Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, with prostate cancer being related to herbicide agent exposure during service. Erectile dysfunction is also found to be secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service-connected due to exposure to toxic chemicals during his time in service.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected based on exposure to toxic chemicals during his time in service.,The Veteran's restless leg syndrome, secondary to Parkinson's disease, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, secondary to prostate cancer, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to exposure to toxic chemicals during his time in service.,The Veteran's urinary tract condition is granted as service-connected based on exposure to toxic chemicals during his time in service.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted as service-connected based on exposure to toxic chemicals during his time in service.

The Veteran's left ankle strain and erectile dysfunction cases are remanded for further evaluation. The left ankle case requires a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability, including whether he experiences flare-ups with additional functional loss during such episodes. For the erectile dysfunction claim, a physical examination is needed to determine its severity.

The Board has ordered remand to determine the level of functional impairment caused by each service-connected disability, including those related to diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on a single service-connected disability rated as total is being considered.

The Board has decided that the VA did not provide adequate assistance in obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and any medications used for treatment of other disabilities. The case is being sent back for further review.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been denied.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as noncompensable prior to October 8, 2020 and denied thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are granted effective from December 4, 2003, November 10, 2003, and October 11, 2007 respectively.,TDIU is denied as the earliest evidence of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was June 11, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; hepatitis C; dizziness; hypersensitivity to light and noise; diarrhea; fainting disability; sinus disability; bronchitis; GERD; headache disability; hypertension; chronic fatigue syndrome; sleep apnea; erectile dysfunction; chest pain disability; and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded for the following: obtaining VA treatment records, private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and completing a TDIU application form; providing adequate VA examinations for sinus, respiratory, GERD, headache, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and chest pain disabilities; and providing an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC at the (l) level.

The Veteran's CAD warrants a rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for the period prior to September 30, 2020.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control and is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that a rating of 10 percent, but not higher, is warranted.,VA examinations are inadequate to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee strain. A new VA examination is needed prior to adjudication of this claim.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and erectile dysfunction have been diagnosed but the medical opinions provided by VA are inadequate. Addendum VA medical opinions are needed prior to adjudication of these claims.,VA examinations are inadequate to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee strain. A new VA examination is needed prior to adjudication of this claim.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected and the Board finds no evidence to support a finding that any of his conditions were caused by VA treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches and bilateral eye condition, are denied as there is no objective evidence of current disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service connected. Tinnitus was previously granted but is now dismissed due to a full grant of benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a disability manifesting in loss of erectile function and that this disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to inadequate medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person throughout the period on appeal, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer due to lack of causal relationship to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and restored his disability ratings for left knee instability and right knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion due to multiple orthopedic and neurological conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there was no diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to non-diagnosed symptoms and lack of evidence supporting a higher disability level.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for GERD with nutcracker esophagus is dismissed as moot, but the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction and lumbar spine disability remains remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction (secondary to his service-connected conditions) and lumbar spine disability remain pending and are being remanded for further evaluation.