BVA9508260 
DOCKET NO.  93-15 235     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
Cleveland, Ohio

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

The veteran

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

K. E. Harrison, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active military service from February 1962 to
August 1990.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans'
Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 1991 rating decision by the
RO.

REMAND

The veteran filed an application for service connection for a
bilateral eye disorder in September 1990.  In connection with the
veteran's claim, he had a VA eye examination in March 1991 which
revealed that the veteran had a retinal tear with local retinal
detachment in the left eye.

The veteran had a hearing in September 1992 when he testified
that his eye disorder had increased in severity.  He reported
that in the 1960's he had an accident where some metal had been
embedded in his right eye and had to be extracted with tweezers.

Also of record is a statement by the Chief of a VA ophthalmology
section, who stated that the veteran had been treated for a
complex retinal detachment and that it was possible that he had
areas of thin retina (lattice) prior to his discharge from the
military which could have easily been missed during a routine eye
exam.

The above evidence raises the question as to whether the
veteran's retinal detachment and eye problems are the result of
disease or injury in service.  Therefore, the Board finds that it
is necessary for the veteran to undergo another VA ophthalmology
examination to obtain an opinion.  In addition, the Board notes
that the veteran stated in his hearing that he has been treated
for his eye disorder since service.  The RO should take
appropriate steps to obtain copies of all treatment records
referable to the veteran's eye disorder from these physicians.

In view of the foregoing, the case is REMANDED to the RO for the
following actions:

1.  The RO should take appropriate steps to
contact the veteran and ask him to identify
any physician or medical facility which has
treated him for his eye disorder since
service.  Upon proper authorization from
the veteran, copies of all treatment
records should be obtained from the
identified sources.

2.  The RO should arrange for the veteran
to be examined by a VA ophthalmologist to
ascertain the nature and likely etiology of
any eye pathology.  The examination should
conform to the requirements of VA
Physician's Guide for Disability Evaluation
Examinations (IB 11-56, March 1, 1985).
All clinical findings should be reported in
detail.  The claims folder should made
available for review.  The examiner should
express an opinion as to the medical
probability that any identified pathology
of either eye, including the retinal tear
and detachment, was present in service or,
otherwise, is the result of disease or
injury in service.

3.  When the foregoing development has been
completed, the claim should by reviewed by
the RO.  If the decision remains adverse to
the appellant a supplemental statement of
the case should be prepared and the veteran
and his representative should be given a
reasonable period of time for reply.

Thereafter, the claim should be returned to the Board for further
appellate review, if in order.  No action is required of the
veteran until he receives further notice.  The purpose of this
REMAND is to obtain additional information.  The Board does not
intimate any factual or legal conclusions as to the outcome
ultimately warranted in this appeal.

          STEPHEN L. WILKINS
          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).