BVA9502034 
DOCKET NO.  93-09 413     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Wichita, Kansas

THE ISSUES

Entitlement to service connection for back and psychiatric
disorders.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Brian J. Milmoe, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran served on active duty from June 1982 to June 1985.

Allegations are advanced, to the effect that medical assistance
was received by the veteran for back and psychiatric disorders
while on active duty at Fort Bliss in Texas and also while he was
stationed in Germany.  He specifically references an injury to
the spine in or about March 1983 when changing a tire that led to
a period of hospitalization in Grafenwoehr, Germany.  Previously,
the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office (RO) in
Wichita, Kansas, has attempted to secure the veteran's service
medical records, but only a copy of the medical examination
performed at service entrance and incidental dental records have
to date been obtained.  Evidence developed since 1988 discloses
the presence of disabilities involving the veteran's spine and
his psychiatric status.

Further action is deemed warranted in an effort to secure a
complete set of service medical records of the veteran.
Accordingly, the case is REMANDED to the RO for the completion of
the following actions:

The military records specialist at the RO
should attempt to locate and obtain a
complete set of service medical records of
the veteran.  Contact should be made with
the National Personnel Records Center
and/or the applicable service department
and its medical facilities where the
veteran reportedly was treated.  If
clarifying information from the veteran is
needed as to the names and addresses of the
treatment facilities, or the approximate
dates of treatment, efforts should be made
to obtain that information from the
veteran.  Additionally, copies of all
service personnel records of the veteran,
including those pertaining to disciplinary
actions, should be obtained and made a part
of the veteran's claims folder.

Thereafter, the record should be reviewed in its entirety by the
RO and the issues under consideration should be readjudicated.
If any action taken remains adverse to the veteran in any way, he
and his representative should be provided a supplemental
statement of the case.  They should then be afforded a reasonable
period of time in which to respond.  The case should then be
returned to the Board of Veterans' Appeals 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 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).