BVA9501224 
DOCKET NO.  93-11 968     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

2.  Entitlement to an increased (compensable) evaluation for
bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans

WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert P. Regan, Counsel

REMAND

The veteran had active duty from January 1981 to May 1983.

The Board of Veterans' appeals is of the opinion that a
contemporaneous and thorough VA examination would be of
assistance in rendering a decision in this case.  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 RO should request the veteran to
identify the names and addresses of all
medical care providers who have treated him
for hearing loss and tinnitus since his
release from active duty.  After securing
the necessary release, the RO should obtain
these records.

2.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
examination by a specialist in ear
disorders in order to determine the nature
and severity of the bilateral hearing loss
and the reported tinnitus.  An audiological
examination and any other tests deemed
necessary should be performed.  If tinnitus
is diagnosed, it is requested that the
examiner, in conjunction with a review of
the claims folder, render an opinion as to
its etiology.

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.

          GARY L. GICK
          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 deter-
mination.  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).