The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left ureteropelvic junction obstruction and did not address the issue of entitlement to TDIU.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed frequent episodes of colicky pain but no significant kidney function impairment or recurrent kidney stones requiring therapy, which precluded a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- left ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2003
- Citation
- 0319442
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0319442.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the appellant's left kidney disorder pre-existed service and was aggravated by in-service toxic exposure. The VA is instructed to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing these issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and reviewing whether referral of the TDIU issue to VA's Director of Compensation Service is warranted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 80 percent for left ureteropelvic junction obstruction was denied by the Board, as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA's rating schedule.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left ureteropelvic junction obstruction and entitlement to a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.
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.