BVA9502546 DOCKET NO. 93-07 534 ) DATE ) ) On appeal from the decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in New Orleans, Louisiana THE ISSUES 1. Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disorder. 3. Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis. 4. Entitlement to service connection for sinusitis. 5. Entitlement to service connection for costochondritis. 6. Entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder of the neck and arms. 7. Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for right knee chondromalacia. 8. Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for left knee chondromalacia. REPRESENTATION Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Ronald R. Bosch, Counsel INTRODUCTION The veteran served on active duty for training from October 1981 to July 1982, May to August 1985, August to December 1988, and on active duty from November 1990 to June 1991. This appeal arose from an April 1992 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The RO granted entitlement to service connection for right knee chondromalacia and left knee chondromalacia, each assigned a noncompensable evaluation; and denied entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, bronchitis, sinusitis, costochondritis, and a skin disorder of the neck and arms. In a September 1992 rating decision, the RO affirmed the determinations previously entered and denied entitlement to a separate extraschedular evaluation of 10 percent under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 (1994). In a December 1992 rating decision, the RO granted entitlement to service connection for right ankle instability secondary to sprain with assignment of a noncompensable evaluation effective June 17, 1991. Effective June 17, 1991, the RO granted a separate extraschedular evaluation of 10 percent under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 for the veteran's three noncompensably rated service- connected disabilities through October 28, 1992. The RO then granted an increased (compensable) evaluation of 10 percent for right ankle instability secondary to sprain effective October 29, 1992. The case has been forwarded to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) for appellate review. REMAND The claimant was last formally examined by VA in November 1991, at which time most of the disabilities at issue, although reported in service, were not found on examination. Later dated medical reports on file including additional evidence submitted by the appellant show that several of the disabilities at issue for which compensation benefits have been requested have been found on examination. The veteran claims that she developed a chronic skin disorder two weeks after she departed Saudi Arabia, and states that her service comrades developed the same disorder. She has not been evaluated by a VA dermatologist to determine whether she has indeed developed a chronic skin disorder related to service in the Persian Gulf. The Board is of the opinion that the appellant should be scheduled for a comprehensive examination of all disabilities at issue including orthopedic and dermatologic evaluations as such diagnostic studies would materially assist in the adjudication of her appeal. Pursuant to VA's duty to assist the veteran in development of facts pertinent to her claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West 1991); 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(a), the Board is deferring a final decision pending a REMAND of the case to the RO for further development as follows: 1. The RO should schedule the veteran for a comprehensive medical examination including an evaluation by an orthopedist to determine whether she has a bilateral shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, bronchitis, sinusitis, and costochondritis, and the severity of bilateral knee chondromalacia. The examinations are to be conducted in accordance with the diagnostic procedures outlined in Chapters 1, and 2, of the VA Physician's Guide for Disability Evaluation Examinations. All indicated studies are to be accomplished. The claims file must be made available to and reviewed by the examiners prior to the examinations. 2. The RO should schedule the appellant for an examination by a VA dermatologist to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of any skin disorder(s) which may be present. The examination is to be conducted in accordance with the diagnostic procedures outlined in Chapter 11 of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. All indicated studies are to be conducted. The dermatologist must be requested to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any skin disorder(s) found on examination is(are) related to service in the Persian Gulf. Any opinion(s) expressed must be accompanied by a complete rationale. The claims file must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner prior to the examination. 3. After undertaking any development deemed appropriate in addition to that specified above, the RO should readjudicate the issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, bronchitis, sinusitis, costochondritis, and a skin disorder of the neck and arms; and increased evaluations for bilateral knee chondromalacia. If the benefits sought on appeal are not granted to the veteran's satisfaction, the RO should issue a supplemental statement of the case. A reasonable period of time for a response should be afforded. Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for further appellate review, if otherwise in order. By this REMAND, the Board intimates no opinion as to any final outcome warranted. No action is required of the veteran until she is notified by the RO. BRUCE KANNEE 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).