BVA9500273 
DOCKET NO.  93-08 438     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Paul,
Minnesota

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for post traumatic stress
disorder, currently rated 30 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Hilary L. Goodman, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from June 1956 to November 1959
and from July 1961 to June 1965.
.
This appeal arises from a December 1991 rating decision which
granted service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and
assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation.  In a January 1993
rating decision the disability evaluation was increased to 30
percent.

The veteran has also raised the issue of a total rating for
compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.  This
issue is referred to the originating agency for appropriate
action.

REMAND

The veteran contends that his post traumatic stress disorder is
far more disabling than currently evaluated.  He asserts that
this disability caused him to take disability retirement.  The
current record shows that a psychiatric examination of the
veteran was last conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) in December 1992.

In statements from John P. Curran, M.D., it was indicated that he
has been treating the veteran since 1975.  None of the clinical
records are included in the claims file.  At the time of the last
VA examination, it was noted that the veteran underwent a
psychiatric evaluation at the Mayo Clinic around 1988 and that he
was officially retired from Northwest Airlines on April 1, 1988.

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

1.  The originating agency should contact
the veteran, through his representative, in
order to obtain written authorization for
the release of his private medical records.
After obtaining authorization, the
originating agency should request legible
copies of his treatment records from Dr.
Curran as well as the record of his 1988
psychiatric evaluation at the Mayo Clinic
and the medical records pertaining to his
disability retirement from Northwest
Airlines.  All records obtained should be
associated with the veteran's claims file.

2.  After the medical records have been
obtained, the veteran should be scheduled
for psychiatric examination.  The express
purpose of the examination is to evaluate
the current severity of his post traumatic
stress disorder.  All necessary tests and
studies should be conducted and clinical
manifestations should be reported in
detail.  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.

3.  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 January 1993
supplemental statement of the case and
includes comprehensive reasons for the
decision should be issued to the veteran
and his representative.

The veteran and his representative 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.  The purpose of this REMAND
is to obtain clarifying medical information and ensure all due
process.  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).