Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2018

The appeal for service connection of abnormal heart has been dismissed.,Service connection for residuals of a back injury is granted, but the claim remains denied on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand twelve service connection claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining fourteen issues were previously denied in a November 2014 rating decision and require issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer with residual incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not support a causal link to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer status post prostatectomy, voiding dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The Veteran is also entitled to a temporary total evaluation following his prostate surgery.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction have been denied as there is no evidence of physical deformity or significant impairment in either condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure, with diabetes mellitus being a contributing factor. ,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, accompanied by a penile deformity, has been granted a 20% disability rating effective January 3, 2014. The claim for an initial compensable rating prior to that date is denied.,The Veteran’s neck scar from a modified neck dissection with submandibular gland excision is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of characteristics of disfigurement. The appeal regarding the effective date for prostate cancer service connection is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 1, 2012 for his service-connected prostate cancer is being remanded as it involves a Nehmer class member and potential retroactive application of liberalizing laws.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a skin disorder. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for a back disorder, and service connection for bilateral eye condition due to potential new evidence or clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied service connection for right elbow disorder, diabetic neuropathy of upper and lower extremities. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and initial compensable evaluation for headaches are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left jaw disability, left third finger disability, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), erectile dysfunction (ED), atopic dermatitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are being remanded to provide additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to receipt of additional relevant service medical records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions combine to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of relevant medical records, specifically from Dr. A.B.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the intertwining nature of his erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the claims on appeal regarding a lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's service treatment records show he was treated for strained back muscles in January 1973. However, his subsequent complaints of low back pain since service are not addressed by the VA examiners' opinions. For the left hip disability and ED claims, the Board found that further information is needed regarding the medications the Veteran takes for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction was reopened, service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied, hypertension and onychomycosis of the left nail are not granted, but a higher rating of 20% for left foot plantar fasciitis from January 25, 2018 is granted.