Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities and DLE to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as no VA examination or medical opinions had been obtained regarding whether there was a nexus between the Veteran's current hip disabilities and his claimed in-service injuries.
The deciding factor: The statements made by the Veteran constitute new and relevant evidence received after the January 2020 rating decision, indicating an event, disease, or injury in service regarding his hips and DLE. As such, readjudication of these claims is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- right hip disability (diagnosed as avascular necrosis with degenerative joint disease), left hip disability (diagnosed as avascular necrosis with degenerative joint disease), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25098482
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