BVA9507590 
DOCKET NO.  93-16 216     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Detroit,
Michigan

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for psychoneurosis,
currently rated 10 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Hilary L. Goodman, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active service from November 1941 to July 1945.
This appeal arises from a March 1992 rating decision which
continued a 10 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's
psychoneurosis.

The veteran contends that his psychoneurosis has increased in
severity, causing him to be tense and quickly lash out at people.
The report of a March 1992 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
psychiatric examination provided limited findings relative to the
severity of the veteran's psychoneurosis.  The veteran's
representative notes that the examiner did not provide a Global
Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Score and the report of
examination reflects that the examiner did not otherwise indicate
the degree to which the psychiatric disorder results in reduction
in initiative, flexibility, efficiency and reliability levels.

In view of the foregoing, the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board)
finds that the issue should be REMANDED to the originating agency
for the following action:

1.  The originating agency should request
copies of all of the veteran's VA
outpatient treatment records dated
subsequent to January 1992 from the VA
Outpatient Clinic, Grand Rapids as well as
copies of all of the veteran's treatment
records from the VA Medical Center, Battle
Creek.  All documents obtained should be
associated with the veteran's claims file.

2.  Following completion of the above
development, the veteran should be
scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination
to determine the severity of the service-
connected psychoneurosis.  The examination
should be performed in accordance with the
VA Physician's Guide for Disability
Evaluation Examinations.  All indicated
tests, including appropriate psychological
studies, should be conducted.  The claims
file must be made available to and reviewed
by the examiner prior to the evaluation.
Based upon a review of the record and the
examination, the physician must assign a
GAF Score consistent with the American
Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders,
and explain what the assigned score
represents.  A legible report of the
examination should be provided.

3.  When the above development has been
completed the originating agency should
readjudicate the veteran's entitlement to a
rating in excess of 10 percent for
psychoneurosis.  If the determination made
remains unfavorable to the veteran, a
supplemental statement of the case which
provides a summary of the evidence received
since the statement of the case should be
issued to the veteran and his
representative.  They should be given the
appropriate period of time in which to
respond.

Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for further
consideration, if in order.  No action is required by the veteran
until he receives further notice.  The purpose of this REMAND is
to obtain clarifying medical information and to afford the
veteran due process.

          EUGENE A. O'NEILL
          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).