BVA9505633 
DOCKET NO.  92-20 887     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Nashville,
Tennessee

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for senile
keratoses.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

P. J. McCarty, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from November 1940 to November
1945, and from June 1946 to November 1965.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Affairs (Board)
on appeal from a June 1992 decision of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Nashville, Tennessee.

In May 1994, the Board remanded the veteran's case for further
development.

The Board notes that in an August 1994 rating decision, the
veteran was denied service connection for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD).  To date, this action has not been appealed.  In
January 1995, further evidence related to that claim was received
at the Board.  The RO should take all appropriate action
regarding the same.

REMAND

Essentially, the veteran contends that an increased (compensable)
evaluation is warranted for his service-connected senile
keratoses as he has keratoses and scars on his hands, forearms,
neck, face and forehead.  He also alleges that his ears itch as a
result of this disability.

In May 1994, the Board remanded this case to the RO so that a
thorough VA examination could be conducted regarding the nature
and extent of the veteran's service-connected senile keratoses.
At that time the Board noted that a June 1992 VA examination was
inadequate because the examiner failed to discuss the nature and
progress of the disease, note whether remissions or exacerbations
had occurred, list the veteran's subjective complaints, and
identify the location of the disease on the body.  The Board
finds that the July 1994 VA examination report is inadequate to
determine the present nature and extent of the veteran's
disability as the dimensions, severity and location of the
veteran's lesions and scars were not described in sufficient
detail.

Accordingly, the Board concludes that further development, as
specified below, is necessary.  The case is therefore REMANDED to
the RO for the following actions:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
request that he identify the names,
addresses, and approximate dates of
treatment for all VA and non-VA health
care providers who have recently treated
him for senile keratoses.  With any
necessary authorization, the RO should
attempt to obtain copies of all pertinent
treatment reports identified by the
veteran which have not been previously
secured.

2.  Then, the veteran should be afforded a
VA examination by a board certified
dermatologist who has not previously
examined the veteran, if available, to
determine the nature and extent of the
veteran's senile keratoses.  Specifically,
the examiner should describe the size,
shape, color, and location of all lesions
and scars associated with the veteran's
skin disability, as well as any
ulceration, tenderness or other
manifestations of the disability.  All
indicated studies should be performed.
The claims folder must be made available
to the examiner for review prior to the
examination.

3.  Then, the RO should undertake any
other indicated development and
readjudicate the issue on appeal.  If
appropriate, the RO should also adjudicate
the issue of entitlement to service
connection for additional skin disability.

If the benefit sought on appeal is not granted to the veteran's
satisfaction, or if a timely notice of disagreement is received
with respect to any other matter, the RO should issue a
Supplemental Statement of the Case for all issues in appellate
status, and the veteran and his representative provided an
opportunity to respond.  Thereafter, the case should be returned
to the Board for further consideration, 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 he
is otherwise notified by the RO.

          SHANE A. DURKIN
          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.  The above 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).