BVA9501577 
DOCKET NO.  93-09 082     )       DATE
          )
          )

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

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for a right wrist
disability.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for residuals of a
costovertebral syndrome.

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert P. Regan, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The appellant served on active duty from December 1981 to
September 1992.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
appeal of an October 1992 rating determination by the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) located in St.
Petersburg, Florida.

During the September 1992 VA examination, the appellant indicated
that he was experiencing a burning feeling in his left wrist.  It
is requested that the RO contact the appellant in order to
determine whether he is claiming service connection for a left
wrist disability and, thereafter, take the appropriate action.

REMAND

A review of the service medical records reflects that the
appellant was treated intermittently from 1991 to 1992 for
problems associated with his right wrist.  An arthrogram of the
right wrist, conducted in February 1992, showed the presence of a
tear.  Also during 1992, while on active duty, the appellant was
treated on several occasions from April to June for an upper
trapezius muscle strain.

It is noted that during the September 1992 VA examination, a
physical evaluation of the right wrist was not performed.  In the
substantive appeal, the appellant indicated that he was receiving
treatment at a VA medical facility for his right wrist.  These
records are not on file.  The Board is of the opinion that a
contemporaneous and thorough VA examination would be of
assistance to the Board in rendering a determination in this
case.

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 request the appellant to
furnish the dates, name and location of the
VA facility where he is receiving
treatment, and the RO should then obtain
these records.

2.  A VA examination should be conducted by
an orthopedist in order to determine the
nature and severity of any disability
involving the right wrist and upper torso
region, to include the shoulders and
cervical spine.  All testing deemed
necessary should be performed.  It is
requested that the examiner review the
appellant's claims folder, to include the
service medical records, in conjunction
with rendering the diagnoses.

Thereafter, the case should be reviewed by the RO.  If the
benefits sought are 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.

          ALBERT D. TUTERA
          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).