Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction are both denied.,New evidence received since the final March 2015 Board decision does not raise reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for diabetes or asthma, thus denying reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The mood disorder is rated at 50% since November 29, 2010. Hepatitis C and gallstones/cirrhosis of the liver are each rated at 100% effective July 1, 2016. Diabetes mellitus remains at 20%. Erectile dysfunction continues to be noncompensable. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is sufficient to grant service connection for these conditions due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and its residuals are service connected, as is his erectile dysfunction. However, the bilateral shoulder condition and back condition need further examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease was granted. His rating for coronary artery disease was restored to 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment from January 5, 2011, to May 2, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the reduction in disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 0% was proper. The claim of entitlement to increased rating for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction, which may be related to diabetes mellitus and/or exposure to herbicides, is also remanded. The claim of entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his diabetes.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1980 or February 2009 rating decisions regarding service connection for various conditions. The claims were denied based on a lack of evidence supporting these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to unclear medical opinions and need for further examination.

Service connection for congestive heart failure (CHF) is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.,Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, scar from heart surgery, and other conditions have been granted service connection. A 10% rating has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss as of September 11, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn for certain issues. The claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus. The issues include psychiatric disability (PTSD), lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right calf disability, left calf disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of increased ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's VA treatment records are to be obtained, and a supplemental examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches due to a lack of medical examination opinions addressing these conditions.