Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of effective dates.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted, and the claim is remanded. The claim for service connection for erectile disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee injury, erectile dysfunction, joint and muscle condition (Gulf War related health complications), depression, right knee injury, herniated disc, tinnitus, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted. A 50% rating has been assigned for generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board's decision is vacated in part, allowing the Veteran to request a hearing for issues related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the hands, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including abnormal gait, left and right knee disabilities, breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroenteritis, gallbladder removal, chronic constipation, bladder incontinence, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, diabetes mellitus, and restless leg syndrome of the bilateral legs. The claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, variously diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted service connection. His cervical spine DDD is denied due to lack of chronicity within the presumptive period. OSA is granted service connection based on aggravation by PTSD. ED secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, cyst in pancreas, right and left Achilles tendonitis, hemorrhoids, residuals of a cholecystectomy, cataracts and glaucoma, chronic kidney disease with hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis has been reopened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, fainting, a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and erectile dysfunction. The claims are remanded for further development.,The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, gastrointestinal disorder, and gastroesophageal disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, thrombosis of a deep vessel in right and left lower extremities, hypertension, stomach disorder, GERD, and left eye disorder due to deficiencies in the previous opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum rating available.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected and therefore does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is not related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to hazardous toxins and/or ionizing radiation. The RO must verify the Veteran’s claimed exposures and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s back disability is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post robotic prostatectomy, results in erectile dysfunction but no other residuals, and the prostate cancer is in remission. The voiding dysfunction causes urine leakage, but it does not require the wearing of absorbent material or the use of an appliance. The condition does not cause increased urinary frequency or signs or symptoms of obstructed voiding.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction manifests as loss of erectile function, but without deformity of the penis.,The Veteran’s service-connected scars are not unstable or painful, measure less than 39 square centimeters in total area, are not associated with underlying tissue damage, and result in no functional impairments or disabling effects.,Audiometric testing establishes that the Veteran has had, at worst, level I hearing in the right ear. Audiometric testing also established that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.,While the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active military service, he does not have a left ear hearing disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sarcoidosis, hilar adenopathy, congestive heart failure, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and a skin condition. The appeals are pending for further review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, needs further evaluation and a medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of evidence of a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for higher level SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a right knee disability due to insufficient examination and opinion. The claims for service connection for ED, headaches, and hypertension remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment since August 10, 2009. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and has been granted.,Diabetes mellitus was not present during service or within one year of separation, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding Vet Center records, updated VA treatment records, and additional examination.