BVA9503730 
DOCKET NO.  92-18 369     )       DATE
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On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Petersburg,
Florida

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to the restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for
residuals of a gunshot wound of the back.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for residuals of a lumbar
laminectomy.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from July 1966 to October 1967.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board)
on appeal from rating decisions of March 1992 and April 1994 by
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office in
St. Petersburg, Florida (RO), which reduced the evaluation for
the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound of the back from
20 percent to 10 percent and denied service connection for a
lumbar laminectomy with left leg sciatica.

This case was remanded by the Board for further development in
October 1993.

REMAND

It is contended that the evaluation for the veteran's residuals
of a gunshot wound of the back has not improved.  It is asserted
that the 20 percent evaluation should not have been reduced.  In
the veteran's substantive appeal he indicated that he had
limitation of motion of the left shoulder and was unable to lift
his left arm above his shoulder.

In reviewing the record, the Board notes that the veteran's back
wound has been rated as an injury to the low back with the
criteria for rating lumbosacral strain cited.  However, the
evidence does not suggest a wound to the low back, while
referencing entrance and/or exit scars about the left shoulder
and right dorsal spine.  In any event the record is unclear as to
what muscle groups were injured as a result of gunshot wounds
incurred in service.  Consequently, the Board concludes
additional development is called for.

Accordingly, the case is being REMANDED for the following action:

The veteran should be afforded an orthopedic
examination to determine the nature and
extent of the gunshot wound residuals of the
"back".  The examiner should have access to
the veteran's claims folder prior to his
examination.  It is requested that he review
the history of the disability and determine
to the extent possible, exactly what muscle
groups were injured, and the specific track
of the projectiles.  The examiner should also
express an opinion as to the etiology of the
veteran's lumbar laminectomy, and whether it
is related to the gunshot wound residuals of
the "back" or right knee.

When the requested action has been completed, and if his claim
continues to be denied, the veteran should be afforded a
reasonable period of time in which to respond to the supplemental
statement of the case.  Thereafter, subject to current appellate
procedures, the case should be returned to the Board for further
appellate consideration if appropriate.

The veteran need not take any action unless he is further
informed.  The purpose of this REMAND is to allow for further
development of the evidence.  No inference should be drawn from
it regarding the final disposition of the veteran's claim.

          E. W. SEERY
          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.

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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) (1994).