The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is less likely than not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities, including medications taken for these conditions. Therefore, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s multiple other medical issues (including hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and prostate hypertrophy with incontinence) were more likely causes of his ED than his service-connected orthopedic disabilities or medications prescribed to treat them.
- Claimed conditions
- erectile dysfunction, prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine with associated bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, right hip strain, post-operative residuals of a right ankle fracture with associated degenerative joint disease of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20077857
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20077857.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected DM II. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during active service is presumed.
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