BVA9500774 
DOCKET NO.  93-10 304     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus,
currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert P. Regan, Counsel

REMAND

The appellant served on active duty from May 1987 to February
1990.

During the recent VA examination conducted in April 1992, the
appellant indicated that he was receiving treatment from a
private physician for his diabetes mellitus.  The Board of
Veterans' Appeals (Board) is of the opinion that these records
would be of assistance to the Board in rendering a determination
in this case.  It was also of the opinion that a contemporaneous
and thorough VA examination is warranted.

In accordance with the statutory duty to assist the appellant in
the development of evidence pertinent to his claim, the case is
REMANDED for the following actions:

1.  The RO should furnish the appellant the
appropriate release of information form in
order to obtain copies of the treatment
records from Dr. R. Wheeler.

2.  A VA examination should be conducted by
an endocrinologist in order to determine
the severity of the diabetes mellitus.  It
is requested that the examiner obtain a
detailed social and occupational history
with regard to the effect the diabetes
mellitus has on the appellant's social
activity and his occupation as a letter
carrier.  It is further requested that the
examiner render an opinion as to whether
the appellant's insulin dosage is
considered to be "large" as contemplated by
VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
38 C.F.R. Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7913
(1993).  All testing deemed necessary
should be performed.  The claims folder
should be made available to the examiner in
conjunction with the examination.

Thereafter, the case should be reviewed by the RO.  If the
benefit sought is not granted, the appellant and his
representative should be furnished a supplemental statement of
the case and an opportunity to respond.  The case should then be
returned to the Board for further appellate consideration.

          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).