Erectile Dysfunction VA Rating

Overview

ED is most commonly secondary to diabetes, prostate cancer treatment, or psychiatric medications.

Even at 0% schedular, the SMC-K award (≈ $134/month in 2026) is paid in addition to all other compensation.

A 20% rating is available only if there is documented physical deformity of the penis with loss of erectile power.

In Depth

Erectile dysfunction is not listed by name in the rating schedule. VA evaluates it under 38 CFR § 4.115b, most often by analogy under 38 CFR § 4.20 to DC 7522, which addresses deformity of the penis with loss of erectile power. The code as written requires both elements — deformity and loss of erectile power — which is why a noncompensable (0 percent) evaluation is frequently assigned where erectile dysfunction exists without deformity.

A noncompensable evaluation does not mean the claim has no value. Under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) and 38 CFR § 3.350(a), special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is payable at a set monthly rate where the criteria are met, and it is paid in addition to the schedular evaluation.

Erectile dysfunction is frequently claimed as secondary under 38 CFR § 3.310 — for example, as a complication of service-connected diabetes, or as a side effect of medication prescribed for a service-connected condition. Section 3.310(a) covers proximate causation and § 3.310(b) covers aggravation.

How to Establish Service Connection

• Almost always secondary — diabetes, PTSD/SSRIs, prostate cancer treatment, hypertension medications.

Rating Criteria

Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7522 + 38 CFR § 3.350(a) for SMC-K

See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →

Evidence Checklist

• Urology consult or primary-care documentation of ED.
• Prescription for ED medications (sildenafil, tadalafil) is strong evidence.
• Nexus opinion linking ED to a service-connected condition.

Evidence Templates

Common formats of evidence the VA looks for in this type of claim. These describe what the documents typically include — they are not legal forms or medical opinions, and Oakridge Claims does not draft them.

Evidence VA Commonly Cites in These Claims

Descriptive summary of evidence types frequently referenced in rating decisions for this condition. Not a checklist of actions to take — every claim is decided on its own facts.

• ★Because DC 7522 as written names deformity, an examination that documents whether deformity is present addresses the specific criterion.
• ★For a secondary theory based on medication, pharmacy records establishing the prescription for the service-connected condition, together with a clinician's documented assessment, are what § 3.310 analysis is applied to.
• ★Special monthly compensation under § 3.350(a) is a separate determination — records addressing loss of use of a creative organ are relevant to it even where the schedular evaluation is noncompensable.
• ★Urology treatment records documenting the workup and any prescribed treatment establish the clinical history.

Common pitfalls VA sees

• Assuming a 0 percent evaluation means the claim produced nothing, when SMC(k) under § 1114(k) is a separate monthly payment.
• Not identifying the underlying service-connected condition or medication when filing on a secondary basis.
• Expecting a compensable schedular evaluation without documented deformity, given the text of DC 7522.

Frequently Asked Questions