Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is related to his military service and granted service connection.,Service connection for COPD was established based on credible evidence of in-service exposure to contaminated air from burn pits.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to February 25, 2011 for the grant of service connection for prostatitis and service connection for constipation have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability have also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, end stage renal disease, a right leg disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran was on active duty or inactive duty training when he developed hypertension during service. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no indication of a penile deformity during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to February 19, 2013. The Board found that the cumulative effects of his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to March 7, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for pain and weakness of the left and right lower extremities, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and skin rash of bilateral arms as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome with pancreatitis has been dismissed.,The Veteran’s appeal seeking service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.,The Veteran’s appeals seeking increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously characterized as PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of exposure to herbicides is denied.,Secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremities due to diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the applicable presumptive periods. The Veteran's chronic ingrown toenail issue remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to lack of evidence showing wear and tear on his clothing. The case is remanded for further review regarding the bilateral knee braces.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound due to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or by virtue of being housebound have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, right shin splints, left shin splints, and sleep apnea, all of which are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability or other conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus Type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and coronary artery disease. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records and verifying the ship's location during the Veteran's Vietnam service.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as Level II impairment, which is noncompensable. The Board found no basis for a compensable rating based on the current evidence.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative changes, lumbar hypertrophic osteoarthritis, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, SMC for loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and earlier effective date for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a sleep condition, and erectile dysfunction. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, and right knee disability is denied.