BVA9502707 
DOCKET NO.  93-13 917     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Indianapolis,
Indiana

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee
disability.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Mark J. Swiatek, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran's active service from February 1977 to September 1992
has been reported.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board)
on appeal from a January 1993 decision of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Indianapolis,
Indiana.

A review of the record discloses that the service medical records
received appear to be incomplete, with the principal records on
file dating from 1981.  Fragmentary service medical records
predating that time are located among the records that have been
provided.  The Board observes that in February 1993, the RO made
a request to the National Personnel Records Center for service
medical records relating to the period of active service reported
to have occurred prior to June 1981.  The March 1993 reply
indicates that the request had been referred to another location.
No further information regarding the status of the request is on
file.  The Board also observes that in the initial application
for compensation, the veteran reported that her treatment for
knee complaints during service included treatment from October to
December 1977 and during July 1978.

Another matter requiring action is verification of the veteran's
service.  The claims folder does not contain a DD Form 214, and
the March 1993 reply to the RO's inquiry regarding service
medical records did not provide verification of any period of
active service that has been reported.

From a reading of the veteran's substantive appeal, received in
April 1993, it appears that she has been seen at a VA facility
for knee complaints since the January 1993 VA examination.  No
inquiry was made regarding the existence of additional treatment
records.

The VA's duty to assist requires obtaining pertinent medical
records and examinations by specialists, when indicated.
Accordingly, the Board concludes that further development, as
specified below, is necessary.  The case is therefore REMANDED to
the RO for the following actions:

1.  The RO should contact the National
Personnel Records Center to determine
whether any additional service medical
records pertaining to the veteran are on
file.  If so, they should be obtained and
associated with the claims folder.  Of
particular significance are service medical
records dating for the period prior to June
1981.
The RO should request that the original
service medical records be provided.  At
the same time, the RO should request
verification of the veteran's active
service.

2.  The RO should contact the veteran and
request that she identify the names,
addresses, and approximate dates of
treatment for all VA and non-VA providers
who have treated her for her bilateral knee
disability since her separation from active
service.  With any necessary authorization
from the veteran, the RO should attempt to
obtain copies of pertinent treatment
records identified by the veteran which are
not currently of record.

3.  Thereafter, the veteran should be
afforded a VA examination by a board-
certified orthopedist, if available, to
determine the nature and extent of any
disability of either knee found.  All
indicated studies should be performed.  The
examiner is requested to review the claims
folder and provide an opinion regarding the
etiology of any bilateral knee disability
found to be present.  The examiner is also
requested to express an opinion as to the
etiologic significance, if any, of the knee
complaints reported in the service medical
records.  A complete rationale should be
given for all opinions and conclusions
expressed.

4.  Then, in light of the evidence obtained
pursuant to the requested development, the
RO should readjudicate the claim of service
connection for a bilateral knee disability.

If the benefit sought on appeal is not granted to the
satisfaction of the veteran, a supplemental statement of the case
should be issued, and the veteran and her representative provided
the appropriate period  to respond.  Thereafter, the case should
be returned to the Board for further consideration, if otherwise
in order.  By this REMAND, the Board intimates no opinion as to
the final outcome warranted.  No action is required of the
veteran until she is notified by the RO.

          GARY L. GICK
          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 action has been taken in
accordance with the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994,
Pub. L. No. 103-446, § 303, 108 Stat. 4645, ___ (1994), and 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).