Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for ED as secondary to General Anxiety Disorder and for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ due to ED. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his ED is caused or aggravated by his service-connected mental disorder.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for a back disorder, erectile dysfunction, and hypogonadism are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's claim file must be updated with recent medical records, particularly those from before 2010.

The Board has denied reopening the claim for hypertension and found that there is no new and material evidence to support it. The Veteran's high cholesterol was also not service-connected as a laboratory finding does not qualify for VA compensation.,Claims for earlier effective dates have been denied due to lack of proof of an increase in disability occurring within one year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.,For the left knee injury prior to November 25, 2014, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating based on painful motion. After this date, he was granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of extension and a 20 percent rating for meniscal tear.,Major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 9434.,Degenerative disc disease (low back disability) was rated at 40 percent, but not higher due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.,Erectile dysfunction received a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these claims, thus granting reopening of the claim. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, as well as hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain an updated opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to withdrawals. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, posterior calcaneal bursitis (right foot), and atherosclerotic heart disease are remanded.