Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a kidney disorder, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or direct service connection. The Board found that the current diagnoses did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether these conditions are proximately caused by PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms that meet VA criteria for these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and residuals of right kidney removal (claimed as renal cell carcinoma) are all granted. The claim for the right kidney disorder is remanded due to a failure to consider in-service Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or sustain substantially gainful employment, and TDIU is granted on a schedular basis. Prior to October 28, 2021, the Veteran was not in receipt of a 100% rating for his prostate cancer, so entitlement to a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and residuals of right kidney removal (claimed as renal cell carcinoma) are all granted. The claim for the right kidney disorder is remanded due to a failure to consider in-service Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is denied as he does not have this condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia) is denied. The Veteran submitted opinions from private doctors stating that he has these conditions, but the Board finds their opinions outweighed by other medical evidence of record and insufficient to establish a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and his STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed hearing loss is less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder, and left lower extremity nerve disorder are denied as the Veteran's STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation, bradycardia) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his atrial fibrillation is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity edema (right and left) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service and the VA examiner found that his bradycardia is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. There is no in-service noise exposure documented and the Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder with other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, finding that there is no causal relationship between the two.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, which resulted from a prostate cancer surgery, was not manifested by a penile deformity. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted a TDIU from June 15, 2018, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the effective date of TDIU and further development is needed. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include diabetes, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 19, 2014, due to his service-connected disabilities.,Basic eligibility for Chapter 35 DEA benefits was also granted effective February 19, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, prostate cancer, hypertension, fatigue, syncope, vertigo, erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have all been denied as not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) with erectile dysfunction was granted effective April 1, 2021. The Board found that the liberalizing law applicable to herbicide agent exposure in Korea during which the presumption of DMII applies retroactively to January 1, 2020, allowed for an earlier effective date of April 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, syncope, and carotid artery stenosis due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination regarding his disabilities, and the AOJ did not consider PACT Act exposure in relation to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as there was no current disability during the relevant period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an additional VA addendum opinion to address whether his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy aggravated his diagnosed urinary incontinence and/or male erectile disorder.