BVA9508291 
DOCKET NO.  93-10 386     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Muskogee,
Oklahoma

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability
secondary to service-connected bilateral thigh wounds.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability
secondary to service-connected bilateral thigh wounds.

3.  Entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of a wound
of the right thigh with damage to Muscle Group XIV, currently
evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

4.  Entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of a wound
of the left thigh with damage to Muscle Group XIV, currently
evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Mark D. Hindin, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from November 1942 to January
1946.

This matter arises from a May 1992 rating decision in which the
regional office (RO) denied entitlement to increased ratings for
residuals of wounds of both thighs, and from a November 1992
rating decision in which the RO denied entitlement to service
connection for disabilities of both knees.

REMAND

The veteran contends that he developed arthritis of the knees
secondary to service-connected wounds of both knees.

On Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) examination in March 1987,
the diagnoses included osteoarthritis both knees (traumatic on
right).  The veteran was afforded VA examinations in November
1988, and July, September and October 1992.  It does not appear
that the claims folder was reviewed prior to any of these
examinations.  A medical history was recorded in the examination
reports which was apparently supplied by the veteran.  One
examiner expressed an opinion as to a possible relationship
between arthritis of the right knee and a gunshot wound of the
right thigh, but no opinion was obtained regarding the
relationship between arthritis of the left knee and the service
connected wound of the left thigh.

On examination in September 1992, the veteran reported that
shrapnel had been removed from his left knee in 1949 or 1950.
Records of this treatment are not currently part of the claims
folder.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (the Board) cannot rely on its own
medical judgment to determine the relationship between the
veteran's service-connected wound residuals and arthritis of the
knees.  Colvin v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 132 (1991).  Medical
opinions based solely on history supplied by the veteran are of
limited probative weight.  See Black v. Brown, 5 Vet.App. 177
(1993).  Further, examinations as to current levels of disability
must be viewed in conjunction with the entire history of the
disability.  See Schafrath v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 589 (1991).

In view of the foregoing, this case is REMANDED for the
following:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
request that he furnish information as to
any treatment he has received since service
for the conditions at issue in this appeal.
The RO should then take all necessary steps
to obtain any records which are not
currently of record, and associate them
with the claims folder.

2.  The RO should schedule the veteran for
a comprehensive VA orthopedic examination.
The purpose of this examination is to
determine the current nature and extent of
the residuals of the service connected
wounds of the thighs, and to obtain an
opinion as to the relationship, if any,
between the service-connected disabilities
and arthritis of the knees.  The examiner
should identify all residuals of the wounds
and conduct all indicated diagnostic
studies.  A complete rationale for any
opinion expressed must be provided.  The
claims folder must be reviewed by the
examiner prior to the examination.

3.  Following completion of the foregoing,
the RO must review the claims folder and
ensure that all the foregoing development
actions have been conducted and completed
in full.  If any development is incomplete,
including if the requested examination does
not include all test reports, special
studies or opinions requested, appropriate
corrective action is to be implemented.

If after completion of the requested development the benefit
sought has not been granted, the veteran and his representative
should be furnished with a supplemental statement of the case,
and be given a reasonable opportunity to respond.  Thereafter,
following compliance with all other procedures relative to the
processing of appeals, the case should be returned to the Board
for further appellate consideration.  No action is required of
the veteran until he receives further notice.

          CONSTANCE B. TOBIAS
          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) (1994).