Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for joint pain and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for stress related headaches. The appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was also dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of erectile dysfunction, left hip disability, low back disability and right shoulder disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee was granted with an initial evaluation of 10 percent effective June 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residual scars has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, intermittent numbness of the left hand and fingers, and intermittent numbness of the left knee and lower leg have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD has been remanded to obtain a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back conditions, resection of the large intestine, and removal of left kidney have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded due to the interrelated nature with other increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence received since previous denials. The claims are further addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of penis deformity, which is required for a compensable evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected heart disorder due to insufficient opinions in the August 2018 VA examination reports. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing direct service connection and aggravation of his conditions by medications taken for his service-connected heart disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for basal cell/squamous cell carcinoma has not been granted due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral nerve condition of the lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy) secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and secondary service connection for CAD, erectile dysfunction, and Raynaud’s disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for CAD from September 11, 2013 to November 7, 2019, or on and after November 7, 2019. Service connection was also denied for Raynaud’s disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, as it is unclear whether his condition is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a medical professional.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left sciatic radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted. However, the claims for heart disease and sleep apnea are remanded due to additional information received.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for a compensable disability rating.,Prior to June 18, 2013; from February 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015; and from July 1, 2015, onward, the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with alcohol and drug abuse.,From June 1, 2015 through June 24, 2015, a temporary total rating due to hospitalization for bipolar disorder with alcohol and drug abuse is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The other claims for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction may be caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder, but it could also be aggravated by his medications for anxiety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have erectile dysfunction or any other service-connected conditions. The reduction in disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cubital/carpal tunnel syndromes, ulnar and median nerves, right wrist is found to be improper due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right ankle disability, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, cardiovascular symptoms, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for these claims.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded due to the need for a new examination regarding his right knee disability. The claims of entitlement to increased ratings for hallux valgus, erectile dysfunction, and hyperhidrosis are still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, all caused by diabetes mellitus. The rating assigned is 100%.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied because new and material evidence had not been received. His claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were also denied as they are not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and renal failure with diabetic nephropathy to the RO for further development due to a lack of adequate discussion in the August 2017 decision.