereafter. His erectile dysfunction is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction and benign prostate hyperplasia due to their interrelated nature. The ED claim will be reconsidered in light of a positive opinion linking BPH to service, while the BPH claim is pending adjudication.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, request SSA disability benefits information, provide a VCAA notice letter regarding secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and obtain addendum opinions from VA clinicians.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) is granted. The ED has been rated at the maximum allowable schedular rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran appeals for a higher rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its related conditions, including erectile dysfunction and onychomycosis of bilateral toes. The current examination does not reflect the need for regulation of activities due to DM.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is directed to obtain any missing service treatment records and schedule the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right groin condition and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not originate during or because of his military service.

The Veteran's DM with ED requires the use of insulin and a restricted diet, but there is no evidence that he has been advised to restrict his activities due to his disability. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran has not required restriction of activities due to his DM.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The remaining claims for increased ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a lower back condition and diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as the claims for nerve conditions of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, were denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's headaches are not rated higher than 30 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a more severe rating.,The Veteran does not have hearing loss that meets VA disability criteria and thus service connection is denied.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed cranial nerve disability. His reported numbness of the face is considered part of his headaches.,Service connection for prostate cancer or erectile dysfunction, both associated with herbicide exposure, are denied as there was no evidence of such exposure in service and no current condition found to be caused by it.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, diabetic complications (particularly peripheral neuropathy), and shoulder conditions, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since June 12, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, with onychomycosis and erectile dysfunction as well as his TDIU claim due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as service connected due to his already-service-connected diabetes.