The Board denied service connection for sexual dysfunction as it was not related to service or service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish that the Veteran's sexual dysfunction was caused by his service-connected PTSD or related to his period of active service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sexual dysfunction is related to his period of active service or was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Sexual Dysfunction, Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1734608
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1734608.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether PTSD is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease. The case will be returned for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several service connection issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for hypertension and service connection for sexual dysfunction, and remanded the claim for service connection for embolism.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.