Can veterans get VA disability benefits for erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (often shortened to ED) affects many veterans, impacting their mental health and creating infertility challenges during the family planning process. This can occur as a result of service-connected mental or physical health conditions, which leads many veterans to ask: Can I get service-connection for erectile dysfunction?

We'll explain a bit more about ED and how the VA rates it in this blog. Here's what veterans should know about erectile dysfunction and VA disability benefits: 

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, occurs when men cannot get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual activity. When chronic, erectile dysfunction can lead to self-confidence issues and mental health challenges – and it can also be a sign of other health conditions that may need treatment.

It's common to struggle with erections once in a while, but erectile dysfunction symptoms are ongoing and also tend to get worse as time goes on.

Although it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause, it can stem from:

• Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety

• Heart conditions or high blood pressure

• Substance use disorders

• Sleep conditions

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Certain injuries

• And more

How the VA handles cases of erectile dysfunction

It's possible to claim erectile dysfunction as either a service-connected condition or a secondary service connected condition (which means it was either caused or worsened by another service-connected condition).

• Erectile dysfunction can't be service-connected

  • To prove ED to the VA, veterans need a medical nexus (like any other service connected condition) that establishes a clear link between their time in the military and the condition. Unfortunately, the VA typically rates ED at 0%, but it comes with special monthly compensation (SMC) pay for the loss of a creative organ. We'll discuss this more below.

• Erectile dysfunction as a secondary condition

  • There are commonly known links between erectile dysfunction and other conditions – some of which are common among veterans. Sleep apnea, PTSD, and depression are all service-connectable conditions that can also potentially cause erectile dysfunction.

Special monthly compensation for erectile dysfunction

Veterans with erectile dysfunction might also be eligible for special monthly compensation, a higher rate of compensation for certain conditions and situations. ED is rated under SMC-K, which translates to a monthly payment of around $139.87.

If your ED is severe enough, the VA can consider the organ non-functional and therefore eligible for this compensation. We wrote a full blog about special monthly compensation here.

We help veterans with expertly crafted medical documentation

Your history, our support – gathering evidence for the VA doesn't have to be such a headache. We're here to make it simple and effective. At MRPY, we help veterans prove their conditions to the VA with Nexus Letters, DBQs, and other services that can make a serious difference in your claim.

Ready to start? Sign up for a Medical Evidence Assessment (every veteran starts here).

Avoid the confusion and work with one of our professional medical experts instead. View our other services here.