BVA9503223 
DOCKET NO.  93-08 691     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Des Moines,
Iowa

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for
pension purposes.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

James A. Pritchett,  Associate Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active duty from November 1962 to November 1966.

The veteran has reported that he has applied for Social Security
disability benefits. To ensure that VA has met its duty to assist
the appellant in developing the facts pertinent to the claim, the
case is REMANDED to the regional office (RO) for the following
development:

1.  The RO should obtain all VA in- and
outpatient treatment records since November
1992.

2.  The RO should obtain from the Social
Security Administration the records
pertinent to the appellant's claim for
Social Security disability benefits as well
as the medical records relied upon
concerning that claim.

Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board, if in
order.  The Board intimates no opinion as to the ultimate outcome
of this case.  The appellant need take no action unless otherwise
notified.

          WAYNE M. BRAEUER
          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       (CONTINUED
ON NEXT PAGE)

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).