Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypercholesterolemia, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability. The decision found no evidence of herbicide exposure or actual exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 31, 2015 for service-connected disorders was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a timely application for benefits prior to his discharge from active duty on May 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), asbestosis, residuals of a circumcision (including erectile dysfunction), and sinusitis are all on appeal.

The Veteran was unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities for the period prior to September 16, 2015. The Board found that the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is of sufficient severity to have rendered him unable to obtain and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for convulsive tic disorder and bruxism are dismissed. Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction and a disability manifested by an enlarged prostate as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The CAD increased in severity since the last VA examination, so a remand for another VA examination is required.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his exposure to toxic herbicides in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for this condition, but the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sciatic pain as secondary to a low back disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service-connected disability. Service connection was also denied for a low back disorder due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board denied an increased rating for erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7522 due to lack of penile deformity despite his assertions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CLL, diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for low back disability of DDD and DJD, as well as left leg radiculopathy secondary to the low back disability. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claims for CLL and diabetes mellitus have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.,Service connection has also been established for a low back disability, which began in service and was aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's prostate cancer status post-prostatectomy with urinary incontinence remains at a 60% rating, but his erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD were upheld. A TDIU was granted. The claims for erectile dysfunction and skin cancer of the neck (to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure) were denied. Service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and bilateral foot fungus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have been reopened, but the Board is remanding his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all listed issues, including the rating for migraine headaches and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's cause of death was initially listed as COPD, but his spouse now contends that diabetes mellitus caused the death. The Board has ordered a request for the original death certificate from Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, peripheral diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to a lack of a nexus opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and scars related to prostate surgery due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer was not caused by his time at Camp Lejeune and did not find a nexus between his current prostate cancer and any other potential risk factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC must be remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicides during service. The AOJ will verify this information and determine if he served in the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.