Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to a need for further clarification of the Veteran's diagnoses and etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, lumbar degenerative disc disease/arthritis, major depression, lumbar radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis (left foot), and right shoulder osteoarthritis. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS are rated at 70 percent. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include vertigo, dyspnea, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, GERD, hypertension, neuralgia of upper extremities, prostatitis, sleep apnea disorder, and otitis externa.

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and a separate rating for right hand scars.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to potential relationships with his service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied. The Board found that the earliest date on which a claim could be considered was September 9, 1993.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, PTSD, COPD, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU. The issues of service connection and rating will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and erectile dysfunction, as well as total disability based on individual unemployability will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an initial compensable rating for ED, and a higher rating for Major Depressive Disorder. The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD, insufficient symptoms to meet the criteria for a 50 percent or higher rating for depressive disorder, and no penile deformity for ED.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, with a rating of 10%.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, to include special monthly compensation (SMC) for erectile dysfunction that has been established as being secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, is dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction are granted as service connected. The acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service, while the erectile dysfunction was aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD with pacemaker, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to attend to the wants of nature and a mental incapacity that requires care and assistance on a regular basis. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these service-connected conditions cause the Veteran to be in need of actual personal assistance from others, thus granting SMC based on aid and attendance.

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no worse than Level III loss for the right ear, and no worse than Level IV loss for the left ear on Table VII.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied. Throughout the period of appeal, the Veteran required medication for control of hypertension but diastolic readings during the initial rating period have not been predominantly 110 or more and systolic pressure readings during the initial rating period have not been predominantly 200 or more.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 0 percent for erectile dysfunction is denied. The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction has not manifested as any penile deformity.

The claim of service connection for hypertension is reopened and granted.,The claims of service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist (to include as a result of burn scar), low back disability, right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer, residuals of third degree burns on the right hand, and limitation of motion of the right wrist are not reopened.,The claim of service connection for prostate cancer is granted effective from May 29, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for urinary frequency has been reopened and granted, with an initial 50% disability rating for PTSD prior to October 16, 2014, and a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence that the condition was caused by in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements and has not provided information about his employment status.