BVA9500336 
DOCKET NO.  92-09 240     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Boston,
Massachusetts

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric
disorder.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

G. Wm. Thompson, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active service from May 1969 to December 1971.

This case was previously before the Board of Veterans' Appeals
(Board) and remanded in June 1993 to the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO), Boston, Massachusetts, for
additional development, to include requesting records of
psychiatric treatment that the veteran referred to in his initial
claim for service connection filed in 1983.  The RO did attempt
to obtain the records, but the records were requested using the
veteran's current name.  The record reflects that his name was
changed in 1983, so it is likely that the treatment referred to
was under his previous name.  Additionally, it has been learned
that Framingham Mental Health may now be the Metro West Mental
Health Association and that the Attleboro Area Mental Health
Association may now be "Versicare."

In view of the above, this case must be REMANDED again for the
following:

1.  The veteran should be asked to
indicate approximately when he was seen at
the Attleboro Area Mental Health and, with
his consent, his records should be
requested from Versicare (formerly
Attleboro Area Mental Health), 219 Park
Street, Attleboro, Massachusetts.  His
current and former names and social
security number should be stated in the
request.  The veteran also should indicate
approximately when he was seen at the
Framingham Mental Health and, if possible,
the names of any doctors or therapists by
whom he was seen.  With his consent, his
records should be requested from Metro
West Mental Health Association, 88 Lincoln
Street, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701.
The request should explain that he was
seen at Framingham Mental Health.  If
Metro West does not have the Framingham
Mental Health records, it should be asked
to suggest where they might be located.
The veteran's current and previous names
and his social security number should be
provided.  The veteran also should be
asked whether he received any
psychological evaluation, counseling,
therapy or other mental health services
prior to service and, if so, he should
identify the approximate date and place.
His records should then be requested.
Finally, there is a reference in the
record to his having been diagnosed with
schizophrenia at the Franklin Clinic.  The
veteran should be asked whether that is
correct, approximately when the diagnosis
was made, and where the clinic is located.
His records should then be requested.

2.  The veteran should be permitted to
submit or identify any additional evidence
that pertains to his claim for service
connection.  If necessary, the RO should
assist him in obtaining it.

3.  After the above development has been
completed to the extent possible, the RO
should determine whether a psychiatric
examination or the opinion of a
psychiatrist is necessary to ascertain the
correct diagnoses and what, if any,
relationship there is between the symptoms
in service and any current psychiatric
disorders.  If indicated, such development
should be accomplished, with the claims
folder being made available to the
psychiatrist.

Thereafter, the claim should be readjudicated.  If the benefit
sought is not granted, the veteran and his representative should
be furnished a copy of a supplemental statement of the case, with
opportunity to respond.  The case should then be returned to the
board for further consideration.  The veteran need take no action
until notified.

          JANE E. SHARP
          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).