Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2020

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including effective date determinations and increased rating claims for various disabilities. The main reasons are the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on three issues have been dismissed. The Board has remanded one issue: the evaluation of thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 18, 2014, for the grant of a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction status post bilateral orchiopexy due to recurrent testicular torsion.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% disability rating, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and to determine if an earlier effective date is warranted for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and anxiety due to pending development of the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, and right knee disability (secondary to a left knee disability). The decision found that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in any of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, finding that there was no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for a bilateral foot condition, and that his peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and erectile dysfunction were not related to his service-connected conditions or VA treatment. The Board also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left-eye disability due to complications during a June 2011 cataract surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, headaches, sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, bronchiectasis, kidney cyst, and erectile dysfunction. The reasons include the need for additional VA examinations to address the etiology of these conditions in light of the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia and exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from February 24, 2017. The Board finds the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The arthritis of the hands and back are denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether his current condition is related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his service-connected disabilities are related or aggravated by each other.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his respiratory condition (COPD), sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for venous insufficiency, fatigue in the legs, an enlarged testicle, and soft tissue sarcoma have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (secondary to herbicide exposure), erectile dysfunction (as secondary to prostate cancer), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, thyroid disorder, tremors, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, gout, and kidney disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and his TDIU prior to June 26, 2017 were both denied. The evidence did not show the severity of the Veteran’s condition met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7541.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 for DIC benefits, as he did not receive a total rating for at least ten years immediately prior to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of a penis deformity, and the condition is appropriately compensated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b, DC 7522.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is dismissed as the Veteran was already granted service connection in a previous decision.,TDIU from August 1, 2015 is dismissed because the Veteran's right knee disability alone did not render him unemployable. However, TDIU prior to August 1, 2015 remains denied due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to work.

The Veteran's diabetes, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board found no evidence to warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.