BVA9500470 
DOCKET NO.  93-03 681     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in New Orleans,
Louisiana

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for residuals of
hydrocephalus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

WITNESSES AT HEARING ON APPEAL

The veteran and his father

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Daniel J. McTavish, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from September 21, 1989, to
December 1, 1989.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
appeal of a May 1992 rating decision by the New Orleans,
Louisiana Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), which assigned a 10 percent evaluation for service-
connected residuals of hydrocephalus, effective from December 2,
1989.  The veteran disagreed with the decision pertaining to the
evaluation assigned for this disorder.  A personal hearing was
held at the RO before a Member of the Board in February 1993.

REMAND

Service medical records indicate that hydrocephalus had its onset
during the veteran's active military service.  He underwent VA
examinations in March 1990.  He reported that he experienced
severe headaches, intermittent diplopia, and stiffness of the
neck.  Examination revealed no diplopia.  Extraocular movements
were normal and visual acuity was fully correctable.  CAT scan of
the brain revealed right frontal shunt catheter in place but no
other abnormalities were noted.  Neurological examination was
essentially benign.

In his February 1993 hearing, the veteran argued that the
10 percent disability rating currently assigned to his service-
connected residuals of hydrocephalus is not consistent with the
severity of his disability.  He stated that the symptoms related
to this disorder had increased in severity since the March 1990
VA examinations.  He testified that he experiences blurred vision
and pain in the neck.  The veteran also testified to having
headaches of varying severity 3 to 4 times per week.    The
veteran's father testified that, among other things, the veteran
was in need of psychiatric help to deal with his disability.
There was an indication that the veteran intended to seek VA
medical care at the local VA medical center.

VA has a duty to assist the veteran in the development of facts
pertinent to his claim.  38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West 1991).
Accordingly, this case is REMANDED to the RO for the following:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
ask him to identify any current sources of
medical treatment, whether from VA or
private care providers.  If the veteran has
received care for residuals of
hydrocephalus, the RO should obtain and
incorporate records of this treatment into
the claims file.  All records should be
obtained in compliance with appropriate
procedure.

2.  The RO should then schedule the veteran
for special VA ophthalmologic and
neuropsychiatric evaluations in order to
ascertain the current severity of his
residuals of hydrocephalus.  All indicated
tests should be performed and all clinical
findings should be set forth in detail.
The neurological examination should be
described in detail.  In accordance with
United States Court of Veterans Appeals
decisions, the claims folder should be made
available to the examining physicians for
review prior to the examinations.

3.  After further consideration of the
claim, if the decision remains adverse to
the veteran, the RO should issue a
supplemental statement of the case
summarizing the evidence, and law and
regulations, and explain the application of
the law and regulations to the evidence.
The RO should afford the veteran 60 days to
respond to the supplemental statement of
the case before the matter is returned to
the Board for final adjudication, if
otherwise in order.  38 C.F.R. § 20.302(c)
(1993).

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The purpose of this REMAND is to procure clarifying data.  No
action is required of the veteran until further notice.

          N. R. ROBIN
          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).