Citation Nr: 21010623 Decision Date: 02/25/21 Archive Date: 02/25/21 DOCKET NO. 14-25 423 DATE: February 25, 2021 ORDER Service connection for erectile dysfunction, as secondary to the service-connected mood disorder with depression, is granted. Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ is granted. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is proximately due to, or aggravated beyond its natural progression by, his service-connected mood disorder with depression. 2. The grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction supports entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria for service connection for erectile dysfunction, as secondary to service-connected mood disorder with depression, have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.310. 2. The criteria for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k); 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(a). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran was scheduled for a Board hearing but the record shows that he failed to report to the hearing. Thus, the request for a hearing is considered withdrawn. 38 C.F.R. § 20.704(d). Service Connection—Erectile Dysfunction Service connection may be granted for disability that is proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disability. 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a). Any increase in severity of a nonservice-connected disease or injury that is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability, and not due to the natural progress of the nonservice-connected disease or injury, will be service connected. 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(b). Thus, service connection is permitted not only for disability caused by a service-connected disability, but also for the degree of disability resulting from aggravation by a service-connected disability. In the current appeal, the Veteran asserts that his erectile dysfunction is secondary to the medication he takes for his service-connected mood disorder with depression [which is secondary to his low back strain with thoracic spine dysfunction with degenerative disc disease]. While the record clearly shows that the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is not secondary to his low back disability, the record is not as clear as to whether his erectile dysfunction is secondary to his psychiatric disorder. On one hand, the record indicates that the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is due to his nonservice-connected bladder cancer. The record shows that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2000 and erectile dysfunction in 2003. An August 2006 private medical record reflects a history of bladder cancer in 2000 with resection which resulted in erectile dysfunction. In an April 2014 examination report, a VA examiner stated that the Veteran has multiple co-morbidities that could lead to erectile dysfunction including his history of bladder cancer. On the other hand, the record also indicates that the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is due to his service-connected mood disorder with depression, or the medication used to treat it. A July 2008 VA medical record shows that his erectile dysfunction is a side effect of his psychiatric medication. In the April 2014 examination report, the VA examiner also listed depression as a co-morbidity that could lead to erectile dysfunction. There is no opinion as to whether the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is aggravated by his psychiatric disorder, or the medication used to treat it. Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the Board finds that his erectile dysfunction is proximately due to, or aggravated beyond its natural progression by, the service-connected mood disorder with depression. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b) (2012); Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990). Accordingly, service connection for erectile dysfunction is warranted. SMC—Loss of Use of a Creative Organ VA provides special monthly compensation (SMC) if a veteran, as a result of a service-connected disability, sustains the anatomical loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs. 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k); 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(a). Entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ can be granted based on erectile dysfunction. In light of the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction, the Board finds that entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is warranted. Thus, the appeal is granted. THERESA M. CATINO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. W. Kim, 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.