BVA9501700 
DOCKET NO.  93-06 331     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Reno, Nevada

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for multiple
superficial stab wounds.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

T. Hal Smith, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from July 1988 to November
1991.  This appeal arises from a January 1992 rating
determinations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Regional Office (RO) in Reno, Nevada, which, in pertinent part,
granted service connection for the stab wound residuals and
assigned a noncompensable rating therefor.  While numerous other
issues were appealed from the rating determination in January
1992, the veteran's  substantive appeal in April 1992
specifically indicated that he disagreed only with the denial of
service connection for a right knee disorder and the denial of a
compensable evaluation for his multiple scars.

A December 1992 rating decision granted service connection for
the right knee disability.  As a result, the only issue properly
before the Board was the issue stated on the title page of this
decision.  The Board has noted that the VA Form 1-8,
Certification of Appeal, lists other issues, but none of these is
sufficiently developed for appellate review.

In a February 1993 statement, the veteran reported that he had
undergone additional right knee surgery in February 1993 at a VA
facility.  He requested that he be granted a temporary total
rating as he expected to be off work for approximately six
months.  In addition, he opined that his right knee warranted an
increased rating of 40 percent.  The issues of entitlement to a
temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. 4.30
(1993), for convalescence following right knee surgery in
February 1993, and an increased evaluation for his service-
connected right knee disorder have not been certified or
developed for appellate consideration.  Thus, they are referred
to the RO for such further action as is deemed appropriate.

REMAND

Under 38 C.F.R. Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7804, a 10 percent rating
is warranted for superficial scars which are tender and painful
on objective demonstration.  In this case, when the veteran
underwent VA scar examination in 1992, eight scars were shown on
the back, left flank, right arm, left forearm and right thigh.
It was noted that there was "Tenderness on palpation", but it was
not specified which scars this term applied to.  Where the
evidence is insufficient to rate a disability, further
examination is in order.

Accordingly, the case is REMANDED for the following action:

1.  The veteran should be asked by the RO
to submit any current medical records which
are pertinent to the rating involved for
the scar residuals.

2.  The veteran should again under go VA
scar examination for the purpose of
determining which scars are tender and
painful or otherwise symptomatic on
objective demonstration.  The claims file
must be made available for review prior to
the examination.

When this development is completed, the claim should be reviewed
by the RO.  If the benefits sought are not granted, the veteran
and his representative should be furnished with a supplemental
statement of the case, and given an opportunity to respond
thereto.  The case should then be returned to the Board for final
appellate consideration.

          (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

          NANCY I. PHILLIPS
          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).