BVA9504909 
DOCKET NO.  93-15 151     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Houston, Texas

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for retinal detachment of the
left eye.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Mark J. Swiatek, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active duty from March 1952 to April 1982.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board)
from a July 1992 decision from the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) Regional Office (RO) in Houston, Texas.

The veteran contends, in essence, that his detached retina of the
left eye is related to a service-connected disability.  In
written argument to the Board, the representative cited a portion
of a medical treatise that lists several etiologies for retinal
detachment including hypertension, a service-connected
disability.  Service connection has also been established for
macular degeneration.  The Board observes that the July 1992
decision on appeal was made without benefit of a medical opinion
from a VA examiner in April 1992 regarding the etiology of the
detached retina.

In view of the foregoing, and to ensure that the VA has met its
duty to assist the claimant in developing the facts pertinent to
the claim and to ensure full compliance with due process
requirements, the case is REMANDED to the RO for the following
development:

1.  The RO should obtain the names and
addresses of all medical care providers who
treated the veteran for any eye disability,
including a detached retina, since service.
After securing the necessary release, the
RO should obtain and associate with the
claims folder all records that have not
previously been obtained.

2.  Thereafter, the veteran should be
afforded a VA ophthalmology examination to
determine the current extent of the
veteran's eye disability.  The claims
folder should be made available to the
examiner for review before the examination.
All special studies deemed necessary for a
comprehensive evaluation should be
obtained.  The examiner should provide an
opinion regarding the degree of
probability, if any, that the detached
retina of the left eye is related to the
service-connected hypertension or other
service-connected disability.  The examiner
should provide the rationale for all
opinions expressed.

                  3.  When the above development has been completed
                  the RO should readjudicate the veteran's claim.

If the benefit sought is not granted, a supplemental statement of
the case should then be prepared and furnished to the veteran and
his representative.  They should be provided the applicable
period in which to respond.  Thereafter, in accordance with the
proper appellate procedures, the case should be returned to the
Board for further appellate review, if otherwise in order.  In
taking this action, the Board implies no conclusion, either legal
or factual, as to any final outcome warranted.  No action is
required of the veteran until he is otherwise notified by the RO.

          CHARLES E. HOGEBOOM
          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 deter-
mination.  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.  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) (1994).