Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate rationale in its decision regarding service connection for OSA and ED, specifically because it failed to adequately explain whether the April 2021 VA medical opinion was adequate. The Veteran's symptoms of OSA are observed by his wife, which is considered competent evidence. For ED, the Board did not discuss a theory that it may be secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, prostate cancer, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and anemia, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 8, 2018, and from June 1, 2018. The Board granted total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran's right upper and bilateral lower extremity neurological manifestations, as well as his erectile dysfunction, are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are granted. The Board also remanded the cases for evaluations on bilateral hearing loss and a mental health disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for spondylosis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, memory loss, and insomnia are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. The Board has remanded multiple issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disorder, bilateral eye disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), headache disorder, thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's hypertension appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was granted a disability rating of 20 percent, and his erectile dysfunction was granted service connection on the basis that it is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to difficulties in contacting him and obtaining necessary medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathies of both upper and lower extremities are all rated at their maximum allowable ratings.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from May 25, 2021 to October 21, 2021.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.,Service connection for testicular cancer, due to exposure to herbicides or as secondary to prostate cancer, is granted.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostatitis. The issue of service connection for penile deformity/Peyronie's disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction and erectile dysfunction are found to be secondary to his service-connected testicular cancer, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, but the effective date remains to be determined by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be decided. The case will be sent back to the AOJ for review of all evidence added since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including prostate cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (claimed as impotency), and total left knee replacement. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him homebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as the diagnosed alcohol use disorder and depressive disorder are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing potential in-service causation or aggravation of these conditions.,Service connection is denied as the acquired psychiatric disorder (alcohol use disorder and alcohol induced depressive disorder) is not related to service.