Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) due to herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for Erectile Dysfunction, Bilateral Upper Extremity Neuropathy, and Bilateral Lower Extremity Neuropathy as secondary to DM are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder. The current disability ratings of 10 percent for each condition are maintained.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, loss of vision, erectile dysfunction, and vertigo. The claims were all denied as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus as there is no current disability or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending claims that could impact the TDIU determination. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded until all service connection and new and material evidence issues are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) benefits at the housebound rate prior to November 21, 2007 was denied because he did not meet the criteria for SMC based on his service-connected disabilities. He had a single disability rated as 100% but no additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60%, separate and distinct from the 100% service-connected disability, nor was he permanently housebound due to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, respiratory disability, and kidney disability are all under review.

The Board has granted the reopening of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosed ED is related to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim is granted based on this relationship.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including right eye retina disability, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, constipation, PTSD, GERD, ED, and prostate failure. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is conceded, and he contends his conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral elbow disabilities, hypertension, and testicular disability (other than erectile dysfunction) to allow for further development. The diabetes mellitus claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction are not rated higher than the current levels.,PTSD was granted service connection in 2012, but an earlier effective date is denied due to lack of prior claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to the need for new medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), left arm peripheral neuropathy, and right arm peripheral neuropathy. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pterygium of the right eye was denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his military service.,His claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hairy cell leukemia was denied due to lack of anemia or aplastic anemia, and he currently has a non-compensable rating for this condition.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer residuals was denied as there is no evidence of penis deformity. The Veteran had a 20 percent rating initially but it was increased to 40 percent due to voiding dysfunction, which he now contends requires changing absorbent materials more than four times per day.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer residuals since specific dates were denied as his condition is currently rated at the maximum allowable level.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, kidney disorder, ED, and bladder cancer due to service connection. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records, conducting VA examinations, and providing addendum opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer residuals due to the need for further examination to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and a left shoulder condition. The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right forearm injury are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity atherosclerosis is rated at 100 percent effective September 28, 2018. The SMC rate was also increased to the highest level.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an effective date earlier than December 18, 1991 for service connection of PTSD. The claims for bilateral cataracts, ED, gangrene of the legs, and chronic renal failure are remanded as they cannot be decided without first knowing whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for SMC based on blindness in one eye and loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, esophageal disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.