BVA9502031 
DOCKET NO.  92-11 138     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Atlanta,
Georgia

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased rating for Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Georgia Department of Veterans
Service

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Martin F. Dunne, Counsel
INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty in the Marine Corps from July
1969 until December 1976, including a tour in Vietnam in which he
was involved in combat operations.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board)
from rating decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),
Atlanta, Georgia, Regional Office (RO).

REMAND

At the veteran's personal hearing held at the RO in August 1991,
he testified that he had recently applied to the VA for
vocational rehabilitation training.  However, the Board notes
that his claims file does not reflect any participation in the
program nor are there any vocational rehabilitation or counseling
folders associated with his claims file.  The Board would like
more information in this matter.

The veteran failed to report for a scheduled February 1994 VA
examination.  However, notice of that pending examination was
sent to Reseda, California.  The Board notes that the last
address in the claims file is Molena, Georgia, which was reported
to the RO "VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, dated
in June 1993."  The veteran previous address of record had been
in College Park, Georgia.  Clarification of the veteran's current
address needs to be made.

After a review of the record, the Board also notes that there is
no adequate social, industrial or medical history of the veteran
in the claims file prior to his entry onto active duty service.
If possible, the Board would like to have this information prior
to appellate review.  In view of the foregoing and on the basis
of the present record, this case is again REMANDED for the
following action:

1.  The RO is to obtain copies
of the veteran's VA treatment
records subsequent to April 1992
and these records are to be
incorporated with the veteran's
claims file.

2.  The RO is to obtain and
associate with the veteran's
claims file any available
vocational rehabilitation and
counseling folders.

3.  The RO is to verify the
veteran's current address and
notify him that arrangements are
being made for him to undergo a
VA psychiatric examination and
advise him of the consequences
if he fails to report for the
examination.

4.  The RO is to arrange for the
veteran  to undergo an extensive
examination by a board of two
psychiatrists, preferably ones
who are familiar with PTSD, at a
VA medical facility.  The
examiners are to follow the VA's
Physician's Guide for Disability
Evaluation Examinations.  The
examiners are to obtain from the
veteran his social, medical, and
industrial history pertaining to
the time prior to his active
duty service and the time after
his active duty service.  All
indicated diagnostic studies are
to be performed and detailed
findings reported.  Prior to the
examination, the claims file,
and any other available
associated folders, are to be
made available and are to be
reviewed by the examiners.  The
examiners are to express their
opinion whether the veteran has
any psychiatric disorder in
addition to PTSD and they are to
identify and distinguish the
symptomatology associated with
any other psychiatric disorder
found, if any, and the
symptomatology associated with
PTSD.  The examiners are also
requested to express their
opinions as to the severity of
the veteran's PTSD, including
the degree of his social and
industrial impairment caused
solely by PTSD, to what extent
PTSD, and only PTSD, limits the
veteran's activities, and to
what extent PTSD, in and of
itself, adversely affects his
ability to obtain and retain
gainful employment.  In
addition, the examiners are
requested to place the veteran
on the Global Assessment of
Functioning Scale (GAF Scale)
and to provide an explanation of
the veteran's score reflective
of PTSD.  The examination report
is to be incorporated in the
veteran's claims folder.

5.  When the above-mentioned
action has been completed, the
RO is to review the veteran's
claim for an increased rating
for PTSD.  In evaluating the
issue, consideration is to be
given to the holdings in Massey
v. Brown, No. 93-135 (U.S.
Vet.App. Dec. 6, 1994) and Hood
v. Brown, 4 Vet.App. 301 (1993),
OGC Precedent Opinion 9-93 (Nov.
9, 1993)
pertaining to what constitutes
"definite" social and industrial
impairment, and entitlement
under 38 C.F.R.
§ 3.321(b)(1994).

If the decision remains unfavorable to the veteran, he and his
representative are to be provided with a supplemental statement
of the case and afforded the appropriate period of time in which
to respond.  Thereafter, in accordance with current appellate
procedures, the claims file, to include the requested additional
evidence, is to be returned to the Board for further appellate
consideration.

          BRUCE KANNEE
          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).