Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his head disability (TBI), neck disability, low back disability, heart disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its severity.

The Veteran's claims for kidney stone, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, primary open angle glaucoma and cataract of the right eye (claimed as bilateral blindness), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions during or shortly after service.,The Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's testimony of potential continuity of symptoms shortly after discharge from service. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional development being required. The right knee condition, diabetes mellitus (type 2) as a result of exposure to herbicide, and erectile dysfunction are all in contention.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for equipment purchases and home modifications under the Independent Living Plan through VA’s VR&E program due to his intent to withdraw. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a second clothing allowance for calendar year 2016 for the use of topical creams used to treat service-connected burns on the right and left arms and hands, finding that the cocoa butter cream causes an increased rate of damage to outer garments compared to a back brace.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, sciatica of the right and left lower extremity, and osteoarthritis of the lower back secondary to service-connected conditions due to Agent Orange exposure. The issues are inextricably intertwined as they all relate to the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and skin disorders are related to his diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for hypertension and ED have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, and sleep apnea are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches (NOS) due to a lack of adequate examination. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his penile deformity, which he contends was caused by a circumcision during active duty, is related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a reproductive disorder, including erectile dysfunction and low sperm count, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. Specifically, they need to verify herbicide exposure and obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremity are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's cataracts are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,ED is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, but there is an approximate balance of evidence regarding whether it was aggravated by the diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since January 17, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings on this issue and service connection for other conditions are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence suggesting the Veteran may have had prostate cancer, which could be related to his rectal cancer. The VA will need to determine if the Veteran indeed had prostate cancer and whether it is at least as likely as not that his ED was caused by his prostate cancer.