{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/erectile-dysfunction-secondary-to-psychiatric-disorder","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:23.104Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"claim":"Erectile dysfunction secondary to a psychiatric disorder","secondary_condition":"Erectile dysfunction","service_connected_disability":"a psychiatric disorder","decisions":1290,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":30.1,"denied_pct":14.3,"remanded_pct":54.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":67.8,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":37,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":18.9,"remanded_pct":67.6},{"year":2018,"issues":103,"granted_pct":28.2,"denied_pct":15.5,"remanded_pct":54.4},{"year":2019,"issues":122,"granted_pct":16.4,"denied_pct":16.4,"remanded_pct":65.6},{"year":2020,"issues":117,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":17.9,"remanded_pct":61.5},{"year":2021,"issues":146,"granted_pct":29.5,"denied_pct":16.4,"remanded_pct":52.7},{"year":2022,"issues":114,"granted_pct":31.6,"denied_pct":10.5,"remanded_pct":57.9},{"year":2023,"issues":143,"granted_pct":24.5,"denied_pct":12.6,"remanded_pct":62.2},{"year":2024,"issues":185,"granted_pct":34.1,"denied_pct":11.9,"remanded_pct":54.1},{"year":2025,"issues":242,"granted_pct":40.5,"denied_pct":12.8,"remanded_pct":45.9},{"year":2026,"issues":81,"granted_pct":43.2,"denied_pct":16,"remanded_pct":38.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":77.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":179,"granted_pct_with":92.5,"granted_pct_without":60.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1012,"granted_pct_with":66.1,"granted_pct_without":76.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":318,"granted_pct_with":94.2,"granted_pct_without":48.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":829,"granted_pct_with":66,"granted_pct_without":72.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":442,"granted_pct_with":81.1,"granted_pct_without":57.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":78,"granted_pct_with":96.3,"granted_pct_without":64.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":958,"granted_pct_with":62.7,"granted_pct_without":84.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":71,"granted_pct_with":78.8,"granted_pct_without":67.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":79},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":71},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":43},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":7},{"reason":"veteran diagnosed with erectile dysfunction","decisions":5},{"reason":"erectile dysfunction diagnosed","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":36},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":25},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":18},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":16},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":11},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040559","year":2026,"judge":"D. JOHNSON","rationale":"Evidence in approximate balance regarding secondary connection to major depressive disorder.; VA examiner found erectile dysfunction less likely than not due to major depressive disorder, but noted it could be a cause.; Private physician opined psychiatric disorder was at least as likely as not the … [truncated, 113 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26039875","year":2026,"judge":"J. T. HUTCHESON","rationale":"Service connection may be granted for recurrent disability arising from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.; The Agency of Original Jurisdiction determined erectile dysfunction was related to the service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood.; In the absence of… [truncated, 61 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26035117","year":2026,"judge":"M. HYLAND","rationale":"Favorable secondary opinion from May 2024 examiner.; Opinion attributed erectile dysfunction to severity of diagnosed psychiatric disorders.; No opposing secondary opinion found."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26033917","year":2026,"judge":"S. HENEKS","rationale":"Service connection for the primary psychiatric disorder was denied.; No legal basis for granting secondary service connection without a service-connected primary condition."},{"case_id":"A26031672","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"No service connection for primary psychiatric disability; No evidence of erectile complaints in service medical records; No competent opinion relating erectile disability to service"},{"case_id":"A26027205","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"No service-connected mental health condition established; Secondary claim fails as a matter of law without predicate disability; No factual or legal basis for secondary service connection"}]},"how_argued":{"note":"From keyword matches in each issue's AI summary and rationale, not the full decision. Only issues whose text names a medical link are counted under pathways; one issue can name several. A link named in a denial was often the argument the Board rejected.","issues":1290,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":383,"granted_pct":15.9},"causation_only":{"issues":907,"granted_pct":36.1},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":14.6,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Medication side effects","issues":101,"granted_pct":49.5,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26000599","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Veteran reported sporadic sexual side effects from psychiatric medication"},{"case_id":"24022481","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The veteran claims entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, asserting it is secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder and migraines, including medication side effects."}]},{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":26,"granted_pct":11.5,"examples":[{"case_id":"A25100362","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"VA examiner opined BPH, obesity, and alcohol use disorder caused ED"},{"case_id":"A26002640","year":2026,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Other likely causes identified: obesity, sleep apnea, chronic pain, possible vascular disease."}]},{"pathway":"Stress","issues":20,"granted_pct":40,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26005131","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Private opinion linked ED to depression, anxiety, stress, and psychiatric disorder"},{"case_id":"A25032343","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Service connection for a penile condition as secondary to high blood pressure, stress, PTSD, serious depression, anxiety, and diabetes was denied."}]},{"pathway":"Sleep disruption","issues":18,"granted_pct":27.8,"examples":[{"case_id":"A25101158","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia."},{"case_id":"A25052146","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and alcohol use disorder was denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction in the record."}]},{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":17,"granted_pct":23.5,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26009713","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) was granted as secondary to the veteran's service-connected low back disability, LLE radiculopathy, femoral nerve, and generalized anxiety disorder."},{"case_id":"A25100909","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The Veteran sought service connection for erectile dysfunction, claiming it was secondary to lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, depression, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy."}]}]},"how_va_rates":null,"requirements":"38 CFR 3.310: a current diagnosis, a service-connected disability, and medical evidence that it caused (3.310(a)) or aggravated (3.310(b)) the condition."}}