BVA9504839 
DOCKET NO.  93-12 912     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Petersburg,
Florida

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for histoplasmosis.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel
syndrome.

3. Entitlement to service connection for fibrocystic disease of
the breast.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: The American Legion

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Constance C. Hickey, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from June 1958 to June 1966, and
from June 1969 to February 1984.

This appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) arises from
the October 1992 rating decision of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
St. Petersburg, Florida which denied service connection for
histoplasmosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibrocystic disease
of the breast.

REMAND

On initial review of the record the Board notes that the
veteran's service medical records appear to be incomplete.  In
her April 1993 appeal the veteran identified the dates of
specific entries in her service medical records which she
contends will document the presence of fibrocystic disease,
irritable bowel syndrome, and histoplasmosis during service.  The
veteran offered to provide copies of the pertinent records to the
RO.  The Board believes that all available service medical
records should be associated with the veteran's claims folder
prior to appellate review of her claims.  Additionally, the
veteran has alluded to post service treatment at Fort Jackson and
at Walter Reed Medical Center which is not documented by the
evidence of record.  The Board agrees with the service
representative that a remand of this case is necessary to ensure
that VA has fulfilled its obligation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a)
(West 1991) to assist the veteran in the development of facts to
support her claim.  Accordingly, the case is REMANDED for the
following actions:

1.  The RO should attempt to obtain all
available service medical records through
official channels.  If original records
are unavailable, the RO should obtain
copies of all records available from the
veteran.  If the veteran so chooses, she
should be allowed to bring her copies of
the service medical records to the RO for
photocopying.  If the veteran is unable or
unwilling to provide copies of her service
medical records she should submit a
written statement to that effect.

2.  The RO should request that the veteran
provide the names and addresses of all
medical care providers, VA and private who
have evaluated or treated her for
histoplasmosis, irritable bowel syndrome,
and fibrocystic disease of the breast,
since separation from service.  After the
necessary releases have been obtained, the
RO should contact the medical care
providers identified by the veteran and
request copies of any previously
unobtained treatment records.  Specific
request should be addressed to medical
facilities at Fort Jackson, and to Walter
Reed Medical Center, previously identified
by the veteran.  All records received
should be associated with the veteran's
claims folder.

3.  When up-to-date treatment records have
been obtained, the RO should make a
determination concerning whether the
veteran should be provided an additional
VA compensation examination to assess the
current status of the claimed disorders.

4.  After all requested development has
been completed the RO should again review
the veteran's claims for service
connection for histoplasmosis, irritable
bowel syndrome, and fibrocystic disease of
the breast.  If action taken remains
adverse to the veteran, the RO should
provide the veteran and her representative
with a supplemental statement of the case
containing a recitation of all relevant
evidence, a citation to the relevant law
and regulations, and a statement of the
reasons for action taken.  An opportunity
should be provided for response.

Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for further
appellate consideration, if otherwise in order.  By this action
the Board intimates no opinion, either factual or legal, as to
the ultimate determination in this case.  No action by the
veteran is required until she receives further notice.

____________________________
          N.R. ROBIN
          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).