BVA9500350 
DOCKET NO.  93-11 184     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for a left leg disorder.

2.  Entitlement to an increased disability evaluation for low
back strain, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

3.  Entitlement to an increased disability evaluation for
residuals of gunshot wound to the right knee and thigh, currently
evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Anna Bryant, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active military service from January 1969 to June
1991.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
appeal from a December 1991 rating decision of the Winston-Salem,
North Carolina Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), which denied the veteran's claim seeking
entitlement to service connection for a left leg disorder.
Service connection was granted for low back strain and residuals
of gunshot wound to the right knee and thigh.  The veteran has
appealed the 20 percent and 10 percent disability evaluations
respectively, assigned thereto.

Initially, the veteran had requested a personal hearing in
connection with this appeal before a traveling member of the
Board.  However, while he was notified of a scheduled hearing on
April 23, 1993, he failed to report at the appointed time and
place.

REMAND

The veteran and his representative contend, in part, that the
disability evaluations currently assigned for his service-
connected low back strain and residuals of gunshot wound to the
right knee and thigh are inadequate to compensate him for the
effects of the disabilities.  Review of the evidentiary record
reflects that the veteran has not been afforded an orthopedic
examination for the purpose of determining the degree of severity
associated with the aforementioned disabilities since October
1991.

Under the circumstances of this case, the Board concludes that
additional development of the record would be beneficial prior to
appellate disposition.  Accordingly, further appellate
consideration will be deferred and the case is REMANDED to the RO
for the following action:

1.  The veteran should be requested to
identify all sources of recent treatment
received by him for his left leg disability
and service-connected low back strain and
residuals of gunshot wound to the right
knee and thigh, and to furnish signed
authorizations for release to the VA of
private medical records in connection with
each non-VA source he identifies.  Copies
of the medical records from all sources he
identifies (not already in the claims
folder) should then be requested.  All
records obtained should be added to the
claims folder.

2.  The RO should schedule the veteran for
an orthopedic examination for the purpose
of determining the severity of the service-
connected low back strain and gunshot wound
residuals of the right knee and thigh, as
well as the nature and severity of any left
leg disorder which may be present.  All
indicated tests and studies should be
performed and reported in accordance with
the VA I[nformation] B[ulletin] 11-56
Physician's Guide for Disability Evaluation
Examinations (March 1, 1985).  Range of
motion studies in all directions should be
indicated.  Any functional limitation due
to pain should be reported.  The claims
folder should be made available and
reviewed by the examiner prior to the
examination of the veteran.

After the above development has been completed, the RO should
review the evidence and determine whether the veteran's claims
may now be granted.  If any of the determinations remains adverse
to the veteran, he and his representative should be furnished a
supplemental statement of the case which summarizes the pertinent
evidence, fully cites the applicable legal provisions and
reflects detailed reasons and bases for the decision reached.

The veteran should be given the opportunity to respond thereto.
Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for further
appellate consideration, if otherwise in order, following
appropriate appellate procedures.  The purpose of the REMAND is
to further develop the record.  The Board does not intimate any
opinion, either factual or legal, as to the ultimate disposition
warranted in this case.  No action is required of the veteran
until he receives further notice.

          GARY L. GICK
          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).