Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as it has been granted and rendered moot. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a left shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity disorder (neuropathy), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requests additional opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it did not incur during active service and was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder or residuals of gunshot wound to the penis scar.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent effective November 4, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating. The Veteran's ED does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the issue. The Board has remanded several other issues including peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, skin disability (PFB), bilateral kidney disability, hearing loss, insomnia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and eye conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bowel disorder and erectile dysfunction, as these conditions are claimed to be due to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) or medications prescribed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acid reflux, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, including as due to service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record showing no relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher evaluations for voiding dysfunction, bowel incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as residuals of prostate cancer was denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum disability rating of 60 percent for his voiding dysfunction.,The Veteran's entitlement to a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction as residuals of prostate cancer was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking his mental health condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied because there is no current diagnosis and the medical records do not indicate an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and lack of credible evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, with the requirement of regulation of activities not met.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetic retinopathy status post bilateral cataracts removal is remanded as there is no current visual field impairment data provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, and TIA residuals due to new evidence showing worsening of his conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it raises a question of whether the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and examinations. The denial of a higher rating for coronary artery disease from December 1, 2011 to October 12, 2015 remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in permanent loss of use of his left foot, and therefore grants eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the identification of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to PTSD, lumbar spine DDD, ED, and respiratory conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for heart problems, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and kidney problems due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of service in Vietnam or confirmed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was withdrawn, and he is granted a 30% rating for chronic sinusitis. His right ear hearing loss disability claim is denied.,Service connection for functional gastrointestinal symptoms, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disabilities, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bronchitis (chronic cough), chest wall disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.,TDIU appeal is dismissed. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, sinusitis, lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity nerve disabilities, and TDIU issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not related to service.,The earliest communication from the Veteran that can be construed as a claim for major depressive disorder was received on June 8, 2016. The effective date of June 8, 2016 has been assigned for major depressive disorder as it is later than the earliest date of entitlement (April 27, 2016).,The earliest communication from the Veteran that can be construed as a claim for residuals of a surgical scar on his left shoulder was received on March 11, 2016. The effective date of March 11, 2016 has been assigned for the grant of service connection for residuals of a surgical scar on the left shoulder associated with left shoulder osteoarthritis as it is later than the earliest date of entitlement (May 13, 2003).,The effective date of June 8, 2016 has been assigned for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder. The effective date of March 11, 2016 has been assigned for the grant of service connection for residuals of a surgical scar on the left shoulder associated with left shoulder osteoarthritis.,The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 20% and remains unchanged.,The effective date of April 2, 2019 has been assigned for an increased rating to 50% for major depressive disorder (MDD) and somatic symptom disorder. The effective date of April 2, 2019 has also recharacterized the disability as 'major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder'.,The Veteran's MDD and somatic symptom disorder is rated at 70% since April 2, 2019.,A TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction. The examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service, particularly given the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.