Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities, as he does not have functional impairment such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by amputation with prosthesis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), and a right hand disorder are all denied as there is no competent medical evidence establishing current disabilities or linking them to service.

The Board has remanded seven issues related to the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma with microscopic hematuria, including secondary conditions such as hypertension, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and adrenal adenoma. The remand requires a new opinion from an examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has not required regulation of activities to manage the condition, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and ensuring all relevant medical providers are contacted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain, mood disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lung cancer residuals include COPD, and thus his claim for an increased rating is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2013.

The Veteran's ED is not shown to be due to service, and a compensable rating for ED (other than by virtue of an award of SMC) is denied.

The Veteran's heart disability was denied service connection, but his erectile dysfunction received an initial 20% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of creative organ are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining his missing service medical records and personnel records. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for each of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not etiologically related to any incident of active military service or a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, urinary dysfunction, and scars on the back has been reopened. The Board finds that his need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities meets the criteria for SMC.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD, and PTSD. However, it denied these claims as new evidence did not provide a link between the conditions and service.