BVA9500423 
DOCKET NO.  93-07 826     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Montgomery,
Alabama

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for cardiovascular disease.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert P. Regan, Counsel

REMAND

The appellant had approximately 22 years of active duty
terminating with his retirement in December 1989.

A review of the record reflects that an electrocardiogram,
conducted during a VA examination in March 1990, showed the
presence of a left anterior fascicular block.  To ensure that VA
has met its duty to assist the appellant in developing the facts
pertinent to the claim, the case is REMANDED to the regional
office (RO) for the following development:

1.  The regional office should request the
National Personnel Records Center in St.
Louis Missouri to verify all active duty
dates.

2.  The RO should obtain the names and
addresses of all medical care providers who
treated the appellant for cardiovascular
disease since December 14, 1992.  After
securing the necessary release, the RO
should obtain these records.

3.  The appellant should be afforded a VA
cardiovascular examination to determine the
nature and severity of the appellant's
cardiovascular disease.  In conjunction
with a review of the appellant's claims
folder. it is requested that the examiner
render an opinion as to the clinical
significance of the abnormal findings
demonstrated during the March 1990 VA
electrocardiogram.  All testing deemed
necessary should be performed.

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.

          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).