BVA9502077 
DOCKET NO.  93-09 850     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Montgomery,
Alabama

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to an increased evaluation for chronic bronchitis
with emphysema, currently evaluated as 60 percent disabling.

2.  Entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based
upon individual unemployability.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert P. Regan, Counsel

REMAND

The appellant had active service from August 1942 to February
1946.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) is of the opinion that a
contemporaneous and thorough Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
examination would be of assistance in rendering a determination
in this case.  In particular, the Board notes that the appellant
was hospitalized and has been treated for his service-connected
pulmonary disability since last being examined for compensation
purposes.  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 regional office (RO) should obtain
any additional medical records from the VA
medical facility located in Tuskegee,
Alabama, subsequent to April 14, 1992.

2.  A VA examination should be conducted by
a specialist in pulmonary disorders in
order to determine the nature and severity
of the service-connected chronic bronchitis
with emphysema.  Pulmonary function testing
and any other studies deemed necessary
should be performed and the examiner should
comment on the degree of impairment with
respect to the veteran's industrial
capacity.  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
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.

          CHARLES E. HOGEBOOM
          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).