BVA9503919 
DOCKET NO.  93-04 255     )       DATE
          )
          )

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

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for
right biceps repair with radial neuropathy.

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

Margaret L. Peak, Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran had active service from August 1960 to August 1963.
This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on
appeal from a decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Regional Office (RO) in St. Petersburg, Florida.

REMAND

A VA compensation and pension examination was conducted in
October 1992.  In the report of that examination, it was noted
that nerve conduction studies and electromyographic testing had
been scheduled for November 1992, in order to evaluate the
remnant symptomatic complaints.  The record reflects that the RO
has not obtained the records pertaining to these November 1992
studies or any other VA outpatient records for the period since
July 1992.

Further development being required in order to complete the
record, the case is, therefore, REMANDED for the following
action:

1.  The RO should contact the veteran and
request that he identify the names,
addresses, and approximate dates of
treatment for all VA and non-VA health care
providers who have treated him for his
service connected disability in recent
years.  With any necessary authorization
from the veteran, the RO should attempt to
obtain copies of pertinent treatment records
identified by the veteran which have not
been previously secured.  In any event, the
RO should obtain copies of the veteran's VA
outpatient records for the period since July
1992.

2.  When the above development has been
completed, the veteran should be afforded a
VA examination by a board-certified
neurologist, if available, to determine the
present level of disability occasioned by
residuals of postoperative repair of the
right biceps with radial nerve involvement.
All indicated studies should be performed,
including nerve conduction studies and
electro- myographic testing.  The claims
folder and a copy of this REMAND should be
provided to the examining physician for
review prior to the examination.

3.  The veteran should be afforded a VA
examination by a board-certified
orthopedist, if available, to determine the
present level of disability occasioned by
residuals of postoperative repair of the
right biceps.  All indicated studies should
be performed.  The claims file should be
made available to the examiner for review
prior to the examination.

4.  The RO should then readjudicate the
issue of entitlement to an increased rating
for postoperative repair of the right biceps
with radial nerve involvement, considering
the entire history of the disability and all
potentially applicable regulations, as
discussed in Schafrath v. Derwinski, 1
Vet.App. 589, 592-593 (1991).

If the benefit sought on appeal is not granted to the veteran's
satisfaction, the veteran should be given a supplemental
statement of the case and afforded an opportunity to respond.
Then, the case should be returned to the Board for further
appellate consideration, if otherwise in order.  No action by the
veteran is required until he is otherwise notified.

          SHANE A. DURKIN
          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

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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).