VA Disability Rating for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more than just a physical condition – it can affect your relationships, mental health, and quality of life. If you developed ED during or after your military service, you deserve support and compensation. But many veterans don’t know they can get benefits for ED, or they feel uncomfortable asking for help.
Let’s be clear – ED is a real medical condition that deserves proper treatment and compensation. At ProVet Legal, we help veterans get the benefits they deserve while treating their cases with respect and privacy.
VA Benefits for Erectile Dysfunction
The VA handles ED claims differently from many other conditions. While most disabilities get a percentage rating that determines your monthly payment, ED works a bit differently. Here’s what you need to know to get the benefits you deserve.
How the VA Rates Erectile Dysfunction
The VA typically assigns a 0% rating for ED by itself. But don’t let that discourage you – even with a 0% rating, you can qualify for additional monthly compensation called Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
This special payment, known as SMC(k), gives you extra money each month for “loss of use of a creative organ.” This benefit comes on top of any other VA disability payments you receive.
The VA might assign higher ratings if you have certain physical conditions:
- Removal of half or more of the penis: 30% rating
- Physical deformity with loss of function: 20% rating
- Problems with both testicles: 20% rating
- Complete removal of both testicles: 30% rating
Ways to Prove Service Connection
To get benefits for ED, you need to show it’s connected to your service. There are three main ways to do this:
1. Direct Service Connection
This means showing your ED started because of something that happened during your service, such as:
- Physical injuries
- Medications you had to take
- Mental health conditions that developed during service
2. Secondary Service Connection
Many veterans get ED because of other service-connected conditions or their treatments, such as:
- Diabetes
- PTSD or depression
- High blood pressure
- Back problems
- Prostate cancer
- Medications for service-connected conditions
3. Presumptive Service Connection
Some conditions that can cause ED are presumed to be service-connected for certain veterans, like:
- Diabetes from Agent Orange exposure
- Prostate cancer from Agent Orange exposure
- Gulf War conditions
Evidence You Need to Win Your ED Claim
To get the benefits you deserve, you’ll need:
Medical Evidence:
- A clear diagnosis of ED from your doctor
- Medical records showing treatments you’ve tried
- Test results if you’ve had them
- Records of medications that might cause ED
Service Connection Evidence:
- Military medical records
- Service records showing exposure to things that can cause ED
- Records of other service-connected conditions that might lead to ED
Supporting Statements:
- A statement from your doctor linking your ED to service or another service-connected condition
- Your own statement about when the problem started and how it affects you
- Statements from your spouse or partner (if you’re comfortable including them)
Already Received a Decision on Your ED Claim?
If VA denied your erectile dysfunction claim or gave you a rating that seems too low, you’re not alone. Many veterans get frustrated when their initial claims don’t turn out right. At ProVet Legal, we focus exclusively on appeals, helping veterans fight back after they receive disappointing VA decisions.
Our experienced appeals team knows:
- The specific evidence VA needs to see on appeal
How to connect ED to your service or other conditions in ways VA can’t ignore - Proven strategies for winning appeals
- How to increase your chances of getting the highest possible rating
When VA denies your claim or gives you a low rating, it’s normal to feel frustrated. But you don’t have to accept their decision. You have the right to appeal, and we can help.
Contact ProVet Legal today for a confidential review of your VA decision.
