BVA9501323 
DOCKET NO.  93-06 703     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
Montgomery, Alabama

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to an increased evaluation for degenerative
arthritis of the left knee, currently rated as 30 percent
disabling.

2.  Entitlement to a temporary total rating based on
convalescence due to an arthroscopy in July 1992.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

W. H. Wetmore, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from September 1974 to April
1981.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) received this case on
appeal from an October 1992 RO rating decision.

REMAND

The veteran contends that he required post hospital convalescence
following surgery in July 1992.  The July 1992 hospital report
shows that he was instructed in the use of crutches, but there is
no indication that he was casted or prohibited from weight
bearing or from returning to work.  Further development of the
record is desirable to establish the medical restrictions he was
under following surgery.

Additionally, it has been pointed out that the veteran has not
been afforded a VA compensation examination since 1988.
Considering the treatment he has been afforded in the interim,
the Board believes that such an examination is desirable.

Under these circumstances, the case is REMANDED for the
following:

1.  Copies of the veteran's VA treatment
records since August 1992 should be
obtained and associated with the claims
file.

2.  After the above actions have been
completed, the veteran should be scheduled
for an examination by an orthopedist to
determine the extent of the impairment
attributable to the service-connected
degenerative arthritis of the left knee.
The examiner should review the claims file
in order to be familiar with the veteran's
medical history and to insure a thorough
examination report.  All indicated studies
should be completed, including a detailed
description of the range of motion of the
left knee.

.  The RO should take adjudicatory action
based on the evidence obtained pursuant to
the development sought above.  If the
benefit sought by the veteran is not
granted, a supplemental statement of the
case should be prepared.

After the veteran and his representative have been given an
opportunity to respond to the supplemental statement of the case,
the claims folder should be returned to this Board for further
appellate review, if in order.  No action is required by the
veteran until he receives further notice.  The purpose of the
remand is to procure clarifying data and to comply with governing
adjudicative procedures.  The Board intimates no opinion, either
legal or factual, as to the ultimate disposition of this appeal.

          STEPHEN L. WILKINS
          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).