Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, precluded all forms of substantially gainful employment beginning December 1, 2012. Effective December 1, 2012, but not earlier, the criteria are met for the award of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected epididymitis, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The right ear hearing loss issue remains pending as further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to cause his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The issue of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as the Appellant withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent or an effective date prior to August 21, 2013. The Veteran does not have other disabilities that would warrant separate evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims, and the diagnoses of the claimed conditions were not established during or related to active service.,Service connection was also denied for vertigo, chloracne, a disorder manifested by generalized sores, color blindness, respiratory disorders (shortness of breath), and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA social and industrial survey to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected as it did not develop during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence linking the condition to his time in service.,His erectile dysfunction and psychiatric disorders are also not service-connected, with the Board finding that the primary disability (prostate cancer) is not connected to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of hypertension, bilateral hearing loss and diabetes ratings. The Board granted service connection on a secondary basis for erectile dysfunction due to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claim on appeal can be adjudicated, including an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to service or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not warrant a higher rating as it does not require regulation of activities or hospitalization for complications.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and found that a higher evaluation is not warranted for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's restrictive lung disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, to include as due to presumed exposure to an herbicide agent during Vietnam service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease (CAD) are found to be related to in-service herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with type II diabetes mellitus was withdrawn prior to the promulgation of a decision. The claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to September 14, 2017, is dismissed as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that service-connected diabetes mellitus type II substantially or materially contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD from January 26, 2015 to March 14, 2016 is rated at 70 percent due to significant occupational and social impairment. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic liver disease, have rendered him unable to work. Effective October 14, 2009, he is granted a TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral vascular disease is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for increased rating of diabetes mellitus type II is also denied as the evidence does not show that the condition requires regulation of activities. The claim for compensation for erectile dysfunction, as a complication of diabetes mellitus, remains pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent since April 27, 2016. The rating is based on the requirement for regulation of activities due to diabetes, but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal in January 2018.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and SMC were denied as there is no evidence of an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claim for anxiety disorder was granted with a June 5, 2012 effective date.