BVA9502388 
DOCKET NO.  93-12 342     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in No. Little
Rock, Arkansas

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD).

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

WITNESSES AT HEARING ON APPEAL

The appellant and his ex-wife

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Jeffrey A. Pisaro, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active service from August 1967 to August 1969.
This appeal arises from a December 1992 rating decision of the
North Little Rock, Arkansas, Regional Office (RO).

The veteran received the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service
in Vietnam, and a hearing officer in a March 1993 decision found
that the veteran's testimony concerning combat experiences was
credible.  Service connection for PTSD was denied as a diagnosis
of PTSD had not been made.  On VA psychiatric examination in
October 1992, the examiner noted that the veteran showed some
evidence of PTSD, but his major complaint centered around dizzy
spells with forgetfulness.  It was opined that a final conclusion
could be reached on an outpatient basis, and no diagnosis was
provided.  The veteran was hospitalized by VA for observation and
evaluation from October to November 1992.  The discharge
diagnosis was dementia.  Neuropsychological testing was scheduled
following discharge, but no report of such testing or the
significance of the results, if conducted, is of record.

Under the circumstances of this case, the Board finds that
further assistance is required.  Accordingly, the case is
REMANDED to the RO for the following actions:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
obtain the names and addresses of all
health care providers where he has received
evaluation or treatment for psychiatric
disability in recent years, including the
planned VA psychological testing in
November 1992.  Thereafter, the RO should
obtain legible copies of all records which
have not already been obtained.

2.  Following completion of above
development, the veteran should be afforded
a comprehensive VA examination in
psychiatry.  This study should be conducted
in accordance with the VA Physician's Guide
for Disability Evaluation Examinations.
All indicated tests, including appropriate
psychological studies, must be conducted.
The claims file must be made available to
and reviewed by the examiner in connection
with the examination.  The examination
report should include diagnoses, and the
examiner should express an opinion as to
whether the veteran suffers from PTSD as a
result of his wartime experiences in
Vietnam.   A complete rationale for the
diagnostic opinion should be provided.

3.  Following completion of the foregoing,
the RO must review the claims folder and
ensure that all of the foregoing
development actions have been conducted and
completed.  If any development is
incomplete, appropriate corrective action
is to be implemented.  If the decision
remains adverse to the veteran, he and his
representative should be furnished with a
supplemental statement of the case.  They
should then be afforded the applicable time
to respond.

Thereafter, subject to current appellate procedures, the case
should be returned to the Board for further appellate
consideration, if appropriate.  The veteran need take no action
until he is further informed.  The purpose of this REMAND is to
obtain additional information and to ensure due process of law.
No inference should be drawn regarding the final disposition of
the claim as a result of this action.

          CHARLES E. HOGEBOOM
          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).