BVA9507569 
DOCKET NO.  93-14 582     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Hartford,
Connecticut

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for
residuals of a fractured right clavicle.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

James Douglas, Associate Counsel
REMAND

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA or
Board) on appeal from decisions of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) Regional Office in Hartford, Connecticut (RO), which
denied the benefit sought on appeal.
The veteran, who had active service from October 1982 to January
1985.

A preliminary review of the record discloses that the veteran
contends that he has compensable residuals from his service
connected fracture of his right clavicle.  The original rating
decision of March 1985 indicated that the veteran fractured his
right clavicle in January 1983 while playing softball, and that
the condition had healed without residuals.  Although the
confirmed rating decision of May 1992 stated that the veteran had
not complained about his shoulder since 1987, the veteran's 1988
statement in support of claim describes pain in both of his
shoulders as well as the treatment he was undergoing.

A VA orthopedic examination in September 1992 characterized the
veteran's current condition as possible adhesive capsulitis, also
known as "frozen shoulders", noting loss of strength, tenderness,
and limited range-of-motion for both shoulders.  The RO's
subsequent supplemental statement of the case correctly states
that the examiner did not relate the current condition to the
service connected fracture.  The examiner, however, did not
describe the etiology of the current condition or specifically
rule-out a relationship between the current condition and the
service connected fracture.  Consequently, the Board is of the
opinion that further development is warranted.

Therefore, in order to give the veteran every consideration with
respect to the present appeal.  Accordingly, this case is
REMANDED for the following actions:

          The veteran should be afforded an
orthopedic examination of his right
shoulder to ascertain the nature, etiology
and pathology of all disorders of the
shoulders which may be present.  Any
indicated evaluations, studies, and tests
deemed necessary by the examiner should be
accomplished.  The examiner is specifically
requested to review all pertinent medical
records from both during and after service,
and offer comments and an opinion
concerning the degree of probability, if
any, that disability of the right shoulder
currently present is medically related to
the veteran's service-connected right
clavicle fracture in any way.  The
rationale for the opinion reached should be
provided.  The claims folder should be made
available to the examiner for review in
connection with the examination.

When the development requested has been completed, the case
should again be reviewed by the RO on the basis of the additional
evidence.  The veteran and his representative should then be
furnished a supplemental statement of the case, and be afforded
the applicable opportunity to respond before the record is
returned to the Board for further review.

The purpose of this REMAND is to obtain additional development,
and the Board does not intimate any opinion as to the merits of
the case, either favorable or unfavorable, at this time.  No
action is required of the veteran until he is notified.

CHARLES E. HOGEBOOM
          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) (1994).