Citation Nr: 20004646
Decision Date: 01/21/20	Archive Date: 01/21/20

DOCKET NO. 13-33 124
DATE: January 21, 2020

REMANDED

Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED).

REASONS FOR REMAND

In a November 2011 VA examination, the examiner found that the Veteran only had subjective history of ED, and that he had no treatment during service; however, service treatment records (STRs) show that he complained of pain during intercourse and the inadequacy of penile intercourse in December 2010.  Therefore, the November 2011 opinion was based on an inaccurate factual premise.

Further, the prior remand asked the RO to schedule the Veteran for an examination to address whether there was an etiological relationship between service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ED. The examination was scheduled but the Veteran failed to appear.  The missing element of secondary service connection is a medical nexus; therefore, a medical opinion, rather than an in-person examination, should provide sufficient evidence for adjudication.  

The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:

1.  Identify and obtain any outstanding treatment records and associate them with the claims file.

2.  Refer the claims file to an appropriate clinician for a medical opinion to address the claim for ED.  The clinician is asked to address the following:

(a.)  Is the current diagnosis of ED as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) related to active service?

The examiner should specifically address the December 2010 STR that showed he complained of the inadequacy of penile intercourse.

(b.)  Is the current diagnosis of ED as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) proximately due to or permanently aggravated by service-connected PTSD or the medication use to treat it?

The examiner should specifically address the February 2012 treatment note from a VA urologist stating ED was probably related to medication used to treat PTSD.

The examiner should provide a rationale for all opinions rendered. 

 

 

L. HOWELL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Brendan A. Evans, Associate Counsel

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.