Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to potential missing medical records and inadequate examination reports. The issues include increased ratings for service-connected total reconstruction of urinary tract due to urethral stricture disease (USD) and erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction residuals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, including a VA male reproductive examination addressing his erectile dysfunction and prostate claims; a June 2018 VA examination addressing his heart disability; and VA medical records associated in June 2018 which include treatment and diagnosis of his claimed skin disability, diabetic foot examinations, diabetic neuropathy diagnoses, and diabetes mellitus treatment and diagnosis. The Board also notes the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus grants service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) prior to December 7, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) from December 7, 2020, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) prior to December 7, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) from December 7, 2020, a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction, a compensable initial rating for bilateral diabetic retinopathy prior to February 5, 2021, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral diabetic retinopathy from February 5, 2021.,The Veteran also withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to December 7, 2020 and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to December 7, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board has also remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of worsening since his last examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, secondary service connection for a heart disability status post implanted cardiac pacemaker with sick sinus syndrome as secondary to PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, and secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with left eye retinopathy, cataracts and erectile dysfunction were not rated higher than the assigned percentages. The Veteran was denied increased ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including for coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to those conditions, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded for further development, including verification of the Veteran's alleged service in Vietnam and proximity to the base perimeter.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, were not of sufficient severity to render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 21, 2014.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as these conditions have already been granted in a February 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's dizziness, vertigo, and labyrinthitis are found to be related to service. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not related to service. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, including the issues of service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction (secondary to lumbar spine disability), increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from June 27, 2007 to May 14, 2008.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with non-proliferative retinopathy and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's condition did not require regulation of activities as required by the rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to comply with the duty to assist, specifically regarding the Veteran's private treatment records. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA treatment records and any available private medical records related to his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and adjustment disorder. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection.