BVA9502151 
DOCKET NO.  93-06 789     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Denver,
Colorado

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for hypertension,
currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Ronald R. Bosch, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from December 1968 to December
1988.

This appeal arose from a June 1992 rating decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
Denver, Colorado.  The RO denied entitlement to an increased
evaluation for hypertension.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) administratively REMANDED
the case to the RO for adjudicative action on an unrelated issue
in September 1994.  The case has been returned for appellate
review of the prepared and certified issue reported on the title
page.

REMAND

In his April 1993 appeal statement to the Board, the veteran
reported that his hypertension was out of control and that his
cardiologist had increased his medications significantly.  He
described side effects resulting from the increased medication.
The appellant also noted that his treatment has resulted in large
medical expenses, over $8,000.00 between about December 1992 and
April 1993.  The records on file pertaining to his previous
treatment at military and private medical facilities are dated
during the latter part of 1992.  The VA examination for
compensation purposes was conducted in March 1992.  Association
with the appellant's claims file, the records pertaining to the
veteran's treatment since late 1992 would materially assist in
the adjudication of his appeal.

Accordingly, the case is REMANDED to the RO for further
development as follows:

1.  The RO should request and associate
with the claims file photocopies of the
complete records pertaining to the
veteran's treatment at the Cardiology
Clinic, Evans Army Hospital and the United
States Air Force Academy Hospital, Fort
Carson, Colorado 80913, since 1992, or
which have not previously been secured..

2.  After obtaining any necessary
authorization, the RO should obtain and
associate with the claims file photocopies
of the complete records pertaining to the
treatment of the veteran's high blood
pressure, and any heart disease or
symptomatology which may be present, by
Susan Rae Jensen, M.D., Affiliates in
Cardiology, 2814 International Circle,
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910; and at
the Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs,
Colorado, which have not previously been
secured, since about December 1992.

3.  After completing the foregoing actions,
the veteran should be examined by a VA
physician to determine the extent of his
hypertension and any heart dfisease which
may be present.  The examination is to be
conducted in accordance with the diagnostic
procedures outlined in Chapter 6 of the VA
Physician's Guide for Disability Evaluation
Examinations.  All indicated studies are to
be accomplished.  The entire claims file
with the records obtained as above should
be made available to and reviewed by the
examiner prior to the examination.

4.  After undertaking any development
deemed appropriate in addition to that
specified above, the RO should readjudicate
the issue of entitlement to an increased
evaluation for hypertension, to include an
increase in benefits for any disability
found to be

present and associated with the service
connected hypertension.

If the benefit sought on appeal is not granted to the veteran's
satisfaction, the RO should issue a supplemental statement of the
case and afford a reasonable period of time for a response.
Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for further
appellate review, if otherwise in order.  By this REMAND, the
Board intimates no opinion as to any final outcome warranted.  No
action is required of the veteran until he is notified by the RO.

          BRUCE KANNEE
          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).