BVA9503427 
DOCKET NO.  92-55 612     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Detroit,
Michigan

THE ISSUES

Entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability,
including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal
disability.

Entitlement to service connection for the residuals of fractures
of the right leg and knee.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Hilary L. Goodman, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active service from May 1968 to September 1973.

This appeal arises from a September 1990 rating decision which
denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a
psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder,
for a gastrointestinal disability and for the residuals of
fractures of the right leg and knee.

The veteran has also raised the issue of entitlement to service
connection for a skin disorder as secondary to Agent Orange
exposure. This issue is referred to the regional office for
appropriate development.

In a statement received from the veteran in April 1993, he
indicated that he was taken to Huron Valley Hospital, Milford,
Michigan, for treatment of bleeding ulcers in January 1992.  He
specifically asserts that this condition is being caused by Agent
Orange.

In Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 180 (1991), the United States
Court of Veterans Appeals stated that, when two issues are
"inextricably intertwined," a decision on one issue would have a
significant impact on a claim for the second issue.  The Board
believes that, in light of the Harris decision, the question of
the veteran's possible entitlement to service connection for a
gastrointestinal disability as a residual of Agent Orange
exposure should be resolved prior to final appellate
consideration of the issue of service connection for a
gastrointestinal disability.

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds that the issues of
service connection for the residuals of fractures of the right
leg and knee and for a psychiatric disability, including post-
traumatic stress disorder, should be deferred and the issue of
service connection for a gastrointestinal disability should be
REMANDED to the originating agency for the following action:

The originating agency should adjudicate
the claim of service connection for a
gastrointestinal disability as a residual
of exposure to Agent Orange.  The decision
should be in writing to ensure all due
process.  The veteran and his
representative are to be informed of the
determination by letter that includes his
appellate rights.

Following review, if the determination made on the issue of
service connection for a gastrointestinal disability remains
unfavorable to the veteran, a supplemental statement of the case
which sets forth the evidence received since the November 1993
supplemental statement of the case should be issued to the
veteran and his representative.  They should be given the
appropriate period of time in which to respond.  Thereafter, the
case should be returned to the Board for further consideration,
if in order.  No action is required by the veteran until he
receives further notice.  The purpose of this REMAND is to obtain
clarifying medical information and afford the veteran due
process.

          WAYNE M. BRAEUER
          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) (1994).