BVA9502186 
DOCKET NO.  93-01 068     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Petersburg,
Florida

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to a total disability evaluation on the basis of
individual unemployability.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Ronald R. Bosch, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from April 1944 to March 1946.

This appeal arose from an April 1992 rating decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in St.
Petersburg, Florida.  The RO denied entitlement to a total
evaluation for compensation on the basis of individual
unemployability.

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

REMAND

Service connection has be granted for partial paralysis of the
right brachial plexus, secondary to scalenus anticus syndrome,
evaluated as 70 percent disabling.  Entitlement has also been
established to special monthly compensation for loss of use of
the right hand.

In the veteran’s substantive appeal the appellant has raised the
issue of entitlement to service connection for "perpenic
purpura," secondary to ionizing radiation exposure at Nagasaki,
as well as the issue of entitlement to service connection for
osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and right hand, secondary to
partial paralysis of the right brachial plexus, secondary to
scalenus anticus syndrome.  These issues are inextricably
intertwined with the prepared and certified issue of entitlement
to a total evaluation for compensation on the basis of individual
unemployability.  Accordingly, further development is required.

Further development is also warranted in light of the opinion
provided in March 1992 by a VA compensation examiner that the
veteran’s industrial capacity is "limited" due to her service
connected disability.

Therefore this case is REMANDED for the following action:

1.  The RO should adjudicate the issue of
entitlement to service connection for
"perpenic purpura," secondary to ionizing
radiation, as well as the issue of
entitlement to service connection for
osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and
right hand secondary to partial paralysis
of the right brachial plexus, secondary to
scalenus anticus syndrome.  This
adjudication should include a determination
as to whether these claims are well
grounded.  If the claims are found to be
well grounded, all appropriate development
is to be undertaken, including the conduct
of an appropriate VA compensation
examination of all disabilities at issue,
as well as the development required by the
laws and regulations governing claims based
on exposure to ionizing radiation.

2.  The RO should conduct a social and
industrial survey.  Family members, former
coworkers, members of the community and the
veteran should be interviewed.  The
individual conducting the survey should
express an opinion with complete rationale
as to the impact of the veteran’s partial
paralysis of the right brachial plexus,
secondary to scalenus anticus syndrome on
the veteran's ability to secure or follow a
substantially gainful occupation

If the benefits requested on appeal are not granted to the
veteran's satisfaction, or if she should timely file a notice of
disagreement as to any other matter, the RO should issue a
supplemental statement of the case for all issues in appellate
status.  A reasonable period of time for a response should be
afforded.  Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board
for further appellate consideration, if otherwise in order.  By
this REMAND, the Board intimates no opinion as to any final
outcome warranted.  No action is required of the veteran until
she is notified by the RO.

          DEREK R. BROWN
          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).