BVA9507483 
DOCKET NO.  93-14 545     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), currently rated as 30 percent disabling..

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

J. W. Loeb, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from February 1966 to May 1969.
This case came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
appeal from an October 1992 rating decision of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.

It was contended on behalf of the veteran in November 1993 that
his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

REMAND

According to the veteran's December 1992 notice of disagreement
and April 1993 substantive appeal, his PTSD had increased in
severity, as evidenced by the fact that he was recently given
disability retirement from the Postal Service due to his PTSD.
The Board notes that evidence of the veteran's disability
retirement from the Postal Service is not on file.

Based on the above, the Board finds that additional development
is required prior to final disposition of this case.  Therefore,
this case is being REMANDED to the RO for the following actions:

1.  The veteran should be permitted to
submit any additional evidence in his
possession that is pertinent to the issue
on appeal.  He should also be requested to
provide the complete names, addresses, and
dates of treatment of any physicians or
facilities, including the VA, that have
treated him for his service-connected PTSD
since October 1992.  Any medical provider
identified should be asked for copies of
the veteran's clinical records not
currently on file.  Any records obtained
should be associated with the claims
folder.  The veteran should be asked to
sign any necessary consent forms for
release of his private medical records.

2.  The RO should obtain, and associate
with the claims file, copies of all
documentation associated with the veteran's
disability retirement from the Postal
Service.

3.  The veteran should be given a special
psychiatric examination, in accordance with
the VA Physician's Guide for Disability
Evaluation Examinations, to determine the
current severity of his service-connected
PTSD.  The claims folder must be made
available to the examiner for review.  All
necessary tests and studies, including
appropriate psychological studies, should
be conducted, and all findings should be
reported in detail.  The examiner should be
asked to include a Global Assessment of
Functioning Score with the diagnostic
formulation and explain what the assigned
score represents.  The examiner should also
provide an opinion as to the extent to
which the veteran's PTSD interferes with
his ability to establish and maintain
relationships as well as the reduction in
initiative, efficiency, flexibility and
reliability levels due to PTSD.

4.  The RO should then readjudicate the
issue on appeal,  to include consideration
of the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(b)
(West 1991), 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.321(b)(1) and
4.7 (1994), and the decisions of the United
States Court of Veterans Appeals in Hood v.
Brown, 4 Vet.App. 301 (1993), and Massey v.
Brown, 7 Vet.App. 204 (1994).  The RO
should also adjudicate the issue of
entitlement to a total rating based on
unemployability.

When the above actions have been completed, unless the benefits
sought are granted to the satisfaction of the veteran, the
veteran and his representative should be provided with a
supplemental statement of the case on all issues in appellate
status and given the applicable time period to respond.  The case
should then be returned to the Board, if otherwise in order.  The
veteran need take no action until notified.

          EUGENE A. O 'NEILL
          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 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) (1994).