The claim for service connection for DJD with chronic low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: New evidence, including a lay statement from the Veteran's buddy describing a severe back injury during basic training, suggests a possible continuity of relevant symptomatology since separation from service and relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) with chronic low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23013348
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 23013348.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.