BVA9500662 
DOCKET NO.  93-12 045     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Louis,
Missouri

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for post traumatic stress
disorder, currently rated 30 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Missouri Veterans Commission

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Hilary L. Goodman, Counsel
INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from October 1967 to June 1969.

This appeal arises from a July 1991 rating decision which
continued a 10 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's
post traumatic stress disorder.  A December 1991 rating decision
increased the disability evaluation to 30 percent.

The veteran has raised the issue of a total rating for
compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.  This
issue is referred to the originating agency for appropriate
action.

REMAND

The veteran has requested that consideration be given to granting
service connection for alcohol and drug dependence, a personality
disorder and an anxiety disorder as secondary to post traumatic
stress disorder.

In Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 180 (1991), the United States
Court of Veterans Appeals stated that, when two issues are
"inextricably intertwined," a decision on one issue would have a
significant impact on a claim for the second issue.  The Board of
Veterans' Appeals (Board) believes that, in light of the Harris
decision, the question of the veteran's possible entitlement to
service connection for alcohol and drug dependence, a personality
disorder and an anxiety disorder should be resolved prior to
final appellate consideration of the issue of his entitlement to
a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for post
traumatic stress disorder.

It is herein noted that the veteran was granted Social Security
benefits in December 1989.    No request for the veteran's
medical records has been made.  In view of the foregoing, the
Board finds that the issue should be REMANDED to the originating
agency for the following action:

1.  The originating agency should contact
the Social Security Administration in order
to obtain legible copies of those portions
of the evidentiary record, including
medical records, upon which the grant of
disability benefits was based.  The
documents obtained should be associated
with the veteran's claims file.

2.  After the requested medical records
have been secured, the originating agency
should schedule the veteran for a
psychiatric examination.  The express
purpose of this examination is to evaluate
the current severity of his post traumatic
stress disorder, and, if present, determine
the etiology of his alcohol and drug
dependence, personality disorder and
anxiety disorder.  All necessary tests and
studies should be conducted and all
clinical manifestations should be reported
in detail.  The examining physician should
be given access to the veteran's claims
file for a sufficient period of time prior
to the examination to allow for a complete
review of the record.

3.  The originating agency should
adjudicate the issue of the veteran's
entitlement to service connection for
alcohol and drug dependence, a personality
disorder and an anxiety disorder as
secondary to post traumatic stress
disorder.  Any decision must be supported
by competent medical authority.  The
decision should be in writing to ensure all
due process.  The veteran is to be informed
of the determination by letter that
includes appellate rights.

If the determination made on the issue of an increased evaluation
for post traumatic stress disorder remains unfavorable to the
veteran, a supplemental statement of the case which sets forth
the evidence received since the March 1993 supplemental 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 afford the veteran due process.

          ALBERT D. TUTERA
          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).