Research shows that the rate of erectile dysfunction among veterans is three times greater than the average. Millions of men in the US experience erectile dysfunction (ED) at some point in their lives. However, veterans are more likely to suffer from this affliction than the average US male. Fortunately, the VA rates it as a disability.
In This Article About VA Disability for ED:
- The Effects of Erectile Dysfunction
- Can You Get VA Disability Pay for Erectile Dysfunction?
- VA Disability Ratings for Erectile Dysfunction
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- How to Apply for VA Disability for Erectile Dysfunction
- How VA Disability Pay Affects Your Total VA Compensation
- What to Do If You Are Denied VA Disability for Erectile Dysfunction
- Need Help Getting Fair VA Compensation?
Erectile dysfunction can have far-reaching impacts on self-esteem, marital happiness, confidence, and relationships. Because erectile dysfunction can have numerous harmful effects on your personal life, if you are affected, it is important that you apply for VA disability for erectile dysfunction.
Under certain provisions, the VA recognizes the loss of use of the penis as compensatable. However, gaining compensation can be tough if you are not familiar with the process.
The Effects of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection that is firm enough to have sexual intercourse.
Many men experience infrequent ED where they are not able to gain or keep an erection. This is often due to stress, emotional difficulties, or relationship difficulties.
If however, you are experiencing frequent or constant erectile dysfunction, this generally indicates an underlying medical issue.
It goes without saying that erectile dysfunction has severe effects on one’s sex life. However, the impact of ED reaches far beyond the bedroom and can be debilitating in many ways.
One qualitative study found that 62% of men reported that ED had reduced their self-esteem. Of the men, a further 29% said that ED had affected their relationships. An additional 20% said that their relationship had ended as a result of erectile dysfunction.
A further study revealed that men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction reported a reduction in functional status (the ability to perform normal daily activities) as well as heightened levels of anxiety and depression.
Because erectile dysfunction has such far-reaching negative effects, it is important that you seek treatment and compensation if you think it might be service-connected.
VA Math doesn’t make sense unless you look at it like we do in this video:
Can You Get VA Disability Pay for Erectile Dysfunction?
The short answer is yes. It is possible to receive compensation from the VA for erectile dysfunction. However, there are some hoops to jump through.
First, the VA does not view erectile dysfunction as a service-connected disability. Some ailments are automatically deemed to be service-connected by the VA.
One example of this is diabetes in veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange. Another is Malaria if you have served in a malaria region.
These types of afflictions are considered presumptively service-connected. Because of this, veterans who qualify are automatically eligible for a VA disability rating.
Because ED is not a presumptive service-connected condition, you will need to prove service connection in order to be considered for compensation.
To do this, you will need to provide a medical nexus from a qualified health professional. The health professional will need to assess whether any connection exists between your condition and your time in service.
If you suffered physical trauma during service that is directly causing erectile dysfunction, this will be relatively easy to prove.
In other cases, ED may be a secondary effect of a service-connected disability. For example, the VA itself states that erectile dysfunction is a common symptom of PTSD. A study done on ED in veterans with PTSD revealed that 85% of PTSD sufferers experienced erectile dysfunction. This is in sharp contrast to the ED rate of 14% within the control group.
Besides being a secondary service-connected condition, erectile dysfunction can also be brought on by medications used to treat service-connected health issues. Many medications, including those used to treat diabetes, depression, and anxiety can cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect.
Once you are able to establish a service-connection, you will need to provide the VA with your nexus. If it is satisfactory, they will assign you a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. During this examination, a VA doctor will assess your condition and assign it a VA disability rating.
One of our VA disability lawyers talks about the importance of the Nexus Letter in your appeal or initial application.
VA Disability Ratings for Erectile Dysfunction
The VA uses a system of disability ratings to assess what level of disability you are experiencing. The rating you receive for your disability will determine your rate of compensation. VA ratings go from 0% (no disability present) to 100% (full disability).
Unlike other disabilities, the VA does not have a specific disability rating schedule for erectile dysfunction. Instead, they rate ED under 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b. There is a whole list of specific disabilities under this rating.
Here are some of the listings that apply to erectile dysfunction and their respective disability ratings. If the below codes don’t apply to you, you will receive an automatic disability rating of 0%.
Partial Removal of Penis (Code 7520)
Under code 7520, if doctors have removed half or over half of your penis, you are eligible for a disability rating of 30% which is $467.39 per month.
Glans Removal (Code 7521)
If your glans (penis tip) was removed by doctors in connection with service activity, you are eligible for a rating of 20% which is $301.74.
Erection Difficulty Due to Deformity (7522)
The VA also deems that if you are experiencing erection difficulty thanks to a physical deformity, you are eligible for a disability rating of 20%.
Atrophy of Testicles (7523)
If you are experiencing ED as a result of atrophied testicles on both sides, you will receive a disability rating of 20%. If only one testicle is affected, you will receive a 0% disability rating.
As you can see, gaining a disability rating of over 0% under these codes can be difficult. Unless you have suffered damage to your penis itself, these codes do not cater to ED. Erectile dysfunction resulting from common causes, such as medication or disorders like PSD, usually can’t be compensated under these codes.
However, there is a further compensation provision that can apply to erectile dysfunction.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Veterans who do not qualify for the above codes will receive a rating of 0% disability. This means that even though erectile dysfunction is a debilitating issue and is often service-related, the VA will not give you disability compensation.
However, once you have been assigned a 0% rating, you will be eligible to apply for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). Special Monthly Compensation is awarded to veterans who have lost the use of organs or extremities.
Why does a 0% rating mean that you will be eligible for Special Monthly Compensation? This is because a 0% rating still indicates that the ED is service-connected. If it weren’t, you wouldn’t have been assigned a rating to begin with.
Fortunately, the Special Monthly Compensation has a category termed “loss of use of a creative organ.” Under this category, known as SMC (k), you can receive a monthly compensation amount for erectile dysfunction. You are eligible for this even if you do not qualify for any of the disability codes.
One of our VA disability lawyers talks about SMC and how it can help you get more money from the VA.
How to Apply for VA Disability for Erectile Dysfunction
By now you may have an idea of whether you are eligible for VA disability for erectile dysfunction. Let’s take a look at how to apply for it.
The main steps are proving service connection, getting a C&P exam, and then possibly applying for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
Proving Service Connection
The first thing you will need to do is prove that your case of erectile dysfunction is service-related. If the ED is a result of injury to the lower body or groin, proving service connection will be easier.
If your case of erectile dysfunction stems from a condition, such as PTSD or diabetes, you will need to prove a secondary service connection. For this, you will need a medical nexus. To obtain one you will need to locate a medical professional who is qualified to make an in-depth diagnosis.
In addition, you may need to provide medical records and military service records.
Getting a VA Disability Rating
If the VA is provided with a satisfactory medical nexus, they will then schedule you a Compensation and Pension exam. If your condition falls under code 7520, 7521, 7522, or 7523, you will be assigned the applicable rating for that code.
If it does not fall under any of the above codes, then you will be assigned a 0% disability rating. From there, you are then free to apply for Special Monthly Compensation(SMC).
Getting Compensation
After being assigned your disability rating, the VA center will be able to help you apply for Special Monthly Compensation.
Once the VA has reviewed your medical history and information, you will then be able to receive your monthly compensation amount.
Here is a video with tips on how to handle your C&P Exam.
How VA Disability Pay Affects Your Total VA Compensation
If you receive VA disability for erectile dysfunction, this will increase your overall monthly compensation. If you have been assigned a VA disability rating for ED, this will increase your overall rating.
However, it won’t simply be added to your existing rating (if you have one). The VA uses its rating system to estimate the total disability of a person. Therefore, once your ratings are combined, they will make a higher total rating, but they aren’t added together directly.
For example, if you already have a 20% disability rating and are assigned another disability rating of 30% for ED, your total VA rating will not be 50%. Instead, it will be somewhat lower.
To work out your total VA rating accurately, we recommend that you use our online VA rating calculator. There you will also be able to see your rates of compensation based on personal circumstances, such as number of dependants.
If you have been assigned a 0% disability rating and are receiving the Special Monthly Compensation, this is a stand-alone amount. It will not influence your other ratings or compensation amount.
What to Do If You Are Denied VA Disability for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a frustrating condition. It’s can do a lot of damage to one’s self-esteem as well as one’s relationship and wellbeing.
Although erectile dysfunction affects a large percentage of veterans, gaining adequate compensation for this affliction can be tough.
In many cases, proving a secondary service connection can be tricky. This is especially true for veterans that are new to the VA claims process.
Additionally, not all VA assessments are fair. Depending on the circumstances, it may be that you receive an incorrect rating during your assessment.
Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your
combined VA rating and monthly payment
If you have unfairly been denied VA disability for erectile dysfunction, we can help you apply for a VA higher-level review. This is the best route if the initial evaluation was made in error and there is no further evidence that you would like to submit.
If you do have further medical evidence that you would like to include in your application, then you will need to apply for a VA Supplemental Claim. A claim adjudicator will evaluate your existing record plus any additional evidence that you wish to submit.
This route is used when the initial evaluation was correct based on the information that was submitted but should be amended with additional information.
If you are in the process of contesting an unfair evaluation, it is usually best to hire a VA disability lawyer to help you. It is possible to navigate the VA claims process alone. However, having a disability attorney on your side will increase your chances of gaining fair compensation.
Need Help Getting Fair VA Compensation?
Do you need help getting VA disability for erectile dysfunction? If so, you are in the perfect place.
Since 1985 we have made it our business to help vets from across the US get the compensation they deserve. We are highly experienced in what we do, and what’s more, we won’t charge you a dime until we win your case for you.
If you want to get a team of seasoned VA disability lawyers on your side, call us today to discuss your case.