Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and ratings for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine with retrolisthesis of L3-L4 and L4-L5, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The remand is due to additional VA treatment records being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of SMC at the A&A rate effective August 17, 2021.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hip and foot disabilities, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, vision loss, hyperlipidemia, GERD, skin rashes, hand circulatory condition, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating personal health-care services provided on a daily basis by a person who is licensed to provide such services. The Board has granted the increased SMC (r)(2) based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is granted, effective September 18, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) is granted, effective October 19, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate opinions from a March 2018 VA examiner. The Veteran's right knee disability and ED are being reviewed, as well as his entitlement to SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance prior to April 27, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, IBS, lumbosacral strain, right wrist sprain, deep vein thrombosis with residual pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and pulmonary vascular disease were all denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions and concluded that the evidence did not support service connection for any of them.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that the current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is related to the hypertension.

The Board has decided that a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied. The claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exposure to Agent Orange (AO), is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to failure to provide requested medical opinions and compliance with the April 2023 Board remand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's exposure to herbicide agents, asbestos, or PCBs during service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are inextricably intertwined with the issue of exposure.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional development. The main issues are hypertension, a skin condition of the feet, type II diabetes mellitus, vision conditions, erectile dysfunction, nephropathy, headaches/eye discomfort, and sleep disorders.

The Veteran's hypertension, stroke, kidney/renal insufficiency, and dementia are all granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,No new evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been added to the record since the last rating decisions and must be considered in deciding the increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU issues. The claims are being remanded to allow for this consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, alcohol use disorder, erectile dysfunction, gout, sleep disorders, low back disability, neck disability, peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, restless leg syndrome, left knee disability, psychiatric disability, shoulder disabilities, pes planus with neuroma and plantar fasciitis, left foot disability post-surgery, and right knee meniscal tear.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The appellant is the surviving spouse of the Veteran who served in active military from October 1962 to December 1964.

The Veteran's right hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathies are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings. The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and CAD are granted increased ratings.