Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer and coronary artery disease, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the possibility of exposure to herbicide agents in service, which may trigger VA's duty to assist. Further development is needed to determine if he was exposed and whether his conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, head skin rash, jungle rot or fungal infections of the lower extremities, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for essential tremor or dystonia are dismissed. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened and granted based on evidence showing the condition is due to his time in service.,Service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus were also granted as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected lower back condition and/or depressive disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including depression, diabetes mellitus with nephropathy and erectile dysfunction, left lower leg neuropathy, and right lower leg neuropathy. The issues are about increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of his claims, including a hearing before a member of the Board.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction (ED) is rated at 20 percent disabling. The issues of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and temporary total disability ratings following surgeries were denied. The erectile dysfunction is noncompensable, the prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, and pudendal neuralgia is rated separately at 10 percent. Temporary total disability ratings based on convalescence following surgeries in February 2011, September 2011, and November 2012 were also denied.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is manifested by loss of erectile power, but not by deformity of the penis. The criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction prior to August 1, 2008, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension, a cardiac disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression), a prostate disability, or erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's neurologic disability of the lower extremities is not supported by evidence showing onset during service or a nexus to his service-connected spondylolysis.,There is no medical evidence demonstrating that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction had its clinical onset during service, and it is not proximately related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The right leg disability was granted a higher rating, but the claim remains pending. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and heart disorder (ischemic heart disease) were not established as related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure. The conditions are presumed based on the Veteran's service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam Era.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type 2, erectile dysfunction (secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2), and right wrist disorder claimed as hand injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected PTSD. His PTSD has been rated at 70% since October 31, 2008. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70% for PTSD or for compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.