BVA9502586 
DOCKET NO.  91-22 629     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Los Angeles,
California

THE ISSUES

Entitlement to service connection with special monthly
compensation for loss of use of a creative organ.

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for cirrhosis
with esophageal varices and portal hypertension.

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes
mellitus.

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for
nephrosclerosis with hypercalcemia.

Entitlement to increased (compensable) evaluations for gout,
postoperative residuals of a tonsillectomy, hemorrhoids and
hiatal hernia.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

P. Gutstein, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from February 1946 to January
1949, and from September 1950 to April 1972.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
an appeal from the April 1990 rating decision of the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) Los Angeles, California, Regional Office
(RO) which confirmed the prior denial of  special monthly
compensation on account of loss of use of a creative organ, and
confirmed and continued the prior ratings for service-connected
cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, nephrosclerosis, gout, hiatal
hernia and hemorrhoids.  The veteran filed a notice of
disagreement in August 1990 and he was furnished a statement of
the case in October 1990.  He filed a substantive appeal in
December 1990.  The Board remanded the case in February 1992.  By
rating decision of June 1992, the RO denied service connection
for peripheral vascular disease and hypothyroidism secondary to
service-connected diabetes mellitus; and denied special monthly
compensation on account of need for regular aid and attendance.
The veteran has not filed a notice of disagreement from that
denial and these issues are not in appellate status.  By rating
decision of January 1993, the RO assigned a temporary 100 percent
evaluation during hospitalization for status postoperative
umbilical hernia from March 18, 1992, to May 1, 1992.  The
veteran is represented in his appeal by the Disabled American
Veterans which has submitted written argument in his behalf.

REMAND

In paragraph 3 of the February 1992 remand, the Board instructed
the RO to have the veteran undergo medical examinations to
evaluate various disabilities.  The file shows that the veteran
failed to report for the scheduled examinations on February 17,
1994.  However, the file shows that, through May 1994, the
veteran's address of record was Post Office Box 4563, Orange,
California  92613.  In correspondence received in early 1994, the
veteran advised that his new address was Post Office Box 14346,
Phoenix, Arizona  85063.  Accordingly, it is possible that the
veteran did not receive the original notification to report for
examination.  The Board believes that another attempt should be
made to schedule the veteran for such examination since the
failure to report may not have been the veteran's fault.
Accordingly, appellate action is again deferred and the case is
REMANDED for the following action:

1.  The RO should ask the veteran whether
he is currently receiving medical treatment
for his service-connected disabilities and,
if so, from which facilities.  Any records
of treatment should then be obtained by the
RO and associated with the claims file.

2.  The RO should schedule the veteran for
examinations in accordance with paragraph 3
of the Board's February 1992 remand.

After these actions have been completed, the case should again be
reviewed by the RO on the basis of the additional evidence
obtained.  If adverse actions continue, both the veteran and his
representative should be furnished a supplemental statement of
the case and be given an opportunity to respond thereto.  The
Board intimates no opinion at this time nor is any action
required of the veteran until he is notified.

          G. H. SHUFELT
          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).