Erectile dysfunction decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors and determine if the Veteran served in Vietnam or other locations where herbicide exposure is presumed.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to conflicting VA records regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claim will be further developed to clarify his exposure history.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of pituitary adenoma, post-resection, including loss of vision in the right eye, central hypogonadism, BPH, erectile dysfunction and central adrenal insufficiency, finding that his condition is at least as likely as not related to active-duty service due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural issues. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction are being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction due to incomplete and inconsistent VA examinations, and a need for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the TDIU claim as his combined disability rating was at least 70%.

The Veteran's prostate disability and erectile dysfunction are currently rated at 20 percent and the PTSD is rated at 70 percent. The Board has ordered additional examinations to assess current severity of these conditions, as well as obtaining updated VA treatment records for all issues.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied service connection claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to deficiencies in the February 2020 VA examiner's opinion.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied service connection claim for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to deficiencies in the February 2020 VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for left shoulder disability, erectile dysfunction, and migraines have been granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is the result of his service-connected coronary artery disease, and it would have been less severe but for his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to being housebound was denied because he does not meet the criteria for SMC Housebound, as his disabilities do not satisfy the requirements of a single 100% service-connected disability and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran at his August 2023 Board hearing.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Veteran testified that he had to turn up the volume on his television and ask his wife to repeat herself, indicating functional impairment.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability prior to the filing of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction, also claimed as decreased testosterone, due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's PTSD is currently service-connected, and there is evidence suggesting that his medication for PTSD may be causing or worsening his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the issues of effective dates prior to June 7, 2004 for service connection and entitlement to TDIU due to the appellant's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for prostate hypertrophy, gastrointestinal disorder, kidney stones, skin disorders, pseudogout, anemia, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Guam or its territorial waters from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The claim for hypertension is being remanded for further development.,For the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and erectile dysfunction, as well as hypertension, the Board finds that additional evidence or examination may be needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of more than 10 percent for hypertension from April 9, 2019 is granted. His claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his hypertension is also granted.