Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2021

The Veteran's chronic mechanical lumbar spine syndrome with left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, thus SMC on the basis of aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to February 19, 2013, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon polyps, hypertension (HTN), erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus (DM). The remand is due to verify whether the U.S.S. Theodore E. Chandler sailed within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam or within the waters outlined in 38 U.S.C. § 1116A while the Veteran was aboard.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts are rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from June 9, 2009 through March 28, 2018 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, ED, and chronic epididymo-orchitis have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.,Service connection was also denied for the left knee disability, with the Veteran's claim being remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connection due to a current diagnosis and the Board finding it was incurred in service.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support its relationship to service.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to service-connected conditions. The Board found that it was likely due to medication use rather than service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied as there are no records showing an in-service injury, and the current condition does not have a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lower back condition and ED due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's representative also requested an opinion on whether the ED is secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, Type-II, with erectile dysfunction is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 6, 2012 for the grants of service connection for diabetic nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for diabetic nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for deviated nasal septum with sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The right eye disability claim was denied. Service connection for liver disability is remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, OSA, and hypertension are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected DM II and PTSD.,The Veteran's dermatitis is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected DM II and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including other trauma and stressor related disorder, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, dermatitis of the neck, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2016. The Veteran's combined service-connected rating was 80 percent at that time. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is established as of September 17, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity neuropathy has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.,Service connection for weight gain is denied as obesity does not qualify as a disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's back disability remains on remand, with the need for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.,Right lower extremity varicose veins and left lower extremity varicose veins remain on remand, requiring an addendum opinion to determine their etiology and whether they are secondary to service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.,Erectile dysfunction remains on remand, requiring an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is secondary to medications for service-connected disabilities or hypertension.,Hypertension remains on remand, requiring an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is directly related to service or secondary to service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for sleep apnea, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of left mandible, postoperative.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depressive disorder and individual unemployability prior to July 12, 2017 due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the other issues due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for rating purposes, necessitating further development to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction because the Veteran does not have a penis deformity, and therefore, the criteria for an initial compensable rating are not met.

Service connection for prostate cancer is granted, and the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded for a medical opinion.