BVA9500561 
DOCKET NO.  93-12 262     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in No. Little
Rock, Arkansas

THE ISSUES

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for post traumatic stress
disorder, currently rated 50 percent disabling.

Entitlement to a temporary total disability rating based on
hospitalization from December 8, 1991, through January 4, 1992.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Hilary L. Goodman, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from September 1969 to November
1970.

This appeal arises from a June 1992 rating decision which
continued the 50 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's
post traumatic stress disorder and denied a temporary total
disability rating based on hospitalization from December 8, 1991,
through January 4, 1992.

The veteran, in a November 1992 letter, raised the issue of a
temporary total disability rating based on hospitalization from
July 5, through August 26, 1992.  This issue is referred to the
originating agency for appropriate action.

REMAND

The veteran's representative has requested that consideration be
given to granting service connection for alcoholism as secondary
to post traumatic stress disorder.

In Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 180 (1991), the United States
Court of Veterans Appeals stated that, when two issues are
"inextricably intertwined," a decision on one issue would have a
significant impact on a claim for the second issue.  The Board of
Veterans' Appeals (Board) believes that, in light of the Harris
decision, the question of the veteran's possible entitlement to
service connection for alcoholism should be resolved prior to
final appellate consideration of the issues of his entitlement to
a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for post
traumatic stress disorder and a temporary total disability rating
based on hospitalization from December 8, 1991, through January
4, 1992.

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds that the issues should
be REMANDED to the originating agency for the following action:

1.  The originating agency should request
copies of all of the veteran's outpatient
treatment records as well as all inpatient
treatment records dated subsequent to
December 1992 from the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, North
Little Rock.  All documents obtained should
be associated with the veteran's claims
files.

2.  After the requested medical records
have been secured, the originating agency
should schedule the veteran for a
psychiatric examination.  The express
purpose of this examination is to evaluate
the current severity of his post traumatic
stress disorder, and to dtermine the
etiology of his alcoholism.  All necessary
tests and studies should be conducted and
all clinical manifestations should be
reported in detail.  The examining
physician should be given access to the
veteran's claims files for a sufficient
period of time prior to the examination to
allow for a complete review of the record.

3.  The originating agency should
adjudicate the issue of the veteran's
entitlement to service connection for
alcoholism as secondary to post traumatic
stress disorder.  Any decision must be
supported by competent medical authority.
The decision should be in writing to ensure
all due process.  The veteran is to be
informed of the determination by letter
that includes appellate rights.

If the determination made on the issue of an increased evaluation
for post traumatic stress disorder or a temporary total
disability rating based on hospitalization from December 8, 1991,
through January 4, 1992, remains unfavorable to the veteran, a
supplemental statement of the case which sets forth the evidence
received since the March 1993 supplemental statement of the case
should be issued to the veteran and his representative.  They
should be given the appropriate period of time in which to
respond.  Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board
for further consideration, if in order.  No action is required by
the veteran until he receives further notice.  The purpose of
this REMAND is to obtain clarifying medical information and
afford the veteran due process.

          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).