BVA9503524 
DOCKET NO.  93-08 404     )       DATE
          )
          )

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

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Arizona Veterans Service
Commission

WITNESSES AT HEARING ON APPEAL

Appellant and friend

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Robert E. P. Jones, Associate Counsel

REMAND

The veteran served on active duty from October 1977 to October
1982 and from January 1983 to October 1989.  This matter came
before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a
March 1992 rating decision by the Phoenix, Arizona, Regional
Office (RO).  The veteran seeks service connection for a left
knee disorder.  The veteran's claims file contains a copy of a
January 1992 letter by David A. Rockwell, M.D., in which this
physician stated he had seen the veteran in July 1990, at which
time the veteran stated he had injured his left knee in
June 1990 when he had stepped in a hole at work.  Copies of Dr.
Rockwell's treatment records are not included in the veteran's
claims file.

In testimony at a hearing conducted in August 1992, the veteran
stated that his knee complaints had begun in service but that the
knee injury had been further aggravated in February 1990 during
job training with the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
Documents of record reflect that the veteran had been employed by
that Department at the Wayne Correctional facility.

In light of the foregoing, this case is hereby REMANDED to the
agency of original jurisdiction for the following actions:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
ask that he supply the names and addresses
of all physicians who have supplied
treatment for a left knee disorder since
discharge from service.  After obtaining
the proper authorization, the RO should
attempt to obtain copies of these records.
These records should include both
outpatient and surgical treatment records
from Dr. David A. Rockwell.  Of particular
interest are records setting forth the
veteran's history of knee complaints.  All
copies obtained should be associated with
the veteran's claims file.

2.  The RO should contact the veteran and
request authorization to contact the North
Carolina Department of Justice for copies
of all administrative and medical records
relating to injury or incapacitation of the
veteran while he was employed as a
correctional officer, including any period
of training.  All copies obtained should be
associated with the veteran's claims
folder.

After the requested development has been completed, the veteran's
claim should again be considered by the RO.  Should the prior
denial be confirmed, the case should be returned to the Board.  No
action is required of the veteran until he receives further
notice.  The Board intimates no opinion, either legal or factual,
as to the disposition warranted in this case pending completion of
the above actions.

          JAMES R. ANTHONY
          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) (1994).