The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms being more closely approximated by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board also found that a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was not warranted as there was no evidence of penile deformity.
- Claimed conditions
- Erectile Dysfunction, Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) with Persistent Major Depressive Episode and Alcohol Use Disorder, Temporal Mandibular Disorder (TMD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25045975
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with MDD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected condition, and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, it denied SMC based on housebound status.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for tension headaches effective September 13, 2022, but denied earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disability and granted TDIU beginning April 5, 2022.
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.