Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as a result of exposure to herbicides. The case will be returned for additional action to attempt to corroborate his potential in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease and erectile dysfunction, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. However, it denied service connection for a right leg condition and lumbar spine condition.,For the right leg condition, the Board found no evidence linking the current disability to active service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. A 70% rating for PTSD is granted, and the Veteran is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted. The Board remanded the issues of hypertension and hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis, gout, and an eye disorder. The remaining issues of hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (diagnosed colitis), erectile dysfunction, and kidney disorder are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's diagnosed conditions as they do not meet the criteria set forth in the applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is granted. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed due to the addition of new VA treatment records since the last SSOC was issued in April 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for VA examinations. The claim for an increased disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The dyshidrotic eczema of both hands claim was also denied due to insufficient affected area or systemic therapy.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus II, hypertension, gout, and erectile dysfunction have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injury or disease.,No VA examination was required as there is no indication of an event, injury, or disease occurring in service, nor any chronic disease manifesting within one year after service discharge. The Veteran's STRs show normal clinical evaluations at service separation and the first documented findings for CAD, diabetes, hypertension, and gout occurred decades after service.,The Veteran's lay statements about exposure to herbicides are not credible as they do not provide details of when or where he was exposed, nor are they corroborated by his military personnel records. The Board does not find any evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, beginning July 20, 2015. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on all reasonable doubt being resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to prostate cancer. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is not presumed due to lack of evidence and the absence of a factual foundation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. The decision on the hearing loss claim is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's current hearing loss may be related to his military service, while the erectile dysfunction claim was previously denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to address the nexus of these conditions to service, including any potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and erectile dysfunction is granted. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

PTSD has been granted as related to an in-service stressor.,The claim for cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil is remanded due to lack of evidence corroborating exposure to ionizing radiation.

The appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, characterized by loss of erectile power and no penile deformity, has been rated at 0 percent since July 27, 2020. The Board denied an increased rating as the criteria for a compensable (20%) rating are not met.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction has been dismissed.,The reduction of the GERD disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction due to the failure to verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide agent exposure during his period of active duty.