BVA9500944 
DOCKET NO.  93-10 511     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Wilmington,
Delaware

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for residuals of a right
hip injury, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert P. Regan, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active duty from September 1987 to September
1988.

The record reflects that, since the most recent VA examination in
July 1991, the veteran has been receiving private medical
treatment for his right hip disability.  To ensure that VA has
met its duty to assist the appellant in developing the facts
pertinent to the claim, the case is REMANDED to the regional
office (RO) for the following development:

1.  The RO should obtain the names and
addresses of all medical care providers who
treated the veteran for his right hip
disorder since February 6, 1992.  After
securing the necessary release, the RO
should obtain these records.

2.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
examination by an orthopedist to determine
the nature and severity of the veteran's
right hip disability.  The claims folder
should be made available to the examiner
for review before the examination.  All
testing deemed necessary should be
performed.

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.

          GARY L. GICK
          Member, Board of Veterans' Appeals

(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

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 deter-
mination.  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).