BVA9501453 
DOCKET NO.  93-07 252     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Petersburg,
Florida

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to an increased rating for bronchial asthma,
currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

2.  Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for
residuals of a deviated nasal septum.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

WITNESSES AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant and his wife

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

P. A. Dowdell, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION
The veteran served on active duty from January 1961 to October
1965.  He also had additional unverified service with the
Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals
(hereinafter the Board) on appeal from a March 1992 rating
decision from the St. Petersburg, Florida, Regional Office (RO).
That rating action confirmed a 10 percent evaluation for
bronchial asthma.  The rating action also granted service
connection for deviated nasal septum, and assigned a schedular
noncompensable evaluation.

It should be noted that this case was originally developed on the
additional issue of entitlement to an increased (compensable)
evaluation for residuals of burns of the left arm and face.
However, at the personal hearing held before a hearing officer at
the RO in November 1992, the veteran testified that he wished to
withdraw this issue from appellate consideration.

Additionally, in the Informal Hearing Presentation dated in
August 1993, the veteran's representative appears to raise the
issue of entitlement to a total disability rating for
compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.
Inasmuch as this issue has not been developed for appellate
consideration at this time, and such issue is not inextricably
intertwined with the issues on appeal, the matter is referred to
the RO for appropriate action.

REMAND

The veteran contends, in essence, that the RO committed error in
denying increased compensation for his service-connected
bronchial asthma and deviated nasal septum.

The Board is of the opinion that additional action by the RO is
requisite prior to any further Board review of the veteran's
claim.  In a statement dated in June 1991, the veteran reported
that he was receiving treatment for his service-connected
bronchial asthma at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Fort Myers,
Florida.  Additionally, at the VA examination performed in July
1991, the examiner noted that laboratory tests were available at
the VA Outpatient Clinic, Fort Myers, Florida.  These records are
not associated with the veteran's claim's file and are necessary
for an equitable disposition of his claim for increased
evaluation for bronchial asthma.

Additionally, the veteran has not been afforded a comprehensive
VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of
residuals of a deviated nasal septum, to include any claimed
associated scarring.

To ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has met
its duty to assist the claimant in developing the facts pertinent
to the claim and to ensure full compliance with due process
requirements, the case is REMANDED to the regional office (RO)
for the following development:

1.  The regional office should contact the
veteran in order to obtain information
about all treatment he has received for
service-connected bronchial asthma and
residuals of a deviated nasal septum.  The
regional office should then attempt to
obtain copies of all records, not already
included in the claims folder, referable to
any identified treatment and associate
those records with the veteran's claims
file.  This should include all reports of
treatment at the VA Outpatient Clinic, Fort
Myers, Florida.  Any authorization
necessary for the release of additional
documents shall be obtained from the
veteran.

2.  Thereafter, the regional office should
request that the veteran be examined by a
pulmonologist, an ear nose and throat
specialist, and a dermatologist to
determine the current severity of his
service-connected bronchial asthma and
residuals of deviated nasal septum.
Special attention should be drawn to any
complaints of respiratory problems and
facial scars which are deemed to be a
residual of the service-connected deviated
nasal septum.  All indicated tests and
studies should be conducted.  Color
photographs of any such scars are
requested.  The examiner is to set forth
all findings along with the reasons and
bases therefor, in a clear, comprehensive
and legible manner.  The claims folder must
be made available to the examiners prior to
examination in order to facilitate study of
this case.

4.  Following completion of the above, the
regional office should again review the
veteran's claims, and determine whether an
increased rating for bronchial asthma, or
residuals of a deviated nasal septum, can
now be granted.

5.  If any decision remains adverse to the
veteran,
he and his representative should be
provided a supplemental statement of the
case and afforded a reasonable opportunity
to respond.

Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board, if in
order.  The Board intimates no opinion as to the ultimate outcome
of this case.  The appellant need take no action unless otherwise
notified.

          U. R. POWELL
          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).