BVA9502183 
DOCKET NO.  93-09 150     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Montgomery,
Alabama

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for psychophysiologic
gastrointestinal reaction with duodenal ulcer, currently
evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Ronald R. Bosch, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from August 1940 to November
1945 and from June 1946 to July 1947.

This appeal arose from a March 1992 rating decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
Montgomery, Alabama.  The RO denied entitlement to an increased
evaluation for psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction.  The
above determination was affirmed by the RO in later dated rating
decisions.

The case has been forwarded to the Board of Veterans' Appeals
(Board) for appellate review.

REMAND

The appellant has submitted a substantial quantity of medical
records pertaining to treatment for his psychophysiologic
gastrointestinal reaction by VA as well as non-VA health care
professionals.  The medical records of his treatment at the local
VA medical center are last dated in August 1992.  The claimant
has not been examined in connection with his claim for increased
compensation benefits.

Pursuant to VA's duty to assist the veteran in the development of
facts pertinent to his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West
1991);  38 C.F.R. § 3.103(a) (1993), a final decision is being
deferred pending a REMAND of the case to the RO for the following
development:

1.  The RO should request and associate
with the claims file photocopies of the
complete records pertaining to the
veteran's treatment since August 1992 at
the VA Medical Center in Montgomery,
Alabama.

2.  The RO should schedule the veteran for
gastrointestinal and psychiatric
examinations to determine the extent and
severity of his psychophysiologic
gastrointestinal reaction.  The
examinations are to be conducted in
accordance with the diagnostic procedures
outlined in Chapters 7 and 14 of the VA
Physician's Guide for Disability Evaluation
Examinations.  All indicated studies are to
be conducted.  The psychiatric examiner
should assign a numerical code under the
Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, and
include a definition of the numerical code
assigned.  The entire claims file and a
copy of this REMAND must be made available
to and reviewed by the examiners prior to
their examinations.

3.  After undertaking any development
deemed appropriate in addition to that
specified above, the RO should readjudicate
the issue of entitlement to an increased
evaluation for psychophysiologic
gastrointestinal reaction with duodenal
ulcer.

If the benefit requested on appeal is not granted to the
veteran's satisfaction, the RO should issue a supplemental
statement of the case.  A reasonable period of time for a
response should be afforded.  Thereafter, the case should be
returned to the Board for further appellate review.  By this
REMAND, the Board intimates no opinion as to any final outcome
warranted.  No action is required of the veteran until he is
notified by the RO.

          ALBERT D. TUTERA
          Member, Board of Veterans' Appeals

The Board of Veterans' Appeals Administrative Procedures
Improvement Act, Pub. L. No. 103-271, § 6, 108 Stat. 740, ___
(1994), permits a proceeding instituted before the Board to be
assigned to an individual member of the Board for a
determination.  This proceeding has been assigned to an
individual member of the Board.

Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 7252 (West 1991), only a decision of the
Board of Veterans' Appeals is appealable to the United States
Court of Veterans Appeals.  This remand is in the nature of a
preliminary order and does not constitute a decision of the Board
on the merits of your appeal.  38 C.F.R. § 20.1100(b) (1993).