BVA9506197 
DOCKET NO.  93-08 689     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
Indianapolis, Indiana

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to an increased rating for the residuals of a
fracture of the left wrist, currently evaluated as 10 percent
disabling.

2.  Entitlement to an increased rating for the residuals of
compression fractures of the 10th and 11th thoracic vertebrae,
currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

3.  Entitlement to an increased rating for burn scars on the
face, currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

The veteran

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Ripley P. Schoenberger, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active duty from July 1975 to June 1979.

This appeal arises from a September 1991 rating decision by the
RO.

At his hearing the veteran testified that the scar at the end of
his left eyebrow, the scar below his left eyebrow, and the
discolored area above his left eyebrow were burn scars.  He also
testified that the other scars on his face were not due to burns.
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) notes that the veteran has
never been afforded a VA dermatological examination to determine
the severity of the burn scars on the face.  The June 1991
general medical examination noted only "scars on the face
secondary to the burn."  This information is inadequate for
rating purposes.

To ensure that the VA has met its duty to assist the claimant in
developing the facts pertinent to the claim and to ensure full
compliance with due process requirements, the case is REMANDED to
the RO for the following development:

1.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
dermatological examination to determine the
current severity of the

burn scars on the face.  The claims folder
should be made available to the examiner
for review before the examination.  The
examiner should describe in detail the
location of the burn scars and any tissue
loss, discoloration, color contrast,
disfigurement and attachment to underlying
bone, joint, muscle or other tissues.  As
part of the examination, unretouched color
photographs of the veteran's face should be
made.

2.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
orthopedic and neurological examination to
determine the current severity of the
residuals of the fracture of the left wrist
and the healed compression fractures of the
10th and 11th thoracic vertebrae.  All
indicated tests in this regard should be
accomplished.  The claims folder should be
made available to the examiners for review
before the examinations.  The examiners are
requested to state whether there is
demonstrable deformity of any vertebral
body and whether it is related to the
service-connected fracture residuals.

3.  After the development requested above
has been completed the RO should again
review the record.  If any benefit sought
on appeal remains denied, the appellant and
representative should be furnished a
supplemental statement of the case and
given the opportunity to respond thereto.

Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board, if in
order.  The Board intimates no opinion as to the ultimate outcome
of this case.  The appellant need take no action unless otherwise
notified.

          BARBARA B. COPELAND
          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).