The VA rates erectile dysfunction at 0%, but still pays Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) of $139.87 per month for it. SMC-K is added on top of your other benefits at any rating. ED is most often service-connected as secondary to PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, or the medications that treat them, and it can point to other conditions worth claiming.
Table of Contents
- What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
- How the VA Rates Erectile Dysfunction
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) for Erectile Dysfunction
- What ED Can Tell You About Your Claim
- Proving Service Connection for Erectile Dysfunction
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the VA rating for erectile dysfunction?
- Does the VA pay compensation for erectile dysfunction rated at 0%?
- Can I get a VA rating for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD?
- Can medications for a service-connected condition cause service-connected ED?
- Is erectile dysfunction connected to Agent Orange?
- What evidence do I need to prove erectile dysfunction is service-connected?
- Talk to a Veterans Disability Attorney
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection, and it is common among male veterans. To receive VA compensation for ED, you must show that it is connected to your military service. ED is usually service-connected in one of three ways:
- It is caused or worsened by a service-connected condition, such as PTSD, diabetes, or hypertension.
- It is a side effect of a medication taken for a service-connected condition, such as an antidepressant or a blood pressure medication.
- It resulted from an injury during service to the lower body, groin, pelvis, penis, or testicles.
How the VA Rates Erectile Dysfunction
The VA rates erectile dysfunction under diagnostic code 7522, Erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity, in 38 CFR 4.115b. That code carries a 0% rating, even when there is deformity or scarring. A compensable percentage is available only for the loss of part of the penis or of the testicles:
| Code | Condition | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 7522 | Erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity | 0% + SMC-K |
| 7521 | Removal of the glans | 20% |
| 7520 | Removal of half or more of the penis | 30% |
| 7523 | Complete atrophy of the testicles | Both: 20% One: 0% |
| 7524 | Removal of the testicles | Both: 30% One: 0% |
One exception: if one testicle was lost because of a service-connected injury or disease and the other is absent or not functioning for reasons unrelated to service, the VA assigns 30%. Every code in this table is flagged for review for Special Monthly Compensation.
When ED or a related condition carries a percentage, it combines with your other ratings rather than adding to them. Use our VA disability calculator to see your combined rating.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) for Erectile Dysfunction
A 0% rating does not mean you receive nothing. The VA pays Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) for the "loss of use of a creative organ," which covers erectile dysfunction.
SMC-K is added on top of your basic disability compensation and applies at any rating from 0% to 100%. According to the VA's current rate table, SMC-K is $139.87 per month, effective December 1, 2025. So a veteran whose ED is rated 0% still receives this payment once service connection is established.
What ED Can Tell You About Your Claim
Erectile dysfunction is rarely the whole story. It is often a sign of another condition, and that underlying condition may be service-connectable and worth far more than SMC-K. If you have ED, it is worth asking what is causing it:
- Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes damages the nerves and blood vessels involved in erections. It is presumptive for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. See three ways to win an increased rating for service-connected diabetes.
- Hypertension and heart disease. High blood pressure restricts blood flow, and several common blood pressure medications cause ED as a side effect. See VA disability for hypertension.
- PTSD, depression, and anxiety. These conditions can cause ED directly, and SSRIs and other psychiatric medications frequently do. See PTSD secondary conditions.
- Prostate cancer. Surgery and radiation for prostate cancer commonly cause ED. Prostate cancer is also presumptive for Agent Orange exposure. See VA disability ratings for prostate cancer residuals.
- Back and spinal injuries. Nerve damage from a service-connected spine injury can also cause ED.
If you are already service-connected for one of these conditions, ED can be added as a secondary condition. If you are not, the ED diagnosis may be the first clue that you have an unclaimed condition. Our guide to the most common diseases caused by Agent Orange lists the presumptive conditions.
Proving Service Connection for Erectile Dysfunction
To prove service connection for ED, you generally need:
- A current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction
- Evidence that your ED is connected to your service or to another service-connected condition or its treatment
- A medical nexus opinion explaining the connection, especially for secondary claims based on medication side effects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VA rating for erectile dysfunction?
The VA rates erectile dysfunction at 0% under diagnostic code 7522, with or without penile deformity. However, the VA pays Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) for the loss of use of a creative organ. Higher schedular ratings of 20% or 30% apply only for removal of the glans or of half or more of the penis, or for complete atrophy or removal of both testicles.
Does the VA pay compensation for erectile dysfunction rated at 0%?
Yes. Even when erectile dysfunction is rated 0%, the VA pays Special Monthly Compensation at the SMC-K level for the loss of use of a creative organ. As of December 1, 2025, SMC-K adds $139.87 per month to your compensation, and it applies at any disability rating from 0% to 100%.
Can I get a VA rating for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD?
Yes. Erectile dysfunction is frequently granted as a condition secondary to PTSD, either because of the condition itself or because of the medications used to treat it. If your PTSD is service-connected and it caused or aggravated your ED, you can claim ED as a secondary service-connected condition.
Can medications for a service-connected condition cause service-connected ED?
Yes. Erectile dysfunction is a known side effect of many medications used to treat service-connected conditions such as depression, anxiety, and diabetes. If a service-connected condition or its treatment caused your ED, you can pursue it as a secondary service-connected disability.
Is erectile dysfunction connected to Agent Orange?
Erectile dysfunction is not itself a presumptive Agent Orange condition. But type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and prostate cancer are presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and all three commonly cause ED or are treated with medications or surgery that cause it. If one of those conditions is service-connected, ED can be claimed as secondary to it.
What evidence do I need to prove erectile dysfunction is service-connected?
To establish service connection for erectile dysfunction, you generally need a current diagnosis of ED, evidence linking it to your service or to another service-connected condition, and a medical nexus opinion connecting the two. An attorney can help gather the evidence and medical opinion needed to support the claim.
Talk to a Veterans Disability Attorney
If your ED claim was denied, or you have ED and suspect it is tied to a condition you have never claimed, the Law Office of Sean Kendall can review your file and help you build the connection. We represent veterans nationwide on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no attorney fee unless we win benefits for you. Call (877) 629-1712 toll-free or (303) 449-4773, or request a free case review.
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