When veterans develop prostate cancer and undergo treatments such as surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy, erectile dysfunction often becomes a common residual condition. While prostate cancer itself may not directly cause ED, the treatments for it, particularly radical prostatectomy and hormone therapy, can lead to significant sexual dysfunction.
For veterans experiencing ED because of their prostate cancer and its treatment, VA may provide a secondary service connection, meaning ED is considered a direct consequence of the cancer and its treatment.
VA Rating for Erectile Dysfunction Secondary to Prostate Cancer
Erectile dysfunction typically receives a 0% VA disability rating unless it is accompanied by specific conditions, such as deformity of the penis or complete loss of a reproductive organ. Although a 0% rating means no direct monthly compensation for ED itself, veterans may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). Specifically, veterans can receive SMC (k) for the loss of use of a creative organ, which as of 2024, amounts to $128.62 per month.
How to Win Your VA Claim for Erectile Dysfunction Secondary to Prostate Cancer
To successfully claim ED secondary to prostate cancer, veterans must establish three elements:
- Service Connection for Prostate Cancer: The veteran must have an already established service connection for prostate cancer. This could be due to direct service-related factors, such as exposure to Agent Orange, or through VA’s presumptive service connection for certain conditions.
- Medical Evidence of Erectile Dysfunction: A current diagnosis of ED is necessary. This can be supported by medical records from a VA doctor or private healthcare provider showing that ED is present and linked to prostate cancer treatments.
- Nexus Between Prostate Cancer and Erectile Dysfunction: A medical nexus must be provided, linking the ED directly to the veteran’s prostate cancer treatment, such as surgery or hormone therapy. A detailed statement from the treating physician describing how the prostate cancer treatment resulted in ED can be crucial in proving this connection.
Veterans may also support their claim by providing evidence such as:
- Medical records detailing the progression of prostate cancer and its treatment.
- Statements from healthcare providers explaining how the treatment contributed to or caused ED.
- Personal statements or buddy letters from spouses or partners regarding the veteran’s condition.
Case Example – Erectile Dysfunction Secondary to Prostate Cancer
In this case, a veteran who served on active duty from July 1977 to May 1990, with a brief additional service period in 1991, filed a claim for disability benefits due to prostate cancer and secondary conditions, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence. The veteran was stationed at Camp Lejeune, where he was exposed to contaminated water. After a radical prostatectomy, the veteran developed ED and incontinence as residuals. Initially, the claim was denied, but after appealing the decision, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals reviewed the case.
The Board ultimately granted service connection for prostate cancer, as well as secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. The Board determined that the veteran’s prostate cancer was likely caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Furthermore, his ED and incontinence were recognized as secondary conditions directly resulting from his prostate cancer and surgery.
How This Claim Was Won:
- Presumed Exposure to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune: The veteran’s military records confirmed that he had served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the recognized contamination period. This allowed the presumption of exposure to contaminated water, a critical factor in establishing service connection for prostate cancer.
- Private Medical Opinions Supporting the Claim: The veteran provided two strong private medical opinions from urological oncologists, both of whom linked the veteran’s aggressive prostate cancer to his exposure at Camp Lejeune. These opinions carried significant weight, particularly because they were offered by board-certified specialists and directly addressed the nexus between his military service and his condition.
- Benefit of the Doubt: In this case, the Board found the evidence to be in relative equipoise, with both VA and private opinions offering differing conclusions. Under the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine, when evidence is equally balanced, the decision must favor the veteran. This principle was applied to grant service connection for the veteran’s prostate cancer.
- Recognition of Secondary Conditions (ED and Urinary Incontinence): The veteran’s erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence were acknowledged as residual effects of his prostate cancer treatment (radical prostatectomy). The VA examiner confirmed these conditions as residuals, which allowed the veteran to successfully claim service connection for these secondary conditions.
This case highlights the importance of providing strong medical evidence, particularly from specialists, to support claims related to toxic exposures and secondary conditions. The Board’s application of the benefit-of-the-doubt rule, combined with solid medical opinions linking the veteran’s prostate cancer to his service at Camp Lejeune, resulted in a favorable outcome.
Free Resources
If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer and are unsure how to proceed with a VA claim, there are resources available to help you. Get our free book or check our step-by-step VA Claims course.
If you’ve been denied benefits, you can speak with a VA-accredited representative to assess your case and understand your options for seeking secondary service connection for ED. Click to fill out a free case evaluation now.
Content Reviewed by
Shannon Brewer, a senior attorney with Hill & Ponton, reviewed the information provided in this post.
