BVA9504699 
DOCKET NO.  93-13 074     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in New York, New
York

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation, to include a 100 percent
scheduler evaluation, for an anxiety reaction with sinus
tachycardia, currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

J. Horrigan, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran served on active duty from June 1942 to October 1945.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board)
from a January 1993 rating action of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in New York, New York.

The veteran last received a VA psychiatric examination in August
1992.  He has asserted that his service-connected psychiatric
disability and associated sinus tachycardia has worsened since
this evaluation.  It is also apparent from the record that the
veteran receives ongoing treatment for his service-connected
disability at a VA facility but no recent records reflecting this
treatment are in the claims file.  It is also apparent that other
additional relevant medical evidence may be available which is
not currently in the claims folder.

In view of the foregoing and given the duty to assist the veteran
in the development of his claim under the provisions of 38
U.S.C.A. 5107(a) (West 1991), this case is remanded to the RO for
the following action:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
request that he provide the names,
addresses, and approximate dates of
treatment of all health care providers who
have provided him treatment in recent
years for his service-connected anxiety
reaction with sinus tachycardia.  When the
requested information and any necessary
authorizations have been received, the RO
should attempt to obtain copies of all
indicated records which are not currently
in the claims folder.  The requested
documentation should include clinical
records from the VA Medical Center in
Albany, New York, and from Dr. Champak
Patel of Johnstown, New York.  All records
obtained should be associated with the
claims folder.

2.  Then, the veteran should be afforded a
VA psychiatric examination to determine
the current degree of severity of his
anxiety reaction with tachycardia.  Any
necessary special studies should be
obtained and all pertinent clinical
findings reported in detail.  The claims
folder must be made available to the
examining physician prior to the
evaluation so that he may study the
pertinent clinical records.  The examiner
should describe how the symptoms of the
service connected psychiatric disorder
affect the veteran's social and industrial
capabilities, and specifically comment on
the degree to which the disorder affects
his initiative, flexibility, efficiency,
and reliability levels.  Based on his
examination findings and a review of the
record, the examiner should provide a
Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)
Score indicating the level of impairment
produced by the veteran's service-
connected psychiatric disability.  It is
imperative that the examiner provide a
definition of the GAF Score.

3.  Then, after conducting any further
development deemed appropriate, the RO
should again adjudicate the veteran's
claim, including his claim that he is
unemployable as the result of the service-
connected psychiatric disorder with
tachycardia.  The rating should reflect
consideration of the applicability of the
provisions of 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.321(b)(1) and
4.16(b) or 4.16(c), whichever may be
applicable.  If the benefit sought is not
granted to the veteran's satisfaction, he
and his representative should be provided
with a Supplemental Statement of the Case
and be afforded a reasonable opportunity
to respond.

Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for further
consideration, if appropriate.  By this remand the Board
intimates no opinion as to the outcome warranted in this case.
No action is required of the veteran until he is so informed by
the RO.

          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 deter-
mination.  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).