Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetic polyuria was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD was also denied, with the Board noting that the Veteran’s PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment but without more severe manifestations.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions, including thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, right and left knee strains, status/post septoplasty with deviated septum, prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. The effective dates for the grants of service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The earlier effective date claim for PTSD was also denied because there is no evidence that the increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the Veteran's application. The effective date for the 70% PTSD rating remains March 21, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of Erectile Dysfunction was denied as he did not have deformity of his penis, which is required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7599-7522.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the record after the SOC was issued. The Veteran and his representative did not waive AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including peripheral artery disease and erectile dysfunction, as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VHA medical opinion, and a new VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, deltoid ligament osteoarthritis of the right ankle, pulmonary hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for deltoid ligament osteoarthritis of the right ankle was denied as there is no limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a vestibular disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ was granted effective January 26, 2011. The award of special monthly compensation is based on the established service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as Level I, resulting in a non-compensable rating.,The Veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensable due to the absence of symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, or regurgitation that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there is no evidence of penile deformity.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ankle disability was denied in an August 1994 rating decision. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim, so the denial remains final. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disorder, headaches, and vertigo. The claims of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer and bilateral foot disorder were previously denied but are now reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from March 9, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions and earlier effective dates are pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.,The Veteran’s adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected conditions due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea secondary to panic disorder with agoraphobia and hypertension, was granted. The appeals for the remaining issues were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's condition was not of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health. Therefore, the unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Fawcett Memorial Hospital on April 23, 2017, are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and review, including service connection claims for various conditions and a higher disability rating for left knee strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, brain damage, an eye disability, a sleep disability, a gastrointestinal disability, and headaches. The claim for erectile dysfunction was remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes and cauda equina syndrome, as well as his erectile dysfunction (secondary to the low back disability), have been granted effective from August 1, 1998.