The Veteran's initial claim for erectile dysfunction was granted, but the rating assigned is noncompensable. The effective date of service connection and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has been denied.,Service connection for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted as secondary to other conditions. Service connection for hypertension has not been established.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is manifested by loss of erectile power, but no penile deformity was noted. The effective date for service connection and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ cannot be earlier than September 9, 2020.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show any penile deformity, thus the claim for erectile dysfunction could not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection was granted on a secondary basis to other conditions (headaches and obstructive sleep apnea). Service connection for hypertension has not been established due to lack of evidence showing it began during service or within one year following discharge.,The Veteran's headaches are as likely as not caused by his service-connected tinnitus. His obstructive sleep apnea is as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer and medication (Gabapentin). Service connection for hypertension has not been established due to lack of evidence showing it began during service or within one year following discharge.
- Claimed conditions
- erectile dysfunction, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2021
- Citation
- A21016482
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 A21016482.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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 the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
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.