BVA9501026 
DOCKET NO.  93-02 076     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Phoenix,
Arizona

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for headaches, a
psychiatric disorder and a back disorder.

2.  Whether new and material evidence has been submitted to
reopen claims for service connection for a skin disorder and
penile dermatitis.

3.  Entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for
pension purposes.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

B. P. Gallagher, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The appellant, who was born in February 1954, had active service
from June 1974 until May 1976.

This appeal comes before the Board of Veteran's Appeals (Board)
from rating decisions by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Phoenix, Arizona, Regional Office (RO).

REMAND

It has been contended on behalf of the appellant, in regard to
the pension issue, that he is in receipt of Social Security
income (SSI) benefits and that no development was accomplished by
the RO to determine how the veteran qualified for these benefits.
The United States Court of Veterans Appeals (Court) in Brown v.
Derwinski, 2 Vet.App. 444 (1992) noted that the VA should give
consideration and weight to a decision of the Social Security
Administration which found the veteran eligible for total
disability benefits.  The records used in making the SSI
determination should be obtained.  Murincsak v. Derwinski,
2 Vet.App. 363 (1992).

Additionally, the veteran's representative has argued that the
veteran's service personnel records should be obtained.  As the
case is otherwise in need of development, those records will be
requested.

Finally, as the case is otherwise being remanded, any and all
recent treatment records will also be requested.

In view of the foregoing and because the Board has the duty to
assist the appellant under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107, this case is
REMANDED to the RO for the following:

1.  The RO should obtain copies of any
records from the Social Security
Administration used in the award of SSI
benefits, to include a copy of the award
decision and the medical records upon which
it was based.

2.  The RO should obtain, for association
with the veteran's claims folder, his
service personnel records.

3.  The RO should ascertain from the
veteran whether he has had any recent
inpatient or outpatient treatment for any
physical or mental disability.  If so, the
records for this treatment should be
obtained and associated with the claims
folder.

4.  After these records have been obtained,
the RO should re-adjudicate the issues on
appeal on the basis of the evidence
received according to the above.

After the requested development has been completed, and if the
benefits sought continue to be denied, the appellant and
representative should be furnished a copy of the supplemental
statement of the case and afforded an opportunity to respond
thereto.  The case should be returned to the Board for further
appellate consideration, if in order.  No action of the appellant
is required until notified.

          MICHAEL D. LYON
          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).