Erectile dysfunction is a challenging condition that many veterans face, and it often doesn’t exist in isolation. Instead, ED is frequently linked to other health issues, making it a secondary condition to various physical and mental health challenges connected to military service, such as depression.
Depression and Erectile Dysfunction
Depression is a common condition that can be directly linked to erectile dysfunction. Veterans who struggle with depression often experience a decrease in sexual desire and a diminished capacity for intimate connections, which can result in ED. Depression affects brain chemistry, altering levels of serotonin, dopamine, and other key neurotransmitters involved in mood and arousal. This imbalance can make it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.
Moreover, many veterans take antidepressant medications to help manage their symptoms. Unfortunately, a number of these medications list erectile dysfunction as a side effect, creating a cycle where managing one condition exacerbates another. Veterans filing for disability related to depression may be eligible for additional compensation if ED is a recognized secondary condition.
ED Ratings and Service Connection
VA assigns a 0% rating to erectile dysfunction, but veterans may receive SMC-K, which in 2024 provides $132.74 per month. This special compensation is awarded in addition to other disability payments.
To get VA disability for ED secondary to depression, veterans must provide:
- Medical Evidence: A diagnosis of both conditions and records showing ED either started after the depression diagnosis or was worsened by it.
- Nexus Letter: A doctor’s opinion explaining how depression or its treatment caused or worsened the erectile dysfunction.
- Lay Evidence: Personal statements from the veteran and family members detailing the effect of depression on the veteran’s sexual function and well-being.
- Prescribed Medications: Document the use of antidepressants and other medications whose side effects include sexual dysfunction.
Case Example: ED Secondary to Major Depression Disorder (MDD)
In this case, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army from October 1979 to June 1989 filed a claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected major depression. The claim was initially denied by the VA Regional Office in Houston, Texas, in 2009. The veteran appealed the decision, arguing that his ED was related to both his depression and the medications prescribed for it. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals reviewed the evidence and ultimately granted service connection for ED as secondary to his service-connected depression.
The Board granted service connection for the veteran’s ED, recognizing that his condition was etiologically related to the medication prescribed for his service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board resolved the case in favor of the veteran, noting that the evidence supported the connection between his prescribed medication and his ED.
How the Case Was Won:
- The veteran provided evidence from his medical records showing that he had been prescribed Bupropion, a medication for depression, which is known to cause ED. This evidence was crucial in linking his ED to the treatment for his service-connected depression.
- The veteran’s wife submitted a statement supporting the claim, noting that their sex life had changed after the veteran began taking medication for depression and blood pressure. This personal testimony helped substantiate the impact of his medication on his ED.
- During the Board hearing, the veteran submitted additional evidence, including an article from WebMD listing Bupropion as a medication that can cause ED. This further strengthened the argument that the medication prescribed for his depression was a contributing factor to his ED.
- The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran, noting that the VA examiner’s opinion had been based on an inaccurate assumption that the veteran was not taking medication for depression. In fact, the veteran had refilled his prescriptions regularly, providing a clear basis for the Board to connect his erectile dysfunction to the service-connected depression.
The veteran’s consistent use of depression medication, supporting evidence from medical literature, and the application of the reasonable doubt rule were all critical to winning the claim.
Find out more about claiming disability for ED and proving your case or appealing a VA decision. Has VA denied you? Get a free evaluation here.
