{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/erectile-dysfunction-secondary-to-ptsd","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:18.192Z","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 PTSD","secondary_condition":"Erectile dysfunction","service_connected_disability":"PTSD","decisions":1645,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":30.3,"denied_pct":15,"remanded_pct":53.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":66.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":94,"granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2018,"issues":142,"granted_pct":25.4,"denied_pct":19.7,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2019,"issues":191,"granted_pct":20.9,"denied_pct":19.4,"remanded_pct":59.2},{"year":2020,"issues":184,"granted_pct":28.3,"denied_pct":15.8,"remanded_pct":55.4},{"year":2021,"issues":122,"granted_pct":28.7,"denied_pct":13.9,"remanded_pct":56.6},{"year":2022,"issues":163,"granted_pct":33.1,"denied_pct":11,"remanded_pct":54.6},{"year":2023,"issues":161,"granted_pct":31.1,"denied_pct":11.2,"remanded_pct":57.8},{"year":2024,"issues":227,"granted_pct":32.6,"denied_pct":12.3,"remanded_pct":54.6},{"year":2025,"issues":269,"granted_pct":36.8,"denied_pct":13,"remanded_pct":49.4},{"year":2026,"issues":95,"granted_pct":42.1,"denied_pct":14.7,"remanded_pct":40}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":78.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":253,"granted_pct_with":86.2,"granted_pct_without":60.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1317,"granted_pct_with":65.1,"granted_pct_without":76.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":385,"granted_pct_with":92.4,"granted_pct_without":49.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1071,"granted_pct_with":66.3,"granted_pct_without":68.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":482,"granted_pct_with":78.4,"granted_pct_without":59.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":89,"granted_pct_with":90.7,"granted_pct_without":65.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1213,"granted_pct_with":63.6,"granted_pct_without":78},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":45,"granted_pct_with":77.3,"granted_pct_without":66.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":217,"granted_pct_with":71.2,"granted_pct_without":66.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":77},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":64},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":50},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":13},{"reason":"secondary to ptsd","decisions":9},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":8}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":42},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":31},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":26},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":21},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":17},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040875","year":2026,"judge":"MARIAH N. SIM","rationale":"Veteran has current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction.; VA examiner opined erectile dysfunction is secondary to PTSD.; Examiner's opinion considered claims file and medical principles.; Negative nexus opinion for TERAs does not preclude secondary service connection for PTSD."},{"case_id":"A26039734","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Veteran competent and credible to report symptoms; VA examiner's opinion unclear regarding nexus to PTSD; Board found but/for relationship met for secondary SC"},{"case_id":"A26039659","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Private medical opinion linked erectile dysfunction to PTSD and treatment.; Nexus established that it is at least as likely as not a result of PTSD.; Benefit of the doubt applied."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26035835","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No current diagnosis of ED established; Veteran confirmed no formal diagnosis at hearing; Private opinion assumed diagnosis without confirmation"},{"case_id":"A26025951","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Evidence persuasively weighs against finding of erectile dysfunction with onset during service or relation to PTSD.; Criteria for service connection for erectile dysfunction not met."},{"case_id":"A26023670","year":2026,"judge":"BETHANY L. BUCK","rationale":"No current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction reflected in VA or service treatment records.; VA examiner did not diagnose erectile dysfunction.; Veteran is competent to describe symptoms but not diagnose complex conditions."}]},"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":1648,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":605,"granted_pct":17.4},"causation_only":{"issues":1043,"granted_pct":37.8},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":13,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Medication side effects","issues":127,"granted_pct":43.3,"examples":[{"case_id":"26004175","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Treating physicians noted erectile dysfunction as a side effect of PTSD medication."},{"case_id":"24008172","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The Veteran claims service connection for erectile dysfunction, and as secondary to PTSD, possibly due to medication."}]},{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":35,"granted_pct":14.3,"examples":[{"case_id":"25008302","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Service-connected PTSD/alcohol use disorder and left ankle disability caused obesity"},{"case_id":"A26000274","year":2026,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Veteran's risk factors (low testosterone, obesity, tobacco use) outweigh service factors."}]},{"pathway":"Stress","issues":32,"granted_pct":46.9,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26039734","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"The Veteran reported symptoms of erectile dysfunction and loss of libido, which he attributes to anxiety and stress from his PTSD."},{"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":"Nerve involvement","issues":14,"granted_pct":21.4,"examples":[{"case_id":"A22016689","year":2022,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Private medical opinion provided detailed rationale linking ED to PTSD, neuropathy, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine condition."},{"case_id":"24024692","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The Veteran claims service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), contending it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, lumbar strain with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, neurogenic bladder, and medications prescribed..."}]},{"pathway":"Sleep disruption","issues":10,"granted_pct":50,"examples":[{"case_id":"A25010157","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to PTSD with insomnia disorder."},{"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."}]}]},"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."}}