BVA9500148 
DOCKET NO.  93-05 819     )       DATE
          )
          )

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

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress
disorder, currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert P. Regan, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The appellant served on active duty from October 1948 to January
1955.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
appeal of a February 1990 rating determination by the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) located in
Manchester, New Hampshire.

A hearing was held at the RO in September 1991.  The Board has
reviewed the testimony rendered by the appellant and it is
unclear as to whether he is claiming entitlement to a total
rating for compensation purposes based upon individual
unemployability.  It is requested that the RO contact the
appellant in order to clarify this matter, and thereafter take
any appropriate action.

REMAND

During the appellant's hearing at the RO in September 1991 he
indicated that he was receiving Social Security Administration
(SSA) disability benefits.  The Board is of the opinion that the
SSA decision and the supporting evidence upon which that decision
was based are pertinent evidence.  The most recent VA psychiatric
evaluation was performed in November 1991.  The appellant, during
his hearing, indicated that he was seen by a VA psychiatrist and
a counselor once a month.  A VA outpatient treatment record dated
in March 1992 classified the post-traumatic stress disorder as
being chronic and severe.  The Board is of the opinion that a
contemporaneous and thorough VA examination would be of
assistance to the Board in rendering a determination in this
case.

In accordance with the statutory duty to assist the appellant in
the development of evidence pertinent to his claim, the case is
REMANDED for the following actions:

1.  The RO should take the appropriate
action in order to obtain a copy of the SSA
disability decision which awarded the
appellant disability benefits and the
evidence upon which that decision was
predicated.

2.  The RO should request the VA Medical
Center located in Manchester, New
Hampshire, to furnish any additional
outpatient treatment records, to include
from the mental health clinic, subsequent
to August 4, 1992.

3.  A VA examination should be conducted by
a psychiatrist to determine the nature and
severity of the appellant's psychiatric
illness, to include post-traumatic stress
disorder.  All testing deemed necessary
should be performed.  It is requested that
the examiner assign a numerical code in
conjunction with the Global Assessment of
Functioning (GAF) Scale, American
Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd
ed., revised (DSM-III-R).  The examiner
should also include a definition of the
numerical code assigned.  The claims folder
is to be made available to the examiner in
conjunction with the examination.

When this development has been completed, the case should be
reviewed by the RO.  If the benefit sought is not granted, the
appellant and his representative should be furnished a
supplemental statement of the case and an opportunity to respond.
The supplemental statement of the case is to include the
definition of the numerical code assigned by the VA examiner in
accordance with the GAF Scale.  The case should then be returned
to the Board for further appellate consideration.

          ALBERT D.TUTERA
          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) (1993).