Citation Nr: 21007248 Decision Date: 02/09/21 Archive Date: 02/09/21 DOCKET NO. 16-39 743 DATE: February 9, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to prostate cancer, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1967 to April 1971. This matter comes before the Board on appeal from a March 2015 Regional Office (RO) rating decision. 1. Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to prostate cancer, is remanded. In October 2020, VA obtained an opinion concerning, in relevant part, whether the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction was at least as likely as not related to his claimed cardiovascular disability/bradycardia. In response the examiner noted that “Erectile Dysfunction is not related to direct military service, but it is a secondary connection as a common sequela of Coronary Artery Disease… Coronary Artery Disease [injures] the arterial walls in penis and leads to issues with veteran having erections.” The Board notes that service connection is not in effect for coronary artery disease. The Board also notes that the VA examiner who conducted the September 2019 VA heart conditions examination report expressly declined to diagnose coronary artery disease. Service connection was, however, granted for “Valvular heart disease with bradycardia” in an October 2020 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is required to obtain an opinion concerning whether the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected valvular heart disease with bradycardia. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Send the claims file to a qualified examiner to determine whether the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected valvular heart disease with bradycardia. The claims file must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction was caused OR aggravated by his service-connected valvular heart disease with bradycardia. A complete rationale for all opinions should be provided, including discussion of the facts of the Veteran’s case and pertinent medical principles. (continued on next page) TANYA SMITH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Elizabeth Jalley, 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.