BVA9500739 
DOCKET NO.  93-11 563     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Manila,
Philippines

THE ISSUES

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for the residuals of a
gunshot wound to the right thigh and buttock, Muscle Groups XV,
XVI and XVII, currently rated 10 percent disabling.

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for the residuals of a
through and through gunshot wound to the right leg, Muscle Group
XI, currently rated 10 percent disabling.

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Hilary L. Goodman, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had recognized guerrilla service from November 1944
to February 1945 and in April and May 1945.

This appeal arises from a December 1992 rating decision
continuing 10 percent disability evaluations for the residuals of
a gunshot wound to the right thigh and buttock, Muscle Groups XV,
XVI and XVII, and for the residuals of a through and through
gunshot wound to the right leg, Muscle Group XI.

The record shows that the veteran was scheduled for a December 8,
1992, examination by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The veteran, on the date of the examination, advised the VA that,
because of bad health, he could not report for the examination.
While he requested, in his February 1993 notice of disagreement,
that the examination be re-scheduled, this was not done.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board), having reviewed the
record, finds that further development is required.  Accordingly,
the issues are being REMANDED to the originating agency for the
following action:

1.  The originating agency should schedule
the veteran for an orthopedic examination.
The express purpose of this examination is
to identify and evaluate the current
residuals of a gunshot wound to the right
thigh and buttock and the current residuals
of a through and through gunshot wound to
the right leg.  All necessary tests should
be performed and all clinical
manifestations should be reported in
detail.  Any functional impairment must be
reported.  The examiner should be given
access to the veteran's claims file for a
sufficient period of time prior to the
examination to allow for a complete review
of the record.

2.  Upon completion of the above, the
originating agency should review this case.
If any determination made is unfavorable to
the veteran, a supplemental statement of
the case which sets forth the evidence
received since the statement of the case
should be issued to the veteran.

The veteran should be given the appropriate period of time in
which to respond.  Thereafter, the case should be returned to the
Board for further appellate consideration, if otherwise in order.
No action is required of the veteran until he receives further
notice.

          ALBERT D. TUTERA
          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 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.  38 C.F.R.
§ 20.1100(b) (1993).